The beginning of the first half of the Tribulation.
The length of the tribulation is prophesied in both the book of Daniel and Revelation. Daniel prophesied of a 70 weeks or 490 years, Daniel said the Tribulation would be “one week” and uses the Hebrew word designating a week of years, or seven years. The first 69 weeks of years, which started with the decree of Artaxerxes to restore the walls of Jerusalem and ended with the rejection of Jesus, was exactly 483 years. And the Tribulation, or the last week of years, will be seven years long.
Daniel 9:24-27 "Seventy 'sevens' [a] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish [b] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. [c]
25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree [d] to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, [e] the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. [f] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' [g] In the middle of the 'seven' [h] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. [i] " [j]
Footnotes:
a. Daniel 9:24 Or 'weeks' ; also in verses 25 and 26
b. Daniel 9:24 Or restrain
c. Daniel 9:24 Or Most Holy Place ; or most holy One
d. Daniel 9:25 Or word
e. Daniel 9:25 Or an anointed one ; also in verse 26
f. Daniel 9:26 Or off and will have no one ; or off, but not for himself
g. Daniel 9:27 Or 'week'
h. Daniel 9:27 Or 'week'
i. Daniel 9:27 Or it
j. Daniel 9:27 Or And one who causes desolation will come upon the pinnacle of the abominable temple , until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolated city
a. Daniel 9:24 Or 'weeks' ; also in verses 25 and 26
b. Daniel 9:24 Or restrain
c. Daniel 9:24 Or Most Holy Place ; or most holy One
d. Daniel 9:25 Or word
e. Daniel 9:25 Or an anointed one ; also in verse 26
f. Daniel 9:26 Or off and will have no one ; or off, but not for himself
g. Daniel 9:27 Or 'week'
h. Daniel 9:27 Or 'week'
i. Daniel 9:27 Or it
j. Daniel 9:27 Or And one who causes desolation will come upon the pinnacle of the abominable temple , until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolated city
In Revelation, we find the seven years divided into two periods of 1,260 days, or 42 months, or three-and-one-half years, or “time and times and half a time” (Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6,7,14; 13:5).
Each one of these times spans totals up to seven years. The first half, or first 42 months, is the Tribulation, while the last half is called by our Lord “the great tribulation.”
We see a seven year covenant (treaty) that the Antichrist will make with Israel only to break it in the middle by his action of sitting in the Temple, which is the “Abomination of Desolation," that moment begins the “Great Tribulation” and all hell breaks out on earth by wrath of God.
The Two Witnesses
Revelation 11:1-2 “I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. 2But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.”
John is talking about the earthly Temple because he mentions about the outer temple given to the gentiles.
Revelation 11:3-4 “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.”
2 olive trees is also found in Zechariah 4:3-14 (olive is Israel, wild olive is gentile)
Revelation 11:5-6 “If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.”
The two witnesses have power like the Old Testament prophets.
Zechariah 4:11-14 “Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" 12 Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?" 13 He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said. 14 So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth."
The two anointed ones, who ever they are, are people from years ago and they are also seen in John’s vision in heaven as two olive trees. (The Bible is written in symbolism)
(Zechariah chapters 3 & 6, wasn’t fulfilled at the time)
2 people have never died.
1. Enoch, Jude 14, first prophet that predicted the second coming of the Lord.
2. Elijah, 2 Kings 2:11, caught up alive in a chariot of fire.
1. Enoch, Jude 14, first prophet that predicted the second coming of the Lord.
2. Elijah, 2 Kings 2:11, caught up alive in a chariot of fire.
Why would God catch up two men in heaven and somehow preserve their bodies and return them in Revelation 11? Simple, yet complicated.
Malachi 4:5-6 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
God will return Elijah. Jews every Passover look for Elijah who will announce the messiah.
John the Baptist came with the anointing of Elijah, but he was not him. Jesus also said that he was not Elijah.
Matthew 24:15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
We see that the temple will be rebuilt and this will take place in the first 42 months of the tribulation.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 “He (Antichrist) will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
We see the Antichrist will sit in the temple, so the temple still needs to be rebuilt.
Revelation 11:1 shows us in the same chapter the two witnesses, measuring of the temple. I believe that the two witnesses maybe linked to the rebuilding of the temple.
You may say that Muslims would never allow Jews and/or Christians to tear down the Dome of the Rock to rebuild the Temple. What about a prophet coming down from heaven with the same powers of Elijah calling fire down from heaven? Muslims respect prophets and the power of God.
