New Jerusalem: A Place of Safety!

New Jerusalem–A Place of Safety!

Sequel to: Mysteries of the New Jerusalem

Chapter 37 Preview: Where will you be during the Great Tribulation? A great many people assume that “the church” will be spared the anguish of the Great Tribulation by being “Raptured” into heaven. Others believe that “the church” will flea to a place of safety on earth, such as Petra in Jordan, but not stay in “a place” for the full 1260 days, opting to spend a year in “the third heaven”. Others plan to be in a place on earth for the entire time. Some hope that the Saints (off site) will be protected in their homes as the nations around them are being decimated. I will mention the wilderness again later. Consider the following scriptures and ask yourself if a Place of Safety is to be “above” us.

What do the scriptures say about surviving the Great Tribulation? If you have read Chapter 2, The Time After Jacob’s Trouble, then you are aware of the case I made showing that the remnant, or survivors, of the Nations of Israel are being led to safety at the close of this present age. Some of the basic “proof texts” about the Saints being spared the Tribulation actually pertain to Israel. So where does the Assembly (Church-off site) fit into the equation? Might “the wise” be seeking protection before those who suffer some of the trials begin looking for a way out? Finally, could Mount Zion, often a synonym for (New) Jerusalem, be the ultimate place of safety as well as where the “Marriage of the Lamb” will LATER take place?

The key scripture used by the earthly “place of safety” proponents maintains that the “woman” of Revelation 12 is the “true church”. Of course, 1260 days is the exact duration of the “Great Tribulation”—the more interesting half of a seven year period, also described as “the time of Jacob’s trouble”:

Revelation 12:6 The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY DAYS. WEB

But is this “woman” the church? What evidence supports that conclusion? Simply reading the context, the five verses preceding this “proof text”, really puts the kibosh to that nonsense. The woman in question is the Nation that gave birth to Jesus—Israel.

Revelation 12:1-5 A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth. 3 Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. 4 His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. 5 She [Israel] gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. WEB

Comparing this reference to the other symbolic reference concerning “sun” “moon” and “stars” will crush any remaining doubts about the “woman”. Joseph had a prophetic dream in which his family, the first “Israelite” family, corresponded to these exact symbols! Joseph was the youngest [12th star]. (Genesis 36:3)

Genesis 37:9 He dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, “Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me. WEB

Could New Jerusalem be a place of safety for the entire time? What is the “Tabernacle” that will have been “created”, and located literally “above” the earthly Mount Zion? A “sanctuary” is by definition a “place of refuge”. Also, might the Feast of Tabernacles also pertain to the TABERNACLE, in the sky “above” the earth, or possibly also include an earthly tabernacle! There is more about this “woman” and “her place” a few verses later. Notice that “her place” is a place that she must “fly into”! Might you “rejoice” in the “Heavens”, and if so what Heavens?

Revelation 12:12,14 THEREFORE REJOICE O HEAVENS, and YOU WHO DWELL IN THEM! WOE TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time... 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might FLY INTO THE WILDERNESS to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. NKJV

After the Exodus, God set national boundaries for the tribes of Israel. In becoming a nation, God likened the “wilderness” experience of the First Exodus to an eagle which carries its young into the air in order to drop them for a “crash” course in flying.

Deuteronomy 32:8-11 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the children of men, He set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel. 9 For [Yehovah’s] portion is His people. Jacob [Israel] is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness. He surrounded him. He cared for him. He kept him as the apple of His eye. 11 As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, He spread abroad His wings, He took them, He bore them on His feathers. WEB

The Revelation account of the “eagle” and the “woman” illustrates that God is again going to “drop ship” Israel into her land via another “wilderness” experience. After the destruction of Ancient Israel, God promised that He would again redraw the borders of Israel in the midst of the geography of the Middle East. The detailed plan begins in the following verse.

