The Tribulation will last seven years:
Last updated: 11-12-2002
Nearly all those who attack the doctrine of the seven year tribulation claim that the doctrine is based on one point, that of Dan 9:27. This is false. There are many, many scriptures that support the doctrine that the tribulation is seven years long. Here are just a few that I happen to know of, but I'm sure there are many more.
Each of the first 6 points below are expounded on below. This top section is just a summary; to quickly show that the doctrine is not based only on Dan 9:27.
1. The abomination of desolation from Daniel 9:27 is the man of sin in the temple of 2 Thess 2, which Jesus speaks of in the Olivet Discourse as the "false Christs" that shall come in the great tribulation with signs and wonders. Revelation and Daniel expand on this as being 3.5 years; 42 months, 1260 days; or "time, times and a half a time". Going back to Daniel 9:27, we see this event of the man of sin in the temple saying he is god takes place in the middle of the week, or 7 years.
2. Daniel Chapter 4 introduces the concept of "times" with reference to the king acting like a beast for seven years. This is a foreshadow of the tribulation, in more ways than length of time, and the similarity of the word phrase "times". We see that the king becomes as a "beast", and is brought low. Satan, likewise, is cast out of heaven, brought low, and becomes the "beast" of Revelation.
3. Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39 speak of the Gog & Magog war, which, as nations from the north, is distinct from Armageddon, which is the nations of the entire world. Israel burns the weapons for seven years.
4. The great tribulation is also known as the "time of Jacob's trouble" from Jeremiah 30:6,7. Jacob, or Israel, has trouble twice in his life, and each was a period of seven years.
5. The bridal week is a strong parallel of the tribulation week. Even the word "week" for bridal week is the same word used by Daniel in 9:27, the word means "seven", either days or years. The bride and groom are united in marriage at the start of the bridal week.
6. Jesus will take the throne of David and reign from Jerusalem. David reigned in Hebron for 7 years, and in Jerusalem for 33 years. Likewise, the Lord will reign in heaven for 7 years starting with the rapture and the Day of the Lord, and return to earth and Jerusalem after 7 years.
7. There are other verses which hint at a seven-year period through the use of a seven day period. And there are possibly other parallels of which I am not yet aware.
A woman is unclean for 7 days after giving birth to a man child. Why is this?
Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
Rev 12 speaks of the rapture of the man child, which represents the rapture of the church. Israel is the woman of Rev 12. Therefore, if law has prophetic implications, Israel will be "unclean" for 7 days after the rapture. But days can mean years in prophecy.
Also in law, there was a time for consecration, and it was 7 days for the priests. Again, a day for a year, means that a time of consecration might be 7 years.
Lev 8:33 And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.
34 As he hath done this day, so the LORD hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.
35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.
Noah entered the ark 7 days before the flood came. Noah is specifically stated as an example of the end times for us in the Olivet Discourse, and by 2 Peter 2, and the example is also of people experiencing plenty (eating, drinking, marrying) before the tribulation of the flood.
Joseph, in Egypt, has seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. This also parallels events for the tribulation, which is preceded by a time of plenty as Israel becomes wealthy in gold and silver prior to the tribulation, as shown in Ezekiel 38.
Now, to expand on the first six points mentioned in the introduction:
Paul describes The "False Christ" from the Olivet Discourse as the deception & blasphemy in the Temple, which mirrors the description given by Jesus, but Paul doesn't use the words "abomination of desolation" as Jesus does.
[2Thess 2:3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[2Thess 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.
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[2Thess 2:9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
[2Thess 2:10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[2Thess 2:11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Jesus speaks of the abomination of desolation in Daniel, and associates it with "False Christs", and also the lying signs and wonders.
[Mark 13:14] But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
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[Mark 13:21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
[Mark 13:22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
In parallel gospel of Matthew, Jesus specifically mentions the False Christ in the "holy place/Secret chambers", or Temple, just as 2 Thess 2 mentions the man of sin in the temple, as we just saw.;
[Mat 24:15] 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:)
...
[Mat 24:24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
[Mat 24:25] Behold, I have told you before.
[Mat 24:26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
In Daniel, the timing of the abomination of desolation is given; in the middle of the week, or 7 years, and a 1290 days time period, which is 30 days longer than 3.5 years.
[Dan 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.
[Dan 11:31] And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
[Dan 12:11] And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and [until?] the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Revelation links the 3.5 years, the blasphemy of the abomination, war on the saints, and many other things with Daniel's vision, and the three verses we just saw from the Olivet Discourse and 2 Thess 2.
