What is the role of Israel during the tribulation?
Question 10076
Israel occupies centre stage during the tribulation period. While the Church has been removed at the rapture, God resumes His dealings with the Jewish nation. The tribulation serves as Israel’s time of testing, purification, and ultimately, restoration. Understanding Israel’s role is essential to grasping the tribulation’s purpose and outcome.
The Tribulation as Jacob’s Trouble
Jeremiah prophesied: “Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7). The tribulation is specifically called “Jacob’s trouble”—a time of unprecedented suffering for Israel, yet ending in deliverance.
This distinguishes the tribulation from general hardship. Throughout history, Jews have faced persecution—Egyptian slavery, Babylonian exile, Roman oppression, mediaeval pogroms, the Holocaust. Yet the tribulation surpasses them all. Jesus said: “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” (Matthew 24:21).
But notice Jeremiah’s promise: “yet he shall be saved out of it.” The tribulation isn’t Israel’s destruction but their purification. God preserves a remnant who emerge refined, ready to receive their Messiah.
The Initial Peace and Covenant
The tribulation begins with apparent peace for Israel. Daniel prophesied: “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week” (Daniel 9:27). The Antichrist makes a seven-year covenant with Israel, likely guaranteeing security and permitting temple worship to resume.
For the first three and a half years, Israel enjoys relative peace. The temple functions, sacrifices are offered, and the covenant provides protection. This may seem like Israel’s golden age—peace with her enemies, temple worship restored, perhaps even territorial gains.
But this peace is deceptive. Paul warned: “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Israel’s covenant partner is the Antichrist, not a genuine ally. The peace is temporary, the security false.
The Abomination of Desolation
At the midpoint—after three and a half years—everything changes. Daniel continues: “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).
The Antichrist breaks his covenant, stops temple sacrifice, and commits the abomination of desolation. Jesus described this: “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 Judaea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:15-16).
Paul detailed what happens: “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 2:4). The Antichrist enters the temple and declares himself God, demanding worship.
This blasphemy triggers the great tribulation’s beginning—the final three and a half years of intensified suffering. For faithful Jews, this moment confirms the Antichrist’s true nature. Their treaty partner is revealed as Satan’s representative, their hoped-for peace exposed as deception.
The Flight and Persecution
Jesus urged immediate flight: “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). The urgency is extreme—no time to pack, no time to prepare, just run.
Where do they flee? Revelation provides a clue: “But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14). The “woman” represents Israel, fleeing into “the wilderness” for “a time, and times, and half a time”—three and a half years.
Many scholars identify this place as Petra, the ancient rock city in modern Jordan. Isaiah may reference this: “Let my outcasts sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer” (Isaiah 16:4, addressed to Moab, roughly where Petra is located). God supernaturally protects and provides for the Jewish remnant hidden there.
But not all Jews flee successfully. Many remain in Jerusalem and throughout Israel, facing intense persecution. Zechariah prophesied: “In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive” (Zechariah 13:8). Two-thirds of the Jewish population dies during the tribulation—a staggering toll.
The 144,000 Witnesses
Despite persecution, God raises up Jewish witnesses. John saw: “Then I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Revelation 7:4). These 144,000—12,000 from each tribe—receive divine protection and proclaim the gospel globally.
They’re described further: “It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless” (Revelation 14:4-5).
These Jewish evangelists preach during history’s darkest hour, converting multitudes. The great multitude John sees—”a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9)—likely represents their converts, martyred for refusing the mark of the beast.
The Two Witnesses
God also sends two witnesses to Jerusalem: “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3). These witnesses minister for the first three and a half years, performing miracles and calling Israel to repentance.
They possess supernatural power: “And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire” (Revelation 11:5-6).
These abilities suggest their identity—likely Moses and Elijah. Moses turned water to blood and brought plagues on Egypt. Elijah called down fire from heaven and shut the sky for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Both appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3), and Malachi prophesied Elijah’s return before the Day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).
After 1,260 days, the beast kills them: “And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:7-8). Jerusalem, spiritually likened to Sodom and Egypt, becomes their execution ground.
The world celebrates: “and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 11:10). But after three and a half days, God resurrects them: “But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them” (Revelation 11:11). They ascend to heaven before their enemies.
Israel’s National Repentance
As the tribulation concludes, Israel experiences national conversion. Zechariah prophesied: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10).
At Christ’s return, Israel recognises their Messiah. They see His wounds—”on him whom they have pierced”—and realise Jesus is the one they rejected. Their mourning is both grief and repentance, genuine sorrow for their sin combined with faith in their Saviour.
Paul explained: “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-26). “All Israel”—the remnant preserved through the tribulation—receives salvation.
This fulfils God’s promises. He declared: “For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:24-26).
The Battle for Jerusalem
The tribulation culminates with Jerusalem under siege. Zechariah describes it: “For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city” (Zechariah 14:2).
Jerusalem’s situation appears hopeless. The Antichrist’s armies surround the city, intent on Israel’s final destruction. But at the darkest moment, Christ returns: “Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east” (Zechariah 14:3-4).
Jesus returns to deliver His people. He destroys Israel’s enemies with a word (Revelation 19:15), establishes His kingdom, and fulfils every covenant promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Purpose of Israel’s Tribulation
Why must Israel endure such suffering? Several purposes emerge. First, to bring Israel to repentance. God uses the tribulation to break Israel’s stubborn rejection of Messiah. Moses prophesied: “When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey his voice” (Deuteronomy 4:30).
Second, to purify a remnant. Malachi prophesied: “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:2-3). The tribulation burns away dross, leaving pure faith.
Third, to fulfil prophecy. God’s Word must be fulfilled. The seventieth week of Daniel must run its course. Israel’s restoration must follow their suffering.
Fourth, to demonstrate God’s faithfulness. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, despite their rejection of Messiah, despite centuries of rebellion, God preserves them and fulfils His promises. This magnifies His grace and proves His covenant-keeping character.
Lessons for Today
What does Israel’s tribulation role teach us? First, God hasn’t finished with Israel. Some claim the Church replaces Israel, that God’s promises to Abraham transfer to believers. But the tribulation proves otherwise. God deals specifically with Israel, preserves a Jewish remnant, and establishes them in their land.
Second, God keeps His promises. He promised Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Despite Israel’s sin, God remains faithful. If He keeps promises to rebellious Israel, how much more will He keep promises to the Church, purchased by Christ’s blood?
Third, suffering often precedes glory. Israel must endure the tribulation before receiving the kingdom. We too experience trials before glory (Romans 8:17-18). This doesn’t mean we earn glory through suffering, but suffering refines faith and prepares us for what’s ahead.
Fourth, the urgency of reaching Jewish people with the gospel. The tribulation will convert many Jews, but at terrible cost. Better they come to faith now, in the age of grace, than later through suffering.
Conclusion
Israel’s role during the tribulation is central to the period’s purpose. The tribulation is Jacob’s trouble, designed to bring Israel to national repentance and faith in their Messiah. Though two-thirds perish, God preserves a remnant, protects the 144,000 witnesses, and sends the two prophets. At the tribulation’s end, Israel mourns for the Messiah they pierced, receives cleansing, and enters the millennial kingdom as God’s chosen nation.
For believers today, this reminds us that God’s plans are certain, His promises sure, and His purposes for Israel unchanging. The Church hasn’t replaced Israel; we’ve been grafted in (Romans 11:17-24). When the Church is complete and removed, God resumes His programme with Israel, bringing them through fire to faith. What a day it will be when “all Israel will be saved”!
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10