The Jewish Civil year that is represented by the number 5779, commenced back in September of 2018.  This seems to be so confusing to many as we get ready to celebrate the beginning of the Hebrew Covenant Calendar this Friday, April 5th.  What is up with the two calendars?  It has taken me awhile to sort it out over the years, but I think I can explain it simply now.

The Hebrew Covenant Calendar that begins on April 5th this year was birthed back in the days when God spoke to Moses:

“This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Ex. 12:2).

It was then that God declared that Nisan (commencing in Spring) would be the first month of this Hebrew Covenant Calendar.  This went contrary to what had been recognized as the first Hebrew month dating back to Genesis, which was believed to be the month of Tishrei (commencing in Fall).  Why did God add this calendar?

God created this calendar to establish a prophetic pattern of how He would fulfill His redemption plan through the nation He made a Covenant with.   This calendar would be used to establish the set Feasts days that told the prophetic story of how Christ would come as priest and king to redeem the world.   This calendar was only revealed to those “IN COVENANT” with God, who were asked to follow set “holy days” (holidays) and understand their significance.  It wasn’t given to everyone; only “God’s special treasure.”

The relevance of the Hebrew Covenant Calendar should be as important to New Testament believers who are IN COVENANT with the Lord as it was in the Old Testament. With the Holy Spirit leading us to the heart of why these Feasts are so important to the Lord, we can then enter into them with greater revelation than our predecessors.

The original calendar ceased for the Hebrews when God established the Hebrew Covenant Calendar.  But after the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem, many Jewish sages resurrected the original calendar, known today as the Jewish “Civil calendar.”

If we want to follow the Hebrew Covenant calendar to understand and acknowledge what Christ did at His first coming, and what He is going to do when He returns, then honoring this calendar becomes an essential training tool for His remnant to be ready when He returns.

Having said all that, I now want to share what I think this Hebrew Covenant Calendar will reveal this year.  

There are too many 9’s in this year to not take the number seriously.  This year is 2019.  Passover begins on 4/19/19.  Feast of Pentecost is on 6/9/19.  Feast of Trumpets is on 9/28-29/19.    So let’s take a look at the number 9 and it’s biblical meaning, as well as the 9th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

The biblical number 9 means, “Visitation:” 

“This is a Hebraism that pictures God as an Investigator “visiting” a person, city, or nation to expose the hearts, gather evidence, and “see” firsthand, as it were, the truth of a matter. It is much like a divine court case where the evidence is uncovered and presented to the judge for judgment.”  Dr. Stephen Jones (The Biblical Meaning of Numbers).

There are 9 FRUITS of the Spirit, 9 Beatitudes, and 9 gifts of the Spirit.  All three express a “visitation” from God through our obedience to follow them.  In addition, God’s “visitation” will be inspecting to see if we are a reflection of ALL.

This year, we who are abiding in the 9 fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22,23), will truly stand out and be set apart.  This will be a safeguard against the hidden schemes of the enemy.

In addition, the 9 Beatitudes written on our hearts will solidify our steps.  We will need this to be our “constitution.”  This will help keep our eyes focused on what truly is blessed by God and what isn’t.

And finally, we need to embrace the 9 gifts of the Spirit that are available for us to be fruitful for the Lord:

“For to one is given the word of wisdom (1) through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge (2) according to the same Spirit; ⁹ to another faith (3) by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing (4) by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ and to another the effecting of miracles (5), and to another prophecy (6), and to another the distinguishing of spirits (7),to another various kinds of tongues (8), and to another the interpretation of tongues (9).”

All three of these aspects will produce much evidence that we are surrendered to the Lord’s headship, which will lead to Him surrounding us with His presence.

So now let’s look at the 9th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is TET.

The Hebrew letter “TET” means “serpent,” “to surround,”  or “to twist.”   Even the shape of the Hebrew letter TET has a twisting in it.

The Hebrew letter “TET” can basically symbolize two things:  a snake coiled and ready to strike, or a man crowned, bowing because he is humbled while surrounded in God’s provision.

TET has a dual nature in that it represents good as well as hidden evil.  The first time the letter TET is used in the Bible is in Genesis 1 when God said that the first day was “good.”

“And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness” (Gen. 1:4). 

When we are yoked to Jesus, the Holy Spirit reveals the difference between truth and falsehood; good and evil. 

TET can often be associated with sin or Satan. Satan’s method of deception is to seduce or strike by twisting perceptions or getting people to believe or act upon false ideas.  In this season, media has and will be Satan’s biggest battleground of capturing people’s minds and twisting truth and making falsehoods appear real.

TET is also linked with the ninth Commandment  which says, “Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.” If we follow this command, we fall into the category of “good” that comes out of our lips about someone.

However, the dual nature of this commandment is that when we don’t follow its command and falsely accuse someone, we take on the role of the adversary, mimicking Satan.  Becoming the accuser of the brethren puts us to work on Satan’s strategy to kill, steal, and destroy God’s people instead of mimicking the Father’s nature that is good and redemptive.

We must guard our heart and lips so that we represent our Father’s nature and not the “father of lies”:

“And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:20-23).

Because we are in the time of a ‘new birth’ of God’s Covenant promises, the enemy is energized to kill the “Seed.” Watch how this year the “serpent” will twist truth, deceive God’s people, and try to kill those who are standing in or for righteousness. We must know that Satan is nervous his time is short and will attempt to destroy the nations Jesus is coming back for.  We must stick in our concealed resting place in the Lord and not mimic our adversary.

Concealing God’s people in order for TIME AND OPPORTUNITY to join prophetic covenant promises will be one of God’s strategies. In the Old Testament, when Moses was an infant, he was put in a basket:

“So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.  But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank” (Ex. 2:2,3).

