0748. The Day of Jacob's Trouble
The Day of Jacob’s Trouble
"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman * * and the serpent cast oat of his mouth water as a flood, after the woman" (Rev_12:13, Rev_12:15).
One can hardly conceive that the darkest day of Israel’s trouble lies still ahead of her. A brief study of Josephus’ account of the anguish and bloodshed prevalent at the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, would seem to debar a darker day. Indeed, Israel’s sufferings during the past twenty centuries would seem impossible to surpass. And yet, according to the unerring Word of Prophecy, Jacob’s deepest sorrow lies ahead.
1. There is coming a man of sin. This is he of whom Christ spoke when He said: "I came in My Father’s name and ye received Me not; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
This man of sin is satan’s masterpiece. He will come with fawning flatteries. He will not at the first persecute the Jews; he will proclaim himself as their deliverer. He will confirm a league with them for a period of years. The Jews will readily fall into his trap. The general turning of the Jewish people from their orthodox faith to what is called the "reformed" faith, is preparing the way for them to fall the more readily into satan’s snare. The fact that so many influential Jews are taking up with Christian Science also prestiges the readiness with which they will accept this antichrist.
2. Satan, as the days of the tribulation progress, will be cast out of the heavens. He will come down with great wrath knowing that he hath but a little time. The antichrist, the man of sin, will be fully empowered by satan. He will break his league with the Jews, and join the devil in persecuting them.
So fierce and so maddened will be this final attack of the devil against God’s chosen people, that, if the days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved. The time will be one of darkness and gloominess. The mirth of the land will be gone.
But, blessed be God, in this final slaughter, Israel will learn her lesson. She will return to God. Christ will come. The antichrist and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire and the devil will be shut up in the pit of the abyss for a thousand years. Then will the Lord forgive His people and they will be no more called forsaken for they will be God’s people and He will be their God.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR