Time of Jacob’s Trouble & Fundamental Beliefs of DSDA

A Reply
A response to the suggestion that Jacob’s Time of trouble takes place after the slaughter of Ezekiel
Nine

The “Fundamental Beliefs and directory of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists,

(FB) pp 12 – 13, Nos. 5- 7,” would on the surface appear to teach that Jacob’s time of
Trouble (JTT) is after the judgement of Ezekiel Nine. However, I believe that the
“weight of Evidence,” (5 T 675 ) clearly suggests otherwise. The evidence reveals
that JTT takes place prior the slaughter described in Ezekiel Nine or Judgement in
the church. The fact that FB 13, #7, begins with the words, “subsequently,” and #6
speaks of the four winds, Babylon, the mark of the beast, is not rock-solid proof that
JTT occurs after these events in the strictest sense. The problem, of course, is not
Inspiration, but our understanding of it. I would like to explain that later on in our
discussion and provide an alternative explanation of the FB statement---one that is in
perfect harmony with the Bible, Ellen White and the Rod’s message. But first we
should understand some very key principles of study that could profoundly affect our
understanding of the Scriptures and the works of Inspiration such as the Fundamental
Beliefs statement.

Subjects Must Be Understood In Their Full Perspective

Before going further, we need to bear in mind, the obvious fact, that FB is not
designed to reveal everything pertaining to the subject(s) indicated, but to provide a
FUNDAMENTAL outline, sketch, or summary of the beliefs of Davidian Seventh-day
Adventists, of which Jacob’s Time of Trouble is just a part! FB was not designed to
be a treatise of JTT, “the winds,” the “mark of the beast” etc! To fully understand
the JTT, one must study the entire topic in “full perspective” 3 Ans 91.

“The most common cause of doctrinal confusion among Bible students lies in their so
very frequently failing to view a subject in full perspective from the writer’s point of
view---a failing which results in their seeing it from some foreign standpoint so
narrowing their view that instead of gaining the writer’s idea on the subject, they gain a
false idea on it.” 3 Ans 91. (See also pp 93, 94, 95) [Emphasis added]

It is Not Safe to Base a Conclusion on a Single Statement

“Let us remember always to observe the inviolable rule that an interpretation of one
inspired statement must harmonize with all other related statements.” 3 Ans 41.
[Bold added]

So, it is perilous and disingenuous to base a conclusion on a single or primary

statement. One statement cannot overthrow all the others that may express a
different point of view on any one subject.
Jacob’s Trouble Has to Be Before The Judgement of Ezekiel Nine
As stated earlier, we will come back to FB 13 later on in our discussion. But now,
having understood that we must view subjects in their “full perspective,” from the
“weight of evidence” and not from one primary statement, we can examine the subject
from all angles. Jeremiah 30: 5 – 9.

What purpose? How?

The first question that comes to mind is, what purpose would it serve to have JTT after
the purification of the church---after the tares have been removed when it is clear that
the saints are saved and safe? What purpose would it serve to have God’s people go
through this trouble when we have already been delivered?

We are told by the JTTafter (JTT-A) advocates, that we are to have our trouble on the
way home to the kingdom. This of course is true. But this phrase has to mean
figuratively going home---not literally walking or traveling to the kingdom using standard
travel modes of transportation. It simply means that the church in the latter days---the
church just before the kingdom---is established is to be the people to return to the
promised land.

So, how and when would Jacob have this trouble after the judgement in Ez. 9 when we
are told we are getting to the kingdom by supernatural means?

“We are therefore not to worry about a possibility of anyone’s hurting the work of
God. Neither are we to worry about how we are to get to the Mount Zion, but are to
make sure to be ready to board the chariot of God when the angels cry out, ‘All
aboard!’” 1 TG 11:13

“And if the flying saucers are indeed the Lord’s, then what else are they come for but
to deliver every one whose name is found written in the Book (Dan. 12:1), and to slay
those who oppress them (Isa. 66:16?” WHR 11.

