Everlasting Kingdom: Unraveling the Bible’s Secrets

The Time After Jacob’s Trouble

The Untold Story of the Second Exodus (From Slavery)!

End of the Age
End of the Age

Back Next 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 (Joel 2:32).

End of the Age

People sometimes talk about the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, but 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 one of the most important prophetic verses in the entire Bible. Descendants of all twelve tribes of ancient Israel—most of whom speak English—are soon to be gathered back into the Promised Land.

The Great Judgment Day
INDEX

Jeremiah 16:14-16 Yet the time is coming,” Yehovah says, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as Yehovah lives, who liberated the people of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 15 but, ‘As surely as Yehovah lives, who brought the people of Israel from the Land of the North, and from all the countries where He had exiled them!’ I’ll bring them back into the land that I gave their ancestors. 16 “But now I’ll send out many fishermen,” Yehovah says, “and they’ll catch them, and after that 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!—The Gabriel Bible

A significant minority of Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) understand that the prophecies concerning the re-population of the Promised Land involves more than the Jewish pioneers there now. Yet most of the very Christians who understand that there will be a great Second Exodus that dwarfs the first Exodus don’t understand that enslavement of our people must occur before the Good News.

Wise special ones (saints) will understand!

Actually global enslavement by the NWO is already on track for absolute completion by 2030 (“you will own nothing”), but even now, under the Cambridge definition: “the act of controlling someone’s actions, thoughts, emotions, or life completely”, we’re about there now, but the Biblical scale of fulfillment should surprise even the globalists!

The global scourge of slavery is the essence of the Babylonian slavery system that the prophet Jeremiah warned about. It exists in its zenith in the last days. Babylon’s perversion, audacity, and pride represent the height of direct defiance against almighty God. This humanly devised governmental, religious, educational, and economic system controlling the world today originates from Satan’s initial rebellion against God. Satan, the Adversary, has done a tremendous job of enslaving the whole world under his system of slavery.

[The above link about the prophecied slavery is quite revealing, but I should note that the Beast will literally destroy Babylon before Yeshua returns. Revelation 17:16]

Daniel 12:10 Many will purify and refine themselves, but the wicked will continue to be wicked, and none of the wicked will understand, but those with discernment will understand.

Does the Bible mention the United States and the British people? You simply must read about their Exodus and the “her” involved when:

Zechariah 2:5 I’ll be a wall of fire around her,’ Yehovah says, ‘and I’ll be the splendor within her.’”

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 (who [was] still honing his account). 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 without significant tribulation!

The very idea that those ancient tribes did not vanish from the face of the earth is new to the extreme few 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 last days.

That writer’s 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 more mainstream 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 that kind of cleverly distorted and calculated account stand unchallenged. No additional effort on my part was necessary to locate all of the Biblical 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 years. All that I had to do was include the context of the verses that were so masterfully taken out of 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 (the missing seventieth, seven year period) immediately preceding the Day of Yehovah, the latter half is referred to as the “Great Tribulation”. The lack of love toward Yehovah is the very reason for the terrible prophetic consequences described in this chapter.

Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse doesn’t 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 from, these twelve stars represent the twelve tribes/nations of Israel! (Genesis 37:9-11)

Revelation 12:1-3 'Amazing imagery' 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 agony about to give birth. 3 Another sign appeared in the sky, a huge fiery Dragon [Gr. drakon] that had seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems were on his head.

If you are still unsure as to whether the USA fulfills all of the descriptions of Babylon the Great, then I suggest that you read Excursus: The Identification of Babylon the Great with the United States of America as well as other Babylon articles under the heading: THE USA & ISRAEL: THE EPICENTER OF END TIME PROPHECY! on my home page.

And if you think that today’s “Israel” is the fulfillment of the end time prophecies, then you could also check out Addendum #3 to see that Judah has always been distinct from Israel. In fact there were five major Biblical periods where the Kingdom of Israel (the northern ten tribes) fought against the Kingdom of Judah—the Jews!

This chapter is about the “they lived happily ever after” for Israel that immediately follows the Great Tribulation on Israel—the Time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) Trouble. But the rest of the world will suffer for causing the Israelite nations that trouble:

Isaiah 34:1-to especially v.8 It is the Day of Yehovah’s Vengeance, a Year of Payback settling the dispute (the Beast, with the help of ten Beastly kingdoms that will 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 Yehovah 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).

