In the foreshadow provided us by the story of Jacob in Padam Aram, we are given the picture of seven good years and seven bad years, and six years of servitude followed by release in the seventh year. In the Word of God there are other parallels to the six years of servitude.

The Man of Sin, the person we refer to as the anti-Christ, is a usurper. He will represent Satan, or the devil, or the Dragon (Revelation 20:2), who greatly desires to sit on the Throne of God. (Isaiah 14:13-14)

There are at least two other usurpers described in the Bible.

When King Ahaziah died, his mother Athaliah had all of his children (her grandchildren!!) killed so that she could reign as “queen.” (II Kings 11:1-3) But the true king, Jehoash, an infant, was saved by his Aunt Jehosheba, who hid him. Athaliah was not entitled to that position. She was a usurper, and reigned for six years. In the seventh year Jehoiada, the high priest, presented the son to the leaders of Israel, and Jehoash led them. He was then seven years old. (II Kings 11:21)

In the seventh year of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, Jesus the Son of God, the true Messiah, will be presented to the people of Israel and He will lead them.

Absalom, the son of King David, is a type or picture of Satan. Because of the rape of his sister Tamar by his half-brother, Amnon, Absalom plotted for two years for the murder of Amnon. (II Samuel 13:22-29) Then Absalom dwelt with relatives in Geshur for three years. He was allowed to return to Jerusalem and lived there for two years. This totaled seven years of hatred by Absalom.

Then, in the seventh year, Absalom began his plan to usurp the throne of his father, David. He acted as if he were king with horses and chariots and fifty men to run before him, and Absalom won the hearts of the people. (II Samuel 15:1-6) After this, Absalom had himself declared king of Israel. Rather than cause bloodshed in Jerusalem, the City of God, King David the warrior left the city.

As a result of Absalom usurping the throne, there was a great war between his forces and the forces of King David. But this was a supernatural war. “The forest claimed more lives that day than the sword.” (II Samuel 18:6-8) Absalom was killed that day and his body tossed into a pit, just as Satan will ultimately be tossed into the lake of burning fire. (Revelation 20:10)

For more on the story of Absalom please see https://www.luke810.com/absalom.htm target = “blank”.

In the foreshadow given to us by the account of Jacob, or Israel, there are seven good years and seven bad years. At the end of the seven bad years the ruler, in this case the anti-Christ, will control everything. He is a usurper and his actions fulfill the desire of the devil, whom he represents.

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” - Isaiah 14:13-14

The account of Jacob in Padam Aram also shows us the symmetry of the Bible. That which is opened in the beginning, sin and rebellion, is closed at the end. This story of Jacob is found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The end of the story is in the Revelation, the last book of the Bible. And it all demonstrates to us Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2), the Alpha and Omega, (Revelation 1:8) the First and the Last. (Revelation 1:17) May His name be praised eternally!