Final Countdown: 7 Shemitahs to Jubilee!
We are the generation that will see the return of Jesus Christ. Biblically speaking, there is a countdown of events and a timeline for His return. When Jesus returns, it will be the ultimate Year of Jubilee!
The Sabbath Year
God created a specific calendar for the Jewish people. Part of that calendar included a 7-year cycle. He commanded that the 7th year was to be a Sabbath Year (aka Shemitah) and that the land was to rest.
3 For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its fruits, 4 but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. (Leviticus 25: 3-4)
The Year of Jubilee
God also commanded that after 7 Sabbath Years, the following year was to be a Year of Jubilee. It would include a declaration of liberty throughout the land and a time of celebration.
8 “You shall count seven weeks [sevens] of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years.
9 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement, you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land.
10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, (Leviticus 25: 8-10)
On the 10th day of the 7th month (the 10th day of the new year), a trumpet is sounded to proclaim liberty throughout the land. This day is also known as the Day of Atonement (aka Yom Kippur).
The Day of Atonement
29 “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves [fast] and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.
30 For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins. (Leviticus 16: 29-30) (Leviticus 23: 26-32)
The Day of Atonement (aka Yom Kippur) is the holiest day of the year. Prayer and fasting is mandatory for the Jewish people. It is a time of cleansing and forgiveness. It is a time in which the Jewish people prepare themselves to be in God’s presence and many believe that the Jewish Messiah will arrive on that day.
A Yom Kippur war?
Would God allow a war on His holiest day of the year? Yes. He has already set that precedent. On October 6, 1973 (Yom Kippur) God allowed Israel to be attacked by her Arab/Islamic enemies (initiated by Egypt and Syria).
Israel’s enemies were trying to regain the land that they had lost during the 6-day war (June 5-10, 1967). The 6-day war was miraculous and resulted in God restorating of much of the land that God had previously given His people:
31 “I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will give into your hands the people who live in the land, and you will drive them out before you. 32 Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. (Exodus 23: 31-32)
When Jesus returns, He will restore the holy land that God gave to the Jewish people. The Lord considers it His own land. Permanently giving away His holy land as part of a “land for peace” negotiation with Israel’s enemies is in direct opposition to what God commanded:
23 “‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers. (Leviticus 25: 23)
The Significance of God’s calendar
One of the ways that God uses His calendar is to prepare His people for what the future holds.
When Jesus returns, He will defeat the Antichrist’s armies and declare liberty throughout the land. Therefore, the year that Jesus returns will be a year of Jubilee!
There is reason to believe that the Battle of Armageddon will be fought on Yom Kippur. It would be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises related to establishing His kingdom on the earth and make His dwelling among His people (Exodus 29: 45-46) (2 Corinthians 6: 16).
7 Sabbath Years = 49 Years… and the following year is the Year of Jubilee.
Let’s see what the Holy Bible says about the 7 Sabbath Years that lead up to the ultimate Year of Jubilee.
The 70 Weeks (Sevens)
Daniel 9: 27 describes the 70 “sevens” or “weeks” that will need to be completed before righteousness will be restored:
24 “Seventy weeks [sevens] are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. (Daniel 9: 24)
The 70 “weeks” are referring to Shemitah (Sabbath Year) cycles. The final 7 years of the 70 “weeks” will be the final years of this age. Since everlasting righteousness has not yet happened, the final 7 years are yet to take place.
27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week [seven], and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9: 27)
Halfway through the final 7 years, the Antichrist will violate the 7-year treaty and the time of Great Tribulation will begin (Daniel 9: 27) (Matthew 24: 15-27). The Great Tribulation is part of the 70 weeks.
Note that the 70 “weeks” are about God’s judgment and the punishment / purification of His people – but it is not God’s wrath. It is a time of great trouble for His people but at the end of the 70 weeks, God will save them from His wrath:
7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30: 7)
God’s wrath comes AFTER the 70 “weeks” are completed. Therefore, the Great Tribulation is not part of God’s wrath, it is part of Satan’s wrath:
12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!… (Revelation 12: 12)
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. (Revelation 12: 13)
17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 12: 17)
Subtotal
The final 7 years described in Daniel 9: 27 will be the last of the 70 weeks. It accounts for 1 of the 7 Sabbath years that will take place before the ultimate Year of Jubilee.
Let’s take a look at the 6 Sabbath years that precede the final 7 years.
The First 4 Seals
Each of the first 4 Seals were opened on the last day of sequential Sabbath years (Shemitah years). They account for 4 of the 7 Sabbath years.
The 1st Seal: The 1st Horseman (Revelation 6: 1-2)
- The 1st Horseman is focused on world domination. He carries a bow and wears a conqueror’s wreath as a crown upon his head.
- On September 5, 1994 (29 Elul, Shemitah year 5754), the United Nations (an entity focused on ruling the world) officially embraced Agenda 21 and announced their plans for “the future of the world.” Agenda 21 was later updated and called Agenda 2030. The United Nations’ logo is an image of the world surrounded by a conqueror’s wreath.
The 2nd Seal: The 2nd Horseman (Revelation 6: 3-4)
- The 2nd Horseman is focused on war and he takes peace from the earth.
