The “Great Tribulation” Prophecy
Is It History or Prophecy for Our Future?
Although it is obvious that in many ways our culture is coarser and more depraved than it was 79 years ago when I was born, I keep in mind that human nature never changes.
Some think the “time of the end” may be near. However, many people who read the Bible, attend churches and Bible classes about the time of the end will be surprised by what actually happens. The “signs” that many people are looking for will not appear.
The essay below concerns perhaps the most ubiquitous of those signs: the “Great Tribulation.”
Introduction
Do you believe there is a “great tribulation” ahead for the world to go through?
That this “great tribulation” will last for either 3 and one-half years or 7 years? Do you believe that this “great tribulation” is prophesied by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24, Mark chapter 13, Luke chapter 21 and Daniel chapters 9, 11 and 12 and that this prophecy is for a time still ahead of us?
Furthermore, do you believe that Bible prophecies are “dual” in nature? That is, do you believe that Bible prophecies about specific incidents are fulfilled more than once? The “great tribulation” prophesied in these scriptures was fulfilled once, when Rome burned Jerusalem and its temple to the ground in 67 – 70 AD (3 ½ years) and slaughtered almost all the residents of that city.
If the accounts of Jesus’ life in Matthew, Mark and Luke were written before 67 AD, then the destruction of Jerusalem is the very best, internal proof of the authenticity of the Gospels — not to mention a further bolster to the veracity of Old Testament prophecy in Daniel.
Most contemporary Bible scholars agree that of these Gospels it is certain that Mark, at least was written before 68 AD. There is consensus even with those who dispute the veracity of these books that Jesus died before 35 AD.
Therefore Jesus can be seen to be a true prophet because He predicted the destruction of Jerusalem during the generation alive at that time – a generation being 40 years – which in fact did happen by all historical accounts.
Could it be that the “great tribulation” prophecy, taken out of context and given a “dual” nature, serves only to mislead today’s Christians and to obscure Bible prophecy that is truly for the times ahead of us?
For instance, Daniel chapters 2 and 7 concerning the rise and fall of the four great, earth-ruling kingdoms, and the beginning of the fifth kingdom, which is said to last forever [Daniel 2:27-45; chapter 7].
A careful look at the “great tribulation” prophecies with unbiased eyes may change your mind about their application to our future. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are parallel — that is, they tell the same story from slightly different viewpoints. The parallel accounts of the “great tribulation” are especially enlightening.
By comparing the parallel accounts in the Gospels of the “Great Tribulation” and referring to the prophecies from the book of Daniel, and comparing them with secular history of the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, one can determine the prophetic timing of the “Great Tribulation” and determine whether this is a prophecy for our future.
Context For Belief In A “Great Tribulation”
Bible Context
Not long before his death, Jesus was teaching in the temple in Jerusalem. Matthew chapters 21 through 23, Mark 11:27-33 and chapter 12 and Luke chapter 20 give accounts of some of his teaching.
Being very critical of the religious leaders in Israel, primarily the “scribes” and Pharisees, Jesus called them to account for their hypocrisy [Matthew 23:1-8 et al]; he exhorted his followers to avoid seeking glory and power for themselves as the scribes and Pharisees did, telling them that the true way of life is one of service and not of striving to gain power over others [Matthew 23:8-12 et al].
In scripture often overlooked by those who teach that the “great tribulation” is in our future is this one from Luke:
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.
The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” NIV Luke 19:41-44
Jesus then reprimanded those religious leaders for seven different areas of failure of leadership, doctrine and understanding. He said that much of their hypocrisy and failure of leadership was caused by following “traditions” of their elders rather than on the way of life instructed by the law given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai.
He described seven “woes” [Greek — ouai — “a primary exclamation of grief”] caused by their failure of leadership and their personal hypocrisy. [Matthew 23:13-38]
In the process of expressing his grief with these leaders [scribes — teachers of the law, and the Pharisees — a traditionalist religious sect which held preeminence at the time and, in some cases, enforced the law upon resident Israelites], Jesus told them,
“And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed upon the earth … I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.” [Matthew 23:35,36]
Generally speaking, in the Bible, a “generation” is 40 years. This prophecy was spoken by Jesus sometime between 27 and 33 AD, according the various methods of dating the life of Jesus. To “come upon this generation”, the retribution for “all the righteous blood that has been shed upon the earth” would happen before 73 AD.
Upon leaving the temple, Jesus’ disciples commented upon the magnificence of the temple and other surrounding buildings. Jesus told them that the temple would be destroyed:
“Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” [Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6]1
It is in this context discussing the destruction of the temple that Jesus gave the prophecy that followed concerning the “Great Tribulation”.
