THE ‘YEAR OF RELEASE’ IS THE SPIRIT OF JESUS

THE ‘YEAR OF RELEASE’ IS THE SPIRIT OF JESUS

(19) “Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. (20) The beasts of the field will honour Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.” (Isaiah 43:19-20)

Ezra – Instilling The Law

When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.” (Deuteronomy 31:11-13, BSB) From this verse we see from the very earliest of times, under the leadership of Moses that Israel as an emerging nation was instructed to come before God and to be read the Law by the priest. This reading was every 7th Sabbatical year know as the Year of Release. Many years later, in the book of Nehemiah we see the practice of coming before God continued as the Priest Ezra, is burdened with instilling the sacred Law of God in the minds of the dispossessed returning Jews. “At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate” (Ezra 7:10, BSB). Since the time of Moses the people knew the requirement to be read the Torah law. “…and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.” (Nehemiah 8:1, BSB)

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.“ (Ezra 7:10, BSB). Ezra, a descendant of Aaron was one of the priesthood, a scribe and teacher of the law. During his time in exile he had the favour of God bestowed upon him to come before King Artaxerxes, his counsellors and power officials of Persia. Ezra was a studious elder and had a volition to advance the teachings of the Torah Law. As soon as he returned to Jerusalem he set about executing what God had willed him to do. Ezra’s response was to begin the restorative work of healing in the people. It was a Spirit-led burden that rested upon Ezra to restore Israel back to a covenant relationship with God. Therefore diligently he set about teaching the people the requirements of the Law.

A wooden platform was placed before the Water Gate in the square and Ezra stood on it to be raised up amongst the people as the Book of the Law was read. This high structure is called a ‘bimah’. The ’bimah’ (Strong’s 998’) is a Hebrew word which has a numerical value of 67. As I thought about the number 67 I was enlightened to the single digit of 6 being of sinfulness and the digit 7 being one of the perfect set of numbers. Since the number 7 has featured in all aspects of this end time prophetic call, I can qualify that we are in the perfect and complete season to see a global move of God for repentance and salvation under this strategic prophetic healing mantle. If we look at 6 x 10 being 60, the number 10 is a new order so we can deduce that 6 being sinfulness is a reference to 60 being a new order of evil upon our world. The Spirit of Jesus is the healing flow from the tabernacle that will raise up sinful fallen men as the reviving Word is ministered to the weary, displaced hearts of the thirsty people.

’Bimah’ has a meaning of wisdom and understanding. The NASN Translation gives further meanings of ‘discernment and truth’. In synagogues across the world, the ‘bimah’ is the platform from which the Torah (Word) is read. Behind this raised platform there is a cabinet (symbolic of the ark) where the Torah scrolls are kept. A lamp hangs above the cabinet. These are all depictions of the Mosaic Tabernacle placed in global synagogues. We can extrapolate from these references that the Word when read in the ears of the people raises them to a position of enlightenment to search for understanding, wisdom and truth. The Word is Truth and its superior knowledge of our sinful hearts reveals the hidden nuances we harbour. Like the lamp over the cabinet, the Spirit of Light, a reference to discernment is shone into our being. The Spirit of Jesus was the encapsulation of the Mosaic Tabernacle bringing life into the letter of the written law and its artefacts and ceremonial practices. These observances and symbolisms remained for a time, signalling the prophecy of our Lord’s New Covenant, yet to come. The time came when a new and better Covenant brought the Testimony of Jesus into the tabernacle of fleshy hearts. The Word now resides in earthen vessels to raise up fallen men in the presence of our Lord. The higher platform of grace would supersede all that represented the now obsolete Mosaic Order.

The Water Gate

It is thought that the water gate was so called because of the Gihon Springs, the only source of fresh water in Jerusalem, located nearby. (Nehemiah 3:26). I get so excited about water as it represents the Spirit of Life. Since entering into the decade of ‘pey’ 5780, the decade of the mouth, many of my dreams and Spirit-inspired thoughts pertains to the healing flow trickling from under the threshold of the Tabernacle. Strong’s Hebrew (4670). ‘miphtan’ interprets ‘threshold’. The temple threshold speaks of power – there is a ‘release’ of the power as one steps over into the threshold of grace. Jesus said, ‘I am the door of life’. It is one thing to stand on the threshold of an open door but to step into the tabernacle of power is the ultimate experience.

