Since December 7th Firstfruits, we have entered into the “REST” season of the Hebrew Covenant calendar.  This season seems to get swallowed up in the business of the holidays in its inception.  BUT, this season is actually one of the most significant seasons for those who are seeking God, because it is an anointed time set aside for us to STOP…SEEK….and REST……THEN we are READY to sow seeds into God’s purpose for the next Hebrew year.

“Resting” does not mean to lay back and do nothing.  Resting means to get before the Lord and “rest” in His presence so we can hear God speak, download, and give His direction and instruction for each of us individually and corporately.

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ(1 Peter 1:13).

God has been preparing His remnant to be a part of His plan in ushering in the Millennium.  If we don’t take the time to seek His face, we can easily go on our daily routine and miss our opportunity to enter into the blessing of God’s revelation for NOW!

This “REST” season these next few months are particularly important because we are in the midst of a major “kingdom” transition that will pick up momentum next year. 

In 2012, God reminded me of the vision that Joseph interpreted for Pharaoh in Genesis 41.  He spoke to my heart that this vision was relevant to what was transpiring in the years ahead:  7 years of plenty, and in those years, preparing for 7 years of famine following.

“He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good.  The behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.  And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads.  So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream” (Gen. 41:5-7).

According to the timing with which God spoke to me about Pharaoh’s dream that Joseph interpreted, 2019 marks a similar shift from the 7 years of plenty to the 7 years of famine.  Given that the significance of the next Hebrew year will be a direct cutting apart of what is light and dark, right and wrong, good and bad, we will want to stay under the Lord’s covering as this shift begins transpiring.

God prepared Joseph through his “trials by fire” to be the one He would choose to govern the land through their monumental shift in the economy.

Why was Joseph’s trial, testing, and promotion so important to the overall plan of God?  It wasn’t to give Joseph a great position of power, although that authority was necessary for his role.  It was to ensure that Joseph would use his position of influence to further the prophetic promises of the Abrahamic Covenant, which eventually birthed forth Jesus and the multiplicity of believers all over the earth.

I am sure while Joseph was in prison it didn’t feel like God had a major part for Joseph to play in securing His Covenant promises eternally, especially after being rejected by the very people he would end up helping.  But like Joseph, many of us have been “tested by fire” for a greater purpose up ahead that is linked to Christ reigning on the earth, and our character and our hearts need to match the Lord’s.

Throughout much of my prayer time these past couple years, it seems as though the Holy Spirit has also led me to Rev. 18 concerning Babylon:

“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! Rev. 18:2).  

I have heard the Lord repeat over an over His Word for us today that His heart cries out in Revelation 18:4:

“And I heard another voice form heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

Perhaps this is the reason why the Lord gave me 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine because He says He will deal with the “Mystery of Babylon” before He returns to reign in the Millennium.  This shaking will crumble iniquitous structures that will inevitably affect us all, just as the famine affected all of Egypt.  But God made a way for the Israelites to prosper during that season, just as He will do again up ahead.

With this Hebrew month being TEVET, meaning “good circumcision,” it is a good reminder that trials and judgment aren’t to punish us but to prepare us as “sons and daughters” of the Lord.

It will also be interesting to see what “judgments” are released in this month nationally out of our government.  Given that this month is associated with the tribe of Dan (the tribe Samson came from and who God gave me a picture of when seeking Him about His choice in raising up Donald Trump as our next president), watch the news and what transpires from the White House.  It appears some things have already begun breaking forth in bringing justice to the table and iniquitous dealings out of hiding.

Finally, with this season being one anointed to REST and receive revelation, it will be important to dedicate time to do so.  

Last year, I joined forces with a friend to pray for 21 days straight, beginning on January 1st, journaling as we went.  Each day our goal was to seek God’s face…to hear from heaven, to pray His will, and to receive revelation.  We had no agenda, but our hearts were determined to align with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead.  It was amazingly fruitful, and some of the events that have transpired this year in the world we actually saw coming and prayed as God instructed.  This was just one way I “RESTED” in this winter season.