Are the days of the great tribulation shortened to three years?
No, the great tribulation is not shortened to three years; the period remains three and a half years. The shortening means it will not extend beyond that appointed time—not even an hour over. It ends right on schedule. If it lasted 24 or 48 hours longer, no flesh could be saved, but for the elect's sake it is shortened.
Les explains that the great tribulation is a three-and-a-half-year period, not three years. He points out that the phrase 'except those days should be shortened' does not mean the duration is reduced to three years. Instead, the Greek word implies that when the three and a half years are complete, the period will not go even an hour over; it will end exactly on schedule. Jesus said that if that time went on even 24 or 48 hours longer, no flesh could be saved. But for the elect's sake—the believers, whether Jew or Gentile—those days are shortened, meaning they are limited to the appointed time and will not be extended.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
More Questions
Why will the tribulation days be shortened?
The days will be shortened for the elect's sake, because if that period went even 24 or 48 hours longer, no flesh could be saved.
What does 'those days shall be shortened' mean in Matthew 24:22?
The days being shortened does not mean the tribulation will be three years instead of three and a half; it means the three and a half years will end exactly on schedule and not go an hour over.