In this article you will see how to understand Bible prophecy in a very easy to understand and simple way. When finished reading this article you will know about the 70 week prophecy of the book of Daniel 9. You will see the pre-tribulation rapture very easily from the book of Revelation and you will understand that the Lord Jesus is coming back and He will reign for 1000 years in His Millennial kingdom here on earth.
Many people are blinded to Bible prophecy and just do not understand what is going to happen. I suggest you give out this article (print or email) to people who just do not understand Bible prophecy. This would include pastors who have no idea as to what is going on. It is time to gain understanding of Bible prophecy. Pastors, it is time for you to teach Bible prophecy in your Church. Stop avoiding teaching Bible prophecy to God's people. God's people need to know these things and what is about to happen.
One quick point that must be made. The commonly used definition of the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy is called the 'tribulation period' by many. This term is not found in the Bible but is widely used. Also, the word rapture is used to describe the harpazo. Both the 'tribulation period' and 'rapture' are not terms in the Bible. However, they are very commonly used. So when you hear the term rapture realize it is the harpazo. When you hear the term tribulation period realize it is the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. There should really be no confusion. Keep in mind the term pre-tribulation rapture could very accurately be called the harpazo before the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy.
We start with verse 24 in Daniel 9 which gives an overview of the entire 70 weeks of years prophecy for Israel. Note: 1 week is 7 years
Daniel 9
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, 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.
This verse says that 70 weeks are determined upon thy people... the people of Daniel, the Jews, and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem). At the end of the 70 weeks some goals will be accomplished. Here is a list of these goals.
1. To make an end of sins (not done yet)
2. to make reconciliation for iniquity (accomplished on the cross)
3. to bring in everlasting righteousness (not done yet)
4. to seal up the vision and prophecy (not done yet)_
5. to anoint the most Holy (the Lord Jesus - not done yet)
At the end of this 70 weeks of years prophecy the above 5 goals will be finished. Today, 4 of those goals are still in progress and the 70th week has not yet happened. Lets look at the first 69 of the 70 week prophecy.
Daniel 9
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: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
This verse says that from the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem UNTIL the Messiah comes will be 7 weeks and then 62 weeks for a total of 69 weeks of years. At the end of these 69 weeks of years Messiah would come.
Artaxerxes in 445 BC (March 14, 445BC) issued a decree to rebuild Jerusalem. This began the 69 weeks of years. (Neh 2:5-8, 17,18) There were 3 previous decrees made but they dealt with the building of the temple. The 69 week prophecy does not start with a decree to build the temple. The decree in 445 BC dealt with the building of the city of Jerusalem and this decree started up the 69 weeks of years which came to pass to the exact day.
The Jewish year is based on a 360 day year... so (69 * 7) * 360 = 173880 days. Sir Robert Anderson in his book goes into great detail showing the fulfillment of the 69 weeks of the 70 week prophecy.
When did the Lord Jesus allow Himself to be worshipped as a King ending the 69 weeks? Look at the following verse.
Zech 9
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
On the day the Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was declared King and Messiah, the 69 weeks were ended. This is an amazing and exact fulfillment of prophecy. The date of this trimphial entry into Jerusalem was April 6, 32 AD.
While the Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey He wept over the city. See the following:
Luke 19
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
The Jewish people should have known the prophecies and the fact that the Lord Jesus was their Messiah. But they were blinded and did not recognize the times. They were held accountable and should have known about these prophetic events which came to pass with the Lord Jesus right in front of their eyes. This is true today as people should recognize the fact of the soon return of the Lord Jesus first to come for His Church, and later in Revelation 19 to physically return with His Church. Many people are very blinded during these last of the last days before the return of the Lord Jesus.
We continue and are told what will happen after the 69 weeks are complete.
Daniel 9
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: 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.
The first thing that happens is the Messiah would be cut off (killed) after the 69 weeks. This means He would die as the Lord Jesus went to the cross and died for the sins of lost mankind. The Lord Jesus died on the cross after the 69 weeks were complete.
