The Tribulation Period
The world is approaching a notable period of history—the Tribulation period. The Bible references the Tribulation by many names—Daniel’s 70th week, the time of Jacob’s sorrow, and the time of God’s wrath, to name a few. Jesus prophesied that it would be a time of unprecedented upheaval. Still, the Bible notes that in the midst of this dark season God will move. The Lord Jesus will come bringing His army of saints to win a great victory over the enemies of Israel, and rescue all believers who were saved during the 7-year Tribulation period.
Some believe Bible prophecies regarding judgments appear to indicate God is angry or mean. However, the opposite is true. God is not angry—God warns whom He loves, and only as a last resort does He use drastic measures to prompt individuals to pursue a better path. This writer believes that if the world turned to Christ today, the prophesied future Tribulations would not occur. But God knows that humanity is willful, and knows the choices they will make. Therefore, the prophecies will come true. In the last seven years of our history, God will bring tribulation and wrath to the earth. Why? To bring humanity to repentance and receive His offer of salvation. This article provides a biblically-based overview of the Tribulations period events that are prophesied to come.
TRIBULATION PERIOD PROPHECIES (not in chronological order)
Israel will enter into a peace treaty: The Antichrist will impose a “covenant with the many” which will include Israel (Daniel 9:27; 8:23-25). It is this ‘covenant’ that initiates the seven-year Tribulation period.
Earthquakes: Great earthquakes will shake the world during the Tribulation period (Revelation 6:12, 8:5, 11:13, 16:18, etc.). Note: The years leading up to the commencement of the Tribulation period will be marked by an increase in higher magnitude quakes.
The third Temple will be built in Jerusalem: Jesus, Paul, and John refer to a Temple being in Jerusalem in the last days. This event is referenced in Daniel 9:27, 12:11; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess. 2:4; and Revelation 11:1-2.
Temple sacrifices will be reinstituted in Israel in the last days. Daniel 9:27; 12:11, and Revelation 13 reference this. The completion of the Temple and routine of daily sacrifices must be in place prior to the mid-point of the Tribulation.
Temple sacrifices will be forbidden: the mid-point of the Tribulation period, the Antichrist will seize control of the Temple, abruptly end the daily sacrifices and proclaim himself to be God. (Revelation 13).
144,000 believers will be sealed by the Spirit: Holy Spirit will ‘seal’ 12,000 Jewish believers from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. This is very likely a symbolic number representing a vast and perfect number of Messianic Jews God calls and equips to evangelize the world (Rev. 7).
The two witnesses/prophets: Along with the sealed witnesses noted above will come two great prophets (Rev. 11:3-14). These prophets will preach with power for 42 months and then be put to death. Their deaths will be celebrated by many. Their bodies will lie in the street for three days, after which they will be miraculously resurrected and taken up into Heaven.
Revival: the Tribulation, many will come to faith in Christ (Revelation 7:9-17; Daniel 12:10; Zechariah 2:11; Isaiah 19:16-25).
Vegetation decimated:Revelation 8:7 notes that the first trumpet judgment will bring the destruction of 1/3 of all vegetation on Earth.
A meteor or comet falls into the sea: Revelation 8:8-9 notes that the second trumpet judgment facilitates something falling into the sea and destroying 1/3 of life in all seas.
Wormwood: Similar to the second trumpet judgment, the third trumpet judgment facilitates celestial objects falling to the earth and causing fresh water to turn bitter (resulting in many deaths).
Reduction of light: The fourth trumpet judgment brings about a 1/3 reduction of light (from the sun, moon, and stars).
Tormenting creatures: The fifth trumpet judgment will bring scorpion-like creatures from the demon world. These creatures will torment humanity, but they do not cause death. Many suggest that these creatures will not be able to torment believers in Jesus Christ.
Forced worship of Antichrist: 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13 note that the False Prophet will force all to worship the Antichrist. Failure to do so will result in starvation, ridicule, and death. Proof of allegiance to the Antichrist will include receiving a mark on the right hand or forehead. Scripture notes that without the mark one will not be able to legally buy or sell. Many speculate the Mark will also be tied to the ability to secure employment and medical care.
Sores on those who receive the Mark: Revelation 16:1-2 notes that those who accept the Mark of the Beast, signifying their worship of him, will contract painful sores (KJV reads, ‘boils’) on their body.
Refuge: Ancient Petra (located in Jordan) will become a place of refuge for believers (Isaiah 16:1-4; Matthew 24:16; Revelation 12:6,14).
A great army will advance from the east: The sixth trumpet announces the coming of a great army from the east (two hundred million men). This army advances toward Israel and leaves devastation in its wake (Rev. 9:13).
