Who Will Survive the Great Tribulation According to Jesus?
Bible Study Guide (Olivet Discourse – End Times Series)
We just finished exploring the facts around the “abomination that causes desolation.” This ground shattering event will trigger the great tribulation. Let’s look closely at the need for urgency in the next several verses. Jesus offers advice for those who’ll become Satan’s direct target.
What Is the Great Tribulation?
The Great Tribulation is a future period of unparalleled global distress, judgment, and persecution, as described in multiple Bible passages—most notably by Jesus in Matthew 24:15-22, and expanded upon in Revelation, Daniel, and other prophetic texts.
This is also going to be a period known as the earth’s worse days. A time when the phrase “hell on earth” will reach its climax. It’ll be a time of human suffering worse than anything in history.
Jesus himself coined the phrase, “the great tribulation” when He described this unique time of suffering that would come upon the earth and its sinful inhabitants left behind after the rapture.
“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
We’ll get into more details on this in upcoming verses of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse.
Jesus’ First Great Tribulation Warning
(Verse 16) Jesus just explained that the man known as the Antichrist will enter the Jewish temple, exalt himself as God, and demand to be worshiped. Jesus wastes no time in giving the Jews this ominous warning, “Let the reader understand…”
“then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:16)
Jesus is direct and to the point. Run for your lives! But why? The antichrist who is the abomination that causes desolation is going to turn on the Jews. He’s going to go after the one thing that Satan hates the most. God and His chosen people. Since he’s powerless against God, he’ll go after the Jews who refuse to worship him in their own Jewish Temple.
Jesus speaks to the Jews of Judea. Judea is a region in southern Israel that encompasses the city of Jerusalem. Biblically, Judea has always been associated with Jerusalem.
The tribe of Judah originally settled in the land God apportioned to them, alongside the other eleven tribes. In the Old Testament, Judah and Jerusalem formed the southern kingdom of Israel after the kingdom divided following King Solomon’s reign.
Jesus is clear. He doesn’t tell them to consider fleeing. He tells them to flee.
The Jewish Remnant Will Be Saved
It’s important to remember that God’s purpose for His people in Israel is to bring a Remnant (one-third of the Jews) through the great tribulation. This Remnant will survive the entire seven year tribulation period. At the end, they will look upon Jesus at His Second Coming and accept Him as their Messiah.
Then, this Remnant will enter the 1000 year reign of Christ in their bodies of flesh. In order for this to occur, they must be protected from the earth’s worse days in the second half (3.5 years) of the tribulation.
According to Revelation, learn who else will survive the great tribulation.
A Mountain Refuge From the Great Tribulation
What mountains does Jesus hint at in this verse? Many Bible prophecy scholars associate the “mountains” Jesus referred to in Matthew 24:16 with Petra, the ancient rock city in modern-day Jordan. Here’s a breakdown of the biblical support, prophetic connections, and reasons why Petra is a likely candidate.
Why do many believe the “mountains” point to the ancient city of Petra? First, let’s look at its geographic location.
Petra is located east of Israel, in the mountains of Edom, modern-day southern Jordan. It’s reachable by fleeing Jews from Judea, possibly across the Jordan River and through the wilderness. Surrounded by high cliffs and only accessible by narrow passageways (like the Siq), Petra is easily defensible.
The Revelation Connection
The book of Revelation teaches us that Israel will flee to a prepared place.
“The woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God…”
“…to be taken care of for a time, times and half a time [3.5 years – Great Tribulation]…”
(Revelation 12:6, 14)
Here in Revelation 12, the “woman” symbolizes Israel. She flees into the wilderness during the Great Tribulation (same event Jesus spoke of). Many believe Petra may be this God-prepared place of protection.
The Isaiah, Moab and Petra Connections
Isaiah 16:1–4 speaks of people fleeing to the rock city (Send lambs as tribute… to the rock of the wilderness…) in Moab (ancient Edom/Moab = modern Jordan). “Rock of the wilderness” is seen by many as a veiled reference to Petra. The destroyer = the Antichrist.
Petra also holds strategic and symbolic value. It’s a fortress carved into rock, hidden and protected. In a spiritual sense, it mirrors God being a “rock” and a “refuge” throughout the Psalms.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)
It likely represents God’s supernatural protection of His people during the last half of the Tribulation.
The Daniel Connection
Daniel the prophet gives the second oldest prophetic clue after Isaiah the prophet that Petra could be the city of refuge for the Jewish remnant during the great tribulation.
“He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.” (Daniel 11:41)
“He” is the Antichrist (context in Daniel 11:36–45). “Glorious Land” is the land of Israel.
As the Antichrist invades Israel, Edom, Moab, and Ammon escape his domination. These are all ancient territories in modern-day Jordan, Petra lies in the heart of Edom.
Again, this suggests God supernaturally withholds these areas from his control, possibly as a refuge for the Jewish remnant.
While the Bible does not explicitly name Petra, the connections are strong, especially when viewed through the lens of prophetic Scripture in Daniel, Isaiah, Revelation, and Jesus’ own words. At the very least, Petra symbolizes the type of refuge God will provide for the Jewish remnant during the darkest time in Israel’s history.
