The Tribulation Period-2

Mat. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

There was an encouraging note, however, for the Lord declared that those days would be cut short (Mat. 24:22). This meant there will be a termination of this period of time, not that the days will be fewer than 24 hours. If it were to go on indefinitely, no one would survive. But the period will come to an end for the sake of the elect, those who will be redeemed in the Tribulation and who will enter the kingdom. The elect of this Church Age will have already been raptured before the Tribulation.

And...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

except...

έἰ μή

ei mē

i may

From if, whether, that and lest; not; if not: - but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till.

those...

ἐκεῖνος

ekeinos

ek-i'-nos

From there; by extension thither; that one (or [neuter] thing); often intensified by the article prefixed: - he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those.

days...

ἡμέρα

hēmera

hay-mer'-ah

Feminine (with day, hour, instant, season, implied) of a derivative of ἧμαι hēmai (to sit; akin to the base of immovable: settled, steadfast) meaning tame, that is, gentle; day, that is, (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context): - age, + alway, (mid-) day (by day, [-ly]), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.

The persecution itself will be cut short, not the 1260 days themselves (Rev. 11:1-3; 12:6, 12:14; 13:5; Dan. 12:7).

should be shortened...

κολοβόω

koloboō

kol-ob-o'-o

From a derivative of the base of properly to curtail, that is, to chastise; to dock, that is, (figuratively) abridge: - shorten.

there should no...

οὐ

ou

oo

Also οὐκ ouk ook used before a vowel and οὐχ ouch ookh before an aspirate.

A primary word; the absolutely negative (compare not; lest, also) adverb; no or not: - + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, [can-] not, + nothing, + special, un ([-worthy]), when, + without, + yet but.

flesh...

σάρξ

sarx

sarx

Probably from the base of to brush off; flesh (as stripped of the skin), that is, (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred, or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specifically) a human being (as such): - carnal (-ly, + -ly minded), flesh ([-ly]).

be saved...

σώζω

sōzō

sode'-zo

From a primary word σῶς sōs̄ (contraction for the obsolete σάος saos, “safe”); to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

ἄν

an

an

A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty: - [what-, where-, whither-, who-]soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood.

but...

δέ

de

deh

A primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.: - also, and, but, moreover, now [often unexpressed in English].

The elect’s, God’s people the Jews. So the tribulation will be so horrible, the war and all that will break out. The great battle of Armageddon, so fierce, so great, that unless God would shorten those days, no flesh would remain. And so for the elect’s sake, God will shorten those days.

elect’s sake- Jews, not the Church because:

1. Jesus is answering a Jewish question (Mat. 24:3; 25:31-46; Acts 1:6)

2. False Messiahs primarily concern Israel (Mat. 24:5, Mat. 24:23-26)

3. Antisemitism proves it (Mat. 24:9)

4. The travail of Israel (see, Mat. 24:8)

5. The abomination of desolation concerns Israel only (see, Mat. 24:15)

6. The Jewish temple (see, Mat. 24:15)

7. Flight of Israel (see, Mat. 24:16)

8. The sabbath is Jewish (see, Mat. 24:20)

9. The great tribulation (see, Mat. 24:21)

10. Jews are the only people to be gathered (see, Mat. 24:31)

11. The coming of Christ is to deliver Israel (Mat. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Zec. 14:1-21)

12. Judgment of the nations is based on treatment of Israel (Mat. 25:31-46)

13. The eagles eating carcasses was predicted to be at the time of Israel’s deliverance (Mat. 24:28; Ezk. 39:17-22; Luke 17:34-37; Rev. 19:17-21)

14. The church will be raptured before the above events

for the elect's sake...

διά

dia

dee-ah'

A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import: - after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) . . . fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through (-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general import.

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

ἐκλεκτός

eklektos

ek-lek-tos'

From to select; make choice, choose; select; by implication favorite: - chosen, elect.

those... see above.

days... see above.

shall be shortened... see should be shortened above.

Two characteristics will distinguish the Tribulation from all other hard times that the world has seen. First, it will be worldwide, not localized, as stated in the promise of deliverance (Rev. 3:10) and as described in detail in the judgments of the Revelation. The intense local persecutions and calamities of this present day cannot be the beginning of the Tribulation, for that time will affect the entire world.

Then too the Tribulation will be unique because of the way men act. In one of the early judgments, men will hide themselves in the dens and caves of the mountains and say, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16). When the Great Tribulation comes, men will act as if they think the world is coming to an end.

For years some men have been talking as if they thought the end were near, but at the beginning of the Tribulation, they will realize that the end is actually at hand. Scientists, politicians, and even church leaders warn today that the end of human history could be upon us, and even use the term “Armageddon,” but people are not behaving as if they believe it. Real estate is being bought and sold, savings are being accumulated, and plans are continually being made for the future. But when the Tribulation comes, people will hide in bomb shelters and will actually seek death rather than try to preserve life. The future, in those days, will hold no attraction.

The uniqueness of the Tribulation lies in its being worldwide and in its terror, which will cause people to want to die rather than live. For a time during the Tribulation, even suicide will be impossible, forcing people to live.