End of the Age: 2024 – 2027?
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The signs in the anticipated prophetic events section of my “End of the Age: 2020?” commentary did not take place in my suggested time frame. Had my basic assumptions been correct, it seems that those events should have occurred during Passover week: April 10-18, 2017.
My hypothesis was that the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) could have been the 7-year covenant or agreement of
Many cannot believe it is possible that the final 7 years of this age could have begun if:
I am convinced that none of these are prerequisites for the final 7 years to begin, as explained in Third Temple, Rapture & Gog/Magog.
The following two events, prophesied by Jesus, presumably will make international news soon after they occur in the midst of the prophesied 70th Week of years, and then the Great Tribulation period will commence:
Since those and other anticipated prophetic events did not take place in 2017, nor at any other time during the 2014-2020 time frame, this nullifies the notion that the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) was the prophesied 7-year covenant of Daniel 9:27a. Assuming that it was not, then at some point there would have to be another 7-year covenant or agreement to fulfill this prophecy.
Indeed, during 2020—the final year of the 7-year ENI—the European Parliament and EU Member States met several times to decide whether to extend the funding process for the European Union for another 7 years. Proposals by the European Commission were discussed during each meeting.
On November 10, 2020, an agreement was reached for the EU’s Next Long-Term Budget & NextGenerationEU. A combined package of €1.8 trillion, the largest ever financed through the EU budget, was approved for the next 7-year period of 2021-2027. Furthermore, since December 17, 2020, the European Commission has been on-board with the EU’s plan, as described here: European Commission welcomes the adoption of the EU's long-term budget for 2021-2027. Thus, it is possible that January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2027 is the final 7-year period of this age.
However, there is another possibility to consider. It is conceivable that an event in the sky on September 23, 2017, may have been a sign that the final 7 years of this age was soon to begin. Although a very lengthy explanation is in order, it still would be advisable to stock up on food and non-food supplies, which probably will become increasingly scarce as time rolls on:
First, consider the prophesied 70 weeks of years, described by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Daniel almost 6 centuries B.C. This prophecy applied to Daniel’s holy people, Israel, and to their holy city, Jerusalem
A common assumption, particularly among those who have studied Bible prophecy, has been that the final (70th) week of the prophesied 70 weeks of years is equivalent to the week of 7 years that begins with the confirmation of a man-made covenant (involving Israel and possibly other nations) for one week of years:
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week....Prophetically, it most commonly is assumed that the satanically-inspired Antichrist—that is, the man of lawlesssness who will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped(Daniel 9:27a—NKJV)
However, God would be opposed to a 7-year man-ordained accord, involving Israel, because His chosen people (the Israelites) would have entered into the covenental agreement without having consulted Him and without having gained His approval. It is shown in the Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah
God’s Hebraic calendar is based on specific Spring and Fall festivals and other holy days that take place each year. He said, “These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the LORD...”
Thus, the span of the artificial, man-made European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), running from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020 (exactly 7 years), did not synchronize or harmonize with God’s calendar of Hebraic feast and holy days. Neither does the man-made combination of agreements implemented by the European Union in 2020, which includes the EU’s Next Long-Term Budget & NextGenerationEU, spanning the 7-year period January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2027. More about that is described here: European Commission welcomes the adoption of the EU's long- term budget for 2021-2027.
Of course, it was God who sent the angel Gabriel to tell Daniel about the 70 weeks of years, pertaining to Israel and Jerusalem
Therefore, to get a better idea of the actual timing of the final 7 years of this age, it would be appropriate to look at the beginning. Ever since the beginning, God has used lights in the expanse of the sky—the sun, the moon and the stars—as “signs to mark seasons and days and years”
Teshuvah, meaning “return” or “repentance,” is a 40-day season each year that fits into the Hebraic calendar. Most likely, this was the period of forty days and forty nights when Jesus was fasting in the desert, after which He was being tempted by the devil. (Some denominations feel that this was the “season of Lent” from Ash Wednesday to Easter, but it was not.) Yet, Jesus resisted every temptation (Matthew 4:1-11), which was an example to all who believe in Him and follow Him. We are to put our heavenly Father’s desires first and our own personal desires last.