Another example is in 1 Kings, when Baby Joash was hidden 6 years by the priest to spare him from being murdered by Queen Athaliah, who had all of the royal lineage of Judah killed:  

“When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered; and they hid him and his nurse in the bedroom, from Athaliah, so that he was not killed. So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lordfor six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land” (1 Kings 11:1-3).

In the New Testament, we read how God used this same strategy with Baby Jesus.  Joseph was instructed by an Angel to take Jesus to Egypt to protect Him from Herod who had been seeking to destroy Him:

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him” (Matt. 2:13).

All three examples reveal a pattern when the “Seed” was in its infancy and unable to take on by itself the opposing forces.  This maturity and strength will come as the remnant connects and bonds with one another.  But until then, God will keep them “hidden,” using those in one accord to help equip in time of need.

So what is the summary of this all?  

This Hebrew Year is about God’s eye of grace and blessing focused on surrounding/hiding/concealing those crowned and pregnant with His truth to  walk in the fruit of the Spirit, armed in His authority of the gifts of the Spirit because they choose to humble themselves under His leadership.  They will have a divine visitation.

But in the midst of this, the enemy is launching a great war, roaring like a lion. We must resist the enemy, and not get caught in his web of deceptions and destruction. We must go up higher, dependent on heaven’s help, abiding in His truth, so that the circumstances, falsehoods, and fears are not able to drown our faith.  Visitation will come by fire from the Lord as well, so don’t fret when the enemy strikes.

FIRSTFRUITS will be a key that unlocks the doors.  Don’t pass up the opportunity to give God your FIRST of you time, talent, and treasure.  And seek connecting with others who have a heart to honor the Lord’s timing.

THIS CAN BE A FRUITFUL YEAR!

 

Beginning at sundown tonight, January 20th, Purim begins.  Most of you reading this blog know what Purim is, but for those who don’t, it is a time in the Hebrew calendar when God intervened, through the fasting, prayers, and obedience of Queen Esther, and stopped the annihilation of God’s people.

Celebrating Purim is celebrating the “God of the breakthrough’s” who comes to deliver His people from the schemes of the enemy.

Christians are God’s “Seed” producers, and Satan wants nothing more than to annihilate God’s “Seed” from multiplying the Kingdom of God here on the earth.   This will never cease until Christ returns. Therefore, many of us need God to break through in some way in our lives.

If you are wondering what Satan’s target is against believers, it is to come against the anointing (gifting, natural talent) that has been conceived from the womb in each of us.  At the core, Satan’s first goal is to produce doubt, disbelief, or even launch an identity crisis of who or what believers are individually and corporately called to do so we will stop bearing “fruit.”

Faith moves the hand of God, so when these attacks come, we find ourselves caught in a vortex of tormenting thoughts that can bring fear and confusion.  This can cause paralysis that makes it difficult to even hear God when He speaks.

If that doesn’t work, Satan will send the counterfeit so we go down a wrong path that “appears” right for us.  This usually happens through “the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.”  Many of us have fallen into this trap, and thankfully, God’s grace is with us through the journey as well, pulling us out when we humble ourselves and cry out for His help.

Are you wrestling with something that you can’t seem to get breakthrough?   Has the enemy got you in a place you feel there is no way out?  …No solution in sight?  No more energy to fight?

Each one of us wrestles with something IF we are co-laboring with Christ.  So the question today is:  What do you need God’s breakthrough?

When God’s breaking power is called upon, it is always because the problem is bigger than our best effort.  It probably has to do with that “thing” you go around and around the mountain that hinders you from soaring in freedom and liberty to BE God’s expression of love here on the earth.  Believe me, I am preaching to the choir here.

God’s breaker- anointing and His Angel Michael have shown us throughout the bible to come to the aid of His people in HIS SET TIME; usually when His people cannot break free from their circumstances alone.

I believe the remnant today have been on a long wilderness journey to refine their faith in God alone.  Each one of us has something God is refining in us.

PURIM can be God’s SET TIME to help with this process of breakthrough.

Coincidentally (NOT), there is another “blood moon” on the 20th-21st, the day of PURIM.  

This full moon is called a Super Blood Worm Moon eclipse.  

“As one of 12 full moons to admire every year, March’s moon was nicknamed the Worm Moon by early Native Americans because earthworms typically reappear during this month while temperatures begin to rise again.” Telegraph Reporters

Tonight’s Super Blood Moon is the third in a row: one each month of this year.  The first was January 20th, called the Super Wolf Blood Moon.  The second was February 19th, and the third is tonight, March 20th.  We won’t even have another eclipse until 2021.

All three of these lunar eclipses can be viewed in their entirety in the United States, which is significant as well.  America was founded by Christians who were led to come to an appointed land in which the people could freely serve the King of Kings. This nation is called to be a beacon of light unto the world.  Of course God would allow this “Seed-bearing” nation, to see His SIGN.

The moon is used by God as a SIGN for His believers (Gen. 1:14).  These SIGNS are of the “coming ONE.”  The “seasons” are for the “appointed times.” Before we even had the written word on the Tablets of Covenant, God communicated with His people through the SIGNS in the sky.  And God has been speaking to believers through the moon these past 3 months; specifically through these Blood Moons.

With great expectancy, we who believe are awaiting for Christ to return.  He is giving us SIGNS that He is about to do something in the earth to perfect that promise.  He is getting us to look UP and TRUST in Him alone.  He is getting us READY for His arrival.  We must trust the Word that these SIGNS are for those who have an ear to hear what the Lord is saying.

The Book of Joel 2:31 reads:

“The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.”

The Book of Acts 2:20 reads:

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.”

The Book of Revelation 6:12-14 reads:

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.

And the Gospel of Luke 21:25 reads:

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” 

God has shown us all throughout the bible that He works through His creation to perfect His plan and process.

He worked through Adam….He failed.

He worked through the nation of Israel…. They failed.  

He sent Jesus….. He succeeded.

He sent the disciples to go to the nations and preach….They succeeded as well.  

