Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The Tribulation is a future time period when the Lord will accomplish at least two aspects of His plan: 1) He will complete His discipline of the nation Israel (Daniel 9:24), and 2) He will judge t...
Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.
Philip Davies
Supporter
The Great Tribulation took place in AD 70 when Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem and its temple at end of the Jewish–Roman War. It was predicted by Jesus Luke 21:20-24 and is very clearly associated with the fall of Jerusalem. Many Christians think that there is another Great Tribulation to come some time in the future, but there is no support for this whatsoever and it is a very common misunderstanding of the prophecy. Regards Philip
Aurel Gheorghe
Supporter
Jesus said that a terrible time of trouble would come upon the world just before His return and that it would be more intense than any other in the history of this world (Matthew 24:21- 22). As Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He was referring to a similar prophecy made by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 12:1). The great tribulation will take place just before Jesus returns; however, there have been several other "times of trouble" for God's people in the past that should not be confused with the future great tribulation. For example, Israel endured 400 years of tribulation just before the Exodus (Acts 7:6). The early Christians also passed through a time of trouble immediately after the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1). From A.D. 303-313, during the era represented by the Smyrna church (Revelation 2:10), God's people suffered a 10-year period of tribulation. But the most notable time of trouble was the 1,260 years of intense persecution waged against true Christians during the Dark Ages (Revelation 12:6-13). But the great tribulation corresponds with the time during which the seven last plagues of Revelation16 will fall. "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Revelation 15:1. God's wrath will be directed against the ones who disobey His law, distort His truth, and oppress His people. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). The great tribulation also coincides with the Battle of Armageddon. Both take place immediately before Christ's second coming (Revelation 16:16-17). Some Bible scholars believe that the great and final tribulation will last only a short time, not seven years as some believe. Revelation 18:8 tells us, "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day." A "day" in Bible prophecy represents one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34, Luke 13:32). So when Revelation says that "her plagues come in one day," it means within, or less than, one year's time. The very nature of the seven last plagues, the rivers and seas turning to blood and the planet being scorched with great heat, would render it impossible for the human race to survive for a longer period of time. This is why Jesus said, "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." (Matthew 24:22) Some believe that the righteous will be raptured out of the world just before the time of trouble and only the wicked will be left behind to endure seven years of tribulation. But the Bible doesn’t teach that. The Bible describes the 144,000 as "they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Revelation 7:14. Also Matthew 24:22 tells that the saved will be in the world during the great tribulation and the days to be shortened for their benefit.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
What is THE Great TRIBULATION?
Its Duration. The great tribulation is the 70th week of Daniel and is therefore of 7 years’ duration (Dan. 9:27 --"And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week {Heb “one seven” (also later in this line)], and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."). (Wikipedia says, “It is theorized that each week represents seven years.”) Half the period is said to be 42 months or 1,260 days (Rev. 11:2-3 --AMPC
"And I will grant the power of prophecy to My two witnesses for 1,260 (42 months; three and one-half years), dressed in sackcloth.
Its Distinctiveness/Distinctive character (Matt. 24:21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be".)—Wikipedia says, “the Great Tribulation will be the second half of the Tribulation period (see Matt 24:15 and Matt 24:21; Rev. 6:15-17) for 1,260 (42 months; three and one-half years). "The tribulation period will last for 7 years, but the last 3 1/2 years are known as the Great Tribulation, because that will be the most dreadful time that the world has ever experienced." --Johan du Toit Incidentally, the 6th Seal is Rev. 6:12-17.
Its Description
1. Judgment upon the world. The 3 series of judgments describe these judgments (seals, Rev. 6; trumpets, Rev. 8-9; bowls, Rev. 16).
2. Persecution of Israel (Matt. 24:9, 22.; Rev. 12:17).
3. The salvation of multitudes (Rev. 7)
4. Rise and dominion of Antichrist (2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13)
Its Denouement (End) which is "the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved."
The Tribulation ends in the gathering of the nations to the battle of Armageddon and the return of Christ to the earth (Rev. 19). "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a [c]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS."
At the head of his armies, the Beast marches forth in open hostility against God -- "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (Rev. 16:16) which is explained in Rev.19:19 -- "And I saw the Beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army."
--A.W. Pink
How does the Great Tribulation end? See Rev. 19, verses 20 and 21. "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."
Bruce Lyon
Supporter
The Great Tribulation starts 31/2 years after Israel signs a peace treaty with the leader of the 10 Muslim nations that surround Israel. This will happen very soon. This treaty is called in Isaiah a covenant of death [Isaiah 28:15: “Because you have said, ‘We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol are we in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.’” Isaiah 28:18:Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it]. The first 31/2 years of this treaty will be relatively peaceful. At the beginning of the second 31/2 year period, a war begins in heaven between the archangel Michael and the loyal angels and Satan and the rebellious angels, and Satan will be cast down to this earth. [Revelation 12:7-9: And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels went to fight with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back, and they were not strong enough, nor was a place found for them in heaven anymore. Revelation 12:12: How terrible it will be for the earth and the sea because the Devil has gone down to you, having great fury, knowing that he has but a short time.”] When Satan is cast down he will enter into the leader of the Beast Power - the 10 Muslim nations that surround Israel and at that time the Beast Power will attack Israel. That is the beginning of the Great Tribulation, it will be a time like no other! At the beginning of the attack, many people of Israel will flee towards Mount Sinai located in Saudi Arabia. Satan will send a flood [army] to destroy them but the earth will swallow up that army. As the invasion continues 2/3rd of the people of Israel will either be killed or taken captive to become slaves. 1/3 will go up to Jerusalem and be protected by the 2 witnesses, that God will have sent there. This tribulation time will affect the rest of the nations of the world, as there will be great economic upheaval at that time, as the Beast power will control the oil in the Middle East. At the end of the 31/2 years God- Yehovah will send down His uniquely begotten son to take his place on the throne of David at Zion. [Zechariah 12:all]
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible