Those who believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God have wondered, for centuries, when prominent end-time prophecies would be fulfilled. People in virtually every generation have seen and experienced events making them think and feel that the end of the age was imminent. So far, of course, this has not been the case.
Most people did not fully comprehend the prophesied events of Jesus’ first coming, even as they were taking place. Likewise, any attempt to identify the exact timing and sequence of prophetic end-time events, relating to His second coming, only can be speculative and provisional. Many things that we have learned about in church and elsewhere most likely will not take place exactly the way we’ve always heard that they would.
Notwithstanding this, there may be indicators signaling that the onset of the Great Tribulation is very near. Perhaps this dreadful and frightful period could commence as soon as Passover week, April 10-18, 2017. If so, presumably, this age would culminate 3½ years later in 2020, with the return of Jesus, with the final Kingdom of God and of His Christ coming to the earth
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It seems that most Bible scholars would agree that the 70th Week would commence with a seven-year agreement or accord, confirming or strengthening a prior covenant, involving many nations—including Daniel’s people and holy city
He will confirm a covenant with many for one “seven,” but in the middle of that “seven” he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.A few years ago, many felt that a particular seven-year accord that included Israel, known as the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), could have been the prophesied 70th Week agreement of(Daniel 9:27—NIV)
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.(Daniel 9:27—NKJV)
And he shall confirm a brit [covenant] with rabbim [the many] for one heptad [week of seven years]; and in the midst of the heptad he shall cause the zevach [sacrifice] and the minchah [gift offering] to cease, and on the kenaf [wing or overspreading] of the abominations is one making desolate, even until the complete destruction, a destruction that is decreed, shall be poured out upon the Shomem [Desolator, Destroyer].(Daniel 9:27—OJB)
In the Fall of 2006, the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)—also known as the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI)—was established for seven years: 2007–2013. Besides several European nations, many partner countries signed onto the ENP. Israel was the first non-European nation to sign on.
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The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument for Israel (ENPI: Israel) was established on October 24, 2006. It covered the seven-year interval January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2013, with the middle year of that period being 2010. Prior to this, Israel never had entered into a seven-year agreement with any other nation or nations.
One thing that was uncertain, though, was what prior covenant the ENP might have confirmed. Some were suggested, such as one of the Oslo Accords, the Barcelona Process or the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EuroMed). However, it was uncertain how the ENP might have confirmed or strengthened any of these accords.
Had the ENP (and accompanying ENPI: Israel) been the prophesied seven-year agreement of
Therefore, the hypothesis that we had entered the 70th Week or so-called “tribulation” period was incorrect. However another possibility for the prophesied seven-year accord has arisen since then: the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI).
At the beginning of 2014, the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) went into effect for seven years: 2014–2020. The same partner countries in the ENP (European Neighbourhood Policy) are members of the ENI (European Neighbourhood Instrument), except for the Russian Federation. Cooperation with Syria currently is suspended, due to the unstable political situation there.
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The European Parliament approved the European Neighbourhood Instrument on November 12, 2013. It was endorsed by 618 votes to 53 votes, with 8 abstentions.
Giving incentives and rewarding best performers, as well as offering funds in a faster and more flexible manner, are the two main principles underlying the ENI. It continues the funding of the ENP with more than €15.4 billion. The ENI is in effect for the 7-year period from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2020.
As such, the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) could be the seven-year (2014–2020) agreement that fulfills the prophecy to “confirm a covenant with many” for one “seven” (or “week” of years) in
The middle day of a regular week is Wednesday. Similarly, the middle year of the “week” of seven years, from 2014 through 2020, is 2017. If the ENI is the prophesied seven-year accord, then this ongoing agreement should be broken with Israel in 2017, along with a halting of sacrifice and offering and the abomination that causes desolation
It has been felt, by many, that the prophesied 70th Week accord or agreement would commence with a “peace treaty” or at least involve some type of provisions for “peace” (albeit failed), involving Israel and a Palestinian state. However, nowhere does Scripture indicate, specifically, that the 7-year agreement in
Indeed, though, Israel’s ENPI document (for the period 2007-2013) does contain peace-related phrases such as the following:
The ENI is a confirmation, strengthening and increased funding of the elements of the ENP and the ENPI. As such, it sustains hopeful expectations of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. In fact, though, such a man-made peace is unrealistic, idealistic and destined for failure, since Yeshua/Jesus is the only one who can bring about and sustain such peace.
On December 23, 2016, the United Nations adopted U.N. Security Council resolution 2334. Of the 15-member council, 14 nations voted in favor of the resolution, with one abstention.
