Is there Biblical evidence that the Rapture takes place on the first day of the Tribulation Period?

Yes, Jesus makes that very clear in Luke 17:26-36. Here Jesus is describing his return at the rapture and he makes it perfectly clear that the rapture will occur on the very day that the tribulation begins. It would be difficult to interpret this in any other way. Let us read it.

Luke 17:26-36 26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage UP TO THE DAY Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But THE DAY LOT LEFT Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 “IT WILL BE JUST LIKE THIS ON THE DAY THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED. 31 ON THAT DAY no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left” 36 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.

This tells us that in two previous like judgments, believers had been removed from the places of judgment on the very day that the judgments began, and they were not part of the judgments. It also tells us that it will be this very same way in the tribulation. Believers will be removed on the first day of the tribulation, before it begins. Other scriptures implying that believers will not go through the wrath include 1 Thess 1:10, 5:9, Isa 26:19-21, Rev 3:10, and Rom 5:9.

Is there Biblical evidence that the Tribulation Period will in fact be a 7 year period of time?

Yes, but first let us define the tribulation period. It is a 7 year period of great wrath upon the earth. It begins with the general rapture occurring on the very first day, so there are no believers remaining on earth as this period begins. It seems that a large number of both Jews and gentiles do become believers soon after this period of wrath begins, including the two witnesses and the 144,000 Jews. God uses this time of great tribulation as a means of bringing about his ultimate will on earth and it concludes with the Second Coming of Jesus and the beginning of the millennium. The description of the events in this seven year period make up the bulk of the book of Revelation. Both Dan 12:1 and Matt 24:21 call this period a time of great distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations, and even from the beginning of the world, until that time. This obviously includes the flood. See Matt 24:21-28, Dan 8:19-26, 9:25-27, 12:1-13, 2 Thess 2:1-12.

There certainly is very clear evidence that this period of tribulation will last for seven years. The best evidence comes from the prophecies of Daniel. He gives us several proofs that this is the case. We find that this proof is confirmed in Revelation. In fact the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation seem to fit together like a hand and glove. We will first look at the prophecy referred to as “Daniels seventy sevens.”

Daniels’ seventy sevens is presented in Dan 9:24-27. This is a prophecy given to Daniel sometime in the sixth century BC. Recall that the city of Jerusalem and the temple had been completely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC. This prophecy foretells that there would be a decree issued sometime in the future that would allow the Jews to restore and rebuild the city. Historically we see that this decree was issued by the Persian king in 444/445 BC. The prophecy says that from the time that this decree was issued until the Anointed One, the Messiah would be killed would be 69 x 7 years. This was precisely fulfilled in 32 AD when Jesus was crucified. The time that had passed was 69 x 7 actual years. We see that the seven in this prophecy was seven actual years. The prophecy continues by saying that there would be an additional 7 year period sometime in the distant future, in the end times. It continues by saying that in the middle of this seven year period the antichrist would go into the temple and commit an abomination that causes desolation. In Matt 24:15-20 Jesus discusses this very act by the antichrist and he goes on to warn the Jews that they should flee to the mountains when they see this happening.

Daniel chapter 7 presents another prophecy of the end times. In Dan 7:25 we see that the antichrist will be in control of the people of the earth for 3 ½ years. This 42 months or 3 ½ years is presented in Jewish speak as a time, times and half a time. We know from Daniels’ seventy sevens above that his control begins in that middle of the seventieth seven. Prophetically we see that at the end of the second 3 ½ years the antichrist will be destroyed and the kingdom of heaven, the millennium, begins. We also see that the saints will rule the earth after this period of tribulation. This is consistent with the large number of Old Testament prophecies that tell us that the saints will one day rule the earth in a paradise like setting.

We will now jump to Revelation and see precise confirmation of Daniel’s prophecies. In Rev 13:5 we see that the antichrist will be given power to exercise his authority for 42 months, or 3 ½ years, exactly as presented in Dan 7:25. In Rev 11:2 we see that the gentiles will trample the holy city for 42 months. Again this confirms Dan 7:25. In Rev 11:3 we see that the two witnesses would be given power to prophecy for 1260 days. This is 42 months or 3 ½ years. This was in the first half of the tribulation. The antichrist ruled in the second half of the tribulation. If we add these two 3 ½ year periods together we get 7 years. Surprised????? Absolutely not.

