The Time After Jacob’s Trouble
The Untold Story of the Second Exodus!
Chapter 14, Part 1 Preview: Many expect a “rapture”; others expect a place of safety for the “church”. The Exodus is about to be repeated! The Two Witnesses’ message will spearhead a Second Exodus! Can someone suffer thru the Great Tribulation, yet not be spared from the Day of Yehovah? Can you be spared both? Is there a “place of safety” for the remnant of ALL TWELVE TRIBES of Israel during and after the Tribulation? This chapter addresses the “safety” issue by raising questions that you probably never thought to ask; spanning hundreds of Bible verses that have a direct bearing on your future. Will you escape the Tribulation entirely? ... because on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, there will be a way of escape [rootword, refugees], as Yehovah has said, for the survivors who Yehovah has invited [called].. (Joel 2:32)
Here is one of the most critical prophetic verses in the entire Bible. The descendants of all twelve tribes of ancient Israel—most of whom speak English—are soon to be gathered back into the Promised.
Jeremiah 16:14-16 Yehovah says, the time is coming when people will no longer discuss, “As Yehovah lives, who brought up the descendant’s of Israel out of the land of Egypt”; 15 but, “As Yehovah lives, who brought up the descendant’s of Israel from the Land of the North, and from all the countries where He had driven them”! I’ll bring them again into their land that I gave to their ancestors. 16 “I’ll send out many fishermen”, declares Yehovah, “and they will catch them; and afterward I’ll send out many hunters, and they’ll hunt for them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of fissures in the rocks!—Gabriel Bible
A significant minority of Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) understand that the prophecies concerning the re-population of the Promised involves more than the Jewish pioneers there now. Yet many of the very Christians who understand that there will be a great Second Exodus, that will dwarf the former Exodus, don’t understand the enslavement of our people that must occur before the Good News.
Wise kadishea (saints) will understand!
Daniel 12:10 Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked, and none of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
Does the Bible mention the United States and the British people? You simply must read about that Exodus and the “her” involved when:
Zechariah 2:5 Yehovah ‘will be a WALL OF FIRE all around her, and I will be the splendor in her midst.
The original inspiration for this chapter came after I read an article by a rather influential writer on the theme of “Anglo-Israelism”, as some refer it to. The writer utilized passages from most of these same chapters, in an effort to “prove” that the twelve modern nations, descended from the original twelve tribes of ancient Israel, would at the end of this present evil age continue to enjoy great prosperity. The very idea that those ancient tribes did not vanish from the face of the earth is new to most of you who find this chapter on a search engine. That being the case, you only have to read all of Genesis Chapter 49, to see a thumbnail description of the national identities that depict these twelve nations during the very “end time”.
Genesis 49:1 Jacob called for his sons, and said: Gather around so that I can tell you what you [your descendants] will encounter in the days to come.
His article concluded that this Israel, (the people who have lost their very identity, due to a lack of desire to know their Elohim (God), would not only be spared captivity, but that she would be victorious over all aspiring conquerors. While his happily-ever-after conclusion would appear to be far more desirable than the one that I am presenting here, it would be a great disservice to the Elohim of Israel, and to you, to let this cleverly distorted and calculated account stand unchallenged. No additional effort on my part was necessary to locate all of the Scriptural evidence necessary to reveal the whole story of what will happen to all twelve of our predominantly English speaking Israelite brother/nations in the coming few decades. All that I had to do was include the context of the verses that were so masterfully taken out of their context. (You will soon see why no one has ever accused me of using a Scripture out of context.)
The first few pages are a synopsis of the entire seven year period immediately preceding the Day of Yehovah, the latter half is referred to as the “Tribulation” or “Great Tribulation”. The lack of love toward our God is the very reason for the terrible prophetic consequences described in this chapter.
Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesnt come to rest.
The reason that I refer to Israel as “her” is prophetic in itself. You have probably been taught that the woman in the following passage is a reference to the Church. Please note that this woman gave birth to Yeshua! As in Joseph’s dream, where this symbolism comes, these twelve stars represent the twelve tribes/nations of Israel! (Genesis 37:9-11)
Revelation 12:1-3 An ‘amazing’ sign was seen in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 Being pregnant, she cried out from birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 Another sign appeared in the sky, a huge fiery dragon [Greek: drakon][Greek: drakon] that had seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems were on his head.