The 13th Hebrew letter of the alphabet is ‘Mem’, with a meaning of ‘King of Water’. In Hebraic religious writings, this letter ’Mem’ is also known as the name of God ‘Makom’, meaning ‘the place’. “When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.” (Deuteronomy 31:11-13, BSB) ‘Mem’ has a numerical value of 40. Forty is typically a reference to a period of time ending and the beginning of another period. Therefore, forty signals a distinct difference between two periods.

We understand the Spirit of Life is Jesus the source of the Living Water. There can be no life form without water. Equally there can be no spiritual life without having an experience with the source of the Living Water – Jesus. From this understanding I can extrapolate a spiritual meaning from the references above of the Water Gate. The scriptural meaning of water is the Word of Truth. “to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,” (Hebrews 5:26, BSB). The square was the place where Yahweh ‘Makom’ met with His people. The King of Water would wash and make the erring people whole through His decrees and guiding principles. The Word brings a refreshing to abate one’s thirst for the Living Water. We have entered into the prophetic season of the number 7, a time of completion and fulfilment. We are moving into a New Order. A season of the New Pentecost outpouring. A distinction is now being made as the Old Order gives way to the ‘Release’ for this time.

Nehemiah – Rebuilding Jerusalem’s Walls

Nehemiah was King Artaxerxes’ cupbearer and he was burdened to return to Jerusalem, He was in a favoured position in the royal house to ask permission to return to Jerusalem, where his people began to make their journeys home from being in exile. Under contrition he prayed a prayer of forgiveness for himself and his people. After seeking God’s help concerning what he had heard about the state of Jerusalem, he was granted favour by God to ask the King for assistance. His petition to return home was granted and approval for resources to the rebuilding work from the King was given. On returning to Jerusalem he set about to survey the damage done to the walls, the security of the city. A national collective response was employed by the returning leaders of Israel to restore and settle the people in their land. Even with opposition levelled against these priests and elders of Israel, collectively they proceeded with all aspects of the national resettlement project. The elders who saw the glory of the temple before their captivity, wept at such an emotional experience to witness the foundations being laid for the restoration of the temple.

Restoration of the Living Sanctuary

“At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate” (Ezra 7:10, BSB). Jesus is at the centre of everything pertaining to the tabernacle/sanctuary. In the above verse we see the people would gather in the square before the Water Gate. From my research the Water Gate is associated with the Festival of Tabernacle (Sukkot). The Living Water poured forth from Jesus’ mouth at this annual Feast of Tabernacle in Jerusalem as He announced, “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. (38) Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’ ” (John 7:37-38, BSB). His announcement was the promise of the Living Flow that would bubble and churn in the hearts of jars of clay. There is a river of life flowing out of our LORD that makes glad the city of God. The Spirit of Life is with us and because He Lives we can live. “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him. For this end time it is like the winter snows” (Isaiah 47:9, BSB). ‘Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Do its cool waters from distant sources ever stop flowing?’ (Jeremiah 18:14,NIV) This perpetual living flow is the Spirit of Jesus.

There can be no decay or death in the Living One. Jesus is the essence of life, mantled with the power to heal the sick, raise the dead and set men free from the captivity of sin. The tenacious nature of sin is destructive and ruinous to hold onto a soul and bring men under an unbreakable stronghold. It is a futile struggle as they come under ensnarement to a strong spiritual bondage. Outside of our Saviour there is no remedy for sin. There is healing for man’s sin sick soul as the river of life, a transforming flow will pour out of everyone that will come to the waters. “The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus. (Isaiah 35:7, BSB). This verse speaks of spiritual transformation and hope. The screech owls, jackals and night creatures, represents the base nature of men’s works of darkness, They can no longer dominate the spiritual environments of life. The visceral self, the elementary nature of our being will come under the power of the vivifying Spirit. The invitation is to come and be restored and made whole in the Living Flow.

The Year of Release

Biblically sound grounding principles would govern Israel, inheritors and custodians of the Law. Over the intervening years since leaving captivity in Egypt under Moses, periodically Israel continued to come under foreign rule. The sins of the people was a consequence of their exilic experiences. They continued to indulge their hearts to idol worship. A weak disposition to love the giving of themselves to foreign gods was a detestable practice in the eyes of God. In a covenant relationship both parties are required to abide by the legally binding covenant. Yet God would continue to keep covenant with His erring people, choosing to meet with man as He did in Creation at a place of His choice.

