​A question is posed at the beginning of the song "Wonderful, Merciful Savior."  "Who would have thought that a Lamb could rescue the souls of men?"  But that is what was done by the Lamb of God!  We see foreshadows of the Lamb of God throughout the Old Testament beginning in Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned.  By eating the forbidden fruit their eyes were opened and "they realized that they were naked." (Genesis 3:7)  Another way to say this is that they experienced shame, so much so that they tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves.  But man could not cover his own sin.  God had to provide them with "garments of skin." (Genesis 3:21)
 
Specific instructions were given to the Israelites in Egypt when God was going to deliver them from bondage and death.  "...On the 10th day of the month each man is to take a lamb for his family...The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect...Take care of them until the 14th day of the month when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.  Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs." (Genesis 12:3, 5-7)  The blood of the lamb was the covering that was needed to protect the children of Israel from the plague of death.
 
It was on Mt. Moriah that Abraham took his son, his only son, whom he loved, and offered him as a burnt offering at the request of God. (Genesis 22:2)  At the moment he was about to slay him, God provided a ram for the sacrifice.  The binding of Isaac is called "the Akedah" in Hebrew and the story is retold in synagogues across the world on Rosh Hashanah.
 
In Isaiah 53 we read the foretelling of the substitutionary atoning sacrifice of the Messiah.  Verse 7 compares him to the sacrificial lamb:  "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth."
 
When asked by the priests and Levites who he was, John the Baptist told them, "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" (John 1:23) John was the one who prepared the way for Jesus and identified Him so that all the world would know the call of God on His life.  "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)  Those who practiced animal sacrifice so that those who violated the Mosaic law could approach God must have been shocked by the statement of John the Baptist.  How could John compare Jesus to the sacrificial lambs?
 
The Passover season is upon us.  The Jewish people will be remembering how each Israelite household in Egypt brought a perfect lamb into their homes from Nisan 10 to 14.  Imagine how each family must have become attached to their lamb as they lived with him, only to turn around and kill him as a sacrifice to protect them. Christians are remembering the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem this weekend. To fulfill what was spoken by the prophets, He entered riding on a colt of a donkey.  Crowds followed Jesus shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:9)  Afterward, Jesus entered the temple where He would be questioned and scrutinized.  For four days, "The Lamb of God" was examined.  He was then chosen as the Sacrificial Lamb.
 
It is the love of God that nailed Jesus to the Cross.  He was the sacrifice that purchased our souls.  He is our Redemption.  The Lamb of God is described in Revelation 5:6, 9-10.  "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders...And they sang a new song, saying:  'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."  We are those that Jesus purchased for Father God.  We are part of God's Kingdom and priests to serve Him.  It is ordained that we shall reign in victory.  How can we not praise Him?

Yearly the Jews commemorate the time when God freed the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.  They tell the story at a Passover Seder which means "order."  Today's Seder has changed from the original Passover meal.  As families and friends gather together, they use a guide called the Haggadah which means "The Telling."  To help us remember the events of the children of Israel in Egypt and on their way to cross into the Promised Land, the Seder uses symbols.
 
Many Christians do not realize that when Jesus broke bread and shared it and the wine with the disciples at the Last Supper, he used the same elements shared at the Passover feast.  There is an interesting mystery concerning the matzah (bread with no leaven) that is used in the service.  At the beginning of the Seder, the leader lifts up three pieces of matzah.  Why three?  Could it be that they represent the Trinity? (Father, Son and Holy Ghost)
 
The matzah itself is striped and pierced like Jesus at the crucifixion.  Think about this interesting part of the ceremony:  The middle piece of matzah is removed and lifted up to be broken in half.  This piece is called the "Afikomen," a Greek word meaning, "that which comes after."  The larger piece of broken matzah is wrapped in a white linen napkin and hidden.  So too, the body of Jesus was wrapped in white linen and hidden away in a tomb.
 
