SPELLING EDITED J-31. A NEW LOOK at the 70TH WEEK of DANIEL!
THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL REVEALED! The purpose of this study in God's word is to take a fresh new closer look at the seventieth week of Daniel to see if the CHURCH will go through the time of great tribulation. I say this because some Christians use this prophecy given to Daniel of the seventy weeks to dogmatically demand that the seventieth week is ONLY reserved for Israel. And therefore to those particular Christians, they conclude that it is impossible for the CHRUCH to be on the earth during the SEVENTIETH week, which they interpret to be the last SEVEN years right before the second coming of Jesus because of the seventieth WEEK being SEVEN years. In other words, some Christians who believe that the time of great tribulation is a FULL SEVEN years and also believe in a PRE-tribulation rapture of the church dogmatically demand that it is impossible for the CHRUCH to be here on the earth the last SEVEN years right before the second coming of Jesus because the 70th week of Daniel is specifically a prophecy given to Israel alone and it was not given to the church. Therefore, it seems that no matter how many verses you show them that proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the church will indeed go through the entire period of great tribulation and that the rapture of the church does not occur until the second coming of Jesus, some pre-trib Christians will simply not hear a word you say. And the reason they keep giving for the rapture being a PRE-tribulation rapture is Daniel's seventieth week. Now, their main argument is that God deals will people in “DISPENSATIONS” and that the seventy weeks is God's dispensation of ISRAEL alone. For those of you who may not know what a dispensation is a simple definition of a dispensation is a period of time that God deals with mankind in a specific way. For example, in the garden of Eden God gave ONE commandment to Adam to not eat of the tree of knowledge. That was the first dispensation. Then when mankind was expelled from the garden, then that began the second dispensation. Some Christians who do NOT believe in dispensations use the term COVENANT theology, which to ME is basically the same thing with a different name placed upon it. Now I myself do indeed believe in the dispensations AND I also believe in God giving different covenants because these different time periods are indeed taught to us in the scripture. But hardcore dispensationalists go beyond the word of God in this particular case of the seventieth week of Daniel to try and prove that the church cannot possibly be here on the earth during the dispensation of Israel involving the seventy weeks. And this teaching has been so deeply embedded into the minds of some Christians who have been taught the pre-tribulation rapture position that it has become a stumbling block to them blinding their eyes to the truth of the whole word of Almighty God. So then, in this study, I will show you, the reader and seeker of the truth of the whole word of God, that Almighty God is still yet dealing with Israel in THIS present dispensation called the age of the church or the age of grace. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I am not saying that the nation of Israel as a whole is not partially blinded to the gospel. But rather I am saying that God is no respecter of persons. In other words, under the OLD covenant or the dispensation of the law of Moses God was dealing with Israel ALONE and if any Gentile desired to partake of the Passover meal, then it was required that they become circumcised first to become a Jew.
Please read Exodus 12:48.
“And when a STRANGER (Or a Gentile, any person or people who are not a natural-born Jew) shall sojourn with you, and will (Or who will desire to) keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.”
The SIGN of circumcision was actually given to Abraham in the previous dispensation or the previous covenant that God gave to Abraham. To say this another way father Abraham was the FIRST Jew or more precisely the first Hebrew, the first to be called God's chosen people. So then, beginning with Abram, now named Abraham by God, there were the CIRCUMCISED people and there were the UNCIRCUMCISED people. In other words, beginning with father Abraham there became TWO types of people on the earth. There were God's chosen Hebrew people and there were the Gentile people where the uncircumcised Gentile people were NOT a people of God. Thus in the two dispensation or the two covenants from Abraham to the cross Israel was God's ONLY people and CIRCUMCISION was the SIGN that a person was one of God's people. Under the OLD covenant if one was NOT circumcised in the FLESH and keeping the law of Moses, then they were NOT one of God's chosen people. Now I want you to think very carefully about what I am going to say next. In this present dispensation or NEW COVENANT, God dealt ONLY with HIS PEOPLE the CIRCUMCISED Jews for a period of time BEFORE God TURNED to the Gentiles. And then AFTER that period of time IN, WITHIN or DURING the CHURCH AGE when Israel as a nation rejected God's NEW COVENANT and began to KILL their fellow people who did indeed accept God's NEW COVENANT, then God turned to a people who were NOT previously his people called the UNCIRCUMCISED Gentiles. Please understand that God has NOT cast away his people Israel, the Jews, but for a period of time during this present age, called the age of the church or the age of grace, God's primary focus is upon the GENTILES until the fullness of the Gentiles is complete. And ANY Jew throughout the entire church age can come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved BY believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. You see dear child of God, the children of Israel were NOT taken off the planet when God turned to the Gentiles. So thus there is no sound Biblical reason to dogmatically demand that it is impossible for the church to be ON the earth when God turns a second time to deal with Israel during the final or LAST HALF of the seventieth week of Daniel, which is the 3 1/2 years of the GREAT tribulation. First of all, God does not turn his full complete attention to actually recover the REMNANT of the Jews until the SECOND COMING of Jesus, which occurs AFTER the time of great tribulation when Jesus executes the WRATH of God. Secondly, I say the LAST HALF of Daniels seventieth week because I myself find that the length of the great tribulation to be only a 3 1/2 year period of time and NOT a FULL seven years as many prophecy teachers dogmatically demand based solely