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What is “the Hour of Trial”?
(It’s Not the Great Tribulation!)
Chapter 13 Preview: As explained in The Time After Jacob’s Trouble, Israel is the focal point of the Great Tribulation. The rest of the world will prosper under the supernatural power of the Beast, in part by thoroly pillaging the Israelite nations. After this, Elohim (God) will punish those people who were involved in the end time holocaust against the “twelve tribes” (now nations) of Israel. So what could this “Hour of Trial” be that affects the “whole world”—that is everyone who lives “on the earth”—at the same time?
There is only one reference to “the Hour of Trial” mentioned in the Bible:
Revelation 3:10 Since you’ve patiently obeyed My Word, I’ll protect you from the time of testing that is about to overtake the entire inhabited world, to test those who live on the earth.—The Gabriel Bible
It would appear that only Philadelphia will escape from the plagues of Babylon and the plagues to follow.
The World English Bible uses the word “testing”.
The online Bible Greek Lexicon defines it as: “1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving”
“An experiment”, “trial”, “testing” and “proving” are all different aspects of what is to take place in this generation!
Leave Babylon or Die There!
Revelation 18:4-10 I heard another voice from the sky saying, “COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE so that you don’t participate in her sins, and 'suffer from' her plagues. 5 Her sins have 'piled' up to heaven, and Yehovah has remembered her wicked behavior. 6 Pay her back the way she has paid others, 'only' repay her double, proportionate to her deeds. Pour her a double from her bowl of Cocktail [lit: mixture]. 7 Give her the same degree of torture and sorrow as she gave herself promiscuity. Because she said to herself, ‘I sit enthroned as queen, I’m no widow and I’ll never be grieved.’ 8 So in one day her scourges will come—death, mourning and famine. She’ll be burned to the ground, because our Sovereign Yehovah who judges her is valiant.
9 The kings of the earth who committed prostitution with her, reveling in her luxury, will cry and mourn and wail over her when they see the plumes of smoke of her burning 10 as they stand in the distance, frightened by the Refiner’s fire saying, ‘How terrible, how terrible it is for the great and mighty state of Babylon! Your crisis [Gr. krisis] appeared in a single moment!’
This is not saying that you are in the wrong “Church” (tho you might be). What it is saying is that if you live in the modern nation of Babylon—FLEE! This is as literal as the rest of the book. It means escape from the modern antitype of Babylon—or die. The last time that Israel was conquered by Babylonians, was it, by figurative Babylonians or literal ones?
Those who are entirely removed from the great trial coming will be people who have so dedicated their lives to righteousness that no further testing is necessary. They will have proven their dedication by overcoming the relatively “little” trials (by comparison) in life to sufficiently prove their sincerity. One application of the principle is mentioned in the parable of the minim (talents/coins).
Matthew 25:19-21 After a long time their master [The Master!] returned and reviewed their accounts. 20 The one who had received five minin came and brought five more. He said, ‘Sovereign, you gave me five minin. Look, I’ve earned five more by doing business.’ 21 His master replied, ‘You have done well, good and faithful servant! Since you’ve been faithful with a little, I’ll put you in charge of much more. Enter into the joy of your master!’
Yehovah’s people might sometimes be as isolated from others as Elijah was, depressed or even wanting to die (1 Kings 19)—hesitant to heed the warning. But when the time of punishment seems imminen, why wait until the last moment to flee? But if you are to be a martyr, there is only one sensible path to take.
Yeshua mentioned a related account of escape specifically about Jerusalem:
Matthew 24:15 When you see the sign of the detestable desolation mentioned by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Cherished Place—may the reader discern!—[2] [3] 16 then those of you who are in Judea should escape to the mountain/s! 17 No one on the roof should come down to get anything out of their houses, 18 and no one in the fields should return to get their clothing.
[2] This is reminiscent of Matthew 28:16. [3] See my All Sources Disclaimer.
It seems to me that Yeshua’s servants in Jerusalem at this time would be better off not waiting to actually see the armies surrounding Jerusalem and have to be running off without a moment to even grab their clothing!
As mentioned below, a messenger (angel) will at the last minute warn certain people to flee from Babylon (
Revelation 18:4). To my way of thinking this is exactly like the situation of Lot in Genesis 19. Lot and his family waited in Sodom until the very day when the city was about to be destroyed, seemingly like the proverbial frogs not jumping out of the increasingly hot water. They were hesitant and even fearful of escaping to the mountain (likely a specific one: KJV) even with providential coersion!
