Blood Moon Tetrad (2014-2015): A Sign of the End?

 

Blood moons(blood moon graphic from John Hagee Ministries used in his sermon series on this topic)

 

A relatively rare series of lunar and solar eclipses, which coincides with important dates on the Jewish calendar in 2014 and 2015, is generating a significant amount of speculation that these could be signs connected with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The four consecutive total lunar eclipses depicted in the above graphic from John Hagee’s website are known as a “blood moon tetrad.” Interestingly, each of the lunar eclipses falls on two specific Jewish feast days in both 2014 and 2015, namely, Passover and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). In addition, a solar eclipse will occur on the first day of the religious new year on the Jewish calendar, Nisan 1, which corresponds to March 20 in 2015.

The speculation that this blood moon tetrad may be directly connected with Christ’s return is completely based on speculation connected with biblical prophecies found most notably in Joel 2 (and as quoted by Peter in Acts 2), Matthew 24 and Revelation 6.

And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. (Joel 2:30-31, NKJV)

 

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29–30, NKJV)

 

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, (Revelation 6:12–15, NKJV)

These passages refer to God’s coming judgment upon the earth as part of what is known in the Old Testament as “the Day of the Lord” (or frequently just “that day”). Furthermore, these passages clearly indicate that there will be specific events in nature which will serve as signs that God’s judgment is at hand or that it is already underway. When understood in light of other passages, we know that this judgment will begin shortly after the rapture of the church and prior to the Lord’s return to the earth, during the seven-year tribulation period.

However, do the Scriptures genuinely support the conclusion that these upcoming eclipses are the specific signs predicted by Jesus and Joel and which were shown to John the apostle?

Knowing the Day and Hour…

Although most prophecy teachers who believe the coming blood moon tetrad is connected with Christ’s return want to avoid the charge of “date-setting,” they are also going to great lengths to persuade people that these eclipses could very well represent prophetic fulfillment. For example, in his recently released book, Four Blood Moons: Something is about to Change, John Hagee writes:

The fourth series of Four Blood Moons is coming! They are extremely rare even by scientific standards. God is shouting to us, “Something big is about to happen!” However, the coming Four Blood Moons of 2014–15 does not mean the Rapture is going to happen during that time. Why? Because the Rapture could happen at any moment. What they are telling us is that God is getting ready to change the course of human history once again. He is preparing to display the next series of signs in the heavens.1

This is a very definitive statement by Hagee and one that is going to be difficult to walk back if it turns out that he is wrong.

The inspiration for Hagee’s book is found in the work of Hebrew Roots pastor Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries, who was perhaps the first one to discover (in 2008) that the blood moon tetrad of 2014 and 2015 would fall on Jewish feast days. His discovery was a result of doing research on the part NASA’s website devoted to lunar and solar eclipses. At that time, some speculated that the rapture might occur in 2008, with Christ’s return in 2015, because of the intervening seven years which would have corresponded to the tribulation period. In 2008, Blitz wrote the following on his blog:

When I talk about the second coming I am not referring to the rapture but to Messiah’s feet landing on the Mt of Olives in Zech 14. I am not setting dates for the rapture. The only dates I am giving is the dates Nasa gives us for eclipses and the dates God gives us on His calendar and then I bring in the connection. You can do whatever you want according to your own theology with this information. With much humor I say, “Put it in your own theological pipe and smoke it however you want.”

I did say, and again say, IF these eclipses in 2015 are what the Lord was referring to, then 2015 would look like a possible year for His feet to land on the Mt of Olives. And, IF this is true then the tribulation could, not would, start this fall at the Feast of Trumpets, (which technically is 2 days long: KJV Matthew 24:36 But of that day
and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only). In light of all the prophetic events going on I would say it is likely but I’m not saying definitely.2

While I fully believe that we may be in the last of the last days, and I also understand that we must always be prepared for the Lord’s appearing, there are very real dangers associated with attempting to assign prophetic fulfillment to specific current geo-political, religious, societal or natural events. Many have tried to do this in the past, leading to scores of failed predictions concerning the rapture, the tribulation, the rise of the antichrist, Christ’s return and the end of the world.

Of course we certainly don’t want to miss any signs from the Lord, but concerning His return, Jesus issued this warning:

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. . . .Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36–44, NKJV)

Mark records that Jesus said that even He was among those who did not know the time of His return by including the rather remarkable phrase “…nor the Son”:

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. (Mark 13:32–33, NKJV)

Some argue, however, that rather than stating the impossibility of knowing the timing of His return in advance, the Lord was actually using a well-known Hebrew idiom to inform His disciples of the precise time of the Second Coming. In an article on the Hebraic Heritage Ministries website, the author expands on ideas gleaned from a 1996 book by Avi Ben Mordechai, Signs in the Heavens:

Understanding the expression “No man knows the day or hour” is not possible by simply taking the English translation literally, because in the book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation, we are given EXACT descriptions of timing, relative to KEY events – such as the shutting down of the altar sacrifices in Jerusalem at the MID-POINT of the 70th week. Dan 9:27

Jesus was asked, “When shall these things be?” Matt 24:3

His answer ties us in to a very specific event (The Abomination of Desolation) which can be measured on our calendars: “When you therefore shall see the Abomination Of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever reads, let him understand:)…” Matt 24:15. It is now clear that “no man knows the day or hour” does NOT mean “no man knows the day or hour” as we read it from a modern-day English perspective. (emphasis mine).

The following chapter contains edited excerpts from Avi Ben Mordechai’s commentaries and builds on them aiming to explain that the Holy Bible does in fact reveal the “day and hour” or “exact timing” of our Lord’s return.

No One Knows the Day or the Hour?

Christians over the centuries have separated themselves from their Hebraic roots causing the misunderstanding of key Jewish biblical idioms. An idiom is also a figure of speech. When Y’shua (Jesus) uttered His famous words concerning the Messianic Era in Mattityahu (Matthew) 24:26, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”, He used a common Jewish figure of speech referring to a specific Jewish Festival. In essence He was saying, “I am coming for My Bride on such and such a day! Be watching!” What day could the Jewish idiom be referring to? Keep reading!

The above article then goes into a very lengthy discussion of the matter in question, while the Sabbath Covenant website more succinctly explains:

The day and hour of His return the Bride does not know, as you never know when the Rosh Chodesh will appear. The phrase “no one knows the day or hour” is a Hebrew idiom for the Rosh Chodesh/New Moon Festival, which ushers in the Feast of Teruah (Trumpets) and the fall feasts of YHVH. Many times YHVH has the new moon tarry over Jerusalem for one, two or more days, before coming into its young crescent sighting for the announcing of the New Moon Festival (John 14:3). Therefore we wait and watch for the “day and hour” of His return. When that Last Trump blows, the Bride trims her lamp and goes out to meet her Bridegroom for the start of their wedding. (Matthew 25:1-13).

In other words, because the lunar cycle is approximately (but not exactly) 29.5 days, the precise timing of the appearance of the new moon sometimes falls on the 29th day of the month and sometimes on the 30th. Since the new moon appears near sunset and because according to Hebrew reckoning, each day begins at sundown, the sighting could be slightly before or slightly after the start of the new day – thus, because the hour is unknown, the same is true of the day.

The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Terueh) is the only feast that begins with a new moon, falling on the first day of the lunar month of Tishri on the Jewish calendar. Tishri is the seventh month of the religious year, but Tishri also corresponds to the first month of the civil year—with the first day of that month being known as “Rosh Hashanah” or “head of the year.” Furthermore, because the Feast of Tabernacles occurs on the 15th day of Tishri, which is when full lunar eclipses will occur in both 2014 and 2015, and because these dates are now being suggested as signs of Christ’s return, the speculation is that the rapture may occur on the Feast of Trumpets in one of those years.

At first glance, such an explanation of Jesus’ words concerning not knowing the day or the hour may seem to be plausible and thus unlock Jesus’ statement by revealing the timing of His return, right? Well, not exactly.

The exact day and time of the appearance of the new moon is neither random, nor mystical, nor determined by the Lord via miraculous intervention each month such that the specific timing would be known only to Him. Prior to the development of telescopes and astronomy as a scientific discipline, such celestial events did seem to have an uncertain, perhaps even mystical quality to them. However, now that we understand the mechanics of planetary motion, the timing, along with every other parameter associated with the movement of all of the bodies within our solar system can be calculated very precisely for decades, centuries and even millennia both in the past and into the future.

For example, the NASA website has an area dedicated to lunar and solar eclipses, with a full catalog of lunar eclipses over five millennia, from 2000 B.C. to A.D. 3000. The first graphic shows a portion of the NASA catalog for the lunar eclipses from 2011 through 2015, while the second graphic shows detailed information concerning solar eclipses in the first five years of the first century A.D. These charts clearly demonstrate just how precisely the eclipses can be calculated.

Lunar eclipses 2011-15Solar eclipse in first century

The ability to calculate solar and lunar eclipses with such precision provides crucial insight into Jesus’ words concerning no one except the Father knowing the day or hour of His return. One might argue that Jesus was using the Hebrew idiom to cryptically signal to his disciples that He would return on the Feast of Trumpets, the timing of which could not be known precisely at that point in history. However, we now know that the motion of the sun, moon and planets was established at the moment of creation by Jesus Christ himself as the Creator (Colossians 1:16). This means that, in contrast to those to whom He was speaking, Christ would have known precisely when every eclipse would occur throughout history. And so Jesus, himself, has always known that a blood moon tetrad would occur precisely on Jewish feast days in 2014 and 2015. And since the exact timing of these events is not simply a matter of foreknowledge, but rather a matter of simple mathematical calculations, the angels in heaven could just as easily have been able to determine each time this would happen throughout history, as well—and it has happened several times.

The “Imminency” Problem

Another significant problem with the theory that Christ’s return must be tied to a blood moon tetrad that falls on Jewish feast days has to do with the doctrine of the imminent rapture of the church. Dispensational theologians have long recognized that the Scriptures teach that while there are many prophesied events which will take place after the rapture, there are none which must take place prior to it. In other words, the rapture could happen at any moment.

One thing that needs to be noted at this point has to do with the difference between the rapture and the second coming of Christ in relation to His statement about not knowing the day or the hour. In the context of Matthew 24, where the Lord is teaching about events which will take place after the rapture and during the seven-year tribulation period, it is clear that He is specifically referring to His return to the earth at the end of the tribulation, when He will arrive from heaven (Revelation ch. 19) and touch down on the Mount of Olives (Zech ch. 14). Therefore, the matter of not knowing the day or the hour isn’t directly connected to the rapture itself. However, between not knowing the day or hour of Christ’s return to the earth and the fact that the rapture is imminent, also suggests that no one can know the day or hour of the rapture either.

Another factor to consider with regard to Jesus’ words is that the disciples may not have yet received specific revelation concerning the relative timing of the rapture, tribulation and second coming. They were still looking at things from an “Old Testament perspective” which saw the Lord’s coming as a single event, rather than the two phases we see in the New Testament. And even if the Lord had provided that information to them at some point, it was apparently not widely known or completely clear until Paul wrote about it in 1 and 2 Thessalonians about twenty years later and then John received further revelation roughly forty years after that.

