On May 14th, the 144th Kentucky Derby was won by the young horse, “JUSTIFY.”  The number 7 stallion passed up “Promised Fulfilled” and crossed the finish line, conquering the 3 inches of rain without a trace of mud on her face.  

I wrote in a blog a couple weeks ago about the vision God had given me several years ago that was a scene from the Kentucky Derby.  After watching this year’s Kentucky Derby, I knew I was seeing the vision take place through a horse named “JUSTIFY.”  I seriously flipped, and I was eager to find out when the second race was. What? The weekend of Pentecost!   And then it happened again:

“Good Magic stayed nose to nose with him for much of the muddy and foggy Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, but Justify broke free down the home stretch once again to walk away with his second major victory in two weeks. The horse now takes a monumental step forward in his hunt for an American Triple Crown.”

“JUSTIFY” has a chance now to be the 12th horse to join the elite triple crown winners after winning the Preakness Stakes last Saturday.  Ahh!, I can hardly wait for race three; the 150th Belmont Stakes on June 9th.  

It may seem strange to be pointing out all these details and relating them to signs from the Lord, but when God gives anyone a vision that unfolds in front of their eyes, they cannot discount the details.  

In this year’s Kentucky Derby, the horse “Promise Fulfilled” lead most of the race until “JUSTIFY” sped by, confirming that we are about to see God’s promise fulfilled for the remnant who are “Justified in Christ.”

I need to point out a key piece of information I wrote about in the last blog about it being the 144th Kentucky Derby.  144 is the number that symbolizes the remnant in the book of Revelation.  So this whole story unfolding through the horse  “JUSTIFY” is about God’s remnant overcoming the oppressive strongholds that are wrapped up in the world systems that have taken dominion in the earth.

The second race, The Preakness Stakes, had “Good Magic” neck in neck with “Justify.”    I believe “Good Magic” symbolized the Holy Spirit, the “invisible” power of the Lord, sent to accomplish His plan through an election of champions; God’s remnant.  The Holy Spirit is our “comforter, coming alongside of us as we run the race.  He is our “strength” to endure the race.  And He is our “victory” to overcome the odds to finish the race set before us.  Once again, this race was in the rain….another symbol of cleansing and the power of the Holy Spirit.

For all of us today who have been “waiting” and believing its our time to move forward, but circumstances still prevent us from being free to do so, this race was a picture of the “in-between period” that is so difficult.  “Justify” didn’t win this race easily, but she didn’t give up.  So much training, perseverance, and trust is needed to remain steadfast, even when the pressure is on.  But isn’t it great knowing that WE WIN!

Another significant sign of this second race was that it was foggy.  If you talk to anyone who has been chosen by God to run this race we are in, EVERYONE seems to be in a fog as to what the hec God is doing right now with the body of Christ.  We can all surmise it is something new.  We can all sense that Christ is returning soon.  We can all agree the old is passing away before our eyes.  BUT ALL are in a fog as to what it is to look like NOW.  And so we pray, rest, and wait until the KING’S race begins.

So what makes “JUSTIFY” special?  There hasn’t been a 2-year-old un-raced horse that has won the Kentucky Derby since a horse named “Apollo” in 1882. Many headlines have written that “JUSTIFY” broke the 136-year “curse of Apollo.”  Apollo means “destroyer,” and I believe it is symbolic of what the Lord is in the process of doing to set His remnant free by breaking the curse of the destroyer who has kept God’s people hidden and oppressed.

In 2015, when “American Pharaoh” won the last triple crown, America was in a tumultuous place, and the name actually represented her character.  There were racial riots, cop riots, terrorism, severe weather patterns, and a Supreme Court that was about to become a majority who would vote against God’s righteous laws.  The nation was reaping from her idolatrous decisions and her position of worldly influence was waning.

The President at the time was Obama, whom God put into office.  Every elected official in America is God’s choosing. It’s hard to come to terms with that sometimes when we see ANY leader we feel is ungodly, corrupt, or self-serving.  But the bible is clear that God raises up leaders and takes them down (Rom. 13:1-10).

 During the 8 years Obama was in office, America had already been heading down a wrong path, but it seemed to escalate dramatically during his years in office. America’s Constitution was challenged, her Christian foundations were being attacked, and the people were divided and angry.  This caused a movement of prayer all across America amongst Christians, to plead to God for intervention, and to have MERCY on a nation that kept making choices that were contrary to God’s Word.

“American Pharaoh” winning that year summed up what our country had become.  We had become like Egypt in the days when the children of Israel were enslaved to Pharaoh.  The difference today was that America had many “Pharaoh’s” in governing positions that infected and affected the nation.  Only by the MERCY of God, and the blood of Jesus, could God keep His promise to His people and halt the destruction planned for America.

Let’s compare the history of the story of Pharaoh, who was oppressing the Israelites, to what we have experienced in America:

There came a time during their slavery under Pharaoh’s rule, when the prayers of the Hebrews came before the Lord after years of persecution, oppression,  and bondage.

“So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham,with Isaac, and with Jacob.  And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them” (Ex. 2:23,24).

The Lord shared with Moses His execution plan to deliver the Israelites by anointing him and Aaron to go before Pharaoh and declare, “Let My People GO!”  God told Moses that he would give him a SIGN that God indeed sent Moses to the people:

“So He said, “I will certainly be with you.  And this shall be a SIGN to you that I have sent you.  When n you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain” (Ex. 3:12).

God was about to fulfill the prophetic word He had spoken to Abraham 430 years before when He made a covenant with him (Gen. 15:13-16).  And in order to do so, He would harden Pharaoh’s heart:

“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.  But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments”(Ex. 7:3,4).

We all know the story of the ten plagues that followed because Pharaoh would not heed God’s command.  As the plagues were being released by the Lord, the people had doubts if God was going to come through.  Some even attacked the messenger, Moses, because through the whole process of deliverance, THE CIRCUMSTANCES GOT HARDER ON THOSE WHO WERE BELIEVING FOR THE MIRACLE.

But SUDDENLY, all of the Israelites were free to leave Egypt, and go Feast (celebrate) with the Lord:

“Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness (Ex.5:1).

