First, let us agree what starts the Great Tribulation.  It is not the rapture.  The Messiah answered this question directly for the disciples and us.

"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. "Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. "Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! "But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. "For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.

Matthew 24:15–21 NASB

The Abomination of Desolation given by Daniel consists of two events:  1) the shutdown of an altar on the Temple Mount and the cessation of the daily sacrifice of the morning and evening lambs. 2) the setting up of an image asserting the antichrist and the miracle of the image speaking by way of the false prophet.

"From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

Daniel 12:11 NASB

Yeshua also explained that those who are in Judea, the surrounding area of Jerusalem, must escape that day.  The escape He is explaining must be immediate without the preparation for the journey, just the clothes on their backs.  There is more to the prophecy about this escape from Judea, but let us focus on the elements of the Abomination of Desolation that Yeshua told was the start of the Great Tribulation.

As I write today, there is no operating altar on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem nor priests performing the daily sacrifice.  However, we have a dramatically different government in Israel that is “far right-wing” and sympathetic to Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount. Before the Great Tribulation can begin an altar must be set-up, dedicated, and offering the daily sacrifice.  The daily sacrifice is the morning and evening lambs, the libation, and meal offerings.

"From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

Daniel 12:11 NASB

"You shall say to them, 'This is the offering by fire which you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs one year old without defect as a continual burnt offering every day. 'You shall offer the one lamb in the morning and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; also a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil. 'It is a continual burnt offering which was ordained in Mount Sinai as a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord. 'Then the drink offering with it shall be a fourth of a hin for each lamb, in the holy place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the Lord. 'The other lamb you shall offer at twilight; as the grain offering of the morning and as its drink offering, you shall offer it, an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord.

Numbers 28:3–8 NASB

In Hebrew the continual offering or daily offering is called the “Tamid” offering.  Take note it originates from Mount Sinai even before the Tabernacle was built.  In many Synagogues, there will be lamp above the ark holding the Torah scroll a light designated as the Tamid light meaning “eternal flame” or light.  It is a reminder of this daily sacrifice in the absence of an operating altar with priests.

The operating procedure of the altar was to present the morning lamb at the dawn of each day and an evening lamb was put on the altar at approximately 3pm to end the altar service of that day.  All other sacrifices specified by God for the holidays and other sacrifices brought by those worshipping God had to be presented between the morning and evening lambs.  For example, the Sabbath offerings also required the “continual offering.”

'Then on the sabbath day two male lambs one year old without defect, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and its drink offering: 'This is the burnt offering of every sabbath in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering

Numbers 28:9–10 NASB

There is one more condition that must be met to be the fulfillment of the prophecy of stopping the daily sacrifice.  The shutting down must occur in the season of winter.  The Messiah referred to this season when He explained about those in Judea fleeing.  “Pray that your flight be not on Sabbath or in winter.” Furthermore, the Great Tribulation is a three- and one-half-year event concluding with the fall holidays of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.  Trumpets is the prophetic event of the Resurrection/Rapture; Atonement is the prophetic event of the Day of the Lord (Day of Reconciliation); and Tabernacles is the first joyous event when the Messiah comes to tabernacle with us. The Messiah describes the conclusion of the Great Tribulation in the parable of the fig tree.

"But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Matthew 24:29 NASB

"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;

Matthew 24:32 NASB

Therefore, the Abomination must begin in the season of winter starting the Great Tribulation concluding 3 ½ years in the fall holiday of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.  Let me share an example.  If the winter of 2023 is to be start of the final 3 ½ years, then the altar shutdown must precede the Feast of Tabernacles of 2026 by 1,335 days.  A simple count yields on or about January 29, 2023.  The 1335 count is from the prophet Daniel as well.

"From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. "How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!

Daniel 12:11–12 NASB

The Blessed Day appears to be Tabernacles (the Feast of Booths, sometimes called the Feast of Ingathering) in the Hebrew called Sukkot.  Counting back 1,335 from that Sukkot yields the January day for the beginning.

We know there is tremendous interest in the Jews getting on the Temple Mount and establishing an altar.  Organizations in Israel, such as the “Temple Mount faithful” and the “Temple Institute,” have collected the stones and materials for the future altar.  They have a “cornerstone” to measure the court of Israel (the altar goes inside of that court).  They have trained a group of Levite priests to conduct the daily sacrifice and the other offerings.  They even have a practice altar for training and demonstration.

