{"id":1179,"date":"2018-01-30T17:59:09","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T16:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/?p=1179"},"modified":"2018-01-30T18:02:52","modified_gmt":"2018-01-30T17:02:52","slug":"time-of-jacobs-trouble-approaching-israel-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/2018\/01\/30\/time-of-jacobs-trouble-approaching-israel-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Time of Jacob’s Trouble Approaching Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Continued: The Three-Fold Purpose of The Time of Jacob’s Trouble)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe Northern Kingdom Repeatedly Went Against God’s Will
\nResult\u2014The Assyrian Captivity<\/i><\/span><\/center> <\/p>\n

God’s wrath arose against the Northern Kingdom in about 719 B.C. during King Hoshea’s reign. At that time He allowed Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to seize their government and banish them from the land. The reason the Lord did this is set forth clearly in II Kings 17:9-18:<\/p>\n

9 And the children of Israel did secretly things that were not right against Jehovah their God: and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city; 10 and they set them up pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every green tree; 11 and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom Jehovah carried away before them; and they wrought wicked things to provoke Jehovah to anger; 12 and they served idols, whereof Jehovah had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.<\/p>\n

13 Yet Jehovah testified unto Israel, and unto Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. 14 Notwithstanding, they would not hear but hardened their neck, like to the neck of their fathers, who believed not in Jehovah their God. 15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified unto them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the nations that were around them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them that they should not do like them. 16 And they forsook all the commandments of Jehovah their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. 17 and they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke Him to anger. 18 Therefore Jehovah was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.<\/p>\n


\n
The Southern Kingdom Repeatedly Went Against God’s Will
\nResult\u2014The Babylonian Captivity<\/i><\/span><\/center><\/center><\/p>\n

After the Northern Kingdom fell, Judah stayed in the land for another 134 years. It is recorded against the Jews who lived in Judah during that time that they kept not the commandments of the Lord their God. Judah backslid from God so far that Jeremiah said: „Backsliding Israel [Northern Kingdom] hath showed herself more righteous than treacherous Judah“ (Jeremiah 3:11).<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, God’s anger was kindled against Judah, until it burned in the fierceness of His great wrath. In 586 B.C., He turned His people over to the Babylonians. The reason He turned them over to the foreigners is set forth in II Chronicles 36:11-21:<\/p>\n

11 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: 12 and he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God; he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of Jehovah. 13 and he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning unto Jehovah, the God of Israel. 14 Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted the house of Jehovah which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. 15 And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place: 16 but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, till there was no remedy.<\/p>\n

17 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldeans, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or virgin, old man or hoary headed: he gave them all into his hand. 18 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes, all these he brought to Babylon. 19 and they burnt the House of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: 21 to fulfill the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths: for as long as it lay desolate it kept Sabbaths, to fulfill threescore and ten years.<\/p>\n

A Remnant of „The Holy People“ Return from Babylon<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After the 70 years of captivity in Babylon were ended, about 40,000 Jews under the leadership of Zerubbabel returned to their homeland. A much greater number remained in Babylon and Assyria.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

„The Holy People“ Go Against God’s Will<\/i><\/span><\/center><\/p>\n

The Jews who returned to the land of Israel feared the Lord and wanted to do His will. The following generation did not; for the Book of Ezra gives evidence that the very next generation turned away from the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n

9<\/b> … The people of Israel, and priests and the Levities, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the peoples of the lands: yea, the hand of the princes and the rulers hath been chief in this trespass (Ezra 9:1,2).<\/p>\n

Malachi was the last prophet to the Jewish remnant who had returned to their land from the Babylonian captivity. He named seven sins of the people of Israel of his day and time. We can sum up the attitude of the children of Israel toward God in the following statements Malachi spoke for Jehovah of host, saying:<\/p>\n

13 Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee? 14 Ye have said, it is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts? 15 and now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape (Malachi 3:13-15).<\/p>\n

The Bible is silent on the history of Israel for about 400 years following the days of Malachi. Secular history paints a dismal picture of the vacillation of the children of Israel in their attitude toward God during that period.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

„The Holy People“ Reject Their Messiah<\/i><\/span><\/center><\/p>\n

At the end of the 400 year period, the last Old Testament prophet appeared on the scene to call the nation of Israel to repent and return to God. That prophet was John the Baptist.<\/span><\/p>\n