on THEIR interpretation of the seventieth week of Daniel. Here is how I came to this conclusion. For some reason, it kept bothering me that I could not find anywhere in the book of Revelation a full SEVEN year period of time where there was going to be great tribulation, but rather I found all over the place a 3 1/2 year period of time. So for ME, all I could see is a 3 1/2 year great tribulation. Now I had heard that some Christians were teaching that the FULL seventieth week was already fulfilled. I knew this could not be correct because Jesus said that his coming would take place IMMEDIATELY after the time of great tribulation. And I know that Jesus has not returned. But after reading their reasons for why they believed that the entire seventieth week of Daniel had already been fulfilled, I then began to see the errors of their interpretation of Jesus fulfilling the first half of the seventieth week and the church fulfilling the last half of Daniels seventieth week. I expound on some of their errors concerning Jesus himself fulfilling the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week in some other studies, but their line of reasoning that the first half of the seventieth week was ALREADY FULFILLED stayed with me for over a year and kept coming to my mind until I finally did my own study on the possibility that the CHRUCH fulfilled the FIRST HALF of the seventieth week of Daniel as opposed to Jesus himself fulfilling the first half of the seventieth week. Well, I first began my search on the Internet to see if anyone else was teaching on this subject, but I could not find ANYONE on the Internet having anything to say on this subject of the CHURCH fulfilling the first 3 1/2 years of the seventieth week of Daniel. So then, I searched the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament to see if I could find a 3 1/2 year period of time that the church preached the gospel ONLY to Israel BEFORE God turned to the GENTILES. I already knew that the early church at its very beginning was the Jews ONLY. So what I was primarily searching for was the LENGTH of TIME between the day of Pentecost to the time when God TURNED to the GENTILES who were not his people before God himself turned to them calling all mankind everywhere to be saved. And here is what I found. As always the glory goes to the Holy Spirit bringing to remembrance verse after verse leading and guiding me through this study in his word. The church began on the day of Pentecost and was commissioned by Jesus to preach the gospel to the Jews first beginning at Jerusalem. In fact, in the very early days of the church, the Apostles and disciples of Jesus did not yet understand that the Gentiles would or even could be saved later on. In fact, under Jewish law or tradition, it was not lawful for a Jew to keep company with anyone that was not a Jew.
Please read Acts 10:28.
“And he said unto them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
Keep in mind that before God SHOWED Peter in a vision that the Gentiles were made CLEAN by the shed blood of Jesus at the cross Peter and the rest of the Apostles preached the gospel ONLY to the Jews, God's people ISRAEL.
Please read Acts 11:20.
“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch preaching the word to NONE BUT unto the Jews ONLY.”
Even after Stephen had been martyred by his own people stoning him to death, which initiated the scattering of the church from Jerusalem to flee from the city to other surrounding cities, the disciples still yet preached ONLY to the people of ISRAEL. Here are a few more verses that clearly and plainly in simplicity teach us that God BEGAN this present age, or this dispensation of the CHRUCH by preaching the gospel of salvation to his people ISRAEL, the Jews, FIRST.
Please read Acts 3:18-26.
“But those things, which God before had shown by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he has so fulfilled. 19. Repent you, therefore, and be CONVERTED (Meaning for the Jews to be CONVERTED from the OLD COVENANT to hold fast to the NEW COVENANT. The Jews were already God's chosen people, but God is making a NEW covenant with them and if they want to be saved from their sins the only way is for them to be CONVERTED from the OLD covenant to follow and obey the words of Jesus written in the NEW Testament under the NEW covenant), that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; HIM (Speaking of Jesus and the words of the NEW covenant written in the NEW Testament) shall you hear in all things whatsoever HE shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will NOT hear that prophet (Speaking of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God), shall be destroyed from among the people. 24. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25. YOU are the children of the prophets, and of the COVENANT (Speaking of the OLD covenant of circumcision in the flesh, but more particularly the Law of Moses)which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26. Unto YOU FIRST God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless YOU, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
Now the children of Israel were ALREADY in a COVENANT relationship with God. The children of Israel were ALREADY God's chosen people. But God promised to make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. We will get to that verse shortly, but first please read two more verses clearly teaching us that God BEGAN the CHURCH AGE by having the gospel preached FIRST to his people ISRAEL, the Jews.
Please read Acts 13:44-47.
“ And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together (Both Jews and Gentiles) to hear the word of God. 45. But when the JEWS saw the multitudes, THEY were filled with ENVY, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. (God is using the Gentile Christians to PROVOKE his people Israel to JEALOUSLY to make them ENVY. Please see Deuteronomy 32:21, Roman 10:19 and Romans 11:11) 46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was NECESSARY that the word of God should FIRST have been spoken to YOU: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47. FOR (Or BECAUSE) so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.”
Now in a moment, we will see that God commanded or instructed and taught Peter in the vision which God gave to him in Acts chapter 10, but what about Paul. We know that Paul or Saul was converted to Christianity in Acts chapter 9, which may or may not have occurred simultaneously at the same time as Peter's vision in Acts chapter 10. I will explain why I say may or may not further on in this study, but for now please read Acts 26:19,20.
