Daniel 8:23-26, “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
Daniel 8:24 is referring to the Anti-Christ who derives his power from Satan himself. The Anti-Christ “shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” is referring to that period known as “The Great Tribulation” or “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble. This is the last three and a half years of the 70th week of Daniel. At that time the Anti-Christ breaks the seven year covenant he made with Israel. At that time he will make Hitler look like a choir boy as he hunts down and kills Jews. This follows the abomination of desolation that Jesus warned of in Matthew 24:15-16, “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
“Are the Saints in the Tribulation?” By Tom Stephens
This well documented article addresses the question of who are the saints mentioned in Revelation.
http://www.raptureready.com/soap/stephens34.html
Mr. Stephens makes a good case for the fact that the Church will be rapture before the start of seven-year tribulation period, or more properly called the 70th week of Daniel. Some prophecy experts believe that the Church will go through at least part of the tribulation because saints are mentioned in the book of Revelation several times. However, one of the mentions of saints is referring to those who have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb during the tribulation period. They are the martyrs that were murdered for their beliefs. Had they developed a personal relationship with Jesus a few years earlier they would be, as CM says, “Watching the proceedings from the mezzanine.” Unfortunately, through their earlier lack of belief they been left behind and they're in the middle of the tribulation.
In his article Mr. Stephens makes several scriptures that definitely lean towards a rapture of the church before the start of Daniels 70th week Including:
Ephesians 1:5; 1:13; 1:20; 2:16; 3:10; 4:30
2 Corinthians 11:2; 1:22
1 Thessalonians. 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:17
1 Peter 2:9
Added Later:
To further flesh out this DQ and for my own understanding, I copied and pasted the verses cited above by Mr. Stephens. We are sealed and adopted by Jesus and I would think therefore under His protection and will be removed before those horrific days.
Ephesians 1:5, "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will"
Ephesians 1:13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise"
Ephesians 1:20, "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places"
Ephesians 2:16, "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby"
Ephesians 3:10, "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"
Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
2 Corinthians 1:22, "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
2 Corinthians 11:2, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
1 Thessalonians. 4:18, " Wherefore comfort one another with these words"
2 Thessalonians 2:17, "Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."
1 Peter 2:9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"
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