From use of language great tribulation we can see the Christians being fed to the lions having GT .....Christian had GT in the dark ages ....we can also see the church in China having GT
From the use of language the great tribulation it is set to a time specific .
I am not saying this one is RIGHT or that one is WRONG...
The Great Tribulation is a specific time that is keyed to the phrase "Abomination of Desolation standing in the holy place", as spoken of by the prophet Daniel.
"Therefore
when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:15,21
A further study of Daniel reveals a 3 1/2 year time period that is seen, both in Daniel as well as the book of Revelation.
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
Daniel 9:27
This 3 1/2 year time period described in the scriptures as -
12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." 13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place,
where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
Revelation 12:13
- a time and times and half a time...
He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For
a time and times and half a time.
- a time and times and half a time.
Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever,
that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
Daniel 12:7
- for a time, times, and half a time
2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot
for forty-two months.
Revelation 11:2
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue
for forty-two months. Revelation 13:5
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy
one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
Revelation 11:3
- one thousand two hundred and sixty days...
Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there
one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Revelation 12:6
- one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
All of these different references and descriptions, whether
one thousand two hundred and sixty days or
a times ,time and a half of time or
forty two months, all refer to the same time known as the great tribulation, which is the 3 1/2 year time period that finds its origin in the book of Daniel 9:27, specifically the phrase -
But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
It is unique in that it is associated with the event of Satan being cast down to the earth!
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world;
he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:9
and again -
12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!
Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." 13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished
for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
JLB
Which is it? do you not know or do you? I am not going to let you have it both ways. If no one knows then how do you know that it will be pre-tribulation?? maybe it is mid-tribulation? or 2 weeks before his return? or how about 2 months before his return? So you see Edward if you are going to use the arguement of 'no one knows' then you can't claim to know that it is definitly pre-trib.