“Jacob’s trouble“

The Time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) trouble, is prophetically described as the final phase of Armageddon when Gog along with all it allies come upon Israel.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away (who would see its demise) will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” (Zech 12:2, 3)

“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.” (Jer 30:7)

“In Ezekiel’s prophecy (Ezek 38:1-13) the Lord names the chief actors in the struggle in Palestine; but we may not be too positive in our identifications. Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomar, Togomar, Javan and Tarshish were names of children of Noah’s son Japheth’ supposed to be the original settles of Europe. Sheba and Dedan were descendants of Noah’s son, Ham’ supposed to be the original settles of Northern Africa. Abraham and his posterity (Israel) were descendants of Noah’s son, Shem, and are supposed to have settled Armenia ‘Western Asia. (See Gen 10:2-7) This would seem to indicate in a general way that the attack will come from Europe the “north quarters” with allied mixed peoples.” (Volume 4, The Battle of Armageddon, page 556)

The various groups thus described by the Prophet Ezekiel as the ones who will be participants in ‘Jacob’s trouble,’ are now actively participating in the present struggle of the nations, but it seems reasonable that there may be a lull in the present storm, during which Israel will occupy Palestine in greater numbers and will become even more prosperous there than they are now. But the hatred of the Jew now so manifest in Europe (as well here in the U.S.), and the lust for wealth and power on the part of the aggressors, impoverished by their vast expenditures in their war efforts, will still exist. This can easily lead later to the march against the holy land which will represent the final phase of Armageddon. It will be in this struggle that divine power will be manifested for the deliverance of Israel’ not however, until they have been severely chastised (humbled).” “The Jew and the War”

At present the Jews have not turned to God and reliance upon Him, but rather rely upon their own prowess in the sword (war), and in the support they garner from their allies notably the U.S.  Note the following  recent quote:

“America will back [Netanyahu] up – they tell us when we’re in Israel the reason we’re able to sustain ourselves and survive is because everybody knows our big ally is America.”

Very few have openly proclaimed, ‘The Lord alone is our strength and our  refuge, we will rely upon Him to protect us’.

Thus it is evident that as a people and as a nation they have not yet been humbled enough. This attitude must change in order for them to learn that true victory comes not by their on means, but by the power of God alone. They will learn this lesson fully when Gog and his allies come upon them in overwhelming force in the future.

“According to Ezekiel 38:8, this attack from the “north” (Ezek 38:15) takes place AFTER Israel has been “brought back from the sword” and is dwelling safely in the land, this is still future. Israel is not yet recovered from the “sword.” The Israelites have possessed the land by means of their military strength. Today they are depending upon the same source of security as the other nations of the earth, which is the power of the sword.

Because of this, Israel is not now yet dwelling  in “safely.” The people are in constant fear of being attacked. Just what developments will occur in the international picture to change this situation; we will know only when they occur. But the prophecy reveals clearly that when they do dwell “safely” a vicious attack will be made upon them from under the leadership of God from the “north.” (Ezek 38:14-16)” “Israel Fulfilling Prophecy”

The Players in this Final Conflict

“As stated there is considerable discussion as to the identification of the participants in the battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39. This is largely because of the various methods of interpretation used in arriving at an answer to this question. Two methods of approach are the most predominant. Geographically and Linguistically.

The Geographical approach seeks to locate the areas occupied by these tribes in Ezekiel’s day, and identify the participants in this battle as being those living there at the present time. The Genealogical method traces the migrations of these people to their present locales, thus identifying modern day participants.

While a number of opinions prevail as to the precise identification of the nations involved in this battle, many agree on the following:

THE INVADING CONFEDERACY

 * Rosh (Heb. “chief prince”, i.e. Russia)

* Meschech (Northern Turkey)

* Tubal (Georgia)

* Persia (Iran)

* Ethiopia (Cush) Central Africa

* Libya Northwest Africa

* Gomer Northern Turkey, (Armenia)

* Togarmah (Turkestan)

THE SECOND CONFEDERACY

*Tarshish 

Tarshish is variously identified with southern Spain or the British Isles. In either case, it represented the westernmost reaches of civilization and thus is identified with Imperial England and her “young lions” or colonies, including the United States and Canada.