This being said, there is really no consensus concerning the relationship between the timing of the blood moons and the rapture, tribulation and the second coming. In first half of 2008, when Mark Biltz first discovered that a tetrad of lunar eclipses would take place on Jewish feast days in 2014 and 2015, he speculated that the eclipses in 2014 might take place during the tribulation, with the last eclipse in 2015 connected to Christ’s return to the earth. Then taking into account the seven years of the tribulation, he speculated that the rapture might occur later in 2008.

Since that obviously did not happen, the speculation by some is now that the rapture could occur two weeks prior to to the lunar eclipses in the fall of 2014 or 2015 on the Feast of Trumpets. However, the theory that the rapture must occur on the Feast of Trumpets is not something that just developed in the context of the coming blood moon tetrad.

However, if the rapture must occur on the Feast of Trumpets, then for every year it doesn’t happen, yet another entire year would need to pass until the day when the rapture could again possibly occur. Looking at it another way, over the course of a century there are 100 (approximately) Feasts of Trumpets, which when added together is a total of less than four months of days when Christ could have come for His church, and conversely there would be over 99 years and 8 months of days when Christ could not have come.

This problem is compounded if the return of Christ could only be in connection with a blood moon occurring on the Feast of Tabernacles. For example, during the last century, between 1901 and 2000, total lunar eclipses occurred in the month of Tishri only seven times. The longest stretch between total lunar eclipses occurring on the Feast of Tabernacles was when the first one of the century occurred on October 17, 1902 and the second occurred on September 26, 1931.3 This means that there was a gap of nearly thirty years when the rapture could not have happened if one accepts the premise of the blood moon / Feast of Trumpets theory.

However, the problem is compounded exponentially if the return of Christ could only happen in connection with an entire blood moon tetrad occurring on Jewish Feast days. In the last five hundred years, including this year and next, this will have happened only four times—in 1493-94, 1949-50, 1967-68 and 2014-15. If the coming blood moon tetrad of this year and next is a sign directly associated with the rapture or the second coming of Christ to the earth, then that means that it could not have occurred at any time over the last forty years, meaning that our watching and waiting during that time has been completely in vain—and our warning people of the Lord’s imminent coming in the clouds to receive the church unto himself has been foolish—or worse. And if these events must be tied to any blood moon tetrad on the Jewish feast days in general, then that means Christ could not have returned at any time between 1495 and 1949—a period of over 450 years.

All this would seem to completely undermine Jesus’ words concerning being alert and watching because He could come at any time. After referring to the judgment by flood in the days of Noah, Jesus warned:

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:42–44, NKJV)

After this, Jesus drove the point home by using an illustration of a man who left an untrustworthy servant in charge of his household while he away on business:

But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 24:48–25:1, NKJV)

Jesus continued this extended exhortation by using a parable about ten virgins who were invited to a wedding, of whom five acted irresponsibly and therefore were not ready to go with the bridegroom when the time to go to the wedding came without warning:

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (Matthew 25:10–13, NKJV)

The Nature of Signs Vs. Signs in Nature

One of the most frequently quoted passages of Scripture by those who believe the coming blood moon tetrad is a sign of Christ’s coming is Genesis 1:14:

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; (Genesis 1:14, NKJV)

The argument is that God has told us that He specifically set up the present lunar and solar cycles to specifically function as signs of major events such as Christ’s return. However, there are several significant problems with this understanding of Genesis 1:14. The first is that it actually reverses the meaning of the verse. The point the Lord was making was that He had set up the universe, and specifically our solar system, such that the combination of the earth’s and moon’s rotation and orbits would establish fixed, regular intervals of time—days, weeks, months and years—according to which He could then prescribe when His people would engage in various activities and meet various obligations in every sphere of life, including the agricultural, social, civil and spiritual / religious realms.

In other words, the sun, moon and stars were “signs” that provided a completely natural and absolutely predictable frame of reference. We could call these “providential signs,” which stand in stark contrast to “miraculous signs” that God would give in connection with His direct miraculous intervention at various points in history. Miraculous signs are neither natural nor predictable. In fact, if they were natural and predictable they wouldn’t even be recognized as signs for which God would be the only possible explanation. And “signs” that cannot be recognized as such are really not signs at all.

Those who are trying to argue that the coming blood moons are signs from God that the end is near point to God’s frequent use of things in nature as described throughout Scripture. However, they consistently seem to miss the obvious concerning what is going on and that those signs are fundamentally different from predictable events in nature such as lunar and solar eclipses.

Frequently, we see God giving miraculous signs as either a warning of judgment or as the judgment itself. And even though they often involve His use of things in nature, as noted above, they can’t be classified as “natural” at all.

For example, when God judged the earth by flood (Genesis ch. 6-9), He did it through nature, but what happened could never have occurred naturally. When God gave signs to Pharaoh and brought judgment against Egypt (Exodus ch. 5-12), he used many things found in nature, such as frogs, gnats, locusts and hail, but He manipulated them such that no one could have reasonably thought they were just natural occurrences. When the Lord parted the Red Sea (Exodus ch. 14), He used wind, but no “natural” wind could have caused what happened on that day. Similarly, Joshua’s “long day” (Joshua ch. 10) involved the rotation of the earth and the relative position of the sun in the sky over Israel, but the only explanation for what took place was God’s supernatural intervention. When the Lord Jesus Christ was born there was some sort of celestial body which became visible as a sign, and magi who had seen this star in the East followed it to Bethlehem as it went before them and as they approached the star stopped over where Jesus was (Matthew ch. 2). And there are many other examples.

All of these were signs in nature, but they were categorically different than the coming blood moons this year and next. Because these are completely natural and absolutely predictable, even with the interesting fact that they will fall on Jewish Feast days, they cannot biblically function as signs warning of God’s impending judgment or some other major event. Something that occurs naturally, predictably and with any regularity simply doesn’t work as a sign because it isn’t like any other biblical sign. And because of this, even those who love the Lord and His Word the most would be the most likely to miss it. This just doesn’t work.

Beyond this, as one reads the descriptions of the signs connected with the sun and moon in both the prophecies by Joel and Jesus, and then the visions given to John of their prophetic fulfillment in Revelation, one gets the sense that these are anything but normal total eclipses. The duration of totality for both lunar and solar eclipses is so short that it is measured in just minutes and seconds. And in the case of solar eclipses, totality occurs along a very narrow path on the face of the earth, such that it is not even a major event for all but a very small portion of the world’s population. How could such an event be a sign to the world?

Furthermore, these prophecies were given specifically to Israel so that they could understand that God’s judgment was at hand or had already begun. Yet the path of totality for the solar eclipse in 2015 doesn’t fall anywhere close to Israel. So how could this eclipse be a sign in Israel?

Beyond even these things, the prophecies seem to suggest that the moon turning to blood and the sun being darkened like sackcloth are simultaneous events and ones which affect the entire earth. If that is true, then there is another problem because the closest that solar and lunar eclipses can occur is fifteen days apart. This is because the positions of the earth and moon relative to the sun are reversed depending on whether it is a solar or lunar eclipse. Solar eclipses can only occur right around the new moon when the moon is between the earth and the sun, while lunar eclipses can only occur during a full moon when the earth is between the moon and the sun.

The Potential Danger and a Word of Caution

Because so many have been making predictions concerning the rapture, the second coming of Christ and the end of the world for so many years, no doubt there are many who have become very disillusioned with prophecy and prophecy teachers. For some it has meant much more than simple disillusionment. Over the years, some have had their lives completely destroyed as they have left family members behind or have given away everything in anticipation that the rapture was going to occur on a specific day. When Harold Camping predicted two different dates for the rapture in 2011, there even were reports of at least one person committing suicide. Now, the question concerns what will happen if the rapture doesn’t occur by the time of the last full lunar eclipse in 2015.

Even with the caveats that no one is setting absolute dates, this issue has garnered a huge amount of attention as can be seen with a simple Google search on “blood moons” which yields almost half a million hits. There are entire websites devoted to this subject. There are a number of radio and television interviews dealing with the blood moon tetrad. There are videos on YouTube. DVDs have been produced. There are also at least two books, with Mark Biltz’s book coming out soon.

The following two graphics show the current rankings of John Hagee’s book, the first being the paperback version and the second being the Kindle version. These make it clear that he is definitely having an impact on the church with his speculation.

Hagee paperbackHagee Kindle

There are two significant and very real dangers associated with the hype surrounding the total lunar and solar eclipses this year and next. The first danger is that because biblically the rapture really could occur at any moment, many could be caught unawares if they think they can legitimately wait until the Feast of Trumpets on October 8, 2014 or September 28, 2015 to do something about their spiritual condition.

The second danger is that if these predictions fail as have others in the past, for how many will this be the last straw and as a result they decide to have nothing more to do with prophecy teachers or even the Bible anymore. Because of disillusionment and the resulting skepticism, many could easily fall into the trap described by the Apostle Peter in his second letter:

. . . knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3–4, NKJV)

Does this mean that it is impossible that the Lord might do something significant on one or several of these feast days on which there will be solar and lunar eclipses in 2014 and 2015? Not at all. He can do what He wants, when He wants.

However, whether the rapture takes place before, during or after these events, we must always heed the Lord’s words as previously noted:

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:42–44, NKJV)

 


  1. Hagee John (2013-10-08). Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change (p. 242). Worthy Publishing. Kindle Edition. 

  2. http://growandknow.blogspot.com/2008/06/pastor-mark-biltz-running-to-battle_18.html, accessed on 1/23/2014 

  3. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2013/07/12/lunar-eclipses-cause-blood-moons#table-1, accessed on January 23, 2014. 

