The Two are Not the Same
The Book of Ruth makes it clear that national Israel is not the church and vice versa. They are two separate entities that are both in relationship to the Israelite Kinsman Redeemer. Through His faithfulness, the Moabitess Ruth (representing the mostly gentile church) is brought into the Redeemer’s household through marriage. Through that marriage the Kinsman Redeemer restores the Israelitess Naomi (representing national Israel that is currently in unbelief as Paul said) to her birthright inheritance in the covenants of God. Both of them are brought into the Redeemer’s household (kingdom of God) but they are not the same, and one does not replace the other.
The Seventieth Week of Daniel
The 70th week of Daniel has not been fulfilled yet. The Scriptures DO designate it as divided into 2 parts of 3 1/2 years each, but not the “tribulation period of God’s wrath” as taught.
The first half is the Great Tribulation (mega thlipson in Greek) as Jesus teaches, and is for the faithful Bride to make herself ready for the Bridegroom to come for her to take her for the Marriage Supper. The unfaithful that calls herself the Bride will not be ready & will be left behind. Contrast the two brides in the Song of Solomon, and Jesus’ Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins.
The second half is the “Time of Jacob’s trouble” and God’s wrath on the Gentile nations (orge in Greek) as Scripture teaches. While the nations are suffering God’s wrath, currently unbelieving national Israel will be purified in order to meet their Messiah King and be restored to all the promises in the covenants, including the New Covenant for the “Day of Jubilee / Restoration” in their land serving the LORD as Jesus reigns from Jerusalem over the whole earth, with His bride reigning with Him.
The Transition from the first half of the 70th Week to the second half before the LORD Returns
The centerpieces that signify the transition from the first half to the second half of Daniel’s 70th week are:
1. The “prince who is to come” (Antichrist – the Man of Lawlessness a.k.a. The first beast) that has confirmed a covenant with the many for one week (of years – the 70th week of Daniel) will break that covenant in the middle of the week – 3 1/2 years, and stop all sacrifice in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
He will then enter the temple and make an abominable sacrifice, take a seat and declare himself to be God and above all other so-called gods. Daniel the Prophet, Paul the Apostle, and the Lord Jesus call this the Abomination that causes Desolation.
Then he sets up “images” of himself for everyone to worship or be put to death, while the False Prophet becomes the head of all the world’s religions & consolidates them, demanding all to worship the Antichrist & the Dragon that he represents and to take his mark, while performing lying signs & wonders and specifically targeting for death all Jews, Israelis, the faithful Church, and anyone else that refuses to bow the knee to Antichrist and take his mark.
2. Shortly after the Antichrist does this, at the height of his persecution, the Lord Jesus gathers His bride – the faithful Church at the Resurrection & rapture, before the Wrath of the Lamb (7 shofarim) and the Wrath of God (7 bowls) are poured out on the Gentile nations & unbelieving Israel. During that time, 2/3 of unbelieving national Israel will perish (see Zechariah).
A remnant of national Israel is spared and will see the Lord Jesus when the heavens are torn open and everyone sees Him preparing to come take His kingdom on earth. They are the ones whom Jesus said will cry out “blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD” and who mourns as they “look upon the Messiah whom they (as a nation) pierced.” They are the ones who will serve the Lord in the land of Israel & in Jerusalem when He establishes His kingdom on David’s throne over the whole earth from Jerusalem. They are not the Church, they are national Israel.
The faithful Church is the Bride of Christ Jesus and will reign with Him from Jerusalem over the nations, alongside restored national Israel.