In John’s time the Jews were strongly divided among themselves. There were then four main sects in Israel\u2014the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and the Essenes. Since each sect had its own idea concerning how one should serve God, hatred constantly flared up among the groups.<\/p>\n

Soon after John began his ministry, the greatest of all teachers of righteousness, Jesus of Nazareth, appeared. He ministered for about three and one half years, and tried to call His nation back to God. His last message to His nation’s leaders shows His love and longing for His people Israel:<\/p>\n

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. 38 Behold, your house is being left to you desolate. 39 For I say to you, from now on you shall not see Me until you say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord (Matthew 23:37-39, New ASB).<\/p>\n

As their fathers had willed not to listen to the prophets of God and had persecuted and killed many of them, so the Jewish leaders (the Sanhedrin) set their wills against Jesus and demanded that He be crucified. Surely that willful act broke God’s heart, so to speak, because Jesus is God’s only begotten son\u2014the one of whom Moses and the prophets spoke.<\/p>\n

„Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou knowest?“ (Proverbs 30:4 ).<\/p>\n

Even though the leaders had swayed their nation to condemn Jesus to death, God graciously kept them in their land about 40 years after His Son’s crucifixion. During those 40 years He sent many messengers from among the Jews to call them to repentance.<\/p>\n

One of the outstanding messengers during that time, the apostle Peter, besought his nation to repent and turn to God and serve Him, saying:<\/p>\n

12 … „Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him [lame beggar] walk? 13 „The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered up, and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 „But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead,\u2014a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 „And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 „And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He has thus fulfilled.“ 19 „Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that the times of revival may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.“ 22 Moses said, „THE LORD GOD SHALL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED IN EVERYTHING HE SAYS TO YOU. 23 ‚AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERY SOUL THAT DOES NOT HEED THAT PROPHET SHALL BE UTTERLY DESTROYED FROM AMONG THE PEOPLE.‘ 24 „And likewise all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his<\/i> successors onward, also have announced these days. 25 „It is you who are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, „And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.‘ 26 „For you first, God raised up His Servant, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways“ (Acts 3:12-26, New ASB).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God’s Wrath Arose Against „The Holy People“ in 70 A.D.
\nResult\u2014They were Scattered Among the Nations<\/i>
\n<\/span><\/center><\/p>\n

The nation of Israel refused to receive the message concerning the Righteous One, Jesus of Nazareth, during the 40 years following His crucifixion. By 70 A.D. God’s wrath arose against His people again. This time He drove the Jews out of the land of Israel and scattered them among all the nations of the world. For over 1900 years they have been scattered among the nations under the chastening hand of Almighty God.<\/span><\/p>\n

Down through history God has had to chastise His beloved people, the Jews, for disobedience. Speaking through Moses, God told His people what was in store for them as a nation because of acts of disobedience toward Him which they would commit throughout their history. He said:<\/p>\n

18 and if ye will not yet for these things hearken unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins. 21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 23 and if by these things ye will not be reformed unto me, but will walk contrary unto me; 24 then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins.<\/p>\n

27 and if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28 then I will walk contrary unto you in wrath; and I will chastise you seven times for your sins … 33 and you will I scatter among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you: and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste (Leviticus 26:18,21,23,24,27,28,33).<\/p>\n

God’s messages through His prophet Moses warning the Israelites of the punishment that would come upon them for continued acts of disobedience are recorded in full in Leviticus 26:14-45 and Deuteronomy 28:15-29:29.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n„The Holy People“ Will Repent and Turn to God
\nDuring the Time of Jacob’s Trouble <\/i>
\n<\/span><\/center><\/p>\n

Though God has severely chastised the Jewish people in the past, none of the terrible sufferings which they have endured have been sufficient to break their will as a nation. Thus far He has been dealing with them in His goodness trying to lead them to repentance. „Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds“ (Romans 2:4-6, New ASB).<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing short of the awful punishment of God in the day of His wrath, The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, will be sufficient to cause the Jewish people as a nation to willingly and whole-heartedly repent, turn to God and become His servants\u2014a holy nation, a kingdom of priests.<\/p>\n