Permanent Members with Veto Power | ||||
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Nation | Vote | Nation | Vote | |
France Russian Federation | Yes Yes Yes | United Kingdom United States | Yes Abstain |
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Non-permanent Members | ||||
Nation | Vote | Nation | Vote | |
Angola Egypt Japan Malaysia New Zealand | Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes | Senegal Spain Ukraine Uruguay Venezuela | Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
For the first time in almost four decades, the United States—the only nation to abstain from voting—failed to wield its veto power on behalf of Israel. Had it done so, the resolution would not have passed.
The resolution states that the establishment of settlements by Israel has “no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law.” It condemns “all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.” It also demands that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.”
It is in East Jerusalem that Israel’s holiest and most important sites—the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and the Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives—are located. Also, the Jewish Quarter is in East Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a firm response to the resolution. He said, “Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the U.N. and will not abide by its terms.” He also referred to the “peace” conference in Paris on January 15, 2017, as “useless.” As noted in the Middle East Peace Conference Joint Declaration on that date, those attending the conference “welcomed international efforts to advance Middle East peace,” including the adoption of U.N. Security Council resolution 2334.
One paragraph of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument for Israel document from 2006, which still is in effect, reads this way:
Relations between the EU and Israel are also part of the Union’s wider efforts to contribute to a resolution of the Middle East conflict. The achievement of lasting peace in the Middle East is a central aim of the EU, whose main objective is a two-State solution leading to a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on implementation of the Road Map, with Israel and a democratic, viable, peaceful and sovereign Palestinian State living side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders and enjoying normal relations with their neighbours.
A portion of the final sentence is a virtual match with the ninth paragraph of U.N. Security Council resolution 2334:
Reiterating its vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders....
The 7-year European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), extending from 2014 to 2020, is a confirmation and strengthening of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) covenant, which includes Israel. Looking at this map, it can be seen that there is a line from “PALESTINE” to the West Bank in Israel, which seems to imply that the ultimate existence of a Palestinian state should take place.
A “covenant” is considered to be a “pledge,” a “guarantee,” a “promise” or a “commitment.” Looking at the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument for Israel, the U.N. could say that by signing this covenant, Israel pledged, guaranteed and promised that the formation of a Palestinian state, alongside Israel, would be achieved. It was a commitment that never happened.
Thus, with the passage of the U.N. Security Council’s anti-Israel resolution on December 23, 2016, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Israel could be forced, by the U.N., to accept the existence of this Palestinian state. It could be said that the European Neighbourhood, including Israel, signed a covenant, the ENP, agreeing to this and then signed another agreement, the ENI, confirming that covenant.
Potentially, the passage of U.N. Security Council resolution 2334 could have a profoundly devastating effect on Israel’s national security. Most likely, this would begin in the region sometimes referred to as Judea, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which U.N. Security Council resolution 2334 refers to as “Palestinian territory.”
Conceivably, if Israel refuses to abide by the terms of this resolution, it could result in Jerusalem’s being surrounded by armies, in its imminent desolation and in people fleeing the region of Judea (all included in the anticipated prophetic events section later). In fact, Jesus said that all of these things would happen one day:
When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.Jesus also said that after the fleeing of those from Judea takes place(Luke 21:20,21)
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.A time of trouble, disorder, lawlessness, economic collapse, hyperinflation, famines, great earthquakes, chaos, anarchy, destruction and death will ensue, and it will last for 1,260 days(Matthew 24:21,22—KJV)
The years 2014 and 2015 were the first and second years of the seven-year run (2014–2020) of the European Neighbourhood Instrument, described in an earier section. During those two years, there were four “blood red” lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses, all taking place on significant days on the Hebraic calendar.
It is very unusual for there to be even a couple of eclipses on Hebraic feast and holy days in one year. More significantly, it is quite rare for six eclipses to take place on Hebraic feast and holy days during two consecutive years. Perhaps, then, these were warnings by God to Israel that they had entered the 70th Week and that the dreadful time of Great Tribulation was very near.
Lunar and Solar Eclipses: 2014 & 2015Total Lunar Eclipse | Apr. 15, 2014 | Passover |
Total Lunar Eclipse | Oct. 8, 2014 | Feast of Tabernacles |
Total Solar Eclipse | Mar. 20, 2015 | Rosh Chodesh Nisan |
Total Lunar Eclipse | Apr. 4, 2015 | Passover |
Partial Solar Eclipse | Sep. 13, 2015 | |
Total Lunar Eclipse | Sep. 28, 2015 | Feast of Tabernacles |
The only blood moon eclipse in 2014 and 2015 seen in Israel—as the people were outside dwelling in their booths (sukkot or sukkas)—was on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles = Sukkot, September 28, 2015. See Blood Moons on Hebraic Feast and Holy Days.
