How Long Is The Tribulation Period In The Bible?

The tribulation period is one of the most talked about end times events in Christianity. If you’ve ever wondered, “How long does the tribulation last according to the Bible?” then you’ll find a comprehensive answer here.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The tribulation period will last for 7 years.

In this approximately 3000 word article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the length of the tribulation period. We’ll look at the Biblical basis for a 7 year tribulation, the different tribulation views, the purpose and events of the tribulation, and more.

Understanding the Concept of the Tribulation Period

Definition of the Tribulation Period

The Tribulation Period refers to a future time of great distress and turmoil that is prophesied in the Bible. Many Christians believe it will last seven years and will precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is also sometimes referred to as the Time of Jacob’s Trouble or Daniel’s 70th Week.

The prophet Daniel predicted a final “week” of seven years of tribulation before the Messiah would come and establish His kingdom (Daniel 9:24-27). The book of Revelation provides many details about the terrible judgments and events that will occur during this time, including natural disasters, wars, economic collapse, famine, plagues, demonic activity, and persecution of believers.

The purpose of the Tribulation is to prepare Israel for the Second Coming of Christ and to unleash God’s wrath and judgment on an unbelieving and rebellious world. However, many will come to faith in Christ during this period despite intense persecution.

Support for a 7 Year Tribulation Period

There are several biblical reasons to understand the Tribulation as a future period of 7 years:

• Daniel’s 70th week prophecy speaks of one “week” of 7 years remaining for God’s dealings with Israel before the arrival of the Messiah’s kingdom (Daniel 9:24-27). This final 7 year period is thought to be the Tribulation.
• The Tribulation is divided into two periods of 3.5 years each, 42 months or 1260 days each, which is 7 years total (Revelation 11:2-3).
• The length of the Tribulation is connected with the Antichrist’s rise to power and rule for 42 months (Revelation 13:5).
• The format of a 7-year peace treaty between Antichrist and Israel also confirms a 7 year duration (Daniel 9:27).

The repeated emphasis on a period lasting 7 years or two periods of 3.5 years each confirms that the Tribulation will be 7 years long according to a normal understanding of the text.

The Different Tribulation Views

There are several main views regarding the timing of the Tribulation period in relation to the rapture:

The pre-tribulation view believes the rapture happens before the Tribulation begins. Mid-tribulation places the rapture at the halfway point. Post-tribulation says the rapture happens at the very end. Pre-wrath sees the rapture happening past the midpoint but before the worst end-time judgments.

While there are differences on the timing, there is widespread agreement that the Tribulation lasts for 7 years. This is the dominant view based on the biblical text and the details provided in books like Daniel and Revelation.

The Biblical Basis for a 7 Year Tribulation

Daniel’s 70th Week

In the book of Daniel, there is a prophecy about 70 “weeks” or time periods that are decreed for the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24). After 69 weeks (483 years), Messiah would be cut off. There is then a gap or pause before the final 70th week.

This last 7 year period is known as the tribulation period. Daniel 9:27 refers to a covenant being confirmed for 7 years, which scholars believe refers to the antichrist making a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years at the beginning of the tribulation.

This is a key biblical basis for the 7 year duration of the tribulation.

The Confirmation of a Covenant

As mentioned in Daniel 9:27, a covenant will be confirmed with many for one week or 7 years. This refers to the antichrist establishing a peace treaty with Israel at the start of the 7 year tribulation period. Some key points about this covenant:

• It will be established between the antichrist and Israel.
• It will occur at the beginning of the 7 year tribulation.
• It will allow Israel to rebuild their temple on the Temple Mount.
• After 3.5 years, the antichrist will break the covenant by desecrating the temple, signaling the start of the Great Tribulation.

This covenant or treaty is a pivotal event starting the countdown of the 7 year tribulation timeline that the Bible lays out.

Duration of 42 Months

Revelation 11:2 refers to the holy city being trampled for 42 months. Revelation 13:5 says the beast or antichrist will exercise authority for 42 months. These verses establish a key duration of time during the tribulation as 42 months.

Using the biblical reckoning of 30 days per month, 42 months equals 3.5 years. Therefore, the great tribulation starts at the midpoint of the tribulation when the antichrist breaks the covenant, and lasts for 3.5 years until Christ returns.

Major Events of the 7 Year Tribulation

The Rapture of the Church

The tribulation period will commence with the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This is when all genuine believers in Christ, both dead and alive, will be “caught up” to meet Jesus in the air.

Many Biblical scholars believe the rapture will come unexpectedly and instantaneously, like a “thief in the night” (Revelation 3:3).

The Revealing of the Antichrist

After the rapture occurs, the Antichrist will be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12). He will seem like a dynamic, charismatic leader who provides solutions to the world’s problems after the chaos ensues from the sudden removal of millions of Christians from the earth.