We now have nations who know our Savior and redeemer.  

Now God will use His remnant when He returns to reign over the nations.  

HE AND WE WILL SUCCEED AGAIN!

Beginning at sundown, March 6th, we celebrate a second ADAR Firstfruits to finish off this Hebrew Year.  You may be asking yourself why we have two ADAR’S in this Hebrew calendar year, so I thought I would briefly share why.

For those of us who have been honoring Firstfruits and the Feasts, we have come to understand that God established the Hebrew covenant calendar according to the moon. God also directed Moses when this covenant calendar would begin in Ex. 12:2:

“This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.”

With the beginning of each month (the new moon signaling the time), God asked the people to bring Him a Firstfruits offering.   God also required the people to bring a Firstfruits offering of the produce of the land at the appointed Feast days; Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles.   These three “set times” were also determined by the lunar calendar.

At this point in God’s instruction, we see the pattern of giving at the beginning of each month and at the three Feast times per year.  

However, if we stuck to the lunar calendar, which is about 354 days per year, the set dates to give Firstfruits would be out of sync with the four seasons. Since the solar calendar is approximately 365 days, we could find ourselves celebrating Passover in winter, then fall, then summer, then back to spring again…….So there had to be an adjustment made to keep these seasons in alignment with the “set times.”

In order to keep the Firstfruits current with the timing of the seasons, a second Adar is added.  This usually happens once every three years.  In Hebrew, the year we add a second ADAR is called “shanah meuberet,” which is translated the “pregnant year.”

From the information I have gathered, it looks as though the spring “equinox” determines when a second ADAR is added to the Hebrew Calendar.  I find it fascinating that God uses BOTH the sun and the moon to “plumbline” His Holy Calendar.

The spring equinox comes once a year, when day and night are exactly the same amount of time.  This is a picture of the “plumb line” in itself, which is a carpenters measuring tool used to keep their work “straight.” In biblical terms, when God uses this, the WORD keeps us straight so we can build the Kingdom here on earth in truth, allowing heaven and earth to align.

When the spring equinox falls after the second week of the month of Nisan (Abib), (16th of Nisan), then a second Adar is added.  We neither gain or lose time with this calendar “reset,” but are able to stick to the “set times” of honoring God with our “firsts” in the appropriate season.

Metaphorically speaking, the lunar calendar is used by God to show us spiritual truths, prophetic (spiritual) confirmation of His promises, as well as a sign of the Lord and His bride who walk in Spirit and Truth.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

The solar calendar is used to show us confirmation of the promises realized in the earth, through the Adamic man who is made from the earth,  who can see spiritual truth through Christ.

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7).

Both point to Christ who is in all things, as well as the Father’s heart, who through Christ, reconciles heaven and earth.

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not  comprehend it” (John 1:3-5).

Praying that we who are in Christ will open our eyes to His signs and “set times.”

 

 

If you are like me, watching the State of the Union Address can stir up negative feelings.  In recent years, we can tune in to see half the room not clapping for a President, while the other half proudly roaring.  It has been such a direct reflection of the health condition of our nation that it makes me want to throw up!

But last night, I got up from the couch after listening to President Trump, and I was truly hopeful.  For the first time, I saw the “wall” between the parties crack.  President Trump delivered a message that brought all together several times, even when it was uncomfortable for some to admit they agreed to what was being said.

It was almost comical watching people squirm in their seats not wanting to stand or clap for an issue they were passionate about after hearing from Trump how he was tackling these issues with results.

I was in complete admiration of this one thing that we can all take away from this speech:  Trumps speech for the most part stayed connected to the heart of what ALL Americans desire for this nation, and in doing so, both parties found themselves standing and clapping even if that person had pretermined he/she wouldn’t participate.

All great leaders find a way to stir up the hearts and to bring people together for a common cause that speaks truth.  All Americans want to protect our freedom, our liberty, and to keep America safe.  We may all differ in how we go about that plan, but if we all stopped and thought about it, we live in one of the greatest nations in the world.

When a leader stands for what God says is right and true; when a leader calls out evil or takes a stand against what God calls evil, without blaming or shaming…regardless of what political party you lean toward, we are compelled to root for righteousness.

The Lord says that the truth sets us free and that righteousness brings a sure reward.

Our job is to find out what God says is right and true, stand in that, and let Him do what we call impossible… heal the hearts and heal this nation.

Now we must all have the boldness to stand strong as well in what is right and true according to God’s word, and simply do our part.

There is so much I could comment on this Address, like all the heart-warmed stories that almost made cry.  And I am sure, there could be much to criticize.  But I prefer to stick to this one high note, and begin hoping for progress.

Many Americans spent time watching Super Bowl 53, and given this event has a national stage, I take note of some of the details that God may be saying.

Seven years ago, the Patriots were in the Super Bowl playing the NY Giants.  The Giants defeated them 21 to 7.  How I know this is because I wrote it in my journal after the Lord put it in my heart to do so.

7 years later, the Patriots came out the victor, beating the Rams 13 to 3.

Back in 2012, when the Patriots lost to the Giants, I felt like God told me that the “giants” in America (those who were trying to steal, kill, and destroy America’s God given destiny), were still in the “winning” position.  These “giants” were, and are, the source of the great divide and corruption in our nation.

But seven years later, the Patriots (Heart of America) defeated the Rams. This is a hopeful sign of a turn around coming, which I believe coincides with the “fall of Babylonian” written in Rev 17,18.

In Super Bowl 53, the Patriots only scored 13 points.  Why was this number significant?  13 is the number identified with America’s foundation, founded by Christians, beginning with the 13 colonies.

America went on to establish a flag that has 13 stripes:

 

In addition, the making of our Presidential Seal has the number 13 several times:  The eagle grasps an olive branch in its right talon with 13 leaves and 13 berries, and a bundle of 13 arrows and 13 feathers in its left.

