St. Augustine said that God gives where He finds empty hands. Would you open your hands today and surrender to Him the sin that has separated you from Him so that He can fill your hands with His good gifts, including the gift of salvation? Would you ask Him to guide and lead your life?
The Time of Jacob’s Trouble covers the snatching away by Jesus of all those who are in Him and the days immediately after. We’ll explore more of the end times in the next two books. Until then, may God bless you and keep you and make His face shine on you, being gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace—in Jesus’s name.
A PREVIEW FROM BOOK 2
THE DAY OF EZEKIEL’S HOPE
The ground shakes beneath the enemy armies; there is no time for them to attack as planned. The earth emits a powerful, ear-splitting moan as mountains are overthrown and cliffs topple, the Wailing Wall crumbles to the ground in Jerusalem and the armies cry out in terror. The quaking grows violent and fissures split the ground open, swallowing thousands of mortified troops into canyon-deep crevices. Smoke, dust, and ash rise as the trembling continues, blinding the troops who remained on the ground. They shout and scream in their many languages, throwing each other into greater confusion. Panic sets in among the throngs of soldiers and they turn their weapons against one another, masses perishing at the hands of their allies. An outbreak of boils covers the once-healthy skin of each soldier and their shouts and violence intensify. Piercing screams of fighter pilots inside their cockpits penetrate the war rooms in Syria and Russia when the painful boils erupt on their skin, curdling the blood of all who are listening. The flesh of every person in the war rooms oozes with ulcers, wrapping their eyes with the raw sores and sealing them shut.
Zerah’s heart pounds against his ribs as he watches the heavens open, flooding the skies over Israel’s enemies, drowning them in a torrential deluge and beating them with hailstones. As the rain falls, fire pours down on enemy aircraft, surrounding every plane in a massive ball of flame. The entire sky over Israel glows orange and red, the infernos falling and lapping up the enemy armies.
An additional excerpt from Donna’s
title The Day of Ezekiel’s Hope
is available at
www.DonnaVanLiere.com/EzekielsHope
NOTES
WHERE IN THE WORD? INTRODUCTION
1. Tom Hughes, “Five Reasons Pastors Don’t Teach Bible Prophecy,” Hope for Our Times (July 10, 2018), https://hopeforourtimes.com/five-reasons-pastors-dont-teach-bible-prophecy-by-tom-hughes/.
2. J.D. Farag in “Before the Wrath: Why There Must Be a Rapture,” Olive Tree Ministries, October 19, 2019, https://olivetreeviews.org/radio-archives/before-the-wrath-why-there-must-be-a-rapture/.
3. Renald Showers on The John Ankerberg Show, April 17, 2017.
4. Showers, The John Ankerberg Show.
5. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Lewis Signature Series, pp. 226–227.
WHERE IN THE WORD? AMAZING FACTS
1. David Reagan, Lamb and Lion Ministries, Christ in Prophecy TV, “The Importance of Bible Prophecy,” July 5, 2009.
2. Michael Brown, “Have Millions of Christians Been Misled About the Second Coming of Jesus?,” Charisma News (March 20, 2019), https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/75624-have-millions-of-christians-been-misled-about-the-second-coming-of-jesus.
3. Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2012), p. 9.
4. Hitchcock, The End, p. 21.
5. Ron Rhodes on Understanding the Times with Jan Markell, April 22, 2017.
6. David Jeremiah, Agents of the Apocalypse (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2014), pp. 11–12.
7. Ed Hindson on The John Ankerberg Show, “The Glorified Jesus Reveals the Future,” June 17, 2017.
WHERE IN THE WORD? AMERICA IN THE END TIMES
1. Kathleen Sutcliffe, “The Growing Nuclear Club,” Council on Foreign Relations (November 17, 2006), https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/growing-nuclear-club.
2. Mark Hitchcock, 101 Answers to the Most Asked Questions About the End Times (Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2001), p. 33.
3. John Walvoord, The Nations in Prophecy (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), p. 175.
4. PBS Newshour, February 16, 2019.
5. Sam Kiley, “No medicines, records or equipment: Haiti hospital struggles during protests,” CNN (February, 17, 2019), https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/17/americas/haiti-protests-state-university-hospital-intl/index.html.
6. Samuel Smith, “120 people killed, 140 homes destroyed by Nigeria Fulani since February,” The Christian Post (March 15, 2019), https://www.christianpost.com/news/120-people-killed-140-homes-destroyed-by-nigeria-fulani-since-february.html.
7. “Suspect in New Zealand mosque shootings was prepared ‘to continue his attack,’ PM says,” CNN (March 16, 2019), https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/15/asia/christchurch-mosque-shooting-intl/index.html.
8. Joseph A. Seiss, The Apocalypse: Lectures on the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids: Kregel Classics, 2000), p. 161.
