This blog addresses the Fall feast ‘high watch’ season that we are currently in. However, I should like to revisit the year 2017 and its significance with regard to the prophetic preparation for the Lord’s return and the coming tribulation that could very happen and begin this Fall.
As you may recall, many watchers were expecting something prophetically significant to happen on September 23, 2017, the date of the Revelation 12 ‘great sign’ in heaven. When nothing happened, watchers were once again ridiculed by their critics, however, I believe a series of events were set into motion as part of the Lord’s many prophetic signs that have occurred since.
While this blog is NOT about date setting, it is about identifying what a ‘high watch’ season is and how to properly watch for the Lord’s return. Most Christians believe that the Rapture of the Church is upon us and that we are immanently close to its occurrence. Others are not so sure, but they do agree that the escalation of global prophetic events heralds Christ’ soon return.
While 2017 was four years ago, the world at that time was very much different than it is today. Major conjunctions occurred in that year, particularly during the fall feasts, that must be reconsidered as we observe the current season we are in. To better do this, we must consider a parable that Jesus spoke of in the NT.
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree: “He (Jesus) also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up (waste) the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ” – Luke 13:6-9
- The idea of a four year reprieve, as presented in this parable, must be considered here. President Trump was elected to office in 2016 and the world showed improvement, for four years. God gave us a four-year reprieve that has now ended. What we are seeing now are the beginning throws of God’s judgment and the soon ‘cutting down’ of this proverbial tree.
Currently we are in the season of the last three of the Fall Feasts of the Lord; Trumpets (9/6,7/21), Atonement (9/15/21), and Tabernacles (9/20-27/21).
These three Fall feasts commemorate the Rapture of the Church (Trumpets), the following seven-year tribulation culminating with Christ’ Second Coming (Atonement), and the Millennial Reign of Jesus (Tabernacles).
The Feast of Trumpets: “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.’”
– Leviticus 23:23-25
- This feast occurs in the fall during the month of Tishri, which is our September/October, depending on the lunar cycle. This year this feast, which commemorates the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), began at dusk on 9/6 and ended at dusk on 9/7; a 48-hour window celebrating the ingathering of the Fall harvest and beginning of the new Hebrew year, 5782.
If you understand the Rosh Hashanah Rapture theory, when the 100th trumpet is blown, the ‘last trump,’ the togia-hoga-dela, then the feast is over. If the Lord didn’t return by then, you set your heart on serving God in the new year, hoping for the Lord’s return in the next season. Therefore, Christians are to continue to work and serve the Lord, to tarry, to do business, to occupy till He returns.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” – 1 Corinthians 15:51,52
- In context, Paul is referencing the season of Rosh Hashanah and the 100th trumpet, the last trump, being blown when the Lord returns for His Church.
The next fall feast is the Feast of Atonement, occurring on the Day of Atonement, just 10 days after the beginning of Rosh Hashanah.
The Day of Atonement: “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 27 “Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. 28 And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. 29 For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. 30 And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. 31 You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.”
– Leviticus 23:26-32
- The Feast of Atonement is also known as the Day of Judgment, or the day of blood. This is when Jewish people separate themselves to God, repent of their sin, and recommit themselves to the Lord in prayerful affliction and genuine soul searching. They resolve to be right in God’s sight in the coming year.
However, during the year of Jubilee the rules change a bit, as it were, with regard to the when the ‘last trump’ is actually blown.
The Year of Jubilee: ‘And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. 9 Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. 10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. 11 That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. 12 For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field.” – Leviticus 25:8-12
- The first trump was blown on the feast of Pentecost, the last trump was the 100th trumpet blast blown at Rosh Hashanah; except on a Jubilee year – then the ‘last trump’ was blown at the Feast of Atonement, as stated in this passage.
The question then arises, When is the Jubilee year? We can’t know for sure because the Hebrew calendar has some historical gaps in it due to record keeping issues over time. The only way we can assess a possible year of Jubilee is by the evidence of what has occurred in the 50th year as it relates to other 50-year cycles.
- Some believers and Jewish rabbis believe that 5782 (2021) is a Jubilee year.
