The focus of our attention in this proposition stems from the word after in the following verse from Matthew 24:

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 29  Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

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     When I think of prophecies of the last days being like pieces of a scenery puzzle, this verse reminds me of one of those difficult blue sky pieces!  Though I disagree with the post-trib rapture view, it is easy to see the seeming support for it in what Jesus here says.  Remember that this verse is part of the three verse paragraph I have been referring to as our focal passage (vss. 29-31).  When we consider what Jesus is here saying, and especially of what He says in verse 31 concerning the angels gathering together His elect, it would appear evident that the rapture occurs after the tribulation, hence, the seeming support for the post-trib rapture view.  By contrast, scholars who defend the common pre-trib position typically respond to this by proposing that verse 31 has nothing to do with the rapture in the first place, but with the future re-gathering of the Jews to their homeland (see NOTE #1 at the bottom).  If there were such a passage as one on which a belief might turn, this would be a good candidate.

     What then is my understanding?  It is not what you are used to finding in the web world or in print.  But, I hope that what I will try to show will be found to be solid enough to compel the rethinking of what all the scholars have put forth.  I submit that they have been wrong, and that if you look into the following with an open mind and prayerful heart, you will come to the same conclusion.

     First of all, a common denominator with the prevailing views is the belief that the tribulation Jesus is here speaking of is that of Daniel's 70th Week.  With this being regarded as a given, it seems that all the notch-cutting (like on a key blank) with our focal passage has been done while looking at the question of whether it is also a rapture passage.  But, the answer to this is not the only concern.  Some notch-cutting (or work of interpretation) needs to be done while looking at whether the tribulation Jesus is here speaking of is in fact that of Daniel's 70th Week.  All tribulation is not that of Daniel's 70th Week.

     Let's look at Jesus' statement again, with emphasis upon another word:  "Immediately after the tribulation of those days..."  A question that this emphasis can pose is, "To what days of tribulation was Jesus here referring?"  A quite natural response would be that He was referring to all that He had warned of up to this point.  This would take in all the preceding verses of His discourse, or Matthew 24:4-28.  Yet, there are indications that what He warned of in these verses concerns two different periods of time and tribulation.  While others have also noted this, interpretations vary as to the significance.

     In accord with what I put forth in PROPOSITION K, one period of time and tribulation is outlined in verses 4-14 and agrees with what Christians have observed and experienced throughout the Church Age, even unto our day.  Jesus also spoke of a telling moral decline connected with this period, saying, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt. 24:12).  Sadly, this describes where we are today.

     Note that just a little earlier, Jesus said of this period, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted" (vs. 9).  The word afflicted here is translated from the Greek word thlipsis, the same Greek word that is translated tribulation in our focal passage.  It will help our understanding to remember this word.  In the next couple of paragraphs, it will be used some in place of our English word to emphasize a point.

     The other period of time and tribulation is outlined in verses 15-28 and agrees with what Israelites will observe and experience during the seven years of Daniel's 70th Week---things which we know have not yet been fulfilled.  It opens thus:  "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place..." (vs. 15).  In verse 21, Jesus says of this time that there shall be "great tribulation" or great thlipsis, but even further qualifies this by saying, "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."  While there have been other times of great thlipsis  (like Stephen referred to in Acts 7:11), none have been or will be like this time.  This will indeed be the tribulation, or thlipsis, of Daniel's 70th Week.

     In light of the above, if Jesus is describing two periods of thlipsis  in His discourse, the question of what days of thlipsis  He was referring to when He said, "Immediately after the [thlipsis] of those days" becomes highly relevant.  From this angle, when the "[thlipsis] of those days" is understood to be that of the first period---which includes the thlipsis  of verse nine and what has characterized the Church Age---there is much less difficulty reconciling the order of other events.  In other words, when the pieces of the puzzle are positioned this way, a lot of other pieces begin to fit much better, which is an important consideration.  Understood this way (and in English), "the tribulation of those days" would not be the tribulation of Daniel's 70th Week, but the tribulation of the Church Age, of which we are presently a part (see also NOTE #2).

     Not convinced?  I can certainly understand.  To be quite honest, if we only had what Jesus spoke in His Olivet Discourse, I may have never come to a firm conclusion on this myself.  But, as we have seen, there is more, and the reason there is more is that we need more.  This should not surprise any of us.  As normally the case, we must also look at what God's Word reveals elsewhere.  Of course, a most revealing elsewhere is in The Revelation!

