Jacob’s Trouble at Hand
Celia Rose Okhuysen (USA)
“And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
but he shall be saved out of it.”
(Jeremiah 30:7)
[Late one night in 1999, I had just watched CBN’s daily 700 Club’s news segment. [http://cbn.com — Host: Pat Robertson] One of the news items concerned the conflict that was taking place in Israel, and the pressure being exerted on Israel by America to turn the Golan Heights over to Syria. After the news coverage, I turned the TV off and went to bed.]
DREAM — August 2, 1999
I dreamt of watching a large group of Middle Eastern people dine on a large square wooden table covered with a beautiful tablecloth with gold fringe all around it. After they finished eating, most of the people left. I then found myself alone with three men who remained behind.
Next, I stood by the empty table without the tablecloth. An orange cantaloupe melon, a large knife, and a crumpled transparent piece of plastic cover materialized on the table. I reached out and handled it with both hands. The melon’s skin had been peeled off. When I touched the melon, it was mushy with no firmness to it. I then picked up the knife and sliced the melon in half. I was careful not to cut into the plastic cover.
As I sliced the melon, juice spilled out and the seeds were exposed. One half of the melon with seeds remained in tact on the table to the left. However, the other half melon with seeds on the right fell apart into quarter size pieces. Then one of the quarter pieces with seeds fell apart into two smaller eighth size pieces, identical in size. I then noticed that the half piece of melon on the left had vanished from the table, and there were now only three pieces of melon with seeds on the table.
Next, one of the three men approached and stood behind me, somewhat to the right yet out of my sight. He was observing what was taking place on the table. As I picked up the melon pieces, they vanished in my hands. Instantly in their place, there appeared a large frog! It then hopped about 16-18 inches to the right. Then, in its place there appeared a smaller frog. That frog also hopped to the right and sat alongside the first frog. THEN-N-N, in the second frog’s place, there appeared a third smaller frog half formed! It’s lower torso and hind legs were missing. The half formed frog remained motionless on the table. The two other men moved to the right side of the table to take a closer look at the three frogs.
Next, I loudly cried out to someone in another room, “There are three frogs on the table that came out of the melon!” A few seconds later a woman’s voice yelled back, “What?” Again I cried out louder, “THERE ARE THREE FROGS ON THE TABLE THAT CAME OUT OF THE MELON!!!” Silence. The woman did not respond. — END
[NOTE: I urge the reader to read this document with a Bible in hand for spiritual clarity, revelation, and understanding through the Word of God. Bolded, capped, and underlined emphases in the KJV and NKJV scriptures are mine.]
INTERPRETATION
The Middle Eastern people symbolize Middle Eastern nations that had dwelled on Israel’s land since her dispersion after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple (rebuilt by Herod) in 70 A.D. (Mt. 23:37, 38; 24:1, 2) The large wooden table symbolizes Israel. The gold-fringed tablecloth symbolizes Jerusalem.
[For a prophetic declaration of the end time by Lord Jesus, read all of Matthew 24]
Taking a still closer look, the table represents “real estate” (Israel’s land) that has been discussed at length (bargained about) between Israel and other Arab leaders over the past few decades.
The missing tablecloth is “off the table” as far as negotiations for any peace settlement is concerned. Apparently, from all appearances it seems that Israel will never agree to “dice” (cut up — section off) Jerusalem. Or, will this possibly come to pass in the near future? The highly coveted “prize” continues to be Jerusalem.
[See Daniel 11:29-39 — Symbolically, the Antichrist (Antiochus) is revealed here and his “exploits” in the end time as annotated in Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. Study these scriptures with an annotated Bible or Bible Commentary.]
The color “orange” (warning — danger) and the rotting melon (falsehood — deceit) sum up a clear picture of what have become evil attempts to wipe out the Jewish people from the land of Israel (David) by the surrounding Arab nations (Goliath) through past wars.
The rotting melon symbolizes previous attempts toward peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors. It has over-ripened to the point that the “fruit thereof” has spoiled and has been in a transparent (crumpled plastic) disintegrating phase over the years. However, up until September 13, 1993, attempts to deceive Israel into submission in giving up land had failed.
[Normally, there is no smell in decaying melons. Still, the rotting melon’s symbolism of evil intentions against Israel must bring a “strong stench to the nostrils of God” Who gave Israel the land of Canaan. (Gen. 12:1-7) Historically, this has been the largest land grant by God to anyone. (GOD’S LAND GRANT TO ISRAEL is indexed with Scripture in this document further down.]
The knife is symbolic of the Word of God (Eph. 6:17), and of a sword — a weapon of victory over enemies:
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>> “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you. You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new. I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. I WILL WALK AMONG YOU AND BE YOUR GOD, AND YOU SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright” (Lev. 26:6-13).