Which chariot is this? Of course, the one in Ezekiel Chapter one. It is the only one
Inspiration refers to regarding the church in these last days. It is also the one that
will take us to Heaven at the 2nd advent and will be directing the Church’s work during
the loud cry. (See WHR 74, EW 287, 1 TR 37,38)

Jacob Is To Have His trouble with Esau?

According to the type, Jacob’s trouble of old was that Esau and 400 hundred men
were coming and likely to destroy or enslave him and his whole company in revenge.
(Gen 32:6; 1 TG 47:15; 1 SR 36, 62). So, there were two things that we must look it:
1) there was a threat. 2) That threat came from Jacob’s brother, Esau.

Now we know that Esau represents the unsaved members of the latter-day church---
especially the church leadership (1 SR 55 - 57). Thus, our trouble takes place in the
Church.

“Jacob’s wrestling with the angel typifies the time of ‘Jacob’s trouble’ (for the
church).” 1 SR 62. [Bold added].

So, how can JTT take place after the purification of the church when there will be no
“Esau” to confront us, and no threat? It is called Jacob’s trouble because Jacob of old
was fearful to meet his brother Esau! Thus, it must be so today! Antitypical Jacob
must have to face antitypical Esau with a threat of death against him! That cannot
occur after antitypical Esau (our false brethren) have been removed in the slaughter of
Ezekiel Nine!!

The Assyrian Yoke

Verse 8 of Jeremiah 30, makes it very plain that the “yoke” is to be removed after
Jacob’s Time of Trouble. Jer. 30: 7, speaks of JTT, then refers to the yoke being
removed at that time---not before! That is to say, that JTT precedes the Assyrian
yoke being removed. The Scripture says:

Alas! For that day is great so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s
trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. For it shall come to pass in THAT DAY [the
day of the JTT], saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his YOKE from off thy
neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him”
Verse 7, 8.

So, what yoke is to be removed from the neck of God’s people? And when will that yoke
be removed? If we can determine the time when this “yoke” is to be removed, we will
be able to determine when JTT takes place as the removal of the yoke is after JTT---at
very least, at the climax of it.

The yoke here would have to be the Assyrian yoke. It’s the only one referred to in this
prophetic context.

“For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.”
Nahum 1:13.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off
thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke be destroyed because of
the anointing.” Isa. 10:17 Inspiration explains:
“The People whom God has afflicted (by their dispersion among the nations) and
whom He promises to afflict no more, and to break the Assyrian yoke from off their
shoulders, are His people, His church—antitypical Judah…” 1 TG 24:12. (see also, 1 TG
24:15, 17).

So, when is the Assyrian yoke to be removed? According to the Bible and Inspiration’s
comments, it is to be removed at the same time the church is to be purified. This is
crucial to understand. Remember, JTT takes place before the removal of the Assyrian
yoke. We would not have space or time to quote all the references supporting this, but
here are a few.

“Immediately we see that in the revealing light of this scripture, the one (“thee”)
who, in both cases, is set free in the time of Assyria’s fall, proves to be the church
(Judah), liberated from Gentile (Assyrian) rule…

“Plainly therefore, in the time when Assyria crumbles, the Lord is to perform a dual
work among His professed people, some of whom will be slain because of their
wickedness…Very obviously, then, the penitent Laodiceans are separated from the
impenitent ones during Assyria’s fall, and then are liberated from her rule….

“Here in prophetic utterance is not only a promise to purify the church when modern
Assyria is being crushed…” 14 TR 18,19, 22, 25. See also, 1 TG 24:14.

What is the point of all this? If JTT precedes the Assyrian yoke being removed, and the
yoke is removed at the same time the Church is being purified. Then JTT has to be
before---not after the slaughter of Ez 9.

Crying Day and Night for Deliverance & Jacob’s Time Of Trouble Are the Same Event
It is clear from the Scriptures, writings of Ellen White, and the Rod, the time of our
“crying day and night for deliverance” is the same as JTT. One clue is found in 1SR 62,
which was quoted above. But now I will quote the entire paragraph which refers to
highlights EW 36, & 37.

