Blessings, Family,
I’m interrupting this thread of messages to wish you all L’Shana Tovah (A Sweet New Year)!
On October 2, 2024, we celebrated a new Hebrew year with Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets. This is the beginning of the High Holy Days, foreshadowing the return of King Jesus.
This was an especially sweet new year for us, because just two hours before sunset, our first grandchild was born! And she is so beautiful! What a gift of hope!
Rosh Hashanah begins with the blowing of the shofar with the call to Wake Up! Repent! For the Day of the Lord is near! We examine ourselves for the next Ten Days of Awe, mending relationships on earth, forgiving those who have wronged us, and repenting for our own sins. The High Holy Days end with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, representing the return of our Lord and Savior.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”–1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
We have entered the Hebrew year of 5785, but what does that mean? Let’s break it down.
We are in the 5000th millennium. The number Five is the number of Grace, or God’s favor. So, this entire millennium is one governed by God’s grace for His creation. This is the time for God’s people to retake the earth, which Adam gave to Satan in the Garden. If we, united by the Holy Spirit, take full advantage of the power and authority Jesus gave us through His death and resurrection, the Kingdom of Heaven will invade the earth. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”—Zechariah 12:10 NIV
Even more exciting, we are living in the 700th century. Seven is the number of the Holy Spirit and represents spiritual completion, as all of creation was complete and God rested from His labors. Not only do we have God’s grace covering us, we also have the fulness of the Spirit of God to empower us.
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”—Joel 2:28 NIV
We are currently in the 8th decade, and this is where it really gets exciting! The number eight represents an overabundance, meaning God will provide more than enough of whatever we need to serve Him. It also refers to new beginnings, as it follows the day God’s work was complete! Yes, God is telling us it’s time for something new. A greater, deeper relationship with Him. What will this look like? If we pursue and allow this relationship, it will look like the Spirit of God indwelling us fully! Speaking from experience, this is both terrifying and thrilling … and totally worth it!
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”—Isaiah 43:19 NIV
And now, we come to the 5th year, which, as I said, represents grace and favor. Notice that this year begins and ends with God’s grace and favor. A double dose of grace is exactly what we need if we are to fulfill our destinies in this year of God’s unprecidented power released through His people. For we must begin with our own submission and repentance before we can impact the world around us. We cannot assume what God wants us to do or even take it from someone else. We must get it from Him, and we no longer have an excuse to avoid this truth.
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”—James 4:6 NIV
God is giving us everything we need to make a lasting impact on a confused and hurting world. God needs us to step up, to grow up. His lost children need us. God’s grace is not a gift to be horded. It’s alive and life-changing and meant to be shared. If God’s people will accept God’s extended hand in this season, this will be a miraculous year for the world.
For me, this year will look like finishing an assignment. The Demon Slayers Handbook will probably be one of the most controversial books of the year, but it’s what God told me to write and it’s what I will publish. If only one life is saved by this study, it will be worth all the pain, sweat, and tears.
What will 5785 look like for you?
God’s grace and peace be with you,
Rebecca
