Articles by Edward Thomas

The 7-year Tribulation

Why study Bible prophecy (a blessing promised to those who try to understand it and heed it; 30% of scripture is prophecy- Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy)

Daniel’s 70^th week (Read Daniel 9 for the 70 weeks allotted to Israel.

Time of Jacobs trouble-not the time of the churches trouble.

For Israel (one third of Israel will be saved out of it according to Zechariah)

The two witnesses (Moses and Elijah) have their ministry for 1260 days during the first half of the tribulation period (whole world sends gifts to each other at their death-possible with cell phones). There is some debate about whether their ministry occurs in the 1^st or 2^nd half of the tribulation. Here are some arguments that their ministry occurs during the 1^st half:

-it is the killing of the two witnesses at the midpoint of the tribulation which is after their allotted 1260 days by the anti-christ that emboldens him (inhabited by satan) to take over the temple and stop the daily sacrifices and set up his own image and demand to be worshipped.

-conditions at the end of the 2^nd half of the tribulation are so devastating and difficult that it is unlikely that the people of the earth could send each other gifts and rejoice. All the cities of the earth are leveled by a massive earthquake.  All of the fresh water is contaminated.  All the green grass is burned up.  The heavens are shaken.  Jesus said He has to cut the days short just so mankind can survive.  Do these conditions sound conducive to all the inhabitants of the earth sending each other gifts?

-The two witnesses are killed after the sounding of the 6^th trumpet and is considered part of the 2^nd woe (Revelation 11:14).  It is after the 7^th trumpet is sounded when satan is thrown out of heaven and is considered the 3^rd woe. (Revelation 12:7-9). Satan is given 1260 days (2nd half of tribulation). Revelation 13:1 shows us he rises up to deceive those on the earth.   Therefore the 2 witnesses have to be killed by the anti-christ during the first half of the tribulation in order to fulfill the 1260 days allotted to him during the 2^nd half of the tribulation.

-the two witnesses proclaim their ministry from the temple and protect it from the anti-christ.  It is only after the two witnesses are killed that the anti-christ can enter the temple and defile it at the midpoint of the tribulation.  Therefore, the two witnesses must minister during the 1st half of the tribulation. However, this is up for debate. Many scholars place the ministry of the two witnesses during the 2^nd half of the tribulation.  See Lee Brainard for support for this viewpoint. 

-In Revelation 13:4 the peoples of the earth proclaim, “who is like the beast and who can defeat him?”.  If the beast (anti-christ) cannot kill the two witnesses until the end of the tribulation, then the people of the earth could not say such a thing about the anti-christ.  These two witnesses would be frustrating him and a thorn in his side.

• Rise of the Anti-Christ (not revealed till after the rapture of the church)
• Time coming upon earth that has never happened before-worst time in world history)
• Abomination of Desolation (at mid-point of tribulation; anti-christ demands to be worshipped)
• Seals, Trumpet, and Bowl Judgments (21 judgements upon the earth-the wrath of God poured out)
• Armageddon (campaign of war throughout 2^nd half of tribulation, not just an individual battle)

At the sheep/goat judgement (Matthew 25) before the millennium begins, Jesus commands that all swords be turned into pruning hooks. Yet, there could still be an attempt at war–The elimination of war is an increasing reality during the 1000-year reign of Christ (Isaiah 2:4)…not something that happens immediately (see the “increase of His government” principle mentioned above). Ezekiel 38-39 is not even a war…. as the northern horde of armies are destroyed by Christ in the Northern Mountains of Israel.  Not a single shot fired! What would prevent a nation from going against God’s decree of “no more war” and trying to start one!  They will test this new King. That is why Jesus has to rule with a rod of iron to squash such attempts.

Destruction of Damascus-future event that could occur even before the rapture of the church.  Some scholars say that Damascus was destroyed in ancient times, but there is evidence that argues against that.  I believe it is still a future event that will probably occur at some point either right before or during the 7-year tribulation.  See the books of Bill Salus on these unfolding future prophetic events.

Destruction of Southern Iran (see the Jeremiah prophecies and Bill Salus’s book called “The Now Prophecies: Disaster in Iran”)-Jeremiah says the result of this devastation will be that refuges from Iran will go into every nation on the earth.

Psalm 83 war (see Bill Salus booked called the Psalm 83 war).  Some scholars see Psalm 83 war has having already occurred or that it is mostly symbolic or a lamentation or fulfilled in the 6 day 1967 war with Israel.  However, I agree with Bill Salus that Psalm 83 is a prophecy and that this war is a literal future event.

