What Is the Great Tribulation?

by Peter Brenner, from the series I Enjoy Life Forever I #33

 "Some content used by permission from JW.org"

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JESUS’ ministry on earth was coming to an end, and his disciples were eager to find out what the future held for them.  So just a few days before his death, four of his apostles asked him: “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matt. 24:3; Mark 13:3)  Jesus answered by means of an extensive prophecy, recorded in Matthew chapters 24 and 25. 

In that prophecy, Jesus foretold many noteworthy events.  His words have profound meaning for us because we too are keenly interested in knowing what the future holds. 

The Greek word for “tribulation” conveys the idea of distress or suffering resulting from the pressures of circumstances.  Jesus spoke of an unprecedented “great tribulation” that would come upon Jerusalem and especially of one that would later befall mankind in connection with his future ‘coming with glory.’ (Mt 24:21, 29-31) 

Paul described this tribulation as a righteous act of God against “those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news” about Jesus Christ. 

Through the years, Jehovah’s servants have prayerfully studied Jesus’ prophecy about the last days.  They have sought to get a clearer understanding of the timing of the fulfillment of Jesus’ words.  To illustrate how our understanding has been clarified, let us consider three “when” questions. When does the “great tribulation” begin?  When does Jesus judge “the sheep” and “the goats”?  When does Jesus ‘arrive,’ or come?​—Matt. 24:21; 25:31-33. 

For a number of years, we thought that the great tribulation began in 1914 with the first ever World War and that “those days were cut short” by Jehovah in 1918 when the war ended so that the remnant would have the opportunity to preach the good news to all nations. (Matt. 24:21, 22)  

Upon further examination of Jesus’ prophecy, however, we perceived that a part of Jesus’ prophecy about the last days has two fulfillments. (Matt. 24:4-22)  There was a partial fulfillment in Judea in the first century 70 C.E. in the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and there would be a worldwide fulfillment in our day.  That insight led to several clarifications. 

We also discerned that the first part of the great tribulation did not begin in 1914.  Why not?  Because Bible prophecy reveals that the great tribulation will start, not with a war among nations, but with an attack on false religion.  Thus, the events that began in 1914 were, not the beginning of the great tribulation, but the “beginning of pangs of distress.” (Matt. 24:8)  These “pangs of distress” correspond to what took place in Jerusalem and Judea from 33 C.E. to 66 C.E. 

Jesus also foretold: “Those days will be cut short.”  In the initial fulfillment, this happened in 66 C.E. when the Roman army “cut short” its attack.  Then, anointed Christians in Jerusalem and Judea fled, allowing for their ‘flesh, or life, to be saved.’ (Read Matthew 24:22; Mal. 3:17)  So, what can we expect will happen during the coming great tribulation?  Jehovah will “cut short” the attack of the United Nations on false religion, not allowing true religion to be destroyed with the false.  This will ensure that God’s people will be saved. 

What happens after the initial part of the great tribulation has passed? 

Jesus’ words indicate that there will be a period of time that will last until the start of Armageddon.  

What events will occur during that interval?  

The answer is recorded at Ezekiel 38:14-16 and Matthew 24:29-31. (Read.)b 

After that, we will witness Armageddon, the climax of the great tribulation, which parallels Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E. (Mal. 4:1)  With the battle of Armageddon as its climax, that coming great tribulation will be unique​—an event “such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning.” (Matt. 24:21) When it has passed, Christ’s Millennial Rule will begin. 

Revelation chapter 19 shows Jesus as the one leading heavenly armies against “the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies.” (2Th 1:6-8; Re 19:11-21) “A great crowd” is shown as surviving that tribulation. (Re 7:9, 14)​

The great tribulation will bring the greatest time of trouble ever to come upon mankind.  According to Bible prophecy, it will occur during “the last days,” or “the end time.” (2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 12:4, New American Bible)  It will be “a tribulation such as has not occurred from the beginning of the creation that God created until that time, and will not occur again.”​—Mark 13:19; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21, 22.

This prophecy about the great tribulation strengthens us.  Why?  Because it assures us that no matter what hardships we may face, Jehovah’s people, as a group, will come out of the great tribulation. (Rev. 7:9, 14) 

Above all, we rejoice because at Armageddon, Jehovah will vindicate his sovereignty and he will sanctify his holy name.​—Ps. 83:18; Ezek. 38:23. 

Consider now the timing of another part of Jesus’ prophecy​—the parable of the judgment of the sheep and the goats. (Matt. 25:31-46) 

Previously, we thought that the judging of people as sheep or goats would take place during the entire period of the last days from 1914 onward.  We concluded that those who rejected the Kingdom message and who died before the start of the great tribulation would die as goats​—without the hope of a resurrection. 

In the mid-1990’s, The Watchtower reexamined Matthew 25:31, which states: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne.”  It was noted that Jesus became King of God’s Kingdom in 1914, but he did not “sit down on his glorious throne” as Judge of “all the nations.” (Matt. 25:32; compare Daniel 7:13.)  However, the parable of the sheep and the goats describes Jesus primarily as Judge. (Read Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46.)  Since Jesus was not yet active as Judge of all nations in 1914, his judgment of people as sheep or goats could not have started in that year.  

When, then, will Jesus’ judgment begin? 

Jesus’ prophecy about the last days reveals that he will for the very first time act as Judge of all nations after the destruction of false religion.  As mentioned in paragraph 8, some of the events that will occur during that time are recorded at Matthew 24:30, 31.  When you examine those verses, you will note that Jesus there foretells events that are similar to the ones he mentions in the parable of the sheep and the goats.  For example, the Son of man comes with glory and with angels; all tribes and nations are gathered; those judged as sheep “lift [their] heads up” because “everlasting life” awaits them.  Those judged as goats “beat themselves in lamentation,” realizing that “everlasting cutting-off” awaits them.​—Matt. 25:31-33, 46. 