The season of Teshuvah begins on Av 30 (at sunset following Av 29), thirty days before the Feast of Trumpets / Rosh haShanah begins on Tishri 1 (at sunset following Elul 29), and ends on the Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur (Tishri 10). The season of Teshuvah always begins on a new moon, which is an example of how God uses lights in the sky (particularly the sun and the moon) as “signs to mark seasons and days and years”
During the month of Elul, one is to examine one’s life, to repent and turn from one’s sins, and to restore broken relationships with others and with God, knowing that the “Day of Judgment” (Rosh haShanah) is approaching. On each day of Elul, a shofar (horn or trumpet) is blown, reminding everyone to repent because the Feast of Trumpets / Rosh haShanah is drawing near.
Psalm 27, and often Ezekiel 33:1-7, are read. Psalm 27 states that the Lord is our “salvation” when our “enemies attack” us, “sheltering” us and keeping us “safe” in the “day of trouble”
In August 2017, a significant total solar eclipse, with the zone of totality observable only in the United States, took place on Av 29 (August 21). It ushered in the
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse crossed the entire United States, from Oregon to South Carolina. The U.S. was the only country that was on the eclipse’s path of totality, which was seen by observers in 12 states (and maybe in a tiny portion of 2 other states).
The last total eclipse that crossed the U.S., from coast to coast, was in 1918. However, the August 21, 2017 eclipse was the first total eclipse that was exclusive only to the U.S. in the nation’s history. These two videos provide more information:
Everything You Need To Know about the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (video length = 1½ minute) | 2017 Total Solar Eclipse in the U.S. (video length = 48 seconds) |
Jesus spoke about the sign of the prophet Jonah. Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish or whale
Interestingly, ancient cuneiform tablets, discovered in the 19th century, describe events in ancient Nineveh. One event was the Bur-Sagale or Assyrian total eclipse, which has been verified by NASA as having taken place in 763 B.C.
Evidently, the eclipse passed directly over Nineveh just before Jonah arrived. This very likely was a primary reason why the people of Nineveh were ready and willing to repent when God sent Jonah there to warn them that they had only forty days left to repent
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Not only are Americans deeply divided in their pro-God vs. anti-God views, they also are deeply divided in other ways, such as conservativism vs. liberalism, lawfulness vs. anarchy, legal vs. illegal immigration, females vs. males, and along racial lines. All of these divisions increased considerably and substantially during the presidential election year of 2020, which also was the first full year of the terrible and dreadful COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. The divisions are continuing to escalate as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
What Jesus said about division is extremely concerning:
Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.Detailed descriptions of ancient Israel in the Bible are an example to all the nations of the world, including the USA, of how people interact positively and negatively with God. In ancient Israel, many of the leaders and the people gradually began transgressing against God’s covenantal laws, and they started embracing and worhiping gods other than the one, true God. God’s compassion and mercy lasted for quite awhile; His desire was for the people to repent and turn back to Him.(Matthew 12:25)
However in due time, when they did not repent of their ways, His benevolent mercy changed to harsh judgment, which fell upon them
Following the total solar eclipse that essentially “sliced America in half,” further stark warnings seem to have occurred, perhaps portending the beginning of God’s pronounced and perilous judgment on the U.S., along with other nations such as neighboring Mexico. Possible warnings may have included the following disasters, all of which took place or commenced within a month of the solar eclipse of August 21:
Then on Oct. 1, 2017—the day following the final day of the season of Teshuvah, Sep. 30, which was the last day available for large-scale repentance—there was a horrendous, unprecedented, record-breaking shooting attack in the U.S.:
In 2020, there were several record-breaking disasters in many parts of the world and in the U.S. These resulted in countless injuries and deaths, famines, plagues, economic plunges and other catastrophes. Here are just a few of them:
Within the final ten “Days of Awe” during the season of Teshuvah in 2017, it seems that God had prepared another extremely amazing sign in the sky
On September 23, 2017, there was a combination of two constellations, stars, planets, the sun and the moon, and other signs in the sky. It appeared very likely that this was another example of how God uses lights in the expanse of the sky—the sun, the moon and the stars—as “signs to mark seasons and days and years”
This wondrous display in the sky happened to take place on the Saturday (Sabbath Day or Shabbat) between the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh haShanah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). That day was Shabbat Shuvah—a day of notable significance during the season of Teshuvah.
