Once Christ returns and the Tribulation ends, there is an interval of 75 days. Hitchcock says, “Books about the end times frequently overlook the interval of time between the second coming of Christ and the official inauguration of the millennial kingdom” (The End, p, 393). “The existence of this interval is demonstrated in Daniel 12:11-12″ (Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 355). This amazing passage contains 3 time periods: 1260 days, 1290 days, and 1335 days.
“From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1290 days. How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1335 days.”
Daniel 12:11-12 NASB1995
The 7-year Tribulation is divided into two segments of 3.5 years (or 1260 days). The abolition of sacrifice and abomination of desolation occur after the first 1260 days (in the middle of the 7 years), which leaves 1260 days remaining in the Tribulation. Daniel 12 introduces an additional 30 days. “The 1290 days is thirty days beyond the end of the Tribulation, and the 1335 days is another forty-five days beyond that. These time periods describe an interval of time between the end of the Tribulation and Christ’s second coming and the beginning of the Millennium” (Hitchcock, The End, p. 394).
Fruchtenbaum notes that “A special blessing is pronounced on those who will make it to the 1335th day. The blessing is that those who survive until the 75th day of the interval will enter the Messianic kingdom” (The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 355). Although we don’t know the details of what happens during the interval, there are a few possible scenarios. Scripture speaks of several events that appear to take place before the Millennium begins that we could safely put within this timeframe.
Clean up and Purification of the Land: Although not mentioned in Scripture, it is safe to say that logistically there will be a lot to clean up at the end of the Tribulation. Could it be that the 75-day interval is partly devoted to this massive undertaking? This is just a thought and not provable, however there is precedence of this at the end of the Ezekiel 38 and 39 war (see Ez. 39:11-16).
The Removal of the Abomination of Desolation: “The desecration of the temple is allowed to remain for 30 days beyond the end of the tribulation. Then it will be destroyed, bringing the abomination of desolation to an end” (Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 356). The abomination of desolation may be identified as the image of the beast, as the NLT of Daniel 12:11 states that it is a “sacrilegious object that causes desecration” that is “set up to be worshiped.”
The Binding of Satan for 1000 years: Revelation 20:1-3 describes Satan (the dragon, “the serpent of old which is the Devil and Satan”) being bound for 1000 years in the abyss. The abyss is “the temporary place of confinement for fallen angels” (Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 358). The purpose of his confinement is “that he should deceive the nations no more” (Rev. 20:3). It is prophesied that at the end of the thousand years, he will be loosed for a short time.
The Judgment of the Living: “When Christ returns, all the Gentiles who survived the Tribulation will appear before Him. He will determine if they can enter His Kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46). The judgment is called the judgment of the “sheep and the goats” (Hitchcock, The End, p. 388). The Gentile believers (the sheep) will be allowed entrance to the kingdom and will be rewarded for the kindness they showed the Jewish people during the Tribulation. These are the ones who are blessed to make it all the way to the 1335th day spoken of in Daniel 12:12. The unbelievers (the goats) will be denied entrance and sent to hell (Matt. 25:41-46). They will suffer judgment not only for their rejection of Christ but for their mistreatment of the Jewish people. Another passage that possibly speaks to this is found in Joel 3:1-3 (the judgment of the nations).
There will be a similar gathering of the surviving Jews. Fruchtenbaum adds, “Christ will also gather all living Jews in the wilderness to determine who can enter the Kingdom (Ezekiel 20:33-38)” (The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 388). For both groups, entrance into the Kingdom will still be by grace through faith in Christ alone.
