There are two radically differing views about the future of Israel. This is true even in those Christian circles that accept that Israel has a part to play in GodÕs eternal purposes for the world. Is the modern state of Israel now ÒsafeÓ or should we expect another holocaust which is often identified with some future Òtime of JacobÕs troubleÓ and equated with ÒGreat TribulationÓ.
In this very detailed Bible exposition, Geoff Barnard argues that the Òtime of JacobÕs troubleÓ was fulfilled in the Shoah during World War 2 and that out of the ashes of the Holocaust, the nation of Israel has been re-gathered never to be uprooted again (Amos 9:15). Accordingly, Israel now is the only ÒsafeÓ place for Jewish people and it behoves the Christian community to facilitate Aliyah for them with every resource at their disposal (Isaiah 49:22). Christians throughout the world must be prepared for the extremely difficult days that lie ahead.