We are at the End of the Age which will be concluded by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the dismantling of the present world system by means of the Great Tribulation. Christians do not have to be in darkness for Jesus has foretold the signs, many of which have seen unprecedented fulfillment in the 20th century: warfare, disease, famine, natural disasters and signs in the heavens/space (e.g., modern space exploration and comets). Jesus spoke of all these things in Matthew 24. The love of many has grown cold in this time of unbridled selfishness leading to violence, fear, broken families and moral decay (Matt 24:12, 2 Tim 3:1-5).

The Lord further spoke of the trouble in Israel, specifically with Jerusalem, as being the prominent sign of His coming (Luke 21:20). The recent hostilities in Israel have continued to escalate in spite of calls for peace. With both sides vowing to have control over Jerusalem there is no hope for a peaceful settlement.

For the elect, the time shall be cut short, so they do not have to enter the tribulation.

How so?

The teaching made popular in the 1970s by Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth" and in recent years by the "Left Behind" series is that all true Christians will be taken before the start of the Tribulation. Fortunately, many have become aware of the reality of the Lord's return and have given their hearts and lives to Him in anticipation of His soon return.

However, most Christians will not be taken in the "Rapture" at the beginning of the Great Tribulation but will be left behind to continue their preparation. Though multiplied millions are coming towards the Lord (John 6:36) or have received the gift of everlasting life (John 5:24), they have not adequately prepared themselves to meet Him at His coming.

Consider truthfully the parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25. Those taken are Christians who are prepared, mature and abiding in Christ. The 5 foolish virgins are not sufficiently prepared. They have run out of oil and as they go to get more, the Lord comes for the 5 wise virgins.

Can you say that your life or that of the majority of Christians is much different from average people in the world? Are you living 100% for Christ? Or even 90%, 70% or 50% for Christ?  Is He your all consuming passion? Is your heart pure? He said only the pure in heart shall see God. Lift up your head, for your redemption draws near. Watch and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and stand before the Son of the Man.

The Bride and the Harvest: Do not be dismayed, He is Our Hope and Security.

Some Christians have become aware that only part of the church will be raptured prior to the Tribulation, and that the majority who are unprepared will still have the opportunity to be raptured at the end of the tribulation. Some Christians call this the "Partial Rapture" theory. They realize the truth of Jesus' words that most of the church is lukewarm and lacking (Rev 3:16). The Lord's answer is that the Tribulation experience ("being spit out of His mouth") gives them the opportunity for testing, maturing and for washing their robes white in the blood of the Lamb (Dan 12:10, Rev 7:14). It is the Bowls of Wrath following the final Rapture for which true Christians have not been appointed (1 Thess 5:9, Rev 16).

The Book of Revelation speaks of a great multitude which no man could number coming OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION (Rev 7:9). They are seen as overcomers. The Lord promises provision, protection, guidance and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (the latter rain) during the Tribulation. The woman pictured in Revelation 12 is the church, which is given protection in the wilderness for 1260 days. The believers live for and love the Lord with all of their lives (Rev 12:11).

Those "raptured" at the beginning of the Tribulation are the true Bride of Christ. They are the 144,000 believers described in Revelation 14 as being "without fault before" God. They are the Male Child brought forth out of the woman and caught up to God and His Throne (Rev 12:5-6).

Tim LaHaye, in his non-fiction book "Revelation Unveiled", as well as other writers, have seen this group as having a distinctly different description from the sealed 144,000 believing Jews of Rev 7. They are a special group, taken as a ripe "Firstfruits" before the greater "Harvest" of believers at the end of the tribulation.

The Timing of the Rapture: Can We Know the Day and the Hour?

Many say you cannot know the day or the hour. Quoted is Matthew 24:35-36.  "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Notice the conjunction "but" joining the two sentences. It links the day which no man knows with the day that heaven and earth shall pass away. When is that to be? Sometime after the Great White Throne judgement which follows after the Millennial Kingdom!

Rev. 20:11   And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Rev. 21:1   And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

As Christians, we are not to be in darkness. "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." (1Thess. 5:4). But read verses 1-3 as well.   

Consider the timing of a prophetic event in the history of the Lord's people. The Israelites had grown to be a mighty nation in bondage to Pharaoh (Satan) in Egypt (a type of the world). Moses (the Deliverer) led forth his people after the "death angel" had passed over the houses (the human bodies) which had the lamb's blood applied (the sacrificial blood of Jesus). After 40 years in the wilderness the time came to enter into the promised land of Caanan (a type of God's Kingdom). As the Priests stepped down into the swollen Jordan (meaning "descender," symbolizing death) the river dried up and the Israelites crossed over on dry ground. They crossed over without being touched by the water (death). This symbolizes being "raptured" into Heaven. And upon what day did this happen? "And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho." (Josh. 4:19).

