In the Bible, tribulation stands for oppression and persecution, such as the first Christians had to go through (2 Thes 1:4) and in particular the earthly people of God, Israel, will still experience in the future (Jer 30:7). The period (approx. seven years) between the Rapture of the Church (1 Thes 4:16-17) and the beginning of the public reign of the Lord Jesus in connection with the future kingdom of peace (Mt 24:29-31) is described in the Bible as a time of tribulation (Mt 24:9). The second half of these seven years is called the "great tribulation" (Mt 24:21). These last 3.5 years are introduced by the fact that the Antichrist will sit "in the temple of God" in order to receive divine worship there (2 Thes 2:4). In connection with this, the earthly people of God will suffer fearful tribulation.
