Between the Ears: Jonathan Cahn

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Monday, April 6, 2020

The Paradigm: A Pattern For America

Many stories in the Bible serve as patterns of events to come later. These aren't prophecies as we normally think of them, that is prediction -> fulfillment, but rather as types. In the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac, Isaac pictures Jesus. Isaac is the type, Jesus is the antitype, the fulfillment.

Jezebel and Ahab

1 Kings 16:31 to 2 Kings 10:34 records the reign of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel over the northern kingdom of ancient Israel. The characters and events of their rise and fall are a type for characters and events occurring right now in America, impossible as that seems. Again, it is not a prophesy in terms of prediction, but a type, a pattern or paradigm of things to happen "in the latter day". It is the premise of the book The Paradigm: The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times [1] by Jonathan Cahn. For a quick intro, see a review of his book at Conservative Firing Line [2].

This article is a summary of Cahn's book. The main characters and events are summarized in tables. This can serve as a reference to anyone who has read the book, or as an introduction to the prophetic types of ancient Israel being played out in modern America.

If you like this (or not), check out my other articles at the
Between The Ears BLOG INDEX, with titles and summaries.

A Brief History of Ahab and Jezebel's Reign

Ancient Israel

Israel began as a nation when Moses led them out of slavery in Egypt. While they were never perfect, the people of Israel started out well, but after a few centuries, began to drift away from God. This apostasy was slow at first, but in the northern kingdom of Israel, King Ahab and his wife Jezebel accelerated the move away from God towards Baal. Jezebel is seen as manipulating Ahab, especially in the practice of child sacrifice. Ahab and Jezebel got caught in a scandal killing a man named Naboth to steal his vineyard. Surprisingly, Ahab shows remorse when confronted by Elijah, so God postpones some of his punishment till after his death. Ahab has an enemy named Ben Hadad, a king to the east, who troubles Israel. Ahab manages to capture Ben Hadad, then inexplicably lets him go. Elijah tells Ahab that he should have killed Ben Hadad, but now has traded his life for Ben Hadad. Ahab dies in battle, but Jezebel maintains power as queen mother through her sons Ahaziah who only lasts two years and her son Joram who reigned for twelve years. Elijah's protoge Elisha anoints a military commander Jehu to take the throne from Ahab's son Joram. Jehu becomes king, teams up with a holy man Jehonadab, and destroys the temple of Baal and kills many of the prophets of Baal. But Jehu doesn't go far enough in reforming Israel.

A Brief History of Bill And Hillary Clinton's Reign

America began as a nation when the Founding Fathers broke away from England. While they were never perfect, the people of America started out well, but after a few centuries, began to drift away from God. This apostasy was slow at first, but Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary accelerated the move away from God towards paganism. Hillary is seen as manipulating Bill, especially in the practice of abortion. Bill and Hillary got caught in two scandals, one involving a real estate deal called Whitewater, some suggest killing a man named Vince Foster to hide evidence; and two, Bill's affair with Monica Lewinsky. Surprisingly, Bill Clinton shows remorse when confronted, some of the penalties are postponed till after he is out of office. Bill Clinton has an enemy named Bin Laden, a terrorist leader to the east, who troubles America. Clinton had nine separate chances to take out Bin Laden, but inexplicably lets him go. He traded American lives for Bin Laden. Bill Clinton's term ends, but Hillary gains power as a US Senator for eight years then Secretary of state for four years. While Hillary was the heir apparent to become President in 2008, Barack Obama won the nomination and was elected. A political outsider Donald Trump took the Presidency after Obama, taking it away from Hillary. Trump teams up with a religious man Mike Pence, and reverses abortion policies of Clinton and Obama. Does Trump go far enough in reforming America?

Regardless of how one might feel about any of the current players in American politics, one has to admit the parallels with ancient Israel. Why was this paradigm recorded? Why is it playing out now?

THE KING

Let's look in more detail at the parallels between King Ahab and Bill Clinton. They both rule over nations slipping into apostasy, and instead of reversing the trend, accelerate it due to the influence of their wives. They both sanction the killing of children, both are dogged by scandals, and both have an enemy from the east.

