The teaching that Israel will escape to Petra was born from anti-Semitic thought. To teach this would be to boast us, the Gentiles above the Jew. Paul gave us severe warnings about doing this in Romans 11:15-22. Most do not realize that it was from this boastful view that Petra the refuge was born. This belief was passed down to the Church by the writings of teachers from the past, long ago.

1. Today the common belief in the Church is that Israel will escape to Petra at the middle of the tribulation. There the two witnesses will feed them until Jesus comes back at Armageddon.
2. When Christ arrives at Petra, the Jews who are in Petra will shout and cheer to see that their Messiah has returned. From there he will go to Jerusalem to set his foot on the Mount of Olives which will cause a tremendous earthquake. He will then hide the Jews who are living in Jerusalem in the crater from this earthquake.
3. After he does this, he will destroy the armies of the Antichrist and return to Jerusalem to enter the Eastern Gate. It will be at this time the Jews will accept him as their Messiah. At this time they will notice the nail scars in his hands and realize that Jesus was the same one that they had rejected almost two thousand years ago. Which will cause much sorrow for the people of Israel.

Although most born again Christians today are not anti-Semitic the teaching that the Jews are going to Petra was born out of anti-Semitic thought over 150 years ago. It was just like the Gentiles to put Israel in a box and leave them there for three and half years without ever being able to do anything for Jesus. This way the Gentiles were privileged to do all the labor for Christ and the Jews wouldn't get to do anything during the last part of the dispensation of grace. In Petra they would be in a prison or a concentration camp waiting out the tribulation, cowering from their enemies. The reasoning was that they had it coming, they rejected Jesus, right? Jesus told us a parable about Israel (Matt. 20:1-16) when he told of the laborers who worked in the field all day and at the end of the day other laborers came into the field to work. The latter only worked a short time but received the same reward as those who labored all day. This is speaking of Israel coming to Christ in the final years to be saved. Notice that those who came in last labored in the field just like those who had labored all day. If you are a born again Christian I believe that you can tell in your spirit that what I am saying is true. When you got saved, God saved you for a purpose and that purpose was to share Jesus with others. Israel has the same calling.

The teaching that Israel is going to Petra was also born out of the need to figure out where they would go when they escaped. Because of the lack of spiritual knowledge concerning Bible prophecy the people who believed this considered Petra to be the only place they could go. However, Joseph's life being a shadow of Christ and the Church explains that Israel will go to a nation, not a canyon to be protected. It is there in the nation that God has chosen for this purpose Christ just like Joseph will be revealed to them. They will then be free to witness for Jesus any time they want during the last half of the tribulation period.

There are always two witnesses to every event in Bible Prophecy. It is God's way of making sure that we understand. The only two witnesses that we have in Scripture is in Revelation the 12th chapter when Israel escapes on two wings of a great eagle and the other is found in the life of Joseph that is a shadow of Christ and his saving both Gentile and Jew.

The scriptures that are used to prove the things the Church commonly teaches are these. I am going to explain to you about these scriptures but first I would like for you to read them.
Isaiah 2:10:
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.
Isaiah 16:1-5:
1.Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2: For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
3: Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
4: Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
5: And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
Micah2:12
I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
Rev. 12:6: And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Rev. 12:14-17
14: And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15: And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16: And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The word Petra means rock. The word Petra is not found in the Bible but the word Sela is. A little research will tell you that Sela and Petra are the same place. It is a canyon in Jordan that we today call Petra. If you ever saw the movie "The Last Crusade" you saw Petra. A little narrow canyon that winds and winds through the mountains of Jordan. It is a box canyon in a very rocky area.
This is what Holmans Bible Dictionary page 1101 says:
PETRA (Pe' tra) Capital city of the Nabatean Arabs located about 60 north of the Gulf of Aqabah. Petra is sometimes identified with Sela (Judg. 1:36; 2 Kings 14:7; Isa. 16:1; 42:11),because both names mean, "rock." Lack of archaeological evidence of Edomite settlement in the basin suggests that Sela is better identified with Um El Bayyuarah on the mountain plateau overlooking Petra. The Nabatean king Aretas IV (2 Cor. 11:32-33) reigned from Petra.

Let's look at the first scripture about this, which is found in Isaiah.
Isaiah 2:10:
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.
I find that it amazes me that I could have ever taught this myself, but I did. I used to teach what is commonly taught. That this scripture is referring to the Jews hiding in Petra because it said to enter into the rock and hide. The real truth in this scripture is that God is talking about Christ himself. Isaiah is telling Israel to get into Jesus, a place where their lives will be hid in Jesus Christ. The dust is referring to the humility that they or anyone should have when coming to him to do this.
Don't you find it amusing that as Gentiles this is exactly what this scripture would mean. You see we even sing a song about it. "Rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee." We do this so often, it almost seems that we Gentiles believe that all the salvation scriptures are just for us and that God has left Israel completely out of redemption. We do this without a second thought. Remember that God has promised to save all of Israel. They must come through Jesus he is the door.

The next set of scriptures are these:
Isaiah 16:1-5:
1.Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
Most people believe that this is the scripture that ties Israel to Petra as the place to hide. But, read and understand what Isaiah is saying. He says to send the lamb, which is referring to Jesus, to the ruler of the land from Sela (Petra) to the wilderness, to the mount of the daughter of Zion. In this scripture he is not saying anything, not even a hint, about Israel going to Sela (Petra). He is saying send the Lamb (Jesus) to the ruler of Moab. From Sela to the wilderness, to the mount of the daughter of Zion was considered the territory of Moab.
2: For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
3: Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
4: Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

In verse 2 God is showing the daughters of Moab in a very confused state of mind. It is an allegory about something that will happen at the same time that Israel is trying to escape from the Antichrist. Did you ever see a baby bird fall out of its nest? Confusion, fear, not knowing what is going on, trying to fly, but not knowing how? This all describes the way Moab will be feeling at this time. It will be at this time that God will be asking them to help Israel to escape, to hide them from their enemies.

Verses 3 and 4 are very plain. God tells them to be a shadow during the day, hide the outcast, let mine outcast dwell with thee, be a covert from the face of the spoiler. He also tells them in verse 4 that he will bring an end to the spoiler and all the oppressors. They will be destroyed.

5: And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
This verse is talking about the return of Jesus when he will set on the throne of David ruling from Jerusalem.

There is one thing to consider while we are thinking about the nation of Jordan and that is this. Jordan is a Muslim country and although not actively involved in supporting terrorism or violence they are sympathetic to the cause of the more radical Muslims. Believe me, Jordan has no love for Israel. The Bible says that Jordan will escape the Antichrist.
Daniel 11: 41: He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
These people all makes up the nation of Jordan today. We also know that God makes a request to Jordan to hide his people Israel when they are escaping from the Antichrist.

But, there is one thing that we do not know and that is whether or not Jordan will do this. I have always taught in the past that they would. If the nation of Jordan helps Israel to hide and the Antichrist realizes this, he will destroy Jordan. We know that he isn’t going to destroy Jordan because the scriptures say that they will escape out of his hand. So if they do hide Israel then he never realizes it or, he does find out and pursues Jordan as well as Israel. If this happens then both nations will escape him by running away.

But if Jordan was to refuse to hide Israel the Antichrist may respect their country and not invade it seeing no need to force them to accept his leadership knowing that they will support his effort anyway. This could be the way they escape out of his hand; they do what he wants. There are two reasons why I wonder on this happening. One is that the Muslims are so in tune with what Christians teach that they have sealed up the eastern gate in Jerusalem and have placed a graveyard in front of the sealed up gate. They did this because of the foreknowledge that the Jewish Messiah would come through the eastern gate of Jerusalem. They have done this in an effort to keep the Jewish Messiah from coming through the gate. They believe that he will not pass through the graveyard and defile himself as he comes in. They have sealed the gate with rocks and mortar to back up their plan.