After his prophecy of the “Great Tribulation”, Jesus again repeated the time context for his prophecy:
“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” [Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32]
Comparing Biblical and Secular Historical Context
Note: Many people take Old Testament prophecies that mention the “latter days” to mean prophecy for our time. One should remember that for people living under the Old Covenant, the “latter days” would have meant from the birth of Jesus to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. This time was the “last days” of the Old Covenant and perhaps the most pivotal time in the history of the earth, at least spiritual.
Secular history states that in 66 AD, the Jews rebelled against the Roman Empire. They set up their own government, struck their own coins and mustered their own army.
Thus, the Jewish government became the “king of the south”2 as prophesied by Daniel.
They “pushed” at the “king of the north” (the Roman Empire) and destroyed the Roman armies in Jerusalem.
When Nero (the Roman Emperor) found out, he was furious! Nero chose his best commander, Vespasian, to put down the rebellion. Vespasian took his army and passed through many countries [Daniel 11:40], over the Hellespont (the land bridge between Greece and Asia Minor) and into Syria.
Another commander (Titus who was Vespasian’s son) sailed to Alexandria, Egypt bringing the Roman 5th and 10th legions.
Vespasian and his armies stood at the borders of Judea in the spring of 67 AD. Jerusalem fell in the autumn of 70 AD 3½ years, 42 months, 1,260 days later. 3
In the middle of Vespasian’s campaign, Roman Emperor Nero 4 died and there was chaos in Rome.
Vespasian’s troops persuaded him to accept the title of Emperor and before he left for Rome, he confirmed the loyalty of Egypt and other countries to him [Daniel 11:42,43]. Rome [the king of the north] received “tidings out of the east and the north” [Daniel 11:44] which troubled him.
Gaul [France – Germany] revolted while Nero was still Emperor; the revolt from the east was that of the Scythians.
Before he could leave for Rome, Vespasian who had planted his military tents in Jerusalem died of natural causes (no one “helped”, i.e., murdered him) [Daniel 11:45]
Vespasian’s son, Titus, finished the military campaign, leveled the temple [Matthew 24:2], burning it to the ground along with the rest of Jerusalem.5
The church, having understood and heeded the warning given in the “Olivet” prophecy by Jesus [Matthew 24:14-22 et al], fled Jerusalem in 68 AD [Daniel 12:1].
This was the “time of the end” the end of the “age” of the Old Covenant until which the prophecies were “sealed” [Daniel 12:4]. It took 3½ years for Rome to totally scatter the church of God and the Jews [Daniel 12:7].
When Daniel asked “what shall be the end of these things” meaning what would happen after the vision he had been given of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem he was told that the words were “closed up and sealed until the end of time.” [Daniel 12:8-10]
Daniel wanted to know about the things later written by the apostle John in the book of Revelation, but it would have been meaningless to one living in Daniel’s day.
Secular history recounts the awful destruction (several million people were killed) wreaked upon Jerusalem and its environs by the Roman armies and the “great tribulation” which fell upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the end of the age of the Old Covenant.
Actual Bible Prophecies of a “Great Tribulation”
The words “great tribulation” only occur in the Bible in three places.
1. Matthew 24:21
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 24:21 (NKJV)
Taken in context with 15-20, one sees some very specific references like telling those in Judea to “flee into the mountains” [v.16]. Does this refer to the “end-times” — the time of the second coming of Christ — or to the events of 70 AD?
How can someone from Atlanta flee into the mountains from Judea and why would they want to? The references to being “on the housetop” [v.17] would be very common for those living with the flat-roofed architecture of 1st century Jerusalem and the virtually snow-free climates of that area, but a very unusual reference for those living in temperate climates. All of this does fit very clearly the siege of Jerusalem that culminated in its destruction in 70 AD.
2. Revelation 2:22
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:22 (NKJV)
The message to the church at Thyatira was to repent of allowing the woman Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce God’s servants to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols. Without repentance, they were promised great tribulation.
3. Revelation 7:14
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14 (NKJV)
See the context for this verse: Revelation 7:1-17. These are the same people described in Revelation 20:4–6 as the people who “came to life” (upon Jesus’ return) and will be “priests of God and will reign with Him for a thousand years”.
A description is given of a “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” [Revelation 7:9] and they are said to be “they which came out of the great tribulation…..”
That tribulation started when Christ started His church and is still going on in various places today. That multitude which came out of the great tribulation are the thousands or millions that have been martyred down through the ages and those who will be martyred yet in the future in the continuing “great tribulation”!
Jesus prophesied tribulation [John 16:33] and the early church experienced tribulation [Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3, 8:35, 12:12; II Corinthians 1:4, 7:4; I Thessalonians 3:4; Revelation 1:9,10].
