Jacob’s

Time Of Trouble:
When will it be…
Before or after Ezekiel 9?

JEREMIAH 30: 1-10

 Introduction
This study will show that there will be a time of trouble for
God’s people (144,000) that will take place before the
purification of the church and not after. We will clarify…

1. What is Jacob’s Time Of Trouble AND Who Will It Affect?

○ Trouble On The Way Home
○ Promise Of Salvation
2. What Will God Do To Deliver His People In Those Days?
● Extended To The Great Multitude
● Is There More than One Time Of Trouble?
3. When Will God’s People Receive The New Name?
PRAYER THOUGHT
In searching the Scriptures you are not to endeavor
to interpret their utterances so as to agree with
your preconceived ideas, but come as a learner to
understand the foundation principles of the faith of
Christ. With eager interest, with fervent prayer,
come to the word of God, that you may know what
is truth, manifesting the same spirit as did
Nathanael when he earnestly besought the Lord
that he might know the truth. Light will come to
every earnest seeker for truth,...CSW 25.2
 WHAT IS JACOB’S TIME OF TROUBLE
AND WHO WILL IT AFFECT?
Jeremiah 30:3-5
3
For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the
captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will
cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and
they shall possess it.
4
And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel
and concerning Judah.
5
For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of
fear, and not of peace.
 WHAT IS JACOB’S TIME OF TROUBLE
AND WHO WILL IT AFFECT?

Jeremiah 30:6-7
6
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child?
wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a
woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
7
Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the
time of Jacob's trouble;...
 WHAT IS JACOB’S TIME OF TROUBLE
AND WHO WILL IT AFFECT?

JACOB’S JOURNEY HOMEWARD. --{SRP 35.5}

After twenty years of faithful service in Padan-Aram, in the sharp, overreaching

employ of Laban, his uncle, Jacob at last turned his face and his steps homeward
toward his father’s house in the land of promise. --{SRP 36.1}

But trouble overtook him. While grappling with his fears as to the outcome of
his imminent meeting with Esau “there wrestled a man with him until the
breaking of the day.” Gen. 32:24 --{SRP 36.2}
 WHAT IS JACOB’S TIME OF TROUBLE
AND WHO WILL IT AFFECT?
Here lay down the man Jacob and rose up the man Israel, exemplifying the
agonizing experience through which his posterity must victoriously pass before
they, too, receive a new name, pass from sons of Jacob to sons of God, become
Israelites indeed. Having gained the victory over this test, “the time of Jacob’s
trouble,” they will reach home, the land of promise – the happy end of their long
and troubled journey. --{SRP 36.3}

On this trying and testing time the Spirit of Prophecy comments: “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” – Early Writings, pp. 36, 37. (See also
Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 202, 203.) --{SRP 36.4}
Jer. 30:7 — “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.” The people that have come to this
antitypical time of trouble are returning to the homeland, are comforted. Apparently it
is bad enough to frighten all, but God’s encouraging counsel is, “Fear not.” {1TG47:
14.2}
Plainly, the burden of this chapter is concerning the antitypical returning to the
homeland. Though terrible the trouble may seem, yet the outcome of it is to be the
same as in the type. Right now we may not appreciate this study as we ought to, but
the time is soon coming in which we will dig as fast and as hard for it as we would to
get out from under an avalanche. Those who have but little faith in the Word of God
though, the study will not do them much good. Now is the time to start cultivating the
faith we need to have then. {1TG47: 14.3}
Verse 8 — “For it shall come to pass in that day, 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.”
This verse plainly says that God is to free His people from the
Gentile yoke, and that strangers [unconverted] shall no more
trouble them. {1TG47: 15.2}
 WHAT WILL GOD DO TO DELIVER
HIS PEOPLE IN THOSE DAYS?

Immediately we see that in the revealing light of this scripture (Nah. 1:14),
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.
Conclusively, therefore, Isaiah clarifies Nahum’s prophecy as referring to
the church’s liberation from the last-day Assyrian yoke. The fact, though,
that the church, as Nahum says, is not only to be relieved from affliction
and freed from bondage but is also to be sentenced to death, creates a
paradox! Inspiration, however, quickly clears it, again through Isaiah.
Speaking of the church, {14TR 18.1}
 WHAT WILL GOD DO TO DELIVER
HIS PEOPLE IN THOSE DAYS?

“And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto My chosen: for the Lord God shall slay
thee, and call His servants by another name.” Isa. 65:15. --{14TR 18.2}
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 made free
because of their faithfulness, and some of whom will be slain because of their
wickedness. The delivered ones will then be called by another name. --{14TR
18.3} > See also 1TG44 p. 7-8
 WHAT WILL GOD DO TO DELIVER
HIS PEOPLE IN THOSE DAYS?

