ROSH HASHANAH 5777: REST, REFORMATION, RESOURCES AND THE ELECTION
October 2, 2016 begins yet another remarkable season as we enter into year 5777 on the Hebraic Calendar. The numerology itself of this new year tells us it is an unprecedented year. The number 5 is the number representing Grace and 7 is the most sacred and mystical of all numbers and it represents Completion, Fullness, Perfection and the total spectrum of who God is. The scriptures tell us that there are “7 spirits of God” (Rev. 4:5 and 5:6) and that there are “7 eyes of God” (Rev. 5:6) and “7 horns” of God (also Rev. 5:6) These all speak to us of this spiritual connection between God and the number 7. The Bible also tells us that the rainbow and it’s 7 colors surround the throne room of God (Rev.4:3). The 777 dynamic of this year is something that only occurs once every 1000 years and it of course has never before come preceded by the significant number 5. Many believers get weirded out when attention is paid to numbers but numbers are very significant in the spirit realm. The Hebraically in tune mind is fully aware of the importance and intentionality of numbers and because of this is able to perceive messages of God that others miss. Our God is not random or pragmatic in His ways but has placed treasure with an accompanying treasure map into virtually everything He is or does regarding numbers. Those who know this can become richly rewarded, those who scoff and do not recognize this are the much poorer for it. As we step into discovering some of what God is doing in 5777 may your spirit be open to perceive.
AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH: A TIME OF REST…AND FLOODS
As I was waiting on the Lord regarding 5777, I heard the Lord say to me “What you saw in Atlanta in 2009 was a dress rehearsal for what will now take place in a spiritual context.” Back in 2009, I preached a message at our home church of the time called “As in the Days of Noah”. The message was based out of Genesis 7 and it followed the story of Noah. The message was designed to answer the question, “Just how are all the mountains of society going to be actually affected by us?”. This was- and I suppose still is- a fairly common question that I receive as to the 7 Mountain Mandate. What gives me confidence that we can arise and shine enough to really see the reformation of the 7 mountains. The short answer is “as in the days of Noah”. Let me explain.
Noah whose name means “rest” was born to Lamech, who we are told in Gen.5:31, lived to 777. When Noah was born it was said of him “He will comfort us from our labor and painful toil”. Noah built the ark while preaching over more than a hundred year period. Then he was told to go into the ark because the long announced rains and floods were coming. The ark has so much significance for us as well. We are told in Gen.6:15 that it was 300 cubits by 50 cubits by 30 cubits- and again the numbers meant something then and still do today. The number 300 connects us to Gideon’s 300 and speaks of courageous ones who march to the beat of a different drum. 50 is the number of Jubilee and is also the number of the Holy Spirit- as Pentecost came 50 days after the cross. 30 speaks of maturity but specifically connects us to Jesus- as that is the age when He started His ministry marked by how He revealed the Father's love. In essence "getting in the ark" represents being courageous, filled with the Holy Spirit and walking in the love of Jesus. As we know the floods not only judged the wicked but it says in Gen. 7:18 that the waters lifted up the ark and that the ark “floated on the surface of the waters." The subsequent progressive rains and flooding led to the ark ultimately rising to the tops of the mountains and then above the mountains. Gen. 8:4 then tells us that the ark finally rested on Mt.Ararat- which means “the curse reversed”. This in essence is our assignment and what we are now accelerating towards.
Back in 2009, I shared that this is how we would ultimately be successful in our 7 Mountain assignment. We would intentionally build and then go into the ark- and then the Holy Spirit would progressively pour out of His Spirit and His outpouring would ultimately change everything - dislodging those who did not belong in the spheres of influence. The same outpouring would instead raise up those kids of the King who had chosen to be the courageous, Holy Spirit-filled, carriers of the love of Jesus- reformers of the nations. They would rise as the waters raised the ark. Additionally the ark works as an acronym with the A representing Arising, R representing Reformers and K for of the Kingdom. We have our part and He has His part. We build, we go in, He pours out, and then He pours out some more, and then He pours out some more-and we arise with His heart for the nations. We become like the rising river of God in Ezekiel 47, that at it’s apex is now growing trees whose leaves are for the healing of the nations.