- On September 17, 2001 (29 Elul, Shemitah year 5761), a USA spokesman defiantly quoted Isaiah 9: 10 regarding the events of 9/11 instead of encouraging people to humble themselves and genuinely seek God. Three days later, the USA president declared a “war on terror.” Since that time, no corner of the earth has escaped terrorism. Peace has been taken from the earth.
The 3rd Seal: The 3rd Horseman (Revelation 6: 5-6)
- The 3rd Horseman is focused on economic control (hyperinflation and manipulation of resources). It is not famine because there is plenty of wine and oil for those who could afford it.
- On September 29, 2008 (29 Elul, Shemitah year 5768), the world stock market fell 777 points in a single day. It was the catalyst for the Global Financial Crisis. The cost of food increased dramatically. In some geographical areas, the cost of grain increased by over 300%.
The 4th Seal: The 4th Horseman (Revelation 6: 7-8)
- The 4th Horseman is named “Death” and “Hades” follows close behind him. He is given power over ¼ of the world (geographically). He is allowed to kill with the sword, famine, plagues, and beasts of the earth.
- On September 13, 2015 (29 Elul, Shemitah year 5775), an unprecedented migration of Biblical proportions began and the sword of Islam was spread throughout the world (especially into non-Islamic nations). The world also began to experience an unprecedented increase in global famine (e.g., food shortages, crop failures) and plagues (e.g., viruses, locusts, rodents, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, hailstorms, flooding, droughts, sinkholes, etc.).
God provided unique evidence and confirmation that the 4th Seal was opened (see: “What are the Images Hidden in this Mysterious Image?”).
The 5th Seal: The final 7 years (Revelation 6: 9-11)
- The martyrs in heaven ask God when He will avenge their blood. They are given white robes to wear (a sign of righteousness) and told to wait a little longer: until the full number of their brothers and sisters who will be martyred join them.
- The 5th Seal includes the final 7 years. Halfway through the final 7 years, the Great Tribulation will begin (Daniel 9: 27). During the Great Tribulation, Satan will unleash his wrath upon God’s people (Jews & Christians) (Revelation 12: 12-17).
- The 5th Seal is likely to be opened on 29 Elul, Shemitah year.
Subtotal
The first 4 Seals (opened in 1994, 2001, 2008, 2015) + the 5th Seal (the final 7 years which have not yet happened) = 5 of the 7 Sabbath Years that take place before the ultimate Year of Jubilee.
There are still 2 Shemitah cycles (prior to the final 7 years) that have not yet been clearly identified. One/both of the Shemitah cycles may have already taken place before the 1st Seal was opened and/or one/both might take place after the 4th Seal (before the 5th Seal).
What happens AFTER the Final 7 Years?
The 6th Seal: The wrath of God (Revelation 6: 12-17) (Revelation 7) (Revelation 15 & 16)
- The 6th Seal is likely to be opened on 29 Elul of a Shemitah year.
- God begins His reign by pouring out His wrath upon the wicked. His wrath will culminate with the great and terrible Day of the Lord.
- Jesus gathers His bride (the elect) after the time of Great Tribulation and before the Day of the Lord.
- The Year of Jubilee begins because God begins His reign.
- It appears that the wrath of God will last for 10 days: the first 10 days of the year of Jubilee.
- The Day of the Lord appears to be on the 10th day (on Yom Kippur), when Jesus destroys the Antichrist’s armies at the Battle of Armageddon.
- Satan is bound for 1,000 years (Revelation 20: 1-7).
The Completion of Isaiah 61: 1-2
When Jesus began His ministry, He read the following passage of Scripture:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,” (Isaiah 61:1-2) (Luke 4: 18-19)
The remaining part of Isaiah 61: 2 is:
“…and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;”
When Jesus returns, He will finish Isaiah 61: 2. He will declare the Day of God’s vengeance. The Day of the Lord is also known as the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus is the One who treads the winepress of God’s wrath:
14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19: 14-16)
When Jesus returns, He will comfort all who mourn. That is when the Jewish people will recognize their Messiah… and they will mourn:
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (Zechariah 12: 9-10)
The 7th Seal: (Revelation 8: 1)
- 30 minutes of silence in heaven.
- This appears to describe an extended moment of awe. Based on the timing and the holiness of the moment, this appears to be when Jesus ascends to His throne in Jerusalem and begins His reign.
The Thousand Year Reign (Revelation 20: 1-6)
- Jesus rules over the earth for 1,000 years.
- Jesus’ bride (the elect) lives and reigns with Him for 1,000 years.
The Great White Throne: (Revelation 20: 7-15)
- The Final Judgment.
- Satan wages one last war, is defeated, and is cast into the lake of fire.
- Everyone will be judged (except for those who were gathered as the bride of Christ).
- Anyone whose name is not in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire.
New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem (Revelation 21 & 22)
- God destroys the earth and makes everything new.
- Everyone whose name is in the Book of Life will spend eternity with God.
Notes:
- 29 Elul is the last day of the Hebrew calendar year.
- The Battle of Armageddon is the Day of the Lord.
- The Great Tribulation is the wrath of Satan (not the wrath of God).
- The 5th Seal and the 6th Trumpet are intertwined: Both include the Great Tribulation.
- The 6th Seal and the 7th Trumpet are intertwined: Both include the time of God’s wrath.
- The 7 Golden Bowls/Vials of God’s wrath are part of the 6th Seal and the 7th Trumpet.
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