66 Comments
  1. Hello,
    I thank u for all tht u do. I have both books. Pastor John Hagee and Mark Hitchcocks b/c deception is so easy to fall into.
    R church in the 90’s got involved with all sorts of weird stuff. From having speakers come and hit people with song books and people crowing like a rooster. I kid u not. It was tht bizarre.
    I left the church for 9 years over it. I came back to the LORD in 2010 and repented. I have learned my lesson. I now study the word of God and I do not put much stock in signs, wonders, feelings, etc. Leadership is key b/c r leadership was so wrong in so many ways.
    We were a Pentecostal church but I do not attend one now.
    I am studying the book of Hebrews, then Romans.
    Each Jan my husband and I study the book of Revelations.
    We have Dr. J. DeYoung’s new book and study guide tht he did with Renald Showers. We will start it in Jan 2015
    The only book my husband has read is the one tht Jimmy DeYoung wrote on the state of Israel called Israel under Fire. He wrote with John Ankerberg.
    I listen to his audio tapes.
    I had no clue as to terms like the end of the age or to eschatology or anything else. Churches do not have bible studies anymore. No prayer, no evening services, nothing.
    The services never seem to be centered on Christ or the supremacy of Christ over everything and everyone.
    W/o your websites. This one, Dr. DeYoung’s, the Berean website, I wld be lost. I also have Greg Hinant’s books as well as the recent one written by Robert Morgan on the 23rd Psalm. I read and re-read 1 and 2nd Peter b/c it jst. comforts my heart so much. I also watch Dr. Charles Stanley as well.
    When I first was saved it was in 1984 in a Zion Baptist Church. My sister and I went to honor and thank God for saving my niece, her dtr. I stayed and she did not.
    I have discovered Friends of Israel Canada and I order from them as well.
    Dr. Rob Congdon, Ken Timmerman, Dave Dolan, David James, etc. I listen and purchase materials b/c I am studying and I cannot get enough. It is like a door has opened for me.
    Even the issue of Abortion is settled with me. Whn the word of God is shared by qualified teachers everything makes sense. I did not know of Jeremiah one vs. 5 before.
    The word of God settles everything.
    In Jan 2015 I will be taking courses on line thru Friends of Israel Canada.
    I want to learn more and understand more.
    Whn I listen to Dr. J. DeYoung everything makes sense b/c he uses the word of God to explain.
    I love Jesus and long for the Rapture but I have determined in my heart and soul not to be led astray this time.
    I have taped on my computer Ps. 73 vs 26 My flesh and my heart may fail
    But God is the strength of my heart and portion forever.
    It was like I was in a pit before coming back to the LORD in 2010.
    He has set my feet on solid ground and I praise Him daily now.
    I pray to that end b/c the precious Holy Spirit strengthens and comforts me. I rest in Jesus and His comfort is enough.
    Have I faced derision and raised eyebrows and scorn.
    Absolutely, even laughter but I will not stop sharing b/c the word of God is vital to us during these last days.
    I do not want to be led astray or follow hireling shepherds.
    Nor do I want family or friends to be led astray.
    Pls. pray for my family and friends.
    It is like discovering water for the first time.
    To study God’s word is like water for my soul and mind.
    I listen to the audio series (I am on Jeremiah) I like the weeping Prophet. Is. is beautiful but Jeremiah resonates with me. It is like I am torn. So happy to be studying God’s word again but so sad that family and friends r not. I miss Christian, born again, bible believing fellowship. It is like no one wants to talk of Jesus.
    I share and give away the audio series to anyone who wants one, I tke notes and jst pray.
    Heaven and earth will fade away but the word of God will not.
    Thank u again.
    In Christ
    Mellany and Chuck McKenzie
    Happy Thanksgiving Day
    It is in Canada.
    I also watched live streaming from Jerusalem today. The International Fellowship of Christian and Jews.
    In the world thr is Christian, Jews and Gentiles
    Not Messaniac Jews but Christians.
    I like tht
    It makes sense to me.
    Love Romans 11 whr beloved Apostle Paul says it so much better than me.
    Today Dr. Cannon White shared, from Jerusalem, tht a group of children in Iraq refused to renounce their faith. They joined hands and they were murdered/martyred for their faith. This jst happened yesterday in Iraq, not sure of time difference.
    Such a time tht we live in
    I pray for r persecuted brothers and sisters in the LORD
    I do not understand why all churches r not crying out and praying for them.
    My husband and I wept today for the children and we prayed.
    A man also prayed from IFCJ ( wht a powerful prayer)
    Jst. recently Dr. Charles Stanley shared on his tv program tht. he has a group of men tht pray whn he is preaching.
    Tht is wht I love to do the most.
    Study and pray.

    blessings

    • Thank you, Mellanny.

      I understand your struggles and the path you’ve been on.

      Stay close to the Lord and His Word – and don’t take anything for granted.

      Always check us against the Word of God in everything we say.

      Dave

  2. Praise God. Thank you very much. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes to these deceptions and those to come. In Jesus, thank you.

  3. Biblical tetrads; means all heavenly signs, 4 lunar/solar eclipses land on one or more holy days. And occur in 18 months.

    In the first biblical tetrad of 32-33 AD, on April 3, the day Jesus died, there was a sun eclipse, in the middle of 4 blood moons, and the earth around the world trembled.

    The Lord in his wisdom has given us patterns, so that we can know where we’re at. In antiquity a sun eclipse was an ominous omen tied to Calamity, the taking away of light and the resulting darkness in the latter days is tied to Judgement. Starting in April of 2014 and continuing through 2015, there are a number of lunar and sun eclipses of note, the 4 blood moons followed in 2 cases by solar eclipses. The attention grabbing lunar eclipses are blood red in color, and when they occur on one or more of the holy days simultaneously, in connection with an historic event of significance for the covenant people, we should pay very close attention. Their collective ‘alignment’ is God’s way of saying, “awake and arise.” A little “shake” is a wake-up call.

    The 1st and the 8th tetrad, have a similar pattern to the early christians meeting on the 1st day of the week and again on the 8th day. The sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday for the christian jews.
    Now look at the dates of the 1st tetrad and the 8th.
    Apr 14, 32 AD/Apr 15, 2014
    Oct 7, 32 AD/Oct 8, 2014
    Apr 3, 33 AD/Apr 4, 2015
    Sep 27, 33 AD/ Sep 28, 2015

    If we believe in the Lords patterns, we have to believe in his calendar. It’s perfect.
    “The first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”

    March 20, 2015 Solar eclipse, in the middle of 4 blood moons. Mar 20 is Nisan 1, the Religious New Year, its also the midway point of Shemita. I’ve talked to a dreamer who saw a small earthquake first and latter in the year a large earthquake. The first one is supposed to ‘wake’ us up. The 2nd one…well I don’t want to be around for that one.

    The Shemita has an excellent record to look back on as far as the stock market goes. 2001, 2008, and another 7 years, Sep. 13, 2015. The climax of disaster. The US has been printing $65 Billion to pay debts every month since 2009. China no longer buys the US dollar and isn’t using it as the world currency. The have surpassed the US as the growing economy in the world. They have secretly met with 15 other nations to discuss a different world currency. We’ve printed so many $100’s that they are losing their value rapidly. (they still could work as firestarters)

    When the dollar is no longer the world currency, we’re looking at something real ugly that we’ve never experienced before. People are going to be “REAL” upset. Those with silver and gold will rule for awhile. Food will be the most valuable asset, as well as farm land and seeds.

    We have been invited to the future wedding feast of the Bridegroom Jesus Christ. Some are excited about it, and are preparing themselves. Others have made excuses why they can’t come. A third group won’t come. They reject the invititation and the messengers bringing it. Matt 22:2-10
    To qualify for the feast, we have only to apply His Atonement in our lives. His grace is sufficient for all of us, after all we can do. And “all we can do” is to be humble, repent and prepare.

    • Although I fully believe we are in the last days, one of the characteristics will be a rise in false teaching. There is not a single passage in the Scriptures that even remotely suggests Jonathan Cahn’s theories. The Shemitah laws were give exclusively to Israel – and over the 490 years of disobedience to them, there is nothing to indicate that God disciplined them every seven years – but rather, the Scriptures would suggest that instead God had continually made it possible for them to return to the requirements of the Shemitah by supplying a triple crop in the 6th year.

      Also, it important to note that many Jewish and non-Jewish scholars alike agree that the modern Hebrew calendar is off by 1-3 years, which completely undermines Cahn’s premises.

      • As we race towards the end of this age it seems to me that the unsealing of truths given to Daniel is happening, as stated by GOD. GOD is pouring out His Holy Spirit upon those who will receive Him by submission to Him and to each other. It is possible to hold a position of what we believe to be the spiritual “high ground” from which we look down upon other believers. We view the doctrinal error of others thru the glasses of our own doctrinal error, thus compounding the problem. Events are overtaking us which will eventually force (allow?} us to abandon the practice of leaning upon our own understanding and finally acknowledge Him in all our ways and allow Him to direct our paths. I am convinced that all of us are as close to the LORD as we want to be and that none of us are as close to Him as he wants us to be. We must abandon our own agendas, totally, learn of Him (Matt 11.28-30) and allow Him to give us marching orders and strategies for the remaining battles in this conflict of the ages.

        For too many years I spoke against Benny Hinn and many others like him with less than love in my heart. Yet, I am now certain that many came to true salvation thru his ministry even though at times his flamboyance made me cringe. Now, however, it seems to me that his days of running out in front of GOD are ending, and that Benny will finish his race on the same course with us. May he finish well.

        For each person whose errors we choose to announce, we first must have been in serious, prevailing prayer for them or else our errors could prove worse than theirs. None of us are the source of discernment for another person. GOD will preserve the true believer from the wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is not the bleating of the sheep that keeps them safe; it is the presence and nearness of the Shepherd.

        As we are nearing the end, many prophecies are converging, but there will be no contradictions as they are fulfilled. Instead, we will see with more clarity and higher resolution the Word of God unfold before us, and our own doctrinal biases will have to give way to GOD’s way.

        The rapture ? Always imminent, until it takes place, likely sooner than we think. None of the prophecy teachers I follow, including Cahn, Biltzer, Hagee, Salus, and Stone, teach that the imminency of the rapture is tied to any other end-time prophecies.

  4. Over the last year there have been a few people in my church that have been talking about Blood Moons. I stumbled across your site while trying to find more info about it. The article was very helpful. Thank you.

  5. I noticed your use of the word “speculation” a number of times in this article. I take it to indicate a lack of two or three clear witnesses. With this in mind: you mentioned several times that “the no one knows…refers to the Physical second coming of Christ, but still won’t divorce the rapture from that verse”
    There are far more than the two-three witnesses, that we build our doctrine for His coming to earth again upon. And this can be said for all our doctrines- Except One.
    As a pre-trib, pre-millennium, dispensationalist I was taught and taught the ” any second” rapture “speculation” without not so much as one shred of biblical proof, not so much as one scripture to back it up.
    Since when is the argument of silence- no signs, a basis for doctrine, especially on one that will so dramatically effect the Church?
    We don’t and won’t accept this kind of reasoning from others. Why from our own?
    If the rapture can happen any second of any minute of any hour of any day of any week of any month of any year, and if the rapture is in some way connected to the start of the trib., and if the trib., is seven years in length, and if Christ comes back at the end, if some sign is still, let’s say, fifty years in the future how can the rapture happen “now”?
    How could the rapture have happened in 1000AD when the fig tree wasn’t going to bud until 1948.
    Forget the ” no sign” argument unless you have the witness to back up that statement. Just give me clear, plain, concise, unambiguous scripture-two or three that the rapture can happen as you say. Thanks

    • P.L. Merilott,

      Thanks for taking time to read and comment on the article.

      I think, though, you have jumped to some unwarranted conclusions. You have challenged my article concerning a side point that I wasn’t focusing on and then assumed my lack of dealing directly with the issue of the imminency of the Rapture was an argument from silence. Even thought, there have been whole books written from your viewpoint, but your challenge to my point was largely an argument of silence, as well. The point being, only so much can be said in a limited space and proving this doctrinal position was never my intent. So, I find it odd that you seem to assume that I can’t provide an argument better than one from silence.

      I’ll deal with your points as you raise them.

      1. YOU WROTE: As a pre-trib, pre-millennium, dispensationalist I was taught and taught the ” any second” rapture “speculation” without not so much as one shred of biblical proof, not so much as one scripture to back it up.
      RESPONSE: It is unfortunate that your experience with dispensationalism left you without a “shred of biblical proof” and “not so much as one scripture.” Unfortunately there are a lot of dispensationalists who aren’t genuinely theologians and who can’t really defend what they believe. This is not helpful. However, if you are honest – and have done even a little bit of research, you realize that good theologians have not only defended, but thoroughly and exegetically demonstrated the imminency of the rapture is not an argument from silence, but one from synthesis – similar to the triunity of God – or even the existence of God himself. (I assume you know that the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God – it just assumes it).

