21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (Matthew 24:21–22 (ESV)
Within the immediate fulfillment of the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15), fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D., Jesus described the actions of those living during this time. While Christ’s words pointed to the immediate future in the first century, they also apply to the greater desolation occurring in the world immediately prior to the return of the Lord (Matt. 24:29-31). It is to this greater, yet future, destruction Jesus transitioned in today’s text.
Following the Fall of Jerusalem and the prophetical description of life and living prior to the return of the Lord, Jesus then taught His disciples what would occur immediately prior to His return to earth in power, might and glory. He referred to this time as great tribulation.
“From what immediately follows it is evident once again that for Jesus the transition from the second to the third application of Daniel’s prediction was as easy as that from the first (the tribulation experienced by God’s people during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes) to the second (the distress in connection with the fall of Jerusalem),” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
The phrase great tribulation refers to a future period of time featuring surprising and strange affliction, distress and suffering. Notice Jesus said “there will be great tribulation.” This prophetic time period will occur. Jesus said you could be certain of this truth. It will be unlike anything that has ever happened before in history.
Jesus then said this great tribulation would be sovereignly cut short, or reduced in its number of days. Otherwise, no human being would survive or rescued from its onslaught. This salvation could refer to both physical and spiritual deliverance.
“Jesus is here speaking about a tribulation that will characterize “those days,” a tribulation such as has never been and never again shall be, a very brief period of dire distress that shall occur immediately before his return (see verses 29–31). It is the period mentioned also in Rev. 11:7–9; 20:3b, 7–9a. For the sake of God’s chosen ones—see Eph. 1:4—in order that not all might have to die a violent death, the days of this final tribulation shall be cut short. Herein, too, the love of God is made manifest. It should hardly be necessary to add that justice is not done to the concept of this tribulation, which immediately precedes “the end” of the world’s history and which surpasses any other distress in its intensity, if it is referred solely to the sorrows experienced during the fall of Jerusalem,” explains Dr. Hendriksen.
The time period leading up to the great tribulation will feature many individuals predicting the Messiah’s return. These type of predictions have occurred within the last fifty years, and the last 2,000 years, only to be proven false. Many more predictions will follow. What is the believer in Christ to do regarding such false prophecies? This will be the focus when next we meet.
Soli deo Gloria!
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