The term “rapture” comes from the Greek “a snatching away” found in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians Ch.4) and in Revelation. (Revelation 4:1) The rapture is also prophesied by Daniel. (Daniel Ch. 12)

Prophetic history according to Israel was told to Daniel. (Daniel Ch.9) A timetable of 70 weeks of years was appointed to Israel starting at the time Cyrus, King of Persia, gave the decree that Jerusalem could be re-built. After sixty-two weeks of years, 434 years, the “Prince” or Savior, referring to Jesus Christ, was cut-off or killed. Another seven weeks of years, 49 years, was accounted to Israel until Rome destroyed Jerusalem.

From the time Jesus was killed until the rapture of the believers is known as the “Time of the Gentiles”. Jesus called Paul to give the Good News to the Gentiles and this is the reason all mankind is given the gift of salvation through the innocent blood of Jesus Christ. During “the Time of the Gentiles” God has given His Spirit to dwell within His believers which began at the Feast of Pentecost. During Old Testament time, before the time of Jesus, the Spirit of God only dwelled within certain prophets for a certain time to deliver a message to the people.

The seventieth week of Daniel’s vision is a part of Israel’s history. The believers are not accounted unto God’s wrath of the seventieth week. (Luke 21:36; Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians Ch.5) The seventieth week of Daniel’s vision is Israel’s trouble and God’s effort to pour out his wrath on the evil and bring His chosen, Israel, back to Him.

Since the evil man of perdition, the anti-christ, cannot be revealed until the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way; the believers, who have the Holy Spirt residing within, must be “snatched away” or “raptured” before the seventieth week begins. (2 Thessalonians Ch.2) The seventieth week of years, seven years, is described as two halves with a time of peace during the first 3 ½ year and the time of Great Tribulation during the 2nd half of 3 ½ years.

I believe the rapture of the church is the end of the “Time of the Gentiles or Church Age” but does not necessarily begin the “Seventieth Week Clock”. The fact that scriptures outline the last week to the exact number of days per the 30-day per month Jewish calendar is proof that an event will start the “Seventieth Week Clock”. I believe this event will be the “Peace Contract” that will be between Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob, Religious World including Islam and Israel. Genesis Ch. 25

I believe the “Rapture of the Church” will occur before the “Peace Treaty” abruptly ending the “Church Age”. Scriptures proclaim that the “rapture” will occur like a “thief in the night”. (1 Thessalonians Ch.5) I believe the “Rapture of the Church” could have occurred any time in history but God’s grace has continued to wait until one more sinner accepts His great gift of grace. Have you accepted God’s Gift?