[Rev 13:4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
[Rev 13:5] 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.
[Rev 13:6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
[Rev 13:7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
This is the same "AntiChrist/Beast/Horn" as Daniel's vision, speaking the same crime of blasphemy, ("I am God" Of 2 Thess) and the time length of "Great Tribulation" is the same, 3.5 years; 42 months in Rev, and 3 1/2 times in Daniel:
[Dan 7:21] I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
[Dan 7:25] 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.
The woman flees from Satan, in the last half of the tribulation, after the covenant is broken.
[Rev 12:6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
This 3.5 years is the second half of the 7 years. The blasphemy and the war on the saints concludes with Satan's destruction, but is preceded by the time of the two witnesses.
[Rev 11:1] And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
[Rev 11:2] But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
[Rev 11:3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
[Rev 11:4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
[Rev 11:5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
[Rev 11:6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
[Rev 11:7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Since Satan makes war on them, AFTER their 3.5 years of testimony, the time period that Satan will make war on the saints is AFTER this first 3.5 years of the two witnesses prophesy. And thus, the time period of the two witnesses is the first half of the tribulation.
Thus, these are two different 3.5 year periods, fitting into Daniel's 70th week, the final 7 years, which is split in the middle by the act of the abomination of desolation.
Getting back to Daniel.
Chapter 3. Consider the worship of the golden image and the furnace of fire. One cannot help but to note the similarities between this story and the tribulation of Rev. 13, the mark of the beast that one must take in order to buy and sell, or ultimately face death by beheading. Both are compulsory acts of worship, enforced by the decree of a world kingdom. The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar acts like the Beast of the tribulation.
Daniel 4: The King becomes a beast for seven years, in order to make him know that God is the King of the world who establishes Kings by God's will.
[Dan 4:16] Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
[Dan 4:17] This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
[Dan 4:33] The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
The King is made to be as a wild beast, which is how the world governments are described in Revelation, a wild beast. Revelation uses "beast" 59 times. It makes sense that God would give a preview in the natural, of things of the future. A preview of Satan's fate.
[1Cor 10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
[1Cor 15:46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
[Rev 13:4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
[Rev 13:5] 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.
(42 months is 3.5 years--the second half of the 7 year tribulation)
The King becomes a wild beast for seven times, which we know are seven years. Even the wording of "times" instead of years should make us take special note that Revelation is trying to get us to look at the seven times that passed over the King, in Daniel 4.
[Dan 12:7] And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Dan 12:7, linked with Rev. 13:5. 42 months, says that the "time, times and an half" is 3.5 years.
[Rev 12:14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
[Rev 12:6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Again, the 3.5 times, are linked to 3.5 years, through the similarity to the 1260 days.
(The other 42 months verse; 3.5 years:)
[Rev 11:2] But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
(The other 1260 days verse; 3.5 years)
[Rev 11:3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The purpose of the King's days as a beast, and the 7 year tribulation is similar.
So that all the world (not just the king) will know that God is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the supreme ruler of the earth.
And all of this is preceded by the comforting doctrine of the rapture; so that we need not fear nor look forward to this time of Satan's arrival; but rather, so that we can keep our focus on Christ's return.
[1Thess 4:13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[1Thess 4:14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[1Thess 4:15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[1Thess 4:16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[1Thess 4:17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[1Thess 4:18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
[2Thess 2:1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
[2Thess 2:2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
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[2Thess 2:16] Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
[2Thess 2:17] Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Revelation 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
But I will issue a warning, the pre tribulation rapture is not a guaranteed escape to Heaven for the lukewarm or those that tolerate evil... Read Matthew 25; 1/2 the virgins go. Read Rev 2-3, only 1/7 of the Churches seems righteous and faithful enough to be spared.
(Luke 21:36) "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Read Ezekiel 38, 39. Also known as the gog/magog war. This should happen right after the rapture, and the "seven years" is the length of the tribulation. Do not confuse this war with Armageddon (which happens at the end of the 7 years), even though many nations are coming against Isreal. The AntiChrist forces should be claiming that this is Armageddon in order to deceive the world into accepting the one world government that will enslave and deceive the whole earth.
[Ezek 39:9] And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
[Jer 30:7] Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
Jacob's trouble is known as the tribulation. Jacob had two times of "trouble" and each was a 7 year period.
First, there was the extra seven years he labored for Rachel.
Second, there was the seven-year famine that drove him and his family down to Egypt for the 7 year famine. His son Joseph had been sold into Egypt by his brothers. Joseph had a dream that prophesied the 7 years of famine after 7 years of plenty.
