THE GREAT TRIBULATION

The word "tribulation" appears twenty-two times in the Bible; three in the Old Testament, and nineteen in the New Testament.  The three times it is translated as such from the Hebrew, the root word is tsar, and it means "to be troubled by someone or something."The Greek root is thli, and it means "to be pressured by someone or something."  With the exception of Matthew 24:21, Revelation 2:22, and 7:14, the "trouble" or "pressure" has to do with one's circumstances; at home, at work, or simply the difficulty of existing in a fallen world.  These three verses, however, are referring to a specific time period called "the Great Tribulation." 

All references to the Great Tribulation have to do with Israel.  The Bible uses two other phrases to describe this period:  "The Time of Jacob's (Israel's) Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27).  Note that this passage refers to the prophecy concerning "thy people" (Dan. 9:24).    Although the latter is not specifically mentioned as such, it is clear from Daniel 9:24-27, that of the seventy weeks refers to "weeks of years."  We know this from half of the period being 1260 days (Rev. 11:3 & 12:6); 42 months (Rev. 11:2 & 13:5); and "a time, times, and a half time" (3 1/2 years - Dan. 9:27 w/ 12:7).  Since the prophecy says that after sixty-nine weeks, the Messiah will be killed, and the events described in passages referring to the Tribulation have yet to occur, only one "week" remains:  "Daniel's Seventieth Week").  This period is described in great detail in Matthew 24:3-29 and in Revelation, chapters six through eighteen.

The period between "Daniel's Sixty-ninth Week," and "Daniel's Seventieth Week," is known as the Church Age.  The Bible calls this period a mystery due to the fact that there is no reference to it in the Old Testament (Eph. 5:32).  During this time, the Jews have no Temple in which to offer sacrifices; however, during the Tribulation, there will again be a Temple (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Rev. 13:6; etc.).

Because the Tribulation is specifically aimed at Israel, it is not necessary that the Church remain on earth.  In fact, because the seven years are described as "the wrath of God" (Zeph. 1:15; Rev. 11:18; etc.), the Church cannot be here.  The Word says the Church is not appointed to wrath (1 Th. 5:9).  The Scriptures describe the removal of the Church prior to the Tribulation (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-52; 1 Th. 4:16-17) ; and the Church is not mentioned in the thirteen chapters of Revelation which describe the Tribulation.  Praise God!

We are saved by grace, and by the grace of God, we will be spared from His day of wrath!