THE GREAT TRIBULATION

“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads” (Revelation 13:15-16).

In chapter 24 of Matthew, the Lord Jesus described the Great Tribulation. He said it will be a time of deception with false christs and false prophets (Matthew 24:4-5, 11,23-24). It will also be a time when believers will be persecuted severely and hated (Matthew 24:9-11). Lawlessness will increase. As a result, many people's love for the Lord will grow cold, leading them to fall away from the faith (Matthew 24:12-13). Satan will do his best to deceive people during the Great Tribulation and will empower the Beast to persecute and deceive people. There will be many false signs and wonders which will be used in an attempt to deceive the elect (i.e. Christians—The Elect of Matthew 24:24).

This time of great tribulation will be characterized by greatly increased demonic activity led by the one called the Antichrist or the Beast. The word antichrist is found in only four Scripture verses and refers to one of many antichrists in the world (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; and 2 John 1: 7). It refers to an individual or spirit who is against Christ or one who denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22).

During the time of the Great Tribulation there will be one particular individual who will attempt to take the place of Jesus as King on this earth. This individual is called the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10) and the Beast (Revelation 13:1, 4, 12-14). As the antichrist of all antichrists, the Beast is the Antichrist. According to chapter 13 in Revelation, the Beast and his forces will be the major cause of persecution during the Great Tribulation (see The Beast & The False Prophet). The Great Tribulation will begin when the Beast sets up The Abomination of Desolation.

The important thing to understand is that the Great Tribulation is a time of intense persecution and trouble instigated by the Beast and his forces. The ultimate source of the trouble is Satan (Revelation 13:2, 4). A major purpose of the persecutions and trouble is to cause people to fall away from the Lord Jesus. (Revelation 13:4, 17). It will be an intensification of Satan’s continuing efforts to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). God is not the cause of any of the persecutions arising during the Great Tribulation.

The Beast will be assisted by the False Prophet (see The Beast &The False Prophet). The False Prophet will make an image of the Beast (Revelation 13:14). To deceive people into worshipping the Beast and his image, the False Prophet will perform signs and miracles and even cause the image to come to life. He will even be able to call down fire from heaven (i.e., the sky) (Revelation 13:13). This is something that Satan’s servants could not do in the past (1 Kings 18:22-29). Anyone who refuses to worship the Beast or his image will be killed (Revelation 13:15).

Many people will be killed during the Great Tribulation. This includes some of those who belong to God (Daniel 11:32-35; Revelation 13:8). However, those who know God and understand what is going on will oppose the Beast and teach others the truth (Daniel 11:32-33). Some protection will be provided by God for at least some of His people (Daniel 11:34; Revelation 12: 6, 13-17). However, many will pay the ultimate price in their service to God (Daniel 11:35). Historically, Christianity is always purified and strengthened by persecution (Daniel 12:10).

The reign of the Beast (and thus the length of the Great Tribulation) is limited to 3½ years. At the end of the Great Tribulation, the reign of the Beast will be brought to a sudden end by the return of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:8). At that time, the Lord will gather His people from the earth (i.e., the Rapture, Matthew 24:31). The Beast, False Prophet, and those who followed them will be left on the earth to suffer during the seven last plagues of the Wrath of God that follow the Great Tribulation (see TheWrath of God).

As in the past, the intensity of persecution will probably vary with geographic areas. For example, during the first century, Christians in Rome suffered greater persecution than those in more remote areas. Persecution during the Great Tribulation will probably be the most severe in those locations most tightly controlled by the Beast. Persecution will probably be less severe in areas where the Beast has less control. Possibly that is why our Lord said to leave the cities (Matthew 24:15-21).

It is also probable that the persecution will increase as the Great Tribulation progresses and the Beast’s influence spreads. Those Christians who are physically near the Abomination of Desolation when it is established will have to flee immediately (Matthew 24:15-16). Those who are in other parts of the world may have a little more time to react to the Beast’s actions. However, intense persecution may begin immediately after the Abomination of Desolation in all regions—so Christians must always be alert and ready to take necessary action.