God is using “JUSTIFY” to show us that the prayers of the saints “have been heard from heaven.”  The bowls are full, and being tipped over to answer the pleas.  And the process actually started with our last election.  Who would have thought that God would “TRUMP” the enemy with a businessman named Trump.  But who would have thought that a carpenter would save the world in Jesus’ day?

Against all odds, leaving everyone stunned, including the political experts, God put Trump into the most powerful position in the world.  And now, President Trump is being used to shake America free from the entanglements that have kept her from her true identity, exposing the iniquity, and adjusting her course.  It may appear like chaos and not how you and I would have designed to move God’s plan forward, but thank God He is in control.

America has been governed by many in high places, who like Pharaoh, became a god to themselves, and allowed money, power, and fame to control their agendas.  They fell prey to the working of “The Harlot,” in whom God describes in imagery a woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, who sits on the seven mountains of influence:

” And on her forehead a name was written:  MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5)

It is interesting how the Lord describes the “Mystery of Babylon” as a “mystery.”  It is only a mystery because we haven’t been able to see with our own eyes the iniquitous workings of the “harlot’s” tentacles behind the scenes of government, banking, and business. They have been hidden for years.

But God tells us in Revelation that the “Mystery of Babylon” will fall:

“And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich though the abundance of her luxury” (Rev. 18:2,3).

God also warns His people before it happens:

“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities”(Rev. 18:4,5).

God’s word says that His ways are higher than our ways, and that He raises up leaders, even evil ones, who’s hearts are hardened toward God, to fulfill His Covenant purposes.  That is a mystery in itself when you stand by and watch corruption happening and wonder “Why is God allowing this to happen?”  But God ALWAYS is just, and ALWAYS follows the blueprint of HIS LAW AND TIMING, although admittedly it doesn’t seem to be quick enough for our flesh most of the time.

These horse races are a wake up call for those who have waited patiently.  They are an encouragement for those who have been faithful. God is not done with America, nor has He forgotten about His remnant.  As a matter of fact, God is about to reveal His identity and purpose for blessing the land of America, and a remnant who are have been waiting to see how God will cause the “American Pharaohs” to “Let MY PEOPLE GO!” Those who are “JUSTIFIED IN CHRIST will be crowned!

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12).

 

 

 

 

God has a royal wedding He has been preparing and planning for His Bride, and its invitation went out as soon as the disciples were baptized with “the Promise” on the Day of Pentecost.  How ironic that on this very same day that we begin to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the world watched Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say their own wedding vows.

The beauty and majesty of this Royal Wedding that took place serves as a reminder of the royal wedding to come, and why the fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost was significant in God’s plan in the forming of His Bride.

In Part 1 of the Feast of Pentecost blog, I focused primarily on the similarities between the Old and New Pentecost Blueprint. Let’s now explore some of their differences.

The first difference is easy to identify.  In the Old Covenant, the execution of God’s Covenant, and the revealing of Himself by fire had an inherent problem that kept Him separated from His “Bride;” SIN.  Therefore, the people could SEE and HEAR God, but they could not get near God.

God needed a solution to cleanse and remove the sin that separated Himself from His bride. Without that solution, God’s consuming fire would destroy His bride instead of glorify her.  This is why God instructed Moses to bring himself and Aaron up the mountain to Him ONLY so that everyone else wouldn’t die.

“Then the Lord said to him (Moses), ‘Away!’ Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you.  But do not let the priest and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest He break out against them.”  (Ex. 19:24).

Notice in this scripture that the “Lord” is referencing the “Lord.”  Here we are introduced to the understanding of God the Father, Son, AND Holy Spirit.  In addition, Moses symbolized Christ, and Aaron symbolized the “firstfruits” priests who would be glorified through Christ at His second coming and able to stand in the presence of God.

“For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to Our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:9,10).

Secondly, because of the Israelites choice to reject God’s VOICE and go through a mediator instead, God was going to have to restore His VOICE through a mediator. After Moses read the “Tablets of Covenant” to the people, which was God’s marriage vows written by His finger, the Israelites responded to Him in FEAR:

“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain of smoking; and when the people SAW it, they trembled (FEARED), and stood afar off.  Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, lest we die.  And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you so that you may not sin.  So THE PEOPLE STOOD AFAR OFF, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was” (Ex. 20:18-21).

We can now understand why the voice of God was still only heard through those selected by God in the Old Testament, even after this betrothal.  

If you notice from the scriptures above, Moses was the ONLY one who drew near to the Lord, while the others withdrew away from the Lord out of fear.  Moses walked into darkness, knowing God was in it.  The people saw darkness and ran for cover.

Through their rejection of God’s voice,  it was then established that a mediator was to remain between God and themselves.  Moses would then become a symbol and pattern of how Jesus would perfect this marriage covenant by becoming the mediator of the New Covenant, and unite us with the original promise of HIS VOICE, HIS FIRE, HIS PRESENCE, and HIS DESIRE to permanently dwell with His Covenant people.

These scriptures also then explains why the nation of Israel had to fight with their hands and not by the “sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD/VOICE of God” to gain dominion in the Promised Land (Eph. 6:17). As believers who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, we now have access to take dominion by HIS WORD over the enemy and not through the blood of our own hands.

Finally, we see the difference between the Old and New through God’s mercy and grace.  In the New Day of Pentecost, the Lord kept His promise to the people instead of the people trying to keep their promise to God and failing to be able to do it:  

“For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.  For they could not endure what was commanded:  And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.'”  and so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and the church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

SEE THAT YOU DO NOT REFUSE HIM WHO SPEAKS.  For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I shake; not only the earth, but also heaven.’

Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and GODLY FEAR.  FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE” (Heb. 12:18-29).

We are now coming into a greater understanding of the “national covenant of God.”  It is with an understanding of the purpose of the Feast’s blueprint, and a people abiding in His SET TIMES that we will be able to see the NEW JERUSALEM taking shape on the earth.  This NEW JERUSALEM was conceived on the Day of Pentecost, when Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit of Promise to dwell in our bodies.  This national covenant began multiplying throughout the world through just 120 disciples.

