Daniel prophesied that Israel would be under Gentile rule for a total of 490 years (70 x 7 or seventy weeks of 7 years). Taken together these years are Biblically called “the Times of the Gentiles.” (Luke 21:24).

These 490 years are the penalty for Israel’s disobedience and debt due for not permitting “the land” to “rest” every seventh year (Lev. 26:34). History records that to date Israel has been held under Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece under Alexander the Great, and Rome for a total of 483 of the 490 years prophesied.

¹⁰ And there are seven kings [seven Gentile rulers over Israel]: Five are fallen [Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece under Alexander the Great], and One is [Rome, at the time of this writing ], and the other is not yet come [Antichrist’s Revived Roman Empire]; and when he cometh, he [Antichrist] must continue a short space. Revelation 17:10 (KJV)

The remaining seven years of Gentile rule to come are Biblically called the “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble,” “the Tribulation” period, “Daniel’s Seventieth week” … when Antichrist, also a Gentile, will reign over most of the world, including Israel.

“…THAT DAY IS GREAT, so that none is like it: it is even The Time of Jacob’s Trouble; but He [Israel] Shall Be Saved Out of It.” (Jer. 30:7)

The Biblical phrases “a time of distress,”  “the day of wrath,” the day of vengeance,” “the year of the Lord’s redeemed,” and “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble,” and others, all refer to aspects of the end-time events that we call the 7-year Tribulation period or ‘Daniel’s 70^th Week.’ At the end of this period the Lord Jesus will literally return to the physical earth in wrath to destroy His enemies, save Israel, and set up His Theocratic Millennial Kingdom on earth.

The Tribulation period will conclude the terrible times of long delayed terrible judgments upon the Christ hating world and rebels of Israel. Jesus Christ still today is the King of kings in absentia.

“And it shall be “A TIME OF DISTRESS” such as has never occurred since people first existed on the earth until that time.” (Daniel 12:1b)

“For AT THAT TIME THERE WILL BE A GREAT TRIBULATION such as has never occurred from the beginning of the world until now, and [such as] will never again occur thereafter.” (Matt 24:21 cf. Mk.13:19)

The “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” is obliquely referred to by Paul by a particular sound at the time of the rapture of the members of “the body of Christ” as seen here.

“For The Lord Himself Shall Descend from Heaven With A Shout, with THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL [Michael, Israel’s Angel, Dan. 12:1a], and with the trump [sound] of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” (1Thes 4:16).

You might say, “How could this verse about the Rapture of “the body of Christ” possibly relate to “The Time of Jacob’s [Israel’s] Trouble”? Let me explain with some detail. Most believers know that when the “shout” and “Trump of God” sounds it will mark the Rapture of “the body of Christ,” the catching away to heaven that will end this age of “the dispensation of the grace of God” for “the body of Christ” on earth.

Yet, the Rapture and “the voice of the Archangel” occurring Simultaneously Marks the RESUMPTION of The Lord’s Prophesied Program for Israel, which has been set aside since Israel’s “fall” (read Rom. 11:10-11, 15, 25). The sound of “the voice of the archangel” is that of “Michael THE Archangel,” he is Israel’s “Prince” (see Dan. 10:2). The “voice of the archangel” is more significant than we might otherwise think. Michael’s “voice” marks the resumption of Israel’s program with the time of the removal of the members of “the church, the body of Christ” from planet earth. This almost simultaneously marks the beginning of Israel’s final 7-year repayment of debt due God on the 490 years for not permitting His precious “Land” to “rest” for 490 years. The seven-year Tribulation, with its judgments will end with the appearing of Jesus in His return to earth at His 2^nd coming.

At the time of Pentecost Israel was under the heel of Gentile Rule by Rome. Christ had been crucified and “the last days” had nearly begun. All was ready for “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” Peter stood and spoke to “ye men of Israel,” quoting the prophet Joel, whose blessings had begun, but NOT the judgments (see Acts 2:16-20). Some of Joel’s prophecy began to be fulfilled at that time, but thank God He still hasn’t yet brought the “Great and Notable Day of the Lord” in judgment upon this earth (Act 2:20).

Thankfully, God has, in His infinite grace, interrupted Israel’s program, delaying the remaining final 7 years to be fulfilled in judgments. The delay began with Israel’s “fall” (Rom. 11:10-15, 25) and when Christ from Heaven revealed to the Apostle Paul His secret plan that Paul calls “the mystery,” now offering His former enemies everywhere (the Gentiles), salvation and reconciliation under a new program of pure, that is 100%, “grace” – salvation coming as “the gift of God,” “by grace, through faith” in the crucified, risen Savior alone (Eph. 2:8-9).

