The 70th Week of Daniel: The Transition Period

The 70^th Week of Daniel: The Transition Period

     The most complex period of the end times is this seven-year transition period when the Church of Jesus Christ is still on earth and the LORD deals with His “chosen” earthly people the Jews. The chronological order of events is dictated by the Lord’s Olivet Discourse found in Matthew 24:3-31, Mark 13:3-27 and Luke 21:7-28. We are presently in the midst of ‘The beginning of sorrows’ which the Lord described in Matthew 24:4-8.

     While the Olivet Discourse continues to be the key passage of Scripture for formulating an end times timeline including the beginning of the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming of Christ, other relevant passages must also be taken into account when analyzing the 70^th Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) which is this transition period bridging the Age of Grace [a.k.a. the Church Age] and the end times main event which is “The great and dreadful Day of the Lord.” (Malachi 4:5). This is the most prophesied time in all of Scripture being clearly described by numerous O.T. prophets and detailed in Revelation 8-19!

     These relevant passages include Daniel 11 and 12, Micah 5 and Revelation 6-13. When harmonizing the information given in these key chapters the content and activities of this vitally important section of time becomes more transparent providing a clearer background for this complex seven year period when major changes will take place in heaven and on earth.

     The eleventh chapter of the Revelation unfolds the ministry of the two witnesses/prophets which covers the entire second half of the 70^th Week/3.5 year period (Revelation 11:3-14). They are messengers of God’s judgment indicated by their actions and attire as they are “Clothed in sackcloth” bringing supernatural judgments from God upon earth and its inhabitants (Revelation 11:5-7).

     The Antichrist “shall make war against them, and shall overcome them and kill them.”(Revelation 11:7) but, God has the last word when He resurrects them 3.5 days after the end of the 70^th Week of Daniel. The word “war” appears five times in Revelation chapters 11-13 indicating the overall tenor of this 3.5 year time period:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels.” (Revelation 12:7)

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17)

“Who is like unto the beast(Antichrist)? Who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:4)

“And it was given unto him (beast/Antichrist) to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Revelation 13:7)

     Daniel gives additional information concerning this crucial time of intense warfare:

“I beheld, and the same horn [Antichrist] made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.”(Daniel 7:21)

“And he [Antichrist] shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they [the times and laws] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [3.5 years .” (Daniel 7:25)

     Revelation 12 focuses entirely upon the last 3.5 years of the 70^th Week of Daniel. This chapter contains significant 70^th Week information because it provides insight concerning key players of the last half of this  period from a Jewish viewpoint. Although the Church of Jesus Christ will definitely be affected by the events in Revelation 12, the main focus of the chapter centers upon the Jews and the nation of Israel.

     Psalm 110 is also a key passage from which end times Messianic prophecy can be taken for this Jewel of the Psalms deals with the time when the LORD will bring the Lord Jesus Christ’s enemies into submission.  This time period is when God’s wrath occurs and is called the Day of the Lord, the most prophesied time in Scripture which is thoroughly described by the O.T. and N.T. prophets.

     The key players during this time period are the 144 Thousand “Servants of our God” (Revelation 7:3; Psalm 110:2, 3) who are sealed for protection (Revelation 9:4) during the global Day of the Lord judgment. They are seen with the Lamb (Revelation 14:1-5, 17:14) on a number of occasions for they are continually involved in spiritual and physical warfare during the end times. Their personal holiness is underlined as they are in the presence of the Lamb requiring them to be holy just as He is holy!

     Their history unfolds in the pages of Scripture beginning with Psalm 110:3 where they are described as young men clothed with the holy garments of the end times priests unto God. This sets up the primary purpose of their ministry throughout the end of this age and the ensuing Day of the Lord for they will serve the Lord as: “The Priesthood of the Apocalypse” indicating that God will never leave His planet earth void of mediators which is confirmed in Revelation 20:6 where the priesthood of the believer continues through the Millennium!