“Jacob’s wrestling with the angel typifies the time of ‘Jacob’s trouble’ (for the
church). We read in Early Writings, pages 36, 37, ‘A decree went forth to slay the
saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of
Jacob’s trouble. See also Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 202 – 3.’ ” 1 SR 62. [Bold
added].

There are several important points that we need to highlight from this statement: 1) That
there will be a decree (threat) against the saints. 2) This decree caused them to “cry
day and night for deliverance.” (CDNFD) 3) This time of crying out for deliverance is
referred to as Jacob’s Time of Trouble. 4) That this trouble is applicable to the SDA
Church. 5) This establishes that EW 36, 37 is applicable to the SDA Church. 6) That
Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 202 – 203 also applies to the same event(s)---namely,
JTT! This is clear as can be from Inspiration! Yes, it is true that neither EGW or VTH
had the light on the kingdom as yet, but they never in their later writings explained
otherwise. Both messengers later on established that there are two probations, two
sealings, and that Christ leaves the Sanctuary twice---one time for the church and
another for the world. (See 2 Ans 91, 92).

So, who are the ones being delivered here? If we continue just two sentences or so
further in EW 37, Inspiration answers the question,

“This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of
spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed.” EW 37

Now we know that the deliverance of God’s people takes place at the judgement
described in Ezekiel Nine! Is this not the time when the 144,000 are delivered? Is it
not the same time the Assyrian yoke is removed? Since this is true, then JTT and
CDNFD has to precede the slaughter of EZ-9? Why, because the decree, the CDNFD,
the JTT are all leading up to the deliverance! Let’s go deeper.

The CDNFD is mentioned is Scripture in Luke 18: 7, 8:

“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he
bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when
the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith in the earth?”

Here we see that just before the coming of the Lord, God’s people will be crying
continuously for deliverance. As a result, he will come and deliver them out of their
distress. When is this?

“The oppressed people of God are yet to raise to heaven one united day and night cry
for deliverance. Lk 18. This is symbolized by the message of prayer of the fourth
angel of Rev. 14 & 15.” 3 SG 23

What does the Rod have to say about this Scriptural passage?

“Obviously, His coming recorded in Luke 18:8 cannot be the one of 1 Thessalonians
4:17, His coming ‘in the clouds.’ But it could be the one of Malachi 3:2,3, and
Matthew 13:30, 47-48, leading to Matthew 25:31,33. His coming to His temple is to
separate the sinners from the saints, at the commencement of which time Inspiration
asks, “Who may abide the day of His coming.’” 1 SRP 20.
Clear it is that CDNFD is not after the purification of the church but before! That we
will cry day and night for deliverance, but will be delivered at the Lord’s coming to
purify the church! Not afterward! But there is more. EGW also places the CDNFD in
the context of the purification of the church.

“The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes
forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved
the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time
that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him,
though he bear long with them.

‘The command is: ‘go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem,
and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the
abominations that be done in the midst thereof.’” 5 T 210. [Bold added].

Any Present-truth believer will quickly recognize that these statements are referring to
the 144,000, and that the coming of the Lord here is His purification of the SDA Church
(Ez-9), which Inspiration clearly identifies as the event that avenges the righteous by
removing the unconverted. So, EW 36,37, supported by the Rod, which clearly
connects the decree, which will cause God’s people to cry for deliverance, the same as
JTT; but we are delivered by our Lord’s coming to purify the church (EZ-9) and removing
the Assyrian Yoke from off our necks. Thus, the Bible, the Former Rain and the Latter
Rain all harmonize! Clearly, then, JTT cannot take place after the purification of the
church, but just before!!

The Winds Start to Blow Before the Purification of the Church (EZ-9)
This part of our discussion is very relevant to understanding the FB statement.