Paul wrote to the Ephesian Gentiles presuming they had by now heard of “the DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD, which is given me [Paul] to you-ward; how that By Revelation He [Christ] made known unto me [Paul] THE MYSTERY [God’s secret plan for victory by the Cross]” (Eph. 3:1-3).

With Paul’s “revelation of the mystery [secret],” God’s eternal purpose in Christ is no longer a secret as it was before Paul. Now, so long as this day of grace lasts, we may be “justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).

Here’s the significance of the phrase, “The time of Jacob’s trouble.” Jacob was the son of Isaac who was the Son of Abraham. Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel” at Peniel, and the “Twelve Tribes” of Israel are named for Jacob’s (Israel’s) twelve sons. “The time of Jacob’s trouble” is called such because Jacob represents unbelieving Israel. Ultimately, Jacob did come to see and trust the Lord at “Peniel” (Gen 28:10-22) and there his name was changed to the Hebrew “Yisrael,” meaning “he will rule as God.” Jacob was second in line from Abraham to whose lineage belongs the “promises” of God – promises of both of judgment and blessing. The blessing to come on the children of Israel is that they will rule and “bless the families of the earth” (Gen. 12:3) in the Millennium just as God had promised Abraham, this will occur after “The time of Jacob’s trouble” – the Tribulation.

The Church, Paul says, is “not appointed to [God’s] wrath” (1Thes. 5:9), therefore the members of “the body of Christ” must be Raptured BEFORE the Lord restarts Israel’s 7-year program with God’s judgment and wrath poured out upon the world and Israel.

The term ‘Pre-Tribulation Rapture’ of the Gentile “church, which is the body of Christ” refers to a Rapture “Pre the time of ‘Jacob’s trouble’.” Israel’s program was interrupted by their “fall” (Rom. 11:10-15, 25) when they killed the Messiah and soon after stoned Stephen to death (Act 7:58), representing their full rejection of the witness of the Holy Spirit speaking through Stephen. Thus, Paul wrote;

“Let their [Israel’s] eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. ¹¹ I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their [Israel’s] FALL salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. ¹² Now if the FALL of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? ¹³  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I [Paul] am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify [honor] mine office: ¹⁴ If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh [racially], and might save some of them. ¹⁵ For if The Casting Away of Them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world [all humanity], what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:10-15)
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [secret], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Rom. 11:25)

The next event that was due after stoning Steven was Daniel’s 70^th week of wrath and judgments, but... this was interrupted “UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles (body of Christ) be come in” (Rom. 11:25b). Israel’s Prophetic program was interrupted, but only temporarily, while the Gentiles would be offered “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) during today’s age of “the grace of God,” to end with the “fulness” of “the body of Christ” at the Rapture. Thus, Paul tells us exactly how long Israel is to be blinded and set aside, “… blindness in part is happened to Israel, (only) UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Romans 11:25b)

Though Israel is the focus of God in 75% of the Bible, the current day in which we live today is the God-blessed time of the Gentile “body of Christ” under the terms of “the dispensation of the grace of God.” This grace age should be seen as but an intermission in God’s program for Israel and His planned recovery of dominion over the earth through Christ and a recovered Israel.

We could say today’s grace dispensation was inserted after Israel’s “fall”; then soon after followed by Paul’s conversion. Jesus Himself appeared from heaven to save Paul and give him the “mystery (secret of God)” gospel and ministry as “THE Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13). Paul’s “gospel of the grace of God” is the only “gospel” in effect today, until the Rapture. The riches and blessings of today’s grace dispensation are for ALL men of ALL races. Thus, Paul wrote of today’s age of grace wherein “there is neither Jew or Gentile… ALL ARE ONE IN CHRIST” (Gal 3:28). Paul’s “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) is the only gospel for salvation of lost souls today.

In fact, Israelites could not practice Judaism today because there is no Temple in Jerusalem, and no priesthood. The only way a Jew can be “saved” today is under Paul’s “grace” gospel for “ALL men” (Titus 2:11; Eph 3:9; 1Tim 2:4; 4:10), regardless of race, gender or life status.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

God will ultimately again turn to Israel, but only after the last member of “the body of Christ” will have by been added to “the body of Christ.” Imagine being the last one saved into “the body of Christ,” just before the Rapture and the pure grace door closes. Only then will God remove the current “blindness” from Israel and restart fulfilling His prophetically planned judgments of the Tribulation, looking to “purge out… the rebels” of Israel (Eze. 20:38) and reveal the believers of Israel. The Rapture will occur just before the start the Tribulation, which will end with His 2^nd coming, when the believers of Israel will see and receive Him.