     Consider again the seals of Revelation chapter six.  As I have shown, the first four seals reveal the satanic activity behind the tribulations Jesus warned of in the opening section of His discourse---tribulations that fit the Church Age.  Then, the 5th Seal reveals the cry of martyrs for justice---easily the martyrs of the Church Age.  Next, the 6th Seal reveals the phenomena concerning the sun, the moon, and the stars, which parallels what Jesus spoke of later, in our focal passage.  Now, if the Church is raptured after the opening of the 6th Seal, this would be after the tribulation related to the prior seals and at the time of the sun, moon, and stars phenomena---a sequence that harmonizes with Jesus' words in our focal passage exactly.  This shows the sequence of what happens relating to both the seals and our focal passage to be this:  Church Age tribulation, THEN, celestial phenomena at the time of the rapture.  Finally, this would have the rapture happening before the opening of the 7th Seal and well before Daniel's 70th Week (pre-Daniel's 70th Week), which, according to Scripture, will not begin until some months after the Seven Sealed Book unfolds (a big focus in THE KEYS---PART II).

     Closely related to all of this, there are only two options concerning the tribulation of which Jesus spoke in our focal passage.  He was either speaking of Church Age tribulation, or, the tribulation of Daniel's 70th Week.  Now consider:  Because of His use of the word "after" in verse 29, this would mean that He was either speaking of the entirety of the tribulation of the Church Age, or, He was speaking of the entirety of the tribulation of Daniel's 70th Week.  However, the latter option will not fit if the phenomena of which He spoke is what John saw after the opening of the 6th Seal.  Why?  Because this would mean that the entirety of Daniel's 70th Week would be over before the opening of the 6th Seal, which in turn would mean that Christ's 6th Seal appearance would have to be His Second Advent---and the 7th Seal will not have even been opened yet!  This leaves the other option, which is the only one that will align with the rest of what we find in Scripture.

     From another angle, consider the situation of Noah's day and the flood.  In retrospect, if Jesus had been speaking of that time and had said, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days, 'were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened'" (Gen. 7:11), would we confuse the tribulation of those days with the time of God's judgment?  No.  We would know that the tribulation of those days would have to do with the time preceding the flood, when "the wickedness of man was great in the earth" (Gen. 6:5), and "the earth was filled with violence" (Gen. 6:11)---just like things are now!  In other words, in retrospect, it is easy to differentiate between the tribulation of those days and the time of God's judgment, which began with the flood.  Thinking now in prospect, it should be just as easy for us to differentiate between the tribulation of our present day ("those days" from a first century perspective!) and the time of God's judgment that is now looming.

     From still another angle, with the coming time of God's judgment still in mind, we can rightly reason that what John saw with the opening of the 6th Seal will be in fulfillment of what Jesus spoke in our focal passage.  In Matthew's account alone, there are seven parallels (in sequence) between what Jesus spoke and what John saw at this time.  When Mark and Luke's accounts are included, there are at least 10 parallels (see list, THE CLOSING SECTION).  Further, because of the peoples' cry when the 6th Seal is opened (Rev. 6:17), coupled with Joel's Day of the Lord prophecy (Acts 2:20/Joel 2:31), we can also rightly reason that God's last days' Day of the Lord judgment will begin at this time.  And, because of Jesus' words, we can rightly reason that this will begin "Immediately after the tribulation of those days."  This means, if the tribulation He was speaking of was Daniel's 70th Week (as all have heretofore believed), THIS WOULD BE COMPLETELY OVER before the time of God's judgment even begins, which WILL NOT align with Scripture.  I submit that The Revelation irrefutably establishes for us the real truth of what Jesus was teaching in our focal passage.  For a more in depth look at this (with illustrations), see NOTE #3.

     While there seems to be no good place to stop, also worth pondering is this:  If in our focal passage Jesus is speaking of the tribulation of Daniel's 70th Week and of His Second Advent, why in the world for His mention of signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars?  Any kind of sign at this time would be completely overshadowed by His presence!  On the other hand, if He is referring to the tribulation of the Church Age and His "Sign" Appearance, these celestial signs would be lingering testimonies to what has just happened---after He is gone with the Church!  The rapture will happen so quickly and the upheaval will be such that the only signs of any hope (e.g., for those left behind who happen to be familiar with some scriptures) might be what will still be seen in the sky, especially in view of the parable of the fig tree He now gives.  This parable will no doubt become a mainstay of hope for the 144,000 sealed Jews and those who refuse allegiance to the Antichrist.  Again, notice how this parable reads (with my explanatory notes), from Matthew 24:

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 32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree;  When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

 33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see ALL THESE THINGS (which would include the celestial signs), KNOW THAT IT (Christ's Second Advent) IS NEAR, EVEN AT THE DOORS.

