“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, NIV 1984)
My Musings – Jesus instructs us to “not be alarmed” that the signs in the prior musings are only the “beginning of birth pains.”
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.
My Advice – “Great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now, never to be equaled again.” Not an encouraging picture for anyone without the following assurance. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV 1984). Great, unequaled distress is no match for “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7, NIV 1984). If you don’t have it, you need to get it.
The Brew Is A Musing 