If you think that modern day “Israel” is the fulfillment of the end time prophecies, then you should check out Addendum #3 to see that Judah has always been distinct from Israel:
This chapter should be the sequel to the story of the Great Tribulation that immediately precedes this time line. Suffice it to say that the Great Tribulation is to strike the Twelve Tribes (now nations) of Israel by the hands of a celebrated madman known as the Beast, with the help of ten Beastly kings in eastern and western Europe who will, over a period of perhaps twelve years, become so powerful and arrogant that they will even seek to challenge the Elohim of the Universe, to the ultimate battle with their Star Wars technology. This will take place just as Elohim is returning to seize His “select” and His planet away from them, (that they are so masterfully destroying), but before the fiery red Dragon, who is using the Beast, totally destroys them (in part due to what could be termed “the king of the North East” (Daniel 11:44).
Matthew 24:22 If it weren’t for those days being curtailed, no one would survive. But for the sake of the select those days will be curtailed. [2]
[2] Matthew 24 describes the exact same events as Daniel 12 does, and the events, as Daniel explained, will be totally “curtailed” after 1335 days.
[More about Matthew 24 can be found at: The Actual Message of Matthew 24, yet the writer, a former associate, is no longer a believer!]
Again, you have probably heard that the “elect” is the church. Sure, there is a small spiritual remnant of Israel, but don’t assume that they are the primary focus of end time prophecy. Bible prophecy includes all of the nations on earth, as they become relevant by interacting with Israel!
Isaiah 45:4 For the sake of My servant Jacob, Israel My chosen, I’ve called you by name. I’ve surnamed you, tho you haven’t known Me.
Isaiah 65:9 & 22 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah an heir of My ‘mountains’ [symbolic of nations]; My ELECT shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there. ... V.22 “They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My ELECT shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
More often than not, the “elect” of the Testimony of Yeshua (New testament) is still Israel! Notice that the following “[S]elect” have not yet obtained eternal life!
2 Timothy 2:10 So I endure everything for the sake of the select, so that they can also obtain eternal Life thru Yeshua Messiah, with eternal splendor.
Here is a passage that actually contrasts the physical elect with the elect[ion] of grace. The presence of spiritual Israel was so small that even Elijah was totally unaware of it!
Romans 11:2-7 YHVH (Yehovah) hasn’t rejected the people who He predestined. Don’t you know what the Scriptures say about Elijah when he complained to YHVH against Israel Israel? He said, 3 “YHVH, they’ve killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I’m the only one left, and they’re trying to kill me.” 4 And what was revealed to him, “I have kept seven thousand men for Myself who have never bowed down to worship Baal!” 5 It is the same today, a remnant have been rescued—selected by compassion. 6 But since it is by compassion, it isn’t by works, otherwise, compassion isn’t compassion. And if by works, it isn’t by compassion— otherwise, work isn’t work. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking, but the Select [#] obtained it, and the rest of them were ‘spiritually’ blind.
Here is an observation it would be good to mention at this point, now that you are considering that the Select are all of Israel. The following quotation from Matthew has been used to support the theory that the “elect”, ostensibly the Church, will be raptured “from the four winds” to “heaven” before the tribulation.
Matthew 24:31 Then He’ll send out His spirit messengers with a loud shofar blast and they’ll gather together His selected people from the four winds [north, south, east and west], from one farthermost bound of the horizon [heaven] to the other.
Notice where the expressions “from the four winds” and “four winds of heaven” came from, and to which “elect” they actually refer to.
Ezekiel 37:9 Then He told me: Prophesy to the wind/breath/spirit, prophesy, son of Adam, and tell the wind/breath/spirit” the Sovereign Yehovah says: Come from the four winds [ditto], O spirit, and breathe on these slain, so that they will live.
At the end of the age, Israel as a nation will be facing annihilation. The forces that threaten to run the Jewish nation into the sea will come close to doing just that, and all of the other tribes of Israel, numbering in the hundreds of millions, will be enslaved as well! The dry bones terminology of Ezekiel alludes to Israel’s seeming death sentence.
Zechariah 2:6-12 Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north’, declares Yehovah, because I’ve spread you abroad as the four winds of the sky’, declares Yehovah. 7 ‘Come, Zion! Escape, you who live with the daughter of Babylon.’ 8 This is what Yehovah, the ‘Warrior’ King says, “Afterward, His Splendor sent Me to the nations that plundered you, because he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. 9 Look, I’ll wave My hand over them, and their slaves will plunder them. Then you’ll know that Yehovah the ‘Warrior’ King has sent Me. 10 Sing and celebrate, daughter of Zion, because, look, I come, and I’ll live among you’, declares Yehovah. 11 Many nations will side with Yehovah during this time, and become My people, and I’ll live among you, and you’ll know that Yehovah the ‘Warrior’ King has sent Me to you. 12 Yehovah will inherit Judah as his portion in the kadosh land, and will once again choose Jerusalem.
