Daniel 9:24 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.
The tribulation period – According to Daniel there are yet seven years that are unfulfilled in God’s direct dealings with Israel (Dan 9:24-27). This also included Jerusalem which is a thorn for many people. Jews, Christians and Muslims all consider this city to be important in their beliefs. Jerusalem will be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. God has predicted that Jerusalem will be a burden to people (Zech 12:2-3). The Six Day War was a pivotal point in history regarding prophecy. Until that time Jerusalem was in the hands of Muslims but now it has been captured by the Jews. Even though it is under Jewish control the Mosque of Omar still resides on the temple mount making it difficult to re-build the Jewish temple. Prophecy concerning the anti-Christ confirms that the temple will be re-built at that time (or prior to it) (Dan 9:27; Matt 24:15). The battle of Armageddon as well as the battle in Ezek 38 & 39 will take place around Jerusalem. The re-building of the temple does not necessarily have to take place prior to the rapture; reports are that all the materials are prepared and ready to be put in place so that it could be re-built within a few months.
When Jesus answered the disciples’ questions He did not seem to speak of the church directly in His answer in Matt 24 but verses 4-14 could also be applicable to the church age. Some believe that He cannot come for the church until the entire world has heard the gospel; they confuse verse 14 with the gospel of grace that we preach today. After the Gospel of Mark the phrase Gospel of the Kingdom is not mentioned. In all of Paul’s writings he does not speak of the gospel of the kingdom, but phrases such as my gospel, gospel of grace, gospel of Christ, etc. The Gospel of the Kingdom is what Jesus preached as well as John the Baptist. During the tribulation the 144,000 will preach the Gospel of the Kingdom that will be coming soon after the tribulation period and the wrath of God. This kingdom will be ruled by Christ and those of His church will reign and rule with Him (2 Tim 2:12). We are to prepare for His coming or His summoning us to stand before Him and this is accomplished by confessing we are sinners, believing Jesus is God and that He died for our sin and seek forgiveness through Christ’s finished work on the cross. Are you prepared?