      2. YOU WROTE: We don’t and won’t accept this kind of reasoning from others. Why from our own?
      RESPONSE: I’ve been a dispensationalist for over 30 years, studied at a flagship dispensational seminary, know literally hundreds of dispensational theologians, pastors and Bible teachers and I have yet to encounter a single one who either uses or would accept this kind of reasoning. I would encourage you to read some books by Charles Ryrie, J.Dwight Pentecost, John Walvoord, Alva J. McClain, Mark Hitchcock and many other very competent men. My sense is that your experience with dispensationalism has been very limited, very isolated and very weak.

      3. YOU WROTE: If the rapture can happen any second of any minute of any hour of any day of any week of any month of any year, and if the rapture is in some way connected to the start of the trib., and if the trib., is seven years in length, and if Christ comes back at the end, if some sign is still, let’s say, fifty years in the future how can the rapture happen “now”?
      RESPONSE: That’s precisely the point, all required signs that must take place prior to the rapture has all taken place. In other words, the next sign, the one we’re waiting for, is the rapture itself. After that happens, a whole cascade of prophecies and signs will begin to take place – most specifically outline in Daniel and Revelation.

      4. YOU WROTE: P.L. Merilott,

      Thanks for taking time to read and comment on the article.

      I think, though, you have jumped to some unwarranted conclusions. You have challenged my article concerning a side point that I wasn’t focusing on and then assumed my lack of dealing directly with the issue of the imminency of the Rapture was an argument from silence. Even thought, there have been whole books written from your viewpoint, but your challenge to my point was largely an argument of silence, as well. The point being, only so much can be said in a limited space and proving this doctrinal position was never my intent. So, I find it odd that you seem to assume that I can’t provide an argument better than one from silence.

      I’ll deal with your points as you raise them.

      1. YOU WROTE: As a pre-trib, pre-millennium, dispensationalist I was taught and taught the ” any second” rapture “speculation” without not so much as one shred of biblical proof, not so much as one scripture to back it up.
      RESPONSE: It is unfortunate that your experience with dispensationalism left you without a “shred of biblical proof” and “not so much as one scripture.” Unfortunately there are a lot of dispensationalists who aren’t genuinely theologians and who can’t really defend what they believe. This is not helpful. However, if you are honest – and have done even a little bit of research, you realize that good theologians have not only defended, but thoroughly and exegetically demonstrated the imminency of the rapture is not an argument from silence, but one from synthesis – similar to the triunity of God – or even the existence of God himself. (I assume you know that the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God – it just assumes it).

      2. YOU WROTE: We don’t and won’t accept this kind of reasoning from others. Why from our own?
      RESPONSE: I’ve been a dispensationalist for over 30 years, studied at a flagship dispensational seminary, know literally hundreds of dispensational theologians, pastors and Bible teachers and I have yet to encounter a single one who either uses or would accept this kind of reasoning. I would encourage you to read some books by Charles Ryrie, J.Dwight Pentecost, John Walvoord, Alva J. McClain, Mark Hitchcock and many other very competent men. My sense is that your experience with dispensationalism has been very limited, very isolated and very weak.

      3. YOU WROTE: If the rapture can happen any second of any minute of any hour of any day of any week of any month of any year, and if the rapture is in some way connected to the start of the trib., and if the trib., is seven years in length, and if Christ comes back at the end, if some sign is still, let’s say, fifty years in the future how can the rapture happen “now”?
      RESPONSE: That’s precisely the point, all required signs that must take place prior to the rapture has all taken place. In other words, the next sign, the one we’re waiting for, is the rapture itself. After that happens, a whole cascade of prophecies and signs will begin to take place – most specifically outline in Daniel and Revelation.

      4. YOU WROTE: How could the rapture have happened in 1000AD when the fig tree wasn’t going to bud until 1948
      RESPONSE: You’re confusing what did happen with what could have happened. The prophecy concerning the fig tree was such that it could have happened AFTER the rapture. It wasn’t a sign required prior to the rapture. There is an indeterminate length of time between the rapture and the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week – during which time several things will happen, including a world crisis that will lead to the “beast from the sea” (commonly known as the “antichrist”) to rise to power – such that he can confirm a seven-year treaty with Israel (Dan. 9).

      5. YOU WROTE: Forget the ” no sign” argument unless you have the witness to back up that statement. Just give me clear, plain, concise, unambiguous scripture-two or three that the rapture can happen as you say. Thanks
      RESPONSE: You’re missing the point – and I explained it earlier. It isn’t an argument from silence at all or that no signs we necessary – but rather the signs have happened. Paul clearly expected the rapture to happen at any time – 1 Cor. 15 and 1 Thess. 4. Peter expected the same – 2 Peter 3. There are other passages that also need to be brought to bear to make a full case – and obviously, that would require an article by itself.

      My point was not to try to thoroughly convince you – but rather to show that at least there are reasonable answers to your questions.

      I don’t have the time to get into a debate over this in this particular forum – particular since there are dozens of books already in print that thoroughly deal with this issue. If you’re really interested I would first direct you to Charles Ryrie’s book on the Rapture.

  6. Awesome job! It is very sad that most Christians are not bereans, and I fear as apostasy increases there will be a shortage of biblicists. But praise God that He always has a remnant no matter how bad things become. Thank you for the time that you took to explain this issue biblically and sticking to sound doctrine! God bless!

    • Thanks, Eric, for the kind words and encrouragemet. Or disires is to ne fair, accurate and bibliical.

  7. I have read the Jonathan Cahn books. I have a financial advisor that is a Christian that has scared me till I can’t sleep about buying gold, silver because the economy is going to fail by Sept. 13, 2015 and we will all be broke(he is using the Cahn books as a reference). I am saved and believe the Lord is going to rapture us but with the way our government is in debt with nothing to back up the dollar I can see how this can happen. I have peace that the Lord will take care of the people who are under His blood but I want to be a good steward of what God has given me. I am praying the Holy Spirit will direct me to people like you that will help me to see the word of God rightly divided and not believe something stupid. There is so much in prophecy now it is confusing. I know some of these men love the Lord and feel that he has spoken to them about the future. Thank you.

    • Jo,

      Thank you for taking time to comment. I am so sorry that you are going through this.

      Never forget that the Lord is in control. It is true that things could get much worse for Americans – but not because of the false teachings concerning the Shemitah by Jonathan Cahn nor the false teachings concerning the Blood Moons by Mark Biltz and John Hagee.

      The Apostle John, in 1 John 4, tells us that perfect love casts out fear and King David said that he has never seen the righteous go hungry.

      The disciples were afraid that their boat would sink while the Lord slept and he admonished them because of their lack of faith. The issue wasn’t whether or not the boat would sink, because sometimes it does. Rather the issue was whether they were trusting him for whatever might happen to them, be it life or death.

      You can trust the Lord, through the Spirit and the Word to lead and guide you – and give you peace in the very worst of circumstances.

      May he graciously grant you that perfect peace.

      Dave

    • “I have a financial advisor that is a Christian that has scared me till I can’t sleep about buying gold, silver because the economy is going to fail by Sept. 13, 2015.”

      I will bet that economy will not fail by 13 Sept 2015 and here is why…

      Deut 15:1-6 talks about the shemitah and it entails the release of DEBTS. The stock market is money that is invested. Debts are what we owe like house and car loans, credit card debt, etc. Then there is the government debt. Both categories have increase and NEVER decreased during the times that Cahn talks about 2001 and 2008. With that said, I dont think the crash will come by 13 Sept 2015.

      If you want to add to and take away from scripture as Cahn does, and continue to be fearful, then thats up to you. However scripture shows something very different.

      Look at the scriptures and not what a man does, who takes away and adds to scripture to support this ‘mystery’ punishment.

      • Steve,

        Many times as Christians we forget that our Father God has a plan and uses all of us for his honor and glory. As a Christian who walks in FAITH, I am reminded of the verse: Matthew 6:20- But lay up yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. By FAITH: I know by reading Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

        Therefore, as a Christian, I put my trust in the Lord and not man.

        With warmest regards,

        Brenda

  8. You spoke at the Calvary Chapel South Bay Church some time back and I have some of your materials. There is a person (Gill Broussard) That is being interviewed on the web (search his name or Planet 7x on youtube). He is referencing Planet 7X and his extensive research (astronomical, archeological,historical, Biblical and other sources) relating to this incoming Planet/Comet. He states that it comes through every 350 years and has a great deal of information which ties together tightly with major events in Scripture (the flood, Tower of Babel, Sodom & Gomorah, Job, Jona…Even the Crusification and more). Have you reviewed his work and what is your take? I came across a NASA Article (posted in 1998) that references this Planet/Comet.

    2nd question, Also If you agree with his research (as facts), What verses would support a rapture sometime before… verses… sometime after The September 2015 month? Thank you in advance and I look forward to your feedback. Have a Blessed Day.

    • Harold,

      I believe you’re confusing me with someone else.

      I don’t accept all this Planet7x nonsense. This has nothing to do with Scripture.

  9. I too am overwhelmed with all of the information out there. It’s hard to know what is sound and not. I do understand going back to the Bible to find out the truth. I am not a new believer in Christ (I was saved at 13yrs and I am 51 yrs young now) however, I am fairly new at really digging deep into the bible. Thus, I bought the audio (Four Blood Moons) and when it was backed up by scripture it sounded authentic but kept remembering Math 24 and how no one does not know the time or hour. I am glad to read what scripture does really have to say about this.

    I didn’t realize where Rick Warren’s “faith” really was either. I know at our church we only use the KJV and I hesitate when I know someone relies on a different version. When reading Rick Warren’s book, I found it odd and had a “gut feeling” when he explained why Christians can read any bible and be believer’s. I do use my KJV whenever I study quoted scripture.

    Dave, with so much misleading information out there. How do you suggest me talking with my daughter about getting sound information? I get using the bible and agree but in order for her to really start this, I need something small to let her know it’s all very real. She is a science major educator and is a believer of science.

    Happy and grateful for your biblical sound words,

    Sincerely,

    Brenda

    • Hi Brenda,

      I understand your frustration. Anyone can make any idea available to millions of people with just the click of a mouse button.

      The KJV is a good translation – but can be difficult for some to read since the English is around 400 years old – which is a long time for any language.

      In my view, the NKJV and the NASB are two of the best translations for modern readers – especially young believers. The NIV is also fairly good, although it has some issues at a few points. The ESV is becoming popular, but has some translation bias toward Reformed theology.

      I recommend that every believer have 5 books on their shelf to help them.

      1. Living by the Book by Hendricks (Bible Study Methods)
      2. Basic Bible Interpretation by Zuck (Bible Interpretation)
      3. Basic Theology by Ryrie (Systematic Theology)
      4. Bible Knowledge Commentary edited by Walvoord and Zuck (based on NIV)
      5. Talk through the Bible by Wilkinson.