Ezekiel 47:13 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: This shall be the border, by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. WEB

Some of those people whom God has used to rebuild His Latter temple will still be in Jerusalem until the last possible safe moment:

Matthew 24:15-21 When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house. 18 Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days! 20 Pray that your flight will not be in the winter, nor on a Sabbath, 21 for then there will be Great ‘Oppression’ [Tribulation], such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. WEB [It has to be tough finding synonyms for so many words, so as to be different from verses already under copyright!]

There is reason to believe that many people will arrive at a gathering place over a period of 75 days (Daniel 12:11-12), but from there God will take these people elsewhere for exactly 42 months! Some will calmly “depart” early within the seventy five day “window” of opportunity:

Isaiah 52:11-12 Depart, depart, go out from there, touch no unclean thing! Go out of the midst of her! Cleanse yourselves, you who bear the vessels of [Yehovah]. 12 For you shall not go out in haste, neither shall you go by flight: for [Yehovah] will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. WEB

A far greater number of Israelites, and wise people of other nations will be provided “refuge” after surviving the Great Tribulation.

Isaiah 4:4-6 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, 5 then the Lord will create ABOVE every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and ABOVE her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For OVER all the glory there will be a ‘covering’. 6 And there will be a TABERNACLE for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a PLACE OF REFUGE, and for a shelter from storm and rain. NKJV

Here, the Tabernacle is described as a “refuge” after the “storm”, after the filth has been washed away. This is a primary support for the view that New Jerusalem will actually be “anchored” above the historic location of “Old Jerusalem”, tho it will be far larger.

These people who survived the Great Tribulation will need refuge from the Day of the Lord, which is the second great prophesied period of time.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 ‘Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. NKJV

This is not fluffy filler material either: We need to be looking for a True Tabernacle, not some “the Church is the Tabernacle” imitation.

Hebrews 8:1-2 Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a servant of the sanctuary, and of the TRUE TABERNACLE, which the Lord pitched, not man. WEB

Revelation 21:1-3 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, ‘Behold, the TABERNACLE of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. NKJV

Notice that the Beast will blaspheme the Tabernacle of God:

Revelation 13:4-6 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to ‘continue’ [or “perform a promise” as in Daniel 9:27] for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His TABERNACLE, and those who dwell in heaven. NKJV

I believe that this is the same occurrence that is mentioned by Daniel:

Daniel 11:31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. NKJV

What Tabernacle does the Beast blaspheme? And who is dwelling in “heaven” (the sky) at that time?

2 Samuel 22:8-15 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. 9 Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Fire out of his mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it. 10 He bowed the heavens also, and CAME DOWN. Thick darkness was under his feet. 11 He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind. 12 He made darkness ‘pavilions’ [Literally “a Tabernacle”]* around himself: gathering of [dark] waters, and thick clouds of the skies. 13 At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled. 14 [Yehovah] thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered His voice. 15 He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and confused them. WEB

* “Pavilions” is the same term that is used in “Tabernacles”, such as the “Feast of Tabernacles”, rather than the common word also translated tabernacle. At this time New Jerusalem will be cloaked with “dark waters and thick clouds”, hiding its majesty. Which heaven would God be in, so that when He thunders—lightning strikes the earth?

This is very similar to the following:

Psalms 18:6-19 [and for emphasis also in 2 Samuel 22:7-20] In my distress I called on [Yehovah], and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of His temple. My cry before Him came into His ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. 8 Smoke went out of his nostrils... Consuming fire came out of His mouth. Coals were kindled by it. 9 He [Yehovah] bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under His feet. 10 He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, He soared on the wings of the wind. Yes, He soared on the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His hiding place, his ‘pavilion’ [Again, a “TABERNACLE”, as in Feast of “Tabernacles”!] around him, darkness of waters, THICK CLOUDS of the skies. 12 At the brightness before Him His thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. 13 [Yehovah] [the other Yehovah, as explained in I And My Father Are One (Part 2)] also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire. 14 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them. 15 Then the channels of waters appeared...The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, [the region, if not the entire earth, will be shaken to the foundational core] [Yehovah], at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. 16 He sent from on high... HE TOOK ME; He drew me out of many waters [trouble]. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. 18 They came on me in the day of my calamity, but [Yehovah] was my support. 19 He brought me forth also into a large [or “broad’ : Strong’s 04800] place. WEB