Our role as His “living stones,”  His royal priesthood, and His “holy nation,” who God called out of the dark, and drew into His marvelous light, is to abide in His ways and to be ready in our hearts for His return (1 Peter 2:9).

It is my prayer that ALL who have been chosen to know Him will HEAR and SEE the LORD with greater clarity and understanding of His national Covenant so that the body of Christ will begin to connect with one another to form ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

“Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength.  Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.  

The VOICE of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; the Lord is over many waters.  The VOICE of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty” (Psalm 29:1-4).

 

 

 

After departing Egypt and surviving the wilderness through supernatural acts of God (The parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, bitter water made drinkable, and the Lord defending the Israelites from attacks), the children of Israel finally arrived at Mount Sinai.

“In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai” (Ex. 19:1).  

The Israelites camped at the base of Mt. Sinai while Moses went up to speak to God.

God then told Moses to remind the people of all the amazing things God had done to “court” His people to reveal His love and His ability to take care of them as their “Groom.”  He also told Moses to ask the people (nation of Israelites) if they would marry Him:  

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My VOICE, and keep My covenant, then you all be a special treasure to Me above all people, for the earth is Mine.  You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a HOLY NATION.” (Ex. 19:5,6).

This was a special invitation as a nation of people to accept the Lord as their God, King, Husband, Priest, and Provider and upon their “Yes” response, their commitment in turn would be to honor His voice and obey Him.  This union would open up heaven’s gates to prosper and bless a people, and a “promised” land where God would dwell with them.

The transaction of the prophetic word that had been given to Abraham declaring, “In you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gal. 3:8) was about to consummate.

In short, this was God’s SET TIME that He was going to multiply His promise to Abraham, from an individual SEED promise, to a “national” SEED promise.  This is so key to understanding the significance of the Feast of Pentecost in the New Testament, because the perfected blueprint went from fulfillment of God’s Covenant plan through an individual Seed (Christ) to a national Seed (CHRISTIAN NATION).  Therefore, it was this SET TIME in the blueprint of God’s storyline that He conceived His corporate (national) promise.

In order to follow the trail of this courtship and why this is taking place at Mount Sinai, we need to go back to the “founder of our faith, Abraham” (Rom. 4:16). Abraham accepted by FAITH the things God spoke to him concerning establishing a covenant with him and his family.  Abraham did not have to do anything to meet this requirement of being chosen EXCEPT to have faith in what God SAID:

“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.  I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make NATIONS of you, and kings shall come from you.  And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant to be God to you and your descendants after you: (Gen. 17:5-7).

God originally made this promise in Gen. 12 with ABRAM.  Years later, God changed his name from Abram (exalted father of a family), to Abraham (Father of many nations) because the covenant was going to extend past his immediate family.  Abraham’s son Isaac would be the inheritor of this promise, as the Lord said, “In Isaac your SEED shall be called” (Heb. 11:18).

Isaac then begot Jacob, and Jacob had 12 sons in whom became known as the “Israelites.” The Israelites inherited that name because God also changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which translated means, “one whom understands that God rules” (Gen. 28:34;35:10).  

Years later, over 2 million Israelites were at the base of Mt. Sinai, and God was about to unite them all into ONE NATION, giving them a blueprint to be a community that functioned together as God would instruct; in one rhythm and heartbeat so that the world could see their Groom; the “God of Abraham.”

God had also prophesied to Abraham in Gen. 15 that 400 years after the people were afflicted in Egypt, He would deliver them.  This would then become the “sign” of when God would solidify His promise to Abraham to national level.

“Then He said to Abram, “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them and they will afflict them four hundred years” Gen. 15:13).

400 years later, the nation was gathered at Mt. Sinai, listening to God’s proposal, and accepting it “by faith” like their Father Abraham.  God then instructed Moses to tell the people to “consecrate themselves,” for in 3 days, God would descend from Mt. Sinai so they could hear (see) His VOICE.

“Then it came to pass, on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings, and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the SOUND of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled” (Ex. 19:16).”

When the trumpet sounded loudly,  the Israelites ran to the foot of the mountain to meet God. The Jewish scholars believe that the people actually “saw the voice of God” coming out in tongues of fire at Mt. Sinai.

“The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire” (Psalm 29:7).

The mixed multitude that came out of Egypt saw the tongues of fire and heard God’s voice in their own language.  The translation of “seeing voices” came through as thunder and lightnings:

“Now Mt. Sinai was completely in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire.  Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace and the whole mountain quaked greatly.  And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and because louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him BY VOICE.  Then the Lord came down upon Mt. Sinai, on the top of the mountain (Ex. 19:18-20).

Do you remember reading in the Book of Acts about the sound of the mighty rushing wind that came on the Day of  Pentecost, in the upper room?  This was the SAME day in God’s Calendar, years later from the day they were at the base of Mt. Sinai, that Christ would begin this covenantal national blueprint.

CHRIST had instructed His disciples, as Moses did, to get ready and prepare themselves, and then wait:

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which He said, you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you all be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now….But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you all be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to he end of the earth” (Acts 1:4-8).

SUDDENLY, the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 disciples, at the same SET TIME that Mt. Sinai had been filled with FIRE in the Old Testament.  The people in Jerusalem, who had travelled from afar to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, were awakened to what was going on in the upper room and came to SEE the VOICE.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts. 2:1-4). 

The Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem KNEW of a day when this would happen.  This is because God had established His Calendar Blueprint to gather at His SET TIME when the Promises made to Abraham would be perfected.  God used the Feasts schedule to prepare them, like a “dress rehearsal,” throughout the years between Mt. Sinai and the Day of Pentecost in the upper room:

“Count 50 days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.  You shall bring from your dwellings two waves loaves of two-tenths of an ephah.  They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven.  They are the first fruits to the Lord” (Lev. 23:15-17).

 God also used Jeremiah to prophesy of this Pentecost fulfillment:

“Behold, the days are coming says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah- not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand and lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, thought I was a husband to them, says the Lord.  

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord:  I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jer. 31:31-33; Heb. 10:16).

But the blueprint of the Feast of Pentecost would show us, through the understanding of its firstfruits wheat offering, that this fulfillment of Pentecost would ONLY be the beginning (deposit of guarantee) of the perfecting of the national marriage covenant promise God had made at Mt. Sinai.  

