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THE 31ST WEEK OF THE YEAR (JULY 30 – AUGUST 5)

By
Nkem Okemiri
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0

Seasons do not always bring what they should. People can have drought in a time of rain; or war in a time of peace. That is the reason Zechariah 10:1 says we should ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. God’s watchmen should align with the Lord in the matter of seasons to also get each time to align with divine purpose.

The 31st season is Heaven’s season of channge. It is a time for watchmen, gatekeepers, and intercessors to draw the line, shut the door to the old narrative and open the gates to the new. This is a gate of time for progressive change. Amen! Let it be so this week in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 31ST WEEK

  1. Week 31 is a third-day-of-creation week (Genesis 1: 9-13). The 31st week has its pattern in the third day of creation when God ended the reign of the waters and manifested in the earth to bring forth vegetation.

This is a week of triumph over death.

  1. Week 31 is a book of Obadiah week. The 31st book of the Bible (Obadiah) is a one-chapter and 21-verse book. Obadiah prophesied the overthrow and destruction of Edom; and the deliverance and restoration of God’s people to possess their possession. In five verses (17-21), the words ‘possess’ and ‘possession’ are used eight times. This 31st week is a week of deliverance and possessing possessions.
  2. Week 31 is a 31st-chapters-of-the-Bible week. The 31st chapters of the Bible indicate the 31st is the end of old things and the beginning of new things. In Genesis 31, Jacob fled the house of Laban by the word of the Lord. The sons of Laban became envious of his wealth and prosperity and began to complain about him. Jacob was no longer comfortable. That was the end of his twenty-year sojourn with his uncle. In Exodus 31, God called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and other assisting artisans, to undertake the work of constructing the tabernacle – so that God would have a dwelling place among His people. God did not put it in the hands of Moses and Aaron to do the work; although Moses received the pattern. Power changes hands in the 31st season. In Numbers 31, God commanded Moses to fight against the Midianites and overthrow them. They also killed Balaam there. The 31st week is a week of divine vengeance. Numbers 31:7-8  says, “And they warred against the Midianites, just as the LORD commanded Moses, and they killed all the males. They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of those who were killed-Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. Balaam the son of Beor they also killed with the sword”. In Deuteronomy 31, Joshua became the new leader of Israel. Moses gave his farewell speech to Israel in that chapter. In First Samuel 31, Saul and his three sons died in the battle field. That made way for David to become the new king of Israel. In Second Chronicles 31, Hezekiah carried out sweeping religious reforms and overthrew idol worship in Judah. In Job 31, the servant of God gave his last long speech before Elihu took over from chapters 32-37.  He swore and invoked curses to come upon him if he had done wrong. Job 31 ends with “The words of Job are ended”. In the 31st season, the old gives way to the new. In Psalms 31, the psalmist prays for deliverance and against coming to an end. He also prays for the end of the wicked. Psalm 31:15-18 says, “My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. [16] Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake. [17] Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. [18] Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous”. Proverbs, the book of divine wisdom, ends in Chapter 31; and the last chapter ends at verse 31. Whereas Proverbs 1-30 are the words of a father to his son, the 31st chapter consists of the words of a mother to  her son. In Proverbs 31, the male teacher stopped and female teacher took over. Isaiah 31 is a pronouncement of judgment against those who rebel against God. The 31st season is for war; the wicked against the righteous; and righteousness against wickedness. Jeremiah 31 is the promise of return, comfort, and the end of sorrow and weeping in Judah. It is in this chapter also (Jeremiah 31:31-34) that God spoke of ending the Old Covenant and introducing the New Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34  “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah – not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” In Ezekiel 31, the prophet spoke of the overthrow and humiliation of Egypt. 
  3. Week 31 is a Deuteronomy 11-15 week. Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible; and is applicable to the fifth 7 weeks of the year. The third five chapters of the fifth book of the Bible is applicable to the third week in the 5th seven weeks of the year. In the third 5 chapters of Deuteronomy, God commanded Israel to love the Lord and separate themselves from the ways of the other nations. He gave them commandments about how they must live as a distinguished people; to ensure the continuous flow of His favor and blessings. The old ways of doing things come to an end in the 31st season. 

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Going through the 31st week of the year (July 30 – August 5 in a clear year) is like taking a prophetic journey through the 31st book of the Bible (Obadiah) and 31st chapters of the Bible. So, the Book of Obadiah and the 31st chapters of the Bible are great guiding lights for the week. Obadiah is a one-chapter, 21-verse book.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

July 30: Obadiah 1:1-21
July 31: Gen. 31; Exod. 31
August 1: Num. 31; Deut. 31
August 2: 1 Sam. 31; 2 Chron. 31
August 3: Job 31; Psa. 31
August 4: Prov. 31; Isa. 31
August 5: Jer. 31; Ezek. 31

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 31ST WEEK

The 31st season is change-over and hand-over season. The longest months in the Hebrew Calendar have 30 days. What should have been the 31st day of the month is the beginning of a new month. The longest months in the Gregorian calender has 31 days. No month has 32 days! After the 31st day, a new month begins.

Ancient and modern history also bear witness that ‘the 31st’ is an endpoint and a new beginning.

In Africa, three countries gained independence in the 31st week of 1960: Benin (August 1), Niger (August 3), Burkina Faso (August 5). In Nigeria, the military administration of Yakubu Gowon began in the 31st week of 1966 following the murder of Aguiyi-Ironsi. Nine years later, in the 31st week of 1975, Murtala Mohammed overthrew Yakubu Gowon in a bloodless coup and started a new regime. Twelve of Nigeria’s 36 states began in her 31st year (1991) either by creation or change of name. The same year (1991), Nigeria’s Capital moved effectively from Lagos to Abuja.

In the United States, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ written in 1814 was adopted as the National Anthem in 1931 (March 3). After the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, the Republicans did not return to power till after 20 years (1933-1953). His successor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was elected for a fourth consecutive term. That was the first and last time a President was elected for a fourth term in the history of the United States. A new beginning followed the 31st President. In the season of the 31st president, the Great Depression wiped out a lot of investors. Things come to an end in the 31st season. After the 31st seven years of the US (the Reagan/Bush season – 1986 – 1993), a era of unique leadership ended. Ronald Reagan is a reference point in US politics. In that season, the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union collapsed, and Kuwait was saved from annexation by Iraq. Bush was the first sitting Vice President to be elected President. After the 31st seven years, Madeleine Albright became the first female Secretary of State (1997-2001) in the 32nd seven years. Margaret Thatcher, the first female UK Prime minister, was in service in the 31st seven years of the United States, and she came to power after the 31st Prime Minister from Benjamin Disraeli, the first to use the title of Prime Minister. In the 31st seven years of the United Kingdom, a number of significant things happened: enfranchisement of women both in the UK and the United States and the beginning of women being elected to the legislature both in Britain and America; the Balfour Declaration supporting a Jewish National Home in Palestine; the defeat of the central powers in World War One. The year 1931 was a year of new beginnings. The crushing Russia – Ukraine War that started in 2022 began in the 31st year of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 31ST WEEK OF THE YEAR

  1. Pray that this 31st week of the year is a time of deliverance and possessing possessions in the nations. Pray that this a week of moving into freedom and peace for many people.
  2. Pray that saviors will arise from every quarter and judge ‘the house of Esau’ in the nations and that the Lord may possess His possession on earth. This week, declare Obadiah 1:21 – “. . Saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s”.
  3. Pray that this 31st week of the year will be the end of the old narrative of wickedness, oppression and exploitation in nations. Pray it is the beginning of a positive new story in the nations. Pray that ‘Omri’ will not rise in the nations this 31st week as it did in the 31st year of Asa king of Judah (1 Kings 16: 23).
  4. Pray against destructions and the wasting of lives in the nations this week.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK

Isaiah 31:4-5:
“For thus the LORD has spoken to me: “As a lion roars, And a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice Nor be disturbed by their noise), So the LORD of hosts will come down To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill. [5] Like birds flying about, So will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it.”

Happy 31st week of the year.

THE 30TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (JULY 23 – 29)

By
Nkem Okemiri
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0

Every week of the year is a gate of time for some heavenly purposes. The kingdom of darkness also seeks access to each gate of time with her evil agenda. Spiritual atchmen should watch over gates of time diligently. This is a day of engaging heaven to make a way where there seems to be no way.

The 30th week of the year is the second week in the 5th seven weeks of the year. It falls in the season of ‘Bein ha-Metzarim’ (‘The Three Weeks’ of the ‘Straits of Tammuz’ – ” a period of mourning commemorating the destruction of first and second Jewish temples”.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE WEEK

  1. The second day of creation (Genesis 1: 6-8).
  2. The 30th book of the Bible (Amos)
  3. The 30th chapters of the Bible
  4. The second five chapters of the 5th book of the Bible.

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Amos 1 – 9: Going through the 30th week of the year is like taking a prophetic journey through the Amos.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK

What does the Bible reveal concerning the 30th?

  1. The 30th is a season of making or finding a way where there is no way through wisdom. Proverbs 30:18-19, 24-28 shows that wisdom will find a way where there is no way. It says, “There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: [19] The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin. [24] There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: [25] The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; [26] The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; [27] The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; [28] The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces”.

1b. The 30th is a season of making or finding a way where there is no way through desperate search for answers. It is a time to contend for desires. In Genesis 30, there was crisis in Jacob’s family. Rachael wanted a child desperately. She gave her maid, Bilhah, to her husband and she gave birth to Dan and Naphtali. Leah also gave her maid, Zilpah, to Jacob; and she gave birth to Gad and Asher. Leah eventually gave birth to her last two sons – Issachar and Zebulun. She also gave birth to her only daughter, Dinah. At last, Rachael gave birth to Joseph. Jacob had seven sons and one daughter in this chapter. Jacob also made a deal with Laban that made him wealthy; after he had thought of leaving his father in-law with his family. In Genesis 30, Jacob’s family went from desperation to celebration.

The 30th week is a season of battling barriers with God’s power; not a season of striving with men in fleshly pride. The 30th season is a time of struggles and battles to find a way where there is no way. It is a time of finding answers by engaging the wisdom and power of God. The enemy wants the 30th week to be a week of dysfunctional contentions and disasters. God wants it to be a week of overcoming barriers. 