When you compare these verses from Zechariah to Matthew 24:31, you can see that the gathering of the elect is from the land of the north, the modern “Babylon”, described in Revelation chapters 17 and 18, and elsewhere. “The four winds of heaven” that Elohim gathers these elect from, in this instance, is everywhere where the Beast of Babylon has scattered and sold Israel.
The other verse that is used to support the rapture theory is this one:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then, we who are still alive, having survived, will be carried away together with them into the clouds to meet our Master in the expanse. And we will be with our Master forever.
Notice some things about this passage. This is the time of the “first” (actually “best” ) “resurrection”. The gathering does take place in the EARTH’S atmosphere among the clouds; after all, we will be composed of “spirit material”. We will always be with “Yehovah” but we need not float on cloud nine with harps for eternity!
Revelation 21:3 I heard a loud voice from the sky say, “Look, YHVH’s tabernacle [dwelling place] is among humanity [anthropos]. He will live with them and they’ll be His people, and YHVH will be with them, yes YHVH Himself will be with them.”
The rapture theory is a decoy that only serves to cover up the real story! The elect will actually be taken to New Jerusalem in the earth’s atmosphere-not heaven! Why go to heaven when you can be here with Elohim? He is coming to “dwell in your midst”. I know that this must seem incredible, but please check out the dozens of Biblical references to this wonderful future in New Jerusalem.
The Message of the Two Witnesses
The Bible reveal that two powerful “prophets” will arise just before the Great “Tribulation” on Israel, that is perhaps better described as “the time of Jacob’s trouble”. This chapter is not specifically about the Two Witnesses, but their influence marks the turning point in world history. I can almost hear them quoting the following verse:
Jeremiah 30:7-9 That day will be terrible! There will never be another like it. It’s the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he’ll be saved [liberated] out of it. 8 Then in that day, declares Yehovah, leader of armies, I’ll break the yoke from your neck, and snap your chains. Foreigners will no longer enslave you. 9 You’ll serve Yehovah your Elohim, and David your king, who I’ll raise for you.
Daniel chapter twelve is another of several accounts mentioning “the time of trouble”.
Daniel 12:1 AT THAT TIME, Michael will take a stand, the great leader who stands for your ‘countrymen’, and there will be a time of trouble [the great Tribulation], such as there has never been since the first nation up until that time, AND AT THAT TIME [during the “time of the end!”] your people will be rescued, everyone whose names are still found {niphal} recorded in the Book [of Life].
The “Two Witnesses” of Revelation 11 will reveal to our people that because of our continuous abandonment of the Ten Commandments, we will have to learn the hard way to trust in our Elohim. Israel is still destined to exemplify the way of life that was previously revealed to them, and will be the very first nation truly “under Elohim, with liberty and justice for all”. You might ask why Elohim chose backsliding Israel to work with? In the distant past He found a faithful man named Abraham, after searching the entire world. It was to the forefather of the righteous that Elohim hoped that He could mold a righteous nation (Deuteronomy 4:4-7).
Genesis 15:5-6 Yehovah brought him outside, and said: Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. He said to Abram: So will your descendants be. 6 He believed in Yehovah, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Romans 4:16 So it is by faith, which is thru compassion, that we’re justified, so that the promise can be certain for all of his descendants, not just for those who ‘were given’ the Torah (Law), but also for those who share the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
Then, after the Witnesses have dramatically captured the attention of our nations with the same exact message of the Hebrew prophets of old, for precisely 1,260 days, they will be slain by the Beast in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:7 When they have finished witnessing, the ravenous beast [Aramaic: “a beast of the tooth”] that came up from the abyss will wage war against them and kill them.
Killing Elohim’s prophets has always been a popular pastime in Jerusalem (Matthew 23:34,37). But martyrdom normally emboldens people and furthers the cause of Elohim!
I have often wondered why “Adonay Yehovah” [actual names of Elohim, but usually rendered “LORD God”—both in the plural] would allow the Two Witnesses to be killed so late in the prophetic time line. Why, if Elohim would keep these faithful and nearly invincible men alive for just another “three and a half days”, they could be transformed into the spirit realm without even seeing death at all (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)! Further, what would the Two Witnesses be doing in Jerusalem over three years since the Temple that they were commissioned to “measure” (Revelation 11:1) was subjected to the abomination of desolation, and his cronies had been treading “the kadish (holy) city underfoot for forty-two months”? Could it be that their shed blood is somehow required to atone for the desecration of the temple?
