My Dictionary of Evangelical Theology defines the “Great Tribulation” is this way: The expression is found in Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22; 7:14 and “serves to identify the eschatological [referring to the end of the world, p.h.] form of tribulation. These words are Jesus’ description of a worldwide, unprecedented time of trouble that will usher in the parousia [the second coming, p.h.], Jesus’ return to earth in great glory… This period of time will be initiated by the “abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15) predicted in Dan. 9:27, a desecration of the “holy place”… Jesus gives specific instructions to inhabitants of Judea for their escape and warns that the intensity of its calamities would almost decimate all of life” (pg. 521).
In Matthew 24, Jesus is teaching in the temple of Jerusalem. He has severely criticized the religious leaders for their self-centeredness and hypocrisy (Matt. 23). In that context, Jesus tells them: “Behold, your house is being left unto you desolate (vs 38).” He had said in verse 36: “Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” Take note of that verse, because it will serve as a “bookend” with 24:34. These bookends show that everything between these two verses refer to this desolation of the house of God in Jerusalem.
Questions pour from the lips of the apostles about the temple in Jerusalem (Matt. 24:3), once they reach the Mount of Olives: “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” If you and I were sitting in the Mall in Washington, D. C. and Jesus had said those words to us, would we not think that: either the end of the world was coming or the end of the “American Age” was coming? The end of something was coming!
So, Jesus begins to answer these questions of His disciples, to give them words of encouragement, words of warning, words of hope. In verses 9, 21, and again in verse 29, Jesus uses the word “tribulation.” The context demands that we understand this tribulation to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem.
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As far as the historical record is concerned, when the Roman armies came against Jerusalem in A. D. 70, led by their commander, General Titus, not a single Christian was killed in that destruction, having listened to and obeyed Jesus Christ.
No one knows when Jesus is coming. There will be no signs of the second coming. Jesus warned His disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem with signs (24:32-33). But of the second coming, there will be no sign (24:42). Let us be faithful and fruitful until He returns.
–Paul Holland