Also, the above verse says the people of the prince that shall come (Rome) would come and destroy the city of Jerusalem. This happened in 70AD.
After this happened and the ending the 69th week, we have a time gap of an unknown time period. This is from the end of the 69 weeks to the beginning of the 70th week. Remember the 70 weeks are for the Jewish people and their holy city of Jerusalem. Once Israel was destroyed in 70AD and scattered to all the nations this final 70th week could not happen. So far, almost 2000 years have gone by and still the 70th week has not yet started. The pieces are coming into place as Israel became a nation in 1948 and they recaptured their holy city of Jerusalem in 1967. This was a fulfillment of Ezekiel 36 and 37. The 70th week can start anytime after just one more event happens. We will see what must happen in the next verse in Daniel.
However, lets pause and consider a major fact that is not taught in Bible school to Pastors. This 70 week prophecy is very specific for the Jewish people (Israel) and their holy city (Jerusalem). The 70 weeks will be fulfilled upon the Jewish people. However, in the gap (between week 69 and 70) of almost 2000 years, God created and revealed His Church to the world. The Church is composed of saved Jews and saved Gentiles. The Church is not Israel. The Church is a separate entity of a called out people composed of saved Jews and saved Gentiles between Daniel's 69th and 70th week prophecy. This fact must be realized in order to understand any Bible prophecy. God has a definite plan for the nation of Israel. God also has a different but definite plan for His Church between Daniel's 69th and 70th week. The Church has had no part in the first 69 weeks of Daniel's prophecy. Likewise the Church will not be here for the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. That 70th week is for the Jewish people of Israel only. Sadly, these facts are not taught to Pastors in Bible school so they come out of school not understanding Bible prophecy and therefore the majority do not teach on the subject of Bible prophecy in their churches. When pastors are in Bible school they get a book on systematic theology. There is a missing chapter on Israelology. God has a plan for Israel and God has a plan for the Church. Two different plans. It is time to wake up Pastors and church people. God has plans for Israel and God has plans for His Church. The Church is not Israel. If you can get this simple fact into your head, you can understand Bible prophecy. To deny this makes one willingly ignorant and unable to rightly divide the Word of truth in the area of Bible prophecy. This is why so many people deny the pre-tribulation rapture or the 1000 year Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus here on earth. Others stupidly deny God's promises to Israel and try to give those promises to the Church. They literally become scoffers at the second coming of the Lord Jesus and are blinded to Bible prophecy.
Lets continue with our look at Daniel's 70 week prophecy for the Jewish people, Israel. Remember that 70th week has not started yet as something must first happen. Here we are given the information which will start up that 70th week.
Daniel 9
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.
We are told that "he" will confirm the covenant with many for one week or for 7 years (1 week of years). The "he" is the antichrist beast who will confirm that 7 year covenant with Israel. Then we are told in the middle of that 7 year week of years "he" will commit the abomination of desolation in the rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
Below is the description of the event when the antichrist/beast causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease. It is called the abomination of desolation. This happens in the middle of the 7 year 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. It happens right at the 3 1/2 year point. Then the last 3 1/2 years are called the "great tribulation" by the Lord Jesus. For this event to happen, the Jewish temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and there will again be temple sacrifice. Here is the verse in Matthew that describes this 3 1/2 year event.
Matt 24
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
The 70th week cannot start until the man of sin/antichrist/beast is revealed. This has not happened yet. Here are some verses that describe the rising of the beast.
2 Thess 2
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Notice that there is something restraining this antichrist/beast and this beast is restrained until the restrainer is removed. The removal of the restraint is the pre-tribulation rapture/harpazo of the Church. This antichrist/beast is currently being restrained by the Holy Spirit working in and through the Church. When the Church is removed, the restrainer is also removed. The Holy Spirit is still present as He is omnipresent, but the church is taken to heaven. The antichrist/beast is then free to be revealed to the world. At that time the antichrist/beast can rise up and sign that 7 year contract with Israel and the 70th week of Daniel starts. This 70th week is also called the time of Jacob's trouble or the Day of the Lord.