      I have an undergrad degree in Mechanical Engineering – so I understand coming at things from a scientific perspective – but evolution is not science according to the classical definition. It is filled with speculation, assumptions and contradictions among colleagues. Beyond that, never forget, the greatest scientific mind that exists, belongs to God, Himself.

  10. Thanks, this is very helpful.

    • I added the fifth book that I forgot to mention. Five books is a very small investment to get more grounded in the faith.

      I would suggest that Zuck’s book takes some time to digest – but well worth the effort.

      IF you have any further questions, be sure to let me know.

  11. Outstanding article Sir.

    I totally agree with what you have written out here. 2 Thessalonians 2.3 tells us that we should not be deceived because the great apostasy must come first.

    Many in the church try to convince us this the world faith falling into apostasy, but I disagree. I believe Paul was referring to those in in the faith now, will fall and it is their love that will grow cold.

    Now what event could cause faith to be ship wrecked on such a large scale!?!?!

    How about Preaching and proclaiming a false rapture happens next month and it ends up not happening!?!?!? This is my opinion and nothing more.

    In addition to telling us he did not know the time, day and hour. Jesus also said some other profound things.

    First,
    In Luke 19.13 and parable of the Minas Jesus said to do business[Occupy] until I return.

    Second,
    In Matthew 24.13 Jesus says he that endures until the end will be saved.
    This often overlooked in a rush to claim all the earthquakes we have now are a sign. 🙂

    Lastly, We need to remind people what Jesus said in Acts 1.6-7 that it is not for us to worry or know the times or epochs.

    The words times and epochs mean completely different things in the original Greek. When one has understanding of those words, then one is able to discern the meat of the word and not be deceived by what we are seeing today.

    The New Testament defines time in 2 Greek words, Chronos and Kairos.

    Chronos/time expresses the duration or lengths of the periods. We get our time from this word

    Kairos/Epoch is characterized by certain events that operate in God definition of time

    Thanks again Brother David, really great stuff.

    • Hi Scott,

      Thanks for the kind and encouraging comments.

      Also, you may want to consider my new book that covers both the Mystery of the Shemitah and the Blood Moons, which was just released this week and available at:

      http://thebereancall.com/collections/featured-in-august/products/biblical-guide-to-the-shemitah-and-the-blood-moons

      • Thank you David,
        I will take a look at your new book.

        It is very sad that many across the Body of Christ are letting this false teaching take them to places they should not go.

        A very old wise Pastor that was mentoring me several years ago made some very good observations about the powers of darkness that fit this theory.

        He said, “If anyone, but especially a professing son or daughter of God starts talking about anything related to Jesus, the Father or the Holy Spirit and it brings fear or confusion to you….dismiss it outright, because it is the devil and his crew. Remember son, God is not a God of confusion and perfect love casts out fear!”

        The Blood Moon/Feast of Trumpets theory is causing confusion and fear in the Body. Therefore, as sons and daughters of God, we should dismiss it outright and pray.

        The word does not return void! Only the Father knows the time and epoch he sends the Son for his church. We have work to do, so let us continue to occupy until the master returns.

        Thanks Again!

  12. So much confusion now exists re the 4 blood moons. This should not be. Jesus told us repeatedly to “watch,” to “watch and pray,” and a general warning to us all in Mark 13.37 ” And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

    The Lord would not have us watch for something allegorical. He tells us to watch for things we can all see. And we will all see the same things. But He also told us in Mat 24:33 ” So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”

    ALL these things ( the signs which the disciples had asked about) happening concurrently would seem to be the ultimate sign that the day of the LORD is at the door.

    Also, Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

    As we approach the rapture, none of these teachers such as
    Cahn have suggested that the signs they speak of mark the rapture. Most of them hold to the doctrine of imminency , believing that the things coming are indicators that we should be ready, and doing all we can, led by GOD, to reach the lost.

    We must all be careful brother.

    In Christ Jesus,

    Terry Nelson

    • Terry,

      I agree with the doctrine of imminency – but that means there are NO signs / prophecies that must be fulfilled prior to the rapture.

      This doesn’t mean the stage isn’t being set for the resumption of the fulfillment of prophecy.

      However, there are many things related to the teachings about the Blood Moons that do not fit the pattern of impending fulfillment.

      All that is happening is that a lot of confusion is occurring – which could cause many to not be prepared at a time when they should be watching.

      But, as I’ve stated before, we must always be watching – and ready.

      • Dear brother,

        We have a heavenly Father and an Elder Brother who love us so very much, so much that at our submission to Their eternal and perfect plan Their Holy Spirit is sent to dwell within us to equip us and empower us to do our part in the Great Commission. We serve the True and Living GOD who does not want His Blood-bought chidren to be taken by surprise by events at the end times. He knows that we will be facing circumstances and technologies and satanic strategies no other generation has had to face. Thus He has given us prophecies to make our faith solid and to make us able to trust His Word, the Holy bible.. And He has told us repeatedly to be watchful, to pay attention to what is going on in the world, to watch for His appearing, that we may be “..counted worthy ” to escape the horrors ahead. These men such as Cahn and Salus and Biltz and the late David Wilkerson are humble men and many have been brought to a saving faith by their watchfulness and boldness to speak publicly in these dark times. Be careful brother. Any way you look at it, time is short.

        • Terry,

          The Lord can certainly use anything and anyone to accomplish his will – including a barbaric Babylonian army – which probably produced some “foxhole conversions.”

          You admonish me to be careful – and I always try to be careful.

          At the same time, I would say that we need to be careful about defending the indefensible.

          Would you also tell Jonathan Cahn to be careful – since he is someone who has mishandled Scripture, misrepresented historical facts, and manipulated data/statistics all in order to build his case and support his theories – all the while failing to document most of his sources throughout The Mystery of the Shemitah, a non-fiction book.

          We all need to be careful.

          And, I fully agree that time is / could be short.

          • I am saddened to hear Jonathan Cahn more or less equated with “the barbaric Babylonian army” regarding the effect of his ministry on the salvation of the lost. Whether he is in error or not, many at our fellowship have been awakened from spiritual slumber by his ministry and not many if any will return to slumber even if the next year passes with none of the events he says might happen coming to pass. I remember well the 1988 season of hysteria and euphoria, and all that happened was that those who were truly hoping that the LORD would reveal Himself to the world that year were disappointed for a little while. No one that I know lost their faith over that. Instead, we learned to read GOD’s word with more prayer, deliberation and diligence. We grew. May the LORD shield and empower all believers here in these last days, fraught with dangers but filled with promises spoken by the Ancient of Days through the Spirit of Truth .

          • Terry,

            I didn’t equate Jonathan Cahn with the Babylonians. That was not my point. I was making the point that God is not limited by anything – and can use anything.

            I know someone who was saved while in the Mormon church – was an elder – and got saved because of some things he learned within the church. However, that doesn’t mean that I would recommend that someone go into the Mormon church just because they might hear enough to be saved.

            What you’re arguing for is pragmatism – which is something that is not found in the Word of God.

            Again, are you defending someone – and suggesting that we shouldn’t warn people who have been impacted by the mishandling of the Word of God, misrepresentation of history and manipulation of data/statistics?

            Concerning what happened in 1988 and date-setting: You may not know someone – but when Camping’s prophecies failed there were those who had sold everything – and there was at least one report of someone committing suicide. I’ve heard of some who have spent life savings on prepping supplies because of this nonsense. Prepping warehouses are running out of supplies.

            Again, I find it amazing that there are those who try to defend the indefensible.

  13. Dear David
    Thank you for having the courage to write an article in an area that will never satisfy every reader. Though I agree with some of what you have written it is inevitable that I have a different viewpoint on some issues. Please do not take this as criticism but simply an alternate viewpoint.
    To me the most critical end-time prophecy is the return of Israel to the land in 1948, thus fulfilling –“Jacob’s descendants would regain control of Israel” (Amos 9:14-15), “Israel would be brought back to life”,(Ezekiel 37:10-14), “The nation of Israel being reborn in one day” (Isaiah 66:7-8), plus (Ezekiel 37:21-22), (Jeremiah 16:14-15), (Ezekiel 4:3-6), (Ezekiel 34:13), plus others.
    If 1948 is a critical date then so is Matthew 24:34 (NASB) 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
    Some, such as the distinguished Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum view this scripture as referring to the generation of the “Tribulation”; I believe that he is incorrect and that it refers to the 1948 generation. If I am correct then Psalm 90:10 comes into play where Moses defines a generation as being 70 to 80 years which is quite remarkable since he lived to the age of 120 years. Today the world average ‘life expectancy’ is 75 years. Taking 80 as being ‘a possible’ final date for the return of Yeshua, we see that the Jewish Messiah will return no later than 2027 (or 2028 depending on how you count). That means that the Tribulation has a ‘possible final date’ of commencement as 2020. So the rapture is close. In fact if we take a 75 year generation as the correct one, then the rapture could happen this year (2015). Maybe, maybe not.
    Now the most important scripture of all – YHWH says: “These are My Appointed Times” – Leviticus 23:1-2. Why is it that we ignore the ‘appointed feasts’ of God? Can we not see that the fulfilled spring ‘Appointments’ happened exactly on the dates set by YHWH –

    Passover – Messiah’s death
    Unleavened Bread – Messiah’s burial
    First Fruits – Messiah’s resurrection
    Pentecost – The Ruach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit) given
    The unfulfilled ‘Appointments’ in order are – and likely mean:
    Trumpets – Messiah’s return for His bride (The Rapture)
    Atonement – Messiah’s second coming to earth
    Tabernacles – Messiah’s 1000 year Kingdom established
    Why do we refuse to accept that God got the ‘Appointed’ dates right (exactly), as did Daniel for the first 4 ‘Feasts’, but somehow He cannot get the last 3 right? The ‘Rapture’ may be imminent but it is imminent at the Feast of Trumpets only, it is just too obvious. Is it not strange that this is the only Feast date that occurs at the ‘New moon’ phase & thus is uncertain!
    Now as to the ‘Blood red moons’, it appears that even here many have twisted much of what has been written about this topic. The general consensus is that the tetrad represents a possible war with Israel at some point just before or after the ‘Tetrad’ sequence. The evidence being 1948 and 1967 when a Blood moon tetrad occurred and there was war in Israel around that time. I am not aware of any person saying that the ‘Blood moons’ represents the ‘Rapture’.
    Why do people so despise ‘date setters?’ Does God Himself not encourage us to search the scriptures? Does He not even say – Proverbs 25:2 (NASB) 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
    But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
    Did God not give the apostle John a special secret just for Him as recorded in Book of Revelation, and told him not to write it down? So, is God not allowed to reveal His secrets to whomever He wishes?
    I have absolutely no problem with date setters, I do however have a problem with those that are un-teachable and do not study God’s word diligently, especially today when we have every modern electronic ‘word’ such as the internet at our disposal. But ! Luke 18:8 (NASB) 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
    As to those that write many books on ‘end-times’, all I can say is read them with much discernment as there is much profit to be made for those who write these ‘Best sellers’ as sensational as they can.
    Sorry, I have rambled on a bit too much. May our Lord bless you in your writings and thank you for getting all of us to think once again on whether we have it right or not.
    Regards, Frisco

    • Frisco,

      Thanks for your kind words and thoughtful comment.

