After Passover was celebrated, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread commenced, the children of Israel were instructed to celebrate a third Feast to “set apart” provision in the Lord’s honor.  This was the Feast of Firstfruits, and was celebrated on the day after the weekly Sabbath following Passover (which was the FIRST day, meaning Sunday) of the week.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was a week long celebration, was still in progress while this third Feast was executed. (Today, we can take to heart it’s meaning and celebration as the New Testament scriptures direct us how:

“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor. 5:6-8).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread prophesied to the world that Jesus was the “Bread of Life” as His sinless (unleavened) sacrifice would connect us to the source of life:

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

However, in order to make way for a harvest (Christians) to become like Him, Jesus had to die as a sinless sacrifice, take the keys of Hades (overcome death because He had no “leaven” in Him) and RISE and present Himself as a “first fruits offering” to the Father. 

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24).

The resurrection of Jesus was amazing.  But it had to go through the “set apart” process of becoming “holy and acceptable to the Father.”  This completion process happened on the Feast of Firstfruits.

“For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches” (Romans 11:16).

The Gospel of John verifies this timing and fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits.  After three days and nights since the crucifixion of Christ, Mary visited the tomb early Sunday morning while it was STILL DARK.  Mary discovered the tomb open and empty, and began weeping.  Two angels appeared and said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”  Mary answered that she didn’t know where Jesus was, and when she turned to speak, Jesus was standing there but she didn’t recognize Him.  When she heard His voice, she knew it was Jesus, but He commanded her this:

“Do not cling to ME, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God'”(John 20:17). 

The reason Jesus had not yet ascended is because He was waiting to offer Himself up to the Father at the EXACT time the Firstfruits Offering was offered up by the High Priest to fulfill the Feast blueprint (Lev. 23:11).  

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20).

Later that evening, when He appeared to the disciples, Jesus showed them His hands and feet, ate and drank, and allowed Thomas to touch him.  He could do this now because He had already presented Himself as the “first fruits” offering, crowned High Priest and King, and transformed into His glorified body. Now Jesus could ascend and descend from heaven to earth to be seen by many witnesses, which He continued to do so for 40 days. He was then taken until the next SET TIME.  But between now and then, Jesus would send us a helper, a “first fruits” deposit of His glory, to comfort us.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO GOD’S NEXT “SET TIME” WHEN JESUS WILL RETURN FOR THE HARVEST. WE TOO WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE FATHER AND RECEIVE OUR GLORIFIED BODIES!  THIS IS OUR “HOPE OF GLORY!”

“But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1Cor. 15:23).

 

 

Passover and the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread basically happen in succession which makes it a bit difficult to discern between the two, but I will attempt to do so very simply.  Passover begins at twilight on the 14th day of Nissan (sundown).  And since the next Hebrew day begins after sundown, the Feast of Unleavened Bread commences after Passover at the beginning of the 15th day of Nissan.  Literally, one rolls into the next.

Both Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were established as a blueprint to remember how God delivered the children of Israel from the hand of Pharaoh and the death plague.  And because of the the rapid exit that the children of Israel made out of Egypt, they didn’t have any time to allow the bread to go through the leavening process.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a week long Feast (Lev. 23: 6).The first day and seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread were considered “High Holy Days, or also referred to as “Sabbaths.” These “Sabbaths” were similar to a weekly Sabbath in that all the children of Israel were to cease from work and rest.  But the “High Holy Days” were specific to the Sabbaths of the Feast days and were SET TIMES God chose to be set apart :

” Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”

Most Christians would read these New Testament scriptures and never know their is a difference between the Sabbaths.  But understanding the distinction helps to break down the truth of the events that happened when Jesus fulfill scriptures and became the sacrificial Passover lamb.

The word “Holy Convocation” actually means “dress rehearsal.”  God Himself tells us that celebrating these Feasts are a “dress rehearsal” for when Jesus arrives on the scene here on the earth to take on the primary role of the purpose of the Feast, which collectively, are all a part of God’s master plan of redemption.

The word “Feasts” means “divine appointment.”  God orchestrated His Feast blueprint to reveal His “SET APART TIME” to reconcile heaven and earth.  Christ Himself knew when it was His time to begin His ministry, and when it was His time to go to the cross.  This is why Jesus went willingly when the Roman soldiers came to take him away.

In thinking about the Feast of Unleavened Bread, I am in awe of a few things.  It is impossible to be righteous without Christ which most of us understand and is why we ask Jesus to be our Savior.  But it is equally impossible to try and be a “perfect” Christian.  If you have ever tried to edit a book, or made sure a room was germ free, or cleaned your house, you know how hard it is to get it completely free of dirt, errors, or invaders.  Getting rid of the leaven in our lives as Christians is all a part of the journey of “sanctification.”

Even though Jesus covers our sins, the wages of sin (death) has not been removed from our bodies as of yet.  We can rest knowing that JESUS was without ANY leaven.  HE alone is perfection.  And in Him, we can abide in His perfection.  But it takes time for our soul to understand this truth.  And it will take Jesus coming back until we get bodies that have NO death in them but are a reflection of His glory.

The greatest difference between the Old and New Covenant is this:  In the Old Covenant, man was trying to work at meeting the requirements of Covenant with God.  But in the New Covenant, man rests in the knowledge that the requirements of Covenant have already been perfected.  The Old Covenant places trust in man’s effort.  The New Covenant places trust in God’s finished work.  When we get to the place in our hearts that we can rest in that knowledge, we have removed the “leaven” from our hearts and are “abiding in Christ alone!”

 

Passover 2018 happens to fall on the same day as Good Friday this year, which I believe is not a coincidence.  Many Christians really aren’t aware that Good Friday and Easter were dates that the Catholic Church created as “holy days” to honor Christ.  Through this adoption of Good Friday and Easter into our Christian culture, the body of Christ lost all connection to the Feasts calendar God established to honor His son.  But by the grace of God, Passover (Good Friday) and the Feast of Firstfruits (Resurrection Day) are identical dates this year, so we will be synced to God’s “appointed time” by chance (or is it!).

