Bible prophecy topic

The Great Tribulation

The time of trouble, the abomination of desolation, and the saints. 11 questions, each answered from the books of Apostle Mary Banks with the scriptures it rests on.

• What is the Great Tribulation?

  The Great Tribulation is the final three and a half years before Christ's return, when the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, sets up the abomination of desolation in the temple, and unleashes fierce persecution against both Israel and the Church, distinct from the later outpouring of God's wrath.

• How long is the Tribulation?

  Scripture describes the Tribulation as a seven year period, made up of two halves of three and a half years each: the beginning of sorrows and then the Great Tribulation.

• What is the abomination of desolation?

  The abomination of desolation is the idol image of the Antichrist that will be set up in the Holy of Holies of the rebuilt Jerusalem temple, demanding worship from the world and stopping the daily sacrifices.

• What is the patience of the saints?

  The patience of the saints is the God given capacity to righteously endure persecution, trials, and tribulation without murmuring, while keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, all the way to the end of the church age, even through the time of the mark of the beast.

• Why are the saints persecuted by the Antichrist?

  Scripture teaches that the Antichrist persecutes the saints because they refuse to worship him or receive his mark, and because God allows this season of trial to test, purge, and purify His people before the end.

• What is the difference between tribulation and the wrath of God?

  Tribulation is the trial of the saints through persecution, affliction, and hardship that produces patience and faith, while the wrath of God is His vengeance and judgment poured out specifically on the wicked, unrepentant world, not on His people.

• Will believers be protected during the Tribulation?

  Believers will be present on earth during the great tribulation and will suffer real persecution, even martyrdom, but Scripture teaches that God protects His people from His own wrath, even while judgment falls on the ungodly around them.

• Why will people hide in caves from the face of the Lord?

  People will hide in caves and among the rocks because the great day of the Lord's wrath will have come, and they will be terrified to stand before the face of Him who sits on the throne and before the wrath of the Lamb.

• What is the great multitude that comes out of great tribulation?

  The great multitude that comes out of great tribulation is the Church, the redeemed people of God from every nation who stand before the throne in white robes, having washed those robes in the blood of the Lamb.

• What is the seventieth week of Daniel?

  The seventieth week of Daniel is the final seven year period in which the antichrist makes a covenant with Israel, then breaks it halfway through to bring the abomination of desolation and the Great Tribulation.

• How should a believer endure persecution in the last days?

  A believer endures last days persecution by developing the patience of the saints, refusing to worship the beast or take his mark, trusting the Father's will above self reliance, and embracing the fellowship of Christ's sufferings rather than being offended by them.