At the end of the Seder the young ones search for the hidden matzah so they can bring it back to those at the table.  The Seder cannot be completed without the Afikomen.  When it is found it is unwrapped and passed around so that all may partake of it.  Can we assume that the Afikomen represents Jesus?  I think so!  The Messiah, Jesus, is the One who must still come to His people.  He comes to everyone.  He is the one who who led His disciples in the Passover feast at the last supper before His death.  "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take it; this is my body.'  Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,' He said to them. " (Mark 14:22-24)
 
Romans 11:25-26 gives us insight into God's plan to reveal Himself to all mankind.  "...Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.  As it is written, 'The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob.'" 
 
None of us can be complete without our Messiah, Jesus.  He is revealing Himself to many through signs, wonders, and miracles.  Let us pray for the eyes of the Jewish people to be opened as they celebrate their Passover Seders next week.  The Lord is not willing for anyone to perish.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

​A small army of dedicated Jews is all that was needed to take back the temple in Jerusalem from the Syrian Greeks.  King Antiochus Epiphanes, ruler of the Greek empire, had a goal to unify his kingdom by making Hellenism the only acceptable culture.  Judaism was outlawed.  Jews were executed for observing their Sabbath and Feasts or for circumcising their baby boys.  The Temple became a place where pigs were sacrificed to the image of the god Zeus.
 
A priest named Mattathias and his five sons led the Jewish rebellion against the Syrian Greek empire.  One of the sons, Judah, was nicknamed The Hammer or "Maccabee" in Hebrew.  Consequently, the revolutionaries became known as The Maccabees.   It took the rebels over three years to obtain victory.  When they re-entered the Temple, they found only a one-day supply of consecrated oil to light the Menorah.  The Maccabees decided to light the Menorah even though it would have taken eight days for the priests to consecrate more oil.  Miraculously, the Menorah kept burning for eight days.  Since that time, the Jews celebrate Hanukkah, or the Feast of Dedication, or the Feast of Lights for eight days beginning on Kislev 25.
 
If we look back in history to 323 to 171 BC, we see that some of the Jewish people were adopting the more liberal lifestyle of the Gentiles around them by ignoring Torah and inciting others to join them.  The pattern of moral decay within Israel led to severe oppression and persecution of the Jews.  What started as an alternative lifestyle for some of the Jews became a state-mandated way of life.  There is so much to learn from history!  Do you see the repetition of the pattern of moral decay in our own society?  There is a warning in Hebrews 2:1 against drifting:  "We must pay the most careful attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."  Almost without perception, the Church has embraced worldly ways in an attempt to increase their following.  The results are devastating.  We see the ways of the world becoming normal.  Compromise is the order of the day, while we need to be more firmly rooted and built up in Jesus. (Colossians 2:7)
 
The enemy of our souls has been at work.  The time that we live in is chaotic and volatile.  Our freedoms and rights to worship the Lord are being stolen from us.  We are in a season of darkness.  What is being done in the dark must be exposed to the light.  Could there be a more perfect time for us to carry the light of Jesus into the world?  Jesus used the time of the Festival of Dedication to reveal that He is the Son of God.  When He spoke to Nicodemus about salvation He said, "This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-21)
 
While speaking to the crowds of people, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)  We who believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world carry His light.  Our prayers for our lives, our churches, and our nation can change the course of history.  Let us use this season to keep the fires of our prayers burning.  Ask the Lord to help us focus on Him and to remove the old mindsets that keep us in bondage.  Pray that our churches will be cleansed and restored in purity and power.  Pray that our nation and its leaders will walk in the truth and take a stand against the enemies of God.  Ask the Lord for HIs miraculous provision of light and truth and His guidance on the path of righteousness.  He is faithful to those who dedicate their lives to Him.  We can be assured that light will be victorious over darkness.
 

