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The Great
Tribulation No treatment of the end of the world nor of the
Dispensational teaching would be complete without some reference
to what is known as The Great Tribulation. Dispensational books
abound on every hand giving expression to this theme. It forms a
favorite sermon background with unlimited room for excursions in
fantasy and forecasting the future political trends of the
world. The antichrist looms large in the center as the villain
who perpetrates treachery and surpassing cruelty along with
wholesale slaughter of human beings. Just what is the Great
Tribulation that projects its fearsome profile across our future
history?
Very briefly, the Great Tribulation according to
Dispensational teaching, will commence after the rapture of the
church. Its vortex of action will take place in Palestine, and
it will entail death and suffering affecting the entire world.
The antichrist, who is the chief architect of the Tribulation is
supposed to make a Covenant with the Jews at the commencement of
Daniel's Seventieth Week, and then repudiate this covenant after
three and one-half years, and plunge the Jews and others into
merciless extermination. While the details may differ according
to the expositor, this seems to be the sequence of events which
is subscribed to by the vast majority of Dispensationalists.
It is only natural that what has been said already about the
antichrist and about Daniel's Seventieth Week has a bearing on
this answer also. [ NOTE: The author is referring to his article
entitled: Who is the ANTICHRIST? ] Truth is one. Truth applies
to the whole, and therefore, it cannot contradict itself. If the
seventieth week of Daniel took place on schedule as God said,
then the antichrist of the tribulation is false doctrine because
his emergence comes at a time already long-past fulfillment.
Thus the Dispensational teaching of a future great tribulation
dissolves into history instead of prophecy. If the Everlasting
Covenant which Christ sealed during Daniel's seventieth week
fulfilled God's Plan, then it is impossible for a future
antichrist to duplicate it. The Seventieth week can only happen
once. It has to be either according to what God
"determined" or according to Dispensational jockeying
of "hidden interval postponement." The issue in God's
Word is very clear.
Dispensationalists call the Great Tribulation the Day of
Jacob's trouble and by various other captions. The 24th chapter
of Matthew, perhaps, exceeds all other portions of Scripture for
references to this event, as well as the multiform and very
complicated explanations offered. These are endless and
diversified beyond calculation. This is unfortunate, and for the
most part both useless and needless. God has given us certain
landmarks in prophecy to serve as anchors and as "North
Stars" to guide us through difficult passages with
comprehension and assurance that our conclusions are right.
Truth is not complicated and truth does not contradict itself.
Difficult portions in the Bible must adhere in interpretation
exactly to what is plainly declared. The Bible does not make a
plain statement and then contradict itself with something that
is less-easy to perceive.
In order to provide the context for what follows, let us
invite your attention once more to Luke 24:44, "Then He
(Christ) said unto them. These are the words that I spake unto
you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be
FULFILLED, which were written in the law of MOSES, and in the
PROPHETS, and in the PSALMS concerning Me." The references
to Moses, the prophets and the Psalms abound through the New
Testament as is indicated by Paul and Peter and others. The
question that is relevant now is, "What did MOSES
say?" What bearing did Moses have on Israel's prophecy and
Israel's future. The answer is very obvious in the 28th chapter
of Deuteronomy. Listen to what Moses said, for it gives an
unambiguous prophetic history of Israel.
The chapter is too long to quote in its entirety so we shall
quote the pertinent verses, although we invite anyone to read
the entire chapter. Moses spoke in what must be his farewell
address to Israel as follows: "But it shall come to pass
that if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy
God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes
which I command thee this day; that ALL THESE CURSES SHALL COME
UPON THEE AND OVERTAKE THEE." Deut. 28:15. Having made this
unconditional judgment, Moses began to go into detail and
outline the nature of the curses for breaking God's Law.