Acts 26:19,20.
“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20. But showed FIRST unto THEM of Damascus, and AT Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea (Speaking of preaching the gospel to the JEWS FIRST), and THEN to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
So again to all my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, who have been dogmatically taught that the CHURCH AGE is for the CHURCH as being a DISPENSATION for the GENTILES and therefore it is impossible for the church to be on the earth during the seventieth week of Daniel during JACOB'S time of trouble, I implore you to take a closer look at what you have been taught by your church denomination. You see dear child of God, it was DURING the age of the CHURCH that God at the FIRST was dealing ONLY with his people ISRAEL the Jews concerning their TRANSGRESSIONS or sins. And it was not until later on that God turned to the GENTILES to be saved from their sins. As I just said the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts chapter 9 and the vision that God gave to Peter of cleansing all things in Acts chapter 10 may or may not have been a simultaneous event occurring at the same moment in time. Again, more on why I say may or may not have occurred at the same time further on in this study. Let us talk about Peter first. God had just shown Peter in a vision to NOT call ANY man common or unclean through a vision in Acts chapter 10. You may open your Bible and read the whole chapter 10 now or later to refresh your memory. I will only quote the last half of this revelation to Peter from the Holy Spirit for the church to begin preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. So then, Peter, while still yet doubting and wondering what the vision meant, obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit to go with the two men. And when he heard their testimony, Peter then preached his first gospel message to the Gentiles. And WHILE he was yet preaching to them, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Please read Acts 10:34-48 where we see for the first time in the history of the church that God began to turn to the Gentiles. This was right after God gave Peter a vision that is recorded in Acts 10:1-33, but for now, we will focus on Peter's obedience to the vision and leading of the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel to some Gentiles that were praying to God and told to ask for Peter.
Acts 10:34-48.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35. But in every nation, he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. 36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37. That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins. 44. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Please read Acts 26:19,20 again and then we will read what Saul or Paul did right after his conversion to Christianity.
Acts 26:19,20.
“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was NOT disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20. But showed FIRST unto THEM of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea (Speaking of preaching the gospel to the JEWS FIRST), and THEN to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
Now let us read Acts 9:2-31 which was right after the church being scattered from the city of Jerusalem to the surrounding cities. One of those cities was Damascus and Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the church and Jesus appeared to him in a vision.
Acts 9:20-31.
“And STRAIGHTWAY he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? (These Jews were amazed or puzzled by Saul's words exhorting Jesus and now being FOR Jesus when a few days before Saul was persecuting the church relentlessly. They could no believe their ears at what was coming out of Paul's mouth) 22. But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. (This agrees with what we read in Acts 26:19,20 about Paul being OBEDIENT to his heavenly vision on the road to Damascus to persecute the church in that city. Paul preached the gospel of salvation to the JEWS FIRST at Damascus before he went to Jerusalem to again preach the gospel of salvation only to the Jews FIRST in Jerusalem and then in all Judea BEFORE going to preach to the Gentiles) 23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24. But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And WHEN Saul came to Jerusalem, (The question now becomes WHEN did Paul come to JERUSALEM? We will get there in a moment, but for now, I want you to see that what Paul did right after his conversion agrees with Acts 26:19,20 which was Paul was NOT disobedient to what Jesus showed him to do in the vision Paul received on the road to Damascus. So now Paul is in Jerusalem after preaching to the JEWS FIRST in Damascus and) he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (In other words, Paul is CONFERRING with the other Apostles who were called BEFORE Jesus called Paul to be sent to the GENTILES. This will all come together in a moment.) 28. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians (The Grecians Jews): but they went about to slay him. 30. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria (One of the reasons the church had rest could be attributed to Paul being converted to Christianity. Saul was one of the chief leaders who brought persecution upon the church. Also, another leader of the Jews warned the Jews to let the Christians alone lest they find themselves fighting against God. See Acts 5:39. Anyway, my point is that Paul preached to the JEWS FIRST and that he was being OBEDIENT to what Jesus taught to him in the heavenly vision on the road to Damascus), and (The ALL JEWISH churches) were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
So again, up to this point in time, the entire early church was completely a Jewish church, meaning that ALL Christians were Jews ONLY. Also, we know from the whole chapter 10 of the books of Acts that right after the vision Peter obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit to go with the two men. So it is made quite clear to us that only a couple of days passed from the vision to Peters FIRST sermon to the GENTILES. Now again, in the previous chapter, Acts chapter 9, we read about Jesus appearing to Saul in a vision and because we go right into chapter 10 we ASSUME that the vision God gave to Peter occurred at the same time of Saul's conversion to become a Christian. And as most Christians know, Saul was later called Paul, who later on was separated by the Holy Spirit and sent to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. But at the beginning of Paul's ministry, we know that Paul preached to the Jews. You see dear child of God, Paul was taught the same Jewish law or tradition that it was UNLAWFUL to even keep company with anyone except they also are a Jew. And we also know that later on after Paul had already been preaching the gospel to the JEWS ONLY that the Holy Spirit specifically separated Saul and Barnabas to go unto the Gentiles. We will cover those verses shortly. We also know from Galatians chapter 1 that Paul did not go up to Jerusalem until AFTER three years from when Jesus appeared unto him on the road to Damascus.
