7 years of tribulation or only 3 1/2 years?

Some modern Fundamentalist Scholars are beginning to adopt and teach a rather ridiculous theory that the tribulation (of which the Scriptures speak of as a seven-year period of time in which the anti-christ rules on earth) is now half over. That is to say, they are propogating the theory that there is only 3 1/2 years of the tribulation left, and not seven as the scriptures plainly teach.

Oh, they might all dogmatically agree that there has to be 7 total years of tribulation, as Daniel 9:25-27 foretells. However, they claim that doesn't have to be seven CONSECUTIVE years. They state those 7 years have been divided into two (three and a half years each), which take place several thousand years apart.

Some claim the tribulation period started during Jesus' earthly ministry, which the scriptures plainly do teach where three and a half years long. Others claim that the tribulation began after Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, as his apostles preached for 3 1/2 years. They then claim the tribulation stopped, and God went to the church age, and will start the tribulation clock again after the rapture, where it will end after another 3 1/2 years.

But is this possible? Is it even plausible? What saith the scriptures?

All we have to do is look at two verses of scripture in the book of Revelation to see that 7 years MUST be all FUTURE. That is to say, THERE MUST BE SEVEN YEARS STILL TO COME OF TRIBULATION.

The first is Revelation 13:5. Let us look at the context as well as we read Rev. 13:3-5

" 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."

Notice in verse five the simple little word CONTINUE. For someone to continue something means they must have already been doing something. The context is of the anti-christ. And we read he has a fatal wound, and is resurreected. He then continues 42 months. How long is 42 months? It is exactly 3 1/2 years. That means he was already ruling for 3 1/2 years, and after his deadly wound is healed, he reigns ANOTHER 3 1/2 YEARS! That makes 7 years all future as all this happens after the RAPTURE.

Let us also look at Rev. 11:2. In context we'll read verse one as well:

" 1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."

Here we read of the Jews in verse one. They are WORSHIPPING in the TEMPLE in Jerusalem. But then in verse two we read that the Gentiles will kick them out, and they will own the area for 42 months. Again that's exactly 3 1/2 years.

So, when do the Jews get to worship in the temple? They must be allowed time to do so. Are they worshipping there now? Nope! But they do have all the stones, instruments, clothing, etc. ready to worship in the temple. All that's needed is the Rapture to come, so the Jews can rebuild and worship for 3 1/2 years. THEN, and only then, will the Gentiles, under the Anti-christ, cast them out and the anti-christ will sit on the throne in Jerusalem claiming he's god and he'll reign three and a half years. Anyway you look at it, you have to have 7 years in the future of the tribulation. And this verse does good to prove just that!

This means anyone who says the rapture is half over, and three and a half years were already fulfilled during the time of Jesus or slightly thereafter have proven themselves to be apostates, and preachers of false truths. The Bible clearly teaches that the 7 years of the tribulation are still FUTURE.

Be careful of those who say only 3 1/2 years are all that's coming. Because if you miss the rapture and believe them, then you'd be waiting only 3 1/2 years for Jesus. But that's when the ant-christ comes sitting on the throne in the tribulation! Wouldn't they then be deceiving you into waiting for the anti-christ instead of waiting 7 years for Jesus to come at Armageddon? And if you really did believe there was only 3 1/2 years left, then wouldn't you accept the anti-christ as Jesus Christ? God help us!

Got only more verses that prove the 7 years is still FUTURE (after the rapture). I'd like to hear them!