As Moses unfolded the future of Israel he made this amazing
statement: "The Lord shall bring thee AND THY KING WHICH
THOU SHALT SET OVER THEE, unto a nation which neither thou nor
thy fathers have known…" Deut. 28:36. This penetrating
prophecy foresaw Israel far down the future with a king exactly
as it came to pass, and further he told them of their captivity.
Eventually he told them of their continued apostasy and the
inescapable judgments of God. Moses continued as follows:
"Moreover ALL THESE CURSES SHALL COME UPON THEE…and they
shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, AND UPON THY
SEED FOREVER." Deut. 28:45a, 46. Evidently Moses was not a
Dispensationalist painting the future of Israel in glowing
colors of national supremacy. The curse was FOREVER.
That is not all! Look at what follows: "And the Lord
shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the
earth, as swift as the EAGLE flieth; a nation whose tongue thou
shalt not understand, a nation of fierce countenance…"
Deut. 28:49, 50a. This nation is identified as Rome whose symbol
in war was the eagle. "And thou shalt eat the fruit of
thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy
daughters…wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee."
V. 53. What Moses describes from v. 53 to verse 57 is almost too
revolting to read but it corresponds exactly in every detail
with the historical description of the fall of Jerusalem in A.
D. 70, even to the cannibalism to which the population was
reduced.
Moses continues thus: And the Lord shall scatter thee among
all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the
other…and among these nations thou shalt find no ease…and
the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt (bondage)again." Vv.
64-68. THAT IS WHERE MOSES ENDS HIS PROPHECY. It is very plain
and simple as well as complete. Any return to God's favor
subsequent to this is a RETURN AS INDIVIDUALS UNTO the LORD
rather than a return to the land.
We call attention once more to the fact that Moses gave the
complete prophetic history of Israel but it hasn't a vestige of
Dispensationalism in it concerning a restoration and a brilliant
conclusion. Moses said, "And He (God) said, I will hide my
face from them, I will see WHAT THEIR END will be for they are a
very froward generation in whom is NO FAITH. For they are a
nation void of counsel. O that they were wise, that they
understood this, that they would consider their LATTER
END." Deut.32;20, 29. This pathetic lament of Moses
concludes his concern as well as his prophecy of Israel. It ends
with a whimper! What else is written in God's Word concerning
this nation must conform to this explicit and lucid summary.
Truth later on in God's Word cannot negate truth already clearly
stated.
Although there are many clear anchors for truth, we shall
next consider Daniel's prophecy. Dispensationalists have a
"field day" inventing every imagination possible
concerning the end of the world from Daniel's writings. Here
they find a king whom they identify as antichrist, tribulations,
abomination of Daniel the prophet, and endless time tables,
parenthetic period, and inscrutable interpretations. We condemn
this as out of keeping with a God who intends His followers to
comprehend His purposes. We dismiss it as contradictory with
truth already plainly given by Moses. How then, do we comprehend
Daniel? It is very simple.
Turn to Daniel 12:7b, "When He shall have accomplished
to scatter the power of the holy people, all these shall be
finished." Let us remember that Daniel, like Moses, gives a
prophetic history of Israel. The great difference between the
two prophets is that Daniel introduced a time element which
indicated the exact calendar year the events would transpire.
Daniel said "Seventy weeks are determined." Oddly, the
Dispensationalists ses a re-gathered Israel in a restored nation
and a position of world leadership in their interpretation of
Daniel 9:24-27. Because history does not afford such a
fulfillment, they accuse God of not keeping His promises and
postponing the prophecy which Daniel gave under the inspiration
of the Holy Ghost. This is where their interpretation takes on
serious proportions for it violates a fundamental principle
given by God with which to judge true prophecy. "When a
prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow
NOT, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not
spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou
shalt not be afraid of him." Deut. 18:22. When
Dispensationsalists boldly assert that "Nothing in history
corresponds to their interpretation of Daniel, and that it must
THEREFORE be postponed, they stand judged by God's Word of
either making Daniel a presumptuous visionary, or of making God
a victim of His own measuring device for discerning inspiration.