If you study the Pentecost first fruits offering, it was the ONLY sacrifice that was offered and acceptable with “leaven.” This offering symbolized believers in Christ today who are holy and acceptable through Christ’s sacrifice, but our sinful or “leavened” bodies have yet to been transformed.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil. 3:20,21).

Therefore, we can REST knowing there is a day coming soon, during the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, that we believers will experience the FULL manifestation of this covenant of marriage.  We will be able to stand in the presence of God in our glorified bodies, as well as stand before men as “sons of light.”

The earth is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19).  This revealing will be when we are joined together with Christ, and are seen as His “HOLY NATION,” united and ONE to assist the King of Kings in restoring righteousness in the earth, and the nations into His Covenant of grace.

Between now and then, let’s honor God’s SET TIME and thank Him for His deposit of guarantee, and the increase of His glory that is coming.  Let’s thank Him for allowing us to be a part of His multiplication process He has determined by grace to chose every “living stone” for in His national building process. Thank God we are getting closer to the forming and revealing of the NEW JERUSALEM.

As His “living stones,” we are to discover our unique gift and calling through Christ, and follow the Holy Spirit’s to be joined and knitted together as ONE.  Honoring His Holy Calendar puts us in the blueprint of our Chief Cornerstone; CHRIST!

The nation of Israel will be celebrating it’s 70th birthday on May 14th, 2018.  This comes right before the Feast of Pentecost.  So why is this birthday so relevant to God’s time table?

70 in the Bible is the number for the perfection (completion) of divine order.  There were 70 members of Jacob’s family that went to Egypt during the famine.  There were 70 elders called up to Mt. Sinai with Moses and Aaron to see God and eat with Him (Ex. 24:9-11).  Jesus sent 70 disciples out on training for missionary work to preach the gospel in Judea (Luke 10).

70 was also a divine period of judgment to make an end of sins for the nation of Israel breaking God’s law.  Jerusalem went through two divine periods of 70 year judgment that resulted in the destruction of the city and a removal of God’s people from the land.

With all eyes upon Jerusalem this May 14th, God will use this 70th year landmark as another SET TIME to fulfill scriptures. So in order to understand this SET TIME, let’s review how 70 is associated with Jerusalem in the bible. The blueprint of the LAW will help us to understand this pattern.

To begin, all judgment is a product of rebellion to God’s laws, and the penalty of breaking the law has to be paid before redemption can take place.  But judgment always has a specified time period/cost for its penalty so that redemption can follow (Lev. 26).

The removal of the Israelites from their land was what the Old Testament Law referred to as the “iron yoke” penalty; judgment given to the nation for rebelling against the Lord and choosing idolatry.  The “wooden” yoke was less severe, and allowed the Israelites to stay in the land under an oppressive leader (Deut. 28:47,48; Jer. 28:10-13).

The manifestation of the “iron yoke” penalty came with the first destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. God raised up the Babylonians to lay siege against His people.  For 70 years, the people had not honored the Sabbath, and so for each year they didn’t honor the SIGN of their national Covenant, God put them into the Babylonian captivity and allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed (2 Chron.36:21):

“I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish 70 years in the desolations of Jerusalem”(Dan. 9:2).

Jerusalem remained destroyed for 70 years until 516 B.C., when the Jews went back to Jerusalem to rebuild under the “wooden yoke.” 

But God showed Daniel of another divine period of judgment that would come upon the city of Jerusalem in the future after Jesus was crucified because of their continued rejection of the law:

“70 WEEKS are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy” (Dan. 9:24).

Nehemiah and Ezra and a remnant went back to Jerusalem and built the city and the temple again under King Darius’s provision and decree (Neh. 2:5,6).  70 weeks later (which equals 490 years), Jerusalem was destroyed again.  However, before this SET TIME, Jesus would arrive on the scene to settle the debt. His death on the cross paid the “penalty” in full for individuals AND for the nation, just as the word declared through Daniel.  Those who accepted Jesus as their Savior were sealed with His “Promise” on the Day of Pentecost. But the majority in the city continued to reject Him.

Having received the “Promise,” the Holy Spirit was able to dwell IN the disciples bodies (temples) and empower them to go and preach the gospel. Pentecost was God’s SET TIME when the location of where God’s presence would dwell in changed locations from the OLD JERUSALEM to the NEW JERUSALEM.  Regardless of the future of the city of Jerusalem, Christ had executed a way for His presence to always be with His people who called on His name.

“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple”(Rev. 21:22).

Because the Jews rejected Christ, and then rebelled against the “wooden yoke” of the oppressive Roman government, the “iron yoke” was issued again by the Lord. After 40 years, in God’s SET TIME, the destruction of Jerusalem came as prophesied in 70 AD..  This forced the Jews to be dispersed and forbidden back into the land until their judgment was complete.  The law declares in Lev. 26, a 7X punishment for the nation who rejects the law. (7X equates to 2520 years; which is figured by the amount of days in a lunar calendar year x7).  This national penalty began as soon as the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, and it met it’s completion in 1917.

In 1917, England conquered Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire, and through the agreement known as the “Balfour Declaration,” it began the process of the Jews being granted access to go back to the land of Judea, and share it with the Arabs.

The Balfour Declaration did not intend to establish a Jewish state, but rather, a Jewish national home. It had no intention of dispossessing Arabs. It was agreed that Arabs would continue inhabiting the majority of the land, but allow Jews to purchase land from the Arabs and live there with equal rights. This agreement never reached “legal status,” and the Zionists at the time negated this agreement and forced their hand to take back the land they called their own.

When the Jews returned, they took over the Judean area by force, killing many who lived there, seizing much of their land, and declaring it to be a “Jewish state.”  This was not what was originally agreed to, but in 1948, those who led this cause declared themselves a Jewish nation, and called their nation, ISRAEL.

