Timeline of the Tribulation
David J. Nixon
The following is an attempt to set down the major events surrounding the 70th Week of Daniel, which many people commonly refer to as the “Tribulation Period”. The Lord Jesus only spoke of a 3.5 year Great Tribulation so our conception of a 7 year Tribulation Period comes from a synthesis of the terms of Jesus and content of Daniel in his 70 Weeks prophecy. For the purposes of this timeline we will be a little less precise and use the popular parlance instead, since we are going for a simple overview here rather than a deeper study.
This has been intended as a very simple and humble attempt to guide you through the big picture of Bible eschatology taking you through the Pre-Millennial interpretation of the many scriptures on these matters when interpreted in a straightforward and responsible literal fashion as far as is possible in the passages. There is a degree of uncertainty regarding the precise timing of some of these events but this is an attempt to put together something that would reflect the broad understanding and interpretation of the relevant scriptures, and where there are equally valid derivations possible they normally are recognised in the article.
Before the Tribulation:
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Gog Magog War (Ezekiel 38 & 39) – this attack by an alliance of Russia, Turkey, Iran, and other Arab nations will be drawn into battle against an unsuspecting Israel only to be thwarted by divine intervention on her behalf. The likely outcome of this short-lived war will be the restoration of a spiritual consciousness to Israel in light of her miraculous deliverance. Notice that the conspicuous absence of Syria in this alliance implies that the prophecy regarding the destruction of Damascus is fulfilled before this war (Isaiah 17:1)
Gog Magog War (Ezekiel 38 & 39) – this attack by an alliance of Russia, Turkey, Iran, and other Arab nations will be drawn into battle against an unsuspecting Israel only to be thwarted by divine intervention on her behalf. The likely outcome of this short-lived war will be the restoration of a spiritual consciousness to Israel in light of her miraculous deliverance. Notice that the conspicuous absence of Syria in this alliance implies that the prophecy regarding the destruction of Damascus is fulfilled before this war (Isaiah 17:1)•Rapture of the Church (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8a) – taking the Holy Spirit as the “Restrainer” then it follows that if the Antichrist is to rise into power then the church must be removed before he is able to be revealed. Arguably he is not revealed until the Abomination of Desolation so this could happen any time up until the mid-point of the Tribulation.
Rapture of the Church (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8a) – taking the Holy Spirit as the “Restrainer” then it follows that if the Antichrist is to rise into power then the church must be removed before he is able to be revealed. Arguably he is not revealed until the Abomination of Desolation so this could happen any time up until the mid-point of the Tribulation.•Rise into power of the Antichrist (Daniel 7:23-24) – before Antichrist can make any agreement with Israel he must be in a position of power so it logically follows that his political ascent in the revived-Roman kingdom must begin at some point before the 70th week can begin. He will arise out from among 10 kings who will give their authority to the Antichrist to rule, despite his being somehow different to them in power initially.
Rise into power of the Antichrist (Daniel 7:23-24) – before Antichrist can make any agreement with Israel he must be in a position of power so it logically follows that his political ascent in the revived-Roman kingdom must begin at some point before the 70th week can begin. He will arise out from among 10 kings who will give their authority to the Antichrist to rule, despite his being somehow different to them in power initially.Commencement of the Tribulation:
•Peace with Israel (Daniel (9:27a) – Antichrist will make an agreement with Israel for 7 years, likely negotiating some peace settlement in the region, as he is depicted as being a conqueror through peace initially (Revelation 6:2). It will appear as a time of peace and security in Israel, although the same cannot be said for the rest of the world (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
Peace with Israel (Daniel (9:27a) – Antichrist will make an agreement with Israel for 7 years, likely negotiating some peace settlement in the region, as he is depicted as being a conqueror through peace initially (Revelation 6:2). It will appear as a time of peace and security in Israel, although the same cannot be said for the rest of the world (1 Thessalonians 5:3)First Half of the Tribulation:
•Scroll and Trumpet Judgements (Revelation 6,8 & 9) – God desires that mankind might repent from their sins and in wishing to break our stubborn will sends plagues of judgement on the world symbolised by a series of 7 Seals and 7 Trumpets. The cumulative effect of these judgements is horrifying because a major proportion of the world’s population will be wiped out by them and the global economy will face greater strain than it ever has done before with large proportions of vital industries destroyed. Jesus seems to indicate that these signs are only the beginning of the troubles of the Tribulation period (Matthew 24:4-8). Worse is still to come as Jesus warns that unless the still to come judgements were cut short that no flesh would survive (Matthew 24:22).
