June 20, 2014

“Cut Short”

Blessings folk!

We saw yesterday that a great tribulation is coming unlike anything before, now, or afterwards.

Again, it is imperative that we simply learn the truths of the Word.
Not what man says.
Not what man thinks.
Not man’s interpretation.
The simple truth.

Therefore, read verse 21 again, then verse 22.

Matthew 24:21-22
21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.
22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

We learn more about the days of the great tribulation.
They will be cut short.
They will be truncated.

This is important in seeking to understand the timing of end-time events.

Know this.
The days will be cut short.
They are so intense that no life would be saved unless the days are cut short.

What/Whose life?
The days are cut short for the sake of the elect!
Ah!

So, the context shows us that it is the elect that is in focus.
Who are the elect?
Well, that is an extended study in itself - Believers and Jews..depends upon the context.

Who/What cuts it short?

We do well to check the parallel accounts in the other gospels…

Mark 13:19-20
19 For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will.
20 Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

We see some about the “times”.
From the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will.
Hummm….God created. That seems clears.
The Lord shortens the days!
He chose the elect.
He shortens the days for their sake.

Luke 21:22-23
22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.

These are days of vengeance.
Vengeance on whose part?
To fulfill all that is written?
Hummm….that is interesting. These days will fulfill the prophetic Word of the Lord.
Distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.
There will be wrath released against this people - those in Judea and those on earth.

There is a time of great tribulation directly ahead.
It will be unlike anything that has ever been experienced in horror.
It will be so bad that even the elect might be deceived…save the Lord cut it short.
It will be a time of untold terror for those in Judea…

Are you prepared?