GiveEar

      

Words like rain...

     We have seen the LORD tell us to ra'a see, which means not only to see naturally, but to see and perceive spiritually, to have revelation, to perceive, to have a vision, to foresee, to be a seer. It is a powerful and wondrous thing to ra'a see and perceive the spiritual realm as the LORD desires to show us. Many times the scriptures will say, "Lift up your eyes and (ra'a) see...". This Sabbath reading portion is titled Ha'azinu, which means "to give ear to" or "to listen." We see this title used in the first reading portion of this Sabbath in the Song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32:1: "Give ear ('azan - give ear, listen, hear, hearken, perceived by the ear, be obedient, to hear in the same way that God hears and listens to prayers) O heavens, and I will speak; and hear (sama - hear, hearken, obey, understand, discern, perceive, publish, declare, to listen to and consent to and agree with, to yield to), O earth, the words of my mouth."

     This kind of 'azan and sama hearing and ra'a seeing is to hear and see/perceive as God hears and sees. From the beginning, Adam identified the presence of the LORD in the Garden of Eden by hearing (see sama above) His voice. (see Gen. 3:8-10 KJV). All creation still hears the voice of the LORD in this manner (see Ps. 29:3-11) except for man, who in his rejection of God, becomes one who is as the LORD spoke to Isaiah: "Go and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return (shub(v) - return, repent, restore, recover, refresh, repair, be brought back) and be healed." (Isa. 6:9-10). Are we able to "see" from this Word to Isaiah, that during this time when the LORD has set aside the fall feast season and the Day of Atonement for repentance and return to Him, that unless we have eyes that "see", ears that "hear", and hearts that "understand" as the LORD sees, hears and understands, return and restoration to the LORD is not possible? Repentance and all of the healing that comes with it is not a religious term and obligation, as some treat it, but a time to find the ears, eyes and heart of God that the LORD put within us when He created us. It is the time to seek and find the Person who is the Atonement of God, His Son sacrificed for us, and His blood that covers and cleanses sin poured out for us, Jesus Messiah/Christ. Are we truly perceiving Him in the Day of Atonement? We will see more about this later.

     Moses was addressing both heaven and earth in his Song, and commanded that they listen to his words. The following was his declaration (see sama above) to those elements: "Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He." (v. 2-4).

     The words of Moses' Song are to touch and cover every part of the creation like rain and dew descend and cover, and that creation is to hear, perceive, understand and obey them. These words will be imprinted on the creation. They are indelible: making marks that cannot be removed nor forgotten, enduring eternally. We can say also that the Word became a flowing liquid that covers.

     This Ha'azinu, "give ear", Sabbath also falls between Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. On the Day of Atonement, we humble ourselves and repent before the LORD because we understand the cost of the blood of sacrifice that was needed to cover our sins. A life was given on our behalf. However, the Atonement is not just a day, but the prophetic promise of a Person, the Son of God, Jesus Messiah/Christ who is our Atonement as prophesied by Isa. 53:5, declared (see sama above) by Jesus to His disciples, saying: "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Mt. 26:28) and foundationally set by the apostles. (see Rom. 3:23-26, 1 Pet. 2:24-25, 1 Jn. 2:1-2). This same provision of covering also has a special place during these latter days before the return of Messiah/Christ, as Moses will show us.

     The Feast of Tabernacles contains the joyful promise (Ex. 25:8-9, Lev. 26:11-12, Ezek. 37:24-28) and fulfilment of a place prepared for us with God and Christ (see Jn. 1:14, Jn. 14:1-6, 1 Cor. 3:16-17), and the dwelling of God among us. (see Rev. 21:1-6).

     As we continue with the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32, the prophetic declaration that began with exalted praise of the LORD to the heavens and the earth, now turns to great heaviness. The Song contains a warning to Israel, and also to all of us, about their/our continual rejection of the LORD who had delivered them from Egypt and exalted and blessed them mightily in their own land, including providing them with "the pure (hemer/hamar - pure, red wine/seal up, cover or seal with pitch [see Gen. 6:14 - kapar: atonement] blood (note: the sprinkling of the blood is for the atonement for sin) of the grape.". (v. 10-14 KJV). Part of the provision that the LORD had given to Israel was the revelation of the atoning blood, as we see above)

     Moses' Song cried out that if only God's specially chosen and sanctified people would understand and consider their latter end. (v. 28-29). Their latter end will contain tribulation that we also see in the Book of Revelation: disasters heaped upon them, being wasted with hunger, devoured by pestilence, the teeth of beasts, the poison (hema - venom, rage, anger, wrath) of serpents (zahal - crawl into the earth to hide, fear), the destroying sword, and terror within. (v. 23-25, see also Rev. 6:1-8).