Many have come to the notion that the so called “New Codes” (NC) are erroneous, or
not trustworthy because they believe that it is not in harmony with the remainder of the
“published” writings of the Rod. There is a lot that could be said to counter this notion.
However, the fact that much of it was reproduced (not originated) by Florence Houteff
does not in and of itself prove that they are not authentic. Here is one example that
relates to the subject under discussion.

“You notice here that the angels are not told to hold the winds until Ezekiel 9 has all
been fulfilled, but until the servants of God are sealed. Therefore, if there is any
intervening time between the close of the sealing and the slaughter of Ezekiel 9,
there is a possibility that the winds could start blowing during that time.” 11 SC 7:8.

Some would want us to believe that this is heresy or contradictory to the published
works of Rod. The statement was published by Florence Houteff in May of 1956, from a
VTH sermon presented in 1936 & 1943. So, is it wrong? Well, let us look at a
statement from one of VTH’s published tracts, published in 1943.

“If the present World War [World War ll] predicted by Nahum, and if the sealing or
making of the ‘servants of God’ is to be completed without the angels’ having again to
tighten their hold on the winds. (Rev. 7:1: Early Writings, p. 38), then the time to
restore the excellency of Jacob and of Israel is at hand….It is at this time that Assyria
falls…” 14 TR 24. [Emphasis added]

The context of this passage applies to the blowing of the winds to the war and events of
Nahum. All present truth believers know that the prophecies of Nahum represent key
prophetic proceedings taking place from World War ll and terminating with the Assyrian
confederacy, the purification of the church, the deliverance of the 144,000, and the fall
of Assyria. And Present-truth believer knows that these occurrences take place prior to
the establishment of the kingdom and the “Image of the Beast.” Yet Inspiration clearly
connects these events to the blowing of the winds.

In other words, the Rod believers in the time of World War ll (WW ll) realized that it was
possible that Nahum’s prophecies could have been fulfilled then, (1943 or thereabouts),
unless the angels were compelled to “tighten their hold on the winds.” Note that
Inspiration in 14 TR 24, uses the word “tighten,” suggesting that the winds were slipping
out---that the war, the Assyrian war and confederacy, etc., were about to be fulfilled and
that the angels needed to (or might need to) “tighten” their grip. Of course, the angels
did have to hold back the winds.

Obviously, the “winds” also applies to Nahum’s prophecies---not just the “Image of the
Beast.” The Image, or Mark of the Beast (MOB) does involve a confederation of church
and state, but there will likely be a partial or incomplete confederation of churches as
well prior to Ez 9 and the (MOB).

“The churches may incompletely confederate almost any time, but the union of
church and state (the image of the beast) will take place only after the ‘investigative
judgement’ of the dead is completed.” 2 SC 7,8:12

Thus, the idea mentioned in 11 SC 7:8, is correct! It is accurate! The winds can or will
start to blow before the purification of the church! True, not in full---not in its complete
phase, but yet there it is, the winds will start to blow prior to the MOB.

Why should this be so strange to us! Everything in the message comes in two parts
concerning the end times:

Two sealings---144,000 and the Great Multitude

Two probations---one for the church and one for the world
Two Judgements---one for the church (Ez 9) and another for the world---the seven
last plagues.
Two comings---one to the church (coming of judgement) and one to the world---
Ez-9 & the second coming in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:14 -17).

Get the point! So, there must be two troubles----one for the church---Jacob’s Time
of Trouble, and the one for the world---The Time of Trouble Such as Never Was.
Therefore, JTT must be brought on by the unconverted church brethren from the church
(modern-day Esau) against the 144,000. The world’s trouble will be caused by the
unbelieving world and the unconverted in the other churches who have received the
MOB. So there must be two decrees as well---one for the church (EW 36) and one for
the world---the MOB (Rev. 13:15 -17). Please don’t miss the point!