Please read Galatians 1:11-24.
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13. For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it: 14. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, 16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen (The Greek word translated as heathen here also means nations or the people. I would not go as far as to say the English word heathen is a mistranslation because we know that later Paul did indeed preach to the Gentiles. Remember that Paul is relating the whole story, which later on includes his preaching to the Gentiles. And also it is safe to assume that Jesus specifically taught Paul in the vision that he would be sending him to the Gentiles, but FIRST, he must preach to the Jews for a time before he goes to the Gentiles.); immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (This is an important phrase because it teaches us that Paul did NOT go right away to CONFER what Jesus taught to him in the vision with any of the other Apostles that came before him. To ME, Paul had to be wondering about Jesus teaching him that later on, he would become a light to the Gentiles, but he did not go up to compare notes, so to speak, to see if Jesus was teaching the same thing to any of the OTHER Apostles. Remember that at that time it was unlawful to even keep company with a Gentile.) 17. Neither went I up to Jerusalem (Right away to compare notes or confer what Jesus taught to me) to them which were apostles before me, but I went into Arabia (Meaning the region of Asia and also a desert. I will expound on Paul's first journey further on in this study. Some speculate that Arabia could mean a desert place or wilderness and the Holy Spirit drove Paul into the wilderness or desert of Arabia to fast and pray, similar to Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit and immediately being led into the wilderness to fast and pray), and returned again unto Damascus. (To STRAIGHTWAY preach the gospel to the JEWS FIRST) 18. Then AFTER three years, I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. (Now the point that I want my readers and seekers of the truth to see here is that AFTER THREE YEARS of preaching the gospel to the JEWS FIRST Paul made his first trip to Jerusalem AS a CHRISTIAN to CONFER with the other disciples to see if Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, was leading and teaching THEM to preach the gospel to the GENTILES. Now to ME, it makes more sense to place the vision that God gave to Peter at THIS point in time which was AFTER THREE YEARS from the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus to when Paul came to Jerusalem to CONFER or compare what Jesus was teaching him to what Jesus was teaching the other Apostles. I will explain this in more detail further on in this study of God's word.) 19. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21. Afterward, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22. And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23. But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which once he destroyed. 24. And they glorified God in me.”
Again, we know that at the beginning of Saul's or Paul's ministry he preached to the Jews. Please read Acts 9:20-28 which is immediately after Saul's conversion to become a Christian.
Acts 9:20-28.
“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22. But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24. But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26. And WHEN Saul was come to Jerusalem, (Which we know from Galatians chapter 1 was AFTER three years) he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. (Also, from Galatians chapter 1, we know that the reason WHY Paul went up to Jerusalem was to CONFER or ASSAY with the other Apostles what the Holy Spirit was leading and guiding THEM to do. Some of the meanings of the word assay are to test, analyze, examine, to assess and to attempt. It has been AFTER three years of preaching to the Jews at this point in time and certainly, Paul perceived that some Christians who had not personally met him face to face may still doubt that he is a true born again believer in Jesus called by the Lord to preach the Gospel the same as them. And indeed the immediate context shows us that they were afraid to receive Paul at first.) 27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way (Speaking of Saul's journey on the road to Damascus to persecute the Christians in that city), and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.”
Then we read in Acts 12:25 where Saul and Barnabas leave Jerusalem having FULFILLED their ministry. We can assume this period of time was 15 days in length comparing this passage with Galatians chapter 1.
Acts 12:25.
“And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.”
Then is the next chapter of the book of Acts, chapter 13, we see that after Saul and Barnabas left Jerusalem that they went to Antioch. Here we see the Holy Spirit saying to the church at Antioch to separate Saul and Barnabas unto the ministry whereunto I have CALLED them.
Please read Acts 13:1,2.
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have CALLED them.”
So then, we know from the verses we just read that it was AFTER THREE YEARS that Saul and Barnabas were separated by the Holy Spirit and CALLED to another MINISTRY, which we know later was the ministry to the GENTILES. Remember what we read in Acts 26:19,20 about Paul NOT being disobedient to his heavenly vision. Now let us read the CONTEXT of those two verses.
Please read Acts 26:12-20.
“Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, (Or as I was on my way on the road to Damascus to persecute the church in that city) 13. At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks. 15. And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said I am Jesus whom you persecutest. (Whatsoever we do unto the least of those in Jesus we do unto Jesus) 16. But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you; (We are not specifically told, but Paul may have gone to Arabia right after he was healed, being driven by the Holy Spirit to fast and pray. And then, Jesus appeared to Paul there in Arabia to teach him more things. And after Paul returned to Damascus that was when Paul went straightway to preach the gospel to the JEWS FIRST. For you see, those other things that Jesus said he WILL appear to him to teach Paul came later on in Paul's ministry, seeing that God gave many revelations to Paul over the course of his ministry. In other words, Jesus held off until after three years from the time Jesus first appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus. And then Jesus taught Paul in another vision to go and preach the gospel to the Gentiles at the same time he was teaching Peter the same thing. All we know for sure is that from the time Paul was converted to Christianity up TO the time that Paul went to Jerusalem to CONFER what Jesus was teaching him with the other Apostles was THREE YEARS. And we can safely assume that from the day of Pentecost to the day Paul was converted to Christianity was around SIX MONTHS. So then, from the day of Pentecost to the time that God turned to the Gentiles there was a 3 1/2 year period of time that God dealt with ISRAEL ONLY concerning their transgression to put an end to their sins.) 17. Delivering you from the PEOPLE (Referring to God's PEOPLE, the Jews), AND from the Gentiles, unto WHOM now I send you, 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was NOT disobedient unto the heavenly vision: (So then. when Jesus said Paul, “ AND from the Gentiles, unto WHOM now I send you” , then Jesus either taught Paul in that first vision or a later vision or by the Holy Spirit from the Scriptures that it was NECESSARY to preach the gospel of salvation to the JEWS FIRST and THEN go unto the Gentiles. Otherwise, Paul would have been DISOBEDIENT to the heavenly vision for not going right now immediately to the Gentiles ONLY to preach the gospel. Since these two accounts of Paul's conversion differ not being the exact same wording, then Paul may or may not have been taught about going unto the Gentiles until AFTER THREE YEARS of preaching to the JEWS FIRST. I am not saying that this was the way it had to be, but rather it is a possibility. Paul may have been told the WHOLE big picture all at once at his conversion and then PONDERED on going to the Gentiles for THREE YEARS. But personally, I myself, do not see it happening that way because Paul was given many visions throughout the course of his ministry. And who of us are given the WHOLE big picture all at one time? No, I personally believe that Jesus showed Paul to preach the gospel to the JEWS FIRST and then LATER on. THREE YEARS later to be more precise, Jesus showed Paul that it is NOW TIME to turn to the Gentiles.) 20. But showed FIRST unto THEM (Speaking of preaching the gospel FIRST to the JEWS ONLY) of Damascus, AND AT Jerusalem, AND throughout all the coasts of Judaea, (Paul may or may not have preached to other cities in and around Judea before going to Jerusalem to confer with the other Apostles before going to the gentiles) and THEN to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
Or this verse may mean that when Paul turned to preach the gospel to the Gentile he still yet continued to preach the gospel to the Jews as well. This does seem to be the case. It also appears that it was both ways, in that, Paul preached at Damascus first and then possibly in other areas of Judea before coming to Jerusalem. And then, after he turned to the Gentiles Paul continued for a while to preach the gospel to both the Gentiles and the Jews. But at the end of the books of Acts, it appears that Paul became fed up with the Jew's rejection of the gospel and he turned solely to the Gentiles UNLESS the Jews came to HIM.
Please read Acts 28:22-31.
“But we desire to hear of you what you think: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. 23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many TO HIM in HIS LODGING; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, 26. Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive: 27. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 29. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had great reasoning among themselves. 30. And Paul dwelt two whole years in HIS OWN hired house and received ALL that came in UNTO HIM, (To me, this sounds like the first church building like we have today where the people come INTO the church building to hear the gospel. Obviously, this does not mean that Paul never went outside his own hired house to preach the gospel any more, but it does appear that at least Paul established a HOME base or local church, so to speak, for no less than two years) 31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