     Because of the crookedness and lack of faith found within His people, Moses sings this prophecy of the LORD: "For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest hell; it shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains." (v. 22). A fire that burns the whole earth all the way down to its foundations will be released. Ezekiel later prophesied of judgment fire. (Ezek. 19:10-14, 20:45-48). Malachi prophesied of the Refiner's fire coming to purify Israel. (Mal. 3:2-3). The Book of Revelation prophesies destroying fires (Rev. 8:7-11), and the apostle Peter wrote of a melting fire (2 Pet. 3:10-13).

     We have been given the living blood atonement kapar covering to keep us from flood and fire judgment. However, Moses sang that Israel preferred to save themselves by their own strength and gods. These things will fail to save them. The Song turns again at this point: "For the LORD will judge His people and have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power (yod - hand, power, strength, direction, force) is gone ('azal - gone, fail, spent, used up, evaporated, exhausted, go to and fro, disappear), and there is no one remaining, bond or free....Rejoice, O Gentiles/nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide mercy/atonement (kapar - atonement, purge, reconciliation, forgive, cleansed, merciful, pardon, atone for sin, make atonement for, cover over with pitch, be covered over, overspread) for His land and His people." (v. 36, 43).

     When Israel has exhausted all other ways to save itself, the LORD will have mercy and show them the way back to His (kapar) atonement provision. We see today that nations, including Israel, are relying on their military strength or the strength of their alliances with other nations, to provide them with safety in this dangerous time. We see millions of people running "to and fro" to other nations in order to escape the famine, pestilence, warfare, poverty, persecution and misery in their own countries. The LORD will remove these false safety nets in order to provide for His people, as He promised the forefathers: the true and living safety net that saves them out of all their troubles. (see Ps. 34:4-7, 18-20). Moses, who loved and interceded before God on behalf of the children of Israel, spoke in the 'ozen/'azan hearing ears of Joshua and all of the congregation that they should learn the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) words of his Song and teach their (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) children so that the prophetic warning therein and the kapar Atonement deliverance provided would be perceived with eyes that ra'a see, ears that sama hear and hearts that understand. 

     As Moses prophesied, this will be a terrible time for Israel and the world in these latter days. Jesus described these times: "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days be shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." (Mt. 24:21-22). I know that this is a difficult message, however, we need to understand the Atonement provision of God, which Moses spoke of to the children of Israel in his Song, in the deepest way - with eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that understand. Israel needs to understand Atonement in its truest sense. This is something that goes beyond a day of fasting. The Atonement is God Himself in the flesh, offering Himself and His covering blood for our sakes. Jesus said: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" (Mt. 23:37-39, see also Ps. 91). Jesus, as our living Atonement, felt the strong purpose and desire to cover.

     Moses was not alone in this warning message. From other selections in this Ha'azinu, "Give Ear," Sabbath reading, Psalm 78 is included. It begins: "Give ear ('azan - see above), O my people...incline your ears ('ozen - see above)...we have heard (sama - see above) and known (yada - know, understand, consider, acknowledge, declare, teach, perceive, discern, to know by experience, confess, be revealed)..." (Ps. 78:1-3). The Psalmist wrote that they would not hide this revelation knowledge from their children, even children yet to be born, "That they may set their hope in God..." (v. 7). The Psalmist recounts all of the times that Israel rebelled against the LORD who provided so miraculously for them in the wilderness. Although they were not faithful to Him: "...He being full of compassion, forgave (kapar - atonement, purge, reconciliation, cleansed, pardon, merciful, to cover over, atone for sin, be covered over, to overspread) their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath. (v. 38). Again, the kapar Atonement that covers came to the rescue, saving them from God's destruction! The Psalmist then points to David, from the tribe of Judah, the place of Mt. Zion, who came for the purpose of shepherding Jacob (Israel), God's people: "So he (David) shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands." (v. 68-72, excerpt). David also represents the house from which the Messiah/Christ Jesus would later come, who was also called "the Son of David."

     The prophet Joel wrote of a people who come against Israel as being "great and strong, the like of whom has never been; Nor will ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations. A fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns...surely nothing shall escape them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like swift steeds, so they run...like the noise of a flaming fire that devours stubble, like a strong people set in battle array. Before them the people writhe in pain; all faces are drained of color...They (the strong people who look like horses) climb into the houses, they enter at the windows like a thief." (Joel 2:2-9, excerpt). This "army" has an appearance as horses. Revelation refers to the four horsemen of the apocalypse, describing the horses they rode and the death that they brought in different forms, but they could not touch the oil (the anointing, Messiah/Christ) and the wine (the blood). (Rev. 6:1-8). These carriers of death cannot touch the blood of the anointing.

