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

 

 

 

We are entering into the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar known as “Av,” which root is translated “to will or to desire.” AV is literally translated as “father.” It is linked with the tribe of Simeon, whose name means “to hear and obey.” If you put all those Hebrew clues together, this month has the significance of “hearing and obeying the will/desire of the Father.”

The summer months are tied to seeing, listening, and then obeying, which produces a unified troop armed for the Lord. Last month the focus was on sight. This month it is on hearing. If Satan can get our vision and our hearing impaired from what God has said, he has us hooked and we will probably find ourselves “out of the loop of His troop.”

Last month, the significance of the story of the twelve spies who went out was that they SAW all the giants. 40 days later, they returned to the people of Israel who HEARD two reports (Numbers 13,14). 10 spies shared all the problems and obstacles they SAW. 2 shared the promise God had given them. On the 9^th of AV, the people decided to choose the negative report they HEARD and to not believe what God had shared about the Promised Land.

“So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!” 9Numbers 14:1,2).

In their unbelief, the children of Israel proceeded to make bad decisions that led to severe consequences because of what they chose to HEAR. First, they complained and cried. Then they had the idea to dethrone Moses as their leader, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” Finally, when hearing Joshua speaking the truth about God’s promise, they came up with the idea of stoning Joshua. None of these actions were pleasing to God (Numbers 14:4-10).

If it was not for Moses and Aaron interceding for the children of Israel despite their plot to dethrone their leader, the children of Israel could have been wiped out because of God’s anger. Nevertheless, it did not stop God’s judgment. None of them were able to go into the Promised Land, and all those spies who brought the wrong report died of a plague.

When God speaks, it is important we listen. Our disobedience can affect a whole community! However, our obedience can bring us (and others) into the “Promised Land.”

It is recorded in history that the 9^th of Av has continued to be a day of judgment. IN 587 BC, the armies of Babylon destroyed Solomon’s temple. In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the 2^nd temple. In 135 AD, the Romans defeated the Jews. In 1095 AD, the 1^st crusade was launched, killing thousands of Jews. In 1290 AD, the Jews were expelled from England. In 1492 AD, the Jews were expelled from Spain. In 1942 AD, the Jews were deported from Warsaw ghetto to the death camps. In 2005, the Jews were removed from Gaza.

The 9^th of AV incidences are NO coincidence. Cyclically, the window of destruction has opened up during this month and judgment has been released. This cycle started when the children of Israel said after the spies report, “The enemy is too strong of us. We will die!” Through their unbelief, they put themselves under a curse.

When the Jews rejected Jesus, they were “cut off” from Covenant and outside the covering of the Father. They chose, because of their unbelief of Jesus as the one prophesied to be their Messiah redeemer, to be under the debt of the law. According to laws written in Leviticus 17 and Deuteronomy 29, the Jews refusal to accept the New Covenant left them subject to the law which they breached. Therefore, their curse continues to open up the door of destruction. Until they repent and believe in the Son of God slain for their sins, their generational sin of unbelief and rebellion continues on in their bloodline. But the Bible says, “I will give You (Jesus) as a covenant to the people (Is. 42:6).

Simeon, the tribe associated with this month, was one of two tribes that Jacob cursed in his final prophetic blessing to his sons. This was because Simeon and Levi decided to murder the men of Shechem for the rape of their sister Dinah. This vengeance was evil, and Jacob called them on it:

“Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; let not my honor be united to their assembly; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self will they hamstrung an ox; cursed be their anger for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” Gen. 49:5-7

Simeon was made to be a warrior and one called as a weapon of justice in the hand of God. But when his own hand ruled Simeon, as he did so in Shechem, his passion and temper produce a work of destruction against God rather than for God.   This can be true for all of us. We can think we are going to help God out by executing justice out of a “righteous anger.” But when we do that, our character is one that kills, steals, and destroys in the name of righteousness, and we appear to be sons of the enemy of God.

Av is a month that presents to us a choice to hear God’s word and have faith and believe in the promises of God. It is also a month to remind us to keep our passions under His command by taking the time to HEAR what God has to say about the matter. We are not under the curse any longer.