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Note that the “FULNESS of the Gentiles (the church)” (Rom 11:25 above) occurring with the Rapture is not to be confused with “the TIMES of the Gentiles,” those Gentile kingdoms that will reign over Israel and under whom…

“they [Israel] shall fall by the edge of the sword…be led away CAPTIVE INTO ALL NATIONS [Gentiles]: and Jerusalem shall be TRODDEN DOWN OF THE GENTILES, until the TIMES OF THE GENTILES [for the 490 years of Daniel’s prophecy] be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)

The Lord said I “Will Cause Them [Israel] to Return To The Land” and “shall assemble the Outcasts of Israel” and “gather together… Israel and Judah” [northern and southern kingdoms] back to “the land” to re-establish Israel.

“… behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I Will Bring Back from captivity MY PEOPLE ISRAEL and Judah,’ says the LORD.’ And I WILL CAUSE THEM TO RETURN TO THE LAND that I gave to their fathers, and THEY SHALL POSSESS IT.” (Jer. 30:3)

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD SHALL SET HIS HAND AGAIN THE SECOND TIME TO RECOVER the REMNANT (Heb, shear, remainder) of HIS PEOPLE [Israel], which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. ¹² And HE SHALL SET UP AN ENSIGN FOR THE NATIONS, and SHALL ASSEMBLE THE OUTCASTS of [out from] ISRAEL [out from Israel’s unbelieving religious elite], and GATHER TOGETHER THE DISPERSED of JUDAH from the four corners of the earth. (Isa. 11:11-12)

You may ask, “How would God “cause them [Israel] to return to the Land” (Jer. 30:3 above)? Over the past century we’ve witnessed the Lord’s preparation for “the last days.” The 1917 Balfour Declaration that followed WWI rearranged and divided the lands of the nations in the Mideast. It assigned a portion of the land of Palestine to Israel to be its homeland, as prophesied. Being “scattered” since after 70AD, many of Israel were relatively comfortable living in the nations of the Caucasus, Western Europe, and Russia. It wasn’t until the rise of the Hitler and Stalin that many Jews were sufficiently motivated to return to “the land” that had become available to them by the Balfour Declaration. Thus, the Lord has used the Satanically inspired evils of men to do this (cf. Rev. 17:17). After awful conflict and bloodshed with the Muslims under the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem to hold “the land,” on May 14, 1948 the “ensign” (fulfilling v12 above) of the flag of David was raised – the Nation of Israel was reborn – exactly as God had promised thousands of years earlier. Since then we witness the ongoing birth pangs of “the Time of Jacob’s Trouble” in our daily news.

“Jacob’s trouble” will heighten greatly in the 2^nd half of the 7-year Tribulation, before the Lord returns to save Israel. The Tribulation judgments will come upon the whole Christ-hating world, but also upon Israel as purging, a purifying fire. Jesus said the “branches” who don’t “abide in the vine (in union with Him)” will be purged and “burned” (v6 below). The word “IF” in v6 below indicates the conditionality for salvation to escape burning; this applies to Israel under “the Law.” Never could this be said of the church under the grace dispensation we live in today, whereby we are “saved by grace through faith, NOT of works” (Eph. 2:8-9).

“I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

² Every branch in me that beareth NOT fruit he [the Father] TAKETH AWAY:

and every branch that [does] beareth fruit, He Purgeth It, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

“⁶ IF a man abide NOT in [union with] me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and CAST THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED. (John 15:1-2, 6)

Peter also wrote of horrendous “great trials” for Israel as being “More Precious Than of Gold… Tried with Fire”; to occur prior to the Lord’s “Appearing” on earth.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye [Israel] are in heaviness through manifold [many] temptations [TRIALS]: ⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory AT THE APPEARING [2^nd coming] of JESUS CHRIST: (1 Peter 1:6-7)

The Lord has warned His people Israel but they have consistently been a “rebellious,” not heeding His words of instruction. Note these prophetic words of the Lord given to Israel through His prophet Isaiah.

“Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the DAYS TO COME it may be an everlasting witness. THESE ARE REBELLIOUS PEOPLE, DECEITFUL CHILDREN… UNWILLING TO LISTEN TO THE LORD’S INSTRUCTION. They say to the seers [prophets], “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!” … this is what the Holy One of Israel says:

“Because you have REJECTED THIS MESSAGE, relied on oppression and depended on DECEIT, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant” (Isa. 30:8-13 NIV).

God spoke also through the Prophet Ezekiel regarding the corrupt “shepherds” of Israel. As with all man governed religion; the corrupt “shepherds” of Israel were self-seeking, not caring for the sheep.

“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? …, but you do not take care of the flock. … You have ruled them harshly and brutally…” ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: … because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore… I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock” (Eze. 34:2-9 NIV).

“I [JESUS] AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ¹² But he that is an hireling [paid], and NOT the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” (John 10:11-13)