The problem of “changing God’s time and law” isn’t new since Christ came (Dan.7:25).  In the Old Testament, it most notably happened after the reign of King Solomon when the Israelites split into two kingdoms(families). Ten of the tribes of Israel formed the House of Israel and removed themselves from Solomon’s son’s reign. But out of fear that the people would return to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feasts and not return, the leader of the ten tribes, Jeroboam, decided to change the Feasts times, laws, and place of worship (1 Kings 12:26-33).

“So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month he had devised in his own heart” (1 Kings 12:33).

This change opened up the door for the iniquitous roots that would plague the House of Israel in years to come, and which is why most of the kings who ruled that we read in 1st and 2nd Kings were wicked and rebellious towards God.  

Looking at the pattern in the New Testament, Jesus and Paul the Apostle made sure they didn’t miss a Feast.  All of Paul’s missionary work was targeted to adhere to the Feast schedule.  He understood the importance of honoring those Feast times.  But the Feasts needed a New Covenant revelation of why and how they were to be celebrated.  They were not to be pegged to an “earthly Jerusalem” any longer:

“Then I, John, saw the holy city, NEW Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.(Rev. 21:2).

The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD would actually help “cut off” the Old Covenant tradition of looking to a “temple” in Jerusalem to honor the Feasts.  With the New Jerusalem, the believers are said to be join together in the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, united as one body, one heart, and one sound worshipping the Lord.  Since believers are the temple of God (2 Cor. 6:16), there is no need for a temple made of hands to worship the Lord.  We just need to align ourselves with God’s blueprint of corporately coming together to honor Him in truth.  This blueprint is what God wants to awaken us all to.

Prior to every “fresh start” and new outpouring of God’s mercy and power, there is a pattern of a remnant of God’s people who are “awakened” to His truth. This awakening usually resulted in repentance and a turning toward the ways of God.  The story of King Hezekiah is just one example of this awakening, which followed with a reinstatement of the celebration of the Feasts of the Lord that brought joy and healing to the people and the land (2 Chron.30,31)

Given that this Hebrew year has a significance of new beginnings for God’s remnant, an “awakening to God’s truth,” and a release from bondage, I was led to another similar “awakening” pattern in the biblical history found in the book of Ezra.

After 70 years of captivity in Babylon, the Judeans (Jews) were able to return to the Promised Land and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  Led by Ezra the High Priest and Nehemiah, the Jews were given an opportunity to start again.  Ezra was used by God to “awaken” the remnant to God’s truth by sharing the Law.  The construction of the temple had just finished, and after hearing about God’s “Holy Days” found in the pattern of the Feasts, the Jews chose to celebrate the Passover:

“And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.  For the priests of the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were ritually clean.  

And they slaughtered the Passover lambs for all the descendants of the captivity, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.  Then the children of Israel who had returned from captivity ate together will all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel.  

And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread, seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel” (Ezra 6:19-22).

Ezra directed the Jews back to honoring the Feasts, which resulted in joy and gladness amongst the people.  BUT also included was favor with the heart of the king.  Even Nehemiah goes into detail in chapter 8 on how they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles according to the blueprint of the law, which hadn’t been done since the days of Joshua!

Unfortunately, as time went on, God’s people had not separated themselves from the cultures and idolatry of the people who lived in the land.  Ezra was besides himself since they had just come out of the 70 year bondage.  So he pleads with the people to separate themselves for God’s service, and to see they have been given a second chance:

“Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been very guilt, and of our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to humiliation, as it is this day.

“And now for a little while grace has been shown form the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage” (Ezra 9:7,8).

This Hebrew year, I believe that God is awakening us all to His Calendar truth and to separate ourselves from the “holy calendar” that man has made. This will give the body of Christ what Ezra and the people experienced,  “a measure of revival in our bondage,” which will ultimately lead to healing and joy for the Church at large. And how about the timing today?  It will be 70 years that Israel has been a nation, and it’s time our eyes are adjusted shift to the NEW Jerusalem.  NOW is the time of awakening.

So you may be asking yourself again, “Why would God create these Feasts, call them His “Holy Days,” that He wanted us to honor for all generations?”  And the simple answer is because they layout the blueprint in detail, in relation to their meaning and timing, of how Jesus would become our Savior and return as King.

Time is the one common denominator that ALL the world is on the same blueprint.  We are all accountable to our days, months and years to the time established universal.  Now is the time we all need to awaken to God’s calendar so we can sync into His plan of redemption in the earth. The Feasts give us the corporate pattern of how we become what God prophesies about, “The New Jerusalem!” That alone should get every Christian interested in discovering their value.

I pray you have a blessed Passover!

 

 

 

This Hebrew New Year began at sundown on March 17th, and continued until sundown, March 18th, 2018.  As I began writing in my journal 3/18/18, the Pastor told us to go to John 18. The Holy Spirit grabbed my attention to the number 18.   It is fascinating to me how God’s Word lines up with numbers that share His heart and timing in matters that concern His Kingdom come.

The number 18 in the Bible signifies oppression or bondage.  The 18th time Abram is mentioned in the Bible is in Gen. 12:18, which is when Pharaoh is asking Abram why he had lied to him by not telling him Sara was his wife but rather his sister:

“And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me?  Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?”

Pharaoh and his house had been plagued by great plagues because he had taken Sarai into his house. Abram was afraid that he would be killed if Pharaoh knew Sarai was his wife.  So he asked Sarai to lie and say she was his sister. Pharaoh then took her into his house (to be one who is prepared to be his wife) because she was beautiful.  And because Pharaoh liked Sarai, he treated Abram well, giving him much livestock that produced great wealth.

God alone protected Sarai, but it wasn’t until Pharaoh confronted Abram was she released.  Abram had to confess and tell the truth.  He was forced to confront his fear, and trust God in that moment that He would turn the heart of Pharaoh.

“The kings’ heart is in the hand of the Lord.  Like the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes”(Prov. 21:1).

Not only did Pharaoh let Abram and Sarai go, but he also sent them off with all that Abram had acquired in wealth.  Afterwards, they left Egypt and went back to the Promised land. The plagues were halted against Pharaoh as well, and it was shortly afterwards that God releases a “kingly” anointing over Abraham as he led 318 of his trained servants to go against all the kings in the land to save Lot (Gen. 14:14-17).  This victory earned Abraham the respect of all the leaders in the land.