I recommend planning your escape about now, if not sooner! How much proof do you require as to who the Antichrist is? And can a literal Babylon be located before the very singular hour (
Revelation 18:10) of her destruction takes the world ny surprise? A segment from my home page:
The ONLY Man Alive Who Could Be THE Antichrist [With Proof]—Prince of Whales/ King Charles
Since very early in this century I have promoted the book, “The Antichrist and a Cup of Tea” on my website. Since then Tim Cohen has only built on his amazing documentation. The video linked above of the Beast is astonishing, and this January 2023 video) is absolutely amazing. It would seem to me that even a hardened skeptic who watches this would be amazed at the proof of who the most powerful man in the world is, and has been! The updated edition of “The Antichrist”, after 25 years is due out any time. Also check out the king’s coronation, and how it fits into the end-time scenario, and note his call for worldwide allegiance!
Here’s another link about King Charles: Is King Charles III the Antichrist? Years ago I was amazed by the book: “The Antichrist and a Cup of Tea”—Download that book here! Now that there is a new King this week, I went looking again for updated information from the last quarter century! The first link serves as a lengthy “book review”. It also provides immense support to the nightmare!
While America is the resurrected Babylonian Empire in prophecy, I (perhaps alone) see the British (Ephraim) as being like a modern Tyre (Isaiah 23): like Tyre, but Ephraim will bring out their children to be killed.”— Hosea 9:13.
This link differs somewhat from the several Babylon articles below, in that the author believes that both Britain and America constitute the modern Babylon. It may have been translated into English by a computer program.—It’s so disappointing that the link demonstrates Bible prophecy in the making on one hand, yet promises fatal rhapsody with the other.
Isaiah 23 describes end-time Tyre as a nation of “seafarers” (verse 2) who sailed the seven seas— and had recently been “the marketplace for the nations” (verse 3), who “colonized distant lands” (verse 7). Zechariah 9 also describes Tyre at the end of this age. The USA (Manasseh) is much like brother Tyre (Ephraim/England): Ezekiel 27. Did you know the leader of Tyre was in the garden of Eden: Ezekiel 28!
The British Empire Under King Charles Will Rise Again!
Isaiah 23:15-17 A time is coming when Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the reign of a MONARCH. At the end of seventy years, Tyre will become like the prostitute in the song: 16 “Take a harp and 'strut' around the city, you forgotten whore. Play a sweet melody. Sing many songs, so you’ll be remembered.” 17 Then when the seventy years have elapsed, Yehovah will revive Tyre, and she’ll return to her hire as a prostitute with ALL the kingdoms on the face of the earth.
The prophets said that Israel and Judah are like prostitutes, whose patrons cover the world: Jeremiah 2:20,23-24; Ezekiel 16:15-16; Hosea 2:1-5). Now the Israelite descended nations are like Daughters of Babylon.
Maybe you think that Ephraim and Manasseh were lost to history or absorbed into Judah? Better check this “wolves living among lambs” millennial chapter: Isaiah 11:11-16
Queen Elizabeth was the only monarch in world history to rule over an empire or former Empire for 70 years. Why is this prophetically significant?
Only one nation in the history of the world ever agreed to the covenantal blessings (and curses) of Deuteronomy 28, prefaced in chapter 27. Ancient Israel, the ancestors of America and the British Commonwealth Nations (among others) suffered all of these curses. While these curses are similar to the curses preceeding the end time Israelite nations, there are significant variations. Many modern Israelite nations will be cursed as daughters of Babylon. I found this link while trying to find something similar directly from Yair Davidiy.
When is the Test?
Knowing what time period this is should be of interest to the end time Assembly (usually referred to as a “church”), because it is our ticket away from what is obviously a dreadful situation.
Almost everyone, atheists, agnostics, pagans and Christians are aware of the Biblical concept of the “Great Tribulation”. However, almost no one seems to know that there are two very distinct end time periods of great trauma described in the Biblical prophecies.
Commentary about the seven year long tribulation period described in Daniel and Revelation is voluminous online. But people don’t differentiate it from the Day of Yehovah (the “Lord”) one of the most documented topics in the entire Bible. It essentially involves the destruction of civilization as we know it. It’s on a far larger scale than the fall of Babylon of ancient times.
