Click for a similar summary of the events immediately preceding the onset of the Millennium.

The timeline of Daniel's 70th week correlates utilizes multiple parallel Scriptures to help understand the events described in Daniel 9:27

And he (the Antichrist - click for his many aliases) will make a firm covenant with the many (the Jews) for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week (3.5 years) he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate. (Comment: This week is traditionally referred to by evangelical commentators as "The Tribulation" but is never specifically so designated in Scripture. Nevertheless because this term has been so widely accepted, it will be used as a synonym for the more Scripturally accurate term "Daniel's Seventieth Week") (see in depth notes on Daniel 9:27)

The Seventieth Week of seven years, the Tribulation, begins when the Antichrist makes a firm seven year covenant with Israel (click link). The consensus  that the Rapture of the Church precedes this Seven year period (see timing of the Rapture; see also 1Thes 4:13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18).

The Covenant with Israel that marks the onset of the Tribulation is evidently a covenant of protection and of religious freedom under which Israel is free to re-establish their ancient sacrificial system, which presupposes a rebuilt Temple which will be erected either before or during this first 3.5 years of the Tribulation (Scripture is unclear). The only acceptable site for the Jewish Temple is the Temple Mount, which in 2007 is still the location of the Dome of the Rock which is under Muslim control. Clearly there must be a radical shift in policy to allow the Temple to be rebuilt, and this may be one of the Antichrist's first major breakthroughs, as he is able to broker the long sought after jewel of Peace in the Middle East.

John substantiates that during the end times there will be a rebuilt Jewish Temple recording that...

There was given me (John) a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months (the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation). (See notes Revelation 11:1; 11:2).

Note that Revelation 11 and 12 are vitally important chapters regarding the timing of events in Daniel's Seventieth Week and should be carefully studied by all believers so that we might be able to give unbelievers an account of the hope that we possess (see note 1 Peter 3:15). As you read these chapters you will observe repeated references to a 3.5 year period, one of the references referring to the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation but most referring to the second half of the Tribulation (See chart on time phrases related to the Tribulation). Here is a brief outline but please examine the passages in context , interpreting literally where possible (John's language in Revelation 12 is very figurative, but do not forget the basic principle that even figurative passages have a "literal" meaning and cannot be wildly spiritualized or allegorized!) allowing the Spirit to lead you into all the truth (see 1John 2:27 where "anointing" is a reference to the Spirit indwelling every believer, see note Romans 8:9)

The appearance of God's two witnesses during the first half of the Seven Year Tribulation is followed by their assassination, resurrection and ascension.

Revelation 11:3 "And I will grant authority to my  two witnesses (there are many speculations about who these two men but don't let that sidetrack you), and they will prophesy for  twelve hundred and sixty days (3.5 years) clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
5 And if anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner he must be killed.
6 These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
7 And when they have finished their testimony (note that God's men are invincible until they have completed the task He gives them), the Beast, (the Antichrist) that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt (Jerusalem), where also their Lord was crucified.
9 And those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.
10 And those who dwell on the earth (see Earth Dwellers) will rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 And after the three and a half days the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were beholding them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. (see notes Rev 11:3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12)
 

Then in Revelation 11:13 God brings about another dramatic event which highlights the miraculous resurrection and ascension, John recording that...

And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city (of Jerusalem) fell; and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. (See note Revelation 11:13) (Comment: Notice the degree of specificity of the details - 1/10th of the city fallen and 7000 people killed - such numerical detail will allows one to easily correlate John's prophecy with the specific historical fulfillment in the future. God is giving a clear marker for the beginning of the horrific last 3.5 years and will allow any who are alive at this time and who have ears to hear God, to come to their senses and realize that the news of this earthquake in Jerusalem was predicted by John in Revelation 11. And if those alive at this time -- recall that the Church has already been delivered from the wrath to come {see notes 1Thes 1:10, 5:9} -- read on in Revelation 12-13, they will realize that these events in Jerusalem are only "previews" of coming attractions.)

Here is the main point - this dramatic event in Jerusalem marks the midpoint of the 7 year period and is associated with a number of other "earth shaking" events, including the Antichrist breaking his covenant with Israel, putting an end to the Jewish sacrifices. This break in covenant is associated with  what Jesus (Mt 24:15) and Daniel referred to as the "abomination of desolation" ( Daniel 9:27)

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), (Mt 24:15)

This marks the beginning of the terrifying last 3.5 year period which Jesus called the  Great Tribulation

for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. (Mt 24:21). (Click for chart of synonyms for the Great Tribulation)

In a parallel description of this event Paul wrote...

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (2Thes 2:3-4)

From Jesus' and Paul's descriptions the Antichrist's lawlessness and destructive intentions are clearly unveiled for the entire world to see, giving everyone alive a clear choice to believe either the Truth of Christ or the lie of the Antichrist.

The Great Tribulation must run its course, but will be brought to an end by the Second Coming of Christ (see notes beginning at Revelation 19:11ff), which brings Daniel's Seventieth Week to a close and is followed by His 1000 year Millennial Kingdom. As an aside, it is worth noting that if one interprets 1000 years in a non-literal sense, not only is it difficult to make any sense out of the chronological events Revelation 19-21, but it is also difficult to explain the numerous Old Testament descriptions of this glorious period of time when Messiah reigns on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords (see description of the earthly Millennium primarily from the OT prophets).

Those who will enter the Millennium in their natural bodies include both Jew and Gentile. The Gentiles who are alive at the end of the Great Tribulation will stand at the judgment of the sheep and goats  (Mt 25:31–46) to determine who enters into the 1000 year kingdom. The Jews will be judged in (Ezekiel 20:33–44) to determine who will enter into the kingdom. Only believing Gentiles and Jews will be allowed into the Millennial kingdom.

At this point let me encourage you to use this diagram as a guide and a stimulus to examine the Scriptures carefully for yourself to see whether these things are so. As a believer you have no need for anyone to teach you, for you have the Holy Spirit to guide you into all the truth (cp 1John 2:27). I encourage you to read these passages in context (eg, read and meditate on the entire chapters in Daniel 2, 7, 9-12, Mt 24-25, etc), seeking the normal literal (plain sense) meaning of the verses, making special notation in your Bible of the expressions of time, and comparing Scripture with Scripture. If you prayerfully seek the truth concerning God's plan for the Ages, you will be amazed at how the obscure pieces of the prophetic "jigsaw" puzzle begin to fall into place and make such plain sense that speculative, non-literal interpretation is quickly recognized as nonsense.
         

Note that the diagram is color coded to aid your overview (see Legend). Please use this overview as a guide to encourage you to drink deeply from the prophetic Word of Truth for yourself and postpone reading commentaries until after you have made your own observations and arrived at your own interpretation.

Note: Consider downloading InstaVerse to enable you to hold your pointer over any of the Scripture references on this chart  and pop up the verse in context. Only KJV is free but you can also download a free copy of Bible Explorer which offers free Bibles that work with InstaVerse, including  the excellent, literal English Standard Version (ESV). (NAS, , NIV, et al available for purchase). With this tool you can study the chart below and read the passages in their proper context which is key to accurate interpretation.