I have been watching a lot of videos as of late and the majority of people are posting how they believe the tribulation is 2,550 days. They come to this conclusion by an inaccurate reading of Daniel 12.
Please allow me to explain.
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.” – Daniel 12:11,12
People often read verse 11 and assume that it will be 1,290 days from the mid-point of the tribulation till its end. But, in reality, the tribulation lasts for 2,520 days. This is understood to be 7 sets of 360 days. A set of seven prophetic years is always 2,520 days.
“Seventy weeks (sevens) are determined for your people (the Jews) and for your holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression,1 to make an end of sins,2 to make reconciliation for iniquity,3 to bring in everlasting righteousness, 4 to seal up vision 5 and prophecy, 6 and to anoint the Most Holy.7” – Daniel 9:24
A further study of verses 25 and 26 reveals that 69 weeks have already been completed, “when Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself.” (vs.26a) The Messiah is Jesus; He was cut off, (crucified on a cross), but not for Himself, Jesus died and rose again for the sin of the world; my sin and your sin.
The 69 weeks are 69 x 2,520 day periods. There is one week left to be fulfilled and it’s the seven-year tribulation period, which is that last set of seven prophetic years lasting 2,520 days. The question is often asked, why then does Daniel 12:11 mentioned 1,290 days, 30 days more? More importantly, why does Daniel 12:12 mention another 45 days, bringing it to 1,335 days?
The brief answer is that when Jesus returns in His glorious Second Coming, most likely on a future Day of Atonement; it will be exact 2,520 days after the signing of the treaty between Israel and the antichrist. The tribulation ends the day Jesus returns to the earth with all of us (His Church, now His bride).
The working theory is that the first 30 days after the tribulation ends is, among other things, the cleansing of the temple. The second 45 days is, among other things, the Judgment of the Nations. This 75-day interval is what separates the last day of the tribulation with the first day of the Millennial Reign of Christ. Right now a lot of watchers want to link the Feast of Trumpets 2025 with the Day of Atonement 2032 to get their version of a 2,550 day tribulation, but the Word says it’s only 2,520 days.
The Rapture is not what starts the seven-year tribulation; rather, it’s the signing of the treaty between Israel and the antichrist. Even though the UN is planning to format a seven-year treaty on this coming Feast of Trumpets, it may not actually be signed then; mainly because we’re all still here. The restraining power of the Holy Spirit keeps the devil at bay and the man of sin cannot be revealed until after we’re gone.
Paul reminds us, “only He (the Holy Spirit) who now restrains will do so until He (the Holy Spirit) is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed,” – 2 Thessalonians 2:7b-8a
The Holy Spirit-filled Church is who holds back the revealing of the antichrist. The Holy Spirit will continue to work on the earth during the tribulation, but His restraining power will be removed when we are. There is a sequence here, first the Rapture occurs when the Church is removed, ‘then the lawless one will be revealed.’
Most likely what will happen is the chaos created by the Rapture, combined with a few other simultaneous attacks (nuclear or otherwise), will throw this world into a spin. When the proverbial dust finally settles, then this man of sin will rise from the ashes and strengthen and seal the deal with Israel, thus starting the clock on Daniuel’s 70th week. The signing of this accord will most likely occur 30 days after the Rapture, which will realign the timing to fit a Day of Atonement Second Coming seven-years (2,520 days) later. I only say this to reveal the correct length of the tribulation to be exactly what the Bible says it is, 2,520 days, not 2,550 days.
I close with this, we read in Acts 18 how… “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” – Acts 18:24-26
I simply want to explain this more accurately. There is a lot of disagreement and divisions happening within the body of Christ right now and we all need to step back, take a breath, and ask the Lord to help us discern what He is doing regarding His return for us. God says that ‘He will do nothing unless He reveals it to His servants, the prophets.’ (Amos 3:7) Elisha and the other prophets knew the exact day Elijah would be taken up. (2 Kings 2:3) Paul told us that he ‘wouldn’t have to write to us’ regarding the timing of the Lord’s return, that we would know. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) Jesus said that we would know when He was near, ‘even at the doors.’ (Matthew 24:33) All I am saying is that it’s not a far stretch for the Lord to reveal the season of His return to us. This Feast of Trumpets might be it. We won’t know till we’re there.
In the meantime, what little time that we do have left should be used to be a good witness for Jesus. We should not be tainted by division, schisms, and other hurtful words. If we really believe that Jesus is coming for us this Feast of Trumpets, then we need to be living in a way that is honoring to the Master so we can be useful to Him for every good work. If He doesn’t return now, then we need to keep soldiering on. We shouldn’t scoff or mock those who are excited about a possible Rosh Hashanah Rapture this year. We should celebrate the possibility of the Lord’s return with them, and be mature enough in our faith to keep on if He delays. We shouldn’t ‘beat the fellow servants,’ (Luke 12:45) but encourage them as we watch and wait for our Lord.
I have been so encouraged by all of the ‘confirmation’ testimonies that people are giving. It blesses me so much to hear how the Lord is speaking to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am joyful and excited when I can see God’s joy in you all as you express your love for Jesus and His word for you. I hope that you are also encouraged and will be edified even more as we see the Day approaching. Be strong in the Lord, don’t lose faith in Jesus, and keep on keeping on; we’re almost home!
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, who resides in Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 37-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Lead Pastor (30+ years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 