Today, we are seeing and hearing a lot going on in this world. But what is God saying? Can we see all that is going on through His eyes? I encourage all of you to take time to do some listening prayer this month. God has a lot to tell us IF we stop and listen. Our history proves this month to be a month that the children of Israel heard the wrong voice because of what that they saw. So, guard your ears and declare His Word out loud so your ears hear what God is saying. And expect this month to ENTER in to the Promises and celebrate His goodness as God had intended!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

We are now entering the Hebrew month called “Sivan,” which is linked to giving, mercy and alignment.  This month is associated with the tribe of Zebulun known “to do business with God” as they were given many resources to step into His promises.

It was the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun that formed the branch on the east side of the Tabernacles. Whereas Judah brought forth praise and sounded the alarm for war or to move ahead, Issachar received the revelation and timing, and Zebulun brought the supply.

Moses prophesied concerning the latter days for Zebulun and Issachar together: Zebulun was said to rejoice in going out, while Issachar would stay in his tents.

“They shall call the peoples to the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; for they shall partake of the abundance of the seas and of treasures hidden in the sand.” (Deut. 33:18).

Zebulun and Issachar were two tribes that worked together to do Kingdom business. While Issachar loves to stay home and “intercede and pray,” Zebulun found joy in taking the revelation and moving out with it.

Zebulun was also known to profit through maritime trade. One of their roles was to bring forth provision, so God blessed this tribe to fill “the storehouses.” This month is associated with provision: in your job, home, and family as God wants to give you the supply needed to move ahead.

When Jesus began His ministry, He went to the region of Zebulun fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9, which said that the people who had been in darkness would see a great light. HE was PROVISION!

 Zebulun was a blessed and loyal tribe to the Lord, and one who gave the gift of sacrifice. This month is linked with GIVING; giving sacrifice, gifts, and time to the Lord.

It was this same third month of the Hebrew year when the children of Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai and were asked by God to become “His Bride.” God reveals Himself through thunder, lightning, and His glory, and began sharing His “oral covenant” (Ex. 19). The anniversary date of this proposal would be known as the Feast of Pentecost.

The month of Sivan starts off doing business with God intimately with a marriage ceremony! The giving of the Tablets of Covenant, and the willingness of God’s people to say “YES” to God to be their Lord was one of the greatest transactions in history.  It gave us the blueprint for when Jesus would perfect God’s Covenant plan with His Bride.

In the New Testament, we see how after Jesus died during Passover and was resurrected from the dead, he visited the disciples for 40 days. The Lord directed the disciples to wait in the Upper Room for the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down as tongues of FIRE upon their heads.

God’s timing is always perfect. Even as God came down as fire upon Mt. Sinai with Moses, so now the Holy Spirit came as a fire upon the disciples. The difference was that the fire was no longer external as in the days of Moses, but internal! This shows a difference now concerning the temple that God would inhabit.

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwell in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16)

 It is no coincidence that Zebulun means “habitation or dwelling.” The indwelling of His presence now through the gift of the Holy Spirit is the hope (down payment) we have for when the earth will be filled with His glory in the Age of Tabernacles.

Sivan is the third month of the Hebrew calendar, which is the number associated with the completeness of our Lord as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus took three disciples with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed three times. During this time of great distress, He cried out to the Father, “Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will but what You will” (Mark 14:36).   After the third time praying and surrendering all, Jesus was ready to die for our sins and trust the Father to use Him to create a way to redeem mankind. Jesus was placed on the cross on the third hour (9a.m.). At 3p.m., He died. There was three hours of darkness while He was suffering on the cross.

Three is a number symbolic of resurrection life as we know that it took three days and three nights before Jesus rose from the dead. It was after His resurrection that the disciples were given the resources and ability to go “build His church.” The deposit of the Holy Spirit gave them the ability to “dwell” in His presence and gain access to His power to go!

God’s business is always centered on honoring His Covenant for a people He has chosen. His mercy covers our mistakes, and His grace is sufficient for our weaknesses. Pentecost is a time of receiving His outpouring of grace, mercy, and power so we can align with heaven and go do “business” for the Lord in establishing His Kingdom here on earth.

