Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Chapter 12


Chapter 12

When?

 
That is the question everyone wants the answer to; when will these things take place? Are you ready for the answer? I do not know. But is there anything that we can look for that will enable us to come up with possible end times scenarios? Yes, as you will see below, I believe there is.
2014/2015 Lunar and Solar Eclipses
In 2014 and 2015 there were 4 blood moon total lunar eclipses that all fell on feast days, which is called a tetrad.


1.        Passover, April 15, 2014

2.        Tabernacles October 8, 2014

3.        Passover, April 4, 2015

4.        Tabernacles, September 28, 2015
 

What is significant about this is that a tetrad of lunar eclipses on feast days has only occurred two times in the last 500 years; 1949/50, and 1967/68. During each of those tetrads of total eclipses Israel was at war.


Though Israel was declared an independent state sixty years ago in 1948, the war with its neighbors began after its first day and lasted for a year. Therefore, the first lunar eclipse of 1949 occurred during this war for the establishment of Israel. The next tetrad began on Passover 1967, which was just six weeks before the Six-Day-War. Therefore, these two significant wars of Israel were covered by each tetrad period.[1]

 

These facts lead us to wonder if the 2014/15 tetrad was a sign from God to the world that significant end times events are imminent. In fact the 2014/15 tetrad was the center point of a series of 18 perfectly symmetric eclipses, which has never occurred in the history of the world. The last of the 18 eclipses occurred on 1/21/2019 and many believe major end times events will follow the last eclipse of the series.

The tetrads are certainly something to ponder, and in my opinion gives us a definite indication that the end times are nearing. As Jesus said; and there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Luke 21:25

The Great Pyramid Alignment

It is believed by many that the Great Pyramid complex at Giza in its design contains time markers or date ciphers pointing to the First and Second coming of the Lord. There are two scriptures that are the basis for this conjecture.

In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. Isaiah 19: 19,20

Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day… Jeremiah 32:20a

Prophecy researcher Daniel Matson has made some startling discoveries regarding the date ciphers of the Great Pyramid complex at Giza. In Chapter 16 of his book, Signs of the End he states;

What is important is that there is valuable information that must be passed along that is a striking discovery concerning the Great Pyramid complex at Giza and its marking both advents of Christ. It is a discovery that is in line with the Bible, history, and the magnificence of the pyramids. It highlights the time in precise astronomical alignments. It is a discovery that fits the themes woven into the Bible concerning the coming King and it further supports the scenario developed in this book.

 

Thus his research has led him to believe that the Great Pyramid complex at Giza astronomically aligned with the First coming of the Lord, and he believes it will also at His Second Coming, and the alignment points to Rosh Hashanah 2017. What leads the author to this conclusion?

The basic idea is that the pyramid complex is a map of the heavens of a point in time when Christ the King returns with his armies. The pyramids show what is to be at meridian (Al Nitak in Orion), and also the causeways heading east from the pyramids show the importance of the rising sun or other items rising in the east. That the Sphinx also looks to the east is a factor as well. The point though was to see when there was a candidate for an alignment of Rosh Hashanah and the meridian alignment of Orion at dawn...Therefore, at dawn the morning before the Feast of Trumpets 2017, Al Nitak is precisely at meridian…

Let us not forget the all-important Christ angle to see where it might come into significance. At the moment Al Nitak is at meridian, Leo is in the east, but more importantly its star known as Regulus (the King) is precisely at the inclination of the Christ angle. Therefore, the Christ angle not only bisected Bethlehem at Christ’s birth, but it also bisects Regulus at this possible time of his Second Coming. The year 2017 is the first year from present that Rosh Hashanah comes immediately after September 20th—the time Al Nitak hits meridian precisely at dawn, and also when Regulus hits the Christ angle…

 

In analyzing the positioning of the stars, moon, and sun at the time of September 20, 2017, there was also another alignment. Venus will be in conjunction with Regulus at this time. So at this moment Venus the “Morning Star” will be aligned with the “King Star”, precisely at the Christ angle…

 

The ascending and descending passageways of the Great Pyramid share the common Christ angle, but one is actually the prime of the other. Looking at the computer model of the sky when Regulus and Venus are at the Christ angle just prior to dawn, there is again something suspicious. Below the horizon is Jupiter--referred to as the planet of the Messiah by the Jews…At the dawn of Rosh Hashanah 2017, Jupiter is at the precise Christ angle in the opposite scenario as the day before. Jupiter is below the horizon at 26.3 degrees…