9. John Walvoord, Revelation (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2011), p. 141.
10. Robert Jeffress, Perfect Ending: Why Your Eternal Future Matters Today (Brentwood, TN: Worthy, 2014), p. 116.
11. David Jeremiah, Agents of the Apocalypse (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2014), p. 72.
WHERE IN THE WORD? THE END OF THE AGE
1. Ronnie Floyd, “This is the No. 1. cause of death in the world—and it’s (almost) 100 percent preventable,” The Christian Post (January 24, 2019), https://www.christianpost.com/voice/no-1-cause-death-world-100-percent-preventable.html.
2. Melissa Barnhart, “7 states already allow abortion up to birth—not just New York,” The Christian Post (January 30, 2019), https://www.christianpost.com/news/7-states-already-allow-abortion-up-to-birth-not-just-new-york.html.
3. “‘Dark day’: Illinois governor signs abortion bill far worse than New York’s,” Live Action (June 12, 2019), https://www.liveaction.org/news/illinois-house-passes-abortion-worse-new-york/.
4. Jessica Chasmar, “One World Trade Center lit pink in celebration of New York abortion law,” The Washington Times (January 23, 2019), https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/23/one-world-trade-center-lit-pink-celebration-new-yo/.
5. Jim Cymbala, The Brooklyn Tabernacle, “The Anointing,” message given October 17, 2017.
WHERE IN THE WORD? AN OUTLINE TO FOLLOW
1. David M. Levy, Revelation: Hearing the Last Word (Bellmawr, NJ: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1999), p. 72.
2. Peter Marshall, “Trial by Fire,” a sermon preached at the St. Charles Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 11, 1944.
3. David Jeremiah, Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Franklin, TN: Worthy Books, 2013), p. 1693.
4. Jeff Kinley, As It Was in the Days of Noah (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2014), p. 77.
5. Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2012), p. 164.
6. Donald Grey Barnhouse, Thessalonians: An Expository Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1977), pp. 99–100.
WHERE IN THE WORD? THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
1. William E. Blackstone, Jesus Is Coming, updated edition (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1989), p. 235.
2. John Walvoord, Revelation (Chicago: Moody, 2011), p. 84.
3. Blackstone, Jesus Is Coming, p. 22.
WHERE IN THE WORD? WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE SNATCHING AWAY OF BELIEVERS AND THE SECOND COMING?
1. Charles C. Ryrie, Come Quickly, Lord Jesus (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1996), p. 22.
2. Renald Showers on The John Ankerberg Show, April 19, 2017.
3. Stu Weber and Max Anders, Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2000), p. 392.
4. Weber and Anders, Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew, p. 393.
5. “In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace,” Pew Research Center, October 17, 2019, https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-o
f-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.
6. Samuel Smith, “Gen Z Is the Least Christian Generation in American History, Barna Finds,” The Christian Post (January 24, 2018), https://www.christianpost.com/news/gen-z-is-the-least-christian-generation-in-american-history-barna-finds.html.
7. Michael Lipka, “Millennials increasingly are driving growth of ‘nones,’” Pew Research Center (May 12, 2015), https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/05/12/millennials-increasingly-are-driving-growth-of-nones/.
8. Gregory A. Smith, “A growing share of Americans say it’s not necessary to believe in God to be moral,” Pew Research Center (October 16, 2017), https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/10/16/a-growing-share-of-americans-say-its-not-necessary-to-believe-in-god-to-be-moral/.
9. Terry James, “End-Times Deceivers,” Rapture Ready, https://www.raptureready.com/2018/04/22/end-times-deceivers-terry-james/.
10. “Skandalizo,” Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4624&t=KJV.
11. Darren Tyler, “Restoring Your Identity,” message given February 17, 2019, Conduit Church, Franklin, TN.
12. Allen Jackson, “God Bless America,” message given October 14, 2018, World Outreach Church, Murfreesboro, TN.
13. Jonathan Merritt, “America’s Epidemic of Empty Churches,” The Atlantic (November 25, 2018), https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/11/what-should-america-do-its-empty-church-buildings/576592/.
14. Jan Markell, “What Happened to My Church?,” Rapture Ready, https://www.raptureready.com/2018/09/05/happened-church-jan-markell/.
15. From an Instagram post by Jackie Hill Perry in March 2019.
16. “63 Fascinating Google Search Statistics,” Seotribunal.com (September 26, 2018), https://seotribunal.com/blog/google-stats-and-facts/.
17. “Upsurge in big earthquakes predicted for 2018 as Earth rotation slows,” The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/18/2018-set-to-be-year-of-big-earthquakes.
18. “Significant Earthquakes—2019,” USGS, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/browse/significant.php.
19. “Significant Earthquakes—2018,” USGS, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/browse/significant.php?year=2018.
20. “List of ongoing conflicts,” Wars in the World, https://www.warsintheworld.com/?page=static1258254223.
21. “Nearly 1 million Christians reportedly martyred for their faith in last decade,” Fox News (last update, July 6, 2017), https://www.foxnews.com/world/nearly-1-million-christians-reportedly-martyred-for-their-faith-in-last-decade.
22. Cristina Maza, “Christian Persecution and Genocide Is Worse Now Than ‘Any Time in History,’ Report Says,” Newsweek (January 4, 2018), https://www.newsweek.com/christian-persecution-genocide-worse-ever-770462.
