The Impending Time Of Trouble
George Burnside
THE TWO PERIODS OF TROUBLE IN BIBLE PROPHECY
There is no need to confuse these two periods. One is foretold by Christ and the other by Daniel the prophet and they are two different periods. The first one is great tribulation on the saints during the Dark Ages. The last is the Time of Trouble on the nations.
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
Matthew 24:21 Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the Jews “into all nations” the next outstanding event mentioned by Christ would be “great tribulation”.
Matthew 24:22 “For the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” This was the time of great tribulation on “the elect” of God, when probably a hundred and fifty million martyrs died at the hand of the Papacy. This is the time described in Daniel 7:25.
Daniel 7:25 It is the time when the papacy “shall wear out the saints of the Most High”. This is the same power that would think it could “change times and laws” of the Most High. The Papacy was the power that changed God’s Ten Commandments and proudly boasts that she changed the Sabbath from Saturday, the seventh day of the week to Sunday the first day. This same power, this same verse declares would dominate for “a time and times and the dividing of time.” This period of tribulation was waged against the “saints” the elect of Jesus. This period of pitiless persecution is mentioned seven times in the sure and certain word of prophecy.
THIS TIME OF TRIBULATION1 IS RECORDED SEVEN TIMES
The fact that this 1260 year period is mentioned seven time s in Scripture, reveals the importance of this period.
Matthew 24:29,30 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days” there would be great celestial signs. “The sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven.” This prediction of our Lord was fulfilled, right at the exact time.
The persecution, instead of continuing for the full 1260 years, or until 1798, ceased about 1773. Shortly after this the sun was mysteriously darkened. May 19 has passed into history as the “Dark Day.” November 13, 1833 had the greatest display of meteors ever known.
For the “ELECT’S sake,” the days of tribulation were shortened.
The “great tribulation” came on the elect and for the “elect’s sake” the days were shortened. Therefore it is clear that this period of tribulation was against the saints of the Most High.
Daniel 8:24 The “man of sin”, the one who would change the law of God, the transgression of which is sin, would “destroy the holy people” - the saints the elect. This period of the papacy was well named “the dark ages” or the “great tribulation” of Christ’s prophecy.
There is no need to confuse this dark midnight period of tribulation on the elect, with the coming future time of trouble on the nations.
The contrast is clear.
Daniel 12:1 Note the statements: “At that time shall Michael stand up.” This is when the day of mercy closes and closes forever. This is when the divine decree goes forth that seals forever the fate of every human being.
Revelation 22: 11 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
Probation’s hour was not closed during the “great tribulation” of Matthew 24, but it will be closed when the “time of trouble” of Daniel takes place. Why did Dr. D. Ford confuse these two periods? Why do his followers still blindly follow?
Daniel 12: 1 This is a time of trouble on the nations. “Since there was a nation”. This is the time of the “Seven Last Plagues,” foretold in Revelation 16 which come not on “the elect”, “the Saints” but on those that have “the Mark of the Beast”.
Daniel 12:1 During this final “Time of Trouble”, “Thy people shall be delivered every one that shall be written in the book”. Note the contrast: The great tribulation of Matthew24 is a time of tribulation on the saints and for their sake those days shall be shortened. This “time of trouble” is a time of deliverance for every one whose name is in the book of life.
Revelation 21:27 To have your name in the Lamb’ s Book of Life, means you belong to the Lamb, “the Lamb of God”, Jesus, who was sacrificed for us. It means those whose names are recorded in Christ’s book may enter the City of God.
Those recorded in the Book of Life are “Overcomers” by the power of Jesus.
Revelation 21:7 “He that overcomes shall inherit all things Heaven, the New Earth, Eternal Life, Salvation to the Uttermost - and Jesus says, “I will be His God, and he shaft be my son.”’ Because they are sons or daughters they are recorded as His people, in His Book. Not to be recorded there, is to be lost forever and to face that final time of trouble” the “Seven Last Plagues”. Those recorded in Christ’s book “shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” They shall escape the plagues. Note the clear promise of our God.
Psalm 91:7- 10 “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, they habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”
Why do people confuse these clear statements of Holy Writ? What is their motive?
TESTIMONY OF JESUS WHICH IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY TELLS THE SAME TRUTH
OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION.
“The 1260 years of papal supremacy began in AD 538, and would therefore terminate in 1798.”
“The persecution of the church did not continue throughout the entire period of the 1260 years. God in mercy to His people cut short the time of their fiery trial. In foretelling the ‘great tribulation’ to befall the church, the Savior said ‘Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake these shall be shortened!’ Through the influence of the Reformation, the persecution was brought to an end prior to 1798.” Great Controversy, page 266-267.
THE TIME OF TROUBLE OF DANIEL 12:1
This is “when the third angel’s message closes”. Great Controversy, page 613. It is when “mercy no longer pleads for the guilty”. Great Controversy, page 613. It is “when Jesus ceases His intercession in the Sanctuary above.” Great Controversy, page 613.
It is when “every case has been decided for life or death. Great Controversy, page 613. May you decide to be among the wise who shall understand and not among the wicked who shall not understand. Daniel 12:10.