     They will also be an integral part of the Lord’s army when they wield “A two-edged sword in their hand” (Psalm 149:6) exactly like their Lord (Revelation 1:16, 19:15) whom they so dutifully serve (Revelation 14:1-5) during the entire time of the end! Their Bible history begins when the LORD sends them “Out of Zion” led by the tribe of Judah which is “The tribe of the Lord’s strength” (Psalm 110:2; Revelation 7:3; Hebrews 7:14).

     But their title “The servants of our God” (Revelation 7:3) indicates that they have reached a high level of maturity as believers for this same Greek word for “Servant” is the same word used to describe, Paul the  Apostle, Jude, James, John, Epaphras, Moses and the prophets and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He “Took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7) .

     This army of the King of kings will be completely submissive to the will of God as the day of the Lord’s

army. These young soldiers of Christ will be involved in the intense spiritual and physical warfare at the end of fthe age as priests unto God and they will be arrayed in holiness doing the Lord’s service ‘Before the throne of God’ (Revelation14:1, 4)

     These priests unto God are involved in holy warfare when the battle is at its most heightened level, when Satan ‘Knows that he has but a short time’ (Revelation 12:12). Scroggie, in his commentary on the Psalms, adds ‘Messiah’s soldiers are declared to be priests (Psalm 110:3) before His own priesthood is announced.’ p.88

     This impeccable group of young men, chosen from the tribes of Israel, will play a key part in the unfolding of the end of the age as they are eventually sealed (Revelation 7:1-8) and given protection (Revelation 9:4) from the horrendous Day of the Lord judgment/wrath of God which will fall upon the earth and it’s inhabitants.

     In (Psalm 110:4) David continues to address the Lord Jesus Christ telling Him of His eternal priesthood which is pronounced by Jehovah: ‘The LORD hath sworn and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek’ The LORD Jehovah, told Jesus of His future actions in (v.2, 3) before He declared the Lord Jesus Christ’s present High Priestly office in (v.4), remembering that the Psalm in (v.2-4) is addressing the Lord Jesus after He ascended to heaven.

     Jehovah in (v.4) takes an oath and tells of Jesus’ present ministry to the Father and the saints as ‘He ever lives to make intercession’ for those who come unto God by Him. (Hebrews 7:25) The Consecration of our Great High Priest is accomplished in this the key verse of Psalm 110 which is thoroughly explained in the book of Hebrews chapters 5-9.

     However, our focus at this point is on the 144 Thousand and in (v.5-7) they are directly addressed:

‘The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath.’(v.5) Here, the people [troops] 144 Thousand (v.3) are given the promise of the Lord’s presence ‘At thy right hand’ during the time when He pours out His wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth during the Day of the Lord.

     This agrees with Revelation 6:16, 17: ‘From the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who is able to stand?’ Although it is usually called the wrath of God, in the first reference to wrath in the book of the Revelation it is designated ‘The wrath of the Lamb’ for the Lord Jesus Christ is the Divine Judge (John 5:27; Acts 17:31).

     Notice, the Lord [Adonai] (Psalm 110:5) continues to refer to the Lord Jesus Christ, as in (v.1). This promise of the Lord’s presence indicated by His ‘Right hand’ is found in the Psalms twenty one times and refers to the power, authority and blessing of the Lord to the saint in nineteen of these occurrences, and so here, the promise of the blessed presence of the Lord Jesus Christ when ‘This Man will be the peace’ (Micah 5:5) for those who will be ‘With Him’(Revelation 14:1; 17:14) during the end of the age and ‘The day of His wrath’.

     Psalm 110:6 vividly portrays the Divine Judge’s wrath as it is poured out upon the unbelievers on earth:

‘He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies, He shall wound the heads [kings of the earth] over many countries.’ His Day of the Lord judgment includes the death of over one third of the world population (Revelation 9:15, 16:3) including many Jews during “The time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7; Zechariah 13:8, 9).

