A Study of the Great Tribulation from the Book of Acts

How many pastors and biblical scholars have examined the Book of Acts to understand the Great Tribulation? I dare say none.

While countless sermons describe the Great Tribulation as a future event based on Daniel and Revelation, most fail to recognize it as a completed historical transition documented in the Book of Acts.  And those that do see it as a historical event, most relate it to AD 70 and fail to see the true nature of the Great Tribulation.

Nevertheless, in the Book of Acts, we can see how the Great Tribulation unfolded, how it was the transition period from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It occurred specifically during the Apostolic generation and impacted the disciples of that time.  

By the time the Temple was destroyed in AD 70, the Great Tribulation had long ended and the Christian church was well established.   The nation of Israel had become desolate and was no longer the holy people of God. Therefore, the destruction of the Temple was not a “desecration” of a holy place as some might believe.  And seeing how the “elect” of God no longer worshiped in the Jewish Temple, the actual destruction of the Temple was a separate act of wrath and not the Tribulation itself. 

In this study, I will tie some of the prophecies from Daniel and the words of Christ to illustrate how and when the Great Tribulation occurred.

So how long did the tribulation last?  According to my calculations, it lasted not 3 ½ years, not 7 years, but it lasted approximately 10 years.  The Great Tribulation began on the day of Pentecost and was divided into four seasons:  Time, Times and Half as three seasons according to the prophecies from Daniel. (Dan 12:7) and the fourth season was given to the Gentiles (Rev 11:2). The first season (Time) lasted approximately 3 ½ years (1290 days) when the Gospel was preached strictly to the House of Israel.  Then came the times, another 3 ½ years (1260 days) when the Gospel was preached next to the Samaritans (half Jews) and then Gentiles for 42 months.  As the third season, the “half” was an overlap between the 1260 days and the 42 months.   The fourth season began within these 42 months. It was the season for 2300 evening-mornings (Dan 8:13-14) which was 1,150 days at which time only Gentiles would hear the Gospel.  Also, the last season of the Great Tribulation would fulfill the prophecy when “Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Rev 11:2 and Luke 21:24  

Therefore, when we add the days for each season, it will total approximately 10 years: 

1,290

1,260

1,150

_____________

Total: 3,700 (days)        

3,700 divided by 365 = 10.1 (years)

SEASON ONE: “TIME” (The Beginning [singular] of Sorrows)

The Day of Pentecost

Many Jews became believers and were baptized with the Holy Spirit

After the Holy Spirit was poured out, the Apostles were able to teach and preach Jesus in the temple court and synagogues with very little resistance. In Acts, we read: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:46:47)

In fact, early in the season when the Gospel began to spread to the House of Israel, the high priest, captain of the temple and the chief priests doubted how far the gospel would grow (Acts 5:24).  They had threatened and imprisoned the Apostles, but then let them go after agreeing with the words of one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who said, “Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:  But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:34-39)

And thus, daily in the temple court, and in every house the Apostles ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

Judgement came upon the rest  and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.  And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Dan 9:27)

Jesus made it clear that he was speaking to the generation that would put him to death would bear the judgement and God’s wrath. When he spoke these words to his disciples, “Woe to those who give suck in those days” (Matthew 24:19, Mark 13:17, Luke 21:23 ), it appears he was giving a curse and a blessing at the same time.  Note how the “woe” is upon those giving suck and not the sucklings, which indicates that future generations are not included.  Indeed, there would still be a remnant of Jews according to the election that would be saved during the church age.

Notably, his strongest  indictment was against the scribes and pharisees: “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:  that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.  Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation.”(Matthew 23:34-36)

Stephen was stoned to death

Similar to Daniel’s prayer, Stephen spoke about the sins of Israel before he was stoned to death.  Therefore, Stephen’s death is emblematic of the Jews spiritual condition for the abomination of desolation.

From that time, there arose great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem.  It was the time when Saul had made a name for himself as he wreaked havoc upon the church, entering houses and committing men and women to prison. (Acts 8:1-3)

The disciples perceive the abomination of desolation

After spending 3 ½ years preaching Jesus only to the House of Israel,  the disciples finally perceived the abomination of desolation spoken (in prayer) by Daniel the prophet.  This meant the Holy Spirit departed from the House of Israel making it desolate and the house of Israel had ceased being the true worshippers of God.  

Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!  Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matt 23:37-38

SEASON TWO:  “TIMES” (The Beginnings [plural] of Sorrows)

“Times” of the Great Tribulation was the beginnings of sorrows. Here is when the Gospel started being preached to the Samaritans who were half Jews.  This season is further illuminated by the symbolism in Revelation, specifically the “two witnesses” who prophesy for 1,260 days.

The two olives and the two lampstands

This period of 1260 days is revealed from the Book of Revelation where we read: “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” (Revelation 11:3-4)

The “two olives” signify the Apostles. We read from the Gospel of Mark: “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.” (Mark 6:7)  Therefore, in the Book of Acts on numerous occasions, the Apostles were sent out in pairs such as Peter and John (Acts 8:14), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:43), Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19).  The “two lampstands” figuratively represent  the Holy Spirit that gave them power. In the Book of Acts, the Apostles performed numerous miracles. These included miraculous acts such as healing the lame (Acts 3:1-11), raising the dead (Acts 9:36-43) and exorcisms (Acts 16:16-18). It was Peter who laid hands on Samaritans in order for them to receive the Holy Spirit  and witnessed to the Gentiles when they received the Holy Spirit.  

These major events unfolded during the “Times” (1260 days) of the Great Tribulation 

• The Gospel is preached to the Samaritans(Acts 8:14-17)
• The conversion of Saul (Acts 9:3-18)
• The Jews took counsel to kill Saul (Acts 9:23-30)

The Gospel is preached to the Samaritans

 The disciples had to flee Jerusalem and this lead to bringing the Gospel to the Samaritans, which were half Jews.  In Acts, we also read about the Ethiopian eunuch that Phillip baptised. We can surmise he had a Jewish background as he was reading from the Book of Isaiah and this may suggest how there were other people groups besides the Samaritans that were halfway tied to the Jewish religion and received the Gospel even before the Gentiles. 

The conversion of Saul

The Apostle Paul’s conversion was significant for two main reasons:  The first is that he represented the first generation of Jews not subject to the judgement due to the abomination of desolation. This meant at the time of Stephen’s death when his clothes were laid at his feet, Saul was a “young man” (Acts 7:58).  It seems that Jews at or below the age of 20 could still receive salvation while the Samaritans were brought in.   Secondly, Saul became the Apostle who God used to signify the bridge between Jews and Gentiles as the fulness of the Gentiles came into the church age. 

The Jews took counsel to kill Saul

After his conversion, Saul confounded the Jews and and after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.  (Acts 9:22-23)  Here we note that “many days were fulfilled.”  It is definitely a key passage that provides a subtle clue to indicate that a certain time had ended and the Gospel would begin to go to the Gentiles.  

We can see at this point, the Gospel had not yet reached the Gentiles.“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. (Acts 9:31)   

SEASON THREE:  AND “A HALF “

Season Three is the “half” from the “Time, Times, and a Half” prophecy. This season of a “half”  appears to be an overlap between Season 3 and the final Season 4 when the Gospel began to be preached to the Gentiles.  (Acts 10:45-47)

The major events that occurred during this “half” period:

• Cornelius has angel visitation
• Peter has vision
• The Overlap

Cornelius has angel visitation

The pivotal event that was a major transition for the end of the “Times” was when Cornelius (a Gentile) had the vision from the Angel who instructed him to seek Peter. (Acts 10:1-8)  Around the same time, Peter was in Joppa and had a vision. (Acts 10:9-16)  Peter’s vision is fascinating in of itself because here is where we first gain insight into the prophecy of the 2,300 evening mornings found in the book of Daniel.  

Peter has vision

Therefore, Peter’s vision was not just a sign that the Gentiles would receive the Gospel, but it was a sign that also revealed how God would use the Gentiles as a means to cleanse the sanctuary.  More on this as we go deeper into our study.

The overlap

What explains the overlap is that for a while during the time when the Gentiles were receiving the Gospel, those outside Jerusalem were still bringing the Gospel to Jews, as well.  In Acts, we read: Now they which were scattered about upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (Acts 11:19)

But then came the great famine that signaled the biggest transition.