This is the most serious weakness of the entire Dispensational
theory. On this rock it is wreaked and deserves to be condemned.
What Daniel really said is identical with what Moses said,
although in different words. Daniel said that when the Jews were
scattered, then everything is fulfilled. It is very simple and
very clear. This includes the tribulation which he prophesied.
Daniel didn't even mention antichrist. Moses told of the horrors
wrought by the Romans and the eventual dispersion. Daniel told
of the prince who would destroy the city and the sanctuary and
disperse the inhabitants. There is no contradiction and there is
perfect harmony so far as Daniel is concerned. Daniel did not
see a restored Israel. He saw "Seventy weeks
determined" on them. After Daniel received his prophetic
vision he went into mourning three full weeks. Dan. 10:1. Would
this have been his reaction if he foresaw the Dispensational
glory surrounding Israel.? Daniel saw the future of Israel in
the same manner as Moses stated so clearly.
The prophecy given in Matthew 24 has some areas that seem
obscure, but the interpretation must be in harmony with the
Scriptures that are plain. This is not difficult. Matthew tells
his readers that, "When ye therefore shall see the
abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand
in the holy place, whoso readeth let him understand, then let
them which be in Judea flee to the mountains: Matt. 24:15, 16a.
Obviously, if Matthew's readers were to understand how to
recognize this portent when it arrived, it would have to have
some unmistakable identification. For this reason, if for no
other, we would reject the Dispensational surmise that it means
an idol set up in a future temple. For one thing, no one could
"SEE" such an idol except under very unusual
circumstances. Matthew is talking of something that is visible
for all to behold. Mark refers to the same event in almost the
same words.
When we come to Luke's gospel the wording is unmistakable.
Matthew wrote his gospel for the Jews who were familiar with the
Old Testament prophets. But Luke, being a Gentile, not only
related the event but made is so that Gentiles would comprehend
the meaning as well. Luke said, "And when ye shall see
Jerusalem encompassed with armies, then know that the desolation
thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the
mountains." Luke 21:20, 21a. Luke's instruction is the same
as Matthew's and Mark's. Luke's gospel corresponds with history.
When Jerusalem was surrounded by the armies of "the
prince" (Titus), the Christians knew the "Abomination
spoken of by Daniel" had arrived and they fled to the
mountains and thus were "saved out of it." In this
manner the infant church was preserved.
History recorded by Josephus, an eyewitness, reveals that the
events which took place during the siege were identical to what
Moses prophesied. This was the Great Tribulation. This was the
Day of Jacob's trouble. This was the abomination of desolation
spoken of by Daniel. When the Jews (the holy or Covenant people)
were scattered, all of Daniel's prophecy, including the Seventy
weeks which God determined, was finished. It is all very
harmonious and clear. The Everlasting Covenant was sealed and
ratified during the Seventieth Week, and the dispersion
eventuated with that generation in accordance with Christ's
Judgment.
The Bible never leaves us without corroborating testimony to
confirm our conclusions. Thus we read in Luke's gospel,
"For these be the days of vengeance, that ALL THINGS WHICH
ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED." Luke 21:22. Thus if Luke's
gospel clearly fulfills all prophecy, it has to include what was
written by Matthew and Mark and Daniel and Moses. Also it is in
complete harmony with all of them.
In conclusion, we would not want to infer that
Dispensationalists are guilty of all of the suggestions which
their interpretation demands. It is not the people that we are
opposing. It is their doctrine, and in this regard we have to
remember that Dispensationalism is of recent origin, and it is
opposed to Amillennialism. Both doctrines cannot be right for
they are based on different premises, and they arrive at very
different conclusions. Dispensationalism, according to their
highest authorities is founded on the Old Testament and is in
harmony with the Jewish interpretation of the Talmud. This is
where we part company. We are living under the New Testament.
