What to Expect When the Tribulation Begins: The First 3.5 Years Uncovered

Posted June 19, 2025 | End Times Watch | River Wilde

We are approaching a prophetic moment unlike any other. According to Scripture, the 7-year Tribulation could begin very soon—even within this year. But how will we know when it officially starts?

The Covenant That Starts It All

The Bible gives us a clear sign: the signing of a peace agreement involving Israel.

“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…”
— Daniel 9:27 (KJV)

This peace covenant will mark Day One of the Tribulation, and will expose the Antichrist—a deceiver who will rise to power, promising peace while secretly planning destruction.

A Word About the Rapture

Before we dive into the events of the first 3.5 years, let’s consider a comforting truth: God has a plan to rescue His children through the Rapture. While views differ on the exact timing, we know this event will occur sometime during the Tribulation, removing believers before God’s wrath is fully poured out.

So if you’re a planner—this will help you prepare wisely for just the time you’ll be here, rather than stressing about the entire 7 years.

…LET’S GO…Here are the details of the First 3.5 years of the Tribulation Period.

1. The Antichrist Confirms a 7-Year Covenant

This peace agreement begins the Tribulation and launches the Antichrist into the global spotlight. Though the term “Antichrist” appears mainly in John’s letters, Scripture describes this final world ruler under many titles and traits:

Trait	Scripture
Deceives the world	1 John 2:22, 2 Thess. 2:10
Claims to be God	2 Thess. 2:4
Makes and breaks covenant	Daniel 9:27
Performs false miracles	2 Thess. 2:9
Persecutes believers	Revelation 13:7
Enforces the mark of the beast	Revelation 13:16–17
Destroyed by Jesus	2 Thess. 2:8, Revelation 19:20

2. The First Four Seals – The Four Horsemen

Revelation 6:1–8 (KJV) reveals the early judgments, known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These are released when Jesus Christ—the Lamb—opens the first four seals of the end-time scroll.

White Horse — Deception / False Peace

“…and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” — Revelation 6:2
This likely represents the Antichrist’s peaceful conquest. The Tribulation will begin with a false sense of security, giving him credibility as a global peacemaker.

Red Horse — War and Civil Unrest

“…to take peace from the earth…” — Revelation 6:4
False peace will be short-lived. War, chaos, and unrest will spread across the globe.

Black Horse — Famine and Economic Collapse

“…a measure of wheat for a penny…” — Revelation 6:6
Food prices will skyrocket. Economic systems will fail. Hunger will be widespread.

Pale Horse — Death by Plague, Hunger, and Violence

“…his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him…” — Revelation 6:8
A fourth of the world’s population will die from violence, starvation, and disease.

3. The Jewish Temple Is Rebuilt

“…he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV)

For the Antichrist to desecrate the temple at the 3.5-year mark, it must be rebuilt early in the Tribulation. Daily sacrifices may resume (Daniel 9:27), preparing the way for the abomination of desolation.

4. Rise of a One-World Religion

Revelation 17 introduces Mystery Babylon, a seductive global religion uniting people under spiritual deception.

“…the great whore that sitteth upon many waters… arrayed in purple and scarlet colour… Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots…” — Revelation 17:1–5 (KJV)

This false religious system will be rich, influential, and spiritually corrupt. Empowered by the Antichrist and the False Prophet, it will demand worship of the beast. But God will judge it swiftly:

“Therefore shall her plagues come in one day… she shall be utterly burned with fire…” — Revelation 18:8 (KJV)

5. The Two Witnesses Appear in Israel

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days…” — Revelation 11:3 (KJV)

For 3.5 years, two prophets—believed by many to be Elijah and Moses—will perform miracles and preach in Jerusalem. No one can harm them until their mission ends. After they are killed and lie dead for 3.5 days, God will resurrect them before the eyes of the world.

6. Fifth Seal – Martyrs Cry Out

“…I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God…” — Revelation 6:9 (KJV)

As persecution increases, many will be killed for refusing to worship the Antichrist. These faithful souls cry out to God for justice, and He tells them to rest a little while longer.

7. Sixth Seal – Cosmic Disturbances

“…the sun became black… the moon became as blood… For the great day of his wrath is come…” — Revelation 6:12–17 (KJV)

Earthquakes, celestial signs, and mass fear will shake humanity. People will hide in terror, realizing that God’s wrath is now unfolding.

8. The 144,000 Are Sealed

“Hurt not the earth… till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” — Revelation 7:3 (KJV)

God will seal 144,000 Jewish believers early in the Tribulation—likely between the sixth and seventh seals. These witnesses will boldly proclaim Christ and help lead many to salvation.

9. The Seventh Seal – Silence and the Trumpets

“…there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” — Revelation 8:1 (KJV)

When the seventh seal is opened, heaven falls silent. This moment of holy stillness ushers in the seven trumpet judgments—a new wave of catastrophic events. The pause is a breath before the storm, marking a clear shift in the level of divine judgment.

Summary Timeline: First 3.5 Years of the Tribulation

Order	Event	Scripture (KJV)
1	Antichrist confirms 7-year covenant	Daniel 9:27
2	Four Horsemen (Seals 1–4)	Revelation 6:1–8
3	Jewish Temple rebuilt	2 Thessalonians 2:4
4	One-world religion rises	Revelation 13, 17
5	Two witnesses begin ministry	Revelation 11:3–6
6	Martyrs cry out (Seal 5)	Revelation 6:9–11
7	Cosmic signs (Seal 6)	Revelation 6:12–17
8	144,000 Jews sealed	Revelation 7:3–4
9	Seventh seal opened	Revelation 8:1

These are the details of the first 3.5 years into the 7-year Tribulation Period…WHEW! This will be a period of time that is fast moving, as well as filled with unprecedented events that will happen.

Since the timing of the Rapture is vague, I invite you to prayerfully study where you might feel that the Rapture will occur. Again, understanding God’s purpose of the event, “To Rescue”.

The second half of the Tribulation period will be when the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpet Judgments, as well as the Seven Bowls of Wrath will occur. These are God’s Judgments that He intends to pour out onto those who have taken the mark of the beast, as well as Satan himself.

To me it is evident that God will rapture His church (Children) before the second half of the Tribulation Period.

I have covered a great deal of information today. Now that you have been given a “Big Picture View,” I would like to break things down into future study of each of these topics to gain a better understanding of each. I hope that you will join me each day in our studies of the end-times.

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