How long will the Great Tribulation mentioned in Bible prophecy last?

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How long will the Great Tribulation mentioned in Bible prophecy last?

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The "great tribulation" refers to the time of crisis at the close of the age of man. Jesus spoke of "great tribulation" in Matthew 24:21 and told the apostle John to write of it in Revelation 7:14.

Several events are prophesied to occur during the crucial last days:

The area outside of the temple in Jerusalem will be controlled by non-Israelite powers (Revelation 11:2).

The two witnesses of God will fulfill their commission (verse 3).

The Beast power, a counterfeit of the Kingdom of God, will dominate world politics, religion and economics (Revelation 13:5).

An unparalleled "time of great trouble" will come on the people of Israel, affecting also "the holy people" (Daniel 12:1, 7).

Notice that a common time period is mentioned in connection with these events:

42 months (Revelation 11:2; 13:5).

1,260 days (Revelation 11:3).

"A time, times, and half a time" (Daniel 12:7).

These are variations of the same period—3 1/2 years (not seven years, as commonly suggested by many today).

Note Wycliffe Commentary's notes on Daniel 12:7:

"The consummation is to take place when the three and one-half times (3 1/2 years; 1,260 days; 42 months) so frequently mentioned in Daniel's previous prophecies and in the Revelation are run out."

The idea of a seven-year tribulation is based on a single reference, Daniel 9:27, which tells of a covenant made "for one week" by one who will cut off sacrifices "in the middle of the week," an act that will herald the beginning of the crisis at the end. Each day in prophecy, goes the reasoning, represents a year and hence a week refers to a seven-year period.

We believe the weight of evidence supports that this verse refers to Christ. The Messiah was cut off in the midst of a week, or after 3 1/2 years of His earthly ministry, as well as on a Wednesday, the middle of a literal week.

Others believe this verse refers to the Antichrist. Even if this were a prophecy of the Antichrist, the crisis begins "in the middle," or after 3 1/2 years, leaving another 3 1/2 years remaining for the fulfillment of the close-of-the-age events mentioned above. So the period would be the same as prophesied in the above references to the main events of the end time.

Clearly the Bible does not support the idea of a seven-year Great Tribulation.

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Comments

  • cbenedict

    In this article you stated regarding Daniel 9:27, "We believe the weight of evidence supports that this verse refers to Christ. The Messiah was cut off in the midst of a week, or after 3 1/2 years of His earthly ministry, as well as on a Wednesday, the middle of a literal week."

    Where is the scriptural evidence that supports this assumption that this refers to Christ?

    Christ's ministry was only 3.5 years but it seems to be pretty clear that Daniel 9:27 is referring to the Abomination of Desolation also referenced by Christ in Matthew 24:15,21.

    During Christ's ministry he did not cause the future sacrifice and the offering to cease, and upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate even until the consummation. And the fully determined end which is decreed shall be poured out upon the desolator.” Daniel 9:27

    I agree there is not a 7 year tribulation but there is a final 7 year period fulfilling Daniel's 70 week prophecy with a Great tribulation starting 3.5 years into that 7 year period.

    Your statement also contradicts a statement made by Dr. Ward https://www.ucg.org/world-news-and-prophecy/abomination-of-desolation

  • Skip Miller

    Hello Chad,
    Because you see an apparent discrepancy between two UCG statements,
    I would suggest that you go directly to the two that you have cited and ask for
    further clarification. If you are patient, I am sure that you will receive an answer.

  • cbenedict

    Hi Skip,
    The author of this bible question and answer is not credited, therefore one is unable to go directly to the author. I am not seeking an answer, just pointing out that a correction needs to be made because there is no scriptural evidence to support the statement that Daniel 9:27 refers to Christ with a "weight of evidence".

    This statement is not only a discrepancy it is an very incorrect explanation of Daniel's 70 week prophecy.

  • kurtzds

    Where in scripture does it say the Day of the Lord is a 1 yr period?

  • frankchughes@aol.com

    The tribulation begins the 5th Seal and last 900 days or 2 1/2 years of the 3 1/2 years with the Day of the LORD which is the 7th Seal taking place over the final year of the 3 1/2.

    All 7 Seals are fulfilled and completed over a 7 year period which is the time allowed God by the terms of the marriage contact found in Lev 26: 1- 39. God has 21 years to bring Israel and Judah to repentance and to return to obedience, if they refuse then according to the contract God has 7 more years to utterly destroy all 12 tribes and send the remnant into captivity in the lands of the gentiles.

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