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The '''Tribulation''' (or "''Great Tribulation''") is an event referred to in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Bible]] at {{bibleref|Matthew|24:21}} ("For then shall be great tribulation..." - [[King James Version]]) and other passages.
In the [[Futurism (Christian eschatology)|futurist]] view of [[Christian eschatology]], the Tribulation is a relatively short period of time where believers will experience worldwide persecution and be purified and strengthened by it. This view was introduced to the modern church by [[John Nelson Darby]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, the father of [[dispensationalism]], became widely accepted through the notes in the [[Scofield Reference Bible]] of 1909{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, and was recently popularized through the novels in the [[Left Behind (series)|Left Behind series]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

In the Christian [[preterist]] view the Tribulation took place in the past when Roman legions destroyed [[Jerusalem]] and its temple in 70 AD, and it affected the Jewish people rather than all mankind. This is a view that is growing in influence among certain scholars and theologians{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

In the Christian [[historicist]] view also, the Tribulation came upon the Jewish people, beginning in 70 AD{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. A historicist approach was taken by [[Martin Luther]] and [[John Calvin]], and prevailed among [[Protestants]] from the [[Reformation]] until the rise of dispensationalism{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Some modern historicists see the Tribulation as continuing upon the Jews through the centuries, perhaps culminating in the [[Holocaust]], and ending with the restoration of the state of Israel or the return of Jerusalem to Jewish control{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

==The Dispensationalist or Futurist View==
While it is considered a period of immense suffering and sacrifice, greater than anything before in history, believers are promised strong faith and powers to help them endure and prevail. Persecution is attributed to the believers rebelling against the [[Antichrist]] and his regime.

The Tribulation is generally thought to occur before the [[Second Coming]] of [[Jesus]] and the [[End of the world (religion)|end of the world]]. A viewpoint popularized by [[Hal Lindsey]] in [[The Late Great Planet Earth]] is that it will last seven years in all, being the last of [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]]'s [[Prophecy of Seventy Weeks|prophecy of seventy weeks]]. It is theorized that each week represents 7 years, with the timetable beginning from the order by King Artaxerxes to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. After 7 plus 62 weeks, the prophecy says that the messiah will be "cut off", which is taken to correspond to the death of Christ. This is seen as creating a break of indeterminate length in the timeline, with one week remaining to be fulfilled.

This seven-year week may be further divided into two periods of 3.5 years each, from the two 3.5-year periods in Daniel's prophecy where the last seven years are divided into two 3.5-year periods, ({{bibleref|Daniel|9:27}}) The time period for these beliefs is also based on other passages: in the book of [[Daniel]], "time, times, and half a time," interpreted as "a year, two years, and half a year," and the book of [[Revelation]], "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" and "forty and two months" (the prophetic month averaging 30 days, hence 1260/30 = 42 months or 3.5 years). The 1290 days of {{bibleref|Daniel|12:11}}, (rather than the 1260 days of {{bibleref|Revelation|11:3}}), is thought to be the result of either a simple [[intercalary]] leap month adjustment, or due to further calculations related to the prophecy.

===Tribulation events===

Among Christians who hold a futurist view of the Tribulation, there are differing views about what will happen to Christians during the Tribulation:
* '''[[Dispensationalism|Pretribulationists]]''' believe that all Christians then alive will be taken bodily up to [[Heaven]] (called the [[rapture]]) before the Tribulation begins. Those who become Christians after the rapture will live through (or perish during) the Tribulation. After the Tribulation, Christ will return.
* '''Midtribulationists''' believe that the rapture of the faithful will occur halfway through the Tribulation, but before the worst part of it occurs. The seven year period is divided into half - the "beginning of sorrows" and the "great tribulation" proper.
* '''[[Post Tribulation Rapture|Posttribulationists]]''' believe that Christians will not be taken up into Heaven. But, they will be received or gathered by Christ into the Kingdom of God on earth at the end of the Tribulation. "Immediately '''after''' the tribulation ... '''then''' shall appear the sign of the Son of Man [Jesus] ... and he shall gather his elect" (Matthew 24:29â€“31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27). The idea of a post tribulation coming can also be read into 2 Peter 3:10-13 where Christ's return is equated with the "elements being melted" and "the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up."

