There are two great purposes for the tribulation—purposes that affect the kingdom.  One purpose is for judgment on all unbelievers because of their godlessness.  It is a judgment of death and can be viewed as a cleansing of the earth from sin in preparation for Christ’s reign.  The second great purpose is to bring salvation to many who will populate the earth during Christ’s reign.

The focus of the tribulation of course will be on Israel. God has especially prepared this time of tribulation for them—a time which has been termed “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7).  This time has not been designed necessarily to punish them, but to bring them to repentance and salvation.  And indeed, at the very end, the entire nation of Jews (all that have survived the tribulation) will be saved (that is, all that have not already been saved will be saved at…