Now back to Daniel. This time we will go to Daniel chapter 12. Daniel 12:1 begins by talking about the future seven year tribulation period. It states that the angel Michael, the special protector for Israel, will reappear. It states that this seven year period will be the greatest period of distress in the history of the world; Jesus makes the same statement in Matt 24:21. Verse 1 continues by stating that at this time everyone whose name is written in the book of life will be delivered; this will be at the rapture. Verse 2 is presented much more clearly in the NASB than in the NIV or NKJB. It says the following:

Daniel 12:2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt."

“The others” presented here will not be resurrected or judged until after the millennium. Verse 3 says that many of those who arise will then lead many to belief in Jesus; these will shine like angels forever. I can see two possible fulfillments for this. One would be that these may be a part of the 144,000 who lead many to Christ during the first half of the tribulation. For this to be true they would have to be sent back to earth in their glorified bodies. This would explain the sealing of Rev 7 and how the two witnesses of Rev 11:3-6 could not be harmed. Another explanation could be that this is a fulfillment of Isa 66:19-21. This is just before the sheep goat judgment and it says that Jesus sends some of those who survive the tribulation to the nations all over the world to do two things’ (1) to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to everyone and (2) to gather the surviving Jews from all of the world and bring them to Jerusalem. This will be the final re-gathering of the Jews, this time in belief. Those who are proclaiming the gospel to the world may be working in concert with the angel of Rev 14. This seems to be right after the Second Coming. In fact in Rev 14:1-5 we see the 144,000 standing on Mount Zion with Jesus, meaning that they had just returned with him. This may imply that both fulfillments could be true. The 144,000 went out as evangelists for Jesus in the first half of the tribulation and then again just after the Second Coming and before the sheep goat judgment.

Now back to Daniel 12. In verses 5-6 we see two other angels join Daniel standing beside the Euphrates River. One of these angels is asking the angel Gabriel, who is hovering over the river and giving this prophecy, how long it will be before these astonishing things take place. I presume the angel is talking about those things mentioned in verses 2-3 which include the sheep-goat judgment that happens soon after the end of the tribulation period. Dan 12:7 and 12:11 seem to be giving this answer. In Dan 12:7 we see that there will be a time, times and half a time in the first half of the tribulation period until the antichrist overthrows the Jewish people. In Dan 12:11 we see that from the middle of the tribulation until the sheep-goat judgment will be 1290 days. This is 3 ½ years plus an additional 30 days. The prophecy continues by saying “blessed are those who reach the end of the 1335 days.” This is another 45 days. This is apparently when the millennium begins. The 30 + 45 days is 75 days. This may be telling us that the sheep goat judgment may begis 30 days after the Second Coming and end 45 days later.

The flood was an Old Testament period of tribulation and it lasted 1 year plus 10-11 days. God told the Jewish people in Lev 26 that if he punished them for something and then had to punish them again for the same things that he would multiple the punishment by 7. If you multiple the 1 year plus 10-11 days by 7 guess what we get. Seven years plus 75 days. Surprised by this??? Not me.

So, does the tribulation period last for 7 actual years? It certainly does. If fact God recognized that we are ignorant so he told us that it would be 7 years in terms of years, months, days and Jewish speak. He tells us over and over that it will be 7 years using four separate denominations of time. How can anyone possibly get this wrong? Unfortunately few people take the time to study the details. See Rev 11:2, 3, 12:6, 14, 13:5, Dan 7:25, 12: 7, 11, 12, 9:24-27.

Will there be a 75 day period between the Second Coming and the start of the Millennium?

Yes, absolutely as we just established from Dan 12 and Revelation above. During this 75 day period of time Jesus will apparently conduct the Sheep-Goat Judgment, reconstruct the earth, build a large temple in Israel, etc. The sheep-goat judgment is a judgment of all of those still alive on the earth at the end of the Second Coming of Jesus, as described in Matt 25:31-46. The purpose is to decide who will be allowed to remain on earth for the start of the 1000 year millennium period. Only those who are believers in Jesus will be allowed to remain on earth. Those who are not believers will immediately be thrown into Hades to await their ultimate judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment. Rev 19-20 give a great timeline of the period from the Second Coming and the start of the millennium. In order we see the following occurring:

1. The Second Coming takes place with Jesus defeating all of the forces for evil on earth, including human followers of the antichrist, Satan and his angels,
2. Satan is seized and thrown into the Abyss, which is then locked and sealed for 1000 years so that Satan cannot deceive the people of earth,
3. A judgment is conducted for all of those who had been killed in the tribulation and had not worshiped the antichrist; they received their rewards and were then allowed to reign with Christ on earth for 1000 years,
4. The millennium takes place with Jesus reigning as King of kings, and with his glorified followers reigning with him,
5. Satan is released from the Abyss for a short while at the end of the 1000 years to again deceive those living on earth; unfortunately most of the inhabitants choose to accept his deceit and follow him,
6. Satan again attempts to destroy the humans on earth who follow Jesus; God supernaturally destroys all of them,
7. The final judgment of all unbelievers from Adam until that time are then resurrected and judged at the Great White Throne Judgment; all are found guilty and thrown into the lake of fire where their resurrected body is destroyed as a second death,
8. Death, Hades and Satan are all thrown into the lake of fire along with all of Satan’s followers of all ages; Hades since there will no longer be humans and thus no reasons for a jail for those who do not follow God.

Is there Biblical evidence that the Second Coming takes place at the very end of the Tribulation Period?

YES, very clear evidence in fact. Matt 24:29-31 says that IMMEDIATELY AFTER the distress of those days, the Son of Man will appear in the sky, coming on the clouds with power and great glory. He will defeat the antichrist, Satan and his angels. He will send the antichrist and the false prophet to the lake of fire. He will also send Satan and his angels to the Abyss to be held for the 1000 years of the millennium. In context, the distress is the 7 year tribulation period that Jesus had been discussing in previous verses. Also see Rev 19:20, 20:2-3.

The tribulation period is also discussed quite a bit in 2 Thess 2:1-12. This passage tells us several things about the events taking place just before and during the tribulation period. It tells us that there will be a great falling away from God in the time just before the tribulation. It tells us a great deal about the antichrist including the facts that he will oppose God in every way, will set himself up as God in the temple in Jerusalem and that he is doomed to destruction. It tells us that Satan is behind the works of the antichrist and that all kinds of counterfeit miracles will be displayed. Surprisingly we see that God sends a powerful delusion to those on earth so that they will be susceptible to believing the lies of Satan and the antichrist. It also tells us that sometime after the antichrist has been revealed Jesus will come back to earth and destroy the antichrist with the breath of his mouth and the splendor of his coming. We know from Daniel 9:27 and Matt 24:15 that the antichrist goes into the temple in Jerusalem and performs an abomination in the very middle of the 7 year tribulation period. So we can see from this discussion that Jesus Second Coming will occur in the latter stages of the tribulation. This is a second witness, while the above witness told us that the Second Coming would be at the very end of the tribulation period.

The discussion of the Second Coming in Rev 19:11-21 gives us much additional detail about the Second Coming and confirms what we saw in 2 Thess:2:1-12. We have confirmation that the antichrist and the enemies of God will be destroyed by Jesus using the words of his mouth, referred to as a sword here in Revelation (See Eph 6:17). In Rev 20:1-3 we see Satan being seized and thrown into the Abyss for 1000 years. Just before this discussion of the Second Coming in Rev 19:11-21 we saw a vision in Rev 19:7-9 of the raptured believers in heaven all dressed in white linen in preparation for their wedding to the Lamb and for the wedding supper of the Lamb. This wedding takes place in heaven between the Rapture and the Second Coming. In Rev 17:14 and 19:13 we see that the bride returns to earth with Jesus at the Second Coming.

Is there Biblical evidence that the Millennium will in fact last for 1000 earth years?

Yes. We will begin by defining the millennium. Literally speaking, the millennium is a 1000 year period of time at the end of the age when the earth will be returned to a near paradise state and Jesus will reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings. Inhabitants will include living humans as well as all of those believers now having resurrected bodies. It is described as a time of peace and unity. Humans will again live to be well over a hundred years old as the earth is rid of the ravages of sin.

The millennium is spoken of as the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God over and over by Jesus in the Gospels, especially Matthew. Several of the parables in Matthew are about this period of time. Paul referred to this period as “the mystery of the gospel” in Eph 6:19 and said that he was making it known. Paul explains this mystery in Eph 1:9-10 as follows:

9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,10 to be put into effect when the times have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Rev 10:7 tells us when the mystery of God will be fulfilled. “But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” We know when this is; just before the Second Coming of Jesus, when Jesus returns in power and glory. This is amplified in Rev 11:15 in the description of the seventh trumpet judgment. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” This ushers in the 1000 year millennium, which Jesus discussed over and over in his kingdom parables, and which he referred to as the kingdom of heaven, and the kingdom of God. Another aspect of this mystery is given in Rom 2:16, which says the gospel declares that “God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ.”