When the terrible judgments of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble finally end, God’s threefold purpose in sending the Tribulation will have been accomplished: The inhabitants of the world will have learned righteousness; the world will be rid of wickedness and wicked ones; and the breaking in pieces the power of „the holy people“ will have been accomplished\u2014Israel will truly be a holy nation, a kingdom of priests, and a blessing to all the families of the earth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 4<\/p>\n

THE ACT THAT PRECIPITATES THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE<\/p>\n

Time here on earth is fixed. You can’t speed it up or slow it down. Every minute is bringing us closer to something. A new home; A new job; New acquaintances; Joy; Sorrow; Health; Sickness; Old age; Retirement; Death. And every minute is bringing us closer to the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.<\/p>\n

The signs that announce the approach of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble have already been enumerated. Also, we have seen that these signs are accumulating today at such an alarming rate that we can be sure that the Great Tribulation is drawing near.<\/p>\n

But these are just signs that the time is approaching. Will there be a sign that will mark the beginning of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble?<\/p>\n

Yes, God told Daniel, the prophet, the sign that will mark the beginning of that day. For „Surely the Lord [Jehovah] will do nothing except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets“ (Amos 3:7). Every prophet beginning with Moses, wrote about the day of the Lord, the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. But it was to Daniel that God chose to make known the event that will set in motion that time.<\/p>\n

Through the prophet Daniel, God gave a comprehensive, yet concise, account of the things that will happen during that time. In addition, He made it plain when that time will begin. This secret recorded in Daniel 9:24-27, was given to Daniel while he and his people, the Jews, were in captivity in Babylon.<\/p>\n

Daniel, an Orthodox Jew<\/p>\n

Daniel was a strict orthodox Jew in his outlook. He had a firm belief that God would send the promised Messiah to his people. He believed that when Messiah came He would defeat all of their enemies, give them all the land of promise, and lead them into the glorious Golden Era of peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n

Being an orthodox Jew, he longed for the day when he and his people would be back in their land. Being a man of God, he searched the writings of the Hebrew prophets carefully to see how God was dealing with them.<\/p>\n

Daniel Read a Prophecy of Jeremiah and Rejoiced<\/p>\n

One day while he was reading God’s Word, he was arrested by two passages in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah:<\/p>\n

11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith Jehovah, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it desolate for ever (Jeremiah 25:11,12).<\/p>\n

10 For thus saith Jehovah, After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end. 12 and ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 and ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you saith Jehovah, and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith Jehovah; and I will bring you again unto the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive (Jeremiah 29:10-14).<\/p>\n

Daniel received new light on God’s Word as he read these passages: „and it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place [the land of Israel].“ Daniel saw the Babylonian captivity was almost over; for at the time he read these words the Jewish people had been in captivity 68 years.<\/p>\n

Surely joy flooded Daniel’s soul when he realized that in two years he and his people would be free to return to their beloved land. So unbounded was his joy that he evidently incorrectly interpreted Jeremiah’s words to mean that in two years the Golden Era would dawn.<\/p>\n

Daniel Did Not Fully Understand Jeremiah’s Prophecy<\/p>\n

There are two widely separated events recorded in Jeremiah 29:10-14. In the first part of that message, Jehovah told Jeremiah that after the 70 years of captivity under the Babylonians He would cause the Jews to return to their land. He said, „For I know the thoughts that I think toward you … thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.“<\/p>\n

In the last part of Jeremiah’s message, the Lord let it be known that a time will come when the Jewish people will be scattered among the nations. There they will search for Him with all their heart, and He will be found of them. He will gather them from all the nations where He had driven them and bring them again into their land.<\/p>\n

It is very clear that in the first part of God’s message to Jeremiah, He spoke about the return of the Jews to their land after the Babylonian captivity.<\/p>\n

In the last part of His message, God spoke about the return of the Jews to their land after they have searched for Him with all their heart. At that time, He will turn again their captivity and will gather them from all the nations and from all the places where He has driven them.<\/p>\n

All during this present age the Jews have been scattered throughout the nations. Without doubt, Jeremiah prophesied concerning the end of our present age in the latter part of his prophecy.<\/p>\n