Since then, the nation of Israel has not experienced peace in the land, even though Jerusalem’s name means “Peace.”  This is because the law requires repentance in order for the land to be healed.  There has been no repentance as a nation for rejecting the Messiah as having come in the flesh for salvation to “make reconciliation for iniquity.” Therefore, the nation remains under the Levitical Law that states:

“But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness to which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me, and that I also have walked contrary to them and have brought  them into the land of their enemies, if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt- THEN I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember; I will remember the land” (Lev. 26:40-42).

Jerusalem is now at the 70 year mark when Israel became a nation.  A completion of divine order of time has been established.  God has given the world 70 years to see that the nation of Israel is NOT the nation carrying the light of God’s glory to the world.  As a matter of fact, the nation of Israel has been the center of the world scene because of the lack of peace that exists between it and other nations of the world.  Israel is continually at war, defending itself, and much bloodshed has occurred.  The blood cries out to the throne of God, and Jerusalem, “the Bloody City,” still has no atonement (Ex. 22-24).  ONLY Christ can answer that cry.

What did Jesus prophesy over Jerusalem?

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her?  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!  See!  Your house is left to you DESOLATE; and assuredly I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'”(Luke 13:34-36).

Jesus Himself declares the city will remain desolate, meaning, that Jerusalem would remain barren (unfruitful) in establishing the Kingdom of God through Christ. The land of Judea was also stripped from the responsibility of building the kingdom of God here on the earth when they rejected Jesus.  That responsibility was given to another:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read the scriptures; the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.  This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?  Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it'”(Matt. 21:42,43).

Even though Jesus prophesied this, many in the world still look to the land of Judea (the nation we call Israel today) to fulfill that responsibility. Hmmm, can you guess what nation got it?  Look around the world and ask yourself, what nation has sent ambassadors of Christ to the nations to preach the word?

The Word brings clarity about Jerusalem in Gal. 4:22-26, showing us there are TWO Jerusalem’s that coincide with TWO Covenants (the OLD and the NEW):

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons:  the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.  But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic.  For these are the two covenants:  the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar – for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and CORRESPONDS TO JERUSALEM, WHICH NOW IS, AND IS IN BONDAGE WITH HER CHILDREN – BUT THE JERUSALEM ABOVE IS FREE, WHICH IS THE MOTHER OF US ALL.”

In other words, the city of Jerusalem today is associated with the Old Testament and the Law given from Mt. Sinai.  It is connected to the symbolism God uses through Hagar, who birthed Abraham’s son, Ishmael.  Isaac, however, came from his wife Sarah, in whom the Lord prophesied would birth the  “promised SEED.” This son was chosen to produce the “Seed” that birthed the Messiah who later became the sacrificial lamb of the New Covenant.

Coincidently, the name Jerusalem in Hebrew is Y’ru-shah-lah-yim, which is plural in meaning, so the correct translation is: TWO Jerusalem’s.  Hidden in it’s name is the mystery that there would be two Jerusalem’s in God’s plan to house His glory, the OLD and the NEW.

We also know from the bible that prior to be named Jerusalem, it was called Salem, which means “Peace.” (complete, especially friendly, full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect(ed), quiet and whole). But Jerusalem has not experienced peace since the birthing of the nation of Israel in 1948.  Today there is four different religions claiming the temple grounds.  This city rejected the “Prince of Peace,” and have had to fight for peace on their own ever since. It won’t happen UNTIL AFTER CHRIST RETURNS.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. (Is.  6:6,7).

We are in God’s “SET TIME” in which the veil is coming off the eyes of of God’s people, who are still looking to Jerusalem, the nation here on the earth, to fulfill scripture of a future city in which God’s people will gathered to. Instead, a third “iron yoke” judgment is coming to Jerusalem to fulfill prophesy, for Jerusalem is said to be a city that will be destroyed before the Lord returns (Luke 19:41-44; Zeph. 1:4-13; Mic.3:12).

It has been reported that President Trump (who is 70 years old), will be in Jerusalem on their 70th year celebration.   He announced awhile ago that he is moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem, which is a move that says to the world that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.  Two nations will be on stage: America and Israel.  One will represent the OLD JERUSALEM, who is under the bondage of the law, along with its people.  The other will represent a nation not perfect, but who accepted Christ as King from her founding; representing the NEW JERUSALEM whose land is the home of the FREE.

One can look at America today and see all the sin coming forth from the choices she has made and scratch their head wondering how God can bless America.  One can see all the destruction that has come forth because of the sinful choices we have added into our laws that oppose God’s laws.  We are no different than any other sinful nation, including Israel.  However, God chose America to multiply Christ’s light and become a beacon of hope to the nations.   America’s founders knew this, declared this nation’s faith in Christ, and founded this nation on God’s word.   The legacy of America is that she is a Christian nation, and her land has been dedicated to the freedom of serving Him.

Christ is the ONLY reason why America has been graced with so much of God’s mercy.    “America, America, God’s grace is shed on thee!”

“If My people who are called by My name (JESUS) will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and HEAL THEIR LAND” (2 Chron. 7:14).

 

 

 

On May 9th (at sundown until the following day at sundown), marked the 40th day of the time period between the Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Pentecost.  This day is marked in the pattern of biblical history as the day that the Lord ascended into heaven after instructing the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4).

40 days earlier, Jesus had died on the cross on Passover and became the Passover Lamb.  Three days later, Jesus rose and presented Himself to the Father on the Feast of Firstfruits. Afterwards, Jesus returned to show Himself to His disciples, encouraging their faith, and commissioning them to build the Kingdom of God here on the earth (John 19-21).

“to whom He (Jesus) also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts. 1:3).

During the 40 days after Christ’s resurrection, the disciples went through their final training with the Great Teacher as they had the chance to examine the measure of their faith, and use this “probationary period” to solidify their understanding of the Kingdom of God before they graduated to the Lord’s “Apostleship.”

When Christ ascended on the 40th day, the time of “graduation” was upon the disciples. This marked the beginning of the multiplicity of authority of apostleship, from Christ (the Chief Apostle and Prophet), to the disciples.  No longer was this New Covenant going to be executed by Christ alone.  It was now going to include a multitude of “little-Christs” covering the earth with the Father’s message.  However, there would be a ten day period of preparation to get ready for the “Anointed One” to “seal” the disciples with His power, truth, and authority.   This great and powerful transaction would be announced by Christ Himself:

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1: 8).