The first month is the Jewish month of Nisan which falls during our months of March and April. In whatever year the Rapture occurs the "Bride of Christ" or the "Firstfruits" will be taken on the 10th of Nisan. The "Harvest Rapture" takes place 1260 days or 3 1/2 years later on the Day of Trumpets, a fulfillment of 1 Thess. 4:16-17.

"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: 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."

The Seven Year Tribulation: Truth or Fiction?

Many believe in a seven year Tribulation. Yet Jesus spoke of this time being shortened (Matt. 24:22). Both the books of Daniel and Revelation reference a 3 1/2 year Tribulation: 1260 days, 42 months, a time, and times, and half a time. (Dan. 12:7, Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6,14; 13:5). Each of these references speak of the same period, the 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation.

The concept of a 7 year tribulation stems from the erroneous theory that the 70th week of Daniel 9 is separated by nearly 2000 years from the 69th week. This has come to be known as the "gap theory."

Daniel's 70th Week: Fulfilled Two Thousand Years Ago

The 70th week completed in the first Century. Jesus was "cut off" in the middle of the 70th week as He gave His life on the cross (Dan 9:26).  He confirmed the convenant with many for one week. His sacrifice on the cross rendered the end of the sacrifices in the midst of the week. Then nearly 3 1/2 years after His death Stephen was martyred marking the beginning of the persecution and dispersion of the church. The Jews continued to reject Jesus even though He had proven Himself the Messiah. Failing to acknowledge Him, they continued in the abomination of their sacrifices (Dan 9:27). The result of this "overspreading of abominations" was the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and the desolation of the Jewish state (Dan 9:26).

Most Scriptures have more than one application. Even though Daniel's prophecy of the 70th week saw its literal fulfillment in the first century there is to be a parallel fulfillment in the "Last Days." Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the court church at Wittenberg on October 31,1517. His protest against indulgences, works, and the papal system and his declaration of the truth that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ is the "going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem" in our day. 69 weeks of 7 years each (483 years) added to 1517 brings us to the year 2000. The 70th week of 7 years would be 2000 to 2007.

The Last 3 1/2 Years: The Great Tribulation

Joseph prophesied there would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine (Gen 41:29-30). The US and world economy saw great growth and prosperity from 1993 to 2000. Internet and high-tech company mania exploded with ridiculous stock prices. The world united in the Tower of Internet Babel and a global economy. Yet, a building can only be built so high, with the wrong foundation it shall crumble. As of this writing, the markets have begun to fall. Trouble looms around the world. Russia is showing her true colors again with Cold War rhetoric, a former KGB Gorbachev-era leader in place (Putin), arms sales to Iran, etc. Islamic nations foment. Oil supplies and energy crises are again troubling issues. Gorbachev, UN policing, and globalism are on the rise again. The Beasts of Revelation and the foundations for the tribulation economy are being cemented.

Are we in the end-time 7 year period of great famine?

September 28, 2000: The Day of Trumpets

The 7 year period marking the end of the age may well have begun on September 28, 2000 when Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount. His visit was on the Day of Trumpets, the 1st of Tishri (the 7th month on the Jewish calendar). This occurred on the astronomical day of Trumpets, the true new moon.

Palestinian hostilities ensued and Israel's police and armed forces responded. Peace negotiations have faltered. Ariel Sharon, the hawk and war hero, has been elected Prime Minister. His campaign slogan was, "peace and security" (1Thess. 5:3). Rumors of approaching War in Israel persist. Rhetoric from Iraq and other Arab and Islamic nations to support the liberation of Palestine continues.

Daniel Chapter Eight

The understanding of the book of Daniel has been sealed, but the unsealing is available as days of its fulfillment near. "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." (Dan. 12:9)

Daniel 8:10-14 describes a time when the host (Israel, God's chosen people) and the sanctuary is trodden under foot. During this period the "daily is taken away" and the "sanctuary cast down." This prophecy description fits the rise of Middle Eastern Islamic nations, which armed by and politically backed by Russia, will be responsible for the destruction of Israel. Verse 14 states how long this desolation is to last. "....For two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings...."

The exact timing of the 2300 is not yet clear to us, but the general picture of this chapter may well describe the current and ongoing hostilities and war against Israel, as Palestinian and Arab forces take action against the Jewish nation. There are many reports that Iraq and other Arab and Islamic nations are preparing for military action to support the liberation of Palestine.

Jesus said, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near". (Luke 21:20) Many years ago M.D. predicted Israel might be at war a couple of years before the start of the tribulation, and that Israel would be brought to her knees. If in fact the "69 weeks" fulfilled in the year 2000 then we could look to Nisan 10, 2004 as the possible time when the "Firstfruits" will be "redeemed from among men" (Rev. 14:4). May His Spirit power enable you to continue to watch and prepare...

Copyright © 2001 (originally published 3/26/2001, updated 8/31/2001)