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I am symbolic of a Watchman who, through understanding the prophetic Word of God, “handles” the rotting fruit (observes repeated attempts toward peace between Israel and her bordering enemy neighbors). Understanding Israel’s Biblical prophesied conflict that would be “center stage” before the eyes of the world in the end time, (the time of Jacob’s trouble), I take the knife (sword—Word of God) in hand to slice open the rotting fruit and expose its seeds of hatred toward Israel as revealed in the Bible. The seeds symbolize discrimination — persecution — bigotry — prejudice — torment — murder of Jews in gas chambers — racism — EVIL SLANDER — harassment — maltreatment — attempts to eliminate the Jewish people from the face of the earth. Over the years, Israel has endured great, great, GREAT abuse — ill-treatment — cruelty — violent deaths through terrorism, and denial of their God ordained right to their own land. (Gen. 12:1-7) They were called by Almighty God to be a blessing to all nations (Gen. 12:2).
The quarter size melon separated itself from the two small eighth size melon pieces that fell apart by themselves. One of the small pieces symbolizes a failed attempt to establish peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Thus, they fell apart. However, the quarter piece has yet to do its “exploits.”
Therefore, the three remaining melon pieces are as follows: the quarter piece represents the unidentified yet emerging Antichrist who is “waiting on the side.” The two smaller pieces represent Egypt and the current Palestine in the Gaza Strip.
The vanished large half of the melon represents America. Its size symbolized its great power and might. However, its disappearance symbolically reveals that somehow America will not be at Israel’s side in the end time. She simply is not there.
Israel and Egypt, (one of the two smaller melon pieces), began “tearing down fences” when Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat and Israel’s PM Menachem Begin signed a peace treaty on September 17, 1978 in Washington D.C.
[NOTE: The Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 17, 1978, following twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David. The two agreements were signed at the White House, and were witnessed by United States President Jimmy Carter. The first agreement dealt with the future of the Sinai Peninsula and peace between Israel and Egypt. This was concluded six months later with the signing of the Israel—Egypt Peace Treaty. The second was a framework agreement establishing a format for the conduct of negotiations for the establishment of an autonomy regime in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
A historical and comprehensive index on Israel’s ONGOING search for peace with her bordering neighbors can be viewed at ARIGA, http://www.ariga.com/treaties/index.shtml. A daily update on the current peace initiatives at hand between PM Ariel Sharon and PA President Mahmoud Abbas can be viewed at http://www.ariga.com/today.shtml. Another excellent source is ISRAEL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS daily updates at http://www.israel.org/MFA/]
Palestine is represented by the other smaller melon piece. It is important to mention the fact that the current presence of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip in the land of Israel is without statehood. They are “settlers.” A comprehensive outline of the Oslo Accords can be viewed at http://www.multied.com/Israel/Documents/Oslo.html — DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ON INTERIM SELF-GOVERNMENT ARRANGEMENTS — September 13, 1993.
One of the two men (represented by the two small frogs) represents Yassir Arafat and his failed peace negotiations with PM Ehud Barak during the summer of 1999. The third man standing behind me represents the Antichrist. He is currently “incognito.” Although his identity is still unknown (yet “arising” from the European Union — former Roman Empire), he will be the “chief architect” in the current effort to bring a peace settlement between Israel and Palestine. [A “summit” meeting was recently held in Egypt between PM Ariel Sharon and the new PA President Mahmoud Abbas at the beginning of February, 2005. Arafat died November 11, 2004, at age 75.]
The evaporating three pieces of melon thus reveal three frogs that symbolize demons and unclean spirits (Ex. 8:1-15 — Ps. 78:43-45 — Rev. 16:13, 14). Here, these frogs can be understood to represent an “evil intended presence” whose attempt to eradicate—eliminate—get rid of—wipe out—destroy—exterminate—do away with—remove the Jewish people from God’s land grant to Israel (Gen. 12:1-7) is now at its zenith—peak—summit—pinnacle—high point.
At the time of this dream (1999), the three frogs represented the Antichrist (large frog), Egypt (smaller frog), and Palestine (half formed frog). Since Palestine does not have legitimate rights as a nation, the half formed frog without legs symbolized Yassir Arafat, and the now new Palestinian president. Arafat did not have legs to stand on, OR better said, he had “no roots.” The Palestinian status has not changed since then.
The number “three” occurs three times within the dream. “Three” symbolizes the Triune Godhead —Divine Confirmation — Witness (Deut. 19:15 — Mat. 18:16 — 1Tim. 5:19). Thus the following: three men — three pieces of melon — three frogs: 3 x 3 = 9 — number of judgment. God’s judgment upon Israel’s enemies, persecutors, tormentors, oppressors, and barbaric murderers will be swift when Lord Jesus returns to destroy them and the Antichrist during the Battle of Armageddon at Meggido in northwest Israel. This battle will take place at the end of the 7-year Tribulation period that immediately begins after the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, which is so imminent.
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[NOTE: As I see and discern the “swirling whirlwind” in Israel’s “delicate” political movements, the European Union and NATO’s overtures to Israel in persuading her to “possibly” join them can only give Israel a stronger sense of security. She will most likely join them for a “stronger and firmer alliance” against Iran’s threat of using nuclear weapons against her. This would then keep Iran from following through its “possible” intended threat against Israel. Thusly, at last Israel comes face to face with the Antichrist, Et Cetera, Et Cetera, Et Cetera.]