The modern Babylon (a coalition of ten nations kingdoms) is extensively described in Revelation chapters 16 thru 18. “She” will easily entice the nations to become a hammer against Israel. But in the end, Yehovah will “hammer” the “hammer of the whole earth”!
This chapter from Jeremiah is a succinct synopsis of the Book of Revelation! It briefly describes the captivity and Tribulation of “the children of ISRAEL AND the children of JUDAH” during the Great Tribulation as well as fully describing the time when Yehovah will say to Israel’s enemies “your day has come, the time that I will visit you”. The question is: What purpose will the Great Tribulation serve? We need a “great answer”!
Jeremiah 50:23-35 See how the hammer of the whole earth has been cut apart and broken [not a regional power!], how Babylon has become a desolation among the nations! 24 I’ve laid a trap for you, and you were caught as well as the others, Babylon, and you didn’t even know it. You too were found and caught, because you were in opposition to Yehovah. 25 Yehovah has opened His armory, and brought out the weapons of His anger, because the Sovereign, YEHOVIH [a variant spelling] the Commander, has a task to do in the land of the 'southern Babylon'. 26 Come against her from the farthest regions, open her granaries, ‘consume her provisions like heaps of grain’ [5]. Completely destroy her and leave no survivors. 27 Kill all her young bulls, let them go down to the slaughter. It will be terrible for them! Their day has come, their 'date' of destiny.
28 Listen to [Israel’s] fugitives who have escaped from the land of Babylon, proclaiming in Zion the vengeance of Yehovah our Elohim, and for the harm to His 'Temple'. 29 “Summon the archers against Babylon, all those who draw the bow. Surround the city with encampments, don’t let anyone escape. Repay her compensate to what she has done, because of her arrogance against Yehovah, against the 'special' One of Israel. 30 So her young men will fall in the streets, and all her soldiers will be silenced When That Day Comes*,” says Yehovah.
31 “I’m against you, you arrogant one,” says the Sovereign, YEHOVIH the Commander. “Your day has come, the time that I’ll punish you! 32 The proud one will stumble and fall, and no one will raise him up, and I’ll set fire to his cities that will burn up everything around him.” 33 This is what Commander Yehovah says: “The people of Israel have been oppressed and the House of Judah as well. All their captors hold them tightly; they refuse to release them. 34 Yet their Redeemer is strong. Commander Yehovah is His name. He’ll fervently champion their cause so that He can allow the earth to rest, but bring unrest to the people of Babylon. 35 “A sword is against the Chaldeans,” declares Yehovah, “and against the inhabitants of Babylon, and against her officials and her wise men.
[5] This verse was clarified by the oldest known Scriptures, the Aramaic Targums.The Great Tribulation is the test tube of “the hour of trial that is coming to the entire inhabited world...” It is not the test itself. The “Great Experiment” being conducted is for the purpose of determining the character of the people involved, whether they are the tormented or the tormentors and their supporters! Only Israel is being tormented during this time period, under the guidance of the Beast and the false prophet, which for Israel is the Great Tribulation. However the occupants of the whole world are part of the great “experiment”! Let’s take a very close look at the phrase “hour of trial”. The word peirasmos, “trial”, is translated into English from four separate Greek words. Let’s look at the particular Greek word that is used in the comment to the Philadelphian Assembly: It is usually translated as “temptation”. This experiment serves the same exact purpose as did Yehovah’s first experiment with mankind in the Garden of Eden. The first experiment of this kind was to allow Satan to tempt Adam and Eve with forbidden fruit, to test their character. In this large scale experiment, some of the participants will pass. Hopefully you will!
Here is a link to the definition of “temptation” in the Greek.
The first meaning is “experiment”. Nothing of an apocalyptic nature is implied! During the Hour of Trial, Yehovah will be conducting an experiment to judge the character of both Israel AND Israel’s captors! The Bible calls this experiment “the Great Tribulation”. After the experiment, during “the Day of Yehovah”, Yehovah must eliminate those who failed the test!
The word “test” continues in the vein of thought about the Great Experiment. This particular test is being conducted to ascertain the quality of the character of the inhabitants of the earth.
...the Hour of Trial that will come on the entire inhabited world, to TEST those who live on the earth..
