Therefore, some cataclysmic occurrences must occur in Europe and The Middle East to reduce that number to ten. After that, and the removal of the Restrainer (the church), the Antichrist will come on the scene. Actually, the last three and one half years of that seven year period will be called The Great Tribulation, for by that time the Antichrist will have firmly established himself as the most powerful dictator the world has ever known. But, because Israel, as small as it is, will be protected by Almighty God, the Antichrist will be unable to conquer that little slice of real estate while he is establishing himself over the ten Gentile nations. Which explains why the Antichrist will deem it necessary to make a seven-year deal with Israel. Daniel 9:27: “And [the Antichrist] will confirm a covenant with many [Obviously, with more nations than just Israel] for one week [one period of seven years]: And, in the midst of the week [after three and one half years of the seven year contract] he will cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” He will break the contract and invade Israel, getting far enough to stop the sacrifices in the rebuilt temple. Which means there will exist a literal temple for sacrifices to be offered, and for the Antichrist to desecrate. The Great Tribulation will begin at the beginning of the last three and one half years of this age. It will be tough before that, but not anything like those last three and one half years. Because,… Matthew 24:15-22: “When you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place [referring to the setting up of a lifelike image of the Antichrist in the temple in Jerusalem, and to his putting a stop to the Jewish sacrifices], (whoso reads this, let him understand:) Then, let them who are in Judaea [not in America] flee to the mountains: Let him who is on the housetop not [take time to] come down to take anything from his house: Neither let him who is in the field return to get his clothes. And, woe unto them who are with child, and to them who give suck in those days! But pray you that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then, there will be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world unto this [prophesied end-]time, no, nor ever will be. And, except those days should be shortened, there would no flesh be saved: But for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Thus, the Great Tribulation will cover the last three and one-half years of the seven-year contract between the Antichrist and the Jews. That will be the last years of this age; which will end with the battle of Armageddon, and be the beginning of the Millennium—the thousand year reign of Christ.
(Ron Craig is pastor, teacher and author of Christian books; and these articles. You may view all the books by logging onto www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on the website you can even listen to audio Bible-lesson podcasts. You may also send your questions or comments to ronwritercraig@gmail.com
