Dear Mr. Froese:

When I consider “birth pangs,” I think of Daniel’s 70th week beginning with “beginning birth pangs,” and then increasing as the week continues. I then think of “severe birth pangs” as the beginning of the Great Tribulation, which I have always thought of as the midpoint leading into the second 1,260 days. I haven’t interpreted the entire 7 years as being the Great Tribulation, but only the last 3 ½ years. Help me on my interpretation of this point. 

My second question relates to the “fullness of the Gentiles.” My understanding has been that:

1) The Rapture will include all believers, whether Jew or Gentile—the Church, the Body of Christ.

2) The “fullness of the Gentiles” will not be completed until the Second Coming, rather than being completed at the Rapture.

My understanding is that this is a correct statement if one considers the full seven year period as the “Great Tribulation.” However, for someone like myself who considers the “Great Tribulation” to be the last 3 ½ years of Daniel’s 70th week, this would appear to be taking a mid-Tribulation Rapture position. 

Please tell me if I am on the right track in my interpretation and whether my understanding on these points is correct. 

-G. Wood, FL

Answer: The Great Tribulation lasts seven years. We divide it into two sections: the first 3 ½ years are a time of unbelievable prosperity, peace and security. The second 3 ½ years begin with the Antichrist abolishing the sacrifice in Jerusalem, hence persecuting the Jews. However, according to Revelation 12, they will miraculously escape the persecution of the enemy, thus fulfilling the statement Jeremiah made in chapter 30, verse 7, which concludes, “but he [Israel] shall be saved out of it.”

The “fullness of the Gentiles” is in reference to the Church. This is evident when reading Romans 11. Note specifically that Paul speaks to the Gentiles (verse 13), and then in verse 25 says, “brethren.” This should suffice to identify the fullness of the Church of Jesus Christ from the Gentiles.