**Ahab vs Bill Clinton**
Ahab	Clinton	Chap
Accelerates apostasy	Epitomizes apostasy	4
Morally weak	Morally weak	4
Adept commander	Talented leader	4
Conflict between culture of heritage and new ethos	Conflict between culture of heritage and new ethos struck down ban on using aborted tissue vetoed partail birth abortion Normalized and endorsed homosexuality issued proclamation to honor gay pride	4,6
Pagan practices went from secret to public Pagan morality supplants Biblical morality State sponsored paganism - built a temple to Baal		4
Israel became materialistic, sensual, vulgar	USA became materialistic, sensual, vulgar	4
Promoted child sacrifice	Championed abortion	4
Reigned 22 years -1Kings 16:29	In office 22 years AG, Gov Arkanas 77-81, 83-93, Pres USA 93-2001	8
Nemesis: Ben Hadad. See NEMESIS chart	Nemesis: Bin Laden. See NEMESIS chart	9
Scandal Kills Naboth and takes his vineyard	Scandal Affair with Monica Lewinsky	10

THE QUEEN

What about the parallels between Ahab's wife Jezebel and Bill's wife Hillary? Both of them acted as co-regents, one could argue they were the power behind the throne. They both waged war on the nations's traditional morals, that is a war on religion. Jezebel was a priestess of Baal, Hillary dabbled in the occult. Both women had their own power base after their husbands were out of power, and in each case, were the first women to do so. And just like Ahab and Bill Clinton, they were in power the same amount of time.

It may be hard to believe that there is a war on religion, on Christians, in America. That sounds like something that happens elsewhere. Christians may be beheaded "over there", but not here. Yes there is a war on Christianity being waged by the liberal left. Author David Horowitz has written about it, DARK AGENDA: The War to Destroy Christian America [3].

**Jezebel vs Hillary Clinton**
Jezebel	Hillary	Chap
Elite of cosmopolitan culture	Born and raised in Chicago, worked on east coast	5
Proponent of child sacrifice	Chief advocate for abortion Hillarycare compelled govt funded abortion	5
Political marriage to Ahab	Political consideration in marriage to Bill	5
Contempt for Israel's faith	Wage war on traditional and biblical values	5
Sought to change Israel	Agent for social and cultural change of USA	5
Distrusted by many	Distrusted by many	5
Coregent	Co-president Bill "two for the price of one" Office in West Wing known as Hillaryland	6
Caused Ahab to Build temple to Baal Waged war on Biblical faith and morality Champion religion that sacrificed children	Convinced Bill to advance abortion 2015 NYC "deep seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to change" 2016 DNC open about abortion 2016 platform sought to strike down Helm and Hyde amendments	6,19
Priestess daughter of Phoenician King Ithobaal, High priest of Astarte Brought 400 pagan priests from Phoenicia Astarte goddess of fertility, sex, war, Destruction Astarte aka Queen of Heaven	Invited non Christian advisors to Camp David 1994 Jean Houston, Marianne Williamson Jean Houston Pantheism, all is God Very high priestess Actively dialogue with neters, gods and goddesses Promotes Isis aka Queen of Heaven HRC held seances at the White House* Channeled Eleanor Roosevelt	5,7
Dwelt in capital city Samaria after Ahab's death	Dwelt in capital city Washington DC after Bill's term	13
First queen of Israel to exercise power after king dies	First First Lady to seek office after presidential term	13
As queen mother, held sway over sons Ahaziah and Joram	US Senator, then Secretary of State under Obama back in White House, counselor to Obama	17
In power 36 years 22 years with Ahab 2 years with Ahaziah 12 years Joram	In power 36 years 22 years with Bill 2 years presidential campaign 12 years Senator + Secretary of State	26

* Biography Reveals Hillary Clinton Séance, Religious Devotion to Abortion [4]

THE NEMESIS

Let's examine the parallels between Ahab's archenemy Ben Hadad, and Clinton's archenemy Bin Laden. Beyond the similarity of their names, they both threatened and harassed Israel or America, both attacking capital cities, both killed in their bedrooms, betrayed wittingly or not by their couriers. And they both died 10 years after their big attack.

**Ben Hadad vs Bin Laden**
Ahab Nemesis	Clinton Nemesis	Chap
Ben Hadad	Osama Bin Laden	9
Ahab captures Ben-Hadad, lets him go	Clinton had 9 chances to eliminate Bin Laden	9
Semite, from the east	Semite, from the east	9
Threats against ancient Israel	Threats against America	9
Became active when Ahab became king	Became active Dec 1992	9
Ben = "son" + 5 letter name	Bin = "son" + 5 letter name	9
Hadad = thunder	Meaning of name unknown
Attacked capital city Samaria	Attacked capital city Washington DC	12
Assassinated by Hazael, his courier	CIA locates him by tracking his courier	18
Killed in his bedroom	Killed in his bedroom	18
Killed 10 years after Ahab	Killed 10 tears after 9/11	18

THE HEIR

The heirs refer to the successors to Ahab and Bill Clinton, the one who would continue the apostasy. Ahab's heir was his second son Joram. Clinton's heir was President Barack Obama. Here we see the similarities between the two. It's interesting that Ahab's successor skipped an intermediate king, Ahaziah. Clinton's successor skipped an intermediate President George Bush. Once in power, Joram and Obama followed the aspostasy of the paradigm, more war on religion, more child sacrifice and abortion. Curiously, they both reigned 12 years.