- Jubilee is a ‘stand-alone’ year; only on a jubilee year was Rosh Hashanah to be celebrated on the Day of Atonement. The celebration was delayed 10 days!
The Parable of the Fig Tree: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it (or He) is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
– Matthew 24:32-35
- Jesus was telling His disciples (and us) that we are to observe the spiritual seasons that God had provided in the seven feasts of the Lord. He also revealed whatwould be happening in the world that would identify the season of the Lord’s return.
Jesus said that we would ‘know when it (or He) is near, even at the very doors!’ It’s not so exact as to the day or hour, but we could know the season of His return.
Jesus also said that the generation who witnesses all these things would not pass away; so, the next question would be, what’s a generation?
Moses said it this way, “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” – Psalm 90:10
70 years and if by way of strength, 80 years; this is a generation according to Moses. Then he makes this statement, ‘and we fly away.’ If ever there were a reference to a future Rapture it would be here.
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives seven woes to the Scribes and Pharisees for their insolence toward God’s Word and His prophets. It’s a very powerful charge given to these men by the Lord Himself that requires a separate sermon just to unpack.
In Christ’ final stance He prophecies this over the Scribes and Pharisees,
“that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” – Matthew 23:35,36
- The judgment Jesus spoke of here would occur when the Romans marched on Jerusalem and destroyed it in 70AD, about 40 years after this prophecy,
While some scholars deduced that this referenced a generation being 40 years, in realty, Jesus was stating that these Scribes and Pharisees living then would see this judgment in their lifetime, and they did. In Matthew 24, Jesus is speaking again, this time about the consummation of God’s final judgment in the last days, Daniel’s 70th week, the seven-year tribulation.
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it (or He) is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” – Matthew 24:32-34
The prophetic clock started to tick on May 14, 1948, when Israel became a nation. If a generation was only 40 years, then May 14, 1988 would have been when it expired. Some guy wrote a book about this in 1988, but nothing happened. The correct deduction would be that a generation is between 70 and 80 years, with 80 years being the maximum, based on the Psalm 90:10 passage.
If you add 80 years to 1948 you get 2028. Then you have to subtract 7 years for the seven-year tribulation which brings you to 2021. This means that something very significant must happen this year, during these fall feasts!
Dr. Barry Awe, and many watchers like him agree that the Gregorian calendar that most westerners use is not the correct calendar. He states that we are one month off, that is, the real Rosh Hashanah will not occur until October 7th & 8th. The working theory here is that we could have a Rapture during this feast or shortly after, coinciding with the feast of Atonement or Tabernacles. The mega high-watch window would be October 6th – 9th. If this is a Jubilee year, we have to extend that out another five days for the Real Atonement, which would be like October 12 or 13. In any case, we’re in a mega pocket for something big this Fall.
The significant connection with 2017 is the four year delay, the four year reprieve.
2017 – 120 years = 1897 – The first Zionist congress convened which platformed the future establishment of the State of Israel.2017 – 100 years = 1917 – The Balfour Declaration for Israel occurred (11/2/1917), removing ruling authority from the Ottoman Turks.2017 – 70 years = 1947 – The UN General Assembly voted to create the nation of Israel which was made official on 5/14/1948.2017 – 50 years = 1967 – Jerusalem was recaptured. After six-day of intense battle and God’s intervention, the Jews had their city back. NOTE: In 1217 one of Judah’s most legendary German Hassidic rabbis made an astounding prediction about the future of Jerusalem and the coming Messiah.
The rabbi was Judah ben Samuel (name means ‘Praise the Son of God’) and in his famous Prophecy of the Ten Jubilees, Rabbi Samuel states,
“When the Ottomans (Turks) conquer Jerusalem, they will rule over Jerusalem for eight jubilees. Afterwards Jerusalem will become a no-man’s land for one jubilee, and then in the ninth jubilee it will once again come back into the possession of the Jewish nation – which would signify the beginning of the Messianic end time.” – Rabbi Judah ben Samuel
1517 – The Ottoman Turks captured Jerusalem and held it 400 years (8 jubilees).