But Daniel evidently concluded these two events\u2014the Babylonian captivity and the scattering among the nations\u2014were the one and the same thing.<\/p>\n

Jeremiah prophesied that in the end days, „the latter end,“ the Jewish people will seek the Lord with all their heart, and He will hear their prayers and will regather them from among the nations. „And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you … and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith Jehovah“ (Jeremiah 29:13,14).<\/p>\n

Daniel surely interpreted these words to mean that when he and his people sought the Lord with all their heart, He would bring them out of the Babylonian captivity; for he began to pray fervently to the Lord on behalf of himself and his people.<\/p>\n

God Sent Gabriel to Give Daniel Understanding<\/p>\n

While Daniel was praying, confessing his sin, and the sin of his people Israel, God dispatched the angel Gabriel from heaven to speak with Daniel. He came and instructed Daniel, saying, „O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee wisdom and understanding.“<\/p>\n

What wisdom and what understanding did the angel give Daniel?<\/p>\n

Remember Daniel was an orthodox Jew in the strictest sense. He believed the Word of God. The Word of God assured him that the Babylonian captivity was drawing to a close. It also assured him that Messiah was going to come and usher in an era of righteousness, peace and prosperity\u2014the Golden Era.<\/p>\n

Because Daniel was mistaken in expecting the Golden Era to come at the end of the Babylonian captivity, the angel was sent to show him his error and to teach him God’s order of events.<\/p>\n

70 Sevens\u2014490 Years\u2014Decreed Upon the Jewish People<\/p>\n

Gabriel came to Daniel and instructed him that the seventy year period Jeremiah prophesied was not decreed to bring about events leading up to the glorious reign of King Messiah. He disclosed that there were „seventy sevens“ decreed upon the Jewish people before that glorious time would come to pass.<\/p>\n

Seventy sevens of what? Seventy sevens of years. Since Daniel was thinking in terms of one period of 70 years of the Babylonian captivity, it is logical to believe he understood that the angel spoke of 70 periods of seven years (490 years).<\/p>\n

The angel gave Daniel this message:<\/p>\n

24 Seventy weeks (The word translated weeks in Daniel 9:24ff, literally means sevens in the original language) are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. 25 Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times. 26 And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate (Daniel 9:24-27).<\/p>\n

The angel told Daniel that „seventy sevens“ were decreed upon his people and upon the holy city of Jerusalem so that six things might be accomplished:<\/p>\n

1. To finish transgression,
\n2. To make an end of sins,
\n3. To make reconciliation for iniquity,
\n4. To bring in everlasting righteousness,
\n5. To seal up vision and prophecy,
\n6. To anoint the most holy.<\/p>\n

When these things have been accomplished the kingdom of God will have been established upon earth, and God’s love and benefits will flow out to all the families of the earth.<\/p>\n

The Three Divisions of the 490 Years\u00b9<\/p>\n

The message the angel Gabriel gave was explicit. He told Daniel that the 70 periods of seven years, or 490 years, would be divided into three separate periods: seven sevens, or 49 years; 62 sevens, or 434 years; and one seven, or seven years. Each of these periods would represent a particular period of Israel’s future history. Now let’s see what period each one of these divisions represents.<\/p>\n

The First Division of Seven Sevens, or 49 Years<\/p>\n

The Jews would restore and rebuild Jerusalem during the first 49 years after they returned from the Babylonian captivity. This has been literally fulfilled.<\/p>\n

The Second Division\u201462 Sevens, or 434 Years<\/p>\n

The city of Jerusalem which the Jews rebuilt during the 49 troublesome years would stand for 434 years until the anointed one, Messiah, came and was cut off (killed). This also has been literally fulfilled.<\/p>\n

The Gap of 1900 + Years<\/p>\n

Let us restate the information Daniel received. During the 49 plus 434 years, or 483 years, following the Babylonian captivity the Jews would rebuild Jerusalem and reoccupy their city. At the end of that period the anointed one, the prince, would make his appearance and be killed.<\/p>\n

Who is this „anointed one,“ or Messiah, the prince, of whom the angel Gabriel spoke?<\/p>\n

What prominent figure claiming to be the Messiah of Israel came to the Jewish people and was killed about 483 years after the decree was issued ending the Babylonian captivity? Only one answer can be given: Jesus of Nazareth.<\/p>\n