Shuvah means “Return!” It is a special day for people to be encouraged to turn from their wayward paths, remember God’s holy covenant, return to Him, and obey His precepts and ordinances. Incidentally, it seems that the Shabbat Shuvah of September 26, 2020 also was an extremely significant day. It could have been God’s final urging and warning for the U.S. and the world to begin a process of repentance and turning back to Him—which, unfortunately, has not happened.
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A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.The 9 stars of Leo (the “lion”), plus the 3 planets Venus, Mars and Mercury (resembling 3 stars), appeared to form the 12 stars of a “crown” above the head of Virgo (the “virgin”). From our perspective on earth, the sun (during the day) appeared to be near her head with the first tiny sliver of a new moon (during the night) near her feet.(Revelation 12:1,2)
Also, from our perspective, the planet Jupiter was in apparent retrograde motion, which is the perceived, limited reversal of the motion of a planet as seen from Earth. Jupiter appeared to be moving back and forth in the “womb” of Virgo (the virgin), for nine months, as if “she” were pregnant.
There are many “cyclical” prophecies in the Bible, meaning that God can cause prophecies to have mutiple fulfillments, on different levels. So, among other things, Virgo could represent Israel and, secondarily, the Israeli virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus
As stated before, God uses lights in the sky (the sun, moon and stars) as “signs to mark seasons and days and years”
However, it also is possible that this was a harbinger, from God, that the final 7 years would begin a handful of years later. In the Bible, there are many places where a period of months or years took place between two adjacent verses or passages. God is merciful. In ancient Israel, after giving a forewarning of difficult times to come, He sometimes provided a transitional period of time during which people could repent and return to Him before the formidible and strenuous times began.
The signs in the sky on September 23, 2017 took place on Shabbat Shuvah, a Sabbath of Return and Repentance. Thus, perhaps the signs in the sky on September 23, 2017 began a buffer period of a few years, with God’s giving the world (including Israel) a final opportunity to repent and return to Him and to Jesus. Then, without the repentance and return to Him taking place, the final 7 years may have begun in the Fall of 2019 or, more likely, 2020.
In any case, it would be advisable to stock up on food and non-food supplies because they probably will become increasingly scarce as the middle of the 7 years approaches, whenever that might be. Even if the worst of end-time events are not immediately imminent, it always is a good idea to prepare for unforeseen disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, massive and lengthy power outages, widespread food shortages and other calamities and afflictions. It would be prudent to begin stocking up on necessary supplies and also on foods, both regular and dehydrated, listed on the following pages::
The prophecy describes another sign to appear:
Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.In the time of Yeshua/Jesus (the son of Mary), Satan looked for ways to kill Him. Eventually, Satan influenced Judas to betray Jesus. Then Jesus was interrogated, humiliated, flogged and crucified on Passover. It seemed that Satan had won.(Revelation 12:3,4)
However, after three days, Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits (commonly known as “Easter Sunday”). For forty days, Jesus appeared to His disciples and to many others, proving that He was alive
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Others have said it was Nibiru or Planet X which, allegedly, is a large planet with a very long elliptical orbit around the sun. They claim that at some point, it supposedly will pass near the earth—or even crash into the earth—causing untold destruction.
