Here are five scriptural reasons, in summary, with three more reasons, for a total of EIGHT.  Each of the first five has a webpage or two devoted to proving the topic with all the scriptures spelled out and explained, among other details added as well.  Each of these points I have argued for weeks at a time, with no valid or scriptural challenges to the presentation, each skeptic who engaged the debate on each topic withered under the weight of the scriptural evidence.  They didn't always agree with me in the end, because they KNEW where the conclusion would lead and they apparantly didn't want to change their belief system, but they all failed to show my specific arguments were invalid in any way.  Some of the lamest excuses come from people after arguing and coming to the end of the discussion, where they still refuse to agree, such as, "You'd better be right." or "Well, it's not obvious".  Where does the Bible say it presents its hard mysteries in an obvious way?  But I try my best to present these truths as clearly as I can.

1. The great tribulation, the time of trouble, and the Day of the Lord are all the unique "day unlike any other". Matthew 24:21, Daniel 12:1, Jeremiah 30:7, Joel 2:1-2.  Thus, they must be covering the same time frame. The only difference is that the Day of the Lord lasts 1000 years, whereas the great tribulation, and the time of trouble are only the first seven years.
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/aftertribulation.htm

2. These three aforementioned descriptions and names for a certain coming unique time, the Great Tribulation, Time of Trouble, and Day of the Lord, are all also known and described as the birth pangs or time of travail (Jeremiah 30:6, Isaiah 13:6-8, Isaiah 26:16-21, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, Revelation 12:2, Isaiah 66:7-9, Matt 24:8), so they cover the same time frame.  Otherwise, there would be two unique times unlike any other, and two times of the birth pangs.
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/aftertribulation.htm

3. The stellar signs are symbolic of Satan and the demons being cast out of heaven.  Ezekiel 32, Isaiah 24, & more.  Satan is cast out at the beginning of the tribulation, Rev 12. These stellar signs are the beginning of the Day of the Lord.  Joel 2.
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/satansfall.htm

As an aside to points 1-3, yes, I'm well aware that Matt 24 places the stellar signs "after the tribulation". This was one of the main points that caused me to hesitate regarding the pretribulation rapture when I first heard of it, and it caused me to desire to investigate the subject thoroughly.

Actually, the above points create a paradox which must be resolved.  Either we have two times of stellar signs, or we have two unique times so horrible they are unlike any other.  If there is only one occurrance of the stellar signs, and it is placed after the tribulation and before the day of the Lord, then we have two unique times.  If we overlap the tribulation and the Day of the Lord so that they cover the same time frame, then we must have two stellar signs; one "before the day of the Lord" (Joel 2) then the time when the tribulation and day of the Lord overlap, and then the stellar signs again "after the tribulation" Matt 24.

The paradox can be resolved when we realize that the Bible defines its own terms. Jesus in the Olivet Discourse mentioned the "great tribulation". But in verse 29, he does not say "great".  Why not?  And the Bible describes TWO times as tribulation, both this future "great" one, and our time today, "...In the world ye shall have tribulation..." (John 16:33)

Further, all the signs he gave were fulfilled in that generation, as any good preterist or historicist will tell you. Further, John applied the many false Christs to the many antichists and concluded that the tribulation of his day WAS, in fact that same one being spoken of in the Olivet Discourse.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Of course that "tribulation in the world" is NOT like the great tribulation, which is that specific unique time unlike any other, as defined by scripture. See point 2 again. The great tribulation is UNIQUE. So, we must conclude that either Jesus was misleading John, or that John was WRONG AND LYING when he made the application, OR there is a double reference, and "after the tribulation" which, through the Biblical definitions, can refer to BOTH after the tribulation of the age of the apostles, which we are still in, AND to the great tribulation.  The double reference is the ONLY solution which harmonizes the scriptures, and prevents Jesus and John from being liars.  Furthermore the double reference makes complete sense because all the main features of the entire Olivet Discourse has had past fulfillment, and yet we also expect a future fulfillment.

To acknowledge all the other double references such as (1) the abomination of desolation as the destruction of the former temple, and (2) the false Christs as the many antichrists, and yet to deny "after the tribulation" as a double reference is not consistent interpretation.

Thus, after the "tribulation in the world" of today, will begin the great tribulation.