The ‘Year of Release’ would be the means by which the people could be restored as grace would be afforded them. The 7th month, Tishri in the Jewish civil calendar was called Ethanim under the religious ecclesiastic calendar. “On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.” (Nehemiah 8:2, BSB). On the 10th day of Tishri, the Holy Day of Yom Kippur is observed, having significance to the time when the Torah Law was given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai. Moses’ descent from the mountain was met with a gross departure from holiness by the people as they worshipped a golden calf. This rejection of the Torah Word was a slighting towards Jesus by the people. “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD.” (Leviticus 23:27, BSB) The Jewish people entered into a fast for a 25 hour period ending the 10 Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. During these High Holy Days the people consecrated themselves by self introspection and repenting in contrition for personal and collective sins.

My spirit is here being fed that we are in the season of a repeat of the holy gathering of the people before the Lord. I was led in my spirit to research the next ‘Year of Release’. The ‘Year of Release’ is associated with every 7th Sabbatical Year. According to the Jewish Calendar, Rosh Hashanah 5782 (2022) is the start of the ‘Year of Release’. The ‘Year of Release’ (Shmita), pertains to the Feast of Tabernacle (Sukkot). “And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, (11) when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.” (Deuteronomy 31:10-11, NKJV)

After Yom Kippur It would be five days later that the Festival of Tabernacle (Sukkot) would begin for seven days. It was at this Feast that Jesus stood up and blast the verbal shofar of the Invitation to ‘Come and Drink of Me’. “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. (38) Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him. ” (John 7:37-38, BSB). ‘Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures and a great number of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh; so wherever the river flows, everything will flourish.‘ (Ezekiel 47:9). At this agricultural feast the people would bring in their first fruits as an offering of sacrifice. The ‘Year of Release’ was the year when the people would be read the Law by the Priest.

Although the practice is celebrated in Judaism, I gleaned from what I was receiving in my spirit that as we course towards the ‘Year of Release’. There is a spiritual significance unfolding as we enter the next season of Sukkot 5782. (2022). The healing mantle for the hurting displaced world has been stirred in this Pentecost /Shavuot 2021 season as the Invitation to ‘Come, Drink of Me’ according to John 7:37, gathers pace. The ‘Come With Me ‘ Invitation is now to be announced to the nations and the ‘Persecuted Church’. People who are not yet of this fold but are longing for God’s intervention in their suffering for the Testimony of Jesus, will be first, grateful recipients of what is unfolding. These persecuted christians are proliferated across nations, blanketed under different names and groups. The outpouring of the Spirit of a New Pentecost will bring them under the banner of God’s love. Those who are dispirited, languishing and thirsty in the Arabah basins of our world will gather in a proverbial ‘global square at the Water Gate’ for the outpouring of the Spirit. They will be read the Word and ministered to by Jesus, the Living Word.

I announce that the whole earth shall appear before the Lord in this dry season. The Water Gate in the square where Israel met before Ezra can be likened to the source of the imminent refreshing flow from under the sanctuary, to pour out onto the spiritually languishing people desiring to drink of the living water. The Spirit will refresh the thirst for worship in the people. In this end time the living water that will flow from the altar under the threshold of the tabernacle will burst the banks of religion, a spirit that blocks entering into the flow to abate the thirst and release the captives in the salty Arabah basins. A spirit that rejects the moves of God by rejecting His chosen servants. The religious spirit that rejects the Sabbatical 7th Year Release, a time of the Lord’s favour. (Isaiah 61) by resisting and muzzling the prophets with the end time message of healing and hope.

I believe the world will be spiritually awakened under this end time mantle but the increase of ferocious satanic forces will juxtaposition itself against the works of grace. The move of evil in these end times will be subtle, disarming and cause many to be in spiritual laxness. Clearly, many even those who profess being christians will be under a strong delusion. This season can be liken to the times of Noah when the preaching of the word to a degenerate society to escape the imminent danger went unheeded. This beginning of the end will be an intolerable time for mankind. “People fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:26, ESV). I believe we have entered the beginning of the end, leading up to the Rapture. The pandemic will continue to rumble on causing distress in the nations, marking a time of sorrow and fear. I believe the internet will be the global central square, as a new era emerges to prepare those who will repent and commit their fallen ways to our Lord. The sins of the people will be covered under the blood of our eternal Paschal Lamb, the blood flow will give life to raise up a spiritually lost society.

Gwendolyn Smith. #NEWPENTECOST. 2nd May 2021