 

God likened Israel to an Olive Tree which stands for peace (Jer. 11:16;Hos. 14:5-7).  The olive branch and arrows are symbols for the power of peace.  The eagle holds an open scroll in its beak inscribed with the Latin 13-letter motto “E pluribus Unum”,which means “Out of Many, One.”

The victory of the Patriots may be a hopeful sign.  I am believing  that we are at a tipping point in America to see her wake up to her identity and destiny and get victory over the works of the enemy that are trying to destroy her.  The prayers of the saints(Patriots) will prevail!

Over the years, the Super Bowl has become America’s national  “feast” of sorts, which has had the ability to join the nation together for celebration.

This event has affected each home, business, conversation, and paycheck, whether you celebrate it or not.  It has given me a picture of what it could look like if the nation began celebrating Gods Feasts and how we can all be united in one purpose:  ONE NATION UNDER GOD. 

It seemed this year that the interest in the Super Bowl has diminished a bit.  Perhaps that too is a hopeful sign: that instead of lifting up man and his accomplishments while they kiss the Lombardi trophy,  we will see how the true value that brings peace is not in what man can accomplish, but in what Jesus already accomplished on the cross.

Things always get messy before deliverance comes.  Our nation is looking pretty messy right now, but isn’t that when God can come in at our greatest time of need and get all the glory.  It requires our humility…not a trophy.

 

 

 

If you have been waiting on God in the “hidden place,” this blog will encourage you.  I have titled it, “the final exchange” because this trade must take place before you launch into the call that is ahead.

The preparation process Moses went through is the example God put on my heart to exemplify this “final exchange.” After years of “training” in the wilderness as a shepherd, Moses had an encounter with God at Mount Horeb that shifted him from being a shepherd of sheep to a sheep of the great Shepherd.  His burning bush encounter released his kingdom covenant purpose of why the Lord made a way for Moses to escape the Hebrew baby death warrant. (Ex1,2).

During this encounter, the voice of “I AM” was instructing Moses how to shepherd the Hebrews (Israelites) to fulfill His prophetic promise He had given to Abraham:

“Then He said to Abram: ‘Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.  And and also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they call come out with great possessions” (Gen. 15:13-16).

God told Moses he was going to use him to bring deliverance to the Hebrews from the bondage of slavery, and to lead them to the mountain where God could establish a Covenant with the nation.  This wasn’t a small job, and neither is OUR part in what God is doing in the earth today.

Moses didn’t jump up and down right away with excitement.  I think the Moses prior to leaving Pharaoh’s palace would have had no reservation, and in his zeal, would have stood before Pharaoh in his own strength, mimicking Pharaoh’s leadership.  Evidence of this is when Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, and how he responded:

“So he looked this way and that way, and who he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand” (Ex. 2:12).

Moses thought he had covered up this wrong, but some of the Hebrews saw what he did and exposed Moses.  Then Pharaoh found out, and wanted to kill him, which is why Moses fled to the wilderness.

We can sympathize with Moses as to why he would have some serious doubts that God had the right guy after considering his past.

Moses reply to the Lord was:

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt” (Ex. 3:11)?

And again,

“BUT suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you'” (Ex. 4:2).

The questions Moses asked initiated the process of the “final exchange.” Those questions obviously revealed doubts Moses had of what God wanted him to do.  But digging deeper, they revealed the shame Moses had deep within his soul that was speaking louder than God’s voice and convincing him he wasn’t good enough for the job.

The fear of introducing an idea and being ridiculed, laughed at, or belittled is the product of shame.  Beyond that comes the fear of failure or the fear of being wrong. 

Shame causes us to hide to save face, so he was probably thinking, “Why would I go back to the place I lost face, position, and reputation?”  Why would I go back to the place I first failed, then killed, and fled?  I am pretty comfortable hidden here in Midian.”

God begins to address the shame with HIS ability to cover him and His solution:

“So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

Moses said, “A rod.”

 And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, “REACH OUT your hand and take it by the TAIL” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that THEY may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you” (Ex. 4:2-5).

The minute Moses threw down the rod, he    allowed himself to be vulnerable with God.

The account tells us that when Moses saw the staff turn into a serpent, he ran from it.  The serpent revealed that which was hidden that could have hindered the call; exposing the weakness in Moses and the enemy. God was going to turn the weakness into a SIGN of His strength and power in Moses.

When God told Moses to REACH OUT and take it by the tail, he had to OVERCOME his initial fear and trust God would make a way to protect him.  Why I say this is because God did not tell him to take it by the neck, which is how you would render a snake powerless.  Instead, he told him to take it by the tail, which would show Moses that the serpent (enemy) could not triumph over him, even in his weakness.

Separation from the staff left Moses vulnerable and gave God permission to perfect the process for Moses to come to terms with what God was revealing, and to transform Moses’ dependency on God.  The healing began, but it took time to perfect wholly.  BUT IN THE PROCESS OF STEPPING OUT WITH THE “ROD”, COMPLETION WAS PERFECTED.

This transaction began a new pattern for Moses to overcome shame, and the key factor is that all Moses had to do in this “final exchange” was to REACH OUT when God called.   At the moment when the enemy (serpent) was manifesting, God’s OVERCOMING power was there the moment he went toward it.

God also used this sign because he knew that the Egyptian magicians would use their trickery to mimic His sign.  Moses would have total recall that God’s power was greater than Pharaoh’s at his first time up for bat, and this set a precedence for Moses to stand in faith every time Pharaoh refused to listen.

Moses saw his authority was not in his ability but in his availability to pick up the staff and use God’s authority as instructed.  Moses would use it to turn the Nile into blood, part the Red Sea, bring water out of a rock in the wilderness, and secure Israel’s victory in battle.

The second sign God gave Moses in this “final exchange” was when he asked him to “put your hand in your bosom” (Ex. 4:7).  When Moses took out his hand, it was leprous, and when God told him to put his hand back in his bosom, he pulled it out and it was restored.