This Psalm has nothing to do with anything that David experienced but it has everything to do with The Day of the Lord and deliverance from it! The most interesting points in this are: He took me”... “He also brought me out into a broad place”. This broad place is probably the “sea of glass”! Could you turn in your Bible and find anything even remotely as strong as the support for the “place of safety” described below—for some other location?

Psalms 31:19-21 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have PREPARED for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men [humans]! 20 You shall HIDE THEM in the SECRET PLACE OF YOUR PRESENCE from the plots of man; You shall keep them SECRETLY in a ‘pavilion’ [Literally, “a TABERNACLE”] from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a STRONG CITY! NKJV

The Strong City will be New Jerusalem!

Isaiah 26:1-2 In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a STRONG CITY. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks. 2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter: the one which keeps faith. WEB

The Jerusalem on the ground will no longer be called Jerusalem; that name will be reserved for the New City:

Ezekiel 48:31-35...the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel [as in Revelation 21:12]... 35 It shall be eighteen thousand reeds around: and the name of the city from that day shall be, [Yehovah] Is There. WEB

Psalms 46:1-7 God is our REFUGE and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we wont be afraid, though the earth changes, [“removed”, as in the KJV, is not in Strong’s] though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; 3 hough its waters roar and ‘foam’, [Literally “boil”, “foam”, “foam up”, “ferment”], though the mountains tremble with their ‘rising up’* [Literally “pride”, “majesty”, “rising up”, “swelling”]. Selah. 4 here is a river, the streams of which make the CITY OF GOD glad, the holy place of the ‘Tabernacle’ [Strong’s 04908 “mishkan” mish-kawn’ the very “Dwelling place”, or “Tabernacle”] of the Most High. 5 God is in her midst. She shall not be ‘shaken’ [Literally “totter”, “shaken”, “slip”, “be moved”]; God will HELP HER** at [the break of] dawn. 6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted His voice, and the earth melted. 7 [Yehovah] of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. WEB

* Possibly a reference to the time when the “sea” is “no more”.

** “God shall HELP HER” [Israel] just prior to the “dawn” of the new millennial day! Reconstruction of the earth’s surface requires a lot of shaking and melting! Fortunately, during the “reconstruction”, the “City” or “Tabernacle” will not be shaken. New Jerusalem, with its River of Life, [Revelation 22:1] will be positioned over the location of ancient Eden, actually covering an area much larger than all of ancient Israel had been. The river that flowed from Eden became four great rivers. This too will be restored.

Job 36:29-33 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the ‘noise’ [“thunder” NKJV] of His TABERNACLE? 30 Behold, He spreadeth His light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31 For by them judgeth He the people; He giveth meat in abundance. 32 With clouds He covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh BETWIXT. 33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour. KJV

Perhaps even Job was alluding to the dark clouds that will come “betwixt” earth and the sky, preventing visibility of New Jerusalem until the Day of the Lord. Then there will be thunder from His Tabernacle! Here is another clue as to where protection will be offered to those who will listen:

Obadiah 1:15-18 For the day of [Yehovah] [better known as “the Day of the Lord”] IS NEAR all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head. 16 For as you have drunk on My holy mountain, so will all the nations drink continually. Yes, they will drink, swallow down, and will be as though they had not been. 17 But in MOUNT ZION, there will be THOSE WHO ESCAPE, and it will be holy. The house of Jacob will possess their possessions. 18 The house of Jacob will be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble. They will burn among them, and devour them. There will not be any [of those described in vs. 8-14] remaining to the house of Esau.” Indeed, [Yehovah] has spoken. WEB

Dont try hiding out on Jerusalem’s earthly Mount Zion during the Day of the Lord! Earthly Jerusalem will definitely not be safe. Again, “Then let those who are in Judea flea to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:16) God’s people must “Flea” “Judea”!