In pretribulationism and midtribulationism, the rapture and the Second Coming (or [[Greek language|Greek]], ''par[a]ousia'') of Christ are separate events; while in posttribulationism the two events are identical or simultaneous. Another feature of the pre and mid-tribulation beliefs are the idea that after the Rapture, Christ will return still again (a third coming), to set up his kingdom on the earth.

Someâ€”including many Roman Catholic theologiansâ€”do not believe in a "time of trouble" period as usually described by tribulationists, but rather that there will be a near utopic period led by the [[Antichrist]]. Others, unable to form an opinion or simply desiring to remain non-divisive, describe themselves as '''pantribulationists''' believing that everything will "pan out in the end."

Many other groups, such as [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] do not believe in a rapture at any point. According to Jehovah's Witnesses, the Great Tribulation is coming and is soon to arrive. This period will see the fall of [[Whore of Babylon|Babylon the Great]], the Great Harlot, as spoken of in [[Revelation]]. After Babylon the Great has been removed, they say, the world powers shall move against God's chosen people for a short while. This will then usher in the ending of this "world" (not the earth, but the removal of all those who do not wish to follow God by standards). The Great Tribulation ends with the battle of [[Armageddon]].

===Revelation's Sequence of Events===
Here is a list of events mentioned in the book of Revelation, some of which (usually attributed to the seven trumpets) occur during the Great Tribulation period. The following chronological order of end time events is presented here as seen in the book of Revelation, follwed by a quick description of the 21 judgements (seals, trumpets, and bowls). The interpretation given is from the pre-tribulationist and literalist view. Of course, opinions among Christians differ:

First 3 1/2 Years:
* 1. The Rapture takes place.

* 2. The Rise of Antichrist and the False Prophet.

* 3. The Third Temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem.

* 4. The Rise of Babylon.

* 5. The Rise of the false one-world religion.

* 6. The appearance of the two witnesses and the rise of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists.

* 7. The Seven Seal Judgements.

* 8. The Seven Trumpet Judgements.

Midpoint:
* 9. Death and Resurrection of the Two Witnesses.

* 10. Destruction of the One World Church.

* 11. The death and resurrection of Antichrist.

* 12. Antichrist defiles the temple and proclaims himself God.

* 13. The Mark of the Beast begins.

* 14. The Jewish remnant flees to the desert.

Second 3/12 Years:
* 15. 7 Bowl Judgements

* 16. Martyrdom of Jews and Believers

* 17. Babylon is destroyed

* 18. Antichrist summons the world's armies to Armageddon

* 19. Battle of Armageddon

* 21. Return of Jesus Christ in Glory

* 22. Antichrist and the False Prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire

* 23. Satan is bound for 1,000 years

* 24. Resurrection of Tribulation martyrs

End of the 7-year Tribulation.
* 25. Christ establishes His 1,000 kingdom.

* 26. Satan is released after 1,000 years.

* 27. Final Battle.

* 28. Satan, Death, and Hades are cast into the Lake of Fire.

* 29. Great White Throne Judgement (Final Judgement).

* 30. New heaven and earth. Eternity begins.

