Revelation 1:3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
The scripture advises us to read and hear of the prophecy of the Bible and the Book of Revelation. The Word of God is manifold in it’s application and power to our daily lives.
1 Corinthians 14:3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
The Word of God in the Book of Revelation is a word of prophecy. As we speak of the Book of Revelation and the times of the end, we speak unto the body of Christ to edification, exhortation, and comfort. Today I will be speaking of the initiation of the 7 year period of the apocalypse and what occurs at the beginning of the Great Tribulation in the Books of Revelation 18 and 12. Before beginning that discussion, I would like to address the biblical view of a “pre-tribulation rapture” as well as the “days” stated in scripture in the Book of Daniel.
In order to discuss when a “pre-tribulation rapture” (or an event which may be called, even erroneously, a “pre-trib rapture”), it behooves us to study “when” the tribulation period of scripture begins.
Matthew 24:15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
According to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the tribulation period begins when the 666 beast commits the abomination of desolation. The abomination of desolation occurs in the midst of the 7 year period thereby commencing great tribulation.
Daniel 9:27And 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.
Therefore, an event initiates a 7 year period of the Book of Revelation (also stated in the Book of Daniel). Three and one half years pass marking the midst of that week (or 7 year period). At this midpoint, the 666 beast causes sacrifice and oblation to cease. This causes desolation(s) in the earth and the initiation of the great tribulation period. The great tribulation period goes on for 3-1/2 years further (or 1260 days) with “certain events” occurring during that time-frame.
I submit that any view of “pre-trib rapture” would be a view of a rapture preceding the great tribulation period. This great tribulation period begins with the abomination of desolation. Therefore, the “midpoint” of the 7 year period is “pre-tribulation”. The entire 7 year period is not “tribulation period”.
A view of a “pre-trib rapture” that assumes that a “pre-trib rapture” must occur prior to the entire 7 year period is not, as I see it, what Jesus taught. Jesus taught that the tribulation period of the Book of Revelation begins when the abomination of desolation occurs at the midpoint of the 7 year period.
In brief, those who hold to a “pre-trib rapture” position can “adjust their view” to see that a “rapture-like event” could occur at the time of the abomination of desolation and still hold to their “pre-trib rapture” biblical view. Therefore, I would not debate with anyone that a “pre-trib” rapture position is incorrect. Rather, I would say, “Please look at the abomination of desolation as initiating the tribulation period and see that a “rapture-like event” at that time can biblically be defined as a “pre-trib rapture”.”
But, as we look at the days and timelines stated in scripture related to time after the abomination of desolation, there is more time stated than solely the 1260 days of a latter 3-1/2 years of a total 7 year period. The scripture states that the “sanctuary” will be cleansed. The time from the time of the abomination of desolation(s) to the cleansing of the temple will be 2,300 days:
Daniel 8:13Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Also, the scripture states in Daniel 12, that the “daily sacrifice shall be taken away” and 1290 days later the abomination that maketh desolate is “set up”. There are those who will “wait” and come to the 1335 days.
Daniel 12:8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.11And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
We do not actually “have” in scripture an extremely “clear cut” exclusive 7 year period with two 1260 day marking points: 3-1/2 years beginning half (1260 days) and 3-1/2 years latter half (1260 days).
We also have a 1290 day period “thrown into the mix”. Additionally, another “time sequence” of 1335 “fits somewhere”. Plus, a statement of 2300 days “must be accounted for”. We must correctly identify and align all of these timelines to say that we “understand the scripture” with perfect clarity revealed by the Holy Spirit.
The scripture states that we will not have this scripture revealed to us by the Holy Spirit with great clarity of understanding, actually, until these things begin to come to pass:
Daniel 12:8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Therefore, with all realistic honesty, I cannot state that the Holy Spirit has “at this time” revealed to me the “whole” of this scripture. Rather, as a Christian I would state that I am exploring these scriptures and the unfolding of scripture with current events. The Bible tells us that as we study the Word of God, more will be given to us. God will clarify our understanding in His time by His will and power.
Matthew 13:11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
In the series as I continue, I am going to set forth a potential view of scripture as related to Revelation 18, Revelation 12, with the whole of scripture, aligning same with current events in a seeking manner. I do not state that my view is “the” absolutely correct view of scripture. Rather, I set forth what I presently see as I seek the Lord. Only God can reveal scripture. In humility we must confess that certain areas of scripture we see through the glass darkly. Yet, we trust God to reveal more and more as we search the scriptures and the scriptures come to pass.
Please feel welcome to explore the Word of God, watch, pray, and align current events with the unfolding of biblical prophecy with me.
Grace.
Laura
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