The Great Tribulation

“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

As we read the preceding signs, Jesus instructed us to “not be alarmed” that these are only the “beginning of birth pains.” See Figure 2.5.

This only makes his prediction about a period of “great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world” and “if those days were not cut short, no one would survive” all the more alarming.

The preface of “for then” in this verse implies that this period of great distress occurs soon after “the abomination that causes desolation.” This period of distress, because it is “unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again” can only be the Great Tribulation (see Figure 2.6) that was discussed in Chapter 1, Taming the Terminology.

Author: thebrewisamusing

I was raised in a Christian family and my earliest childhood memories include regular Sunday school and Church attendance as a family. I was taught that our Judeo-Christian values were not just a part of our Sunday routine they should be part of our character and influence all aspects of our lives. I was also taught that as important as these values were they could not save us. We must also be “born again” by accepting Christ. View all posts by thebrewisamusing