====Seven Seals====
* '''1st Seal''' (Rev. 6:1-2): The [[Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|White Horse]] of the [[Apocalypse]]. When he comes, he is given a crown and he goes out conquering bent on conquest. This represents the Antichrist's rise to power through diplomacy.
* '''2nd Seal''' (Rev. 6:3-4): When the Red Horse comes he is given a large sword and he takes peace from the world, causing men to kill each other. The Antichrist reveals his true war-like self, and a world war erupts.
* '''3rd Seal''' (Rev. 6:5-6): When the Black Horse comes he causes severe [[famine]] possibly resulting from the war.
* '''4th Seal''' (Rev. 6:7-8): The Pale Horse causes [[pestilence]] and [[death]] from the sword, famine, plague and wild beasts and Hades follow it. 1/4 of the world's population die from the horsemen.
* '''5th Seal''' (Rev. 6:9-11): [[Martyr]]s begin dying during the Tribulation (The Antichrist begins his persecution of believers).
* '''6th Seal''' (Rev. 6:12-17):
**Worldwide [[earthquake]];
**The [[sun]] ceases to emit visible light;
**The [[moon]] becomes blood red;
**The stars of the heaven fall to earth (possibly a colossal [[meteor]] shower, aircraft falling, incoming warheads, etc.);
**The sky rolls up (possibly a global auroral display);
**Every mountain and island are dislodged;
**The world population flees to caves (possible underground shelters) and cliffs; and
**The world population interprets the Sixth Seal events as signs for the beginning of the wrath of the Lamb (the Day of Wrath).

* '''7th Seal''' (Rev. 8:1-6): [[Silence]] in Heaven,seven angels given seven trumpets, followed by [[fire]] being hurled to the Earth.

(Note: The [[Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]], are [[symbols]] for the events of the first four seals. They represent events as seen in a [[Vision (religion)|vision]] by the apostle John while on the island of Patmos. As they are allegorical, no horsemen are expected to be seen galloping during the tribulation. Those who believe in the literal truth of the Bible, however, expect these things - especially the Sixth Seal events - to become physical realities. Arguments for the physical fullfilment of Revelation 6:12-17 have been provided by such futurists as J. A. Seiss, A. E. Knoch, H. A. Hoyt, J. F. Walvoord, G. R. Jeffrey, A. E. Bloomfield, R. Van Kempen, A. E. Larson, T. LaHaye, J. Van Impe, C. R. Taylor, H. Lindsey, E. G. White, S. Kirban, and C. Missler. The initial events caused by the openning of the Sixth Seal were described in Joel 2:31 and recited in Acts 2:20.)

====Seven Trumpets====
* [[Hail]], fire, and blood fall upon the earth, burning one-third of the earth, [[tree]]s, and [[grass]] (This is a [[Ten Plagues|plague]] similar to the hailstorm described in the book of [[Exodus]], with the exception of the blood. Though the Bible says that this judgement will affect only 1/3 of the world's vegetation and does not mention human casualties, it is possible that the blood will come as a result of massive injuries to human and animal populations. Most Christians however, believe that it will be [[supernatural]], as most of the [[trumpet]]s are.)
* A burning [[mountain]] plummets into the [[sea]] (This could refer to an [[asteroid]] striking the earth, causing widespread death and destruction. It is believed that it will be a localized, non-extinction-level event. Though most believe in an [[ocean]] strike causing a great [[tsunami]] that sweeps over entire cities, many scholars argue that the sea referred to here is actually the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Thus the event would mostly affect those nations surrounding this body of water.)
* A [[star]] called [[Wormwood]] falls onto the Earth poisoning the [[freshwater]] sources such as [[stream]]s and [[river]]s (This is believed to be a comet that falls but disintegrates before striking; the remains of which fall on the rivers and lakes, thus poisoning the waters. Thousands will die from drinking it. It is believed and accepted by some that believers will be spared.)
* [[Sun]], stars and [[moon]] are darkened by one-third (This darkening will cause temporary winter-like conditions in the world, as well as a massive shortage of energy â€” sort of a short [[ice age]], or some believe a [[nuclear winter]]. This will apparently be a temporary phenomenon, as the sun must later burn with the force of fire...)
* [[Ten Plagues|Plague]] of indestructible [[locust]]s ravage the wicked forces of the [[Antichrist]], inflicting endless pain. Many will try to kill themselves from the pain, but "death will flee from them". These are most likely [[demonic]] locusts. There is mention that believers will be sealed by God first, and the locusts will not attack them upon seeing God's seal on them.
* Over 200 million horsemen kill one-third of wicked left on Earth with massive strikes, fire, and smoke (Much speculation exists regarding the nature of this plague, as the author sees this in a vision. It is mostly accepted that these are also demonic beings sent to destroy the most rebellious of the unbelievers. Others believe it could be a massive military force.)
* [[Lightning]], [[hailstorm]], and earthquakes.