     How should Israel be saved? Shall it use its wealth to assemble for itself the world's greatest army? Shall it align itself with, and depend upon the power of the world's strongest nation? Neither of these things will provide the kapar Atonement covering they will need. The LORD will arrange events so that they will have to find that true kapar covering that cannot be killed or destroyed because He promised that He would provide it for them.

     The Law of Moses commands that the Day of Atonement was to be observed as a sabbath wherein God's people "afflict your souls." (Lev. 23:26-32). Those who do not do so will be cut off from his people - perhaps because there is no covering? What does it mean to afflict one's soul? It is often interpreted in part as fasting. However, we need to look more deeply. The soul is the seat of the emotions, the thoughts of the mind, and the will, the desire for self-determination. Joel gives us this look into Atonement: Now, therefore,' says the LORD, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.' So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm." (Joel 2:12-13). 

     Tear down the useless things that we have built within our own souls. Tear open our hearts, and ask the LORD to rebuild and restore those things that He created in our souls when He breathed His own breath into us: eyes that see, ears that hear, and a heart that understands so that we may perceive our Atonement, Messiah/Christ Jesus, and receive Him.

     If you would like to learn more about the Atonement covering of the LORD, you can join me in my prayer: "Blessed LORD over all the earth, "God of Israel" is one of Your names in scripture. You have promised with Your own life and blood to cover, and save all of Israel, and all who believe Your Son, Jesus. Help me to search my own heart, to rend it so that You may restore, renew and rebuild my heart that I may walk in understanding. Heal my eyes, as Jesus did with the blind, so that I may "see." Heal my ears, as Jesus did with the deaf, so I may "hear." I pray this same mercy for all of Israel and the descendants of Abraham, including his descendants by faith, for we have inherited Your promises through our Atonement, Jesus. I trust in You, LORD, and I will declare it to future generations. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

