The that Brings About • The abomination causes the Destruction desolation :14-23 • Daniel 11:31“And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute Intro: the sanctuary of strength, and A) Two weeks ago, we addressed shall take away the daily sacrifice, chapter 13 “when the end begins” and they shall place the We looked at ……. abomination that maketh 1) The prophecy of the temple’s desolate.” destruction 2) The problems which will come to be C) As we continue following Jesus the before the end begins last week of His life …. 3) The promises God makes to His 1) We are seeing that Jesus wants to people teach what the end of time will be like • Chapter 13 and the Olivet B) Now we come to what is the most Discourse is a sermon by Jesus difficult portion of the discourse to 2) It shouldn’t be a shock that much of interpret the end times is centered on 1) What did “Abomination of Desolation” mean? • The destruction of the temple • It comes from the book of Daniel • The increase in wars 9:27; 11:31 and 12:11 • An increase in natural disasters 2) Abomination suggest something that • Most interestingly – an increase in is offensive to God persecution of believers • Desolation implies that the temple 3) In these verses Jesus is pushing the will be left deserted calendar to the middle of the tribulation period • There are horrors on the horizon • Jesus shows the warning to His people D) Remember – the Olivet Discourse began with the disciple’s question: 3) Daniels prophecy helps us understand….. Mark 13:4 “Tell us, when shall these 1) To punish the Gentile nations things be? and what shall be the sign • For those years where Gentiles when all these things shall be fulfilled?” spurned the call of God to 1) Jesus then explains it …. repentance and salvation • They were obviously confused • Several verses support this about the destruction of temple thought coinciding with the return of the • Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of Lord God is revealed from heaven 2) Jesus preaches to them using much against all ungodliness and of the book of Daniel unrighteousness of men, who hold • He uses the phrase “take heed” the truth in unrighteousness;” four times • 2 Thessalonians 2:12-13 “That • Let’s learn a little about the they all might be damned who tribulation believed not the truth, but had 3) So, Jesus warns of a coming pleasure in unrighteousness. But tribulation we are bound to give thanks alway • He lists the warnings three ways in to God for you, brethren beloved our text of the Lord, because God hath • Let’s see them…. from the beginning chosen you to I. The Tribulation in Its Time (vs. 14-18) salvation through sanctification of A) The explanation the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 1) The tribulation is a seven-year period • Revelation 19:15 “And out of his • I believe it happens after the mouth goeth a sharp sword, that rapture of the church with it he should smite the nations: • Yet …. I know of several highly and he shall rule them with a rod respectable scholars that hold to a of iron: and he treadeth the mid-tribulation view of the church winepress of the fierceness and being raptured wrath of Almighty God.” 2) It is referred to as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” B) The reason “There are two reasons for the 2) To purge the people of Israel tribulation…..” • Malachi 3:3 “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, • 3 ½ years later the treaty will be and purge them as gold and silver, broken that they may offer unto • The anti-Christ will ultimately the Lord an offering in declare himself deity in the temple righteousness.” • An image of the anti-Christ will be • Zechariah 13:8-9 “And it shall erected in the holy of holies come to pass, that in all the land, 3) When the see this …. saith the Lord, two parts therein • It is time to run! shall be cut off and die; but the • Some argue this took place in 67- third shall be left therein. And I will 68AD when zealots took bring the third part through the fire, possession of the temple and will refine them as silver is • It will be a difficult time for refined, and will try them as gold is pregnant women and mothers with tried: they shall call on my name, small children and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, II. The Tribulation and Its Troubles The Lord is my God.” A) The tribulation will be marked with • Israel was guilty of rejecting their afflictions (vs.19-20) Messiah and killing Him 1) Afflictions means “troubles” • It will be a time of unprecedented C) The timetable sorrow and horror 1) First 3 ½ years of tribulation will be 2) The text denotes one of the most one of relative peace horrible times in human history • God will raise up an army of 144,000 Jewish evangelist who deliver a message to all nations • Revelation 7:1-12 is where we get this thought and prophecy

2) The last 3 ½ years is the warning of B) Revelation 8-9 declare the trumpet the “abomination of desolation” judgments • The anti-Christ will make a seven- 1) First trumpet (8:7) 1/3 of all green year treaty with Israel vegetation is destroyed 2) Second trumpet (8:8-9) 1/3 of the 3) Vial 3 (16:4-7) Fresh water is no oceans turn to blood – 1/3 of sea life more (blood) is destroyed and shipping is affected 4) Vial 4 (16:8-9) The sun’s heat is 3) Third trumpet (8:10-11) possible intensified with men’s bodies burned meteor falls, water supplies are … (men will still not repent) affected 5) Vial 5 (16:10) Darkness returns and 4) Fourth trumpet (8:12) Something men live in such pain they gnaw their happens to our sun and moon – a tongues darker day happens 6) Vial 6 (16:12-14) Nations of the earth 5) Fifth trumpet (9:1-12) The pits of descend on Israel for the final conflict are unleashed; locust and scorpions 7) Vial 7 (16:17-21) Brings a terrible and men will experience pain so cataclysm on the earth painful they will wish to die • (vs. 17 begins with “angel poured 6) Sixth trumpet (9:13-21) A demonic out his vial in the air”) invasion of 200,000 killing 1/3 of • Makes me think of atomic society weaponry

• Revelation 8 declares a time of D) The tribulation is in the future of this silence as the judgment of God world because of His righteousness 1) I don’t think I have scratched the surface of the horrors 7) Seventh trumpet (11:15-19) 2) Sadly – I sense the time is nearing announces the soon return of Jesus • I have wondered if the “great falling away” is happening now in the church??? III. The Tribulation and Its Temptation Mark 13:21-23 “And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, C) Revelation then describes the vials of lo, he is there; believe him not: For false judgment Christs and false prophets shall rise, 1) Vial 1 (16:2) Cancerous sores poured and shall shew signs and wonders, to out seduce, if it were possible, even the 2) Vial 2 (16:3) Water turns to blood, elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have sea life dies foretold you all things.” A) Jesus’ final warning was concerning A) Some terrible days are ahead false prophets 1) The unsaved need to heed these 1) One reason theology is so important warnings • And today – church after church is B) But for Christ’s bride omitting theology 1) Cling to Him • The emerging church often • Romans 5:9 “Much more then, doesn’t teach Bible but “self-help” being now justified by his blood, 2) Church was not listed “essential” we shall be saved from wrath • Don’t forget that …. because it is through him.” 3) We are wide-open to a false messiah • Or a false doctrine Sources: 1) Holman New Testament Commentary: B) Our warning is to be vigilant Mark Rodney Cooper 1) Our salvation is through the person of 2) Mark Timothy Geddert Jesus Christ 3) The Sermon Notebook, New Testament; • Trust and faith in His finished work Alan Carr • Cling to Jesus 2) This world will continue to scoff at the blood bought way … • Center your life on Him and you will be fine! • Romans 4:25 “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” • I Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Conclusion: