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REAL LIFE HORROR STORIES
PART 2-THE HORRORS OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD
MATTHEW 24:15-22
INTRODUCTION:
We said last week that this is the time of year when the world is focused on horror stories because of Halloween. It is a time when it can be horrifying just to flip through the channels on the TV or even watch commercials on TV because of the promotion of horror programs and movies.
But we also said that there are some Real Life Horror Stories in the Bible.
Last week we looked at the horrors of Hell. Oh what a terrible place it is!
But, there is no need to wind up there because of what Jesus has done to deliver us from that place!
Our text speaks of an event (actually a series of events) that will transpire at some point in the future. Before these things happen, what we know as the rapture will take place and all of those who know Christ will escape this tragic time.
READ THE TEXT!
We refer to this period of time as the Great Tribulation. However, it is referred to in several different ways in the Scriptures that give us some insight into what kind of time it will be. It is called:
The Time Of Jacob’s Trouble.
The Day Of The Lord and The Day Of God’s Vengeance.
The Great Day Of His Wrath; The Hour Of His Judgment.
The Indignation. The word “indignation” means “the anger of a superior; extreme anger; particularly, the wrath of God against sinful men for their ingratitude and rebellion.”
The Time Of Trouble Such As Never Was.
The Time Of The End.
What will make the Tribulation Period so horrible?
I. THERE IS A HORRIFIC BEGINNING FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND.
The rapture has taken place. True believers are gone. Everyone else is left behind.
A. Many Left Behind Will Have Never Heard The Gospel!
Let’s face it, Christians, for the most part, are failing miserably in carrying out the Great Commission.
The Gospel has not lost its power to save, but in order for the power to be manifested, it must be communicated!
1. The Vast Majority Of Professing Believers Are Not Involved In Personal Evangelism.
a. Many Never Make An Effort To Tell Anyone About Christ.
b. Many Never Make An Effort To Give Out Tracts.
c. Many Never Make An Effort To Invite Folks To A Church Service.
d. Many Do Not Even Have A Good Testimony Before Unbelievers.
2. The Majority Of Professing Believers Do Little Or Nothing With Regard To Missions.
Romans 10:13-15–“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
B. Many Left Behind Will Have Heard The Gospel, But Rejected It.
1. In This Group There Will Be Many Who Are Considered Vile Lost People.
a. Murderers.
b. Immoral.
c. Thieves.
d. Drug/Alcohol Addicts.
e. Atheists.
f. Others who are involved in wickedness of some other sort.
2. In This Group There Will Be Many Who Are Considered Good Moral People.
a. They may appear to be good people to the world.
b. They may not be involved in open sin.
c. They may be righteous in their own eyes.
d. Nevertheless, the Bible says they are lost sinners.
3. In This Group Their Will Be Some Who Are Religious Lost People.
a. There Will Be Many Who Believe In God.
1) Their god may be Allah.
2) Their god may be Buddha.
3) They may follow Confucius or they may be involved in Ancestor Worship.
4) They may follow some other god.
5) They may follow many gods.
6) There will be some, no doubt, who even say they believe in the one True God. (Head belief not heart belief!)
b. There Will Be Some People Who “Know” And May Even Have Memorized A Lot Of Bible.
c. There Will Be People Who Are Very Sincere In Their Beliefs.
d. There Will Be People Who Attend Religious Gatherings “Religiously.”
e. There Will Be People Who Make Great Sacrifice For Their Beliefs.
1) Some Who Give Their Money Sacrificially
2) Some Who Give Their Talents Sacrificially.
3) Some Who Give Their Time Sacrificially.
Can you imagine having done all that and still be left behind?!
THERE IS A HORRIFIC BEGINNING FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND.
II. THERE IS A HORRIFIC SERIES OF EVENTS FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND.
For seven years there will be unbelievable suffering and death on the earth. It begins bad and progressively gets worse!
There are seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials opened:
A. First, The Seven Seals Are Opened. (Revelation 6:1ff)
Here is what the Bible reveals will happen as each seal is opened:
1) The Antichrist appears. 6:2 (The man of sin!)
