We are about to enter what I believe will be a significant summer season with the LORD that begins with the celebration of Firstfruits, June 10^th, the fourth month of the Hebrew Covenant Calendar.  This Firstfruits coincides with a SIGN of a “RING OF FIRE” Solar Eclipse. The “ring of fire” solar eclipse will bring a crescent shaped sunrise for parts of Northeast America and Canada.

The Lord tells us in Genesis 1:14 that he made the sun, moon and stars for signs and seasons.  These “signs” were meant to reveal and communicate to God’s people concerning the timing of His redemptive covenant promises.

This “ring of fire” solar eclipse is of significance to us because it falls on Firstfruits:  one of God’s divine appointed times in His Hebrew covenant calendar.  What is God warning or communicating to us through this sign?

It is interesting to note that “ring of fire” is usually referred to the path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and earthquakes.  The majority of the worlds volcanoes and earthquakes happen along the “ring of fire.”

The LORD says in the latter days He will shake the heavens and the earth.

“Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place, In the wrath of the Lord of hosts And in the day of His fierce anger.” (Is. 13:13).

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matt. 24:29).

Thankfully, this sign comes with a promise for those IN COVENANT with the LORD:

“The Lord also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel” (Joel 3:16).

Our job now is to pray about this sign and seek His comfort, wisdom, and instruction so that the LORD will be our shelter and strength. With so many volcanoes and earthquakes erupting around the globe in these recent months, this could be a sign of a big one coming.

I believe this sign further confirms that the remnant needs to be obedient to PREPARE for the shaking and eruption.  This shaking and eruption could possibly be a volcano or earthquake, but for sure a shaking God speaks of when He begins dealing with the “Mystery of Babylon.”  God is a consuming fire who uses His fiery law to judge the nations (Heb. 12:29; Deut. 33:2).

As Moses was warned to prepare the children of Israel for the ten plagues so they would be safe and remain in peace through it, we must also follow suit and take heed to the warning so we remain steadfast, calm, and peaceful through the shaking.  We must remember this shaking will produce great light and glory and restoration on the other side of it.  That IS God’s promise.  We are not to retreat in fear, but have faith that God is coming for His people who have been oppressed by the enemy.  

Although the shaking must take place, God promises us refuge under His wings of protection, just like He did for Noah. (Psalm 91, Genesis 6-9).  And out of the shaking, His remnant will arise and shine (Is. 60:1) into a new landscape ahead, just as Noah and his family of eight did as well.  Noah had to PREPARE for the coming flood (judgment).  I think this summer we need to take measures to prepare if we haven’t already done so.  

 ^“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. ¹³ And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. ¹⁴ Then the sky ^[i]receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. ¹⁵ And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, ¹⁶ and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ¹⁷ For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”(Rev. 6:12-17).

In the days of Joshua conquering the Promised Land, the scriptures say that the “sun stood still” long enough for Joshua and his army to defeat all the kings who had aligned to come against him.  

“So the sun stood still,
And the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge
Upon their enemies” (Joshua 10:13).

Many scholars believe that this was a “ring of fire” solar eclipse that happened back then, so this SIGN could also be a sign of God raising up His remnant army today who are able to rise and defeat the anti-Christ agenda with the help of God’s intervention because it’s too big for them.  

We must be steadfast and immovable.  In Hebrew, “rauch ha kodesh” means divine inspiration which happens when we are not blocking out God’s truth.  If we filter out the truth with what we perceive or see, it promotes fear and dread.

Our greatest preparation is a heart that fears the LORD, not the work of the enemy.  Prepare for the shaking that is coming and then:

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” (Prov. 3:5,6).

On June 10th, we will be celebrating the fourth month in the Hebrew calendar known as Tammuz, otherwise known as the “hidden month of great sin.”  Tammuz is known for this because of the repetitive failure of the children of Israel throughout Old Testament history to trust the Lord at His Word, which led to idolatry.  As much as this sounds like a negative, God always turns things around for His good, and it is His heart to reveal anything hidden that separates us from our relationship with Him. 

It was during the month of Tammuz that the children of Israel became impatient waiting for Moses to come back with the written Tablets of Covenant (Ex. 32:1).  Believing Moses was delayed, the children of Israel lost faith in the Lord and Moses, and decided to create a god in the form of a golden calf.  

Aaron unfortunately did not stop this suggestion, so when Moses returned with the Ten Commandments, the children of Israel had already set up their idol worship.  If it wasn’t for Moses interceding for the people, God would have “cut them off” of Covenant.

The focus of our spiritual and natural eyes is so important as they can lead us toward or away from the promises of God. The twelve spies went into the Promised Land during the month of Tammuz.   All the spies saw the same things, but Joshua and Caleb SAW the land through God’s promise.  While their eyes led them to an action plan to advance, the others could saw retreat and hopelessness  (Numbers 13, 14).