In other words, no man persecuted Paul in the way of demanding that he must stop preaching in the name of Jesus because THEY came TO HIM to hear the matter as opposed to Paul going into their synagogue on their home turf, so to speak. Now, the Bible itself does not specifically say if Paul was martyred for the sake of the gospel. But it appears that Paul perceived from the Holy Spirit of his soon coming death to be OFFERED, which leads us to believe that Paul perceived his martyrdom. See 2 Timothy 4:6-5. Some of you may be thinking, what is my point. My point is that I myself believe that the early church FULFILLED the FIRST HALF of the 70th week of Daniel, which was a 3 1/2 year period of time. And I also firmly believe that the CHRUCH will FULFILL the SECOND HALF of the 70th week of Daniel. In other words, the church was here on the earth DURING the FIRST half of the 70th week of Daniel to preach the gospel to ISRAEL so why is it so hard for some Christians to believe that the church will go through the 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation to preach the gospel to Israel right before Jesus returns. I mean this will be the last opportunity not only for Israel but for ALL of mankind to receive eternal life to rule and reign WITH Jesus in the world to come. Thus for ME, I do not see an antichrist making a peace treaty with the nation of Israel for seven years and then breaking that treaty in the middle of the seventieth week of Daniel as many of us have been taught. Nor do I see that Jesus fulfilled the first 3 1/2 years and the church fulfilled the remaining 3 1/2 years as some seventh day of the week Sabbath keeping churches teach. Rather, I myself see that Jesus is crucified or cut off very early IN the 70th week, which is during the seventieth week of Daniel even if it was only by a single day or two. In other words, I myself see that the first pronoun “HE” in Daniel 9:27 is speaking of Jesus, the MESSIAH being crucified at the very beginning of the seventieth week in order to CONFIRM the NEW COVENANT that was promised to the house of Israel and the house of Judah in Jeremiah 31:31,32. We will read the entire context in a moment but the first part of verse 27 says, and HE shall CONFIRM THE COVENANT with many for one week, which most Christians already know and understand is prophetic language meaning seven years. So to ME, the wording THE COVENANT teaches me that this verse is referring to the PROPHECIED yet coming NEW COVENANT and NOT some assumed peace treaty made by the antichrist. Let me say this another way. The whole prophecy of the seventy weeks is about ENDING the sins of Israel. We all know and agree that the first 69 weeks is the prophecy of the COMING of the MESSIAH. Now, in verse 26, we can see the TWO COMINGS of Jesus. We can see his FIRST coming when Jesus was cut off or crucified on the cross in the first half of verse 26. And then, in the last half of verse 26, we can see the period of great tribulation and the destruction of the antichrist AT the SECOND coming of Jesus. Then verse 27 starts over, where the FIRST HE is referring to the MESSIAH confirming or establishing the NEW COVENANT in his shed blood on the cross. Then the CHURCH preaches this NEW COVENANT to ISRAEL ONLY for the FIRST 3 1/2 years. Then comes the MIDST of the week where God turns to the GENTILES for nearly 2000 years. Then at the end of days, the last half of the seventieth week or the last 3 1/2 years right before the second coming of Jesus, God will turn a SECOND time to ISREAL again right BEFORE the second coming of Jesus. Once again the CHURCH will preach the gospel to ISRAEL during the second half of the 70th week of Daniel like the first half of the seventieth week. After the full 70th week is fulfilled by the PREACHING of the GOSPEL to all the world, then Jesus will split the eastern sky and every eye shall see him. It will be too late at that point in time to take part in the rapture of the CHRUCH because the rapture will just have already occurred moments before THEY SEE Jesus coming in clouds of glory. Let us now read Daniel 9:24-27 with all this fresh in your mind. Daniel 9:24-27.
“Seventy weeks (Or 490 years) are determined upon YOUR people and upon YOUR holy city (Speaking of the people of Israel, the Jews and the holy city of Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Please notice that there are SEVEN purposes that these seventy weeks of Daniel are given to be fulfilled. #1. the FINISH the transgression of Israel, #2. to make and END of sins, #3. to make reconciliation for iniquity, #4. to bring in everlasting righteousness. #5. To seal up the vision given to Daniel. #6. to seal up prophecy. And #7. to anoint the most Holy.) 25. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (Or 69 weeks total meaning prophetically a total of 483 years to the coming of the Messiah referring to the FIRST coming of Jesus): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (meaning after the total 483 years the Messiah would be cut off or crucified), but not for himself (Meaning that Jesus was innocent and, therefore, there was no cause found in him to be crucified): and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 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.”
Now many prophecy teachers interpret the first HE in verse 27 to be the antichrist making a peace treaty for 7 years with Israel. But again, I myself see THE COVENANT being the NEW COVENANT that God promised he would make with the children of Israel and the house of Judah.
Please read Jeremiah 31:31,32.
“Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel, AND with the house of Judah: (The house of Judah is prophetic language referring to the church. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. And the Gentile Christians are a people of God THROUGH Jesus.) 32. NOT according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, says the LORD:”
So I myself am seeing that the first “HE” in Daniel 9:27 is referring to Jesus, the MESSIAH, who will CONFIRM the promise COVENANT by his DEATH on the cross as an INNOCENT man. It was needed that the BLOOD of an INNOCENT Lamb WITHOUT spot and blemish to be shed to cleanse the people of their sins.
Please read Hebrews 9:13-18.
“For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15. And for this cause, he is the mediator of the NEW TESTAMENT (Or the NEW COVENANT), that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. 18. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.”