In Genesis 30, God opened the womb of Rachel and she gave birth to Joseph. The contentions did not open her womb but seeking God did. Jacob also found a way to prosper under Laban without contention. Thanks to dialogue. In First Samuel 30, David’s men contended with him over the raid of their Ziklagl camp and the abduction of their families. David sought God and found a way to recover all the enemy took from them. India sought independence from Britain in 1930 through non-violent civil disobedience. They averted disasters. Negotiations began. It is not a season to seek independence from God. It is a time to agree with God. The 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge signed, into law, the Native American Citizenship Act – thus granting citizenship rights to native Americans born within the United States territory. In the opening months of the 30th seven years of United States, under President Jimmy Carter administration, Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Accord in 1978. The 1983 Beirut bombing that cost America the lives of 241 officers was reaction to America’s role in Lebanese Civil War. The 1983 invasion of Grenada cost America so much too. The misguided Gideon Orka coup to overthrow Ibrahim Babangida government on April 22 was a disaster. It happened in the 30th year of Nigeria. The coup plotters were executed July 27, 1990; the 30th week of the year that was also Nigeria’s 30th year.

The 30th season does not support contentions and revolutions. It is a season of accords and treaties. It is a season to make peace with God. In the fifth chapter of the 30th book of the Bible, Prophet Amos said, “Seek the LORD and live, Lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, And devour it, With no one to quench it in Bethel” (Amos 5:6)The 30th season is a season of recovery from losses. Second Chronicles 30 is about Hezekiah’s landmark celebration of the Passover. There had been nothing like that since the days of Solomon. The 30th season is a season of recovery and restoration. Jeremiah 30 is the promise of the restoration of Judah. Jeremiah 30:18-22 says, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, And have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be built upon its own mound, And the palace shall remain according to its own plan. [19] Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. [20] Their children also shall be as before, And their congregation shall be established before Me; And I will punish all who oppress them. [21] Their nobles shall be from among them, And their governor shall come from their midst; Then I will cause him to draw near, And he shall approach Me; For who is this who pledged his heart to approach Me?’ says the LORD. [22] ‘You shall be My people, And I will be your God.’” Jeremiah 30 shows that the 30th season is a season of restoration.

The 30th week is a season of shift from pain to joy. Psalms 30 reveals that the 30th season is a turnaround season when morning takes the place of night, when joy takes the place of weeping, when dancing takes the place of mourning, and gladness takes the place of sackcloth. In First Samuel 30, Amalekites raided David’s camp at Ziklag and abducted the families of David and his men. They wept until they had no more strength to weep. David sought God and received grace to recover all. He went from pain to joy.

The 30th season is a time of judgment. The book of Amos is the 30th book of the Bible; and in that book, the prophet declares the judgment of God against nations for their transgressions. Deuteronomy 30 is about curses following rebellion against God and blessings following repentance and obedience. It about choosing between death and life or blessing and cursing. The 30th week is for making decision to stay up or down; to go up or come down. Isaiah 30 is the hopelessness of rebellion against God; as in Israel trusting in Egypt against the counsel of God. It is also about the graciousness of God promising restoration to Zion, and about the judgment of Assyria. In the 30th season, the pain of those who trust in God is turned to joy. Ezekiel 30 is the word of the Lord against Egypt and Ethiopia in the days of the captivity.

This week may begin with frustration and discomfort, but the Lord will make, and show, a way where there is no way; and the week will end with joy. This week, stay glued to God. Turn away from things that are offensive to Him. Cry out to Him for a way where there is no way. Then, follow His leading. Follow peace with all men.

PRAYER POINTS

Give thanks to God for taking us through the 29th week of the year.

Pray against envy and strife in nations, organizations, the churches, and families – as was seen in Jacob’s family in Genesis 30 or with David and his men in First Samuel 30.

Pray that this week is marked by holy desperation that will yield positive results in the church and in the nations. Let this be a week of breakthroughs; a week of finding a way where there is no way – as it happened for Rachel in the birth of Joseph; and as Jacob found the way and deal to wealth in Genesis 30.

Pray that our world will experience mercy rather judgments in this week; and that we shall not be visited with the woes of the book of Amos (the 30th book of the Bible). Pray for an outpour of the spirit of repentance in nations.

Pray that our families, homes, businesses and churches are shielded from abductions and fire disasters in this 30th week. Pray against the kind of mishap that came against David and his men in First Samuel 30. Pray that this is not a week of tears of sorrow in families, churches, businesses and nations.

Pray that this is a week of recovery from losses as David and His men recovered all in First Samuel 30. Let this week be that morning when weeping ceases and joy begins as in Psalm 30.

Pray that this will be a week of revival in the lives of individuals, families, churches, businesses and nations as Hezekiah led Judah to a revival of the Passover in Second Chronicles 30.

This 30th week, pray for the release of the wisdom and force that will make a way where there is none (as in Proverbs 30) and move us from desperation to celebration. Let this be a week when joy overtakes weeping; and mourning turns into dancing.

FURTHER PRAYERS

“”O Lord, keep us, this week, from blaming the wrong people for our problems as Rachel blamed Leah and Jacob. Deliver us from looking for help and answers in the wrong places as Rachel sought the answer to her barrenness in her maid. Keep us from celebrating half-measures as full answers; and from seeing fruits of compromise as fulfillment of the promise. May we never see Dan and Naphthali that came from Bilhah as the ALL, or as the Joseph, that should come from Rachel. Deliver us, this week, from the kind of strife and unnecessary contention that existed between Rachel and Leah in Genesis 30. Guide us to pursue cooperation instead of competition. Give us wisdom and patience for growth and triumph as you gave to Jacob to multiply his livestock..

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK

Jeremiah 30:18-22: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, And have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be built upon its own mound, And the palace shall remain according to its own plan. [19] Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. [20] Their children also shall be as before, And their congregation shall be established before Me; And I will punish all who oppress them. [21] Their nobles shall be from among them, And their governor shall come from their midst; Then I will cause him to draw near, And he shall approach Me; For who is this who pledged his heart to approach Me?’ says the LORD. [22] ‘You shall be My people, And I will be your God.’”

Happy 30th week of the year!

THE 29TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (JULY 16-22)

By
Nkem Okemiri
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0

Welcome to the 29th week of the year. It is the beginning of a critical new season in the year. The 29th week is the beginning of the fifth seven weeks of the year (July 16 – September 2).

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 29TH WEEK:

  1. The first day of creation
  2. The 29th book of the Bible
  3. The 29th chapters of the Bible
  4. The first 5 chapters of the 5th book of the Bible (Deuteronomy).

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 29TH WEEK:

Going through the 28th week of the year (July 16 – September 2 in a clear year) is like taking a prophetic journey through the 29th book of the Bible (Joel) and 29th chapters of the Bible. So, the Book of Joel and the 29th chapters of the Bible are great guiding lights for the week. This is a season of walking in the power of the Spirit.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

July 16: Joel 1:1-12
July 17: Joel 1’13-20
July 18: Joel 2:1-10
July 19: Joel 2:11-27
July 20: Joel 2:28-32
July 21: Joel 3’1-14
July 22: Joel 3’15-21

THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS ON THE 29TH SEASON

1. DISAPPOINTMENTS BECOME BLESSING

In Genesis 29, Jacob was caught off guard by the craftiness of his uncle Laban. He and Jacob had agreed that Jacob would serve him seven years to marry Rachel his second daughter. When it was time to take his wife, Laban gave him Leah, Rachel’s older sister, instead. Jacob was compelled to serve additional seven years to marry the girl of his dream. He went through difficult fourteen years of service to get his dream wife. Obviously. It was a trying time; but he went through it with joy. That was how he ended up with two wives and their maids. That was how God delivered Jacob from the barrenness that plagued his father and grandfather; and laid the foundation for the 12 sons and tribes of Israel What Laban meant against him became an advantage. Achish, the king of Gath, trusted David as a faithful ally. However, in First Samuel 29, the Lords of the Philistines refused his participation in the battle against Israel. What happened to David and his men in First Samuel 29 was a blessing in disguise. David was spared the trouble of having to face Saul and Jonathan in battle. He would have fought in the battle where Saul and his sons lost their lives. Perhaps, he would have fought to save Saul when Heaven had sentenced him to death.

If disappointed in the 29th season? Do not worry. Rejoice and be thankful. In this season, God may work for us in ways we cannot understand. In Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah wrote a letter to the Jewish captives in Babylon. He told them to make themselves comfortable in Babylon because the captivity would last 70 years. The Jews in Babylon must have been disappointed to learn that captivity would last 70 years but God said it’s for good. The beginning may be bitter but the end will be sweet. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope”. What Jacob suffered in Genesis 29 worked for him. What happened to David and his men in First Samuel 29 was a blessing in disguise.

PRAYER: Pray that everything designed to work against us will work against us will work for us.

2. DISASTERS

The 29th week is a Book of Joel week. The book opened with devastations from devourers (the locusts, caterpillars, cankerworms, and palmer worms), proceeded with a call to seek God with fasting. The 29th President of the United States died in office. Within the 29th seven years of the United States, attempts were made to assassinate the 38th President, Gerald Ford in 1975. In 1989 (the 29th year of Nigeria), the anti-SAP protests took over Nigeria. The nation lost so much from the riots and protests. In the 29th year of the Villa in Abuja (the COVID-19 year) the President’s chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, died in office.

PRAYER: Pray against disasters, destructions, devastations, and death. Pray that this is not a week of remembering the past with nothing to show for it in the present as in Job 29.

  1. 3. REVIVAL, RESTORATION AND RENEWAL

This is a week of change through seeking God. This a week of revival. In First Chronicles 29 (the last chapter of the book), David and Israel gave generously and willingly for the work of the temple. In Second Chronicles 29, Hezekiah undertook the cleansing of the temple and the restoration of temple worship. He opened the door of the temple, cleaned and repaired the temple. He spoke to the people and mobilized them for the work of the Lord. The priests and the Levites sanctified themselves and offered up praises and offerings to the Lord. The opening of the door of the temple is the opening of the heart. Cleaning and repairing the temple speak of repentance. The resumption of worship and offerings in the temple represents restoration.  Joel 2:12-32 says, “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” [13] 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. [14] Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him- A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? [15] Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; [16] Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. [17] Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?'” [18] Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, And pity His people. [19] The LORD will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. [20] “But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea And his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things.” [21] Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the LORD has done marvelous things! [22] 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. [23] 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. [24] The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. [25] “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. [26] You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. [27] 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. [28] “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. [29] And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. [30] “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. [32] And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.”