 34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

 35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

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     We have considered many other evidences that support my present proposition, and there are more to come that will tie in in various ways.  To summarize the evidences I have presented so far, my present proposition harmonizes with an understanding that:

1. Is supported by 2000 years of Church history that aligns with the opening of Jesus' Olivet Discourse.

2. Has Jesus' Olivet Discourse pertaining some to the Church, some to Israelites, and some to both.

3. Recognizes Christ's Sign Appearance as distinct from His Second Advent in the Olivet Discourse.

4. Recognizes Christ's Sign Appearance as distinct from His Second Advent in The Revelation.

5. Recognizes Christ's Sign Appearance as preceding His Second Advent by at least seven years.

6. Links the first section of Jesus' Olivet Discourse to the first five seals and the activity of the four horsemen.

7. Links the time of Christ's Sign Appearance to after the opening of the 6th Seal (Rev. 6:15-17).

8. Links both the Mark 13:24-27 and Luke 21:25-27 parallels of Matthew 24:29-31 to the 6th Seal.

9. Links "all the tribes" in Matthew 24:30 to "all the tribes" of Revelation 7:2-8 (note vs. 4).

10. Links the trumpet of Matthew 24:31 to the rapture trumpet (I Thess. 4:16 and I Cor. 15:52).

11. Links the "gather together" of Matthew 24:31 to the "gathering together" of II Thessalonians 2:1.

12. Links the gathered elect of Matthew 24:31 to the gathered multitude of Revelation 7:9-17.

13. Links "the one shall be taken, and the other left" of Matthew 24:40-41 to the time of the rapture.

14. Links the escape of which Jesus speaks in Luke 21:36 to the Church and the time of the rapture.

15. Links the 6th Seal and the rapture to the final fulfilling of Joel's Church Age prophecy (Acts 2:19-21).

16. Links Christ's Sign Appearance to His parable of the fig tree, in accord with the parable's context.

17. Links Christ's return as a "thief" to the time of the rapture and the beginning of the Day of the Lord.

18. Views none of God's wrath as happening until the day that the 6th Seal is opened (Rev. 6:17).

19. Views the opening of the 7th Seal as taking place the same day that the 6th Seal is opened.

20. Views the day that the 6th and 7th seals are opened as marking the beginning of the Day of the Lord.

21. Makes possible a truly consistent and chronological interpretation of The Revelation.

     I suppose that for every belief, a measure of faith is also required, and it is no different for my own.  But, as can be seen, it is not faith without foundation.  At this point, if Jesus had of declared outright, "Immediately after the tribulation of  the Church Age,"  everything that I have put forth in support of this belief would fit that declaration.  For me, this wheel of interpretation rolls truer (by far) than any other I have found, and I am yet captivated by what it does for our understanding from here forward.  Of course, you must be the judge of what it does for your own understanding.

     Finally, from the perspective of my view, there is coming a time when God will determine that it has been enough.  At that time, Christ will open the 6th Seal and return for His Bride, at which point Her tribulation, so long brought on by the activity of the four horsemen, will be forever over.  This event will include signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars and the appearance of THE SIGN of the Son of man in heaven.  The signs will no doubt linger well after the Son of man and His saved are long gone.  According to the evidence of Scripture, on this same day, Christ will also open the seventh or last seal---meaning He will then open the Seven Sealed Book---meaning the time of the last days' Day of the Lord judgment will have begun.  Things will then come together (and quickly) for the fulfilling of Daniel's 70th Week to begin.

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NOTES:

1. Recall that this was a focus in PROPOSITION K.  Following is a closely related paragraph from that chapter:  "By a normal understanding that doesn't stretch Scripture, it will be at the beginning of Christ's Reign that the Israelites will be re-gathered to their homeland as they migrate there under the supervision of the Lord (see Isaiah 11:11-12, 15-16;  35:8-10;  43:5-7;  49:22-23;  51:11;  60:9;  Jeremiah 23:5-8;  Ezekiel 20:40-44;  34:11-16;  37:21-25;  Hosea 3:4-5;  Amos 9:11-15;  and Zechariah 8:3-8).  I see no suggestion in these scriptures (or any other) of a re-gathering of the Israelites in a miraculous way by the angels, but rather, by other means (e.g., Isa. 11:15-16;  49:22-23;  Jer. 23:7-8).  While it is questionable what the need might even be to suddenly re-gather the Israelites to their homeland in a way that sounds like the rapture, it is certainly not hard to understand the need to gather the Church to Heaven in such a manner!"

2. For a more thorough focus on "those days" (Matt. 24:29), see APPENDIX #5.

3. Following is a link to yet another angle that supports all of the above (click here).  It is of great importance to look at things from all the angles, as it is from all the angles that we get the fuller picture.  It's like checking things out below the surface.  From what I have come to see, the belief that the tribulation being spoken of in Matthew 24:29 concerns Daniel's 70th Week is purely superficial.  I'm reminded of a time when I was young and dived into the lake from the side of a dock.  I immediately hit bottom, crunching my neck.  At first, I thought I had really hurt myself and could have easily come up paralyzed.  It ended up becoming an important life lesson for me that things aren't always what they may at first appear to be, no matter how things may look on the surface.

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