There are many voices warning about the great sign in Revelation 12 today. Predictions about the Lord’s return abound and it is easy to get confused. I recently concluded a series on Revelation for Beginners which you can view on this site. I am not a proponent of setting dates other than those the Lord Himself has set. So, in this article, I would like to highlight some times the Lord clearly set. Let’s begin with the prophet Daniel. In Daniel 9:24-27, he is given a prophecy of 70 weeks for the timeline of Israel. 

• 70 weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (It is understood that the 70 wks represents 70 wks of years – 490 yrs)
• Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (49 yrs), and threescore and two weeks (434 yrs): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
• And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (crucified), but not for himself (for us): and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Romans in 70 AD); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined (2000 yrs of trouble for Jews, so far).
• And he (refers to the prince that is coming) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 yrs): and in the midst of the week ( 3 ½ yrs) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease (Abomination of Desolation), and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate (the judgments of God spoken of in the 7 bowls of wrath).

I won’t go into the math here but, know that Jesus appeared in Jerusalem at His Triumphant Entry on the exact date prophesied here (483 yrs from Artaxerxes command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem). They did not accept Him but, instead crucified Him thus initiating a time of rejection and war for Jews for some 2000 years. How will we know this time of rejection is finished? Jesus Himself gives us the answer.

“All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. … And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:” – Matthew 24:8,9,14,15

“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” – Luke 21:24-28

Jesus first talks about “and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” that Daniel prophesied, He then talked about the signs in the heavens that are referred to in the 6th seal of Revelation. They would know the end was here when they saw the Abomination of Desolation Daniel spoke about. The next thing they will see is the Son of Man coming with great glory. Notice, the believers will be here to see the Son of Man coming! But, is there anything further to alert us to the nearness of these things? The answer is YES!

Israel the Fig Tree

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” – Matt. 24:32-34

Throughout Scripture Israel is referred to as a fig tree and it is their national tree. We have seen the fulfillment of this sign in our days. Israel became a nation again May 14, 1948. Now we have only to determine how long a generation is. Some say 40 years, some 70-80 years, some say 120 years. The 40 year generation is out because we are past the time! The 70-80 year generation would put us at 2018-2028 which is still plausible. The 120 year generation would put us at 2068. You can choose for yourself but, for me a 70-80 year generation makes more sense. It puts us right in the time frame of the Revelation 12 signs; Virgo and Taurus and Draco shown below.

69 weeks of Daniel 70 week prophecy have been fulfilled and the 70th weeks is about to start. It will begin with a world leader recognizing a covenant with Israel for 7 years, which he will break in 3 ½ years. This requires Israel to be a nation again and it requires them to control Jerusalem and the Temple must be rebuilt. In the chart included, I place where I think it will begin –

Regardless of how accurate this is, one thing seems to be sure – we are in the LAST GENERATION! If ever there was a time to get right with God this is it. Getting right with God means to repent of every wrong you know you have done and ask Jesus to forgive you. Then ask Him to come into your life and to give you the Holy Spirit. The words really don’t matter but what does matter is your heart being genuine with your words. The Lord is faithful and He will receive you. The doorway to salvation is yet open – don’t miss it!