 

So as there are opposite Christ angles, it would appear that the pyramid is a map of this event.  Jupiter is the suffering Messiah at the descending angle, whereas the “morning star” and glorious king are on the ascending angle.  Therefore, the Great Pyramid would be a map of this time when Rosh Hashanah coincides with the dawn meridian of Al Nitak and the positioning of Christ’s representative planets at the Christ angle.  What are the odds?  It would probably be safe to say that this is practically the only time these alignments could occur in our era… (Used by permission of author. I would highly recommend reading the entire chapter, which is available at this link http://2010rapture.org/signsoftheend/giza.html)

 

As already mentioned these many significant alignments lead him to believe that the time of the First Coming was marked by the celestial alignment of the Great Pyramid, and that events surrounding the Second Coming will be marked by the celestial alignments on Rosh Hashanah in 2017. I contend that the alignment at Rosh Hashanah in 2017 is a significant occurrence and is another sign from God that the end times are near. Is this why the pyramids were built, and have withstood throughout time? Are they a “sign and witness” of events surrounding the First and Second Coming of the Lord? 

The Woman Clothed with the Sun

In Revelation 12 I believe that we are given a very important sign regarding the coming of the Lord

12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

 

Here I believe we see a symbolic picture of the nation of Israel—the woman—and the coming of the Christ child. I believe this symbolism appeared as a sign in the skies over Jerusalem in the alignment of the stars on Rosh Hashanah 9/11/3 BC. (Note: Click on the following link to see the images of the celestial alignments I will be referring to in this section; Look Up for Your Redemption Draweth Nigh.) On that day the constellation Virgo was “clothed with the sun,” and the moon was under her feet. Above her head 3 planets—Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter—were in alignment with the star Regulus in Leo, Regulus was also in conjunction with Jupiter. This Regulus/Jupiter conjunction is what David Larson believes is the famed Star of Bethlehem. The 9 stars of Leo and the 3 planets aligning with Regulus make the crown of 12 stars.

Now let’s examine the skies around the time that the Great Pyramid complex points to, Rosh Hashanah in 2017. On 9/20-21/2017 Rosh Hashanah; Virgo is clothed with the Sun, the Moon is not under her feet but is in close conjunction with the sun, and there is an alignment of Jupiter, the Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Regulus, with Venus in conjunction with Regulus.

Three days after this alignment on 9/23/2017, Virgo is “clothed with the sun,” the moon is now under her feet, and above her head are 3 planets—Mercury, Mars, and Venus, which are in alignment with the star Regulus in Leo. The 9 stars of Leo and the 3 aligning planets make the crown of 12 stars. Thus this alignment meets the criteria of the Rev. 12 sign and is similar to the 3 BC alignment. Interestingly enough this alignment occurs the day after the second day of Rosh Hashanah on the day of Shabbat Shuvah—the Sabbath of Return.[2]

So there we have it, the sign of Revelation 12 in the sky above Jerusalem on special days, of which in their alignments and their meanings point to major prophetic events surrounding the First and Second Coming of Christ. Again I believe this sign is another indication that the end times are near.

The Sign of the Cross

The sign occurs in the heavens on 2/11/2021 and was discovered by a prophecy researcher  who believes the odds of this sign are as great as the odds of the 2017 sign of the woman clothed with the sun—about 3 million to one.[3] (This sign can be viewed at the link in the footnote or at the link provided at the beginning of this chapter.) Therefore I agree with him that this is a significant sign and must be incorporated into any end times scenario. (Note: a cross sign also appeared at Christ’s First Coming, again discovered by the same researcher.) This again is another sign that the end times are near and it is also possible that this sign may align with or immediately precede an important end times event.

The Sign of the Infernal Trio

And yet another sign; 30 days prior to the celestial sign of the cross on 1/12/2021 another important end times sign in the heavens occurs.[4] The same researcher mentioned above believes this sign is a depiction of Jesus—the rider on the white horse defeating the false prophet, the antichrist, and the devil, and throwing them into the lake of fire. He also believes the odds of this sign are about 3 million to one. In this celestial alignment we have Venus—the bright morning star/Jesus—in the constellation Sagitarius—the horse. We also have the three planets, Jupiter, Mercury, and Saturn—the antichrist, false prophet, and satan—in Capricorn—the goat. The defeating of the infernal trio is described in Revelation 19.

