THE GREAT COMMISSION during THE GREAT TRIBULATION

Eschatology Deep Dive - Sub #11

The Great Commission will carry on until the literal end before the rapture can occur. The evangelical aspect of the Great Commission that results in the soon-to-be rapture is tied to Romans chapter 11, when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” This will be when the last gentile on earth hears and receives Jesus through the Gospel. Those massively unreached areas displayed on the map in red have no one willing to go to them. Some areas are physically impossible to get to by traditional methods, and others are extremely dangerous and hostile territories. Most missionaries and new missionaries to the field continue to go to areas where the gospel has already been reached. I’m not knocking anyone at all; areas that have been reached need continued discipleship and strengthening. The reality is that in 2,000 years since the Great Commission commenced, there is still a vast amount of the globe that needs to hear the gospel that hasn’t; some have never even come across a Christian person in their entire lifetime, even once. At this rate, why would anyone who understands the significance of the Great Commission being tied to reaching that last gentile believe the rapture could happen soon when there are still areas and many people groups who have not even been exposed to the gospel in any kind of way? Yet we are witnessing today many other events and alliances converging for the first time, knocking on the door of Daniels’s 70th week (final 7 years).

I’ve got some good news: the Great Commission is about to reach another level! Soon, these people will be reached rapidly! The Church and those called into the mission field need to be prepared for this Mentally, Emotionally, Physically, and most importantly, Spiritually. These missionaries and any Christian going forward will have the pleasure of the assistance of real physical angels sent by God. I'll speak more about that at the end as to the reason why. It has nothing to do with the efforts of those presently in the field. They are to be commended and honored greatly. They are primarily under challenging situations now, and if they only knew what was about to come, maybe missionaries, along with all Christians, could navigate the times we are headed toward in a way they could be used on the other side of these coming events to continue the Great Commission more effectively. “For the lack of knowledge my people perish” Hosea 4:6. We are going to unpack and connect many scriptural dots of the Great Commission carrying on throughout the final 7 years that will result in an exact timing of the fullness of the Gentiles and the rapture of the Church. You may say the Bible states, No one knows the day or hour. You will be surprised to find out the Bible has plenty more to say about that “day and hour.” Let’s jump in!

To begin with, I want to address one misconception. The Great Tribulation is often referenced as a 7-year timeframe; however, the Bible never mentions anything anywhere about a seven-year tribulation. They get this from Daniel 9:27, which references a 7-year false covenant brokered by the Antichrist. This seven-year timeframe is noted as Daniel’s 70th week. The Great Tribulation is actually referenced by Jesus in Matthew as He refers back to Daniel as to when the Great Tribulation begins.

15“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)….21For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matthew 24:15, 21 NKJV

As we look at Daniel, we discover what Jesus is referring to. The Great Tribulation actually begins at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, or final seven years.

27Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate..Daniel 9:27 NKJV

There are many more references to this 3 1/2-year period that Jesus refers to as the “Great Tribulation.” You will not find a reference to a seven-year tribulation anywhere in the Bible. See: Daniel 7:24-25, Revelation 13:5, Revelation 12:5-6, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 11:1-3, Revelation 12:14.

Some will also say there is a seven-year tribulation, but the Great Tribulation begins at the halfway point. They attempt to blend the two concepts. Again, this is not scriptural. The Bible mentions that everyone will have tribulation in this world (John 16:33); there are no distinctions in general tribulation we will have in this world, and the final seven years that many try to impose on the Bible as a final seven-year tribulation. There is a final seven-year time frame, but it’s very important to note that the Great Tribulation doesn’t begin until the halfway point of Daniel’s 70th week. We must not blur these lines. It confuses people. God is not the author of confusion.

So what makes the midway point of the final seven years the Great Tribulation? This is when Antichrist receives authority to rule for a short period (3 1/2 years). This is the time Antichrist is possessed by Satan himself. This is the time Satan’s wrath begins, and his war against the saints reaches an all-time high. You see, the Great Tribulation is not God’s wrath. It’s Satan’s wrath.

7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time. Revelation 12:7-12 NKJV

Up until this point, Satan has been able to go back and forth to heaven to accuse the brethren, even approaching God’s throne. Remember, In the book of Job, Satan approached God’s throne for permission to tempt Job (Job 1:6-8). After this war that breaks out in heaven, Satan and his angels are cast down to earth without the ability to go back and forth into the heavenly realms. This is the time Jacob’s trouble begins; however, notice in verse 12 that the warning is for all inhabitants of the earth, not just the Jews. It states clearly that the Devil has come down having “Great Wrath” (Great Tribulation). The reference that Satan understands that he only has a short time is in direct correlation to the 3 1/2 year time period mentioned several times in the Bible.

