The beginning of the Tribulation period is marked by the Antichrist confirming a covenant for seven years of peace in the Middle East(Dan. 9: 27).

The end of the Tribulation period is marked by the Second Coming of Jesus (II Thess. 2:8; Rev. 19:11-21).

But did you know that the Bible says more about what happens at the middle of the Tribulation period and most of it will probably start on the same day.

This article shows how many Mid-Tribulation period events are connected, how consistent the books of Daniel, Matthew, II Thessalonians and Revelation are and how many different individuals (Daniel, Gabriel, Jesus, Paul and John) talked about them.

Daniel chapter 7 records Daniel’s vision of Four Great Beasts. Most prophecy writers agree that the fourth Great Beast is the beast of Revelation that is called the Antichrist (Dan. 7:7-10; Rev. 13:1). He is also called the little horn (Dan. 7:8).

During the Tribulation period, the Ancient of Days (God) will sit in judgment and determine that the Antichrist should be destroyed by fire (Dan. 7:11), and it will happen (Rev. 19:20). Then, one like the Son of Man (Jesus) will replace the rule of Antichrist with the rule of Jesus (Dan. 7:13-14) and He will rule on earth for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-4).

Daniel asked for an interpretation of the vision (Dan. 7:16) and among other things he was told that the saints would be given into the hands of the Antichrist for a time (one year) and times (two years) and the dividing of times (half a year; Dan. 7:25).

This means that there will be severe persecution of believers during the Tribulation period and it will last for three and one-half years. We will soon learn that it will start at the middle of the Tribulation period and last until the Second Coming of Jesus.

Daniel chapter 9 reveals that the angel Gabriel told Daniel the Antichrist will confirm a covenant for one week of years (seven years), but in the middle of that week of years (after three and one-half years) he will cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease (Dan. 9:27). Stopping the sacrifice and oblation at the Temple will mark the middle of the Tribulation period.

Moving from the book of Daniel to the book of Matthew it is recorded that the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Matt. 24:3).

Jesus referred back to the book of Daniel and said when the abomination of desolation (the Antichrist or an image of the Antichrist) stands in the Holy Place (at the Temple) the people of Judea should flee into the mountains (Matt. 24:15-16).

He said, “Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world. And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved” (Matt. 24:21-22). Further down in this article it will be shown that the Jews in Judea will flee at the middle of the Tribulation period.

Moving from the book of Matthew to the book of II Thessalonians it is recorded that apostle Paul said that the Antichrist will exalt “himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (II Thess. 2:4).

It is speculation, but it looks like the Antichrist will visit Israel at the middle of the Tribulation period, enter the Temple, stand in the Holy Place (Holy of Holies), sit in the Temple and declare that he is God, order the Jews to stop the animal sacrifices and start severe persecution of believers all on the same day at the middle of the Tribulation period.

Moving from the book of II Thessalonians to the book of Revelation, the apostle John was told that the outer court of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem will be trodden down by Gentiles for forty-two months (Rev. 11:1-2). That is three and one-half years.

Gabriel said the Temple will be desolate for the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation period (Dan. 9:27). Starting at the middle of the Tribulation period, Gentiles will impact what goes on in Jerusalem and at the Temple.

Earlier we read that Jesus told the Jews to flee into the mountains when all of this happens because there will be severe persecution (Matt. 24:14-15, 21-22).

Moving on in the book of Revelation, the apostle John said the sun-clothed woman (Israel) will flee into the wilderness for a thousand two hundred and threescore days (Rev. 12:6). That is 1260 days which is 42 months, and it is also three and one-half years. The fleeing of Judea and the desolation of the Temple will start on the same day at the middle of the Tribulation period.

John revealed an ominous reason for this. He said Satan and his angels will be cast down to the earth and intensify the persecution of Israel (Rev. 12:7-9, 13).

He added that God will protect Israel for a time, and times, and half a time (Rev. 12:14-15). This means 1260 days which is 42 months, and it is three and one-half years. God’s miraculous protection of the fleeing Jews will start at the middle of the Tribulation period.

All of these passages refer to events that appear to happen or start on the same day. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit, but written by several different people over a period of slightly more than 600 years.

They are complimentary. They don’t contradict each other. And they show why the Bible is so amazing.

They also show that the book of Revelation is more than a book of symbols. It is also Holy Spirit inspired Scripture that links to other Scriptures.

I think it is clear that the Antichrist will rise to power over a Revived Roman Empire (the EU) and head up a powerful military during the Tribulation Period (Dan. 9:26-27).

The Antichrist will do according to his own will (exercise absolute power; Dan. 11:36), prosper until the Tribulation period is over (until the indignation is accomplished; Dan. 11:36) and honor the god of forces (Satan; Dan. 11:38).

He will attack some of the strongest forces on earth (with Satan’s help; Dan. 11:39); defeat the king of the South and the king of the North (Dan. 11:40); overthrow many countries (Dan. 11:41); and plunder Egypt, the Libyans and the Ethiopians (Dan. 11:42-43).

When Jesus breaks the first seal on the seven-sealed scroll he will go forth conquering, and to conquer (Rev. 6:1-2).

By the time the middle of the Tribulation period arrives people will ask, “Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him” (Rev. 13:4)?

For at least 20-30 years (and perhaps more), the EU has “talked about” building a powerful EU military. “Talked about” seems to be an accurate depiction of the situation because every time the subject of a powerful EU military comes up it turns out to be more talk than fact.

The EU nations want to be defended, but some have not paid their fair share of the costs. Some have relied upon their membership in NATO to protect them, but they have spent their money on other things.

Donald Trump came on the scene saying he would put America first. He criticized NATO and said it is obsolete.

He indicated that it would be difficult for him to send American troops to defend NATO countries that aren’t paying their dues. He called non-payment a big deal and said it cannot be ignored.

Donald Trump’s amazing November victory caught more than the American pundits by surprise. It exploded like a bomb in EU offices all over Europe.

Nervous diplomats started calling for an EU military again. The president of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said the European Continent cannot always rely on the U.S. to protect it.

German Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leven, called for an EU military that can match NATO

Other panicked officials expressed similar concerns.

It took just two weeks for the EU Parliament to assemble and pass a non-binding resolution that calls for the creation of a European Defense Union.

The EU Commission will meet in December to consider their resolution.

Is this it? Are world leaders finally going to see a strong EU military? Many experts say it as highly unlikely. And they may be right.

But don’t overlook the fact that God’s Word will be fulfilled. He will allow the Antichrist to rise to power and prosper. Satan will be behind what the wicked one does, etc.

God’s ways are beyond our understanding. When the Hebrew children were trapped against the Red Sea who would have thought that God would part the water and let them cross on dry ground?

When God’s appointed time came for the birth of the Messiah, who would have thought that He would be born in a stable instead of a nice Jewish inn?

Who would have thought that a man that has never held public office could win the nomination for president of the U.S.?

Who would have thought that Donald Trump would criticize NATO and it would trigger a call for an EU military?

It reminds us that God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isa. 55:8).

I don’t know whether the world will soon see an EU military or not, but I want to be careful about trying to explain it in human terms because a spiritual war between God and Satan underlies the events that are taking place. And when the appointed time comes God’s Word will be fulfilled.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com