The time of this “work” is termed “harvest.” Matt. 13:30. Therefore, up to this
separation, the tares (those who are to be slain) and the wheat (those who are to be
delivered) together comprise the membership of Laodicea (the last of the seven
churches – Rev. 3:14-18), the church just before the “tares” are forever separated
from the “wheat” (Matt. 13:30). Very obviously, then, the penitent Laodiceans are
separated from the impenitent ones during Assyria’s fall, and then are liberated
from her rule. --{14TR 18.4}
 WHAT WILL GOD DO
TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE IN THOSE DAYS?

A detailed demonstration of this purification of the church is projected in

Ezekiel’s prophecy. There the Lord commands him who records the life
history, the angel with the writer’s inkhorn, to go through the city and to set
a mark (seal) on those only who sigh and cry for the abominations that are
therein. Then five others go after him to slay all who have not the mark. (See
Ezekiel 9; Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445; Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266, and
Vol. 5, p. 211.) --{14TR 19.3} See Also - 1TG15 15.1
Sharing with the nations the guilt for marring the branches of His
vineyard (His Kingdom), this modern Assyria must now share in the
divine retribution while God is taking His people back to their own
land. Inferentially, with the fall of the “Assyrians” (the Gentiles in
possession of the
Promised Land),
“the time of the
Gentiles” is fulfilled
Luke 21:24). {14TR 25.3}
See also 1TG12 15.3
Looking forward to this time of deliverance the angel explained to
Daniel: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which
standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of
trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same
time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall
be found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1. --{14TR 25.4}
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be
blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of
Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord
in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” Isa. 27:13. --{14TR 25.5}
 EXTENDED TO GREAT MULTITUDE
As publishers of the Present Truth series of books and tracts in the interest
of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, our duty now is to work only
within the church. Then when we have accomplished this work (when the
“firstfruits” therein have been sealed), Michael will stand up to deliver
every one whose name is found written in the book (Dan. 12:1)--every one
who has the seal: for they are then entering into the time of trouble such as
never was. And while standing, He shall send “this pure, true, sanctified
ministry” (B:55-1886), 144,000 in number, “unto the nations” to declare
His glory among the Gentiles” (Isa. 66:19), and to deliver the rest of His
people.

Symbolic Code Volume 7 Nos.7-12 (July-Dec., 1941) Page 17

 Is There More Than One “Time of Trouble”?

This conflict between God and Satan brings in the time of trouble such as
never was, at the beginning of which Michael stands to deliver “every
one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1. It is “the great
and dreadful day of the Lord”--”great” for the righteous, “dreadful” for
the wicked. Once it begins, it continues, as the Spirit of Prophecy says,
without respite to the end--Christ’s second appearing. (see Testimonies
to Ministers, p. 182.) - 7SC No. 7-12 p19.2 (Question No. 236: )
Symbolic Code Volume 7 Nos.7-12 (July-Dec., 1941) Page 19
 WHEN WILL GOD’S PEOPLE
RECEIVE THE NEW NAME?
SR Tr. 1. 31, 32 - …with the Jacob class. Just as their type, who diligently cared for
the sheep, carefully tended to his business, and triumphantly overcame his
covetous nature, had his name changed from Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (and
overcomer and thus a Prince), so they, too, finally, triumphing over their own
carnal nature, have their names changed from Jacobites to Israelites… from
common Christians in Laodicea to exalted princes on Mt. Zion. Thus in their own
right the antitypical Jacobites become antitypical Israelites, by acquisition of the
priestly birthright they become finishers of the gospel work and as servants of
God they stand on Mt. Zion with the Lamb.”
 CONCLUSION
In this study we saw that…
➔ Jacob’s time of trouble is before Ezekiel 9 and a time of trouble
continues for God’s people but it is NOT Jacob’s Time Of Trouble
➔ God’s people Israel and Judah - The 144,000 remain after being
freed from Gentile yoke (Jer 30:8, Isa 10:27, Isa .) .
➔ God will perform a dual work among His professed people, some
of whom will be made free because of their faithfulness, and
some of whom will be slain because of their wickedness
(unconverted-Jer 30:8). The delivered ones will then be called by
another name.
➔ They (God’s people) will return to their homeland
The title of God’s people, you note, is “Judah.” They are counselled to
behold the messenger of God who at the fulfillment of this prophecy brings
to them good tidings, tidings of peace...the message of the Kingdom of
peace (Isa. 11:6-9). The Lord counsels them to be honest with Him, honest
in their profession of faith. They are, moreover, assured that at the
fulfillment of this prophecy the destroying angels are to remove the
wicked from the midst of the righteous. Thus will the wicked be
“raptured” away and be no more. {1TG24: 12.2}
So it is that while Nahum predicts liberation and peace for God’s faithful
people, he predicts disaster and humiliation for antitypical Assyria (the
power which they serve) and for the wicked in the church. {1TG24: 12.3}
 TROUBLE ON THE WAY HOME
● 13SC 1, 2.9,10 - “Though it is designated as the time of Jacob's trouble, yet
there is no trouble like it in the respect that none is so great. In this
prophecy God is revealing that before God's people return to their father's
land there shall be a time of trouble that will turn all faces pale. It will be a
time of trembling, of fear, and of trouble such as never was.”
● “…Jacob met his trouble while he was returning to the promised land. Now
Jacob is to return again to the Promised Land with all his household, and again
he is to meet with great trouble…The trouble is to be exceedingly great.”
● 1SR bk. 62. 3 - “Jacob's wrestling with the angel typifies
the time of ‘Jacob's trouble’ (for the church).”
The Great Thus while Babylon the Great rules the world
(represented by her riding the beast--Rev. 17),
these escaped ones “shall bring all [their]
Multitude brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of
all nations [her vast dominion]...to My holy
mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord.” Isa.
66:20. In other words, they shall bring out all
their brethren whom Michael shall deliver
from the great tribulation then in the
world,--”a great multitude, which no man
could number, of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues.” Rev. 7:9.