 *NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

Compassion

Last week's entry marked the end of the one year Sabbath reading cycle as practiced in synagogues around the world. I learned so much about my faith in Christ reading along with them. Many of the Sabbath readings carry a prophetic importance as well. Israel and Jerusalem have a great and unique importance in the prophetic and salvation plan of God, especially in the days to come. God has made important promises to Israel that will impact the whole earth, and He will keep those promises. He is not done with either Israel or Jerusalem, and He will never be done with them! My intention, as a Christian, in following the Sabbath readings this past year was not to replace the Jewish people on their path of study, but to walk beside them, and learn with them. I have a feeling that as I begin the new yearly cycle of readings, it will be in a different way than I had done in this past year. This week, I opened the first chapter of Genesis, and the corresponding reading from Isaiah 42. As I started reading, I was surprised to find out about the role that compassion played in the creation of the heavens and the earth. The power God exhibited in the Creation seemed to have been focussed through the presence first of compassion in the form of the Holy Spirit, as I hope we will see. After stating that God created the heavens and the earth, Genesis 1:2 goes on to say: "The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering/moving over the face of the waters." There is great power in the Spirit of God, but the Spirit is also called "The Comforter" by Jesus (Jn. 14:26, 15:26). In this verse from Genesis, the Spirit was hovering over a terrible sight. The Hebrew word for "hovering" is rehap meaning "shake, move, flutter, to grow soft, to brood, with the feeling of tender love hence to cherish, to brood over/cherish young as an eagle, of parents who cherish their children, to soothe a child". (The Hebrew meaning, rehap can also include "to cause to tremble with fear, like the bones of a person terrified". Even as the Holy Spirit can move with comfort and compassion, we can also say then that it can move in a way to create fear.) The conditions over which the Spirit of God hovered in Gen. 1:2 above, are written as "without form, void, darkness, and deep". These words have the Hebrew meaning "the dark, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness, desolation, confusion, lie waste, abyss". Before the Word of God was spoken into this desolation, the Spirit hovered over it, "brooding" over it, cherishing it as a parent cherishes a child. In speaking "Light" over this void, and dividing the light from the darkness (v. 3-5), God (Elohim) was, at the same time, taking authority over the darkness on the First Day. John Ch. 1 tells us that the words of Creation spoken was Jesus, who was with God, and was God, and became flesh to dwell with us (v. 14). Again this first moment is described in John 1:5 as: "And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (seize, overtake, overcome) it." (Jn. 1:5). We see again that the darkness cannot overcome the Word of God. As Jesus worked in the power of His anointing, it was often said in scripture that He was moved by compassion for the people, whether they had gotten into their calamities through their own fault or not (Mt. 14:14, 15:32, 20:30-34). Jesus taught in a heavy warning of the consequences of failing to show to others that same compassion which we have received from "the king", or the Lord (Mt. 18:21-35). He taught parables about incorporating compassion as a lifestyle, and as a fulfillment of the Law (Lk. 10:26-37), and a parable, know to us as The Prodigal Son, of the role of compassion in the restoration of one who was lost (Lk. 15:18-24). The apostles' teaching also reminds us to exercise compassion (1 Peter 3:8, Heb. 10:34). The Greek word and root word for compassion used in these parables means "from the deepest part of a person, having compassion from the seat of sympathy, love, and pity; a great passion that includes love, tenderer affections, kindness, benevolence, mercies, compassion". The only people that Jesus seemed to lack compassion for were those who lacked compassion for others, most of these being the religious authorities of His time. What can sometimes be surprising however, is how angry and stirred up some may become because of what they consider to be an inconvenient or inappropriate show of compassion (Lk. 15:25-32, Lk. 7:36-48, Jn. 12:1-7). Coming back to the Creation of Gen. 1, we see that it begins with the presence and work of Christ as the Word (Jn. 1:1-3), Who is also revealed in the first phrase of Genesis 1 for those who wish to search it out, but it also involved a work of compassion by the Spirit of God. Looking at Isaiah 42 of this week's reading, the words of the LORD remind the reader again of Gen. 1 as the LORD declares that He created the heavens, the earth, and gave breath to the living (v. 5). His unchanging purpose is to bring forth justice for the truth (v. 3-4). Will we see again compassion having a role in this work of justice? Towards this purpose, the LORD prophesies that He is sending Someone, whom He describes as "My Servant", "My Elect One". He says, "I have put My Spirit upon Him." (v. 1). To this special Servant, whom we know as the Messiah, Jesus, God says: "I the LORD have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people..." (v. 6). We will know this Servant by certain works to which the LORD has appointed Him in Isa. 42. They are works of compassion: "...as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house." The LORD continues: "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them." (v. 16). In this chapter from Isaiah, judgment has also been sent mong God's people in order to bring forth "justice for truth". The LORD describes the judgment of His people who would not listen to Him: "But this is a people robbed and plundered; All of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one says "Restore!". (v. 22). The LORD said that He is the one who put them in this condition (v. 24). Even so, the LORD turns and shows His compassion: "But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine." (Isa. 43:1). Sometimes we may think that by showing compassion, we are ignoring sin. However, it may be that it is the constant, ever-available compassion of God that is one thing that draws men to repentance of sin. Why would a man seek repentance in the first place, unless he feels that he is dealing with the LORD who will turn and have compassion on him, and forgive him? First John 1:9 guarantees us that if we confess our sins before God, not only is He faithful to forgive, but His justice requires that He forgives. However, the compassion of God goes even beyond this. The prophet Joel wrote of God's people assembling for the purpose of repentance before the LORD. The LORD gave the promise of compassion to His people if they repented before Him: "Now, therefore, says the LORD, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart...Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm." (Joel 2:12-13). Joel promised that the LORD would have pity, and answer His people (v. 18). Not only did the LORD promise to restore His people, but He went beyond restoration to even more abundance (v. 19, 23-27). On top of the greater abundance, He promised to pour out His Spirit upon all, regardless of gender, social position, or age in a miraculous way never before seen (Joel 3:28-29). In the same manner, for those who accepted His compassionate gift of forgiveness and reconciliation through His Messiah and Son, Jesus Christ, the LORD again did even greater than a restoring work: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (Jn. 10:10). We are given even more than restoration as a result of salvation, beyond what Adam and Eve had before their fall into sin. They were given dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26), but, to serve as an example of the compassion (love, kindness) of God, those in Christ are given greater. They are seated in the heavenly places with Him (Eph. 2:4-7), and have become joint-heirs with Christ Himself, which is the work of the Spirit, the Comforter, in us (Rom. 8:16-18). While Adam and Eve experienced a visitation of God in the Garden (Gen 3:8-9), those who have accepted God's gift of compassion through Jesus Christ, don't have to wait for a visitation, but now have both Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God dwelling within them, and communing with them (Rom. 8:10-11). The law of compassion, it seems from the evidence, does not just restore to the previous condition, but it supersedes the previous condition with even greater than before. Compassion is not the only quality of God that impacts man, and by which we impact each other, but perhaps it deserves a deeper look. The power of God is focused through compassion in the examples that we have read. Compassion does not give unrepented sin a "pass", but I think it is one way that God uses to defeat Satan at his own game of destroying human souls. Because of this, compassion should play an important role in our lives as believers. If you would like to receive and live in the compassion of God through Jesus Christ, you can pray: "Dear Father, You sent Your Son into my life out of Your compassion and love for me. Through Jesus, You not only cleansed me from sin, and reconciled me back to Yourself, but You gave me a greater, more abundant life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can minister compassion to others as You ministered to me. Lead me in discernment so I may see when compassion shown can break the stronghold of the enemy over another person's life. Let me not forget to show others the same compassion that You showed me, as You drew me back to Yourself. I ask and thank You for this in the name of Jesus. Amen."