In recent days, five red heifers have been transported to Israel raising more awareness to the interest of the Temple Mount.  Some have suggested that the red heifer sacrifice with its resulting ashes must precede the altar and daily sacrifice.  This is not correct.  The ashes are required for purification for entering the temple sanctuary once it is built.  The altar must be operating before the temple construction can begin.  Public sacrifices, such as the daily sacrifice, can be made without the ashes of red heifer according to the Rabbis overseeing the red heifers.  Remember, the continual offering originated at Mount Sinai prior to the Tabernacle.

What is preventing the Jews from going on the Temple Mount today and building the altar?  Answer:  the government of Israel.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained the “status quo” for many years and is still wanting to maintain it today.  The status quo is that the Muslims can have access and pray there, but Jews may only access the mount but not pray.  This is for “security” reasons.  The fear is that the Arabs will riot and cause great upheaval if the Jews go on the mount and start building a temple.

On a personal note, I would love to question the Prime Minister’s policy since the Palestinians are in continual state of upheaval, rioting, and opposed to Israel now.  What would they do worse if the Jews were on the Temple Mount with an altar praying to God?

In recent months and last year, more Jews went to the Temple Mount in 2022 and were seen openly praying.  The police did not stop them!  It is well understood that there is great controversy and the Arabs are always threatening violence if the Jews are granted a part of the Temple Mount.  The prophecy is clear about this as well.  This controversy is the reason the altar will be shut down, fulfilling the prophecy.

In the recent November Israeli election, the possibility of a change in the “status quo” has come to the forefront.  Part of Netanyahu’s coalition includes conservative right wing and religious parties.  Statements from these political leaders are calling for Jews to have the same freedom as others to pray on the Temple Mount.  Obviously, an area of the mount must be turned over to the Jews to accomplish this.  In late December of 2022 the holiday of Hannukah will take place, which is the Feast of Dedication.  It commemorates the dedication of an altar.  This raises even more interest in Israel for re-establishing an altar on the Temple Mount. Therefore, we are paying close attention to the new Netanyahu coalition government and their decisions.

Let us set aside the altar set-up for a moment.  In October of this year 2022, something incredible happened that eschatology teachers and students have been anticipating.  On Yom Kippur, the year of Jubilee was heralded.  It occurs every 49 years but it is called the 50th year following a set of seven Sabbatical years.  But what makes this jubilee so special is its count also.  It is the 70th Jubilee in the history of Israel beginning with Joshua and the children of Israel entering the land.  That is when the counting of the Sabbatical years and the Jubilee began.  The 70th Jubilee carries with it an incredible theme about the end of the ages.

When a Jubilee year is proclaimed three things happen: all debts are forgiven, all captives are set free, and everyone returns to take possession of the land of Israel that was given to their ancestors.  The theme of the 70th Jubilee for the end times is the return of remnant of Israel scattered in the world to return to the Promised Land.  That means their debts are no more and they are no longer captives in the nations.  They are free!  This is how Moses described it.

'You are also to count off seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years, so that you have the time of the seven sabbaths of years, namely, forty-nine years. 'You shall then sound a ram's horn abroad on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the day of atonement you shall sound a horn all through your land. 'You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.

Leviticus 25:8–10 NASB

On Yom Kippur the year of Jubilee is proclaimed but it is 1 Nisan in the spring that the implementation of the Jubilee begins.  That means March and April of 2023 is the time of the release and the beginning of the return for all of Israel scattered in the world.  Ezekiel spoke of the day when God would declare the captivity of the nations would be completed and God would bring all His people back with freedom.

Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name. "They will forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their own land with no one to make them afraid. "When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations. "Then they will know that I am the Lord their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. "I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel," declares the Lord God.

Ezekiel 39:25–29 NASB

God pouring out His Spirit on us was also described by the prophet Joel resulting in the end of the ages.

"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. "Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. "I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. "The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

Joel 2:28–31 NASB

According to the prophecies of Ezekiel and Joel there is going to be a battle in Israel with a northern enemy.  The God of Israel shows up for the battle and there is a great victory.  The aftermath of the battle is freedom from worldwide captivity and the outpouring the His Spirit on all of us.  Could this all take place leading to the months of March and April as part of the implementation of the Jubilee?

We are watching patiently for God to fulfill His good word.  If it happens it is certainly part of the Lord’s prophetic scenario for the Great Tribulation and the Greater Exodus.

