Is There a Difference Between The Tribulation and The Great Tribulation?
The Tribulation will happen after the rapture! It is going to be a seven-year period in which the Antichrist will rule.
Why do we say that?
Rapture
The New Testament tells us that all Church Age believers will be raptured before the Tribulation begins (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-4, 9; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2:1-8; Romans 11:25-26; Revelation 4:1).
In 1 Thessalonians 4 verses 16 to 18 we learn that the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive and remain shall be caught up meaning raptured to be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Left Behind
Continuing with the theme in chapter 5 verses 2 to 4 we understand that immediately after the day of the Lord which comes as a thief in the night [the rapture] sudden destruction comes upon all the people that are left behind!
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
Further in Revelation 3:10 we learn that believers will be kept from the Tribulation period.
Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:10 is addressed to the church at **Philadelphia (its name means “Brotherly Love”)** who have faithfully kept God’s Word and have been righteous and faithful in all the counsel of God. *By having been true believers they will be raptured, and they will be kept out of the Seven-year Tribulation Period.* This is the church which goes by the principles and prescriptions of the New Testament.
Back to the question, “When will the Tribulation Period start?” The answer is, “The Tribulation period starts right after the rapture of the Church.”
How Long is the Tribulation Period?
Is there any indication to how long the Tribulation period will be?
The answer to this question is found in the Book of Daniel.
Daniel 9:27
Then he [Antichrist] shall confirm a covenant [treaty] with many for one week [seven years]; but in the middle of the week [three-and-a-half years] he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate [or desolator].
Warren Henderson explains in his book Infidelity and Loyalty pg 391: “The Hebrew word shabua is translated “week,” but literally means “seven”, much like our English word dozen means twelve of something. The “something” is determined by the context. … Based on how the final week is described elsewhere in Scripture, we are able to conclude that a week is speaking of seven years”.
Tribulation Midway Point
At the midway point of the Seven-year Tribulation period the Great Tribulation starts and lasts until the end of the seven years. It will be a time of terrible trouble on earth (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15; Matthew 24:15-22).
And according to Jesus, in Matthew 24:21, people’s tribulation will intensify.
Matthew 24:21
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.
Antichrist
The Antichrist will start his seven-year career right after the rapture and deceive people into believing that he is the great peacemaker.
Daniel 11:21b
he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue…
But in the middle of the Tribulation the Antichrist will show his true colors marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
Daniel 11:36-37
Then the king [the Antichrist] shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.
2 Thessalonians 2:3c-4
the man of sin [lawlessness]is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Matthew 24:5
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
The Antichrist will be the final Gentile world ruler [Revelation 13:7].
Revelation 13:7
It was granted to him to make war with the saints [the 144,000 who come to Christ during the Tribulation including the ones they minister to who will believe] and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation [one world government—globalism].
Tribulation vs Great Tribulation
Now, to answer our question: “Is there a difference between the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation?”
The Tribulation covers the first three-and-a-half years and the Great Tribulation is the last half of the full Seven-year Tribulation period.
There will be chaos and trouble for the people during the Tribulation but during the Great Tribulation, according to Jesus, in Matthew 24:21, people’s tribulation will intensify.
Matthew 24:21
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.
We are so very thankful that the Lord will rapture his children [all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ] before the beginning of the Tribulation Period.
All Glory to God!
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Second Death – What is the Second Death?
The Seven Plagues – Parallel the Egypt Plagues – What Devastation will the Seven Plagues Create?
Seven Bowls – What will the Angels do with the Seven Bowls?
What is the Definition of Rapture?
Resources to Check Out:
Uplook Ministry – Fireside Friday by Jabe Nicholson
Gospel Folio Press – William MacDonald – Believers Bible Commentary
Warren Henderson Publishing
Christ-centered Books and Messages to Enhance Your Spiritual Growth
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Quotations and paraphrased quotations marked * quoted text * taken from The Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995 by William MacDonald. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com
Quotations and paraphrased quotations marked ** quoted text ** taken from The King James Study Bible. Copyright © 1988 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com
Scripture taken from the New King James Version, unless stated otherwise. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Thanks for this easy-to-understand explanation of the Rapture and Tribulation. So many people believe Christians will live through the Rapture and during the Tribulation. But I don’t see it that way. I agree with you that we will be with God.
I don’t think there could be anything more clear than 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18:
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Thank you for your comment Tammy. Totally agree. And I think that 1 Thessalonians 5:9 explains that we will not experience the wrath of God: “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Blessings