Abraham is mentioned for the 18th time in Gen. 18:19, when the Lord is speaking to him about the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, a picture of bondage and sin.  This is the chapter where Abraham stands in the gap for his brother Lot, and God promises to save him out of the destruction coming to the city.  Lot is pulled out by the angels of God.

In the New Testament, a woman who was bound for 18 years was finally set free:

“And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.  But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, ‘Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”  And He laid His hands on her, and IMMEDIATELY she was made straight, and glorified God” (Luke 13:11-13).

These Old and New Covenant scriptures give us some clues as to the number 18. It is God’s desire to show us that we may put ourselves in bondage through our own sinful choices (Abram lying to Pharaoh), or we can be under oppression because of the nation we live in (Sodom and Gomorah), or we can inherit bondage (18 years of infirmity), or we may be oppressed by rulers who despise Godly laws (Pharaoh), but in all situations, when it’s God’s time, THE LORD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE OUT OF BONDAGE and sets them apart for His service. AND, when they come out, they come out better off than they were before.  More provision, more freedom, more authority, and more opportunity to move ahead.

John 18 is the chapter when Jesus is arrested by the Roman soldiers through the help of Judas, the betrayer.  Even though Jesus is about to go into bondage by the Chief Priests and Pontus Pilate, the real people in bondage were those who cried out for him to be crucified.  In all that time, Jesus was in control.  He knew the Father’s plan, and He executed it perfectly.  On the other side of the cross, Jesus would then set us all free from the bondage of the debt of sin.  The point is, that whatever bondage we are in, if we are seeking the Lord’s help in humility, there is a time appointed by God to set us free. We must remember, GOD IS IN CONTROL!

With all of this in mind, how amazing it is that we are coming into a year of God’s timing to break free His people from the bondage of the enemies strongholds.  This is a personal release that is tied to a corporate release.  Nationally, God is breaking down the “Mystery of Babylon” that has strangled the nations under its control.  This will shake also our nation.

In all these situations where the Lord moved to set His people free from oppression, there was seen a huge distinction between those who are His, and those who His enemies.

Lastly, God Himself is removing these barriers that He has placed upon His remnant to keep them hidden until HIS RELEASE.  As we go through Passover this year, hear by faith God’s command once again, “LET MY PEOPLE GO!”  See the seas parting, and cross into this year with the hope of new beginnings birthing forth.

Many people have asked me this question over the past 7 years of studying the Hebrew roots and God’s blueprint; “What benefit is it to learn about our Hebrew roots/blueprint or understand the Hebrew calendar?  

This is a great question I have pondered for so many years now, because the simplicity of loving and accepting Christ as Savior and then loving others is the gospel message we are commanded to share and be.  And in it’s simplicity, we don’t need to know anything else because it is FAITH alone that moves the hand of God and brings us into a relationship with Him.  It has nothing to do with knowledge or wisdom or even understanding of God…It is simply by FAITH we become a child of God.

All of this being true, there are still so many questions our soul as believers longs for answers.  I believe God puts that longing in us to step into the adventure of discovering those answers when we are ready.  Questions like, “What does God look like?  What does love look like?  If God is love, what are His thoughts, His passion, His DNA, His character, and His master plan in creating me and heaven and earth?  What does heaven look like?  How do I recognize the voice of God?  Now that I am “born again,” what am I “born into?”  And when Jesus returns, what is going to happen?

For many Christians, the journey of discovering these answers to those questions begins through reading the Bible and praying, trials and triumphs, and learning about our gifts and talents God gave us to share with others.  We have become “pregnant” with God’s truth, His righteousness, His power, and His purpose the moment the Holy Spirit was deposited in us.  ALL the answers are already in that deposit because the Holy Spirit is TRUTH.  God reveals more of the truth that is already in us as we spend more time getting to know Him.  But quite honestly, we will never have all the answers fully to our questions UNTIL the birthing of the Millenium when Jesus returns.  Until then, we are all excited with great anticipation, and trusting God is forming everything in HIS TIME.

Having said that, many believers have a lot of revelation of who they are in Christ, but they have little clues as to how they fit into the bigger picture of God who is forming each body part (individual), so that when it’s God’s time, ONE BODY is birthed that is fully functioning in the earth.  It takes an understanding of the bigger picture, the master plan, the “Blueprint” to see how all the parts are formed, connect, and built together, as well as how long these parts need to be developed into maturity.  The bigger picture is what is on the horizon.  Don’t you want to see what that picture looks like?

The following analogy is what God gave me to share for the “WHY” a New Covenant believer today would want to take the time to peek into the Old Testament and discover how God designed the Hebrew Blueprint so we can understand the bigger plan:

If you have ever been pregnant, or have been a father to be, there is always a rejoicing the minute you find out you are pregnant (similar to when we become “born again Christians”). From that moment, life changes, and a new life is forming that you cannot see with the naked eye. But each day, that “seed” is growing in the womb.  The mother may experience symptoms to inform her that their is a new life inside of her taking shape.  The pregnancy test is proof she is.  But to anyone who has not been told the “good news,” they cannot see with their natural eyes.

For several months, there still isn’t even a bump (sign) looking at the stomach to indicate that the mom is pregnant.  When the mom does starts popping out, she almost feels she needs to proclaim or convince everyone who looks her way that she is pregnant, and not fat! Around the 7th month, most expectant mom’s have showers to celebrate and bless the coming birth.  But it takes 9 months (or 40 weeks which is the biblical number representing a completion of time of trial/probation) for the gestation time to come to full term.

In the 9th month (9 in biblical terms means the “time of visitation”), right before giving birth, the mom feels she doesn’t have the strength to carry the baby any longer. But in the “fullness of time”, her water breaks.  Labor begins, and the painful process to get that baby out of a tiny birth canal begins.  She has NO choice but to go through the process of pushing, so she learns how to breathe and to rest between contractions.  Finally, the LAST push which comes from somewhere deep from within, breaks through the seemingly impossible barrier and the baby’s head begins to crown.  Life fully formed pours forth from this hidden place, the womb, and out into the open.  A cry opens the lungs that breathe air for the first time, and the cord is cut.  PEACE fills the room, and the baby is washed, wrapped in linen, and comforted in the arms of the parents.  NOW the parents can SEE what God had been creating.

