DURING THE FIRST THREE AND A HALF YEARS

Many have been saying that the beheadings, crucifixions, and burning to death of Middle Eastern Christians, is proof that we are already living in the time of the Tribulation.  They support their claim by referencing Matthew 24:9 which says, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake." 

But like most errors in Bible interpretation, they have failed to compare Scripture with Scripture.  Parallel versions of the Lord's Olivet Discourse clarify who the "they" are.  Mark 13:9 says, "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them."  "They" refers to Jews who will be persecuting Christians, not in the Tribulation Temple, because, based upon the timing of these persecutions, it is not yet completed; hence, the attack on believers will take place in the synagogues! 

And Luke's Gospel reads, "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake" (21:12).  Here, Luke tells us that these persecutions happen BEFORE the rest of the signs of the end of the age and Christ's Second Coming.  That means they will occur following the Rapture; these believers, quite possibly, could be the members of the Laodicean Church mentioned in Revelation 3:14-22.  They, like many who sit in church pews every Lord's Day, are religious, members of the religion known as Christianity, but they are not born again.  When the Rapture occurs, the majority of professing Christians will suddenly realize that their religiousness was worthless.  They needed to trust in the finished work of Jesus, and not in their own religious "do's and don't's! 

The peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, will allow them to have complete rule over their land (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-14; Rev. 6:1-12:1; etc.).  During that time, there will be two witnesses who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the first half of the Tribulation (Rev. 11:3).  We are told that the entire world is troubled by these two powerful servants of God, and they rejoice when they are killed (Rev. 11:9-10 - especially the Jews)!  However, after God raises them to life, and after they are "raptured," Then the Abomination of Desolation occurs and Israel's eyes are opened (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-18; etc.)!

What we see now, is persecution by Muslims, not Jews! 

The Rapture has not yet happened.  But it may soon, even today!