Yes, the tribulation will last seven years, but Daniel's prophecy emphasizes the final three and a half years.
Daniel's 70th week is a seven-year period, as Les Feldick teaches. This time is divided into two halves of three and a half years each. The final half, described as 'a time, times, and half a time,' is the focus of Daniel's prophecy and will be a period of great tribulation.
Daniel 12:7 — This verse mentions 'a time, times, and half a time,' which Les interprets as three and a half years, the final half of the tribulation.
Daniel 9:24-27 outlines a prophecy of seventy weeks (490 years) determined for Israel. After 483 years, the Messiah is cut off (Daniel 9:26), leaving one week (seven years) unfulfilled. Daniel 9:27 describes a prince (the Antichrist) who confirms a covenant for one week, but in the middle of the week he causes sacrifice to cease and sets up an abomination. This indicates a seven-year period divided in half. Daniel 12:7 mentions 'a time, times, and half a time' (three and a half years), and Daniel 12:11 specifies 1,290 days from the removal of the daily sacrifice. These references highlight a specific three-and-a-half-year period of intense trouble. Scripture also indicates that this last half will be a time of great tribulation, worse than any before (Matthew 24:21), and that the power of the holy people will be scattered (Daniel 12:7).
Les teaches that the tribulation is Daniel's 70th week, a seven-year period that begins when the Antichrist signs a treaty with Israel. He emphasizes that this period is divided into two halves of three and a half years each. The first half is relatively less severe, but the last three and a half years (the 'great tribulation') are the focus of Daniel's prophecy and will be a time of unprecedented wrath and trouble. Les explains that the last half begins at the midpoint when the Antichrist defiles the Temple and sets up the abomination. Daniel's prophecy, particularly in chapter 12, focuses on this final three-and-a-half-year period, which will be a time when the power of the holy people is scattered and God's wrath is poured out. The duration is confirmed by the phrase 'a time, times, and half a time' (three and a half years) and the 1,290 days mentioned in Daniel 12:11.
Daniel's 70th week is a seven-year period of tribulation that is yet future, as Les teaches. It is the final seven years of a 490-year prophecy. The 70th week begins when the Antichrist signs a seven-year peace treaty with Israel, and it will be a time of great trouble for the earth.
At the midpoint of the seven years, the Antichrist causes the Temple sacrifices to cease and sets up an abomination, forcing the Jews to worship him. This marks the beginning of the final three and a half years, which will be a time of great tribulation, worse than anything before.
Daniel's Prophecy of Three and a Half Years
Les explains that Daniel 12 describes a time of trouble and a period of three and a half years, when the power of the holy people is scattered.
The Seven-Year Tribulation Divided
Les teaches that the tribulation is a seven-year period, often called Daniel's 70th week, and is divided into two halves of three and a half years each.
The Covenant and the Division of the Week
Les shows from Daniel 9:27 that the Antichrist makes a seven-year covenant, and the week is divided in half, with the last three and a half years being more severe.
The Final Seven Years of Tribulation
Les identifies Daniel's 70th week as a future seven-year period of tribulation.
The Midpoint and the Great Tribulation
Les explains that at the midpoint of the seven years, the temple is desecrated, and the last three and a half years are a time of great tribulation.
The Temple Operating at the Midpoint
Les notes that by the midpoint, the temple will be operating, setting the stage for the events of the final half.
When Will the Tribulation Begin? The 70th Week of Daniel
So we're going to cover that, like I said, not in detail like we would if we were in a verse-by-verse of the book of Revelation, but just to give you here as well as our television people just a little bit of a glimpse of what is immediately, we think, ahead for this old planet.
The 1,290 Days in Daniel 12
Les points out that Daniel 12:11 gives 1,290 days, which is three and a half years plus an extra 30 days, showing the duration of the abomination.
Daniel 9:27: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
This verse describes the seven-year covenant and the midpoint event that divides the tribulation.
Daniel 12:7: And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
This verse directly states the duration of the final half as 'a time, times, and half a time,' which is three and a half years.
Daniel 12:11: And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
This verse gives a specific number of days (1,290) for the latter half, which is three and a half years plus extra time.
Daniel's prophecy indicates a seven-year period, often called the 70th week. This is divided into two halves of three and a half years each.
This phrase refers to three and a half years, the final half of the tribulation. It is a specific period of intense trouble.
It begins at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation when the Antichrist defiles the Temple and sets up the abomination.
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