JACOB’S TROUBLE

This study is difficult to understand if you do not understand who the modern day Jewish people, the modern state of Israel, and Ephraim/Gentiles/Israel are.

The 12 tribes of Israel are the sons of Jacob (Genesis 49 and especially verse 28).

The sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, represent the grafting in of the Gentiles. Their mother was a pagan daughter of the High Priest of Egypt (Gen 41.45).

The nation that left Egypt for the Promised Land was called Israel.  After they conquered Canaan they were the nation of Israel. 

God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. His twelve sons and the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, comprised this nation.

In 1 Kings 11 and 12 the ancient nation of Israel divided. The northern kingdom was called Israel. The southern kingdom was called Judah. Judah are the modern day Jewish people.

The northern kingdom of Israel is often referred to as Ephraim in the Old Testament. King Jeroboam was from the tribe of Ephraim. He led the northern kingdom into idolatry.

The northern kingdom of Israel lost their identity among the Gentiles. The southern kingdom of Judah returned to the land and became the Jewish people.

Judah and Israel/Ephraim will be reunited at the end of the age. This will be the fulfillment of the time of the Gentiles and the terrible time known as Jacob’s trouble prior to the return of Jesus/Yeshua to establish the Millennial Kingdom.

It can become confusing if you cannot see these truths. Once you understand all becomes clear. It is all hidden in plain sight within the scriptures.

1. The Controversy - Hosea 2.5-7, Micah 6.1-2, Isaiah 34.8, Ezekiel 20.33-42

The Assyrians as a tool of judgment on the House of Israel   Isaiah 10.5-6

Babylon as a tool of judgment on the House of Jacob   Habakkuk 1.5-6

Chastisement for disobedience - Leviticus 26.23-26

2. The People - Jew and born again Christian are one bride, one church, saved by one savior. Read Romans 9 thru 11

Jews are of the House of Judah – Christians are of the House of Ephraim/Israel. These two houses are the result of the division of the kingdom in 1 Kings 11 and 12. Prior to the division they were together known as ISRAEL. After the division they were known as Judah/Jews and Israel/Ephraim. Two separate kingdoms.

The northern kingdom of Israel was taken by Assyria and dispersed throughout the Gentile nations and over the past 3 millennia have lost their identity among the nations/Gentiles (Hosea7.8-10).

The southern kingdom of Judah was taken by Babylon but later returned and rebuilt the temple. They did not lose their identity. They are the modern day Jews and state of Israel.

The believers in Jesus/Yeshua are grafted into Israel in Romans 11.

In Ezekiel 37.15-28 we see the two houses reunited at the end of the age. This is the reunion of the two houses. Together they once again become Israel, no longer two kingdoms, but reunited as Israel.

All of Israel has a set time of transformation. Psalm 102.13

3. The Land: Gen 17.7-8 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Isaiah 11.11-12 It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel,
And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. Note that both houses are gathered.

Also read: Ezekiel 37.21, Hosea 1.11, 3.4-5, Joel 3.20, Amos 9.14-15, Obad 1.17, Micah 4.6-7, Zeph 3.14-20, Zech 10.6-10, Jeremiah 30.3, 11

Many in the “church” deny that God has given this land to the Jews forever. They say it is “spiritual Jews” or today’s Christian Church. What they do not understand is that both Jew/Judah and Israel/Ephraim/Gentiles become reunited as Israel at the time of the “time of the Gentiles” being fulfilled. Together, Judah and Ephraim, once again become ISRAEL.

The time of the Gentiles is prior to the reunification of both houses. In Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 the new heart is given. This is the new covenant. Both houses come together in Yeshua—salvation by grace and a new heart. Judah/Jews and Ephraim/Gentiles must accept the salvation of Messiah Jesus.

The promise of the land is eternal and it is the nature of reunified Israel’s identity--where else could they live? This land is their history. You shall dwell in the land.

