Time of Jacob’s Trouble & Fundamental Beliefs - part A
Time of Jacob’s Trouble & Fundamental Beliefs of DSDA—A Reply
A response to the
suggestion that Jacob’s Time of trouble takes place after the slaughter of
Ezekiel Nine
The “Fundamental Beliefs and directory of the Davidian
Seventh-day Adventists, (FB) pp 12 – 13, Nos. 5- 7,” would on the surface appear to teach that
Jacob’s time of Trouble (JTT) is after the judgement of Ezekiel Nine. However, I believe that the “weight of
Evidence,” (5 T 675 ) clearly suggests
otherwise. The evidence reveals that JTT
takes place prior the slaughter described in Ezekiel Nine or Judgement in
the church. The fact that FB 13, #7,
begins with the words, “subsequently,” and #6 speaks of the four winds,
Babylon, the mark of the beast, is not rock-solid proof that JTT occurs after
these events in the strictest sense. The
problem, of course, is not Inspiration, but our understanding of it. I would like to explain that later on in our
discussion and provide an alternative explanation of the FB statement---one
that is in perfect harmony with the Bible, Ellen White and the Rod’s
message. But first we should understand
some very key principles of study that could profoundly affect our
understanding of the Scriptures and the works of Inspiration such as the
Fundamental Beliefs statement.
Subjects Must Be
Understood In Their Full Perspective
Before going further, we need to bear in mind, the obvious
fact, that FB is not designed to reveal everything pertaining to the subject(s)
indicated, but to provide a FUNDAMENTAL outline, sketch, or summary
of the beliefs of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, of which Jacob’s Time of Trouble is just a part! FB was not designed to be a treatise of JTT,
“the winds,” the “mark of the beast” etc!
To fully understand the JTT, one must study the entire topic in “full
perspective” 3 Ans 91.
“The
most common cause of doctrinal
confusion among Bible students lies in their so very frequently failing to view
a subject in full perspective from the writer’s point of view---a
failing which results in their seeing it from some foreign standpoint so
narrowing their view that instead of gaining the writer’s idea on the subject,
they gain a false idea on it.” 3 Ans 91. (See also pp 93, 94, 95) [Emphasis added]
It is Not Safe to
Base a Conclusion on a Single Statement
“Let
us remember always to observe the
inviolable rule that an interpretation of one inspired statement must harmonize with all other related statements.” 3 Ans 41. [Bold added]
So, it is perilous and disingenuous to
base a conclusion on a single or primary statement. One statement cannot overthrow all the others
that may express a different point of view on any one subject.
Jacob’s Trouble Has to Be Before The Judgement of Ezekiel Nine
As
stated earlier, we will come back to FB 13 later on in our discussion. But
now, having understood that we must view subjects in their “full perspective,”
from the “weight of evidence” and not from one primary statement, we can
examine the subject from all angles. Jeremiah 30: 5 – 9.
What purpose? How?
The first question that comes
to mind is, what purpose would it serve to have JTT after the purification of
the church---after the tares have been removed when it is clear that the saints
are saved and safe? What purpose would
it serve to have God’s people go through this trouble when we have already been
delivered?
We are told by the JTTafter (JTT-A)
advocates, that we are to have our trouble on the way home to the kingdom. This of course is true. But this phrase has to mean figuratively going home---not literally
walking or traveling to the kingdom using standard travel modes of
transportation. It simply means that the
church in the latter days---the church just before the kingdom---is established
is to be the people to return to the promised land.
So, how and when would Jacob
have this trouble after the judgement in Ez. 9 when we are told we are getting
to the kingdom by supernatural means?
“We are therefore not to worry about a possibility of
anyone’s hurting the work of God.
Neither are we to worry about how we are to get to the Mount Zion, but
are to make sure to be ready to board the chariot of God when the angels
cry out, ‘All aboard!’” 1 TG 11:13
“And if the flying saucers are indeed the Lord’s, then what
else are they come for but to deliver every one whose name is found written in
the Book (Dan. 12:1), and to slay those who oppress them (Isa. 66:16?” WHR 11.