It has been suggested that the solar eclipses, during the period of four “blood moons,” portend calamitous events for the nations. Possible examples, among many, were the notable drop in the U.S. GDP during the first quarter of 2014 and the severe 2015–16 Chinese stock market turbulence.There was a substantial 10.7% decrease in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, from August 17 to August 25, 2015. Also, in 2015, the market suffered its worst third quarter since 2011, as well as the only overall annual decline since 2008.
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will pass across the entire United States, from Oregon to South Carolina. The U.S. is the only country that is on the eclipse’s path of totality, which can be seen by observers in 12 states (and perhaps tiny portions of 2 other states).
The last total eclipse that crossed the U.S., from coast to coast, was in 1918. However, this is the first total eclipse that is exclusive to the U.S. in the nation’s history. These two videos provide more information:
Everything You Need To Know about the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (video length = 1½ minute) | 2017 Total Solar Eclipse in the U.S. (video length = 48 seconds) |
There seem to have been further warning signs in 2014, 2015 & 2016:
“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”(Luke 21:9-11)
It has been suggested that the eclipses in 2014 and 2015 foreshadowed dire events for Israel. In fact, as shown above, in the spring and summer of 2014, there were thousands of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel. All of the rockets originated from the Gaza Strip. In the fall of 2015, there was a wave of stabbing attacks on Jews in Israel by Palestinian assailants. In the fall of 2016, there were several days of Palestinian wildfire attacks on Israel, which resulted in a great deal of destruction.
In case all of these events were precursors to major prophetic events taking place in 2017 and beyond (not just in Israel. but worldwide), then other dire events can be expected to follow. Presumably, these will include, but will not be limited to, the following:
The dreadful period of Great Tribulation will commence in the middle year of the 70th Week. Jesus described that period of time this way:
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.There are distinct and recognizable events that must take place in the middle year of the 70th Week, just prior to the onset of the Great Tribulation period and the final 3½ years. Most likely, these events will occur during a Passover week, perhaps as early as 2017. Further details about this are in my significant dates section later. The events may not necessarily take place in the order listed:(Matthew 24:21,22—KJV)
Presumably, it is at this time that the identity of this “man of lawlessness” or Antichrist will be “revealed”
After being revealed, he will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God and will proclaim himself to be God
During the Great Tribulation, as much as a quarter of the world’s population will be killed, or perhaps death from several causes will increase greatly over a quarter of the world’s area
There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus’ future fulfillment of Yom Kippur = Day of Atonement will be His second advent back to earth, in conjunction with the blowing of God’s Seventh Trumpet of judgment
The Yom Kippur on which Jesus—the great and sinless High Priest
The second half of the 70th Week will be 1,260 days
Potentially then, in view of this time frame, April 14, 2017, could mark the beginning of the dreaded Great Tribulation period. So, suffice it to say that if the final 3½ years of this age begin in 2017, the six events listed in the anticipated prophetic events section should take place during the latter portion of Feast of Unleavened Bread = Passover week, April 10-18, 2017, and perhaps a few days thereafter.
During Passover seders, a place-setting and an empty chair are provided for Elijah. Long ago, this famous prophet in Israel was taken alive up to heaven in a whirlwind
There will be Passover seders on Monday and Tuesday nights, April 10 and 11, 2017. Should Elijah (as one of the the two witnesses) happen to return to Jerusalem on one of those nights and begin his prophesying on Friday, April 14, 2017, presumably that would be the first day of the 1,263½-day count up to the return of Yeshua/Jesus on Yom Kippur, September 27 or 28, 2020.