Here is a link to the definition of the word used for “test”, a word of similar derivation to that of “experiment”:
The Book of Revelation was primarily written to inform all Seven end time Assemblies about what is going to happen just prior to the end of the age. From the vantage point of John’s vision it will happen “soon”. However the literal translation for soon is “quickly” or “speedily”, and this may refer to how quickly these events will take place once they begin to transpire. Hopefully, the Seven Assemblies will understand and benefit from the message at some point:
Revelation 1:1-2 The Revelation of Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah, that Yehovah gave to Him to show to His servants—certain events that must of necessity take place quickly, in a fixed position in time [minute 49.50]. He revealed these events by sending His messenger to His servant John. 2 He was a witness to the Word of Aloha and to the Testimony of Yeshua Messiah [1] about everything he saw [2].
[1] The “Word of Yehovah” is what Tertullian was first to call the “Old Testament”, in a move to make it appear obsolete, while the “Testimony of Yeshua”, the name that John used six times, is what Tertullian renamed “New Testament”. [2] Was this prophecy a vision or something far more interesting?
Notice that it was not written to scare the “hell” out of non Believers.
John’s prophecy was sent to a concurrently existing Seven Assemblies of his age. Most assuredly, Yehovah kept secret the fact that many centuries would pass before the 'chosen ones' (saints) would see the fulfillment of these prophecies and particularly the initiation of the Everlasting Kingdom. This way, the 'cherished ones' of every century could have hope and pray “thy Kingdom come”.
The emphasis is on the Day of Yehovah. John the envoy (apostle) was told to write down “the things which you have [already] seen”, and “the things which will take place AFTER this”, as well as, of course, “the things which are” taking place during the central time line of the Book of Revelation—The Day of Yehovah. So we have additional information about the Tribulation preceding the Day of Yehovah, as well as some inspiring information about the inception of the Everlasting Kingdom and the New Jerusalem, following the Day of Yehovah.
Notice that the “prototypical” Seven Assemblies of the first generation of Believers coexisted simultaneously in the first century. By the close of the final generation of the 'chosen ones' (saints) of this age, the Seven “antitypes” of these Assemblies will have simultaneously fulfilled their own destinies. Are you in one of the Seven?
Interestingly Philadelphia was the last city of the seven ancient cities to be built.
Revelation 1:10-11,19 I found myself transitioning into the spirit realm on the Day of Yehovah [6], and I heard a loud voice behind me like a shofar that said, 11 “Write what you are seeing in a document and send it to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”... 19 So record what you have already seen, the things that presently are, and the things that are going to happen after this.
[6] Literally, “like” or “resembling” or “corresponding to”, just as in Daniel 7:13. John was not positive of His identity at first (Revelation 1:17-18).
The Hour of Trial will soon test those who live on earth. Many will fail the test and die—forfeiting the opportunity to live on over into the age to come. Some few will have received Yehovah’s approval and will “worthy to escape everything that is about to happen”:
Luke 21:35-36 Like a hunter’s snare, it will spring shut on everyone else who lives on the face of the whole earth. 36 So always be vigilant and prayerful, so that you are worthy to escape everything that is about to happen and take your stand in the presence of the Human Son.
As when Yehovah asked Abraham to ze’bak [sacrifice] his son, He was really conducting a test of loyalty and faith. That test ultimately led to the greatest blessing a man could receive. Today, directly due to that test, Abraham’s descendants number “like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore”. Multiple millions of people in primarily the English speaking nations are unaware that they are Abraham’s descendants. And we, the British Commonwealth in the 19th century and the Americans in the 20th century, have possessed all of the strategic sea “gates” of our enemies:
Genesis 22:8-18 Abraham said, “Elohim will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place Elohim had told him about, Abraham built the altar there, and carefully arranged the wood. Then he tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham picked up the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the Messenger of Yehovah called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “I’m here.” 12 He said, “Don’t lay a hand on the boy, or do anything to him, because now I know that you fear Elohim [Father], seeing that you haven’t withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
13 Abraham 'looked up' and saw that behind him was a ram caught by his horns in a thicket! Abraham took the ram and offered him up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham named the place “Yehovah Will Provide”. And to this day 'people' say, “On Yehovah’s mountain, it will be provided.” 15 “Then the Messenger of Yehovah called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I’ve sworn by Myself,’ says Yehovah, that because you’ve done this, and haven’t withheld your son, your only son, 17 that I’ll greatly bless you, and I’ll make your posterity as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your Descendant will own the gateways of His enemies. 18 All the nations on earth will be blessed by your descendants, because you obeyed 'Me'.”
