It is significant that many are hearing "change", "sifting", "separation" etc., across the Body of Christ, as that is exactly what I believe God is doing in direct correlation with the "time clock" of the Jewish calendar. In studying the Jewish calendar and the feasts and events that were instituted by God for the Jewish people I have been struck by the significance of this particular time on God's calendar.

Several significant things come out of Scripture and Jewish tradition that I believe serve as shadows of spiritual realities we are in right now as the church. While we are not to be superstitious or legalistic regarding days and calendars, we should be prophetically discerning as to what God is doing in certain times and seasons and cognizant of the fact that He will often use the His natural clock of feasts and events to parallel an event in the spiritual realm.

Of course New Testament scripture states: "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it unto the Lord; and he who does not, to the Lord he does not observe it..." Rom 14:5,6

So here are some significant insights I am convinced are shadows of a spiritual reality we are in right now. We are at this very time, at the end of a 30 day period leading up to Rosh Hashanah (which begins Friday night Sept 29th at sundown)

THIRTY DAYS OF EXAMINATION

In the thirty days leading up to Rosh Hashanah there is a blast of the shofar each day, which serves as a call to self examination. It is meant to be a time when individuals 'make things right' not only with God, but with one another. It is intended to be a time of preparation for the time when God assessed us according to our deeds and made determinations about blessings or discipline in our lives.

Some people don't like the thought of God giving us tests but He certainly does; not for the purpose of fundamental redemption, but for the sake of discipline and promotion. Based on this, we need to examine ourselves and prepare for the "opening of the books"

ROSH HASHANAH - THE OPENING OF THE BOOKS

The 29th - 30th of September marks the beginning of the Jewish new year called Rosh Hashanah. (Not to be confused with the "ceremonial" new year which starts with Passover) Rosh Hashanah literally means "head of the year" and has two distinct names:  1.) The Day of Remembrance, and  2.) The Day of The Blast (of the shofar).

It is a time of awakening, remembrance of the past years deeds (good or bad) and a time for fresh beginnings. It was the time God opens the books and looks at "our record", so to speak. It was considered to be the time in which God accessed us with view toward blessing or discipline, promotion or demotion, prosperity or leanness; much like the shepherd passing each individual sheep under his rod at the end of the summer season for personal examination and sorting.     The shofar blast is a type, as well, of prophetic proclamation from God. - And wow, God has been speaking to us many things about the significance of the transition we are in; an invitation to enter in; and that those who fully repent and fully surrender will go on into the next wave of God's purposes in these end times.

THE TEN DAYS OF AWE

It is also significant that the blowing of the shofar on the night of Rosh Hashanah begins what are called the "10 Days of Awe" looking toward the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar - Yom Kippur - The great Day of Atonement.

The "Ten Days of Awe" were meant to be a time of focus upon the Lord, repentance of sins and preparation for God's blessing and favor based on how earnestly and sincerely we repent. It is sort of like "ten days of grace", in case you had not gotten serious about "making things right" BEFORE God looked at the records.    The reality is, none of us have fully deserved His blessing and promotion, but this examination quite readily prepares us for the reality behind the Day of Atonement, that is, Jesus who's blood  is for our atonement. This is all very sobering, but the fact is, the only sins we are forgiven for are the ones we repent of. <hummm>.

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Yom Kippur: "The Day of Atonement" was the one day a year in which the holiest man in the world, the high priest of that year, would enter into the holiest place in the world - the Holy of Holies - to place blood on the mercy seat before God's presence to make atonement for our sins.

Of course we see in this a powerful type and picture of Jesus, our eternal High Priest, who presented His own blood for an eternal atonement for our sins, providing forgiveness through His cross.

It is very important to note that in this "New Covenant"; God's basis for blessing, promotion and prosperity is based not on the "record book" but upon our faith in His Son. If you love His Son, and put your confidence (faith) in Him, God likes you. He's blessing is to all those who love His Son.

A TIME TO CELEBRATE

Immediately after Yom Kippur, preparations were begun for a 7 day party that begins five days later called the Feast of Tabernacles or the "Feast of the In-gathering".  Are we headed for an in-gathering? A major harvest of souls is happening in many parts of the world, and many believe this is the time of the harvest.

The harvest is ripe in the earth and God is saying it is time to pray that He might send laborers into His harvest. God is desiring to recover the backsliders and bring the lost into His kingdom of grace. It is a time of joy and celebration as we behold God's mercy, grace & provision.

Jim Wies
jimmy@edify-ministries.org

http://www.edify-ministries.org
 

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