Many reckon the full seven years as tribulation
----- and the last 3.5 years as the great tribulation. In reality the
first 3.5 years has no label, However the final 3.5 years is known as the
great tribulation.
Heres a list of rapture theories
Pretribulation -- the church will be
raptured before the antichrist appears at the start of the 70th week to
sign a peace deal with the many.
Mid trib rapture -- at the middle of the 7 before
the abomination of desolation occurs.
Post trib rapture -- at the end of the great tribulation
at the end of the 7 years when Jesus returns.
Prewrath rapture before GOD pours out his judgements
on earth. Not too familiar with this one. This theory says we as Christians will
go through the great tribulation and go through persecution.
Many other Biblical scholars believe
that Jesus actually fulfilled the first 3.5 years of the 70th week
and that the final 3.5 years known as the great tribulation is
for the antichrist.
Youre right we must prepare for different possibilities
and nobody fully knows how it all works out. I myself dont rule out
a pretrib rapture but It may be a strong possibilty that we as Christians
will indeed go through the great tribulation and that the resurrection
of the dead and living doesnt occur until Jesus Christs physical return
to earth.
The antichrist either appears to make the peace
or he appears after the peace has been made. Depends on how
you read the scripture.
The covenant with the many- may or may not be
not be a peace treaty. Theres no exact proof that the covenant
with the many is a peace covenant.
And nobody 100% knows what the abomination of
desolation is. Most say its when
the antichrist breaks the peace treaty in the middle of the 7 and declares
himself as GOD sitting in the temple of GOD. I do lean towards this
view.
Ezekiel 38 and 39 does say that before the battle
of GOG and MAGOG Israel is at peace. So some point in time there must be
peace in Israel and their currently isnt. Israel has never dwelt safely.
All the theories should be taken into consideration.
And there are many. Does No man knoweth and I come like
a thief ring a bell? Watch.
Blessings
Cy