 

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

 

I believe that these two additional signs also point to the fact that the end times are near or may even be in progress at that time. Yes, it is highly possible that the last 7 years have already started and we do not even know it. This hypothesis becomes more probable in light of the Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel prophecies.

Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel Prophecy

The following is the write up of a prophecy made by Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel that I believe is significant in regards to answering the question when, and may point to a possible year of the Second Coming. The original article appeared in Israel Today, March 2008[5]

 

In 1217 the Jewish Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel prophesied that the Ottoman Turks would rule over the holy city of Jerusalem for eight Jubilees. A Jubilee is a period of 50 years according to Leviticus 25:8-13. Eight Jubilees would then be 400 years. Sure enough, 300 years later in 1517 the Ottoman Turks seized control of the city of Jerusalem and ruled over it for the next 400 years. They were finally driven out of the city and the holy land in 1917 by the Allied forces under the command of General George Allenby. The Rabbi's prophecy about the 400 years was fulfilled exactly to the year.

 

The Rabbi had also prophesied that during the ninth Jubilee Jerusalem would be a "no-man's land." This is exactly what happened from 1917 to 1967, due to the fact that the holy land was placed under British Mandate in 1917 by the League of Nations and literally "belonged" to no nation. Even after Israel's war of independence in 1948-49 Jerusalem was still divided by a strip of land running right through the heart of the city, with Jordan controlling the eastern part of the city and Israel controlling the western part of the city. That strip of land was considered and even called "no-man's land" by both the Israelis and the Jordanians. Anyone even stepping into that strip would be shot down. I lived during that period of time and well remember the reports in the newspapers and shown on TV about the division of Jerusalem. It was not until the Six Day War in 1967 when the entire west bank of the holy land was conquered by the Israeli army that the whole city of Jerusalem passed back into the possession of Israel. So once again the prophecy made by the Rabbi 750 years previously was fulfilled to the letter.

 

But that is still not the end of the matter. The Rabbi also prophesied that during the 10th Jubilee Jerusalem would be under the control of the Jews and the Messianic "end times" would begin. The 10th Jubilee began in 1967 and will be concluded in 2017.[6]

 

Let's consider the data;

Jubilees 1-8 (1517 to 1917): Turks will rule.

Jubilee 9 (1917 to 1967): Jerusalem a “no man’s land.”

Jubilee 10 (1967 to 2017): Jerusalem under Jewish control, Messianic end times will begin.

Jubilee 11: Begins at Yom Kippur 9/30/17.

 

Jubilees 1-8 and 9 were fulfilled as his prophecy stated. His prophecy also states “during the 10th Jubilee Jerusalem would be under the control of the Jews and the Messianic "end times" would begin.” Therefore if the prophecy is to be trusted, then the Messianic “end times” would have to start within the time of the 10th jubilee, before the 11th Jubilee starts at Yom Kippur on 9/30/17. At the very least this is another sign letting us know that major events of the end times are near and may possibly indicate that the end times began before 9/30/2017.

All of the signs we have discussed thus far are indicating that the end times are near. But yet there is more; just recently a few mores pieces of very important chronological prophetic data have come to light which bears considering.

The Great Giza Pyramid Date Cypher

We considered the Great Giza pyramid alignment data and its ramifications above, but some believe that the physical structure of the pyramid contains a date cipher for the “end of the world.” Let’s examine the data and you can come to your own conclusions.  

The Great Pyramid date cipher is based on the projected/calculated height of the pyramid with the capstone in place. The capstone is not there at present. Over the years many have put forth calculated heights for the pyramid with its original capstone. Two calculations that seem to have merit are 482.4832 ft. and 482.7575 ft.

Using those numbers we will now calculate the date ciphers by converting their heights to inches and then to pyramid inches. (Note: there are 1.00106 inches in a pyramid inch.) 

 

Date Cipher #1 

482.4832 ft. x 12 in. = 5789.7984 /1.00106 = 5783.6677

 

Applying this number to the Hebrew calendar, this would correspond to the 244th day of the Hebrew year of 5783. In the Gregorian calendar this would be May 28, 2023.