      I would point out just a couple of things because I’m up against some serious time constraints at the moment.

      1. Concerning Matthew 24, I don’t think “generation” means a human lifetime – because that has varied from an average of 900 years before the Flood, to about 100-200 after the Flood, to about 70 in Solomon’s day, to about 45 during the Dark Ages, and is climbing once again above 70 due to advances in modern medicine, overall diet, available healthcare, etc. Also, if it means a human lifetime, He said, “This generation” – which could have meant within the lifetime of that generation. Rather, in context there is a completely different way to understand it – and that is to understand it as “this particular era in God’s program” – and therefore, Jesus is simply emphasizing the fact that all these things will have taken place during the present age – and prior to the “coming of the Son of Man” to set up His kingdom.

      2. Concerning date-setting: In Acts 1:8, Jesus specifically told his disciples that it was NOT for them to know when His coming would be. Earlier he told them that “no one knows the day or the hour.” So, the Lord himself admonished his followers that it would not be revealed when he would come.

      3. Timing of the rapture and the Feast of Trumpets: Are you suggesting that the rapture cannot happen today? If so, then you run squarely into the problem “at a time when you think not” – so, dismissing an any day imminent return is a dangerous thing to do. Also, the Feast of Trumpets is for the Jews – not the church – and is very possibly connected to the Second Coming. So, unless you hold to a post-tribulation rapture, there is a problem. Furthermore, there is an indeterminate amount of time – probably relatively brief, between the rapture and the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week – the Tribulation – so, even if the Tribulation were to start at the Feast of Trumpets seven years prior to the Second Coming, this doesn’t require that the Rapture be tied to one of the feasts.

      There is much more that could be said – and much of it is in this article – and much more in my book, Biblical Guide to the Shemitah and Blood Moons.

    • Frisco,
      I have issues with date setters because it violates the Word of God and creates fear and confusion in less spiritually mature sons and daughters. If Jesus does not even know the time, why would we attempt to set a date?

      Furthermore, there is no secret “Bible code” and no “new revelation”
      2 Peter 1.20-21 makes this very clear.

      This comment is not directed towards you at all, and just an observation.

      I find most gentile churches that are deceived by the blood Moon and Shemitah teachings and are claiming the Rapture of the Church is next month have a few things in common.

      They are are teachers of the Law and teach the Law is part of salvation today. They have failed to grasp the Mosaic Law was not written for them. They do not udnerstand the 8 Bible covenants and how they relates to Israel, the Gentile Church and mankind in general. They scoff at the correct message of Truth and Grace and have very little true revelation about faith righteousness and that the Gospel is simply JESUS+NOTHING=EVERYTHING!

      It is no wonder that so many who are still bound by the Law would drink down the deception of these teachings today.

      One can only wonder the massive excuses most will have when September, October pass and they are still here scratching their heads.

      Occupy and move onward Christian brother and sister. The harvest is plentiful.

  14. David,
    Thank you for your response. I will consider and meditate on your views – thank you.
    In response, I hold to a pre-tribulation rapture viewpoint.
    In response to Scott:
    Dear Scott,
    I perceive that you are a serious ‘Berean’ and as such, perhaps you will consider the following scriptures –
    Regarding ‘date setting’ –
    Here are some biblical examples and a precedent for date/time setting;
    YHWH on the flood – Genesis 6:3 3 Then the Lord said ……… nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” YHWH then sovereignly extends the set day by 7 more days – Genesis 7:4 4 For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.” Therefore Noah knew the day.
    Daniel on ‘Messiah’s’ 1st coming – Daniel 9:25-27 25 ….. from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince [1st coming] there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks …… 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off [Messiah’s death]……. 27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week,[Tribulation] but in the middle of the week [Middle of tribulation] ……
    Based on this scripture, did Jesus expect Israel to know the date of His 1st coming and His death? Did He admonish them for not ‘date setting’? Yes He did – Matthew 16:2 2 … “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
    Paul on the rapture – 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. Since the Book of Revelation had not yet been written, is this a reference to the ‘last trumpet blast’ at the Feast of Trumpets? How can Paul know the time of the rapture?
    Jesus on His 2nd coming – In Matthew chapter 24, when asked by His disciples when would He return, Jesus gives a description of the ‘sign’ and timing of His return – Matthew 24:32-35 32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
    Regarding ‘nobody knows’ –
    Jesus came to the whole House of Israel (not to the Gentiles) offering them the ‘kingdom’. As you know they refused to believe and committed the unpardonable sin (Matthew 12:30-40) and so the ‘kingdom’ would be withheld until they repent and welcome Jesus back (Matthew 23:38-39). Remember however that Jesus did promise them the ‘sign of Jonah’ as per (Matthew 12:30-40).
    Regarding His return he told His disciples on the mount of olives – Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” He also told them in the book of Acts after the 40 days that He ministered to them about ‘the kingdom’ – Acts 1:7 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
    Well then, that settles it – Nobody knows, right? Not quite. You will recall that when Jesus was on the cross He uttered the prayer – Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. In response to this prayer, the nation is given a second chance “after the sign of Jonah” to believe upon Messiah and enter the ‘millennium kingdom’. There was still a ‘Bona-fide’ offer to Israel that is presented by Peter twice, once on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40) and a second time on the portico of Solomon (Acts 3:11-21). The offer is finally rejected at the ‘outrage of Stephen’ and his stoning at the hands of ‘Paul’.
    It is only after this incident that Paul is miraculously ‘saved’ and given the ‘mysteries’ of the church and of the rapture. How is it possible that the disciples were totally unaware of the ‘church age’ and of Gentiles coming to salvation? How is it possible that Peter is surprised that the household of Cornelius received the ‘Holy Spirit’? Why were the disciples surprised that Gentiles could be saved? How is it that Jesus spent 40 days after His resurrection teaching the disciples about the ‘kingdom’ but nothing about the ‘church age’, nothing about ‘Gentile salvation’, about the 2 000 year intervening period, about the rapture?
    Because ‘nobody knows’ (But God knew) that Israel would reject the second offer of the kingdom. How could Jesus possibly reveal the ‘church age’ to His disciples while there was a ‘bona-fide offer to the whole house of Israel still to be made and an opportunity to ‘repent and be saved’. This also explains why Peter at Pentecost quotes from the book of Joel in Acts 2:17-21. This potion of scripture refers to the end of the tribulation, the Sun turned into darkness and the Moon into blood (Not the Blood moon Tetrad), the Jewish acceptance of Messiah and His return, still far away in the future at that time. Didn’t Peter know that? Why is he quoting out of context? Because the offer was on the table as he correctly says in – Acts 2:36 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
    So, in my opinion the ‘nobody knows’ is possibly an idiom that refers to the ‘Feast of Trumpets’ or a ‘let’s first wait and see what the response is of the people of Israel to the offer of the kingdom’.
    When all is said and done, let us also remember that God is sovereign and He is able to postpone the ‘Appointed times’. Also – Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. And, Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
    Kind regards, Frisco

  15. Frisco,
    I have seen your argument in defense of date setting and many other defenses that align the same way.

    When we assign types and shadows to everything in scripture it leads us into interpretive allegory, which leads to deception.

    Interpretive allegory can also lead us into Idiom deception.

    Jesus used idioms at other times, like when he said casting a mountain into the sea.

    I recently was witness to a preacher that was consumed with allegorical interpretation to the point he was in deep deception. He was invited by a church to preach, because they were looking for a pastor. The Preacher was preaching about David and Goliath and he used allegory and idioms on most if not all of 1 Samuel 17.

    He actually got stuck on trying to give the allegorical interpretation of the lion and bear David slew and then got into real trouble attempting to do the same to the sling, the pouch and the 5 stones. What made it really bad is that he claimed God gave him the revelation of what these things mean and are.

    He circled back and tried telling us what the bear meant in the passage and a wise old elder finally shouted.

    Hey Preacher!!!! sometimes a bear and stones in the Bible…….are just a bear and are just stones. The service ended right there and should have.

    We complicate things so much by getting our minds in the way. I disagree that Jesus was using an idiom in Matt 24. I think when Jesus said he did not even know the date and hour of his return, he literally meant he did not know the date or hour. I think to suggest Jesus used an Idiom on statement, ” Nobody know the date or hour” implies or tries to imply Jesus was a liar. You may think that is harsh, but Jesus was plain spoken.

    The word makes it plain and easy for us to know when Jesus was using direct words, figurative speech, a parable, or an idiom.

    I do not suspect Jesus was using idioms in Acts 1.4-6. I find it interesting that Jesus said the religious of his day were always looking for a sign. It would seem we have many religious in this day, looking for a sign.

    Occupy Frisco. That is the command.

  16. I would like to add this piece of scripture as well to the above conversation.

    1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

    • Brenda,

      Thanks for your comment.

      And the fact is, that nothing in recent memory that has caused more confusion and division within the conservative evangelical community than this, which began with The Harbinger in 2012 (even though the Blood Moon Tetrad issue began earlier with Mark Biltz (Hebrew Roots Movement) and Cahn’s (Messianic Judaism) teachings prior to the publication of his first book.

  17. Thank you Brenda and great comment!

  18. Dave,

    Have you heard any valid confirmations that Celebrity Christians that are propagating the Blood Moons/Shemitah/destroyer Comet/September 2015 Rapture are now subtly starting to change their predictions?

    I am asking because down in our area, I am seeing many every day pastors who got caught up in this nonsense and started preaching it, are now starting to change their tune.

    These few Pastors I know and still love only change their tune, when the leaders of the nonsense change.

    Also to your knowledge are Paul Begley and Renee Moses still active in these teachings?

    The Apostle Paul said that a great falling away would have to happen first. Only my opinion here, but if there is anything to next month, it could be first wave of the great falling away.

    Thank you for being a defender of the Word!

    • Scott, I haven’t heard any backtracking, yet – but it doesn’t surprise me that some are moderating their rhetoric.

      I’m not familiar with those you mentioned.

    • So the back-pedaling is beginning already, is it? Interesting.

      Since the whole blood moons/Shemita thing came to my attention a few years ago, I’ve had this one nagging thought coming at me again and again when I’m thinking about the subject: I just can’t get over the notion that The Lord is going to let the tetrad, the Shemita, and all the “big events” of September 2015 blow by without so much as a “ka-boink”. Maybe it’s just me being cynical about the level of “scholarship” amongst most popular Christian writers making big money these days, maybe not.

      Then again, He did say “…at a time when you think not…”, so I’m assuming the rapture won’t be postponed just to wean poorly-taught Christians from poor teaching. (Actually, the rapture itself would do that.)

