Are we in the Great Tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24 right now?

Question

The Bible is a spiritual book and we know that Christ spoke in parables (Mark 4:33, 34). Since God (Jesus Christ) is the author of the Bible, we must understand that the entire Bible is written in parables.

We also must realize that the "falling away" (2 Thess 2:3) is not speaking about diminishing church attendance. It is speaking of falling away from truth.

Answer 1

I believe that we are. Our society and the world is caught up in the permissiveness of our desires. Jesus said that only the Father knows the appointed time of his return (and the ultimate destruction of the world as we know it) But we are given clues that should make us sit up and take notice. Those clues are all around us every day. It will happen. And I believe it will happen soon.

Answer 2

No, it has definately not begun. The prophet Daniel was told by an angel what will begin the 7-year period known as the Tribulation. According to the "Seventy Sevens" prophecy in Daniel 9:

26 “ And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”

Daniel 9:26 pertains to the birth and death of Jesus Christ; it also predicts the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. Interestingly, we are also told that "the prince who is to come" (the antichrist) will arise from Italy (the ones who destroyed the Temple).

Verse 27 tells us that this prince will broker a peace treaty with many nations and Israel that is to last "one week," or 7 years. After 3 1/2 years, he breaks the treaty and defiles the rebuilt Temple. So you can see that the signing of this treaty is the signal of the beginning of the Tribulation.

As you can see from events in the Middle East, this treaty has not yet come. Prophetically, we are nearer to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39 than we are to the Tribulation. The wording of Eze. 38 and 39 proves the invasion of Israel by Russia, Iran and other Muslim nations will happen AT LEAST 3 1/2 years before the beginning of the Tribulation.

Answer 3

We are at the begining of the birth pangs spoken about in the Bible, This can be excelarated or slowed down at any time, depending on the choices we make. That is why we do not know the time, but the Father. There are many signs to watch for. Yes the truth is always being muddied by silly things like the "Tomb of Jesus". It is there to cast doubt on the Savior, but then again this was predicted too. Christians know better.

Answer 4

No, because...... Mark 13:19 for those days will be days of a tribulation such as has not occurred from the beginning of the creation which God created until that time, and will NOT occur again. 20) In fact, unless YHWH/God had cut short the days, no flesh would be saved. But on account of the chosen ones whom he has chosen he has cut short the days.

Rev.7:14 shows a great crowd survive the great tribulation.

Daniel 12:1 ...also speaks of this time of distress, being the first of it's kind.

Answer 5

We're not there yet, but it will be very apparent when it comes. The first link below is an excellent article that a friend of mine wrote, explaining verse by verse that Christ's followers will go through the Tribulation and THEN be taken up into heaven. But to answer your question, no, it hasn't happened yet.

Answer 6

No, that was in 70 AD (the destruction of Jerusalem).

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:34)

"Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done." (Mark 13:30)

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." (Luke 21:32)

The disciples asked more than one question in Matt. 24:3.

The first part was answered in verses 4 - 35. The first question talked about "when shall these things be?" "These things" refers to the things Jesus had been talking about. The destruction of the temple. This happened in 70 AD, during that generation just as Jesus had promised.

In the verses before verse 36, it refers to "those days". There, however, is a change in verse 36 where it begins to talk about "that day". Verse 36 and after answers the disciples last question. This question was about the end of the world, when Jesus will return again.

Verse 4-35 describes things for which there were signs, but after verse 36 the things described would have no signs or prior warning, just like in the days of Noah.

See the following links for more detail.

Answer 7

No, the events of Matthew 24 took place between 60 and 70 AD.

Read "Wars of the Jews" by Josephus. It's actually incredible how accurate Jesus was.

Answer 8

--The Bible says that God, not his Son, inspired the writing for the entire Scriptures:

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) “16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work"

--How could the Bible do the above if even a small fraction of it were parables if indeed no distinction is made by illustrations(parables) and fact.?

--Do we not have real & historical persons , places, situations---that indeed are historical, geographical--& all accurate?--- Was not Jesus being severely interrogated by Pilate, not a real incident, among the many similar dated events, with all the Bibles historical personages?-------

--Jesus in prayer to God & his Father clearly gave God the total credit for inspiration:

(John 17:1) “17 Jesus spoke these things, and, raising his eyes to heaven, he said: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your. . .”
...17 Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth.

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--AS FOR THE GREAT TRIB.-

--These features of the sign Jesus gave to his disciples on the minor tribulation on Jerusalem
--HAVE A MAJOR FULFILLMENT and would be happening and lead into the Great Tribl. of our day, These began in the last days scenario in 1914!(Much proof that the world went mad at that time: One brief reference:
*** ce chap. 18 p. 228 The Bible—Is It Really Inspired by God? ***

“Ever since 1914, everybody conscious of trends in the world has been deeply troubled by what has seemed like a fated and predetermined march toward ever greater disaster. Many serious people have come to feel that nothing can be done to avert the plunge towards ruin. They see the human race, like the hero of a Greek tragedy, driven on by angry gods and no longer the master of fate.”—Bertrand Russell, The New York Times Magazine, September 27, 1953

(Matthew 24:7-8) “7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. . .”; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off."21 for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again"........( Luke 21 also includes severe pestilence).....

--in view of the these occurences the Bible indicates that this next major occurence needs to take place, before it starts and leads into the finish Armaggedon:

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) “5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, YOU need nothing to be written to YOU. 2 For YOU yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. 3 Whenever it is that they are saying: “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.”

--The experience of sudden "pang of distress........"coincides with Matthew 24:8--The world wide proclamation of 'PEACE AND SECURITY-(peace process, non-reality)--will indeed be declared without the true credentials of Christs promised peace & security & NOTE SOON AFTER SUDDEN DESTRUCTION!---

(John 14:26-27) “. . .. 27 I leave YOU peace, I give YOU my peace. I do not give it to YOU the way that the world gives it. Do not let YOUR hearts be troubled nor let them shrink for fear.” ....Matthew 6:9 ".....thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven....."

--Did you note , Christ says "I do not give it to you the way that the WORLD GIVES IT."
--Meaning the worlds hypocritical presentation of peace at Christmas or when there is a loll in the wars.

Answer 9

Matthew 24 deals with nation of Israel during the tribulation.

Answer 10

No, we are not in the great tribulation. I intent to stick to the truth, hope you do too.