The disciples had some work to do to get ready for “graduation day.”  First, they had to shift their mindsets to being a student of Christ to becoming “like Christ”  in the community.  It was the disciples turn to now build upon what Jesus had taught them through His WORD and actions, which would cause them to carry His name, “Christ-ian.”

Next, the disciples had to position themselves to prosper in what they were commissioned to do.  They had to GO to Jerusalem and wait.  They had to come together in ONE ACCORD.  They had to pray to seek for God’s provision. And they had some business to take care of which was find God’s replacement for Judas Iscariot.  All of this preparation made way for the “PROVISION” of the Lord.

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).

Lastly, they had to WAIT, trusting God would perform His Word. 

“But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they all mount up with wings like eagles, they shall RUN and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Is. 40:31)

Even though Jerusalem was a hostile environment for the disciples to gather and wait, it was the “appointed place” that God had already established as His city for His presence to abide in.  It was also the city God’s people would gather together corporately to honor the Feasts “SET TIMES” which He had established to be a sign of fulfillment of His redemption.

People were pouring into Jerusalem all throughout the week to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, without a clue that God was about to take center stage and fulfill this Feast (Feast in Hebrew actually means dress rehearsal). God was about to pour out His glory to make way for the building of the “NEW JERUSALEM.” As the temple would be destroyed 40 years later, the Lord already had His solution for the rebuilding of the temple that would never be destroyed again, and had even prophesied of it:

“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’”(Mark 14:58).

This temple was not going to be made by man, but by God Himself, choosing those whom He knew, to be a home for His presence to dwell in their “temple” (BODY).

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor. 6:19,20).

As Christ, the Master Craftsman, had fashioned 12 “living stones” to build the Kingdom of God, the Apostles were equipped to continue the building process through their faith and obedience (1 Peter 2:5).

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone, in which the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:19-22).

No longer would God’s people need to go to Jerusalem to experience His presence, nor sacrifice animals to make us holy.  God’s new plan was to “tabernacle” IN THE TEMPLE OF THE BELIEVER through the holy sacrifice of Christ.

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation” (Heb. 9:11).

As the disciples prepared to be ready, let’s follow the blueprint and be ready to honor the Feast of Pentecost this May 20th!

 

On May 5th, the Kentucky Derby celebrated its 144th year, as the beautiful 3 year-old stallion named “JUSTIFY” won the race.  This young horse, wearing the number 7, broke the 136-year “curse of Apollo.”  No horse who went unraced as a 2-year-old has won the Kentucky Derby since a horse named Apollo did in 1882.

“Enduring some 3 inches of rain, Justify’s 2½-length victory also extends the streak of favorites winning the Derby to six straight years, longest in the history of the race. Justify’s first career race was in mid-February, and the California-based horse has defeated all comers since.”

Why is this Kentucky Derby a sign for us that points to God’s Calendar Blueprint?

7 years ago, God gave me a vision that I have shared with many since and has ministered to me personally all these years.  In the vision, I was taken to a scene of the start of the Kentucky Derby.  I saw a couple horses in their gates ready for the start. It looked like they had been in it for awhile and were getting aggitated waiting.

Next, my attention went to this next horse that was being led to its gate. It was beautiful and full of energy and excitement, but when it got to the gate, it had to wait too. There were so many lanes that had not been filled with a horse yet, so it looked like it was going to be awhile.

So I looked behind me and saw some of the owners prepping their horse, others were walking their thoroughbred around, and even one who was masterfully trying to control his horse that had a wild side.

I turned back toward the horses that were already in the gates and they looked like they were about to go crazy waiting. I recall one almost falling asleep because the wait had been so long.  But eventually, the scene changed as the rest of the horses began filing into their gate.  Finally,  they were all in place and ready to go.

I heard the shot fired, and the gates opened for the horses to run the race that was set before them.  The Derby had started and it was beautiful to see the champions race in unison.

God then showed me this was a vision of running the race that was set before us.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).

But this wasn’t a race that was for everyone.  It was for those whom God chose…those He elected as His “firstfruits” remnant.

Paul shared in Phil. 3:14 that he pressed toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  What was that higher call that Paul was talking about?  The prize was to be a part of the first resurrection of the saints who will receive their glorified bodies and reign with Christ in the Millennium.

“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:5,6).

The vision of the Kentucky Derby was given to me so I could understand why I had been praying for so many Christians who were sold out to Jesus and called to do great things for the Lord, and yet going through trials, rejected, hidden, and appearing as if they missed God somehow:

Some were already at the gate waiting. Some were being groomed. Some were full of anxiety and still needed taming. And some were just YOUNG, like the first being last and the last being first, whom God was waiting for to come into the race. But these elect were chosen for this race, and God had a SET TIME that the gate would be released as these great stallions ran the race. And when it was His SET TIME, it would take ALL to run together with JESUS leading the way on His white horse.

The dream helped me understand how hard the waiting has been for each stallion (remnant) that has been chosen to be a champion for the Lord, to wait for the gates to open.  I then understood that the remnant has been in training, learning patience, trust, integrity, excellence, obedience, and humility.  I understood that the remnant was being groomed to run a race NOT alone, but was connected to a greater purpose beyond themselves.  It was a united effort to move ahead at ONE SET TIME.

This Kentucky Derby was the 144th. 144 is the biblical number for the remnant.

“Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).

Justify won, but the horse, “Promise Fulfilled” led the race for half the way. We are justified by faith in Christ alone.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1)

Jesus is the “promise fulfilled!”

Justify was number 7; the number of completion and blessings.  

The horse broke the mold for all worldly qualifications.

The horse was from California…the place I got the vision and the state God has chosen to pour out His Spirit in the past that has touched the nations.

AND finally, the most amazing part of this derby is that it rained a record of 3 (trinity) inches, and Justify finished the race with NO MUD ON HIM!  Ahhh, the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit!

This Hebrew Year of 5778 has the meaning, when translated, of new beginnings and year the remnant emerges out of the gate to run His race.  They have been trained in obedience by the things they have suffered.  They have SAT and learned how to REST and TRUST for His release.

