Two years ago on, August 21, 2017, the 40 day Jewish season of repentance, Teshuvah, began with the Great American Eclipse. We believe that the eclipse was a sign to begin praying for repentance and return to God during the Teshuvah season. You can receive a free download of our book about this sign in the Heavens, Teshuvah Eclipses, at https://www.dropbox.com/s/835gr2gnzg1labn/Teshuvah%20Eclipses.pdf?dl=0.
Teshuvah is a compound word consisting of the Hebrew Tashan, meaning “return,” and hey, the last letter of the JHVH name for God. The hey in JHVH represents the Shekinah, or manifest presence of God. Thus, Teshuvah is a time to return to the presence of God. It is also understood that returning to God is accompanied by repentance.
Teshuvah occurs during the forty days beginning the first day of the sixth month of the Jewish religious calendar and ending on the Day of Atonement, on the tenth day of the seventh month. Observant Jews have an understanding that this forty day period, and especially the last ten days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, represent an opportunity to repent and avoid the judgment of God. For Christians, these forty days are an invitation to repent and enter into unity with God through the blood of Christ. However, for unbelievers, Teshuvah is a solemn warning of the judgment to come.
This duality of Teshuvah—as an invitation and a warning— is illustrated in two of the scriptures that are associated with it. Psalm 27 speaks to the benefits of living in God’s presence
and seeking His face. He will keep us in time of trouble and allow us to see His goodness while we live. In Ezekiel 33 the Lord commands us to warn the unbelievers to repent and save themselves from the judgment to come. We are also told that we must warn the righteous of their folly so they can repent, lest they suffer judgment. Thus, Teshuvah calls believers to
repent and come into God’s presence and also calls on us to evangelize a lost and dying world.
On August 21, 2017 a solemn assembly was held in Kansas City as the Eclipse passed over, but there was a heavy rain and all we saw was the darkness of the eclipse, which signifies God’s judgment (See Joel 2:1-2). This judgment was confirmed in prayer the next day as the word was given that “Judgements are Decreed.” The rainstorm brought flooding to Kansas city, and since that time we have seen worldwide events of record rainfall, flooding, ice storms, wildfire, and unsettled weather caused by decreased solar energy (See Job 37:6-13). We have seen the secret sins of powerful men exposed (See Proverbs 26:24-26), including abuse of women and children. Further, some of our highest government officials were found to have conspired to disrupt our free political process. We have also eaten the bitter fruit of our neglect of our young people, as more and more violence sweeps over our land.
As people or prayer we know that God sends judgement to bring righteousness (Isaiah 26:9). He is also gracious and compassionate and may relent from sending further calamity if we return to Him (Joel 2:12-14). Let us seek His face for repentance, and let it begin with us.
During the first to ten days of Teshuvah, from August 30 to September 8, we invite you to join with us in praying for personal repentance as we follow Jesus in His 40 day Teshuvah journey and learn to be victorious over sin by knowing who we are, having faith, practicing obedience, and loving God:
August 30 – Joel 2:12-14: Return to God
August 31 – Matthew 4:1-11 and John 14:30: The victorious 40-day Teshuvah Journey of Jesus.
September 1– Romans 8:12-15: We are Children of God
September 2 – Deuteronomy 8:1-5 and Matthew 4:4: Faith
September 3 – Romans 8:1, 2: No Condemnation for those in Christ
September 4 – Deuteronomy 6:17-26 and Matthew 4:7: Obedience
September 5 – 1 John 1:9: Forgiveness
September 6– Deuteronomy 6:4-15 and Matthew 4:10: Love God
September 7 – John 14:23: Love brings obedience and peace
September 8 – Ephesians 2:8-10: Make sure you have received salvation by grace to achieve your destiny.
“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing.” Joel 2:12-14