[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 45:4-5 For the sake of My servant Jacob, Israel My chosen, I’ve called you by name. I’ve surnamed you, tho you don’t know Me. 5 I am Yehovah, and there is no other. There is no Elohim but Me. I’ll strengthen you even tho you don’t know Me [1],

[1] The modern nations of Israel claim to “know God”, but with few exceptions the people are entirely clueless! That all changes very soon: Ezekiel 20:30-44.

Isaiah 65:9,22 I’ll bring Jacob’s descendants and heirs to My mountains from Judah [not from graves]; My select will inherit them [the mountains, not harps], and My servants will live there... V 22 They won’t build homes for others to live in, and they won’t plant for others to harvest. My people will live as long as the trees [sometimes centuries], and My select will long enjoy the work of their hands.

Usually, the “[s]elect” or “chosen” of the Bible is Israel! Notice that the following “[S]elect” are not yet even seeking eternal life as of yet!

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 an in-depth article from a Christian proving that the “elect” of the “New Testament” are strictly Israelites, (OK, he says “Jews”). He concludes:

“The biblical usage of ‘election’ has absolutely nothing to do with salvation contrary to the teaching of Calvinism. Calvin summarizes this foundational doctrine in his book Institutes of the Christian Religion (Book 3 chapter 21): ‘Of the eternal election, by which God has predestinated some to salvation, and others to destruction.’”

[Incidentally, even as a child I was ready to abandon the whole notion of Christianity if the Bible really taught that all Elohim wanted from us was to utter a few “magic words” in a moment of passion or sincerity, that would set us up for an eternal reward, while those who weren’t fortunate enough to have purchased the cheap “fire insurance” would be punished for eternity for not having had the opportunity, luck or wisdom to make a simple one time proclamation. What parent would be happy with a child who obeyed them just one day? What person would be content with a spouse who only expressed love on one occasion instead of thruout their marriage? Once “saved” always “saved”: baloney! On a national scale, what nation or kingdom ever had no rules [law]?

Here is a passage that has Yehovah selecting from the selected or “chosen people” with the elect[ion] of “compassion”. The presence of a faithful “elect” people among the elect nation (Israel) was so small that even Elijah was totally unaware of it!

Romans 11:2-7 Yehovah hasn’t rejected the people who He predestined. Don’t you know what the Scriptures say about Elijah when he complained to Yehovah about Israel? He said, 3 “Yehovah, 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 7,000 people for Myself who have never bowed down to worship Baal [the lord]!” 5 It is the same today, a remnant have been rescued—selected by dignity. 6 But since it is by dignity, it isn’t by works, otherwise, dignity isn’t dignity. And if by works, it isn’t by dignity, otherwise works aren’t works. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking, but the Select [Strong’s #] 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 7] 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 breath, prophesy, son of Adam, and say to the breath, ‘The Sovereign YEHOVAH says, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, so that they’ll come to life.’”

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 impending death sentence.

Zechariah 2:6-12 Yehovah says, “Oh no! Oh no!! Flee from the land of the north, because I’ve scattered you to the four winds of the sky,” says Yehovah. 7 Come Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon.” 8 This is what Commander Yehovah says: ‘Afterward, His Splendor sent Me to the nations that plundered you, because anyone who 'harms' you, 'harms' the pupil of His eye. 9 I’ll wave My 'fist' against them and their slaves will plunder them!” Then you’ll know that Commander Yehovah has sent Me. 10 “Sing and celebrate, maiden Zion, because I’m going to come and live with you,” says Yehovah. 11 Many nations will side with Yehovah When That Day Comes* and become My people. I’ll live among you, and you’ll know that Commander Yehovah has sent Me to you. 12 Yehovah will inherit Judah as His legacy in the 'special' land and choose Jerusalem again.

When you compare these verses from Zechariah to Matthew 24:31 you can see that the gathering of the select 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 Yehovah gathers these select from, in this instance, is everywhere where the Beast has scattered and sold Israel (Romans 11:26).

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 Sovereign in the expanse. And we will be with our Sovereign 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 won’t be floating on cloud nine with harps for eternity!

Revelation 21:3 I heard a loud voice from the sky say, ‘Look, Yehovah’s tabernacle [dwelling place] is among humanity [Gr. anthropos]. He will live with them and they’ll be His people, and Yehovah will be with them, yes Yehovah Himself will be with them.”