"There is an all-out attempt to finally turn our nation from God and His original plans for us."  So says Dutch Sheets, pastor, author, and warrior for God's plans and purposes in the United States.  In addition, he writes, "There is an evil attempt to keep what is true, righteous, and holy from coming to the surface of awareness in our nation; however, we are coming to the moment when it will no longer be withheld."  It has become obvious that what God ordained for our nation must be fought for.  All of this has not caught God by surprise.  He has in place what we will need to "fight the good fight of faith."  (1 Timothy 6:12)
 
First, there is a network of well-respected prophets in the United States that agree in their prophecies for our country and its leadership.  Those who honor God and His Word and who partner with Him in His plans and purposes find favor with the Lord.  We must come along side of these God-appointed prophets to pray in their words.  This is what God told the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, when his nation was being threatened by vast armies of the enemy:  "Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful." (2 Chronicles 20:20)
 
Secondly, it seems like the Church is awakening and finding her voice.  She is reconsidering the way that she walks. The prophet Jeremiah reminded his people that they had forgotten God.  "...They burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways and in the ancient paths." (Jeremiah 18:15) Jeremiah declared God's word to return to the ways of Israel's forefathers:  "Stand in the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls..." (Jeremiah 6:16)  The wind of change is in the air.  God is aiming His church back onto the right paths and the foundation of HIs unchanging truth.
 
Thirdly, there is a groundswell of people who are remembering our history and our call from God.  Our nation was birthed in prayer!  Author, Dr. Peter Lillback did exhaustive research on our nation's first president.  His book of over 1,100 pages, titled George Washington's Sacred Fire, is filled with the prayers of our founding fathers.  Lillback records Washington's thoughts and prayers and devotion toward Almighty God.  He tells us this:  "In his first Inaugural Address, Washington explained that an experiment had been entrusted to the American people.  What was at stake in America's experiment in self-government was the 'preservation of the sacred fire of liberty.'  This 'sacred fire' had been entrusted to Americans by heaven.  Liberty's flame was sacred or holy because it was sustained by heaven's 'eternal rules of order and right.'" (Page 711)
 
Finally, just as Esther was placed in the king's palace to partner with God in saving her people "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14), we were also placed on earth at this time and place to partner with God in the turning of our nation back to Him.  The prophet Isaiah says it well in Chapter 33:5-6.  "The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill Zion with His justice and righteousness.  He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."  Our responsibility is to join the groundswell of prayer and to declare and decree God's plans and purposes for our nation to prevail.

God uses unorthodox ways to demonstrate His nature and purposes.  So it was with Hosea the prophet.  His name means "Jehovah (The Eternal One) is Salvation or Deliverer," and he lived among God's chosen people during a period when their leadership encouraged a materialistic, immoral, and unjust lifestyle.  God watched as His people, chosen to live a godly lifestyle as an example to the entire world, and to be God's bridge of redemption to the pagans, were totally unfaithful to Him.  They prostituted themselves to the very ones they were called to bring to the Redeemer.
 
Imagine how you would feel if God said to you, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord." (Hosea 1:2) Hosea's adulterous wife, Gomer (meaning completion), bore him two sons and one daughter who were named by God:  Jezreel (God plants or sows), Lo-Ruhamah (not loved), and Lo-Ammi (not my people). Hosea's life was to represent the heart of God in loving the unfaithful.
 
God found Himself in a position of having to punish the children of Israel for chasing after other gods and abandoning their commitment to Him.  Verse 12 of Chapter 4 says, "A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God."  In his book, Hosea describes some of the detestable behaviors engaged in by the people of God during his day.  "They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets." (Hosea 7:1) "They speak about me falsely.  They do not cry out to me from their hearts." (Hosea 7:13-14) "Israel has rejected what is good...They set up kings without my consent..." (Hosea 8:3-4) "Israel has forgotten their Maker..." (Hosea 8:14) "But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception.  Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people…”  (Hosea 10:13-14)
 
Does Hosea's description of his times sound familiar?  They do to me!  We are living in a day that is characterized by our vile behaviors and affections to other gods.  The spirit of prostitution appears to be alive and well.  From His people Israel, God was looking for a repentant lifestyle.  God said, "...Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears...For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:4, 6)  While God had some harsh words for Israel, He also had some words of compassion.  He remembered the time when they were faithful to Him:  “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree..." (Hosea 9:10) Early fruit on a fig tree was considered especially delicious.  When God found Israel in the desert He was overtaken by her appearance and taste.  He confessed, "How can I give you up, Ephraim?  How can I hand you over, Israel...My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused." (Hosea 11:8)
 