Which chariot is this?
Of course, the one in Ezekiel Chapter one. It is the only one Inspiration refers to
regarding the church in these last days.
It is also the one that will take us to Heaven at the 2nd
advent and will be directing the Church’s work during the loud cry. (See
WHR 74, EW 287, 1 TR 37,38)
Jacob Is To Have His
trouble with Esau?
According to the type, Jacob’s trouble of old was that Esau
and 400 hundred men were coming and likely to destroy or enslave he and his
whole company in revenge. (Gen 32:6; 1 TG 47:15; 1 SR 36, 62). So, there were two things that we must look
it: 1) there was a threat. 2) That threat came from Jacob’s brother,
Esau.
Now we know that Esau represents the unsaved members of the
latter-day church---especially the church leadership (1 SR 55 - 57). Thud,
our trouble takes place in the Church.
So, how can JTT take place after the
purification of the church when there will be no “Esau” to confront us, and no
threat? It is called Jacob’s trouble because Jacob of
old was fearful to meet his brother Esau! Thus, it must be so today! Antitypical Jacob must have to face
antitypical Esau with a threat of death against him! That cannot occur after antitypical Esau
(our false brethren) have been removed in the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine!!
The Assyrian Yoke
Verse 8 of Jeremiah 30, makes it very plain that the “yoke”
is to be removed after Jacob’s Time of Trouble. Jer.
30: 7, speaks of JTT, then refers to the yoke being removed at that time---not
before! That is to say, that JTT precedes
the Assyrian yoke being removed. The
Scripture says:
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. For it shall come to pass in THAT DAY [the day of the JTT], 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”
Verse 7, 8.
So, what yoke is to be removed
from the neck of God’s people? And when will that yoke be removed? If we can determine the time when this “yoke”
is to be removed, we will be able to determine when JTT takes place as the
removal of the yoke is after JTT---at very least, at the climax of it.
The yoke here would have to be
the Assyrian
yoke. It’s the only one referred
to in this prophetic context.
“For
now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in
sunder.” Nahum 1:13.
“And
it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off
thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke be destroyed because
of the anointing.” Isa. 10:17 Inspiration explains:
“The
People whom God has afflicted (by their dispersion among the nations) and whom
He promises to afflict no more, and to break the Assyrian yoke from off
their shoulders, are His people, His church—antitypical Judah…” 1 TG 24:12.
(see also, 1 TG 24:15, 17).
So, when is the Assyrian yoke to be removed? According to the Bible and Inspiration’s
comments, it is to be removed at the same time the church is to be
purified. This is crucial to
understand. Remember, JTT takes place
before the removal of the Assyrian yoke.
We would not have space or time to quote all the references supporting
this, but here are a few.
“Immediately
we see that in the revealing light of this scripture, the one (“thee”) who, in
both cases, is set free in the time of Assyria’s fall,
proves to be the church (Judah), liberated from Gentile (Assyrian) rule…
“Plainly
therefore, in the time when Assyria crumbles, the Lord is to perform a
dual work among His professed people, some of whom will be slain because of
their wickedness…Very obviously, then, the penitent Laodiceans are separated
from the impenitent ones during Assyria’s fall, and then are
liberated from her rule….
“Here
in prophetic utterance is not only a promise to purify the church when
modern Assyria is being crushed…” 14 TR
18,19, 22, 25. See also, 1 TG 24:14.
What is the point of all
this? If JTT precedes the Assyrian yoke being removed, and the yoke is
removed at the same time the Church is being purified. Then JTT has to be before---not after the slaughter of Ez 9.
Crying Day and Night
for Deliverance & Jacob’s Time Of Trouble Are the Same Event
It is clear from the
Scriptures, writings of Ellen White, and the Rod, the time of our “crying day
and night for deliverance” is the same as JTT.