Since they know this and have acted on this knowledge, don’t you also know that they realize that the Church believes and teaches that the Jews are going to escape to Petra in Jordan? Since it is highly probable that they do know this, then they will also act on it to prevent it from happening. When the Antichrist armies invade Israel from the north, I am sure that the Antichrist will ask the Jordanian army to prevent Israel from escaping into Jordan as he attacks. This is why Jesus did not tell them to escape to Jordan but rather to escape to the mountains. I have always taught that America would rescue Israel from Jordan after they escape into it, but I have to re-think my view on this. It is very possible that we will rescue them by air from the mountaintops of Israel. This is where Christ told them to run.

If Jordan blocks Israel’s escape to please the Antichrist then it is easy to see why we see Jesus coming out of Bozrah with his garments dripping with blood. Because it will be his wrath on Jordan for not doing what he told them to do. He clearly tells them that he is going to destroy the people who are pursuing Israel. If they don’t listen to him then they will be the first to be destroyed when he returns. This may be why we see him coming out of there first.

Sometimes we don't get a clear picture because we don't know all the details. I need to give you an example to understand what I am saying. In the days of the life of Jesus many people had a problem believing in him because they did not know all of the promises about him. Micah told us that Jesus would come out of Bethlehem. When Jesus began his ministry most of the people did not know that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem. Since Jesus was raised in Nazareth people thought that his life did not line up with the scriptures. Had they known that he was born in Bethlehem and that the scripture also said that he would be called a Nazarene then they would have understood. In most of their eyes Jesus was supposed to live in Bethlehem all of his life because it said he would come out of Bethlehem.

The story of Israel escaping into Moab is the same thing. Most of us know that God told Moab to hide them and let them live with them, but the scripture does not tell us if they will do this or not. Moab is part of the modern day nation of Jordan. In Daniel the 11th chapter God reveals something about this situation.
Daniel 11:41: He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Edom, Moab and Ammon all make up the modern day nation of Jordan. In this scripture, found in Daniel, God tells us that Jordan itself will escape from the Antichrist. Edom was descendants of Esau. Moab and Ammon are all descendants of Lot. They are all distant relatives of Israel. God is telling us that the time will come that Jordan will escape as well as Israel. But what does it mean to say that they escape?

To put this together let's look at the return of Jesus at the time of Armageddon.
Isaiah 63:1: Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
2: Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
3: I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
4: For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

This scripture shows Jesus beginning his day of vengeance in Edom (Jordan). The thought I would like for you to consider is this: If Edom and Moab and Ammon are still living in Jordan and God is simply not allowing the Antichrist come into their land, why would Jesus kill anyone in Jordan since his enemies are not there?

The truth of this is that if the people of Jordan that escape from the Antichrist are escaping because they helped Israel, Then the people that Jesus is destroying are the people of the Antichrist who are occupying Jordan at the time of his return. But, if they escape the Antichrist because they are working with him and stand in Israel's way at the time they are escaping the Antichrist, then God is going to destroy them.

Here are the reasons that God is going to bring Israel to America.
There are going to be seven nations fight against the Antichrist and his ten nations. They are the seven shepherds of Micah 5:5. These are nations that are going to act as shepherds to watch over the nation of Israel. These nations are not going to leave Israel for the Antichrist to destroy.
Israel's gifts and calling is another reason. Israel is called to take the Gospel to the world. Not just 144,000 men of Israel, but the whole nation. The 144,000 that will take the Gospel are called to take the Gospel to the nations that the Antichrist has control over. He will only conquer 1/4 of the earth. The Jews that escape will take the Gospel to the world. The scripture shows this happening.

Isaiah 66:
18: For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
19: And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

In these scriptures God is telling Israel that he is going to use them to gather all nations and tongues to come and see his glory. How does he do this? They will preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what we are doing when we are sharing Jesus with the lost. He said that he was going to set a sign among them, and send those that escape of them unto the nations.. He will send Israel to people who have never heard of Jesus before.

