Many of the Bible’s prophecies lead to and culminate in the Return of Jesus Christ. The establishment of His Kingdom will be a most wonderful event, but what precedes that is something vastly different. Humanity is facing a time such as has never been before.
The Bible tells us of a place where a chosen group of Gods people will be kept safe during the worst part of the difficult times ahead.
When does it happen? During the 3½ year, 42 month, 1260 day: Tribulation period of the 7 Trumpets and the 7 Bowls.
Daniel 8:23-26 In the last days, when sin is most prevalent, a powerful leader will arise. He will succeed in whatever he does, and will take control of the mighty nations and God’s holy people. By cunning and deceit, his plans will come about and cause great harm to many when they least expect it. He will challenge even the Prince of Princes, but then will be broken, but not by human hand. This prophecy tells of events to happen in the distant future.
Rev 12:13 … the dragon [Satan] is thrown down to earth…
Revelation 13:2-8 …the dragon conferred his great authority onto the beast, who had received a death blow, but was healed. The whole world worshipped them. The beast was allowed to wage war on God’s people for 3½ years.
Daniel 9:27 This world leader makes a 7 year treaty with many in Israel, [by that time inhabited by Gods holy people] but he breaks it at the mid point, commencing the 3½ year Tribulation.
Who goes there? They are the- ‘Woman’ who gave birth to the male child, ½ of Israel – those who keep My Covenant, every faithful Christian in all of the holy Land living humbly, obeying My Laws.
Daniel 11:32-35 By plausible promises he will win over those who are ready to violate their Covenant, but the people who are faithful to their God will take action.
Revelation 12:13-17 When the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he went in pursuit of the ‘woman’. She was given the wings of a mighty eagle, so she could fly to her place out of reach of him. The earth swallowed up the flood [army] sent after her. He then commenced to persecute the rest of God’s people.
Zechariah 14:2b Half of the city will go into exile, the remainder will stay there.Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept My command to stand firm, I will keep you from the ordeal that is to fall upon the whole world to test its inhabitants.
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all in the Land, who live humbly, obeying His Laws; it may be that you will find shelter in the Day of the Lord’s anger.
Where is the place of safety? It is a place far away from the clutches of ‘the beast’, a place where the Lord’s righteous people will be kept in peace, with all they need.
2 Samuel 7:10 I shall assign a place for My people, Israel…they will have peace.
Isaiah 24:16a From the ends of the earth, we hear singing, giving homage to His nation.
In Daniel 11:41 – it describes how the world dictator conquers many lands, including Israel. But Edom, Moab and part of Ammon will ‘escape his clutches’. This means that what is now Southern Jordan, won’t be taken over, he will conquer Northwest Jordan – the area once called Gilead and Bashan, part of ancient Israel.
Jeremiah 49:17-18 Edom will become an object of horror, no one will live there.
Jeremiah 49:2 I shall make Amman a desolate mound, all its villages burnt to ashes.
Ezekiel 35:1-15 Hill country of Seir, the whole of Edom, you will be desolate.
Zephaniah 2:8-10.…Moab shall become like Sodom, Ammon like Gomorrah, a mass of weeds, a wasteland forever.
Jeremiah 48:9 Moab will be totally ruined, no one will live there.
These verses make it clear that this next Mid East event – the Day of the Lords vengeance and wrath, will depopulate and despoil,in particular the area east of the Dead sea. That land will become uninhabitable. That is the reason it is ignored by this leader.
So, it is not Petra or ancient Bozrah where His people are flown to, it is a place at the ‘end of the earth’, a pleasant, fertile place well away from the terrible happenings of the Great Tribulation.
Micah 2:12-13 I will surely assemble the remnant of Israel, I will bring them together like sheep in Bozrah, (a sheepfold) as a flock in their own pasture, the place will throng with a multitude of people. Their leader opens the gate and they stream out, with God showing the way.
The great prophecy in Isaiah 63:1-6 says how the Lord will cleanse this ‘sheepfold‘ some time before His people are transported to there.
Isaiah 34:6-8 The Lord has a sword covered in blood, for He has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in Edom. That land will drink deep of blood. For the Lord has a Day of vengeance, the Champion of Zion has a time of retribution.
Tumultuous events will soon engulf every nation, affecting the lives of all humans on earth. Even for the strong, it will take great trust, real faith in God’s power to avoid panic and hold steady, believing in His promises.
Therefore, Jesus asks this all important question, directed to every person living in the time just before He Returns.
Luke 18:8 When the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?
God wants you to rely on Him, to trust Him completely in everything, you really have no choice if you hope to please Him. In the near future, when others are gripped by fear, uncertainty and confusion, with no idea of where to turn for answers, God does not want His people to worry or agonize over what will happen next.
God promises to provide for your every need if you believe in Him, trust Him and do not doubt His deliverance.
Luke 21:18-19 By standing firm, you will win yourselves life, not a hair of your head will be lost
Revelation 13:10b This calls for the endurance and faithfulness of God’s people.
Psalm 14:26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence and His children shall have a place of refuge. Psalm 27:5 He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble.
Psalm 32:6-8 So let every faithful heart pray to You when great floods threaten. You are our hiding place from distress. You guard and save us. Guide us the way to go.
Reference: Revised English Bible, verses abridged
The Prophetic Word 