Mitch Glaser, Ph.D., wrote a book titled God's Plan and Purposes for the Jewish People.  He makes some interesting points that are worth repeating:  "The Scriptures never suggest that Israel's disobedience would outlast God's grace...Instead, when God wants the nation to repent and again receive His blessings, the Lord would do what was necessary to turn the people back to Him.  The book of Hosea proclaimed the message to Israel that God was not going to reject them, but would wait for, or even initiate, their repentance." (Page 23)
 
God's compassions toward Israel have never failed.  I believe He has those same compassions toward the United States of America.  He is the One who helped establish our country through guiding Christopher Columbus to our shores.  He brought the pilgrims to our lands so that they could establish a country with righteous foundations and freedom to worship the One True God.  The Lord said of Israel, "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.  I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily.  Like a cedar of Lebanon, he will send down his roots…” (Hosea 14:4-5)  God is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Let us call out to Him for healing, restoration, and revival that our nation will return to Him and be like the early fruit on a fig tree.

​We can read the prescribed way that the leaders of Israel were to take a census in Exodus 30:11-12. "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted.  Then no plague will come on them when you number them.'"  Here is the bottom line:  God wanted His people to trust Him in all things.  The small ransom required (a half shekel) was to support the service of the Tent of Meeting and became part of the Israelite worship of God.  When King David made plans to take a census of the fighting men in his ranks without collecting the half shekel, Joab, the commander of the army, asked him, "Why does my lord want to do this?  Why should he bring guilt on Israel?" (1 Chronicles 21:3)  Joab was overruled and spent nine months and 20 days counting the troops.  After receiving the report, David was conscience-stricken.  "And he said to the Lord, 'I have sinned greatly in what I have done.  Now, O Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant.  I have done a very foolish thing.’" (2 Samuel 24:10) However, the Lord's anger rose, and He instructed David's seer, Gad to tell him the ramifications of his action.
 
It is interesting to note that God gave David the opportunity to select the punishment for Israel.  His choices were three years of famine in the land, or three months of fleeing from Israel's enemies, or three days of plague.  David told Gad, "Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men." (2 Samuel 24:14)  The plague in Israel took 70,000 lives.  When the angel of the Lord was about to ravage Jerusalem, the Lord became so distressed that he said, "Enough! Withdraw your hand." (1 Chronicles 21:15)
 
We must remember that Jerusalem was at the heart of God's plans for HIs people.  The angel of death was stopped at the very site where God wanted the temple to be built—the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.  David told him that he would like to purchase the threshing floor so that he could build an altar of sacrifice to the Lord to stop the plague.  Araunah generously offered to give David the oxen for the burnt offering, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering.  Here is David's reply:  "No, I insist on paying full price.  I will not take for the Lord what is yours or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing." (1 Chronicles 21:24)  David paid for the site and sacrificed burnt and fellowship offerings to God.  As he called on Him, "The Lord answered him with fire from heaven." 
(1 Chronicles 21:26)
 
It is the place of costly sacrifice where the fire of God falls and destruction ends.  It is the place where God's mercy is poured out, and we position ourselves for the future.  There is much significance to the site God chose for David’s costly sacrifice.   It is Mt. Moriah, whose name means "seen by Jehovah." 
Our heavenly Father sees us through the lens of our destiny.  If we look back to Abraham, we see that God selected David’s altar for another costly sacrifice.  Abraham was instructed to take his only son, Isaac, to Mt. Moriah where he would lay him on the altar as a sacrifice.  His willingness to trust God to make good on His promise gave Abraham the faith he needed to bind Isaac to the altar.  Both Abraham and David saw God's judgment and mercy meet on Mt. Moriah, the site God had chosen for the temple to be built before time began.  Indeed, shortly after David had his encounter with the Lord, he began to make preparations for the building of the Temple on this holy land.  He said, "The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel." (1 Chronicles 22:1)
 
