I would like to share with you a theory I have regarding the great tribulation if you do not mind. Feel free to disagree with it. Your response would be much appreciated.
It is my opinion that the great tribulation is yet to occur and that wars, great earthquakes, pestilences and food shortages will dramatically increase in the future and will be caused by global warming and immigration.
I also believe that scientific predictions can be used to support the prophesies made by the apostles and that these events are likely to occur within the next one to three hundred years.
Quoting luke 21:10-11 which speaks about the great tribulation:
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences and food shortages; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs.
The great tribulation will be so devastating that "unless those days are cut short, no flesh would be saved" - (Mathew 24:22) . This would seem to suggest that the great tribulation will be caused by human activity that results in God stepping in to "put to ruin those ruining the earth." - Revelation 11:18 . . .
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A: It’s nice to see that you have joined your mother and sister in attending meetings. They must be very happy. And from what you write, your research and studying, (which I quote only in part) it is evident that you have a healthy spiritual appetite. I’m sure that Jehovah will bless your progress.
You are absolutely correct that the great tribulation is yet to occur, but considering the evidence we can be certain that it won’t take another one to three hundred years. In connection with the events that you quote from Luke, chapter 21, Jesus said, “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. Just so, when you see the events I've described taking place, you can be sure that the Kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:29-31; New Living Translation)
Although Jesus told his disciples “You should not be concerned about times or dates. The Father has set them by his own authority,” he nevertheless provided signs that would indicate the approaching time of the establishment of God’s kingdom. (Acts 1: 7; New International Reader's Version) Historians have written much on how the last Century has definitely been unique in human history, and as you note, scientific predictions foretell conditions on earth to worsen. For the first time man has the capability to destroy all life on earth, either directly by means of the many weapons of mass destruction, or indirectly by what he is doing to the environment. According to the events happening, we “can be sure that the Kingdom of God is near.” How much worse things will get between now and the great tribulation remains to be seen.
According to the prophet Daniel, when God’s kingdom is established it “will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms” that are now in existence. That event is called in the Bible “Armageddon” (Har-Magedon). (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:16) It is God’s war against all his enemies. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, says:
14These miracle-working demons caused all the rulers of the world to gather for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God Almighty.
15"Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed."
16And they gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew. —Rev. 16:14-16; New Living Translation.
Jesus, and other Bible writers, warned that God’s day will come “as a thief,” unexpected to any who have not paid attention to the foretold signs. (Matt. 25:13; Luke 12:40; 1 Thess. 5:4; 2 Peter 3:12)
Where does the “great tribulation,” mentioned by Jesus, fit into the picture? (Matt. 24:21) Does it come before Armageddon? Is it caused by “human activity,” as you suggest? Is the great tribulation, perhaps, a consequence of “global warming and immigration?”
In Revelation, chapter seven, there is pictured “four angels,” to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, “standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow upon the earth or upon the sea or upon any tree,” until after the sealing of the slaves of God in their foreheads. (Rev. 7:1-3)
Regarding the four winds of Revelation, Insight on the Scriptures says:
“Usually winds were named for the direction from which they came, the “east wind” blowing westward from the E. (Ex 10:13, 19; Ps 78:26; Ca 4:16) All four directions, N, S, E, and W, are embraced by references to “the four winds” of heaven or earth. (Jer 49:36; Eze 37:9; Da 8:8; Mt 24:31) At Revelation 7:1, “four angels” are depicted as “standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth.” By standing at the “corners,” the “angels” would let loose the winds obliquely from diagonal directions, sparing no quarter of the earth from the disastrous blowing of the winds.” —it-2 p. 1186 Wind.
These four winds, that the angels are holding back, are no ordinary winds, as is noted in the above reference book. Jehovah long ago foretold the time when he would unleash the destructive powers of these winds.
“Look! The LORD's anger bursts out like a storm, a whirlwind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not diminish until it has finished all his plans. In the days to come, you will understand all this very clearly.” (Jeremiah 23:19,20; New Living Translation; see also Jeremiah 25:31-33; 30:23; Zephaniah 1:15-18; 3:8)
The “windstorm of Jehovah” (NWT) will burst out, be unleashed, when he executes his judgment upon the nations:
“The Lord will judge them with fire. His chariots are coming like a windstorm. He will pour out his burning anger on his enemies. It will blaze out like flames of fire. The Lord will bring everyone into court. He will use fire and his sword to punish those he finds guilty. He will put many people to death.” —Isaiah 66:15-16; New International Reader's Version.
It is clear that the four winds of the earth, that the four angels are holding back, are referring to “the great day of Jehovah,” also called Armageddon. These four winds are being held back only until after “the slaves of our God” are sealed. The prophet Zephaniah describes how complete the destruction that follows will be:
“The great day of the Lord is near--near and hastening fast. Hark! the voice of the day of the Lord! The mighty man [unable to fight or to flee] will cry then bitterly.
That day is a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness . . .
And I will bring distress upon men, so that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's indignation and wrath. But the whole earth shall be consumed in the fire of His jealous wrath, for a full, yes, a sudden, end will He make of all the inhabitants of the earth.” —Zephaniah 1:14-18; Amplified Bible.
Note above how “the great day of Jehovah” (NWT) describes the great tribulation, “such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.” (Matt. 24:21) According to Revelation, the four winds of destruction are held back by God’s angels. It is their release of the four winds that unleashes the great tribulation. (Rev. 19:11-21) Also, according to what Zephaniah writes, it is Jehovah who will bring distress and anguish upon men, when he will bring a full and sudden end to all the inhabitants of the earth who have sinned against him. Therefore, we see that the great tribulation is not brought on by human activity, such as global warming, but rather by Jehovah God. And it is God who will cut short the days of the greatest of all tribulations, as Jesus said, “unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved.” All other disasters that have ever occurred on this earth until then will pale in comparison.
Although Zephaniah paints a bleak picture and says that God will make an end “of all the inhabitants of the earth,” the account in Revelation, chapter seven, goes on to show that there will be “a great crowd,” out of “all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,” that survive that great tribulation, for they “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” That is, they exercised faith in Christ’s ransom and did God’s will, which included being baptized. (Matt. 7:21; 28:19,20) This, of course, they did before the four winds of the great tribulation were unleashed, and it is on their account that God cuts short those days, otherwise even his faithful servants would not survive. (Isaiah 55:6; Zephaniah 2:2,3; Malachi 4:1-3)
In connection with God’s coming day of wrath, Zephaniah includes a warning to God’s own people, for they too will come under judgment:
“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps.
I will punish those who are so contented.
They are like wine that has not been shaken up.
They think, 'The Lord won't do anything.
It doesn't matter whether it's good or bad.'
Their wealth will be stolen.
Their houses will be destroyed.
They will build houses.
But they will not live in them.
They will plant vineyards.
But they will not drink the wine they produce.” —Zephaniah 1:12,13; New International Reader's Version.
(compare Jeremiah 25:27-30; Ezekiel 9:4-6; 1 Peter 4:17,18)
The great tribulation is not man-made. It is brought on by Jehovah. It is his day of Armageddon.
(For a fuller consideration of this topic please see my article, The Great Tribulation = Jehovah’s Day = Armageddon)