Many have been mislead in their search for truth regarding the end times, what it all means, who is involved and when the end times prophecies will kick in.
First, I need to say that I'm an evangelical who adheres to a more or less literal interpretation of scripture where a literal interpretation is clearly intended meaning. Second, I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, which means that Believers will be taken up, in an instant and that this event will take place before the actual tribulation begins. This is not the same as saying that Believers will escape all trials and difficulties. We will most certainly see times of difficulty, of having less and of seeing events that will bring sadness and grief into our lives. But, as believers we know that Jesus Christ conquered all things, even death itself, through his suffering death on the cross. We are the beneficiaries of his atonement and in the end times we will see the unfolding of this truth.
Next, let me observe that the ancient prophecies in Daniel, Ezekiel and the other great Old Testament prophets pertain mostly to the Jews and God's plan for their redemption and salvation. This is not the same as saying that only Jews will be affected by God's plan for 'the end of the age'. As noted, I believe that Christians will be 'taken up' prior to the the end times and thus will not see the destruction that God has planned for an unbelieving world. Many Bible commentators believe that the rapture will usher in the end times. This is an interesting thought and logically it makes sense if millions suddenly disappear, in a twinkling. The resulting chaos would be without parallel in all of human history, with mass disruption of society.
Third, the 7 years of tribulation, or 'the time of Jacob's trouble' as Jeremiah called it, concerns the unfolding of God's plan for the destruction of the ungodly, and the salvation of the Jews. This period, sometimes known as the '70th week of Daniel', is what most refer to when they say 'the end times'. I believe that God 'is not done with the Jews'. They are his special people, chose from out of all time to be the carriers of His word, and plan for mankind.
Without question, this will be a terrible time with a series of judgements, designed by God to turn the hearts of the unbelievers toward Him. Many will perish during these judgements. Many will be saved also. For it is not God's will that mankind should be lost but should turn to him.