God will provide some form of supernatural protection for some of His people (Revelation 12:6, 13-17; Daniel 11:34). This protection may be that described in Psalm 91. The length of the Great Tribulation has also been shortened for the benefit of Christians (Matthew 24:21-22). However, not all of God’s people are protected from the persecutions during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 12:17; 13:7). No matter what comes against you, be assured that nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39; Heb. 13:5-6; Matthew 28:20).

SUMMARY

Term Definition:

The term great tribulation is used in only three Scriptures (Matthew 24:21, Revelation 2:22, and 7:14). In Matthew 24:21, the Lord warns that “there will be a great tribulation”. In Revelation 2:22 there is a warning that those who commit fornication with “Jezebel” will be cast “into great tribulation”. In Revelation 7:9-14 the great multitude from all nations who are standing before the throne of God are those who have come “out of the great tribulation”.

The Greek word for tribulation (Strong’s #2347, thlipsis) means “pressure”, either literally or figuratively. This word has been translated in various Bible passages as “affliction”, “anguish”, “burdened”, “persecution”, “tribulation”, and “trouble”. From the meaning of the word it is evident that the Great Tribulation will be a time of great persecution, affliction, and trouble.

Significance of the Great Tribulation:

The Great Tribulation is a time when Satan will do his worst to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). For people of the world, it will seem to be a time of victory against God and against those who serve Him.

Source of the Great Tribulation:

Satan is the source of the Great Tribulation. Primarily, he uses the Beast (the Antichrist) as his instrument of deception and destruction (Revelation 13:2-4). God is not the cause of the Great Tribulation. (However, God may release authority for Satan to do his worst in a similar manner to that described in Job 1:8-12 and 2:3-6. This may be alluded to in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8, Revelation 6:1-8, Revelation 13:5-8, Matthew 24:21-22, and Daniel 8:12-13.)

Length of the Great Tribulation:

The Great Tribulation lasts 3½ years. This 3½ year length is specified as 42 months, 1260 days, and as a “time, times, and half a time” (see How Long is the Great Tribulation).

Events Prior to the Great Tribulation:

Immediately prior to the start of the Great Tribulation, the Abomination of Desolation will be set up (see The Abomination of Desolation). The Lord instructs Christians that the Abomination of Desolation is the primary indication that the Great Tribulation has started (Matthew 24:15, 21).

Events of the Great Tribulation:

The Great Tribulation is primarily characterized by the reign of the Beast. It will be a time of intense persecution of all people, especially those who belong to God. All that is evil will be unleashed in one last dying effort to strike out at God and the people He loves. People cannot buy or sell in the Beast controlled markets without obtaining the mark of the Beast (i.e., 666, Revelation 13:16-18; see The Mark of the Beast).

God During the Great Tribulation:

God will send a strong delusion upon those that do not love the truth causing them to believe the lies of Satan and the Beast (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). God will be caring for His people as always, even though many will be martyred for their faith (Daniel 11:33-35). He will provide a place of protection in the wilderness for those who heed the Lord’s instructions to flee from the cities (Revelation 12:6, 13-16; Mat 24:15-21). At the end of the Great Tribulation, the Lord will return to cut off the persecutions by gathering His people from the earth (Matthew 24:21-22, 29-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Christians During the Great Tribulation:

The people who know their God will strongly oppose the Beast and do great exploits (Daniel 11:32). Some Christians will be killed during the Great Tribulation (Daniel 11:33-35). However, many will flee to the protection of the place in the wilderness that God has prepared for them (Revelation 12:6, 13-16).

Satan During the Great Tribulation:

Satan (the dragon) will give the Antichrist (the Beast) great authority during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 13:4-5).

Beast During the Great Tribulation:

The Beast will exalt himself and claim to be God (Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4). He will blaspheme the true God (Revelation 13:6). He will also make war with the people of God (Revelation 13:7).

Non-Christians During the Great Tribulation:

Non-Christians will be corrupted with the Beast’s flatteries and be deceived (Daniel 11:32; Revelation 13:14). They will join with him in his persecution of those who desire to serve the true God (Daniel 11:32; Revelation 13:14). These people will be awed by the power of the Beast and Satan and will worship both of them (Revelation 13:3-4). All people who do not belong to God will worship the Beast (Revelation 13:8).

