DAN. 12-- KEYS TO THE RAPTURE AND START OF GREAT TRIBULATION

 

 

I believe the keys to the timing of the Rapture and the start of the Great Tribulation have now been given to us in Daniel 12.  Most of the information in this post will be brand new.  The Rapture/Sudden Destruction did not happen on Apr. 11th.   Neither do I believe that the Great Tribulation began on this date.  I do believe that Apr. 11--12th was Day 1260, and the end of the first half of the Final 7 Years.  I also believe that Apr. 11--12th was Day 1 of the Final 1335 Days, as set forth in Daniel 12.

 

I believe that God let us know that we are on the right track, by marking this day of Apr. 11--12th.  The world experiences an average of less than one earthquake of 8.0 magnitude, or greater, each year.  On this VERY DAY, not just one, but TWO MEGAQUAKES, measuring 8.6 and 8.2, took place.  The 8.6 was the largest slip earthquake ever recorded.  On this VERY DAY, there were also several other large earthquakes, including five on the West coast of North America.  Do you honestly believe that these astounding Earthquake Events happened on the long-awaited day of Apr. 11, 2012, by coincidence?  Seismologists have been quoted as saying they have NEVER seen a day like Apr. 11--12th before.  Surely, this was the handprint of Almighty God, marking this day for us, as the end of the 1260 days, or 1st half of the Final 7 Years, and the start of the Final 1335 Days, as set forth in the Daniel 12.

 

Daniel, Chapter 12, has been the focus of my attention during the past few weeks.  It is my determination, after much study, and prayer, that this is the Chapter in the Word of God that holds the keys to the EXACT TIMING OF THE RAPTURE, AND START OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION.  Once again, it is only by progressive revelation, that this is able to be determined.  The Fall of 2008, to the Fall of 2015, has so very, very much compelling, and I still believe conclusive, evidence, pointing towards it, that we really have no choice but to seek progressive revelation on this all-important matter.

 

Most all Bible Prophecy scholars consider the Book of Daniel, to be the Old Testament counterpart to the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.  I also want to call your attention to the fact that Daniel 12 is the FINAL Chapter in this Book of Bible Prophecy.  Therefore, it must be a VERY important chapter that the Lord gave directly to Daniel to write about.

 

The first two verses in this all-important Chapter, in this all-important Book on Bible Prophecy, sets the stage for the THEME of Chapter 12.  Dan. 12 1--2 reads, "And at that time shall Michael (the archangel) stand up, the great prince who 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.  AND MANY OF THEM WHO SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE..."

 

We learn in the N.T. that Michael (verse 1), the archangel, blows his trumpet AT THE TIME OF THE RAPTURE.  The RAPTURE is also emphasized here in Verse 1, when it says THY PEOPLE SHALL BE DELIVERED.  The RAPTURE is our GREAT DELIVERANCE.  Verse 1 also says that this GREAT DELIVERANCE is only for those whose names are found written in the Book.  Verse 1 is a perfect description of the Rapture.

 

Verse 2 makes absolutely certain that we cannot miss the MAIN THEME of Daniel, Chapter 12, when it tells us that those who sleep in the dust of the earth SHALL AWAKE TO EVERLASTING LIFE.  1st Thessalonians 4 tells us that when the Rapture takes place, the dead in Christ rise first.  This, once again, is DIRECTLY REFERRING TO THE RAPTURE.  The content of Verses 1 and 2 make it an absolute certainty that the MAIN THEME OF DANIEL 12 IS THE RAPTURE.

 

Verse 1 also tells us that "there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation".  This is a perfect description, which is given to us in great detail in the Book of Revelation, and also in other Books in the N.T., of the time known as the Great Tribulation.  This confirms to us the other MAIN THEME OF DANIEL 12 IS THE GREAT TRIBULATION.  THE RAPTURE AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION ARE THE TWO MAIN THEMES, SO OBVIOUSLY LAID OUT FOR US IN THE FIRST TWO VERSES OF DANIEL 12.

 

I believe an examination of this entire chapter, of Dan. 12, allows us to take these TWO MAIN THEMES one step further.  Verse 1 says, "AT THAT TIME" and "there shall be A TIME", and "even to THAT SAME TIME", and "AT THAT TIME".  FOUR times in the first verse alone, we read about "THE TIME OR THAT TIME".

 

Verse 4 says, "even to THE TIME OF THE END".  Verse 6 says, "HOW LONG (or HOW MUCH TIME) shall it be to the end of these wonders?"  Verse 7 says, "it shall be FOR A TIME, TIMES, AND AND AN HALF (three and one-half years)".  Verse 9 says, "till THE TIME OF THE END".  Verse 11 says, "And from THE TIME..."  Verse 13 says, "till the end (of the time) be:"

 

It is safe to say, that after this many references in this one Chapter, to THE TIME, or THAT TIME, or THE TIME OF THE END, that the MAIN THEMES of this Chapter, are not just the Rapture and the Great Tribulation, but also include THE TIME, AND THE TIMING, OF THE RAPTURE AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION.  THE TIME, THE TIME, THE TIME!!!  The constant emphasis in this Chapter on THE TIME shows to us that the Lord does not want us to miss that this Chapter reveals THE TIME!

