Israel's Time of Trouble

 Isaiah chapter 17 points to the day of Jacob or Israel's time of great trouble. Israel had joined with Damascus against Judah which refused to align with Damascus to help protect against Assyria. Ancient Assyria included parts of Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran. The core region was northern Iraq. The part with the Tigris River flowing through it. The Assyrian threat pictures a future time when Israel and Jerusalem will be invaded at Armageddon. This will be the time of final destruction of Israel's foes. Revelation 16:16.

Ten tribes of Israel had joined forces with the Arameans (Syria) to defend against Assyria. The two tribes of Judah would not participate in the unholy alliance. The Lord wanted Israel to trust in Him for their well being and not a gentile nation. Not only did the aggressor nations suffer but Israel also suffered because of faithlessness. Isiah 17:4-6 predicts this ruin and a surviving Israeli remnant.

Damascus reduced to rubble

Damascus was reduced to rubble when Tiglath-pileser (Assyria) took the city in 732 B.C. Sennacherib was grandson to Tiglath-pileser III. He waged war against many cities along the Mediterranean coast. Judah and Jerusalem were the most famous of his campaigns in 701 B.C. He did not succeed though and withdrew after receiving tribute from King Hezekiah. 

While Sennacherib conducted successful campaigns, his reign was marked by rebellions, political schemes, and ultimately, his assassination. What happened to Sennacherib is a picture of what will happen to all of Israel's foes during the time of great trouble (Day of the Lord). This time of tribulation will also bring forth a converted Israeli remnant destined for Kingdom blessing.

How do we escape this terrible time of tribulation that will come upon all the earth? This time period called the Day of the Lord, Jacob’s trouble, tribulation period that will last for 7 years? How do we escape? Repent and trust in Jesus!

The Millennial Kingdom

 Isaiah chapter 12 looks forward to the millennial kingdom on earth. The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles also depicts this time. God's anger and wrath is visited upon all the earth Jew and Gentile alike during the tribulation period. Thereafter the restored people will be thankful each and every one. After suffering the tribulation furnace, His anger will have passed. He will comfort His restored people during the millennial kingdom reign.

Verse 4 comes from Psalms 105:1. Give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

The Lord is to be praised in song during this time. The message will be published throughout the entire millennial earth. The people will cry out joyfully during this time and shout! For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Scroll down and listen to this newly released song derived from Psalm 105, Glory In His Name, which looks forward to this time. It also pictures the heart of the believer during this present time!

Garment Rolled in Blood

 Isaiah 9:5 says "Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning. It will be fuel for the fire." This is a reference to the great battle of Armageddon Rev. 16:14-16. All the rulers of the world will be gathered together for war on the great day of God Almighty.

Accordingly Jesus will defeat these enemies and establish His government in Israel and upon the earth. Isaiah 9:6-7. Revelation 14:20 states the blood will be up to the horses' bridles. That's a lot of blood. It will certainly be enough for every garment to be rolled in blood. The garments are destined for burning!

We read in Matt. 24:21 that there will be great distress on the earth. It has never been before and will never be again. This dark time on earth will have no equal. There has not been such a time in the past. Another key point is that there will never be such a time in the future.

Some people believe that the church will have to experience this terrible apocalyptical event. But Jesus says pray to the father that you would be counted worthy and be able to escape. Luke 21:36. The great day or time of God's wrath will come. Rev. 6:16-17. No one will be able to stand. But the church is not appointed to wrath! 1 Thess. 5:9. "For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ".

This time period is called the Day of the Lord, Jacob's trouble, tribulation period. It will last for 7 years. How do we escape this terrible time coming upon the earth? Repent and trust in Jesus!

The People Who Sat in Darkness

 Matt. 4:16. Isaiah 9:1-2. "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." The Savior first appeared in this territory. This was the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. The land of Galilee. Western Galilee is part of the Gaza strip today.

These ancient peoples were the first to fall and stumble into darkness. They would be the first to receive the wonderful light of the Messiah. Isaiah 9:1-2. Jesus' ministry was first established in Galilee. The first words of His public ministry were to repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins). The kingdom of God is at hand. Matt. 4:17. These words are a crucial imperative for today!

