What is the Great Tribulation? Understanding the Biblical Meaning of Thlipsis

Many of you are familiar with the Great Tribulation (NIV Distress) that Jesus warned about in Matthew 24:21, an event triggered by the “Abomination of Desolation.” But what does the term Great Tribulation mean? What will occur during that period? Here is the text we are analyzing:

The Biblical Definition: What Does "Great Tribulation" Mean?

¹⁵ “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, ¹⁸ and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. ¹⁹ And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! ²⁰ Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be (Matthew 24:15-21. ESV: emphasis added).

The Greek word for "Tribulation" is "Thlipsis" (since the New Testament was originally written in Greek and later translated into English). My Key Word Study Bible helps me explore its application across different passages. The term means “to crush, press, compress, or squeeze,” and also pertains to “tribulation, trouble, and affliction.” It conjures the image of being squeezed or crushed under a heavy burden, illustrating both severe physical pain and mental or spiritual anguish.

Thlipsis in Action: Lessons from the Early Church

Examining how this word appears in various Bible passages will shed light on what God's people should expect following the event Jesus called the Abomination of Desolation (which we will explore tomorrow). In Acts 8:1, there is mention of a “great persecution” that happened after Stephen's martyrdom. Here’s the text:

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1).

Later in Acts 11:19, this persecution is called a 'thlipsis,' the same Greek word Jesus used in Matthew 24:21 to describe end-times events (The Tribulation). Here is the text:

Now, those who had been scattered by the persecution (thlipseos) that broke out after Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews (Acts 11:19).

Perseverance in Trials: How Paul Viewed Tribulation

Finally, the Apostle Paul employed the same Greek word when he wrote to the Thessalonian church regarding the persecution they were experiencing:

Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials (thlipsesin) you are enduring (2 Thessalonians 1:4).

How to Prepare Your Heart for the End Times

To prepare for the upcoming Great Tribulation and the persecution it will bring, it’s essential to develop a close relationship with the Lord. When the Tribulation arrives, it will be a time of worldwide persecution against those serving the God of Israel. I believe (though I may be mistaken) that this persecution will specifically target all who refuse to accept the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16-17) or worship his image. We should not assume that the Lord will rescue us before the Tribulation; rather, we must ready our hearts to endure it. The Bible does not describe the Tribulation as God's wrath. That wrath is unleashed only after the Church is taken up, which happens sometime during the Great Tribulation (No man knows the day nor the hour), but sometime after the Abomination of Desolation occurs at the midpoint of the seven-year period (Luke 17:26-30; Matthew 24:29-31; Daniel 9:27). Let's deepen our dependence on Jesus and trust in Him. If you're interested in learning more about this topic, Access 23 Free Revelation Bible Studies, all freely available on mobile devices.

How to Apply This Today

Understanding the Great Tribulation isn't just about timelines; it’s about spiritual resilience. Here is how you can apply the concept of Thlipsis (the "crushing pressure") to your life right now:

1. Build Your "Pressure" Tolerance: Just as a muscle grows under the weight of a heavy load, our faith grows under trial. Don't pray only for the removal of your burdens; pray for the strength to stand firm under them.

2. Audit Your Dependence: Ask yourself, "If I lost my physical comforts tomorrow (as mentioned in Matthew 24:17), would my faith remain intact?" Start practicing daily dependence on prayer rather than just your resources.

3. Study the 'Why': The early church didn't just survive persecution; they used it to spread the Gospel (Acts 11:19). When you feel "squeezed" by life, look for the opportunity to share your hope with someone else who is struggling. Keith Thomas

   
   

Continue Your Journey…

To keep up with our daily meditations on the Second Coming of Christ, consider bookmarking the link below for all our free 3-minute Bible meditations in English:

https://www.groupbiblestudy.com/devotionals

The full study on this topic is titled “The Rapture and Day of the Lord.” The video teaching is found at the following link: https://youtu.be/55VR6a8P9Bo