However, the Bible warns that he will stand in direct opposition to God.

The 7 Seal Judgments

The seal judgments described in Revelation 6 will be a series of severe judgments representing God’s wrath being poured out on an unbelieving world. Some examples include widespread war and famine, financial collapse, and cosmological disturbances.

One quarter of the earth’s population will likely perish during this period.

The 7 Trumpet Judgments

The trumpet judgments in Revelation 8-9 involve even more catastrophic, supernatural disasters being unleashed by God, including a great mountain burning with fire being thrown into the sea, an asteroid or comet falling to earth and poisoning freshwater, increased demonic activity torturing people, and a worldwide army of monstrous horses killing one third of mankind.

The 7 Bowl Judgments

The final series of judgments, the bowl judgments described in Revelation 16, will completely decimate the earth’s systems and structure. Those still alive will endure painful sores, seas and rivers turning to blood, increased solar intensity, widespread darkness, a massive earthquake causing islands and mountains to crumble, and a colossal deluge of hailstones crushing humanity.

The Purpose of the Tribulation Period

To Pour Out God’s Wrath

The tribulation period will be a time when God pours out His wrath on the earth. Many passages in Scripture describe this time as a period of God’s judgement on those who have rejected Him (Revelation 6:17, Revelation 14:10).

God’s wrath against sin will be unleashed in a series of judgments, such as the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls described in Revelation. These progressively severe judgments will include worldwide natural disasters, plagues, wars, economic collapse, and more.

The purpose is to punish evildoers and bring a stubborn world to repentance.

To Bring Israel Back to God

Another key purpose of the tribulation is to bring the nation of Israel back to God. Scripture says a time of great trouble will come upon Israel, but in their distress they will earnestly seek the Lord and accept Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah (Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah 13:8-9).

God uses times of tribulation to get people’s attention and draw them to Himself. The intense pressure of the tribulation will soften the hearts of the Jewish people and open them to receiving Christ.

For Satan to Have His Final Reign

During the tribulation, the Antichrist (empowered by Satan) will rule over the earth for a brief time. This will be Satan’s final climactic rebellion against God before Jesus returns to defeat him. Revelation portrays this time as Satan’s furious attempt to usurp God’s dominion over the world through deceptive political power and false religion.

But it will be short-lived. After 31⁄2 years, Jesus will return to earth, overthrow the Antichrist’s kingdom, and imprison Satan (Revelation 19:11-20:3). The tribulation showcases the wickedness of humanity under satanic rule, emphasizing our need for Christ’s redemptive reign.

Key People Involved in the Tribulation Period

The Antichrist

The Antichrist will be the primary figure of opposition during the Tribulation period. He will rise to power as a charismatic leader who promises peace but instead brings widespread war and destruction.

Though his true identity remains a mystery, many believe he will come from a revitalized Roman Empire and make a seven-year covenant with Israel at the start of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27). This covenant will allow the Jewish people to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem.

However, after three and a half years, the Antichrist will break the covenant, invade Israel, and establish himself as a god to be worshiped (2 Thessalonians 2:4). He will have power to perform lying signs and wonders and will require people to take his mark on their right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell (Revelation 13:16-17).

However, the Antichrist’s reign of terror will be brought to an end when Jesus returns in power and glory to defeat him and his forces (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

The False Prophet

Working alongside the Antichrist will be the False Prophet, who promotes worship of the Antichrist and performs miraculous signs to deceive people (Revelation 13:11-14). He will set up an image of the Antichrist in the temple and require people to worship it under threat of death (Revelation 13:15).

The False Prophet will also institute the mark of the beast economic system. He will have power to give breath to the image of the beast so that it can speak, and he will order all those who refuse the mark to be killed (Revelation 13:15-17).

Just as the Antichrist will meet his end when Christ returns, the False Prophet will be captured and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

The Two Witnesses

In contrast to the evil work of the Antichrist and False Prophet, God will raise up two powerful witnesses to proclaim His truth during the Tribulation (Revelation 11:3-12). These two prophets will have power to prophesy for 1,260 days, protecting them from harm.

They will pronounce God’s judgment and miraculously provide water for drought and fire against their enemies. After they have testified for the appointed time, the Antichrist will be allowed to kill them.

However, after three and a half days, they will be resurrected and raptured up to heaven as the world watches in amazement. The courageous witness of these two prophets will contrast sharply with the lies and deception spread by the Antichrist and False Prophet.

Their resurrection will demonstrate God’s power even in the midst of terrible persecution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the tribulation period will be 7 years long according to the Bible. This will be a distressing time of God’s judgment on the earth, but will accomplish His purposes. Christians look forward to Christ’s return at the end to defeat evil and establish His millennial kingdom on earth.

This article provided a comprehensive overview of the duration, events, purposes, and key figures of the tribulation period.