Casting the Net - CTN Commentaries

CTN Commentaries
Matthew 24 as it relates to the "great tribulation".
I've heard it said that Christians are not destined for the wrath of God and that the 7 year tribulation (or the great tribulation) is the wrath of God, therefore Christian's will be raptured prior to this period of tribulation. I've always been frustrated with this because of several reasons, including but not limited to: the 7 year trib is not scriptural, the great tribulation is NOT the same as the wrath of God, the tribulations spoked of in the bible always come from satan or others NOT God. However, this morning was the first time I realized that God himself through the words of Jesus tells us the great tribulation is NOT the wrath of God. Notice in Matthew 24:21-22 Jesus is talking to His disciples. Matthew 24:21-22 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. If the great tribulation was the wrath of God, God would NOT have to shorten the days to save the elect because we know from the revelation of Jesus to John that the elect are 'marked' in their forehead prior to the wrath of God, the seventh seal, and no harm will come to them during the wrath of God. Now, most teach today that all 7 seals are the seven year trib which means God is only marking and saving His elect from the last seal, which coincidentally is referred to as God's wrath, unlike the first 6 seals, but that's not relevant when teaching about the tribulation and the wrath of God now is it! If all 7 seals are the wrath, then why would God not protect his Elect through it all. More logically, and scripturally, it follows that there is not a 7 year tribulation and the great tribulation is the culmination of a continual increase in the level of tribulation experienced by all believer's until it becomes so great that God must intervene by sending Christ back for all believer's and sealing the elect of Israel and then opening the 7th seal which finally releases God's wrath upon an unbelieving world (the 7 trumpet judgement), while at the same protecting his elect as a witness to the world of the power of the one true God. Incidentally, it also tells us in Revelation that after the 7th seal is completed that no one turned to God through the signs of his wrath, they instead chose to curse him, etc. This would further indicate that the current teaching that you have a second chance after the rapture is inaccurate. Not to say God wouldn't have saved anyone, but that we're told ahead of time that no one was saved during his wrath. The multitudes referred to as saved from the great tribulation found in Heaven is directly after the rapture and after the sealing of the remaining elect of Israel which serve as God's witnesses during his wrath. Therefore, it is referring to those that are raptured. Also, note in the letters to the seven churches, God's Revelation to Jesus given to John states plainly that to the church in Thyatira: ( They will go through great tribulation.) Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. To the church in Sardis: (Christ's return shall be as a thief in the night to them.) Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. To the church in Philadelphia: (They will be kept from the hour of temptation) Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. May God bless you in your diligent review of the scriptures and prayerful considerations.