 

Date Cipher #2 

482.7575 ft. x 12 in. = 5793.09 /1.00106 = 5786.9558

 

Applying this number to the Hebrew calendar would correspond to the 349th day of the Hebrew year of 5786. In the Gregorian calendar this would be September 7, 2026

Now let’s consider the ramifications of the two scenarios. If May 28, 2023 aligns with or is near the “end of the world,” when Jesus will return to the Earth at Armageddon, then the last 7 years would have begun 7 years (2520 days) before in July of 2016. If September 7, 2026 aligns with or is near the “end of the world,” then the last 7 years will begin 7 years (2520 days) before in October of 2019. Using both dates infers that the end times began between July of 2016 and October of 2019.

Ok, now let’s evaluate dates within those parameters in light of several more pieces of prophetic data. 

The Red Heifer: 

A possible candidate for a red heifer, which is necessary to dedicate the Temple, was born on August 28, 2018. Since tradition says that the red heifer needs to be three years old when it is sacrificed to dedicate the Temple, then this would infer a temple dedication from August 2021 to August 2022. See the post; Behold the Red Heifer

So if the Temple will be established and dedicated between August 2021 and August 2022 then the abomination of desolation committed by the antichrist near the midpoint would have to occur after August 2021 inferring that the end times would begin after February 2018. However if the three year tradition is not followed then this would infer the temple could be dedicated any time in the future with a start date any time after August of 2016.

“god Will Return on July 26, 2022.”: 

 A man named Gary Parker is claiming that he has found a message left by a UFO alien “god” in the desert sands next to the Great Giza Pyramid and part of the message contains a date—July 26, 2022. He goes on to further claim that this is the date that god will return to Jerusalem. See the post; “god Will Return On July 26, 2022” 

Of course we know that UFOs/E.T.s/Aliens are just demons and or their spawn sent to deceive mankind and ultimately to deceive people to accept the coming UFO man, E.T., false Christ—the antichrist. So if the date information is genuine, that an E.T. will come to earth on 7/26/2022, and if this E.T. is the antichrist, then the abomination of desolation near the midpoint would have to occur after July 26, 2022, this would infer that the end times would begin after February of 2019. However if this is to be a fake rapture event, then the antichrist would have already appeared and this would infer the end began sometime before February of 2019.

WW3 and the Little Silver Men

There is a group of people in Thailand that are in contact with E.T.s and they have communicated to them that WW3 will occur by 2022.

The aliens give members information about the future of humanity, warning about ecological dangers or global conflicts. One group member revealed that the aliens told him that World War 3 will begin by 2022...

 

Since WW3 is supposed to occur before the midpoint, and if this WW3 information is correct, then this would infer that the end times will begin before October of 2019.

The End Times Aliyah: 

Definition Aliyah: Immigration to Israel. 

An Israeli scientist by the name of Saul Kullook is claiming that according to his calculations there will be a great and final aliyah in 2020. Kullook said. “This means that in two years, there will be an aliyah which, according to the calculations, will be the largest yet…” 

 And where would an aliyah, if it occurs in 2020, fit into an end times chronology? A large scale immigration to Israel would precede the abomination of desolation and the midpoint because logically a Jewish person would not want to immigrate to a country in which they were being persecuted, which we know occurs after the antichrist takes over the world at the midpoint. Thus the aliyah would precede the arising of the antichrist and the abomination of desolation. See the Post; The Final End Times Aliyah

If there will be an Aliyah in 2020, which would occur before the midpoint, then it would infer the midpoint will occur after December of 2019, with a start date after July of 2016.

Thus in light of these last four end times parameters our hypothesis that the end times will begin between July of 2016 and October of 2019 is further confirmed. 

The Jewish Feasts

Let’s discuss this data in light of the Feasts of the From my study of prophecy and the Jewish feasts, discussed earlier in this book, I firmly believe that the fall feats will be fulfilled with the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Earth at Armageddon and the events to follow. Here is a chart showing the dates for aligning the fall feasts with the Second Coming of the Lord which was presented earlier in this book.