So, JTT is perfectly in harmony with the prophetic model of two parts or sections---type
and antitype! Church then the world! Please think carefully about this!! This is the
model which God has outlined! The idea that the JTT is after Ez 9, does not fit that
model! Actually, one could argue that its one event in two phases or one event
beginning in the church then continuing in the world! Whichever way you wish to look at
it, the two-part or double-part model is there! Thus, JTT must be before Ez-9, not
after!!

To complete the overview of the double-part model, it would be:

Two sealings---144,000 and the Great Multitude

Two probations---one for the church and one for the world
Two Judgements---one for the church (Ez 9) and another for the world---the seven
last plagues.
Two comings---one to the church (coming of judgement) and one to the world---
Ez-9 & the second coming in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:14 -17).
Two death decrees—one for the church (EW 36) and the other for the world (Rev.
13:15 -17—MOB)
Two troubles---(Jer. 30:5 – 7)---JTT and the “Time of trouble such as never
was” (Dan 12:1).

Fundamental Beliefs and Directory of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, (FB)

pp 12 – 13, Nos. 5- 7
Now we come to the citation in question. In light of the foregoing truths, the “weight of
evidence,” clearly establishes that JTT must take place before the purification of the
church. But FB 12 – 13 seems to say something different. Since FB cannot be out of
harmony with the “weight of evidence,” the problem is our understanding of the
reference, not the reference itself. Let’s take a closer look at the statement:
“6. That the angels’ let loose the four winds to blow over the four corners of the
earth (Rev. 7:1), does not anticipate a World war but rather a world wide decree
enforced throughout Babylon by the image-beast, and that then no one may buy or
sell save he who worships ‘the image’ Rev. 13:15-17.

“7. That subsequently, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) for the 144,000 the
sons of Jacob, logically develops on their way home (Gen 32:1, 24) to the land of their
fathers (Ezek. 36:28; 37: 21,25).” FB 13. [Emphasis added)

The logic is that since the Rod uses the word “subsequently”, which suggests the idea
of that #7 succeeds, follows, or comes afterwards, the events and time of #6. In other
words, the thought is that JTT which is mentioned in fundamental belief #7, follows
number #6 which refers to the blowing of the winds, which is explained to be the “world
wide decree enforced throughout Babylon by the image-beast.…”

So, the question really is, what is JTT subsequent to? Is JTT subsequent to the MOB---
or Image of the Beast? In other words, will JTT take place after the Sunday law and the
persecution of the MOB? Are we to understand that JTT takes place after the Image of
the Beast or MOB is established? Are God’s people to return to there homeland after
the MOB is set up and the decree issued? Yet, on the surface, that is precisely what the
reference seems to be saying! But the “weight of evidence” says that God’s people will
be delivered at the time of purification of the church and the fall of Assyria! (14 TR 19,
22, 25; 1 TG 24:12). Furthermore, we are told that God’s people will be delivered in a
time of war! (1 TG 24:13,17). Surely, we are not to belief that the prophet was telling us
that God’s people are to experience JTT after the MOB is established and Babylon
rules?

The answer to the dilemma is actually simple: The winds begin to blow before the
purification of the church but after the sealing of the 144,000, then reaches its peak after
the purification of the church in the time of the MOB. The Bible didn’t say hold the
winds until the purification of the church, but after they are 144,000 are sealed.

As we have already seen, the winds begin to blow during the events pointed out in
Nahum’s prophecies (14 TR 24): The Assyrian confederacy, the world war centered in
the Middle East, which culminates with the purification of the church and the fall of
modern Assyria---all of which are before the MOB! We all can agree that the primary
meaning or central representation of the MOB or Image of the Beast (IOB) is the
establishment of Babylon the Great, the Sunday Laws and decree of Rev. 13:15 - 17,
etc. No one disputes this. But we can clearly see that there must be two phases to the
meaning of the winds. Or you could say, it starts out with a partial confederation of the
churches before slaughter of EZ. 9 (2 SC 7:12), then after the church is purified the winds
reach their primary fulfillment as the MOB!
This harmonizes with everything else in the Rod’s message, EGW’s writings, and of
course, the Bible! Here is that reference again regarding the winds being applied to
Nahum’s prophecies.