Scroll and Trumpet Judgements (Revelation 6,8 & 9) – God desires that mankind might repent from their sins and in wishing to break our stubborn will sends plagues of judgement on the world symbolised by a series of 7 Seals and 7 Trumpets. The cumulative effect of these judgements is horrifying because a major proportion of the world’s population will be wiped out by them and the global economy will face greater strain than it ever has done before with large proportions of vital industries destroyed. Jesus seems to indicate that these signs are only the beginning of the troubles of the Tribulation period (Matthew 24:4-8). Worse is still to come as Jesus warns that unless the still to come judgements were cut short that no flesh would survive (Matthew 24:22).•144,000 Jewish Evangelists and 2 Witnesses (Revelation 7 & 11) – 2 Witnesses will be raised up to prophesy for a period of 42 months which is the equivalent of half of the Tribulation’s length. It is unclear about when their time of testimony will run but as it is made clear that it is the Antichrist who will make war against them and kill them in Jerusalem before they are bodily resurrected and raptured 3.5 days later (Revelation 11:7-9). As a result their deaths will occur sometime around the mid-point of the Tribulation and their ministry must therefore run throughout the first half of the Tribulation Period. They will be aided on mass by 144,000 Jews who will be sealed by God to spread the Gospel, although whether they will be concentrated globally or only in Israel is unclear. If there is no church present due to the rapture then this would strongly imply a global ministry.
144,000 Jewish Evangelists and 2 Witnesses (Revelation 7 & 11) – 2 Witnesses will be raised up to prophesy for a period of 42 months which is the equivalent of half of the Tribulation’s length. It is unclear about when their time of testimony will run but as it is made clear that it is the Antichrist who will make war against them and kill them in Jerusalem before they are bodily resurrected and raptured 3.5 days later (Revelation 11:7-9). As a result their deaths will occur sometime around the mid-point of the Tribulation and their ministry must therefore run throughout the first half of the Tribulation Period. They will be aided on mass by 144,000 Jews who will be sealed by God to spread the Gospel, although whether they will be concentrated globally or only in Israel is unclear. If there is no church present due to the rapture then this would strongly imply a global ministry.Mid-Point of the Tribulation:
•War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-12) – Satan and his demons engage in war against the Archangel Michael and the angels in Heaven, but they are defeated causing them to be permanently barred access from the throne to accuse the saints. Instead they are thrown down to Earth and Satan - aware that time is short before the Lord returns to complete his redemptive work – must attempt to stop God’s redemptive programme by preventing Israel fulfilling the prophecy of recognising Jesus and declaring “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 23:39).
War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-12) – Satan and his demons engage in war against the Archangel Michael and the angels in Heaven, but they are defeated causing them to be permanently barred access from the throne to accuse the saints. Instead they are thrown down to Earth and Satan - aware that time is short before the Lord returns to complete his redemptive work – must attempt to stop God’s redemptive programme by preventing Israel fulfilling the prophecy of recognising Jesus and declaring “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 23:39).•Empowering of the Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-5) – Antichrist apparently is healed or even potentially stages a false resurrection causing the world to marvel at this miracle which is really a direct act of Satan who now directly empowers the Antichrist and gives him authority to rule for the final half of the Tribulation. At this same time the False Prophet will command the worship of Antichrist by the peoples of the world and initiate the Mark of the Beast and Image worship system to facilitate this and destroy those who refuse to worship (Revelation 13:11-18).
