Greetings Mathman and Doves,

 

I just finished reading your letter on Five Doves titled "The “PERHAPS 7-Year” Tribulation Period".  My good friend Bruce Warner was the first person to open my eyes to the possibility that the “HE” in Daniel 9:27 is most likely referring to Jesus Christ and not the antichrist. 

 

However, Bruce and I do not agree with your understanding that the rapture must occur before the tribulation.  Here’s why.

 

Daniel 9:26 tells us that the Messiah was cut off After the 69th week.  Bruce and I believe Jesus was cut-off half way into the 70th week leaving only 3 ½ years, or 42 months or 1260 days remaining to be fulfilled in the 70th week.  Now read Matthew 24:29-42 and note the “immediately after the tribulation” in verse 29.  Luke 21:22-23 says "For these are the days of vengeance........for there will be great tribulation in the land and wrath UPON THIS PEOPLE."  The " great tribulation" is upon Israel BEFORE THE RAPTURE, and the "hour of temptation" is for the "whole world" (Rev 3:10) AFTER THE RAPTURE.  Luke 23:30 describes the rapture, and Luke 23:29 , which is "immediately" prior to Luke 23:30 describes the tribulation of Israel which is  "immediately" prior to the rapture. 

 

How many days God will tribulate Israel before the rapture occurs is not as clear, but it’s possible that it will only be for ten days.  The day that Michael kicks Satan out of heaven to Earth is the same day the Church is raptured.  The day of the rapture re-starts the seventy weeks clock and this seventy weeks clock stops for good 1260 days later at the second coming of Christ.

 

God bless,

Garry B.