Events Following the Great Tribulation:

At the end of the Great Tribulation, certain signs will be seen in the sun, moon, and stars. The Lord will return to gather the Christians (i.e., the Rapture) and The Wrath of God will be poured out on the Beast and those who served him (see Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-17).

Scripture references for the Great Tribulation:

Matthew 24:4-5, 9-24, 29-31; Mark 13:14-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14; Revelation 12:6, 13-17; Revelation 13:1-18; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 8:11-14; Daniel 11:28-36; Daniel 12:6-7, 11-12.

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

“And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation”(Daniel 11:31).

Understanding what the Bible says about the Abomination of Desolation is very important for understanding end-time events. According to Christ, the Abomination of Desolation is the one event that will alert the people of God that the Great Tribulation has started.

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand)…For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:15, 21).

All who read Matthew 24:15 are instructed to understand it. As explained in the Introduction, certain events in the Bible are similar to interlocking puzzle pieces in that they provide important keys to the time relationship of other end-time events. The Abomination of Desolation is an important interlocking piece that marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

According to the passage in Matthew, the Abomination of Desolation is an event that is prophesied in the Old Testament Book of Daniel which was written in the late sixth century B.C. Daniel prophesies the following about the Abomination of Desolation.

“And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31).

“And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, ―How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot? 14 And he said to me, ‘For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed’” (Daniel 8:9-14).

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days” (Daniel 12:11).

Two of these passages in Daniel tell how long the Great Tribulation will last. Daniel 12:11 states that there will be 1290 days after the Abomination of Desolation is set up. An extra 45 days are also mentioned that occur after the 1290, but their purpose is not explained (see Daniel 12:12). In Daniel 8:14 the length of time when the sanctuary and the host (people of God) are going to be trampled is given as 2,300 days in several translations. The Hebrew actually says 2,300 evenings and mornings instead of days (see other translations and the marginal notes in the NKJV translation). This may be equivalent to 1,150 days since one morning plus one evening adds up to one day. (Refer to Appendix B for more information on the length of the Great Tribulation.) It is also possible that this passage (Daniel 8:14) refers to 2,300 days in a time period other than the Great Tribulation.

Since the Abomination of Desolation involves the holy place and the forced discontinuance of the daily sacrifices, some kind of temple in Jerusalem may need to be built before this event takes place (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 11:31; 8:11). If such is the case, the Beast may be instrumental in the peace negotiations that open the way for the building of some kind of Jewish temple (Daniel 9:27). This would occur during a time when the Beast‘s real nature is not as obvious. However, other ways of fulfilling this prophecy may be possible (see Will the temple be rebuilt?). At this point, it is important to remain sensitive to the warnings of God and not miss the fulfillment of this prophecy, even if it takes place in a somewhat different manner than might be expected.

SUMMARY

Definitions:

The Bible does not clearly define the Abomination of Desolation. Apparently, it is something that is abominable in the eyes of God. Possibly, it refers to the Beast’s claim to be God, and his demand for worship. It may refer to a pagan altar or the sacrifice of something unclean (such as an image) in worship to a false god. Even though it is not clearly defined, the Abomination of Desolation should be readily identified by its associated events (see following).

Events of the Abomination of Desolation:

The Abomination of Desolation includes the Beast’s declaration that he is God, his demand for worship, and his stoppage of sacrifices to the true God. (See Daniel 8:11; 11:31, 36; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:6, 7, 15). It will begin an intense time of persecution of God’s people (Matthew 24:15-22).

Significance of the Abomination of Desolation:

Establishing the Abomination of Desolation will expose the Beast for who he is. It will also mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:15,21).

Source of the Abomination of Desolation:

The Abomination of Desolation is established by the Beast under the authority of Satan—the dragon (see Revelation 13:2,4).

Length of the Abomination of Desolation:

The length of the result of the Abomination of Desolation is 3½ years since it is in effect during the Great Tribulation (see Daniel 12:11, and How long is the Great Tribulation?). However, the actual length of the specific act that is called the Abomination of Desolation is not given. The establishment of the Abomination of Desolation probably takes place in a single day.

Events Prior to the Abomination of Desolation:

Prior to setting up the Abomination of Desolation, the Beast will be establishing his position of power, largely by deception and lies (See Daniel 8:9-10; 11:21-28). A period of relative peace may immediately precede the Abomination of Desolation.