I just wanted to clarify any confusion about the final seven-year period and the distinction between the “Great Tribulation” and Daniel’s 70th week. You see, during the Great Tribulation, it will not be a human man leading this one-world government body, but however Satan himself incarnate through the Antichrist. This is the environment we will be in as the last generation of Saints that Revelation refers to. It will be a time of spiritual warfare of epic proportions. The Great Commission will carry on during this time, culminating in victory and our promised redemption!

---

18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

Matthew 28 gives us our marching orders of the Great Commission, which are clearly orders to be taken out until the “end of the age.”

14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 NKJV

Jesus is speaking again in Matthew chapter 24 during the Olivet Discourse, a passage about the last days of signs and events to watch for. Here, in verse 14, He reinforces the role of the Great Commission during the last days and even tells us that the fulfillment of the Great Commission is what will usher in the end of this age. Pay attention that the gospel is preached in and to all the nations. Most overlook the significance of this. It could have just said “to all the nations” and left it there. The Strong’s Concordance for the word “in” being used here is G1772, stating {a. In the interior of some whole, within the limits of some space.} Matthew 24:14 conveys that the gospel will not just touch a nation but be preached in every nook and cranny of every nation during the last days, and then the end will come. This is amazing!

6Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:6-7 NKJV

Here, in Revelation chapter 14, we discover when the fulfillment of the Great Commission takes place. Its final fulfillment is by an Angel of the Lord right before the hour of God’s judgment. The very end. Notice that the gospel will be preached “to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” Again, it could have just said “to every nation” and left it there, but it doesn’t. The gospel will be preached to every tribe within every nation, every tongue within every nation, and just to be super clear to every people within every nation. Then, the hour of God’s judgment or wrath will come. The next question would be, when does God’s wrath begin, at the beginning of the final seven years or the end? Is there an indicator?

9Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation..” Revelation 14:9-10 NKJV

Still, in Revelation chapter 14, a couple of verses later, we get the answer to what triggers God’s wrath. It’s the “Mark of the Beast.” We’ve learned that the fulfillment of the Great Commission takes place right before the “Mark of the Beast” is administered. In verses 6-7, the gospel is preached, and a final warning is issued; verses 9-10 show the consequences of rejecting God’s last offer of grace through the presentation of the gospel by the Angel, and instead, they receive the “Mark” worshiping Antichrist, therefore, will suffer God’s final wrath. Another question one might ask is, when will the “Mark of the Beast” be administered? Is there any indication that it will be at the very end? 

1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. Revelation 15:1 KJV

1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” 2So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Revelation 16:1-2 NKJV

Here, in Revelation 16, we discover the timing of God’s wrath. The first Bowl of God’s wrath is not doled out until the “Mark of the Beast” is administered. This gives us a timeline of when God’s wrath begins. The final seven years are not the wrath of God. The wrath of God does not happen until the very end, as Chapter 15:1 indicates. The final 7th bowl will be the hour of God’s judgment, not the final seven years. How do we know?

19Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Revelation 16:19 NKJV 

God’s 7th Bowl is being doled out, and great Babylon (Mystery Babylon) suffers God’s final wrath right here at the end of the great tribulation. Remember in Revelation 14:9-10 that those who took the Mark of the Beast would also suffer from the “fierceness of the wrath of God.” This confirms that God’s wrath is at the very end and that the Mark of the Beast will not be doled out until the very end. The first Bowl of wrath is doled out on those who take the Mark. 

It’s been stated that there is always that next Gentile being born that needs to be reached with the gospel. How could we possibly know who that could be? This appears to be a never-ending cycle. Is there an event that would cause this cycle to cease?

25For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; Romans 11:25-26 NKJV

These verses perfectly describe God simultaneously dealing with the Jews and the Gentiles (you and me) during the tribulation. Some Jews will continue to reject Jesus until what the Bible says, "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." When this happens, those Jews still alive during the tribulation (the time of Jacob's trouble, finale 3 1/2 years) will be saved. What does it mean by "until the fullness of the Gentiles come in?" Answer: It's when the last Gentile accepts Christ, who is a part of the rapture. The next question would be when will this happen? People are constantly being born as the next Gentile to be reached. Answer: It's when the Great Commission ceases. It's when the ministry of the Gospel of Christ is over. When will this happen? Answer: At the time of the administering "Mark of the Beast," we learned that this is when God's wrath begins with the 7 bowls, decision time. In conclusion, God will deal with the Jews and the Gentiles throughout the entire tribulation period. It will be the most remarkable revival this world has ever had. Jesus will be coming back for a Jewish/Gentile Church mix, just like it was when Jesus was here the first time. You see, when Jesus raptures the Church, it must include the Jews. Jesus comes back for a fully beautiful bride, not a partial bride (Romans 1:16). Jacob’s trouble is all about bringing the Jews back into the fold of the Church. This is exactly what Romans 11:25-26 is conveying. The fullness of the Gentiles only happens once, not at the beginning, and then again at the end.