* Sheba (Saudi Arabia)

* Dedan (Yemen)

Beauties of the Truth Volume 2, Number 1 Jan 1991, Israel, Iraq and the Gulf Crisis A Land Brought Back from the Sword, by Brother Carl Hagensick

With respects to the second confederacy of nations mentioned  above those who take no part in the physical invasion, but who nonetheless do nothing to impede it, Brother Frank Shallieu has another take on who these might well represent somewhat similar to that of Brother Hagensick.

First take a note of the text once again,

“Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?'”

“Here is still another grouping: Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish. However, these three will not be part of Gog’s host. As separate observers, they will inquire of Gog, “Have you come down to Israel to take a spoil and a prey?” Since these words are expressed in question form, we know these three powers will be on the scene but will nevertheless feel relatively powerless to avert the intent of the enemy.

What is the identity of these three nations?

All three are Western powers as follows:

1) “Sheba” represents the United States. As ruler of Egypt and Ethiopia, the queen of Sheba traveled from the coasts of the earth (from Upper Egypt, which was like another continent in that day) to see Solomon’s Temple. The Prophet Isaiah referred to the United States as “the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia” (Isa 18:1); hence Sheba symbolizes the United States, a country that was far, far away, on the outer extremities of the world, as it were. Just as the queen of Sheba had wealth, so the United States is a wealthy country. Moreover, Queen Hatshepsut, who was the queen of Sheba, had a mixed race of black and white, just as the United States does.

2) Dedan is France.

3) “Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof” is a symbol of England with all the colonies she had until recent years. England is the main or mother “lion,” as it were. Moreover, a lion is the symbol of Britain. The “merchants,” indicating a naval power, also help to identify Tarshish as England.

The point is that the United States, France, and England will have expeditionary, representative, peace-keeping forces on the scene in Israel, such as United Nations forces. (These forces stationed in and around Israel are most likely the results of the first invasion/war by the Arabs mentioned in our last post. Peacekeeping forces would naturally be installed after such a devastating war between Israel and its Arab neighbors.)

However these forces, being limited in number, will be powerless to stop the host of Gog. God’s purpose is to “gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle” (Zech 14:2). The leading powers of earth will be attracted to Israel so that they will be on hand to see God’s glory in rescuing Israel. With most if not all communication being cut off, the Gentile survivors will return to their homelands and be able to give eyewitness accounts. The survivors of Gog and of Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish will probably be about the same ratio: 1 out of 6 (Ezek 39:2).

Other Scriptures, such as Psa 83, suggest that prior to Jacob’s Trouble, a conflict will occur in which Israel will defeat her immediate Arab foes in a remarkable victory. As a result, it is likely that the United Nations will providentially establish a peace-keeping force there. The victory will lead to temporary prosperity and security for Israel. During the presence of the peace-keeping forces, the Gog host will come down.

And there is another point. Since their own homelands will be in anarchy at the time of Jacob’s Trouble, the peace-keeping forces will not be inclined to return to their respective countries. They will feel they are better off staying right where they are. Ezek 39:6 is a proof text of the anarchy that will be occurring in Russia and elsewhere at that time: “I will send a fire(trouble) on Magog, AND among them that dwell carelessly in the isles (in the “coastlands” on those who believe their distance from the battle will somehow shield them from the turmoil developing in the Holy Land): and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Isa 34:2 is another such text: “For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.”

All nations worldwide will experience anarchy. The Scriptures seem to indicate that there will be the possibility of a limited  nuclear exchange, but even that as devastating as it would be, would pall as in compassions with the real Time of Trouble, worldwide anarchy. It will, however, prepare the way for anarchy, for nuclear warfare  (even limited) will disrupt everything: communications, employment, food supplies, etc. Being sick of war and the results, the people will curse their governments in each of their lands (Isa 8:21).

As for the Gentile survivors, when the Gog host finally realize God is fighting for Israel, they will be deathly afraid to do any more damage. They will be only too glad to have survived and will go back to their homelands to give eyewitness accounts.” (The Keys of Revelation, Page 220, 221)

We will continue with this in our next post.