THE NATURAL SIGN AND WONDER NOW TO BE SEEN IN THE SPIRIT REALM
In 1 Cor.15:46 it tells us “first the natural and then the spiritual.” This means that often what God is going to do in the Spirit realm is reflected by that which first happens in the natural. Back in Atlanta in 2009 we were in the 4th year of a severe drought that had our lakes and water sources at historic lows. The night I began to preach this message “As in the Days of Noah” was a night seeming like any other- and it was not raining. However as I preached this message on a Friday night - rain began to fall. It fell all night and then intensely all day Saturday. Sunday it went to an unprecedented level with one suburb receiving over 20 inches of rain in 24 hours. As we were well into Monday it still poured rain and it was now at historic proportions. You can look it up under “Atlanta floods” and it is certain to take you there as it was a “once in 500 years flood”. Over 20,000 homes suffered major damage. All the Atlanta interstates were flooded and traffic was at a standstill throughout the city. Creeks and rivers throughout where at unprecedented levels with many rain gauges under water and non-functioning. Six Flags looked like a lake-with many of the rides under up to 80% water.
A newspaper came out with a headline something to the effect of “As in the days of Noah”. It was an amazing but scary confirmation of the message I had begun to preach. That Monday afternoon I was in prayer and saying “ Lord that was an amazing way for you to confirm the message but I think perhaps I need to ask you to stop the rain as it is way too much”. As I said that to the Lord, I clearly heard from Him “That wasn’t Me” which sent a shudder down my spine. I said,"What do you mean it wasn’t you, Lord? Was that the devil!?” He said, “No it wasn’t him either.” I was now more confused- and then He clarified "It was creation itself. They have been waiting to hear a message that lines up with the great thing I will do with my rising sons and daughters.” I then remembered Romans 8, “creation groans and travails for the manifesting of the sons of God.” We are often waiting for Jesus to return but creation itself knows the correct narrative. The sons and daughters of the King must rise and “reverse the curse” BEFORE He returns. Acts 3:21, “Jesus is held in the heavens until the restoration of all things spoken of by His servants the prophets.”
I then said, “Oh wow, Ok Lord. So can you get creation to cut out this rain? It is great as a portent to what will happen but it is now dangerous here and we need it to stop.” There was rain forecast to fall all week now and the flooding would have been unimaginable. The Lord spoke back, “You tell them. They responded to you to start with.” So at about 4 PM, Monday I went outside in the rain with my shofar and I spoke out loud - “Creation, I am so glad you were excited to hear that which you have longed for is actually going to happen- but when I blow the shofar I need you to stop raining as it is presently too much. I then blew the shofar. Within a half hour the rain had totally stopped- and it didn’t rain the rest of the week, contradicting the extended forecast. Normal rains then followed after that and that week is known as the week that officially broke the great Atlanta drought.
THE DATE WAS SEPTEMBER 18, 2009- ROSH HASHANAH EXACTLY 7 YEARS AGO
It was only last week that I was led to research and remember why I was speaking on a Friday night which was not a normal church service night. When I did, I discovered that it was because Sept. 18, 2009 was the beginning of Rosh Hashanah- exactly 7 years ago. The Lord spoke, “What you saw happen in the natural Rosh Hashanah of 2009 will now begin this Rosh Hashanah of 2016.” The unprecedented rains and floods in the natural will now translate into its’ equivalent in the Spirit realm. The Holy Spirit will pour out and pour out and pour out and then its’ effects will be impossible to ignore and then will become THE news event of the day.” In Gen. 7, it said the waters continued over the earth for 40 days. In my spirit I heard “The opening of the deep that starts Oct. 2 will go unabated for 40 years.” The rains will come, the deep springs will be opened up and it will be what allows Papa’s understanding kids to rise up the mountains and ultimately to a place where the face of God is re-imaged on the 7 Mountains- thus reversing the effects of the curse. Our beautiful Rainbow God will be revealed in all 7 of His primary colors. He will be known as Communicator in Media (Red), Papa in Family (Orange), Creator in Arts (Yellow), Provider in Business (Green), Teacher in Education(Indigo) King in Government (Violet) as well as how He is already known - Redeemer in Religion (Blue).
