Scripture References
Daniel 9:27
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, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Matthew 24:15-21
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
...
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Explanation:
In Matthew 24:15-21, Jesus gives a very explicit timeline of endtime events, including the Great Tribulation. In verse 15, He begins by pointing us to the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel. Jesus goes on to indicate in verse 21 that the Abomination of Desolation is the event that triggers the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
What is this Abomination of Desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, and where does it fall on God's prophetic timeline. Daniel 9:27 gives us the answer. In speaking of the 70th week (7 year period), Daniel says, "He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst (middle) of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease..."
Daniel states clearly that 3 1/2 years into this final 7 year period, the antichrist will cause the sacrific and oblation to cease. This is the abomination of desolation that Jesus said would trigger the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
This 3 1/2 year period of time known as the Great Tribulation is mentioned in numerous other passages of scripture:
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. - Daniel 7:25
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. - Revelation 13:5
Daniel 12:1-7, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 12:13-17