Here are some verses that describe this 70th week of Daniel's prophecy also known as the Day of the Lord.
Isaiah 13
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Isaiah 13
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
Zephaniah 1
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Terrifying days are coming upon the godless wicked of this earth. They will be in terror as the Lord literally destroys them off the earth. They are proud and laugh now, but in the 70th week, the Day of the Lord, they will scream. Then they will die and ultimately be thrown forever to be tormented in the lake of fire.
In the book of Revelation Chapter 6 there are 7 seals opened. Here is a verse that describes the wrath as it is happening in the world:
Rev 6
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
All the seal judgments are the wrath of God. For example the 4th seal results in 1/4 of the worlds population dying. The wrath of God is very horrendous and deadly. This time period is also known as the Day of the Lord. A day of great darkness, wrath, and fear. This is a good description of the 70th week of Daniel.
One of the promises given to the Church is that they will not suffer the wrath of God. They will however suffer tribulation and have done so for almost 2000 years now. Keep in mind that the wrath of God is poured out during the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. During this time there are promises to the Church that say the Church will not suffer God's wrath:
1 Thess 1
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Romans 5
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Luke 21
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The Church has been delivered from the wrath of God to come. We are not appointed to wrath. This is one evidence that the Church will not be present on earth during the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy when God's wrath is poured out upon the earth.
Rev 1
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
...
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
As you can see in Revelation 1 that the Lord Jesus stands in the midst of the 7 candlesticks. Verse 20 tells us what those candlesticks are. They are the 7 Churches. Then in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are a description of the 7 churches here on earth for almost 2000 years now.
Next in Chapter 4 something happens.
Revelation 4 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Notice the "Come up hither" in the above verse. Some people demand a verse that states the pre-tribulation rapture. Well Rev 4:1 is that verse. The "Come up hither" is the rapture/harpazp of the church. Now at this point the Church has been raptured/harpazo to heaven. This can be seen by looking at verse 4.
Revelation 4
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Around the throne of God there are 24 thrones with 24 elders. This is representative of the church in heaven. Lets look at the characterics of the Church in heaven. Here are five points that prove the Church is now in heaven.
1. They are siting on thrones - promise to the church:
Revelation 3
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
2. They are wearing white rainment - promise to the church:
Revelation 3
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
3. They are wearing crowns of gold. This means the Church is in heaven and the Bema judgment is complete. Crowns are given out during the Bema judgment and they are only for the Church.
Revelation 3
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
4. They sing the song of the redeemed. Notice they are redeemed to God by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus.
Revelation 5
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
5. They are called elders and kings and priests - promise to the church:
Revelation 1
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Friends, as you can see the Church is in heaven as of Revelation chapter 4. The Church has no place being on earth during the 70th week of Daniels prophecy. Israel still has to go through that 70th week of years. This 70th week is not for the Church. In fact, provision has been made for Israel during that 70th week. After the abomination of desolation, they are told to flee to the mountains to a safe place prepared for them. There is no provision for the Church as it is not needed since the Church is in heaven during the 70th week.
Finally the 70th week of Daniel is detailed in the book of Revelation in chapter 6-19. The Church is on earth in Revelation 2 and 3. The Church is in heaven in chapters 4-19. The Church returns to earth with the Lord Jesus in Revelation 19.
At the rapture there is the translation of believers. At the second coming there is no translation
At the rapture the translated saints go to heaven. At the second coming the translated saints return to earth
At the rapture the earth is not judged. At the second coming the earth is judged.
The rapture is an imminent event and Christians are told to watch for it daily. The second coming however, cannot happen until certain prophetic events occur. The second coming happens at the end of the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy after certain prophetic events happen.
The rapture affects believers only. The second coming affects all men.
The rapture is before the day of wrath. The second coming concludes the day of wrath. The 70th week is the day of wrath, the Day of the Lord.
At the rapture there is no reference to Satan. At the second coming Satan is bound for 1000 years.