This second sign revealed the promise of death to the flesh (shame) and life glorified as God’s SIGN to His people. God would not only restore Moses, but also the Covenant people of God.

These signs the Lord gave in response to Moses asking Him, “But suppose….” were for Moses first as we have discussed, but they were also a SIGN for the Hebrews later. They knew him a “prince of Egypt,” but he was returning as the “deliverer” they had been praying for.  Moses’ faith had to be greater in God than in the opinion or reaction of the Hebrews who would persecute and turn on him at one point in this process.

The Blue Letter Bible commentary says this:

“There was a real message in the first two signs. The first said, “Moses, if you obey Me, your enemies will be made powerless.” The second said “Moses, if you obey Me, your pollution can be made pure.” Doubts in each of these areas probably hindered Moses, and before those signs ministered to anyone else, they ministered to Moses. This is the pattern with all God’s leaders.”

So what are we to take away from this?  I believe the experiences the remnant has had of getting crushed by rejection, failure, persecution, and character assassination demand the “final exchange” prior to take off.

It is difficult to go forward with God’s instruction without our minds thinking about what happened in the past.  Some of us still have the heat of the consequences of our sinful choices still cooling off in God’s sanctification process. Moses probably remembered how he killed the Egyptian, which was then followed by, “How can God use me now?”

FEAR of falling (failing)….can loom in the back of our minds, and as we learn to surrender this fear through the sanctification process, God delivers us AT HIS APPOINTED TIME.  God’s Word says in Psalm 34:22:

“The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.”

When it was God’s appointed time, He answered the prayers of the Hebrews, who had been asking the Lord to deliver them from evil:

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

In answering this prayer, GOD called Moses forth.  Moses wasn’t perfect when it was time to GO.  But God would equip Moses for the job, and deliver his soul from anything that would hinder him from fulfilling the call.  

Amazingly, this staff in our hands can be a serpent if it is not completely surrendered to the Lord. God knows what can destroy us, and so this “final exchange” is necessary so we can have faith in His instruction and enjoy His victory.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. What is the doubt in your mind that hinders you from stepping out fully in faith to what God has called you to do?
2. Where is your comfort level of vulnerability?
3. How do you protect these vulnerabilities and at what cost?
4. What do you do when you feel emotionally exposed?
5. How willing are you to take emotional risks?
6. How do you behave when you feel uncomfortable or uncertain?
7. Do you spend time and energy trying to make the uncertain certain?
8. Do you use “crazy busy” as armor?  How?

(Questions from a great book called, “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown)

Finally, what are the “excuses?” Ask these questions in the next couple months of Adar, because as you do, you are entering into the process of the  “final exchange.”  

Quoting Brene Brown from her book:

“Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional.  Our only choice is a question of engagement.  Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.”

Right before God is about to send us forth by His Spirit to conquer and do what He has destined us to do for Him, there is a weakness in us that God wants to govern.  He wants to ask us to surrender to His exchange. Hidden in our soul could be something we fear more than the Lord, and is the very place the “serpent” can deceive us, argue against God’s word, and cause the lie to become truth to our soul.  More importantly, the Lord loves us too much to not deal with this hidden sin that could destroy us later without recovery.

By the time we are called out to “GO,” as God gives His instruction, all of His servants must go through the “final exchange.” 

ADAR begins February 4th, and is the month in the Hebrew Covenant Calendar that means to be made honorable; glorious. (2 Chron. 5:19-21).  Praying you encounter His “final exchange” for you.

Keep your eyes open on the evening of January 20th and morning of January 21st, because all who are up will be able to take a look at another “Blood Moon.”  The Blood Moon is a total lunar eclipse, which is when the sun, earth, and moon are all in a straight line for a short period of time.

This “Blood Moon” is being called by some as “America’s Eclipse” for two reasons.  The first reason is because the entire eclipse can be seen from start to finish throughout America.  Secondly, it will be able to be viewed before midnight from coast to coast:

“From New York City at midtotality, the darkened moon will stand 70 degrees up from the southern horizon — your clenched fist held at arm’s length measures roughly 10 degrees in width, so that’s “seven fists” from the horizon. The last time New Yorkers could gaze so high at a totally eclipsed moon was in 1797, when John Adams was president; the next opportunity won’t come until 2113″ (Joe Rao; Space.com).

Interestingly enough, this “Blood Moon” will be taking place on the Sunday night of the three-day Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in the U.S. King’s most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

President Trump was sworn into office January 20th, 2017.  These are just a few coincidences of what transpired on the same day so we can use them to help us gain understanding of this SIGN in the sky:

“Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14).

Many people see these “Blood Moons” as doomsday signs.  But if you understand the Hebrew Covenant Calendar, these “Blood Moons” are for us to awaken to His Covenant promises of redemption and restoration that are taking place and to WATCH.  They are a sign to BE READY.  We need to take the time to hear and listen to what God is saying about furthering His Story in redeeming mankind and heaven and earth.

Just knowing that a total lunar eclipse lines the sun, moon, and earth in a line can tell us something.   In order for earth to line up with heaven’s plan, we need to be abiding in His Ways.  Perhaps this is a sign that God is giving America that He is shifting, shaking, and awakening our nation so that it will line up with His Covenant plan.  Our nation affects many nations, so it would make sense that what happens with America will affect all the nations.

The “lining up” of the sun, moon, and earth could also be speaking about God’s promises to align (plumb line) our Spirit, Soul, and Body with His truth.  Hmm, when that is fulfilled, we will see the manifestation of the Remnant receiving their glorified bodies.  Given this year has been about the preparing the Remnant to ARISE, perhaps this is yet another sign to remind us of this birth coming up soon.

One thing we can safely say is that God has been giving us many Blood Moons lately that put a spotlight on the Parable of the 10 Virgins; reminding us to keep oil in our lamps (Matt 25).  We need to be READY for the Lord’s arrival and the King reign here on the earth.