We are entering into the Hebrew month of Iyar, which is translated “reflected light.” This month is connected to the release of revelation and healing of “God’s light” through His Son Jesus.

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:7).

To put into perspective the timing of this month, we are in the same 50-day period of transition when the children of Israel left Egypt and began journeying to Mount Sinai. Through their travels, they were reintroduced to their Covenant Keeping God as Healer, Provider, and Deliverer. After living in Egypt for such a long time, most of the Israelites had heard about God, but were far from intimately knowing the God who made Covenant with Father Abraham.

 God first revealed Himself during this time in the wilderness as Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals. God cleansed the waters at Mara and made the bitter waters pure for drinking. Next, God came to them as Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. He released “manna” or “bread from heaven” supernaturally which the Israelites found in the morning dew.   And finally, through the holding up of the arms of Moses during a battle with the Amalekites, the children of Israel saw Jehovah Nissi, their banner of victory. Ex. 15-17

The Exodus from Egypt was a significant shift in departing from the oppression of a “worldly system” to one founded in God.  Trust had been cultivated in these worldly systems that brought forth a false sense of security and identity in wrong places.  This is evident through the complaining and grumbling of the children of Israel who were crying to go back to the oppression they had prayed to get out of!  Nevertheless, God reveals Himself in their moment of weakness like a groom courting a “bride to be.”

 The disciples likewise had 50 days between the resurrection of Christ and the day of Pentecost.  Within 40 of those days, Jesus manifested Himself to the disciples to show Himself alive as Healer, the “Bread of Life,” and Deliverer.  Jesus met the disciples in their weaknesses as well; Thomas the doubter, Peter the rejecter, and all the disciples received healing after seeing a conquering Jesus over death (John 20). The disciples then had to trust in their Savior (Covenant) now revealed, who commanded them to stay in the hostile environment of Jerusalem and wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).

Prophetically speaking, we will see this whole transition scene play out again preceding the Age of Tabernacles, except it will happen with a multitude of nations (instead of 12 disciples), who are being “reintroduced “to their Covenant Keeping God. There will come a day when Christian nations whom have been “oppressed” by the “mystery of Babylon” will be delivered out of the hand of the enemy because of repentance. Then they will be reintroduced to Jehovah Rafa who will heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14). They will encounter Jehovah Jireh, the Word, made manifest on the earth to establish His Kingdom (Rev. 19:13-15). And they will see Jehovah Nissi, the Commander in Chief and His Army who defeat the enemy (Rev. 19:19).

The similarity between the children of Israel in the wilderness, Jesus before he ascended, and the believers today before they meet the returning King is that ALL go through this transition that brings them to an encounter with God’s glory. And with each age, the glory increased. At Mt. Sinai, the glory rested upon them (Ex. 19:18;24:16-18). At Pentecost, a portion of the glory dwelt within the disciples through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). When the Age of Tabernacles comes, we will experience the fullness of the manifestation of His glory for those who abide in His Covenant. (Rev.21:3).

The tribe of Issachar is associated with the month of Iyar. They knew the timings of the Lord for the nation. As one of the tribes who came alongside David when he was anointed as King, the Bible says in 1 Chron. 12:22-32 of Issachar, “ and the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times to know what Israel must do.” I believe there is an anointing this month to go deeper in our understanding of the times we are in and our faith in a Covenant Keeping God so we can go out into the world with greater authority and power.

The Hebrew meaning of Issachar is “bringing reward.” It comes from the root word “nasa” and means “to lift, to advance, arise, bring forth exalt or raise up.” What better reward can we get than to humble ourselves and seek the Lord and get the treasures of seeing and experiencing the God of Covenant!

Issachar is nestled in between the tribe of Judah and Zebulun on the east side of the Tabernacle. These three tribes formed a branch that the Lord chose to march out first when He instructed the tribes to go. Judah would be given the charge to praise and worship, but Issachar understood the timing with which they were to depart and go. Zebulun then came alongside the two and had the ability to provide the supply or “business” of what needed to be done.

