The Great Tribulation - Revelation 7:14

“I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14, NIV)

"The elder identifies them as redeemed ones, they which came out of great tribulation (Gr ek tēs thlipeōs tēs megalēs, out of the Tribulation, the great one). [1]  There are two views of this phrase: the great tribulation.  "Some understand the definite article (Gk. hē, “the”) to refer to one great final period of suffering, but others take this to represent the sufferings of the church throughout all history." [2] 

What is in mind here is related to Daniel 12:1 (NIV), “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. We know because the only other time in the New Testament that the phrase is used is in Matthew 24:21 where the context is from Daniel. 

". . . the tribulation consists of pressures to compromise faith, these pressures coming both from within the church community through seductive teaching and from without through overt oppression." [3] This time of tribulation is a general way was already set in motion at the time of Christ. ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33, NIV).  A consistent understanding of the New Testament would suggest that the time of tribulation already has started but one can expect it to intensify as we draw closer to the Lord's return.

"“There will be great distress [Greek thlipsis, tribulation], unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive” (Matt. 24:21–22). As Revelation 8–16 describes the unleashing of the trumpet and the bowl judgments, we can see that Jesus’ words are not an exaggeration." [4]

For Christians to presume that they will escape this period of tribulation is a misunderstanding of Scripture. But Christians will be saved (sealed, 7:3) in it and from it as the vision compels us to see.  Those that are faithful will be victorious.

Father our only comfort in life and in death is that in sovereign electing love You have set Your affection on the Church and the Church will be preserved from the wrath to come.  Even the sufferings of this life cannot be compared to the glory that is to be revealed.  Grant perseverance to all of us who wait patiently on the coming of the Lord; and give to us Your grace that we might remain faithful unto the end.

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1.  KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2675). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

2.  Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2474). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 

3. Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (433–434). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press

4. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (130). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.