**Joram vs Obama**
Joram	Barack Obama	Chap
Heir is third king Ahab -> Ahaziah -> Joram	Heir is third president Clinton -> Bush -> Obama	15
outward display of piety removed Baal's pillar	outward display of piety campaigned against gay marriage (later reversed)	15
continued apostasy of Ahab and Jezebel	continued apostasy of Clintons champions redefining marriage	15
Baal worship continues child sacrifice continues	As Illinois senator, Obama fought bill against infanticide	15
War on religion makes Elisha focus of his anger wants to execute Elisha	War on religion calls people of faith problems, obstacles, enemies religious liberty is a code word for discrimination, intolerance, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy	16
reigned 12 years	12 years on national stage 2004 DNC Convention speech 2016 DNC Convention speech to the day 12 years in power 2005 US Senator 2009 - 2017 President	24

THE WARRIOR

The paradigm does not stop with Ahab's successor. Another figure named Jehu came on the scene suddenly, killed Joram and became king in his stead. Likewise Donald Trump, though well known in America, entered politics as an outsider, and in a wild and crazy campaign became president. Both Jehu and Trump contend with the Heir (Joram and Obama) and the Queen (Jezebel and Hillary). Both stop the slide into apostasy and the child sacrfice. Other parallels listed below.

**Jehu vs Donald Trump**
Jehu	Donald Trump	Chap
Elisha anoints Jehu at Ramoth-Gilead during Joram's reign	Most prayed over and prophesied over candidate in history	21
Takes vengeance on Ahab cut off his descendants 1K 19:16-17, 2K 9:1, 2K 10:11		20
Contend with former queen and her agenda - 2K 9:22	Contend with HRC for Presidency	20
Outsider Military commander	Outsider Trump went to NY Military Academy	20
Character Confrontational, combative, contentious Boastful, self-promoting, not godly Zeal for God, follow godly counsel Man of action, decisiveness, and resolve	Character Confrontational, combative, contentious Boastful, self-promoting, not godly Zeal for God, follow godly counsel Man of action, decisiveness, and resolve	20
Appears when apostasy on the verge of being sealed	Appears when apostasy on the verge of being sealed	20
Rise of the Warrior Attacks the Heir - Joram Race to the throne appears crazy - 2K 9:20 Kills Joram, body thrown in Naboth's vineyard - 2K 9:24 Kills Jezebel - 2K 9:33	Rise of the Warrior Attacks the Heir - Obama Race to the Presidency appears crazy Confronts HRC about abortion during debates Defeats HRC for President 2016	20,21,23
Jehu knew Ahab - 2K 9:24	Trump was a friend of Clintons	22
Before rise to power, Jehu served Ahab	Before rise to power, DT pro-abortion	22
Capital city Samaria hostile to Jehu	Trump inauguration had crowds of supporter and protestors Witches curse Trump every crescent moon*	27
Ahab built temple and altar for Baal Jehu tore them down, made it a refuse dump	Bill enacted government support and funding of abortion Trump reversed it	28
Apostasy slowed but not reversed Jehu not careful to keep the whole law of God Did not turn from sins of Jeroboam	Apostasy slowed but not reversed Reform is partial and selective Nationalism competes with reform	29

*BBC News [5]

THE HOLY MAN

And each Warrior had a religious man by his side, Jehu had Jehonadab, who as a descendant of Rechab, lived by a strict code of behavior, as does Mike Pence. Jehonadab and Pence brought credibility to Jehu and Trump respectively.

**Jehonadab vs Mike Pence**
Jehonadab	Mike Pence	Chap
Meets Jehu on the way to depose Ahab	Joined Trump after nomination	25
Jehonadab interested in Jehu's desire to purge the nation of heathenism	Religious leaders will have concerns about the ways of Trump	25
A Rechabite, a religiously conservative group	Strict code of behavior	25
Jehu assures Jehonadab "See my zeal for the Lord" - 2K 10:19	DT assures Christian leaders, "I'm on your side"	25
Jehu needed Jehonadab to look credible	Religious conservative support crucial to Trump's campaign	25

THE PROPHESIES

One character from the Paradigm is missing, that is, has no modern day counterpart, that is the role of Elijah (and Elisha). And by this, I mean prophesies as we normally understand the word, prediction then fulfillment. As far as I know, no one prophesied to Bill Clinton about the consequences of not taking out Bin Laden, or warning him about the rush into paganism. It does seem that people prophesied over Trump, but I have no specifics. Was there a modern day prophet speaking to all the players like in ancient Israel? Nonetheless, we have some of Elijah and Elisha's words.

