So how near is HE?

Times and Seasons

Encouragement: “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; even in him.” Eph. 3:10

“The dispensation of the fullness of times” is when the Lord returns to establish His kingdom. So how near is He?

The time when the “Redeemer shall come to Zion” is fixed - following the completion of His work with the Gentiles. When the church, His Bride, is ‘called out’ count down begins for Zion, the Jewish nation of Israel.

I’ve sought in these days of autumn to understand the fall feasts and how they apply to the return of the Lord, first, for His Bride and second, to judge the earth. So how close are we?

If we are wise men, we will seek to understand - not the Gentile calendar (solar based) or the Muslim calendar (lunar based) - but the Jewish calendar, which is based on both the Solar and Lunar calendars.

The Jewish New Year began on the eve of September 18 with Rosh Hashanah (TRUMPETS) and concluded on the 20th. This is year is 5770.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement began on the eve of September 27th and was observed on the 28th or, Tishrei 28. Christ is our Atonement.

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, began on the eve of the 2nd of October. Jews set up booths outside and live in them as they rejoice in a time of thanking God for a fruitful harvest season. This festival ends on the 11th with a ‘rejoicing of the Torah.’ We will celebrate this feast in heaven and on earth when the Lord returns for His millennial reign.

What of the other feasts? All are significant, but the fall ones are deeply and prophetically significant as to the time of His return. Their total fulfillment is near. If we understand the Jewish calendar and astronomy - the signs in the heavens, like eclipses - as well as the signs Jesus spoke about as coming on the earth - we will see the season of Christ’s return clearly. No one knows the hour or the day, certainly, but the wise men at Christ’s first coming understood the season - when to travel and follow the star to Jerusalem to find the Savior of the world.

Herod tried to derail the fulfillment of first coming, and, even Satan understands there will be a Second coming…and has done his best to hijack it by instituting other religious deceptions and counterfeits, “to change the times and seasons” – and persecute or kill those who are the heirs of the promises by every means possible. Political schemes are inherent in what Satan does to deceive the nations and thwart the will of God. His time is short, so he rages.

How Long? I don’t know, but I believe it is sooner than we expect. I do know my spirit is quickening and my heart awakening to understand the signs and the times. A deep study of the significance of the feasts of the Lord is certainly in order. ‘Suddenly’ the trumpet will sound….and we will hear it if we have our hearing aids attuned to the Holy Spirit and are wise men instead of foolish…wise virgins with lamps lit, “loving His appearing;” we will be ready to meet Him in the air.

Prince of Peace, many have come in Your Name declaring they are “the One.” They would deceive the very elect “if it were possible.” It’s not possible Lord, we know because we are preparing ourselves to understand and be wise with Your wisdom, hidden in You from those who are self deceived - by the world the flesh and the devil. What we do know: there will be no real peace without the Prince of Peace. A true ‘Nobel Peace Prize’ belongs to You alone. And, dear Lord, you already left us Your peace, not a counterfeit. May we appropriate it in this hour of transition in our nation and world:

“My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Amen.