The church has and will experience “great tribulation”; but the one mentioned in Matthew 24:21 – the one of three and one-half years length – is the one that occurred in 70 AD.
Conclusion
The false doctrine of “dual” fulfillment of prophecy is expounded to this day, saying that prophecies, which have been clearly fulfilled, still have meaning for the future for Christians. Church leaders and teachers fail to “rightly divide” Biblical prophecy and teach these false doctrines.
Many of these doctrines were developed for the specific purpose of oppressing people; as “scare tactics” to keep the “sheep” in line; as methods helping the “ministers” or “priests” to maintain control.
One can debate whether that was the original intent of the men who did the developing of the “dual” prophecy theory or whether they simply misinterpreted the scripture. At least some of them have used this fallacy to gain power and prestige in various churches.
The reason we continue to believe this can be explained.
Jesus accurately characterized us as “sheep”. We are truly prone to follow whatever “shepherd” is nearest or loudest or who has most recently attracted our attention instead of keeping our eyes on the Good Shepherd and reading His word the Bible for ourselves and allowing His Holy Spirit to guide our understanding.
We allow fear to come into our lives because we lose our faith in Christ. He said,
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make your free.” [John 8:32]
And He inspired John to write
“God is love” and “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear”. [I John 4:16,18]
Perhaps we can learn that if a doctrine causes unreasonable fear to rise in us, it is not from God!
The “fear of God” is not an evil thing – it’s the “beginning of wisdom”. The way that’s stated in Proverbs 1:17 means that we at least somewhat understand the awesome power and majesty of our Creator and humble ourselves accordingly, thus becoming open to learning His laws and His ways.
However, there is great evil in the fear of a “great tribulation” in our future because we are looking for and fearful of something that is not prophesied in the Bible
Yet God always leads His people to the truth. The same people who have taught the “great tribulation” as a prophecy for our future at the same time, may have taught us much about God’s ways and the Bible.
God has always used sinful people for His own purposes too. He chastised the Israelites by having their pagan neighbors overrun them for instance.
He may even use “ministers” who are truly ignorant of much of the Bible to teach His “called out” ones the truth. Truth is truth, no matter what its source! [Numbers 22:28-30] The Apostle Paul wrote:
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” [Philippians 1:15-18 NIV]
God will teach his people what they need to know, one way or another!
These false doctrines sometimes allow “ministers” and church “leaders” to convince us to sit in our seats in the services and “pay and pray” and do nothing ourselves.
That is, we give them our money so that they can do the “work” that God laid out for all of us to do [Matthew 18:19,20] instead of following the admonishment of Jesus, Himself:
“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. ” [Matthew 24:45-47; Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6]
Even worse may be the tendency of Christians to focus on these false doctrines of prophesies for our future and to stop searching the scriptures for prophesies that do apply to our future.
We must be even more careful in the future.
Even if we see what appears to be the “abomination of desolation” standing in some supposed “holy place”; even if there are great signs and wonders performed; even if great natural catastrophes are occurring; we must “try every spirit” [I John 4:1]; “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good” [I Thessalonians 5:21]; work out our own salvation [Philippians 2:12]. Those who have God’s Spirit “need not that any man teach you” [I John 2:20,27].
You can understand all you need to understand and assure your salvation if you keep your faith in our Creator, keep your eyes on Christ, let God’s Spirit lead you, and study your Bible with an open mind.
1 It is quite interesting that quite a few archeologists and Bible historians have recently – within the last 10 years – determined that the “wailing wall” (which has been claimed to be part of the foundation of the temple that was destroyed in 70 AD) was not part of the temple but was the foundation of a Roman Army garrison constructed during the siege of Jerusalem. Other similar examples of Roman garrisons can be found in several locations in the Roman Empire territory. After all Jesus prophesied that no stone would be left on another. The temple was actually located several hundred yards away in what is called “the Old City” of Jerusalem, which makes sense when you think about it.
2 [The word “south” here is translated from the Hebrew word Negeb or Negev which means “south” and specifically means that section of land in and around Jerusalem and further south. Today, the “Negeb” is a triangular wedge of desert touching the Gulf of Aquaba in the southern part of the land of Israel.]
3 Josephus’ Wars of the Jews, Book II, chapters XIV-XXII and Book III, chapters I & IV, and Chaim Potok’s History of the Jews
4 The letters of the name Nero Caesar when translated into numbers equals either six hundred and sixteen or six hundred, sixty-six about which is another prophecy that needs to be reexamined.
5 Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book IV, chapters VIII & X, Book VII, chapter IV
