The time is come, and in some ways already past, to look seriously at Bible Prophecy even if it comes at the expense of some of our long held beliefs. So much teaching on the coming of the Lord has bred complacency rather than preparedness. This must change lest that day overtake us as a thief.
While the subject of prophecy is a vast and controversial arena, it should not be shunned simply because it is a large undertaking. It is my intent to begin a regular series of "notes" that look at important aspects of the subject, which often have been overlooked at the expense of a correct prophetic viewpoint. In this late hour we cannot afford to miss the prophetic mark by much... if at all.
While the point of this post may be a relatively small matter, it is a most important truth that carries a large implication with it. The subject of this post is the great tribulation and its relationship to the seventieth week of Daniel. Quite often the tribulation and Daniel's seventieth week are taught to be one and the same... this is simply not true. Let us examine.
The great tribulation begins somewhere near the middle of Daniel's seventieth week at the abomination of desolation and lasts for about 3 and 1/2 years. Jesus said, "when ye therefore see the abomination of desolation... then shall be great tribulation." (Matt 24:15 & 21) He then adds a curious statement that those days (of tribulation) must be shortened in order for any flesh to be saved. It seems as if this shortening rolls back the tribulation so that it ends before the seventieth week is complete. It is clear that the tribulation is finished before the seventieth week is finished because Gabriel gives Daniel very specific purposes for the seventy weeks to accomplish (Daniel 9:24).
The final purpose of this period of time was declared to be the anointing of the most Holy. This is the installation of the king... King Jesus. Simply, Jesus must return before he is anointed. The signs of the coming of Jesus are declared to be the darkening of the sun and the moon, the disappearance of the stars, and the shaking of heaven. Verse 29 of the 24th chapter of Matthew tells us that these signs happen immediately after the tribulation. The tribulation is over at that point and Jesus has not yet returned nor has he been anointed. The purpose of the seventy weeks of Daniel has not been fulfilled and it is not yet over.
The end of the shortened tribulation period gives room for another event that must take place. It is vital for us to see what this is. I leave you with these thoughts... can you see what happens during that space of time that is provided by the shortened tribulation? Notice: Isaiah26: 19-21, Daniel 12:11 and 12
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