All:
This will be the final segment of this series of posts dealing with the controversial "GAP" subject of (Daniel 9:24-27). As I stated before, your salvation does not rest upon what your belief is as pertaining to the timing of the Rapture. My points boil down to simply common sense - "what I believe in my heart, has to make sense in my head first." I was a student of Ravi Zacharias in apologetics, so I still believe God is not a God of confusion. -(1 Cor. 14:33). Unfortunately, many do not reflect that in their comments or their rationale in interpreting the data and facts. See Jeremiah 3:25 as how 1 Cor. 14:33 applies to men today.
In this series of posts I have proved definitively, from Scripture, from ancient history, and ancedotal evidence, that "GAPS", exist at least 24 times, in the Bible. In wrapping up this series of posts, I would suggest that we need to sum up my case and consider a few that I have not alluded to or discussed prior. These are "clincher" texts that would refute Steven "Mark" Wohlberg, the Preterists, and the Mid-Trib, Pre-Wrath followers.
First, we ought to look at the New Testament Apostle James' "Gap". This "gap" in Israel's history was recognized by the Apostles. James, in his address to the other disciples and the elders at Jerusalem, made it quite clear, crystal clear. Note closely: "God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name... as it is written, after this I will return, and build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up" -(Acts 15:14-16).
Note the order here. First a Gentile Church would be gathered in, and after this, the Lord will return, and rebuild the throne of David! So the final reestablishment of the throne of David awaits the gathering-in of the "faithfulness of the Gentiles." Not only does James indicate a "gap" between the 69th week and the 70th week, but he tells us what the purpose of the "gap" was for: "to visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name." Would you not agree that James is talking about the "Church"?
Then we have Ezekiel's "Gap". Ezekiel prophesied that Zedekiah would be the last to wear a crown on the throne of David for a long time, and there would be a "gap". "Thus saith the Lord God; remove the diadem, and take off the crown. ... I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no-more, UNTIL He comes back whose right it is; and I will give it him." -(Ezekiel 21:25-27).
The final blessing of Israel therefore awaits the return of the Lord Christ Jesus to sit upon the throne of David. "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: and He shall reign over the House of Jacob forever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end." -(Luke 1:32-33).
Then we have Hosea's "Gap". Hosea also spoke of a "gap" in Israel's history, after which the nation would turn back to the Lord..: "For the children of Israel (the northern kingdom) shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: AFTERWARD shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their King: and shall fear the LORD and His goodness IN THE LATTER DAYS". -(Hosea 3:4-5).
We learn from the Scriptures that Israel will continue many days without a king or Temple sacrifices, and that restoration of the nation to God's favor will come in the latter days.
Finally, let us look at the Apostle Paul's "gap" in Romans 11. It also tells how Israel, the "natural olive branch" had been broken off -(Romans 11:17), and the Gentiles, "the wild olive branch", has been grafted into their place. He goes on to say that the blindness of Israel would continue "UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" -(Romans 11:25).
This "Gap" in Israel's prophetic history will continue UNTIL the Church is complete, and then, Paul says: "So ALL Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob : for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins". -(Romans 11:26,27).
Now, that sounds very much like the blessings that will fall on Israel at the conclusion of the 70th Week of Daniel. What a difference! In Paul's day, the Jews were "Ignorant of God's righteousness" -(Romans 10:3), and "concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes'." -(Romans 11:28). The changes for Israel can only take place after the FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES HAS COME IN! That blessed event is known as the RAPTURE of the Church, when the Gentile Bride of Christ will be made complete and taken home!
The last seven years of Israel's history must therefore be preceded by the removal of the Church, and followed by the Second Coming of Christ as King of Kings, Lord of Lords. During that 7-year period there will be 144,000 Jews consecrated, and who preach the Gospel of the coming Kingdom to the multitudes of those remaining upon Earth. The Nation of Israel, as a whole, however, will need the Great Tribulation judgments to bring it to is proverbial knees, and repentance. -(Deut. 4:30-31; Jeremiah 30:7; Revelation 7:1-17; Romans 11:26; Ezekiel 33:22).
The period between the 69th and 70th weeks has continued for nearly 2,000 years, all while Israel has been dispersed among the nations, persecuted, and slaughtered. However, Israel has been returning to the land, FIRST in unbelief; and, subsequently, SECOND, in belief, when the Church is Raptured out, as the 70th Week of Daniel runs its course.
God Bless,
Pastor Bob