RCCG Sunday School Student’s Manual 7th August 2022 – Lesson 49.
TOPIC: The Days Of Tribulation
MEMORY VERSE: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” – Matthew 24:21 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Mark 13:19-26 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 7 August 2022)
19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: The word, tribulation, means trouble or suffering. There are different kinds of tribulation mentioned in the Bible. These include: the tribulation of the disciples in the world (John 16:33); tribulation because of acceptance or obedience to the word of God (Matthew 13:21); the tribulation on the way to the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22; Matthew 7:14); earthly tribulation that is common to all (Job 5:6,7); tribulation on evil doers (Romans 2:9) and the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
The focus of the lesson is the Great Tribulation. The Bible says it is “the mother” of all tribulations. The hardship, turmoil, distress and perplexity that would be experienced in the days of the great tribulation are unprecedented. What is the great tribulation all about? When will it be? What are the events in the days of tribulation?
LESSON OUTLINES:
- UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
- EVENTS IN DAYS OF GREAT TRIBULATION
1. UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
The Great Tribulation is also called the time of Jacob’s (the nation -Israel) trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). The unbelieving Jews (and unsaved or backslidden Gentiles) will be the candidates of the great tribulation. It will begin after the rapture of the Church and the revelation of the antichrist, the “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7).
The time of the great tribulation is the “seventieth week”, that is, the last one week of the seventy weeks of Daniel. The seventy weeks has three sections: the first seven weeks, the next sixty-two weeks and the last one week. There are seven days in a week. A day in the week represents one year. So the duration is seven years (Daniel 9:20-27).
The first half of the last one week (the first three and a half years) will be for the full physical manifestation of the antichrist, during which he shall make a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27). The second half of the last one week (the last three and half years) will be time of unprecedented trouble. “In the midst of the week” the antichrist shall break the covenant with Israel and practices “abomination of desolation” in the temple (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36; Matthew 24:15,16). The last three and half years of the great tribulation will culminate in the second coming of Christ to reign on earth (Mark 13:24-26; 2 Thessalonians 2:8).
2. EVENTS IN DAYS OF GREAT TRIBULATION
The Great tribulation will witness series of significant but terrifying events.
These include:
- Unprecedented religious persecution of those who missed rapture (Matthew 24:21, 22).
- Unparalleled global religious deception (Matthew 24:24-28).
- Untold global economic problem, in which only those who receive the mark of the Beast can buy or sell (Revelation 13:17,18).
- Series of unrighteous and abominable religious practices (2 Thessalonian 2:3, 4,10).
- Intense temptation all over the world (Revelation 3:10).
CONCLUSION: Those who have received Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour and keep themselves holy till He comes at rapture shall be delivered (through rapture) from the days of the Great tribulation. However, the sinners and the backsliders are faced with the danger of the Great tribulation. Beloved, are you truly saved from sins? Examine yourself today and be sure!
QUESTIONS:
- Mention the events that characterise the days of Great Tribulation
- What is the way out from Great Tribulation?
FURTHER READING:
Monday: John 16:33 (KJV)
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Tuesday: Revelation 2:10 (KJV)
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Wednesday: James 1:4 (KJV)
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Thursday: Revelation 3:10 (KJV)
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Friday: 1 John 3:2,3 (KJV)
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Saturday: Matthew 24:42 (KJV)
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Sunday: Matthew 24:33 (KJV)
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention ten (10) things about the events of the great tribulation.
RCCG Sunday School manual is used in Sunday School Classes in the RCCG.
The RCCG Sunday school manual is written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye and is available online for easy access. See the previous RCCG Sunday school Manual for 2022 here