     The closing verse indicates His actions and attitude of complete victory after the Day of the Lord’s wrath is ended: ‘He shall drink from the brook in the way, therefore shall He lift up the head.’ The Lord is physically refreshed and assumes the well deserved appearance and expression of His triumphant victory after His work of judgment is over, after the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21) has ended which ends the Day of the Lord Judgment.

     The 144 Thousand will be led by “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5) who supplies them with the primary element necessary for all soldiers of Jesus Christ which is peace. Then, “This Man shall be The Peace, when the Assyrian (Antichrist) shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces” (Micah 5:5).

     This event occurs right after the “Abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31; Matthew 24:15) at the middle of the 70^th Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27) when the Antichrist reveals exactly who he is and what he is trying to accomplish. Daniel 11:28-45 reveals his actions just before “The abomination” (Daniel 11:31) through the time of the end when he will definitely "Come to his end” (Daniel 11:45) all praise and glory be to the Lord!

     While the above events occur on earth, Revelation 12 also describes events which will occur in heaven as the Lord provides His earthly warriors with the necessary “ammunition” (Revelation 12:9-11) to overcome during this intense 3.5 year “War with the saints” (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7) by the Antichrist.

     During that future time there will be those who overcome (Revelation 12:11) and those who ARE overcome (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7)…there will be those who are looking for the Lord Jesus to return…and those who ARE NOT (Hebrews 9:28)…which will it be for YOU?

Timeline: The 70^th Week of Daniel

     The Lord Jesus Christ clearly lays out the chronological order of 70^th Week events in Matthew 24:3-35:

I. Focus: Global Overview of the End of the Age (Matthew 24:4-14)

                A. The Beginning of Sorrows (Matthew 24:4-8)

               1. False Christs [Influx of major Christian cults-19^th Century]

                     2. Wars and rumors of wars [World War I & II-20^th Century]

                     3. Famines, Pestilences and Earthquakes in diverse places [21^st Century]

                         But, The End is not yet…All these are the beginning of sorrows.[Beginning 70^th Week]**

  B. Christian Persecution Escalates (Matthew 24:9) [Mid-point 70^th Week/Great Tribulation]**

                     1. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted

                     2. And shall kill you

                     3. And ye shall be hated of all nations [Including the U.S.A.] for My names sake

  C. Christian Defection Occurs (Matthew 24:10-12)

                   1. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another

                  2. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many

          3. And because iniquity shall abound the love [agape] of many [saints] shall wax cold

            D. Christian Deliverance by Rapture (Matthew 24:13, 14)

1. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved [delivered/raptured]

2. And this gospel/kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations 

3. And then shall The End come. [The End=The Apocalypse/Day of the Lord/God’s Day of Wrath]

II. Focus: The Holy Land (Matthew 24:15-28) [Last Half of the 70^th Week of Daniel]**

A. The Holy City of Jerusalem [Temple of God]

1.  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation [Mid-point 70^th Week]

2.   Spoken of by Daniel the prophet

3.   Stand in the holy place

4.   (Whoso reads let him understand)

B. The Land of Judea

1.      Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains

2.      Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house

3.      Neither let him which is in the field return back to take any of his clothes

4.      And woe unto them are with child, and to them that give suck in those days

5.      But pray ye that your flight be not in winter, neither on the Sabbath day  

6.      For then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world…

7.      And except those days should be shortened there should no flesh be saved

8.      But for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened

           C. The Jews Clamor for the Christ/Messiah

1.      Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ/Messiah, or there; believe it not

2.      For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

3.      Behold I have told you before.

4.      Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth. [Not isolated]

5.      Behold He is in the secret chambers; believe it not [Not secret]

            D. The Coming of the Son of man/Messiah Illustrated

1.      For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines even unto the west; so shall also the

coming of the Son of man be. [Illustrating the Global manifestation of the Lord’s Coming]

2.      For wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles [vultures] be gathered together.

[Illustrating the absolute certainty of the Lord’s coming]