So, then, what can we conclude? 

Jesus will judge people of all nations as sheep or goats when he comes during the great tribulation.  Then, at Armageddon, the climax of the great tribulation, the goatlike ones will be ‘cut off’ forever.  How does that understanding affect our view of our ministry?  It helps us to see how important our preaching work is in these the 'last days'.  Until the great tribulation begins, people still have time to change their thinking and start walking on the cramped (narrow) road “leading off into life.” (Matt. 7:13, 14)  To be sure, people may now display a sheeplike or a goatlike disposition.  Nevertheless, we should remember that the final judgment of who are sheep and who are goats is determined during the great tribulation.  Therefore, we have good reason for continuing to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to listen to and respond to the gospel of the Kingdom message. 

In the part of his prophecy that is recorded at Matthew 24:29–25:46, Jesus focuses primarily on what will happen during these last days and during the coming great tribulation.  There, Jesus makes eight references to his “coming,” or arrival.  Regarding the great tribulation, he states: “They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds.”  “You do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”  “At an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.” And in his parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus states: “The Son of man arrives in his glory.” (Matt. 24:30, 42, 44; 25:31)  Each of these four references applies to Christ’s future coming as Judge.  Where in Jesus’ prophecy do we find the remaining four references? 

Regarding the faithful and discreet slave, Jesus says: “Happy is that slave if his master on arriving [“having come,” ftn.] finds him doing so.”  In the parable of the virgins, Jesus states: “While they were going off to buy, the bridegroom arrived [“came,” Kingdom Interlinear].”  In the parable of the talents, Jesus relates: “After a long time the master of those slaves came.”  In the same parable, the master says: “On my arrival [“having come,” Int] I would be receiving what is mine.” (Matt. 24:46; 25:10, 19, 27) 

To what time do these four instances of Jesus’ coming refer? 

In the verses that lead up to Matthew 24:46, the word “coming” refers consistently to the time when Jesus comes to pronounce and execute judgment during the great tribulation. (Matt. 24:30, 42, 44)  Also, as we considered in paragraph 12, Jesus’ ‘arriving’ mentioned at Matthew 25:31 refers to that same future time of judgment.  So it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus’ arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings, mentioned at Matthew 24:46, 47, also applies to his future coming, during the great tribulation.  Indeed, a consideration of Jesus’ prophecy in its entirety makes it clear that each of these eight references to his coming applies to the future time of judgment during the great tribulation. 

In review, what have we learned?

In the beginning of this article, we raised three “when” questions. 

We first considered that the great tribulation did not begin in 1914 but will start when the United Nations attacks Babylon the Great.  

Then, we reviewed why Jesus’ judgment of the sheep and the goats did not begin in 1914 but will occur during the great tribulation. 

Finally, we examined why Jesus’ arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings did not occur in 1919 but will take place during the great tribulation. 

So, then, all three “whens” apply to the same future time period​—the great tribulation.  How does this adjusted view further affect our understanding of the illustration of the faithful slave?  Also, how does it affect our understanding of other parables, or illustrations, of Jesus that are being fulfilled during this time of the end? 

These important questions will be considered in the following articles. 

- SUMMAY -

• Destruction of false religion. With surprising speed, false religion will be destroyed. (Revelation 17:​1, 5; 18:​9, 10, 21)  The political powers represented by the United Nations will carry out God’s will in taking this action.​—Revelation 17:​3, 15-​18.a
• Attack on true religion. A coalition of nations, referred to in Ezekiel’s vision as “Gog of the land of Magog,” will try to annihilate those who practice true religion.  However, God will protect his worshippers from destruction.​—Ezekiel 38:​1, 2, 9-​12, 18-​23.
• Judgment of earth’s inhabitants. Jesus will judge all mankind and “will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-​33)  The basis for his judgment will be the support, or lack of support, that each person gave to Jesus’ “brothers,” those who will rule with him in heaven.​—Matthew 25:34-​46.
• Gathering of Kingdom rulers. Faithful ones who have been chosen to rule with Christ will finish their earthly course and be resurrected to life in heaven.​—Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:50-​53; 1 Thessalonians 4:​15-​17.
• Armageddon. This “war of the great day of God the Almighty” is also called “the day of Jehovah.” (Revelation 16:14, 16; Isaiah 13:9; 2 Peter 3:​12)  Those judged adversely by Christ will be destroyed. (Zephaniah 1:​18; 2 Thessalonians 1:​6-​10)  This will include the destruction of the worldwide political system, pictured in the Bible by a seven-headed wild beast.​—Revelation 19:19-​21.
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• Confinement of Satan and the demons. A great angel will hurl Satan and the demons “into the abyss,” a symbol of deathlike inactivity. (Revelation 20:​1-3)  Satan’s condition in the abyss could be likened to being in prison; he will be unable to influence affairs elsewhere.​—Revelation 20:7.
• The Millennium begins. God’s Kingdom will begin its 1,000-year reign, which will bring great blessings to mankind. (Revelation 5:​9, 10; 20:​4, 6)  An unnumbered “great crowd” will “come out of the great tribulation,” surviving it to see the start of the Millennium on earth.​—Revelation 7:​9, 14; Psalm 37:​9-​11.

In the book of Revelation, false religion is symbolized as Babylon the Great, “the great prostitute.” (Revelation 17:​1, 5)  The scarlet-colored beast, which destroys Babylon the Great, is a symbol of the organization whose purpose is to unite and represent the nations of the world.  It first existed as the League of Nations (which began in 1920) and is now the United Nations.

 Note: Some content used by permission from "JW.org"