““If the present World War [World War ll] predicted by Nahum, and if the sealing or
making of the ‘servants of God’ is to be completed without the angels’ having again to
tighten their hold on the winds. (Rev. 7:1: Early Writings, p. 38), then the time to
restore the excellency of Jacob and of Israel is at hand…It is at this time that Assyria
falls…” 14 TR 24. [Emphasis added]

Here again is the reference about the partial or incomplete confederation of churches
before the MOB.

“The churches may incompletely confederate almost any time, but the union of
church and state (the image of the beast) will take place only after the ‘investigative
judgement’ of the dead is completed.” 2 SC 7,8:12

Thus, it must be that FB 13 is not speaking about the JTT having his trouble after
Babylon or the Image of the Beast, but after the winds are let loose during its early
phase, but before the MOB---before Babylon! According to Jeremiah 30:7,8, JTT takes
place before the Assyrian “yoke” (Jer 30:8) is removed, during the Assyrian period—not
the Babylonian period. God’s people are delivered during the Assyrian period---not the
Babylonian period.

You ask why didn’t VTH explain it this way? No one can say with absolute certainty.
But this is a common phenomenon in the writings of Inspiration. Present-truth believers
understand this as a common event with the writings of EGW and even the Bible! One
thing we do know for certain is that the FB is just that, Fundamental Beliefs and
Directory of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists---not an exposition of all aspects of
the message! The prophet was just laying down fundamentals. As such, he was
emphasizing the key points of faith of the movement, not the explanation of all the
nuances of JTT or any of the subjects. That is precisely why we had to go elsewhere
and look at the ‘weight of evidence to understand what the prophet meant there in
writing it the way he did.

The Summary
Jacob’s Time of Trouble could not take place after the purification of the church
because:

There is no purpose of having God’s people go through JTT after the church is purified
and they have been delivered.
Jacob in the type, Jacob’s trouble was caused or brought on by his brother Esau. Esau
represents the unconverted in the church (particularly the leadership). There will be no
unconverted in the church after the slaughter of Ez 9, therefore no trouble.

After the kingdom, there will not be traveling by standard means toward the kingdom.
We will not be traveling by foot, car, boat, plane, etc. So there can be no time to have a
trouble on our way there. Instead, we will be transported by God’s chariot or vehicle.
(See 1TG 11:13)

JTT takes place before the Assyrian yoke is removed. (Jer 30:7, 8), and the Assyrian
yoke is removed at the time of Ez 9. (14 TR 19, 22, 25, 1 TG 24 12 -18). Therefore,
JTT has to be before the purification of the church.

JTT, the crying day and night for deliverance, and a death decree are all fundamentally
the same event (Lk 18:7,8; 1 SR 36, 62; 3 SG 23; EW 36, 37; 38, 5 T 210).

The winds start to blow after the sealing, but before the purification of the church.
(14 TR 24). Therefore, FB 13 #7, is referring to JTT beginning after the release of the
winds, after sealing of the 144,000 but before the purification of the church; which of
course, will ultimately culminate into the MOB or Image of the Beast.

Thus, this subject is in harmony with the general theme of the message, which present
a duality to the key events of prophecy. The winds begin first as the events of the
Assyrian Confederacy, the world war, then culminates into the MOB or IOB. The first
section or phase—the beginning of the blowing of the winds---primarily affects the
church, the climax or apex of the blowing of the winds affects the world---the great
multitude of Rev. 7:9. So, there are two sealings, two groups, two probations, two
decrees and two deliverances, and two troubles---JTT and the MOB.

Therefore, FB 13, #6, is referring to this final or apex of the blowing of the winds, but the
Rod’s mention of JTT in #7, is alluding to its early phase before the MOB. This
explanation is in harmony with the “weight of evidence.”

Sincerely,

Your brother in Christ,

Anthony Hibbert