Recently, I sent a lesson dealing with “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” Prophecy students and scholars almost universally believe this period of time relates to the Great Tribulation noted in the Revelation 7:14. Jeremiah 30:7 says of that “day” that “none other is like it.” The Prophet Zechariah declares that it will be one specific day. (Zechariah 14:6-7) Scripture indicates that this “day” will be one horrific day, like no other.

There is much discussion among prophecy students and scholars as to the length of this “day”; seven years, three and one-half years, or even one literal day. Regardless of the length of time, it appears to me that this Tribulation is meant for, and deals with, the Hebrew descendants of Jacob, son of Isaac, named Israel by the Lord. (Please note that the people we call Jews are but two of the twelve tribes of Israel; Judah and Benjamin. All Jews are Hebrews, or children of Jacob/Israel, but not all Hebrews are Jews. There are ten more tribes; those of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim and Dan.)

As noted in the previous lesson, the Lord told the people of Israel that He would gather them from all nations and bless them and the Land of Israel, not for their sakes, but for the sake of His wonderful name. This is the same principle exhibited by King Hezekiah when Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army. Hezekiah prayed for the deliverance of Jerusalem, not for the people that lived there, but for the sake of the Lord’s name. (Second Kings 19:15-19)

Let me clearly state that I am not “anti-Semitic.” I believe that the Jews and all Hebrews are still the Chosen People of God. It is clear from Scripture that the Lord has great and wonderful things planned for them. And the Prophet Isaiah tells us of that wonderful plan; “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, 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.” (Isaiah 11:11) You will note the Lord will gather Israel a second time, from everywhere.

The Apostle Paul tells us that even though Israel has been blinded (temporarily) until the “times of the Gentiles” are complete, all of Israel will be saved. (Romans 11:25-27) Earlier in that same enlightening chapter, Paul says that we Gentiles are wild branches grafted onto the native (Hebrew) olive tree. I believe the Lord will use the time of Tribulation to demonstrate the Messiah to Israel. Then the remnant of Israel (those still alive on this earth) will be saved.

Martha, the sister of Lazarus, told the Lord Jesus “I know that he (Lazarus) shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24) Martha looked forward to the resurrection. Yet the Lord Jesus gave us the story of another Lazarus and the Rich Man. (Luke 16:19-31) The Rich Man was in torment. He apparently had been judged, obviously under the Law.

This is Ron Taylor’s opinion: The Lord, the Righteous Judge, will judge Israel under the Law if they lived under the Law rather than the Grace that was bought by the Lord Jesus. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is full of examples of people who lived under the Law and will receive what was promised at the resurrection that Martha was looking forward to. “All Israel will be saved,” according to the Law or according to the Grace of God offered to those who believe in and accept Jesus and His Salvation. I, personally, depend so much on the Grace of God.

Did you notice the many instances of these great promises occurring in the eleventh chapter? The eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the kaf and, according to the rabbis, the kaf stands for “crowning accomplishment.” Certainly, the fulfillment of the Lord’s prophecy and the saving of both Jews and Gentiles is a crowning accomplishment,. For more information on the Hebrew alphabet please click HERE.