Joshua’s ability to believe God at His Word in the midst of opposition made him a great military leader later on.  In a pivotal battle that shifted the Israelites into a position to conqueror the land of Canaan, Joshua had to face five of the greatest Canaanite kings who had teamed up to war against the children of Israel. 

In Chapter 10 of Joshua, we read the account of this battle that happened during the month of Tammuz, and how Joshua was outnumbered.  Joshua could have SEEN the situation in the natural and lost hope. But God said in verse 8, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”  

Joshua had courage, and watched the Lord send hailstones from heaven.  Then Joshua prayed to God to make the sun stand still so they could finish the battle. God intervened and helped Joshua gain the victory over the enemy.  When the wartime was over, Joshua had defeated 31 kings! Through Joshua we also see this month reflects a heart of courage and loyalty to the Lord, which brings a great reward!

The month of Tammuz is also linked to the tribe of Reuben, whose name means, “see, a son!”  Reuben was Jacob’s first born, and the one who would be the inheritor of the birthright of Israel.  Unfortunately, in a moment of “weakness,” he lusted after his father’s concubine and lost that blessing.  

Reuben had great courage, but little moral strength at times.  It was through his shortcomings though that Reuben’s character grew because he chose humility time after time, and kept his heart from becoming bitter. This quality made Reuben special.  When focused in God’s righteousness, Reuben was one who loved well and had a beautiful heart of compassion.  This is why Jacob prophesied in Gen. 48:3-4:

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength.  The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.  Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it-He went up to my couch.”

Reuben never held bitterness, even to his brother, Joseph, who inherited his firstborn inheritance.  Reuben even had compassion for Joseph to save his life when his other brothers wanted to put him to death (Genesis 37:21,22).  It was also Reuben who pledged his life and the life of his sons when Jacob was unwilling to let Benjamin go down into Egypt, so we see his tender conscience is a quality to be admired.

Every time Reuben disobeyed the will of God, there seemed to be severe consequences.  God does not let Reuben get away with his sin!  In Numbers 16, the men of Korah and the sons of Reuben went against Moses and rebelled against his leadership. Losing the firstborn status was huge for Reuben, but in this instance, the Lord caused the ground to split and swallow them up!  Reuben teaches us a lesson how not to accomplish God’s plan our OWN WAY!  This is nothing but pride and rebellion, which is the same as witchcraft!  (1 Sam. 15:23)

What we learn from Reuben is pivotal in our walk with the Lord.  Our weaknesses will come up before us in a moment of testing just like the examples of the children of Israel and the golden calf, Joshua, and Reuben.  If we humble ourselves and wait on the Lord, we will find strength in His Word and walk under His command.  If we try to hide our weakness by doing something to cover it up, or taking things into our own hands, we find ourselves in sin and consequences.  

Around the Tabernacle, Reuben led the brigade joined with Simeon and Gad on the southern side.  These three tribes were known as the warriors, although Reuben did not like to war at times.  This also got Reuben in trouble because God anointed his tribe for wartime.  Moses recognizes his weakness and calls it out:

“Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?  Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord has given them?” (Numbers 32:6,7)

Moses warns the Reubenites that if they don’t go to battle, they would be judged. “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).  The Reubenites knew this to be true, and they followed their leader!  In this instance, humility guides their decision, and they go to battle.  God blesses them with great riches from the battle.

When the Reubenites were under the authority of a righteous king, they rose to be noble and full of dignity.  (1 Chron. 26: 31,32). But left to themselves, they strayed from wise choices that always resulted in major consequences.

Reuben had a heart to love the Lord.  When the Reubenites got back from fighting the giants and mighty armies in the land of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership, they brought sacrifices to the Lord.  But not long afterwards, they turn around and made another bad decision.  In their moment of rejoicing, the Reubenites decide impulsively to build a great altar to the Lord (Joshua 22).  This went against God’s law, and the children of Israel rose up to fight against Reuben!  Reuben came up with a great excuse that it would be just a memorial, which it ended up only being because God did not authorize it as a place of worship.  Again, we see the unstable quality of Reuben that God wants to redeem.

Reuben, Simeon, and Gad held the high banner of man which was Reuben’s banner.  This is not a coincidence as these three tribes were tested and known for their human strength and weakness.  In God’s redemption plan, we can all be the Reuben’s that loved well and are mighty in the Lord’s strength!

The body of Christ has entered into a season of war.  But this war is one to hold onto His promises and not be moved by what we see. Our character is being tested!  We must be armed with God’s truth and have faith to trust that God has our victory in His hand.  We must take time to get strategy and then fight with courage the good fight of faith!   “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23  

This month is a great month to “WORK the WORD,” no matter what you see!  That means to read, speak, and believe God’s Word until you KNOW in your heart what God says is truth!  This is true “son ship,” which was the essence of Reuben’s name and the purpose of his destiny!  In God’s redemption plan, we can all take on the good qualities of Reuben and see great reward!