Events Following the Abomination of Desolation:

The Great Tribulation immediately follows the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15, 21).

God During the Abomination of Desolation:

God’s activity during the establishment of the Abomination of Desolation is not directly spelled out in Scripture. Surely He will be alerting Christians to the significance of the event and instructing them on the appropriate action to take (Matthew 24:15-27).

Christians During the Abomination of Desolation:

Christians should recognize the Abomination of Desolation as the primary sign that the Lord Jesus gave signaling the beginning of the Great Tribulation. For more information on Christians during the Great Tribulation, see Persecution of Christians during the Great Tribulation.

Satan During the Abomination of Desolation:

Satan empowers and directs the Beast (Revelation 13:2,4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Beast During the Abomination of Desolation:

The Beast establishes the Abomination of Desolation and begins persecuting those who serve God (Revelation 13:7).

Non-Christians During the Abomination of Desolation:

Non-Christians will be corrupted with the Beast’s flatteries and be deceived. They will join with him in his persecution of those who desire to serve the true God (Daniel 11:32; Revelation 13:14). These people will be awed by the power of the Beast and Satan, and they will worship both of them (Revelation 13:3-4).

Scripture references for the Abomination of Desolation:

Daniel 8:9-14, 17; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:21-36; Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15-27; Mark 13:14; 19; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9; Revelation 13:2-7, 11-15.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

A partial fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy of the Abomination of Desolation was accomplished over 160 years before the birth of Christ. This was not a complete fulfillment since the Lord warned of a future Abomination of Desolation in Matthew 24:15. This earlier partial fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy is recorded in the apocryphal books of 1 and 2 Maccabees. These two books record historical events during part of the time period between the writing of the last Old Testament book and the birth of Christ. In their titles, Maccabee (meaning the Hamerer) was the name applied to a family of Jews who led the revolt against the Syrians.

These apocryphal books and Josephus record a time in 167 B.C. when Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), king of Syria erected an idolatrous altar on God’s altar in the temple in Jerusalem. He sacrificed a pig to Jupiter Olympus [Zeus] on his altar. This was an abomination to the Jews. Antiochus also forbade Jews to engage in sacrifices, rites, feasts, circumcision, and worship of any kind.

This was a partial fulfillment of Daniel’s prophesied cessation of the sacrifices.

The Jewish revolt began in 167 B.C., when a Jewish man sacrificed to Zeus under coercion by a Syrian officer. A priest named Mattathias witnessed the event. Mattathias killed both the Jew and the Syrian officer and called for all faithful Jews to follow him. They fled to the hills outside Jerusalem. There, he and his sons organized for war against the Syrians. In 164 B.C., the armies under Mattathias’ sons swept over Jerusalem, defeated the Syrian army, and secured the city. The Syrian leaders were forced to repeal their ordinances against worship in Israel. The temple was formally cleansed in December of 164 B.C. The Jews celebrated the dedication for eight days. Since that time, the Festival of Dedication (also called the Festival of Lights and Hanukkah) is celebrated by Jews each year, usually in December. This event includes lighting of the menorah to commemorate the cleansing and dedication of the temple. According to the Lord, there will be a further fulfillment of the prophesied Abomination of Desolation that will take place in the last days (Matthew 24:15-21).

Historical insights

Certain insights from the partial fulfillment of this prophecy about the Abomination of Desolation may be helpful in seeking to understand the future complete fulfillment. For example, in 167 B.C., when the Jews fled to the surrounding hills, it was to organize for war, not to tremble in fear. Jerusalem became a stronghold of the enemy, so the people went to an area over which the enemy had less control. In a similar manner, when the Lord tells His disciples (now called Christians, Acts 11:26) to flee to the wilderness at the start of the Great Tribulation, it will be for survival purposes (Matthew 24:3, 15-21; Daniel 11:32-33). This does not necessarily mean that all Christians around the world will have to flee to the wilderness.

The physical warfare that the Jews waged against the Syrians may be a parallel of the spiritual war that Christians will wage against the Beast during the Great Tribulation. It may also be significant that after about three years, the Jews under the Maccabees overcame the Syrians and proper worship was reestablished. This is a length of time similar to the 3½ years of the Great Tribulation.