Biblical Guide to Shemitah and Blood Moons

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Last time, I gave a brief overview of David James’ new book, “Biblical Guide to the Shemitah and the Blood Moons.” For other articles I’ve written related to the Shemitah, go here. In this article, I simply want to highlight some cogent points that those who pant after the writings of Jonathan Cahn seem to forget or never realize.

It is clear from the Old Testament that Israel was supposed to observe the Shemitah (or Sabbatical Year cycle). Every seventh year, the nation as a whole was to do several things:

1. allow the Land to lie fallow for one full year
2. do a financial “reset” by forgiving debts owed by other Jews
3. allow slaves to go free

The directions God gave to the people through Moses were pretty clear. Unfortunately, the people decided that they didn’t want to do these simple things. In fact, if you consider them, you’ll quickly realize that they are not that simple. In order to do those three things, people would have to set greed aside. What if you were owed $5,000, as an example and you were Jewish and part of the nation of Israel? The seventh year rolls around and while the person owing you money has consistently paid down their debt, they still owe you over $3,500. Think about what it would mean to simply let that go and not worry about it. Most of us would have a very difficult time with that. The Jewish people of Israel were certainly no exception, though God fully expected them to be.

Rather than let the debt go, many Jews continued to collect on it. They also failed miserably when it came time to let the land lie fallow, nor did they obey when it came time to release their servants/slaves. Gosh, who would do the laundry and bring drinks and food?

Israel did this for a total of 70 seventh years. Remember, these seventh years did not run concurrently, but they did run consecutively, meaning every seven years another Sabbatical Year would come and go and Israel would ignore it. This went on for a total of 490 years (with a seventh year happening once every 7 years) with a total of 70 missed Sabbatical Years. God was forced into action and used the Babylonians to conquer Israel. They were taken and kept out of the Land for 70 years representing the 70 missed Sabbatical Year cycles. The 490 years total was yet to come (Daniel 9).

But in reality, failure to observe the Sabbatical Year cycle wasn’t Israel’s only sin. There were many and they all stemmed from the terribly rebellious attitude that the Israelites harbored toward God. But if we could simply agree that the Sabbatical Year cycle (along with many other ceremonial laws) was given strictly to Israel. No other nation was involved at all. The only outsiders who became responsible to participate in these ceremonies were those who became part of Israel itself.

Yet, thousands of years later, Jonathan Cahn would like us to believe that somehow, some way, America was “created” by God and via a “covenant” entered into by our founding fathers, America also falls under the same ceremonial laws as Israel did/does.  Here is how David James explains it.

“The fundamental premise of The Mystery of the Shemitah is that not only did God require the nation of Israel to observe the Shemitah/Sabbath Year but that there is also a far-reaching ‘ancient mystery’ connected to the Shemitah, which the author, Jonathan Cahn, has just recently discovered. Cahn’s treatment of this ‘ancient mystery’ suggests that there is a seven-year cycle woven into the very fabric of history and into the order of the universe following the Hebrew calendar – a cycle that can and does affect other nations besides Israel – and even affects the entire world.

“According to Cahn, this mystery manifests itself through various calamities, including natural disasters, wars, and economic crises that tend to occur according to this seven-year cycle and are most evident when God is trying to get the attention of a nation to warn her of impending judgment…” [1]

Ultimately, Cahn believes through the working of the “Isaiah 9:10 Effect,” the Shemitah is alive and well and has been working throughout the world to gain the world’s attention as it speeds toward judgment. Cahn also refers to this as the “second shaking.”

James points out how he believes Jonathan Cahn tends to fudge the numbers related to economic crashes and the Shemitah. I’ve also previously written about that here. James also points out that Cahn doesn’t simply use the Hebrew calendar, which one would think would be the more appropriate calendar to use. There are times when Cahn switches to the Gregorian calendar to make things fit. With reference to the 9/11 event, Cahn uses this calendar.

“Here Cahn uses the Gregorian calendar (which is used in America) when it suits his purposes to show precise meaning. Then to the precise timing of another set of events, he uses the Hebrew calendar to demonstrate that the two collapses of the stock market on 29 Elul matched the seven-year cycle of the Shemitah. So economic cycles follow the Hebrew calendar? Not necessarily, as can be seen when Cahn tries to muster additional support for his theory…” [2]

James goes onto note the following.

“Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac collapsed on September 7. Lehman Brothers’ stock dropped 45 percent on September 9 and then announced a $4 billion dollar loss on September 10. And then on September 11, Lehman’s stock ‘took a second precipitous plunge.’ But why is September 11 considered the significant date and not September 15, which is the day it filed for bankruptcy? Or why not September 9, when the drop started? This seems very arbitrary and gives the impression of ‘cherry-picking’ evidence in order to strengthen the author’s arguments while diminishing the significance of related evidence that does not support and, in many ways, even undercuts his arguments.” [3]

James also demonstrates how Jonathan Cahn plays fast and loose with statistics, including what Cahn leaves out of the equation.

James takes the time to exegete Scripture, clearly pointing out that Christians are under no requirement to keep the Sabbath following Christ’s death on the cross. He points to Romans 14:5-6 as proof from Paul that for the true Christian, keeping the Sabbath is not a requirement. He then refers to Hebrews 4:1-3 and 4:8-10, which adds further insight into the subject.

James also delves deeply into the subject of the “Blood Moon Tetrad,” something that many today believe represent signs of the soon return of Jesus. The fact that these tetrads are noted by NASA tends to make Christians think there really is something in them that can foretell the future and narrow down the timing of our Lord’s return.

Let me say this. No one knows when the Rapture will occur. No one. There are no specific events given in Scripture that will alert us to its nearness before it happens. It will simply occur, without notice. Yet, we’re hearing “The Lord is coming soon!” or “Look up!” or something similar.

Yes, there will be strange signs in the heavens during the Tribulation. Yes, there will be the sign of His coming immediately prior to His physical return to this planet. Yet, we are simply not told when that will be.

In fact, James makes the point that much of the hoopla today with Christians pointing to one set of Scriptures or another all have to do with what is known as the “day of the Lord,” and I wrote a seven-part series on that subject. Generally speaking, the “day of the Lord” refers to the time when God will send one judgment after another onto this world. Those judgments – all 21 of them – will occur within the coming Tribulation period. When Jesus returns, one of the first things He will do is judge the nations based on how they treated Israel (Matthew 25:31–46).

The Tribulation has not begun yet (in spite of what people say) and it cannot happen until the coming Antichrist brokers a covenant with Israel and the surrounding Arab nations (Daniel 9:27). We’re not there yet.

In reality, what Jonathan Cahn does in his books is set dates without actually setting specific dates. It’s a form of date-setting because he says things may happen based on his theory of the Shemitah and how it works. This is why more and more people are lining up to warn the rest of us about September 13, 2015 and what may be coming to America and the world. There are also plenty of articles that discuss the things that will happen within 15 days of September 13th (the end of this current Shemitah). Folks, I don’t need the Shemitah or blood moons to tell me that eventually, a one-world government is going to be installed. For that to happen, things will have to “crash” and change. The world will need a global currency too. No more dollar. How and when that will happen, I’m not sure, but I’m more inclined to think it will be a gradual decision/change rather than a financial crash which will send everyone into a panic and the elite will likely lose control. Don’t look at Greece or other European countries as a template for America. What’s happening in Greece is still very controlled, though it doesn’t appear to be the case.

If something does happen this September 13 (and there is a great chance it will, simply because the way the world is going), Jonathan Cahn will claim victory. If something does not happen, I’m certain Cahn will find an explanation that his trusty followers will swallow.

The real question is whether or not there is any biblical truth to what Jonathan Cahn is saying. I certainly don’t see it and neither does David James. The problem though is that people today are more inclined to read one of Jonathan Cahn’s books rather than the Bible. His are more exciting and to think that he may be revealing things that God has directly revealed to him is always pretty neat, isn’t it?

I’m tired of how God is always credited for these new “movements.” Whether it’s “Toronto Blessing,” “Name It, Claim It,” “Holy Laughter,” or something else like the Shemitah, they apparently always came from God. He specifically chose someone to reveal something “new” to the world. His Word alone is not good enough for too many. They need the excitement of knowing or reading someone whom God apparently speaks directly to, like Jonathan Cahn.

Today’s believers should put that much time and energy into reading God’s Word and seeking his strength and empowerment to fulfill the Great Commission. Instead, too many are enamored with the “signs and wonders” crowd even when their beliefs are questionable at best.

Christian, it’s time to get in step with what God is doing. He is calling out some among the lost for salvation. Do you want to be part of that or would you prefer to chase after this sign or that one for the sake of excitement and the belief that God is doing “something new”?

It’s your choice. Choose wisely.

[1] David James, Biblical Guide to the Shemitah and the Blood Moons, p. 14

[2] Ibid, p. 122-123

[3] Ibid, p. 123

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective