“7And they asked Him, Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when this is about to occur?

8And He said, Be on your guard and be careful that you are not led astray; for many will come in My name [appropriating to themselves the name Messiah which belongs to Me], saying, I am He! and, The time is at hand! Do not go out after them.

9And when you hear of wars and insurrections (disturbances, disorder, and confusion), do not become alarmed and panic-stricken and terrified; for all this must take place first, but the end will not [come] immediately.

10Then He told them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [II Chron. 15:6; Isa. 19:2.]

11There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.

12But previous to all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be led away before kings and governors for My name's sake.

13This will be a time (an opportunity) for you to bear testimony.

14Resolve and settle it in your minds not to meditate and prepare beforehand how you are to make your defense and how you will answer.

15For I [Myself] will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute.

16You will be delivered up and betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and [some] of you they will put to death.

17And you will be hated (despised) by everyone because [you bear] My name and for its sake.

18But not a hair of your head shall perish. [I Sam. 14:45.]

19By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.

20But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know and understand that its desolation has come near.

21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside [the city] get out of it, and let not those who are out in the country come into it;

22For those are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], that all things that are written may be fulfilled.

23Alas for those who are pregnant and for those who have babies which they are nursing in those days! For great misery and anguish and distress shall be upon the land and indignation and punishment and retribution upon this people.

24They will fall by the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed). [Isa. 63:18; Dan. 8:13.]

25And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea,

26Men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter.

27And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great (transcendent and overwhelming) power and [all His kingly] glory (majesty and splendor).

28Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near.

Did you notice verse 24? It said “they will fall by the mouth and the edge of the sword.” I believe when it says they will fall by the sword, Jesus is talking about the Word of God, because it said they will fall by the mouth. How else could people fall “by the mouth” unless it means that people will be speaking (wielding) the Word of God (sword of the spirit)! Ask your pastor, for I could be wrong. But, it is written in Ephesians 6:17 “17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

I followed the reference to Daniel 8:13 and read chapters 8 and 9, and I read where the angel Gabriel explained the vision to Daniel, and it explained that the tribulation period is 7 years. (Amplified version)

Daniel 9: “27And he shall enter into a strong and firm covenant with the many for one week [seven years]. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and offering to cease [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and upon the wing or pinnacle of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate, until the full determined end is poured out on the desolator. AMP

Then I followed a reference to 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2. You’ll have to read it on your own, because I’ve reached my word count limit. I’d like to print verses11-12 “11Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,

12In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Ask your pastor, but it sure sounds like those who choose not to believe in Jesus as risen Lord, will not get a second chance during the 7 year tribulation period. Do you believe in Jesus as your risen Lord and Savior? I sure hope and pray that you do, for your sake. May God bless you.