====Seven Thunders====
*Revelation Chapter 10:3-4. 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
*Revelation Chapter 10:7. 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
*Some view this as a portion of the "Battle Plan" of God which can not be revealed lest His enemies make preparations. Another verse which supports this theory is Revelation Chapter 10:10 which says, "10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.". Thus the little scroll, which is the 7 thunder judgements, first look or "taste" good, but are in fact not. If however we were able to recognize the 7 thunders, we might not "eat it", knowing that they would eventuate in "bitterness".

====Seven Vial (Bowl) Judgments (God's Wrath)====
* Painful sores (possibly [[boils]] or [[carbuncles]] on the worshippers of [[Antichrist|the Beast]] (These sores only affect those bearing the [[Number of the Beast|mark of the beast]], who worship his image.)
* Sea turns to [[blood]]
* Rivers turn to blood
* Sun burns with intense heat and scorches people (This is an intense heat plague, that it is believed will also affect mostly those with the mark.)
* Antichrist's kingdom is plunged into darkness (It is not clear if it means all the earth, or only the Antichrist's capital. [[New Babylon]], the city many believe will be this capital, is a likely place, but cities such as [[Rome]] and [[Jerusalem]] have also been proposed. This is a darkness reminiscent to the one described in the book of [[Exodus]]. It is so thick and deep that it causes literal pain. People writhe and gnash their teeth from the pain which is worsened by the sores that they still have from the first plague.)
* [[Euphrates River]] dries up and is prepared for battle from the armies from the east (To clarify, the river dries up to facilitate the crossing of the armies from the east, on their way to [[Israel]] for the battle of [[Armageddon]].)
* Worldwide earthquake leveling every mountain into the sea followed by huge hailstones and lightning. (This could also be simultaneous earthquakes of great magnitude throughout the world. The earth's geography and topography will be altered forever, as every mountain and hill will be leveled, and every island will either move or disappear. The earthquakes are accompanied by huge 50-lb hailstones.)

(Note: Some believe that the seals and trumpets will occur during the first half of the tribulation. The vial judgments will occur during the second half, as the first one refers to those with the mark of the beast. The mark will not be implemented until the Antichrist dies and resurrects, and then defiles the Temple; and this will happen at precisely the mid-point of the tribulation. Thus, the vial judgments will be more severe, and will last longer than any of the previous ones.

(Others argue that the seals generally cover man's history from after the first coming of Christ up to the [[End times|End time]] (although several seem to go well into this period), with the trumpets generally covering the Tribulation, and the Bowls reserved for the Wrath of God period â€” preceding the [[Millennialism|Millennium]].)

==The Preterist View==
Christian preterists believe that the Tribulation was a divine judgment visited upon the Jews for their sins, including rejection of Jesus as the promised [[Messiah]]. It occurred entirely in the past, around 70 AD when the armed forces of the [[Roman Empire]] destroyed Jerusalem and its temple.

A preterist discussion of the Tribulation has its focus on the Gospels, in particular the prophetic passages in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, rather than on the [[Apocalypse]] or [[Revelation]] of John. (Preterists apply much of the symbolism in the Revelation to Rome, the [[Caesar (title)|CÃ¦sars]], and their persecution of Christians, rather than to the Tribulation upon the Jews.)

Jesus' warning in {{bibleref|Matthew|24:34}} that "this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" is tied back to his similar warning to the [[Scribes]] and the [[Pharisees]] that their judgment would "come upon this generation" ({{bibleref|Matthew|23:36}}), that is, during the first century rather than at a future time long after the Scribes and Pharisees had passed from the scene. The destruction in 70 AD occurred within a forty-year generation from the time when Jesus gave that discourse.