**Elijah's Prophesies**
Ahab	Clinton	Chapter
Dogs will lick Ahab's blood 1K 21:21, 2K 9:24		11
Cut off his posterity 1K 21:21, 2K 10:1-11		11
Dogs will lick Jezebel's blood 1K 21:23, 2K 9:33-35		23
Judgments to come after Ahab's death Bring the evil upon his house in his son's days 1K 21:29	Repercussions AFTER reign ended because Bill: Overturned Glass Steagall Deregulated derevatives Directed Fannie Mae to sub prime mortgages	11
Exposure of personal sin Naboth killed for his vineyard	Exposure of personal sin Affair with Monica Lewinsky Dec 1998 Impeached, perjury, obstruction of justice	11
Sorrow and repentance Tore his clothes when confronted Sackcloth and fasting	Sorrow and repentance 9/11/1998 9AM Admited at prayer breakfast 9/11/2001 9AM Twin tower attack Admitted his false witness Surrendered his law license	12,13
Exposed in 19th year Died 3 years later - 1K 22:1-2	1/20/1998 - Exposed in 19th year 1/20/2001 - End of second term	11,12
Tied to tribe of Levi Ahab died in battle of Ramoth-Gilead, a Levite city	Tied to tribe of Levi Levi -> Levin -> Levinsky -> Lewinsky	11

Why Is This Paradigm Playing Out In Modern America?

Again, regardless of how one might feel about any of the current players in American politics, one has to admit the parallels with ancient Israel. One point of this article is to demonstrate that it is just beyond coincidence that the Paradigm of Ahab's reign is mirrored in modern America. One can argue that some of the parallels don't fit all that well. One could also argue that many events in Ahab and Jezebel's life have no parallel today. But there are too many uncanny fulfillments of the the ancient type. It is not coincidence. Why was this Paradigm recorded? Why is it playing out now?

The simple answer to why it was recorded is because Ahab was a king in Israel. The reigns and deeds of all the kings are recorded. But his reign carries profound significance for America today. Israel was at a crossroads, where the slide into apostasy was becoming irreversible, they were turning away from God. And God would no longer protect and bless a nation that went after other gods. He sent them a warning, and also sent them someone to stop the slide into godlessness. Eventually Israel was conquered and sent into exile. Likewise, God has sent warnings to America to turn back from godlessness lest He remove His blessings and protections, and lest we too are conquered. Did we learn from Sept 11? Are we learning from COVID 19? "Nearly half of the country believes that the sweeping and deadly coronavirus is a wake-up call from God" - Washington Examiner [6]. Today is a good day to repent.

I am in awe of Jonathan Cahn's amazing ability to tie prophesies and types to the modern world. I wrote a previous article based on his writings, see Sycamore of Ground Zero [7]. One question he raises in the Paradigm without answering is why America parallels ancient Israel. I think it is because America is descended from Israel. I know that is controversial, Cahn doesn't believe it himself, but the theory has been out there for about 200 years. It has been well documented by Steve Collins - Lost Ten Tribes Found [8], Yair Davidiy The Tribes: The Israelite Origins of Western People [9], and others The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy [10]. America parallels Israel because we ARE Israel, not the tiny country of Israel in the Middle East, but the actual descendants of ancient Israel. And of course, I am in awe of God Who foresaw this 3000 years ago and recorded it for our caution now.

I see no predictive value in the Paradigm. As I peek ahead in the Bible, Jehu reigns for 28 years. Presidents can serve a maximum of two terms. Furthermore, Trump is already 73 years old. The northern kingdom of Israel continued more than 100 years after Jehu - Wiki(Kings_of_Israel) [11], then Assyria conquered and exiled northern Israel. Many people, including me, believe we are already in the end time, meaning we don't have 100 years. The value of the Paradigm is not in guessing dates, but realizing that America is at the same fork in the road as Israel, the choice is to turn back to God or slide further into apostasy, which won't end well.

As Elijah said to Israel then (1K 18:21)

How long will you hesitate between two opinions?

If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.

References

1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1629994766

2. https://conservativefiringline.com/review-the-paradigm-by-jonathan-cahn/

3. https://www.amazon.com/dp/163006114X

4. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/biography-reveals-hillary-clinton-seance-religious-devotion-to-abortion

5. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39090334

6. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/poll-29-see-biblical-last-days-44-say-virus-is-gods-wake-up-call

7. http://jlfreeman-1.blogspot.com/2014/06/sycamore-of-ground-zero.html

8. https://stevenmcollins.com/

9. https://www.amazon.com/Tribes-Israelite-Origins-Western-People/dp/965902553X

10. https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-united-states-and-britain-in-bible-prophecy

11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_Israel_and_Judah

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Total Solar Eclipse: Apocalypse?

Aug 21, 2017, people in the United States (and only the United States) will be able to see a total solar eclipse, coast to coast. Is this just an ordinary astronomical event? Or is it a sign from God Himself? Big deal or no?