Prophetic Scriptures Pointing to Petra as a Place of Refuge
| Scripture | Key Prophetic Detail | Connection to Petra / Edom |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 11:41 | “Edom, Moab, and Ammon will escape his hand.” | Petra is located in ancient Edom, which escapes the Antichrist’s control—suggesting divine protection. |
| Matthew 24:15–16 | “When you see the abomination… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” | Jesus commands urgent flight; Petra, being in the mountains east of Judea, is a logical destination. |
| Revelation 12:6, 14 | “The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared by God… to be nourished for 1,260 days.” | “The woman” represents Israel. Petra fits as the wilderness refuge where she is protected during the second half of the Tribulation. |
| Isaiah 16:1–4 | “Let the outcasts of Moab dwell with you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer.” | Speaks to a refuge in Moab (Jordan) for fleeing outcasts—seen by many as a direct reference to Petra being a hiding place. |
| Isaiah 63:1–4 | “Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with garments stained in blood?” | Christ returns from Edom/Bozrah—near Petra—possibly after rescuing His people and judging His enemies in that region. |
| Micah 2:12–13 | “I will surely gather the remnant of Israel… they will break through the gate and go out.” | Implies the gathering and release of a remnant from a confined place—possibly Petra—when Christ returns. |
The Urgency of Jesus Warnings
(Verses 17-18)
“Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.” (Matthew 24:17-18)
The urgency in Jesus’ warnings leaves no room for anything but to flee. When they hear of the abomination that causes desolation in the Jewish Temple, they’re instructed not to even grab their coat on the way out of the house. This is extreme urgency.
Jesus warns people in Judea to immediately flee to the mountains when the Antichrist defiles the temple. This especially concerns the Jewish people living in Israel at that time.
Jeremiah the prophet calls it — “The time of Jacob’s trouble.” (Jeremiah 30:7)
Zechariah spoke more specifically about what would occur during the great tribulation.
“In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
“two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
yet one-third will be left in it.
9 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 13:8-9)
Zechariah speaks from God about refining and redeeming a remnant of Israel during this period.
Compassion and Urgency for Mothers
(Verse 19) The urgency to flee Judea will be so critical that the stress of the situation will hinder women who are pregnant and nursing babies.
Jesus expresses compassion and sorrow for those most physically vulnerable during this time of urgent escape. Pregnant women and nursing mothers will face extreme difficulty fleeing quickly, hiding, or surviving harsh conditions.
This verse highlights how sudden and dangerous the situation will be. It points to the inhumanity and brutality of the coming persecution from the Antichrist after the abomination that causes desolation.
Luke also laments the gravity of this situation in his own gospel.
“How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.” (Luke 21:23)
Pray the Great Tribulation Doesn’t Occur in Winter or On the Sabbath
(Verse 20) The nation of Israel experiences a vast weather climate. From tropical conditions to harsh winters, the land of Israel is unique in this way. This is why it is the exporter of the widest range of fruits and vegetables in the world.
Israel winters can be brutal. Fleeing in winter in Israel would mean exposure to cold, snow, and limited shelter.
If the Jews had to flee on the Sabbath, it wouldn’t be any easier. In Jewish law, travel is restricted on the Sabbath. Gates may be closed, and public services stopped—making flight harder. Many people enjoy coming to the city of Jerusalem on the Sabbath to witness the unique rituals and traditions that are performed. This crowds could make travel even more strenuous.
Again, Jesus is speaking specifically to Jews in Israel, who would still observe Sabbath restrictions at the time of this event. It shows that God’s people are expected to be spiritually watchful and prayerful, even about the timing of prophetic events.
It reinforces the idea that while God’s sovereignty is certain, prayer is still powerful and meaningful.
Theological and Prophetic Takeaways
| Insight | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Physical hardship will amplify spiritual testing | Even natural conditions (weather, pregnancy, religious law) will compound the pressure of this time. |
| Jesus is warning Jews in Judea | The reference to Sabbath laws shows this is aimed at Israel, not the Church (who is likely raptured by this point). |
| Prayer still matters in prophecy | Jesus instructs them to pray—this underscores that even in the face of God-ordained events, our response matters. |
| This event is literal and future | The specifics of geography, physical conditions, and Jewish customs show this is not symbolic—it’s a real, future escape event during the Great Tribulation. |
How Long Is the Great Tribulation and How Does It Relate to the Seven Year Tribulation?
The Great Tribulation = second half (3.5 years) of the 7-year Tribulation. Based on Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 11–13, the total tribulation period is seven years, divided into two halves.
The Great Tribulation begins at the midpoint, when the Antichrist commits the “abomination that causes desolation.”
What Is the Great Tribulation Timeline?
Will Christians Go Through the Great Tribulation?
Christians will be raptured before the 7-year Tribulation begins. No, Christians will not go through the Great Tribulation or any part of the the seven year tribulation for that matter.
The scriptures that support this fact are as follows:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – The Lord descends, and the Church is “caught up (raptured).”
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – Jesus “rescues us from the coming wrath.”
- Revelation 3:10 – “I will keep you from the hour of trial.”
- The Church is not mentioned during Revelation chapters 6–18 (which describe the Tribulation).
- In alignment with Bible facts, in Revelation 4:2, John is temporarily raptured between the letters to the seven churches and the beginning of the tribulation. This is a foreshadowing of the actual pre-tribulation rapture.
Believers are removed before God’s wrath is poured out upon a sinful and unrepenting mankind.
Purpose of the Great Tribulation
- To save a Remnant (one-third) of the Jews.
- To Judge a Christ-rejecting world (Revelation 6–18)
- To break Israel’s pride and bring them to repentance (Ezekiel 20:34–38)
- To prepare the world for the return of Christ as King (Matthew 24:30, Revelation 19)
Hope Beyond the Great Tribulation
- Jesus will return at the end of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 19).
- He will defeat the Antichrist and establish His Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6).
- Those who endure and trust in Christ will be saved (Matthew 24:13, Revelation 7:14).
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