Perhaps 3½ to 4 days after April 14, 2017, on April 17 or 18, is when the abomination that causes desolation will be set up in the holy place and armies will surround or attack Jerusalem, resulting in many people in Jerusalem fleeing to a mountain/desert region
Therefore, the 1,260 days of Revelation 11:3 and the 1,260 days of Revelation 12:6 may not be exactly the same span of time, although they would mostly overlap. The latter 1,260 days will begin with the setting up of the abomination that causes desolation. The Battle of Armageddon will take place 1,260 days + 30 days = 1,290 days later
The final 3½ years of this age was referred to by Daniel and by John as “a time, times and half a time”
Yet, I leave open the possibility for a Mid-Tribulation Rapture to occur at the beginning of the final 3½ years. (See more details in “Is it possible that Jesus' parable about the ten virgins could indicate that there will be a Mid-tribulation Rapture?”) This would be a catching up of a subset of believers, and it aptly could be referred to as a “Firstfruits Rapture” of believers, in keeping with Jesus Christ’s “firstfruits” resurrection from the dead on this day:
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.If such an event takes place, the most likely day would seem to be on the Feast of Firstfruits = Resurrection Day (often called “Easter Sunday”), April 16, 2017: the day commemorating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.(1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
Now, after the prophetic Fifth Seal of the Heavenly Scroll is opened, the souls slain for the word of God and for their testimony will cry out for God to avenge their blood by judging the inhabitants of the earth
Yeshua/Jesus fulfilled the Hebraic Spring Festivals/Holy Days at His first coming, and He will fulfill the Hebraic Fall Festivals/Holy Days at His second coming. Most likely, the primary Rapture event
That year of God’s vengeance and wrath could begin as soon as September 30, 2019, which is the first full day of the Feast of Trumpets (FOT) in 2019. About one year later, on September 28, 2020, is the first full day of Yom Kippur (FOT) = Day of Atonement. This is when Jesus may return, at the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet, to set up His Kingdom and to rule and reign over the whole earth
In the 12th Century, St. Malachy O’Morgair, the Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland, said that he had a prophetic vision of the 112 popes following Pope Celestine II, who died in 1144. The descriptions of all 112 Popes are here: St. Malachy's Prophecy of the Final 112 Popes. These are St. Malachy’s Latin descriptions (in italics) for the final five Popes:
Thus, Pope Francis could be the final pope. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, so one might wonder how he could be considered to be Petrus Romanus or “Peter of Rome.” In fact Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) is of Italian descent because his father, Mario José Bergoglio, was an Italian immigrant to Argentina.
Also, Pope Francis named himself after St. Francis of Assisi, who was an Italian or Roman priest. His original name was Giovanni di Pietro (Peter) di Bernardone or “Peter the Roman”; and, of course, Pope Francis does reside at the Vatican in Rome.
Furthermore, Pope Francis has reaffirmed the authority of the Roman Pontiff over the Church. He also has emphasized the supremacy of the Roman Catholic Faith and the Roman Catholic Church above all other religions and denominations, as well as its authority over all Christians and all peoples of the world.
In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh had two dreams. One was about seven fat cows and seven scrawny cows, and the other was about seven full heads of grain and seven withered heads of grain. God enabled Joseph to interpret the meanings of Pharaoh’s dreams: There were going to be seven years of great abundance and plenty, followed by seven years of severe famine and scarcity
Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of collecting and storing food and grain during the seven abundant years. This prolific amount of food and grain would be used to feed the people of Egypt, as well as the people of all the other nations that had not prepared for the seven years of extreme famine to follow
Evidently, Egypt was the only nation that prepared, during seven prolific years, for the seven years of dearth to come. So Egypt was the only exception to the rule of all the nations who failed to prepare.
It may be plausible to consider that the seven years in which the European Neighbourhood Policy was in effect (2007–2013) should have been years of gathering, saving and preparation for the seven years in which the European Neighbourhood Instrument is in effect (2014–2020). However, I know of no nation that actively has been preparing.
Unfortunately, this includes the United States, which actually has done the opposite: added substantially to its national debt (now over $20 trillion), as well as having implemented many very destructive and costly policies, such as Obamacare and immigration reform. In 2015, Greece became the first developed country to fail to make an IMF loan repayment and is, essentially, bankrupt. Nations such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Venezuela, the territory of Puerto Rico and others are in similar situations.
As such, at a minimum, it might be prudent to begin accumulating items on the Adversity Supplies Basic Check List, in case the socioeconomic collapse of many nations is near. Even the accumulation and storage of food and water, for extended periods of time, might be a good idea: Wise Food Storage.
Following Jesus’ first coming, it was possible to look back at Old Testament Scriptures and find verses and passages predicting His birth, birthplace, lineage, suffering, death, resurrection, and other aspects of His life. Some of these are included in my Chapter 3, Part II: Jesus: Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecies. This is an example of “20/20 hindsight.”
I have written about 20/20 vision on my Visual Acuity page. Perhaps, if Jesus returns to rule and reign in the year 2020, we will have “20/20 hindsight” and be able to look back at all the countless verses and passages in the Scriptures, as well as news stories, to see information predicting the details and timing of His Second Coming.
The timing of the return of our Lord, Savior, and Messiah—initially in the clouds at the Rapture and later back to earth—cannot be determined with complete certainty, at least until the final 3½ years of this age (that is, the second half of the 70th Week) have begun. However, with increasing anticipation and expectation, let us look forward to His return, in His perfect timing, to bring absolute righteousness and justice to the world. There is no hope for humanity, nor for this world, other than in the only begotten Son of God, Yeshua/Jesus.
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Copyright © 2014– by Ted M. Montgomery, O.D. Most rights reserved.
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