According to NASA(Eclipse2017) [1], "This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina." And according to Wikipedia(Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017) [2], "The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire contiguous United States was during the June 8, 1918 eclipse." A big deal in the sense that it's been 99 years since the last eclipse like it.

If you like this (or not), check out my other articles at the
Between The Ears BLOG INDEX, with titles and summaries.

X Marks The Spot

There will also be a total solar eclipse seven years later, April 8, 2024 to be exact. Its path will travel from southwest to northeast, intersecting the 2017 eclipse path like a giant X.

Intersection of 2017 and 2024 Eclipses

The path of this eclipse will cross the path of the prior total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017, with the intersection of the two paths being in southern Illinois, in Makanda, just south of Carbondale. A small land area, including the cities of Carbondale, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Paducah, Kentucky, will thus experience two total solar eclipses within a span of seven years. Wikipedia(Solar eclipse of April 8, 2024) [3]

And this area of Illinois is known as "Little Egypt" - Wikipedia(Southern Illinois) [4].

After 99 years, two total solar eclipses visible from the US appear seven years apart, and Little Egypt sees them both. One cannot miss parallels with the Bible. Let the speculation begin.

Why do people think an eclipse would be a sign of the end of the world? Historically, people feared eclipses. "So it’s perhaps not surprising that there’s a long history of cultures thinking of eclipses as omens that portend significant, usually bad happenings." - Smithsonian Magazine [5]. Now that we understand what causes them, and can predict them far into the future, we don't fear them, even if viewing one may cause some unease. Some folks will blame an eclipse for bad events, but there are always eclipses, and always bad events. There are about two eclipses every three years.

How about the Bible? If you read certain verses in isolation, ignoring context, you could get a sense that the sky is falling. Consider these.

Acts 2:19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars
Amos 8:9 It will come about in that day, declares the Lord God, that I will make the sun go down at noon and make the earth dark in broad daylight.

Doesn't that sound like an eclipse is a big deal? Not really. The heavenly signs or "wonders" in the Bible are much more dramatic than a total solar eclipse. Matthew 24:29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (text in uppercase is a quote from Joel 3:15). Note these heavenly signs are severe, and come after the Tribulation. Or how about the rest of Acts 2:19 quoted above "and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke." That sounds more serious than an eclipse. The point is that they are describing supernatural heavenly events, not natural heavenly events.

BUT, BUT, BUT

Still, it is hard to miss the parallels with the Bible. Two total solar eclipses, seven years apart, pointing to Little Egypt. One interpretation might be that something bad is going to happen in southern Illinois. But it seems more plausible to me we are being directed to look at the time when ancient Israel was in Egypt. Pharaoh had a dream, interpreted by Joseph of seven fat years followed by seven lean years. Problem is, if it is a sign, is 2017 the beginning or the ending of seven fat years?

What Others Are Saying

Ancient Egypt suffered ten plagues before letting Israel go. The ninth plague was a plague of darkness, see Exodus 10:21-29. One of the reasons for the darkness was to show God is in charge, even of the Sun, and not Ra the so called Sun God. The plague of darkness lasted three days, so it was not an eclipse, which only last a few minutes. But it was the final warning to Pharaoh before the death of the firstborn. Rabbi Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz of Breaking Israel News writes this - Solar Eclipse Recalling Egyptian Plague [6].

Just as the original plague of darkness was meant as a warning to Egypt, Rabbi Lazar Brody, an American-born Hasidic rabbi and teacher, understands this present-day manifestation to be a divine message.
“In Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), the sun represents the nations of the world, and the moon represents Israel,” Rabbi Brody told Breaking Israel News. “This eclipse is only over the United States. That is a shout from above, saying, ‘America, get your act together, Come back to the Almighty and cast away all your legalization of what the Torah calls abominations’.”

One problem I have with this interpretation is the identity of Israel. The modern nation of Israel is Predominantly Jewish, that is, descendants of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. America is also an Israelite nation, descendants of another son, Joseph. Regardless, it appears like a warning to America.

Rabbi Berkowitz points out that there is unusual timing in the 2017 eclipse because it occurs 40 days before Yom Kippur - Eclipse 40 Days Repentance [7]. This is considered to be the time when both Moses and Jesus fasted for 40 days. It is meant to be a time for repentance.

However, Rabbi Berkowitz also believes the eclipse is a warning to North Korea, based on a 100 year old Jewish prophecy about an eclipse "where kings of the East will suffer great loss, and kings of the East clearly refers to the despotic leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un" - Eclipse Portends Destruction of North Korea [8]. I find that a stretch.

I'm Not A Prophet

It is easy to get caught up in signs, heavenly or otherwise. The 20th century has seen significant world events that coincide with Shemitah years - The Mystery of the Shemitah [9]. In recent years, we have seen the "Tetrad of Blood Moons" surrounding the latest Shemitah year. I wrote this in July 2015 - Shemitah, She WHAT? [10].

