Sermon Audio Archive

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

FROM: 12/22/02 Radio Program

Question:

When will the great tribulation take place, or has it already passed?

Answer:

The "tribulation" mentioned in Matthew 24 as well as in the book of Revelation has already come to pass. We're not waiting for some "tribulation" to come; for what was referred to by Christ came about in A.D. 70 when the Romans besieged Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple.

Christ spoke of these events happening in the first part of Matthew 24. At that time, He promised, "This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (v. 34). What was written in the book of Revelation was stated as events which must "shortly come to pass" or "shortly be done" (Rev. 1:1, 22:6). That word "shortly" means, "speedily, with speed"! Therefore, either Christ was speaking of things which were to happen in the lifetime of those who saw Him on earth, He lied, or there are some very, very old people still alive on this earth! Books such as the "Left Behind" series, and modern denominational doctrines which say we're yet to endure a "great tribulation" are false teachings. Such things are the product of someone's fertile imagination, for the tribulation Christ spoke about happened in A.D. 70. All we await now is the coming of the Lord, when He will return for His children to bring them to Heaven, as well as send those to an everlasting fire who "know not God and obey not the gospel..." (I Thess. 4:13-18; II Thess. 1:6-9).

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