God will use events that all eyes are on to get His message across.  We just have to open our eyes and hear with our ears what God is saying to us. This is GREAT NEWS for the OVERCOMERS!  As we honor these SET TIMES of God’s Feast Days, we will find ourselves “in the gate” when the door is opened!

“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:30)

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14)

In book of Acts, Paul the Apostle and the disciples of Jesus continued to celebrate the Feasts, even moving their ministry schedule around to honor them.

“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost” (Acts. 20:16).

This isn’t the only incident mentioned in Acts as you read in Acts 18:21 and 20:6 more references of the disciples honoring the Feasts.   Paul even encourages the Church of Corinth to honor these Holy Days, but with New Covenant revelation:

“Therefore, let us keep the FEAST, not with old leaven, more with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” ( 1 Cor. 5:8).

Even Jesus, who did everything the Father told Him to do, honored the Feasts:

“On the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink”(John 7:37).

So why is it that Christians don’t celebrate the Feasts when they are a shadow (reflection) of the substance of Christ, our redeemer? If Jesus Himself is our great example to follow, and not only honored them, but became the substance of them, why are these Feasts discounted today?

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival (FEAST), or a new moon, or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Col.2:16,17).

The quick answer to the question above is that God ultimately allowed this to happen because He had a plan to bring about the “new wine skin” of revelation and celebration of these Feasts in His perfect timing.  This “new wine skin” included NOT having to go to Jerusalem to celebrate.

Because the persecution from the Roman Empire was so fierce in Jerusalem after Christ died, the “Church” was forced to go “underground.  When Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, the disciples scattered abroad and continued to preach the Gospel.  The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD gave way for the “cutting off” of tying these Feast celebrations to the city of Jerusalem and the temple.

Jerusalem, the city God chose to build His temple so that His presence could dwell, had fulfilled it’s earthly pattern the moment Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).  This deposit of God’s glory gave way to the “NEW JERUSALEM.”  No longer was God going to dwell in a temple made of hands, but instead, dwell in the temple (body) of the believer in Christ.  When ALL the believers join together corporately in Spirit and in Truth, this union of worship will display the “New Jerusalem” (John 4:24).

“…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

Many believers are still looking to Jerusalem as the “City of God” for His glory, when in actuality, the earth is waiting for the “sons of light” to reveal His glory (Rom. 8:19). When they are all joined in unison to the Prince of Peace, the world will see the “New Jerusalem” coming out of heaven (Rev. 21:2).  Honoring the Feasts give way to this formation.

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name” (Rev. 3:12).

But what caused the early Christians to abandon the Feasts and adopt their own “holy days” they created, such as Easter and Christmas?

Emperor Constantine was a European Roman emperor in the fourth century that “legalized Christianity.” Up until him, Christianity was banned and people were tortured and killed for professing Christianity, which is why all of the original disciples of Jesus were crucified, beheaded, or killed except for the Apostle John.  The Roman Emperor Constantine established himself as the head of the church around 313 A.D., which made “Christianity” the official religion of the Roman Empire.

One would read about Constantine and call him a hero for Christianity, and indeed, he was used to help stop the murdering of Christians.  However, since he was NOT rooted in God’s Word to lead apostolically, but rather adopted “pagan practices,” Constantine created an iniquitous Christian foundation that he tied into the government.  This created a path for a “religion” to oppress and control the people they governed.

Constantine brought together the “Council of Nicaea” in 325 A.D. to attempt to stop people from keeping Passover on the appointed time God set in His calendar. Early Christians had continued observing Passover in honor of Christ’s death. Others began celebrating the Feast on Sunday in honor of Christ’s resurrection.  If they had realized the truth that Passover was the blueprint to honor Christ’s death, and  “Feast of Firstfruits” was the blueprint to honor the Lord’s resurrection, the dispute could have been avoided.

Unfortunately, this division led to a decision by Constantine requiring all Christians to adopt the same day. The Feast Days were not chosen.   This decision furthered the cause to condemn Jews and eradicate the celebration of the Feasts.

The “Council of Nicaea  changed Church history. Christians who observed the Passover on the 14th of Nisan and other “Hebrew” Feasts were branded as heretics. The forthcoming “Babylonian” church structures, coupled with the “doctrines of men,” created a hunger and thirst for power and wealth that eventually ushered in the darkest period of history known to man, properly known as the “Dark Ages” (500-1500 A.D.). Through popes, bishops, and priests, the “anti-Christ spirit ruled Europe, while “biblical” Christianity became illegal, and Jews and Christians grew in opposition to each other.

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “There is no trace of the celebration of Easter as a Christian festival in the New Testament or the writings of the apostolic fathers…The first Christians…continued to observe the Jewish festivals…as commemorations of events of which these had been the shadows. The Passover, ennobled by the thought of Christ the Paschal Lamb, continued to be celebrated…, and became the Christian Easter” ( Ninth Edition, article “Easter” ).

As Christians, we must acknowledge that the Feasts recognized in the Bible are “Hebrew” Feasts and not exclusively Jewish ones.  We are thankful that a remnant of the Jews were able to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity and rebuild Jerusalem and honor the Feasts.  We need to recognize that for a brief period of time, Jews, Messianic Jews, and Gentiles all celebrated the Feasts after Christ was crucified.  But the understanding for both the Jew and Gentiles of how and why they were to be celebrated needed a heavenly perspective; not a Jew or Gentile one.  And because they both didn’t have it, it opened up the doors for strife and divison.

Today, God is resurrecting our understanding of these SET TIMES with His heavenly perspective that Christ is the substance of these Feasts.  God is unveiling the relevance of these Feasts to the body of Christ so we can not only honor His Son, but also prepare ourselves to be joined to Christ when He comes back to fulfill the Fall Feasts.  And what is necessary in this moment of time if for our nation, whom God chose to honor Him and to bring His light to the world,join together and honor His calendar of “Holy Days” so we can be seen as ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

“”And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.   God Himself will be with them and be their God'” (Rev. 21:3).

 

The National Day of Prayer in America was established by Harry Truman in 1952, significantly 66 years ago.  This year the theme is “Pray for America; UNITY!”  I believe that theme is God’s heart for sure.  The scripture reference is Ephesians 4:3:

“Make ever effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through peace.”

