Yes, it is vital because otherwise no human flesh would survive, and there would be no believers left to enter the kingdom.
Les Feldick teaches that the tribulation's final three and a half years will be so catastrophic that if the period were prolonged even by a few days, every human would die. God must end it on schedule to preserve a remnant of believers who will populate the millennial kingdom.
Matthew 24:22 — This verse directly states that if those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake they will be shortened.
Matthew 24:21-22 (KJV) declares that the tribulation will be a time of 'great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.' It then states, 'And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.' This indicates that without divine intervention to cut the time short, all human life would perish. The shortening is explicitly for the sake of the elect, ensuring their survival.
Les Feldick emphasizes that 'shortened' does not mean the seven-year tribulation is reduced to a shorter period, but that it must end exactly on schedule at the full 1,260 days plus 1,260 days. He explains that if it extended even a few days beyond the appointed time, no one would survive due to the unprecedented destruction from natural calamities, earthquakes, volcanoes, and cosmic disturbances. He stresses that survivors are essential because there must be flesh-and-blood believers to enter the millennial kingdom and repopulate the earth. Les also ties this to God's sovereign control and His righteousness, which ensures the remnant is preserved.
Les Feldick clarifies that the Greek word translated 'shortened' does not imply a reduction in the length of the tribulation from seven years to six and a half, but rather that the days must end promptly on schedule. He says, 'It does not mean that it's going to back up a month or two... It just simply means unless those days would end right on schedule, three and a half years and three and a half years, that's 1,260 days and another 1,260 days.' The emphasis is on God's sovereignty in ensuring the tribulation ends exactly when He has determined.
Les Feldick teaches that survivors are necessary because 'you've got to have people going into the Kingdom.' He points out that the largest group of survivors will be the escaping remnant of Israel, but there must also be other flesh-and-blood believers to enter the millennial kingdom and populate the earth. Without survivors, there would be no one to carry out God's plan for the earthly kingdom.
Les Feldick describes the last half of the tribulation as beyond human comprehension. He says that even the Holocaust, famines, wars, and modern disasters cannot compare to it. He cites Matthew 24:21, where Jesus says it will be 'great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world.' The devastation will include natural calamities, earthquakes, volcanoes, and cosmic disturbances, leading to a tremendous loss of life.
The Great Tribulation: Israel's Flight & God's Protection Explained
are nursing, nursing mothers. It's going to be hard for them. It's going to be hard for some young gal that's almost ready to deliver to make this long trek down to the mountains, which I think will be to the southeast of Jerusalem, probably to the area of Petra. Possibility, I'm not saying it is, but it's a possibility.
Ending on Schedule
Les explains that 'shortened' means the days must end right on schedule, not be shortened to six and a half years. If they went on a few more days, no one would survive, but survivors are assured.
Survivors for the Kingdom
Les emphasizes that the tribulation will end on schedule precisely so that survivors, especially the escaping Israelite remnant, can enter the kingdom. Without survivors, there would be no one to populate the millennial reign.
Great Tribulation Defined
Les describes the final three and a half years as a tribulation far greater than anything in Israel's history, and quotes Jesus' words from Matthew 24:21 to show its unprecedented severity.
God's Righteous Timing
Les connects the seven-year tribulation to God's righteousness: by its end, the unbelieving will have suffered judgment and the believing remnant will enter His glorious rule. The end is 'cut short in righteousness.'
Unprecedented Horrors
Les stresses that no human can imagine the final three and a half years, as they will combine the wrath of God and Satan, surpassing even the Holocaust or modern wars.
Sovereign Control
Les reiterates that when the seven years are complete, God is through—He is in total sovereign control. The remnant is preserved by God's grace, just as in Isaiah's time.
Israel's Blindness & the Fullness of the Gentiles — Romans 11:25
But listen, there's a day coming when this until is still in Scripture. And when this until happens, and the times of the Gentiles have run their course, in will come that last seven years of tribulation with the horrors of it. And you and I can't begin to imagine what the last three and a half of those seven years are going to be. It is beyond human description, but it's coming.
Matthew 24:21: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
This verse establishes the unprecedented severity of the tribulation, which is the reason for the need to end on time.
Matthew 24:22: And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
This verse directly addresses the question: the days must be shortened to ensure survival of the elect.
No. Les Feldick clarifies that 'shortened' means ending on schedule at the full seven years, not reduced in length. If it were prolonged beyond even a few days, no flesh would survive.
Survivors are needed to populate the millennial kingdom. There must be flesh-and-blood believers to enter the kingdom, and without them the human race would not continue.
It will be worse than anything in history, including the Holocaust. Jesus said it would be 'great tribulation' never seen before, and Les describes it as beyond human comprehension.
Watch the Teaching: The Great Tribulation: Israel's Flight & God's Protection Explained