All throughout the journey, both the Father and Mother know they are parents, but they aren’t able to really step into that role UNTIL the baby is born.

This analogy of birth is one we are familiar with that has so many spiritual implications of the “blueprint” of all that God has created in His time (specifically Christ’s redemption story), but now I want to zero in on this analogy to pinpoint the relevance of the question of why we need to know God’s blueprint for today:

There is something exciting that happens during this pregnancy process around 8 weeks.  It is then that the parents are able to schedule an Ultra-sound to hear the babies heartbeat and to see the baby forming in the womb.  This incredible machine allows the parents to peek inside the secret place of the hidden womb, see what is growing, and give the parents data and information that brings comfort and joy.  The moment the parents HEAR the heartbeat and SEE the baby in the womb, a shift happens.

Instantly, pregnancy is not just a word.  It’s not just head knowledge that a baby is in the womb and coming 7 months later.  IT BECOMES REAL.  HEARING the heartbeat connects the parents hearts to the baby.  SEEING the baby floating around alive gives the parents their first picture of “family.”   Not only that, the parents can then IDENTIFY if the baby is a boy or girl, and can prepare accordingly.  A  miraculous new love streams through a parents heart instantly after the Ultra-sound, and the parents shift from just the idea of being parents to the reality of becoming parents.

It is privilege to be able to look behind closed doors (behind the skin and into the womb) and see LIFE being formed.   This technology wasn’t there years ago.  But we who live today are privileged to have access to the beauty of this technology.  It unlocks some of the “mystery” out of the womb.  It brings a new measure of JOY knowing that what is being formed is a product of love that will have both parents DNA traits.   It measures the TIME of which the baby is developing.  It brings PEACE knowing the baby is healthy.  It brings agape LOVE because you love this baby before it can even love you back.  It brings PATIENCE because you see the limbs need 7 more months to go to form.  It brings KINDNESS and GENTLENESS to the seemingly slow process because the mom realizes her life isn’t her own.  It brings SELF – CONTROL because the choices the parents make are done with the baby’s birth in mind.  It brings FAITHFULNESS to hold on to the promise that when the baby is fully formed, it will birth forth LIFE THAT WILL PRODUCE “A FAMILY!”

As a collective “Church,” for the past 2,000 years, the “Seed” that has been impregnated in all of us has multiplied.  When this “baby” is finally birthed, it will be the sign that confirms the beginning of the Millennium, and the world will welcome the Father (Christ the King) and His baby named “Son of light.” The earth will rejoice because the bible tells us that the earth is groaning and travailing for the revealing of the “sons of light” (Romans 8:19). The earth will recognize this new FAMILY.  It is so hard to imagine that ALL these Christians, both past, present, and future, are ONE BODY!  But we are, because eventually, we will be made in HIS IMAGE COMPLETELY! FULLY ONE! ONE FAMILY!

Learning about God’s blueprint, our Hebrew roots, and connecting them to the New Covenant Promises is like God allowing us to be a part of a sneak peak Ultra sound of the body of Christ that has been forming in the womb these past 2,000 years.  We are living in a time God is revealing the “mysteries of Christ” that have been hidden in the womb.  This baby is about to give birth.  God calls the baby “sons of light,” but He also calls the baby “His Bride” because when the baby is born, it will reflect the Oneness in Him: His light and glory, and love.  We are called to be His Family.  Discovering these Hebrew blueprints will open up your heart to SEE and HEAR what He is saying about this baby, YOU, His family, and His heart of redemption for ALL creation.

So the question God is asking us now is:  Are you interested in seeing what’s in the womb so you can be ready for this birth?  You not only make up a part of this baby forming, but you can sit where the Lord sits and see what He sees looking into this “Ultra-sound” and get a sneak peek at what is coming.  Past generations couldn’t see what God is revealing to us today.  But you can!

Blessings!

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many are one body, so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  For in fact the body is not one member but many” (1 Cor. 12:12-14).

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness into His manifest light” (1 Peter 2:9).

” And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as WE are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sentMe, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.  Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:22-24).

 

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

A Look into the New Hebrew Year 5778:

Let me begin by summarizing this Hebrew year of 5778, translating it into English to mean something like this: “God’s Eye is upon His Chosen People, those who have learned through tests and trials how to “abide” in His Word, whom are now going to birth forth (new beginnings) as His “Crowned Ones” with His resurrection power.”

Now, l would like to break it down into a little more detail. The first two numbers, 57, means “God’s eye.” This part of the meaning stays the same each year until we reach the Hebrew year 5800.

The last two numbers of 5778, 7 and 8, we need to examine separately first, and then together as they will give us clues of the significance of this New year in particular.

7 is the number that represents blessing, and the 7th letter of the Hebrew alphabet is ZAYIN. This letter is translated as a crowned weapon, and spiritually speaking refers to one anointed (Christ and Christ-ians) with the sword of the spirit; the WORD. Individuals who are abiding in God’s Word and have learned to use it as a weapon of warfare are crowned with God’s blessing. Many times the training for this weapon is learned through the sufferings that teach us obedience to trust God at His Word, period! However, after the test comes the blessings. Expect to see blessings in the areas that have been dried up because the testing has come to a time of completion.

The 7th letter also signifies completion, which I believe we have completed the Pentecost Age (Church Age), and we are crossing over into the Tabernacles Age. What did God say to Joshua before he was called to cross over the Jordan? “Moses is dead.” Billy Graham dying was one sign of the death of this past age that had to happen before the Lord’s time to cross over into the Tabernacles Age. The nation of Israel turning 70 is also a sign because 70 is an appointed time of judgment. God has given us many SIGNS in the sky to warn or signal us of this shift with the blood moons and eclipses. This crossing over is more of an individual shift that is linked to a corporate kingdom blueprint, not just an individual shift alone. Nations will be moved toward Christ or away from Christ’s righteousness.