4. THE VOICE OF THE LORD

The 29th week is the week of the Voice of the Lord. Voice sounds began on the fifth day of creation.

Psalm 29:1-11 says, “Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. [2] Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. [3] The VOICE of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. [4] The VOICE of the LORD is powerful; The VOICE of the LORD is full of majesty. [5] The VOICE of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon. [6] He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. [7] The VOICE of the LORD divides the flames of fire. [8] The VOICE of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. [9] The VOICE of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!” [10] The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever. [11] The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace”.

PRAYER: Pray that the voice of the Lord will rise through us this week. Now, pray and prophesy and release the voice of the Lord over situations that need change in the land

Happy 29th week!

Praying Into the Fifth 7 Weeks of the Year (July 16 – September 2)

By
Nkem Okemiri
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0

There are seven prophetic weeks in a year and a remainder of three weeks (22 days in a clear year and 23 days in a leap year). A prophetic week is a seven-week season. The ’70 weeks’ mentioned in the Book of Daniel was a prophetic coding for 490 years.

Seven-week seasons, like seven-year seasons are strategic gates of time. The fourth seven weeks of the year begins May 28 and ends July 15 in a clear year. The next season is the fifth seven weeks beginning July 16 and ending September 2. The fifth seven weeks of the year includes half of the month of July (16 days), the entire month of August, and the first two days in September. It also begins with the three weeks of the ‘Dire Straits’ that ends with’ the 9th of Av’ to commemorate the season of the destruction of the first and second temples of the Jews.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE SEASON:

The Biblical patterns for the fifth 7 weeks are:

1. The fifth day of creation narrative (Genesis 1:20-23)

2. The fifth book of the Bible (Deuteronomy)

3. The fifth chapters of the Bible, and 

4. The fifth seven books of the Bible (Joel – Habakkuk)

The fifth 7 weeks of the year is a fifth day of creation season.

God took three days of creation to complete His work with the waters. He divided the space-blocking waters horizontally to make space on the second day of creation. On the third day of creation, He set boundaries for the waters to make room for the earth and vegetation. On the fifth day of creation, He furnished the waters with living creatures. He made the birds on that day also. The things God did or said on the fifth day of creation give us a pattern for His intentions in a fifth season. The opposite of what God did is what the evil one seeks to do in the fifth season.

As God God turned to the waters on the fifth day of creation, the evil one seeks to visit humanity with drought or fire disasters in this season. As God spoke of abundance in this season, the evil one attacks with scarcity. He caused the waters to abound with abundance of living (moving) creatures because an unmanned fifth season is a season of scarcity and stagnation. As God made living creatures in this season, the evil one wants to visit God’s Creation with death. God made free moving creatures while the evil one plans imprisonment, bondage and stagnation in this season. God made the creation for specific locations. The evil one sponsors rebellion and lawlesness in this season. God blessed His creation for the first time on the fifth day but the evil one wants people to experience curses in this season. He spoke fruitfulness and multiplication over His creation on the fifth day but the evil one wants to release barrenness and decimation in this season. An unmanned fifth season will be a season of curses bringing barrenness and decimation.

God made creatures of balance on the fifth day because He intends justice and righteousness to prevail in this season but the evil one wants wickedness and injustice. God blessed the creatures with ability for voice sounds because this is a season of prayer, songs and declarations. Birds talk and sing. They have voices. The fifth season is a season of raising and listening to voices. In this season, the evil one wants to make it impossible to pray, sing to God, praise Him or declare His Word. Don’t give in to that. God blessed the creatures of the fifth day with sensory perception but evil one dulls sensitivity in this season. The birds (representing spirit) were made to fly above and the sea creatures (representing flesh) were made to live under the water. In this season, the evil one wants the flesh to be above and the spirit under. We must choose what stays up in this season – flesh or spirit.

PRAYER: Pray that the intentions of God for this season (as revealed in the narrative of the fifth day of creation) will be established this season. Pray that God will frustrate attempts of the evil one to limit full expression of life in the nations . Decree an end to the violent protests of the fourth seven weeks in the nations.

The fifth 7 weeks is a book of Deuteronomy season. 

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is applicable to the fifth seven weeks of the year. This season is a Book of Deuteronomy season in the year. A book of Deuteronomy season is a season to either be blessed by giving attention to the voice of God and be blessed; or to disregard the voice of God and be cursed. The book of Deuteronomy reveals that forgetting God or disregarding His word in the fifth season is courting disaster. The fifth book of the Bible shows that the key to prosperity in this season is to obey God’s voice. In Deuteronomy 28, God showed Israel the path to blessings and curses. In the 30th chapter, He laid again before Israel the paths to life and death. The book of Deuteronomy reveals that the fifth season is a time to choose to be up and above like the birds; or to be down and below like the sea creatures. It is all a matter of what you do with the word and voice of God. As God prepared Israel in the fifth book of the Bible before they entered Canaan in the book of Joshua, the fifth seven weeks of the year is preparatory for the sixth seven weeks of the year.

PRAYER: Pray against the visitation of curses across the nations this season. Bless the nations and God’s people in them as Moses blessed Israel in the fifth book of the Bible. Proclaim blessings to cancel curses as light dispels darkness. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Israel) and bless her.

The fifth seven weeks of the year is a fifth chapters of the Bible season. 

The fifth chapters of the Bible reveal three things that are applicable to the fifth seven weeks of the year:

1. This is a season to arrest disease and death. The fifth chapters of the are the longevity and healing chapters of the Bible. In Genesis 5, men lived hundreds of years before death. Enoch walked with God and God (not death) took him away. In Mark 5, Jesus delivered a demon possessed man from bondage. In the same chapter, He raised a girl from the dead and healed the woman with the issue of blood. In Second Kings 5, Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy. In John 5, Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda. In Acts 5, Peter’s shadow healed the sick. People can be healed anytime but this a gate of time for healing and physical restoration.

PRAYER: Pray that this will be a season of healing and reversing attacks on the body. Pray for a release of the healing anointing in the nations this season.

2. It is a season to confront rebellious and fleshly living. In Exodus 5, Pharaoh said to Moses, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him; I do not know the Lord; neither will I let Israel go”. In First Samuel 5, the Philistines put the ark of God, as a captive, in the house of Dagon, their god. In Second Kings 5, while Elisha refused the free-will offerings of Naaman, Gehazi ran after Naaman, in dishonesty, to receive money and materials. He became leprous at the end. In Daniel 5, Belshazzar, king of Babylon, mocked the God of Israel in a sumptuous feast and lost his life and kingdom the same day – after reading the strange hand-writing on the wall. In Matthew 5, Jesus taught His disciple to scorn superficiality and become spiritual instead of just being religious. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira died for giving offerings to the church in dishonesty. They gave in to the flesh. In First Corinthians 5, Paul rebuked the church for condoning a man who was sleeping with his father’s wife. Second Corinthians 5 calls us to focus on the spirit rather on the flesh. The 16th verse says, “therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh….”. Galatians 5 talks about the works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit; challenging us to walk in the spirit so as not to fulfill the desires of the flesh. In the fifth book of the Bible, God called Israel to obey His voice instead of following their natural or fleshly inclinations. That also seems to be the reason God commanded Joshua to circumcise (cut off the flesh” of) the men of Israel in Joshua 5. In fifth seasons, people have a tendency to live and walk in the flesh, rather than by the word and the spirit. In the fifth season, men are tempted to disregard, and even mock, the spiritual. The fifth book and chapters of the Bible show that the fifth season divides between the carnal and the spiritual. God made both sea creatures (representing flesh) and birds of the air (representing spirit) on the fifth day of creation. Romans 8:5 tells us that “To be fleshly minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life”.

PRAYER: Pray for grace walk in the spirit most of this season. Pray that the spirit will have ascendancy this season. Pray for a strong pull of the spirit this season.

3. It is a season of war against scarcity through generosity and self-denial. In Luke 5, Peter caught fish, in abundance, by the word of the Master; after giving his boat for a gospel crusade. He also walked away from the fish and fishing industry to follow the Prophet from Nazareth. In Joshua 5, Manna ceased; and Israel ate the fruit of the land after the men had been circumcised. In Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah said he gave up the material entitlements of ‘governor’ to not be a burden on the people. In Second Kings 5, Elisha refused offerings from Naaman.

PRAYER: Pray against incidents that could throw people into scarcity at this time. Pray also that God’s people in the nations will engage the mystery of self-denial to bind the spirit of poverty and scarcity this season.

The fifth 7 weeks of the year is a fifth-seven-books-of-the-Bible season. The fifth seven books of the Bible are Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum and Habakkuk. The books are mostly concerned about awakening the people to righteousness and justice. They confront the people to turn to God. They are also books announcing God’s judgment against the rebellious. Each week of the fifth 49 days will express one of the fifth seven books of the Bible. The fifth seven books of the Bible reveal that the fifth seven weeks is a season to walk in unalloyed obedience. It is a season to pursue justice and righteousness. As there are threats of disasters in the fifth seven books of the Bible, the world is often visited with disasters – some kind of ‘dire straits’ – in the fifth seven weeks of the year. May the Lord keep His people far from disasters in the fifth seven weeks of this year. 

PRAYER: Pray that this season is not given to wasteful locusts, caterpillars, palmerworms and cankerworms as in the book of Joel. Instead pray for an outpouring of the Spirit on the nations. Pray that this is a season of deliverance and possessing possessions as in Obadiah. Pray that the rebellious spirit that seized Jonah will find no room in your heart. Pray that a door of repentance be opened to modern Ninevehs this season as in the book of Jonah. Pray that spiritual awakening and repentance will shut the door against such fire disasters spoken of in the book of Amos (1:3-15; 2:1-5).