When does Jesus reign on earth begin? Rev 11:15 tells us it begins when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet and loud angels in heaven proclaim, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever,” When does the seventh angel sound his trumpet? At the end of the 7 year tribulation period.

In Joel chapters 2-3 we see prophetic descriptions of the tribulation period followed by the battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming, followed by the millennium.

In Dan 7:23-27 we see a prophetic discussion of the coming Roman empire, the antichrist who will emerge from this empire in the end times, the heinous things he will do, the defeat of the antichrist followed by the emergence of the kingdom of heaven on earth in which the saints of the most high will reign. In this kingdom all rulers will worship and obey Jesus. Again we see the same sequence of events, one by one in order. We see the antichrist ruling on earth in the tribulation, followed by his destruction, followed by the kingdom of heaven, the millennium.

We see in Rev 20:6 and 2 Tim 2:12 that we will one day reign on earth with Jesus. Rev 20:6 says that this reign will last for 1000 years. This certainly has not happened yet so we must not currently be in the millennium. Rev 17:14, 2 Thess 1:5-10, Isa 35:10 and Joel 2:16 also indicate that we will return to earth with Jesus at his Second Coming.

Of course the most convincing evidence that the millennium will last for 1000 years is presented in Rev 20:1-7 where it is precisely stated as lasting for 1000 years six different times. We see that this 1000 years follows the Second Coming and precedes the final judgments. If the 7 years of the preceding tribulation period is 7 earth years as we saw above, then the 1000 years of the millennium must certainly be counted in earth years.

Is there Biblical evidence that the end of the age and the final judgment will take place at the end of the Millennium?

Yes. In Rev 20:4 we see that those who became believers in the tribulation period and were killed were resurrected to eternal life, with resurrected bodies, and reined with Jesus for the 1000 years of the millennium. As we saw above the New Testament saints will also return to earth with Jesus at the Second Coming and reign with Jesus during the millennium. We know from the Old Testament that the Old Testament saints will also be with Jesus in Israel during the millennium. We see that David will be their king, Ezek 37:24. Ezek 37 discusses the fact that the Jewish nation will be reestablished as a single nation, not two nations, and the Jews will live in the land forever with Jesus living among them.

Will believers of all ages spend eternity in a paradise with God called the New Heaven and New Earth?

Yes. The new heaven and new earth is first introduced to us in the Old Testament in Isa 66:22. A much more complete description is found in Revelation chapters 21-22. We are told that the old order of things has passed away and that God and redeemed man will live together in a paradise like environment forever.

What will be the final destination for unbelievers of all ages, as well as Satan and his angels?

Rev 21:7-8 tells us that believers will inherit the new heaven and new earth and will become sons of God while unbelievers and sinners of all types will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur, which is the second death.

Rev 20:10-15 describes the final judgments of unbelievers as well as Satan and his angels. All will end up in the lake of fire.

FIRST DEATH AND SECOND DEATH: The Bible speaks of a living soul as being a spirit inhabiting a body. In the Bible the “first death” is physical death of the mortal person or soul. It is described as occurring at the time the spirit leaves the body. The body without the spirit is dead. The “second death” is the death of the resurrected body or soul. According to Revelation, this second death applies only to unbelievers, those who stand before the Great White Throne Judgment. It takes place when they are thrown into hell and their resurrected bodies are consumed by the fires of hell, leaving them to exist only as spirits. Just as in the first death, the second death occurs when the spirit leaves the body, only this time it is the resurrected body.

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE OF THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS SURROUNDING THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION

Our site contains several additional studies that confirm the sequence of events surrounding the seven year tribulation period. Again, the rapture takes place right at the very beginning of the seven year tribulation and the Second Coming takes place at the end of the seven year period followed closely by the millennium. Other convincing studies presented on this site that show this include (1) the prophetic significance of the fall feasts of Israel, particularly the feasts of Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles, (2) a model of the Jewish wedding customs and how they model the wedding of the church to Jesus (3) mapping Joshua 6 onto the tribulation judgments and several others listed in the various Revelation study indexes.