David was anointed when he was young, yet did not take the throne until years later after many trials while serving King Saul. Many who have been tested as David will arise from out of the oppression and hidden places. You know, the ones called “outcasts.” The ones the world says are of no value because they lack a title, platform or finances. The ones who have kept believing in the Promises but have not seen any come to pass.The ones kicked out of churches because of the doctrines of men, or rejected by family. And like David, they have had to endure an assassination assignment that Satan executed through the gates of jealousy, envy and pride.

Those who had the character like Saul caused many of God’s remnant to flee for safety after having suffered awhile. But in the hidden places and spaces, just like David, God prepared these outcasts to handle a kingship authority that they would be responsible for up ahead. When King Saul died, the oppression lifted, and God’s anointed could take their rightful positions of influence and authority. This too is in part of what is birthing forth.

Nations who have been under the oppression of the “Mystery of Babylon” will find that oppression break, and emerge out of it’s stranglehold.

Now lets look at 8. The eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is CHET. When the blood of the Passover lamb was placed upon the doorposts and lintel of each Hebrew home, that blood formed the shape of this letter Chet; which was synonymous with life, and eternal life through the sacrifice of Christ.

Eight is also the number for new beginnings. It was the eighth day (or first day of the week) Jesus rose from the dead. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and “LIVED” and because of him, 8 souls were saved through the flood.

God established a covenant with Abraham on eight occasions. Babies who were circumcised on the 8th day were a SIGN of the Abrahamic Covenant. David, the King of Israel, was the 8th son of his father, Jesse. When the temple was restored after the Babylonian exile, the outer area was consecrated for 8 days, and another 8 days were spent consecrating the inside. The Feast of Tabernacles, which anticipates the beginning of the Millennium is observed for 8 days.

When we put 7 and 8 together, we have a crowned one who is a weapon in the Lord’s hand because he walks in TRUTH (the sword of the spirit) and through a sanctification and wrestling process, has come to rest in the finished work of the cross because of grace. This then produces a new season, a new beginning, a FIRSTFRUITS REMNANT birthing forth out of the hidden place and into the light. NEW LIFE IS BIRTHED FORTH AND THE REMNANT REST IN AN ABIDING STRENGTH AND AUTHORITY THAT GIVES THEM POWER AND AN ABILITY TO BREAK FORTH OUT OF THE GRAVE AND INTO GOD”S RESURRECTION POWER!

It’s a supernatural thing when God releases HIS TIME to begin. If you have tried to do something God has put in your heart to do, and you finally ran out of strength trying, this year God will breathe new life into you. This is a corporate shift, so your passion and dream is connected to a remnant moving in a corporate blueprint God has designed. In it, we all take our positions and move this enormous unity wheel which takes dominion back to the King of Kings. So many of God’s remnant are tired and limping along without any more strength. They have finally come to a place of letting go and realizing ONLY God can get the glory if something changes. NOW you are poised for the wind of the Holy Spirit to blow you across the Jordan and into the Promises of God. And God gets ALL the glory because you know that you know it could ONLY be because God did it.

Jesus knew His appointed time to die. All throughout the Gospels, He repeated that it wasn’t His time. But when it was His time to die, He knew it and declared it. IT IS GOD’S TIME FOR HIS REMNANT TO ARISE!

I am truly believing that those who are reading this will experience that resurrection power in their hearts, mind’s and body and the Promises of God that seemed dead and done will SUDDENLY break forth….IT’S HIS TIME!

Blessings to YOU ALL THIS YEAR!

We are entering into the eighth month of the Hebrew Calendar known as the month of “Cheshvan.”  Eight is the number for new beginnings, and perfectly describes the events associated with this month in biblical history.

Cheshvan’s name stems from the word “flood.” During the days of Noah, the flood began on the 17th of Cheshvan and ended the following year on the 27th of Cheshvan. Although Cheshvan marked the execution of God’s judgment and hardship, it was also a significant month of new doors opening to a shifted landscape!  When Noah opened up the door and left the ark, he began the same covenant mission of multiplying and fulfilling the earth in a world that was completely different!

This month is also associated with the tribe of Manasseh; which was one of sons of Joseph. Joseph’s sons were grafted in to Jacob/Israel’s Covenant blessing. “Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them. And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” (Gen. 48:16)

Manasseh means, “one who makes to forget, one who forgets the toil.” The character of Manasseh was to forgive and not carry a grudge. The forgiving nature gave Manasseh the ability to fulfill their calling. This tribe shows us the character of forgiveness to the point of forgetting the wrong, and it is this character trait that brings healing to the nations.

The prophetic blessing given to Joseph (which would now go to his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim) 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 the sons of Joseph will have hidden resources, rich heritage with God’s favor and blessing upon the land given with rain and produce. In addition, these two tribes would push the peoples to the ends of the earth.

In studying Manasseh, there was a pivotal time in their history in which there were no men to carry on the inheritance of the tribe according to the laws that had been set forth (Numbers 27:1-11). But there were five single women of Manasseh who dared to believe God for a new thing! They petitioned to Moses to take possession of their inheritance so that their tribe would not be wiped out or their inheritance lost.

Moses took their request to the Lord, and the Lord made an amendment to the law and granted their request. I think this story is so relevant that is tied to women stepping through doors of leadership like “Deborah.” Women sometimes need to fight for their portion of the inheritance given to them by the King that is challenged by culture and tradition. They will be granted access to places the “legalistic law” wouldn’t let them go to before. Women will find their biggest battle will be in breaking through religious traditions.

In the Old Testament, we read one hero from the Tribe of Manasseh named Gideon, a “mighty man of valor. (Judges 6:12.) At the time Gideon is “chosen” by God to do a mighty work, he was threshing wheat to hide from the Midianites who were impoverishing and oppressing the Israelites and destroying their produce and livestock.

