Ted's Response:

There are a handful of theories about the prophecy in Daniel 9:27 of the 70th Week. You can click on that link to read about the main ones, including mine.

Basically, some believe that this entire 7-year period occurred in the first century. Some believe that the first half occurred in the first century, with the second half yet to happen. And some believe that the entire 7 years will take place at the end of the age. I have my personal view about this, which is reflected in an email response to someone who wanted my opinion about a video that someone made; he believes the second option above. This is not really what I want to point out to you, although some of the information I will include below is contained in that email response: Could the first half of the Tribulation have occurred during Jesus' final 3˝ years on earth, with the second 3˝ years to take place in the future?

In case you are not aware, there is a 7-year agreement, the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), in which Israel currently is engaged. Here is one of the ENP documents pertaining specifically to Israel: European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument: Israel. It has been suggested that the ENP is the 70th Week covenant and that a 2-year "gap" or "hiatus" is separating the first 3˝ years and the second 3˝ years of the covenant, much like how there was about a 2-millennium gap between the 69th and the 70th weeks of the original prophecy. The thinking, then, is that the second 3˝ years will commence this year, much like how the second half of a football game begins after a half-time break.

For the past several weeks, I have received emails from various sources suggesting that the second 3˝ years, and the Great Tribulation, might begin during Passover week, April 6-14, 2012. The following 6-minute news report is merely one example: Bible Codes 2012.  Now, let me lay out a foundation before providing details, which at this point are purely speculative and unconfirmed.

The important time period of 1,260 days is mentioned in Revelation 11:3 and 12:6. In Revelation 11:9,11, there are 3˝ more days added, for a total of 1,263˝ days as the length of the second 3˝ years (not the first 3˝ years, as some have thought—see Are the 1,260 days mentioned in Revelation a reference to the first half or to the second half of the 70th Week?). For a moment, let's round this up to 1,264 days. Then I believe that Revelation 11:15-17, in association with the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet, is showing that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) will return back to earth to rule and reign in His kingdom.

For well over two decades, I have believed quite firmly that Jesus will return to earth, on the last day of the final 3˝ years of the 70th Week, on the Day of Atonement = Yom Kippur of some year. (See Calendar of Hebraic Holy Days 2010–2018.) So, with complete conjecture and inference, I took the date of the Day of Atonement, September 23, 2015, and made that be day #1,264. (If we consider that the Day of Atonement = Yom Kippur actually begins at sunset the evening before, then we can measure the amount of time up to that point as 1,263˝ days.) Counting backwards, we arrive at the Feast of Firstfruits = Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, as day #1.

Thus, on April 8, 2012, I will be looking to see if, by some chance, outside armies have gathered in or around Jerusalem (Luke 21:20). If so, I also will be looking for the possibility that the "abomination that causes desolation" (Matthew 24:15) will be on the verge of being set up, and I also will be considering the possibility that the Great Tribulation has begun.

Furthermore, if armies have been called in, I would anticipate the possibility, on April 8, that the two witnesses will begin warning of the desolation soon to come to Jerusalem. Initially, their presence might not be widely recognized; perhaps they would be seen and known locally, and with time they would gain international recognition due to all the things they will be doing (Revelation 11:3-6). If April 8 were the first day of their appearance, then I would anticipate the "abomination of desolation" to be set up on April 11 or 12. This would begin the 1,290-day and 1,335-day counts of Daniel 12:11,12, with Jesus returning on day #1,260 and encompassing an additional 30 days and then 45 days beyond that.

Incidentally, Jesus pointed out that the abomination will be set up in the "holy place," which probably will not be the Third Temple, as I do not believe that the latter must be standing for end-time events to transpire. In Ezra 3:1-6, sacrifice and offering took place on an altar even before the foundation of the Second Temple was laid.

Finally, for a long time I have believed that, most likely, there will be multiple rapture episodes, with the Pre-wrath Rapture being the main event (on the Feast of Trumpets = Rosh HaShanah, about a year prior to the Day of Atonement on which Jesus will return to earth). This is considering God's "day of vengeance" to last a year, according to Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, 63:4, along with other plausible reasons as well.

Looking at Matthew 25:1-13, I also have considered the possibility of a rapture of "firstfruits" believers or the first five "virgins." It may be noteworthy that the Bridegroom arrives at "midnight" (25:6). Perhaps this is an indication that this event will be a Mid-tribulation Rapture. It also would appear to fall in line with Jesus' statements seeming to indicate that no believer would know the day or hour of his/her being caught up and away (Matthew 24:34, 25:13).

If this were to be the case, I have to consider the possibility that this "firstfruits" rapture of some believers could occur on the Feast of Firstfruits (the same day that Jesus rose from the dead), 3˝ years prior to Jesus' return on Yom Kippur. This is the day that the "firstfruits" or "first grain" (of barley) was to be presented by the Israelites (Leviticus 23:9,10). COULD all of this, potentially, be pointing to the Feast of Firstfruits, April 8, 2012 as the day of a "firstfruits" rapture? I do not know, nor do I know who might qualify to be taken.

Perhaps the ones to be taken would be those who understand that Yeshua/Jesus did not come to abolish the Law or Torah but to fulfill and implement it (Matthew 5:17). It continues to be important to pay attention to the commands of the Torah—in particular, the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:7), which consists of Exodus 20-23—just as Jesus did. Submitting to these commandments does not save a person unto eternal life; only acknowledging the shed blood of Jesus, for the remission of one's sins, can do that. However, embracing the guidelines and principles of the Book of the Covenant demonstrates to God that we love His ways and want to mirror the righteousness and justice that the Son of God exhibited in His life.

It also is important to understand that non-bloodline Jews and Israelites have been grafted into the “root” of Israel, and only by that means can they be recipients and partakers of God's new covenant.  That is, the Church has not replaced or superseded Israel in the eyes of God.

Maybe those who are part of a Feast of Firstfruits catching-away event, if one should take place, will have just celebrated Passover on April 6 or 7, demonstrating that they have understood the importance of observing the Hebraic Spring Festivals/Holy Days. (Jesus, a Jew, not only observed them but He fulfilled all of them at His first coming—see How is it that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jewish Spring and Fall feasts and holy days?) Maybe these "firstfruits" believers also will have "overcome" something (Revelation 3:12), perhaps some major temptation or abhorrent sin, thus demonstrating their readiness to "crucify their sinful nature" and their eagerness to live by God's Spirit (Galatians 5:24,25). So, considering all of these things, I will be waiting and watching intently for momentous and stunning events possibly to take place during Passover week in April 2012.