The Great Tribulation: When, Where, & Why? | Matthew 24:15-21

Main idea: The "great tribulation" of Matthew 24:21 refers to God's judgment poured out on Jerusalem, through the Roman army, for their rejection of Christ. However, this is but a preview of final judgment and a testimony to our need to receive Jesus.

Outline: Five reasons v. 21's "great tribulation" refers to 70 AD:

1. It fits the flow of vv 15-21
2. How the phrase “great tribulation” is used in the rest of the NT.
3. Scripture regularly uses hyperbolic language this way
4. 70 AD really was unspeakably horrific
5. How Jesus’s speaks of 70 AD in Luke’s gospel is strong confirmation

Luke’s parallel text makes clear what the "great tribuation/distress" is:

1. Matthew 24:19-21, “…alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! …. [21] For then there will be great tribulation [θλῖψις μεγάλη], ...”
2. Luke 21:23-24, “Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress [ἀνάγκη μεγάλη] upon the earth and wrath against this people. [Then he tells us what the ‘great distress’ will be:] [24] They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

[Mark borrowed the "when, where, & why" part of the sermon title from Jeff Durban's message on Apologia Studios here.]

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