The rapture theory is a decoy that only serves to cover up the real story! The select will actually be taken to New Jerusalem in the earth’s atmosphere-not heaven! Why go to heaven when you can be here with Yehovah? He is coming to “live among humanity”. I know that this must seem incredible, but please check out the dozens of Biblical references to this wonderful future in: The Mysteries of New Jerusalem.

The Message of the Two Witnesses

The Bible reveals that two powerful “prophets” will arise just before “the Great Tribulation” on Israel, that is also termed “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 [The Great Tribulation], but he’ll be saved out of it [have survivors].” 8 When That Day Comes*,” Commander Yehovah says, “I’ll break the yoke from your neck, and snap your chains. Foreigners will no longer enslave you. 9 They will serve Yehovah their Elohim, and David their king, who I’ll cause to arise for them.

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 people, and there will be a time of trouble [the Great Tribulation, worse than 536 A.D, The Worst Year In History], 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 Yehovah. The remnant of 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 Yehovah 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 Yehovah hoped that He could mold a righteous nation (Deuteronomy 4:4-7).

Genesis 15:5-6 Then Yehovah took him outside and said, “Look up into the sky and count the stars, if you’re able to count them.” Then He told him, “That’s the number of your descendants.” 6 'Abraham' believed in Yehovah, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:16 So the promise is based on faith. Our justification is a matter of dignity. The promise is guaranteed to all of his descendants, not just for those who 'were given' the Torah, 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 predatory beast [Aramaic “A beast of the tooth”] that comes up out of the abyss will wage war against them and kill them.

Killing Yehovah’s prophets has always been a popular pastime in Jerusalem (Matthew 23:34,37). But martyrdom normally emboldens people and furthers Yehovah’s cause!

I have often wondered why “Adonai 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 Yehovah 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 'special' (holy) city underfoot for forty-two months”?

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 defilement.

Ezekiel 9 tells of the time when Yehovah 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 Yehovah will defile the Temple with the bodies of the defilers:

Ezekiel 9:1-7 Then I heard him cry with an 'ear-piercing' voice, “Have those in charge of the city come here, each man holding his deadly weapon in his hand.” 2 Six men came from the direction of the upper gate that faces north, each man was carrying his deadly weapon in his hand, and one of them was a man wearing linen clothing 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 rose up from the cherubim, where He had been, to the threshold of the 'Temple', and He called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side. 4 Yehovah said to him, “Go thruout the city, thru central Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the highly detestable things that are committed there.” [1] 5 Then I heard him say to the others, “Go thru the city after him and kill. Don’t look on them with pity or spare them. 6 Kill all of the old men, young men, maidens, little children and the women. But don’t come near anyone who has the mark, and begin at My 'Cherished' Place. So they began with the elders who were in front of the 'Temple'.” 7 He told them, “Defile the 'Temple' by filling the courtyards with the dead. Go!” So they went out and began killing in the city.

[1] Sparing the righteous is plainly illustrated in Jeremiah 24: Good Figs, Bad Figs

In chapter 10 Yehovah visits the Temple area, but it is still not time to occupy it.

Ezekiel 10:4 Then the splendor of Yehovah rose above the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the 'Temple', and the 'Temple' was filled with the cloud, and the brightness of Yehovah’s splendor filled the courtyard.

Yehovah’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 moved away from 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 Great Tribulation, or that it is even a synonym. This chapter is a chronicle of the evidence demonstrating that our Israelite friends, 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 can 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 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 Yehovah. (As an aside, one of the Two Witnesses will likely be a “Governor of Judea ” as paralleled by Haggai 1: & 2.)

The “'special' people” of Israel will need to be “shattered”, during the time of trouble, but it is for their purification! They are “'special'” (set apart), 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 raised his right and left hands toward 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 'chosen' people, all of these things will be finished.” 8 I heard, but I didn’t understand, so I asked, “Master, what will be the end result of these miracles?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the matter is secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will purify and refine themselves, but the wicked will continue to be wicked, and none of the wicked will understand, but those with discernment will understand.

There is an event thirty day after the Great Tribulation, and 45 days after that. My commentary on that is in From 2024 to Eternity.

Daniel 12:11 From the time that the continuous burnt zebakim [sacrifices] are removed and the abomination that causes desolation 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 Yehovah begins!

