The Great Tribulation is a term used to describe a future period of intense suffering and distress that is prophesied in the Bible. This period is characterized by unprecedented global turmoil, divine judgments, and persecution, particularly against believers in Jesus Christ. The concept of the Great Tribulation is primarily derived from passages in the New Testament, although it is foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 24:21-22 : Jesus speaks of the Great Tribulation in the Olivet Discourse, saying, "For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened."

2. Revelation 7:14 : The Apostle John, in his vision, refers to those who have come out of the Great Tribulation: "These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

3. Daniel 12:1 : The prophet Daniel also alludes to a time of great distress: "At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred from the beginning of nations until then."

Characteristics of the Great Tribulation:

· Divine Judgments: The Book of Revelation details a series of judgments that will be poured out upon the earth during this time, including the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. These judgments are seen as expressions of God's wrath against sin and rebellion.

· Persecution of Believers: The Great Tribulation is marked by severe persecution of Christians. Revelation 13 describes the rise of the Antichrist, who will wage war against the saints and seek to establish a global dominion.

· Cosmic Disturbances: The period is also characterized by significant cosmic and environmental upheavals, as described in Revelation 6:12-14, where the sun becomes black, the moon turns to blood, and stars fall from the sky.

Theological Interpretations:

· Pre-Tribulation Rapture: Some Christians believe that the Church will be raptured, or taken up to heaven, before the Great Tribulation begins. This view holds that believers will be spared from the wrath to come, as suggested in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 : "For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

· Mid-Tribulation and Post-Tribulation Views: Other interpretations suggest that the rapture will occur in the middle or at the end of the Great Tribulation. These views emphasize the endurance and faithfulness of believers through trials.

· Purpose and Outcome: The Great Tribulation serves as a period of purification and testing for humanity. It culminates in the Second Coming of Christ, who will establish His millennial kingdom and bring about the final defeat of evil.

Historical and Prophetic Context:

The Great Tribulation is often linked to the "time of Jacob's trouble" mentioned in Jeremiah 30:7, which refers to a period of intense suffering for Israel. It is seen as a fulfillment of various Old Testament prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord, a time of divine intervention and judgment.

In summary, the Great Tribulation is a significant eschatological event that underscores the themes of judgment, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. It serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of sin and the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.Matthew 24:21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
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Daniel 12:1
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
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Revelation 7:14
And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
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Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
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Revelation 6:9-11
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
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Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
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Matthew 24:22
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
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Revelation 12:1-17
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars:
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Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth.
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4973. sphragis -- a seal, a signet
... "Seal" is often used metaphorically (Ro 4:11; 1 Cor 9:2; 2 Tim 2:19; Rev 9:4). For
more discussion see 4972 (), and the at "the Great Tribulation.". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4973.htm - 7k

In Great Tribulation.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CLXXII. In great Tribulation. 7.7.7.7.7.7 James
Montgomery. In great Tribulation. God! be merciful to me,. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn clxxii in great tribulation.htm

Vision Fourth. Concerning the Trial and Tribulation that are to ...
... You have escaped from great tribulation on account of your faith, and because
you did not doubt in the presence of such a beast. ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/vision fourth concerning the trial.htm

Vision Second. Again, of his Neglect in Chastising his Talkative ...
... Happy ye who endure the great tribulation that is coming on, and happy they who
shall not deny their own life. ... Great tribulation cometh on.--Vat. Lo! ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision second again of his.htm

Be of Good Cheer.
... How cheerless, yea, how depressing and discouraging it would be if it were true
that the true believers must pass through the great tribulation, suffer under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/be of good cheer.htm

The Present Distress of Nations.
... Directly, it has reference to conditions that will prevail during the Great Tribulation
which immediately precedes the return of the Lord to the earth itself ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the present distress of.htm

The Second vision "In Heaven"
... They are seen "in heaven," but not until after the Great Tribulation through
which and out of which they will have been brought. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision in heaven.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by Its Structure
... Moreover, it is remarkable that it is in these two that those who pass through,
or come out of, the great tribulation are specially mentioned as giving these ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the scope of the apocalypse 2.htm

The Sixth vision "In Heaven"
... harps of God (ie, Divine or Sacred harps).] The worshippers here are particularly
defined as those who had come out of and through the great Tribulation. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision in heaven.htm

What and Whence are These?
... And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.""Revelation ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/what and whence are these.htm

Because for the Believer There is "No Judgment" and all Upon Earth ...
... Hence it ought to be clear that no believing sinner who has been "accepted in the
Beloved" can possibly be left on earth during the Great Tribulation, for at ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/5 because for the believer.htm

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