1. List the words that describe the Tribulation and give the meaning drawn from each word. The Tribulation will be a time of wrath, trouble, and distress (Zephaniah 1:15). It will be a time of judgment (Revelation 14:7, 15:4). It will be a time of darkness (Amos 5:18-20). This darkness can be physical darkness but is also spiritual darkness. The Tribulation will be a time of unparalleled suffering (Revelation 6:15-17, Matthew 24:21-22).
2. What is the difference between the first and second half of the Tribulation? The first half of the Tribulation is just tribulation, while the second half is the Great Tribulation. The first half of the Tribulation will be the beginning of sorrows. Israel will be in the process of returning to their homeland. The federated church will dominate. There will be the seven seal judgments, the one hundred forty-four thousand witnesses will be sealed, and the two witnesses of Revelation 11:1-13 will rise up. In the second half of the Tribulation, the two witnesses will be slain, the sacrifices and oblations will be ended, Satan will be cast into the earth (Revelation 12:7-12), the seven trumpet judgments will take place, Satan will persecute Israel, the battle of Gog and Magog will occur, and the apostate church will be overthrown. For the most part, however, it will still be business as usual on earth. Then, the mark of the beast will be given so that only those with the mark will be allowed to buy, the seven bowl or vial judgments will occur, commercial Babylon will be overthrown, and the nations of the earth will be brought together by demons for the battle of Armageddon.
3. When will the Antichrist be revealed? The Antichrist will be alive at the time of the Rapture and will be revealed immediately thereafter.
4. What is the condition of Israel when the Tribulation begins? Israel will be in the process of returning to their homeland. This returning home will begin before the Tribulation and continue through the first half.
5. What is the cause that brings about the conversion of Israel? In the second half of the Tribulation, Satan will be cast to the earth and begin to persecute Israel. In Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17, God preserves them and keeps them from being overthrown.
6. What are the events that happen in the middle of the week that divide the Tribulation into two sections? In the second half of the Tribulation, the two witnesses will be slain, the sacrifices and oblations will be ended, Satan will be cast into the earth (Revelation 12:7-12), the seven trumpet judgments will take place, Satan will persecute Israel, the battle of Gog and Magog will occur, and the apostate church will be overthrown. For the most part, however, it will still be business as usual on earth. Then, the mark of the beast will be given so that only those with the mark will be allowed to buy, the seven bowl or vial judgments will occur, commercial Babylon will be overthrown, and the nations of the earth will be brought together by demons for the battle of Armageddon.
7. What is the battle of Gog and Magog? This battle is described in Ezekiel 38:1-39:25 and Joel 2:1-27. It will take seven months to bury all the dead. In the battle, the Northern and Southern confederacies will oppose the man of sin (Daniel 11:40-45).
8. What events conclude the end of the Tribulation? The Tribulation will be ended with a great battle (Revelation 19:11-21). Jesus will return visibly to the earth, and judgment of Satan and the surviving unbelievers will occur.
9. Describe the Battle of Armageddon. Following the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments, anti-Semitism will grow. Demons will influence world leaders to rise up against Israel and God (see Revelation 16:14-16). The battle will be inspired by demons, but the world leaders will responsibly make the decision to rise up. But God will be in control, and the triumphant return of Jesus will mark its end.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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