What is the Great Tribulation?
Question 10045
The Great Tribulation refers specifically to the second half of the seven-year Tribulation period, a time of intensified suffering and judgement that Jesus described as the worst period in human history. Whilst the entire seven years are difficult, the final three and a half years are marked by unprecedented horror, the full revelation of the Antichrist’s evil character, and the outpouring of God’s fiercest wrath.
Jesus’ Clear Warning
Our Lord Jesus spoke directly about the Great Tribulation in His Olivet Discourse. He told His disciples, “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:15-16). Then He continued with this sobering description: “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. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:21-22).
The Greek phrase thlipsis megalē (θλῖψις μεγάλη) means “great pressure” or “great affliction”. This isn’t just any difficult period; it’s the culmination of human history’s rebellion against God and the fullest expression of Satan’s hatred for God’s people, particularly Israel. Jesus’ words about no human being surviving unless God cut short those days aren’t hyperbole. He’s describing a period that would result in complete human extinction if allowed to run its full natural course.
The Trigger: The Abomination of Desolation
The Great Tribulation begins at a specific, identifiable moment: when the Antichrist commits what Daniel and Jesus call “the abomination of desolation”. Daniel prophesied, “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, 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” (Daniel 9:27). This occurs at the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation.
At this moment, the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel, enter the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and declare himself to be God. Paul described this event: “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
This desecration mirrors historical events. In 167 BC, Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrated the Jewish temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and setting up an image of Zeus. That was a foreshadowing of what the Antichrist will do, but his abomination will be far worse because he won’t merely set up an idol but will declare himself to be deity and demand worship.
The Intensity of Suffering
What makes the Great Tribulation so terrible? Several factors combine to create unprecedented suffering. First, the Antichrist’s true nature is fully revealed. During the first half of the Tribulation, he appears as a peacemaker and brilliant leader. But at the midpoint, his mask comes off, and he shows himself to be utterly evil, demanding global worship and persecuting anyone who refuses.
Second, Satan knows his time is short. Revelation 12:12 warns, “Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” Having been cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-9), Satan will pour out his fury on earth, particularly targeting Israel.
Third, God’s judgements intensify. The bowl judgements described in Revelation 16 occur during the Great Tribulation and are the most severe of all. These include painful sores on those who worship the Antichrist, seas turning to blood, scorching heat from the sun, darkness over the Antichrist’s kingdom, and ultimately the greatest earthquake in history accompanied by hundred-pound hailstones.
Israel’s Flight and Preservation
When Jesus warned those in Judea to flee to the mountains, He wasn’t speaking metaphorically. Many scholars believe that faithful Jews will escape to Petra, the ancient rock city in modern-day Jordan, where they will be supernaturally protected for the final three and a half years. Revelation 12:6 speaks of this: “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.” The “woman” here represents Israel, and the 1,260 days equals exactly three and a half years.
This flight will be urgent. Jesus said, “Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak” (Matthew 24:17-18). There will be no time for preparations, no opportunity to gather belongings. It will be a matter of life and death, requiring immediate obedience.
The Mark of the Beast
During the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will implement a global economic system requiring everyone to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead (Revelation 13:16-17). Without this mark, no one can buy or sell. This isn’t merely about economic control; it’s about worship. Those who receive the mark are choosing to worship the Antichrist rather than God, and their destiny is sealed. Revelation 14:9-11 contains one of Scripture’s most severe warnings: anyone who receives the mark will face eternal torment in the lake of fire.
This creates an impossible situation for believers during the Great Tribulation. If they refuse the mark, they cannot participate in the economy, meaning they cannot buy food or basic necessities. If they accept it, they’ve committed an unforgivable sin. Many will choose martyrdom rather than deny Jesus, and Revelation describes great multitudes who will be killed for their faith (Revelation 6:9-11; 7:9-17).
The Battle of Armageddon
The Great Tribulation culminates in the Battle of Armageddon, when the armies of the world gather in the Valley of Megiddo to make war against Jerusalem. Zechariah prophesied, “For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle” (Zechariah 14:2). But this isn’t merely a human conflict; it’s humanity’s final rebellion against God Himself. Revelation 19:19 describes it: “And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.”
The battle is short-lived. Jesus returns with His saints (the Church, raptured years earlier), and with a word from His mouth, He destroys His enemies. “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations” (Revelation 19:15). The Antichrist and False Prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire, Satan is bound for a thousand years, and Jesus establishes His millennial kingdom.
Conclusion
The Great Tribulation is the darkest period in human history, but it’s not without purpose. Through it, God will judge a world that has rejected His Son, refine Israel and bring them to salvation, and demonstrate once and for all the consequences of sin and rebellion. For believers today, understanding the Great Tribulation should fill us with three responses: gratitude that we won’t be here to experience it, urgency to share the Gospel with those who are lost, and determination to live faithfully for Jesus in whatever time remains. The horrors of the Great Tribulation are coming, but they’re not our destiny. Our destiny is to be with Jesus, delivered from the wrath to come. That’s not presumption; that’s the promise of Scripture, and we can trust God to keep His word.
“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. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved.” Matthew 24:21-22
Bibliography
- Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958.
- Walvoord, John F. Matthew: Thy Kingdom Come. Chicago: Moody Press, 1974.
- Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. The Footsteps of the Messiah. Rev. ed. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003.
- Ryrie, Charles C. Revelation. Everyman’s Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1968.