An in-depth look at each of these stories, with the knowledge of the Feast of Trumpets, and the Jewish Wedding shows that the rapture will happen before the seven year tribulation.
The first story takes us right to the knowledge of the bridal week. Jacob was deceived by Laban into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, when the marriage feast was held at the start of the bridal week.
Genesis 29:22-28 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. ...Finish this daughter's bridal week
If Laban had held the feast at the end of the bridal week, as the feast is at the end of the tribulation in Rev. 19, Jacob would not have been deceived. Regardless, the time of marital intimacy, the rapture, happens at the beginning of the bridal week, which is a shadow of the tribulation week. Further, the marriage of Leah started off the beginning of the 7 extra years of labor for Rachel.
The bridal week is also mentioned in Judges 14:1-18 ...And Samson made a feast there, as was customary for bridegrooms. ...If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast... She cried the whole seven days of the feast.
Jesus takes the throne of David who ruled outside of Jerusalem for the first 7 years. This could well foreshadow Jesus reigning in Heaven for 7 years when Jesus takes the throne at the start of the Day of the Lord at the time of the rapture.
The throne of David is established forever, and will be given to Jesus:
1Kings 2:45 And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 16:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Therefore, if Jesus is taking the throne of David, then we should examine David, and how and where he ruled from his throne.
David ruled in Hebron for 7 years:
1Kings 2:11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
See also 2 Samuel 2:11, 2 Samuel 5:5, 1 Chronicles 3:4, which say 7 years, six months, and 1 Chronicles 29:27 --seven years.
Interestingly, Easton's Bible dictionary says:
It seems unusual that we are given two different lengths of time for David ruling; one says 7 years, the other 7 and a half years. Perhaps it is quoted as merely "seven years" for the sake of the parallel?
I believe Jesus will begin reigning as king, taking the throne, at the start of the rapture and the Day of the Lord. There are several pieces of evidence to show that Jesus takes the throne at the start of the Day of the Lord at the time of the rapture:
1. Right after the rapture is shown in Rev 4:1, Jesus takes the throne.
Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
2. The trumpet, mentioned above in Rev 4:1, is also associated with the rapture in the two commonly quoted rapture verses of 1 Thess 4:16 and 1 Cor 15:52. One of the reasons to blow a trumpet is to herald a new king. In Kings, God gives the people the ceremony for blowing the trumpet in connection with heralding a new king.
1Kgs 1:34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. ...
1Kgs 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
Therefore, one of the reasons the trumpet will be blown at the rapture is to herald the start of the reign of Christ.
3. The "day of the Lord" is 1000 years, as shown in 2 Peter 3:8. This indicates the Day of the Lord is the "millennium", or more specifically, the "millennial reign of Christ" from Rev 20.
2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Therefore, Christ begins reigning at the start of the 1000 year "day of the Lord", which begins with the rapture and the 7 year tribulation. The reign of Christ is not 1007 years long, it is 1000 years long. Thus, after the 7 year tribulation, which will be the beginning of the 1000 years, there will be 993 more years until the 1000 years are finished.
4. Jesus, taking and "sitting on the throne" is also shown in Daniel 7:
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
5. In a marriage, the groom and bride would be seen as king and queen. Thus, at the rapture, which is the marriage of Jesus to his bride, Jesus will begin reigning as king.
All of this shows that the rapture is before the seven year tribulation. Jesus will begin ruling in heaven, for 7 years, as did David in Hebron. The bride is taken to heaven for 7 years for her "bridal week", as a "day for a year". On earth, Israel will burn weapons for 7 years after the Gog & Magog war of Ezekiel 38. On earth, Israel begins to experience the "time of Jacob's trouble" for 7 years. Satan will be cast out of heaven at the start of the tribulation, and will quickly begin his rise to power through peace, confirming the covenant for seven years. During the first half of the tribulation, the two witnesses preach for 1260 days, or 3.5 years, and nobody can touch them. Then, Satan ascends to world power, breaking the covenant at the middle of the week, (Dan 9:27), proclaiming himself to be God in the temple, (2 Thess 2:3) and he kills the two witnesses, and begins ruling for the second half of the tribulation, the last 3.5 years.
Refuting a few doubts people have about a 7-year tribulation.
Many teach that Dan 9:27 refers only to Christ, not the antichrist. These people seem to forget that there can be multiple fulfillments of scripture. It is not an "either/or" question. The antichrist will come "in the place of Christ", claiming to be God, as Paul stated in 2 Thess 2.
