Preterist Timeline of the Great Tribulation

By Doug Beaumont
2000

There are striking parallels between the writings of Daniel, John and Matthew with regard to the Great Tribulation and the events surrounding it. When laid out in a chart, it seems clear that they are speaking of the same things. When coupled with the many time related statements in each, it becomes apparent that these events were about to take place in the time of the disciples and not 2,000 years later.  Consider the following:

The Sealed Scroll - Coincidence???

Starting from Jesus' words in the Olivett Discourse (Mt. 24, Lk. 21, Mk.13) we can see that the events spoken of refer to the same events in Daniel (Mt. 24:15). Once we have carefully laid out the order of these events in the Olivett Discourse, we can also see that they very closely parallel Jesus' words in Revelation 6. What is interesting is that at the end of Daniel where he asks about the Great Tribulation (Dan. 12:1,6), he is told to seal up his book (12:4,9) because it relates to events at the time of the end. 

Note how Revelation 6 opens up - the unsealing of a scroll! Could this be the very scroll Daniel was told to seal? Now, if Daniel is writing about the Great Tribulation (during the time of the end), and Jesus identifies this time with the events of the Olivett Discourse (at the end of the age), and these parallel Revelation 6 - should they not tell the same story? As we see, they do.

Coming Soon

If these things are so, what does it mean when John is told these things are about to take place (Rev. 1:1 and 22:10, 22)? Note that John  is told in verse 22 that he is NOT to seal up his book (for the time was near). This is the exact opposite of Daniel's admonition TO seal his book (for the time was apparently still far in the future). Consider this: John wrote Revelation in the 1st Century A.D. If Daniel wrote around 550 B.C. (when "the end" was still far off), and John wrote about the same events less than than 600 years after Daniel (when "the time" was near), how could we still be looking for fulfillment 2,000 years later?

The End - of what?

Daniel was specifically told that "the end" would come when the "power of the holy people [the Jews]" was shattered. The power of the Jews was shattered in 70 A.D. at the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem . . . and it was this very destruction that Jesus was speaking of in the Olivett Discourse (Mt.23:38-24:4).

Matthew records that Jesus said the end would come after the Gospel had been preached in the whole world. It would seem that this could not have happened by 70 A.D. But as Paul shows in Colossians 1:5-6, 23 and  Romans 10:18 it had in fact gone into the whole world ("the world" was synonymous with the Roman Empire - see Acts 11:28; 17:6).

"The End" was the end of the Old Covenant. The "end times" (or "last days") were the transition period that lasted about 40 years starting from the time of Christ and extending one generation (Mt. 24:34) to 70 A.D. Just as the Old Covenant was established after a 40 year transition time (from Egypt to the Promised Land), so was the New established in a 40 year transition out of spiritual Egypt (1 Cor. 10:1-6; Gal 4:21-31; Heb. 4:9; Rev. 11:8 & 19).

Conclusion

If these things are so then Daniel, John, and Jesus are referring to the 70 A.D. destruction of Jerusalem with regard to the Great Tribulation and the Day of The Lord judgment that the Jews incurred when they rejected Messiah (Mt. 23:36-39). If this is true then, of course, the Great Tribulation is over.

Date:

19 Sep 2003

Time:

05:52:54

Date: 31 Jan 2006
Time: 03:37:08

Comments:

Your document makes sense and has scripture to back it up. Some folks can not get over the fact that that is a done deal. The Great Tribulation has past and Jesus Has come and we are in the the world to come,the new Heavens and earth,The Kingdom of God. People must be able to hear by the Spirit and not By the teachings of men

Date: 19 Mar 2006
Time: 00:00:57

Comments:

i have a question. In Revelation, John states that God will send his seven Spirits in the end times. i have searched the Bible and am unable to find a prophet who wrote about God sending his seven Spirits. Could you please advise me, as to which prophet wrote about God sending his seven Spirts, on what date God sent his seven Spirits, and how the prophet describes God's seven Spirits. Thank you for your assistance.

Date: 20 Aug 2006
Time: 18:52:47

Comments:

Answer to "What and when did God send His seven Spirits". I don't know where John writes about a promise to send His seven Spirits, if I understand your question. The Seven Spirits of God, from the way John placed it, are the seven churches. The seven churches of Asia, which were considered to be candles, were the seven churches used to be as a guide for all generations to come. There events give testimony to Jesus giving them instruction for their conduct, whether good or bad. But once thing is certain. Either we're rewarded or punished, and there's no doubt that this will happen. As for providing seven Spirits, this was not scriptural as far as I can tell. But to answer your question, the seven Spirits of God were the eyes of God on the once inhabited earth of Asia Minor, that considered to be the "whole world" of the time. Who knows, but I hope I'm not in error with this.