III. Focus: The Sign/The Apocalypse/Day of the Lord & The Coming of Son/man (Matthew 24:29-31)

A.  The Sign of the Apocalypse/Day of the Lord (v.29; Joel 2:31)

1.      Immediately after the tribulation of those days

2.      Shall the sun be darkened

3.      And the moon shall not give her light

4.      And the stars shall fall from heaven

5.      And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 

B.     The Coming of the Son of Man (v.30, 31) [End of the 70^th Week of Daniel]

1.      And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:[Shekinah Glory]

2.      And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn [Global Manifestation/His Coming]

3.      And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power/great glory.

4.      And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet

5.      And they shall gather together His elect [Rapture] from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

C.     The Awareness of the Believer (v.32-35)

1.   Fig Tree’s Ripening Described (v.32)

2.   Second Coming/Beginning of the Day of the Lord indicated (v.33-35)

     Notice the time indicating words unveiling the Lord’s simple step by step chronology answering His four disciples questions of “When shall these things be and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming and of The End of the world?” It does not take a prophecy expert or a Bible scholar to see the great simplicity that the Lord unfolded in His extensive answer showing this clear and understandable timeline of the end times. The newborn believer can read Matthew 24 and see how the events take place in a clear and precise chronological order.

     Micah the prophet, a contemporary of Isaiah, wrote seven centuries before Christ the Messiah’s first Coming. He clearly prophesied of the Messiah’s Rejection/Suffering (Micah 5:1), the Messiah’s Birthplace (Micah 5:2), the Messiah “Giving them (Israel) up” (Micah 5:3), which is the setting aside of Israel “Until the time”(Micah 5:3) “Time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7)  which occurs during the last half of the 70^th Week of Daniel when “She [Israel] which travails” eventually bringing forth/giving birth when the Redeemer [Messiah] comes to Zion (Isaiah 59:20;Romans 11:25-27) at the end of the 70^th Week of Daniel when these three groups of saved Jews are indicated in Micah 5:3 gather unto their Messiah:
1. Those who are redeemed at the end of the 70^th Week

    When “she which travails has brought forth” 
2.  The “remnant [rest] of His brethren” (Revelation 12:17)
      represent “The woman” of Revelation 12

      who has been “Nourished in the wilderness” for the

      last  3.5 years of the 70^th Week of Daniel

3. The “children [sons] of Israel” are the 144 Thousand

     Where “remnant” appears in (v.3) it is a word which simply means the rest, or remainder referring to those left as part of a group. The rest or remainder could be the larger part or the smaller part of the original group. This is not the classic Hebrew word found in the other five Micah passages that describes the faithful remnant which God preserves “from among His people to serve as a lighthouse in the midst of a dark and sinful world.” [New Open Bible “The Remnant” pp.761].

     Then, Micah documents the actions of the Messiah which will occur during the Millennium:

“And He [Messiah] shall stand and feed [rule] in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God: and they shall abide; for now shall He [Messiah] be great unto the ends of the earth.”

(Micah 5:4)

     In the following verse his focus turns to the critical time after “The abomination of desolation” when the Antichrist reveals his true identity and his wicked agenda. That is when “The Assyrian [Antichrist] shall come into our land and when he shall tread in our palaces” (Micah 5:5)

     These next verses are a continuation of end-times Messianic prophecy underlined by the first part of (v.5):

“And this Man [Messiah] shall be the peace” and again in (v.6) “Thus shall He [Messiah] deliver us from the Assyrian [Antichrist] when he comes into our land, and when he treads within our borders.”

     Then (v.6, 7) bring back into focus “The remnant of Jacob” and their actions during this critical time just after the mid-point of the 70^th Week of Daniel. The key word used by Micah is “Remnant” which is found in the book of Micah on five occasions.

     However, when the Hebrew is consulted it becomes clear that Micah purposely utilized two different words for “Remnant”.  The word 'Remnant’ in Micah is in the King James Version six times and on all six occasions the word is in the midst of an end-times passage.