Many teach that the abomination of desolation in the Olivet Discourse refers only to to the destruction of 70AD. Again, these people seem to forget that there can be multiple fulfillments of scripture. Again, it is not a "past OR future" question of fulfillment. Scripture will be fulfilled several times.
Revelation was written in 96AD, and things are yet to come.
Some people speculate that the tribulation will be shorter than 7 years based on the following two verses:
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
It creates problems when we use one scripture to ignore other clear scriptures. There are ways to harmonize these verses with a 7 year tribulation so that no scripture is ignored. Here are some possible explanations:
1. For all we know, man deserves more than 7 years of tribulation and judgment, and God has shortened the days down to 7 years.
2. Perhaps if God allowed the tribulation to last longer than 7 years, then "no flesh should be saved", but keeping the length short, to 7 years, will prevent that.
3. Perhaps most interesting, there is support for shortening the days down to less than 24 hours. This is because a Third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened. And that implies the day is 1/3 shorter, and the night is 1/3 shorter.
That would make a 16 hour day, instead of a 24 hour day.
Rev 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Some people say that "great tribulation" is only the last 3.5 years, based on their understanding of the word "then" in Matt 24:21, which describes events at the time of the abomination of desolation, which takes place mid way through Daniel's 70th week:
Mat 24:15 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:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
But what is the definition of the word, "then"? In English and in Greek, it can mean "at that time". Look:
from www.m-w.com:
Main Entry: 1then
1 : at that time
from Strong's
5119 tote {tot'-eh}
from (the neuter of) 3588 and 3753;; adv
AV - then 149, that time 4, when 1, not tr 5; 159
1) then 2) at that time
Thus, Jesus is saying, "For [at that time] shall be great tribulation..." He did not specifically say "for at the start of and following that event, or after that time..." The point is that the abomination of desolation takes place within a time, or at the time, of great tribulation.
For example, I can say, "I'll plan a vacation to go skiing on February 20th, for then there shall be snow." Now, by my use of the word "then", I'm certainly not implying that there will be no snow before February 20th. Such an interpretation is utterly ridiculous.
But there are those who nit-pick at words, and ignore basic word definitions, who claim that Jesus, when he said "then", meant that there cannot be great tribulation (or any tribulation) before the abomination of desolation. But there is no way to substantiate that claim. They assert my evidence is poor, and based on "only Dan 9:27". But what are their arguments based upon? An interpretation of one word in Matt 24:21 that goes against the definition of the word? Ridiculous!
In Revelation 2 & 7, we have the only other uses of the term "great tribulation" in scripture.
Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
In both cases, it seems to apply generally to the entire seven-year period, not just to the last 3.5 years.
Therefore, you can speak of the entire seven year time as 'great tribulation', and not be inconsistent with scripture.
Some claim that the time of the 3.5 years of the ministry of the two witnesses of Rev 11 will happen in the last half of the tribulation. This cannot be, for several reasons.
1. Who has dominion? Satan tramples the saints, making war on them, as we saw above in three verses: Rev 13:7, Dan 7:21, Dan 7:25. But nobody tramples the two witnesses during their ministry.
[Rev 11:5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Therefore, one time of dominion has to end while the other begins. Since Satan kills the two witnesses, Satan's time begins when their time ends. It would be impossible for the two witnesses to have dominion when it is given to Satan for a time.
2. Satan is not destroyed on the day the two witnesses are killed, as shown in Rev 11. There is no mention of the Lord's return or the destruction of Satan in the account of the two witnesses of Rev 11.
3. Satan's time lasts 3.5 years also, a time that is specified as 42 months, and also 1260 days in various places as we saw. But since Satan is not destroyed while the two witnesses lie dead in the streets, then, if those two times overlapped, Satan would have an extra 3.5 days added on to the end of the 1260 day time period, and this would be inconsistent with scripture, and impossible.
Here is why this issue is so important. There will be those who miss the rapture. If people expect a 3.5 year tribulation to follow that event, to be followed by the return of the Lord, then how will they view the events of Rev 11 when they happen? They will view the two witnesses as Satan and the False prophet, and they will view Satan as God, returned right on time, according to their false time schedule.
This is why it is so crucial for Satan to teach that the tribulation is only 3.5 years long. It will fit exactly into his plan, and help to teach people that he really is God when he stands in the temple. If you note, it is only people who give a superficial look, and avoid attention to detail who say the tribulation will be 3.5 years long. Therefore, the people who teach the doctrine are deceived, not having studied, and they will deceive people who reject knowledge, and who have not studied.
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