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SEASON

Since the fifth seven weeks of the year is a book of Deuteronomy season and a Joel – Habakkuk season, we can receive light from God’s word for each week of the season as follows:

Week 29 – Deuteronomy 1-5; Joel 1-3

Week 30 – Deuteronomy 6-10; Amos 1-9

Week 31 – Deuteronomy 11-15; Obadiah 1:1-21

Week 32 – Deuteronomy 16-20; Jonah 1-4

Week 33 – Deuteronomy 21-25; Micah 1-7

Week 34 – Deuteronomy 26-30; Nahum 1-3

Week 35 – Deuteronomy 31-34; Habakkuk 1-3

The theme of the fifth seven weeks season is “Obey My Voice”. Examine your life and make amends in any area wher. Stay in the path of obedience!

PRAYER: Pray that the call to obey God will ring through the nations this season and that it will yield much fruit.

Happy fifth seven weeks!

The Mystery of the 38th Birthday

By
Nkem Okemiri
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0

Congratulations on your 38th birthday or the 38th anniversary of your birth. This really means you have completed and ended the 38th year of your life. That year is behind you now. Many people do not understand this. They think a birthday is the beginning of the year or age they are celebrating. No, it’s the end. When you celebrate the first birthday of a child, it means the child has completed the first year and is stepping into the second year. So, your 38th birthday is actually the beginning of the 39th year of your life. The 39th year is the season you should be concerned about and looking into as you mark the 38th year.

FIVE BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 39TH YEAR

The Bible patterns for understanding the 39th year are 1) the fourth day of creation narrative; 2) the 39th book of the Bible; 3) the 39th chapters of the Bible; 4) the fourth section chapters (13-15) of Joshua, the sixth book of the Bible and 5) the last 9 books of the Old Testament.

1. The 39th year is a fourth day of creation year. How? The 39th is the fourth in the sixth seven (36-42). On the fourth day of creation, God made the luminaries to give light, rule over the night and the day, divide the light from the darkness: and be for signs and for seasons. The luminaries are guiding lights but are also made to support on life on earth. Having guiding lights, heavenly light, is the key to success in the 39th season. The luminaries God made on the fourth day have three classes: the sun, the moon, and the stars. Applied spiritually, they represent the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and wise men and women (parents, elders, teachers, and mentors). These are the luminaries of God on earth. You need them in the 39th season. The spiritual luminaries are needed in this season to keep you away from mental darkness.

2. The 39th year is a book of Malachi season. Malachi is the 39th book of the Bible and the last book of the Old Testament. The book is about the Lord’s controversies with His people. He raised charges against His people, through His prophet, but they denied it. Six times in the book, the people countered God’s word (Malachi 1:2, 6, 7; 2:17; 3:7, 8). The people had become so blind that they could no longer see what the Lord was seeing and saying about them. Would it not have been better for the people to keep mute instead of arguing with the Lord? In the 39th season, it is better to keep mute and watch instead of opening your mouth to speak rubbish and sin with your tongue (Psalm 39:1). Pride and arrogance seek to get a hold of people in the 39th season.

3. The 39th year is a 39th-chapters-of-the-Bible season. The 39th chapters of the Bible reveal that the 39th season is a border-season. It is the season to cross over to the other side. It is both an end and a new beginning. Joseph’s time in Portiphar’s house began and ended in Genesis 39. He parted with his garment of slavery in this chapter. He never returned to that house. The work on the tabernacle, under Bezaleel, ended in Exodus 39 with the preparation of the garment of the priests. Job 39 marked the end of God’s first round of questions for Job. The four-chapter story of Hezekiah ended in Isaiah 39.  In Jeremiah 39, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians according to God’s word; and Jeremiah was freed and favored by the Babylonians. The forces of Gog and Magog were defeated and destroyed; and their carcasses given to the birds of the air in Ezekiel 39. In the same chapter, the Prophet saw Israel restored to her land.

4. The 39th year is a Joshua 13-15 season. The fourth division chapters of the sixth book of the Bible are applicable to the fourth year in the sixth seven years. The distribution of the land began in these chapters.. It is the bridge to the ‘New Testament’ side of Joshua’s assignment in the sixth book of the Bible. In Joshua 13, God told Joshua there are still more lands to be conquered. He mapped out the territories awaiting conquest and possession. In Joshua 14, Caleb received his inheritance which Moses promised him. He conquered his territory and possessed it. Joshua 15 is about the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob.

5. The 39th year is Obadiah – Malachi season in the sixth 7 years of life (36-42). Going through any seven-year season is like taking a prophetic journey through the Bible. Every seven-year season has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four years of the season belong to the Old Testament side and express the 39 books of the Old Testament. The remaining three years of the season constitute the New Testament side and express the 27 books of the New Testament. The fourth year is the year closing the Old Testament side of the seven-year season; and expresses the last nine books of the Old Testament. So, the 39th year is the bridge-year leading to the New Testament side of the sixth 7 years. The books of ‘the minor prophets’ are part of the last 9 books of the O.T. They are about judgment and promises of restoration. They are books of tests of obedience and alignment with God.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 39TH YEAR

Here are six things about the 39th season – from the 39th book and chapters of the Bible. 

1. The 39th year is the end of a phase, and the beginning of a new story. Malachi, the 39th book of the Bible, is the end of the Old Testament. It is the book before the New Testament. Genesis 39 is the bridge chapter in the life of Joseph. From being Portiphar’s slave, he went to prison where He met his change. It was in the 39th year of Azariah king of Judah that the Northern Kingdom experienced a power-shift from Zechariah to Shallum to Menahem (2 Kings 15:8-17). After the 39th chapter of Isaiah, the Lord moved from confrontation to comfort. The 39th season is transition season.

The stories of men and nations confirm there is a shift that occurs in the 39th season. The War of 1812-1814 between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ended with a Peace treaty in the 39th year of the United States. That war was the second and last war of America’s independence. The United States became completely free from British domination in the 39th year of the nation – following that war of 1812-1814. The Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt happened in the season of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. It was the beginning of a new day for the two countries. Margaret Thatcher became UK Prime Minister in the 39th seven years of the United Kingdom; and she was the first woman to hold that office. Nigeria moved from military rule to democracy in 1999, the 39th year of her nationhood. That was when she began to move into the New Testament of her political destiny. Nigeria became independent on October 1, 1960; the day following the end of the 39th week of the year. Nigeria ceased to be a British colony after the 39th week of 1960.

This 39th year marks the end of a phase, and the beginning of a new story in your life and in your family. Believe and declare it! Malachi, the 39th book of the Bible, is the last book of the Old Testament. The stripes of Jesus ended with the 39th. 1939 was when the Second World War began. It was a book of Malachi year in the 20th century. The Second World War changed the world. Whatever you experience in your 39th year, keep declaring that ‘the Old Testament’ side of your sixth seven years (36-42) is ending and the New Testament side is about to begin. In the name of Jesus, declare, this year, that your story is changing. The old story is ending. A new season is beginning for you.

2. In the 39th season men are called to reflect on the frailty of human life and call upon God for deliverance from death. In Psalm 39:4-6, the psalmist says, “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. [5] Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah [6] Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them. In Jeremiah 39, Jerusalem fell as Jeremiah prophesied. In Ezekiel 39, Gog is deceived to march against Israel. The forces of Gog were defeated and destroyed; and their carcasses given to the birds of the air. 1939 was a year of great loss of lives. January 13 was Black Friday in Victoria where 71 people died in one of Australia’s bushfires. On January 24, earthquake killed 30, 000 people in Chile. On December 27, earthquake shook eastern Turkey and left over 32, 700 people dead. This is besides the lives consumed by the Second World War that began September 1. The war was an invite from the spirit of death. In the 39th week of 1992 (26 September) a Nigerian Air Force plane NAF911 crashed three minutes after take-off from Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 159 military officers including 8 foreign nationals (151 from Nigeria, 5 from Ghana, 1 from Tanzania, 1 from Zimbabwe, 1 from Uganda) were confirmed dead. Whereas God wants it to be a season if moving to a new phase, the evil one wants it to be a season of ending lives.

3. In the 39th season, heaven permits men to be tempted and tested for their future and destiny. In Genesis 39, Joseph was tempted to commit immorality. He refused, and was victimized. His mind was on truth instead of fantasy. He passed the test of the season. In Exodus 39, God gave commandments to Moses about the priestly garment and the Ephod. The ephod was used to determine the will of God. The 39th season is a time to discern the will of God before taking action. It is not a time to do your own thing. If only Adolf Hitler knew that, he would not have commanded the invasion of Poland in 1939. At least, he would have saved his own life. He was deceived and deceived others to go with him on a journey that did not favor him and his large company. In the 39th chapter of Psalms, the psalmist speaks of using his mouth carefully. In Psalm 39:1-2, the psalmist says, I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” [2] I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up”. Words matter in the 39th season. The season is also when the worth of men are weighed in a balance. In Malachi, the 39th and last book of the Old Testament, the Lord entered into controversy with Israel but they were full of defenses. They contested every point God made n the book. How can men argue or contend with God?Beware of contending with God in the 39th year

The 39th season is a time of temptation and tough choices. The subject of the temptation is usually “Lie with me”. If the tempter does not get, peacefully, what he wants, he turns to victimization. Dissidents are victimized in the 39th season. Hezekiah faced that temptation in Isaiah 39 – whether or not to receive the royal guests from Babylon. Hezekiah did not know he was being tempted. Hezekiah ill-advisedly received Babylonian guests and showed them everything in his palace. Isaiah rebuked Him for that; but the king did not understand the weight of what he did. In the 14th book of the Bible where the incident s also reported, 2 Chronicles 32:31 says, “However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart”.Judah and Jerusalem faced that temptation in Jeremiah 39 – whether to surrender to Babylon or not. That was the temptation Poland faced in 1939 concerning Germany’s interest in the city of Danzig. In the 39th week of 2022, parts of Ukraine faced this temptation. Russia mastermind a “Lie with me” referendum in parts of Ukraine she occupies. Wisdom and divine guidance are grossly needed in this season.

4. The 39th season is for humbling the proud. Asa the king of Judah became proud and incorrigible. He imprisoned a messenger of God that brought correction to him. He became sick in the 39th year. The proud and arrogant get stuck in the 39th season. 2 Chronicles 16:12 says, “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians”. The destruction of Jerusalem is recorded in Jeremiah 39. Those who did not believe the words of the prophet were humiliated.

