WE are clearly not on the same page and will likely never be able to agree until one or both of us are proven wrong (as these prophesied events become history in the making)
The following article explains how many Christians like myself understand the coming 7 year Tribulation period.
BIBLE PROPHECY
The Tribulation Period
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068
www.makinglifecount.net
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The Tribulation Period is the last 7 years on earth before Jesus returns at His Second Coming. The prophet Daniel gave us a "prophetic clock" which predicts the
first coming (to suffer) and
second coming (to reign) of the Messiah. (Dan. 9:24-27).
Daniel's 70 Weeks Prophecy. This prophetic clock is split up into three sections:
1. The first 69 weeks (of years), or 483 years. The Jews not only had a week of days, but also a week of years. (See Gen. 29:27-30, Lev. 25:4,8). This prophecy clearly refers to the week of years. The clock will tick for 483 years, then the Messiah will be revealed.
2. The clock stops, creating a gap in time of 2000 years. We are currently living in this time gap, waiting for the clock to start ticking again.
3. The clock starts ticking again sometime in the future when the Antichrist confirms a 7 year covenant with Israel. At the end of the 7 years, the Messiah will be revealed a second time.
The clock began ticking when the Artaxerxes signed a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem in 445 B.C. (Dan. 9:25, Neh. 2:1-8). The first 69 weeks was fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the Messiah on Palm Sunday (Luke 19:37-44). The clock stopped ticking on that day. After the clock stopped, two things were to happen before the clock could start ticking again: The Messiah was to be "cut off" (crucifixion) and Jerusalem was destroyed, which happened in 70 A.D. (Dan. 9:26).
The clock will start ticking again for the last week of years when the Antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel for 7 years (Dan. 9:27). In the middle of the 7 years, he will stop the sacrifices in the temple, thus splitting the Tribulation Period into two halves.
The Abomination of Desolation
Daniel informs us that the Antichrist will stop the sacrifices in the Jewish temple "in the middle of the week," splitting the 7 years into two sections of 3 1/2 years. This act is referred to as the "abomination of desolation" (Dan. 9:27). Paul also speaks of the abomination when he informs us the Antichrist will take his seat in the Jewish Temple and declare himself to be God (2 Thess. 2:3-4).
Jesus said, "Therefore when you see the Abomination of Desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place [Jewish rebuilt temple] (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (Matt. 24:15-16). When they see the Antichrist go into the temple, there are only 3 ½ years left until the Second Coming! The Antichrist will be destroyed on the same day Jesus returns to earth. (2 Thess. 2:8, Rev. 19:20).
It's clear that the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation are talking about the same thing. Daniel gives us general information, while Revelation gives us the details. Most of the book of Revelation deals with the last 3 1/2 years on earth.
It is amazing that Daniel, Paul, John, and Jesus all warn us about the 1,260th day, which is the exact middle of the last 7 years before Christ returns. On the 1,260th day, these things will happen:
1. The Antichrist will stop the sacrifices in the rebuilt Jewish Temple (Dan. 9:27).
2. He will take his seat in the Temple, displaying himself as being God (2 Thess. 2:4).
3. He will kill the two witnesses (Rev. 11:7).
4. He will set up the "abomination of desolation" (Matt. 24:15, Dan. 9:27, 12:11).
5. The Jews will flee to the mountains (Matt. 24:15).
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