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the time of Tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon won’t shed her light and stars will fall from the sky [See footnote on Isaiah 34:4], and the miraculous 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 furiously angry with the woman, and he went off to make war with the rest of her offspring [recent converts?], those who obey the Commandments of Yehovah [“OT”] AND have THE TESTIMONY OF YESHUA “NT”].

Some people will have been anticipating the miraculous signs of Yehovah’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 friends, 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 Yehovah 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 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 on 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 [rainy weather] 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 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the One who announces good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who proclaims deliverance, who says to Zion: “Your Elohim reigns!” 8 Listen to the voice of your watchmen! They shout for joy together, because they’ll see it with their own eyes [Barnes] when Yehovah returns to Zion. 9 Break out into shouts of joy you ruined places of Jerusalem, because Yehovah has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 Yehovah has bared His 'special' arm [for battle: Barnes] within view of all the nations, and all of the remotest parts of the earth have seen deliverance by 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 [1]. 12 You won’t go out 'fleeing', and you won’t go as fugitives, because Yehovah will go before you [Father?], and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard [Son?].”

[1] Sparing the righteous is plainly illustrated in Jeremiah 24: Good Figs, Bad Figs

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 1,335 day countdown of Daniel 12:12.

Revelation 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where Yehovah had prepared a place for her, so that THEY [2] could nourish her for 1,260 days.

[2] Most modern Greek versions omit the Aramaic “THEY”!

Yehovah 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 How great is 'the' goodness that You’ve reserved for those who fear/revere You, that You provide for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of Adam’s descendants! 20 In the secret shelter of Your presence You’ll hide them like a treasure from conspirators. You’ll keep them secretly in a Tabernacle, far from accusing tongues. 21 Praise Yehovah, because He has shown me His miraculous mercy in a city under siege!

Psalm 27:1-6 By David. 1b Yehovah is my light and the One who saves me. Who should I fear? Yehovah is the 'hero' in my life. Who should I fear? 2 When the wicked come to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies stumble and fall. 3 Even if an army sets up camp around me, 'I' will not fear. Tho war breaks out against me, I will remain confident. 4 I’ve asked one thing from Yehovah that I intend to pursue: that I can live in Yehovah’s 'Temple' all the days of my life, to gaze at Yehovah’s beauty, and to meditate in His 'Temple'. 5 In a 'time' of trouble He’ll conceal me in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle He’ll hide me. He’ll set me high on a ROCK. 6 Now I’ll lift my head high above my enemies who surround me. I’ll give offerings of joy in His Tabernacle with shouts of joy. I’ll sing praise to Yehovah.

Compare this to Psalms:

Psalm 31:2-3 'Listen' to me. Rescue me quickly. Be my Rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the reputation of Your name, lead and guide me....”

Joel 1 is an entire chapter about the plight of the captive house of Israel during the Great Tribulation and an incredible message of hope given during this Time of Jacob’s Trouble when it is almost over. In Joel 2 the remnant of Israel is given the opportunity to escape The Day of Yehovah, which is Elohim’s punishment on the nations for what they did to Israel during the Great Tribulation!

JOEL 2

The Day of Yehovah

1 Blow a shofar in Zion [1]! Sound the alarm on My 'special' mountain [2]! All the inhabitants of the land should tremble because the Day of Yehovah is coming, it’s soon! 2 It’s a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of thick clouds and darkness. Like the dawn spreading across the mountains, a huge and 'invincible' army moves in. There has never been anything like it and there will never be anything like it thruout the years, for generations and generations.

3 A fire devours before them and a flame blazes behind them. The land before them is like the garden of Eden, but behind them it’s a devastated desert. Nothing escapes! 4 They look very much like horses. They run like war horses. 5 They sound like noisy chariots leaping across the mountaintops, like flames of fire crackling as it devours stubble, like a powerful army in battle formation.

6 People writhe in their presence. Every face turns pale. 7 They charge like warriors. They climb walls like soldiers. They all advance straight forward, never swerving off course. 8 They never crowd each other. Everyone advances in his position, even bursting thru defenses without breaking ranks. 9 They rush into the city. They run along the walls. They climb into the houses, entering thru the windows like thieves.

10 The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon turn dark, and the stars no longer shine. [Revelation 6:12].

There’s Still Time to Repent!

