A couple of weeks ago the LORD was urging me to write to the people to "wake up!" This morning He is speaking to me about "keeping watch." Once we are awake, this is our calling. And in reading the Word this morning, He showed me something very prophetic and very significant. We know that the menorah represents the Messiah of Israel. It is easy to see all the ways that Yeshua is the Light of the world, like the perfect seven-fold branches of the menorah, shining forth the light from the pure oil of crushed olives. But did you know that the branches and cups of the menorah were to be in the shape of almond branches and blossoms? The Hebrew word for almond is shaqad (Strong's #8246) meaning to diligently watch.To diligently watch suggests to me that we are not to just "check in" every few months to see what is happening in the world and how it tracks with the Word of God. Jeremiah 1:11-12 says, "The word of YHVH came to me: 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' I see the branch of an almond tree,' I replied. YHVH said to me, 'You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.'"
As YHVH is watching over His Word to see that every word and every prophecy is completely fulfilled, so we are called to participate in this great Watch with Him! If you are watching what is happening in the Middle East, you will be astonished to see prophecy coming to pass before your very eyes! You will become aware that the alliance of Iran (Persia), Russia, Syria, and Libya against Israel is foretold and is now solidifying in a very real way. You will watch to see if a treaty or covenant is signed that divides the city of Jerusalem, as prophesied in Joel and Daniel; and then you will know the days are short, for the gathering of all nations against Jerusalem is a Tribulation event. You will be keeing the feast days (moedim or appointed times) of YHVH, for as the Bride of Messiah, your heart will desire to be in rhythm with HIS times and seasons, preparing for His return for you.
Standing in line to board a plane in Los Angeles last Sunday I had a tote bag with the words JERUSALEM in large letters slung over my shoulder. There was a family behind me wearing T-shirts that said "Cabo San Lucas" and sporting dark tans and sandals. The young teenage girl was staring and staring at my tote bag, and I watched her trying to mouth the word Jerusalem, as if she was trying to figure out how to pronounce it. Her mother noticed also, and pronounced the word for her. "What is that?" she asked. Trying not to show my shock I said, "It's a city in Israel." To my further amazement, she looked at me with a very bored expression and replied,"Oh yeah, I think I heard of that in Social Studies." Her mom shrugged her shoulders as if to say, "Whatever. I don't know what it is either."
What some have heard and dismissed as a boring Social Studies lesson, others are keeping passionate, diligent watch over. "While people are saying 'peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others who are asleep..." (1 Thess. 5:3-5).
Diligently watch!
