The Great Tribulation: An Unprecedented Time of Trouble
The concept of "The Great Tribulation" is a cornerstone of biblical prophecy, a period foretold with stark clarity in both the Old and New Testaments. It describes a future era of unparalleled global distress, divine judgment, and intense spiritual conflict, culminating in the glorious return of Jesus Christ. Understanding this period is not merely an academic exercise but a vital component of grasping God's sovereign plan for humanity, for Israel, and for the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This article will explore the biblical basis, purpose, key events, and the significance of this prophesied time, primarily drawing from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Biblical Basis and Terminology
The term "Great Tribulation" is explicitly found in the words of Jesus Himself in the Olivet Discourse:
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 period is also known by several other descriptive names throughout scripture, each highlighting a different facet of its nature:
- The Time of Jacob's Trouble: This emphasizes its specific focus on Israel, God's chosen nation.
- Daniel's Seventieth Week: Derived from the prophetic seventy weeks given to Daniel, where the final week (seven years) remains unfulfilled.
- The Day of the Lord: A broader term encompassing divine judgment and the establishment of Christ's kingdom, often beginning with the Tribulation.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
The duration of this period is universally understood from Daniel 9:27 to be seven years. This seven-year period is typically divided into two distinct halves of three and a half years each (42 months or 1,260 days), with the latter half being "the Great Tribulation" proper, marked by even more intense judgments and persecution.
Purpose of the Tribulation
The Great Tribulation, while terrifying in its description, serves specific, righteous purposes in God's eternal plan:
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Key Events and Characteristics
The book of Revelation, especially chapters 6-18, provides a detailed chronological account of the Tribulation's events. While comprehensive coverage is beyond this article's scope, some pivotal characteristics include:
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- The Seven Seals: Beginning with the rider on the white horse (Antichrist's rise) and progressing through wars, famine, death, martyrs, cosmic disturbances, and a great earthquake.
- The Seven Trumpets: Affecting a third of the earth's vegetation, sea, fresh water, and celestial bodies, followed by demonic plagues.
- The Seven Vials (Bowls): The final, most intense judgments, poured out on the earth, sea, rivers, sun, the Antichrist's throne, the Euphrates river, and culminating in a great earthquake and hailstones.
The Role of Israel
As the "time of Jacob's trouble," Israel is central to the Tribulation. They will face unprecedented persecution, especially during the latter half, fleeing into hiding (Matthew 24:16; Revelation 12:13-14). However, this period will also see a spiritual awakening among a Jewish remnant. Many will finally recognize Jesus as their true Messiah, leading to their national salvation at Christ's return.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
The Church and the Tribulation
A significant question concerning the Great Tribulation is the timing of the Church's presence. Based on a careful study of prophetic scriptures, many KJV-adhering evangelicals believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, meaning the Church will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the Tribulation begins.
The arguments for the Church's absence during this period include:
- God's Deliverance from Wrath: The Church is not appointed unto wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- The Promise of Preservation: To the faithful church in Philadelphia, Jesus promised to keep them from the hour of temptation (or trial) that shall come upon all the world.
- The Nature of the Tribulation: As the "time of Jacob's trouble," its primary focus is Israel, not the Church. The Church, as the body of Christ, has a distinct prophetic program.
- The Rapture as Imminent: The rapture is presented as an imminent event, one that could happen at any moment, without any preceding signs. If the Church were to go through any part of the Tribulation, specific signs would have to occur first, negating its imminence.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Tribulation is explicitly described as a time of God's wrath (Revelation 6:16-17; Revelation 11:18).
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
This "hour of temptation" is understood to be the Tribulation itself.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Therefore, from this perspective, the rapture of the Church serves as the event that immediately precedes the onset of the Great Tribulation, as God removes His saints from the earth before pouring out His wrath.
Conclusion
The Great Tribulation is a divinely appointed period of unparalleled judgment and purification, designed to bring Israel to repentance and to judge the wickedness of the world, ultimately preparing the earth for the righteous reign of Jesus Christ. While the prospect of such a time is sobering, for those who are in Christ, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His prophetic word and the glorious hope of His imminent return. It underscores the urgency of sharing the Gospel and living in watchfulness, knowing that the Lord's coming for His Church is near, before the storm of the Great Tribulation breaks upon the earth.