In
It would seem that the length of time that these evil angels will have a negative effect on many people in the world will be a few years. Then many in Israel will flee to a place where they will be cared for by God for 1,260 days—the final 3½ years of this age:
The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.(Revelation 12:6)
Jesus even gave a warning to Israelites in certain locations to flee, just prior to the beginning of the Great Tribulation, when they observe certain things happening in Jerusalem and Judea
For several years in various places of the world, there have been bright flashes of light, followed immediately by mysterious loud booms and then brief shakings. Their frequency escalated in the U.S. in 2017, especially during the final few months of the year. These included booms/shakings in San Diego, CA & Bridgewater, NJ, in Centreville, AL, and in Denver, CO, as well as in numerous other locations. The mystery flashes of light, booms and shakings continued after 2017. For instance, in early 2019 they happened in various places across the United States, from Arizona to Rhode Island, including Louisville, Kentucky. There were several in 2020, including in Oswego County, NY on December 7 and across the Ohio Valley on December 11.
It has been suggested that many of these booms were and are caused by supernatural beings being flung out of the sky by Satan
It should be noted that
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.(Revelation 12:7-9)
This will take place immediately after many in Judea and Jerusalem flee to a desert region, where they will be taken care of by God for 1,260 days
A time of woe can be expected on the earth and the sea because the devil, filled with fury, will know that his time is short
If the United States—the main protector of Israel—were to be preoccupied with or to have its main attention directed toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its own natural, human-caused and/or socioeconomic disasters, this potentially could open the door for Israel to be attacked by its enemies. Whenever this happens, Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies, and people will flee (perhaps to a mountainous desert area such as Petra), thus fulfilling
So during the final 3½ years of this age, Satan and his evil angelic host will wreak immeasurable and unprecedented havoc in the world. Most of this will take place during the Great Tribulation period and will continue into the day of vengeance period. Fortunately, Jesus will return physically to the earth, at the end of that final 3½-year period, to rule and reign over the whole world—in perfect righteousness, justice, lawfullness, peace and love—during the Millennium.
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It appears, then, that the constellations Virgo and Leo, seen as the sign in the sky: September 23, 2017, were the “great and wondrous sign” in the sky of
This event took place on Shabbat Shuvah, which always is the Saturday/Sabbath between the Feast of Trumpets / Rosh haShanah and the Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur. Each year, it is the main Sabbath of repentance and return. It is a special day for people to be encouraged to turn from their wayward paths, return to God, obey God’s precepts and ordinances, and remember God’s holy covenant.
The notable sign in the sky took place on Shabbat Shuvah, commencing a time of repentance and return to God. Therefore, it is plausible to consider the possibility that the intent of God, in His mercy, was then to give Israel, Gentile Christians and the rest of humanity an unspecified period of time to repent and return faithfully to Him before the final 7 years would begin.
In fact, there has been a lengthy period of almost 2,000 years since the conclusion of the 7 + 62 = 69 weeks of years
Conceivably, then, the first 3½ years of the final 7 years could have begun in the Fall of 2020. If so, then it seems likely that the final 3½ years of this age would begin in the Spring of 2024.
It commonly is believed that the Antichrist will confirm a covenant with many (including Israel) for one week of years (7 years); and in the middle of those 7 years (that is, after the first 3½ years), he will bring an end to sacrifice and offering
Looking at the previous verse,
If taken literally, it appears that the “He” who will confirm a covenant at the beginning of
The other possibility for the “He” at the beginning of
The Bible contains many references to God’s holy covenant with Abraham and Isaac, which He confirmed with Jacob/Israel, His chosen nation, as an everlasting covenant. A significant description of this is included in King David’s psalm of thanks:
O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit."(Psalm 105:6-11)
Long ago, God engaged in a covenant with Israel. Over time, though, Israel became disobedient and unfaithful, giving their allegiance to other gods
At the Last Supper, though, their true Messiah, Yeshua/Jesus came and made a new covenant with Israel
As a whole, though, Israel has not accepted Yeshua as their eternal Messiah, nor recognized His once-for-all blood sacrifice as the remission for their sins and transgressions. In essence, Israel has rejected the new covenant, which Jesus provided and extended to them to confirm and renew the old covenant with them that they broke thousands of years ago.