In recent years, we have had a lot of Blood Moons on the Feast days.  Four total lunar eclipses fell on these “HOLY DAYS” two years in a row, both on Passover and Tabernacles 2014/15, which I would say are pretty significant. These four I consider a “double witness” in telling us He is advancing His Covenant story.

What is God saying to you?  Why is this Blood Moon being framed as “America’s Eclipse?”  These are good questions to ask while we sit with a government shut down, and a massive unrest and divide in our nation.

Today, we are definitely being prepared for a NATIONAL (governmental) movement of His Covenant promise.  This incorporates a work of the Body of Christ, the NATION in Covenant with God.  That in itself is not attached to this land called America.  However, God promised in His word that there would be land appointed that He would ordain to be able to take on the responsibility of the “Birthright” portion of the Covenant promise until Jesus returns to reign in the Millennium. That “Birthright” included land, multiplicity of fruitfulness (spreading the Gospel), possessing the gates of the enemy, and carrying His name forward.

America has carried this torch since its inception.  We have been sharing the Gospel, helping those nations who are oppressed by the enemy, all in the name of a “CHRIST-IAN” nation called America.  America’s name means, “heaven’s land.”  Perhaps that is why America established her nation without an earthly king, recognizing KING Jesus as her leader from her birth, knowing a day would come when He would take the reins.  This was not the work of man, but of the Lord.

I believe the government shut down is prophetic in itself.  We have developed a mindset in our culture to look to the President of our nation and our government for the solution to our nation’s problems, and it simply can’t fix our problem.  The nation’s TRUST has shifted over the years away from God and into the wrong places.  “In God We Trust” is our national motto, but is not our national reality today.

Trump’s stance in shutting the government to get approval to “build the wall” is worth noting as well.  He is asking for support to “build a wall.”  In an effort to stop lawlessness and evil from coming across our borders, this wall seems to be a good solution.

However, a nation that continually rejects God is a nation that is defenseless, so in a sense, no matter what wall we build, if we don’t course correct, it will be futile without God’s blessing.  How this unfolds will reveal more about the SIGN for I believe that the two are connected.  Definitely, God has used Trump to be His vessel to shake things up so He can perfect the promise for His government to reign.

In this winter season of the Hebrew calendar cyclically known to be the time of rest to receive great revelation, take time to ask God what He is saying about this SIGN in the sky.  We know it has some signifcance with America and God’s corporate Covenant promises.  We can surmise that our nation’s foundation is linked to this SIGN.  And lastly, we probably can conclude that Martin Luther King Jr,. who stood bravely for freedom and equality, was a kind of “firstfruits” of great things to come when a “people” (remnant) will arise with ONE VOICE.

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

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.

 

 

 

 

As we get together with family and friends this holiday season, it is highly probable that President Trump will come up at the dinner table conversation.  President Trump has definitely got a lot of people talking.  So I thought I would share with you something God showed me when he became President that has helped me with a greater perspective and peace in this process as he leads this nation.

Many prophetic people in the Body of Christ declared that God showed them that President Trump was going to be like King Cyrus in the Bible, who helped with the process of allowing God’s people who had been in captivity by the Babylonians to go back to Jerusalem and build the temple.

But this was not what God showed me.  Instead, I got a picture SAMSON.

In Judges 13-16, we read about the story of Samson. God chose Samson to be a judge and a deliverer for the Israelites before he was even born.  

“For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son.  And no razor shall come upon his ahead, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5).

Oddly enough, the mother of Samson was told not to cut her son’s hair, for it was Samson’s hair that was the secret to his supernatural strength, giving him the ability to fight lions and conquer an army of Philistines. (Isn’t it ironic how Trump’s hair has always somehow been the talk).

As Samson became an adult, he decided he wanted to marry a Philistine; the very people God prophesied he would need to conquer to save his family.  This appeared to be a sacrilegious thing to do since the Israelites were only supposed to marry someone “circumcised,” (meaning they had accepted the Abrahamic Covenant and believed in the Lord). Marrying the enemy of the state also appeared treasonous.

Samson’s father and mother tried to persuade him not to do this, BUT GOD was the one who actually directed it.

“But the father and mother did not know that it was the Lord-that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines.  For at that time, the Philistines had dominion over Israel” (Judges. 14:4).

In a simliar contrast, Donald Trump grew up with an anointing to “conquer” in the field of Babylon.  He became known as the master of the “Art of the Deal.”  He conquered the giants in the money/land industry, and his name became famous all over the world.  Then GOD decided to choose him to be our next president, even though most Christians had a difficult time voting for him because he did things that seemed “sacrilegious.”

Prior to taking his position as president, Trump had grown in fame and fortune. But he also had a weakness:  women.  

Samson also had a weakness….women.  As you read the story of him and Delilah in Judges 16, it would appear that Samson’s weakness for women got the best of him:

“When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, ‘Come up once more, for he has told me all his heart.’  So the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand” (Judges 16:18).

Delilah ended up taking a bribe from the Philistine leaders to turn Samson in.  Because of her greed, Samson found himself in a position at the mercy of his enemy.  His eyes were taken out, his hair was cut, and he was imprisoned to say the least.

“Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza.  They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison” (Judges 16:21).

Before this moment in biblical history, Samson had a track record of using his strength to take out anything in his way and justifying his ungodly behavior.  He killed a lion with his bare hands.  He destroyed a whole city of the Philistines for betraying him.  He even put the whole tribes of Israel at jeopardy due to his unruly behavior.  The Israelites had to corner Samson themselves and request he turn himself in to the Philistines because they were threatening to wipe out the whole nation.

I am not sure if you are tracking with me on the similarities with Samson and Trump, but there are many.  But the one that God highlighted to me was Samson’s greatest victory at the end of his life, which is the main reason WHY God showed me Samson when praying about why Donald Trump became our next President.

