The word “tribulation” is used to talk about a certain period of time. This is a time when there is hardship, suffering, and distress.
Christians will have times of persecution and other kinds of tribulation. That is because many people in this world do not believe in Jesus, and they do not want other people to believe in him either (Acts 14:22; John 15:18, 20; Philippians 1:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Timothy 3:12).
The words “the great tribulation” are used in the Bible to write about a period of time just before Jesus returns to the earth. This is when God will punish all the people of the earth.
Jesus talked about a great tribulation. He said it would be a time that is more terrible than any other time on earth (Matthew 24:21; See also Daniel 12:1; Revelation 7:14). Some scholars think Jesus was speaking about the time when the Romans would attack and destroy Jerusalem. Some scholars think Jesus was speaking about a time in the future before he returns to earth. Some scholars think Jesus was speaking about both of these times.
Some scholars think the tribulation is a time after Jerusalem was destroyed. Some of these scholars think the tribulation is the entire period of time between the destruction of Jerusalem and Jesus’ return to earth. They think the tribulation will become much worse just before Jesus returns. Other scholars think the tribulation will not start until the antichrist comes (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 1 John 2:18; Revelation 13:1-10). They think the tribulation will be for seven years. The last three and a half years will be the worst of this tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27).
After the great tribulation, Jesus will return to earth (Matthew 24:30-31). John wrote in the book of Revelation about this being a time when Jesus defeats the antichrist and rules for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:11-20:6).
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