If you read my previous article: “The Sequel to the Rapture”, we reviewed Daniel 9:24-27 and other Bible verses relating to the last seven years before the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. These last seven years are otherwise known as Daniels 70th week…Some Bible scholars call it the Tribulation. From start to end, the Tribulation will last seven years or 2520 days. The reason it is 2520 days in duration is because the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 is based upon the Jewish lunar calendar of 360 days per year…not our current calendar of 365.25 days.
This is an Old Testament prophecy by an Old Testament Jewish prophet of God concerning the nation of Israel in the end times…therefore Daniel would definitely have used the Jewish/biblical calendar of 360 days in a year.
According to Daniel 9:27, the Tribulation begins when the Antichrist signs or confirms a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years (2520 days). 3.5 years (1260 days) later, at the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Great Tribulation will begin when the Antichrist desecrates Israel’s newly rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. He does this by setting up an idol of himself known as the Abomination of Desolation, and demands everyone to worship him as God.
He also puts an end to the animal sacrifices that the Jews have started up again in their new temple. Three and one-half years (1260 days) later, at the end of the Great Tribulation, Jesus will return to the earth (The Second Coming) at the Battle of Armageddon. He will defeat the Antichrist and his forces and then Jesus will set up His Millennium Kingdom.
Several Bible scholars believe the three main events relating to this prophetic passage will occur on God’s appointed Feast days for Israel. I concur with their theory. Let us briefly review the seven major feast days for Israel:
1) The 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan is Pesach or the Feast of Passover. 2) The 15th day of Nisan is the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
3) The 17th day of Nisan is the Feast of Firstfruits. 4) The 6th day of Sivan is Shavuot or the Feast of Pentecost. 5) The 1st day of Tishri is Rosh Ha’shanah or the Feast of Trumpets. 6) The 10th day of Tishri is Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. 7) The 15th day of Tishri is Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles.
The first three feast days occur in the spring. The fourth one occurs in late spring/early summer. The last three feast days occur in the fall.
Each appointed feast day commemorated a specific event for Israel. There are also additional specific prophesied events that were fulfilled on these feast days. It is not the intent of this article to go into detail about these events. There are many excellent articles and Web sites with this information available to the reader.
Just as the New Testament of the Bible points to Jesus as the Savior/Messiah, so does the Old Testament…however it doesn’t call Jesus by name. There are only prophecies about Him. Some were fulfilled by: Jesus during His life on earth and the rest will be fulfilled in the future when He returns.
If you think the seven appointed (by God) feast days are only about Israel, you would be incorrect. They are really about Jesus. They are a shadow of things to come…
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: which are s shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17).
Jesus died on Passover and was in the grave during the feast of Unleavened Bread. He was resurrected from death and the grave on the third day during the Feast of Firstfruits. Fifty days later, during Pentecost, Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to His disciples and new believers.
Many Bible scholars and students believe the last three feast days will be prophetically fulfilled with Jesus’ Second Coming. He will return at Armageddon on the Feast of Trumpets. Israel will mourn as they see their Messiah whom they have pierced on the Day of Atonement (Zechariah 12:10-11). Jesus will initiate His Millennium Kingdom on the Feast of Tabernacles.
Now that you are familiar with God’s appointed feast days, let me return to my earlier statement regarding Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27) and the three main events that I believe will occur on certain feast days. If we start with the last event first (Jesus’ Second Coming), and work our way backwards, I think it would help to better understand the timing of this prophecy. Most Bible scholars believe the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to this earth at Armageddon will occur on the Feast of Trumpets.
Three and one half years (1260 days) earlier, on the Jewish holy day of Passover, the Antichrist will reveal his true nature by desecrating the Jewish temple and claiming to be God. Three and one half years (1260 days) before this event, on the Feast of Tabernacles, Daniel’s 70th week begins when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel.
When will the Antichrist make his appearance onto the world scene?
If indeed this event occurs on the Feast of Tabernacles, then 1260 days later the second event must happen on Passover. Likewise, 1260 days after this, the third event must happen on the Feast of Trumpets. The Antichrist can’t come in 2013, because there are too many days between the three feast days. Instead of 2520 days, there are about 2555 days.
Could the Antichrist come in 2014? It’s possible…since there are approximately 2520 days between the three feast days. The upcoming years that work for the Antichrist’s appearance is 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2022. The years that do not work are 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021.
Why is the timing of the Tribulation important, especially to Christians? The reason is because if the Tribulation is close, then the Rapture is even closer. Due to our belief in Jesus and God’s grace, true Christians will not experience this hell on earth time period known as Daniel’s 70th week or the Tribulation (Revelation 3:10, Luke 21:36).
Remember, Luke 21.28:
“And when these things begin to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.”
Marantha!
Your fellow Bible student,
Randy Nettles
nettlesr@suddenlink.net