The Great Tribulation

Breaking the Code
The Great Tribulation

I. Introduction

A. John 16:33c (NAS) “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

B. Jesus has “overcome”!

C. Revelation 6:1-8 (NLT)

1. The “white horse” represents the these churches were facing persecution from.

2. The “red horse” represents and violence.

3. The “black horse” represents .

4. The “pale green horse” represents .

D. Revelation 6:9-11 (NLT)

1. He’s talking about the voice of an Church.

2. What did this mean to the original John was writing to?

E. Revelation 2:13b (NLT) “You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.”

F. Revelation 6:12 (NLT) I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood.

G. Revelation 6:17 (NLT) “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”

H. Revelation 7:1 (NLT) Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree.

1. There’s a of damage!

I. Revelation 7:2-4 (NLT)

1. I believe 144,000 is a number.

2. God is saying He will guard His Church. They will be .

J. Revelation 7:9-12 (NLT)

1. This is the same group—the Church—the people of God—but now they’re in heaven!

2. Palm branches were a sign of !

K. Revelation 7:13-14 (NLT)

II. Two Views About “The Great Tribulation”

A. “The Great Tribulation” refers to a specific period of time at the of time.

1. Some people who hold this view believe the Church will be “” or removed from the earth before the time of “Tribulation” begins.

2. There are other Christians who agree the Tribulation will be something that happens at the end of time, but they think the Church will go the Tribulation—along with everybody else.

B. “The Great Tribulation” refers not just to one particular time of tribulation in history, but it’s a way of talking about the fact that the Church and will face tribulation until Jesus comes back.

1. “Tribulation” – – “thlipsis”

2. “Thlipsis” is almost always used to describe what the Church was going through (not a future event).

3. Some Christians think “The Great Tribulation” refers to something that will take place at the end of time. And some people think “The Great Tribulation” is referring to the tribulation that goes on throughout the to the Church.

C. Jesus is definitely ! And we look forward to that eagerly!

D. Revelation 7:10 (NLT) And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

E. Revelation 7:15-17 (NLT)

III. Conclusion