SEASON FOUR:  THE FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES

We now come to the final season of the Great Tribulation when the fullness of the Gentiles came in.   This was the time of 42 months given to the Gentiles to tread under foot the holy city and included the 2300 evenings-mornings (Rev 11:2)

We would not understand how this prophecy was fulfilled in Acts during the Great Tribulation without understanding how Jerusalem was trodden underfoot by the Gentiles.  Agabus’s prophecy of a great famine and the death of Herod Agrippa are pieces of the puzzle. 

There were pivotal historical events that signaled how the Gentiles would tread underfoot the holy city and when the Great Tribulation ended.  The first was a great famine prophesied by the Prophet Agabus and the second was the death of Herod Agrippa I.  

There are Major Pivotal Events 

• The great famine (Acts 11:27-28)
• Death of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:21-23)
• The Great earthquake
• 2300 Evenings and Mornings
• Matter arose regarding the Gentiles needed to be circumcised as Christians (Acts 15:24-

The great famine

We read in Acts, “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.” (Acts 11:27-28)

There was an actual famine that was great in the land that occurred during the reign of Claudius Caesar.  Historians set the date generally around 44-48 AD. 

Even though this was an actual famine, it also signified the spiritual famine which was prophesied in the Book of Amos: “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord”. (Amos 8:11-12)

Luke and James make reference to the famine that occurred during the days of Elijah and shows how it was three years and six months: 

Jesus said, “But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout the land.” Luke 4:25

“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months”  James 5:17

Now the fact that the Prophet Agabus prophesied that a famine would occur, it begs the question:  did God use an actual famine to signify the fulfillment of the famine prophesized in Amos?    The answer is yes.    

The spiritual implication of the famine is also tied to prophecy from the book of Revelation concerning the two olives (Apostles):  “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and shall overcome them, and kill them” Revelation 11:6-7 

In this historical context, I interpret “the beast” not as a single individual, but as the collective false doctrines and opposition from religious leaders that “killed” the momentum of the Gospel among the Jews. Their false beliefs ascended out of “the bottomless pit,” which I believe is a metaphor for their evil hearts.  Jesus knew how corrupt they were.  At one point, he said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Matthew 23:13  In essence, these leaders went to war against the disciples to turn people against them and to silence the Gospel as to “kill” figuratively and in some cases like Stephen and James, literally..

This internal corruption was no surprise. Even early on, Jesus had warned his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  As the disciples thought he was referring to bread, Jesus said,  “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Matthew 16:11-12

So, it was God’s plan for “the three days and a half” (42 months) that these two prophets lay dead  in the street while Jerusalem was trodden under foot by the Gentiles. It meant that no Jews became saved during this time which was when the fullness of the Gentiles had to come in.

“And after three days and a half, the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.  And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.   Revelation 11:11-12

The famine meant that the unsaved Jews had become blind to the Gospel. In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul explains how Israel was no longer receptive to the Gospel for the sake of the Gentiles,  but eventually a remnant (according to the election)  would be grafted back in as the natural branches of the olive tree.  

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your one conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” Romans 11:25

When they “ascended up to heaven in a cloud,” the time had come for the disciples to abandon Jerusalem as the place of worship and so the church age began.  

Prophecy of  2300 days evening and mornings

The prophecy of the 2300 Evening and mornings is from the Book of Daniel: “Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days (evenings and mornings) then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel 8:13-14.

Now the Jews believed if Gentiles were to enter the sanctuary, it would pollute the sanctuary. In Acts 21: 27-36, we read how certain Jews stirred up the people and made an uproar accusing the Apostle Paul of bringing Greeks into the sanctuary and polluted (defiled) the holy place.  But here’s the irony:  God actually used the Gentiles as the means to cleanse the sanctuary during the 2300 evening mornings.

Spiritually, the ceremonial laws were no longer relevant. They ceased to have the purpose of pointing to events to represent the Gospel and Christ sacrifice.  These sacrifices ended on the cross when Jesus fulfilled their spiritual meaning. However, the physical practice as tradition was still taking place. Even among the Apostles who were still adhering to not eating unclean food, circumcision and feast days.

In fact, as I was reading Acts, I was a bit perplexed to see that the disciples were still observing the Old Testament feast days and still clinging to traditions of the Mosaic practices, demonstrating their continued relevance in the early church.   Even the Apostle Paul consistently observed the annual feasts.  Key festivals mentioned in the context of his journeys included Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. Acts 12:3-4

Not until I came across the passages in Acts chapter 15 that described how there arose a certain sect of the Pharisees who joined the church and had stirred up trouble regarding  the Gentiles not being circumcised, then the answer became clear.  This matter of circumcision was key to understanding the prophecy of Daniel regarding the daily sacrifice.  God used the influx of Gentiles into the church in order for those ceremonies and practices to finally end. 