Empowering of the Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-5) – Antichrist apparently is healed or even potentially stages a false resurrection causing the world to marvel at this miracle which is really a direct act of Satan who now directly empowers the Antichrist and gives him authority to rule for the final half of the Tribulation. At this same time the False Prophet will command the worship of Antichrist by the peoples of the world and initiate the Mark of the Beast and Image worship system to facilitate this and destroy those who refuse to worship (Revelation 13:11-18).•The Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27; 12:11; Matthew 24:15-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) – a Satanically empowered Antichrist will take away the sacrifices in the Temple, declare himself to be god and turn on Israel breaking his 7 year agreement with them (Daniel 9:27). The Image of the Beast will likely be set up on the wing of the Temple and worship commanded of it as it is given power to speak through some demonic manifestation of a voice (Revelation 13:15). Sometime around this time the Antichrist will kill the 2 witnesses, but they will 3.5 days later be resurrected and carried into Heaven, an event that will be broadcast to the world and Jerusalem will be rocked with an earthquake subsequently (Revelation 11:7-13)
The Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27; 12:11; Matthew 24:15-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) – a Satanically empowered Antichrist will take away the sacrifices in the Temple, declare himself to be god and turn on Israel breaking his 7 year agreement with them (Daniel 9:27). The Image of the Beast will likely be set up on the wing of the Temple and worship commanded of it as it is given power to speak through some demonic manifestation of a voice (Revelation 13:15). Sometime around this time the Antichrist will kill the 2 witnesses, but they will 3.5 days later be resurrected and carried into Heaven, an event that will be broadcast to the world and Jerusalem will be rocked with an earthquake subsequently (Revelation 11:7-13)•War against Israel and the Believers commences (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:13-17; Revelation 13:7) – Satan seeking to destroy Israel will be thwarted by God providing an escape for her into the desert (as Jesus warned she must flee to the mountains: Matthew 24:16), although Zechariah 14:2 suggests that only half of Jerusalem’s inhabitants will escape. They will likely head into the Jordanian desert to the mountain fortress of Petra which appears to be exempt from the Antichrist’s influence (Daniel 11:41). Frustrated by this intervention and inability to stop those escaping into the desert Satan will instead turn against the remnant of the Church in the world, who will not be able to take the Mark of the Beast nor worship the Image. Many Christians will be beheaded for their refusal to back down from their faith and testimony in Christ (Revelation 20:4).
War against Israel and the Believers commences (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:13-17; Revelation 13:7) – Satan seeking to destroy Israel will be thwarted by God providing an escape for her into the desert (as Jesus warned she must flee to the mountains: Matthew 24:16), although Zechariah 14:2 suggests that only half of Jerusalem’s inhabitants will escape. They will likely head into the Jordanian desert to the mountain fortress of Petra which appears to be exempt from the Antichrist’s influence (Daniel 11:41). Frustrated by this intervention and inability to stop those escaping into the desert Satan will instead turn against the remnant of the Church in the world, who will not be able to take the Mark of the Beast nor worship the Image. Many Christians will be beheaded for their refusal to back down from their faith and testimony in Christ (Revelation 20:4).Last Half of the Tribulation:
•The Bowls of Wrath Judgements (Revelation 15 & 16) – Looking at the progression of the warnings given by the 3 angels in Revelation 14:6-11 this seems like the probable order as the Bowl of Wrath judgements begin as God still continues to desire mankind to repent but they run into league with Satan and the Antichrist taking the Mark of the Beast.
The Bowls of Wrath Judgements (Revelation 15 & 16) – Looking at the progression of the warnings given by the 3 angels in Revelation 14:6-11 this seems like the probable order as the Bowl of Wrath judgements begin as God still continues to desire mankind to repent but they run into league with Satan and the Antichrist taking the Mark of the Beast.•Destruction of the Harlot of Babylon (Revelation 17) – As the aforementioned events take place the angel reports that the Antichrist turns on a religious organisation with global reach and dominion over many peoples. It seems that the prophecy refers to Rome, the city on 7 hills and perhaps even to its religious centre the Vatican or some other global religious grouping that will in the future be based there. The Antichrist and those of his kingdom are said to be jealous of the power and reach of this religious organisation and will use her and betray her, causing her complete destruction
Destruction of the Harlot of Babylon (Revelation 17) – As the aforementioned events take place the angel reports that the Antichrist turns on a religious organisation with global reach and dominion over many peoples. It seems that the prophecy refers to Rome, the city on 7 hills and perhaps even to its religious centre the Vatican or some other global religious grouping that will in the future be based there. The Antichrist and those of his kingdom are said to be jealous of the power and reach of this religious organisation and will use her and betray her, causing her complete destruction•Destruction of Economic Babylon (Revelation 18) – The economic system of the Antichrist is identified with Babylon, which could very well refer to Rome, Jerusalem or another city which the Antichrist adopts as the centre for his kingdom. Particular judgement is reserved against its decadence and she will be destroyed by divine judgement in a single day (Revelation 18:8). This particular judgement will cause global sadness and people suffer the collapse and lose of their economic riches and materialistic lifestyles.