 

Lest there be any doubt that this is not a chapter referring to some past time in history, or any other time, other than what is so clearly laid out here in this Chapter, let's look at what the Lord is showing to us.  What TIME is the Lord referrring to?

 

Besides verses 1 and 2, which are referring DIRECTLY to the TIME of the Rapture and the Great Tribulation, which are at THE TIME OF THE END, we have other references in this Chapter.  Verse 4 tells us this Chapter is referring to "time of THE END".  Verse 6 tells us that we are looking at, in this Chapter, "to THE END of these wonders".  Verse 8 also says, "THE END of these things". 

 

Verse 9 leaves no doubt as to the time in which this Chapter is referring to, as it says, "closed up and sealed till THE TIME OF THE END".  Then Verse 13, the final verse of Dan. 12, seals the matter of the time period in which we are examining, as it says, "till THE END be", and "at THE END OF THE DAYS".

 

What has a close examination of Daniel 12 revealed to us so far?

 

1.  The MAIN THEMES, of this final Chapter in Daniel, are the Rapture and the Great Tribulation.  Verses 1 and 2 clearly, and decisively, set forth these two topics as the MAIN THEMES. 

 

2.  We can, because of the amount of verses dedicated to THE TIME, carry the MAIN THEMES of this Chapter, one step further, by declaring that the MAIN THEMES are not just the Rapture and the Great Tribulation, but also THE TIME, AND THE TIMING, of the Rapture and the Great Tribulation.

 

3.  Daniel 12 can be referring to no other time period in history other than the END OF DAYS.  The words in this Chapter strongly speak for themselves.

 

As I referred to in a recent post, the X FACTORS of the Timing of the Rapture, and The Timing of the Start of the Great Tribulation are found in Verses 11 and 12 of Daniel 12.  These verses read as follows:

 

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abominaton that maketh desolate set up, there shall be A THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY DAYS.  Blessed is he who waiteth, and cometh to THE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND FIVE AND THIRTY DAYS."

 

So, the X FACTORS are Day 1290 and Day 1335.  These X FACTORS account for an extra 75 days, outside of the 1260 days of the Great Tribulation.  I believe they also give us a very favorable explanation as to why the Great Tribulation and the Rapture/Sudden Destruction have not happened by Apr. 11th of this year.  As of Apr. 11--12, 2012, we still have a potential extra 75 days for these events to transpire. 

 

After much study and praying for discernment, I believe, because of Dan. 12: 11--12, we can narrow down the start date of the Great Tribulation to one of three days in May and June of 2012.  Yes, I honestly believe we are this close.  And, yes, I believe that this means that the Rapture/Sudden Destruction will also happen in May or June of 2012.

 

This concludes Part 1 on "Daniel 12--The Keys to the Time of the Rapture and Start of the Great Tribulation".  In Part 2, we will discuss, Day 1335--the Biblical Day for The Battle of Armageddon, and the End of the Great Tribulation.  In Part 3, we will discuss the three options, that I foresee, for the Start of the Great Tribulation, and also different days in May or June, of this year, that have the most potential to be our long-awaited Day, the Day when our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, Returns for us in the Rapture.

 

It is only because the Lord has made it so obvious, and compelling, His Final 7--Year timeline, that we are able to unlock the keys, in Daniel 12, of the timing of the Rapture and the Great Tribulation.  Until the Fall of 2008, progressive revelation could not unlock this Great Mystery.  The Lord told Daniel that these secrets were SEALED UNTIL THE TIME OF THE END.  THE TIME OF THE END HAS NOW ARRIVED. 

 

I am convinced that the Lord MARKED DAY 1260 for us.  Where do Day 1290 and Day 1335 fit in?  Do we add them to the first half?  Do we add them to the 2nd half of the Final 7 Years?  Can we apply these days to both halves, by using the Double Reference principle?  Was Day 1 Sept. 29, 2008, or was Oct. 29, 2008, Day 1?  We will examine these questions, in depth, in Parts 2 and 3.

 

In Revelation 3:3, Jesus says, "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.  If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and THOU SHALT NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR I WILL COME UPON THEE."  Does this verse not strongly imply that if we are WATCHING, WE WILL KNOW?

 

For those of you who believe in the 2008--2015 timeline, as God's timeline, I believe this verse is for you.  The Lord is admonishing us to HOLD FAST.  With the incredible earthquake events of April 11th, I sincerely believe the Lord was telling us to HOLD FAST, for a potential 75 more days.  The Fall of 2008 to the Fall of 2015 timeline is alive and well.  The evidence remains compelling.  Daniel 12 holds the keys to the timing of the Rapture and the Great Tribulation.  We are almost there now.  HOLD FAST!  Jesus is coming VERY, VERY SOON!!!

 

Maranatha!

 

Ron Reese

rgreese49@aol.com