1917 – British military forces under General Ed Allenby took Jerusalem 12/17/1917
When the British were in control of Jerusalem it became a ‘no man’s land’ under international law for one Jubilee. It was 50 years after 1917 when Israeli forces captured Jerusalem in the Six-Day War on June 17,1967.
Even with all this evidence we can see the significance of 2017 as a Matthew 24 generational marker. Regardless, we’re still here, serving God while looking for Christ’ return. If anything, this was a ‘heads up’ year. We live like Christ is not coming back for 100 years, but we must be aware of the ‘high watch’ seasons when they occur, even as we continue to serve God. The Rosh Hashanah theory becomes the Day of Atonement theory in a Jubilee year. Let’s take a closer look at this theory as it relates to what is happening in our world.
On 8/21/17 America experienced a total solar eclipse which was covered extensively on multiple media outlets. Many believe that this eclipse is a sign from God of a soon pending judgment upon America. The last solar eclipse over the continental United States was 99 years ago, on 6/8/1918. That same year a flu pandemic broke out that infected an estimated 500 million people around the world, killing an estimated 50-100 million globally, including 67,000 Americans in the following years. This equated to 3-5% of the world’s population at that time, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in history.
The US entered into WW1 on 4/6/17 and the total number of military and civilian casualties in this war along was more than 41 million: there were over 18 million deaths and 23 million wounded, ranking it among the deadliest US wars.
Question: If all this occurred within months of the last US solar eclipse, what is to occur as a result of the 8/21/2017 eclipse?
Just 5 days after the 8/21 eclipse, Hurricane Harvey pummeled Houston, TX causing untold billions of dollars in damage. The Washington Post reported on 9/18/17 that at least 82 people died as a result of Hurricane Harvey and the flooding it brought to Houston, although it could take weeks to know the exact death toll. On 9/10/17 Hurricane Irma pummeled south Florida, also causing untold billions of dollars in damage. On 9/23 the Miami Herald reported at least 75 people died as a result of this hurricane.
Positive NOTE: Hurricane Harvey’s original path headed for Corpus Christi, TX. As a result, officials conducted mandatory evacuations there. At the last-minute Harvey changed course and headed north.
POINT: The name Corpus Christi means ‘the body of Christ.’ The city was evacuated prior to the threat of the arrival of hurricane Harvey! 40 days from 8/21/17 is 9/30/17 – the Day of Atonement. 40 is a number of judgment in the Bible. This eclipse is God’s clarion call for the US to repent.
Jonah said it this way, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” – Jonah 3:1-4
As it turned out, Nineveh repented within the 40 days. History records that on Elul 1, 763BC the Bur Sagale eclipse crossed over Nineveh prior to Jonah’s arrival. It is believed that the Ninevites were in fear at such a sight, but it was God who prepared their hearts to repent. This is why scholars believe the Ninevites were so receptive to Jonah.
For you Stellurium fans out there, as you recall, on 9/9/2017, Jupiter exited Virgo’s womb which was part of the cosmic setup for the September 23, 2017 Revelation 12 sign. 21 days from 9/9/17 is 9/30/17 – the Day of Atonement. Twenty-one symbolizes the wickedness of rebellion and sin. After the children of Israel left Egypt, they had 21 rebellious events as they traveled in the wilderness.
Daniel prayed for 21 days while the Prince of Persia contended with Michael the Archangel. (Daniel 10:2-14) Jacob worked 20 years for Laban under deceptive pretenses. He escaped Laban’s house and later made a covenant with him in the 21st year. (Genesis 31:38,41) We know there is much wickedness, contention, and deception happening in this pre-tribulation season; this will intensify more severely when the restraining power of the Holy Spirit (not the Holy Spirit) is removed from the earth at the Rapture. (2 Thessalonians 2:7) Seven days from 9/23/17 (Revelation 12 sign) is 9/30/17 – the Day of Atonement.
Noah said it this way, “So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, 9 two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.” – Genesis 7:7-12
- The onloading of Noah’s ark was completed in just one day; this is a type and shadow of the Rapture and the Ark of Noah is a type of Christ that we are hidden in while the global flood, the global seven-year tribulation occurs.
- Acquire a copy and read the Book of Jasher and his record of Noah’s Ark.