Ezekiel 8 describes the abominations that take place in the temple. I suspect that the slaying of the Two Witnesses may be the beast’s final desecration.
Ezekiel 9 tells of the time when Elohim begins to directly intervene on behalf of the faithful remnant who are for some reason still in, or more likely had returned to Jerusalem with the Two Witnesses. At this point Elohim will defile the temple with the bodies of the defilers:
Ezekiel 9:1-7 Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice: Cause those who are in charge of the city to come near, every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 Six men came from the way of the upper gate, that lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand, and one man in the middle of them clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar. 3 The splendor of the Elohim of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house, and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side. 4 Yehovah told him: Go thru the middle of the city, thru the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done ‘here’. 5 To the others he said where I could hear: Go thru the city after him, and strike, don’t let your eye spare, or have pity. 6 Kill all of the old men, the young men and the virgins, and little children and the women, but don’t come near anyone who has the mark, and begin at My Temple. Then they began with the old men that were before the Temple. 7 He told them: Defile the house by filling the courts with the slain. Go out! They went out and struck in the city.”
In chapter 10 Elohim visits the temple area, but it is still not time to occupy it.
Ezekiel 10:4 The splendor of Yehovah mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the ‘Temple’, and the ‘Temple’ was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Yehovah’s splendor.
Elohim’s departure from the temple is the final mention of the temple by Ezekiel until thirty chapters later:
Ezekiel 10:18 The splendor of Yehovah went out from over the threshold of the ‘Temple’, and stood over the cherubim.
After a thirty chapter absence there is, if I counted right, 37 more verses that mention the temple in the remaining nine chapters—it is the central focus of these chapters.
It would appear that there is a fascinating story that we don’t yet know about concerning the time between the deaths of the Two Witnesses and the cleansing of the temple.
Three Departure Dates to a Place of Safety!
Is there a “place of safety” for the remnant of the twelve Israelite nations following the “Great Tribulation” on Israel (Revelation 7)? Might much of Israel escape the plagues of the Day of Yehovah, that immediately follows the Tribulation? You may have been taught that the Day of Yehovah was included in the 1,260 day Tribulation, or that it is even a synonym. This chapter is a chronicle of the evidence demonstrating that our Israelite brethren, if they survive the three and one half year long Great Tribulation, will be spared the much worse Day of Yehovah, that will be poured out on the other Nations of the world. It should greatly relieve you to know that our loved ones may have the opportunity miss out on the “year” long “wrath of Elohim”, that I believe I will prove, follows the 1,260 days!
Bible prophecy is like a jig saw puzzle. You have to gather pieces “here a little and there a little”, and fit them together. The bulk of this chapter is dedicated to, as the title expresses, the time after Jacob’s Trouble. Safety will be made available before “the great and awesome Day of the Yehovah”. Yet there is to be a place of safety from Satan’s Great Tribulation, as well as the Day of Yehovah for the few people who will have understood and believed the witnesses’ message as it was being delivered. In all probability, many of these people will even understand the prophecies before the messengers are given “power” by Elohim. (As an aside, one of the Two Witnesses will likely be a “Governor of Judea ” as paralleled by Haggai 1 & 2.)
The “kadosh people” of Israel will need to be “shattered”, during the time of trouble, but it is for their purification! They are “kadosh”, yet they are neither “pure” nor “refined”!
Daniel 12:7-10 I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the water of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by the One who lives forever that it will be for a time, [a year], times [2 years], and half a time [1/2 a year], and when they’ve made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the kadosh people, all of these things will be finished. 8 I heard, but I didn’t understand, then I asked: Master, what will the end result of these things be?” 9 He said, Go your way, Daniel, because the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked, and none of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
There is a thirty day countdown to the beginning of the Great Tribulation, but don’t be caught in Jerusalem during that time. This countdown marks 1,290 days until the Day of Yehovah: (1,290 - 1,260 = 30). This date can be discerned another 1,260 days in advance because the Beast will have signed a “covenant” or agreement at the beginning of the final seven years of his time in power. This is the last opportunity to escape the Beast before he is fully “set up” and given incredible power.