4. The time of Jacob’s trouble. Deut 4.26-31

The final years of natural history will revolve around the modern state of Israel, Jerusalem, the Jewish people, and grafted in Israel/Ephraim. This will be a time of unequaled violence and tribulation. The Holocaust was a warning, this will be worse, if you can imagine that. Zech 14.1-4, Jer 30.4-7, Matt 24.15-22, Dan 12.1-7

Three things will occur at this time:

  1. Trouble and tribulation for Jacob. Jacob represents the sons of Israel and Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob put his name on Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48.

  2. Deliverance and salvation for both houses.

  3. Resurrection of the righteous at the return of Yesuha.

It all culminates at this time. The judgment of God and the rage of sinful men and nations combined with the wrath of Satan will collide--with Yahweh. Jer 30.23-24, Is 34.8, Jer 25.31, the promise 1 Chron 16.15-18
Ephraim/Gentiles will also be tested on this issue and the stigma which will be attached to it. Zech 12.2-3, 9

There will be divine testing at the end of the age: 1 Chron 16.17, Ps 105.10-11, Ez 37.25-26, Lev 26.42, Is 62.4, Micah 4.1-8, Acts 1.6, 3.18-21, Rom 11.25-29

5. Climax of trouble Jeremaih 30.4-7...he shall be saved out of it. It ends with salvation. Dan 12.1-2, 7, Micah 5.3-4, Psalm 102.13. In Rom 11 future salvation of Israel, Rom 9 Israel’s election in the past, Rom 10 Israel’s deflection in the present, Rom 11 Israel’s and those grafted in, salvation in the future

Romans 11

1. Gentile church is inclined towards ignorance and arrogance toward Israel. They do not understand what grated in means. 11.25

2. Israel has been partially hardened. 11.25

3. Israel’s hardness not final or ultimate. 11.25

4. Israel will be delivered when time of Gentiles is fulfilled.

5. All Israel will be saved at Gentile conclusion. 11.26 That includes every surviving Jew, Ez 37.25-28,

   Is 4.2-4, Zech 13.8-9...1/3 saved, Jer 31.34, Zech 12.10 with Matt 24.29-30 with Rev 1.7, 2 Thess 1.7-10

6. Reunited Israel will be saved when Jesus returns. Rom 11.26-27, Is 59.20, Jer 31.33-34, Zech 14 Tabernacles.

7. Unbelieving Jews are our Beloved “enemies.” 11.28 In the final hour of trouble we will nourish each other.

8. Gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. 11.29

7. The prophecies - The state of Israel will be at the center of the greatest conflict in human history. Many will suffer and ultimately be saved. The state Israel achieved statehood in 1948 and reclaimed Jerusalem in 1967--these are the most significant events in modern history.

Isaiah 51.17-52.2 Jerusalem’s awaking and salvation is preceded by their suffering. The military invasion is an instrument of divine judgment. Isaiah 51.21-23. Then in Ezekiel 20.33-38 we see chastisement, a sifting of the people, pleading face to face, and all Israel’s final re-gathering. Israel’s final affliction must have its inception in the “land and the city.”

At this time we see many “Christians” relocating to the state of Israel and embracing the Hebrew foundations of the faith that they once rejected.

Isaiah 51 is a message of hope, but reflects the coming tragedy prior to final salvation. In Isaiah 10.20-23 we see the remnant returns to restore the nation. Jacob’s trouble erupts from within the land, resulting in invasion, escape, and expulsion of the Jews. The “state” is today’s political Israel. The nation is future.

8. Difference between recent return to the land and the future return - The modern state of Israel does not constitute the great and final re-gathering and restoration of the nation. Isaiah 49.22, 60.9, 66.20 This seems to indicate an even more massive return to the land. This will include Ephraim/Gentiles (Isaiah 11.11-13, 14.6, 27.13)

Many believe that now, having been planted in the land, that the Jews will never be uprooted again. Ez 36.33-35 seems to support this idea. They see the state of Israel secure from future expulsion, but Isaiah 35.1-10 shows the weakness of this view as we are not at this point yet. We have not seen: The glory of God revealed or His coming in vengeance to save.