Let me define the Greater Exodus for those who have not heard.  The Prophet Jeremiah also spoke of this release and return from the nations.  He spoke of it this way:

"Therefore behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when it will no longer be said, 'As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,' but, 'As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.' For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.

Jeremiah 16:14–15 NASB

"Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. ... "Therefore behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when they will no longer say, 'As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but, 'As the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them.' Then they will live on their own soil."

Jeremiah 23:3, 7–8 NASB

The word “exodus” will soon have a new definition, and not be referencing the history of Israel leaving Egypt.  Instead, it will defining a much greater event of all of Israel leaving the nations they have been scattered to and their return to the Promised Land called the Kingdom.  The Great Tribulation will also be the Greater Exodus and how God delivers His people out of the Great Tribulation.  This is how Jeremiah describes from the exodus during the time of great distress to deliverance.

'For behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.' The Lord says, 'I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers and they shall possess it.'"[Jubilee] Now these are the words which the Lord spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah: "For thus says the Lord, 'I have heard a sound of terror, Of dread, and there is no peace. 'Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? 'Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it;[Great Tribulation] And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it. 'It shall come about on that day,' declares the Lord of hosts, 'that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves. 'But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. 'Fear not, O Jacob My servant,' declares the Lord, 'And do not be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar [Deliverance] And your offspring from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease, And no one will make him afraid. 'For I am with you,' declares the Lord, 'to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations  [the Day of the Lord] where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly And will by no means leave you unpunished.'

Jeremiah 30:3–11 NASB

Let us talk about the second part of setting up the Abomination that follows the shutting down of the altar daily sacrifice.  The prophecy speaks of an anti-messiah (antichrist) that is to rise to power as a part of the Great Tribulation.  Various clues are given in the prophecy such as the number of his name (666) and including his symbology as a beast with the body of a leopard, feet of a bear, and head of a lion.  He also has a red dragon that gives him his power, throne, and great authority.  But he rises to power in the midst of ten rulers and is called “the little horn.” 

Without going into all the details and many other things, let me reference a book entitled, “The Antichrist and the Cup of Tea.”  Here is the bottom line:  Prince Charles just became King Charles III.  He fits all the prophecies.  He is in the middle of the World Elites championing Climate Change and the Global Reset.  He wants to rise above all nations and national leaders to lead the effort for those two initiatives.  But let us look to events and other prophecies coming in 2023.

King Charles III will be coronated on May 6, 2023 before the world.  May 6 is the Hebrew month of Iyar.  If you count 42 Hebrew months further you arrive at Tishri in 2026.  According to the prophecy, the anti-messiah is to be given 42 months to rule during the Great Tribulation.

There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. - Revelation 13:5 NASB

Add to this:  Is it possible that part of his coronation ceremony that King Charles will come riding on a white horse?  We do not know the answer to that yet, but we do know that the first judgment of the Great Tribulation given in Revelation is the first seal judgment.

I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Revelation 6:2 NASB

King Charles is a senior military officer in every branch of military service in the United Kingdom.  The true Messiah came humble riding a donkey, but the anti-messiah is to come high and lifted up on a white horse.

The seal judgments of Revelation are a cluster of judgments, that is, they come together.  The first is the white horse with the anti-messiah, followed by a red, black, and then ashen horse.  Here is the actual prophecy:

When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come." And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come." I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine." When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come." I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Revelation 6:2–8 NASB

These are great omens to come.  These are the same omens that world leaders and experts are predicting for 2023:  wars and the possibility of nuclear weapons, financial collapse due the incredible debt of all nations and the transition to digital money, famine, and more pandemics.  The average citizen is not listening to neither the Revelation prophecies nor the world experts advising governments.  Just ask the question of “prophet Google” and you will learn how fearful the world has become with all these dire predictions.

Let us conclude this discussion by asking a very dramatic question for the month of January 2023.  Is it feasible that this winter—at the end of January leading into February—the Great Tribulation will begin?  The answer is a definite Yes, as we wait for the altar to be established. 

How probable is this Yes answer?  That calculation is dependent on the Government of Israel and the Jewish access to the Temple Mount.  But also adding to that calculation is the proclamation of the Jubilee year, Hannukah 2022, and the emergence of King Charles with his coronation next spring. 

Is it certain that the Great Tribulation will begin?  No, and I am not prophesying that it will happen.  We are all going to see God’s prophecies soon enough one way or the other.

But let me leave you with this:  consider yourself warned and this watchman has done his duty reporting what he is seeing.

Shalom