Issachar’s symbol was a humble donkey. He gets this symbol through Jacob prophesying over his tribe: “Issachar is a strong ass couching between two burdens.” Gen. 49:14 A donkey carries the burden of a load from one place to another. Issachar represents a strong but humble servant of God who fulfills the law of Christ spoken of in Gal. 6:2 “Bear each other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Issachar is rewarded from the Lord for serving His people, standing in the gap and carrying their burden whether it be through prayer or practical application. Issachar is spoken of as carrying two burdens: one for himself and one for a “brother in need.” Rewards for intercession as well as carrying other’s burdens that the Holy Spirit is leading us to do is priceless and brings much joy.

As we experience, acknowledge, and understand that God is love and that love is expresses through His Covenants found throughout the ages, we gain a greater understanding of His unfailing love and His desire for us to be a part of His family. Pray God gives you His Covenant secrets so we can come closer to Him and then reflect His light!

 

 

NISSAN (March/April) – God proclaimed to Moses in Ex. 12:2 that His Hebrew calendar year was to begin with the month of Nissan. Nissan means “to take flight,” so it was appropriately named since this was the month the children of Israel took flight from the captivity of Egypt and journeyed through the Red Sea to Mt. Sinai.

Nissan is associated with the tribe of Judah. Judah means “praise.” God called for “PRAISE” to go first into their “flight” from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land (Numbers 10). When the trumpet was blown twice, signifying it was time for all the tribes camped around the Ark of the Covenant to journey on, Judah was given the leadership position of moving out first. Judah was also the first tribe to cross the Jordan, and first to be allotted land in the Promised Land (Numbers 14.) This month is known for FIRSTS!

In Genesis 49:10, we read the prophetic destiny that Jacob spoke concerning the tribe of Judah in the latter days. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”

Judah was destined to carry the Messianic ruler ship (scepter), which we can see documented in Matthew 1 that traces the lineage of Judah. Jesus was born out of this tribe when he came to earth to be our Savior, and He will return as our King of Kings. This month is significant to His “kingship” and stepping forward under His command to take “dominion.”

Judah was also responsible for making sure the “tablets of covenant/testimony” were safely passed down from generation to generation until Jesus came. The “Torah (first 5 books of the bible) was canonized during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah during the 7th year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra and Nehemiah were both a part of the House of Judah. When Jesus died and gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, the law was then written on all of our hearts. This is when the obedience of the people then became unto HIM (Jesus the King).

Judah had a notable flaw in his character that was difficult to overcome; the love of money. In Genesis 37, we read the story of how Judah and his brothers decided to kill Joseph because they were jealous of their Father’s love and favoritism toward him. After conferring, they decided to throw him in a pit to die. But Judah later assessed the situation and said, “What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?” (Gen. 37:26).

Judah’s first interest was in making a profit! He suggested to sell Joseph, and made a bargain with the Midianite traders who agreed to purchase him for twenty silver coins. As time went by, the guilt weighed on Judah over the years, and his repentant heart made him respond differently to his brother in need. This time, instead of bargaining for profit, Judah pleas with Joseph for his brother Benjamin, offering to sacrifice his own life (Gen. 44:14-34).

Judas (Greek for Judah) Ischariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, also had this same weakness in his character that caused him to break God’s Commandments. The Bible reveals his greedy heart in John 12:5 when Judas cannot understand why Mary poured costly fragrant oil on Jesus instead of selling the oil and giving it to the poor. The scriptures go on to say in verse 6, “This he (Judas) said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and had the money box, and he used to take what was put in it.”

It wasn’t too long until we read about Judas betraying Jesus by making a bargain with the religious leaders for 30 silver coins (Mark 14:10,11). In both cases, the stronghold of the need for wealth was more powerful than family ties or intimate relationships. Judas, however, ends up taking his own life because of the guilt he bore in betraying Jesus.

Jesus tells us how difficult the struggle is for those who have a gift to profit once they have accumulated wealth for self-gain. “Assuredly I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23,24).

Looking around the financial world today, many Jews are the world’s top financiers and control many of the banks, including the Federal Reserve. Left to selfish gain, they have been used to set up a world money system that is corrupt and never satisfied. But when Judah can submit to God’s headship, their gift can benefit the advancement of the Kingdom of God, especially in helping visions “take flight.”