When everyone was aboard the ark, the Lord ‘shut them in.’ After seven days of being staged in the ark, then the judgment of God ensued and the rains came. This period of 7 days is indicative of many things in scripture, but in context to Noah’s day, it’s indicative of God’s grace manifested in the OT. We see this season of 7 days manifested in other passages of scripture that relates directly to our obedience to God, His law, and His perfect will for our life.
The Circumcision of Baby Jesus: “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” – Luke 2:21
God’s law required 7 full days after a baby boy’s birth before he was circumcised, on the 8th day. This was so the vitamin K in the blood could coagulate.
Jesus Presented in the Temple: “Now when the days of (Mary’s) her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” – Luke 2:22-24
- God’s law stated (Leviticus 12:2) that a woman is unclean for 7 days after giving birth, thus requiring a sacrifice on the 8th day so she could be ceremonial pure.
“And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” – Luke 2:33-35
- Jesus would be ‘a sign which will be spoken against’ references the scoffing by unbelievers when Jesus is heralded; especially in these last days.
When we choose to make Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we are in for some resistance from the enemy and we will be spoken against by ‘devil followers.’
The Apostle Peter said it this way, “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” – 2 Peter 3:3-7
- This passage is packed with doctrine and good theology regarding creationism, the global flood, and a future judgment that the Lord is yet to bestow upon the earth. Scoffers need to read this for sure!
In Genesis, God said that His Spirit will not always strive with men. The Lord was giving us a timeline then which is manifesting itself now in our day. Rabbis believe that Moses was referencing Jubilee years, more specifically, 120 Jubilee years.
“And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” – Genesis 6:3
- Christians are sometimes confused as to which calendar to use when trying to understand biblical prophecy as it relates to this passage and Jubilee years.
We are seeing radical weather phenomena, earthquakes, volcanic activity, geo-political movements, and ‘saber rattling’ that scream, ‘We are in the last days!’
Because there is so much activity happening around the globe, many people, even believers, are more concerned about the future than ever before. While it is true that we may not know what the future holds specifically, we do know Who holds the future, and we know He holds our hand. This coming Day of Atonement will be another ‘high watch’ season that each of us as believers needs to be especially observant of. We must be vigilant in our witness and example, making this season our personal holy convocation before the Lord. Be holy because God is holy and without holiness, we won’t see Him.
If we pass through this season, then our focus needs to be on our relationship with and service to the Lord throughout the rest of this year and on into 2022; even in the midst of whatever firestorm may come our way. If 2021 (5782) is, in fact, a Jubilee year, then this could be the year of our Lord’s return. The word jubilee (Greek: yovel) means ‘to be carried off’ which could reference the Rapture of the Church.
In any case, we are to be working for the Lord and watching for His return. We must listen to the Holy Spirit and His promptings for us to follow though with those people He has called us to reach out to, even if they are total strangers. We are to be a people who love the Lord and who seek His face. Now more than ever we need the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. If you are Pentecostal and speak in tongues, please continue to do so, as often as you feel His prompting. There is power in our spiritual prayer language and we need that power right now.
A lot of believers are discouraged at all of the voting fraud and political decisions that make no sense. We watch shows like The Ingram Angle, Hannity, or Mike Huckabee and hear their rhetoric about the various political representatives who are making a mockery out of our faith, Israel, and the American way of like as we knew it a few years ago. Our loyalty is to the Lord and His Kingdom. It is not of this world. While we do our best to be good citizens and patriots, in the end, we belong to Jesus. The normal we knew isn’t coming back soon, but the Jesus we know it, stand by brothers (and sisters), we fly soon!
Every year during Tabernacles I sleep outside in my backyard in my Sukkah. I do this to commemorate the coming millennial reign of Christ. Since the Gregorian calendar is calendar is 30 day off, at the time of this blog post (9/24/21), we are still in the summer and Rosh Hashanah is still in front of us (10/7-8/21). This could be the year. If you’re reading this and you know the Lord, you’re blessed and secure in Him. However, if you don’t know the Christ as your Lord and Savior, invite Him into your heart, ask Him to forgive you of all your sin, and put your trust in Jesus.
Encourage Men 