11 Yehovah’s voice 'thunders' before His army, because His forces [3] are extremely large. Those who obey His 'commands' are powerful. The Day of Yehovah is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?” 12 “Yet even now,” Yehovah says, “Turn to Me with all your being, with fasting and crying and mourning. 13 Rip your 'paradigm', not your clothes, and return to Yehovah, your Elohim, because He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love and hesitant to send disaster. 14 Who knows He’s returning? [4] He’s granting a reprieve, and leaving a blessing behind, resulting in a grain offering and a drink offering to Yehovah your Elohim.

15 Blow a shofar in Zion, announce the fast, summon the Festival Assembly. 16 Gather the people. Prepare a 'special' assembly. Gather the elders. Gather the children, even nursing infants. The bridegroom must leave his room and the bride her chuppah. 17 The priests who serve Yehovah cry between the portico and the altar. They’re saying, “Spare Your people,” 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, 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 barren land, with its vanguard driven into the 'Dead' Sea, and its rear guard into the 'Mediterranean' Sea. His stench will rise up, the stench of his putrefying will rise, because 'he' has done great things!

21 Land, don’t be afraid. Be glad and celebrate, because 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 grapevines will yield abundantly. 23 So rejoice, people of Zion, and rejoice in Yehovah your Elohim, because He gives you the early rain for your vindication. He sends showers for you, both latter rain and the early rain [5] as in the beginning [6]. 24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain and the vats will overflow with new wine and olive oil. 25 “I’ll make up for the years eaten by the swarming locusts, great locusts, grasshoppers and caterpillars, My great army that I sent 'against' you.

26 You’ll have plenty to eat and be satisfied, and you’ll praise the name of Yehovah, your Elohim, who has done 'miracles' for you you. My people will never be disappointed again. 27 You’ll know that I’m 'among you' in Israel, and that I am Yehovah, your Elohim, and that there is no other. My people will never be disappointed again.

After the Great Tribulation

28 “After this [after the Great Tribulation], I’ll pour out My spirit on all flesh [7]. 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 [8] the great and awesome Day of Yehovah coming to pass. 32 And everyone who calls on the name of Yehovah will be rescued as Yehovah has said, ‘Because on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be a way of escape [rootword: refugees] for the survivors who Yehovah is inviting [calling].

[1] “Blow a shofar in Zion”: The Scriptures mention blowing a shofar five times: 1) Every year on the Day of Atonements {Leviticus 25:9}; 2) A separate blowing on Atonements to proclaim an upcoming Jubilee year; 3) The Ten Commandments were being implemented (Exodus 19) {or about to be again}; 4) When war is imminent; and 5) by musicians in the Temple. In this chapter, with Mount Zion standing in for the Temple just destroyed, all five reasons apply! [2] This is another account of a still future destruction of Jerusalem, this time from an invincible army! [3] Just like Babylon and Assyria were His armies scattering His unfaithful bride. [4] Lots of people talk about Yeshua (Jesus) returning, but who talks about Yehovah, the Ancient of Days returning? See Daniel 7:21-22. The italicized word if is added in the Joel 2:14, KJV, unnecessarily casting a doubt on His return. It set a precedent that virtually every modern version (revision) has repeated. [5] Jerome taught that this was about a teacher. It is literally about rain. But the context exquisitely reveals that the Second Exodus will begin at Passover, like the first one, but it will accomplish what the First Exodus failed to do—produce the first righteous nation. I just went five months in the Pacific North West (similar to Israel’s climate) without even a trace of rain during the growing season. Fortunately, the drought ended with a fast 5” of “latter rain”—at about the Feast of Tabernacles. That’s when I sowed my little plots of winter wheat, rye, barley and oats. (The “former rain” ended in the spring—near the beginning of the Biblical year.) [6] The KJV, NKJV and the ASV (a revised KJV) change: “in the beginning” to “in the first month”. This is used to “prove” that a Biblical year supposedly begins in the seventh month, a tradition the Jews adopted during their Babylonian captivity, where that was done. Later translations are much better here. [7] “All flesh,” as the KJV says, can mean animal life, as in Genesis 6:19, or it can mean all human life, as in Genesis 6:13 and dozens of other places. But in this context it appears to be an exclusive reference to all of the “children of Zion” and “Israel” receiving 'Yehovah’s spirit' first. [8] Paw-neem’ usually means “before”, but a literal meaning is “presence” (131 X) (or “face of” 259 X+) of.” The timing is clarified in 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.” The Day of Yehovah is also the Jubilee year: Israel saved, neighboring nations conquered.