23. “70 million Christians martyred for their faith since Jesus walked the earth,” https://www.christiantoday.com/article/70-million-christians-martyred-faith-since-jesus-walked-earth/38403.htm.
24. Ash Gallagher, “Christians in Iraq dwindle and struggle to survive,” trtworld (August 27, 2018), https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/christians-in-iraq-dwindle-and-struggle-to-survive-19772.
25. “World Watch List 2019,” Open Doors USA, https://www.opendoorsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/WWL2019_FullBooklet.pdf.
26. Raymond Ibrahim, “11 Christians Killed Every Day for Their Faith,” Gatestone Institute (March 3, 2019), https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/13813/christians-persecuted-killed.
27. Kimberly Flowers, “The Four Famines: The Alarm Bells Are Ringing, but Who Is Listening?,” Center for Strategic & International Studies (September 6, 2017), https://www.csis.org/analysis/four-famines-alarm-bells-are-ringing-who-listening.
28. “2018 Global Report on Food Crises,” World Food Programme, https://www1.wfp.org/publications/global-report-food-crises-2018.
29. Mark Martin, “Anne Graham Lotz: I Believe I Will Live to See the Return of Jesus,” CBN News (April 21, 2016), https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2016/april/anne-graham-lotz-i-believe-i-will-live-to-see-the-return-of-jesus.
30. Melanie Phillips on Understanding the Times with Jan Markell, May 17, 2017.
31. John Walvoord, Israel in Prophecy (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1967), p. 26.
WHERE IN THE WORD? DIFFERENT LIVES
1. David Reagan, Lamb and Lion Ministries, Christ in Prophecy TV.
2. Jaquelle Crowe, This Changes Everything: How the Gospel Transforms the Teen Years (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017), p. 18.
3. Jim Cymbala, “Only Love Conquers All,” message given at The Brooklyn Tabernacle, July 30, 2017.
WHERE IN THE WORD? AFTER JESUS GATHERS HIS BRIDE
1. Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2012), p. 100.
2. As stated in Ron Rhodes, The End Times in Chronological Order (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2012), p. 43.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I write a book working alone in a room, but a book is never finished alone. It takes a team. The Time of Jacob’s Trouble would not have been finished and in your hands without the help of…
Our longtime friend Mark Maxwell, who was persistent in contacting publishers, always kind to everyone he talked with, and encouraging to me throughout the wait. This book would not exist without your belief and great efforts, Mark, and I’m grateful for you. Big hug to Carol!
My editor Steve Miller, who is absolutely the best editor for this series. He caught the things I missed, questioned me on things that weren’t clear, and was an invaluable source of direction and knowledge. He is steady, wise, gracious, and kind, and The Time of Jacob’s Trouble could not have been published without his guidance and expertise. Thank you, Steve!
My publisher Bob Hawkins Jr., who has been a champion encourager from day one. This series wouldn’t have a home without him and his team’s belief. Thank you for looking up, Bob. Your hope is contagious!
Terry Glaspey, who was the first to believe in the manuscript at Harvest House and get it into Steve’s hands. Terry, I’m so glad you took Mark’s phone call many months ago!
The entire Harvest House team, who have worked with excellence on every aspect of the book, and my friend Barbara McGee, who was a volunteer reader, helping to catch things I missed. Your work isn’t overlooked, and I appreciate all of you!
These are just some of my heroes of the faith, who are or have been a voice like John the Baptist, proclaiming Truth in the wilderness and preparing the way for Messiah. Thank you, Oswald Chambers, Francis Chan, Carter Conlon, Jim Cymbala, J.D. Farag, Jack Hibbs, Mark Hitchcock, Thomas J. Hughes, Allen Jackson, David Jeremiah, Carmen LaBerge, C.S. Lewis, Anne Graham Lotz, Jan Markell, Leonard Ravenhill, David Reagan, Ron Rhodes, A.W. Tozer, Amir Tsarfati, Darren Tyler, and David Wilkerson for your books, messages, radio programs, or podcasts that have pointed to the Truth that can only be found in Christ.
Enormous thanks to my family, who make me want to be a better mom, wife, daughter, and friend.
And I love and am grateful for eternity to the One for whom I’m looking up and saying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Things Are Looking Up Podcast
Does Bible prophecy often leave you confused and frightened? You’re not alone. There are some strange and mystifying Bible passages that have bewildered generations of Christ-followers. Many aspects of Bible prophecy could never be understood by our parents and grandparents simply because the signs of the end times had not yet become apparent.
But did you know that the meanings of many of these same Bible verses are being revealed before our very eyes? It is our generation that is seeing end-time prophecies being fulfilled.
Join Donna VanLiere and listen to her free podcast Things Are Looking Up, in which she shares significant and specific prophecies that only our generation has been able to understand, and discusses the very real connection between Bible prophecy and our world today.
www.DonnaVanLiere.com/LookingUp
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
* * *
> To learn more about Harvest House books and to read sample chapters, visit our website:
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
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