So the signs keep piling up on the Shemitah year of 2014-2015. As it says in Luke 21:25 "There will be signs in sun and moon and stars". Four back to back lunar eclipses, also called Blood Moons, all four known as a Tetrad, occur in 2014-2015, three of them during the Shemitah year, all of them on Biblical holy days. The removal of the dead Ground Zero Tree of Hope happened on the first Blood Moon of the Tetrad, Passover 2014. A blood moon is considered a sign to Israel. March 20, 2015 saw a total solar eclipse, the middle of the Shemitah year. Solar eclipses are considered a sign to the world.

But nothing happened.

Blood Moons Around Shemitah Year

Some people predicted financial collapse in 2015, a Shemitah year, based on events in 2001 and 2008, the two previous Shemitah years.

But it didn't happen.

Some expect something major to happen in Israel because 2017 is 100 years since the Balfour Declaration where Britain declared support for a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine - Wikipedia(Balfour Declaration) [11], and 50 years since the Six Day War when the Jewish people regained control of Jerusalem, and possibly a Jubilee year . The year is not over, but nothing yet. Rabbi Jonathan Cahn [12] has written extensively about the warning prophecies fulfilled by 9/11 and events in years since.

But no apocalypse (TEOTWAWKI) yet.

Apocalypse used to mean "a disclosure of knowledge or revelation. In religious contexts it is usually a disclosure of something hidden, a vision of heavenly secrets that can make sense of earthly realities. ... Today, the term is commonly used in reference to any prophetic revelation or so-called end time scenario, or to the end of the world in general." - Wikipedia(Apocalypse) [13].

Repent Early, Repent Often

That doesn't mean these heavenly signs don't matter. It may mean we read too much into them. It may mean we don't understand God's plan as much as we thought. It may be that God is patient, giving warning after warning. The real heavenly signs will be unmistakable, supernatural signs, not natural predictable events. But I can't help thinking the timing and location of these natural events, however predictable they may be, are still signs, specifically warning signs, gentle warning signs if you will. And the point is to get right with God sooner rather than later.

References

1. https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_21,_2017
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_April_8,_2024
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Illinois
5. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-eclipse-anxiety-helped-lay-foundation-modern-astronomy-180963992/
6. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/93188/major-solar-eclipse-recalling-egyptian-plague-darkness-divine-message-us
7. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/93319/eclipse-40-days-repentance-begin-signals-end-era-america-warns-rabbi/
8. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/93235/jewish-prophecy-predicts-solar-eclipse-portends-destruction-north-korea/
9. http://www.shemitah-blood-moons.net/
10. http://jlfreeman-1.blogspot.com/2015/07/shemitah-she-what.html
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfour_Declaration
12.https://www.facebook.com/Jonathan-Cahn-Official-Site-255143021176055/

13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Sycamore of Ground Zero

[This is a transcript of a speech I gave to our church men's club in 2013. Minor details were edited and references added to accommodate the written and visual form]

Sycamore of Ground Zero

Sycamore of Ground Zero - flickr image (2)

On September 11, 2001, a steel beam falling from the north tower of the World Trade Center would have damaged a small church named St. Paul's Chapel if it had not struck a Sycamore tree. Instead, this Sycamore tree was cut off and gave its life to protect the Chapel [thebanner.org (1)]. St. Paul's Chapel, across the street from the World Trade Center site on Church Street soon became a de facto

St. Paul's Chapel (3)

dormitory and relief center for rescue workers in the days after 9/11. What's so special about St. Paul's Chapel? Was this coincidence? Or can we see God's hand at work? Does God care about church buildings?

God is at work, and He does care about this building. Let me show you why.

The next day, September 12, 2001, then Senate majority leader Tom Daschle spoke to the combined Senate and House of Representatives, to the people of the United States and the world. He didn't yet know about the "sycamore of Ground Zero", as it came to be known. In his speech he quoted Scripture.

But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that I think speaks to all of us at times such as this:

'The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees (sycamore in KJV and most translations) have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.' That is what we will do. We will rebuild and we will recover. [youtube (4)]

Defiance

That’s from Isaiah 9:10. And it is meant to sound encouraging, that we will face this trial and come out better at the other end. The Sycamore isn't a strong tree, not highly regarded for building or furniture. But the Cedar (or pine tree) is – it grows tall, some species have straight grain, good for building, smells nice, good for furniture. But read the verse in context. Let's go back to verses eight and nine.

8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob,And it has fallen on Israel.9 All the people will know-Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria-Who say in pride and arrogance of heart:10 “The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn stones;The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.”