Psalm 27:1-5 Whom shall I fear? [Yehovah] is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I have asked of [Yehovah], that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of [Yehovah] all the days of my life, to see [Yehovah’s] beauty, and to inquire in His temple. 5 For in THE [TIME] OF TROUBLE [the time of Jacob’s trouble] He will keep me secretly in his ‘pavilion’ [masculine word form: “TABERNACLE”]. In the [SECRET PLACE NKJV] of his tabernacle He will hide me. He will lift me up on a ‘ROCK’. WEB

I think that that last line is what was alluded to in 1 Corinthians 10:4, with Jesus being the Rock.

Compare these Psalms:

Psalms 31:2-3 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress... NKJV

Psalms 27:5-6 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. NKJV

Dismissing the following scripture as poetry may cost you your life!

Psalms 91:1-15 He who dwells in the SECRET PLACE of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of [Yehovah], “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His feathers. Under his wings YOU will take refuge [more eagle symbolism]. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day; 6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made [Yehovah] your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling 11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. 12 They will bear you up in their hands, so that you wont dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot. 14 “Because He has set His love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set HIM ON HIGH, because He has known my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer Him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. WEB

Where is “on high”?

Just like “heaven”, it can sometimes mean anywhere “up there”, but usually it’s where God dwells!

Isaiah 33:5 [Yehovah] is exalted, for he dwells on high. He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. WEB

Psalms 92:8 But you, [Yehovah], are on high forevermore. WEB

Isaiah 24:18 It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on ON HIGH opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. WEB

You’ve heard of walking on water, what about walking on fire:

Isaiah 33:14-17 The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning? 15 [Note the answer to this important question.] He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil—16 HE WILL DWELL ON HIGH; his place of defense will be the ‘fortress’ [Strong’s #4679: “fort, stronghold, fastness, mountain-fastness, stronghold”] of ‘rocks’ [Strong’s # 5553: “to be lofty, craggy rock, fortress, crag, stronghold of [Yehovah]; His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure 17 Your eyes will see the King [Jesus] in His beauty. They will see a distant land. WEB

“Our eyes will see the King” the “Lofty Rock”, our “Mountain Fortress” when we “dwell on High”! From this vantage point we will be able to “see” the “Holy Land”.

Both “fortress” and “rock” are used as symbols of God’s divine protection. That goes double when they are both used together! These terms are always taken to be figures of speech, which is fine, but could they have a literal application for those of us at the end of the age?

Psalms 18:2 [Yehovah] is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower. WEB

Psalms 31:2-3 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my ROCK of refuge, a FORTRESS of defense to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. NKJV

Psalms 71:3 Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my ROCK and my fortress. WEB

Mix in a little eagle wings for good measure:

Psalms 61:2-3 Lead me to the towering ROCK of safety, 3 for You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 4 Let me live FOREVER in your ‘sanctuary’ [“Tabernacle”, as in KJV], safe beneath the shelter of your wings! NKJV

Who wants to stay in Petra “forever”?

Psalms 31:1-5 In you, [Yehovah], I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong ROCK, a house of defense to save me. 3 For you are my ROCK and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me. 4 Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold. 5 Into your hand I commend my spirit [as Jesus quoted in Luke 23:46]. You redeem me, [Yehovah], God of truth. WEB

With “rock” and “fortress” in mind, again read the following a few verses:

Psalms 31:19-21 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men [angels]! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them ‘secretly’ [05643]* in a ‘pavilion’ [Tabernacle] from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! NKJV

Now for Part 2