4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:4-6 NKJV

There is no debate among most scholars and pastors that the 1st resurrection is the rapture of the Church. The Strong’s Concordance affirms this as well. This passage plainly shows us that those who are beheaded for their witness to Jesus and who did not receive the mark of the beast are a part of the first resurrection. These beheaded Christians are also mentioned as reigning with Christ during the 1,000-year millennium that follows. How could those who did not receive the mark of the beast and were beheaded be a part of the rapture (1st resurrection) if it happened seven years prior? 

During the tribulation, it describes those who died for the faith and those who came through the tribulation as part of the first resurrection. There is only one first resurrection, and it’s the rapture. This doesn’t happen seven years prior.

---

To answer why God may send an Angel for the final fulfillment of the Great Commission, it may be due to the fact that the World is primarily under Antichrist rule and time is running out (Matthew 24:22). We also see that in Revelation Chapter 20 that many Christians are beheaded during this time. This would most certainly include many missionaries. There are tribes and villages in parts of the World that are almost physically unreachable; this won’t be the case for God’s Angel. For those of us living in these last days that endure till the end, we will absolutely be without excuse. God’s grace will be extended right up until the literal last hour. 

You know, I've noticed that I used a lot of passages that mention the last hour. Often, people will point to Matthew 24:36-37 to say no one will know the day or the hour of Jesus' return. Here is the passage:

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:36-37 NKJV

The setting of this passage was during the Olivet Discourse when the disciples asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” After this question, Jesus follows it up with all the signs and events to look for as indicators of his coming again. Kinda strange, huh? Keep in mind that Jesus was on earth in the flesh, now He is sitting in heaven at the right hand of the father. Also, no one didn’t know then the day or hour, nor does anyone know now the day or hour; however, as events continue to unfold as Jesus describes, we will eventually learn, even the literal hour! Take a look at this passage:

Jesus Speaking to John From Heaven

• 3Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:3 NKJV

Did you catch this? Jesus is clearly telling us to be watchful; in doing so, the assertion is made that we could even know the hour of his return! So what do we do with this? Let’s continue to search the scriptures. In Revelation chapter 16:12-16 during the 6th bowl, Jesus gives the same warning again when the Euphrates River is dried up to make way for the kings of the east as the armies of the world gather together for the final battle of Armageddon to come against Jerusalem.

15“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15 NKJV

This places the timing of Jesus’ warning nearly at the very end of the final seven years. Let’s take a look at the seventh bowl. In Revelation 16:17, we hear a proclamation from the throne of God: “It is Done!”. This is the rapture folks! In verse 19, Babylon is being destroyed.

17Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Revelation 16:17-19 NKJV

We get a warning from Jesus to be watchful in verse 15 during the 6th bowl, and two verses later, at the beginning of the 7th bowl, we have the great proclamation from the throne of God, “It is Done!”  A similar proclamation was made when Jesus died on the cross, and he stated, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Both proclamations are connected to the Church. Salvation made available, and then our redemption! I know what you may be thinking. If God’s wrath is the bowl events, then why would we be going through the wrath of God when we are promised not to suffer from God’s wrath ( 1st Thessalonians 5:9)? Great question, we will not be suffering God’s wrath. Many of these bowl events parallel many of the plagues placed on Egypt during the exodus. Just like God protected his people during the ten plagues, we too will be protected during these bowl events. These bowls are an isolated campaign against the Antichrist, those who took the mark of the beast, and his kingdom’s headquarters. I go into depth about this in the book “The Endtime is Now.” God protected and freed his people after the plagues, and we will be protected throughout these bowl events. Let’s continue!

34Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Matthew 24:34 NKJV

The generation being referred to here is the endtime generation. We are the generation that was given all the signs and warnings to watch for, for example, wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, and even the Antichrist's rise to power. In (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5), Paul clearly tells us we will have an advantage on timelines as time draws nearer. For example, at the time of the Abomination of Desolation, we will know we are within 3 1/2 years of Jesus' return. What about the day and hour, though, you may ask? Matthew 24:37 states, "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Luke expounds further.

