This is another area where the fertile imaginations of some of our “prophecy experts” create enhanced narratives which go beyond Biblical revelation. The line may be fuzzy, but we need to maintain clarity on what the scriptures say and be aware of what may be incorrectly inferred, even when those inferences come from the “experts.”
Ask now, and see whether a man is ever in labor with child. So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from your neck, and will burst your bonds. Foreigners shall no more enslave them. But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.’
Jeremiah 30:6-9 NKJV (emphases added)
This is the only place in scripture where “time of Jacob’s trouble” appears. It appears with a child-bearing motif, and with King David governing “the house of Israel” (see Ezekiel 37:24). It appears to be a time of release from bondage, which strongly suggests that the people are living in faith, not in rebellion or spiritual adultery. It also appears to be a time of national distress. Many of the themes also appear in Joel chapter 2, which I encourage you to review. As you are no doubt aware, Joel 2 is the passage cited by Peter in Acts chapter 2 and seems to connect these Day of the Lord events to the Pentecost season.
There are several passages of prophetic scripture that refer to King David. Some writers/scholars have suggested this is really referring to Jesus, and it’s possible that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment. But for passages such as Ezekiel 37:24 and Hosea 3:5, it appears that David means David; that he is resurrected and has a role in the end-times reconciliation between God and Israel.
I see two reasonable possibilities for what this “time of Jacob’s trouble” might mean, and when it might occur. First is the anguish and travail currently being endured by true Jews in the middle east, and most especially in Gaza and the west bank. We’re still in the “times of the Gentiles” and the culture and politics in the land of Israel are driven by Gentiles. I believe there are true Jews in the land, in the State of Israel, in the west bank, in Gaza, and in many of the surrounding countries. These Jews – regardless of location – have two things in common: all are oppressed and suppressed minority, and all are ignorant of their true heritage. But not for much longer.
In a natural birth, one body is removed and separated from another, and I think something very similar is about to happen in the middle east. As the genocidal horrors increase, I believe God will separate the true sons of Jacob from the larger population and bring them to a prepared place of safety in the midst of the land. Remember, “the land” is not the narrow strip currently claimed by the modern State of Israel. It’s the land from the Nile to the Euphrates, so the “midst” could be in modern Jordan, in Iraq, in Saudi Arabia … who knows? Petra has been suggested.
It is also possible that the time of Jacob’s trouble will be when Israel is dwelling peacefully in the midst of the land and they are attacked by Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Contrary to the assertions of some, Israel is not being punished. Also, this is not a long or protracted time of tribulation, not the “3½ year great tribulation” that (some assert) wraps up Daniel’s 70th week. As explored rather exhaustively in previous posts, there is no “3½ year great tribulation” in scripture. This is a made-up “fact” needed to make some fatally flawed end-times scenarios seem plausible.
Here’s what I expect: on the day of the rapture, there is also the resurrection event described in Ezekiel chapter 37. At this time, living Jews will also be regathered to the land, as described in Ezekiel 36:24. These are people throughout the world, many of whom may not even realize they are descendants of Jacob. It will NOT include most of the “Israelis” currently living in Palestine, who identify as Jews but are actually Gentiles – perhaps Turkish Khazars or maybe descendants of the ancient Carthaginians. This regathering may be miraculous and nearly instantaneous (consider Acts 8:39-40) or it may take several days or even weeks. When it’s complete, Jesus will send His envoy, the rider on the white horse (Rev 6:2) who will confirm His covenant with them, and this confirmation will be the initiating event of Daniel’s 70th Week (Daniel 9:27).
The confirmation will include the sealing of the 144,000 described in Revelation 7:4-8. Under King David, the people will dwell in the midst of the land God granted to Israel. With God’s lavish grace, the land will bloom as never before, and the ancient towns will be rebuilt (Ezekiel 36:10). This will be during the first 3½ years of the final seven, while the rest of the world is receiving the judgments of Revelation. This is referred to in Revelation 12:6 –
Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Rev. 12:6 NKJV
The land flourishes under God’s blessing and protection. Near the end of this period of time, as the rest of the planet is crushed under the judgments of God, a military alliance is formed in the land of Magog with the intention of moving into the last fertile land area on the planet. This invasion could be the “time of Jacob’s trouble” but, as we read above, “he shall be saved out of it.”
I can only guess at dates. Hopefully this year, but I’ve been saying that since 2009 or probably earlier. If the rapture occurs on the upcoming Feast of First Fruits (late April 2025) – as good a day as any – then the Magog invasion would be in the fall of 2028. This is speculation, and for those who are believers, it’s really just academic. The bride of Christ will be raptured, the aischynō believers will be right behind them, and we will all be “on the mezzanine” before any of these things happen on earth.
The night is coming when no one can work. Let’s take the Bible seriously and be ready when Jesus comes.
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