What Is the Tribulation — In Biblical Context
The tribulation is a future seven-year period of unprecedented suffering and divine judgment on the earth before Christ's return.
The tribulation is a future seven-year period of unprecedented suffering and divine judgment on the earth before Christ's return.
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." — Matthew 24:21 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The tribulation is described in detail in Revelation chapters 6-19 and prophesied in Daniel 9:27 as a final 'week' (seven years) of God's prophetic timeline. Jesus called it a time of 'great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be' (Matthew 24:21). During this period, God's wrath will be poured out on an unrepentant world through a series of seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments. The Antichrist will rise to global power, demand worship, and persecute those who refuse (Revelation 13). Despite the horror of these events, their purpose is redemptive — many will turn to Christ during the tribulation (Revelation 7:14). The period culminates in the Battle of Armageddon and Christ's victorious Second Coming. Christians debate whether the church will be raptured before, during, or after the tribulation, but all agree that God remains sovereign over history and will ultimately triumph over evil.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 24:21, sits inside Matthew 24. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."
Supporting Passages
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease."
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