Session 3

There are two periods mentioned in the book of Daniel that occur immediately after the end of Daniel’s 70th Week.

The 30 day portion can be classified as The Reclamation Period, and the 45 day portion can be called The Restoration Period. These names are chosen to clarify the things that will happen during each specific period. To understand the 30 day Reclamation Period, we must look back at what will happen at the mid-point of the 70th Week.

Antichrist Demands Worship

The Antichrist will sign a seven year covenant with Israel and other nations and at the mid-point of the 70th Week, or 3½ years into the covenant, he will break the terms of the covenant and demand that the world worship him. 

Dan 9:27 (NIV) He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

The Apostle Paul records more clearly what this “Abomination of Desolation” will be…

2 Thess 2:3-4 (NIV) Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. {4} He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Woman Flees to Wilderness

Next, the scripture tells us that the “woman” will flee to the wilderness.  Most scholars agree that this woman is a symbol for Israel.

Rev 12:13-14 (NIV) When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. {14} The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.

• Time = 1 year; times = 2 years, ½ time = ½ year
• 1 + 2 + ½  =  3 ½ years

Scripture identifies this “wilderness” as the land of Edom.  The prophet Obadiah prophesies against Edom for the way they will treat those of Israel who flee…

Obadiah 1:12,14-15 (NIV) You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble. {14} You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble. {15} The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.

144,000 Are Sealed

Rev 7:3-4 (NIV) “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” {4} Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

Most scholars agree that this 144,000 identifies the “woman.” Therefore, as Antichrist begins to demand the worship of the world, Israel will rebel and at least 144,000 will flee to a desert place prepared for them.

Ezekiel 20:35-38 (NIV) I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you. {36} As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign LORD. {37} I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. {38} I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Two Witnesses Prophesy for 1,260 Days

That number – 1,260 days (or 3½ years) appears again as the book of Revelation foretells of two servants of God that will come on the scene.

Rev 11:3-6 (NIV) And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” {4} These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. {5} If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. {6} These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Many have sought to identify these two witnesses, the scripture doesn’t explicitly tell us.  However, common thought is that these two might be Moses and Elijah.

Trumpet Judgments Begin

Rev 8:1-2,6-7 (NIV) When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. {2} And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. {6} Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. {7} The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

This is an overview of the events that are prophesied to take place during the latter half of the 70th Week.  Much greater detail will be given to these prophesies and their timing further on – but, to understand the 75 days period that follows the 70th Week, the background of prior events must be understood. These 75 days break down as follows:

The 30 day Reclamation Period will consist of four major events that will serve to finalize God’s judgment of the world. Furthermore, as the prophecies are calculated, so often giving the number of days, it is possible to set the timing of the 30 day period and to delineate what will happen during the first five days of this Reclamation Period.

Two Witnesses Killed

First, we can place the timing of the 30 day period because of the prophecy of the death of the two witnesses…

Rev 11:7-8 (NIV) Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. {8} Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

We were told in Rev. 11:3-6 that the witnesses WILL testify for 1,260 days.  Therefore, they cannot be killed until their testimony is finished.  Furthermore, the death of the two witnesses is clearly foretold as occurring just before the seventh angel sounds his trumpet in Rev. 10:7.

• Cannot be killed until end of 1260 Days
• Between 6th and 7th Trumpets

This places the timing clearly at the end of the 70th Week and the beginning of the 30 day period.  Specifically, the witnesses are killed WHEN their testimony is finished.  Therefore, they will be killed on the first day of the 30 day period.

All Israel Saved

Prophecies concerning the salvation of Israel also help pinpoint the timing of events during this 30 days. The Apostle Paul gives us a clue as to what will happen next…

Rom 11:25-26 (NIV) I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. {26} And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.” (emphasis added)

Paul is explaining that all of Israel WILL be saved and he calls it specifically a “mystery.” This exact same term is used in the book of Revelation as the seventh trumpet is about to sound…

Rev 10:7 (NIV) 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. (emphasis added)

The prophet Hosea acknowledges the repentant spirit of Israel at the last day.  He also provides us with a time frame for Israel’s restoration back to their true Messiah.

Hosea 6:1-3 (NIV) Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. {2} After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.{3} Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.

So, the restoration of Israel will be a three day process.  It is also interesting to note that Hosea states that the Lord will appear and come to them.  There are several prophecies that indicate that the Lord will deal personally with Israel in the last day.