That's not heeding the warning in verses 8 & 9 - that's defiance. One Bible commentary [W. Clarkson (5)] even said "thus they breathed the very spirit of defiance". Don't take my word for it, or the commentary's word for it, listen to what public officials said. That same day, September 12, 2001, Senator John Kerry stated in a speech on the Senate Floor.

I believe one of the first things we should commit to - with federal help that underscores our nation's purpose - is to rebuild the towers of the World Trade Center and show the world we are not afraid - we are defiant. [freerepublic.com (6)]

July 4, 2004, Then governor of New York George Pataki said this at a ceremony at the floor of Ground Zero "today, we, the heirs of that revolutionary spirit of defiance, lay this cornerstone …" [renewnyc.com (7)]

This is what President Obama stated in his second inaugural address Jan 20, 2009.

…We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense. And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken -- you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you… [youtube (8)]

September 11, 2004, then Democratic Candidate for Vice President John Edwards spoke the same curse upon America using the same verse at a prayer breakfast for the Congressional Black Caucus. He said

Good morning. Today, on this day of remembrance and mourning, we have the Lord’s word to get us through. 'The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.'
... And let me show you how we are building and putting cedars in those three hallowed places - the footprints of the Towers, the Pentagon, and the field in Pennsylvania. ... [prophezine (9)]

Like a chess game, God’s next move was determined by America’s response to the warning of 9/11 – humility or defiance. The Sycamore of Ground Zero was uprooted. Quoting from [trinitywallstreet news (10)], let’s see what happened to the Sycamore of Ground Zero.

http://www.wnd.com/2011/12/379829/ (11)

“In September 2005, a bronze sculpture memorializing the surviving root of the fallen sycamore tree that shielded St. Paul’s Chapel from debris on 9/11 was installed in the south courtyard of Trinity Church. Created by noted artist Steve Tobin, the Trinity Root, as the sculpture is known, is a favorite attraction in the churchyard, fascinating young children, community members, and tourists alike.”

The sculpture sits at the head of Wall Street on Broadway, in a courtyard of Trinity Church, the Episcopal parish that operates St. Paul's.

Remember the prophecy "The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.” The Hebrew for cedar just means pine tree. In ancient times, destroying the trees symbolized the uprooting of a kingdom and adversely affected the rebuilding. The Sycamore of Ground Zero was not just cut down, it was uprooted. In the spirit of defiance, a pine tree was indeed planted at the very spot where the Sycamore fell. Of course there was a public ceremony.

The Rector of St. Paul’s Chapel at the Tree of Hope dedication in late November 2003 said:

Tree of Hope (13)

This Ground Zero Tree of Hope (a Pine tree) will be a sign of the indomitable nature of human hope...The Tree of Hope is planted in the very spot where the 60 year old Sycamore stood the morning of September 11, 2001.[pepperhawkfarm (12)].

So what's the big deal about this Chapel anyway? Why is it the only building near the World Trade Center that escaped damage?

History lesson

Early Dutch settlers on the island of Manhattan built a wall to protect themselves from Indians and Pirates. Merchants set up shop along this wall, which became the center of trade for the area. The British tore down the wall, but the street retains the name "Wall Street". [wikipedia "History of Wall Street" (14)]

Depiction of traders under the buttonwood tree [wikipedia {15)]

And how did it go from a wall to the world's leading financial center? It started on May 17, 1792, 24 leading merchants of the day signed an agreement which would eventually become the New York Stock Exchange. This was called the Button Wood agreement, because it was signed in the shade of a button wood tree – an 18th century term for Sycamore tree. So the Sycamore is the symbol of America's financial power, more accurately the symbol of the origin of its strength [wikipedia "Buttonwood Agreement" (16)].

Unlike the Sycamore of Ground Zero, this symbolic sycamore of America's strength has not been uprooted yet, but let me show you how it is being cut down.

The NYSE closed for six days after 9/11. When it reopened on September 17, 2001, it suffered its largest one day loss in history up to that time. [futures.tradingcharts.com historical data (17)] This was the eve of Feast Of Trumpets [world.std.com (18)], the day and year of the Biblical year of release (every seven years).

Because of government policy to jumpstart the economy with low interest rates, the stage was set for a greater stock market crash on September 29, 2008, again the eve of Feast Of Trumpets, and the year of release. Exactly seven years apart on the day [world.std.com (18)]. The NYSE dropped $700 billion, 7%, 777 points [futures.tradingcharts.com historical data (17)]. Do you see God's hand? I make no predictions what will happen in 2015, but I would like to point out there will be four lunar eclipses 2014 & 2015, aka a Tetrad, and a partial solar eclipse the day before Feast Of Trumpets (Sept 13, 2015). [NASA (19)] [wikipedia "September 2015 lunar eclipse" (20)]

Why was St. Paul’s chapel spared?

One more history lesson.