The Angel of Lord appeared to him. Gideon asked, “Why are all these things happening to the children of Israel?” He was looking to the Lord for answers, and the Lord’s answer was to use Gideon. And the Lord said to Gideon, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:14)

Gideon didn’t believe God had the right guy, because the odds were against him and he didn’t “appear” to be the best candidate. (Even today, some of us can believe we disqualify to do God’s work because we aren’t “schooled” to share God’s message or are equipped to minister). ”O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

But the Lord replied, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

When God finally convinced Gideon He was chosen, Gideon did the logical thing and gathered as many resources as he could to fight the Midianites. The Lord instructed Gideon that he had too many resources…too many soldiers to go to battle. This was key to God’s strategy in turning the hearts of His people toward Him. The children of Israel needed to see His sovereignty to cut to their heart and depend on the resources “flooding” forth supernaturally.

God is preparing a remnant of Gideon’s today that understand they cannot have victory in their own strength or resources, but in God alone! God will choose these Gideon’s as His Firstfruits to enter into the fullness of His glory so that the nations can experience righteousness and justice; placing people in government, business, education, finances, arts, etc. who He has prepared for such a time as this.

Today’s “Gideon “Firstfruits” Army” has been hidden much like Gideon was until the Lord called upon him to step out.   This “remnant army” has learned through tests and trials to surrender to the Lord’s command, and the least likely to be chosen to rule in positions of prominence both in and out of the Church according to our “worldly standards.” They will be chosen to be “kings and priests” in the Age of Tabernacles when Jesus returns as King (Rev. 5:9).

It is no coincidence that Gideon was threshing wheat when He was called upon. God’s role for this Gideon army He is raising up today will have the wisdom to discern between the wheat from the tares that have grown in the field (world). This wisdom will even plumbline the Church in establishing His Kingdom here on the earth. Over these past 2,000 years, the Church at large has produced wheat (good) and tares (bad), and she doesn’t look like a unified body at all. The “Gideon army” will be the ones God equips to bring the body together to look like His Bride.

The month of Cheshvan is associated with the Lord’s flood that brings death and life. When the Lord flooded the earth in the days of Noah, there was death that resulted. Death always proceeds God’s resurrection power and new beginnings. Even before the children of Israel were getting close to the time when the Lord would finally take them out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land, Moses died first.  The Lord then said to Joshua, “MOSES IS DEAD!” (Joshua 1:1). “Be Strong and of Good Courage!”

Moses was a great leader, and God used him to move His Covenantal purpose forward.  But when it was God’s timing, Joshua was chosen to pick up the baton and move the Covenant forward differently than his predecessor. God created Joshua with the purpose in mind to lead and conquer the Promised Land.  He didn’t create Joshua to replicate Moses, but only to glean from Moses the wisdom, knowledge, and leadership of God’s heart, plan and character.

We are about to see a new generation who will take the deposit of the “Pentecostal (church) Age” and move it forward into the “Age of Tabernacles.” They will take the wisdom and truth we have gained in advancing the Kingdom of God these past 2000 years, but will move God’s Covenant plan ahead differently.  The “old wine skin” will die. The “traditions of old” will die. The flesh will die. But His Spirit will flood the earth and bring newness of life. The Gideon’s will advance into the “Promised Land” with the King leading them and establish His government in the land.  It is an exciting time we live in!

In order to experience “newness of life,” we have to close doors to open new ones. We have to let go of old ways and mindsets that aren’t producing life any longer. We need to let go of past successes as well so we can embrace the newness of the season ahead. Ask the Lord, “What door do I need to close so I can enter in the new door ahead?” Enjoy the flood of His Spirit bringing new life!

We have entered into the seventh month of the Hebraic year that is associated with the tribe of Ephraim.   This is the harvest season, so what you sowed into in the spring, you should see some sort of harvest, completion or blessing in these next three months. It is a season of joy and celebration as well after a long summer.

We have been in a year God has been “nailing” things to the cross (crucifying our flesh). This struggle and “Jacob” wrestling is not over, but there should be some sort of breakthrough this harvest season. The struggle is a part of the process of becoming an overcomer, so count it all joy you have been chosen to go through the wrestling as it will bear much fruit.

The Hebraic year of 5777 was celebrated on the Feast of Trumpets, which is so confusing since our Hebrew year isn’t over. Why the confusion? Here is an answer:

Our minds are so programmed to think Greek in which everything has a definite start and finish and is linear. But the Hebrew mindset is cyclical and eternal. God’s pattern always overlaps to continue the redemption process of restoring creation. If you look at the diagram, the colored part is the part that has the Hebrew year we are currently, which is in it’s seventh month. But it also has the prophetic conception of the Hebrew Year to come next which is hidden until it’s time to be seen in the earth.

The Lord changed the calendar in Ex. 12:2 to start in Nisan(March/April). Prior to then, the Hebrews were celebrating their year on the first of Tishrei which a couple nights ago. This is because Adam was created on the first of Tishrei. It was also the day that Jesus was born in the flesh, the second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45).

The Hebrew month of 5777 was impregnated in the spirit on the first of Tishrei, but it will not fully manifest and connect to earth until March/April. It is almost like when someone announces they are pregnant. The baby in the womb has been formed, but the world does not see it until 9 months later after it is fully formed. In the earth, we are still finishing the Hebrew year 5776, which is why it will take time to see the purpose of 5777 manifest until March/April of next year.

There are many prophets giving words about the Hebrew year of 5777. At this time, I am only led to share this: The 57 in Hebrew is translated to “God’s eye.” The 77 is translated to the word Zayin, which is weapon. Literally, it means, “God’s eye is on the weapon.” I believe we are, and will be, prepared as weapons in the Lord’s hands. God’s weapon is the sword of the spirit, the WORD, which will bring forth truth and love in a deeper dimension.

God wants to release His Word (His weapon), in greater measure so we can walk in His truth which sets us free and gives us His authority to free others from the works of the enemy. The enemy will use the weapons made of lies and made of the flesh which will also increase. God is asking us to choose His truth and His way over the ways of the enemy.

