Where Are We in Prophecy? How Close To the Final 3 1/2 Years?

Hi, everyone, thanks for watching. I just have a couple of quick thoughts about where we might be right now in prophecy, or more specifically, how much time is left before the final 3 and ½ year reign of the Antichrist.

Needless to say, we shouldn’t try and set an exact date on the return of Jesus. So many have tried that before only to end up either being embarrassingly wrong, or more often, changing their failed prediction to a new date.

Of course, we should already know that we CAN’T know the exact date of the return of Jesus, because Jesus himself told us we couldn’t: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

We should remember, though, that Jesus also said in Luke that “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” And also in Matthew, “can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

And I believe that’s why the bible gives us these specific descriptions of the Antichrist. It’s to help us discern the signs of the times. Not so we can figure out the exact date of his return, but so we can realize that certain prophetic events ARE happening in front of us, and that our redemption DOES draw near.

Having said that, this video is simply based on my own understanding of the bible, and where I personally believe we are, approximately speaking. I am certainly NOT a prophet, and I do not claim to be one.

I encourage everyone who watches my videos to also study the bible, and compare what I say to what the bible actually teaches us. And we should do that for any video we watch, as there are certainly many erroneous interpretations of bible prophecy on YouTube.

So, let’s get right into this. I’m going to break this down into 2 questions, and I’ll give you my answer after each one. Your answer to these 2 questions may very well be different, and you can leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Question 1: Has the 7 years of tribulation begun?

There’s actually a couple of different things to address in this question. First, I know that many of you believe that Daniel’s 70^th week began on September 23^rd, 2017, with the alignment of certain stars and planets.

I do not believe that to be a sound interpretation, and I made a short video about why it’s not, which I’ll put a link to at top. Please note, we’re now 4 and ½ years AFTER that happened, so that should be a good indication that September 23^rd of 2017 is not a date related to bible prophecy.

Second, the bible doesn’t actually talk about 7 years of tribulation, but rather two different periods of 3 and ½ years each. These two periods taken together make up Daniel’s 70^th week, and cover the Antichrist’s covenant with many.

It is the final 3 and ½ years that contains the actual tribulation of the saints and the wrath of God poured out upon an unbelieving world. That is not to say that there won’t be tribulation of the saints before then, but that in the last 3 and ½ years of the Antichrist’s rule it will be exponentially worse.

I recognize that some of you believe the first 3 and ½ year period of Daniel’s 70^th week corresponds to the ministry of Jesus. In that interpretation, Daniel 9:27 refers to the end of meaningful sacrifices under the Jewish law and the desolation of Israel and Jerusalem after the the death of Jesus.

The problem with that interpretation, however, is that Jesus himself referenced Daniel 9:27 when the apostles asked for a sign of when all prophecy shall be fulfilled. “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?”

Jesus first said that the gospel must be preached unto all the world, which certainly has only been possible in the last few decades. Then Jesus talked about the abomination of desolation as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet.

Immediately after mentioning Daniel the Prophet, Jesus said “And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.” This clearly teaches us that the Daniel 9:27 prophecy is directly related to the end times, not to his own ministry.

But, as far as my own answer to this question, I do not believe that we are yet in the final 7 years, but we are very close. From my own study of the bible, I believe that the first 3 and ½ year period of Daniel’s 70^th week will begin when the Antichrist confirms the covenant with many.

And I am convinced that will happen within a few months of him returning to power. When will the Antichrist return to power? At the very latest it will be in 2025, but personally I am keeping my eyes open for other possibilities that will see him return – or at least gain some power – much sooner than that.

Question #2: How much longer to the rapture?

As I’ve said in other videos of mine, I do not believe in a pre-tribulation or mid-tribulation rapture. I believe the bible clearly teaches us that we are to go through trials and tribulations, and he that perseveres to the END, the same shall be saved.

It’s certainly true that we are not appointed to wrath. But the wrath of God on an unbelieving world is NOT the same as the tribulations that believers will go through. These are two separate things to happen in the last days.

But, I would ask those of you who are looking to be raptured any day now, to please consider this: Many millions of Christians down through history have been persecuted, even tortured, for their faith. And many of them were even killed.

If God didn’t spare them from their tribulations, and snatch them away before things got too bad, why would he do so for us? What makes us so special and our faith so wonderful that we deserve to be raptured away before the Antichrist achieves full power and his evil is unleashed.

Why would God rapture any Christian in the last days when He repeatedly did not do so for untold millions of faithful Christians down through history? Please just think about it.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on this subject. I see us as, right now, being just before the final 7 year period is to begin, and that 7 year period will start shortly after the Antichrist resumes power and continues to go forth conquering and to conquer.

That’s all for this video, so thanks for taking a few minutes to watch. If you care to leave a comment please do, and as always, please be respectful in any comment you leave – especially toward those with whom you disagree. I’ll talk to you guys soon. ♦