  19. Gosh David,

    Any first year student in Hebrew could read this line, its from right to left:

    לִ מְ א רֹתהָ יוְ הָ יוְ ָ נִ ילְ יָמִ ילְ מ עֲדִ ילְ אֹוְ הָ יבֵ י’הַ 1ָ יְ לָ

    And-he-is- saying-Elohim, he-shall become luminaries-in atmosphere-of-the heavens-to-to separate-of between the day and of between the night and they-become for signs and for appointments for-days and years.
    The transliteration of l·athth: is “signs”, and for u·l·muodim its (Divine)”appointments”

    The Divine signals are to taken as omens by God’s people, or Heavenly warnings, tokens, ensigns, or as Divine proof, without distinction, whether miraculous or natural, in the original Hebrew language of the Torah.
    Yes it’s horrendously saddening that see that Rabbinical Judaism don’t do prophecy anymore, but they do Tractates and they do them very well. And one the very greatest lessons they taught us, was that God is Trackable. It’s so very wonderful knowing this, that we can track Him, and that, what has happened before, will happen again.
    When in all of this world’s long history has God ever done anything without first warning us? Never once!

    Yahweh (blessed be His Holy name) is oh so good, and unfailingly merciful: He never sneaks up behind anyone as its simply not His manner to do so-ever! In fact, I still think He’s way too nice to humans and even His angels too.
    I don’t believe it was a waste of parchment for some Amanuesis to record the most Holy words of His saying “I have declared the end from the beginning…”

    This is the very reason why all of the appointments, the times and seasons and divine signals are all marked in indelible ink on the astronomical heavens which are also noted on the calendar the Lord of Glory as shown in His Word for all to see them.
    And as if that was good enough: God has withheld nothing from the chronically amnesiacal mankind, but He also sends His prophets to remind them periodically as it is written Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets.” ( Amos 3:7)

    Sure,some might argue “what about the great Mystery of the Church-that surelly did qualify as one of God’s greatest secrets, right?”
    Yes, Paul certainly did say that “it was not made known to the sons of men”, but as for the “Mystery of the Church, that it was “keep secret since the world began!”
    But was it really?
    Well, back in my day, when I was a little child, my grandmother Anna used to give us kid a right hiding on our sitdowns.
    Oh, she gave us that eye, and then she threatened us, for days, and letting us know in no uncertain terms it was coming… and then it did!
    Well, God did the very same to His people Israel.

    How many times, and in how many ways, did God warn His people Israel over and over again, since you have provoked my anger with your useless idols. Now I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a people; I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles, and the prophet Isaiah was very bold: “I was found of them that sought me not; I was found by those who were not looking for Me..and to a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.”
    that brother David, was The Church!!
    So if you live in Israel, don’t tell any Israelie “I got the Holy Spirit”, and they would heave a sight of outright coveteousness… what?, oh no!”
    They are so jealous of Christians they could spit, and when I had a flat there In Jerusalem, all Christians were strictly forbidden to even enter our building, much less our home. JEALOUS!!

    So what am I driving at with all this? its that God is trackable and He’s not hiding anything of what He plans to do from anybody whatsoever?
    But its as one brother so wisely put it, “But its for the righteous who goes farther!”

    • There is so much wrong with this that it’s difficult to know where to start – so I will just deal with the matter of Genesis 1:14.

      This is NOT about signs of judgments using solar and lunar cycles – but about setting the calendar for Israel (and only Israel) to worship God on His feast days – which began to be revealed in Exodus 12. That’s it.

      All the signs in nature that God performed when he used nature were ALWAYS miraculous. Examples: The Flood, the Tower of Babel, the plagues of Egypt, Joshua’s long day, Hezekiah’s steps, the virgin birth, the axe head floating on the water, the water changed to wine, Jesus walking on the water. And finally, the sun being darkened and the moon turning to blood in Joel 2, Matthew 24, Acts 2 and Revelation 6 – which are all clearly supernatural events and not eclipses because in these passages these things are happen simultaneously while solar and lunar eclipses can only occur about 14.5 days apart.

      • we will soon know. Is it really wise to be in such intense, vociferous discord with one another right now, as we are seeing the signs of the times, all of them either beginning or in full bloom ? May the LORD give us the same sweet spirit my mom had as she left this earth two hours ago. She is absent from the body and now present with the LORD. Praise the name of Jesus. Shame on us all for being so quick to condemn one another. I am ashamed for my part in all of this “debate” and have asked the LORD to forgive me. I likely will have no more to say.

        • Terry,

          So sorry to hear about your loss – but we rejoice in the knowledge of a believer entering the Lord’s presence.

  20. Well it looks like another false prophecy has come and gone. Maybe now, more people will be focused on God’s word than on foolish date setting by so called bible teachers that think they can figure out God. The Lord said clearly in his word that no one knows the day nor the hour. All one needs to do is just put their faith and trust in God and on his word.

  21. This season of uncertainty has not come and gone. It is just starting. Then 4 blood moon thing which you seem to be so sure is a false prophecy is a season, not a specific date. None of the men I have been listening to ( Biltz, Cahn,etc. ) could be called date setters. They are date watchers, with warnings given to watch carefully and prayerfully. They give more admonition and encouragement to pray than you do. Their clear advice to all is for us to first make sure that our lives are being lived in true obedience and holiness. I pray that your attitude towards these men will change. They hold no hardness of heart towards you. They knew these dates could pass without any of the events which could have happened coming to pass. They knew the naysayers would be quick to say “I told you so…” And now, even when this season of prophetic significance is barely started, the naysayers are going after them like sharks in a feeding frenzy.

    • Terry,

      Thanks for your comment and admonition. I understand where you’re coming from and the way you are thinking about this.

      However, I believe you’re mistaken in your assessment of the situation.

      Jonathan Cahn and Mark Biltz have engaged in what I have termed “non-date-setting date-setting, and I’m certainly not the first or only one to understand that this is precisely what they have been doing for years – and there is no end in sight.

      When you talk about naysayers, the majority of them are not skeptics, mockers or scoffers, but rather conservative, Bible-believing born-again Christians who rightly understand what they have been doing all this time – and now see them continuing to try to back-peddle enough to not be accused of being false prophets and teachers whose failed predictions join those of every other false teacher in throughout history.

      Jonathan Cahn’s book, The Mystery of the Shemitah is built entirely on the idea that the stock market crashes in 2001 and 2008 were directly connected to the Shemitah, which biblically they absolutely were not – so that by itself is completely unbiblical false teaching. Furthermore, this book and dozens upon dozens of interviews were built entirely on extrapolating those two stock market crashes (which weren’t even in the top 10 in terms of percentage) and pointing to September 13-14 of this year as the date for the next crash – which did not happen. Of course, he was smart enough to issue disclaimers – but then he went on and on about how this could be it. It’s no different than trying to sell a product with claimed tremendous health benefits, and including a fine-print disclaimer that “This product and these claims have not been approved by the FDA or independent research.” Yes, the disclaimer is there, but it is lost in the midst of the overwhelmingly loud claims that, as John Hagee put it, “Something is about to change.”

      Mark Biltz started teaching about his discovery of the Blood Moons in the Spring of 2008 – and was saying that the Tribulation could very well start in the Fall of that year – seven years prior to 2014-2015 with this “blood moon tetrad” that has now passed. Then, one year ago, on the Jim Bakker program, Biltz said, “I believe we have one year to prepare [for the Tribulation]” – and then he said that if the Tribulation doesn’t start this September that it can’t start for seven years. Well, if it doesn’t start today, according to what Biltz said, then he has gone on record as saying that the Tribulation [and therefore necessarily the Rapture] CANNOT happen until at least 2022.

      The subtitle of Hagee’s book is “Something is about to change.” Well, yes, it will – but it has not happened within the time frame he has been suggesting – because both he and Biltz have cited the blood moon tetrads of 1493-1494 and 1949-1950 – both of which happened AFTER the world-changing events. So, here we are AFTER even the blood moons and nothing has happened.

      This is some of the most irresponsible teaching that has occurred in our generation – and far, far exceeds the effect of Harold Camping’s and David Wilkerson’s failed predictions because of the sheer magnitude of their influence upon multiple millions of people. And yet, they have their defenders and supporters who try to defend the indefensible.

      Could something happen somewhere within this “season” as you put it? Yes, of course. However, it has NOTHING at all to do with what these men are saying – because it is completely and utterly unbiblical at its core.

    • Anytime any Messianic Jew attempts to place any Gentile Christian under fear of Judgement and use Mosaic Laws, Traditions, Feasts or other things related to Mosaic law as leverage you should walk away.

      The Bible clearly teaches that we are not under the law, not under judgement, we are under Grace.

      Most if not all those Gentiles who get caught up in the recent false teachings, have very little to zero understanding about the New Covenant, Grace and Faith Based Righteousness. If they did, then Biltz, Cahn, and Hagee would be a non issue for them.

      Jesus, Paul and Peter told us to look for signs of the last days in the church, not at the moon.

      I also agree with Dave, Cahn & Biltz and few others are non date, date setters.

      I have a fellow Pastor friend that is so overtaken by this fraud, he started preaching rapture in September back in January. When nothing happened the last few weeks, he latched onto another false teaching. It is called the 3 harvest Rapture. The Barely, wheat and grape raptures. He latched onto this to hedge his teaching on the blood moon, shemitah, rapture in September false teaching.

      He has been directly influenced by Hagee, Bakker, Cahn, Biltz, Renee Moses and Paul Begley

      He is having a rapture tarrying service tonight at his mid-week service. They will start church at 6PM with a meal and then wait for Jesus to come back and pray until midnight tonight. He made claims all along that if nothing happens, he will have to go back and find out where he went wrong. His faith wont be moved, yet his pride won’t allow that either.

      He is already showing visible signs of concern. although he tries to hide it. His pride is goign to end him.

      It should not be surprise to anyone that this guy has always preached sin consciousness, the Law, works based conditional salvation and righteousness.

      He is not alone. This is a direct result of 2 things: The men you claim are innocent & this man’s lack of Biblical knowledge.

      His associate pastor expressed many major concerns to me about all this months ago, but fell into the same trap. Why?, Proverbs 29.12 says:

      If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
      All his ministers become wicked.

      • Scott,

        Thanks for you comments – and I agree completely with one qualification.

        Although I disagree with some of foundational premises of Messianic Judaism, to be fair, Jonathan Cahn is not trying to put Gentiles under the Law. Mark Biltz, however, definitely is.

        Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Roots form a spectrum of beliefs from generally biblical and evangelical to entirely heretical – so we have to deal with each person’s teachings individually rather than with broad brushstrokes.

        • Thank you for the comments Dave and correcting my mistake.

  22. GOD is long suffering. There have been many who have prayed earnestly and fervently for our nation during the past few weeks primarily due to the unusual popularity of the books and teaching you label with remarkable unkindness. You say “… Could something happen somewhere within this “season” as you put it? Yes, of course. However, it has NOTHING at all to do with what these men are saying – because it is completely and utterly unbiblical at its core…” In effect you are saying that even if these men are right, they are STILL wrong. I guess you have determined that no matter what, they are wrong. But they still continue preaching the gospel of salvation through the atonement. I wonder what Paul would have thought of these men ??? Paul seemed to be happy whenever the gospel was being preached.

    I pray you may divert your righteous indignation towards those men (and women) who are truly apostate rather than besmirch the names of men who preach salvation through Christ alone, in Christ alone, obedience, holy living, and the perhaps ( probable? ) soon return of our LORD, Jesus the JEW, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the SON of the True and Living GOD who must answer to no one.