5. The 39th season is a time to trust God for restoration because the old is coming to an end. The 39th book of the Bible ended with a promise of restoration. Malachi 4:5-6 says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. [6] And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

6. The 39th season is a time to prove and showcase the faithfulness of God. Since, it is a time of temptation and tough choices, God vindicates those who make choices that honour and glorify Him in this season. Joseph proved the faithfulness of God when his master put him in prison. In the 39th book of the Bible (Malachi), God challenged Israel to prove Him by sending in their tithes. Malachi 3:10-12 says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. [11] “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; [12] “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts”.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 39TH YEAR 

1. Pray that the Lord will help you, as He helped Joseph in Genesis 39, to walk in the spirit and overcome every trial and temptation of this year.

Pray that the Lord will deliver you from blindly questioning Him in this 39th year as Israel questioned Him and argued with Him in the 39th book of the Bible.

Declare that the Old Testament side of this year is ending this 39th year. Pray that troubles and pains will end with this 39th year of your life and that good news of God’s love and mercy will greet you as you move towards your year.

Pray that the Lord will vindicate the faithful in the nations in this 39th year as He vindicated Jeremiah in the 39th chapter of the book of Jeremiah.

Pray against unnecessary provocations and unjust wars that seek to rise in the 39th season.

Happy 39th year!

THE 28TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (JULY 8 – 14)

By
Nkem Okemiri
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2

The 28th season is a critical gate of time. It is the seventh and last week ending the fourth 7 weeks (or fourth 49 days) of the year. It is the Sabbath-week of the fourth seven weeks.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 28TH WEEK

The Bible patterns for understanding the 28th week are

  1. The 7th day of creation narrative (Genesis 2: 1-3).
  2. The 7th Book of the Bible.
  3. The 7th chapters of the Bible.
  4. The 28th book of the Bible (Hosea)
  5. The 28th chapters of the Bible,
  6. The last five chapters of the fourth book of the Bible (Numbers 32-36).

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 28TH WEEK:

Going through the 28th week of the year (July 9 -15 in a clear year) is like taking a prophetic journey through the 28th book of the Bible (Hosea) and 28th chapters of the Bible. So, the Book of Hosea and the 28th chapters of the Bible are great guiding lights for the week. This is a season of unconditional love.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

July 8: Hosea 1 – 2
July 9: Hosea 3 – 4
July 10: Hosea 5 – 6
July 11: Hosea 7 – 8
July 12: Hosea 9 – 10
July 13: Hosea 11 – 12
July 14: Hosea 13 – 14

THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK

The 28th book and chapters of the Bible indicate 5 major things concerning this season:

A. Season of Heaven’s Verdict

In Genesis 28, after Jacob had received the blessings Isaac meant for Esau and was escaping to Padan Aram, God blessed him at Bethel. The verdict of God was in His favour. God did not treat him as a thief. Deuteronomy 28 is God’s verdict concerning the obedient and the disobedient. In First Samuel 28, Saul went to consult a witch because he could not hear from God. He ended up with the verdict of heaven that he and his sons would die the next day in battle. Psalm 28 is an appeal to heaven for a verdict of righteousness. Psalm 28:3-5 says, “Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, Who speak peace to their neighbors, But evil is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavors; Give them according to the work of their hands; Render to them what they deserve. Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up”. In Matthew 28, Jesus received a verdict of approval from Heaven by His resurrection from the dead. In Acts 28, Paul was vindicated when he shook off the viper the people thought would kill him and did not swell up or die. He even healed the sick in that Island. God does not confirm the futile imaginations of men in the 28th season.

PRAYER: This week, let us be in prayer, with expectation, for the verdict of heaven and for vindication from above. Pray for the verdict of Heaven concerning the righteous and wicked.

B. Season of the Last Word

The 28th season is reserved for the last word. There is no 29th chapter in the New Testament. In Matthew 28, Jesus rose from the dead and gave His last word to His disciples. Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen”. The Resurrection of Jesus is a last word. Acts 28 gives us the last word about Paul’s trial. Acts 28:30-31 says, “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, [31] preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him”. Job 28 gives the last word about Wisdom. Job 28:27-28 says
“Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. [28] And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ David spoke his last words to Solomon in First Chronicles 28. Heaven is releasing a last word this 28th week and it will last. It will be a word of triumph.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will give the last word, this week, in matters where men have already taken their own decisions.

C. Season of Overthrows

Second Chronicles 28 is about the reign of Ahaz,his apostasy and death. Judah suffered greatly in the days of King Ahaz. Second Chronicles 28:19 says, “For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the LORD”. Isaiah 28 is a proclamation of woe to Ephraim and Jerusalem. Jeremiah 28 is about the overthrow of Hananiah, the false prophet. Ezekiel 28 is prophecy against Tyre. In Deuteronomy 28, God said Israel would be overthrown if they disobey Him (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Rebels are punished in the 28th season. The First World War happened in the season of the 28th President of the United States (Woodrow Wilson) and saw the defeat and collapse of four empires.

PRAYER: Pray for the overthrow and fall of evil, proud and wicked monopolies this week. Pray Psalm 28:4-5: “Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavors; Give them according to the work of their hands; Render to them what they deserve. [5] Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them And not build them up”.

D. Season of Great Mercy and Generousity.

As Heaven reacts against pride in the 28th season, Heaven also shows mercy to the humble in the season. Numbers 28 is about offerings to God (daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, Passover offering, Feast of Weeks offerings). Those offerings were tokens of response to God’s mercy.

To illustrate God’s faithfulness and love to unfaithful Israel, God instructed the prophet to marry and love a harlot. Hosea 3:1 says, “Then the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.” The book of Hosea is the 28th book of the Bible. This is a week of experiencing the unconditional love and mercy of God.

PRAYER: Pray that the mercy of God will overflow this week to deliver and to save. This week, let songs rise in celebration of God’s mercy to His people. Turn Psalm 28:6-9 into a song: “Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. The LORD is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever”.

E. Season of Escape from death

This is a week of escape from death. Jacob escaped from Esau and death in Genesis 28. Jesus escaped from death and the grave in Matthew 28. In Act 28 ,Paul escaped shipwreck and death at sea. He also escaped being killed by a venomous snake. In the season of the 28th U.S President, the spirit of death visited the world through the First World War and the Spanish Flu. Lives were lost but many still escaped death. In the 28th book of the Bible, God said, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes” (Hosea 13:14 NKJV).

There is no 29th chapter in the New Testament. This week, Heaven will be closing books of troubles and struggles with a chapter of triumph.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:

Matthew 28:18-20: “…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen”.

Happy 28th week of the year.

The 27th Week of the Year

By
Nkem Okemiri
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0

Every season must be understood in light of the broader season it is part of. Every day is part of a week; every week is part of a month; every month is part of a year and every year is part of a century. The 23rd year of the 20th century is not the same with the 23rd year of the 21st century.

On May 28, we began the journey through the 4th seven weeks of the year. This fourth seven weeks of the year will end July 15. We are entering the 6th week in that journey and it is the beginning of the seventh month and the second half of the year.

In the Hebrew Calendar, we are in the fourth month – Tammuz.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 27TH WEEK

The Bible patterns for understanding the 27th week are

  1. The 27th week is a 6th chapters of the Bible week in the fourth seven weeks of the year.

The sixth day of creation narrative (Genesis 1: 24-31).

The 6th Book of the Bible.

The 6th chapters of the Bible.

The 27th book of the Bible (Daniel)

The 27th chapters of the Bible,

The five chapters in the 6th division of the fourth book of the Bible (Numbers 26-30).

The Bible passages mentioning the 27th day or year.

The 27th week of the year is a sixth day of creation week. On the sixth day of creation, God made man in His image to TAKE CHARGE. He both unveiled Himself in man; and veiled Himself in man. Why did God make man on the sixth day, in His image and to rule (have dominion? It is because of the rebellion of the sixth season. In the sixth season, the kingdoms of men seek to become (or make itself) something greater or higher than it is – intending to cover up the kingdom and purpose of God. So, the sixth season is a time to rule in the midst of your enemies. It is a time to enforce the rule and dominion of God in the world of men. It is a season of battling to establish the will and dominion of God in a world where men do not want to give God His place.

The 27th week is a Book of Joshua week in the fourth seven weeks of the year. Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible.

The 27th is the sixth in the fourth-seven (22-28). God wants this week to be a week of exploits and conquests for the Kingdom.

This is a season to crush human arrogance and sinful pride. God also gave food to man on the sixth day. It means food is an important issue in the 27th week. The creatures of the sixth season are intelligent and have strong sensory perception. Spiritual sight is necessity in this season. This means we should smart and discerning in the 27th week. The 27th season is for uncovering the covered – through revelations and sanctified rebellion.

  1. This 27th week is a book of Daniel week in the year. 

Daniel is the 27th book of the Bible. In the 27th book of the Bible, Babylon sought to exalt herself above God by covering up and swallowing up the image of God in the land. God’s people had to stand up for God; and by their stand, gave God opportunity to reveal Himself as the Governor among the nations and as the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. In the book of Daniel, the king of Babylon gave Babylonian names to four Hebrew young men; and taught them Babylonian arts and science; but Babylon could not change their Jewish blood or mindset. This is a week of revelations and discernment. This involves ability to perceive, understand, and interpret (uncover), by divine enablement, what is hidden. Daniel was an ‘unraveler’ of mysteries. No secret could be hidden from him. He was careful with the food of Babylon. The 27th season is about ability or inability to discern and uncover what is covered. The 27th season is also a season of overthrows. Conspiracies and lies told against them, to cover up the truth could not stand. Slavery could not bury who they were. It is also about standing out and refusing to be covered. The wicked and proud are overthrown in the 27th season.

The 27th President of the United States, William Taft, stood against the appointment of blacks to federal offices. That was a clear departure from his predecessor and from the fundamental humanitarian mission of the Republican Party. He sought re-election but did not win. His predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, who had hand-picked him as successor, split the Republican Party to run against Taft. May the forces that had helped you not fight against you in this 27th season; as God fought Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon in the 27th book of the Bible; and fought liberal imperialist PM, Lord Rosebery (Archibald Primrose) in the 27th seven years of the United Kingdom; and fought the 27th Prime Minister of Italy, Benito Mussolini, the founder of Fascism; and fought America in President J. F Kennedy in the 27th seven years of the United States.

This is also a 27th chapters of the Bible week. In Genesis 27, Jacob covered himself with Esau’s clothes, on the advice of his mother, to deceive his blind father, Isaac, and steal Esau’s blessing – after serving him the food he wanted. However, he could not cover his voice. Isaac could not uncover what Rebekah and Jacob had covered; he came very close but still couldn’t. Blessed is the one that satisfies the hungry in the 27th season.

You can read the 27th chapters of the Bible to see the pattern in the narratives.

  1. The 27th week is a Numbers 27-31 week. 

The sixth five chapters of the fourth book of the Bible is applicable to the sixth week of the fourth seven weeks of the year. Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible. This section of the book of Numbers is about covering and uncovering. In the 26th chapter, the census uncovered the children who were not part of the census 40 years earlier. The others, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, had been swallowed up. The 27th chapter is the inheritance law concerning the five daughters of Zelophehad. Their father had died and had no son. Tradition was going to cover up that house; but his daughters spoke up and a new inheritance law was made in their favor. Do not despise women in the 27th season. God made sure woman was brought in on the sixth day of creation. The 27th week is a sixth-season week. In this chapter, also, Joshua was uncovered as Moses’s successor. The 28th and 29 chapters are about offerings – daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, Passover offerings, Feast of Weeks offerings, Feast of Trumpets offerings, Day of Atonement offerings, and Feast of Tabernacles offerings. The offerings were a covering for the people before God. In the 30th chapter, Moses gave laws concerning vows; how a father may overrule the vows of his daughter; and a husband the vows of his wife. Joshua was inaugu

  1. THE 27TH WEEK HAS A PATTERN IN THE BIBLE PASSAGES MENTIONING ‘THE TWENTY-SEVENTH’

The five passages where ‘the twenty-secenth’ is used indicate that this season is for the huniliation of the proud and the exaltation of the humble.

Noah and his family came out of the Ark on a 27th day (Genesis 8:14-16)

Zimri destroyed the house Baasha and also killed himself in the 27th year if Asa, king of Judah (1 Kings 16:10-13,15-20)

Sixteen year old Azariah (Uzziah) became king of Judah in the 27th year of the the reign of Jeroboam king of Israel. He died a leper because of pride and arrogance ( 2 Kings 15:1-5).

2 Kings 25:27-30: Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. [28] He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon. [29] So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. [30] And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life.

Ezekiel 29:17-20: And it came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [18] “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to labor strenuously against Tyre; every head was made bald, and every shoulder rubbed raw; yet neither he nor his army received wages from Tyre, for the labor which they expended on it. [19] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he shall take away her wealth, carry off her spoil, and remove her pillage; and that will be the wages for his army. [20] I have given him the land of Egypt for his labor, because they worked for Me,’ says the Lord GOD..

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 27TH WEEK:

Going through the 27th week of the year (July 2 -8 in a clear year) is like taking a prophetic journey through the 27th book of the Bible (Daniel) and 27th chapters of the Bible. So, the Book of Daniel and the 27th chapters of the Bible are great guiding lights for the week. This is a season to be guided through the Spirit and the Word of the Lord.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

July 2: Daniel 1 – 2
July 3: Daniel 3 – 4
July 4: Daniel 5 – 6
July 5: Daniel 7 – 8
July 6: Daniel 9 – 10
July 7: Daniel 11
July 8: Daniel 12

THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK

  1. 1. THE 27TH WEEK IS A SEASON WHEN THE TRUTH IS VEILED TO DECEIVE THE BLIND AND UNDISCERNING.

In Genesis 27, Jacob disguised himself and deceived Isaac to bless him. Isaac was deceived because he was blind.

In First Samuel 27, David was a undercover refugee and offered to serve Achish the king of Gath. The king was deceived. He gave Ziklag to David and his men. He believed David was killing Israelites whereas David was killing Philistines.

  1. 2. THE 27TH WEEK IS FOR DISMANTLING VEILS, BARRIERS, AND COVERINGS HIDING PLACES, PEOPLE, AND THINGS

The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom in Matthew 27. In the 27th book of the Bible, God unveiled Daniel and his friends in Babylon. God also gave revelations that unveiled the future in the 27th book of the Bible. In Acts 27, Paul was unveiled amid prisoners sailing to Rome. In Genesis 27, Isaac saw, and spoke into the future of Jacob and Esau. God unveils the future in 27th seasons. The 27th season is a season of visions. The word ‘vision’ is used in 97 verses in the entire Bible (NKJV). The book of Daniel alone, it is used in 29 verses. No other book of the Bible uses the word ‘vision’ more than the 27th book.

  1. 3. THE 27TH WEEK IS FOR PROBLEM SOLVERS

The 27th week is for problem-solvers but it is a season of tough questions. It is a season of tough demands. Daniel was a problem-solver. He told secrets, that no one else in Babylon. He interpreted dreams that others could not. He read strange handwriting that others could not. He knew what others did not know. That was how he rose to great power.

  1. 4. THE 27TH: THE HUMILIATION OF THE PROUD AND THE EXALTATION OF THE HUMBLE

Pride and arrogance are great temptations in the 27th season. God promoted Nebuchadnezzar in Jeremiah 27 and humiliated him in the 27th book of the Bible because of pride. God humiliated Belshazzar in Daniel 5 for the same reason. Great Babylon fell to the Medes in the 27th book of the Bible. God spoke about the fall of Tyre in Ezekiel 27. In Isaiah 27, God spoke about punishing Leviathan, the fleeing and twisted serpent; and about restoring Jerusalem. Fascist Benito Mussolini was the 27th Prime Minister of Italy. He was an ally Adolf Hitler. It is important to pray that our hearts are protected from pride in this week. The 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft distanced himself from the policies of his predecessor, the 26th President(Theodore Roosevelt) who hand-picked Taft to be his successor. He was racist. When it was time to run for re-election in 1912, Roosevelt ran against him. The two lost to Woodrow Wilson (the 28th President). Pray that people God had helped in the past do not become His enemies in the 27th week. It was within the 27th seven years of the United States that America banned State-sponsored prayer and Bible reading in public schools. God fights the proud and helps the humble in the 27th season. 2 Chronicles 27:6 says, “So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God”.

  1. 5. THE 27TH WEEK IS A SEASON WHEN PEOPLE WITH CONVICTIONS STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE

This is a week to remember those who stand for what they believe. This is a season to take bold, fearless and courageous, stand for your just conviction. This is a season of intimidation from hell; that is thevreason the 27th book of the Bible says, “…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32b). Daniel and his friends chose to die instead of casting their faith away. Psalm 27:1 says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” This is a week to demonstrate great confidence in God. Jesus was crucified for what He believed in Matthew 27. Paul was among prisoners for his faith in Acts 27.

The 13 colonies constituting the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776.

John Hus died for his faith on July 6, 1415. The Catholic Church  condemned him as a heretic and had him burned at the stake. 

Sir Thomas Moore was beheaded on July 6, 1535 for refusing to renounce his catholic faith – repudiating the pope and accepting the annulment of King Henry VIII’s marriage. He left behind the following words: “The king’s good servant; but God’s first’.

French Huguenots lost all freedom on July 7, 1585 after King Henri III and Duke de Guise signed the treaty of Nemours.

Nazis executed 5000 Jews at Kovno, Lithuania

Joan of Arc was acquitted on July 7, 1437 though she had been burned at the stake May 30, 1431.

Opposition leader, Nigerian Moshood Abiola, died in prison from heart attack on July 7, 1998. 

  1. 6. THE 27TH SEASON IS A TIME OF GREAT PRESERVATION

God preserves lives in the 27th season. God saved Daniel and his friends from death by revealing the king’s secret to them in Daniel 2. God saved Shedrach, Meshack, and Abednego, from the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. God saved Daniel from lions in Daniel 6. God saved Paul and the other prisoners from shipwreck in Acts 27. God told him, “there shall be no loss of any life”; and he announced it to them. In Matthew 27, Jesus died that we may live; and when He died, Matthew 27:52-53 says, “and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many”.
In the season of the 27th President of the United States, the 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, survived assassination attempt while delivering his campaign speech for the 1912 presidential election. The traitor was arrested and Theodore Roosevelt continued his speech as if he had not been shot. The 27th season and the spirit of death are not friends. It does not cooperate with death. Benito Mussolini, the fascist 27th Prime Minister of Italy did not know that. Unfortunately, John F. Kennedy did not enjoy this privilege of the 27th season. He was assassinated within the 27th seven years of the United States; on November 22, 1963. This week, may the God that delivered His people from fire and lions, in the book of Daniel, keep you.

  1. 7. THE 27TH WEEK IS A SEASON TO SUBJECT PHYSICAL APPETITES TO HIGHER PURPOSES .

Food was the foundation of Jacob’s problem with Esau in Genesis 27. In the 27th book of the Bible, Daniel and his friends did not fall for the king’s menu. In Acts 27, Paul and the other prisoners did not have time or appetite for food because of what they were going through. They had “long abstinence from food”. This is a season to discipline the appetite for food and drinks. Daniel gave himself to prayer and fasting in the 27th book of the Bible and secrets were revealed to him. This is a season of communion with Heaven and with “the God Who reveals secrets”. This week, do not let food and other material things get a better part of you.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 27TH WEEK

1. Pray against the spirit of Babylon that seeks to take the place of God in the lives of people in the 27th season.

2. Pray for those who are going through persecution in different nations. Pray for believers in lands where they cannot freely express their faith. Pray that the Lord will vindicate His own that trust in Him in this week of promotion through pressure.

3. Pray that believers working under cover for the cause of God and His Kingdom, in ‘dangerous places’, will escape detection and be protected this week.

4. Pray that the Lord will help you to detect evil workers who disguise themselves as good and innocent people. You will not be deceived like Isaac in Genesis 27; and like Achish in First Samuel 27.

5. Pray that God will humiliate proud and arrogant leaders in the nations this week as He did to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar in the 27th book of the Bible; and as it happened to the Captain of the ship in Acts 27.

6. Pray for the unveiling people, secrets and mysteries this week. This is the week of the God Who reveals secret things – Daniel chapter 2 indicates.

7. Pray that satanic veils over God’s people that seek to make them what they are not will be lifted.

8. Pray that veils of spiritual blindness and insensitivity be lifted in this week of dreams, visions, understanding times and seasons and interpreting mysteries.

9. Pray for courage to take a fearless radical stand for Jesus Christ – wherever and whenever it is necessary this week. Psalm 27:1-3.