     The two occurrences of “Remnant” in (v.6, 7) utilize the classic word:

“And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarries not for man, nor waits for the sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treads down, and tears in pieces, and none can deliver.” (Micah 5:6, 7)

     Notice, first of all, the clear distinction between the two verses. In (v.6) “The remnant of Jacob” is among the people as a blessing from the Lord, like the refreshing dew (Psalm 110:3) of the morning. However, in (v.7) when they are among the Gentiles they become a curse and a clear danger like the king of predatory beasts in the midst of the sheep from which there is no deliverance…just as defenseless lambs in the midst of a pack of wolves!

     When, exactly, will this unusual condition take place? It appears that it will be after the time that the Antichrist “Comes into our land [Israel], and when he treads within our borders” which will be right after the “Abomination of desolation” which occurs at the mid-point of the 70^th Week of Daniel.

     The remnant which includes the 144 Thousand young men (Psalm 110:2, 3; Revelation 7:3-8) will be scattered throughout the planet “In the midst of many people” having been “Redeemed from the earth” (Revelation 14:3). But, when the Antichrist begins his assault on the Promised Land many will return to the land and take part in the physical/spiritual warfare.

     This is similar to the days when the wicked Roman ruler Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig on the temple altar causing a typical “Abomination” in 168 B.C. The Maccabees of the tribe of Judah, led by “The Hammer” which is the name given to Judas Maccabeus whose forces defeated the Roman ruler Antiochus Epiphanes who is a vivid and accurate type of the coming Antichrist.

     Marv Rosenthal in his book “The Pre-wrath Rapture of the Church” lists nine parallels of Antiochus Ephiphanes and the Antichrist which supports the theory that those future days of transition after “The abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31; Matthew 24:15) will be similar to the times when Antiochus was defeated by the Jews. The following nine points are briefly summarized from Rosenthal’s book pp.202-205:

1. Both Antiochus and the Antichrist enter into a covenant to protect Israel. (I Macc. 1:11, 12; Dan. 9:27).  
2. Both make their covenants with the many within Israel (I Macc. 1:11, 43, 52; Dan. 9:27a).
3. The Jews who enter into the covenant, in both instances, apostatize (I Macc. 2:15; 2 Thess. 2:3).  
4. Both break their covenant with Israel (I Macc.1:20, 21; Dan. 9:27b, 11:31; Matt. 24:15).
5. Both introduce a false god in the Temple (I Macc.1:20, 21; Matt.24:15; II Thess.2:4; Rev. 13:15).
6. In both instances, some Jews oppose this false religion, and many perish (I Macc. 1:62, 63; Matt. 24:9).
7. In both instances, religious Jews flee to the mountains (hills) to escape (I Macc.2:27-29; Matt. 24:16-20)
8. In both instances, many Jews die for they will not violate the Sabbath (I Macc. 2:27-29; Matt. 24:20)
9. In both instances, many women and children perish (I Macc. 1:60, 61; Matt. 24:19).

      Although the tribe of Judah will lead in battle, the twelve tribes will be represented:

“I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee [twelve tribes]; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. The Breaker [The Messiah] is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it; and their King [The Messiah] shall pass before them, and the LORD [at their head] on the head of them. (Micah 2:12, 13; Revelation 7:1-8)

     That many of the 144 Thousand will be present in the land during the time when the Antichrist places the “Abomination of desolation…in the holy place”(Matthew 24:15) can not be determined with precise accuracy, but, it is likely that many are part of the group that is the focus of Satan’s persecution called “The remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”(Revelation 12:17) wherever they might be located on earth while “The woman [faithful Israel]” is nourished in “the wilderness” (Revelation 12:6, 14) for the last 3.5 years of the 70^th Week of Daniel.

     In the Daniel 11:32-35 passage, during this transition period, there are Jews in the land called the “People that do know their God” who are “Strong and do exploits”. This same group is seen in the next verse as “They that understand among the people” who “Instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil many days…and some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.”

      These two groups of faithful Jews, “The remnant of her seed” and “They that understand among the people”, are one and the same as they are both faithful Jews, in the land, during the same time period, which is the last half of the 70^th Week of Daniel. These parallels supply a compelling witness as the Daniel 11:32-35 passage records the clear results of the “Dragon (Satan) making war with the remnant of her (The woman’s) seed.” (Revelation 12:17) bringing to pass the martyrdom of many which includes those end time martyrs in Revelation 6:9-11.  