Daniel 12:11 From the time that the continual burnt offerings are abolished, and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
Notice carefully that the danger is far from over once the Great Tribulation is finished. It is after the Tribulation that the wrath of Elohim begins!
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the time of Tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon won’t shed her light and shooting stars will fall from the sky, and the inherent power of the skies will be shaken.
Satan will oppose some individuals who comprise this “woman”, all the way to her place of safety.
Revelation 12:17 The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, those who obey the Commandments of YHVH [TORAH] AND have THE TESTIMONY OF YESHUA.
Some people will have been anticipating the miraculous signs of Elohim’s power that are to be displayed by the two “prophets”, (Revelation 11:10) as well as their message, and will be aware of the significance of the timing. They will avoid the Great Tribulation entirely, not just the Day of Yehovah. The witness’s message will include the entire Testimony of Yeshua.
The Bible says that Israel will return to the Promised Land. The vast majority of the survivors of the next holocaust will be offered life and liberty, and the attainment of happiness before the Day of Yehovah! Another much larger remnant of Israel will remember the Two Witnesses’ warning message, but unlike some of their more discerning brethren, it is only after 3.5 years of Tribulation that they decide to heed the warning! I challenge you to examine this evidence. Once we realize that the Day of Yehovah is not a part of the 1,260 days, we can realize that there is a much happier ending to the saga.
Now consider some implications of this scenario. It allows many of us to comprehend that we have totally misunderstood the outcome of the Two Witnesses’ message. We can establish that millions of people-many of them believing that they are truly “right with Elohim”, and prepared for the “rapture”—will actually be a remnant of Israel—survivors of the Tribulation. They will finally acknowledge that the witnesses’ message was authentic, largely because it was combined with astonishing miracles that got their attention, and because they will have had up to 1,260 days of “Trouble” to consider the prophecies that will have been continuously expressed to them. Almost no amount of reasoning today is sufficient because people are so caught up with the cares of the world that nothing impresses them. That is why whole pages of prophecies that explain our future go totally unnoticed. Yet today’s distractions will all be taken away!
The message that the witnesses deliver will not be given so that Elohim can say “I told you so”, rather it is for the sake of encouraging Israel to literally “come out of her My people”, in time to be protected during the entire year of the Yehovah’s wrath, if not sooner. This other “her”, (Revelation 18:3) will be a counterfeit Kingdom of Elohim, politically supervised by a bogus Theocracy.
There are actually two major departure periods to the Place of Safety! The better time is the one that protects people from both Satan’s wrath against Israel and then Elohim’s wrath upon her enemies? Yet before going on, I will note a few passages concerning the place for you to ponder.
The departure described in Isaiah 52 is a very interesting Scripture that differs greatly in circumstances from this familiar passage:
Matthew 24:17-21 No one on the roof should come down to get anything out of their houses, 18 and no one in the fields should return to get their clothing. 19 But I pity pregnant and nursing mothers in those days. 20 Pray that your flight won’t be during the winter or on the Sabbath. 21 There will be Great Tribulation then, such as has never occurred from the beginning of the world until now and will by no means ever happen again.
Contrast the above to this:
Isaiah 52:7-12 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes deliverance, who says to Zion: Your Elohim reigns!” 8 The voice of your watchmen! They lift up their voices, together they sing, because they’ll see eye to eye, when Yehovah returns to Zion. 9 Break out into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem, because Yehovah has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 Yehovah has bared His kadosh arm within view of all the nations, and all of the remotest parts of the earth have seen the deliverance of our Elohim. 11 Leave! Leave, get away from there, touch nothing unclean! Get out of her ‘presence’! Cleanse yourselves, you who bear the vessels of Yehovah. 12 You won’t go out in haste, nor will you go by flight, because Yehovah will go before you, and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard.
This appears to be an earlier departure than for the opportunity to avoid the Great Tribulation than the Matthew account, as well as the Revelation account described below. Perhaps this is the 1335 day countdown of Daniel 12:12.
Revelation 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where YHVH had prepared a place for her, so that They could nourish her for 1,260 days. [3.5 years, after Jerusalem will have become home.]
Elohim intends to hide his people “in the SECRET PLACE OF [HIS] PRESENCE”! Despite it being spoken of in Scripture, it is still a veritable secret!
Psalm 31:19-21 Oh how great is Your goodness, that You’ve laid up for those who fear You, that You’ve prepared for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! 20 In the SECRET PLACE OF YOUR PRESENCE you’ll HIDE THEM like a treasure from the conspiracys of men. You’ll keep them SECRETLY in a Tabernacle away from the quarrelsome words. 21 Praise Yehovah, because He has shown me His marvelous loving kindness in a STRONG CITY!
Psalm 27:1-6 Yehovah is my light and my deliverance. Whom will I fear? Yehovah is the strength of my life. who should I be afraid of? 2 When the wicked came at me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and my foes stumbled and fell. 3 Even if an army encamps against me, my conscience will not fear. Tho war should rise against me, even then I’ll be confident. 4 One thing I have asked of Yehovah, that I’ll seek after, is to live in Yehovah’s ‘Temple’ all the days of my life, to see Yehovah’s beauty, and to inquire in His Temple. 5 In the time of trouble He’ll protect me secretly in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle He’ll hide me. He’ll set me high on a ROCK. 6 Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I’ll give offerings of joy in His tabernacle. I’ll sing, yes, I’ll sing praises to Yehovah.
Compare this to Psalms:
Psalm 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....”
Israel’s Expanded Place of Safety:
This “second chance” place of safety is for those who have suffered by the hands of “the Northern Army” “before” “the Day of Yehovah”.
Joel 2:16-32 Gather the people. Announce an assembly. Gather the elders. Gather the children, even the nursing babies. The bridegroom should leave his chamber, and the bride her chuppah. 17 The priests who serve Yehovah cry between the porch and the altar. They’re saying: Spare Your people”, O Yehovah, and don’t allow Your heritage to be scorned by the enemy, ridiculed by foreigners. Why should the nations ask: Where is their Elohim?” 18 Then Yehovah will be zealous for His land, and have pity on His people. 19 Yehovah will say to His people: I’ll send you grain and new wine and oil, you’ll have an abundance! I won’t allow you to be ridiculed by the nations any longer.’ 20 I’ll remove the northern army far from you, and drive him away into a parched and desolate land, with its vanguard into the eastern [Dead] sea, and his rear guard into the western [Mediterranean] sea. His stench will rise up, the stench of putrification will rise, because he has done arrogant things. 21 Land, don’t be afraid. Be glad and celebrate, for Yehovah has done great things. 22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the plains, because the pastures of the wilderness will soon be green. The trees will produce their fruit. The fig trees and vines will yield abundantly. 23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and celebrate in Yehovah your Elohim, because He gives you the former rain, faithfully. He pours down abundant rain for you, the former rain and the latter rain, as before. 24 The threshing floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25 I’ll restore to you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten, the great locusts, the grasshoppers, and the caterpillars, My great army that I sent among you. 26 You’ll have plenty to eat, and be satisfied, and you’ll praise the name of Yehovah, your Elohim, who has dealt wondrously with you, and My people will never again be disappointed. 27 You’ll know that I’m in the middle of Israel, and that I am Yehovah, your Elohim, and that there is no one else, and My people will never be disappointed again. 28 AFTERWARD I will pour out My spirit on “all flesh”. Your sons and daughters will prophecy and your old men will dream prophetic dreams, your young men will see prophetic visions. 29 I’ll even pour out My spirit on servants and handmaids in those days, 30 I’ll show wonderful signs in the sky and on the earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will become dark, and the moon will become blood red in the presence of the great and awesome Day of Yehovah coming to pass. 32 And everyone who calls on the name of Yehovah will be rescued, because on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, there will be a way of escape [rootword, refugees], as Yehovah has said” the survivors who Yehovah has invited [called].
Notice two things in particular about the following passage. The Middle East is presently a desert wilderness. It became that way due to horrific over grazing begun in Roman times. It was forested when this prophecy was made. This ties in with the “woman” of Revelation 12: 14-17, being taken into the “wilderness”. Secondly notice who will be the married to Elohim in this place of safety! Many will tell you that the Church is to be the bride of Christ. This is the topic of Chapter 21: Who is the Messiah’s Bride. Several plain verses show who the bride really is. Hosea 1 is in the same context as chapter 2:
Hosea 1:10-11 Yet the number of the descendants of Israel will be like the sand of the seashore that can’t be measured or numbered, and then, in the place where they were told: You are not My people’, they’ll be called ‘sons of the living Elohim.’ 11 The descendants of Judah and the Israelites will be reunited, and they’ll appoint a leader for themselves, and go up from the land, because the Day of Jezreel will be profound. [essentially the valley of Armageddon]
Hosea continued this thought in the next chapter:
Hosea 2:14-20 But I’m going to allure her back. I’ll bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her there. 15 I’ll give her back her vineyards beginning there, and the valley of Achor [trouble] as a doorway of hope. She’ll respond there, as in the days of her youth, just like when she came out of the land of Egypt. 16 Yehovah says: When that day comes, you will call Me Husband [Ishi] and you will never again call Me ‘Lord’ [Baali]. 17 I’ll remove the names of the Baals from your mouths, and you will never mention them again. 18 At that time I’ll make a covenant with all the wild animals of the plains, and the birds of the sky, and the animals that move about on the ground. I’ll abolish bows and swords, and warfare from the earth, so that everyone can rest peacefully. 19 I’ll be engaged to you for a very long time. Yes, you’ll be engaged to Me in righteousness and in justice, in unfailing love and compassion. 20 I’ll be faithful to you, and you’ll finally know Yehovah.