Micah 2:12-13 (NIV) “I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen [Bozrah], like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. {13} One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.”  (emphasis added)

The prophet Micah states that Israel (or Jacob) will be gathered like sheep in a pen.  The Hebrew word for pen is the word Bozrah.  In fact the King James Version of the Bible translates this verse as follows…

Micah 2:12 (KJV) … I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold…  (emphasis added)

The conclusion is that Israel will flee to Edom and to the city of Bozrah. It is also important to note that Micah 2:13 prophesies that there is One who will go up before them… “Their King will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.”

The Journey to Jerusalem

Isaiah 63:1-4 (NIV) Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” {2} Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? {3} “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. {4} For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come.

All of these prophesies indicate that Jesus will personally appear to those Israelites who flee to the wilderness.  He will judge them and they will finally acknowledge Jesus Christ as their true Messiah and Lord.  Then he will lead them out of Bozrah on a two day journey to Jerusalem. Other prophecies indicate that the wilderness remnant will not be the only Israelites to come to the Lord. As He journeys to Jerusalem He will be joined by other Jews who remain and will have been in hiding.

Hosea 11:10-11 (NIV) They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. {11} “They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the LORD.

Those who come to Jesus from all over the world are called His children. Other passages indicate that this will be a gathering of all of those who are left – who have accepted Christ as their Savior.

Isaiah 14:1 (NIV) The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob.  (emphasis added)

So, this seems to be a universal gathering of all those who believe in Jesus – what a reunion! One of the most moving scriptures about this time is found in Zechariah…

Zec 12:10 (NIV) And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

As Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem, a multitude of the Israelites will come flocking to Him – recognizing that He is Lord. Now something awesome happens. On the third day Jesus enters Jerusalem. This is also the day prophesied that the two witnesses are resurrected. When the Antichrist kills the two witnesses on the first day of the 30 day period, their bodies will lie in the streets for three days.

Rev 11:10-11 (NIV) The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. {11} But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.

The scripture is not explicit, but the prophecies lead one to believe that Jesus, Himself, arrives in Jerusalem with redeemed Israel and raises the two witnesses from the dead. What a spectacular possibility! Three days have a significant meaning in scripture. When God prepared to appear to the children of Israel in the wilderness, He had them consecrate themselves for three days.

Exodus 19:10-11 (NIV) And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes {11} and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

It seems fitting that in three days, all Israel is saved and the two witnesses are resurrected. Prophecy tells us that once He arrives in Jerusalem, Jesus will lead Israel to the Mount Zion, because He is reclaiming His rule over the earth.

Obadiah 1:21 (NIV) Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.

Rev 14:1,3,4b (NIV) Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their fore-heads. {3} And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. {4} …They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.

At this point the seventh angel sounds his trumpet…

Rev 11:15 (NIV) The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

But God’s judgment is not quite over…

Rev 14:7 (NIV) He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Rev 14:19-20 (NIV) The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. {20} They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Rev 15:1 (NIV) I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues–last, because with them God’s wrath is completed.

God’s final wrath is about the be poured out on the world and it will happen quickly. Revelation describes the seven bowl judgments that follow the seven trumpets. But before these final judgments are poured out, Jesus provides for His followers.

Zechariah 14:4-5 (NIV) On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. {5} You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

In this prophecy, God has prepared a place of refuge for His people before His final wrath is poured out. This is the only place Azel is mentioned, and we know nothing more about it except that it is a place of refuge. Prophecy does mention this time of protection.

Isaiah 26:20-21 (NIV) Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. {21} See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer.

Then the bowl judgments begin…

Rev 16:1 (NIV) Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”

So, the 30 day period ends up looking like this…

The Bowl Judgments

• They will happen quickly (possibly in as little as 25 days?)
• All things affected (rather than 1/3 as in the trumpet judgments)
• Seventh Bowl = Total Devastation
• Followed by Armageddon

Revelation 16:1 (NIV) Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” 2  The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. 3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. 4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; 6 for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” 7 And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” 8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done. 12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15 “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” 16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. 17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

As you read the bowl judgments, it becomes apparent that they follow one another very quickly. For example, the first bowl is a judgment of sores. But, when the fifth bowl of darkness is poured out, the scripture states that the people cursed God because of the sores – the sores were the first bowl.  Therefore the indication is that there will not be much time in between judgments. It makes sense that they would happen in a span of 25 days. Also, the fact that all things are affected would necessitate that the bowls happen quickly, or no one would be left alive.