Destruction of Economic Babylon (Revelation 18) – The economic system of the Antichrist is identified with Babylon, which could very well refer to Rome, Jerusalem or another city which the Antichrist adopts as the centre for his kingdom. Particular judgement is reserved against its decadence and she will be destroyed by divine judgement in a single day (Revelation 18:8). This particular judgement will cause global sadness and people suffer the collapse and lose of their economic riches and materialistic lifestyles.•Battle of Armageddon (Daniel 11:40-45; Revelation 16:12-16; 19:19-21) – With the 6th Bowl Judgement drying up the River Euphrates the eastern powers are able to cross over to meet the Antichrist’s forces gathered in Israel’s Valley of Jezreel on the Plain of Esraelon. It is here that they will engage in battle around Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-4) until Jesus returns in the Second Coming to the Mount of Olives. The protected place in the desert for Israel is believed to be in the Jordanian desert in the land of Edom which is specifically excluded from the Antichrist’s grasp in this final battle (Daniel 11:41).
Battle of Armageddon (Daniel 11:40-45; Revelation 16:12-16; 19:19-21) – With the 6th Bowl Judgement drying up the River Euphrates the eastern powers are able to cross over to meet the Antichrist’s forces gathered in Israel’s Valley of Jezreel on the Plain of Esraelon. It is here that they will engage in battle around Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-4) until Jesus returns in the Second Coming to the Mount of Olives. The protected place in the desert for Israel is believed to be in the Jordanian desert in the land of Edom which is specifically excluded from the Antichrist’s grasp in this final battle (Daniel 11:41).•The Second Coming and Destruction of Antichrist and False Prophet (Revelation 19:19-21)- Jesus will destroy the armies of the Antichrist with His words, while casting both Antichrist and False Prophet into the Lake of Fire. He will establish the Millennial Kingdom reigning from Jerusalem and judge the nations of the world who have survived the Tribulation, a process that will take several weeks (Daniel 12:12). Those who have died during the Tribulation will be resurrected to reign with Christ, alongside the raptured Church who will have returned with Christ as His army (Revelation 20:4; Revelation 19:14)
The Second Coming and Destruction of Antichrist and False Prophet (Revelation 19:19-21)- Jesus will destroy the armies of the Antichrist with His words, while casting both Antichrist and False Prophet into the Lake of Fire. He will establish the Millennial Kingdom reigning from Jerusalem and judge the nations of the world who have survived the Tribulation, a process that will take several weeks (Daniel 12:12). Those who have died during the Tribulation will be resurrected to reign with Christ, alongside the raptured Church who will have returned with Christ as His army (Revelation 20:4; Revelation 19:14)Millennial Kingdom:
•Imprisonment and Subsequent Loosing of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3; 7-10) – Satan is bound in the bottomless pit for 1000 years to allow the nations of the world that will be restored during the Kingdom age to live free from deception. However, they will still have to grapple with the sinful condition that they will continue to inherit from their parents (survivors of the Tribulation Period who did not take the Mark of the Beast) because they will not have been resurrected into their incorruptible eternal bodies at this point. Their ability to sin means that at the end of the Millennium when Satan is again loosed for a short time that many will rebel against Christ and be judged along with Satan by being cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. Then all the dead will be resurrected and judged at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15) and all whose names are not recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life are cast into the Lake of Fire also. Hereafter, a New Heaven and New Earth will be created for all of eternity (Revelation 21:1).
Imprisonment and Subsequent Loosing of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3; 7-10) – Satan is bound in the bottomless pit for 1000 years to allow the nations of the world that will be restored during the Kingdom age to live free from deception. However, they will still have to grapple with the sinful condition that they will continue to inherit from their parents (survivors of the Tribulation Period who did not take the Mark of the Beast) because they will not have been resurrected into their incorruptible eternal bodies at this point. Their ability to sin means that at the end of the Millennium when Satan is again loosed for a short time that many will rebel against Christ and be judged along with Satan by being cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. Then all the dead will be resurrected and judged at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15) and all whose names are not recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life are cast into the Lake of Fire also. Hereafter, a New Heaven and New Earth will be created for all of eternity (Revelation 21:1).
Third Temple
