24 … In the latter days you will consider it. Jeremiah 30:24b (NKJV)
This comment from the Lord to the people of Judah was enclosed within a comforting prophecy from the prophet Jeremiah. God was planning something much larger for His people than simply bringing them back from Babylon after seventy years in exile there. He was promising to re-gather and return them to their land to rebuild, not just after this experience, but also far in the future, in the latter days of human history. Perhaps He was referencing a time very close to the era we live in today, over 2,500 years after the time of Jeremiah.
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 “Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. 3 For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’” Jeremiah 30:1-3 (NKJV)
Jeremiah had been tasked with delivering many of God’s uncomfortable messages of warning to the people. But after these warnings proved to be of no avail, and the time for exile had arrived, God’s messages transitioned to bring a focus on His great and unfailing love for His people, and His promise of a bright future and a hope for the nation upon their return. God also included a mysterious reference to a time of Jacob’s trouble. Recall that Abraham’s grandson Jacob had been renamed Israel by God, after wrestling with Him all night. Both names are names of great affection and intimacy for His people, and are used interchangeably by the Lord.
7 Alas! For that day is great,
So that none is like it;
And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7 (NKJV)
Contextual comparison with other scriptures and prophets suggests that this is a dual prophecy, perhaps first referring to the near-term, as at this point, Judah was about to be taken into Babylon, and will be saved out of it. But it also seems to be a reference to a much later and more difficult event for Israel to go through, in the latter days. This second, global event will occur near the end of Gentile world history. It is sometimes referred to as the Day of the Lord, or the Great Tribulation.
Both Old Testament prophets and New Testament writers teach us that in the latter days, Israel will be regathered after a second scattering among the nations, and be returned into the land of their ancestors. This second time, they will find themselves in a position of world prominence as a kingdom of priests, fulfilling the Lord’s original intention for them as a spiritual light to the world. In that day, God will live and reign among them in the person of Jesus Christ, whom they will finally recognize as their Messiah upon His return and deliverance of them in their day of trouble.
Old Testament prophecies about Jesus are also split between those predicting His first coming as Savior, now fulfilled, and those referring to His second coming as King, which will not be fulfilled until these end times. Similarly, prophecies about the regathering of scattered Israel have both fulfilled and unfulfilled components. The unfulfilled prophecies about both Christ and the nation of Israel may happen concurrently in the latter days, as referred to by Jeremiah.
After incredible suffering by the Jewish people and many others during the Holocaust, the nation of Israel was born in 1948, and a re-gathering from all over the globe has been ongoing ever since. This appears to be at least a partial fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. But there are many as-yet unfulfilled scriptures for us to learn about and to keep watch for.
There are several indications from various prophets of a time of great turmoil for the people of Israel towards the end times of human government. Referred to by several as the Day of the Lord, or using Jeremiah’s expression here, the Time of Jacob’s trouble, they refer to an episode of suffering that the nation will experience before ultimately being saved and delivered by the appearance of the Lord. After this final conflict of good versus evil, God will at last install Himself on the throne, in the person of Jesus, as absolute ruler on the earth, ending many centuries of Gentile rule and bringing in an eternal era of justice and peace for the world.
There is much more to look at regarding the latter days, and we will do so in future meditations. We shall consider it, drawing from multiple prophets and prophecies. Stay tuned!
Reflection
No matter what troubles come our way, as believers, God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He will make a way to deliver us through, whatever our challenge is, as we call upon and lean on Him for strength and provision. Relying upon His unending grace, mercy, and love, the Spirit of Jesus will be with us to bring us safely through to the other side, granting us a peace that passes all human understanding.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your loving presence and for granting me total forgiveness for my sins. Help me to become a person who reflects Your image, bringing honor and pleasure to You and generosity and love to others. Teach us to forgive as You have forgiven us. Thank You that You will always be with us, even unto our latter days. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Have a beautiful and blessed day in the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 