Can the Great Tribulation Countdown Come in 2026? Countdown to Armageddon in 2026?

(Above from Grok AI)

COGwriter

Is the end coming in 2026?

No.

Could the countdown to the end start in 2026?

Some think so.

A reader forwarded me a link to the following by Sabbatarian Tim McHyde:

Why I’m Convinced The End Begins in 2026—And What You Can Do About It

Since learning in 2001 that Yeshua must return in a Sabbath year, I’ve had to rule out three consecutive Sabbath year cycle windows for the final 7 years (2003-2009, 2010-2016, 2017-2023). This same insight enabled me to easily rule out every date-setting prophecy theory along the way, bringing comfort to many scared readers. With the next possible window for the 70th week coming next decade (2024-2030), I’m ready to share why I believe, based on the real end time sign of Mt 24:14, that this can be the one. …

To be clear as possible about my position on 2026:

• I’m not saying “thus saith the Lord” or doing this “in God’s name.” I offer you no hard proof in signs or wonders that would accompany such a statement by the prophets.
• As such, I am not a prophet nor making myself out to be one.
• I am not a “watchman” nor am I here to “warn” anyone, either.
• I am not even making a “prediction” nor a definitive statement that “the end will for sure come in 2026.” For an example of a definitive statement from me, go to my article “Jesus cannot/will not come back in 2018.” Note that those who make doomsday date predictions are usually surprised or confused when they fail to happen. I won’t be because I already know it is possible I misunderstood given I did not hear the audible voice of God explicitly say “2026 is it.”
• I’m only sharing my conviction that 2026 is the end. …
• I’m sharing this revelation to bless and build up brethren (1Co 14:26) who want or are waiting for confirmation that time is short. …
• If 2026 must be ruled out …, I will be relieved with nothing to apologize for because my conviction shared below coupled with my teaching on repentance to escape what is coming will only help listeners to prioritize God in their life. Urgency about the end is a blessing when you have been told what the Bible says to do about it.
• Finally, my “reputation as a teacher” is not “on the line” as my 2026 date is not a teaching as much as sharing a revelation I am convinced is from God (1Co 14:26). In other words, a teaching of mine would be that the 70th week will come in some Sabbath year cycle. My conviction is that God has confirmed that 2024-2030 is the right cycle, making 2026 the “beginning of sorrows.” …

By the way, I hope my conviction is wrong. 06/09/2017 https://escapeallthesethings.com/2026-in-prophecy/ accessed 10/14/18

Please understand that Jesus DID NOT say to calculate the Sabbatical year, Jubilee year, or anything similar to figure out when the end would be.

So, be careful about doing so yourself or relying on those who mainly point to such calculations.

Another Sabbatarian, who is also a unitarian, pointed to the Jubilee year starting in 2026. He also pointed to Armageddon in 2026 or the latest 2027 (https://www.cogwriter.com/ccg.htm), but that is not possible.

That being said, there is a small possibility that 2026 is a Sabbatical or Jubilee year.

Furthermore, in 2025, Timothy B. Merriman sent me an unsolicited copy of his book, It’s Much Later Than You Think. He claims in that book that Jesus the Messiah will return on the Feast of Trumpets in 2026–this is NOT possible.

Notice also:

So God rested on the 7th day. The Bible says the year to the Lord is a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. It is estimated that from Adam to Christ was 3,974 years, Its been 2,024 years since Christ which puts us at 5,998 years. So Jesus is going to come back in 2026. Because that would be 6,000 years. The Tribulation would start in 2026 and the 7 year peace treaty would be broken half way through and God;s wrath is to be poured out. https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/1cwpqn4/when_jesus_is_going_to_return/

However, necessary events that Jesus and Daniel mentioned have not happened that will allow for that. Plus, according to Jesus, He returns after the tribulation:

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

Now, let’s notice the following:

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. (Matthew 24:3-5)

Just like you, the disciples wanted to know. But also notice that Jesus said to be careful about being deceived, including by people who teach that Jesus is the Christ.

He later listed more signs to look for–signs that occur before He returns–signs that have not happened yet.

Many have been deceived about the Great Tribulation, its start, and the return of Jesus.

But if the Great Tribulation cannot begin in 2026, could the countdown to the end begin in 2026?

If we see certain signs of prophetic confirmation, then possibly yes.

While the Continuing Church of God is NOT Protestant, we do know that many Evangelical Protestants believe that the tribulation lasts 7 years, with the first 3 1/2 being relatively fine, but the last 3 1/2 more horrifying.

Working forward two complete thousand year periods from 33 A.D., the year of our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection, would bring us to the year 2033 A.D. as the date of our Lord’s return and the beginning of His millennial reign. Subtracting seven years from this total, gives us the year 2026 A.D. as the time of the commencement of the seven year tribulational period. Although our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection occurred in the spring at the time of Passover, the Tribulation will begin with the cycle of festivals occurring in the fall (see section II.7.3 above). …

Taking into account the half hour of silence mentioned above as standing for a one half year grace period (Rev.8:1-2), we are thus left with a probable start date for the Tribulation of fall 2026. https://ichthys.com/Satans-Rebellion-Part5.htm

Hosea 6:3 says, “After two days will he (the LORD) revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” 2033 will be two of the Lords days since the the death of Christ. Simple math, 7 years before 2033 is 2026. Could that be the Year Tribulation starts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/278160135977556/posts/2217189725407911/

The two claims above are at least partially based on the inaccurate belief that Jesus died on a Friday–but He did not. Jesus died on the day we call Wednesday, so that eliminates the 33 A.D. period. The possible Wednesday dates are 31, 34, and 35 A.D. See also: What Happened in the ‘Crucifixion Week’?