As our nation’s motto is “In God We Trust”, and “One Nation Under God,”  it is no accident that God chose one of America’s leaders to institute a National Day of Prayer. Our forefathers understood the Covenant God made with Abraham and the amazing fulfillment of that Covenant through the sacrifice of Christ.  Being guided by the Holy Spirit, they landed here in the “appointed place” where Jesus was honored as king at it’s inception, and the Word was the guiding force in establishing this nation’s foundation.

AMERICA means, “the heavenly kingdom,” coming from the root word “amer” meaning “heavenly,” and “rica” meaning “kingdom.” “The United States” is translated as follows: “The” means “God’s or owned by God,” “United” means “greater,” and “States” means “estate.” If you put those all together, they mean “GOD’S GREATER ESTATE OF THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM.” The name of America reveals her identity and confirms this land’s purpose as well found in 2 Sam. 7:10:

“Moreover, I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move NO MORE, nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously.”

Unfortunately, our nation did not adopt ALL of God’s blueprint from it’s conception. Because of the parts we chose NOT to follow, but instead created our “own ways,” we opened up doors for the iniquitous roots system to get a foothold in our government, and for FREEDOM (which is America’s core value) to be redefined with each generation.  Thankfully, God gave us an antidote:

“If My people who are called by My name will HUMBLE themselves, and PRAY and SEEK My face, and TURN from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and HEAL their land” (2 Chron.7:14).

Every Christian praying for our nation and standing in the gap for God’s grace and mercy is a part of the process God has established to see His Kingdom Come and His will be done on the earth (Matt. 6:9-13).  Our nation believed in the atonement of the blood of Jesus from it’s birth, and dedicated it to Him and to God’s service to share His good news.  This alone breaks the cycle of national destruction that caused the Israelites to be “cut off” from the Old Covenant promises God made due to their sin and rebellion (Jer. 3:8).

Through the New Covenant, it not our ability to perform and meet the standards of the Covenant that will save us.  It is in Lord fulfilling the Covenant in Himself.  For this reason, we are so thankful for His grace and mercy, because He will not forsake us, but will return to reign over the nations.

“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev. 19:15).

Over the years since her birth, America has resembled the characteristics of King Saul’s reign.  Saul was one chosen to lead the nation, but he did it many times in his own strength, way, and timing.  The “fear of God”  was missing from His leadership.  All throughout the Bible, those in leadership who were “lukewarm” led the nation into idolatry and sin, resulting in judgment and consequences.  As a result, the nation would lose their influence and authority over the enemy.

Even America in her best days still fell short of ruling righteously.  But the closer we are getting toward the Lord’s return, we are beginning to understand that we cannot rule in our own strength because we don’t have the FULLNESS OF GOD to do it.  It will ONLY be through Christ coming back to the earth, taking His rightful position as King, will ALL things come into alignment with God’s blueprint. The earth will then begin to experience the fullness of His glory and restoration.

“I will declare the decree:  The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.  As of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2:7,8).

BUT, the question today is, is the National Day of Prayer in God’s Blueprint?  

The simple answer to that question is YES!  It is found in the blueprint of the Feast Calendar.  The National Day of Prayer is the heart and purpose of the “Day of Atonement.”

“This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year” (Lev. 16:34).

America has had the right idea in establishing a day set apart for prayer. But we missed the mark by establishing it on a day apart from God “appointed” time.  This is the familiar pattern we see in the Bible through Jeroboam, who became the leader over the ten tribes of the  “House of Israel,” deciding to establish his own date and place to celebrate the Feasts.

“Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month (The Feast of Tabernacles blueprint of celebration is in the seventh month), like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar” (1 Kings 12:32).

Even though we are not following the date God chose to repent as a nation, God has and still does honor our hearts in coming together to pray and seek Him.  It is powerful when the President of the United States stands and declares God’s Word and asks for God’s blessings to come, and to forgive our nation for our sins.  These national moments of prayer have kindled the fire each year of God’s purpose and heart in establishing America’s tapestry, “crowned thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.”

BUT,  the day is coming, that we will come together as a nation to honor the “appointed time” God chose for us to corporately pray and repent because it is a part of God’s governmental blueprint.  And when we shift and line up with His SET time, we will see breakthrough and healing in this land like never before because we will be in UNITY WITH HIS SET TIME AND PURPOSE IN COMING TOGETHER.

The blueprint of the Day of Atonement is the national day of repentance, and the only day of the year God required fasting.   The “High Priest” would go into the Holy of Holies once a year beyond the veil and “atone for the sins of the nation.”

“Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement.  It shall be a holy convocation (dress rehearsal); you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord” (Lev. 23:27).

This atonement of course was already done for everyone though Christ’s sacrifice.  So because we who believe in Christ, we can boldly go into the “Holy of holies” and stand in the gap for our nation who is still being led by many who don’t have Christ, nor follow His ways.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled for an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the DAY approaching” (Heb. 9:19-25).

Our President, who God selected, is the man God used today to release our nation into the “holy of holies” to ask God’s grace and mercy.  As we usher Jesus back to His Kingdom here on earth to take His rightful position at the HEAD of government of ALL nations, we will ALL fall in line with the blueprint of the Day of Atonement with Christ. But until then, we honor the leader God has put in position for our nation.

“We take this step because we know, that in solving the many, many problems and our great challenges, faith is more powerful than government and nothing is more powerful than God,” (Quote from President Trump today).

 Repentance is a turning away (180 degrees) from what you were doing, thinking, and saying, to what God says to do, think, or say. When the leader humbled himself and chose to follow the path of righteousness, justice, and God’s ways of government, the nation was restored.  Truly, it benefits us all to pray for our leader.

“AMERICA!  AMERICA!  God shed His grace on thee.”  For the blood that was shed, and the mercy that has been extended to us, we cry out to God and thank Him for His faithfulness to restore each of us individually, but also nationally.  And hopefully in our lifetime, we will see this nation adopt the Day of Atonement as our National Day of Prayer.

“GOD BLESS THE USA!”

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool” (Heb. 10:12,13).