2) Peace Is Taken From The Earth. 6:3,4 (Fighting on every hand.)
3) Brings On A Famine Which Also Brings Economic Chaos. 6:5, 6
4) Brings Widespread Death!
¼ Of The World Population Dies. 6:7,8
(From War, Hunger, Beasts Of The Earth, And Other Causes.)
5) Many Of Those Who Come To Christ After The Rapture, Are Martyred. – 6:9,10
6) Brings A Great Earthquake, The Sun Becomes Black As Sackcloth Of Hair, Asteroids Are Falling To The Earth, Every Mountain And Island Are Moved Out Of Their Places. 6:12-14
7) Issues In The Trumpet Judgments.
B. The Seven Trumpets Are Sounded.
1) Brings Hail & Fire Mingled With Blood.
1/3 Of The Trees Are Destroyed, All Green Grass Is Burnt Up. 8:7
2) 1/3 Part Of The Seas Become As Blood.
1/3 Of Sea And Marine Life Is Destroyed.
1/3 Of All Ships Are Destroyed. 8:8-9
3)1/3 Of The Rivers And Fountains Of Water Become Poisoned And Many Die. 8:10,11
4) 1/3 Of The Sun Is Darkened.
1/3 Of The Moon And Stars Are Darkened.
4 Hours Of Daylight Are Lost And 4 Hours Of Nightlight Are Lost.
Three “Woes” Are Announced. 8:12,13
5) Demons Are Loosed From The Bottomless Pit To Torment Men For Five Months;
Men Seek Death, But Cannot Find It. 9:5, 6
6) Another 1/3 of mankind dies by fire, smoke and sulfur. 9:15, 9:18
7) Issues In The Bowl (or Vial) Judgments Or “The Seven Last Plagues.”
C. The Seven Bowls (Or Vials) Are Poured Out.
1) Noisome And Grievous Sores Fall Upon Those Who Have The Mark Of The Beast And Those Who Worshiped His Image. 16:2
2) The Sea Becomes As Blood And Every Living Creature In The Sea Dies. 16:3
3) Every River And Fountain Of Water Becomes Blood. 16:4
4) The Sun Scorches Mankind With Great Heat.
16:8, 9
5) Darkness Is Upon The Kingdom Of The Beast. People Will Gnaw Their Tongues And Blaspheme God Because Of Their Pains And Their Sores. 16:10
6) The Euphrates River Dries Up. The World Is Gathered Together For Armageddon. 16:12
7) Voices, Lightnings, Thunders, And The Greatest Earthquake Of All Time Take Place.
Cities Of The Nations Fall, Every Island And Every Mountain Is Destroyed., 100 pound Hail Stones Fall To The Earth. 16:18-21
THERE IS A HORRIFIC BEGINNING FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND.
THERE IS A HORRIFIC SERIES OF EVENTS FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND.
CONCLUSION
What happens to those who are unfortunate enough to enter this horrifying seven-year period called the Tribulation?
All that enter lost will be lost, but many will get saved during this time:
1) There will be many saved who will die a martyr’s death during the Tribulation period.
2) There will be many saved who will die as a result of God’s judgments on the earth.
3) There will be some saved during the Tribulation who will enter the Millennial reign of Christ alive.
If you are here today thinking in your heart that you will just take your chances and get saved during the Tribulation Period, you had better think again. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12)
Many will remain lost:
1) There will be many of the lost who will die as a result of God’s judgments on the earth.
2) There will be some of the lost who will live until the end only to be conquered by Christ at His coming at the battle of Armageddon.
3) These will leave the awful circumstances here on the earth to be cast into the Lake of Fire.
The question is, are you ready to avoid this real life horror story?
Are you ready for the rapture? If Jesus were to come today, would you go up to meet Him in the air or would you be left behind to live through the horrors of the Tribulation?
If you are saved here today, what about your family? Your friends? Your neighbors? Your Co-workers? Your fellows students? Others you come into contact with? Are you letting your light shine so that they may see the way to God? Are you involved in helping others come to Christ?
What about Worldwide Evangelism? We call it Missions. Are you involved? Are you giving? Are you praying? If God called you, would you be willing to go?
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!