One clue is found in 1SR 62, which was quoted above. But now I will quote the entire paragraph
which refers to highlights EW 36, & 37.
“Jacob’s wrestling with the angel typifies the time of
‘Jacob’s trouble’ (for the church). We
read in Early Writings, pages 36, 37, ‘A decree went forth to slay the saints,
which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. See also Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 202 –
3.’ ” 1 SR 62. [Bold added].
There are several important
points that we need to highlight from this statement: 1) That there will be a
decree (threat) against the saints. 2)
This decree caused them to “cry day and night for deliverance.” (CDNFD) 3) This time of crying out for deliverance is
referred to as Jacob’s Time of Trouble.
4) That this trouble is applicable to the SDA Church. 5)
This establishes that EW 36, 37 is applicable to the SDA Church. 6)
That Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 202 – 203 also applies to the same
event(s)---namely, JTT! This is clear
as can be from Inspiration! Yes, it is
true that neither EGW or VTH had the light on the kingdom as yet, but they
never in their later writings explained otherwise. Both messengers later on established that
there are two probations, two sealings, and that Christ leaves the Sanctuary
twice---one time for the church and another for the world. (See 2
Ans 91, 92).
So, who are the ones being
delivered here? If we continue just two
sentences or so further in EW 37, Inspiration answers the question,
“This
was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then
all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the
voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed.” EW 37
Now we know that the
deliverance of God’s people takes place at the judgement described in Ezekiel
Nine! Is this not the time when the
144,000 are delivered? Is it not the
same time the Assyrian yoke is removed? Since
this is true, then JTT and CDNFD has to precede the slaughter of EZ-9? Why, because the decree, the CDNFD, the JTT
are all leading up to the deliverance!
Let’s go deeper.
The CDNFD is mentioned is
Scripture in Luke 18: 7, 8:
“And shall not God avenge his
own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with
them? I tell you that he will avenge
them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son
of man cometh, shall he find faith in the earth?”
Here we see that just before
the coming of the Lord, God’s people will be crying continuously for
deliverance. As a result, he will come
and deliver them out of their distress. When
is this?
“The
oppressed people of God are yet to raise to heaven one united day and night cry
for deliverance. Lk 18. This is symbolized by the message of prayer
of the fourth angel of Rev. 14 & 15.”
3 SG 23
What does the Rod have to say
about this Scriptural passage?
“Obviously,
His coming recorded in Luke 18:8 cannot be the one of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, His
coming ‘in the clouds.’ But it could be the one of Malachi 3:2,3, and
Matthew 13:30, 47-48, leading to Matthew 25:31,33. His coming to His temple is to separate the
sinners from the saints, at the commencement of which time Inspiration asks,
“Who may abide the day of His coming.’”
1 SRP 20.
Clear
it is that CDNFD is not after the purification of the church but before! That we will cry day and night for
deliverance, but will be delivered at the Lord’s coming to purify the
church! Not afterward! But there is more. EGW also places the CDNFD in the context of
the purification of the church.
“The
earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger,
He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in
its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge
His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though he bear long
with them.
‘The
command is: ‘go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem,
and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the
abominations that be done in the midst thereof.’” 5 T 210.
[Bold added].
Any Present-truth believer will
quickly recognize that these statements are referring to the 144,000, and that
the coming of the Lord here is His purification of the SDA Church (Ez-9), which
Inspiration clearly identifies as the event that avenges the righteous by
removing the unconverted. So, EW 36,37,
supported by the Rod, which clearly connects the decree, which will cause God’s
people to cry for deliverance, the same as JTT; but we are delivered by our
Lord’s coming to purify the church (EZ-9) and removing the Assyrian Yoke from
off our necks. Thus, the Bible, the
Former Rain and the Latter Rain all harmonize!
Clearly, then, JTT cannot take
place after the purification of the church, but just before!!
The
Winds Start to Blow Before the Purification of the Church (EZ-9)
This part of our discussion is
very relevant to understanding the FB statement.