There were three tribes, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, who were positioned around the Tabernacle on the east side to form a branch. Judah’s banner of the lion represented this branch, and it was these tribes who worked together to move the whole army out when the Lord’s cloud by day and pillar of fire moved. Judah was chosen to “sound the alarm!”

Starting with Nissan, we enter into the “spring season” with the Lord. This season has a pattern for new beginnings; new seeds to plant, new alliances, and new battles arise during this season. Kings go to war, praise leads the way, and the authority of Judah sets the foundation. Coming out of the “winter” rest and revelation season guides and directs the movement of the Hebrew year beginnings. Also, coming full circle in the “winter” season lends itself to the new doors opening up.

This month also honors God’s redemption plan as we celebrate and remember the Spring Feasts of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Firstfruits (Lev.23). All of these Feasts were a blueprint of how Jesus would fulfill God’s Covenant promises of redemption and reconciliation. As we read the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled these Feasts completely through His death and resurrection (Luke 23,24). Fifty days later, He fulfilled the final Spring Feast, Pentecost, when He sent the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

When Jesus rose from the dead, He presented Himself as the “FIRSTFRUITS” offering unto the Father in heaven. Judah goes FIRST as Son of Man, and Son of God! In doing so, Jesus made a way for heaven to come to earth in Holiness, and for a people (harvest) to be presented to the Father after He returns. Thankfully, He sent the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of His return (2 Cor. 1:22).

God gave us a key this month to individual intimate relationship with the Lord: REPENTANCE. Humbling ourselves under the Lord of Hosts (the one who rules over the armies of heaven and earth) connects and keeps us under HIS COVERING! Jesus will come back as judge, conqueror, and king to fulfill the Fall Feasts through His second coming.

Through some of the Israelite Kings, such as Jehoshaphat, we can see the power of repentance and humility. Jehoshaphat understood complete dependence on seeking the Lord for His leadership. The minute he turned to the Lord, God gave him strategy, strength, and victory.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we read about Jehoshaphat’s humility as he seeks the Lord when the odds were up against his army. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chron. 20:3).

God gave Jehoshaphat a strategy of winning the war through praise. Jehoshaphat asked the worshippers to go before His army, and this opened heaven to help him overcome in time of need. “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated (2 Chron. 20:22).

The landscape of seeing the kingdom of heaven here on the earth will shift ahead through the praises of God’s people.

This month, above all else, God wants us to praise Him. PRAISE HIM as you take flight! PRAISE HIM as you go into battle! PRAISE HIM because you have been CHOSEN to rule and reign in Him! PRAISE HIM for “FIRSTS!” Your praise will spring you forward into the New Year!

Azusa Now and United Cry were just two big events that rang in the Hebrew New Year from the east to the west coast of America. There is no coincidence that these two events alone were scheduled on Firstfruits and on the first day of the Hebrew New Year. The tribe of Judah associated with this month, trumpets forth praise to declare war, and to move out under God’s Command. Seeds were sown! Both events highlighted did just that!

http://www.thecall.com/azuza

http://www.unitedcry.com

We will see a significant shift this year that will shake foundations hidden in the church and out in the world. Even in the political arena, the foundations are being shaken on both sides. The landscape has shifted, and a new divide will be seen. As the enemy has waged war against God’s people, the King of Kings, our Lord of Sabaoth, has charged His army to UNITE under His Command. ONE is the Word God has written on His heart for us to reflect.

God has a remnant that will emerge this year that has been hidden over the years, but prepared for this coming season. The religious spirit will clash with this new movement. The spirit of offense will be elevated into new heights, even amongst the body of Christ. We must guard our hearts and know that vengeance is the Lord’s and not ours to step into. We can murder people with our tongues, and mirror the enemy defending our religious beliefs. But God is requiring us to go up higher and trust in His process, and rest in His peace. He is calling us all to war with His silver swords…a sword of the spirit that has a new governing authority for NOW.

Passover is up ahead on April 22 and goes through the 30th. This is a significant time of the separation, and the release that God has promised for the remnant. Prepare yourself to move out into the new beginnings. Let go of the Old……And Praise the Lord for His deliverance and protection.

“Blessed is the man You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, That You may give him rest from the days of adversity.” Psalm 94:12