When Elijah calls fire out of the sky I think that the Muslims would pay attention. They also believe that Elijah and Jesus were prophets.
Revelation 11:5-6 “If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.”
Matthew 17:11 “Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.”
Jews believe that when Elijah comes, he will be able to tell them from what tribe they are all from. Why is this important? 144, 000 witnesses
Revelation 7:4-8 “Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. 5From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.”
How do the Jews know from what tribe they come from? There are no more records that have their genealogies. Where do they get the seal? Who marked them? Who identifies them?
These 144,000 witnesses and the two prophets will turn the city toward God and be the light since the Christians will be ruptured by this time.
The Bible identifies them (two witnesses) as two Olive Trees. Why? (Rev.11:4)
(Romans chapter 11) talks about the olive trees, broken branches “because of unbelief”, then grafted in branches (gentiles, also the “wild olive tree”)
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
Revelation chapter 2 & 3 we read about the church. After chapter 3 we don’t hear or see anything about the church any longer until after chapter 19 with Christ’s second coming. I believe that the church would be mentioned from ch. 4-19 if the church was still here because the scripture are constantly talking about the church, church, church… and then it stops! We have been raptured!
Romans 11:17-23 “If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.”
God takes those branches (Israel) and re-grafts them again. How? By the preaching of the two witnesses.
Why Enoch & Elijah (some believe it is not Enoch but Moses because the mount of transfiguration).
(Romans 11:17) Two Olive Trees
1. Olive Tree = Israel (Elijah)
1. Olive Tree = Israel (Elijah)
2. Wild Olive = gentile (grafted into the Jewish root) Enoch. Enoch would be considered a gentile because God didn’t name the Jewish people until later with Abraham. (the 2 came together)
The Temple
Because you need to pray certain prayers on Sabbaths, New Moons and certain prayers on the Feasts, Jewish scholars say it would take 42 months to complete the building of the Temple. (this doesn’t mean they can’t have a temporary one until the permanent one is completed.)
(Revelation 11:3) The Two Witnesses preach for 42 months, 144,000 sealed with God, I believe that they will complete the Temple.
Daniel 9:27 “He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
The Antichrist will stop the daily sacrifice. If they were to start construction in the fall, possibly if the return were to be on one of the Rosh Hashanah holy days, it would last until 42 months later maybe around Passover. Why is this important? The Antichrist will receive a wound and rise from the dead just like Christ did and what would be the mark to fool people. Lining up with the Passover when Christ died and rose from the dead.
Revelation 11:7-12 “Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.”
The two witnesses are killed and taken up to heaven. This is the first time in history where the whole world can see their deaths at the same time by the use of satellite technology.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 “For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie”
The False Prophet with the Antichrist
The False Prophet with the Antichrist
Revelation 13:5 “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.”
Zechariah 14:2 “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.”
The Antichrist will take over Jeruselem by force.
(Rev. 13:1) The Beast rises out of the sea
(Rev. 13:11) Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” but here it is a lamb with 2 horns and this represents an apostate Christianity leader.
Acts 4:2 “They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”
There were and are groups as we just saw in the book of Acts and people who deny the deity of Christ and are upset with His message.
1 John chapters 1,2 & 4 Spirit of the Antichrist
The False Prophet will do some strange miracles…
Revelation 13:13-14 “And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.”
He (the false prophet) will build an image on the Temple Mount where people will worship that image of the Beast.
You may think, how will the Muslims follow an image? Good question… Sunnies don’t worship images but Shiites do follow some strange beliefs like there honoring of there spiritual leaders like idol worship. They are very cultic as we see today.
Revelation 13:16-17 “He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.”
The false prophet gives the number (666) and this is the religious mark that will be instituted with the buying and selling.
Revelation 20:4 “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
Beheadings will take place and we can see an increase at this time in the Muslim world and resently on the Mexico/America border.
Psalm 60:8 “Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph."
What does the sandal/shoe mean? When someone wanted to get their property back or permission to walk on the property, you would take off your shoe and hand it over to the elders of the city. God is saying that He will give His shoe to Moab as a sign that He is giving permission for Israel to return to Petra. You will notice that God warns the Philistia (Palestinians) not to boost about getting Jerusalem back for themselves.
When the Antichrist sits in the Temple claiming to be God then the “Great Tribulation” begins. Look out for some serious devastation poured out through God’s wrath because of this event!