We are now nearing the time when “the stars of the heavens” and “the sand on the seashore” will be tested all over the earth. This is another test being conducted by Yehovah by which He will judge the character of Abraham’s descendants. Few of Yehovah’s people even know that they are descendants of Abraham. However, the time is coming when Israel’s false “gods” of materialism and ignorance will be exposed. This will happen when our military “power is gone”.
Deuteronomy 32:35-38 It is My job to avenge. I will repay. In due time their foot will slip. The day of their disaster is near. Their destiny awaits, their doom comes swiftly.” 36 For Yehovah will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power has vanished and no one is left, whether slave or free. 37 Then He’ll say, “Where are their gods, the rocks they took refuge in? 38 Who ate the fat of their offerings, and drank the wine of their drink offering? ‘Those gods’ should get up and help you! They should be protecting you!
The Great Tribulation will expose all cowards. The Tribulation will reveal our heroes. The Tribulation will focus everyone’s minds on the essential issues of good and evil. It’s the time when Yehovah will judge the character of humanity, or lack of it, and it will be concentrated into a brief period of time. Those who choose evil will unknowingly be choosing “death”. This will happen before the “day of their (the rest of the world’s) calamity”.
Deuteronomy 30:19 Today, I am summoning heaven and earth to witness that I have 'offered' you life or death, blessings or curses. Now, choose life, so that both you and your descendants will live.
Those who seek to preserve their own lives without regard to the fate of others will lose their lives. Those who would rather die than do evil will either be spared and continue to live or else receive a martyr’s reward:
Luke 17:33-36 Anyone who tries to save their life will lose it, and anyone who is willing to lose their life will rescue it. 34 I tell you, on that night, two will be in the same bed, one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other left. 36 Two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left.
However, some will not have to endure the trial taking place “on the earth”:
Revelation 3:7-10 To the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia, write: “The One who is 'chosen', who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says: 8 I know your works. See, I have placed an open door [2] in front of you that no one can shut, because you have a limited strength and you’ve obeyed My Word and haven’t denied My name! [3] 9 I have something for those of the cabal of Satan who claim to be Jews and aren’t, but lie, I’ll make them come and kneel [4] before your feet, and realize that I love you! 10 Since you’ve patiently obeyed My Word, I’ll protect you from the time of testing that is about to overtake the entire inhabited world, to test those who live on the earth [5].
[2] What does the “open door” represent here? Now note the closed door to Laodicea in verse 20 that some may open. Now just two verses later (Revelation 4:1) we have “an open door in the sky” leading to 25 thrones, and John is being invited up! Is this New Jerusalem? [3] How many assemblies even know He has a name? [4] The 'chosen ones' [saints] will be made worthy of worship on Judgment Day. [5] It would appear that only Philadelphia, “My people”, will hear the warning from heaven (or from the sky above) to escape from Babylon (Revelation 18:4) OR, they will be the only assembly (possibly as isolated from others as Elijah was in 1 Kings 19:9-10) to heed the warning. The punishment in this chapter seems imminent. Why wait until the last moment to flee?
In Chapter 19, Part 3: The New Covenant and the Great Multitude, I show convincingly 15 reasons why the “Great Multitude” of Revelation Chapter 7 are millions of unconverted Israelites who are “coming out of the Great Tribulation”, having learned the hard way, and that they are quite eager to join the Second Exodus to Israel. That being the case, why would only one of the seven end time “churches” be so privileged as to be spared not just the Tribulation, but also the year long (Isaiah 34:8) Day of Yehovah (the “Lord”), if that is all they are being spared, when most of the unconverted survivors of Israel will be spared that final year of Yehovah’s wrath following the Tribulation anyway?
The next Chapter is all about the time after the Great Tribulation, that Jeremiah (30:7) refers to as the time of Jacob’s Trouble.
But the Mystery of the Seven Assemblies (Revelation 2-3) is another story, and the Mystery of “keep[ing] you from the hour of testing” in an “awesome...place” is yet another story.
Chapter 14 is The Time After Jacob’s Trouble