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My crying out to a woman in the next room about the melon and frogs symbolizes her as the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I caught her by surprise as revealed by her yelling back, “What?” After repeating my statement, her lack of response reveals her total lack of concern. It seems that I woke her up from her slumber, and her lack of response clearly portrays her as going back to sleep.
SAINTS OF GOD, WAKE UP!!!
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>> And do this, knowing the time, that NOW IT IS HIGH TIME TO AWAKE OUT OF SLEEP, FOR NOW OUR SALVATION IS NEARER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED. The night [sinful age] is far spent [overextended], the day [of the Lord] is at hand (Rom. 13:11, 12 — NKJV).
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GOD’S LAND GRANT TO ISRAEL
[Land grant covenant scriptures are bolded. Underlined Scripture references refer to Moses]
GENESIS: 12:1-7 — 13:14-17 — 15:1-7, 18 — 17:7, 8 — 26:1-5 — 28:10-15 — 35:9-15 — 48:3, 4
EXODUS: 6:2-4 — 13:5 — 23:27-31 — 33:1-3 — 34:10-14
LEVITICUS: 14:33, 34 — 25:38
NUMBERS: 13:1, 2 — 33:50-56 — 34:1-12
DEUTERONOMY: 1:5-8 — 7:1-8. 13. 22. 23 — 9:1-6 — 10:11 — 11:22-24, 31 — (14:2) — 20:16, 17 — 32:48, 49 — 34:1-4
JOSHUA: 1:2-4 — Ch. 6 — 11:15, 23 — 14:1-5
JEREMIAH 27:5:
“I HAVE MADE THE EARTH, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and HAVE GIVEN IT TO WHOM IT SEEMED PROPER TO ME" (NKJV).
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it (Isa. 1:20).
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GENEALOGY OF ISRAEL
The following is a study of Noah and his family’s genealogy, found in 1Chronicles. It begins with Adam. Beginning in 1Chr. 1:4 Noah’s three sons’ names are listed as Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Another excellent and detailed genealogy of Noah is found in Genesis 10. For a thorough study of Israel’s origin read Genesis Chapters 10 through 33). From Adam to Noah are ten generations.
1Chr. 1:8-16 — Ham’s four sons are listed, two of which are Canaan and Mizraim. (A third son’s name is Cush who bore Nimrod. The beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom was called "Babel" (Gen. 10:10) which eventually evolved into Babylon. It is now present day Iraq.)
1Chr. 1:12 — Mizraim had seven sons, one of whom is listed as, "...Casluhim, (of whom came the Philistines)...." (Goliath was a Philistine — 1 Sam. 17:4)
1Chr. 1:17 — Shem had nine sons. One of them was named Arphaxad of whom came Abram (renamed “Abraham" by God in Gen. 17:5), whose son, Isaac, bore twins Esau and Jacob (who was later renamed "Israel" by God in Gen. 32:28). From Shem to Abraham are ten generations.
1Chr. 1:28 — Abraham’s sons’ names are listed as Isaac and Ishmael. Although Ishmael was born (Gen 16:1-4, 15, 16) before Isaac (Gen 17:19; 21:1-5), Isaac is placed first over Ishmael, as Isaac was Abraham’s legitimate heir. Isaac’s mother, Sarah (a free woman), was the true wife of Abraham. Hagar, mother of Ishmael (father of the Arab nations), was Sarah’s bondservant (a slave). She was an Egyptian slave given to Abraham and Sarah by Pharaoh (Gen 12:16, 20).
Commentary: Ishmael, like Jacob (Israel), had twelve sons, the heads of twelve tribes (1Chr. 1:29-31), making twenty-four tribes descending from Abraham through only two of his sons. They were the fulfillment of a prediction made by God of Ishmael, a prediction of twelve princes that would multiply exceedingly (Gen. 17:20; 25:12-18. See also Gen. 21:13, 18, 20). (There were six other sons born to Abraham by Keturah, his second wife (Gen. 25:1 2), after he was one hundred years of age (1Chr. 1:32, 33). How many tribes descended from them is not known. The six tribes that came from Keturah settled in the country of Arabia.)
1Chr. 1:34 — Isaac’s twin sons’ names are listed as Esau and Israel (Jacob).
Gen. 25: 5 — And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. 6) But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. 7) And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. 8) Then Abraham gave up the ghost and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 9) And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah .... 10)...there was Abraham buried, [with] Sarah his [first] wife.
Commentary: This genealogy and record of the death of Abraham were given here because no more was to be said of him in the Genesis story. He lived until Jacob (Israel) was fifteen years old, dying at the age of 175 years.
[Above “SOURCE” commentaries taken from Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible — KJV]
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[NOTE: See my post of June 16, 2002 that includes various Web links about Israel’s history and maps throughout the ages, and the beginnings of peace initiatives with her Arab neighbors.]
JERUSALEM AND THE CHURCH
http://www.etpv.org/2002/jeatc.html
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My previous post:
VERMIN IN THE CHURCH
http://www.etpv.org/2005/vitc.html
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POST DATE: February 13, 2005