I thought I would write a brief blog about the 9th of Av, an infamous date for the Jewish people known also as Tisha B’Av; this year it lands on July 26th. On this date in Israel’s history:
1313 BC – The Jews receive a bad report from 10 of the 12 spies. (Deuteronomy 13:26-33)
423 BC – The Babylonians burned the first temple in Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 52:12,13)
70 AD – The second temple was destroyed by the Romans.
133 AD – The Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans fails and the Jews are butchered.
134 AD – The temple mount is plowed (destroyed) by the Romans.
1290 AD – The Jews are cast out (banished) of England.
1492 AD – Spain banishes the Jews.
About six years ago many watch people were looking for the Lord’s return on September 23, 2017. This was the day of the Revelation 12 sign. I know because I was one of them and I shared the same with my family, which in turn, caused me to loose rapport with them regarding my watcher prowess. Since then I have kept a tighter lid on my watchman-ness only because it was sending a wrong signal to my wife and family. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and I am so grateful to God for His many blessings by them. My wife, our adult offspring, and their kids (our grandkids) are the center of that blessing. I love being with them and doing family things. While this is true, I love Jesus more and long to be with Him and all those who love Him, which includes my family.
One of the reasons many felt that 9/23/17 was a significant day for the Rapture was that prior to the Revelation 12 sign (9/23/17), we experienced a tetrad (set of 4) of blood moons in 2014 and 2015 that landed on Pentecost and Tabernacles in both of those years. These feasts are the 1st and 7th feasts of the Lord, the ‘bookends’ as it were, for the seven feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23). That’s a study in of itself, but this sign was well documented.
The last of the four blood moons, the 4th blood moon in that tetrad, landed on September 28, 2015. From 9/28/15 to 9/23/17 is 726 days. The number 726 is the Strong’s numerical identifier for harpazio, the Greek word for ‘caught up,’ referencing the Rapture or to be raptured. On 9/23/17, the day of the Revelation 12 sign, there were 726 daylight minutes in Jerusalem. It was recorded at 12 hours and 6 minutes, (vercalendario.info) and no other day that year had that number of daylight minutes. Signs are signs, not events. We have had many signs pertaining to the Lord’s return for His Church; however, these dates have set up for what is happening now.
A few years later, on 7/27/18, another blood moon was manifest over Jerusalem. It was the longest blood moon of the century, clocking in at 103 minutes of totality. It was known as a ‘bulls eye moon’ and it ended at midnight in Jerusalem. That year, that date was on Tu’ B Av, also known as Israel’s Valentine’s Day. It’s origins come from the book of Judges when men from the tribe of Benjamin were to catch a bride for themselves as they danced in the vineyards. You would need to read the entire chapter to understand the context of what is happening in this true story, but here is an excerpt.
“And they said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, that a tribe may not be destroyed from Israel. 18 However, we cannot give them wives from our daughters, for the children of Israel have sworn an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the one who gives a wife to Benjamin.’ “Then they said, “In fact, there is a yearly feast of the Lord in Shiloh, which is north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah.” 20 Therefore they instructed the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go, lie in wait in the vineyards, 21 and watch; and just when the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, then come out from the vineyards, and every man catch a wife for himself from the daughters of Shiloh; then go to the land of Benjamin. 22 Then it shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to us to complain, that we will say to them, ‘Be kind to them for our sakes, because we did not take a wife for any of them in the war; for it is not as though you have given the women to them at this time, making yourselves guilty of your oath.’” 23 And the children of Benjamin did so; they took enough wives for their number from those who danced, whom they caught. Then they went and returned to their inheritance, and they rebuilt the cities and dwelt in them. 24 So the children of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family; they went out from there, every man to his inheritance.” – Judges 21:19-24
Tu’ is the number 15 in Hebrew, so this yearly feast of the Lord lands on the 15th of Av. This day always comes 6 days after Tisha (Hebrew for 9) B’ Av. The two happiest days of the year for Israel was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and Tu’ B Av, a day of love, sort of like our Valentine’s Day. Yom Kippur is about the forgiveness of the sin of the people; a very happy day for the OT Israelites.