Rise of the Anti-Christ (cannot occur until after the rapture of the church and the removal of the restrainer (2 Thessalonians 2:7).  Despite its weaknesses, especially today, we underestimate the church’s influence in the world.  It is the restraining force that keeps evil from taking total control.  Once the church is removed from the earth at the rapture, then all hell breaks loose as the anti-christ has full authority to reign terror and war and violence on the face of the earth.  He is even given power to overcome the saints (those Jews and gentiles who become Christians after the rapture and during this tribulation period).

Signing of the Covenant with Israel and the many (Daniel 9:24-27). The rapture of the church does not start the tribulation, but instead the signing of the covenant by the anti-christ with Israel.  There could be a significant gap of time after the rapture before this occurs (1 month, 3 years or even 10 years are possible!). The anti-christ “confirms” this covenant with the “many”.  So it looks like he initiates this treaty with Israel and others. Possibly it is an offer of protection and permission to rebuild the new temple on the temple mount near the dome of the rock in exchange for promises of peace and resources.  Perhaps this covenant comes about from the aftermath of the current 2024 Israel war with Hamas, Hezbellah, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. A peace treaty with all the surrounding nations is achieved which allows Israel to expand it borders to include buffer zones and allows them to rebuild their temple. Whatever the nature of this covenant, the anti-christ anuls it at the midpoint of the 7 year tribulation and demands that he be worshipped and sets up his image on a wing of this new temple.  This is called the abomination of desolation.

Rebuilding the Temple-some say that part of the agreement of the covenant that Israel signs with anti-christ allows for the temple to be rebuilt.  Others say that this could occur sooner as a result of a war or the destruction of the Dome on the temple mount either by an earthquake or war.  Either way, the temple must be rebuilt as Jesus said that in the last days before His coming that the abomination of desolation will occur in the temple.  It must be rebuilt for this to happen. There has been a lot of discussion about the red heifers. According to the traditions of the Jewish sacrificial system in the temple, the ashes of a pure red heifer must be sprinkled onto the sacrifice. Three pure (no gray hairs) have been found in Texas and flown to Israel. If they maintain their purity by the 3rd year, then they would quality for the sacrifice. Keep an eye on this development. Research Mondo Gonzalez of Prophecy Watchers for the latest on this.

Trends and Indications that we are getting closer to the 7-year tribulation

-Technology is rapidly increasing to accommodate events described during this period. In fact technology and AI are advancing so fast that it could quickly surpass what is needed to fulfill the prophecies in the book of Revelation. Can mankind last that long?

-Earthquakes, famines and pestilences are increasing. However this is something that will really begin at the beginning of the tribulation and not necessarily before the rapture of the church.

-decrease in morality-this is obvious as everywhere we look we can see the increase of violence and crime.

-regathering of nation of Israel from the north and all over the world. This prophecy from the Bible is happening right now (Jeremiah 29:14). Approximately 2000 people each day immigrate to Israel. This will continue to happen until the 2nd Coming of Jesus. At that time, He gathers the rest of them to the nation. (Isaiah 11:12)

-wars and rumors of war-this will continue to increase. Even though the anti-christ comes on the scene initially promoting safety and peace, war will soon follow across the globe.

-convergence of all the prophecies in Matthew 24. They are all coming together in fulfillment as never before in our history. Jesus said then you see “all these things” happen, then look up for your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28)

-trending in direction of global government-the anti-christ will have all the answers and the entire world will give him their allegiance.

-moving toward digital currency

-rise of AI (artificial intelligence)-could be what promotes image of the beast in Revelation 13

-move toward universal truth and a one world religion-the false prophet who rises up after the anti-christ will promote this agenda. Christianity will be de-legitimized and everyone encouraged to worship the anti-christ.

-growing hostility toward Israel and rise of anti-semitism as Israel is surrounded by enemies and criticized by the nations of the earth. We see this clearly not only from the college campasses across the United States, but around the world.