At the rapture the Lord comes for His own. At the second coming He comes with His own.
At the rapture the Lord Jesus comes to the air above the earth (clouds). At the second coming the Lord Jesus comes physically to the earth.
At the rapture the Lord Jesus claims His Bride. At the second coming the Lord Jesus comes with His bride.
At the rapture only His own see Him. At the second coming all men will see Him.
After the rapture Daniel's 70th week begins. After the second coming the 1000 year Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus begins.
As you can see there are specific difference between the rapture/harpazo vs the second coming of the Lord Jesus when He returns physically to earth. The pre-tribulation rapture is a fact.
Revelation 20
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Notice that Satan is bound and shut up in a pit for 1000 years. He will not be free at this time to do his evil and deceive the nations.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
There is going to be a 1000 year period of time after the return of the Lord Jesus.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
At the end of the 1000 year Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus, Satan will be temporarily loosed from the bottomless pit and once more go forth to deceive.
Here are some additional proofs showing the coming 1000 year Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus
1- The Lord's prayer as a promise of this coming kingdom where the Lord Jesus will reign here on earth for these 1000 years.
Matt 6
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
We have been told to pray 'Thy kingdom come'. It is not here yet and we are told to pray for it in the Lord's prayer. The kingdom that is coming is the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus.
2- The Millennial kingdom was announced to the virgin Mary
Luke 1
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
This is where Gabriel was sent to Mary to tell her of the Lord Jesus who would be born. Notice in verse 32 that He would be given the throne of His father David and He would reign and have a kingdom. Did this every happen? No it did not. In the days of the Lord Jesus, Rome was the ruler. There is a coming time after the second coming when the Lord Jesus will rule and reign in His Millennial kingdom.
3- The kingdom was promised to the disciples of the Lord Jesus
Luke 22
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Notice that they have been appointed a kingdom but it has not yet come to pass.
As you can see when the Lord Jesus returns to earth at His second coming there will be a 1000 year Millennial kingdom here on earth. Above is some very good evidence of this coming kingdom. Of those who do not understand the 70 week prophecy found in Daniel 9 also tend to deny the 1000 year Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus.
Lets start by looking at a promise given to Abraham.
Genesis 13
14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
Notice verse 15 where God says He will give the land to Abraham and his descendents forever. This is an unbreakable promise. It is not dependent on Abraham but rather on God and His nature to keep this promise.
Below is the birth of Isaac and there are promises of the covenant between God and Abraham and Isaac.
Genesis 17
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
Verse 8 concludes with the promise from God that Israel was given the holy land. God is not a liar... what He promised, He will do. Those deceived by replacement theory have made God to be a liar as they deny and mock these unbreakable promises.
Paul answered the question about Israel being forsaken by God. Notice what he says:
Rom 11
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Quite simply God has not cast away or forsaken Israel. They are back in their land as a nation as a result of these promises from God. We can see their restoration as a nation in 1948 as a direct fulfillment of Ezekiel 36 and 37. In 1967 Israel recaptured Jerusalem which is another major fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
Right now, God is watching the nations of the world and will send judgments to them based on how they treat Israel. This means many nations today will be severely judged and even destroyed by God. All they have to do is mistreat Israel or try to divide their land.
So replacement theory is believed by people who have no understanding of Bible prophecy. They have put themselves in a position to call God a liar if they teach that God is finished with Israel. Do not be deceived by this perversion of the Bible.
Finally, The harpazo (rapture) is a totally imminent event. Nothing has to happen before the harpazo occurs. The important thing is to be ready to meet the Lord Jesus today. Time is running out and the Lord could very well come quickly and before most expect. It is time to accept the Lord Jesus right now! Here is a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus,
I admit that I am a sinner. I realize that sin has a penalty of separation from God and an eternity in the lake of fire. Right now I turn from my sins and receive the Lord Jesus as my only Saviour. Lord Jesus come into my heart and life and save me. I trust in you alone for salvation and to be my Lord and my Saviour. Amen
John 1
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
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