     It is during this time that Satan is cast down to earth and brings forth his “Great wrath” (Revelation 12:12) upon believers as described by the Lord Jesus Christ:

“For then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)

     Daniel also records this transition time of great trouble from a Jewish viewpoint:

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1)

     Although Michael is victorious in the heavenly warfare with the devil and his angels at this time (Revelation 12:7-9), he “Stands up” (stands still) during the earthly warfare that follows which is after he casts the devil and his angels unto the earth. He does not intervene on behalf of the Jews but instead he restrains his efforts as documented by Paul:

“And now ye know who (Michael) withholds (restrains) that he (Antichrist) might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he (Michael) who now lets (restrains) will let (restrain) until he (Michael) be taken out of the way (stands still). And then shall that Wicked (Antichrist) be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” (II Thessalonians 2:6-8)

     But, Michael’s tremendous victory in heaven also brings forth increased blessings for the saints on earth:

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation (deliverance), and strength(power), and the Kingdom of our God, and the power (authority) of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore, rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.” (Revelation 12:10-12)

     Exactly how do these four spiritual blessings “Come” in regard to the believer. Every one of these blessings are already available through the indwelling Spirit of God when the believer is saved. But, because Satan no longer has access before the throne of God in heaven there will be increased opportunity for “deliverance” from the enemies of the believer i.e. the world the flesh and the devil himself. There will also be increased opportunity for the “Power” of the Spirit of God to be active in the obedient believer’s life.

     Added awareness/access into “The Kingdom of God” will also be available to the saint who is willing to fully seek the blessing of walking with the King. The Lord Jesus Christ’s “Authority” will be increasingly evident and available to those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ!!

     The text indicates that there will definitely be a change which occurs at that time by the words “Now is come” showing that the casting out of “The great dragon…that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan which deceives the whole world” from heaven where all authority is found at the throne of God will bring these increased blessings to pass in order for God to counteract Satan’s “Great wrath [great tribulation]” (Revelation 12:12) which he will bring upon the saints when he is cast out of heaven unto the earth.

     The warfare will be intense and fierce in that day but the Scripture does show that there will be those who will overcome the devil:

“And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)

      However, according to Revelation 7:21 and Daniel 7:21, 25, many will be overcome by the devil in that day for they will be unprepared for the vicious struggle that will ensue worldwide when the devil and his demons are cast down to the earth during the “Great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21) when only the shortening of this time of trouble by the Lord’s delivering rapture for those who endure/remain (Matthew 24:13, 22).

     The Bible records a total of (8) Designations and References to the 3-1/2 Year Period showing numerous events and conditions which will have great effect upon the earth during this time period called:

The Last Half of Daniel’s 70^th Week

Daniel 7:25: ‘Times and laws… shall be given into his (Antichrist) hand until a time, times and a half a time’

Daniel 9:27: ‘In the midst of the week he (Antichrist) shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease…’

Daniel 12:7: ‘It shall be for a time, times and an half…’ (‘To the end of these wonders’)

Revelation 11:2: ‘Gentiles…shall tread under foot the holy city forty and two months’

Revelation 11:3: ‘My two witnesses…shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days…’

Revelation 12:6: ‘That they should feed her (The Woman) a thousand two hundred and threescore days.’

Revelation 12:14: ‘Where she (The Woman) is nourished for a time, times, and half a time…’

Revelation 13:5: ‘And power was given unto him (Antichrist) to continue forty and two months.’

     While the events of 70^th Week of Daniel surely are not all authored by the Lord, He remains in full control as He utilizes this transitional time in order to continue the preparation of His chosen people the Jews for their redemption which occurs at the end of this jam-packed seven years:

“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 59:19, 20)

“And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third part shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” 
(Zechariah 13:8, 9)

“For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-27)

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