The Euphrates will be blocked or dried-up: The great river Euphrates will dry up, allowing armies from the east to advance toward Israel (Rev.16:12).
The Antichrist will be wounded: Revelation 13 notes that the Antichrist will suffer a fatal wound to the head but will recover to the amazement of many—a happening which will boost his claim to deity.
Judgment on the woman who rides the Beast: Revelation 17 (and Jeremiah 50-51) notes the judgment on this woman—also called the Whore of Babylon and Mystery Babylon. Most believe this judgment is on a nation, or system—not an individual.
Life in seas and rivers die: Revelation 16:3 indicates that remaining life in the sea dies as the second vial of judgment is poured out. The death toll is such that the oceans become as blood. The third vial of judgment brings about the death of life in the rivers (Rev. 16:4).
Scorching heat: The fourth vial of judgment brings scorching heat which causes misery and devastates vegetation.
Darkness: The fifth vial of judgment brings anomalous darkness and painful maladies, some translations read ‘plagues.’ (Revelation 16:10-11).
War: There will be a series of wars—the last great series of wars, are collectively referred to as the battle of Armageddon.
Armageddon and victory: Though Israel will be surrounded and outnumbered by her enemies, Jesus will return and the enemies of God will be destroyed. Satan and the False Prophet will be bound and thrown into the pit. Jesus Christ will begin His Millennial Reign and bring peace and justice to the earth. (Revelation 19-21).
The Antichrist will rise to power
Conflicts associated with the Antichrist are noted below
Although the Antichrist will rise to world power through cunning, deception, and diplomacy (Daniel 8:23), he will have to resort to military power to conquer the world.
Revelation 13:7 notes that the Antichrist will ultimately achieve “authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” This authority will be achieved first through diplomacy and then through war. Revelation 6 records the outbreak of global war resulting in the deaths of one-fourth of humanity (Revelation 6:8).
“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast (Satan’s Antichrist) rising out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, (The book of Daniel explains these represent ten nations he will rule) and on his heads a blasphemous name…The dragon (Satan) gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” (Revelation 13:1,2)
“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs (miracles), and lying wonders.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
“It was granted to him to make war...and authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” (Revelation 13:7)
Revelation 9 seems to indicate conventional, spiritual and nuclear war (nuclear because Rev. 8:7 states that the war will result in one-third of the earth being burned up, and Rev. 16:2-11 notes “loathsome and malignant” sores afflicting survivors). The wars noted in Rev. 6, 8 and will result in the deaths of more than half of humanity. The army from the east mentioned in Rev. 9 is comprised of “200,000,000 men.”
Revelation 12 references spiritual warfare – past, present, and future.
Some of the Jews in Israel will flee to a place in the “wilderness” where they will be supernaturally protected by God (Rev. 12:13-14). Many believe this hiding place will be the ancient city of Petra, located inside a box canyon in modern Jordan. There is good reason for this assumption because Daniel 11:41 notes the Antichrist will be prevented from conquering Jordan when it is part of an end-time rebellion.
Zechariah 13:8 indicates that the Antichrist will kill two-thirds of the Jewish people during the Tribulation.
Revelation 12:17 notes that the Antichrist will also war against the “offspring” of Israel — namely, those “who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” This is a reference to those who accept Jesus as Lord during the Tribulation period.
Revelation 7:9-14 pictures a great multitude of martyrs in Heaven. They are identified as “the ones coming out of the Great Tribulation…”
Revelation 17-18 notes an attack on the Whore of Babylon (also called the woman who rides the Beast). This is a nation or geopolitical religious and economic system that perpetrates evil but is antagonistic to the nations that support the Antichrist. Many believe Jeremiah 50-51 references God’s judgment on this entity.
“Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose…” (Revelation 17).
Revelation 16-19 profiles the Battle of Armageddon. The armies of the Antichrist will be supernaturally destroyed by God. It appears that just as the armies from the East and the North arrive in the Valley of Armageddon, the Lord appears and slays the enemies by “the breath of His mouth” (2 Thess. 2:8). Joel 3:16 notes that the Lord will “roar from Zion” and “utter His voice from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 10:16 notes that the result will be “a wasting disease.” Zech. 14:12 notes that there will be a plague that will cause the flesh of the soldiers “to rot while they stand on their feet. Their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.’’ Revelation 19 notes that the Antichrist and False Prophet will be bound and thrown into the lake of fire for 1000 years following this defeat.
CONCLUSIONS
The Seven-Year Tribulation is not initiated by a war or the Rapture, but by the Peace Covenant referenced in Daniel 9:27. The Covenant will be brokered by the Antichrist and will involve Israel and “the many.”