Seven year periods in scripture

Finding support for a seven year tribulation-

Any firm biblical doctrine should be supported by very clear direct statement and multiple scripture occurrences in the form of types and patterns. The “seven year tribulation” doctrine has long been taught. I wondered if scripture would support the strength of this teaching. Below are listed verses along with a summary of the verse. Searching “seven years”:

Verse Summary

Gen 29:18 Jacob served seven years
(a “week”) for Rachel, but received Leah.

Gen 29:27 Jacob was required to serve another seven years to receive Rachel.

*Note a period of 14 years in two parts.

Gen 41:26 Pharaoh dreamt of seven good years together with seven lean years.

*A second 14 year period in two parts

Num 13:22 Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

Deu 15:1 A release of debt every seven years.

Jud 6:1 Children of Israel were delivered into Midian (contention) for seven years.

Jud 6:25 A seven years old (second) bullock.

Jud 12:8-9 Izban (splendid) of Bethlehem takes 30 sons, 30 daughters, and 30 wives for the sons away and led Israel for seven years.

2 Sam 24:13 Seven years of famine is one of three judgment choices offered to David by the Lord. David chose three days of pestilence.

2 Ki 8:1-3 Elisha proclaims a famine for seven years.

Jer 34:14 Freedom for bond servants after seven years.

Ezek 39:9 Weapons burn seven years.

Luke 2:36 The prophetess Anna had a husband for seven years.

These verses listed above are a complete list of all periods of seven years I could find by name in scripture. Notably absent is the “famous” seven year period from Daniel and Revelation.

What we do find are several seven year periods listed with relief or redemption at the end of the seven years. None of these periods are cut in half. First occurrences are considered to be the most defining of a type in scripture. The first two settings of “seven years” actually are periods of 14 years which ARE divided into two periods of seven years. This is a notable dividing of the whole; the first half prosperous, the second difficult.

Also in this list, is 2 Sam 24:13 in which David must choose a punishment for Israel. He chooses three days of pestilence. Now this CAN be related to the time periods in Daniel and Revelation. Three days can prophetically be three years, which is close to 42 months, and the number of days count (1260, 1290, 1335) depicting three and one half years. Pestilence is specifically mentioned as a judgment in Revelation.

In Daniel “seven years” is written as a “week”, the Hebrew word H7620 shabuwa.

Searching “shabuwa” for a single week:

Only occurrence…

Verse Summary

Daniel 9:27 The one week of the “prince” whose identity and affiliation to God is under consideration.

This is very interesting. The only time that “shabuwa” is used to describe a single week is the above verse. Hmmm. Aren’t we supposed to see repeating types and patterns in scripture? Where is another pattern of this shabuwa-week? Further, we have to find one that is split in two as, “in the midst of the week.” Can you find one???

Looking at the big picture, Daniel 9:27 says the “week” is cut in two. In chapter 9, Daniel’s prayer and answer to it regards the coming of the Messiah and the beginning of His reign over Daniel’s people. Jesus came for about three and a half years in “peace” as a rabbi-teacher. He was “cut off” from the Hebrews when killed on the cross. This was the ultimate sacrifice. From that moment forward every sacrifice offered in the temple was an abomination to God. This is the “overspreading of abomination” which prompts God to allow the destruction of the temple. Thereafter, the 2000 year Mystery of God ensues through the offering of the Holy Spirit to all people.

When Messiah Jesus returns as king He will come in judgment, as described in Revelation. In this way Christ will fulfill both of His title roles as priest-teacher and king-ruler. Some look at Revelation as a description of the reign of “antichrist”, and this is misguided. It is Jesus who will unleash judgment and destruction upon the ungodly. John clearly states that the book is the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”.

As time and study have marched on we see ever-increasing revelation of the bride/church taken away from wrath in conjunction with “sudden destruction.” Jesus, Himself, indicated this using the times of Noah and Lot as examples. Again, no example is used which includes “three years of peace before judgment.” Further, we are told the end times will be accompanied by birth pangs. In my understanding there are no “time-outs” once labor begins.

Looking at Daniel 9 again from the KJV, if you please:

4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

*This is the covenant in question, not a nebulous peace treaty. Whether the world attempts to copy an errant reading of prophecy is of no matter to God’s Word, who’s Son and covenant was rejected (in my firm but humble opinion). Notice that God is also “dreadful.”

Gabriel says,

24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

*The transgression was “finished” and reconciliation for iniquity was accomplished by Jesus on the cross. The word for “seal up”, means the earthly completion, stop.

27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many (multitude) for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

*The covenant of verse 4 is confirmed by God sending His begotten Son as an offering. The sacrifice and oblations will cease because they rejected the Lamb of God and the temple will be destroyed. Notice it says "for the overspreading of abominations,” or “because your people will do this.”

Daniel has prayed regarding Jeremiah’s seventy year prophecy in Jer chapter 25. Here are a few of those verses:

15 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: "Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.

*Take this cup sounds like the last supper. Wrath comes in Revelation.

16 When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them."

*A mighty two-edged sword referenced in Revelation. Do you think the world is “mad”?

30 "Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them: "'The LORD will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth.

31 The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword,'" declares the LORD.

32 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Look! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth."
*Once again, these verses emulate Revelation.

My confirming scripture as a type and pattern is the entire New Testament. Jesus came, was cut off from the Hebrew nation, but not Himself, as He rose on the third day. He came as teacher, but will return as a righteous king to evict the wicked and establish His reign. God will use periods of seven years. Only one very special seven years was cut in half; a manner in which judgment was shortened.