LatterRains

The Feast of Tabernacles lasts seven days. The day after this feast ends, which would be the eighth day (Lev. 23:36), is called Shemini Atzeret. Today happens to be that Eighth Day. A detailed description of this day is not given in scripture, but it is written as a day of solemn assembly, and a sabbath of no work. It is also referred to by many in Judaism as "the last day". This day became associated with the beginning of the latter rains of the year, and prayers were said, beginning on Shemini Atzeret, for those latter rains. These prayers would continue into the spring, and the Feast of Passover. Generally speaking, believers are familiar with the expression "latter rains". The prophets wrote about the latter rains. Joel wrote, "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done marvellous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; for the open pastures are springing up, and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust have eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wonderously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame." (Joel 2:21-27). The LORD here is not discussing a rain cycle. What the LORD is doing in these verses He describes as "marvellous". It is a restoration work. He tells the land and the beasts to "Fear not...do not be afraid...". There was a destruction that four different kinds of locusts caused, but the LORD will restore bountifully all that was lost. The kind of locusts mentioned here are crawling locusts, which have not yet developed wings. As they crawl on the ground, they devour everything. Flying locusts go from place to place, but crawling locusts keep progressing upon the ground, until all is eaten- not an inch of ground is missed or spared. This time of year in Israel, the summer crops have already ripened and have been harvested, including the summer crop of wheat. From the wheat crop, the grain is ground into flour, and a light, delicious bread can be made. Wheat, as it grows, does not like "wet feet". It does not grow well in puddled water. It preferrs a clay soil. By the time wheat is harvested in Israel, the ground is dry, hard, cracked, and baked in the hot summer sun. The latter rains that must begin after the Feast of Tabernacles softens and prepares the hard, dry, caked soil left for a barley crop to be planted for harvesting in early spring. The moisture level of the soil must be about 60% from the tillering of the soil until the barley plants begin to flower. Without the latter raains, the soil cannot be planted successfully, and there will be no harvest in the spring. If we consider these things on the spiritual level, after the great wheat harvest, the hard, depleted, dry earth is telling God that there will not be another planting and harvest. However, God will not allow the earth to refuse Him another harvest. He begins to send a "rain" that will force the earth to receive His seed, and produce another harvest. The LORD will not be satisfied until He reaps the last willing soul from the earth. The end result He is looking for is not total destruction, but a seedtime and harvest of souls. In the Book of Revelation, John sees a great multitude in heaven worshipping God and the Lamb (Jesus). An elder in heaven asks John, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" The elder then goes on to answer his own question, because John does not know: "These are the ones who come out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb...He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb...will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev. 7:9-17, excerpt). There is a harvest of salvation that comes out of the Tribulation period. The latter rains of Tribulation have broken the hard earth and allowed a final harvest before the return of Christ. How can we know that the latter rains may be associated with the Tribulation? The Hebrew word and meaning for "barley", the crop that results in the natural from the latter rains, reveals a great deal to us. Barley in Hebrew is the word, "seora". It means "roughness", which describes the texture of the barley awls. However, the root word for barley is saar, which means "be (horrible), afraid, tempestuous, hurl as a storm, dread, bristle, come like a whirlwind". Barley is associated with terror and destruction in its meaning. The prophet Joel, after describing the former and latter rains as we read above, says that following this, there will be an outpouring of God's Spirit as we have never before seen. Peter likens this outpouring to the one on Pentecost, after Christ's death and resurrection (Acts 2:15-21). Joel wrote that the outpouring will be upon "all flesh" (Joel 2:28-32). For a remnant in those days, there shall come salvation in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem for "whoever calls on the name of the LORD". Out of the destruction (imagery of crawling locusts), there will come fruit, oil, and wine, as Joel wrote. May the LORD cause the earth to produce a harvest of souls by His latter rains - even out of the darkest, most troubled times the earth has known. Our Father will send the latter rains of Shemini Atzeret.