Does what happened to David and the people of Israel have any significance for us today?  Here are the results of my contemplations:  (1) I believe that The United States of America has been ordained by God as a godly nation whose purpose is to worship Him, to show other nations the generosity of God through blessing them with costly sacrifices, and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. (2) I believe that God is grieved by the way we have pulled away from our godly roots, established by our forefathers.  Our habit of counting our resources instead of trusting in the Lord must be put to an end. (3) I believe we could experience the mercy of God being poured out upon us if we laid costly sacrifices before Him.  Would our  investments in Kingdom ministries and fervent prayers for revival catch His attention?  I think so!  Oh God, "Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in You?  Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation." (Psalm 85:6-7 - NKJV)

​During the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles the Israelites cut branches from three different trees--the palm, the myrtle, and the willow.  The branches were an integral part of their celebration that included remembering their wilderness journey.  According to Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, the people were reminded of the desert plains by the palms, the desert mountains by the myrtle, and the desert brooks that gave them water by the willow.  Yearly, the Jews celebrate the journey of life as they remember the wilderness times that led them to the Promised Land.
 
The Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration of the harvest and a time of remembering God's provision and protection in the wilderness.  It is referred to as "The Feast" because it is the culmination of all the Biblical holy days and is a time to meet with God.  It actually points toward the culmination of God's redemptive plan and represents the final stage of His plan of salvation.  The Feast is a fore-shadow of the millennial kingdom.  The prophet Zechariah tells us that "The Feast" or Sukkot, will be celebrated in the millennial kingdom:  "Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, The Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.  If any of the people of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain.  If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain.  The Lord will bring on them the plague He inflicts on the nations that do not celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles." (Zechariah 14:16-18)
 
The feasts of the Lord were appointed by God before Jesus was born.  We can read how they were celebrated in the Old Testament.  However, they would have lacked authority because they were not celebrated under the authority of the name of Jesus.  Now, we can see Jesus revealed in the feasts.  We must look forward to that day when He returns as a triumphant King on a white horse. (Revelation 19:11)  Believers from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue will worship Him, waving palm branches before Him.
 
Do not miss the significance of the week of celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles; it is rich in symbolism. Contemplating these times appointed by God can bring us into a deeper communion with Him.  We must celebrate our journey of life.  The wilderness is a symbol for our life on earth now, and the Promised Land is a symbol of heaven.  That is our goal!  Rabbi Cahn says, "Remember, in heaven, you will give thanks for the heavenly road you're walking on right now, on your way to the Promised Land."
 
Why not pause and reflect on your journey during this season?  Life is full of struggles, sorrows, and disappointments along with times of joy, fruit bearing, and harvest.  God's plan for us is written about in John 15:8. "This is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit..."  The journey is meant to strengthen us and point us in the direction of our ultimate destination—Heaven!  Let us meet with the Lord during this kairos (opportune or strategic) time at the table He sets for us.  It is time to feast with Him as we look for His victorious return!

On September 26, 400 years ago, the pilgrims set sail for America in their ship, the Mayflower.  They came seeking freedom to restart their lives and to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Many on the ship lost their lives; those who did not persevered.  With faith and fortitude, they pressed on toward the goal to win the prize for which God had called them. (Philippians 3:14) Those who landed on the shores of America were the seed of our nation.  Before disembarking and putting down their roots in the new land, they signed a document that has become known as the Mayflower Compact. It was a covenant made with God and with each other that expressed the idea of self-government with "just and equal laws...for the general good of the Colony."  The Compact expressed deep faith and belief in God and would serve as a foundation for the Constitution of the United States.
 
I believe that the Christian community will agree that our nation has fallen far from the original intentions of the pilgrims who signed the Mayflower Compact.  Early in the year, two of our leaders in the faith came to the same conclusion separately and selected September 26 as a day for people of faith to gather in a solemn assembly on the National Mall to pray.  Franklin Graham called his event "The Washington Prayer March" while Jonathan Cahn called the event "The Return."  The date God led these men to choose also happens to be 40 days before the presidential election.  Franklin Graham says, "The only hope for America is God.  Prayer is our most important weapon.  It allows us to go directly to the King of kings, directly to stand before the throne of grace and make our petitions known before God."
 