To date there has been no acknowledgement of God, as the secular state does not adore God’s glory and majesty. We have not seen a final return with singing, gladness, and peace. The Jews who have returned to the secular state still have many enemies. Hope drew many, but many have left because of fear. Those who return are to return in peace to a secure nation. This is not the state we see since established in 1948. Verses 1, 7, 5-6 have not yet been fulfilled. We see no rejoicing in Jerusalem today as in Isaiah 66.8-12. On the day a nation is born there is to be peace like a river--we only see conflict today.

9. Destruction and restoration of Israel in Isaiah. Isaiah is the most important end time book about the state of Israel at the end of the age. Isaiah 4, 6, 11 In Isaiah 4 we see the extremity of the violence against Israel, the process of cleansing, and finality of restoration. This is an indispensable chapter to read. We see the military crises in the state/land of Israel and the salvation of all Israel, never to be uprooted again after Messiah comes. This is an important chapter for the generation alive at the end of the age.

In Isaiah 6 we see Isaiah’s cleansing foreshadowing all Israel’s cleansing. Verses 8-13 explain how God will execute His prophetic purpose for all Israel. The modern state will be leveled like a tree and the population reduced to 1/10^th or a stump. The Jews are “hardened” until the end.

Isaiah 11 emphasizes the process of all Israel’s return to the land after chastening has run its course.

10. Devastation and restoration in Daniel 10 thru 12. Jesus quoted these prophecies for the end of the age: Daniel’s encounter with the angel 10.1-21, near future 11.1-20, distant future 11.21-12.13, Anti-Christ 10, Resurrection and deliverance 12, and military campaign 11.21. Jesus treated Dan 11.21-12.13 as one unified prophetic message.

Daniel 9.27 and 11.31 are both about the abomination, Matt 24.15. This concerns Judah/Jews.

1^st half of final 7 years is Dan 11.21-31

2^nd half of final 7 years is Dan 11.32-12.10...after the final 7 years is Dan 12.11-13. The final assault on Jerusalem is due to hatred of the covenant (with the people and the land). Dan 11.28-31...heart set against covenant. He shall come south and withdraw again and is enraged against the holy covenant. (Is this Islam?) Dan 11.31 speaks of international armies. Joel 3.2-3.

Four facts in Daniel 11:31:

1. Will enter land w/forces, Ez 38.10-16, Zech 14.1-2.  

2. Will profane the Jewish Temple as tribulation begins, 2 Thess 2.1-5. Rev 11.2  

3. Burnt offerings taken away--is this a temple to be built in Jerusalem?

4. Abomination of Desolation when the Anti-Christ proclaims he is god, then the last 42 months begin. Rev 13.5-7 The re-instating of the burnt offerings to the restoration of the temple is 2300 days and nights in Daniel 8.11-14.

This is actually 1150 days as sacrifices are made in the morning and evening (twice a day).

11. Future re-gathering. Jeremiah 30.4-11 (Chapters 30-33 focus on restoration) speaks of coming terror. Verses 8-11 happen chronologically. There are 10 promises in vv 4-7. Read Jer 31.1-14 in connection with ch 30. We see remnant in Isaiah 4.2-6, Zech 13.8-9. In Isaiah 49.13-26 we see comfort, people forsaken, re-gathering to blessed land, a restoration in sight of nations, rescue of captives, and punishment of oppressors.

This regathering is of both Jews/Judah and Ephraim/Gentiles regathering to the land.

Joel 3 speaks of final battle for the land.

The issue of the land and the people of the state of Israel will be God’s method of testing the hearts of all men and nations at the end of the age. This will be the measuring stick of the judgment of the nations. This test will polarize humanity. He who loves the Lord Jesus Christ will love His people--and Jesus said, “I bring division.”

This division will separate the sheep and goat nations. Joel speaks of the assault of the nations on the Holy Land and of judgment. Joel 3.1-16

In the same chapter vv17-21 speaks of the restoration of Israel.

12. Epharaim’s identification with Israel during Jacob’s Trouble. The true “church” is made up of Gentiles who understand they are Ephraim and have been grafted into Israel.