The Completion of the Spiritual Regathering of Israel: “The most frequently mentioned promise in the Old Testament is God’s promise that He will one day regather and restore the nation of Israel” (Hitchcock, The End, p. 387). As we have studied, there are two regatherings of Israel. First is the “physical regathering in unbelief” (began in 1948) in preparation for the Tribulation. Second is the “spiritual regathering in belief” in preparation for the Millennium (Hitchcock, The End, p. 387-388). “In the Day of the Lord, God will “reclaim the surviving remnant of His people” (Isaiah 11:11). Jesus Christ will return and destroy the armies gathered against Him in rebellion (Rev. 19). Sinners will be judged, and the faithful remnant of Israel will be set apart forever as God’s holy people (Zech. 13:8-14:21). Isaiah 12 is their song of deliverance; Zion will rule over all the nations under the banner of Messiah the King” (got questions).
Assignment of Kingdom Administration and Responsibilities: God’s people, both Jews and Gentiles, will be serving Him in specific ways throughout the Millennial reign. This is fascinating to consider, and we will cover it in a future post.
Possible Commencement of the Construction of the Millennial Temple: “In Ezekiel 40, the Lord begins to give details of the temple that will exist during the millennial kingdom, a temple that dwarfs all other temples previously built, even Herod’s temple that was quite large, which existed during the earthly ministry of Christ” (got questions). Fruchtenbaum says that the Millennial Temple will “be the center of Jewish and Gentile worship during the millennium” (The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 439). This will also be studied in more detail in a future post.
The Completion of the First Resurrection: The first resurrection is only for believers and happens in several stages (see 1 Cor. 15:20-24). Jesus was the First Fruits of this resurrection. Then, at the rapture of the church, “the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16). The next group to be resurrected are the two witnesses in the middle of the Tribulation (Rev. 11:1-14), followed by the Old Testament Saints (Is. 26:19; Dan. 12:2), and finally the Tribulation Saints who will bring the first resurrection to completion (Rev. 20:4; see Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 363). The Old Testament Saints and Tribulation Saints will be resurrected during the 75-day interval in preparation for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb: This glorious celebration (see Rev. 19:7-9) most likely takes place during the 75-day interval, or just after, as the Millennial Kingdom commences. “This event is obviously subsequent to the destruction of Babylon, but, if this occurs at the end of the great tribulation which is immediately climaxed and succeeded by the second coming of Christ, the more normal presumption would be that the supper would take place on earth in connection with the second coming to the earth itself” (Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, p. 270).
Some scholars believe the Marriage Supper of the Lamb takes place in heaven after the Bema Seat Judgment during the 7-year Tribulation. However, we don’t know for sure. The best I can conclude in my study is that it takes place on earth after the Second Coming. Regardless of exactly when it happens, it is the prelude to the most glorious time this earth has ever known, the Messianic Kingdom.
“The Millennium will begin following the seventy-five day interval. The King will take His throne, and the Kingdom of God will come to earth.”
Hitchcock, The End, p. 396
“Powerful is Your arm! Strong is Your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before You as attendants. Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, LORD. They rejoice all day long in Your wonderful reputation. They exult in Your righteousness. You are their glorious strength” (Psalm 89:13-17 NLT).
Week Two Reflections:
- Read Revelation 20:1-3. What details do you learn about Satan being bound? How does that compare with the fallen angels spoken of in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6?
- Read Matthew 25:31-46. List everything you learn about the separation of the sheep and the goats. Read Joel 3:1-3. How does this compare with Matthew 25? Read Ezekiel 20:33-38. What specifically do you learn?
- Our God is a covenant keeping God! Read the following passages and note what you learn about HIs promises to restore Israel: Is. 43:5-6; Jer. 30:10; Jer. 33:6-9; Ez. 36:24-38; Ez. 37:1-28. How do you see its fulfilment in Matthew 24:30-31? Read Isaiah 12. How does it touch your heart to know that Israel will sing this song of Thanksgiving to God for keeping His promises and covenant to them?
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-24. What specific things do you learn about the first resurrection?
- Read and meditate on Psalm 89. What truths do you learn about our Lord? Take some time to list them in your journal. Are you walking today in the light of His presence?
- Think back on all you’ve learned from this week’s study. Think about Christ’s utmost authority and how He will demonstrate this in His Second Coming, and the 75-day interval. How does this minister to your heart today?
Simply Persuaded 