Tribulation is an experience of suffering, distress, affliction, trouble, or persecution. The Greek word appears in the New Testament much more than the Old Testament. In the New Testament there are a few references where the word “tribulation” (or variations of it) is used to denote the hardships that occur in the lives of common people. The labour pains of a woman in childbirth (John 16:21), the worldly concerns that arise in marriage (1 Corinthians 7:28), and the affliction of widows (James 1:27) are all described with words that mean “tribulation.” A scourge like the famine that afflicted Egypt and Canaan during the patriarchal age is characterized as “great misery,” a word also linked with tribulation (Acts 7:11). In a narrower sense, the word “tribulation” refers to a specific believer experience. The teachings of Moshiach provide basic definitions for this meaning of “tribulation.” He said that whenever the gospel is present in the world, tribulation becomes unavoidable. As the word of the gospel is sown, tribulation and persecution appear spontaneously (Matthew 13:21). This concept of tribulation during the church age is carefully developed in Yeshua’ teaching on future events (Matthew 24-25). Yeshua’ teaching provides the only explicit description of, and clear chronological reference available in the Bible to, the tribulation of his followers. In it, Yeshua predicted the time of the beginning, the extent, and the end of tribulation. This teaching on the tribulation was handed down to the twelve disciples privately, as a matter directly relevant to their lives (24:3). Yeshua told the Twelve that they would be delivered up to tribulation and that this tribulation would take the form of persecution to the death for his name’s sake (24:9). The context of this teaching indicates that the tribulation taught by Yeshua would affect believers in many places throughout history. But the fact that Yeshua predicted to the twelve disciples that they would fall victim to the tribulation, at the very beginning of the sufferings (24:8), provides a clear reference to the starting point of the tribulation during the disciples’ lifetimes. Likewise, the same group of disciples was to be witnesses of the “great tribulation” that would befall Jerusalem as predicted by the prophet Daniel (Matthew 25:15-21). It is clear that Yeshua was referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The fall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Roman legions was to be viewed as an archetypal representation of the greater tribulation. This is attested to by Matthew’s parenthetical editorial comment in Matthew 24:15 (“reader, pay attention!”), intended to alert his original readers to the fulfilment of Yeshua’ prediction within their lifetimes. Moreover, the parallel section in Luke 21:20-24 makes it clear that the desolation of Jewish Jerusalem would be followed by a long period of Gentile domination, which is precisely what happened after AD 70. The New Testament forewarns believers of the inevitability of tribulation; it also prescribes the appropriate response of believers. They should rejoice because tribulation produces perseverance and strength of character (Romans 5:3-4). They should bear it patiently (Romans 12:12), knowing that YHVH comforts the faithful in all tribulations (2 Corinthians 1:4) and that the present tribulation prepares believers for incomparable glory in eternity (4:17). Except for rare and exceptional circumstances that enable believers to enjoy affluence and freedom, most believers throughout history have suffered tribulation. The normal vocation of the church has been to endure as a beleaguered and persecuted minority in a hostile world. For believers providentially protected from tribulation, it is easy to relegate tribulation to a future period in history. For believers suffering in the throes of opposition, however, the tribulation is an ever-present reality. The virulence and the severity of the tribulation may vary from time to time and from place to place, yet Moshiach’s promise remains true, “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).