Elijah/Day 1

Beyond prewrath position asserts that Christ returns with the resurrected saints at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel, with a gathering in Jerusalem-particularly on rooftops and Christ on the Mt. of Olives-as described in Matthew 24:15-20 and Zechariah 14:4-5. This is not a mid-tribulation rapture view since beyond prewrath asserts that an elect dispensational rapture is after the great tribulation though before the trumpet judgments. From that midpoint chronologically forward Christ remains on earth through the three major battles: Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat, and Armageddon.

Background

The Ten Days of Awe tab presents the idea that this period corresponds to the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments, with Yom Kippur (Day 1,260) marking the end of the 70th week of Daniel. According to this model, the two witnesses are killed on Day 1,256, meaning their final day to prophesy would be Day 1,255. (Ref. 1)

The Figure

In the above figure, Day 1,255 is labeled W1260, indicating the completion of the witnesses’ 1,260 days of prophecy (Rev. 11:3). Therefore, Day 1, the midpoint of the 70th week, would be their sixth day of prophesying (W6). Going back five days from this midpoint places their first day of prophecy (W1) on a likely Passover. There are a few years when the Passover falls seven days before the midpoint, though that would go against the Jewish Passover Seder tradition of an empty Elijah place setting. (Ref. 2 and 3)

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Identifying that the two witnesses arrive five days before the midpoint on a likely Passover should be considered an historic event in eschatology.

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Elijah Connection: Passover and the Two Witnesses

Supporting the idea of their return on Passover is the long-standing Jewish tradition involving Elijah. During the Passover Seder, an empty place is set for Elijah, and the youngest child opens the front door in anticipation of his arrival. Revelation 11:3 mentions two witnesses, so it’s conceivable that two families—likely in Jerusalem—could be visited simultaneously. (Ref. 4)

Messengers Precede: Jesus and the Day of the Lord

At His first coming, John the Baptist served as the messenger preparing the way for Christ. Similarly, prophecy indicates that two "Elijah-type" prophets (Rev. 11:3) will prepare the way before Christ’s second coming (Mal. 3:1) and before the "great and awesome day of the Lord" (Mal. 4:5, ESV)—identified as the Jerusalem battle at the midpoint of the 70th week.

Refining Process and Outpouring of the Spirit

After Christ’s return, Malachi 3:3 (ESV) states:

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.”

"To refine" implies a lengthy period of spiritual purification, allowing people time to recognize their misalignment with God's will. Once this process is complete, Joel 2:28–32 prophesies a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all Israel—a moment echoed in Acts 2:17–21.

In the Ten Days of Awe tab figure, this spiritual culmination occurs on Day 1,253, just before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31), represented by the Battle of Jehoshaphat on Day 1,254. This indicates that the refining process takes place well before Day 1,253.

Matthew 24:15–20 aligns with Daniel 9:27, describing the midpoint (Day 1) abomination in the temple, prompting those in Jerusalem to flee. Revelation 12:14 indicates they are protected and nourished for 1,260 days, providing time for deep spiritual reflection (cf. Dan. 12:1a).

Midpoint Events

The following Day 1 events are proposed, though not necessarily in exact sequence and may overlap:

Christ returns toward the Mt. of Olives.
Gathering of those on Jerusalem rooftops as Christ makes His way in the sky toward the Mt. of Olives.
Three angelic worldwide proclamations.
The last proclamation seems to be when Jesus's feet set down on the Mt. of Olives (represented as the last trumpet), the resurrection of the (OT and NT) saints, and the mount splits.
Satan is thrown out of heaven and then indwells with the man of lawlessness forming the "Antichrist." The man of lawlessness commits the temple abomination. His army attacks the same day.
Jewish people flee to safety toward present day Jordan (Zech. 14:5; Matt. 24:15-20).
Consequently, Christ responds with a Day of the Lord labeled as the Battle of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:1), likely battle less than 24 hours since there is light in the evening time (v. 6). (Ref. 5 and 6)

Scriptural Insights into Day 1

Christ not in the Heavenly Battle:
Revelation 11:7–13 implies Christ was not involved in the heavenly battle that casts out Satan. This suggests He may have already arrived on earth prior to Satan being thrown down.

Man of Lawlessness Revealed Before the Day of the Lord:
The man of lawlessness is expected to reveal himself at the new Jewish temple (yet to be built) by committing the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15). This seems to reflect 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 where "he takes his seat." This would expect to end the twice daily temple (yet to be built) sacrifices (Dan. 8:13-14) and should be indicative of the midpoint fleeing (Matthew 24:15-20; Dan. 9:27), yet the prewrath incorrectly maintain that 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 chronology is associated with their elect rapture after the great tribulation. Also, consider nowhere in that the Scripture will you find harpazo (rapture) or a multitude rejoicing in heaven (cf. Rev. 7:9-17). There are at least two pairs of gatherings and Days of the Lord and not the singular pair the prewrath maintain: the first at the midpoint on the ground in Jerusalem on their rooftops (Matt. 24:15-20; 2 Thess. 2:1-4) and Jesus on the Mt. of Olives (Zech. 14:4-5; Acts 1:9-12), and the second pair is in the sky representative of a rapture gathering (Matt. 24:30-31; Rev. 1:7; Rev. 8:5) and a same day "day of the Lord" (Rev. 8:7). (Ref. 7)

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (ESV):

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”

Malachi 3:1a (ESV):

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.”

Matthew 24:15–17 (ESV):

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house.”

Isaiah 33:17–21 (ESV):

Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty (cf. Matt. 24:15-20); they will see a land that stretches afar (likely Jordan). Your heart will muse on the terror: “Where is he who counted, where is he who weighed the tribute? Where is he who counted the towers?” You will see no more the insolent people, the people of an obscure speech that you cannot comprehend, stammering in a tongue that you cannot understand. Behold Zion, the city of our appointed feasts! Your eyes will see Jerusalem (from the Mt. of Olives), an untroubled habitation, an immovable tent, whose stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken. But there the Lord in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars can go, nor majestic ship can pass. (cf. Ezek. 47:1-5; Zech. 14:8).

Reference (1): A great resource to learn more about the Jewish Feasts of the Lord and their eschatological meaning: Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal, The Feasts of the Lord God’s Prophetic Calendar from Calvary to the Kingdom, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).

Reference (3): ibid., 37.

Reference (4): ibid., 42-43.

Reference (5): ibid., 5-24.

Robert Parker

elijah/day 1

DAY 1 (mid-point) EVENTS