An interesting thing about the scriptures above is that our learned scholars teach that this is going to happen during the thousand-year reign of Christ. My question is this: Since every eye is going to behold him and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus is Lord at his return. Who is not going to have heard of him on this earth after he gets back? Every nation will have to go to Jerusalem once a year to worship him. These scriptures are talking about before the thousand-year reign, not after. This is the calling of Israel, and these scriptures speak specifically of those who escape.

Paul said in Romans 11.
26: And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28: As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29: For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
God's gift to Israel is eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, and their calling is to take the Gospel to the World. It is the same gift and calling we have ourselves. Remember? We were grafted into their promise.

They are coming to America to be saved. The allegories in the story of Joseph clearly show us that the children of Israel living in the Promised Land will have to leave during the seven bad years. They will join up with the rest of the children of Israel who live in the most powerful nation in the world. At the time of Joseph it was Egypt today it is America. God has two large gatherings of Jews in the world today. The largest gathering is in the United States of America. There are six million living here. The other large gathering of Jews is in the nation of Israel. These are the two sticks of Ezekiel. God said that he would make two sticks out of Israel. One stick for Joseph and Ephraim, the other stick is for Judah. He said that he would bring them together before he brings them back to the land of Israel.

God told us in Ezekiel 37: 16-19 that he was going to make these two sticks one in his hand. He is going to do this before he brings them back to the land to become one nation with one king. That king will be Jesus. He is not going to gather all 11 million Jews from America and Israel plus the other 2 million that are living in other countries to bring them all to Petra to hide from the Antichrist. If he did enlarge the canyon big enough to hold 13 million Jews it would be like living in a concentration camp. I don't believe that God wants Israel to spend it's last 3 1/2 years cowering in a canyon from the Antichrist instead of taking the Gospel to a dying World. If you research your heart, you won't accept that either.

Here is another scripture that people use trying to prove that Israel is going to Petra.
Micah 2:12: I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

The teachers of this scripture try to prove that Israel is going to be like sheep in Bozrah. Bozrah is in the region of Petra. Notice the first part of this scripture. He says that he is going to gather all of Israel. Think about this, "all of Israel." Remember there are close to 13 million living in the world today. This is talking about putting Ezekiel's two sticks together. The assumption is that they will be like sheep in Bozrah. But, he said they would be as the sheep of Bozrah. With careful research you will learn that Bozrah was a preferred place to raise sheep. Bozrah had millions of sheep. It was like some of the areas we have in Montana and other states that was great for raising sheep or cattle.

God was simply saying that Israel would be a great multitude, not a few like so many people try to teach. He completes this verse by confirming what I am saying with; "they shall make a great noise by reason of the multitude of men." He is talking about their great number comparing them to the great amounts of sheep that were in Bozrah. He was not saying that they would gather them in Bozrah.
Jeremiah 30:19: And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Israel will come to America just like Joseph's family came to him in Egypt during the terrible seven years of famine. They came to him in three different journeys. This is exactly the way God is going to bring Israel to America. Some will come right after the signing of the peace treaty because many people will realize that it is the beginning of the Tribulation. Knowing what is going to happen when the Antichrist invades Israel will cause an outcry from the Church in America like you have never seen. Once they get over not being in the Rapture at the time that they think that they should have been, their eyes will turn to Israel. Fear for Israel's safety will fill the hearts of the Christians in America.

Just as Pharaoh in Egypt sent transportation to move Joseph's family to Egypt, America is going to provide transportation to bring the rest of the Jews to America at the time of the invasion. It is during this tribulation period that Israel will finally come to Christ to be saved. After Joseph's family was all safe and fed and comforted, they all gathered up and went to the finest land in Egypt, Goshen. When Christ Raptures the Church, he will gather born-again Israel at the same time right before he pours out his wrath at Armageddon. Israel will return from heaven after the marriage supper as Christ brings his final defeat upon the anti-Christ and the nations. They will then to go to their land that God had said would be theirs forever, the Land of Israel. Christ will then reign for a thousand years from Jerusalem. You see, people believing that Israel will be left out of the Rapture of the Church are being taught by anti-Semitic thought, not the Lord.

Your brother in Christ
Tommie Spurgeon