Approach the Bench

An Issachar Call to Redeem the Time​
September 15-25


Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Rom 13:11
An Issachar Call to Redeem the Time.  
Sensing a convergence of time, you are welcome to join in a strategic initiative for America from September 15-25.  Many are speaking of and sensing we are entering a time of spiritual convergence if not confrontation.  The alerts are sounding. We are at a significant "Time Gate."  What does that mean?  In biblical times, gates were where decisions and transactions were made that would impact how people lived.  A "Time Gate" is a time when our decisions can carry heightened weight to shift us into a new season or keep us from advancing.  The Bible refers them to "set times," or "moadim;" (Gen 17:21, 18:14, 21:2; Ex 9:5 and many more).
       Recently, while on the Israel Watch, pieces of a puzzle that have been swirling around in my head suddenly slammed together.  I believe they define a "Time Gate" that is upon us. How are we to respond?  We believe this convergence of historic events/feasts carries significant spiritual weight today and God is calling us to intervene.  Below summarizes an overview of these key events/feasts:  
  • Sept. 11:  the 22nd year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  Four coordinated Islamist suicide attacks exposed modern-day Islam to the world, and changed the course of history.
  • Sept. 13:  the 30-year anniversary of the signing of the Oslo I Accord; agreed upon in Oslo, Norway, and signed in Washington DC.
  • Sept. 15:  Yom Teruah,  Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, 5784, (The 1st of Tishrei) is considered one of the year's holiest days and begins at sundown Friday, 15th of September.   
  • Sept. 15-16:  Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month of Tishrei
  • Sept. 15-24: "Ten Days of Awe" 
  • Sept. 17: The 45-year anniversary of the Signing of the Camp David Accords normalized relations between Israel and Egypt and led to the return of the Sinai Peninsula occupied by Israel in the Six-Day War to Egypt. 
  • Sept. 24: The 28th anniversary of the signing of the Oslo II Accord in Taba, Egypt by Israel and PLO
  • Sept. 24:  Yom Kippur
  • Sept. 28:  Oslo II Accord signed by Yitzhak Rabin, and Yasser Arafat in Washington DC.
  • Sept. 29-Oct 6  Feast of Tabernacles
  • (Of note:  This is also the 50-year anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, 6 - 25 October 1973) 

 THE ISSACHAR CALL: Additionally, the week (Sept 3-9) the Torah and Haftarah readings are the same readings spoken in synagogues worldwide on September 11, 2001.  These scriptures prophesied God’s answer to the attacks.  9/11/2001 was a "Time Gate."  It led to a massive shift in how we travel, conduct business, trade, etc. 
         When 9/11/2001 happened, there was an immediate awakening of the church.  Prayer gatherings erupted across the USA and into the nations.  Unfortunately, within two months, Barna reported everything went back to life as usual for the Christian church. (see Barna,"The Year's most Intriguing Findings, 2001", "Five Years Later: 9/11 Attacks Show No lasting Influence on Americans' Faith).  Though the 9/11 attacks impacted the way we live, the Church by and large missed a significant spiritual "Time Gate." We are now at another time gate.  It is a time God is offering  to redeem what was lost. What was lost in 2001 can be redeemed.  An 'Awakening' is at the door.  Let us not allow the enemy to steal what God wants to do. It is a time and season for the Issachar anointing...a time and call for watchmen.  God is calling for and raising up watchmen who will discern the times and know what to do.
         God is confirming this call through an interesting convergence of history, biblical feasts, present-day events.  The Torah and Haftarah readings 3-9 September and 10-16, as important Jewish feasts, carry messages to help shift us into the new season.   Is this Old Testament theology?  No, by any means.  But it is taking the wisdom of the past to shift us into a focus for the future.  This is an hour and time when the footsteps of Jesus are getting closer and closer for His return.  Let us not miss this time gate but rather step into a sharpening of our watchmen call and Issachar anointing.  As the birth pangs of the End time narrative unfolds, Jesus exhorted us to be watchful and prayerful (Mt. 24:43; 25:13; 26:41; Mark 13:33, 14:38; Lu 21:36) for "As in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark...so also will the coming of the Son of Man be,"  Mt. 24:38-39. 
 