Many have come to the notion
that the so called “New Codes” (NC) are erroneous, or not trustworthy because
they believe that it is not in harmony with the remainder of the “published” writings
of the Rod. There is a lot that could be said to counter this notion. However,
the fact that much of it was reproduced (not originated) by Florence Houteff
does not in and of itself prove that they are not authentic. Here
is one example that relates to the subject under discussion.
“You notice here that the angels are not told to hold the
winds until Ezekiel 9 has all been fulfilled, but until the servants of God are
sealed. Therefore, if there is any intervening time between the close of the
sealing and the slaughter of Ezekiel 9, there is a possibility that the winds
could start blowing during that time.” 11 SC 7:8.
Some would want us to believe
that this is heresy or contradictory to the published works of Rod. The statement was published by Florence
Houteff in May of 1956, from a VTH sermon presented in 1936 & 1943. So, is
it wrong? Well, let us look at a statement
from one of VTH’s published tracts, published in 1943.
The context of this passage applies
to the blowing of the winds to the war and events of Nahum. All present truth believers know that the
prophecies of Nahum represent key prophetic proceedings taking place from World
War ll and terminating with the Assyrian confederacy, the purification of the
church, the deliverance of the 144,000, and the fall of Assyria. And Present-truth believer knows that these occurrences
take place prior to the establishment of the kingdom and the “Image of the
Beast.” Yet Inspiration clearly connects
these events to the blowing of the winds.
In other words, the Rod
believers in the time of World War ll (WW ll) realized that it was possible
that Nahum’s prophecies could have been fulfilled then, (1943 or thereabouts), unless
the angels were compelled to “tighten their hold on the winds.” Note that Inspiration in 14 TR 24, uses the
word “tighten,” suggesting that the winds were slipping out---that the war, the
Assyrian war and confederacy, etc., were about to be fulfilled and that the
angels needed to (or might need to) “tighten” their grip. Of course, the angels did have to hold back
the winds.
Obviously, the “winds” also applies
to Nahum’s prophecies---not just the “Image of the Beast.” The Image, or Mark of the Beast (MOB) does
involve a confederation of church and state, but there will likely be a partial
or incomplete confederation of churches as well prior to Ez 9 and the (MOB).
“The
churches may incompletely confederate
almost any time, but the union of church and state (the image of the beast)
will take place only after the ‘investigative judgement’ of the dead is
completed.” 2 SC 7,8:12
Thus, the idea mentioned in 11
SC 7:8, is correct! It is accurate! The winds can or will start to blow before
the purification of the church! True,
not in full---not in its complete phase, but yet there it is, the winds will
start to blow prior to the MOB.
Why should this be so strange
to us! Everything in the message comes
in two parts concerning the end times:
Two sealings---144,000 and the Great
Multitude
Two probations---one for the church and
one for the world
Two Judgements---one for the church (Ez 9)
and another for the world---the seven last plagues.
Two comings---one to the church (coming of
judgement) and one to the world---Ez-9 & the second coming in the clouds (1
Thess. 4:14 -17).
Get the point! So, there must be two troubles----one for the church---Jacob’s Time of
Trouble, and the one for the world---The Time of Trouble Such as Never Was.
Therefore, JTT must be brought on by
the unconverted church brethren from the church (modern-day Esau) against the
144,000. The world’s trouble will be
caused by the unbelieving world and the unconverted in the other churches who
have received the MOB. So there must be two
decrees as well---one for the church (EW 36) and one for the world---the
MOB (Rev. 13:15 -17). Please don’t miss
the point!
So, JTT is perfectly in harmony with the
prophetic model of two parts or sections---type and antitype! Church then the world! Please think carefully about this!! This is the model which God has
outlined! The idea that the JTT is
after Ez 9, does not fit that model! Actually,
one could argue that its one event in two phases or one event beginning in the
church then continuing in the world!
