Dear friends:

Most people equate "the time of Jacob's trouble" with the final seven-year tribulation.  However, Pastor F.M. Riley says it is actually a 20-year period, the same as Jacob's actual time of trouble with his father-in-law, Laban.

I have often thought that to be the case.  It makes sense.  Otherwise, why is it called the time of "Jacob's trouble" and not just "the time of trouble"?

The question is: If true, when is that 20-year period now?

Riley says it began in 1987 and will go to 2007.  He says, "The Palestinian Intifada began on December 8, 1987.  This is a clearly documented fact of past history."  He also says, "According to Psalm 107:2-3 [corresponding with 2007] and Revelation 11:13, 2007 is the year when 'the remnant' [of Israel] will begin to turn to the Lord, just as Jacob turned to the Lord right after the end of the twenty years, Genesis 32.  Jacob did not immediately inherit the land at the end of the 20 years, or even after turning to the Lord.  He still had some trials to face in the following years,  in which the Lord 'saved ' him out of them all, Jeremiah 30:7."

Good points.  Could be.  However, I am more inclined to think that it will end in 2012 (2005 + 7 = 2012).   If true, I believe it probably began with the 1993 Oslo Accords, called "the Covenant of Death."  With inclusive counting, beginning with 1993, add 20 years and you arrive at 2012.

If true, we are at the 12-year point in the 20-year period.  That's how long the woman had the issue of blood and Jesus healed her.  Perhaps the woman represents the Messianic believers in Israel who have experienced bloodshed for 12 years and will be healed this year with the rapture of the bride.  It would correspond with the 38.8 years since June 6, 1967.

If this is true, this is one more pointer toward 2005 for the rapture, the beginning of the tribulation, and the final seven years.

Converted to its equivalent Hebrew letters, the Jewish year 5758, which overlapped with 1998, means "season of Noah." That was seven years ago.  Let's hope the ark is about to go up.

Jim