The angel Gabriel had indicated that the 70 weeks of years were determined for and pertained to Daniel’s people and holy city: Israel and Jerusalem
It would make sense, then, that the amazing sign in the sky on that date was brought about by the living Jesus/God to remind Israel, His chosen nation, of God’s covenant with them. Jesus was mercifully confirming His covenant with them. It finally was time for them to understand that Yeshua/Jesus not only is their Messiah but also was their ultimate and final sacrifice for sins
The Israelites continued making unnecessary blood sacrifices in their Second Temple until 70 A.D., when Jerusalem and the temple were attacked and destroyed (which Jesus told His disciples would happen in
In December 2018, a sacrificial altar built by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was dedicated. Their intent was to perform sacrifices and offerings as a preparatory step prior to their planned construction of the Third Temple. Since then, sacrificial offerings have been performed on the altar, though not even one stone of a temple’s foundation has been set down.
Sanhedrin Third Temple Ritual in Jerusalem: Altar Dedication |
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Long ago, there was a precedent for this prior to the building of the Second Temple. An altar was built, and sacrificial burnt offerings were offered on it
Passover Sacrifice Service for the Third Temple |
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There are numerous parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb, which most Israelites still do not recognize. Jesus Christ, the ultimate Passover Lamb, was sacrificed
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.(Psalm 51:16)
In fact, it appears likely that Yeshua/Jesus, who is in control of all things, confirmed and renewed the broken covenant with Israel in September 2017. If so, it was a sign that the final week of years of the overall seventy weeks of years, spoken of long ago by the angel Gabriel to Daniel
Since the majority of the nation has not recognized the renewal of their covenant with God, and has not acknowledged that Yeshua/Jesus is their true Messiah, He may see to it that there will be no more sacrifices and offerings in Jerusalem after the middle or midst of the final week of 7 years
At or near the beginning of the final 3½ years of this age, these things will take place:
Indeed, a very violent and deadly 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis did take place in the Spring of 2021. Thousands of rockets were fired by Hamas militants from Gaza toward Israel, and Israel made hundreds of air, land and sea strikes into the Gaza Strip. There also were skirmishes between Palestinians in the West Bank and Israeli soldiers. A great deal of destruction occurred. There were hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Anti-Israel protests took place around the world, and many world leaders had negative reactions toward Israel.
During that time, countless Israelis took shelter in many places, including underground. There were reports that some Israelis fled the country toward the east. If so, it was not determined at the time where these people went. If that did take place, potentially it could have been a fulfillment of
That violence eventually subsided, and there were no further major attacks during the remainder of 2021. There was some violence in and around Jerusalem during the Spring in 2022 and in 2023. The 2022 Al-Aqsa clashes and the 2023 Al-Aqsa clashes began a day or more before Passover and lasted for several days, but they were not nearly as bad nor as lengthy as the violence was in the Spring of 2021. Therefore, it appears very unlikely that the period of time known as the Great Tribulation—which Jesus warned about—began in the Spring of 2021, 2022 or 2023.
As stated before: Many times, in His lovingkindness, compassion and mercy, God has been slow to anger and has given Israel a period of time to repent; however, when they did not do so in a timely manner, He discharged His judgment upon them
Therefore, it is possible that God mercifully inserted a gap of 3 years after the Autumn of 2017 and that the final 7 years of this age began in the Autumn of 2020. If so, the final 3½ years of this age could begin in the Spring of 2024—most likely during the week following Pesach or Passover—especially if major violence is seen to spike in Israel at that time.