TORAH AND HAFTARAH READINGS:
Sept. 3-9:  The call to the watchmen and restoration of covenant
  • Torah:  Deut 29:9-31:30. Relay God’s re-covenanting and commissioning of Israel on the plains of Moab before they go into the promised land.
  • Haftarah:  Isaiah 61:10-63:9 contains the call to the watchmen (Isaiah 62:6-7) and a vision of the end-times (Isaiah 63) 
Sept. 10-16:  Supernatural birth
  • Torah: 
    • Gen 21:1-34 Supernatural birth of Isaac that provided the continued seed for the Abrahamic covenant to continue 
    • Nu 29:1-6.  Giving of the sacrifices and tithes 
  • Haftarah:  I Samuel 1:1-2:10  Supernatural birth of Samuel that began the governmental shift from priests to kings in Israel 
SUMMARY:   The historic times and above scriptures point to a call for the Watchmen to contend for the covenant and destiny of God for America and Israel. Given the intensity of the spiritual activity, we are embarking on a strategic call for action: 
  • Ten Days of Awe:
    • Join with nations to focus on the "Ten Days of Awe" Sept 15-24.  See suggested prayer focuses below.
  • Solemn Assembly: (Virtual) 
    • For the USA, Saturday September 23 (Information coming) 6-9pm ET/3-6pm PT
    • Global Watch Yom Kippur Solemn Assembly, Monday September 25,  6am JT via Zoom (Journey Session)
Ten Days of Awe 
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 
that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 
​being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Phil 1:9-10
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These are days when we take time to consecrate ourselves before the Lord to prepare for the coming season.  As we are at a time gate, God is highlighting these 10 days.  Below are suggested focuses to pray with your prayer groups, churches or ministries during this time to prepare us for what lies ahead.  David says, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear,  Ps. 66:18.  Suggested focuses for these days
  1. (Starts evening 15th) 16 Sept:  Renew intimacy with God through disciplined time with the Lord.  Repent for lack of self-discipline, or activities (tyranny of the urgent) that have prevented time with the Lord in prayer or study. 
    1. 1 Tim 4:16:  Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of you own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
    2. Jesus said, Could you not watch with me one hour?  Mt 26:40.  These words are as meaningful today as they were when He spoke them.  He wants us to be close to Him.  If we seek Him, we will find Him, Deut 4:29.  
  2. ​​​​17 Sept. Expose any interpersonal offenses that you have taken on.  
    1. Offenses can be identified as a resistance to talking to someone or praying a blessing over them. 
    2. Be slow to anger: 
      1. James 1:19-20: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
      2. Hebrews 12:15 Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the Grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.  
    3. Be slow to speak: 
      1. Ps 39:1-2:  "I said, I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.  So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me.  While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue."  Also Is. 59:9-12
  3. 18 Sept.  Renew your identity in Christ:  What is my identity in Christ and what is keeping me from it?   What gifts do I carry that can be used to edify the body of Christ or those I work with?  
    1. Our purpose as believers is to build the Kingdom of God.  Our role will require us to know our gifts and use them to serve others.  When we line up with our identity in Christ, His life is reflected in us to encourage and strengthen others.  Eph. 1:17-18;  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
    2. Our gifts are irrevocable.  The enemy knows that and has likely attacked you in the very thing God has equipped you to be a blessing in the body of Christ.  He knows he can weaken the body by keeping us blinded and wounded in the very thing God has gifted us in.  Repent and re-align with your gifting and seek ways to strengthen your calling.  Rom 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
  4. 19 Sept.  Embrace thankfulness:  What things am I thankful for?  Repent for any areas of unthankfulness that lead to doubt and unbelief and ask God for a lifestyle of thanksgiving.
    1. Thankfulness is key to entering His gates, Ps 100:4.  Meditate on thankfulness so that even your challenges become the promise of Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." 
  5. 20 Sept.  Renew Relationships:  How can I strengthen the God ordained relationships in my life, i.e. family, friends?  Set goals for yourself of speaking life to those around you.
    1. Eph 4:32:  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
    2. James 5:16: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 
  6. 21 Sept.  Re-prioritize:  What is God saying to me about priorities for the future?  Am I overloaded with the "to dos" and side-lining the "to be's."
    1. Feeling uncertain or insecure with all that is happening in your life?  The answer is in His word:  Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sites in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night, Ps 1:1-2.  
    2. Discipline is key to delighting in then Lord.  When we delight in the Lord, His priorities become central to all we do and how we react to our circumstances.  His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, Ps 119:105-112.
  7. 22 Sept. Renew/revise alignments for the future:  Who are the people I need to align to serve and work with.
    1. 1 Cor 12:18:  But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  
    2. Ps 16:6:  The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed my heritage is beautiful to me.
  8. 23 Sept.  Renew hunger for God's Word:
    1. God's Word will be a vital stabilizing force in days of adversity and trial.  We will all be called into account for the hope that is in us.  Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you, Ps 119:11.
    2. Commit to memorizing scriptures:  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success,  Josh 1:8.
  9. 24 Sept. Equip yourself in the End time narrative:  Everywhere you look, God is preparing the earth for Divine intervention.  The footsteps of Jesus are getting louder and louder.  As we face the difficulties of today and more to come, we need to be squarely planted in the hope that is relayed in God's Word.  We are on the winning team.  Find solid biblically based End time studies that will encourage and equip you.
    1. Mt. 24:6:  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come,Mt. 24:6. 
    2. Rev 3:10:  Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come up on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
    3. Pray for a spiritual awakening in the church for the End times to equip and encourage people.  Jesus warns us in Mt. 24:37-39. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
  10. 25 Sept.  Spiritual Awakening:  Pray for the church to see and hear what the Spirit is saying and be willing to shift as needed to align with what God is doing and to His call to be a house of prayer, Is 56:7.   Mt. 24:36-38; Eph 5:14; 1 Thess 5:3-11, Mt. 24
    1. ​John 16:13-14: However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

This Initiative is in collaboration with the "Oslo and Beyond" international initiative for Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur Solemn Assembly, September 24, 2023, virtual event 6-9pm ET/3-6pm PT.  
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