In the Bible we see that there is great significance to both the number 40 and 400.  The flood, Moses and God's meetings, Christ's temptation in the wilderness, and His post resurrection ministry all took place in a 40-day period of time.  Of course, the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years.  Hence, the number 40 represents a time in the wilderness and preparation through trials and testing.  In Genesis 15:13 we see that God foretold of the bondage of the Israelites for 400 years.  He delivered them from bondage after 400 years.  It seems that whenever God wanted to prepare a nation for His purposes it took 400 years.  Could it be that the convergence of two major events in the life of our country is a sign that God is about to change our nation?
 
I believe that The Return and The Washington Prayer March were strategically planned by God to occur exactly when they did.  They fell in the middle of the 10 Days of Awe—the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur where repentance for sins occurs.  In addition, these events landed on a day called "Shuvah" on the Jewish calendar, a day annually set aside to return to God through repentance.  In fact, the meaning of the word "Shuvah" is "Return."  When Jonathan selected September 26 for "The Return" he had no idea that it would fall on Shuvah.  Another interesting "coincidence" is that the preset Scripture to be read in synagogues on this day is Joel 2:15.  "Blow the shofar in Zion!  Proclaim a holy fast.  Call for a solemn assembly." (The Complete Jewish Bible) And blow the shofars they did!!  Jonathan led an entire army of people in blowing their shofars.  The sound penetrated my soul.  There were so many convergences at this gathering that we must conclude that it was God inspired.
 
Before the event, Jonathan Cahn told an interviewer, "God doesn't want to judge.  He doesn't!  He's long-suffering.  Look at all we've done and what we do in His face.  Look at the millions that have been killed, the unborn children who've been killed.  God doesn't want to, but He has to deal with evil.  But his heart is for salvation.  His heart is that none should perish.  God is calling to America:  'America, return to me, and I will return to you.'  I believe that's the heart of God.  The movement and chance we have before us now may never come again.  If we don't return now, we may pass the point of no return."
 
There are those who seek to destroy our Judeo-Christian foundations.  It is up to Christians to take a stand and return to our Biblical roots.  We have this one moment in history that could turn the course of our nation and impact our descendants for generations to come.  All the signs point to the fact that God is up to something.  We must come into agreement with His plans to transform and reshape our nation.  Let us take God up on His promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14.  "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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
​

Disturbing reports of chaos and destruction are prevalent in the news media.  It seems that mob rule is taking over as those charged with keeping the peace back away and allow the angry mobs to have their way.  What is behind this anarchy?  The events that occurred during the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar (Tammuz—our current month), give us revelation about the spirit of our day.
 
When the children of Israel left Egypt there was not one feeble among them and they left laden with silver and gold. (Psalm 105:37)  In addition, they were being led by God who took the form of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  Their ultimate destination was the Promised Land--"a land flowing with milk and honey."  On the way, God led them to Mt. Sinai where they were reminded of how He brought them out of Egypt and provided for them throughout their journey.  Moses went to the top of the mountain to receive the Lord's commandments.  A blood covenant was made between God and the people. (Exodus 24:8)  Then, "Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the 70 elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel...They saw God, and they ate and drank." (Exodus 24:9-11)  "Then Moses entered the cloud as he went up the mountain.  And he stayed on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights." (Exodus 24:18) Before he left, Moses put Aaron and Hur in charge.
 
No sooner had Aaron returned to the camp then the people schemed to make other gods.  How could they?  First, they took their eyes off God's promises.  Second, they did not remember all the signs and wonders they saw.  Third, they wanted immediate comfort and security and were willing to give up their inheritance for it.  How tragic!!  Aaron joined the mob in building a golden calf from the gold taken out of Egypt.  In front of the calf Aaron built an altar and all of Israel sacrificed burnt offerings, ate and drank, and indulged in revelry. (Exodus 32:6)  Immediate gratification was the call for the day.  The anger of the Lord was so great that He wanted to kill all of them.  The Lord relented only after Moses interceded.
 