Something else to consider is that in the Fall of 2020, the European Parliament and the European Council agreed to the adoption of the EU’s long-term budget for 2021-2027, a period of exactly 7 years. The middle year of that 7-year agreement, on our man-made calendar, is 2024. It almost completely overlaps with the middle year of God’s potential 7-year time frame from the Autumn of 2020 to the Autumn of 2027. Perhaps, this might increase the likelihood that the final 3½ years of this age may begin in the Spring of 2024.
Another consideration is that a period of major violence in Israel started six months before the Spring of 2024. The 2023 Israel–Hamas war, beginning with an unexpected attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, was extremely calamitous and deadly. It was the most significant military challenge for Israel in 50 years, when the Yom Kippur War took place during October 6-25, 1973.
A little over three months after the Hamas attack on Israel, a Hamas military spokesman in Gaza revealed the primary reason for the attack. October 2023 was the first month when one of five red heifers (imported from Texas in September 2022) would be old enough to be sacrificed by Orthodox Jews. The military spokesman indicated that, after sacrificing the first red heifer, increasing numbers of Jews would be likely to begin coming onto the Temple Mount, which is under Islamic authority. He also expressed the concern of Palestinians and other Muslims that Israel might begin the construction of their Third Temple, which they feel could begin with the demolition of the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Dome of the Rock shrine. Both are extremely important Islamic buildings.
In the Spring of 2024, Orthodox Jewish rabbis may sacrifice a red heifer on an altar on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. In case that happens, it potentially could begin the fulfillment of Jesus’ end-time prophecies that He stated in Matthew 24:15-21, Mark 13:14-19, and Luke 21:20-27 and the onset of the Great Tribulation. It also is possible that the calamitous attack of Gog and Magog on Israel (prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39) could begin at some point thereafter.
It is possible that the beginning of the Gaza-Israel conflict was a strong warning from God that the defeat and desolation of Israel might begin six months later, in April of 2024. If so, it would commence the exceedingly fearful and horrifying time of Great Tribulation for Israel and for the world.
Back in the 12th Century an Irish archbishop, St. Malachy O’Morgair, said that he had a prophetic vision. He indicated that after the Catholic pope at that time, Pope Celestine II, there would be exactly 112 more popes (see final Popes). He even made a list of all of the popes, including descriptive titles and narratives for each one.
Interestingly, Pope Francis—whose papacy began at age 76 on March 13, 2013—is the 112th pope on the list. If indeed Francis happens to be the final pope of the Catholic Church, then it would seem that the end of the age is very near.
For a long time I have felt that the return of Jesus back to earth, to rule and reign, most likely would take place on a Yom Kippur = Day of Atonement. (You can read why I feel that Jesus will return to earth on a Yom Kippur.) Also, I believe that the final 3½ years of the 70th Week will be 1,260 days
It would seem that the 1,260 days of the 1,263½-day period of
I’ve also felt for a long time that the final 3½ years, prior to Jesus’ return to earth, probably would begin during a week beginning with the day of Pesach or Passover. In the chart below it can be seen that in six out of seven consecutive years, a date during the week of Passover is 1,263½ days before the date of Yom Kippur 3½ years later:
Yom Kippur Minus 1,263½ Days | ||||
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Yom Kippur | Minus 1,263½ Days | Dates | During Passover Week? | |
September 16, 2021 October 5, 2022 October 12, 2024 October 2, 2025 September 21, 2026 October 11, 2027 | – 1,263½ Days = – 1,263½ Days = – 1,263½ Days = – 1,263½ Days = – 1,263½ Days = – 1,263½ Days = – 1,263½ Days = | April 2-3, 2018 April 10-11, 2020 April 28-29, 2021 April 18-19, 2022 April 7-8, 2023 April 26-27, 2024 | Yes: April 19-27, 2019 Yes: April 8-16, 2020 Yes: April 15-23, 2022 Yes: April 5-13, 2023 Yes: April 22-30, 2024 |
Passover week in 2021 is the only year when that was not the case. The next possible times would have been during Passover week in 2022 or 2023, but nothing prophetic happened during those weeks. However, the numbers work again during Passover week in 2024. This might be an indication that the dreaded Great Tribulation, commencing the final 3½ years of this age, potentially could begin during Passover week in April of 2024. If so, then Jesus would return to Jerusalem in the Fall of 2027 to begin His rule and reign over the world during the Millennium.
