The recent sensitive worldwide events have clearly sparkled the attention concerning eschatology. But, what is eschatology? It is simply the study of the meaning of the last days and the end times. What is going to happen at the end of this world? Well, there is a very well-known prophecy from the Book of Daniel. In chapter nine, there it speaks about seventy weeks and the very last week – the 70th – week is often times referred to as the tribulation period.  Now, biblically speaking, this period does not refer to seven days, but to seven years, therefore Daniel is speaking about the final seven years. 

How will the Great Tribulation begin?

Daniel tells us, this period will begin with a covenant, however let’s not define it too specifically. At this time, we also know that there will be a temple for the first half of the 70th week.  However, there is no place in the scripture where this period is referred to as the tribulation. In addition to it, an additional question would be for whom is this so-called tribulation period is? Would it be for Israel or for non-believers?

This leads me to the question concerning our blessed hope or the rapture. Is there are a biblical basis saying the rapture must happen prior to Daniel’s 70th week? The answer is that people often times make assumptions and here again, too many rational assumptions based upon man’s way of thinking rather than what the Word of God truly reveals.

Many will say things such as the church was not present in the first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel’s prophecy which is true, so it can not be in the 70th. But, if the church was not present in the first sixty-nine weeks, does that mean that it will not be present during the 70th week?  There is simply no basis for such a conclusion. 

Who will suffer during the Tribulation?

Unless you are loyal to the antichrist and I certainly hope that is not you as it will certainly not be me, you will not be suffering during the tribulation period. The antichrist will function fairly free for the first half of the 70th week. In chapter eleven of the Book of Revelation, we see that he will be not imposing anything during this first three-and-a-half years. However, in the middle of that period he will cause the abomination of desolation.

Thessalonians

In second Thessalonians chapter two, we see further evidence that the abomination of desolation will take place when the antichrist goes into the Holy of Hollies as he proclaims himself to be God exalting himself and magnifying himself above all that is holy all that is of God. Shortly thereafter, the period called Jacob’s trouble will begin. It is the word Sarah which is the Hebrew word for Ellipsis in Greek, which means trouble or tribulation. Only after the abomination of desolation has taken place things are going to become very difficult and there will be a tribulation period for Israel simply because Israel will have rejected the antichrist.