Jesus tells of a time of great Deception followed by great Tribulation. It starts with rise of the anti-Christ who deceives many in order to bring a ‘time of peace’, but breaks that peace with the Abomination of Desolation followed by a period of intense persecution of believers (Jews and Gentiles).
This all takes place during a seven year period which is brought to and end by the return of the Messiah who comes to establish His Kingdom on earth. Mat 24:21-22.
This period of persecution is also know as Jacob’s trouble. Jer 30:7-11
The first half of the seven years
The anti-Christ confirms a covenant with many for one week (seven years); but in the middle of the week He brings an end to sacrifice and offering. Dan 9:27
Half way through the seven years,
after 3½ years of what looks like ‘peace’
Great Troubles/Persecution start with a vengeance when the ‘Abomination of Desolation‘ appears in Jerusalem and it lasts for 3½ years. Mat 24:15-22 Dan 9:27
The anti-Christ, (also known as the Prince who is to come (Dan 9:26-27) as well as the Beast) unleashes unprecedented persecution on God’s people in Jerusalem and the Nations. Rev 13:1-10
At the end of the seven years
Before the end of the seven years, God’s punishes His enemies with seven plagues poured out from from seven bowls of His wrath; Rev 15, 16 (These are similar to the plagues in Egypt which revealed God’s power, without aiming to completely destroy the Egyptians. (Exo 9:13-14) – Pharaoh’s army was ultimately destroyed later in the Red Sea.)
God’s destruction will come upon the anti-Christ and his army when His Messiah returns. Mat 24:29-31 2Th 2:1-12
