The Great Tribulation Cannot Begin in 2009

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

Contrary to various claims of self-appointed ones (Ronald Weinland may be the one once associated with the old WCG getting the most coverage falsely claiming this), the Great Tribulation has not started and cannot begin in 2009.

Some criticized me when I pointed out last year that it could not start in 2008 (see Great Tribulation Will Not Begin in 2008 and James Malm Challenges COGwriter). And although there were various troubles this year, the Great Tribulation did not begin then.

How did I know?

I simply noted that before the Great Tribulation could begin that there needed to be a King of the North, a King of the South, and European military that would be quite strong (cf. Revelation 13:4).

Additionally, the deal mentioned in Daniel 9:27 had not then (nor yet) taken place:

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 9:27).

Because of this deal not yet being made (that “he” will be the one who will become the King of the North), there is at least 3 1/2 years (half of a prophetic week) before the Great Tribulation can begin–which means that the earliest year it could possibly begin is in 2012. And I suspect it will be a bit later than that.

Additionally, while there are the beginnings of certain organizations that will probably contribute to the rise of both the King of the North and the King of the South in 2008 (see Deal Leading to Psalm 83?), they are not ready yet.

I have had four European trips in the last five years (last one in October 2008), and can state that the Europeans are simply not ready to fulfill their role as the supporters of the King of the North – the Final Beast military power, yet.

Although the Europeans agreed this month that they need a 60,000 man rapid development force (http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3872362,00.html), they do not even have that yet. In order to be able to destroy the United States and its Anglo-allies, the Europeans would also benefit from having their own military satellite tracking system–and while that may not be an absolute requirement, they will not have their own ready until around 2013 (see EU Approves Galileo For Military Use). Additionally, Europe still has not benefited from its Large Hadron Colider project–which may be where it will develop a major military advantage (see September 10th is Not the End of the World), which it would seem to need to fulfill biblical prophecy (cf. Revelation 13:4). And as mentioned before, since the deal in Daniel 9:27 has not been made, it will be at least 3 1/2 years before the King of the North can stop the sacrifices.

Of course, the sacrifices must start before they stop. And while it is remotely possible that regular sacrifices will start in 2009, that is remote. But even if they do, they will not be stopped by the King of the North in 2009.

As far as the King of the South goes, there simply is not a confederation of Islamic nations that work close enough together in order to be led by the King of the South. While it is true that there are two groups that ultimately may ultimately allow this (see Iraq & the King of the South and Mediterranean Union Makes Deal With Israel and Arab States)–the situation in the Middle East is not quite ready yet. The Islamic Mahdi has not yet been recognized, and while that is remotely possible to occur in 2009 (and some suspect that Barack Obama may help that, see Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? ), the King of the South also will not be ready militarily to fulfill prophecies such as those in Daniel 11:40.

And a point that few seem to recognize (including pretty much all those predicting the Great Tribulation in 2008/2009) is that Matthew 24:14 still needs to be properly fulfilled. Recall that Jesus said:

14 And 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).

Although God did use Herbert W. Armstrong as a witness, the 21st century world as a whole has not had an adequate witness for the end to come (see also Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?).

I strongly believe that God will more powerfully use the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God to proclaim the good news of the The Gospel of the Kingdom of God and that the “short work” of Romans 9:28 will still happen–but even though the Living Church of God is busily continuing the Philadelphia-era work that it will not be able to complete this work in 2009.

And of course, since the 6000 years of God’s plan apparently has several years left (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), the fact that all the other signs mentioned in this update are not ready yet (though events seem to be working towards that objective), the Great Tribulation simply cannot begin in 2009.

While 2008 had been a very shaky year, recall that Jesus taught:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:5-8).

The Great Tribulation does not come until a little later according to Jesus’ sequence:

14 And 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.

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), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For 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 (Matt 24:14-21).

The end is coming. The end is soon. But the end (meaning the beginning of the Great Tribulation) will not start in 2009. Nor can the Great Tribulation start prior to 2012.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/2 years from now.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? 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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Why is he a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God. W
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.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
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?
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?