Jesus prophesies in Matthew 24:21 about a coming Great Tribulation, an event unparalleled in history, surpassing all past and future troubles until this final, consummate distress brings an end to all tribulations. This Tribulation is described as the greatest of them all, a unique and extraordinary end-time event. In contrast, another great tribulation is referenced by Stephen in Acts 7:11, using the same Greek words as Christ in Matthew 24 to describe a past event of famine and great affliction in Egypt and Canaan during Joseph's time. This tribulation, though severe, is distinct from the future event Christ foretells. The famine in Egypt led to economic, social, and political revolution, where the people, initially free, lost their money, land, and freedoms, becoming slaves to the government within just seven years. Parallels are drawn between this Egyptian tribulation and the American experience in the 1900s, particularly the 1930s, where agricultural failures and monetary collapse during the Great Depression led to revolutionary changes in social policy and a significant loss of freedoms. Urbanization, government control of monetary policy, and the ruler's word becoming law mirror the drastic shifts seen in Egypt, indicating a modern form of great tribulation. While these historical and modern examples reflect severe distress, they are not the final Great Tribulation Christ spoke of in Matthew 24. That ultimate distress will be marked by precursors such as famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and wars, leading to a state where people are bereft of money, property, and freedoms, enslaved by a malevolent state with horrific efficiency.

The Great Tribulation is a critical sign of the last days, as highlighted in Matthew 24:22, where it is stated that unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, those days will be shortened. This period of intense suffering and turmoil is a key indicator of the nearing return of Jesus Christ, marking a time when world events will shift dramatically and suddenly. As God's children, we must be prepared for these terrible changes that will occur when His time comes, despite the apparent normalcy of global affairs leading up to this event. The Great Tribulation underscores the urgency of remaining vigilant and steadfast in the face of deception and apostasy that characterize the last days.

The Great Flood serves as a profound type of the coming Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, illustrating a future judgment that will surpass the destruction of the Flood. The catastrophic deluge of the past, which inundated the entire world and transformed the planet, is a lesser shadow of the reality to come, indicating that the impending Great Tribulation will be far more severe. The immense destruction and death during the Flood pale in comparison to the horrors of the future judgment, underscoring the importance of aligning oneself with God. Despite the overwhelming forces unleashed during the Flood, God preserved Noah, his family, and the animals in the ark, demonstrating His mercy and providence for those who fear Him. This example assures that, even in the face of the great bloodletting foretold for the end times, those who remain faithful need not fear, as He will provide help in times of need, just as He did during the Great Flood.

The concept of the Great Tribulation, as it relates to the overarching narrative of God's plan, emerges in the discussion of vast multitudes and transformative periods of trial and salvation. In Revelation 7, there is mention of a great multitude who come out of "the tribulation, the great," a phrase distinct from other references, suggesting ongoing trials rather than a singular event. This construction implies the normal, yet terrible, trials of human life under the influence of satan, from which these people are finally liberated to live great, wonderful lives during the Great White Throne period. This time is depicted as larger than life, a magnificent and awesome event at the culmination of God's plan, where billions may be added to His family. It marks a period of unprecedented magnitude, where humanity's struggles are transformed into a glorious opportunity for salvation, reflecting the immense scale and wonder of God's ultimate purpose.

The Great Tribulation is a significant aspect of biblical prophecy, embodying the principle of duality where a historical event serves as a type for a future, greater fulfillment known as the antitype. In the Olivet Prophecy, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 acts as the type, prefiguring the Great Tribulation that will occur in the time immediately preceding Christ's second coming. This end-time event represents the antitype, a period of immense trial and suffering that will surpass the historical destruction in scope and impact. Understanding this duality is crucial, as many early Christians failed to grasp it, leading to disappointment and disillusionment when Christ did not return after Jerusalem's fall, contributing to apostasy in the early church. The principle of duality underscores the importance of recognizing both the historical and future fulfillments of prophecy, particularly in relation to the Great Tribulation, as a key to comprehending the unfolding of God's plan.

The biblical concept of 'Jacob's Trouble" describes a lengthy period of severe divine punishment prophesied in Jeremiah 30:12, the worst time for Israel and Judah, but eventually culminating in their deliverance. The scriptures symbolically refer to summer (such as the 9th of Av) as a season of judgement, linking both historical and modern events (duality of prophecy), fulfilling prophecies of national apostasy and consequences. The consequences include economic collapse, military defeat, foreign domination, pestilence, war, and natural disasters necessitating extreme chastisement to provoke repentance. The curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 can be seen as "warning shots" of God's displeasure over moral decay and national sins. Jacob's trouble, both in ancient times and current times, will strip Jacob's children of their autonomy, forcing a total reliance on Almighty God. The metaphor of labor pains is used to describe the pain and intensity of the trials which describes the inevitable, but transformative, suffering. We are warned against complacency, prioritizing godliness over any worldly alternatives, trusting God, and seeking His coming Kingdom. We must trust in God's sovereignty amid our trials, realizing that suffering is often a tool for sanctification. Consequently, we must faithfully await His timing for deliverance. While no one except God the Father knows the timeline, we should stay ready, clinging to Him. Thankfully, Jacob's Trouble is not an end, but an intense refining fire, leading to redemption for all who humbly submit to the sovereign will of God.