REFORMATION AS REST
Hebrews 4:9 speaks of a Sabbath Rest that is yet left for the people of God to fulfill. It says that if Joshua had succeeded in taking Israel into it’s desired REST that this would not still be before us- but that it is still before us. The taking of the Promised Land was considered entering into “His rest” and yet it was not a season to just sit around. In fact entering their “rest” had to do with leaving the 40 year period in the wilderness and finally taking on the 7 enemy nations that they had been afraid to previously take on. So “rest” becomes a word needing some explaining for us today as to what is its’ equivalent. I believe the key revelation as it has to do with “rest” is that it has to do with “believing” as opposed to just be willing to war or strive or struggle. In Hebrews 3 and 4 it says there in different ways that they entered not into the “rest” He had for them because of an evil, sinning heart of UNBELIEF. Unbelief leads to making effort in a wrong direction. Hebrews 4:11 then says, “Let us therefore make every effort to enter THAT REST so that no one will fail by following their example of disobedience."
The REST that God has for us is the inheritance of the nations (Ps. 2:8). The REST He has for us is seeing the reformation of society. This is our Promised Land and it is “His REST” He has provided for us. It simply means He has already done all the preliminary work of securing total victory of the mission and all the remains for us is the courage to show up where He told us to show up. In REST the children of Israel took Jericho. They did not have to develop explosive weapons to blow up the thick walls of Jericho. They did not need to hope for helicopters. The victory was already assured- they only needed to show up with the intent of obeying the commandment to inherit the nations. Yes REST is also learning to do ministry in balance- not burning out body, soul and spirit, but beyond that the REST of 5777 is that we are assured victory, after victory after victory-if we will finally connect to the correct narrative that He has for us. It is not time to speculate on matters like the rapture, the antichrist, the false prophet, the beast, the return of Jesus, the millennium etc. The narrative to embrace is God being made great in the tops of all the visible mountains of society (media, family, arts, business/economy, religion, education and government). We have had evangelization of the world agendas and revival agendas but we have failed to connect to His reformation agenda for the planet. A great new renaissance is upon us and this time it will be all about the brilliance of God as opposed to first renaissance’s brilliance of man.
REST entails finally believing God’s expanded promises and being willing to take the steps in that direction. It is more about RECOGNIZING than STRATEGIZING- it is about faith, trust and believing more than about other warring that we are prone to do. It is not about looking for devils to defeat but rather territory (7 mountains) to take. The territory gets taken not as we war against demons but rather as we believe God so much that even when He gives us a mission impossible- we obey. The obedience causes huge supernatural forces on our behalf to be activated that the devil has no answer for- even as Jericho had no answer for the forward marching children of Israel. The REST we experience is tied into the fact we have ceased from our own good ideas of spiritual warfare and spiritual objectives and have recognized the land He is giving us. REST is about recognizing and receiving inheritance.
RESOURCES: 777 AND GOD AT WORK
There is an unmistakable connection with the repeat number 7’s and economic impact. Beginning with Joseph in the Old Testament we see a man involved with dreams of 7’s - and then two 7 year periods defined by focus on provision. More recently we can remember that the market crash of 2008 was on Rosh Hashanah and saw the Dow Jones drop a record 777.7 in one day. In my book The Seven Mountain Mantle, I point out that the 777.7 represented the hand of God saving us and the market from a total crash that had been intended by manipulative forces of darkness. Interestingly, the surprising Brexit vote that saw the United Kingdom pull out of the euro was exactly 7 years, 7 months, 7 weeks and 7 days from that crash of 777.7. Is that coincidence? I think not. Once again I believe it represented the hand of God surprising world economic manipulators with a measure that ultimately is another hedge against currency collapses and market crashes. The pound becomes as it were a wild card for affecting world economic matters.
So then, the 777 that we connect to this October 2, is very significant and once again represents the hand of God intervening in the economic affairs of man. There are in fact world manipulators of economic matters that are going to find their well-thought through schemes and conspiracies busted up by He who holds the trump cards. Psalms 2 tells us that there are many conspiracies but that He who sits in the heavens mocks at those conspiracies and then invites us to ask of Him our nations as inheritance (v. 8). Psalms 2 leaves it clear who carries sovereign authority in the affairs of man. A most significant time in history begins now with ministers of wealth being released as at no other time in history. This will accelerate and only continue over the next 40 years- and it is in this time period we will see the much talked and prophesied about “transfer of wealth.” The 777 of this year is to showcase a God much bigger and greater than the human economic manipulators of the planet. He will be bigger than the IMF, than the Bilderburgers, than the world bankers, than the currency traders, than the hedge fund manipulators- than whoever else you can think of. If you forgot that He was greater than they who think they are in power you will read trends and markets wrongly and come up with faulty conclusions usually involving the idea of global economic collapse. God will be great in the world economy and this is going to surprise many manipulators and observers of the manipulators. Surprise, surprise everyone- God will be GOD.