Reuben was the first-born son of Jacob and Leah and is associated with this month of Tammuz.  As the first-born son, he stood to receive a double portion of his father's inheritance and should have been a leader of the other brothers and their tribes, and a priest of his family.  However, he esteemed his birthright lightly and lost it all from lack of self-control and patience.  His sin was great against God and his father, Jacob.  "Reuben went in and slept with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it." (Genesis 35:22)  Reuben's sin resulted in shame and loss for the rest of his life.  His behavior had ramifications for generations to come.  When it came time to enter the Promised Land, Reuben settled for land east of the Jordan and rejected his portion of the inheritance.
 
There are lessons for us to learn on how to live during this month of Tammuz and in the future.  All of us have received promises from God that should guide us toward our destinies.  We must stay focused on those promises and wait with patience for God's perfect timing.  As He tells us in Isaiah 55:8, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."  Destructive behaviors lead to losses in the future.  A desire for immediate gratification that results in rash decisions and activities brings an inferior inheritance.  We must not settle for less than God's best, and we must agree with His methods and timing to see the manifestation of His promises.  We cannot join the angry mobs in building "golden calves"—idols that only give a moment of satisfaction.
 
This is the time when we should be reviewing the signs that God has given us and focusing on His promises.  We cannot be seduced into producing idols that feel good now.  Paul gives us excellent advice in Philippians 3:14.  "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  How should we move forward to our Promised Lands?  We must keep our eyes focused on God's promises and persevere with patience.  If we are tempted with thoughts of discouragement or desires for building an idol, replace them with extravagant worship to our Lord and King who will guide us to our destinies.  He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)

For 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus spent time teaching His disciples truths from the Kingdom of God.  Before He ascended into heaven, "Jesus instructed them, "Don't leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father has promised.  For John baptized you in water, but in a few days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:4-5)  Two words stand out to me in this passage:  wait and baptized.  Acts 1:4-5 is saying, "If you wait (remain or tarry), then you will be baptized (immersed or drenched) in the Holy Spirit."  The instructions require an action on the part of the hearer.  The disciples were required to wait for 10 days after Jesus left them, and before the promise hit.  Today we call the time when the Holy Spirit poured out in power Pentecost because it was 50 days from the day of the resurrection of Jesus.  Those who waited had no idea how long they would be in the same place.  God blessed those who persevered.
 
Waiting is an action word as explained in Proverbs 8:34-35.  "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.  For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord."  The disciples were waiting in an upper room in Jerusalem for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.  They had to listen to and obey what Jesus told them.  They were also watching for the appearing of His Spirit.  This is what waiting looks like.
 
Jesus wants His disciples to make themselves available to Him.  While we wait the Lord awakens our senses and prepares us for what is to come.  The more we wait, the more we cultivate a deeper understanding of Him, the Source of Life.  This enable the Lord to enlarge our spiritual capacity.  He wants to take us from the natural realm to the supernatural realm.  Psalm 27:14 gives us great encouragement.  "...Don't give up; don't be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord.  Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.  Yes, keep on waiting--for He will never disappoint you!" (TPT)
 
Because they waited and obeyed what Jesus told them, the reward for the disciples was their baptism in the Holy Spirit.  If you have ever been to a baptism service, you will recall that the person being baptized is completely immersed into the water.  Every part of their body is saturated with water.  The symbolism of the ceremony is rich.  Going under the water is symbolic of dying to the old life and coming up in newness of life in the Holy Spirit.
 
When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost everyone who had waited in the upper room was transformed.  In Acts 2:4 it says, "They were filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues—empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned." (TPT)  The wind of the Spirit overtook those who waited so that they became more like Jesus—God's intended outcome for this encounter.   The writer of Acts describes the new community of Believers:  "...Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion, and coming together regularly for prayer.  A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.  All the Believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had.  Out of generosity, they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them." (Acts 2:42-45 - TPT)
 
The prophetic community of our day has been declaring that this year we will have a Pentecost like none we have experienced before.  We have anticipated that God is doing something new.  We are being called to arise and awaken.  It is time to move from fear to faith.  Since today is Pentecost Sunday, the day celebrated by the Church, let's open our hearts to the new thing God wants to do in us.  We are beginning to move out from our places of quarantine into the world around us.  We must be aware of the opportunities God is giving us to share His Kingdom with others.  It will take boldness and courage to move out into new territories.  Perhaps we will see the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in power.