Tribulation or Jacob's Trouble?
A lot of confusion in the Church has been the result of Christians not agreeing about
what applies directly to Israel, what applies to the Church and what can apply to all.
One can agree that there are present day distinctions there but still think that in
the end, the two will merge.
What about the Tribulation or Jacob's Trouble, is this about Israel, the Body of Christ
or both?
Though, I can benefit from reading and studying the book of Daniel and Revelation,
does this constitute mail directly addressed to me or to Israel?
"While I am reading mail addressed personally to me, a friend
may hand me, for my interest or information, mail addressed to him. His mail and mine may all prove informative
and profitable, but I must still be careful not to confuse the two, expecting to receive things promised to him or carrying
out instructions addressed to him.
Thus all the Bible is for us, but it is not all addressed to us or written
about us, and if we would really understand and enjoy it; if we would really know how to use it effectively in service for
Christ, we must be careful always to note who is addressing whom, about what and when and why."
If you don't participate that is your prerogative but keep in mind that this will result in
people only hearing my take, which doesn't bother me any.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and
in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations
he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9)
About Israel, The Church or both?
Why?
This is talking about the Abomination of Desolation, which in the apocryphal, not biblical
book of Maccabees the Jews thought they were experiencing the abomination of desolation predicted in Daniel, but years later
Christ spoke about a future Abomination of Desolation. (Matthew 24)
It is interesting to look at the name of the one that defiled the temple of the Jews
was Anti-Ochus Epiphanes.
All indications so far is that the week/seven years and the abomination of desolation
that divides the week are about Israel.
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: (Matthew 24)
Jewish Believers, The Church or both?
Why?
I personally don't see that when the abomination of desolation occurs and the persecution
begins that I as a member of the body of Christ should be concerned about whether my flight is on the sabbath or not. (Galatians
4:8ff; Colossians 2;Romans 14)
Next set of verses:
2 Thessalonians 2 says:
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word,
nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (2 Thess. 2)
The greek word translated Christ here, is not Christos-Christ, it is Kuriou which is
Lord.
So we are talking about the day of the Lord, not the day of Christ.
Does it matter?
So the period of time we are speaking of here has two events preceding it.
This Day seems to be longer than a day. Read Zechariah 12-14 and notice how many things
happen 'In That Day'.
Also 'it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but
it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.' (Zechariah 14)
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3)
Continuing with Second Thessalonians it says:
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that
day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thess. 2)
William Tyndale translated it this way.
3 Let no ma deceave you by eny meanes for the lorde commeth not excepte ther come a
departynge fyrst and that that synfnll man be opened ye sonne of perdicion (Tyndale Translation)
So a:
1) Departure of some kind
AND
2) Revealing of the Son of Perdition
Must occur before the period of time called the Day of the Lord.
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thess.
2)
This verse shows that this is speaking of the evil one that makes a covenant with Israel
in Daniel Nine, and 'causes the oblation/sacrifice to cease'.
How would this be about the Church?
What does the body of Christ have to do with a temple and an abomination of Desolation?
This again sounds related to the Abomination of Desolation and the persecution of Israel.
Who would be the ones to be involved with someone sitting in a temple, showing himself
to be God?
I would like to hear from anyone that thinks this has to do with the body
of Christ.
7 Alas! for that day is great,
so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. 8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke
from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: 9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
(Jeremiah 30)
The important thing is to know the essentials of the faith and be ready at all times.
BJ Maxwell 12/11/2005
