Page 74 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2010

“AND UNLESS THOSE DAYS WERE SHORTENED, NO FLESH WOULD BE SAVED;
BUT FOR THE ELECT’S SAKE THOSE DAYS WILL BE SHORTENED.”
Matt.24:22

Look carefully at the above statement from the lips of Jesus. It is not a suggestion that Christ makes,
but a stated fact, “…those days WILL BE shortened.” As a prophecy teacher for many years, I must
admit that until recently I have never taken to heart the ramifications behind this prophetic statement of
Jesus. To protect the lives of the elect, He is going to shorten the days of the tribulation.

There are two different concepts by which these words of Jesus can be interpreted. Either He is going
to take away from the total number of days prophesied as encompassing the length of the tribulation,
or He is going to literally shorten the length of the day itself:

“AND UNLESS THOSE DAYS WERE SHORTENED, NO FLESH WOULD BE SAVED;
BUT FOR THE ELECT’S SAKE THOSE DAYS WILL BE SHORTENED.”

Matt.24:22

WILL JESUS REDUCE WILL JESUS REDUCE
THE THE

OF THE DAYS OF A DAY
IN ORDER TO IN ORDER TO
“SHORTEN THE DAYS” “SHORTEN THE DAYS”
OF THE TRIBULATION? OF THE TRIBULATION?

If indeed this is what Jesus means by However, if Jesus is implying that He intends to
“shortening the days” then we have a myriad shorten the LENGTH of a day during the tribulation
of complications with the rest of the prophetic instead of the total number of those days, then we
Word. There are specific, prophesied day have a plausible theory in which the specified day
counts throughout the Book of Daniel and the counts of prophecy can still be fulfilled even though
Book of Revelation pertaining to the length of the very same days will be shortened.
the tribulation that must be fulfilled. Any
shortening of those specific day counts will We are dealing with prophecy. What Jesus states
nullify the accuracy of prophecy. Remember, about “shortening the days” is not just a statement
Peter tells us: of fact, but must be viewed also as a prophecy that
must be fulfilled. Jesus cannot negate specific
“WE ALSO HAVE THE PROPHETIC WORD prophecies already given by uttering words
MADE MORE SURE, THAT YOU DO WELL contrary to them. All prophecy must be fulfilled.
We cannot have parts left over or parts left out.
TO HEED AS A LIGHT THAT SHINES God is very exacting when it comes to His Word.
IN A DARK PLACE…” Jesus states:
2 Pet. 1:19
“ASSUREDLY, I SAY UNTO YOU, TILL HEAVEN
If we can nullify specific, illuminating AND EARTH PASS AWAY, ONE JOT OR ONE
prophecies under a general, nebulous
banner of “those days will be shortened”, then TITTLE (“SMALLEST STROKE”) WILL BY NO MEANS
the prophetic Word ceases to be a more sure PASS FROM THE LAW TILL ALL IS FULFILLED.”
word that shines light into a dark place. Matt. 5:18

If this is what Jesus means by “shortening the How all this shall be accomplished is contained
days” then even the authenticity of the stated within the message of the prophets. Clearly stated
seven-year length of the tribulation is in is this fact:
jeopardy as well as those things singled out
to take place in the 1,260 days of the last half “SURELY THE LORD GOD DOES NOTHING,
of the tribulation. (We will explore this UNLESS HE REVEALS HIS SECRET
scenario in more detail in a moment)
TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS.”
Amos 3:7