 

Start
1
Seals
1139
A of D
1230
Mid Pt.
1260
Bowls
2490
Arm.
2520
Mill.
2565
11/2/15
12/15/18
3/15/19
4/14/19
8/26/22
9/25/22
11/9/22
10/22/16
12/4/19
3/4/20
4/3/20
8/16/23
9/15/23
10/30/23
11/9/17
12/22/20
3/22/21
4/21/21
9/2/24
10/2/24
11/16/24
10/30/18
12/11/21
3/12/22
4/11/22
8/23/25
9/22/25
11/6/25
10/19/19
11/30/22
3/1/23
3/31/23
8/12/26
9/11/26
10/26/26
11/7/20
12/20/23
3/20/24
4/19/24
9/1/27
10/1/27
11/15/27
9/20/21
12/9/24
3/10/25
4/9/25
8/21/28
9/20/28
11/4/28

 

(Note: It is possible that the 4th Trumpet and actions of the antichrist could change a normal counting of days, which could throw off any chronology. Also if the illuminati 91 day period is not valid then Seals 1-4 could occur anytime between day 1 and day 1230.)

 

The end times data that was discussed above suggests that the end of the world began between February 2016 and October 2019. According to the chart above, which is based upon aligning the feast of Trumpets with Armageddon, here are the dates for the start years of 2016 to 2019. Take note that I have added day number 1169 to the chart. I had assumed that the 91 day Seal period would be before the A of D, but if it begins 91 days before the midpoint, which is a possibility it would begin by day number 1169.

 

Start
1
Seals
1139
Seals
1169
A of D
1230
Mid Pt.
1260
Bowls
2490
Arm.
2520
Mill.
2565
10/22/16
12/4/19
1/3/20
3/4/20
4/3/20
8/16/23
9/15/23
10/30/23
11/9/17
12/22/20
1/21/21
3/22/21
4/21/21
9/2/24
10/2/24
11/16/24
10/30/18
12/11/21
1/10/22
3/12/22
4/11/22
8/23/25
9/22/25
11/6/25
10/19/19
11/30/22
12/30/22
3/1/23
3/31/23
8/12/26
9/11/26
10/26/26

 

The ultimate test to validate any end times date hypothesis would be the occurrence of Seals 1 to 4 found in Revelation 6, which occur in the first half of the 70th Week leading up to the “arriving on the scene” of the antichrist. Illuminati docs further tell us they will occur in a 91 day period leading up to the revealing of the antichrist. Thus I conjecture that the Seals would have to start by day 1139 or 1169, which is calculated in the charts above. Note: If the illuminati 91 day period is not a valid parameter then Seals 1-4 could occur anytime between day 1 and day 1260. When we see the Seals occur we will know that the antichrist and events of the midpoint are not far behind.

(Note: In the chart above for a 2016 start date 1/3/20 was listed as a possible date for the 91 day Seal period to begin. With the assassination of Soleimani on 1/3/20 some are saying that WW3 has begun. See the post; Is The End Here or Near, Is it Apocalypse Now or Later?. If the 91 day period has begun then the 2016 start date is the valid date and we will see the antichrist arise in March or April of 2020.)

 

So let’s get back to the original question; when? Are we in the 70th Week—the last 7 years? And if so; did it start in 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019, or will it start in a future year? I do not know. I don’t know the exact year that the antichrist will begin his reign, or when Jesus will return, or even when the 70th Week began or will begin, but I do believe that we are getting close—very close—as the prophetic data and the signs seem to imply. As the saying goes; time will tell, look for WWIII (Seal 2), which will most likely be the definitive sign that we are in the 70th Week and are about to enter into the time period of the great tribulation in which the rapture will occur. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28.

Here is something else to consider; if the hypothesis that the end times are near or may have even begun is correct, then the seals will be opened in the near future; are you ready? Are you spiritually, mentally, and physically prepared for the end times? That is what we will discuss in the next chapter—being prepared for the end times.



[2] Shabbat Shuvah or Shabbat T'shuvah ("Sabbath [of] Return" שבת שובה or "Sabbath [of] Repentance" שבת תשובה) refers to the Shabbat that occurs during the Ten Days of Repentance, but is between (i.e. not including): the two consecutive Days of Rosh Hashanah; and the Day of Yom Kippur. The name Shabbat Shuvah comes from the first word of the Haftarah that is read on that day, Hosea 14:2-10, and literally means "Return!" It is alternately known as Shabbat T'shuvah owing to its being one of the Aseret Y'may T'shuvah (Ten Day of Repentance). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Shabbat#Shabbat_Shuvah


 
 


 updated 1/7/2020


 


 

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Chapter 11

Chapter 11
A Chronology of the End



10 ,9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, blast off! As a child I remember watching the launching of several Apollo mission rockets. One thing that stuck out in my mind was that the launches operated on a precise timeline. Nothing happened by chance everything was done meticulously and precisely at the right time. God has a precise timeline too, a timeline of prophetic events in which nothing will happen by chance but will occur precisely at the right time. Already having established a clear picture of the things that will happen before, during, and after the 70th Week of Daniel, and in what order, we will now turn our attention to examining a more exact timeline of the events associated with the end times.