The Philistines believed they had defeated Samson after Delilah cut his hair and turned him in.  But then we read this amazing word that is a word for all of us and this nation…..HOWEVER:

“HOWEVER, the hair on his head began to grown again after it had been shaven” (Judges 16:22).

While “appearing” to be a trophy for the enemy, and an end to Samson’s strength, destiny, and influence, God causes Samson’s hair to grow back in the midst of the worst of circumstances, and while the enemy was celebrating their victory, and humiliating Samson in front of the crowds:

“Our god has delivered into our hands, Samson our enemy!…..So it happened when their hearts were merry, that they said, ‘Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.’  So they called for Samson from prison, and he performed for them.  And they stationed him between the pillars” (Judges 16:23-25).

The next scriptures are very revealing.  Samson asks a lad to lead him to the pillars that support the temple so he could lean on them.  In that moment, Samson was going to use his anointing (strength) and strategy (getting a helping hand without any of the enemies even noticing it was to take them down.)

The destiny scroll on Samson’s life was not going to return void.  God’s purpose for Samson was going to prevail OVER the enemy, regardless of Samson’s past shortcomings.  The circumstances were NOT going to thwart the plan of God to keep His promise of Covenant to a people who trusted in Him.

After being imprisoned by the Philistines, chained, broken, beaten, and both eyes ripped out of his sockets, Samson FINALLY had a “Damascus” moment to STOP leading with his own strength, his own purpose, and his own goals.  He finally invited the Lord into his heart and asked the Lord HIS PURPOSE for giving him all this fame, strength, fortune, and charisma:

“Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, ‘O Lord God, remember me, I pray!  Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!’ (Judges 16:28).

This is really the first time we read the story of Samson that he is seeking God’s help.  He was still NOT completely changed in his heart.  He still had a personal vendetta in why he agreed to the idea of being a martyr for God.  But, God showed Samson (with his spiritual eyes) that he was born to take down the GIANT that opposed His people.

God made Samson to be a wrecking ball to take down the pillars of iniquity that kept his people under oppression.  God anointed Samson with His strength for the purpose of saving His people:

“And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left.  Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!’  And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it.  So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life” (Judges 16:29,30).

Samson began his “race” running full force into the enemies territory and conquering for self gain and gratification.  He learned the enemies tactics and rose above them.  He learned the strategies and found a way to beat the system.  He even found a way to be self sufficient so that the enemy had no power over his decisions or productivity.

BUT…there came a moment in time (God’s time), when Samson realized he was serving a bigger purpose than building an empire onto himself.  Samson realized that God had given him all those qualities and abilities because he was the man for the job to take down the greatest giant that threatened the existence of His people He had made a Covenant with.

In that moment of humility, Samson chose to sacrifice his life for the greater good.  He died as a martyr doing it, but in the end, ALL the pillars of government, the leaders, the GIANTS of power came crashing down when he gave all his strength for God’s cause.

So in an effort to pull this parallel together between Trump and Samson, I wanted to share this:

We may not like President Trump’s tactics, his rhetoric, or his method of running this nation.  The children of Israel didn’t like Samson’s either.  I am sure they scratched their heads many times wondering what the hec God was thinking in putting Samson in charge of them for 20 years.  BUT God was working His plan that would eventually annihilate the enemy.  And it would take someone like Samson/Trump, a man who had sat in positions of strength similar to the enemy, to crash the Philistine system and oppression.

America’s God given destiny is to be a light to the nations and a place God’s people can freely worship Him.  America has been held captive to a shadow government that has worked it’s tentacles into the fabric of her foundation.  The strongholds are so gigantic that it will take a wrecking ball of God’s supernatural strength and strategy to deliver her from the hand of the enemy.

GOD’S MERCY AND UNCONDITIONAL COVENANT HE MADE WITH DAVID BACK IN THE OLD TESTAMENT GIVES US THE BLUEPRINT THAT GOD WILL SAVE AMERICA IN THE END.  But the “Mystery of Babylon” can only be exposed and torn down by a strategy that defies our own feeble minds, just as it did in Samson’s day.

I encourage all of you to read the story of Samson and see how many similarities there are to him and Donald Trump.  You will get a whole different perspective watching all these events unfold in our nation, and your prayers may surprisingly shift with this different perspective.

Even though Samson had some flaws, he ended up in the “Heroes of faith” Hall of Fame mentioned in Hebrews 11 (Heb. 11:32).

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords form us.’

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;  The Lord shall hold them in derision” (Psalm 2:2-4).

Having written all that I did in the last blog, I am compelled to lay out a blueprint from the Bible that helps us understand the season we are in.

Kislev is the month that is upon us in the Hebrew calendar, and if you have my “Firstfruits” book, you can read more about this ninth month that is associated with Benjamin.  But I wanted to point out one portion that is relevant for us today.

Benjamin was the only tribe of Israel that almost got wiped out by their own “family;” which was all the other tribes of Israel.  If it were not for God’s divine intervention, there wouldn’t have been a tribe of Benjamin!  In Judges 20, it was Benjamin’s stubbornness to hold on and defend their iniquity that almost wiped out the whole tribe, including the righteous:

“Then the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, ‘What is this wickedness that has occurred among you? Now therefore, deliver up the men, the perverted men who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove the evil from Israel!’  

But the children of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brethren, the children of Israel.  Instead, the children of Benjamin gathered together from their cities, to Gibeah, to go to battle against the children of Israel” (Judges 20:12-14).

After this declaration, the Benjamites gathered 22,000 men to battle against the tribes of Israel.  But the Israelites had no desire to fight against their brethren, even though they had to stand up against the unrighteousness.   So they sought the Lord, asking for His direction, and even interceded for the Benjamites.

God directed the tribe of Judah to go up first to fight against the Benjamites. This directive resulted in a 20,000 men loss, not victory.