Whichever way you wish to look at it, the two-part or double-part model
is there! Thus, JTT must be before Ez-9,
not after!!
To complete the overview of
the double-part model, it would be:
Two
sealings---144,000
and the Great Multitude
Two
probations---one
for the church and one for the world
Two
Judgements---one
for the church (Ez 9) and another for the world---the seven last plagues.
Two
comings---one
to the church (coming of judgement) and one to the world---Ez-9 & the
second coming in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:14 -17).
Two
death decrees—one
for the church (EW 36) and the other for the world (Rev. 13:15 -17—MOB)
Two
troubles---(Jer.
30:5 – 7)---JTT and the “Time of trouble such as never was” (Dan 12:1).
Fundamental
Beliefs and Directory of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, (FB) pp 12 – 13,
Nos. 5- 7
Now we come to the citation in
question. In light of the foregoing
truths, the “weight of evidence,” clearly establishes that JTT must take place
before the purification of the church. But
FB 12 – 13 seems to say something different.
Since FB cannot be out of harmony with the “weight of evidence,” the
problem is our understanding of the reference, not the reference itself. Let’s
take a closer look at the statement:
“6. That the angels’ let loose the four winds
to blow over the four corners of the earth (Rev. 7:1), does not anticipate a
World war but rather a world wide decree enforced throughout Babylon by the
image-beast, and that then no one may buy or sell save he who worships ‘the
image’ Rev. 13:15-17.
“7. That subsequently, the time of Jacob’s
trouble (Jer. 30:7) for the 144,000 the sons of Jacob, logically develops on
their way home (Gen 32:1, 24) to the land of their fathers (Ezek. 36:28; 37:
21,25).” FB 13.
[Emphasis added)
The logic is that since the
Rod uses the word “subsequently”, which suggests the idea of that #7 succeeds,
follows, or comes afterwards, the events and time of #6. In other words, the thought is that JTT
which is mentioned in fundamental belief #7, follows number #6 which refers to
the blowing of the winds, which is explained to be the “world wide decree enforced throughout Babylon by the image-beast.…”
So, the question really is,
what is JTT subsequent to? Is JTT
subsequent to the MOB---or Image of the Beast?
In other words, will JTT take place after the Sunday law and the persecution
of the MOB? Are we to understand that
JTT takes place after the Image of the Beast or MOB is established? Are God’s people to return to there homeland
after the MOB is set up and the decree issued?
Yet, on the surface, that is precisely what the reference seems to be
saying! But the “weight of evidence”
says that God’s people will be delivered at the time of purification of the
church and the fall of Assyria! (14 TR
19, 22, 25; 1 TG 24:12). Furthermore, we
are told that God’s people will be delivered in a time of war! (1 TG 24:13,17). Surely, we are not to belief that the prophet
was telling us that God’s people are to experience JTT after the MOB is
established and Babylon rules?
The answer to the dilemma is
actually simple: The winds begin to blow
before the purification of the church but after the sealing of the 144,000,
then reaches its peak after the purification of the church in the time of the
MOB. The Bible didn’t say hold the
winds until the purification of the church, but after they are 144,000 are
sealed.
As we have already seen, the winds begin to
blow during the events pointed out in Nahum’s prophecies (14 TR 24): The Assyrian confederacy, the world war
centered in the Middle East, which culminates with the purification of the
church and the fall of modern Assyria---all of which are before the
MOB! We all can agree that the primary meaning or
central representation of the MOB or Image of the Beast (IOB) is the
establishment of Babylon the Great, the Sunday Laws and decree of Rev. 13:15 -
17, etc. No one disputes this. But we can clearly see that there must be two
phases to the meaning of the winds. Or
you could say, it starts out with a partial confederation of the churches
before slaughter of EZ. 9 (2 SC 7:12), then after the church
is purified the winds reach their primary fulfillment as the MOB!
This harmonizes with
everything else in the Rod’s message, EGW’s writings, and of course, the
Bible! Here is that reference again
regarding the winds being applied to Nahum’s prophecies.