There are spiritual similarities in this chapter and others to the remnant of Yeshua’s Assembly, much of which has been influenced by Babylonian culture, but these are only analogies to the literal intent of these Scriptures! Joel 2 typifies the time after Jacob’s trouble. Our Israelite nations will have suffered tremendously, but will be spared from “The Great and Awesome Day of Yehovah”!

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 married to Yehovah 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 Joel 2:

Hosea 1:10-11 “Yet the number of the people of Israel will be like the sand of the seashore that can’t be measured or numbered, and then in the location where they were told, ‘You are not My people’, they’ll be called ‘Sons of the living Elohim.’ 11 The Houses of Judah and Israel will be reunited. They’ll appoint a leader for themselves [1] and flourish in the land, because the Day of Jezreel will be profound.

[1] As opposed to the puppet kings after the exile in the latter part of the 6th century B.C.

Hosea continued this thought about Yeshua’s bride in the next chapter:

Hosea 2:14-20 But I’m going to allure her back. I’ll bring her into the wilderness [Ezekiel 20:35] and speak tenderly to her there. 15 I’ll give her back her vineyards beginning there and the Valley of Achor [trouble] into a door 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’ll call Me ‘Husband’ [Ishi] and you’ll 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 When That Day Comes I’ll make a covenant with all the wild animals of the plains, the birds from the air and the animals that move around on the ground. I’ll abolish bows and swords and weapons of war from the “earth”? [eretz: land or region] so that everyone can live in peace. [3] 19 I’ll be betrothed [4] to you forever. Yes, you’ll be betrothed to Me in righteousness and in justice, in faithful love and compassion. 20 I’ll be faithful to you, and you’ll finally know Yehovah.

[3] After Israel, the bride, has returned to her land, she will be totally dependent on her Husband for defence, (no Iron Dome) but the Psalm 83 crowd have yet to learn: Ezekiel 38, special emphasis on verse 11! [4] Betroth literally means: “a fine, literally pay the price, and gain the right of possession.” Yeshua paid the price. So when does He take possession? And Who is the Messiah’s Bride?

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 Yehovah and escaping the Day of Yehovah!

Revelation 7:9-17 After this I saw an enormous crowd 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 palms in their hands. 10 They were shouting, “eternal life to Yehovah, 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 facedown in front of His throne and worshiped Yehovah, 12 and said, “Aw-main'. Blessing and praise and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to Yehovah 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 Yehovah, serving Him day and night in His Temple. [2] And the One seated on the throne will 'protect them under His shadow' [Aramaic nageen alihun, ‘shadow over them’]. 16 They won’t hunger or thirst any more [3], 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 Yehovah will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

[1] “The verb form in the Greek for ‘come’ is present participle.” This is an ongoing process! They survive the Great Tribulation! See any “Literal” translation. [2] Ezekiel chapters 40-48 are all about the Temple services during the Everlasting Kingdom, tho people don’t want to hear that. Ezekiel 47 is clearly the same time period as Revelation 21-22. The Levites, other than descendants of Zadok, are disqualified from serving in the future Temple (:10-16.) Perhaps the 144,000 will take their place. [3] Isaiah 49 (noting verse 10) further describes these exact same conditions: the end of “hunger”, “thirst”, “heat” and “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, during the last Jubilee of the first 6,000 years!

These will not be Biblically knowledgeable people; after all, how much will they be able to learn about becoming 'cherished ones' (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 Yehovah’s throne in the New Jerusalem, that will come to earth (Revelation 21:1-3. (There is no 1,000 year long gap in Isaiah 65 and Isaiah 66!) 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—but most of it takes place within one year:

Isaiah 34:8 It is the Day of Yehovah’s Vengeance, a Year of Payback settling the dispute (retribution) over Zion!

I prove this in this link, under the heading: “A Planet Rocking EARTHQUAKE Date Stamps The Day of Yehovah!”

The knock out punch is delivered at the “Battle” of Gog and Magog.

Ezekiel 38:16 You’ll advance against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. Then in the last days I’ll bring you against My land, so that the nations will know Me when I’m renowned thru you, Gog, before their eyes.