The Israelites somehow found a way to encourage themselves to prepare another line for battle.  Then they went before the Lord for more counsel since things weren’t adding up as they watched all their own men die.  God continued to direct them to go against the Benjamites.

On the second day, the Israelites went out to battle the Benjamites again, and 18,000 Israelites were slaughtered.  I can’t imagine how discouraged they must have been.

Then all the Israelites went up to the house of the Lord and wept.  They sat there and fasted until evening and gave the Lord sacrificial offerings.  The Lord said for a third time to go against the Benjamites.

It was the third day of fighting, and the Benjamites began to strike some of the Israelites.  30 men died.  The Benjamites were feeling pretty confident with themselves and said, “They are defeated before us, as at first”(Judges 20:32).

BUT GOD HAD A STRATEGIC PLAN.  AND IT WAS GOING TO BE EXECUTED WITH A SUDDEN AMBUSH THAT CAUGHT ALL THE BENJAMITES OFF GUARD!

“And then thousand select men from all Israel came against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce.  But the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.  The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel.  And the children of Israel destroyed that day 25,100 Benjamites, all these drew the sword” (Judges 20:34,35).

It was after that battle that the Benjamites panicked, because they realized that they were about to be completely destroyed.  Unfortunately for all, the blood bath continued, and all the cities of the Benjamites were set ablaze.  What remained only were 600 Benjamites who fled and toward the wilderness.  It would take the hand of God to revive the tribe of Benjamin, which He did, and  generations later, they became known as “sons of light.”

When Christ began His ministry, the Benjamites were the ones in whom Jesus chose to be His disciples.  This was a fulfillment of the prophetic word spoken over them in 1 Kings 11 to be a tribe attached to Judah so they would be “God’s lamp/light.”

“And to his son I will give one tribe (Benajmites), that My servant David may always have a LAMP before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there”(1 Kings 11:36).

In order to fulfill that call, they returned to Jerusalem with the tribe of Judah after the Babylonian captivity.  But when the unrighteous leadership of the Pharisees and the Sadducees came into power, many of the Benjamites SEPARATED themselves from the iniquity and migrated to Galilee, which is how they became known as the Galileans.

It was this small remnant that ended up lighting up the world with Christ’s message to the world.  How strikingly different was the Benjamites fate in the New Testament verse the Old because of their decision to separate themselves from iniquity.

Prior to Christ’s coming, it was not an easy environment to live in.  The Jewish leaders were controlling the people with their “traditions of men.”  The Hellenists were trying to take over the area with their Greek god philosophy and pagan rituals.  And the Romans were trying to gain power and control over all.  It was chaotic to say the least, and I am sure that living in that time looked a lot like today.

BUT, GOD HAD A PLAN!  This remnant of believers were going to be the ones the Lord would choose to execute the multiplicity of His plan to bring His Kingdom here on the earth IF they accepted the call to leave all and follow Christ.

God had given us a clue to Benjamin’s destiny.  His dying mother originally named him “Ben-oi, which meant, “son of sorrow/iniquity.”  On her death bed, Rachel confessed her iniquity/sin of when she stole the idols from her fathers house by  what she named her son (Gen. 31:19).  Even after she was given ample opportunity to rid herself of this sin, it wasn’t until her last breath when she came clean.

But Jacob/Israel wouldn’t allow his newborn son to be named what his dying wife’s wishes were.  His apostolic mantle of ensuring the Covenant of God would continue forward under God’s command caused him to rename him, “Benjamin,” which means, “Son of light/right hand.”

These details in the Bible concerning Benjamin’s beginnings really answer the question as to how we read about two totally different Benjamin’s in the bible:  The “son’s of sorrow/iniquity” of Judges 20, and the “sons of light” in the Gospels.

The two names of Benjamin can really describe what is happening inside the body of Christ that divides the Church, as well as what is dividing our nation.  BOTH have casualties.  Some die in right standing with God fighting under His instruction.  Some die defending their sin.  But in the end, GOD’s plan prevails.  And it comes about SUDDENLY, especially when the enemy believes they have the upper hand.

Nationally speaking, God has allowed America to go through this battle within her because we have defended our “iniquity” and adopted it in our culture.  Until the people of this nation really come to grips with this and repent and separate ourselves from this iniquity rather than compromise with it, God will allow this war that is dividing us to continue on.  Our decisions to omit God are hurting us.

But the Saints have been called to go before the Lord and pray and seek His face.  As in the story of Judges 20, they received an answer from the Lord that said they would defeat the enemy.  We know how this story ends in victory!! But the reality is,  the enemy is appearing as if he is gaining ground and taking out God’s people.  Thankfully we have Judges 20 as an example of not giving up on God’s WORD, regardless of the attacks.

The New Testament Benjamites all sacrificed their life for Christ.  The majority of them were martyred.  How it must have been difficult to follow the instruction of the Lord to GO AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS, only to get persecuted, thrown in prison, or beheaded!  And yet, 2,000 years later, their Seed of obedience has produced a multiplicity of people who know the GOOD NEWS!

Today, God is calling all the Benjamites (remnant) to stand on God’s Word and light up His truth, regardless of what they see or hear.  The Benjamites will be the ones God gives authority to root out evil.  The Benjamites will be the ones who will restore the foundation of this nation.  BUT THEY CANNOT DO THAT IF THEY HOLD ON TO THEIR OWN INIQUITY OR DEFEND SOMETHING THAT IS UNRIGHTEOUS.  THEY NEED TO BE THE NEW TESTAMENT BENJAMITES WHO GAVE ALL TO HIS CAUSE AND WERE WILLING TO LET GO OF THEIR INIQUITOUS NATURE AND TAKE ON CHRIST’S IDENTITY.

Jesus paid the price for us to live and be free of our iniquity.  We must be willing to let go of control and allow Him to lead.  This takes trust, and security in knowing who God is and that He has our best interest at heart.