-coming delusion in the rise of UFO phenomenon (these are the work of satan and his seed)-is this “the lie” that people will believe…that we were planted here by another civilization and the story of Jesus is fabricated? The anti-christ will appear to have all the answers.  With the power of satan in him, will he use this UFO phenomenom as a reason to proclaim the Bible is a fabrication and a distortion and that Jesus is just a myth or was never raised from the dead?  Possibly.  I think satan has this strategy in his back pocket and will use it if he needs it.  Mankind has certainly been prepared through culture, movies, and science to accept an idea of “contact with an alien race.”  Is it too much over the top or will the inhabitants of the earth readily accept it?  Perhaps it depends on the timing of the rapture and 2^nd coming of Jesus.  Given more time, perhaps humanity will be ready to embrace it fully. Or perhaps that time is now.

Mockers and Scoffers (where is His coming?) (this may not refer to the rapture, but actually to the 2^nd coming when Jesus comes back in glory and power) (with gaps of times and disturbances in the heavens and on the earth, it could be really difficult to determine when the 7 year tribulation actually ends.  It may appear that the prophecies are broken and that Jesus is not really coming back setting up the stage of these mockers and scoffers)

Why this could be the last generation (we are the first generation that has seen the budding of the fig tree (restoration of Israel) and all the prophetic events coming together.  We are the first generation to see the technology necessary to explain the events of Revelation.  We are the first generation to see the advent of nuclear weapons which could destroy the planet if Jesus does not come back to prevent it.  We are the first generation where no prophecy has to be fulfilled for Jesus to come back. Jesus said in Matthew 24 that the generation that witnesses these events will not pass away until all of it is fulfilled. Another interpretation is that the “Jewish people” will not pass away until all is fulfilled.  Satan is trying to wipe out the Jews (he failed during the holocaust) so that God cannot fulfill his promises that Israel will inherit the Kingdom of God during the 1000 year millennial reign of Christ.  Satan will not succeed.  The Jews will not pass away, but Paul says all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26-27).  We know from Zechariah that that one third of them will survive and believe in the One whom they have pierced. (Zechariah 12:10)

One of the most miss-used passages from the Bible and taken totally out of context is the Sheep/goat judgement (Matthew 25). This judgement is not for the church but only applies to those that survived the 7-year tribulation (believers and unbelievers) to determine who gets to enter the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.

Another miss-used scripture is the “One taken and one left” passage (Matthew 24:40) This refers not to the rapture, but to the judgment of Israel toward the end of the tribulation at Armageddon.  It is the time of Jacob’s trouble.

Another mis-interpreted scripture is the Parable of the 10 virgins-Matthew 25:1-13 (does not refer to the rapture, but to the 2^nd coming of Jesus to the earth.  The 10 virgins do not represent the church (which is the bride) but rather those who are invited (Old Testament saints, tribulation saints and believing Jews) to the marriage supper of the lamb (Revelation 19) to kick off the 1000 year reign of Christ.

Judgement Seat of Christ (only for believers to determine rewards and not to determine who gets salvation.  This is a positive event.  All our past sins are not presented before us because these have been forgiven and forgotten. )

Sheep/Goat Judgement (Matthew 25) only for survivors of tribulation from all the nations of the earth to see who enters millennium-only those who treated Israel “these my brothers” will be allowed to enter in.

Great White Throne Judgement (only for the unbelievers of all time)

Is hell for real? How could God allow it? (It is real and for all eternity.  This is hard for us to understand being outside of time.  But God is just and will do the right thing even if we cannot fully understand it from our limited perspective.  The lake of fire was not created for us, but for Satan and his angels. The nonredeemable go there.)

The great stumbling block for unbelievers (hell, suffering, and existence of evil)-do not let this destroy your faith.  Read CS Lewis and other apologetics to help deal with these issues)

Annihilation or eternal torment (I do not believe in annihilation as the Bible seems to be clear that our judgment is eternal in scope)-note that the anti-christ and false prophet are still in the lake of fire at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ.  Jesus threw them into it at the start of the 1000 years. They were not annihilated out of existence. Part the the stamp of being created in “the image of God” is that we inherit an eternal destiny. And so we will live either with God or apart from God depending on if we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Those who never believed will be judged righteously. Are there levels of Hell? Possibly, see Matthew 10:15). God will judge the heart and He will be fair. Those who have never heard the gospel will be judged based on the light they have received. (Romans 2:14-16)

Path to salvation for those in hell? (not likely as it would undermine the death of God’s only Son.  If there were another path possible to the Father, then the death of Jesus could have been avoided.  God could have provided some other way. The illustration of of Lazarus and the rich man gives no indication that the rich man could somehow make his way back into the presence of God. (Luke 16:19-31)