Prophetic Events — page 12

[ Note: *The gospel of the Kingdom must not be confused with the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), which Christians are preaching today. The gospel of the grace of God promises justification by faith in Christ and a home with Him in heaven for all eternity. The gospel of the Kingdom declares the good news of the coming of the King who will establish His Kingdom, in power, over the earth. Those who come to believe in the gospel of the Kingdom when it is preached, and are preserved during the tribulation, will enter the Kingdom to enjoy its blessings on the earth. It is the same gospel that was preached before Pentecost by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:1,2), by the Lord Jesus Christ, the King (Matt. 4:17), and by His disciples (Matt. 10:7). ] THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL The great multitude of Jews (the "many" of Dan. 9:27) will make a covenant with the revived Roman Empire to seek what they will think to be a protection from the neighboring Arab nations and from the growing political pressure in the Middle East. They will trust in the military power of Rome (the Beast) instead of trusting in the Lord. Dan. 9:27, Isa. 28:14-19, Isa. 8:9, 1 Thess. 5:3, Ps. 20:7.

The faithful remnant of Jews will be counseled (probably through the voice of the prophets among them) not to take part in the covenant, but to sanctify the Lord of Hosts in their hearts and trust in Him alone. Isa. 8:11-13, Ps. 20:7.

The signing of this "covenant with death" and "agreement with hell", between the Jews and the Roman Beast, will begin the prophetic week of Daniel's 70 Weeks, then still to be fulfilled.* That week equals a period of seven years.

[ Note: *It should be noted that this seven-year period of the prophecy does not begin with the calling of the Church, known as the rapture, but with the covenant being made. There will be a short period of time between the rapture of the Church and the establishment of the covenant, perhaps a period of days or weeks. It is clear that the Roman Empire cannot make a covenant with the Jews before it exists. This requires that the Empire be re-established first. Dan. 9:27; Isa. 28:14-19. ] There will be a seven-year period of tribulation. This tribulation will fall upon the whole world (Rev. 3:10) but mainly upon the Jews for rejecting their Messiah (Jer. 30:7). During this period God will begin to deal with the nation of Israel to bring into the blessings of the Kingdom those among them who are authentic.