8. J. L., Coatbridge. Isa. 66:7, shows that before the travail of Zion, or Israel, the man child, or Christ, would be born. “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child.” Then verse 8 as distinctly foretold, “As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” This also will come to pass. When Christ was born there was no particular travail or trouble to Israel or Zion. But when the time of tribulation shall come, such as never was, then the remnant of Israel will appear.
Compare Mic. 4 The chief dominion shall come to Zion. (Ver. 8.) This does not hinder the previous travail of the daughter of Zion. (Vers. 9, 10.) In chapter v. it is foretold that Messiah shall be born in Bethlehem, that He would be caught up to God; and that He is from the days of eternity. “Therefore will he give them up [Israel], until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.” Then, as in Isaiah, follows the time of Israel’s blessing.
Christ was born in Bethlehem: He was rejected by the nation, crucified, dead and buried: but raised up from the dead, and received up to God. Israel then was given up to the Romans and scattered amongst all nations. “Therefore will he give them up until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth,” &c. (Mic. 5:3.) They are thus given up, and will be, as a nation, until the time of the end shall come.
If we now turn to Rev. 12, verse 1 gives us the woman, the Jewish nation, which is to have the first dominion in this world. Verse 2, her future travail when she bringeth forth the remnant.
Verses 3, 4, 5: the birth of the man-child, Jesus the Christ Satan’s opposition as leading Herod to destroy Him the man-child, as Christ, including His body, the church, caught up to God. (Ver. 6.) Israel flee into the wilderness, as in Mic. 4:10. The dragon then persecutes the remnant. (Rev. 12:13-17.) The quotations as above from Isa. 66:7 and Micah make the subject quite clear, and all the politics of this world are tending to that time of the end: Israel’s travail or tribulation; and then the supremacy of Zion over the whole earth. Such will be the end of the Eastern question. Men may forget God in all this, but God will not forget His ancient people Israel. To this also agree the words of Jesus in Luke 21:20-27, with the certainty of His return. The Lord lift up our hearts; soon we shall be caught up to meet Him in the air, before He comes to judge the quick.