In Matt 24, when the disciples asked Jesus Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matt 24:3), Jesus responded by telling them about events leading up to the beginning of sorrows (Matt 24:4-8).
Then Jesus described events which take place after the beginning of sorrows and in Matt 24:21-22, Jesus said then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
I figure the reason there will be such great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be is that satan will be loosed upon the earth ... the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him — Rev 12:9 ... and he will be very angry and knows he has only a short time ... Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time — Rev 12:12.
I believe that just as we cannot fully comprehend the love of God ... its complete and utter vastness (breadth, length, depth, height), we also cannot fully comprehend the evil/hatred of the devil (and I really don't even want to understand it. I much prefer dwelling on God's love and goodness).
But having said that, it really puts into perspective the statement made by Jesus when He said there will be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And the only thing that shortens it is God stepping in for the elect's sake.
You are correct in-part. Satan being cast out of heaven and restricted to the earth is the 7th trumpet and 3rd woe (but woe to the inhabitants of the earth). However, that is not the only reason Jesus said that it would be a time of great tribulation, but time also includes the rest of God's wrath beginning with the seals, the previous trumpets and the bowl judgments. With just the 4th seal and the 6th trumpet, a fourth and a third respectively, over half the earths population will have been killed. And that does not include the fatalities which will result from trumpets 1, 2 & 3, nor the fatalities resulting from the bowl judgments. By the time the Lord returns to the earth, the majority of the earths population will have been decimated and all human government dismantled (Dan.2:31-45, Rev.6 thru 8).
It is also when that antichrist/beast stands in the temple proclaiming himself to be God, which is in the middle of the seven year period, this is when he wages war and conquers the great tribulation saints during that last 3 1/2 years. (Dan.7:25, Rev.13:5-7)
yes. I appreciate you taking the time to go through this with me. so much information and we see things unfolding before our very eyes. I know we don't (and won't) know the exact timing of everything but God does give warning if we pay attention.
1 Thessalonians 5:
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
While we don't know the exact time, we can and should be alert and vigilant (watchful) ...