Jesus says in Luke 13:3 that if we will not repent then we will perish and be lost for of all of eternity. We will continue to exist but be eternally separated from Him. He also said not to fear those who kill the body and then have nothing more that they can do. Fear and respect Him Who after killing has power to hurl into hell! Luke 12:4-5.

The Day of the Lord is fast approaching. A time of pouring out of God’s wrath upon transgressors and sinners. A Day of reckoning. The good news is that believers won’t have to experience this terrible time on earth. Believers are not appointed to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!

A Remnant Shall Return

 Shear-jashub was Isaiah's first son. The name means a remnant shall return. Isaiah 7:3. He was given as a sign of deliverance to Judah. Maher-shalal-hash-baz was his second son. The name means [Judah's foes will be destroyed]. Isaiah 8:1. Both sons were given as signs to Judah. They pictured deliverance from Judah's impending peril at the time. The names also look forward to Israel's deliverance during the great tribulation period and the destruction of her enemies.

Abomination of Desolation

Hosea 6;1 and 2. Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.  After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. This verse shows Israel turning and trusting in Jesus. About the middle of the tribulation period the antichrist will reveal himself which is the abomination of desolation. The Jews will realize that they have been duped by the false Christ or antichrist. They are instructed to flee. Matt. 24:15, 16.

A remnant Israel will turn and trust in Jesus during this time. They will be supernaturally protected during this terrible time that will come upon the earth. The time of Jacob's trouble. Rev. 12:6,14,15,16. Shear-jashup points to this remnant.

Israel's Enemies Thwarted

Maher-shalal-hash-baz points not only to the chastisement of unbelieving Israel but also to the defeat and destruction of her enemies when she repents and trusts in her savior. It references not only Judah's impending peril at the time but looks future to her deliverance during the tribulation period. Rev. 12:15,16. Rev. 20:1-3.

The good news is that believers won't have to experience this terrible time on earth. This will be a time of pouring out of God’s wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Believers are not appointed to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Your men shall fall by the sword

Isaiah 3:25, 26 is describing the Day of the Lord. Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. This is a terrible 7 year period of God's wrath that will be visited upon the earth. Matt. 24:21 says For then there will be great tribulation. Such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time. No, nor ever shall be. Rev. chapters 4-20 describe the terrors of this 7 year time period.

As we move into Isaiah chapter 4 we see the starting of the millennium or one thousand year rule and reign of Christ on the earth.

Cloud of smoke

Verse 5 describes the cloud of smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night protecting the remnant Israel during that time. Reminiscent of the pillar of cloud that stood over the tabernacle in the wilderness of old.

In fact, the seventh major feast of the Jewish calendar depicts these events. The feast of booths or tabernacles looks back to when the Lord delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. He supernaturally cared for them in the wilderness during that time. The feast also looks forward to the one thousand year millennium when He will again protect His chosen remnant with cloud by day and a flaming fire by night!

Watch!

Believers won't experience this terrible time of tribulation on the earth. But we have to watch! Matt. 24:42 Watch for you do not know what kind of a day your Lord is coming. Matt. 24:44 You also must be ready. The son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect Him!

If we are ready when He comes we will enter into the 7 year marriage feast and escape the terrors of the tribulation period. Matt. 25:10 The bridegroom came and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast. And the door was shut.

Priests of God and Christ

We will return with Christ at the end of the tribulation period to rule and reign on earth for one thousand years. Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection (marriage feast). On such the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

In conclusion the good news is that as believers we don’t have to experience this terrible time on earth which is fast approaching. This will be a time of pouring out of God’s wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Believers are not appointed to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Hide in the rocks

Isaiah 2:10-12 Describes the Day of the Lord or 7 year tribulation period. Go into the rocks. Hide in the ground. Hide from the fearful presence of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!

11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low. The LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty. All that is exalted (and they will be humbled),

Hide in the caves and rocks

Rev. 6:15-17 also pictures this event. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,

16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Jesus says that this time on the earth will be like no other time in the past. There will be no time like it in the future. Matt. 24:21

How do we escape this event?

Jesus also says to pray that we would be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man so that in fact we would not have to suffer these things that will come to pass on the earth. Luke 21:36

Certainly we don’t have to experience this terrible time on earth which is fast approaching. This will be a time of pouring out of God’s wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Where as Believers are not appointed to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? To conclude, we must Repent and trust in Jesus!