First let me establish the fact that no one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return at the rapture. This is a doctrine and truth that the Lord Himself gave us:

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

It is a fact that no one knows when the rapture will occur and the Day of the Lord will begin. But there are scriptural truths that allow us to assign chronological parameters for when the Day of the Lord may begin.

For instance, as already discussed, we know of several signs that will be given to us to let us know that His return at the rapture is imminent:

1. The great falling away.
2. The revealing of the antichrist and Abomination of Desolation.
3. The moon being turned to blood.
4. The sun being darkened.
5. The return of the prophet Elijah .

All of the events listed above precede the rapture, and will be signs to all who heed them that the time of Christ’s return to the clouds at the rapture is near. This is especially true of the sixth seal, which contains signs immediately preceding the rapture, where the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood. When we see these signs, we know that the time is very near, even though we do not know exactly when it will occur. It is possible that the rapture could occur within hours, minutes, or even seconds after the moon is turned to blood and the sun is darkened. We also know that the rapture will occur sometime between the midpoint of the last 7 years—when the antichrist will take over the world and the great tribulation begins—and Armageddon.

Other than these, are there any other scriptural truths that would allow us to further narrow down the time frame of the rapture? Yes I believe there is, and to help us answer that question, we first need to consider date parameters concerning the 69 weeks, 2 days, and the 70th week. We will discuss the 69 weeks first. An examination of the chronology of the sixty-nine weeks will show us how precisely God’s prophetic timing works. God told Daniel about the sixty-nine and seventieth weeks in a vision. That vision tells us that there will be seventy weeks of time from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to when the most Holy is anointed.

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. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Dan 9:24-26)

Sixty-nine of the seventy weeks in that vision have already transpired. The passage says that the sixty-nine weeks would run from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, including the wall and street, to “Messiah the prince.” The decree to rebuild Jerusalem was recorded in Neh. 2:1-6:

And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

We see here that the decree was issued in the month Nisan of the twentieth year of Artaxerxes. When did that occur? Over the years, many have debated the dating of the decree. There are several methods for dating the reigning years of kings. The most widely accepted year for the twentieth year of Artaxerxes and this decree is 444 B.C. Hoehner explains all of the various dating methods and how this date is arrived at in his work, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ:

In conclusion, the report to Nehemiah (1:1) occurred in Chislev (November/December) of 445 B.C. and the decree of Artaxerxes (2:1) occurred in Nisan (March/April) of 444 B.C. Therefore, Nisan 444 B.C. marks the terminus a quo of the seventy weeks of Daniel 9:24-27.[1]

Nehemiah does not specify the exact day of the month of the decree. However, in Hebrew narratives, when a date is given citing just a month, it is assumed that it is the first day of the month. In addition, it was traditional for Persian kings to issue decrees on the first day of the New Year. The Persian New Year started on Nisan 1. Thus having established that the decree to rebuild Jerusalem most likely went forth on Nisan 1, 444 B.C., which is March 3, 444 B.C. (Gregorian)[2], we can add sixty-nine weeks to that date and see what date we come to.

A “week” in this passage is referring to a period of seven years. Thus, we can calculate the following: 69 x 7 = 483 years. But we cannot just add 483 years to March 3, 444 B.C. because all years in the Bible coincide with a year length of 360 days, not the approximately 365.25 days that we now experience and on which our calendar is based. The Biblical 360-day year length is evidenced in the Genesis flood account, where the waters covered the earth for 150 days, which was equated to five months, (5 x 30 = 150), and also in Revelation where the antichrist is given authority to rule for 3.5 years, which is equated to 1,260 days (3.5 x 360 = 1260). It is theorized that the earth, as confirmed in Genesis, was originally on a 360-day rotation pattern. Many cultures indicate that, around 800 B.C., some great astronomical phenomena occurred to change the rotation from a 360-day rotation to our current approx. 365.25-day rotation. Therefore, to apply Biblical chronological information to our calendar system, we must convert any 360-day years to 365.25-day years.