The other thing that God keeps bringing up for the Hebrew year of 5777 is WATER. Water, water, and more water…..Like the floods of Noah, the flood will pour out of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, that is our weapon, that will open up the gates and bring forth the manifestation of His glory. This manifestation will shine the light on the darkness, and some will come into the truth, while others will choose to be separated from it. The Lord told us, “Come, those who are thirsty…” We are to drink of Him, who is the WORD, and by doing so, more of His substance will permeate out of us! God says His voice is like many waters, and His voice (HIS WORD) is a sword (weapon):

Ez. 43:2 – “And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice waslike the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.”

Rev. 1:15 – “His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
and the pure river of life proceeds from the throne of God”

Rev. 22:1 – “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

 

We are entering the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar known as “Tishrei.” Tishre is the first of the three months of the autumn season that produces a harvest. “Tishrei” means “reflected light” and reveals God’s heart that His Bride would be a “reflection of His light.”

It is believed that Adam was created in the month of Tishrei. The heart of God in creating man was given in His Covenant: “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).

It is evident God’s desire from the beginning was to create man for “son ship” with Him to take dominion of the earth and multiply His goodness. This is a month set aside to reflect His glory seen through His people!

There will come a day when Jesus will return as King during this same month as the “last Adam” to restore the birthright (His name, dominion, blessings, land, and possessing the gates of the enemy) back to a people in “son ship with Him” (1 Cor. 15:45; Gen. 28). Why do I say that? Because Jesus will Himself fulfill the pattern established through the Fall Feasts just as He did in His first coming through the Spring Feasts. These Feasts reveals the blueprint of God’s plan of Redemption.

Jesus spoke in Matt. 25:13, “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” This scripture has led people to believe we will never know when Jesus is coming back, but in actuality, the Feasts reveal the month.  The day and hour were unknown to the Hebrews back in biblical days because they relied on the priests to spot the new moon to sound the alarm, and some days the weather prevented them from seeing. The new moon was never on the same day each month as well, so Jesus was telling us to be in a state of READINESS and have ears to hear!

This month is associated with the tribe of Ephraim, the youngest son of Joseph. Ephraim means; “Be fruitful and multiply.” 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. Therefore, Joseph said when he named Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Gen.41:52).

When Jacob was nearing his death, Joseph visits his dad with his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. When Jacob saw them, he was strengthened by the Lord and prophesied over the boys that they would be grafted in to the Abrahamic Covenantal inheritance along with his own 12 sons (Gen. 48).

Remarkably, God gave Joseph’s sons a double portion of blessings that came with that covenant for the latter days, along with the ownership 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 to be a “reflected light” to the four corners of the earth in the latter days. England and America have been fulfilling those prophetic words!

The prophetic blessing given to Joseph (which would now go to his two 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 the sons of Joseph would have hidden resources and rich heritage with God’s favor and blessing upon the land given with rain and produce. In addition, these two tribes would push the peoples 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 sons!

Later in history, Joshua was raised up to be a great leader who was from the tribe of Ephraim. Because of his complete obedience to the Lord, God prospered everything he did. He is the one leader we read in the Bible who defeated every enemy and took possession of all the land. Obedience to the Lord without compromise is Ephraim’s key to seeing the great harvest of blessings.

The month of Tishrei is God’s timing to complete/fulfill the Covenant He established with Abraham with the return of Jesus to the earth along with His Saints in “son ship” (Rev. 4,5). Even though it is a time of great celebration for those who are walking in faith and obedience with God, it is also a time of judgment for those Christians who are “lukewarm.”

“I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Rev. 3:15,16).

God’s appointed three of the seven feasts known as the Fall Feasts to be celebrated in this month. Jesus fulfilled the first four feast’s covenantal purpose of salvation, redemption, and provision through His death, resurrection, and sending of the Holy Spirit. The last three feasts, Jesus will fulfill upon His return in the month of Tishrei as judge, conqueror and King.

Tishrei is special because it is the only month that a Feast is appointed on “First fruits” which is called the Feast of Trumpets. When the Feast of Trumpets arrives each year on the first day of Tishrei with the witness of the new moon, there is a “blowing of His trumpet” to signify God’s harvest season has begun (Lev. 23:24).

The meaning as it relates to Jesus coming as King is that the shofar is blown as the “final trump” or warning before the Lord returns. A sign of this final trump will be that the dead in Christ (not all, but those chosen) will rise from the graves. (1 Thes.5:14-17).

“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” (1 Thes. 4:16). This is the first resurrection. The Bible talks about TWO resurrections and makes a distinction in Rev. 20 as the first resurrection is ONLY believers, and does not say ALL believers. The second resurrection does not happen until AFTER the Millennium reign.

“…and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the FIRST resurrection” (Rev. 20:4-6).

The Feast of Trumpets sounds off the harvest season as well.

The blessing we receive from God when we understand the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets, also known as “Rosh Hashanah” and the blowing of the trumpet (shofar) is found in Psalm 89:15, as it is written, “How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound [blast of the shofar]…” The shofar is the physical instrument that God instructed us to use to hear the sound to awake from spiritual slumber (1 Corinthians 15:46).

When it is God’s time to put into action His finale with the return of Jesus, those in Covenant with Him will recognize the sound of the trumpet. There will be significant events in the world that will signify the leading up to this trumpet and for those who have been practicing this dress rehearsal, the signs will be evident of God’s coming judgment of the nations and fulfillment of His coming.

God has always had a heart to warn people before He proclaims judgment. God warned the people before the Flood of Noah’s days. He warned Nineveh before it was to be ruined as well. The Ninevites repented, and it changed the outcome of judgment for them.

God does not want anyone to receive the wrath of His judgment (Zephaniah 2:1-3; 33:1-7; 2 Peter 3:9). God is warning us today through world events that line up with the Word, the Blood Moons falling on the Feast days, and the prophets of today that He is bringing forth correction FIRST to the body of Christ: those in Covenant with Him. Then He will deal with the nations that come against His people.

We are seeing that heaven and earth are coming together for this covenantal shift, and it will not be the end of the world as some people think. Jesus is coming to reign here, so the world will NOT be destroyed. He is coming and all the earth shall be filled with His glory (Numbers 14:21).

Joel 2:15-19 lays the blueprint of the fall feasts:

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babies; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?’”

Then the Lord will be zealous for His land, and pity His people. The Lord will answer and say to His people, ”Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.”

