UASV’s Daily Devotional All Things Bible, Wednesday, April 02, 2025

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What Does Matthew 24:21 Reveal About the Great Tribulation and God’s Sovereign Judgment?

Matthew 24:21 states, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” This verse appears in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, a prophetic section in Matthew 24 where Jesus answers His disciples’ questions about the destruction of the temple, the signs of His coming, and the end of the age. In this particular verse, Jesus refers to a period of unprecedented suffering and upheaval, described as the “great distress” or, more literally, “great tribulation” (thlipsis megalē). This passage reveals both the historical and prophetic layers of divine judgment, underscoring the certainty of God’s justice and the necessity of spiritual preparedness.

The verse opens with the temporal phrase, “For then,” which links this period of tribulation to the preceding context. Jesus had just spoken of a specific event in Matthew 24:15–16: “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” This refers to a climactic act of desecration that would take place in the temple, which would trigger devastating consequences for Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The phrase “for then” introduces the result: a time of unequaled distress.

Jesus continues, “there will be great distress.” The Greek word translated “distress” is thlipsis, which means affliction, suffering, or pressure. The addition of megalē (“great”) intensifies the severity of this affliction. It describes not ordinary hardship, but a period of extraordinary anguish, chaos, and destruction. This great tribulation is described as without precedent—it would be unlike anything the world had seen before or would see again. The language Jesus uses here is hyperbolic but grounded in real historical and eschatological consequences. He is emphasizing the magnitude and singularity of this distress.

The phrase, “unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again,” highlights the uniqueness and extremity of this event. The statement echoes Daniel 12:1, where the prophet was told, “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” Jesus intentionally draws on this prophetic language to describe the catastrophic nature of what was coming. His words are a solemn warning of a specific and identifiable judgment—one that would have permanent, historical consequences.

In its immediate context, Matthew 24:21 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. at the hands of the Romans under Titus. The “abomination that causes desolation” refers to the desecration of the temple, likely when Roman forces entered the holy place and ultimately destroyed it. Historical records, such as those from the Jewish historian Josephus, describe this siege as one of the most horrifying events in Jewish history. Tens of thousands perished, the temple was leveled, and the Jewish nation was effectively dismantled for generations. The suffering included famine, internal strife, and wholesale slaughter. Indeed, for the people of Judea and for Jerusalem specifically, this was an unprecedented disaster.

However, the severity and language of this verse also foreshadow a broader prophetic fulfillment—a future period of great tribulation associated with the final judgment and the second coming of Christ. While Matthew 24 has historical application to 70 C.E., the discourse transitions into eschatological themes in the latter verses. For instance, in Matthew 24:29–30, Jesus speaks of cosmic disturbances and His coming “on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” This dual application—both historical and prophetic—is a feature of much biblical prophecy, where a near-term fulfillment foreshadows a more ultimate, final fulfillment.

Theologically, this verse teaches that Jehovah’s judgment is real, severe, and purposeful. The destruction of Jerusalem was not merely a political event; it was a divine act of judgment against a people who had rejected the Messiah (cf. Matthew 23:37–38). Jesus had wept over the city, saying, “Look, your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). This desolation was the consequence of hardened unbelief and national rebellion against God. It serves as a sobering reminder that persistent rejection of truth will eventually lead to judgment.

Moreover, Matthew 24:21 reflects the sovereign control of Jehovah even during times of chaos and destruction. God is never absent during such events. He is not caught off guard, nor is He passive. Even in the midst of suffering, His purposes are being accomplished—to purify, to discipline, to judge, or to bring about the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. Amos 3:6 says, “When disaster comes to a city, has not Jehovah caused it?” This does not imply that God authors evil, but rather that His providence encompasses even the most devastating of historical events for the accomplishment of His will.

For believers, Matthew 24:21 serves as a warning and a call to readiness. While the immediate fulfillment applied to Jerusalem, the broader application extends to all people. Jesus said in Matthew 24:42, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Believers are to remain faithful, grounded in truth, and watchful—not terrified, but spiritually prepared. The severity of the tribulation underscores the need for urgent obedience, unwavering faith, and a life anchored in God’s Word.

This verse also refutes any shallow notion of God as merely benevolent in the sentimental sense. Jehovah is indeed merciful, patient, and compassionate, but He is also holy, just, and righteous. His longsuffering does not negate His justice. When His warnings are continually ignored and His truth rejected, judgment follows. Romans 11:22 captures this balance: “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness.”

Finally, the intensity of the suffering described in Matthew 24:21 points to the urgency of proclaiming the gospel. If God’s judgment on one city in history could bring such devastation, how much more serious is the eternal judgment to come upon all who reject the gospel? As Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9, “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel… They will be punished with everlasting destruction.” The reality of judgment should stir believers to boldness, compassion, and urgency in teaching the truth of salvation and the coming of Christ.

Ultimately, Matthew 24:21 reveals the certainty, severity, and specificity of Jehovah’s judgment. It reminds believers of both the historical reality of divine wrath and the future reckoning that awaits the world. In light of this, those who belong to Christ must walk faithfully, live righteously, and remain watchful—ever grounded in the unchanging promises and warnings of God’s Word.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).