    • No, Terry, I didn’t say if they are right they are still wrong. I said that if something happens, that doesn’t mean they are right. There is a big difference between the two.

      I believe in an imminent pre-tribulational rapture – so anything could happen at any time – just as the rapture could have happened on the dates given by Harold Camping in 2012. If the rapture had occurred on this dates that would not have meant at all that Camping was right. Even a broken clock shows the right time twice a day – but that doesn’t mean the clock is working just because you happen to look at it at the moment that the time it shows is the actual time.

      I think you will have a very, very difficult time finding anywhere that these men have clearly given the gospel in all of their many interviews and books. Cahn has done it in written form in his follow-up companion book to The Harbinger in one place. Beyond this, they all call for a generic repentance – but never give specifics about how to be saved. That is not preaching salvation through Christ alone – because the gospel just isn’t there 99.9% of the time.

  23. I have heard Cahn give a clear call to repentance several times. There is no point in continuing this dialogue. Jesus is coming soon. Too many people whose lives touch mine still need to hear the gospel. Goodbye and may the LORD lead us both.

    • The problem, Terry, is that you won’t face the truth.

      Of course Cahn talks about repentance continually – but repentance means “to turn” – and he almost never tells anyone how to turn, why they should turn, what will be the results of turning, or to whom to turn.

      I have yet to hear him once clearly give the gospel that Jesus is God in the flesh, that He died in our place for our sins, taking the punishment we deserve and that he arose again from the grave on the third day – and that forgiveness of sin and eternal life is available as a free gift to all who turn to him (i.e., repent) in faith and trust for salvation.

      If you can’t find him saying that, then he is not giving the gospel, or presenting the way of salvation in Christ no matter how many times he uses the word “repent.”

      So, please, point me to one of his interviews with a national / semi-national audience when he ever clearly gives the gospel – and if you’re successful in finding just one, look for just one more. I don’t think you’ll find it.

      99.9% of the time a viewer or listener or reader would have no idea about how or why they should be saved even though he calls for repentance all the time.

      Without giving the gospel – all calls to repentance are generic – and involve a generic, nameless, faceless god of civil religion, much like the one promoted by Franklin and the other Founding Fathers.

  24. I bow my knees to the Truth.

    Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

    too generic ???

    May the LORD help us to fully grasp the following verse:

    Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

    Goodbye and may the LORD lead us both .

    • Either you completely missed or ignored the point – and in the case of Jesus’ message, that was hardly all he said about the matter. And even if it had been, the Jews, because they were all brought up with religious instruction from childhood, knew exactly what he meant.

      However, we both know that is not the case at all in 21st century America.

      The offer still stands for you to produce a link to a video of Cahn on a national platform, giving anything approaching the gospel of Jesus Christ such that someone who doesn’t know the gospel would understand how to be saved.

      You referenced the many people that you have contact with that need to be saved. So, when you tell them to “repent” – if you don’t share the gospel fully (which takes only a couple of minutes), do you expect that they will actually be saved.

      You would have a far easier time of thinking through this if you weren’t trying to defend the indefensible.

  25. Dave,
    Correct me if I am wrong, but I have never heard Bakker , Cahn or Biltz talk about repenting based on salvation, but repent because you are being judged or that judgement is coming.

    I guess sharing the nearly to good to be true Gospel that it is JESUS+NOTHING=EVERYTHING, might put a rather large dent in emergency food and book sales.

    • Scott – yes you are correct. Anyone can search and search and they will likely search in vain for a simple, clear, two minute gospel presentation.

      These men pound the pulpit – and now after their failed predictions are pounding it harder than ever – preaching “REPENT!”

      However, they NEVER explain what they mean. Yes, they might mention Jesus/Yeshua – but they never explain what they mean – at least not 99% of the time.

      They are preaching a generic repentance to a generic god of civil religion – which is exactly what happens when you think God is dealing with America like he did ancient Israel.

      They have created a theological wasteland that has no resemblance to Scripture.

      It occurred to me this morning as I’m preparing for an interview later today, that they are like storm clouds without water.

      And then when you add the Bakker circus and sideshow – with survival products sitting in front of these men, they join the ranks of charlatans hawking their wares on an infommercial.

      It is disgraceful.

      And, this doesn’t mean that I don’t believe we could be nearing the end of the present age and close to the return of Christ for his church.

      When one considers the events of even the last few days – with the Palestinian flag going up at the U.N. – with Abbas effectively declaring the Oslo accords null and void – with Netanyahu’s deafening minute of silence at the U.N. – with Obama’s disgraceful speech at the U.N. – with Magog, Persia, Cush, Syria and others amassing troops near Israel’s border paralleling Ezekiel 38 – it is clear that the stage is becoming ever more ready for the final curtain to rise.

      So, with these national and international platforms they need to be giving the clear gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ / Yeshua HaMashiach – that He is the Son of God, God-in-the-flesh – that He died for our sins, in our place – taking the punishment that we deserve for our sin against a holy God – that his death as the sacrifice for our sin provides the sure hope of forgiveness and that his resurrection provides the sure hope and certainty of eternal life for all who repent, believe and trust in him alone for salvation – and that failure to do so will ultimately result in spending eternity separated from God in the Lake of Fire.

      It’s that simple – it’s that powerful – and it’s that crucial.

      It takes 1-2 minutes maximum – but they are not saying it.

      I know that some of their strongest supporters are following this thread and it is my hope that they will go to Cahn, Biltz and others and tell them to stop their foolishness and mishandling of Scripture, history and data to promote false theories and to use their national platforms to proclaim Christ alone rather than a generic repentance that ultimately means nothing to the vast majority of Americans who don’t even understand what that means.

      However, as soon as they begin doing that it is almost 100% certain that they will lose those same platforms.

      Is anyone out there listening?

  26. Four BLOOD MOONS and Two SOLAR ECLIPSES on GOD‘S MARKED DAYS 2014 through to 2015

    Another End-of-the-World Prophecy?
    You might have heard that the lunar eclipse on September 28, 2015 completed a series of six “Signs in the Sky”.

    Will it have an effect on your life that a tetrad of four total lunar eclipses (Blood Moon) and two solar eclipses (Black Sun) aligned with significant Set-Apart (i.e. holy) dates of YHVH , the Eternal ONE in 2014 through to 2015?

    Many are convinced that this is not a coincidence, but that these eclipse clusters will turn out to be very significant harbingers of things to come.

    The Talmud (a book of tradition and interpretation) suggests that:
    1. When the MOON is in ECLIPSE, it is a “bad omen for Israel”.
    2. When the MOON’S FACE IS RED AS BLOOD, it is “a bad omen for Jews and the nation of Israel”.
    3. A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE indicates judgment to the Gentile nations, “as a sword coming to the world.”

    Notice: All 4 total lunar eclipses are visible from most of the United States of America. Only the super full blood moon on 28 September 2015 is visible in the Middle East and the State of Israel.

    However, the last lunar eclipse on 28 September 2015 should not be identified as the apocalyptic blood moon described in Scripture passages like Revelation 6:12-17. These eclipses are not the cosmic signs of the 6th seal of the Book of Revelation in the Bible!

    The ‘Signs in the Sky’ in 2014 and 2015 are harmless Foreshadows, as a Warning, pointing to the Big, Earth and Heaven shaking Events which will occur at some stage during the “Day of YHVH” in 2017.

    They carry a significant message for those who have an ear to hear. Jesus (Yahshua) foretold that powerful prophecies would smite a clueless and unprepared world. There is a timeline and an exact order of prophetic events before “the Battle of Armageddon” and Christ’s Return. But understand. When these final events arrive, it will already be too late for you to heed Yahshua Messiah’s words.

    For HIS watchful children YHVH’s finger writing in the sky stresses the dire necessity…
    For further information regarding the “Signs in the Sky” & “GOD’S MARK” please go to e.g.: http://issuu.com/eli.yah/docs/blood_moons_on__gods__marked__days_

    • Eli Yah,

      There is not a single biblical reason to think that this eclipses had any significance whatsoever. Without a biblical basis you are only guessing at worse.

      This was actually the 8th since the first century – nothing at all happened in connection with the first 4. The next two were AFTER the fact and therefore were not signs. The 67 was happened after the first of four eclipses so what about the three.

      As far as them being signs to Israel, the first three were not visible from Israel so they meant nothing.

      The solar eclipse was visible in only a very small sliver of an extremely sparsely populated cluster of small islands in the far north Atlantic – hardly a sign to the Gentile nations.

      Beyond this, the Talmud has no authority whatsoever – and was it was rabbinic tradition that largely led to the nation of Israel missing her Messiah, when even the astronomers from the east who had access to nothing but the Hebrew Scriptures are the ones who actually had it right.

      The only “writing in the sky” by the “finger of YHVH” that has EVER had any significance whatsoever throughout the entire history of the world was when it involved a supernatural event – and these eclipses, which are bound to happen occasionally because Israel is on a lunar/solar calendar has no significance except or Israel keeping the feast days and the harvests at the appointed times. Since Christ fulfilled the law and Israel rejected their Messiah, even these feasts of God have no meaning whatsoever until God begins dealing with the nation of Israel once again when God’s clock for Israel starts again with the signing of the covenant of Daniel 9:27 and the last of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy begins.

      So, unfortunately, virtually everything you have included is speculation at best and utterly unbiblical at worst.

      It’s no wonder that books like The Harbinger, The Blood Moons and other date-setting type books sell in the millions to people who have little knowledge of how to handle the Word of God correctly.

      It is a tragedy and a travesty – and is one reason why the world does nothing but deride Christians and their consistent record of failed predictions.

  27. As a former Orthodox, then Conservative trained rabbi (teacher of Judaism), now disciple of Jesus, I have been asked to be a Jewish Advisor for a denomination. My job has been to provide advice re: many topics you have covered in several articles: Muslim Dreams, Shmitah, Moon Triads, to list a few. Without exception, my answers, though not as thorough as yours, have all matched your own Mr. James. I have been given the title of UnOrthodox Rabbi because even though I share the facts about Jews and Judaism, I do NOT encourage Nochri (“Non-Jews”) to observe any of the feasts, fasts, or Festivals either man-made (Talmudic) or GoD’s Appointments. I believe they have no purpose for anything except to reveal what (if any) have anything to do with Israel’s TRUE Messiah. My only complaint here is: why do so many of you have anger even anger against Messianic Jews? I am a Jew by culture but am Christian by faith. So what’s the problem?

    • Thanks for your comments.

      I trust you weren’t suggesting that I’m angry with Messianic Jews – that is not the case. Although I think they are misguided in some areas – as you have suggested.

  28. I would like to quickly point out that because I didn’t support the reports of Muslim Dreams, the Moon Triads nor did I encourage my pastor’s decision to bring “rabbi Con” (Jonathan Cahn), to our church as a guest speaker, my role as Advisor has been terminated.
    I wish I could’ve used your arguments Mr. James, however, when I started using GoD’s Revealed Words (the Bible) as the source of my words of caution followed by arguments from a Jewish POV, it was clear my days were numbered. Therefore I stand beside you in battle.