Ezekiel 39:25-29 “So the Sovereign YEHOVAH says: I’m going to bring Jacob [Israel] back from captivity and have mercy on the whole House of Israel, and I’ll be zealous for My 'special' name. 26 They’ll 'accept responsibility' for their shame and all their unfaithfulness toward Me when they live securely in their land with no one to frighten them 27 when I’ve brought them back from the nations and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands and become special to them in the sight of many nations. 28 Then they’ll realize that I am Yehovah their Elohim, once I’ve made them go into captivity among the nations, and then regathered them to their own land. I’ll leave none of them behind 'this time'. 29 I’ll no longer 'turn' My face from them because I will have poured out My spirit on the House of Israel,’ declares 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 Yehovah is gathering the armies of the world for their destruction in “the Valley of Yehoshaphat”! (Yehoshaphat {aka Jehoshaphat}literally means Yehovah has judged.)

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 heathens [Psalm 83:1-8] and bring them down to the https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Valley-Jehoshaphat">Valley of Yehoshaphat, 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.

Joel 3:12-16 “Wake up nations and come up to the Valley of Yehoshaphat, because that’s where I’ll sit to judge all the surrounding nations. 13 'Swing' a sickle because the harvest is ripe. Come and tread because the wine press is full. The vats are overflowing since their wickedness is so great.” 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the Valley of Threshing [Yehoshaphat: Gills]! The Day of Yehovah is near in the Valley of Threshing. 15 The sun and the moon will go dark and star light will vanish. 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 the House of 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 51:6-9,19-20,36-37,45,50 SO FLEE FROM THE 'VICINITY' OF BABYLON! [2] Everyone save your life! Don’t be destroyed as part of her punishment, because this is the time of Yehovah’s vengeance (Jeremiah 50:28). He’s going to pay her what she deserves! 7 Babylon has been a gold cup in Yehovah’s hand, intoxicating the entire earth, the nations drank her wine. That’s why the nations have gone insane. 8 Babylon will suddenly fall and be shattered. They [good people] cried for her! They got balm for her wounds; hoping she’d be healed. Jeremiah 8:22) 9 They tried to heal Babylon [make her great again], but she couldn’t be healed [she was too corrupt]. Abandon her. Everyone should go into their own land, since her judgment extends to the sky (heaven) and reaches as far as the clouds.’ ... 19 The 'One' Jacob 'belongs to' isn’t like these. He is the Creator of everything, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance. Commander Yehovah is His name. 20 “You are My battle ax and weapon of war. With you I’ll smash the nations to pieces, and with you I’ll crush kingdoms... 36 This is what Yehovah says: “I’ll defend your cause and avenge you, and I’ll dry up her sea as well as her springs! 37 Babylon will become a heap of ruins, a haunt of dragons, a place of derision without any inhabitants... 45 “Come out of her My people! Everyone save your lives from the fierce anger of Yehovah... 50 You 'survivors' who have escaped the 'assault', LEAVE! DON’T JUST STAND THERE! Remember Yehovah tho you’re FAR AWAY, Jerusalem will come to mind!”

Notice the admonition that “Jerusalem should come to 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 may also apply to Commandment obedient 'cherished ones' (saints), who may have journeyed to Judea to help build Yehovah’s 3rd Temple) who need to flee away from the vicinity of Jerusalem, rather than stay, as an exercise of faith and logic!

Matthew 24:15-16 When you see the sign of the detestable desolation mentioned by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Cherished Place—may the reader discern! 16 then those of you who are in Judea should escape to the mountain/s!

(So far as I can determine “mountain/s” 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 continuous burnt zebakim [sacrifices] are removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set up there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed are those who 'persevere' and attain the 1,335 days [3].

[3] On the surface “arise to your compensation at the end of the days” appears to mean that Daniel would arise at the end of the 1,335 days. But that flatly contradicts Matthew 24. It doesn’t mean that. (Interestingly, the other place usually translated as “the end of the days” refers to the end of the three and a half year period when Nebuchadnezzar lived as a wild beast, Daniel 4:34.) Actually, the phrase “the end of the days” used in this context means the same thing that all eight instances of the “last days” refer to in the Tanak, and all eleven references to the “latter days” means “the end of the age.

Next comes the good news of Jeremiah:

Lonnie Martin, zech14@proton.me
September 2001
Now for Part 2

Part 2 Chapters Articles

Intro Feast Days

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