Great Tribulation, when?

By Nick Bibile

“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 24:21

The word tribulation means suffering, affliction, distress—an extremely difficult and painful time. Most Christians agree that there will be a great tribulation. The division arises over when it will occur and who will experience it.

Some believe that Christians will not go through the tribulation because the rapture will occur beforehand. Others believe that the tribulation already took place during the time of Emperor Nero. Still others hold that believers will go through the great tribulation, and only afterward will the end come.

These differences stem from how one interprets the “last days,” or what theologians call eschatology—the study of end-time events. On this subject, there is no universally agreed-upon, precise timeline. Faithful believers have come to different conclusions.

Because of this, my advice to all Christians is simple: be prepared for the worst.

I once heard a story about a missionary who told young believers not to worry about tribulation, assuring them that the rapture would take them away before any suffering came. These young Christians were filled with joy and confidence. However, after the missionary returned to his home country, persecution broke out against them. Expecting escape, they instead faced suffering. Many were deeply shaken, and some even began to doubt their faith.

This serves as a sobering reminder: if our expectations are misplaced, our faith can be weakened when trials come. That is why we must prepare ourselves—not for ease, but for endurance.

Now, here is my personal view.

When Jesus said:

“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 24:21),

I do not believe He was referring to Nero’s persecution. Rather, I believe He was pointing to a future event—a tribulation unlike anything the world has ever seen.

Consider also:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).

These cosmic signs did not occur after Nero’s time. This suggests that the tribulation Jesus described is still future. We do not know exactly when it will begin—it may be connected with the Antichrist—but we are called to be ready.

Even in the darkest hour, there is hope. At the end of this tribulation, Christ will come.

This is my understanding, and I acknowledge that I could be mistaken. Yet it is always wiser to be prepared for hardship than to assume escape. In doing so, we grow stronger in the Lord.

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

During times of great trial, superficial faith will not endure. Those who are lukewarm may fall away, but those who are deeply rooted in Christ will stand firm.

So how do we prepare?

There is no new or secret method. The answer has always been the same:
remain grounded in Christ through His Word, prayer, obedience, and worship.