The Final Judgment

Dr. Couch, I have heard some say that the seven year tribulation is the final period of judgment of the Jews and a final judgment that ends the dispensation of the Law. Is this so? ANSWER:  There is some validity for this argument because there is no question that the last "week" of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel is a judgment against the Jewish people. The antichrist will "make a firm covenant with the many (the Jews) for one week (one seven year period), but in the middle of the week (three and a half years) he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering …" (Dan. 9:27). It is clear that this is yet future. The book of Revelation continually makes reference to the seven year tribulation by dividing it into "three and a half … and three and a half years, etc." This is referred to about five times throughout the book of Revelation. Also, the antichrist, as Paul reminds us, enters the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and "exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (2 Thess. 2:4).    One could argue that Christ presented Himself as Israel's King. They rejected Him, and with that rejection, the dispensation of the church began. It must be remembered that the dispensation of the church was not prophesied or spoken of in the OT. It was a mystery, which means "something not before revealed." Paul makes that clear in Ephesians 3. He wrote of:    "My insight into the mystery of Christ which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (Eph. 3:4b-5). That is "that the Gentiles are (to be) fellow heirs and fellow members of the body …" (v. 6). And "to bring to light what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God … according to the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord" (vv. 9-10). Even the angels in glory did not know about the church age. Paul goes on and writes: "In order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenlies" (v. 10).    Thus, in the mind of the Lord, the seven year tribulation is the close of God's judgment dealing with Israel before the establishment of the Christ's one thousand year Kingdom reign! The church is but a parenthesis, and it is taken home in the rapture before the terrible tribulation period begins on earth!    Some argue that the idea of the mystery of the church does not mean that the church is not mentioned in the OT, but this is not so. The most comprehensive and complete Greek commentary on Ephesians is written by Dr. Harold Hoehner. (It took him twenty years to write the 900 pages) He has an excellent treatment on "mystery" and writes:      Paul clarifies exactly when and to whom this mystery first became known. … In other generations it was not made known to people. … The mystery was made know to him by revelation, and he continues by saying that it was not made known in other generation. … The revelation is made known to all people, even the heavenly powers (vv. 2-4, 9-10). … It was not known by any person in past generations. … Paul discloses that this mystery, which was not known in past generations has now been revealed. … This corresponds with Rom. 16:25-26 where Paul states that the mystery was kept secret for ages but now has been manifest. … The revelation is some hidden thing or a mystery of God that is unveiled in God and cannot be discovered by human investigation. In the present context, it is the uncovering of a mystery that has been hidden in God throughout the ages (vv. 5, 9). (pp. 437-441)    Conclusion: It is possible then that the seven year tribulation period, which is a judgment upon the Jews (and also a judgment upon the Gentile nations), is indeed the final work with the Jews before the Kingdom is established on earth. Remember, the church is gone in the rapture before the beginning of the tribulation (1 Thess. 4)!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch