Sept15decisionSeptember could well be ‘A Month to Remember.’ Many people are sensing that the Fall of this year, particularly September, is a strategic time in the purposes of God for our nation of America and even for individuals. One of the reasons for this, is a number of people have noted the coming together of events and happenings, all taking place in the month of September. Charisma Magazine’s front page for September is entitled ‘The Great Convergence’ and the entire magazine is about these upcoming events.

With this in mind, I thought I might give some reflections regarding this month of September.

FOUR BLOOD MOONS
Three of four blood moons have already occurred, on the Jewish Passover on April 15, 2014 and April 4, 2015. Also, at the Feast of Tabernacle on October 8, 2014. The fourth and final one is coming up this month on September 28, 2015. Only three times in the past 500 years have four blood moons occurred back to back and on major Jewish holy days. Each time marked a significant event in Jewish history. In 1492 the Jews had been expelled from Spain and Columbus discovered the New World – a sanctuary for Jewish people. In 1948-49, the modern state of Israel was founded. In 1967-68, the Six Day War was followed by the reunification of Jerusalem to Israel. Much has been written about the possible significance of these occurring at this time. John Hagee, Pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio Texas, has written a book entitled, ‘Four Blood Moons: Something is about to Change.’

THE SHEMITAH
Jonathan Cahn’s book ‘The Mystery of the Shemitah’ has also drawn attention to the significance of this time. In it, he presents the concept of Shemitah, the Jewish sabbath year.

The ‘Shemitah’ is the seventh year, a year of rest. The meaning of the ‘Shemitah’ follows the pattern of the seventh day ‘the sabbath,’ a day of rest. So in turn, every seventh year becoming a sabbath year, a year of rest. Although it was originally intended by God to be a blessing, if unkept it became a judgment on Israel for not following the Lord’s pattern and law. Cahn then sees it being applied to America. He believes that it was intended for English colonies in America to follow the same Law of Moses. Unfortunately, the nation, after becoming the most blessed nation in the world, slowly, but surely turned away from God. Cahn then looks at the greatest long term collapses in the stock market, as all them relate to the seven year cycle of the ‘Shemitah.’ Finally, he turns his attention to what all this means for the future.

Cahn spells out potential consequences, including stock market crashes and the fall of symbols (in regard to the fall of the Towers at Ground Zero). He sees judgement coming on America, but at the same time offers these words of caution, ‘We must be careful with regard to date setting as to when certain events must come about. The issue is not of dates, but of the call to repentance.’

CRITICISM OF ‘THE MYSTERY OF THE SHEMITAH’ BOOK
The major criticism of Jonathan Cahn’s book is in regard to the interpretation and application of the Shemitah to America. It is argued the Shemitah was an obligation given specifically and exclusively to the nation of Israel and that it can’t be applied to another nation, in this case America. This is a legitimate point and if one is a fundamentalist or an evangelical then you will probably have a problem using Scripture in this way. If you are open to a Charismatic approach, you may see this as being a prophetic application of the original Scriptures to this day and age. You would see it as a Rhema word (as against Logos), one that brings a prophetic word alive to us now or even as a universal principle for any nation that seeks to follow the Lord and falls away from doing that.

POLITICAL UPHEAVAL
September will see much political upheaval, including debate over the Iranian issue of nuclear weapons and a move at the United Nations to divide Israel. It has been reported that France plans to introduce a resolution which will give formal UN Security recognition to a Palestinian State. If this happens, it will be significant to see how America will respond to the proposal. There is also a call by some to global government. As pointed out in Charisma Magazine, ‘Today, for the first time since Genesis 11 and the Tower of Babel, the potential of a global government and cashless society is within mankind’s reach. All the necessary components are in place for creating a socialistic world government – the surveillance state, political bodies such as the United Nations, electronic banking and microchip implants. While seldom mentioned in the mainstream media, the push for “global governance” has advanced significantly in recent years. At a U.N. summit this month, the nations of the world are scheduled to consider a sweeping set of sustainable development goals costing trillions of dollars, including unspecified “reforms of the mechanisms of global governance.” The authors of the U.N. report citing these reforms note that the next 15 years will be some of the most “transformative in human history.’

In the midst of all this, Pope Francis will arrive in Washington to meet with President Obama, address a joint session of the U.S. Congress and then make an address at the ‘2030 Agenda Conference’ in New York which has a fairly radical agenda.

NEWTON’S RIDDLE
There is also an intriguing declaration by one of the world’s most influential scientists Isaac Newton, who spent considerable time studying the second coming. Contained in a book by Neil G. Russel entitled, ‘Newton’s Riddle,’ it relates to the calculations concerning Daniel’s 40 years and how it ties in with the re-establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Here is the link to the book for the details.

AMERICA AND JUDGEMENT
Many people feel that America crossed the line this year with the Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage. The Billy Graham September Decision Magazine cover had a picture of the White House lit up with rainbow colors with the headline “Celebrating Sin, Defying God.” Franklin Graham writes, ‘Never, though, would I have dreamed that our president would light up the White House with the vivid, bright rainbow colors of the gay movement. It was a deliberate, measured step by the president to flaunt and celebrate a disastrous ruling that blatantly defies God’s moral law. I am reminded of the Bible’s admonition to the Romans, whose culture had been rapidly descending in sexual chaos, especially with the overt, shameless practice of homosexuality. “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” (Romans 1:32) I cannot overstate what a dangerous era we have now entered. Immorality and depraved debauchery are not only endorsed by the courts and political leaders, but these are joyfully celebrated. God’s standards are mocked and ridiculed in the process, and the battle lines are clearly drawn for decades to come between a decadent, defiant culture and believers who are committed to the truth of the Gospel.’ Tragically, our children will be on the front lines of this conflict.

IS THERE HOPE FOR AMERICA?
Yes, there is! I keep going back to Isaiah 60:1-2 and believe that in the midst of the events of this present time, revival will come amongst God’s people. We are entering into the Year of Jubilee that begins on Yom Kippur on September 23rd, 2015 and runs through September, 2016. As Johnathan Cahn himself says, ‘Will there be judgement or revival? The answer can be both. In fact, there can be a revival through judgement, but we have to be ready. The hour is late.’ Cahn is convinced that revival can come out of shaking (See Hebrews 12:26-27) but as one writer, Michael Snyder, put it, ‘We will not have revival unless there is a shaking.’

So September could well be a month to remember with the possibility of significant events and happenings taking place, but it could also be that, as the month moves into the year of Jubilee, we will see the beginning of a new anointing of the Holy Spirit on our nation and the world even as it was spoken of in Acts 2. Come Holy Spirit move amongst us once more. Let’s pray for revival in America.

FINAL NOTE – WAR ROOM
If you get the opportunity, I encourage you to go see the movie ‘War Room.’ It is possibly the best Christian movie I have yet seen and it brings out the message of the power of prayer in both a powerful and practical way. It was well acted and beautifully produced.