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26-27 KJV

Now, one may say this proves that the rapture has to happen before the final seven years because there is no way this sort of activity could occur at the end of the tribulation. You will be surprised to know that this exact activity is happening at the end of the tribulation following one significant event in Revelation chapter 11. After this event, we will know the day and hour of our redemption. Let’s take a look.

7When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 11:7-10 NKJV

Here, in Revelation 11 are exactly what Jesus describes from Matthew and Luke found happening after the two witnesses (prophets) are killed. Are the dots starting to connect? Watch what happens next.

11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:11-12 KJV

There’s the voice of the Lord again from heaven. These two witnesses ascended to heaven, just like Jesus did. This is the time of the rapture. Also, If you look further down in chapter 11, it states that in that same hour is when the final 7th Trump sounds. The last trumpet! There can only be one last trumpet; otherwise, you impose contradictions in scripture that aren’t even there. The 7th trumpet is the last trumpet. These two witnesses are a part of the church. We sing hymns in church today about Christ’s return at the last Trumpet and don’t even pay attention to what we are really singing about. Oh, how true it is, though! Also, this seems to indicate an actual literal final hour. The reason Im saying this is because there are scholars that want to imply that the final seven years is the final hour. Again, that idea doesn’t hold water scripturally. The hour being referred to in scripture is actually a literal final hour. We get a firm confirmation right here in Revelation 11.

13In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell……15Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:13-18 NKJV

Here, we see in the same hour that the two witnesses ascend into the clouds, the seventh and final trumpet sounds. The sounding of the seventh Trumpet will be the most unique occasion out of all the trumpets in the Bible, influencing every person! At this last trumpet, Jesus will send his angels to rapture all Christians for their reward (Matthew 24:31) and pass his wrath on the world's occupants. This event will mark the end of the human/Satanic government and the foundation of the Kingdom of God on earth for the following one thousand years.

Everything you read in Revelation 11 parallels the Days of Noah and the Days of Lott. Noah was given a seven-day notice of the day of his departure and when the wrath of God would occur by the flood (Genesis 7:4-5). It was on the 7th day. For us, it will be at the end of the 7th year. The same day the flood occurred, Noah was rising into the heavens in the ark while, at the same time, everyone else was being destroyed by the flood. The same was true for Lott and his family. The same day that Lott left Sodom was the same day God destroyed everyone in Sodom. Lott didn’t get much of a head start. The Bible says the same day, not several days, weeks, or years. This is affirmed by the actions of Lotts wife, who turned to look back and, as a result, became a pillar of salt. There will be no second chances for anyone left behind; the movie is wrong, and this popular unbiblical view is devastating for the Church going forward. It does matter. 

29but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:29-30 KJV

When we see the two witnesses killed lying in the streets, we will know we are within 3 1/2 days of our redemption. When we see the two witnesses rise to their feet and ascend into heaven to meet the lord, we will know we are next to go within the same hour. So, no one knows the day or hour now, but we who are watching will soon know. It’s an event timeline! There are no contradictions. 

Most Scholars and Pastors believe and teach a pre-trib rapture. One of the main reasons is due to a Book by Clarence Larkin called “Dispensational Truth.” God rest his soul; he passed away in 1924. He taught a pre-tribulation rapture theory. Many pastors have learned this through the seminary schools. Another reason is that human nature just doesn’t want to believe we are going to have to go through a tribulation period. Many hold on to the scripture that says we aren’t appointed to the wrath of God, which is true. We aren’t. So, understanding what the wrath of God is, the timing of when God’s wrath is poured out, and how we are protected during this time is critical.

9And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:9-10 NKJV

I know this Bible Prophecy Update was long. There is so much more that could be shared, but these were the best-fitted passages for the case of the Great Commission during the Great Tribulation. The Blessing of Revelation is primarily directed toward the last generation of saints, you and me. We are blessed with the foreknowledge of events to come so that we can navigate them and be used on the other side of these events to continue to get the gospel out during the entire final seven years until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and we are raptured, according to the Bible. Knowing this will save many Christians’ and Missionaries' physical lives and allow them to endure for as long as possible during this final battle that’s quickly approaching.

During The Great Tribulation

• 32….but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33And those of the people who understand shall instruct many…. Daniel 11:32-33

  ---

  ---

  C.S. DeCaro’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. During this day and age, Never miss publications. To receive new posts right into your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a FREE or donating subscriber.

  ---

  In this dark world, the way to BE READY is first to nail down your relationship with Jesus Christ. He is our only solution. If you would like a Biblical explanation, click the tab below.

  

  Salvation

  78.2KB ∙ PDF file

  Download

  Download

  ---