Here is the calculation for the 69 weeks;

69 weeks x 7 years = 483 years x 360 days = 173880 days divided by 365 = 476 years 140 days – 119 days (for leap years) + 4 days (for leap centuries) = 476 years 25 days.

Thus, if we start with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem issued by Artaxerxes on March 3, 444 B.C. (Gregorian) and add 476 years and 25 days (69 weeks) you come to March 27, 33 A.D. (Gregorian)[3]. [Note: From this point forward, and as previously denoted, all dates will be given in Gregorian even though they will not be annotated as such. Also, in Hebrew reckoning, part of a day is counted as a whole day. Therefore, in our calculation, 3/3/444 B.C. was day one. This principle of inclusive reckoning will also be applied to all date calculations here in.]

So the 69 weeks ended on March 27, 33 A.D. What happened on March 27, 33 A.D.? That was Palm Sunday when Jesus Christ presented Himself as the Messiah and King of the Jews to the Jewish people and to the world. That fulfilled prophecy speaks significantly of the validity of the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, and that the Bible truly is God’s Word. That day in the Hebrew calendar was 9 Nisan. The next day was 10 Nisan, when Jesus cleansed the temple and had His confrontation with the religious leaders. That day is also when the leadership decided to kill Jesus, as found in Mark 11:18: “And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.” Tradition tells us that Nisan 10 is also the day when the Jews would select the Passover lamb that would eventually be slaughtered between 3 PM and 5 PM on the afternoon before the start of Passover, which always occurred on Nisan 14. It just so happens that is exactly the date and time that Jesus died, about 3 PM. on Nisan 14, the afternoon before Passover in 33 AD.[4]

After the crucifixion on Nisan 14, 33 A.D. (Friday April 1, 33 A.D.) Jesus stayed in the tomb until early Sunday morning when He rose from the dead. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9). During the time Jesus was in the tomb, He fulfilled the Feast of Unleavened Bread in that His sinless body did not decay. Jesus rose from the dead on 16 Nisan (April 3, 33 A.D.) the exact day of the Feast of First Fruits. Paul alludes to this fact in his statement: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). The next feast fulfilled was the Feast of Weeks, better known as Pentecost. This feast occurred on Sunday, 6 Sivan (May 22, 33 A.D.), which was 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits. This feast was fulfilled with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, which was accompanied with signs and wonders. Many contend that the historical church period began at Pentecost, and I agree with their assessment. Pentecost was the birthday of the Church. The exact alignment of these events show how precisely God controls prophetic events and how He aligned major prophetic events with the Spring feasts.

In summary; the seventy weeks of Daniel started with the issuing of the decree of Artaxerxes on March 3, 444 B.C. and ended sixty-nine weeks or 476 years and 25 days later on March 27, 33 A.D. at the triumphal entry. There was then a gap of 57 days in which all four spring feasts were fulfilled, the last of which was Pentecost, which occurred on May 22, 33 A.D.—the start of the historical church period. I believe that the reason for the 57-day gap was likely to align the start of the historical church period with the Feast of Pentecost and to fulfill the four spring feasts outside of the sixty-nine weeks. Thus, it readily stands to reason that sixty-nine weeks have transpired for Israel and only one week is left, the 70th Week. But as we all know, the 70th Week, which is detailed in Revelation, as of the writing of this book, has not yet begun. Between the sixty-ninth and the 70th Week is the time that Israel has been rejected and is being disciplined by God.

The time in which Israel has been disciplined and rejected by God is the “two days.” Hosea 6:1–2 tells us about the two days.

Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. (italics mine)

This passage tells us that God has disciplined and rejected Israel for two days because of their sin. After the two days, God will revive Israel; and in the third day, He will raise them up, meaning that Israel will be made alive—that is, they will be saved. When did God “officially” reject Israel? Many believe that this began at the birth of the church, which occurred at Pentecost. Some say it occurred at the ripping of the veil. Others say it occurred at the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Out of all of these, I believe the most probable is Pentecost. Thus, if we assume that Israel was rejected at Pentecost, the birthday of the church, the two days that Israel has been rejected would have started then. This period of time can also be referred to as the historical church period....