We are called to honor the Commonwealth of Israel. As brothers grafted in we identify with the Jewish people. “To the Jew, first,” says the word of God.  The Gentile/Ephraim sacrificial identification with Jews is not an option. It will separate the faithful from the apostate at the end of the age. Six ways Ephraim will be called upon to express their devotion:

  1. Pain--Identification with Israel will be painful. To stand with her will mean we suffer. Jacob’s trouble is not just “Jacob’s” problem—it is all Israel’s. We will not be raptured away to watch. We will share in her fate when we stand with her.

  2. Prayer--Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122.6-9. Pray for boldness, pray for Jewish salvation.

  3. Provision--Radical and generous giving to the “naked, thirsty, strangers, hungry, sick, and in prison.” We may have to feed them if there is a “mark of the beast.”

  4. Provocation-- Our identification with them should move them to faith in Christ. They will be moved by how Ephraim cars for them in the time of trouble. We too, will be persecuted because we are Ephraim/Israel—their brethren.

  5. Prophecy--Isaiah 28.9-13 speaks of prophetic ministry of Gentiles/Ephraim to Jews. Ephraim speaks as expositors of the prophetic scriptures. We will proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom to them--and the one whom they have pierced.

  6. Persevering Love--When the entire world despises the Jews/Judah, Ephraim’s sacrificial service will shine like the sun in brilliance. The Jews will see JesusYeshua. Ruth 1.16-18, Rev 12.11

 13. The land: Jewish and reunited Israel’s right to the land is the controversy of the Covenant. Since Abraham, the land has been a contentious issue and a theatre of war. Zionism is rooted in the biblical concept of the land--a union between the land, the people, and God. This is the issue that will ultimately test men’s hearts. Zech 12.2-3, 6 shows the center of the controversy.

Islam rejects the covenant. The “church” rejects Israel’s claim to the land--many side with the Palestinians calling Israel Apartheid and dehumanizing indigenous Palestinians. They believe the state of Israel is irrelevant to the purposes of God. In fact the state of Israel is the only democratic and free nation in the region. They respect the rights of individuals and recognize the Palestinian need for a homeland. The Palestinian’s refuse to recognize the state of Israel’s right to exist.

14.  The question of Jewish/reunited Israel’s right to the land--conditions of the Covenant. Many believe the New Covenant renders the Covenant with the Jews/reunited Israel and the land obsolete.

Luke 1.68-75 speaks of millennial safety and peace in the land. The unconditional covenant does come with one condition to allow it to work--obedience.

  1. Abraham received an unconditional promise of eternal presence in the land and that he would be the father of a multitude. This includes Ephraim/Manasseh/Israel’s grafting in represented by Jacob’s blessing on them in Genesis 48. At that time Jacob put his “name upon them.”

  2. All Descendants must obey God to enjoy the covenant.

  3. Prophets declared if condition of obedience not met--expulsion from the land--but future re-gathering when repentant.

Even though the two houses have been rebellious and not obeyed--they have been promised the land (Ezekiel 47.22-23). It is not based on righteousness, but on the irrevocable covenant with the fathers. Jeremiah 30.3, 31.35-37.

The final Anti-Christ invasion of the land is represented as an assault on the “Holy Covenant.” Daniel 11.28-30.

The people are rebellious, but nonetheless regarded as holy.

The issue of the land is the issue of grace. It will test men’s hearts because it concerns what God has spoken. It raises the question of divine election since reunited Judah and Ephraim are not yet obedient and united through faith in the Messiah’s blood.

God has given the land unconditionally apart from works on the basis of future grace. This will expose each heart to the nature of grace--and this is the point of divine testing. God’ covenant with obstinate Israel is God’s premier object lesson by which He will teach the nations the mystery of His grace.

15.  Some final thoughts - It is fitting that the beast kills the 2 prophets in Jerusalem. Luke 13.33, Rev 18.24, 17.16-18. All nations will be required to consider the basis of righteousness and grace--this is the purpose of Jerusalem at the end of the age and in the scheme of divine wisdom. It will offend human reasoning. God alone is God. It is his grace--not our works or reasoning.


This post was based on my notes and thoughts from this source:


thecontroversyofzion.com and daltonlifsey.com

 

Comments may be emailed to: burningbush647@ptd.net