In the OT, on Tu’ B Av, the young virgin women of Shiloh would come out in borrowed white garments and dance in the vineyards. The young men would come and watch them dance. They were challenged to not to look just at her beauty, but her family, her character, and her love for God. This was at the time of the grape harvest. In Israel today, Tu B’ Av is a cherished day of love when many Jewish couples get married. This date was significant because from the Revelation 12 sign (9/23/17) to Tish B’ Av (9/27/18) there are 307 days; almost a full year. Strong’s numerical identifier for the number 307 is the Greek word anibibazo which means ‘to make go up’ or ‘I draw up as a net to the shore.’ This is also an inference for the Rapture. In addition to this, on this night in 2018 (9/27/18), this blood moon had 103 minutes of totality. Strong’s numerical identifier for 103 in Hebrews is the word agar which means ‘to gather;’ and the numerical identifier for 103 in the Greek is the word ado which means ‘to sing.’ This is exactly what the body of Christ will be doing just after we are raptured into heaven; we will be gathered together, dancing, singing and praising the Lord.
It is believed by many watchers that from the Fall of 2015 to the Fall of 2022 marks the seven good years. In like manner, from the Fall of 2023 to the Fall of 2030 marks the seven bad years, in this case, the tribulation.
We get a one year transition from the Fall of ‘22 to the Fall of ‘23, bridging the gap between the good and bad years. It is in this year of transition that we saw the invasion of the Ukraine by Russia, what many believe is the precursor to WW3. We also saw the inauguration of the Abrahamic House in the UAE; which is a set of three temples, each one dedicated to Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism.
In June of 2023 we saw the WHO (World Health Organization) release the digital health passport; which many believe is a precursor for the infamous mark of the beast. We also saw the introduction of a world digital currency, which will be used as a global currency that will require everyone to receive a mark in their body for their money to be usable. The only thing that needs to happen to kickstart the seven-year tribulation, besides a Rapture of course, is the confirming of a seven-year covenant, (Daniel 9:27) which is what is going to happen this September at the UN in New York, one day after Rosh Hashanah. What is being proposed is the need for seven years of accelerated transformative action to achieve SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals). This summit will occur on 9/18 & 19/2023 and will be a significant turning point for the world and this Agenda 2030 plan.
This is very exciting for watching Christians as it’s becoming more clear that we may see a Rapture sometime very soon during this transition period. While we don’t know the day or hour of the Lord’s return for His Church; we do, however, know that we are very close, even at the door. We could be out of here in a week or so; or less. We are in the highest high watch ever and while many may feel it’s another false flag; to those who are watching, waiting, and working for the Lord, these also will be blessed when the Master returns and finds them serving in His vineyard, occupying, and doing the Lord’s will. Now just after the Rapture, there will be a great global deception (UFO’s), mass calamity (Nukes), and a failed invasion of Israel (Isaiah 17). I am sure there will be more trama occuring globally, but all of it will eventually subside, at least long enough for the rise of a one world leader, who is the coming antichrist, who will broker a seven-year peace accord that will start the seven-year tribulation. This coming SDG summit occurring on 9/18,19/2023, may be that accord. While we can’t be sure, however, if it is, then it will be modified (Hebrew: gabar – ‘strengthened’) and Israel will get a permit for her temple. Before that can happen, the Church has to be gone.
Suffice it to say, we are very close to the Rapture. If you’re reading this and the Rapture has occurred, it’s not too late to receive Jesus into your heart. Call out to Him, He is mighty to save. Whatever you do, please, don’t take the mark of the beast. It would be better for you to die than to take that mark. If you’re reading this and you are saved, than make every moment count to share your faith in Jesus with others and be a good witness of the Lord. July 26 (7/26) is Tisha B’ Av, give or take. Stay ready, keep watch, see you soon!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northwest Missouri. He lives with his wife of 34-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 