Incidentally, the “great multitude”, of Revelation 7, will be comprised of the Israelite survivors of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, returning from captivity, as well as anyone else who is desirous of obeying Elohim and escaping the Day of Yehovah!
Revelation 7:9-17 After this I saw an enormous number of people that no one could count, from every people, nation, tribe and language. They were standing in front of the throne and the Lamb, wearing white robes, and they were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 They were shouting, “Eternal Life to YHVH, to the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!” 11 All the Messengers stood around the throne with the Elders and the four living Beings, and they bowed face down in front of His throne and worshiped YHVH, 12 and said, “Aw-main’. Blessing and praise and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to YHVH forever and ever, Aw-main.’” 13 Then One of the Elders turned and asked me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where do they come from?” 14 I said, “Friend, you know”. He replied, “These are the ones who are coming out [1] of The Great Tribulation. They’ve washed their clothes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 That’s why they are in front of the throne of YHVH, serving Him day and night in His Temple. And the One seated on the throne will protect them under His shadow. 16 They won’t hunger or thirst any more, nor will they be ‘overcome’ by the sun or burning heat, 17 because the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will feed them and lead them to springs of living water, and YHVH will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
[1] Isaiah 49:10 describes these exact same event; the end of “hunger”, “thirst”, “heat”, “sun”, along with “springs of water” in the context of survivors of the Great Tribulation, from all twelve tribes of Israel, returning to the land of Israel, during the Second Exodus, at the beginning of the Everlasting Kingdom!
These will not be Biblically knowledgeable people; after all, how much will they be able to learn about becoming kadishea (saints) under the worst living conditions in human history? They will be, however, people willing to allow “the Lamb” to “shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters”. They will have a perfect opportunity to live out a righteous life. They will actually appear before Elohim’s throne in the New Jerusalem, that will come to earth (Revelation 21:1-3). They will live thru the Great Tribulation and on into the Everlasting Kingdom. The references to not hungering and not thirsting, or being harmed by the sun, or even crying tears, are references to the fact that they are indeed still quite human—but that they are now being protected!
Some would have you believe that this multitude is assembled after the millennium. If you believe that, then I would encourage you to carefully read Revelation 21 and see how inappropriate that conclusion really is.
The Final Battle?
Actually, there is not one final battle to come! In fact, several major end time battles will take place. First, the United States, as well as the rest of the descendants of Israel will be defeated. Later, the King of the North (the federation of the Beast) will also fight the King of the South (a future Arab federation), and win. Then there is “Armageddon” (that is actually fought in the “Valley of Jehoshaphat”). Then there is Gog and Magog (of Asia), an incredible story about another attack on Israel, after their captivity, but before the peaceful Kingdom. This is the sole topic of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. Some teach that this occurs during the Everlasting Kingdom. Yet the context is saturated with statements dating it to the events leading up to that time—the Second Exodus or The Time After Jacob’s Trouble.
Ezekiel 38:16 and you’ll come up against My people Israel, like a cloud to cover the land. Then at the end of the ‘age’, I’ll bring you against My land, so that the nations will know Me, when I’ll be kadosh in you, Gog, before their eyes.
Ezekiel 39:25-29 So the Sovereign Yehovah says: Now will I bring Jacob back from captivity, and have mercy on the whole family of Israel [not just the Jews! List 3], and I’ll be jealous for My kadosh name. 26 They’ll bear their shame, and all the trespasses that they’ve trespassed against Me, when they live securely in their land, and no one will make them afraid, 27 when I’ve brought them back from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am kadosh in them in the sight of many nations. 28 They’ll know that I am Yehovah their Elohim, since I caused them to go into captivity among the nations, and have gathered them to their own land, and I’ll leave none of them there any more. 29 I won’t hide My face from them any more, because I’ve poured out My spirit on the family of Israel, says the Sovereign Yehovah.