Happy 27th week.

GATE OF TIME ACADEMY Times & Seasons Training

By
Nkem Okemiri
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Seasons and experiences go together. Experience is the other side of Season. You cannot separate one from the other. There is a time-season factor behind who you are and what you’re going through. The Bible holds the key to unravelling this mystery.

The benefit of understanding times and seasons cannot be overemphasized. The Bible says it’s key to escaping evil surprises (Ecclesiastes 9:12; Matthew 24:43) and knowing what you ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Please, join me and the Gate of Time Academy team on this life-changing 3 -Saturday virtual training on times and seasons. In this Master Class, I will get to the root of the matter and share with you how to Do It Yourself.

Blessings!

Click HERE to register.

The 25th Year of Democracy in Nigeria (May 29, 2023 – May 28, 2024)

By
Nkem Okemiri
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There are three important dates from which Nigeria’s political seasons can be reckoned

  1. 1. January 1 (1914) when the Amalgamation of Nigeria took place..

2. October 1, (1960) – when Nigeria gained independence..

3. May 29 (1999) – the beginning of the fourth republic; when Democracy was restored in Nigeria Nigeria. . ..

At the time of this post (2023), Nigeria’s Amalgamation is in its 110th year; Nigeria is in the 63rd year of her independence and her fourth republic democracy in ihe 25th year. It is significance of the 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic that this post focuses on. On May 29, 2023, the first day of the 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was inaugurated President of Nigeria following a fiercely contested controversial Presidential election.

SIX BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 25TH YEAR

There are 6 Biblical patterns for understanding the mystery of this 25th year. They are

  1. 1. The narrative of the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:14-19)
  2. 2. The 25th book of the Bible (Lamentations)
  3. 3. The 25th chapters of the Bible.
  4. 4. The narrative of Numbers 17-21
  5. 5. The last 9 books of the Old Testament
  6. 6. The mention of the 25th year in the Bible.
  8. 1. The 25th year on Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a fourth day of creation year. This year is a core fourth-season year. It is the fourth year within the fourth seven years (22-28). So, the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1: 14-19) is key to understanding this season of Nigeria. On the fourth day of creation, God made the luminaries and gave them power and authority to rule over the creation of the first day (day and night) and to divide the light from the darkness. God also gave the luminaries the task of regulating and signaling seasons – days, months, and years. The luminaries were made for light, government, separation and to give regulatory signs. In a fourth season like this 25th year, it is important for Nigerians to come under the guiding lights of heaven to avoid decisions that could give ascendancy to Darkness. The luminaries God made on the fourth day of creation are guiding-lights. Nigeria needs the guiding lights of God (the word of God, revelation from the Holy Spirit and wise counsel) to keep her from stumbling in this season. The leadership of Nigeria must not isolate herrself from channels of truth or from people who have experience and wise counsel.

The FIRST returns in the FOURTH. God made light to work against darkness on the first and fourth days of creation. As we all needed to be guided in the first seven years of life, we also need to be guided in the fourth seven years – where the 25th belongs. In the first seven years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (1999 – 2006), there were attempts to extend the boundaries of the Sharia Law in Nigeria. Within the fourth seven years (2020 – 2026) this effort will seek revival and reinforcement. The first returns in the fourth. Revelation is stronger than reason. A Yoruba man (Obasanjo) was President in the first 7 years of the Fourth Reoublic. Another Yoruba man (Tibubu) is inaugurated within the fourth 7 years of the Fourth Republic. This is not about whipping up ethnic or tribal sentiments but about highlighting Biblical truth. PM (Alhaji) Tafawa Balewa was Nigeria’s First National Leader. He was assassinated. Murtala Mohammed was Nigeria’s Fourth National Leader. He was also assassinated. The first returns in the fourth. Within the first seven years of Nigeria’s independence, a military coup ended the first republic. Within the fourth 7 years of Nigeria’s independence, a military coup ended the Second Republic. The 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic will be like a return of 2002-2003 in Nigeria. May 29, 2002 – May 29 , 2003 was the 4th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. It was the end of one term and the beginning of another term. May 29, 2023 – May 29, 2024 is the 4th year within the 4th seven years of Nigeria’s 4th Republic. The first 4th year will return in the fourth 4th year.

  1. 2. The 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a Numbers 17-21 year. The fourth book of the Bible is the guiding light for the fourth seven years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (May 2020 – May 2026) and the 25th year (May 2023 – May 2024) is the fourth year in this season. It is the fourth of the fourth. So, the fourth prophetic division of the fourth book of the Bible (Numbers 17-21) is applicable to this season. How did we arrive at Numbers 17-21?

If you divide the 36-chapter book of Numbers into seven parts (for the 4th seven years of the Fourth Republic), you would have five chapters and a remainder of one. Put the remainder in the first division to make it six chapters. You’ll see that Numbers 17-21 is the fourth part. In Numbers 17, Aaron’s dry rod, out of 12 rods belonging to Israel’s tribal heads, budded and brought forth ripe almond fruit overnight. This ended the contention against Aaron’s Levitical Priesthood. The contention between Aaron and other tribal leaders was resolved in Numbers 17. A major leadership contention will be resolved this 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. This is a year to settle some tough leadership questions and arguments in the country. The ‘Aaron’ of Nigeria will be vindicated by incontestable proofs. Numbers 18 is about the duties and privileges of the priests; including tithes for Levites and tithes from Levites. Numbers 19 is about laws of purification. This 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a year of the Rule of Law. In Numbers 20, Moses committed his fatal error of striking the rock twice, to bring water for Israel, instead of speaking to the rock. This is a year of a major disqualification in Nigeria. Moses did a good thing by giving Israel the water they wanted but not the way God wanted. He quenched Israel’s thirst but God was displeased with him. In this of Nigeria, process will be exalted above end results. Edom also refused Israel passage through her territory. It was another grave error in this passage. May the Lord keep our leadership from making costly mistakes in this year. Numbers 20 opened with the death of Miriam and ends with the death of Aaron. God said Aaron would not enter the Promised Land because of the rebellion at Meribah. Israel mourned him thirty days. This is a year of great falls. The mighty are being taken out. In the 21st chapter, Israel faced the fiery serpents because of murmuring. They also had major victories against three strong kings. This year is not going to be an easy year for Nigerians but God want Nigerians to trust him instead reacting and panicking. This will be a year of great triumphs. The Og and Sihon of Nigeria will go down this year.

  1. 3. The 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a book of Lamentations year. Lamentations is the 25th book of the Bible. Jeremiah wrote the five-chapter book following the destruction of Jerusalem and the final captivity. The prophetic message of the book of Lamentations is that if we reject truth in the 25th year or season, the end would be lamentations. The 25th President of the United States was William McKinley. He was assassinated. Franklin D. Roosevelt was US President in the 25th seven years of the United States. He also died in office in 1945 – the first year of his 4th term as President; the beginning of the 4th seven years in America’s fourth 49 years. He died in the year the Second World War ended – following the US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. God’s will for the 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is laughter – not lamentation. It is lack of discernment that makes it a season of lamentation.

The Book of Lamentation is a great guiding light for the 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. It is a very unique book in the Bible. The first and last two chapters (1, 2, 4 and 5) have 22 verses each. The 3rd and middle chapter has 66 verses. There are seven 22 verses The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters. So, the number 22 represents comprehensiveness. God has comprehensive light for Nigeria to follow in this season. Rejection of light in this season will open the door to lamentations in the country. As you read this 25th book of the Bible, determine and pray that the story of the 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic will not be a story of lamentations. This is a season to carefully discern the will of God and focus on it without distractions.

You may want to read the book of Lamentations in seven days as follows:

Day 1: Lamentations 1: 1-22
Day 2: Lamentations 2: 1-22
Day 3: Lamentations 3: 1-22
Day 4: Lamentations 3: 23-44
Day 5: Lamentations 3: 45-66
Day 6: Lamentations 4: 1-22
Day 7: Lamentations 5: 1-22

  1. 4. The 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a 25th chapters of the Bible season. The 25th chapters of the Bible reveal that the 25th season is a time to walk cautiously to avoid turning it into a season of tears and regrets. Just as the 25th book of the Bible is called Lamentations, there are also stories of regrets and tears in the 25th chapters of the Bible. Genesis 25 records the death of Abraham and Ishmael; and Esau’s sale of his birthright to Jacob. In Numbers 25, Israel fell into Balaam’s trap and committed idolatry and immorality with Moabites. 24, 000 Israelites died of plague on that day. In First Samuel 25, Nabal died of drunkenness and heart attack. The death of Samuel the prophet is also recorded in this chapter. The fall and captivity of Judah is recorded in Second Kings 25. The assassination of Gedaliah, whom the Babylonian King made governor of Judah, and the people with him, is recorded in this chapter also. In Second Chronicles 25, Amaziah became king and executed his servants who had murdered his father, Joash, the king. Amaziah later became idolatrous and obstinate after defeating Edom. Israel defeated him in battle. The death of Amaziah is recorded in this passage. In Matthew 25, Jesus gave the Parable of the ten virgins and of the talents. He also spoke of the judgment of the sheep and goat nations. In this chapter, Jesus said there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Acts 25, Paul escaped death at the hands of the Jews because he wisely appealed to Caesar for judgment. He refused to go to Jerusalem for judgment. You can escape the pit of the season by following the God-given luminaries for the season – the Word, the Spirit and Wise counselors..
  1. 5. The 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is Obadiah – Malachi season in the fourth seven years of the Fourth Republic. Going through any seven-year season (like the fourth seven years) is like taking a prophetic journey through the Bible. The fourth 7 years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four years of the season (May 2020 – May 2024) belong to the Old Testament side and express the 39 books of the Old Testament. The remaining three years of the season (May 2024 – May 2027) constitute the New Testament side and express the 27 books of the New Testament. So, the 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is the year closing the Old Testament side of the 4th seven years of the 4th Republic. May 2023 – May 2024 is a bridge-year and a promotion examination year in the fourth seven years of the 4th republic. Pray that the government of Nigeria will pass the tests of this season. This 25th year expresses the last nine books of the Old Testament. It is the bridge-year leading to the New Testament side of the fourth 7 years. The books of ‘the minor prophets’ are part of the last 9 books of the O.T. They are about judgment and promises of restoration. This 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a season of the dominion of guiding lights. Pray that the God-given luminaries will dominate this season of Nigeria. Pray that our nation will not neglect the shining lights.
  3. 6. The 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is an Ezekiel 40 year. In Ezekiel 40, in a 25th year, God began to give the prophet the vision of New Jerusalem. This is a year to envision the New Nigeria where no one is oppressed. This 25th year is a window or gate of time from which Nigerians can view the future – by the help of God. This is a year to look up and forward – not a year to look back.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK

In summary, here are 6 things to note about the 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic::

1. IT IS A TIME TO END TROUBLES

The 25th season is a time to end troubles. Isaiah 25 captures this theme very well. The 12-verse chapter highlights the end of troubles:

a) the fortified evil city (Isaiah 25:1-5).

b) the surface of the covering cast over all people and the veil that is spread over all nations (Isaiah 25:6-7).

c) death, tears and the rebuke of God’s people (Isaiah 25:8-9).

d) Moab (Isaiah 25:10-12)

Rebekah’s barrenness ended in Genesis 25. The Second World War ended at the beginning of the 25th seven years of the United States (in 1945). That is the reason the psalmist prays to be delivered and helped in Psalm 25. Psalm 25:17 says, “The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses!” Troubles increase when they’re about to end.

