The Great Tribulation ended in AD70.

Many Churches think that the tribulation is in the future.

But let us understand why was the need for a tribulation?

What was the tribulation?

The tribulation was the disciples of Christ / followers of Jesus carrying the cross following Jesus.

Just as Jesus was persecuted and killed, they also would be persecuted and killed.

Matthew 24 “9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me….15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”

This has nothing to do with us.

It was for the 1st Century believers. How do we know that?

Read the context – what time was Jesus talking about?

What was the main event surrounding that tribulation?

It was the destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple in AD70

Matthew 24 “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen,”

Jesus said it would happen in their generation before the 12 Apostles all died.

Matthew 24 “34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened”

Matthew 10 “5 These TWELVE Jesus sent out…..23 When YOU are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel “

Why did they have to carry the cross and follow Jesus?

It was because Jesus came to fulfill the law.

He fulfilled the law by His perfect love for all people including His enemies. He died on the cross and did not sin.

Jesus commanded them to follow Him, carry the cross and ENDURE till the end to be saved from that judgment of AD70.

Matthew 24 “10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

The reason Jesus told them to carry the cross and follow Him was to FULFILL the LAW of ISRAEL.

The great tribulation was about the Jewish disciples of Jesus carrying the cross and fulfilling the law.

It has nothing to do with us.

Today there is no law.

The law ended in AD70 at the destruction of Jerusalem.

Hebrews 8:13 “13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will SOON disappear.”

What disappeared SOON ?

It was the OLD COVENANT – i.e. the Law of Moses.

Jesus predicted that when Jerusalem was surrounded by the Roman armies, ALL things WRITTEN (the LAW and PROPHETS) would be FULFILLED.

Luke 21 “20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.”

The Law began with Israel’s birth on Mt. Sinai in approximately 1500BC

The Law ended with Israel’s end in AD70.

Israel failed to follow Jesus.

They failed to fulfill the law.

Jesus finally removed the Law and all its traces in AD70.

The Law does not exist today.

The great tribulation ended.

There is no need to carry any cross OR suffer for the name of Jesus.

Jesus suffered and died on the cross to end the law.

He offers us GRACE and BLESSING and prosperity through His finished work by faith in Jesus.

Grace removed the law covenant.

Jesus died and suffered to give us ALL BLESSINGS freely by grace!