Joel 2 gives us the blueprint of the main purposes of the three Fall Feasts; blow the trumpet (Feast of Trumpets), fast and repent for those Christians who lack faith and obedience to the Lord (Day of Atonement), and celebrate dwelling in the fullness of His glory (Feast of Tabernacles)!

Until the actual year God chooses to blow the trumpet for the real deal, we are called to continue these “dress rehearsals” to get ready. The trumpet sounds the warning for us to examine our heart… Are you ready for His return? Is our nation ready for His return? He is coming back to judge the nations and for the great harvest of souls.

When Jesus looks at the gifts and talents that had been distributed to each of us individually, will He find us using them for His glory? This question leads then into the corporate calling: Are the gifts and talents of God’s people working together in unity to bring glory and honor to His name so that the world can see He is the only True God? Are we a people who are “bondservants” of Christ, willing to surrender all to take up the cross?

Finally, the big question arises: Is this nation in which we live fulfilling its covenant plan and giving of its gifts and talents to serve the nations to honor and glorify Him by abiding in His ways? The nations will be judged, and only as believers unite in Him can we fulfill that call of one nation under God. God’s people have to be linked together to see this come to pass. This is why God is raising up a remnant to equip and unify His army for the days ahead. And this remnant is going to arise and be seen!

“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).

 

 

 

 

We are entering into the sixth Hebrew month known as ELUL, which is linked to the tribe of GAD. Gad was the seventh son of Jacob and his name primarily means a “troop.” However, GAD can be translated as well as: good fortune, to attack, to overcome, to invade, and to gather together.

This is the final month of the summer season, and one that reminds us of the “good fortune” that comes when God’s people choose to gather together in a heart of humility, repentance, and forgiveness.

ELUL translates to a month that God wants to meet us intimately right where we are, even in the midst of struggle, and “hang with us.”

This is pictured through the ministry of Jesus here on the earth: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” John 1:14. Today, it is pictured through the gatherings of God’s people dwelling together in unity and manifesting His power!

The word “dwelling” is actually the word for “tent” or “tabernacle.” Jesus left His throne to come and “tabernacle” among us for 33 years. Then He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit who “dwells” within us.

Historically, the last two months of the Hebrew calendar before ELUL are tragic in the days of Moses! The children of Israel had built the golden calf, and when Moses returns to see them all worshipping idols, he breaks the tablets of Covenant. Moses called out, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side-come to me!” Ex. 32:26 Those who came were then given instruction to kill everyone else left, totaling 3,000 people.

Afterwards, Moses instructed the remaining people to consecrate themselves while he went to ask God to pardon them for their sin. The Lord still plagued the people, as their “stiff-necked” demeanor was being chastised and their idols thrown away. After many days of continual prayers, God answered Moses’ plea.

On the first day of ELUL, Moses went back up to Mount Sinai to get the second tablets of covenant. It was during this month that the children of Israel gathered together and prepared their hearts in humility. They understood it was the mercy of God that had given them a second chance.

Today, this month is symbolic of the body of Christ getting their hearts ready individually and corporately with an atmosphere of humility and thanksgiving for God’s mercy as we await for Jesus to return as King.

The tribe of GAD was known to be great warriors and taking the lead line in the battlefield. 1 Chronicles 12:8 says, “Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR, MEN TRAINED FOR BATTLE, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.”

The Gadites were effective when they joined the king’s forces and came under their authority and purpose. The Lord today is training us to be His mighty army as we learn to come under His command and defeat the enemy.

Before Moses died, he prophesied over the tribe of Gad. “..he (Gad) administered the justice of the Lord, and His judgments with Israel” Deut. 33:21.

The great prophet, Elijah, was from the tribe of Gad. His life illustrates how one man can take down the enemies of the camp with the “sword/word”. The story of Elijah confronting the false prophets of Baal really capture the essence of Gad’s strength as well as the Father’s heart of giving his people an opportunity to repent and forgive before judgment comes.

In 1 Kings18:18, King Ahab accuses Elijah of being a “troubler of Israel.” Elijah boldly answers, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed after Baals.” It was after this encounter that Elijah challenged King Ahab to bring all the false prophets to Mount Carmel. Ahab takes on the challenge, and brings the children of Israel as well.

God then uses Elijah to draw a line in the sand between righteousness and justice, giving the children of Israel the opportunity to humble themselves and escape God’s judgment. In verse 21, Elijah speaks to the people, “How long with you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” Unfortunately, God’s people did not respond to this call.

Elijah then challenges the false prophets to a sacrifice dual. “Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” 1 Kings 18:24 Elijah eventually calls on the Lord after the false prophets fail the task. The Lord consumes the sacrifice with fire, and then has all the false prophets executed.

This is the same cry of God’s heart even today: HOW LONG WILL YOU FALTER BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? God wants to see the gift of Gad rise up in all of us and confront the enemy, but more importantly, he wants us to have ears to hear His rebuke so we can repent before judgment comes.

After Elijah’s huge victory over the enemy, we find him alone in the wilderness, fleeing in fear for his life after Queen Jezebel threatens to kill him. This was right after he was used by God to call down the fire of judgment on the false prophets. This hidden fear in Elijah was exposed when he SAW Jezebel and HEARD her threat. All of the sudden, God became small compared to Jezebel’s threat to kill him.

Let’s look back at the Word that was given to Gad to understand Elijah’s weakness. Genesis 49:19 prophecies of GAD in the latter days: “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, BUT he shall triumph at last.”

This latter day prophecy of Jacob over his son Gad used the word “troop” to describe Gad’s enemy. This indicates that Gad’s greatest enemy can be himself because “a troop” is what Gad’s name means! The enemy can work on the soul of Gad to defeat himself, even though he is known as a great warrior. This happened even to the great prophet Elijah! How many Christians today are defeated by fears instead of the fear of the Lord?

BUT, God came to Elijah in a still small voice, meeting him intimately in his weakness. As God spoke, Elijah gathered strength, humility, and the instruction of moving forward with God’s plan. This is the heart of ELUL, and the heart that is ready to meet the King!

“In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” Proverbs 16:6