It has been centuries since Jesus, the Messiah, was cut off. Yet not one of the six purposes mentioned in Daniel 9:24 has been accomplished. Therefore the 70th week, or the last seven years of the 490 years, could not have immediately followed Christ Jesus‘ crucifixion. At the end of the 483 years the Lord’s special clock stopped ticking off the time of the decree, for the 490th year is to be followed by the Golden Era.<\/p>\n

The prophet Micah predicted that God would give Israel up „until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth“ (Micah 5:3). This prediction is nothing short of God’s stating that His clock, which measures the time of the decree, the 70 weeks, would stop when the people of Israel rejected their Messiah. It would not start again until Israel entered a period of travail\u2014the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.<\/p>\n

Thus there is a gap of over 1900 years between the 69 periods of seven years and the last period of seven years.<\/p>\n

The Third Division\u2014One Seven, or Seven Years<\/p>\n

The Beginning of this „week,“ or seven-year period, marks the beginning of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

Since the first and second divisions of Daniel’s prophecy have been completely and literally fulfilled, we can be sure the things that are predicted to happen during the third division\u2014seven years\u2014will come to pass.<\/p>\n

Note that the angel told Daniel that a specific act will mark the beginning of the last seven years of the 490 years.<\/p>\n

The angel said: And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week (Daniel 9:27).<\/p>\n

According to this statement, a certain individual will make a strong contract with „many“ for „one week“\u2014seven years. Who will that individual be? Who are the many with whom he will make a contract? what will the contract be?<\/p>\n

Immediately preceding the statement, „And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week,“ the angel said:<\/p>\n

And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Daniel 9:26).<\/p>\n

Therefore the antecedent to „he“ in Daniel 9:27 is the prince that shall come in 9:26. prince that shall come is of the people who destroy the city and sanctuary. Surely the angel predicted the destruction of Jerusalem (the city) and the Jewish Temple (the sanctuary) by the Gentiles under the imperialistic power of the Romans in 70 A.D. Thus „the prince that shall come,“ the one who will make the covenant with „many“, will be a Gentile at the head of the last great imperialistic world power of this age. Rome was the first great imperialistic power of the present age. (In connection with this, read Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 7 of his book, noting especially verses 7,17,19 and 23.)<\/p>\n

The „many“ with whom „the prince that shall come“ makes the contract for seven years are of the Jews who will be living in the end days. We can be sure of this, for Daniel’s people\u2014the Jews\u2014are the people under the 490 year decree.<\/p>\n

In the last days, many developments will rapidly take place that will bring about the rise of the powerful world dictator, „the prince that shall come.“ Out of these developments a crisis will arise in Israel that will cause the Jews to seek that mighty dictator’s favor and help.<\/p>\n

Some time in the near future the Jews will acquire the ancient site of their Temple on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem. After they gain this site, they will rebuild their Temple and restore the Mosaic ceremonies of Temple worship\u2014daily worship services and the offerings of animal sacrifices. During this time anti-Semitism and other racial problems will grow increasingly severe. Jews who believe what the prophets of old taught know that their people will find life more and more difficult. „The day is coming,“ some of them say, „when the living will envy the dead.“<\/p>\n

The Act That Will Start the Time of Jacob’s Trouble<\/p>\n

Since anti-Semitism will grow rampant, and the Jews will regain the old Temple site, rebuild their Temple and reinstitute Temple worship according to the Mosaic Law, an acute international problem will arise. After they become organized in their Temple worship, they will be harassed while they try to worship, and their enemies will become so fierce that they will need strong protection in order to carry on their religious services. Instead of seeking the help of God, they will turn to the powerful dictator for help. The Jews will make a contract with him under which he will agree to give them military protection from their enemies.<\/p>\n

The signing of that contract will mark the beginning of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.<\/p>\n

Footnote:<\/p>\n

\u00b9 The 490-year decree began the date Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a proclamation that Jews exiled in Babylonia were to return to their land and rebuild the Temple. See Chapter XIV, Messiah: His First Coming Scheduled, by David L. Cooper.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n


\nChapter 5<\/p>\n

A WAY TO ESCAPE THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE<\/b><\/span><\/center><\/p>\n