The judgment on the Jewish nation was executed by the Roman legions, "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" ({{bibleref|Matthew|24:15}}), which Luke presented to his Gentile audience, unfamiliar with Daniel, as "armies" surrounding Jerusalem to cause its "desolation." (Luke 21:20)

Since Matthew 24 begins with Jesus visiting the Jerusalem temple and pronouncing that "there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (vs. 3), preterists see nothing in Scripture to indicate that another Jewish temple will ever be built. The prophecies were all fulfilled on the then-existing temple that Jesus spoke about and that was subsequently destroyed within that generation.

==The Historicist View==
The historicist view of the Tribulation is similar to that of preterists in applying it to the Jews, rather than to a future judgment on the whole world. [[Armageddon]] will bring God's wrath against all mankind, but the Tribulation is confined to the Jewish nation.

Historicists see Matthew's reference to "great tribulation" ({{bibleref|Matthew|24:21}}) as parallel to Luke's reference to "great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people," the Jews. (Luke 21:23) Hence they conclude that it was fulfilled on the Jewish people alone.

However, unlike preterists who see fulfillment entirely in the distant past, historicists are prone to see prophecy fulfilled down through the centuries and even in today's world. Thus, instead of expecting a single [[Antichrist]] to rule the earth during a future Tribulation period, [[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]] and the other [[Reformers]] saw the Antichrist as a present feature in the world of their time, fulfilled in the [[papacy]] and the Islamic invasion of Europe.

Similarly, some modern historicists see the Tribulation on the Jews as beginning in 70 AD and continuing for centuries, covering the same time span as "the times of the Gentiles" during which "Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles." (Luke 21:24) This view would have it encompass not only the death of a million Jews at the hands of the Roman legions, but also the death of six million Jews in the [[Holocaust]]. The Tribulation would have ended, according to this understanding, at the restoration of the nation of Israel in 1948 or at the return of Jerusalem to Jewish control in 1967.

==Sources==
*''The Great Tribulation: Past or Future'' by Thomas Ice and Kenneth L. Gentry Jr. (Kregel Publications, 1999) ISBN 0-8254-2901-3
*''Four Views on the Book of Revelation'' by Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., Sam Hamstra Jr., C. Marvin Pate and Robert L. Thomas (Zondervan, 1998) ISBN 0-310-21080-1

==See also==
*[[End times]]
*[[Left Behind (series)|Left Behind series]]
*[[Tim LaHaye]]
*[[Hal Lindsey]]
*[[Rapture]]
*[[Summary of Christian eschatological differences]]
*[[Anti-Christ]]

==External links==
{{wiktionary}}
*[http://imdb.com/find?s=all&q=tribulation Some movies, dealing with Tribulation]
*[http://www.jesus-cafe.com/ Will Christians go through the Great Tribulation?]
*[http://www.tribulationforces.com Tribulation Forces Network]
*[http://endtimepilgrim.org/chart2a.htm A Bible-based chart of the Tribulation period]
*[http://www.biblicaladvancedbasics.com/Tribulation.pdf The Tribulation]
*http://www.preterist.org/
*http://www.preteristarchive.com
*http://www.historicist.com/
*http://www.historicism.net/
*[http://www.1260-1290-days-bible-prophecy.org/ The 1260 and 1290 days of the Great Tribulation examined.]
*[http://pripyat.com/en/literature_and_art/2005/07/26/219.html A Voice from Dead Pripyat - Chernobyl not Wormwood]
*[http://www.gracepropheticministries.com Grace Prophetic Ministries]
*[http://www.mormoncentury.org/www/ContentPages/PodcastPersonality.aspx?ID=7 Rise of gangs & culture of evil]

{{wikipedia|Tribulation}}

[[Category:Christianity]]

Tribulation - Revision history

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