Before you stop reading, first consider these next two passages, because they are important proof texts illustrating that the remnant of the Children of Israel are gathered to their “place of safety” at the VERY SAME TIME that Elohim is gathering the armies of the world for their destruction in “the Valley of Jehoshaphat”!
Joel 3:1-2 In those days and in that time, when I bring back the captives [not “fortunes” or “captivity”] of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I’ll GATHER ALL THE NATIONS and will bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and I’ll EXECUTE JUDGMENT on them there on behalf of My people, because they’ve scattered My heritage Israel among the nations and divvied up My land.
“Armageddon” is merely the gathering point for the annihilation that Elohim will perform on His enemies in the Valley of Jehoshaphat!
Joel 3:12-16 The nations should arouse themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat [not Armageddon], because there I will sit to judge all the SURROUNDING NATIONS. 13 Put in the sickle, because the harvest is ripe. Come and tread, because the winepress is full, the vats are overflowing, since their wickedness is so great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the Valley of Threshing [or Decision]! The Day of Yehovah is near, in the Valley of Threshing. 15 The sun and the moon will be darkened, and the star light will be taken away. 16 Yehovah will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the sky and the earth will quake, BUT YEHOVAH WILL BE A REFUGE FOR HIS PEOPLE, AND A MEANS OF SAFETY FOR HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL.
I include a great many Bible verses rather than simply reference them, so that you will hopefully read them. They tell the real story. I can only comment on them to get you to consider explanations other than you may have heard concerning them.
I will elaborate on Jeremiah 51 later, but here is the condensed essence of what he had to say about the remnant.
Jeremiah 51:6-50 FLEE OUT OF THE VICINITY OF BABYLON, EVERYONE SAVE YOUR LIFE, don’t be cut off in her depravity, BECAUSE IT’S THE TIME OF YEHOVAH’S VENGEANCE. [By this time the first wave of the few who believed the message of the Two Witnesses are either in a place of safety or have already been martyred.] He’ll compensate her. 7 Babylon has been a golden cup in Yehovah’s hand, who made all the earth drunken, the nations have drunk of her wine, so the nations are mad.[This is an exact parallel to Revelation chapters 17-19] 8 Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed FORSAKE HER, :[literally] . ... 9 Everyone should go into his own country... 19 The portion of Jacob isn’t like these, because he is the former of everything, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance, Yehovah, leader of armies is His name. 20 You are my battle axe and weapons of war. With You I’ll break the nations in pieces, and with You I’ll destroy kingdoms,... 36 So thus declares Yehovah, Look, I’ll plead your cause, and take vengeance for you, and I’ll dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry. 37 Babylon will become a heap... 45 My people, go away from the middle of her, and save yourselves every man from the fierce anger of Yehovah.[Not the “Great Tribulation” inflicted by Satan, but the Day of Yehovah] ... 50 You survivors who have escaped the sword, GO, DONT STAND STILL! Remember Yehovah from that far away place. Jerusalem should come to mind!
Notice the admonition to “let Jerusalem come to your mind”. If these passages don’t cause you to want to reconsider the prophecies, then you might as well quit reading now.
As an aside, it is worth noting the contrasting warning to flee Jerusalem mentioned by Matthew. This will have been a time for the Commandment obedient kadishea, who will by then have journeyed to Judea (apparently to help restore Elohim’s latter temple) to flea away from the vicinity of Jerusalem, rather than toward it, as an exercise of faith and possibly logic!
Matthew 24:15-16 When you see the unclean sign of the idolatrous abomination of desolation mentioned by the prophet Daniel standing in the kadish place—the reader must understand— 16 then those of you who are in Judea should escape to the mountain/s!
(So far as I can determine mountain isn’t necessarily plural!)
If a person only went by Daniel’s account, they might conclude that they should “wait” right where they are, rather than wait in the mountains!
Daniel 12:11-12 From the time that the continual burnt offerings are abolished, and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the person who waits, and comes to the 1,335 days.
I’ve mentioned the Time of Jacob’s Trouble; here is the rest of the story. There is only one chapter in the Bible that uses the term “Jacob’s Trouble” to describe the “time of Trouble” that we all know will be the most terrible period of time in history for the millions of descendants of Israel. However ironically, this “only place in the Bible” is more focused on the time AFTER the trouble than on the trouble itself! Here is the good news of Jeremiah:
Now for Part 2