Also in the prophetic vision, just before “the woman” flees and is protected by God for 1,260 days, we see this:
She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.A common view has been that the “son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter”(Revelation 12:5)
However, the
Just as “the woman” represents a number of people—not just one person—in Israel, the “child of the woman” also would seem to represent a number of people—not just one person. Indeed, true believers in Jesus have been grafted into the “olive root” of Israel
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—“He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery”—just as I have received authority from my Father.If those being snatched up to heaven are believers in Jesus who have learned to overcome the world and its temptations and continue to do His will, we might wonder when this would happen. Some believe that this points to a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Personally, I am absolutely convinced that there will not be a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, as explained in my Rapture commentary and in several responses in my Rapture Questions and Responses section.(Revelation 2:26,27)
Presumably, after a third of Satan’s “stars” (evil angels) are flung to the earth
Thus, being “snatched up to heaven”
She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter[Revelation 2:26,27] . And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.(Revelation 12:5,6)
The latter represents a remnant of people in eastern Israel escaping Judea and Jerusalem and fleeing into the desert, where they will be taken care of by God for “a time, times and half a time”
In all likelihood, this will take place at a time of extreme violence and destruction in Israel. That could overshadow and delay the news of people fleeing away from the danger. Likewise, if a portion of believers in Jesus are snatched up to heaven just before this, it might take awhile for reports about this to become newsworthy in a world filled with significant troubles and difficulties.
It is conceivable, then, that a remnant of “firstfruits believers” could be removed in a “firstfruits rapture” as soon as the Spring of 2024. If so, perhaps this might take place on the Feast of Firstfruits = Resurrection Sunday, during the week following Passover. This is at the beginning of the barley harvest. Some have suggested that a “firstfruits rapture” might take place seven weeks later on Pentecost, occuring on the Feast of Weeks = Feast of Harvest, at the beginning of the wheat harvest.
The following (and other) events, most of which were described by Jesus, are expected to occur in Israel at the beginning of the final 3½ years of this age. However, with extreme violence and difficulties taking place in the nation at that time, news of several of these events might not be reported immediately:
Jesus noted that if those days of Great Tribulation were not cut short, no one would survive; however, for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened
The tumult of the Cosmic Disturbances: Sixth Seal, and Jesus’ appearance in the clouds to remove believers in the primary Rapture
The time of God’s vengeance and wrath technically will begin with the opening of the final seal—the Seventh Seal: the Day of the Lord. This day of vengeance and wrath, from which believers in Jesus will be protected via the Rapture, will be composed of the seven Trumpet Judgments (Revelation 8:6 through Revelation 10:7, Revelation 11:15-19) and the Seven Bowl Judgments or Seven Plagues (Revelation 15 through Revelation 16).
Finally, the Kingdom of God will be on the earth, when Jesus will rule and reign over the whole world for a literal (not a figurative) period of 1,000 years: the Millennium. Furthermore, the devil or Satan will be bound and thrown into an Abyss, where he will be forced to remain for 1,000 years
The Lord Jesus, who was and is God incarnate, is the only One who can govern and judge humanity with perfect righteousness, justice, lawfulness, peace and love. It will be a wonderful utopia that never has existed before in the entire history of mankind.
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.(Psalm 45:6)
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.(Daniel 7:14)
The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and His name the only name.(Zechariah 14:9)
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.(Luke 1:32,33)