CBCG Off on Which Signs to Look at for the Great Tribulation

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

In his member newsletter, CBCG’s Fred Coulter wrote:

Jesus warns: “Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation [this is an event, not a set date], which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one who reads, let him understand)…. For then shall there be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be again. And if those days were not limited [other prophecies show they are limited to 3½ years], there would no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be limited” (Matt. 24:15, 21).

Such passages are telling us that we are to watch for these specific events to occur; they are not intended to give us specific dates. We are to watch for three specific events:

The coming of the final beast (Dan. 9:26; Rev. 13:1-10).

The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; II Thess. 2:1-12).

The stopping of sacrifices at the temple and the setting up of the abomination (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; II Thess. 2:1-12).

It is only when these three prophecies occur in this order that we will know the Great Tribulation has begun. We are not to let the predictions and declarations of men to the contrary mislead us. We are to follow the Scriptures and watch for prophesied events. While there are other prophetic events to occur, our focus should be on these three major events. The Great Tribulation cannot begin until these three events have transpired. (12/15/11)

While personally I have gotten along with Fred Coulter, those who rely on the second item above (as well as parts of the others) will be misled.

First, Fred Coulter is correct that once sacrifices stop and the abomination of desolation is set up, that this is the apparent final major sign that the Great Tribulation will begin, as that is what Jesus said.

Second, however, is that none of the verses that he mentioned states that a temple needs to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.

Thirdly, it is not biblically-required for the Jews to have a temple to sacrifice–only an altar is required (Ezra 3:6), though a tent-type of temple or actual temple could be put together. (Yes, I do believe that some type of physical temple will exist, based upon 2 Thessalonians, but I do not believe that verse requires one in Jerusalem–for more details see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?).

Although Fred Coulter referred to Daniel 9:27 (and seems to believe in the seven year concept based upon other portions of his newsletter), that verse discusses a deal being put together. Notice that when that deal is confirmed for seven-year by a prince who will later become the King of the North/Beast, then the countdown for stopping the sacrifices, hence to the start of the Great Tribulation, will have begun:

26…And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then 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,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate. (Daniel 9:26-27)

The individual that confirms the covenant is still then a prince, not necessarily recognizable to many then as the Beast.

Those who strictly rely on the order that CBCG’s Fred Coulter is proposing will not see what is happening until it is too late.

Some articles of related interest may include the following:

Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament? Does the Bible require a rebuilt Jewish Temple?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Christian Biblical Church of God and its Teachings Fred Coulter’s group–they tend to explain conspiracies, calendar issues, temple insistence, and have a “sea of glass” teaching. Plus they produce books on various subjects.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?