The events of this world are often the focus of our attention. We watch the news and see events to celebrate as well as matters which cause us to grieve. We are present in our thinking and if we value the opinions of C. S. Lewis, he says we should stay in the present mentally. "The duty of planning the 'morrow's work is today's duty." Screwtape Letters. We cannot comprehend God and the fact that He is outside of time. Creating the earth and everything around it, me writing this post, and His culmination of earthly events is all present time to Him. He established time for us and placed us in it and obviously values time as a great organizational tool. He reveals many things to us in scripture by the use of His timetable. He is clear in His description of many things by the use of time in parameters He uses for us. And many are tripped up by Peter's description of time regarding God. "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8. This is a reminder to us that God stands outside time. But He gives us consistent timetables to function in and so we have information He wants us to have. So often we are looking at what is right in front of us and not recognizing the mighty obvious workings of the hand of God on a worldwide scale. My suggestion is that we step back, WAY back, off the porch, across the street, out of the neighborhood, and just keep widening our scope until we can see with our finite little minds the world and all its workings from a god-like perspective. He is showing us some amazing things but are we looking.
The events going on today are not things we will hear about on the news. Very few will recognize them on their own and most will discount them as pure coincidence when they are pointed out. But we, who are children of God, are seeking His face, and daily seeking to move closer to Christ, have understanding that cannot be explained to secular society. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:12-14. It can be intimidating to acknowledge the spiritual world around us. That concept is usually perceived as wacky and we might even be whispered about as "unstable." This is how the enemy wants it to be. His biggest fear is us tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit within us and living our lives confident in our position in Christ.
There are very significant events taking place around us which indicate God is moving. He wants us to know. His word clearly warns us, not to frighten us. On the contrary, He wants us to be ready. Every seven years God declared would be a Shemitah year. This is a Sabbath year or year of rest. Significant historical events, too many to list here, come about in connection with Shemitah. One recent example took place on September 11, 2001. This was the last day of the Shemitah year. Also, during the Shemitah year which just ended, Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint meeting of Congress and warned the United States. He conveyed that Israel will be safe with or without the help of the United States but compared the U.S. to Esther who intervened for the Jewish people and warned us to choose our friends wisely. Rosh Hashanah, celebrating the Jewish New Year, was September 13-15, 2015. This ushered in an even more significant event from the perspective of our Lord. It begins the year of Jubilee. Even more momentous is the year of Jubilee than the Shemitah year. It happens the year after each seventh Shemitah. It is a Sabbath of Sabbaths. In scripture God designated specific time for work and time for rest, time for restoration, as well as time for liberation. The year of Jubilee was the time designated by God to wipe the slate clean, cancel all debt, and restore everything and everyone to their rightful place. The year of Jubilee that began on September 15, 2015 will be significant for mankind. It marks the 70th Jubilee year and the 40th since the crucifixion of Christ. Both numbers, 70 and 40 hold special meaning in scripture and are used many times for Christ to chronicle important events.
In addition to the calendar marking yearly milestones, for those Christians who are watching, the skies also give a glimpse into the working of our Lord. His word teaches that we are to be mindful of celestial events and spoke of their significance. "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring" Luke 21:25. When He set the path of the sun, moon, and stars, He made them to cross paths to coincide with His mighty plan. Do not confuse this with the practice of astrology. These are strictly coordinated with events orchestrated by God our Father and Creator. During the Shemitah that just ended and the year of Jubilee there is a Tetrad. A Tetrad is when four blood moons (lunar eclipse) occur within an eighteen month period. This has happened many times since Christ's death. But in the past 2000 years, this is the first time it will have happened during the Shemitah, Jubilee cycle. Also, all four of these blood moons happened on Jewish Feast days. In addition to the blood moons, two solar eclipse have occurred. One on March 20, 2015, all these things also occurred on this day:
- A Solar Eclipse in the North Atlantic.
- The exact center day of the Jewish Shemitah Year.
- The Vernal Equinox marking the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Moon at "perigee in its orbit markings its closest point to Earth, which many people call a Super Moon.
- First Day of Nisan on the Jewish calendar.
God's word is clear. "The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord." Acts 2:20. These are not to be dismissed as random occurrences. Do not be deceived, these things are no coincidence. The almighty Creator is at the helm as always and He is sending us messages. Are we understanding them?
These events are significant but are not intended to make us afraid. We are to be looking with anticipation for what Christ is doing. It should excite us as well as give us a sense of urgency to share the gospel with a hurting world. Please notice that this post is not predicting specific events such as Christ's return, economic collapse, or foreign military oppression. Any of these things could happen along with multitudes of other scenarios. But be confident that God's hand is moving. There has never been a more important time to make those strides to be closer to Christ. Right by His side is always the best seat in the house. He is preparing quite a show.