““If the present World War [World War
ll] predicted by Nahum, and if the sealing or making of the ‘servants of God’
is to be completed without the angels’ having again to tighten their hold on
the winds. (Rev. 7:1: Early Writings, p. 38), then the time to restore the
excellency of Jacob and of Israel is at hand…It is at this time that Assyria
falls…” 14 TR 24. [Emphasis added]
Here again is the reference
about the partial or incomplete confederation of churches before the MOB.
“The
churches may incompletely confederate
almost any time, but the union of church and state (the image of the beast)
will take place only after the ‘investigative judgement’ of the dead is
completed.” 2 SC 7,8:12
Thus, it must be that FB 13 is
not speaking about the JTT having his trouble after Babylon or the Image of the
Beast, but after the winds are let loose during its early phase, but before the
MOB---before Babylon! According to
Jeremiah 30:7,8, JTT takes place before the Assyrian “yoke” (Jer 30:8) is
removed, during the Assyrian period—not the Babylonian period. God’s people are delivered during the
Assyrian period---not the Babylonian period.
You ask why didn’t VTH explain
it this way? No one can say with
absolute certainty. But this is a common
phenomenon in the writings of Inspiration.
Present-truth believers understand this as a common event with the
writings of EGW and even the Bible! One
thing we do know for certain is that the FB is just that, Fundamental Beliefs and
Directory of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists---not an exposition of all
aspects of the message! The prophet was
just laying down fundamentals. As such,
he was emphasizing the key points of faith of the movement, not the explanation
of all the nuisances of JTT or any of the subjects. That is precisely why we had to go elsewhere
and look at the ‘weight of evidence to understand what the prophet meant there
in writing it the way he did.
The
Summary
Jacob’s Time of Trouble could
not take place after the purification of the church because:
There is no purpose of having
God’s people go through JTT after the church is purified and they have been
delivered.
Jacob in the type, Jacob’s
trouble was caused or brought on by his brother Esau. Esau represents the unconverted in the church
(particularly the leadership). There
will be no unconverted in the church after the slaughter of Ez 9, therefore no
trouble.
After the kingdom, there will
not be traveling by standard means toward the kingdom. We will not be traveling by foot, car, boat,
plane, etc. So there can be no time to
have a trouble on our way there.
Instead, we will be transported by God’s chariot or vehicle. (See 1TG 11:13)
JTT takes place before the
Assyrian yoke is removed. (Jer 30:7, 8),
and the Assyrian yoke is removed at the time of Ez 9. (14 TR 19, 22, 25, 1 TG 24 12 -18). Therefore, JTT has to be before the
purification of the church.
JTT, the crying day and night
for deliverance, and a death decree are all fundamentally the same event (Lk 18:7,8;
1 SR 36, 62; 3 SG 23; EW 36, 37; 38, 5 T 210).
The winds start to blow after
the sealing, but before the purification of the church.
(14 TR 24). Therefore, FB 13 #7, is referring to JTT
beginning after the release of the winds, after sealing of the 144,000 but
before the purification of the church; which of course, will ultimately
culminate into the MOB or Image of the Beast.
Thus, this subject is in harmony
with the general theme of the message, which present a duality to the key
events of prophecy. The winds begin
first as the events of the Assyrian Confederacy, the world war, then culminates
into the MOB or IOB. The first section
or phase—the beginning of the blowing of the winds---primarily affects the
church, the climax or apex of the blowing of the winds affects the world---the
great multitude of Rev. 7:9. So, there
are two sealings, two groups, two probations, two decrees and two deliverances,
and two troubles---JTT and the MOB.
Therefore, FB 13, #6, is referring to this final or apex of the blowing of the winds, but the Rod’s mention of JTT in #7, is alluding to its early phase before the MOB. This explanation is in harmony with the “weight of evidence.”
Sincerely,
Your brother in Christ,
Anthony Hibbert
Continues with part B
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