Yes — the Sabbath is significant because it could limit how far the Jewish remnant can walk when they must flee Jerusalem quickly.
In Matthew 24:20, Jesus instructs them to pray that their flight not occur on the Sabbath. Les Feldick explains that Israel will be back under the Law, and Jewish Sabbath restrictions restrict walking distance — potentially preventing them from getting out of the city. That is why the timing of the escape matters so much.
Matthew 24:20 — This verse directly mentions the Sabbath in the context of the Tribulation flight, and it is the verse Les Feldick explains in the clips.
In Matthew 24, Jesus describes a coming time of crisis in Judea and instructs those who hear Him to flee to the mountains. After telling those on the housetop not to come down and those in the field not to return for their clothes, He adds, "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day." The Scripture itself does not explain the Sabbath restriction at this point; it simply presents Jesus' instruction to pray that the escape avoids that day.
Les Feldick teaches that the Jewish remnant in the Tribulation will be back under the Law, especially once the Temple is functioning and Sabbath observance is reinstituted in Israel. He points to present-day Judaism's restriction on how far a person can walk on the Sabbath — about a mile or a mile and a half in one clip, and about half a mile in another. He says that if the Law limits walking to that degree, a person would not even get out of Jerusalem on the Sabbath, so Jesus' warning to pray against a Sabbath-day flight is practical and urgent.
Jesus specifically connects the prayer request to the danger of the flight. Les Feldick explains that Israel will be back under the Law, and the Law limits how far a person can walk on the Sabbath. If the day of escape fell on the Sabbath, the restriction could prevent the remnant from moving far enough to get out of Jerusalem.
Les cites two figures in his teaching. In one clip he says the law limits walking to about half a mile, meaning you couldn't even get out of Jerusalem. In another he refers to present-day Judaism limiting the walk to something like a mile or a mile and a half. Either way, the point is the same: a Sabbath-day escape would be severely restricted.
Les connects the Sabbath concern to the rebuilt Temple and the reinstitution of Temple worship. He also points to legislation before Israel's Knesset that would reestablish the Sabbath across the nation. In his view, this is evidence that the nation is moving back toward Law-keeping, which is why Jesus' warning makes sense.
Jesus told them to pray that the flight would not be in winter either. Les explains that walking in cold, snow, rain, and ice is miserable and dangerous, and he says he would rather travel in heat than in winter. He also notes that the Jordan River is at flood stage in late winter and spring, making the journey even harder.
The Antichrist's 7-Year Treaty & Israel's Great Escape
Now there's been a lot of talk about the remnant Jew in the Tribulation. Some think it's the 144,000, but it's amazing that of all the reading I've done concerning the remnant of Jews who will be saved during the Tribulation, nobody I feel explains this portion of Scripture. Now look at this portion of Scripture. This is not 144,000 young Jewish men, which Revelation says they will be.
Half-Mile Sabbath Limit
Les says the Sabbath law restricts walking to about half a mile, which would keep the remnant from getting out of Jerusalem on the day of flight.
Law Limits the Escape
Les explains that Israel will be back under the Law and the Sabbath distance limit could prevent the remnant from escaping.
Present-Day Sabbath Distance
Les notes present-day Judaism limits Sabbath walking to about a mile or a mile and a half, making Jesus' warning practical.
Israel Reestablishing the Sabbath
Les points to the coming Temple and Knesset legislation as evidence that Israel will once again keep the Sabbath.
What Happens at the Midpoint of the Tribulation?
And so to the Jews He says, even though it's 2,000 years down the road, verse 16, "...then let them who be in Judea," now remember that's the area around Jerusalem and southern Israel, "...flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house." Because time is of the essence, and they aren't going to need it anyway.
Back Under the Law
Les repeats that the fleeing remnant will be back under the Law and that a Sabbath reestablishment bill is before the Knesset.
Walking, Not Riding
Les stresses the escapees will walk rather than be transported, so the Sabbath walking limit is a practical problem.
Matthew 24:16: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
This is the command that sets up the flight to which the Sabbath prayer applies.
Matthew 24:17: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
It shows the urgency that makes the Sabbath restriction dangerous — people cannot stop for clothes.
Matthew 24:19: And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
It highlights vulnerable groups who must walk, making the timing even more important.
Matthew 24:20: But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
This is the verse central to the question: Jesus specifically prays the flight avoids winter and the Sabbath.
Les Feldick cites different figures. In one clip he speaks of a half-mile limit that would keep a person from getting out of Jerusalem; in another he refers to present-day Judaism's restriction of about a mile to a mile and a half. The exact distance is not stated in Scripture, but the point is that the limit could severely hamper the escape.
Les says that, in his view, the original Mosaic Law did not necessarily include a specific walking-distance limit as it is practiced now. He points to present-day Judaism's restriction when explaining Jesus' warning. Scripture itself does not give a distance.
No. The Bible records Jesus' instruction to pray that the flight would not be on the Sabbath or in winter. Les treats this as a warning about the dangers of a Sabbath-day escape, not as a prophecy that it will definitely happen then.
Watch the Teaching: The Antichrist's 7-Year Treaty & Israel's Great Escape