LIFE AFTER THE RAPTURE — THE GREAT TRIBULATION

TEXTS: Matthew 24:21–22; Revelation 6:1–17; Revelation 13:1–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

INTRODUCTION

Beloved, one of the most sobering truths in Scripture is that life on earth will not continue as it is forever. A day is coming when Jesus Christ will suddenly appear in the clouds to take His true followers home. This glorious event is what we call the Rapture of the Church.

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.” The phrase “caught up” means raptured — it will be a sudden, supernatural evacuation of believers from this sinful world. We explored this powerful truth in our previous Bible Study. If you missed that teaching, you can access the full outline here

Now, immediately after that event, a period of unimaginable chaos and distress will fall upon the earth. Jesus Himself called it “a time of great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)

This period, known as The Great Tribulation, will last for seven years. It will be a time of divine wrath, satanic activity, and human suffering such as the world has never seen.

The restraining influence of the Holy Spirit — presently working through the Church — will be removed. Evil will no longer have any brake. The Antichrist, a man completely possessed by Satan, will rise to global power, deceiving many and ruling with wickedness.

Our study today is not meant to scare you but to prepare you. The Great Tribulation is not a myth or a movie; it is a divine prophecy that will certainly happen. God revealed it to warn us — so we can be ready for the Rapture and escape the wrath to come.

1. WHAT IS THE GREAT TRIBULATION?

The Great Tribulation is a seven-year period of unparalleled judgment that will occur immediately after the Rapture. The Bible describes it in Revelation chapters 6 to 19.

The first three and a half years may appear peaceful under the leadership of the Antichrist — he will promise global unity, economic stability, and religious tolerance. But midway through, he will reveal his true nature as Satan’s instrument of destruction. The remaining three and a half years will be marked by terror, persecution, and divine wrath poured out without restraint.

It will be:

1. A time of Divine Judgment — God’s wrath will be poured out upon the nations that rejected Christ. Revelation 6:16–17 says, “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” This will be God’s response to centuries of rebellion.
2. A time of Satanic activity — The devil will fully empower the Antichrist and the False Prophet. They will perform lying wonders, deceive nations, and demand worship. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 says he will sit in the temple of God, claiming to be God.
3. A time of Human suffering — Jesus said there will be famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and wars everywhere. (Matthew 24:7–12) Imagine a world collapsing under multiple crises — famine, diseases, violence, and despair.

Beloved, imagine a world with no Church, no intercessors, and no restraining Spirit of God — only darkness and chaos. That’s what the world will become after the Rapture.

2. THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AFTER THE RAPTURE

Let us now walk step by step through what the Bible reveals will happen after the saints are taken away.

(1) The Rise of the Antichrist

Soon after the Rapture, the world will be in confusion. Millions of people will vanish — pilots, doctors, children, leaders. There will be chaos and fear. In the midst of that global crisis, a powerful and charismatic leader will emerge.

He will be intelligent, persuasive, and full of deceptive charm. The world will look to him as a savior. The Bible calls him the Man of Sin (2 Thessalonians 2:3) and the Beast (Revelation 13:1).

He will negotiate peace treaties, fix economies, and seem to unite nations. People will say, “Finally, someone can bring peace!” But he will be Satan’s counterfeit messiah. After winning the world’s trust, he will reveal his true identity — demanding worship and establishing a one-world government and religion.

His global system will lay the foundation for total control — what Revelation 13 calls the kingdom of the Beast.

(2) The Seven-Seal Judgments (Read Revelation 6)

As the Lamb of God — Jesus Christ — opens the seven seals in heaven, each one unleashes a new wave of judgment on the earth:

• The White Horse: The Antichrist rides forth on a white horse as a false peacemaker, deceiving nations.
• The Red Horse: Wars, bloodshed, and civil unrest break out across the world.
• The Black Horse: Global famine and economic collapse grip the earth; hunger and despair spread.
• The Pale Horse: Death and Hades follow, killing one-fourth of the earth’s population.
• The Fifth Seal: Christians who turn to Christ after the Rapture — the Tribulation saints — are martyred for refusing the mark of the Beast.
• The Sixth Seal: Catastrophic earthquakes, cosmic disturbances, darkness, and fear grip the world.
• The Seventh Seal: Silence in heaven — it introduces the next wave of trumpet judgments.

Each judgment intensifies, showing that God’s mercy has limits. Humanity’s rebellion will be met with God’s righteous wrath.

(3) The Great Persecution and Martyrdom

During the Tribulation, those who come to Christ after the Rapture will face severe persecution. They will be hunted, tortured, and executed for their faith.

The Antichrist will make war with the saints, as Revelation 13:7 says. Many will flee into wildernesses and caves to survive. These are known as Tribulation Saints. They will be saved by faith in Christ, but through great suffering.

