Rev. Ken Graham Supporter

The Tribulation period will begin immediately after the Rapture.

November 19 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paula Fether Supporter Lifelong student of the scriptures

The Tribulation begins when the Antichrist/Beast confirms a 7-year treaty between Israel and "many", according to Dan. 9:27. There may well be a gap of time between the Rapture and this event.

December 28 2024 • 14 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

First, the idea of tribulation must be separated from the idea of God pouring out his wrath on unbelievers. While the two may or may not occur at the same time, tribulations (Greek 'digmos' & 'thlipsis') predominantly refer to the persecution and affliction of believers by non-believers. Conversely, wrath (thumos & orgay) predominantly addresses the wrath of God against the unrighteous or people's anger against each other. 

With this in mind (also keeping in mind that there are many theories on when the 'Great Tribulation' will take place), then verses on the tribulation can be examined.

Matt 24:1-33 (also Mark 13:1-27, Luke 21:8-27)

Here is an interesting passage that could be a double prophecy. Matt 24:3-29 have already been fulfilled once, it is possible they will be fulfilled again in a Great tribulation leading up to the true end of the passage - the return of Christ.

Examining the first fulfillment can give clues as to the sequence of the future Great Tribulation [though a second fulfillment is not necessary].

The disciples asked several questions:
A) "when will this happen? (not one stone left on another)" - This happened in 70 AD with the destruction of the temple.
B) What will be the sign of your coming? (A sign of the son of man in heaven, the son of man coming in clouds and great glory, a trumpet call) - This has not occurred yet!
C) What will be the sign of the end of the age?
(false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines, earthquakes, persecution, believers put to death, apostasy, the gospel preached to the whole world, implications of the end of jewish government and the incursion by romans). The destruction of the temple ended the jewish/old covenant age and brought in the church age.

Matt 24:30-33 can't take place until Matt 24:2-29 have taken place (which they have once, in 66-70 AD). The events surrounding the siege of Jerusalem included the Christians fleeing, earthquakes, jews fighting jews, famine, false messiahs, etc. The Romans with their eagle standards were vultures surrounding the carcass of the temple (also the wings of desolation from Daniel), and "Vespasian rose to the supreme power (Emperor of Rome) and destroyed Jerusalem, and desolated the holy place” (Clement of Alexandria).

The prophecy of the gospel being preached to the 'whole world' has also been fulfilled (Col 1:23). Yet, the end hasn't come (such as Christ returning or the end of the world). However, the end of the age did come. Often when scripture speaks of the 'end' of something or the distant future, it is referring to the end of an age, not the end of time. As scripture specifically references this one as having happened, it is doubtful this portion is a double prophecy. 

As such, theoretically Jesus could return at any time! If the tribulation and destruction of the temple of Jerusalem were part of a double prophecy, then it is quite possible there is another Great Tribulation yet to come. If so, we can expect it to follow a similar pattern (preceded by false messiahs, earthquakes and wars, then during it the believers will be persecuted, the gospel preached, and false prophets arise - and it will culminate with the return of Christ).

So, when will the Tribulation occur? It may have already occurred, it may be in the future. Mark 13:24-25 and Matt 24:29 would imply it already has happened, as the jewish system has already fallen. (Also, Rev 6:9-11 which implies others will be martyred after the great trib). 

We know it comes 'after' birth pains: earthquakes, rumors of war, false messiahs. (Luke 21:8, Matt 25:5, Mark 13:6) These are frequent enough that it could be anytime!

It must happen before the return of Christ: (Matt 24:30, Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27) This is an unknown time, but after the trib (Mark 13:32-36)

It must happen before Christ gathers the believers to him: (Matt 24:31, Mark 13:27, Luke 17:34-36)

Conversely, when God pours out his wrath, believers will be protected (Rev 9:1-4)

November 20 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good question, Suzanne! The Tribulation comes right before the return of Christ and the millennial kingdom of His rule which lasts for 1000 years. This is my studied opinion because I am a premillennialist, someone who believes that Jesus Christ will physically return to Earth, establish a throne in Jerusalem, and rule the world for a thousand years.

December 27 2024 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Matthew 24:7: For nations shall rise against nation, and kingdoms against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

For the beginning of the tribulation period, no one will know the day and hour as the Lord Jesus reveals unto us, only God, the Father. One shall hear and see wars and rumors of wars, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. The scattered tribes of Noah’s son “Japheth” (Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras), the isles of the Gentiles shall come and ascend as a storm and a cloud and cover the land against the mountains of Israel. Noah’s son “Ham” (Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan). Cush begat sons, and his son Raamah, who begat “Sheba and Dedan” is where Moses brought the Israelites out of Egypt through the Red Sea in the Arabian Peninsula. Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish shall raise their voice against their brother’s sons, Magog, Meshech, and Tubal. (Gen 10:2-5/Eze 38:2,8-9,13/Mat 24:36) 

“Today, one shall hear and see wars and rumors of wars, for nations have risen against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms all over the world. Great earthquakes in diverse places with famines, pestilence, fearful sights, and great signs from heaven." During the beginning of sorrows, many shall be delivered to be afflicted, betrayed, and hate one another, for the love of many shall grow cold. The abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel, the fourth beast, shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth which shall devour the whole earth, treading it down and breaking in pieces. All these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. The days for the elect’s sake whom He had chosen shall be shortened for the rapture of the church before the tribulation period. (Mat 24:13,22/Mar 13:20/Luk 21:9-11,27-28/24:9-12/Dan 7:23)

Then shall rise the false Christ, false prophets showing great signs and wonders. For the Lord then shall give power unto His two witnesses, to prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. The Lord’s servant Moses, who was given the laws and commandments with statutes, and judgments, and Elijah, who shall come “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. They who witnessed Lord Jesus on the earth and shall come to testify of Him when they ascend on the earth from heaven. For then shall all nations gather against Jerusalem to battle, then shall the Lord Jesus go forth and fight against these nations and “His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives.”(Mat 24:24/Rev 11:3/Malachi 4:5/Zec 4:14,14:3-4/Mat 17:3,11) 

Mark 13:20: And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

6 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report