\nCaught up in a vision by the Holy Spirit, Zephaniah the prophet was permitted to see a dreadful time far in the future. He saw the Day of the Lord\u2014the Time of Jacobs Trouble. Writing about that day, Zephaniah pictured it as a time of wasteness and desolation, darkness and gloominess, wars and great destruction of life and property. A time of trouble\u2014terrible trouble!<\/p>\n

14 The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of Jehovah; the mighty man crieth there bitterly. 15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 a day of the trumpet and alarm, against the fortified cities, and against the high battlements. 17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against Jehovah; and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy; for he will make an end, yea, a terrible end, of all of them that dwell in the land (Zephaniah 1:14-18).
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Jews Commanded to Gather Together Before Time of Jacob’s Trouble <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Through His servant, Zephaniah, God warns His people of the coming day of trouble and distress. And even as He warns them, He tells them how they can escape that terrible day. Speaking to the generation of Jews living at the very threshold of that time, He commands them, saying:<\/p>\n

2 Gather yourselves together, yea gather yourselves, O nation that hath no shame; 2 before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce day of Jehovah’s anger come upon you. 3 Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger (Zephaniah 2:1-3).<\/p>\n

„O nation that hath no shame, gather yourselves together“ cries the prophet of God, addressing his people the Jews. The Hebrew word which is here translated shame<\/i> also means longing.<\/i><\/p>\n

Why would Zephaniah address his people as a „nation that hath no longing“? Longing for what? The prophet is probably referring to the fact that the Jewish people living in the end days, who are the ones to whom he is speaking, will have lost their longing for God.<\/p>\n

It is obvious that very few<\/i> modern Jews have a true and sincere longing for the things of God. Very few<\/i> are longing for Messiah to come and end anti-Semitism, bring them into full possession of their land, and settle the problems of the world.<\/p>\n

The Command is Being Carried Out<\/i><\/p>\n

The Jewish people who are returning to the land of Israel under the Zionist movement are doing so in order to build up a national home. They are not gathering together in their homeland out of a longing for God and His Messiah and a desire to do His will.<\/p>\n

Although they are not returning to their homeland out of a longing for God and a desire to do His will, God’s will is<\/i> being done. Through Zephaniah, God issued a command to His people to gather themselves together; and, whether they are aware of it or not, His command is being carried out.<\/p>\n

Their regathering in the land of Israel is a process. The initial regathering <\/i>will take place before the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. The final regathering<\/i> will occur afterward.<\/p>\n

The initial gathering together\u00b9 <\/i> of the Jews is to be „before the decree … before the fierce anger of Jehovah come upon you.“ In other words, they are to gather together immediately before the Time of Jacob’s Trouble begins.<\/p>\n

An Invitation to Seek God, Seek Righteousness and Meekness
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Zephaniah also gives an invitation to „seek … Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger.“ It is clear that the prophet is speaking primarily and directly to the Jews who heed his command to gather together in the land. They are urged to seek Jehovah their God before the decree of seven years\u2014the Time of Jacob’s Trouble\u2014starts.<\/p>\n

The ones who are urged to seek the Lord are „all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances.“ Through Zephaniah, God gives a clear call to the Jews, especially devout, sincere Israelites who are seeking the truth, to seek Him earnestly. They are urged not only to seek Jehovah, but to seek righteousness, seek meekness. God loves righteousness and meekness but resists those who are proud and haughty. A man’s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor (Proverbs 29:23). God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble (I Peter 5:5).<\/p>\n

How Jew and Gentile Can Seek and Find God, Righteousness and Meekness<\/i><\/p>\n

How can a Jew seek righteousness? How can a Gentile seek righteousness? How can a Jew or Gentile seek meekness?<\/p>\n

According to King David, it is not a normal thing for anyone to seek after God. He said that none is righteous, no, not one.<\/p>\n

2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, That did seek after God. 3 Every one of them is gone back; they are together become filthy; There is none that doeth good, no, not one (Psalm 53:2,3).<\/p>\n

The prophet Jeremiah said,
\n„The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?“ (Jeremiah 17:9).<\/p>\n

Jeremiah also said, „Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to evil“ (Jeremiah 13:23)<\/p>\n