Beloved, how much better it is to serve Christ now, when grace is free, than to face Him then, when the cost will be your life.

(4) The Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16–18)

To maintain total control, the Antichrist will introduce a universal identification mark — the number 666 — on the right hand or forehead. No one will buy or sell without it.

This mark will symbolize allegiance to the Beast. It will not just be a chip or a code — it will be a declaration of worship. Anyone who accepts it will forever be lost, as Revelation 14:9–11 warns.

Today, the world is already preparing for this system — digital IDs, biometric technology, and centralized control. These are shadows of what is to come.

But remember this truth: God seals His own before Satan marks his. Every believer sealed with the Holy Spirit now will be taken before that time.

(5) The Trumpet and Bowl Judgments (Revelation 8–16)

As the Tribulation progresses, God’s judgments grow more severe:

• Fire and hail will destroy vegetation.
• Seas and rivers turn to blood; water will become bitter and deadly.
• The sun scorches men with intense heat.
• Demonic locusts torment those without God’s seal.
• Gross darkness will cover the whole earth.
• Massive earthquakes, plagues and natural disasters will devastate the planet.

Beloved, the world will become uninhabitable. Nature itself will turn against sinful humanity. Yet, despite all this, people will still blaspheme God rather than repent.

This shows how hardened the human heart can become when it continually rejects the truth.

(6) The Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16)

As the seven years draw to an end, Satan will gather the armies of the world in the Valley of Megiddo to wage war against Israel and God’s people.

It will seem like the end for humanity — but suddenly, heaven will open! Jesus Christ will appear riding a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven — the raptured saints, clothed in white. (Revelation 19:11–16)

He will destroy the Antichrist and his armies with the sword of His mouth — His Word. The Beast and the False Prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire, and Satan will be bound for a thousand years.

This marks the glorious end of the Great Tribulation and the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Reign on earth.

3. PURPOSE OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION

Why would a loving God allow such devastation? The Bible gives us clear reasons:

1. To Judge the Wicked — God’s patience will end, and His justice will prevail. Revelation 14:7 says, “Fear God… for the hour of His judgment is come.”
2. To Purify Israel — During the Tribulation, the Jewish nation will finally recognize Jesus as their true Messiah. Zechariah 12:10 says, “They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced.” This will fulfill God’s promise to restore Israel spiritually.
3. To Vindicate God’s Justice — Every sin, every rebellion, and every rejection of Christ will be brought to account. The Tribulation will prove that God’s righteousness cannot be mocked.

Even in judgment, God’s goal is redemption — He will use these events to turn hearts back to Himself.

4. THOSE WHO WILL BE LEFT BEHIND

Jesus said in Matthew 24:40–41, “Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left.” Not everyone in church will go with the Rapture. Many will be left behind because their Christianity was only outward — not genuine.

Those left behind will face:

• Persecution and execution for their faith.
• Economic hardship, as they cannot buy or sell without the mark.
• Fear, torment, and despair as the world collapses.

Many will realize too late that religion without relationship cannot save.

Beloved, do not gamble with eternity. It is better to stand alone for Christ today than to bow to the Beast tomorrow.

5. HOW TO ESCAPE THE GREAT TRIBULATION

The only escape is to be ready before it happens. Jesus said in Matthew 25:13, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

To be ready:

1. Be genuinely born again. Not just a churchgoer — a true follower of Christ (John 3:3).
2. Live in holiness. Sin will disqualify you (Hebrews 12:14).
3. Walk in obedience to God’s Word. Don’t just hear it; live it (James 1:22).
4. Stay prayerful and alert. Watch and pray always (Luke 21:36).
5. Serve faithfully. Be about your Father’s business until He comes (Matthew 24:45–46).

If the trumpet sounds today, will you be caught up or left behind?

PRACTICAL REFLECTION

Pause for a moment and ask yourself — if the Rapture happens tonight, will I go with Jesus or be left to face the Great Tribulation?

This is not a time for compromise, unforgiveness, or lukewarmness. Now is the time to repent, to make peace with God, and to live ready. After the Rapture, there will be no second chance.

Beloved, eternity is too long to gamble with. Choose Christ now — fully and finally.

CONCLUSION

The Great Tribulation is certain — but thank God, His mercy is still available today. The door of grace is open, but it will not remain open forever.

Soon, that door will shut — and those who are outside will face judgment. Let us therefore live with eternity in view.

Be ready. Stay faithful. Serve passionately. Warn others urgently. The time is short, and the Rapture is near.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for revealing end-time truth to me.
2. Lord, help me to live ready for Your coming every day.
3. Deliver me from every sin or distraction that could make me miss the Rapture.
4. Empower me to be a bold witness in these last days.
5. Lord, keep me faithful and steadfast until You return.

FURTHER STUDY

• Matthew 24:21–44
• Revelation 6–19
• Daniel 9:24–27
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12
• 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11