![]() ![]() The drama is further explained in Revelation 12:12-13, which reads as follows:įor this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. ![]() I will put them together like sheep in the fold like a flock in the midst of its pasture they will be noisy with men.”- Micah 2:12 “I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the olive tree I will place the juniper in the desert, together with the box tree and the cypress, that they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.- Isaiah 41:17-20 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land fountains of water. The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. Notice some of the Old Testament passages that describe God’s provision for His people during this three and a half year period: Revelation 12:6 says, “And the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she might be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” The key word in this verse is “nourished.” This explains why the Jewish Remnant is told to flee without consideration for any provisions, because God has prepared a place where Israel will be nourished and taken care of for three and a half years (the second-half of the tribulation). The parallel passage of Revelation 12 provides further details of this mid-tribulational escape. While Matthew 24:16-20 focuses upon the divinely suggested response to the abomination of desolation by the Jewish Remnant, other passages provide a more complete picture of this three and a half year wilderness sojourn. So why are the Jewish Remnant supposed to be aware of a special event which triggers their escape into the Judea wilderness, yet they are not told to make any preparations for that day? The Sabbath imposes a travel restriction that is not in force on the other six days of the week that poses a real problem to the observant Jew. The winter in Israel is the rainy season which increases the hazards of travel in the Judean hills because the creeks and rivers provide an obstacle not there during other seasons. Difficulty will be compounded if this event occurs in winter or on a Sabbath, because of the added restrictions that these times pose. ![]() Jesus does not say that it will be impossible, but it will be difficult. He warns that it will be difficult to navigate the mountainous terrain if pregnant or nursing a newborn. Don’t even take a few minutes to collect a few personal belongings like your cloak in the field or a few items from your house for the journey. Christ tells them where to go: the Judean mountains. ![]() Matthew 24:16-20 provides a set of instructions for the Remnant. Another reason why they will be able to flee instantly is because they will be miraculously provided for and protected as they make their way to Petra for three and a half years of safekeeping. Therefore, the sooner that the Remnant can get out of town, then the less likely it will be that antichrist will be able to persecute the Jews. Why are they to flee instantly? It is because with the instantaneous event of the Beast (antichrist) setting up the abomination of desolation in the rebuilt Jewish Temple, he goes from protecting Israel to persecuting her. This passage is saying that the moment the Jewish Remnant (the elect in Matthew 24:22, 24, 31) sees the watershed event of the abomination of desolation then they are to flee to the Judean hills. Why? It is because the second-half of the tribulation will be a time of persecution and great tribulation for the Jewish remnant. They are to get out of Dodge as fast as they can. Verses 16-20 describe the recommended response of the faithful who see the abomination of desolation in Jerusalem. Previously, we saw that Matthew 24:15 describes an event that fixes the chronological midpoint of the seven-year tribulation. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days! But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath - Matthew 24:16-20 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak. AN INTERPRETATION OF MATTHEW 24-25 by Thomas Ice Part 14 - Matthew 24:16-20 The Command to Flee ![]()
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