The Final Week of Daniel’s Prophecy
In the previous article we began to trace the prophetic programme of Scripture through Daniel’s “seventy weeks” of years (Daniel 9:24-27). We saw that sixty-nine of those weeks have already run their course, culminating in the coming and rejection of Messiah, and that one final week remains yet to be fulfilled.
That final week, the seventieth of Daniel’s prophecy, introduces us to a period of unprecedented suffering. Daniel gives us its structure, many of the other Old Testament prophets anticipate its character, and the New Testament fills in its detail. This period is commonly referred to as the Tribulation.
A Time Marked Out by God
The Tribulation is not a vague or symbolic idea. The Lord Jesus speaks of it in Matthew 24, describing a time of increasing distress that culminates in what He calls “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21). The book of Revelation then expands this in detail across chapters 6 to 19.
Taken together, these passages present a consistent picture. This is a future, concentrated period of world crisis, leading directly to the return of Christ.
The Character of the Tribulation
This coming period is marked by two great realities running side by side. First, it is a time of divine judgement. God will intervene directly in human history, not in grace as at present, but in righteousness. The judgements described in Revelation – the seals, trumpets, and bowls – reveal a world increasingly shaken under the hand of God. Because the particular focus is on the nation of Israel, the period is also described as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).
Scripture is clear that this is not arbitrary. It is the necessary expression of God’s holy character against sin. The prophets describe it as the time when human pride is brought low and God alone is exalted (Isaiah 2:11,17).
Second, it is the culmination of Satan’s opposition to God. What has been present throughout history now reaches its fullest expression. Deception intensifies, truth is rejected, and the world moves in unified rebellion against God, His people Israel, and His Christ. These two strands – divine judgment and satanic opposition – together define the character of the Tribulation.
The Beginning of the Final Week
Daniel tells us that the seventieth week begins with a covenant confirmed with “the many” in Israel (Daniel 9:27 KJV). This agreement is made with a coming ruler, first introduced as “the prince who is to come” (Daniel 9:26).
Scripture identifies this figure in several ways. He is the “little horn” who arises among the kingdoms of the earth (Daniel 7:8 KJV), the “man of sin” who exalts himself above all that is called God (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4), and the “beast” who rises up “out of the sea” and exercises global authority (Revelation 13:1-7). These descriptions together present a single future individual who will dominate the final phase of human history.
The covenant he confirms appears to bring a measure of stability, particularly in relation to Israel and Jerusalem. It allows for the restoration of temple worship, including sacrifice and offering, something which must be in place before it can later be stopped. The early part of this period is therefore marked by a fragile peace, yet even then, the judgements of God begin to unfold, and opposition to truth increases.
The Midpoint Crisis
The turning point comes in the middle of the week (Daniel 9:27), that is to say, after three and a half years. The covenant between the beast and Israel is broken. Sacrifice ceases.
At this point, an image is set up in the temple, and worship is demanded. The Lord Jesus identifies this moment as “the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), drawing directly from Daniel’s prophecy. What began with apparent order now gives way to open defiance of God. From this moment, the intensity of the period increases dramatically.
The Great Tribulation
The final three and a half years are repeatedly identified in Scripture using precise time expressions: forty-two months; one thousand two hundred and sixty days; or “time, times, and half a time” (Revelation 11:2,3; 12:6; 13:5). It is this latter half that Scripture specifically calls “the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:14).
The Lord Jesus describes it in the strongest possible terms, “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). Its severity is such that, apart from divine limitation, no life would survive (v.22). During this time, persecution intensifies, particularly against those who remain faithful to God. The pressure to conform becomes absolute, and refusal carries the highest cost.
The Rise of Global Control
At the heart of this period is the emergence of a system of complete control. The political ruler, “the beast” (Revelation 13:4), and his religious counterpart, “the false prophet” (Revelation 16:13), work together to establish a unified system in which authority, worship, and commerce are inseparably linked. Allegiance is enforced. An identifying mark is required for participation in society: the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16,17).
This is not merely political tyranny. It is spiritual rebellion. Worship, which belongs to God alone, is redirected toward a man, and ultimately toward Satan himself. This represents the darkest point in human history, when the authority of God is most openly denied by His creatures upon the earth.
Conflict, Deception, and Preservation
As the Tribulation progresses, conflict intensifies. Revelation 12 describes Satan being cast down to earth, knowing that his time is short. His activity becomes more concentrated, more aggressive, and more destructive. Yet even in this period, God does not leave Himself without witness.
There are those who remain faithful. There are those who come to faith. Divine mercy is still seen alongside judgement. In particular, God preserves a remnant within Israel. Despite intense opposition, His purposes for that nation are not overturned. The very period that brings distress will ultimately lead to their restoration.
The Climax of the Age
The Tribulation reaches its climax with the gathering of the nations in open opposition to Israel. The armies of the world assemble, drawn together for conflict (Revelation 16:13-16). At that moment, heaven opens. The Lord Jesus Christ appears in glory (Revelation 19:11-16).
In contrast to His first coming, Christ now comes in power and majesty, not to suffer, but to reign. There is no prolonged battle. By the word of His power, He overthrows His enemies, and delivers His people, Israel (the remnant He has preserved). The system of rebellion collapses. The leaders of that rebellion are judged. The period of Tribulation comes to an end. What follows is the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth.
A Question Still to Be Answered
As we consider this solemn yet glorious prophetic picture, an important question naturally arises. Where do believers of the current age fit in relation to this period? Scripture is clear about the character, timing, and outcome of the Tribulation. But the question remains as to who will be present on earth during that time, and who will not. That is a question we will take up in the next article.
The teaching of Scripture concerning the Tribulation is not given to satisfy curiosity, but to produce seriousness, clarity, and confidence. It reminds us that history is not drifting; it is moving toward a divinely appointed conclusion. It warns us of the reality of judgement, the seriousness of sin, and the certainty that God will deal with evil.
At the same time, it assures us that God remains in control. Even in the darkest hour, His purposes stand, His promises hold, and His Son will be exalted. Above all, it directs our attention to Christ. The One who was once rejected will return in glory. The One who suffered will reign. And the One who came in grace will yet be revealed in righteousness.
(This article is based on Chapter 7 of His Coming, titled “The Tribulation”, by Alan Gamble; the book is available here.)
