What Is the Great Tribulation?
Bible Study Guide (Olivet Discourse – End Times Series)
Jesus continues His Olivet Discourse with a sobering and poignant reminder of where His previous warnings are pointing. This passage zooms in on the climax of the Tribulation and His unmistakable return. It is called the Great Tribulation.
This is the 3.5 year period which will occupy the second half of the seven year Tribulation. It falls between the moment the Antichrist sets up the “abomination that causes desolation” in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and the return of Christ at His Second Coming.
It’ll be earth’s worse days. Why is the Great Tribulation only 3.5 years and not the entire seven years of the Tribulation? Jesus gives us His powerful answer in this passage.
Echo Zero: The Day Time Was Cut Short
They called it Hell Phase.
A brutal 7-day survival training buried deep in the Alaskan wilderness, designed to simulate capture, isolation, and endurance. Echo Zero, an elite recon unit of 12 soldiers, had been selected. No gear. No contact. Sub-zero temperatures. A constant pursuit by mock enemy teams. Sleep deprivation. Hunger. Cold.
By Day 5, things were unraveling.
Frostbite had claimed one man’s fingers. Another collapsed from hypothermia. One began hallucinating and wandered off—nearly walking off a cliff. The commanding officer, Lt. Harrow, had never seen a breakdown this bad, this fast.
That night, high command reviewed real-time satellite feeds and vitals from hidden bio-monitors embedded in the unit’s suits.
The conclusion: “They won’t survive two more days. If we don’t intervene, we’ll have a body count—not just a lesson.”
At 0300 hours, a chopper was dispatched early, flying in low beneath radar. Lights pierced the dark as the Echo Zero unit collapsed at the LZ—barely able to stand.
Lt. Harrow asked why the exercise was ended early.
The reply: “The mission wasn’t failure—it was mercy. We watched, and we saw it coming. If the days hadn’t been cut short, no one would’ve made it.”
Unmatched Global Distress
(Verse 21) Just like Echo Zero, the world will face a tribulation it cannot endure. But God will intervene in mercy—not because we deserve it, but because His covenant promises demand it: a Jewish remnant must survive, and His Church must be removed before His wrath is poured out.
Jesus describes a time worse than anything humanity has ever experienced. This is a literal, prophetic event—not symbolic. It is a time of divine judgment and spiritual warfare.
The ancient prophet Daniel and the apostle John both wrote of this horrible event.
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” (Daniel 12:1)
I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14)
Time Shortened for the Elect
(Verse 22) This is one of the most powerful statements of divine mercy.
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:22)
Without God’s intervention, all human life would perish in the Great Tribulation. How dreadful those days will be for those inhabitants of earth. All those who’ve chosen to oppose God will suffer unspeakable judgment, both heavenly and self imposed.
Who are “the elect”?
The word “elect” is translated from the Greek word “eklektos.” And it can also be translated to “chosen.” Depending upon your Bible translation, you may have one or the other.
The “elect” Jesus is talking about here is the one-third Jewish remnant. This is the only group of people guaranteed by God’s promises that He’ll bring to the very end to survive the seven year Tribulation. They will gaze upon Christ at His return (Second Coming) and finally accept their Messiah.
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12:10)
“This third I will put into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” (Zechariah 13:9)
“For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:39)
This act of shortening this period of time ensures the one-third Jewish remnant survives for the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. This is one more truth that God has not forsaken nor abandoned His chosen people.
Today, God is restoring His people physically into the land of Israel. They have not yet been restored spiritually. This will come upon their survival of the shortened Great Tribulation and at the Second Coming of Christ.
Warnings Against False Messiahs
(Verses 23-26) Many will claim to be the Christ, performing signs and wonders. Jesus commands not to believe them. This aligns with one of Jesus’ earlier warnings.
“and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (Matthew 24:11)
All of this deception will be the catalyst to the “great falling away (apostasy)” from the true Christian faith. The deception will be so convincing that even the elect (Jewish Remnant) could be misled—if not for God’s protection.
Modern Parallel:
False teachers and spiritual influencer’s already mislead millions. From Catholicism to other world religions and false Christian churches, through a false teaching of Christ and twisting of God’s word, millions are falling away from biblical Christianity. This deception will reach its peak in the tribulation.
The Unmistakable Return of Christ
(Verse 27) It will be even greater than the most popular video going viral. When Christ returns at His Second Coming, ever single eye on the planet will see Him. Not a single soul will go without knowing that Christ has returned.
All of the scoffers that we’ve had to listen to throughout generations will be utterly silenced in their tracks.
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” (2 Peter 3:3)
The return of Christ at His Second Coming at the end of the Great Tribulation will be an entirely different event than Jesus’ return to gather His Church at the beginning of the Tribulation. These two separate events are not to be mistaken. See the comparison chart below.
“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)
His return will be global, sudden, and impossible to miss. It refutes the idea of a secret or hidden return. John echoes this truth in the book of Revelation.
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
Rapture vs. Second Coming Chart
| Rapture (Christ returns to gather Church) | Second Coming (Christ returns to judge and rule) |
| A mystery not revealed in the Old Testament. | An event that was revealed in the Old and New Testament. |
| Christ comes to gather His Church of believers. | Christ returns with His Church. |
| The Church meets Jesus in the air. | Jesus descends to earth at the Mt. of Olives. |
| Only the Church will see Him. | Every eye will see Him. |
| Christ’ return is imminent. | Christ will return seven years after the rapture. |
| No physical signs are needed to trigger the rapture. | Many signs will precede Christ’s Second Coming. |
| The Church is taken before the Tribulation. | Jesus and the Church return at the end of the Tribulation. |
| The Church-Age Saints are instantly transformed in resurrected bodies. | The Church-Age Saints have already been transformed at the Rapture. |
| Jesus comes with blessings. | Jesus comes with judgement. |
| Creation remains the same. | The curse on the earth is lifted. |
| Opens the door to the Tribulation. | Opens the door to the Millennial Kingdom and 1,000 year reign of Christ. |
The Great Tribulation Will Reflect the Worst of Death and Spiritual Decay
(Verse 28)
“Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” (Matthew 24:28)
This verse is a vivid proverb suggesting judgment, death, and spiritual decay. It foretells of many who will choose death over life, darkness over light. It also symbolizes the spiritual ruin of the world system at the time of Christ’s return.
Modern Day Challenge
➤ For Believers:
Be watchful and discerning (Matthew 24:42)
Don’t be deceived by signs or personalities.
Trust in God’s sovereign timing and mercy.
Proclaim the truth—many will be seeking answers.
➤ For Unbelievers:
These warnings are not myths—they are Jesus’ own words.
The time to repent is now. God’s mercy is still available.
Will you be ready when the real Christ returns?
Spiritual Reflection: Mercy in the Midst of Wrath
There is no mistaking the severity of what Jesus foretells—the world will face a time of distress so catastrophic, so widespread, that survival would be impossible if not for one thing: God’s intervention.
And yet, in the middle of this storm of judgment, we find a thread of divine mercy.
God shortens the days for the sake of the elect—not because they earned it, but because He promised it. His covenant-keeping love shines even when the sky turns black. This verse reveals something profound about God’s character.
👉 He is just enough to judge, and yet merciful enough to rescue.
When we feel overwhelmed by the brokenness of this world, when we see deception rising and darkness closing in, we must remember—God sees the limit of human endurance. And just as He shortens the days in the future, He also strengthens and preserves His people now.
Prayer
“Lord, thank You for Your mercy in the midst of warnings of coming judgment. Help me to trust Your timing, rest in Your promises, and endure with faith, knowing You are faithful to preserve those who belong to You.”
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