The Old Testament was abolished and abrogated. We are under the
New Testament which has established a new and better way.
Hebrews chapter 8.
In addition to the above, let us also say that while we
believe the Bible is clear and unmistakably plain in defining
the Great tribulation and identifying it with the history of the
downfall of the Jewish nation together with its subsequent
dispersion, still we would not by any means suggest that no
further tribulations could befall this world. There is evidence
of persecution in many lands. There is evidence of falling away
spiritually and the permissiveness, occultism, devil worship,
fortune telling, consorting with spirits, and general unrest
bodes ill for our children. Evil is rampant with the stage
becoming more vile and indecent and the screen more violent and
cruel. The judgment of God will not overlook these rebellious
acts of trying to depose God from His universe. God is still on
His throne. The Second Coming will usher in His judgment. His
rewards and punishment, and then ETERNITY. The Lord told us to
WATCH and PRAY. No advice is more pertinent, timely and needed.
The Great Tribulation is past. Let us learn the lesson!
"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two
or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,
shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son
of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he
was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the
Spirit of grace." Heb. 10:29. God operates a universe that
is based on law. You can see this in every detail from the
precise regularity of the sunrise and the changing seasons to
the meticulous conformity of the planets and worlds without end.
The God whose law keeps His universe silently performing His
will has a will for man, his creature. Man cannot break that law
of love with impunity. God is not concerned with obscure
antichrists or nebulous tribulations. He is concerned that men
get right with God and live according to His will. If we do
that, we have no fear of the Second Coming, the Judgment or any
other fearsome event lurking in the future. When we settle out
relationship with God at Calvary and commit the keeping of our
soul to Him, God will take good care of our FUTURE.
God holds us responsible for our past. We must answer Him for
our record. God has graciously granted us the present and for
its use He demands our loyal service. The word
"future" is not in the Bible! Joseph said, "Do
not interpretations belong to God? Gen. 40:8. Moses said,
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those
things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children
forever, that we do all the things of this law."
Deut.29:29. Many preachers spend far too much time delving into
future speculations. Time invariably repudiates their futile
predictions. God did not give us a bag full of mysteries, but
the Book of Life. He did not give us a bunch of riddles to make
us look ridiculous by posing as experts able to solve the
inscrutable future.
God gave us His Son and He told us to follow Him. To the
bewildered disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, God spoke
with reassurance. "This is My beloved Son, Hear Him."
Theologians ought to heed this wise counsel and concentrate on
present principles and plain pathways rather than futuristic
spiritual weather forecasts. When God gave us a plumb line, it
was not to take soundings of uncharted depths into future ages
but to erect an upright character in accordance with His design
and pattern. If we heed this present guidance of His Spirit, the
God who holds the future will care for us as it unfolds in
history and blends with eternity. Preachers were not meant to be
soothsayers but truth-sayers. We were not called to predict the
future antichrist but to proclaim the eternal present Christ.
Finally, we have no authority to postpone what God determined.
Let us rather proclaim what God decreed. Amillennialism EXALTS
this Christ and His FINISHED work. Dispensationalism INSULTS
Christ by telling us He would have set up His kingdom but a
handful of unbelieving Jews thwarted His plan and caused it to
be postponed to a future age. The Kingdom of God is based on
God's Sovereign will and not on sinful man's option. Rom.
9:22-25. Dispensationalism foresees a TRIBULATION with Christ
drenching the world in human blood and gaining His victory
through death-dealing struggles against a mystical arch-fiend
antichrist. Amillennialism sees Christ victorious at Calvary,
now exalted by the right hand of God, reigning in power and
glory, "eternal, immortal, and INVISIBLE, the only-wise
God." (to Whom) be honor and glory forever and ever."
1 Tim. 1:17. Christ said, on ascending to His throne," All
power is GIVEN, (Not going to be given at some future time), but
GIVEN unto ME IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH." Matt. 28:18. WHICH
IS YOUR CHRIST?
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