Symbolic Code Volume 7 Nos.7-12 (July-Dec.,

1941) Page 17
“Isa. 65:13-15 -- "…And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto My chosen: for
the Lord God shall slay thee, and call His servants by another name."

1TG. 44: 8 - “…The denominational name will they leave to God's servants; that
is, to those who escape from the Lord's sword shall the name consequently be
left. The name, however, is left only as a curse, and His servants will be called by
another name which "the mouth of the Lord shall name."” See also Isa. 61:6;
62:2-4.
WHEN WILL GOD’S PEOPLE
RECEIVE THE NEW NAME?
12SC 5. 16 – “…When we start for home as did Jacob, we,
too, shall meet with our time of trouble, even Jacob's time
of trouble. And at that time we shall become thoroughly
converted to God forever, and our name will be changed
as is foretold in Isaiah 61:6, and it will be a name that the
Lord Himself will give us. When we demonstrate that we
are truly converted, then this great promised blessing will
come to us. And when our name has been changed it
signifies that we are certain candidates for entrance into
the Kingdom eternal.”
 WHEN WILL GOD’S PEOPLE
RECEIVE THE NEW NAME?
"And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto My chosen: for the Lord
God shall slay thee, and call His servants by another name." Isa. 65:15.

● The Lord is to perform a dual work among His professed people,

some of whom will be made free because of their faithfulness, and
some of whom will be slain because of their wickedness. The
delivered ones will then be called by another name.
● At the time of the purification of the church.
WHAT WILL BE THE
FINAL RESULTS OF ● Name change
● Pure church
THESE EVENTS?
Jeremiah 30:3-5 ● Sanctified church
3
For, lo, the days come, saith ● Go out to gather the
the LORD, that I will bring again
the captivity of my people Israel great multitude
and Judah, saith the LORD: and
I will cause them to return to the
● Conquering and to
land that I gave to their fathers, conquer
and they shall possess it.
 WHAT TROUBLE BEFELL GOD'S PEOPLE
THAT FOLLOWED THE DEATH DECREE?

“And it shall come to pass in that day,” declares the prophet, “that his
[Assyria’s] burden shall be taken away from off thy [Judah’s] shoulder,
and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because
of the anointing.” Isa. 10:27. {14TR 17.4}
 PROMISE OF SALVATION
➔ 1TG 47. 14 - “The people that have come to this antitypical
time of trouble are returning to the homeland, are
comforted. Apparently it is bad enough to frighten all, but
God's encouraging counsel is, ‘Fear not.’
➔ “…Though terrible the trouble may seem, yet the outcome of
it is to be the same as in the type.”
speaking of the silence in Heaven
for the space of half an hour, proves
to be the event of the fulfillment of
Ezekiel 9. At which time “shall
Michael stand up.” It is at this
juncture that Christ puts on His
garments of vengeance and
surprises the hypocrites in Zion.
See “Testimonies for the Church,”
Vol. 5, p. 690. SC no. 5,6 p.10
See also : Symbolic Code Volume 2
No.2 (February 15, 1936) Page 4