Keep in mind the PURPOSE of the seventy weeks of Daniel was for the TRANSGRESSION of Israel and that God promised a NEW COVENANT because of the TRANSGRESSIONS of Israel. The cutting off of the MESSIAH is what CONFIRMED the COVENANT with many. And it is faith in the GOSPEL that ends sins. I mean when you think this through for yourself the whole of prophecy is focused on Jesus being the Messiah to end sin. Also, where does it say in the BIBLE itself anything about a PEACE treaty being made with Israel by the antichrist? I understand about the use of the words peace and peaceably in other parts of the prophecy of Daniel and we will come back to their true meaning further on in this study. But for now, I want my readers and seekers of the truth to consider something NEW. I mean it is new to ME at least. I have never heard anyone else teach about the midst of the week STARTING when God turned to the Gentiles. Please read the study “WHEN IS THE MIDST OF THE 70TH WEEK OF DANIEL?” Many of us have been taught that the abomination of desolation takes place in the MIDST of the week, which is absolutely the truth. However, the WAY that we were taught has brought confusion to the body of Jesus Christ. To see dear child of God the WAY we have been taught has led us to always assume that the MIDST of the week is a single-day event, where the antichrist sits in a rebuilt temple and proclaims that he is God and exalts himself above all that is called God. But what if the MIDST of the week is NOT a SINGLE day event, but rather the midst of the seventieth week of Daniel is a much longer period of time being almost a 2000 year span of time beginning at the point in time when God turned to the GENTILES to provoke his people Israel to jealousy and will continue up to the BEGINNING of the last half of Daniel's prophesied 70th week which is the 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. And what if the TEMPLE is not a temple of stone, by rather the temple is the temple of the human body where Muslims exalt themselves above all that is called God just as they are beginning to do? In other words, what if the abomination of desolation is NOT an antichrist sitting in a rebuilt temple of stone in the city of Jerusalem, but rather the abomination of desolation is the Islamic Muslim armies surrounding the city of Jerusalem just like we are told in scripture in Luke 21:20-22. Please see the study “WHAT IS THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION?”. I mean think about this for a moment dear children of God, the very BUILDING of a new temple in Jerusalem to offer animal sacrifices would be an ABOMINATION and slap in the face of Almighty God because he ENDED the sacrifices once and for all time beginning with the shed blood of Jesus at the cross and then ending the possibility of animal sacrifices by having the enemies of Israel destroy the temple in 70AD and scattering Israel all over the world. Then another antichrist came along and desecrated the temple mount by building the dome of the rock to the false god Allah, which thus further prevents a new temple to be rebuilt. Now it may be that Israel building a new temple will START world war three. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I am not saying that the last 3 1/2 years of the 70th week of Daniel has already been fulfilled. The apostle John teaches us that there are MANY antichrists already in the world way back in the days of the early church. So I firmly believe in a yet future antichrist LEADER of an antichrist SYSTEM. For those of you who have read some of my other end-time Bible studies, then you already know that I strongly believe that ISLAM is the mark of the beast. If not, then I encourage you to at least read the study “COULD ISLAM BE THE MARK OF THE BEAST?” Let us do a little review or summary of Daniels seventy weeks. We ALL agree that the first 69 weeks have already been fulfilled so only the seventieth week remains as debatable teaching of the church. One group of Christians believes that NONE of Daniels 70th week has been fulfilled and the whole full seven years remains to be fulfilled in the near future. Another group of Christians believes that ALL of the last week or the 70th week of Daniel has already been fulfilled and thus there is no yet coming future great tribulation period. And then there is ME, and I am trusting that many, many more Christians who either already believe or the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding them to believe that the FIRST HALF or the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week of Daniels has ALREADY been fulfilled by the CHRUCH preaching the gospel of salvation to the JEWS FIRST and thus only the last 3 1/2 years of great tribulation remain to be fulfilled in the near future BEGINNING with Israel being surrounded by Islamic Muslim ARMIES seeking to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Now let us go back as I promised to see what those verses containing the word “peace” and “peaceable” mean in the light of the whole word of Almighty God.
Lets us begin with Daniel 8:25.
“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand, and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and BY PEACE shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”
Now the pronouns, he and his, are referring to the little horn, which most all Christians agree is the antichrist and or his antichrist system. What I mean by the antichrist system is a religious belief system that is ANTI-CHRIST or against Jesus being the Christ, the SON of the living God. And most assuredly the belief system of Islam denies that Jesus is the SON of Almighty God, which is one reason why radical Islamic Muslims fit Bible prophecy of the antichrist and his antichrist system causing many to receive the MARK of the BEAST. Again, I believe that this antichrist and his antichrist system are the ISLAMIC belief system or religion or faith. And I believe that a man will rise up to unite the Muslims in the last days and thus HE will be the antichrist leading the armies of his antichrist religious system of Islam. Even the Islamic prophecies in their religion teach that a great leader will arise to unite them to convert all people to Islam. Right now, the peaceful Muslims are crying out saying that they are a PEACEFUL religion, which is DECEIT because their Quran teaches otherwise. Their policy is to follow the Quran above all else. Therefore when what is called the radical Muslims become strong then they will intimidate the peaceful Muslims to either fight with them or die. Through DECEIT the radical Muslims will convince many peaceful Muslims to fight against the Jews and the Christians, particularly in the middle eastern countries. Also, the word translated as “peace” also means quietness or appearing to be peaceable. So to dogmatically demand that the antichrist will make a peace treaty with Israel and then break that peace treaty in the midst of the seven years right before the second coming of Jesus is simply not sound Biblical teaching. This brings us to the word “PEACEABLY” found in Daniel 11:20-24.
Daniel 11:20-24.
