The Great Tribulation: What is it?
by Pastor Henry Grube


That interval of time which separates the removal of the Church from the earth and the return of Christ to the earth is designated by various descriptions in the Word of God. Isaiah calls it the day of vengeance (Isaiah 61:2). Jeremiah calls it the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). It is called the great day of the Lord in Zephaniah 1:14, and a time of trouble in Daniel 12:1. The Lord Jesus calls it the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24:21 and Mark 13:19-20.

'For then shall great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be' (Matthew 24:21).

The Tribulation is quite different from 'tribulation' The word itself literally means 'to thrash,' 'to crush.' It carries with it the thought of sorrow and suffering and affliction. Most people some time in life suffer various forms of 'tribulation.' (See Job 14:1, John 16:33, Romans 12:12.) But the period of time designated as Great Tribulation (or The Great
Tribulation. Rev. 7:14) is more than personal affliction or individual sorrow. It is a definite, specific period in which certain events will take place. The Great Tribulation is always either directly stated or specifically indicated as being connected with Israel.

In Jeremiah 30:7 it is called the Time of Jacob's Trouble. Why Jacob? It is because of something that happened in Jacob's life that foreshadowed this tribulation time. It goes back to the night of Jacob's trouble in Genesis
32:24-30. After some twenty years of exile, Jacob was about to return to his own land. He had reached the border when he heard of Esau's plan to come and meet him with an army of men. Hearing of this Jacob became afraid and
distressed. Through the night he cried to God for deliverance. He pleaded for mercy in his hour of crisis.

It was in this night of suffering and anguish that the Lord in mercy changed his name from Jacob to Israel. It was here that God showed more than mercy. He extended grace. For the name Israel mean 'a prince with God.' So
there will come a time when the nation Israel will be in similar circumstances of fear and distress. It will be the time of Jacob's trouble, the hour of crisis for the nation Israel, the Great Tribulation.

It may not arrive until Israel returns to the Land. But is must come upon Israel before that nation enters into the millennial kingdom. And then during this time of crisis the Anti-Christ will strike fear into the heart of the
nation Israel, as did Esau to the man Israel long ago. And then Israel will cry to God (Matthew 6:13; 23:39), and it is then that God will show mercy and grace to them. (Romans 11).

All this is yet future. It did not occur at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 as some erroneously believe. At that time Israel was driven out of the land and scattered. They were not 'saved.' nor 'delivered,' but literally lost in the sea of nations. But at the close of the Tribulation time there shall come a 'Deliverer.' the Lord Jesus Christ. 'And so all Israel shall be saved." (Romans 11:26).

The great Tribulation is imminent. It will be the most terrible time in all man's history. 'There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.' (Daniel 12:1) 'For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation.' (Mark 13:19; Matthew 24:21) Now is the day of salvation!