Hi John and Doves,
The fact that I question a 7 year timeline for tribulation after the rapture of the church does not make me a "deceived Christian" or a "False Prophet". Such a ludicrous and insulting suggestion. My profession involves working with and nursing the aged. Having creaky hips, failing eyesight and cronky knees does not excuse a person from rudeness. I understand that these afflictions can cause a person to become downright grumpy and bad tempered. This is something one can get past. But unless someone has been severely impaired with alzheimers disease or it's cousin, dementia, I will not tolerate being insulted. I draw the line. I have also learned that great old age does not magically turn a person into a font of wisdom and superior knowledge. A type of Morgan Freeman. Haha. The majority of the time, it's their true colours of who they have always been, that is finally out in the open. Having got that off my chest, I'll proceed with my post.
When I first became an avid watchman, I readily accepted the established thought of a 7 year trib. I assumed that this had been established through rock hard scriptural evidence. Hey - I can see how people got to believing and preaching a 7 year trib. They didn't just make it up. I really started questioning the 7 year trib timeline in 2011. Firstly, I have testified here on Doves that my husband and I both witnessed an orb of brilliant light that followed our car - caused us to slam on brakes - and then shot across our windscreen. It was real and it happened. I believe this makes me more open to supernatural signs from our Father God. In 2011, a similar orb of light descended on the Temple Mount. In 2011, a bizarre image of a pale green horse appeared, on camera, in Egypt... during the start of the Arab Spring. Nobody expected it or was looking for it. A camera anomaly it may have been.... but it happened - it was there. I fully believe that God was showing us a powerful sign. Soon after, the vicious attacks upon Christians in the Middle East began. And they have only escalated. To the extent that we recently had the Archbishop of Canterbury declaring an emergency re the "extinction of Christians" in the Middle East. Link below. Please read it, Doves. It's about time that high profile Christianity spoke up about this. In fact - they have left it rather late ! We must acknowledge and absorb that our Middle Eastern and North African brothers and sisters in Christ have endured horrific tribulation. It has been an ongoing nightmare for them. There have been be-headings, rape, beatings.... persecution of such magnitude that they have had to flee their homes. If they haven't been butchered or imprisoned. The last 7 plus years have seen these Christians suffering terrible, relentless tribulation. Nobody can deny this. And to deny this is deliberate blindness. A staunch, unflinching denial of Christian tribulation just because it doesn't suit the established 7 year trib timeline allotted for post rapture. It is also astonishing to realise that people who deny that Christians have been suffering terrible tribulation for the last 7 years, won't admit to denying it. They acknowledge the terrible things being perpetrated on our brothers and sisters but refuse to call it tribulation. Why? Because it's not happening to us in the West. It's not "tribulation" because it doesn't really involve us. We're still sitting pretty, considering. This is a very limited view, considering that all the action will be taking place IN THE MIDDLE EAST!
The letters to the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation are written to the churches "that are in Asia". Full stop. LORD Jesus lays out all the things He finds offensive. How the churches have become corrupt etc. LORD Jesus warns them about the consequences. These Christians are having to flee for their very lives..... much like the Jewish people have had to do so from the days of yore.
I could bang on why I believe Daniel is describing something that Jesus put a halt to regarding "sacrifice and offering" but it would be pointless. I have read umpteen commentaries from very learned scholars re this - and they all disagree!! One thinks one way, while a dozen think another. We all, individually, have to be Bereans and study it for ourselves. Praying for truth and guidance from our Almighty Father God. Also WATCHING. Seeing what is taking place in front of our very eyes. Old ideas were formed when people were seeing through a murkier, even darker glass than we are seeing through now.
Then, Almighty God sent us a prophet for these last days. The young lad, Natan. A young Jewish male. God will never do anything before he informs His servants, the prophets. If Mr Francis Riley wishes to label Natan as a "false prophet" then that is his business. The message that Natan was given is swiftly coming to pass. I have been on my knees, begging Almighty God, in Jesus' Name, that I be shown the truth. That His truth will embed itself in my soul. Enlighten me and grow my spiritual roots. I absolutely and vehemently resent the accusation that I am still being misled by a "false prophet". That my Almighty God would allow me to be misled in such important things. Hogwash!
After praying about this again, I was led to a you tube clip that presented even newer ideas re the last days. Questioning the 7 year trib timeline but bringing an even newer perspective. It is fascinating. Well worth the watch. 2nd link.
I have stopped worrying about the left behinders being confused about the length of days left after the rapture. My Almighty Father God will guide them. They will have access to Bibles and the rapidly unfolding events will leave them in no doubt as to how long their suffering will last. I also don't believe that 7 year trib believers are deceived Christians or that they believe in false prophecies. I just believe that they are unwilling to even consider the fact that tribulation is already happening, already. It's here.... in our faces. Our next event is an attack upon Israel - the rapture etc.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Thy will be done, Father God.
In Jesus' beloved Name.
How Long is the Tribulation Using the Words of Jesus