Together with these passages there are many others in the Bible which declare that all are unrighteous.<\/p>\n

Zephaniah did not say, „Be righteous“ or; „Become righteous“. He said, „Seek righteousness.“<\/i><\/p>\n

What is righteousness? Webster defines the righteousness of which Zephaniah spoke as „the state of acceptance with God.“<\/p>\n

If we were to keep all of God’s laws perfectly we would be accepted of Him and would be well pleasing in His sight. Who among us, however, can keep God’s laws perfectly? Not one of us.<\/p>\n

Moses charged „Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them“ (Deuteronomy 27:26).<\/p>\n

Elsewhere the Word of God says: „For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all“ (James 2:10).<\/p>\n

Zephaniah did not say, „keep the law to the letter.“ He knew that would be impossible. He said, „Seek righteousness.“<\/p>\n

Wise King Solomon wrote „He that followeth after righteousness and kindness, findeth life, righteousness, and honor“ (Proverbs 21:21). King Solomon implies that if anyone sincerely craves to be obedient to God’s laws, and exerts much energy to be kind, he will find life, righteousness, and honor.<\/p>\n

If we honestly and sincerely attempt to keep God’s laws and commandments and to be kind to others, however we will find ourselves stumbling at every turn of the road. Honesty will compel us to admit that we are bankrupt sinners in need of help.<\/p>\n

Does this not contradict Solomon’s statement? No, it does not. For though not one of us can live a righteous life in his own strength, God has provided One Who can enable us to live a godly life.<\/p>\n

Who is that One? Messiah.<\/p>\n

The law condemns us and teaches us that we need Messiah’s help. The apostle Paul wrote, „The law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ [Messiah], that we might be justified by faith“(Galatians 3:24).<\/p>\n

The Lord Jesus Christ said, „Believe in God, believe also in me … I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one cometh unto the Father but by me“ (John 14;1,6). Again He said, „I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly“ (John 10:10).<\/p>\n

If we harmonize what Solomon said with Jesus‘ statements, we will find life in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

One of the New Testament writers states that we become righteous before God only through Jesus (I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21). The basis of this teaching is that Jesus Christ died and shed His blood in order to cover our sins. Both Jews and Gentiles must accept this truth by faith in order to be righteous in God’s sight.<\/p>\n

Moses wrote, „For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life“ (Leviticus 17:11).<\/p>\n

How Both Jew and Gentile Can Escape the Time of Jacob’s Trouble <\/i><\/p>\n

We can conclude, therefore, that Jews who escape the day of the Lord’s fierce anger, according to Zephaniah’s promise, do so through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will find God and find righteousness and humility by believing that Jesus Christ gave up His life upon the cross and shed His blood as a sacrifice for their sins.<\/p>\n

Zephaniah assures those who find God that they will be hidden „in the day of Jehovah’s anger.“ The prophet implies that they will be protected from the judgments of that day.<\/p>\n

In the New Testament, God promises all who come to Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, that they will not go into that period of wrath. No doubt, the Jews addressed by Zephaniah who are promised escape from the threatened wrath are those who accept God’s grace and are beloved in His son. This promise is made to all, both Jews and Gentiles, who make peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

9 … Ye turned unto God … to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come (I Thessalonians 1:9,10).<\/p>\n

This passage and the following one teach that all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will be taken out of the world before the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, the Tribulation, sets in. You may have heard this called „the rapture of the church.“<\/p>\n

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore, comfort one another with these words (I Thessalonians 4:14-18).<\/p>\n

There is no need for anyone, Jew or Gentile, to go through the terrible sufferings of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, for God has made a way of escape from that awful day. All who accept His way of escape by faith will be delivered from the Day of His Wrath.<\/p>\n

Footnote:<\/p>\n

\u00b9 The initial returning to the land of Israel, which is going on at the present time, does not necessarily imply that every Jew will return. It simply implies that a representative number will return.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

weiter<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Continued: The Three-Fold Purpose of The Time of Jacob’s Trouble) The Northern Kingdom Repeatedly Went Against God’s Will Result\u2014The Assyrian Captivity  God’s wrath arose against the Northern Kingdom in about 719 B.C. during King Hoshea’s reign. At that time He allowed Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to seize their government and banish them from the land. … <\/p>\n

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