Peter’s vision

Here’s how Peter’s vision is related to the 2300 evenings and mornings prophecy in Daniel. 

All along it was God’s purpose to use the influx of Gentiles to cleanse the sanctuary. 

The clearest indication of how the 2300 evening mornings took place is to understand the vision that Peter had in Joppa.  In his vision, Peter saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, wild beast, and creeping things and fowls of the earth–things known to be ceremonially unclean for Jews to eat.  

So when Peter was told to eat, he said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  This was done thrice and the vessel was received up again into heaven.” Acts 10:14-16.  So then we turn to the Prophecy about the 2300 evening morning and It’s interesting that God is saying the sanctuary shall be cleansed.  “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed”

Death of Herod Agrippa I 

We read about the death of Herod Agrippa in Acts 12:21-23. He was known for his efforts to gain favor with the Jewish population, which included persecuting early disciples to appease Jewish leaders.  He executed James, the brother of John, and imprisoned Peter, intending to bring him to trial.  However, Peter had a miraculous escape by an angel from the Lord. Acts 12:2-11

These events establish the timeline that reveals 7 years of the Great Tribulation had already transpired when Jerusalem would be trodden underfoot by the Gentiles.  Again, the physical famine which occurred during this period was a sign of the spiritual famine among the Jews.  

According to secular records, Agrippa’s untimely death was in 44 AD.  This sets a timeline.  If Jesus was crucified in 33-34 AD, then Agrippa’s death would mark 10 years into the Great Tribulation. The famine signified the spiritual condition that occurred for the 2300 evenings-mornings that began 7 years after the crucifixion. 

The next three years remaining for the 2300 evening mornings (Daniel 8:14) explains how the Great Tribulation lasted a total of 10 years.  

A great earthquake signified the end of the Great Tribulation 

“And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand; and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” Revelation 11:13

Paul and Silas were brought before the Roman magistrates after they were accused of teaching customs unlawful for Romans to observe.  After they were beaten, they were thrown into prison with their feet bound with chains.  However, at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises  unto God when suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s chains were loosed. (Acts 16:20-21)   The fact that all the doors were opened, and every one’s chains were loosed bring to mind the passage when “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these be fulfilled.  

From that point, the Book of Acts records incidents of Jews and Gentiles alike believing the Gospel starting with the Jailer who asked what must he do to be saved? And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.  

Through the end of the book, there are still conflicts as the church continues to grow.  Although the Great Tribulation came to an end after the fulness of the Gentiles, the closing chapters of the Book of Acts reveals how the Apostle Paul and others continued their ministry.  Struggles with both Jews and Gentiles alike are reflected in the epistles that were written during that time.  The remaining chapters of the Book of Acts and the Epistles record the aftermath of the Great Tribulation as the church age emerged and the believers no longer identified with the Mosaic laws.  

CONCLUSION:

By examining the Book of Acts as the primary historical record of the Great Tribulation, we move away from speculative future timelines and into the lived experience of the Apostolic generation. The “ten-year window” from Pentecost to the death of Herod Agrippa and the subsequent famine reveals a precise fulfillment of Daniel’s seasons: Time (Jewish mission), Times (Samaritan expansion), and the Half/Season Four (the fullness of the Gentiles).

The “great earthquake” in Acts 16 serves as the spiritual and physical finale of this period, shaking the foundations of the old system and literally opening doors for the Gospel to reach the world without the “chains” of Mosaic ceremonial laws. When the Great Tribulation ended, the “sanctuary” had been cleansed—not by fire, but by the inclusion of the Gentiles and the establishment of the Church as the true dwelling place of God.

Therefore, the destruction of the physical Temple in AD 70 was not the Tribulation itself, but the final, outward manifestation of a desolation that had already occurred spiritually years prior. The Book of Acts concludes not just a history of the early church, but the successful transition from the Old Covenant to the New, proving that the “Apostolic generation” did not pass away until every word of Christ’s prophecy was fulfilled.