What is the Great Tribulation? Who will pass through it?

What is the Great Tribulation? Who will pass through it?

The Great Tribulation is a time of great suffering in the world that will happen shortly before the end of time. There will be wars, plagues and persecution of those who love Jesus. At the end of the Great Tribulation Jesus will return.

In the Bible there are many prophecies about a time of great tribulation before the end of the world. InMatthew 24:21-22, Jesus talks about a great tribulation like there has never been before in the world. The Great Tribulation is one of the signs of the end times.

Some events described in the Bible that are probably part of the Great Tribulation are:

• Wars of many countries –Joel 3:9-11;Revelation 19:19

• The coming of the Antichrist –2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

• The “terrible sacrilege” -Daniel 9:27;Matthew 24:15-16

• Plagues, famine and natural disasters –Revelation 16:8-11

• False prophets –Matthew 24:23-24

• Persecution of Jews and Christians –Matthew 24:9;Revelation 13:5-7

When will the Great Tribulation happen?

No one knows when the Great Tribulation will happen. The Bible only says it will be a little before the end of time. There are many theories but we will only know for sure when it has happened. The Great Tribulation and the end of the world can happen at any time.

The Bible also does not say how long the Great Tribulation will last. Some people use passages from the book of Daniel to say that it will last seven years. On the other hand, God has a different notion of time than we do (2 Peter 3:8). Indications of time in biblical prophecies are usually symbolic. The Bible only says that the Great Tribulation will be “shortened” (Matthew 24:22).

Will the Church go through the Great Tribulation?

There are 3 schools of opinion about what will happen to the Church during the Great Tribulation. These theories suggest that the rapture will happen:

• Before the Great Tribulation – the saved will not go through the Tribulation but those who remain will still have the opportunity to repent

• During the Great Tribulation – the Church will only go through part of the Tribulation but will be raptured before the worst events

• After the Great Tribulation – the Church will only be taken away at the end of the Tribulation, when Jesus returns and the world ends

The Bible can be interpreted to favor either of these opinions and we will only know the truth after it happens. Whether or not they go through the Great Tribulation, all followers of Jesus suffer tribulations in their lives but whoever remains faithful until the end will be rewarded (Hebrews 10:35).

The most important thing we need to know is that Jesus will return and the Tribulation will pass. We do not need to be afraid, because God protects us in all situations. All suffering will come to an end (Revelation 21:3-4).