Lecture for 25 June: The Day of the Lord (Yahweh)/Tribulation  Day of the Lord (Yahweh)/Jacob’s Trouble/Tribulation is an OT term contextualized by NT eschatological writings & based on Daniel’s 70 th week—remaining 7 years (Dan 9:27) Old Testament: Old Testament: o Isa 2:9-21; 13:6-13; o Dan 12:1; o Joel 2:1-11, 30-31; o Amos 5:18-20; o Zeph 1:14 – 2:3; o Zech 14:1-7 NT: NT: o 1 Thess 5:2-11; o 2 Thess 2:2-12; o 2 Pet 3:3-14; o Rev 5-19

The Day of the Lord (Yahweh)/Tribulation  Unprecedented Period of God’s wrath poured out on humanity for cumulative sin on earth for approximately 6,000 years  Church not present for God’s wrath/Tribulation o 1 Thess 1:10; 5:9 o Removed as “restrainer” (2 Thess 2:6-7) of the antichrist/beast (Dan 7:20b-22, 24b-26, Rev 13:1-10) o Raptured to heaven for Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10-12; 1 Cor 3:9-15; 2 Cor 5:10) and Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7-9)

 Leaving behind unbelieving Jews (Nation of Israel), who have not accepted Jesus as Messiah and  Unbelieving Gentiles (Gentile Nations), primarily grouped as follows: 10 Nation Arab Confederacy under Antichrist (Ps 83; Dan 2:44; 7:7b-8, 24; Rev 13:1-3; 17:12-14) 10 Nation Arab Confederacy under Antichrist (Ps 83; Dan 2:44; 7:7b-8, 24; Rev 13:1-3; 17:12-14) Northern Confederacy (Ezek 38-39) Northern Confederacy (Ezek 38-39) Kings from the East—Asiatic Confederacy (Rev 16:12) Kings from the East—Asiatic Confederacy (Rev 16:12) King of the South—N. African Confederacy (Dan 11:40) King of the South—N. African Confederacy (Dan 11:40) All Kings together at the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16-21; 19:11-21) All Kings together at the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16-21; 19:11-21)

 However, Holy Spirit still present on earth during Tribulation to dispense God’s grace, mercy, Word, & salvation through:  144,00 Jewish witnesses of Rev 7  Two Witnesses of Rev 11;  Angelic ministry of Rev 14:6-12

 The 7 years are broken into two 3 ½ year periods per Dan 9:27, with the latter known as the Great Tribulation, further broken down as follows per Rev 5-19:  The first 3 ½ years (Rev 5 – 8:5)  Mid-Tribulation  The last 3 ½ years/Great Tribulation (Rev 8:6-11; 14-16)

 The first 3 ½ years (Rev 5 – 8:5): o 7 Seals opened  Antichrist revealed /covenant with Israel (Dan 9:27)  war, famine  death/pestilence  Martyred Tribulation Saints  Nature’s upheaval identified/postponed till end of Tribulation  Preparation for Great Tribulation— last 3 ½ years o 144,000 Jewish Evangelists sealed for ministry (primarily to Israel)

 Mid-Tribulation signaled by following events: o Antichrist:  breaks covenant w/Israel  sets up “Abomination of Desolations” (Dan 9:27)  declares himself to be God (2 Thess 2:3,4)  attacks Israel/God hides them away (Rev 12:13-17)  destroys world religious harlot (Rev 17:16-18) o A “Great Multitude” of mid-tribulation saints raptured to heaven (Rev 7:9-17) o Upheaval of nature begins (Rev 8:5) o False Prophet starts “mark of the Beast” (Rev ) and idol worship (Rev 13:14-15) o Two Witnesses begin ministry (Rev 11) o Angelic ministry of the Gospel begins (Rev 14:6-12)

 The last 3 ½ years/Great Tribulation (Rev 8:6-11; 14-16): o Part way into period, 144,000 finish ministry/Raptured (Rev 14) o Trumpet judgments:  First 4 Trumpet judgments used throughout period  5th Trumpet/1st Woe – Demon locusts/no death for 5 months  6th Trumpet/2nd woe – Eastern Army crosses Euphrates/ destroyed at Armageddon  7th Trumpet /3rd woe – delayed till end of Tribulation (Rev 11) o Two Witnesses perform ministry (Rev 11); o Israel kept safe in Wilderness (Rev 12);

 The last 3 ½ years/Great Tribulation: (continued) (Rev 8:6-11; 14-16) o Mark of the Beast (Rev 13); o Angelic ministry (Rev 8:13; 14:6-20) o 7 Bowl judgments/Last plagues  lasts approx. 30 days  fulfills 7th Trumpet  leads to Armageddon

 The last 3 ½ years/Great Tribulation: (cont.) (Rev 8:6-11; 14-16) o Battle of Armageddon/2nd Coming of Jesus ends Tribulation Period (Rev 14:14-20; 16:16; 19:11-21)

For next time:  Read Geisler, pp ; Hebert M.A. Thesis on Rapture (Optional)  Study for devotion:  Gen 5:21-24;  2 Kgs 2:1-13;  Acts 1:9-11;  1 Thess 4:13-18;  1 Cor 15:51-55;  Rev 4:1-2