So, the three applications of Matt 24:29-31 that I see are as follows:
1. After our tribulaitons today, we will see the signs of the Day of the Lord, and the pretribulation rapture.
2. After the great tribulation, Israel will be gathered together, as seen in Isaiah 11:12, 27:12,13, and in other places.
2A. After the great tribulation, the saints will be gathered together from out of heaven to follow Jesus in his return as in Rev 19.

Again, that Matt 24:29 is speaking of a PRETRIBULATION event is noted by the stellar signs, see point 1.

Moving on to other reasons why the Day of the Lord is the tribulation.

4. The 70 years were the fury and anger and wrath of the Lord upon the people of Israel in the first dispersion. In Daniel 9, these 70 years become 70 weeks of years, a seven fold worse judgment. If the first was the wrath of God, and a curse, then also the 70 weeks are the wrath. And by extension, the 70th week is the wrath of God. The 7 year tribulation by everyone's definition who agrees on a 7 year trib. The Day of the Lord is ALSO known universally as the wrath of God.
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/wrathweek.htm

5. The Day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night.  The "thief in the night" is a bridal reference to how the groom will come for his bride, as seen in the Bible example I gave you from Judges 21.  This is the start of the bridal week or tribulation week.  See
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/wedding12.htm

There are three other arguments I have seen recently on the Day of the Lord & tribulation, but I have not put these into webpages yet.

1.  Zeph 1:15 mentions several other descriptive terms for the Day of the Lord, one of which is "trouble".  Thus, linking it with the "time of trouble".  Also Isaiah 26 uses the same word "trouble".  Additionally, one way that particular Hewbrew word for "trouble" has been translated is "tribulation."
2.  The vials in Revelation describe events which include events as described in the Day of the Lord the famine & destruction of sea life.
see http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/dayofplagues.htm
3.  Finally, "the Lord alone will be exalted in that Day" Isaiah 2.  Since Satan is cast down at the start of the trib, this makes sense that the Day of the Lord begins at that time.

Now, I know Satan will TRY to exalt himself, which, by Satan's own definition, would require being above the stars of God.

Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon
the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in
the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

But Satan will NEVER succeed.  Saying that Satan WILL actually succeed in exalting himself is not correct.  But this IS a common argument that I want to address because it attacks the pretribulation rapture with this heresy of Satan being exalted in the tribulation.  This argument is used to say that the tribulation cannot be the Day of the Lord because only the Lord is exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:11  The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be
exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be
exalted in that day.

Exalted in Hebrew means to be high, inaccessibly high. Many words for high there.  And also it means to be set secure and safe on high.

                 07682 sagab {saw-gab'}
                 a primitive root; TWOT - 2234; v
                 AV - high 6, exalted 6, defend 2, safe 2, excellent 1, misc 3; 20
                 1) to be high, be inaccessibly high
                 1a) (Qal)
                 1a1) to be (too) high (for capture)
                 1a2) to be high (of prosperity)
                 1b) (Niphal)
                 1b1) to be high
                 1b2) to be set on high, be (safely) set on high
                 1b3) to be exalted (of God)
                 1c) (Piel)
                 1c1) to set on high, set (securely) on high
                 1c2) to exalt, exalt (in effective hostility)
                 1d) (Pual) to be set (securely) on high
                 1e) (Hiphil) to act exaltedly

But Satan is NOT set on high safe and secure during the tribulation.  He is CAST LOW.  Satan is humiliated and cast out of heaven,
down to earth, and brought lower than he ever has been in his entire life, scared and angry, not secure and safe at all.

Rev 12
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his
Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
...
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is
come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Isaiah 24:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the
kings of the earth upon the earth.

See also Ezekiel 28, a famous chapter for describing the judgment and humiliation of Satan in the time of the end.

Additionally, in the context of Isaiah 2, it should be realized that Satan must be included in the phrase "upon every one that is proud and
lofty".  Satan's biggest sin is pride, and Satan will be brought low during the Day of the Lord, the tribulation..

Isaiah 2:11  The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be
exalted in that day.
Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up;
and he shall be brought low:

Thus, the Day of the Lord is the time of trouble & the great tribulation, when Satan will be cast out of heaven, and brought low to the
earth.

Finally, see
dayofthelord.htm

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