Beginning at sundown on September 11th, we begin the seventh month of the Hebrew covenant calendar known as “Tishri.” Tishri is the first of the three months that marks the harvest season, and the month that celebrates all of the Fall Feasts of the LORD.

“Tishri” means “reflected light,” reminding Christians that fruitfulness comes when we witness His light to the world.

“And all Mine are Yours, land Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them” (John 17:10).

Tishri is associated with the tribe of Ephraim, the youngest son of Joseph, whose name means; “Doubly fruitful.”

Ephraim was born during Joseph’s reign as Pharaoh’s “governor.” At the time of his birth, Joseph was enjoying God’s redemption and great blessing after having suffered as a slave and a prisoner of Pharaoh’s. Out of gratitude, Joseph named his son Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Gen.41:52).

When Ephraim’s grandfather, Jacob, was nearing his death, Joseph took him and his brother Manasseh to visit him. After Jacob saw them, he was strengthened by the LORD and prophesied over the boys that they would be grafted into the Abrahamic Covenantal inheritance along with his own 12 sons (Gen. 48).

Remarkably, God gave Joseph’s sons a double portion of blessings that would manifest greatly in the latter days, along with the stewardship of the birthright. Even though Ephraim was the younger one, he was given the firstborn blessings instead of his brother Manasseh. “He shall be greater than he (his older brother Manasseh), and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” (Genesis 48:19).

God chose Ephraim and Manasseh, who would later in time multiply into nations of the earth, to be a “reflected light” of the “Good News” to the four corners of the earth in the latter days.

The prophetic blessing given to Joseph and his sons was the crowning best! “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall.” 

In Genesis 49:22-26 and Deut. 33:13-17, God declares that Joseph’s sons would inherit fertile land and hidden resources that would give these two families (later nations). God’s provision to push the peoples to the ends of the earth. (What nation has pushed the Gospel to the ends of the earth?).

Joseph’s obedience to “walk with God” throughout all his hardships ends up paying off with great blessings for his offspring. This testimony gives us all great hope as we push through hardships.

Later in biblical history, Joshua became known as a great leader who was from the tribe of Ephraim. Because of his steadfast obedience to the Lord, God prospered everything he did. He was one of the greatest military leaders we read in the Bible who defeated the enemy and took possession of the Promised land.

We glean from Ephraim that obedience to the Lord without compromise is a key to reaping a great harvest of blessings for generations to come.

America’s land has resembled the double portion of fruitfulness prophesied by God to Joseph’s sons. Reverend Robert Hunt declared in Jamestown in 1607: “From these very shores the Gospel shall go forth to not only this New World but the entire world.” 

250 years later, America is in the midst of a shaking to root out the compromises that are polluting her prophetic calling so we can come back into the blessings of God. As we continue to seek God in the midst of our afflictions and follow His lead like Joseph did, the generations to come will receive the fruit of our obedience.

The month of Tishri has many significant markings that make it unique. Many biblical historians agree that Adam was formed from the earth in the month of Tishri, and that Jesus came into the flesh, born of the Virgin Mary, in this same month as Adam. Some biblical historians also state that the day Jesus was born was on 9/11. It is perhaps a divine coincidence that this year, Firstfruits falls on 9/11, on a weekly Sabbath, and on the Feast of Trumpets that announces the King’s return and the beginning of the harvest.

For Americans today, 9/11 has been marred with death and destruction 25 years ago. However, for a nation founded on a covenantal faith in Christ as her King, we must believe America’s story doesn’t end in death and destruction, but in the resurrection power of Gods redeeming plan for His people (nation) who were given resources to be a blessing from her King. It had been 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attack, and the 250 year anniversary of our nation. Given that the number 25 is the number for “blessing,” perhaps America will come into a season of blessing for the next generation as it was for Ephraim through our obedience to turn back to Him.

“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).

A final note on Tishri: The LORD formed Adam out of the dust of the earth and declared over him, “Be FRUITFUL and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28).”

As history reveals, Adam’s sin separated him from God’s glory. However, God made a way for His son, “the second Adam,” to redeem man and restore the inheritance:

“And so it is written, The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (1 Cor. 15:45).

But God is not finished. He will continue the redemption of all through a FIRSTFRUITS” remnant he calls “sons of God.” They will soon rise in the fullness of God’s resurrection power and the earth will stop groaning because the sons of light will assist in the healing of the nations(Rom8:22;Rev 22:1-4). This is prophesied to begin during the month of Tishri in Gods appointed year, and will be a witness of the beginning of the Millennium reign at the “sound of the trump.”

“For the LORD Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel. and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And thus we shall always be with the LORD” (1 Thes. 4:16,17).

Many have been led to believe we will not know the time of the return of the LORD because of this scripture reference:

“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matt. 25:13).

However, knowing the purpose of why God established His priestly covenant calendar, we know the season. It will happen in Tishri during God’s divinely appointed time of the fall Feasts of the Lord. And so, we prepare our hearts, like a dress rehearsal, of when that inheritance will come.

Today, we are experiencing heaven and earth drawing closer together as get ready to welcome a new era/age that will usher in the Kingship of Jesus reigning over the nations. God’s story doesn’t end in destruction like many believe, but in His redemption and restoration of ALL things.

..”whom heaven must receive until the times of the restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21).

BLESSINGS!