Here is another guess:

I have a very educated guess on when the absolute end will occur.

2033 is exactly 2000 years. The Great Tribulation is 7 years long.

So either the rapture happens approximately

2033 – 7 = year 2026

Or 2033 + 7 = 2040 maximum

The beginning of the end was when Israel was reestablished as a nation In 1948

The scriptures says there would be a generation of people who would live in these times who will be witnesses to all the end time events since 1948.

Well anyone living around 1948 or as children since 1948 will be very old by 2026-2033-2040 time frame.

Meaning the possible beginning of the absolute END TIMES PROPHECIES CONCLUSION is NOW up to 2040 maximum. And likely 2026 the earliest approximation to 2033.

https://www.facebook.com/100063914528633/posts/i-have-a-very-educated-guess-on-when-the-absolute-end-will-occur-2033-is-exactly/4391577264195320/

Also, since Jesus said:

34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (Matthew 24:34)

So how long is a generation?

Biblically, a generation was seemingly considered to be 30 or 40 years according to the Smith’s Bible Dictionary’s understanding of Job 42:16 (Smith W. Smith’s Bible Dictionary. Originally written 1863, Hendrickson Publishers, p. 211). At the most it would be 70 to 80 years (Psalm 90:10). But 30-40 years seems to be the most logical–and that seems to tie in with the 6,000 year plan (it is likely less than 30 years from the opening of the first seal of Revelation 6:1-2). Yet, even if it were 80 years, starting with 1948, EVERYTHING JESUS STATED WOULD HAPPEN IN MATTHEW 24 WOULD HAVE TO BE OVER BY 2028–hence tying in with the start of the nation of Israel, which many Protestants have attempted to so, is in error.

While we are close to the end of the 6,000 years, of humanity’s rule of the planet (Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?) the end is not yet (Matthew 24:6). The “end” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:6 and 14 looks to point to the start of the Great Tribulation, though the 6,000 years, instead could point to His return–which will not be before 2033.

Consider that adding 3 1/2 years to the current date leads us to 2029 for the earliest possibly start date of the Great Tribulation, but that could be too soon.

Now, with that understanding, it is possible that the seven year period before Jesus will return, as well as the countdown to Armageddon, could start in 2026. Yet, we will need to see certain signs in order to know so–which we will not know for certain until after they have happened.

Notice the words of Jesus:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 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)

So, let’s look at a writing in Daniel related to the abomination:

26 … And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 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.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate. (Daniel 9:26-27)

That confirmation has still not happened. Nor, as other passages in Daniel 11 point to related to the abomination (Daniel 11:31), have we seen the formation of the biblical kings of the north and south that need to be in place (cf. Daniel 11:25).

So, the end is not this year.

In Daniel 9:26-27, we read that a “prince” (meaning he is not the top leader at the time) will confirm some type of covenant for one week.

Throughout history, even as reported by the 3rd century Hippolytus of Rome, the one week period has been presumed to be seven years.

Many consider that this covenant will be some type of peace deal, consistent with other prophecies such as Daniel 8:25 and 11:24.

Notice that the covenant is broken in the middle of that week. That would be after 3 1/2 years. Then, we see the abomination of desolation.

That is when to flee according to Jesus, and that is quickly followed by the Great Tribulation.

And as cited from Jesus in Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus returns AFTER the tribulation.

Therefore, if we see a deal with an element that is confirmed for seven years in 2026, then that could start the countdown to the end.

However, since peace deals tend to come after wars, it is very likely that we will see a major regional war, with Jerusalem suffering great damage (Isaiah 22:6-9) first.

Anyway, we are getting closer to the end of the 6,000 years and could see the countdown to the end soon. However, let me state that there is NO possibility that the Great Tribulation will begin in 2026, 2027, or 2028 nor that Jesus will return before 2033.

UPDATE 12/21/25: We just uploaded the following related video:

14:28

Countdown to the Great Tribulation

Is 2026 the year the Great Tribulation finally begins? Is this is the start if a Sabbatical cycle some have postulated countdowns to the return of Jesus? Is a Sabbatical cycle or Jubilee year even mentioned by Jesus as a leading indicator of the Great Tribulation? Jesus, Himself, pointed to events, including some written by the prophet Daniel. If God has placed some of the understanding of the signs of the beginning of the Great Tribulation in the words of Daniel the prophet till the time of the end, what are those signs? If 2026 is not the year the Great Tribulation begins, could any of the signs mentioned in the book of Daniel begin to take place in 2026? Could this year be the beginning of the end? Do you want to know? In Matthew 24:3 Jesus’ disciples wanted to know. Of course, we know Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour, but Jesus also told us in Matthew 24:33 that we will know when it is at the very doors! What about the timing of Armageddon? Surely you, just like the disciples, want to know. Watch this video as Dr. Thiel shines the light of Biblical prophecy on the future of the possibilities that await us in the new calendar year. Listen as Dr. Thiel explains the scriptures that prophesy a seven year (one week) ‘peace deal’ in Daniel, the breaking of that deal, the rise of the king of the north and the king of the south, the Great Tribulation and the return of our Lord and Savior. The time for the countdown to begin is close at hand.

Here is a link to our video: Countdown to the Great Tribulation.

After listing events that would happen, Jesus told those who would listen:

36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)

And that is what true Christians should do.