“Then shall stand up in his estate (The term his estate is speaking of the king of the north or more specifically ALL the Islamic Muslim countries coming against ISRAEL, the king of the south. So then, within the Islamic Muslim kingdom of the north shall rise up) a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom (This is already happening right now in the Muslim DOMINATED countries. The radical Muslim leaders are forcing those who are NON-Muslims to either CONVERT to ISLAM of PAY a very HIGH TAX. Here is a link to a YouTube video I just saw recently that is part 1): but within few days he shall be destroyed (Literally meaning he shall be broken, as in, no more money to pay the high tax imposed upon non-Muslims, because the Jizyah tax is too burdensome to bear for very long), neither in anger nor in battle. 21. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in PEACEABLY, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Again this is happening right now with the RADICAL Muslims, but they do not yet have their LEADER whom they are waiting to arise according to their prophecies. Many peaceful Muslims do NOT sanction or give honor to these radical Muslims. The radical Muslims came in peaceably or in quietness going unnoticed until their numbers began to grow, They obtained and are yet obtaining the Muslim kingdom by their flatteries or smooth-talking deceitful lies. The vile person who will arise within the Islamic kingdom of the north is who Bible prophecy teachers call the antichrist and the son of perdition) 22. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him (Referring to the MESSIAH), and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. (I believe this verse agrees with Messiah, the PRINCE of the NEW COVENANT destroying the son of perdition, the prince or commander of the Islamic armies at the second coming of Jesus. The Hebrew word translated as “yea also” means “Yes, EVEN” the prince of the new covenant shall do this. In other words, YES, EVEN Jesus will return with his armies from heaven to destroy the Muslim armies fighting against Israel. So then with this in mind read this same verse as the armies of Islam being OVERWHELMED before the FACE of HIM, speaking of Jesus, and shall be broken; YEA EVEN the Prince of the COVENANT. This last phrase, yea even, identifies the WHO, as in, before the face of HIM that the Islamic armies will be overwhelmed by at the second coming of Jesus. Now if one interprets the prince of the covenant as being the antichrist being destroyed ALSO, then who is it that destroys the antichrist? And if the antichrist is already destroyed by someone else, then who is the son of perdition that Messiah the Prince of the NEW COVENANT shall destroy at his coming?) 23. And after (Or among or part of) the league (The people of the northern kingdom united or joined together) made (the word made is not in the original text but was added by the translators. So then, this verse should read, And those among the confederacy joined together) with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. (This agrees perfectly with the peaceful Muslims being deceived to join with the radical Muslims in our present day. The radical Muslims began as a SMALL group and have become strong, growing in number) 24. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province (Or region. This could be speaking of Saudi Arabia or one of the other rich oil Islamic countries becoming radicalized by deceit and flattery from the radical Muslims. To ME, these verses have nothing to do with making a peace treaty with Israel, but rather with the world NOT knowing what is going on and only the WISE understanding what is happening in the world); and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.”
The last part of this verse 24 gives us a sign to be watching for. Now, it may not a sign that is all that noticeable to those of us who do not live in Muslim dominated countries, but at some point in time, the radical Muslims will scatter their booty and extorted jizyah tax from the non-Muslims to the poor peaceful Muslims to DECEIVE them to join their cause or devious plan to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. The last phrase seems to indicate some kind of weapons of war that the Islamic Muslim armies will use against the fortified city of Jerusalem for a TIME or for a span of a YEAR and then THEY, as in, Israel will retaliate in verse 25. Anyway, the point of this study is to show my readers and seekers of the truth that the church will indeed be here on the earth and will go through the entire 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation. My prayer is that by showing those who hold to the belief that the 70th week is only for Israel will now see the truth that the church was here ON the earth DURING the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week so that they will also see the truth of the WHOLE word of God that the church will ALSO be here ON the earth during the last half of the 70th week of Daniel, which is the time of great tribulation. I have many other studies giving many other verses that show without a doubt that the church will go through the period of great tribulation and thus there is NO PRE-tribulation rapture of the church. There IS indeed a rapture of the church, which takes place AT the SECOND coming of Jesus. Here is a link to the list of studies that I have written on the end times >>>PROPHECY---THE COMING OF JESUS!<<< Also, below is a TIMELINE of the last days. I had to make my own timeline in three separate drawings. There is one-half of God's wrath before the 1000 years and the last half of God's wrath at the end of the 1000 years. When God turned to the Gentiles that is when the MIDST of the 70th week of Daniel began. The church age CONTINUES right through the time of great tribulation to the second coming of Jesus. The 3 1/2 years of great tribulation is the last half of Daniel's 70th week AND the last 3 1/2 years of the church age as well. The GAP or the MIDST of the week BEGINS when God turned to the Gentiles and CONTINUES up to the abomination of desolation that begins the LAST HALF of the 70th week ending with the second coming of Jesus. Please read the study “WHEN IS THE MIDST OF THE 70TH WEEK?” Here is a timeline that will help you see that the GAP is between the first and last half of the 70th week of Daniel and not between the 69th and 70th week. The 70th week begins four days before the cross and does not end until the second coming of Jesus. Since I could not find anyone else teaching anything even close to this interpretation that God is showing to me I had to make my own timeline in three separate drawings and put them together. There is one-half of God's wrath before the 1000 years and the last half of God's wrath at the end of the 1000 years. When God turned to the Gentiles that is when the MIDST of the 70th week of Daniel began. The church age CONTINUES right through the time of great tribulation all the way through to the second coming of Jesus. The 3 1/2 years of great tribulation is the last half of Daniel's 70th week AND the last 3 1/2 years of the church age as well.
DANIEL'S TIMELINE
I have also many other studies giving many other verses that show without a doubt that the church will go through the period of great tribulation and thus there is NO PRE-tribulation rapture of the church. There IS indeed a rapture of the church, which takes place AT the SECOND coming of Jesus. Again, here is a link to the list of studies that I have written about the end times >>>PROPHECY---THE COMING OF JESUS!<<< Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the whole word of Almighty God. Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
RETURN TO HOMEPAGE AT |