THE ELECTION
There is a great connection between how God will one-up and short-circuit the global economic manipulators and His insertion of the person of His choice in the White House. They go hand in hand. Now the election process has become so embittered and negative that though I have seen a vision of who I believe is to win - yet I will not say so in this post as it could engender such strong feelings on both sides of the political spectrum that it might be counterproductive. There is a responsibility for everyone to hear of the Lord on their own as it relates to this election but I believe even those who encourage wise voting are often using seemingly “wise” but faulty guidelines. What seems wise is to take each candidate and weigh their pro righteousness stances or evidence of fruit of the spirit and decide based on that. This is the logic we have been using and recommending for some time and yet quite often missing who the Lord desired to be put into office. We miss it I suggest because we don’t ask Him what is He prioritizing NEXT. We each have our pet righteousness priorities and often fail to match up with what He is working on NEXT. It is admittedly not necessarily easy to discern what is NEXT- but I believe we must at least start out with that being the question of importance. Once we identify what He is prioritizing next it becomes more clear who we are to vote for. The only better guideline than that is to have God show us who He wants in - for perhaps purposes and intents we may not have thought of.
God is doing a hidden thing this election and allot of His reasons for choosing who He is choosing will be not completely evident until later. However, if I have discerned His intentions correctly two major priorities will be the protecting and boosting of the USA economy as well as the military strengthening of the USA. Both of these upgrades will be with Him having in mind the overall wellbeing of the nations. There are evil global forces at work- especially in the economy and in government- that God will short-circuit by who He places in our White House. If I could ask of each of you, it would be that you be humble enough to ask God who you should vote for - despite all your personal opinions and prejudices. This is perhaps the one election in recent memory where asking Him who we should vote for is the best thing to do. In the natural both remaining candidates seem to have huge negatives and maybe this could help us to go about our election processes by different means. I believe this election will reset America and by extension reset the world for the hereafter. This President will end up being as significant as Abraham Lincoln was and even more than Ronald Reagan was- but primarily for reasons that are not presently clear. America’s best days are straight ahead and I say that not because I am a nationalist or a patriot- I say that because that is exactly what He is saying.
CONCLUSION
So a most remarkable year begins this Rosh Hashanah and I believe the shifts and changes of this Hebraic calendar year will in essence reset the world for the next generations to come. The church that is usually expecting and speaking judgment over the world and their sins, will see that it is in fact the church itself, that will be under the most judgment. In this 5777 year- a judgment is being made in heaven on behalf of the rising Davids and against the establishment Sauls. Davids are marked by transparency, anointing- honed from years of pressure and rejection, friendship with God, and a connection to God’s heart for reformation of society. Sauls are marked by status quo, a political spirit, image, jealousy and a faded anointing often tied into building one’s own kingdom. This year Davids will be visibly promoted and Sauls will be visibly demoted. We are in the early stage of the kingdom age and a high priority for heaven will be who is leading the church and how they are doing it. Reformation is the present priority and those who get it will heaven’s help as never before. Despite many thinking that the LGBT agenda or the like is the spiritual priority of our day- it is in fact the churches leadership that is by far a greater priority. Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. We as the church are less representative of what God has made us to be than the LGBT community is as compared to who God made them to be. That may sound like a shocking statement- and it is- but it is also the truth. All that is going to change. We are now accelerating towards where we will be known for our love, for our healing power, for our societal solutions, for our kindness, for our innovation, for our wealth, for our patience- almost entirely things we are not presently known for. The good news is we are all going to shift- or be shifted. This Hebraic year becomes a reset year even for the church. She will begin to be more kingdom than ever as the Holy Spirit pours out of Himself in all of the right places and on all of the right people in all of the right measures.