One of the concepts found in The Revelation is the Tribulation. As described by Jesus through the Apostle John, this is a period of time that none of us wish to experience. It is described throughout the Bible as a time like no other. It is also seven years long, right? Probably not!

Nowhere in The Revelation is a period of seven years noted. There are several indications of three and one-half years or forty-two months (Revelation 11:2), 1260 days (Revelation 11:3, 12:6), and “time, times and half a time” (Revelation 12:14). These “times” could total three and one-half. But nowhere in The Revelation, the book of Sevens, is seven years mentioned. Jesus confirmed this concept when he spoke of the Abomination of Desolation, as foretold by Daniel, that would occur in the “Holy Place”. (Matthew 24:15) Jesus said this would be a sign of the beginning of a time of great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be equaled again. Therefore, it would appear that the Great Tribulation will start at the mid-point of the last seven years and will be three and one-half years long.

Even if it is only half as long, I still do not want to go through it. I am a Pre-Tribulationist (one who believes the Church will be removed before the Tribulation) by personal desire and as a result of my studies. I have written about this in “The Day of the Lord”.

Again, Paul refers to the Abomination of Desolation in II Thessalonians 2:4. Apparently, the church at Thessalonika had been told the Lord had returned and were discouraged because they thought they had been LEFT BEHIND. Paul refers to the event described by Jesus where the “man of lawlessness” sets himself up in the Temple, proclaiming himself to be God. This is an abomination, and Paul says that the church will not be removed until this person is revealed. Whether he is to be revealed to the Church or to the world, I do not know. The coming of the “lawless one” will be accomplished (revealed?) by all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders. (II Thessalonians 2:9)

Paul gives the church at Thessalonika hope, and we have that same hope today. And the Church should know when the Lord is coming. Paul told us in I Thessalonians 5:4-5 that we are children of light and not of darkness. In Hebrews 10:25 we are told to “encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” This again tells us that we will know when the Day is near. So, encourage each other as we have been instructed. We Christians have the Blessed Hope - “the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)