On April 30, 1789, after George Washington's inauguration in our nation's

Federal Hall, St. Paul's Chapel, Ground Zero

capital as our first president, and after delivering his first presidential address, he led the Senate and House of Representatives on foot in a procession through the streets of the capital from Federal Hall, the site of the inauguration, to the place appointed for their prayers, to a little stone church, called St. Paul's Chapel [examiner.com (21)].You see, New York City was the nation's capital in 1789. Federal Hall was on Wall Street, across from the New York Stock Exchange. [wikipedia "Federal Hall" (22)]

Bells rang all over the nation that day to remind people to pray for the country. Pres. Washington and all the congressmen gathered at St. Paul's Chapel and prayed for two hours. They dedicated the United States of America, (which the Pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Rock saw as new Israel) to the God of heaven. They consecrated it if you will. Pres. Washington said "the propitious smiles of Heaven cannot be expected on a country that disregards the eternal rules of order and right that heaven itself hath ordained". [www.ushistory.org (23)]

This nation was founded at Federal Hall and dedicated to God at St. Paul's Chapel.

When the towers fell, a shockwave cracked the foundation of Federal Hall National Memorial. Is this symbolic of a crack in the foundation of the United States of America?

Ezekiel 13:14 So I will break down the wall (Wall Street?), you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.

St. Paul's Chapel sits on a little piece of land now, but used to own a field between the Chapel and the water to the west (see map above). Today this field is known as Ground Zero. St. Paul's Chapel was the Ground Zero for the founding of America. That’s why God cares about this building.

If you enjoy conspiracy theories about the fall of the World Trade Center, you will have to accept that the God of heaven is in on it.

What’s next? Let’s read the next verses, Is 9:11-12.

11 Therefore the Lord shall set upThe adversaries of Rezin against him,And spur his enemies on,12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind;And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth.

End of speech

Some of you may recognize this as derived from the writings of Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America's Future (24), on the NY Times bestseller list for 100 weeks. He goes into vastly more detail than I could do in a ten minute speech. Some object to his writing style, “The Harbinger” is written as a narrative with fictional characters. Personally, I liked his method, it may attract more readers than it repels. For those who want the message in sermon format, check out isaiah910.com (25) – warning: Cahn does not hold back. Cahn has appeared on TV on the Sid Roth Show (26). He has delivered this warning to national leaders at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast [youtube (27)], again not holding back. He has his own blog and Facebook page too.

I believe the message in the book and the sermons. But I also did my best to verify the facts. I tried to quote primary sources, but sometimes the references get circular and point back to Cahn as the source. There is lots more out there. Use search terms like “Sycamore of Ground Zero”, “Harbinger”, “Jonathan Cahn”, “Tree of Hope”, etc. You can also verify eclipses, Hebrew calendar, stock market indices, etc.

Links

1. http://www.thebanner.org/features/2011/01/new-york-city-s-tree-of-hope

2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/neddy/2471094572/

3. http://clearedready.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-york-city-week-911-st-pauls-chapel.html

4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukYiWd3T9sk

5. http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/clarkson/the_evil_spirit_of_defiance.htm

6. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1108774/posts

7. http://www.renewnyc.com/content/speeches/Gov_speech_Freedom_Tower.pdf

8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zkdS1XkkgA

9. http://www.prophezine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=530:gods-judgment-pt-4-the-bricks-are-fallen-down-but-we-will-build-with-hewn-stones&catid=42:rokstories

10. http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/features/the-trinity-root

11. http://www.wnd.com/2011/12/379829/

12. https://pepperhawkfarm.wordpress.com/tag/tree-of-hope/

13. http://www.wnd.com/2011/12/379829/

14. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street

15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Buttonwood.png

16. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttonwood_Agreement

17. http://futures.tradingcharts.com/historical/DJ/2001/9/linewchart.html

18. http://world.std.com/~reinhold/jewishholidays.txt

19. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/lunar.html

20. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2015_lunar_eclipse

21. http://www.examiner.com/article/george-washington-1789-inauguration-and-our-nation-today

22. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Hall

23. http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/earnestprayer.html

24. http://www.amazon.com/The-Harbinger-Ancient-Mystery-Americas/dp/161638610X

25. http://www.isaiah910.com/

26. http://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/jonathan-cahn-part-1

27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9xMxkNROto

Additional links

1. http://www.politijim.com/2011/09/monday-freak-out-tom-daschle-and-john.html

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/06/arts/design/06chur.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
3. trinitywallstreet news

4. http://www.wnd.com/2011/12/379829/

5. http://www.wnd.com/the-isaiah-910-judgment-sneak-peek/

6. https://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialHarbinger

7. http://theharbinger-jonathancahn.blogspot.com/

8. http://sidroth.org
9. trinity.bandwidthproductions.com

EOF