Are There Really Seven Years of Tribulation?
I've read the Book of Revelation many times, as well as Daniel. I've read the Doctrine and Covenants multiple times. I've completely read all of the Old Testament once, and several of the books more than once. I've read full New Testament several times, as well as the Pearl of Great Price.
I cannot find any reference stating there will be 7 years of tribulation.
This seems to be an interpretation of different events from Daniel, the Book of Revelation, and some other references. Mostly it seems to be adding two periods of time which are each about 3.5 years.
I've read references of "days" of tribulation, and I know a prophetic "day" is often equivalent to a year of our time. But I haven't found a scriptural or prophetic reference regarding seven "days" or years of tribulation.
The only specified period of seven years I've found is the reference to it taking seven years to clean up (burn the weapons of war) after the battle of Armageddon (Ezekiel 39:9).
So, to all those more knowledgeable and familiar with the word of God than I am, please provide references.
In the meantime...
Here's my two-cents. I believe those time periods will happen. However, the events prophesied may happen concurrently, consecutively, or there may be some overlap, or perhaps there may be a gap of time between them (kind of like the brief periods of time between the last big labor pains before birth).
My concern is if people are only looking for seven years of tribulation, they might get disappointed, become disheartened, or lose their faith if things take longer (should there be a space of time between events).
Just like people looking for a specific time for an earthquake to happen in Utah, I think too many are caught up in looking for a specific timeline.
And, maybe there will be seven years of tribulation, culminated with the battle of Armageddon, and then seven years of cleaning up afterwards and preparing for the second coming (for those who are looking for the Second Coming). If that's the case, there would be 14 years.
I cannot find any reference stating there will be 7 years of tribulation.
This seems to be an interpretation of different events from Daniel, the Book of Revelation, and some other references. Mostly it seems to be adding two periods of time which are each about 3.5 years.
I've read references of "days" of tribulation, and I know a prophetic "day" is often equivalent to a year of our time. But I haven't found a scriptural or prophetic reference regarding seven "days" or years of tribulation.
The only specified period of seven years I've found is the reference to it taking seven years to clean up (burn the weapons of war) after the battle of Armageddon (Ezekiel 39:9).
So, to all those more knowledgeable and familiar with the word of God than I am, please provide references.
In the meantime...
Here's my two-cents. I believe those time periods will happen. However, the events prophesied may happen concurrently, consecutively, or there may be some overlap, or perhaps there may be a gap of time between them (kind of like the brief periods of time between the last big labor pains before birth).
My concern is if people are only looking for seven years of tribulation, they might get disappointed, become disheartened, or lose their faith if things take longer (should there be a space of time between events).
Just like people looking for a specific time for an earthquake to happen in Utah, I think too many are caught up in looking for a specific timeline.
And, maybe there will be seven years of tribulation, culminated with the battle of Armageddon, and then seven years of cleaning up afterwards and preparing for the second coming (for those who are looking for the Second Coming). If that's the case, there would be 14 years.
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