That the 25th season is a time to end troubles is key to understanding all the other things that are associated with the 25th season.

In a season when troubles end, hunger pressurized Esau to sell his birthright for food (Genesis 25). Many Nigerian Esaus will sell their future because of present gratifications.

In a season when troubles end, Israel succumbed to temptations at Baal-peor (Numbers 25). God deliver Nigeria from running into a curse God wants to save her from.

In a season when troubles end, David was tempted to take vengeance against Nabal (Samuel 25) before Abigail intervened.

PRAYER: Proclaim that this 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a year of ending troubles in the Nigeria. Pray against distractions and for victory in temptations. Pray that Nigeria will be saved from harming herself.

  1. 2. IT IS A SEASON TO TEST GENEROSITY AND COMPASSION

The 25th year if Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a time of great needs that tests generosity and compassion in the hearts of people. God demanded offering from Israelites in Exodus 25. Understand that they had just come out of bondage and didn’t have much to spare. God was just testing their generosity. Jacob was not generous to his brother, Esau, in Genesis 25. Why ask for birthright in exchange for food? Nabal was not generous to David and his men in First Samuel 25. Isaiah 25 shows the generosity of God in throwing a feast of choice pieces. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25) the man who received one talent did not have a generous heart. In the parable of the sheep and goat nations, it took generosity to feed the hungry and visit the sick and prisoners. In the 25th season, it is important to show respect to all men – especially the weak and vulnerable. Heaven will be Nigerian government and citizens for generosity in this year.

PRAYER: Pray that God’s people in Nigeria will not miss opportunities to be generous in this 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic..

  1. 3. IT IS A TIME TO SEEK MERCY:

This is a season when Perfection reacts against iniquity. This is the season when inadequacy stands before Completeness and Comprehensiveness for judgment. Mercy is very precious in this season because it is a season of judgment. This season has zero tolerance for rebellion. It does not spare the rebellious. Moses committed his fatal error in the fourth division chapters of the book of Numbers (Numbers 20).. God commanded him to give the people water by speaking to the rock. Moses struck the rock with his rod instead. God was displeased and said he would not enter the Promised Land. In Numbers 21, many Israelites died in the plague of the fiery serpents for rebellion against God. Three kings of the Amorites also fell in this section of the fourth book of the Bible – for resisting the purpose of God. In Numbers 25, twenty-four thousand Israelites perished at Baal-peor because of sin. The 25th book of the Bible is about the judgment that befell Judah and Jerusalem because of rebellion against God. Mercy is a great need in the 25th season. In Psalm 25, the Psalmist prays for mercy. The 25th book of the Bible is a song of God’s mercy. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” .

PRAYER: Pray for the repentance and salvation of Nigerians living in rebellion against God. Pray for a spiritual awakening in the church in Nigeria. Pray that Nigeria will align with Heaven in this season. Pray that God’s mercy will destabilize the wicked and save the godly and needy in Nigeria.

  1. 4. IT IS A TIME TO BE WISE AND DISCERNING:

This season does not smile at, or sympathize with, foolishness. In Genesis 25, Esau gave his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of food. That was a costly price for any kind of food. May the Lord keep from throwing the future away because of present pressures or pleasures. First Samuel 25 reveals the wisdom of Abigail in her time]y intervention to stop bloodshed and save her foolish husband. Matthew 25 tells the story of the ten virgin; five of whom were foolish. The other two parables in Matthew 25 also show how people miss great opportunities through lack of wisdom and discernment. Paul’s discerning appeal to Caesar in Acts 25 saved his life. Wisdom is a lifeline in the 25th season.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will shield the hearts of Nigerians from foolishness in every form. Pray that Nigeria walk in Proverbs 25 wisdom in this 25th year. Pray that Nigerian government be delivered from making wrong decisions that would bring tears, sorrow, or unnecessary pains to Nigerians. Pray for all who occupy strategic positions of leadership to be kept from erroneous and costly decisions or policies.

  1. 5. IT IS A TIME TO WATCH AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF DEATH: 

The 25th book and chapters of the Bible indicate that there is a spirit that seeks to push people into weeping and mourning in the 25th season. That evil spirit accomplishes this by causing destructions, losses, and death. The 25th book of the Bible is called Lamentations. This 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, we should watch against choices, decisions, and steps that could lead to lamentations. The US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki happened within the 25th seven years of the US. That was the first use of atomic bomb in world history. It brought lamentations to Japan. In the 25th week of 2022, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan killing over 1000 people and injured over 1500. It was a week of lamentation for Afghans. In the 25th week of 2023, five people perished in the Titan Sub adventure to the resting place of the Titanic wreckage. The will of God is that 25th season should be a season feasting and wiping tears away. Isaiah 25:6-9 says, “And in this mountain The LORD of hosts will make for all people A feast of choice pieces, A feast of wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees. [7] And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations. [8] He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. [9] And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” The government and people of Nigeria must watch against disasters this year.

PRAYER: Pray that this 25th year will be a season of joy; not lamentations, in Nigeria. Pray against sudden disasters, surprise attacks, mass death, and wasteful destruction. Pray that murders who seek to kill and destroy, in this year, will run out of mercy and be frustrated. Pray Psalm 25:2-3 – “O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause”.

  1. 6. IT IS A TIME TO MARK THE END OF AN ERA:

The 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is the end of an era in Nigeria. The arrival of a 25th season is the arrival of the end of a phase of life. Abraham and Ishmael died in Genesis 25 – in the same chapter where Isaac and Rebecca had their sons. That marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new season. Miriam and Aaron died in the fourth division chapters of the fourth book of the Bible (Numbers 20). Eleazar became the new high priest. Samuel died in First Samuel 25. The death of Samuel ended an era in Israel. Gedaliah, Governor of Judah was murdered in Second Kings 25 – the last chapter of the book. The 25th book of the Bible, Lamentations, is about the end of the era of the first temple in Jerusalem. Proverbs 25 is the beginning of the end of Solomon’s Proverbs in the book. Matthew 25 is the last teaching of Jesus before His arrest and crucifixion. In the 25th week of 1865, on June 19, the Juneteenth proclamation was made in Texas, to establish the freedom of blacks and mark the end of slavery. That was the end of an era. William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States was assassinated in 1901. He was the last of US Presidents that served in the American Civil War. That was the end of an era. Sun Yat-sen, the Provisional President of the Republic of China died in 1925 (March 12) at the age of 58. It was the end of an era in China. Benito Mussolini became dictator in Italy in January 1925. Adolf Hitler became leader of the Nazi Party in February 1925. In 1945, at the beginning of the 25th seven years of the United States, both Mussolini and Hitler died to end end the era they initiated in their countries. Hitler died in the 25th year of his delivery of the Nazi Party Platform in 1920. In the same 1945, the longest serving US President, Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12; at the beginning of his 4th term. He was the first and last US president to serve more than two consecutive terms. His death ended an era. It was in the 25th seven years of the US that the Second World War ended. That was also the first time the atomic bomb was used in a war. That was the end of an era. In 1985, the 25th year of Nigeria, War Against Indiscipline in Nigeria ended win the overthrow of the Buhari – Idiagbon government. That was the end of an era. In the 25th week of 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe Vs Wade by a 6-3 vote. That was the end of an era. This 25th year of the Fourth Republic, will mark the opening of a new page in Nigeria.

PRAYER: Prophesy and declare that this 25th year of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is the end of an era and the beginning of a new season in Nigeria

Happy 25th year of Democracy in Nigeria!

God be merciful to Nigeria and bless her people with peace and freedom

NIGERIA: PRAYING INTO JUNE 25 – JULY 1 (THE 26TH WEEK OF THE YEAR – FROM JANUARY 1) AND THE 39TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR (FROM OCTOBER 1).

By
Nkem Okemiri
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The Lord has, in His matchless wisdom, given us prophetic patterns, in His word, for each season. Now, he calls us to labor in the spirit to take delivery of what He had made the seasons to be, while standing against the agenda of darkness for the season. Ecclesiastes 1: 9 says, “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun”. As we pray and make decrees, seasons will conform to patterns in the word of God.

THE 26TH WEEK OF THE YEAR

We’ll begin with what is revealed in the Word concerning the 26th season and then move on to prayer points for the week.

FIVE BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 26TH WEEK

There are five basic patterns for the 26th week in the Bible. You can pray into the week using any of the patterns or all of them.

Here are the five patterns:

The narrative of the 5th day of creation.

The 26th book of the Bible

The 26th chapters of the Bible

The narrative of Numbers 22 – 26

The first 9 books of the New Testament.

..1. WEEK 26 IS A FIFTH-DAY-OF-CREATION WEEK (Genesis 1:20-23). 

Why is it so? #26 is the fifth in the fourth seven (22-28). What God did on the fifth day of creation is key to understanding the 26th week. Every other biblical pattern for the week leans on this fifth day of creation narrative.

How can we apply the fifth day of creation to the 26th week?

a). On the fifth day of creation, God began to make free-moving flesh and blood creatures. He gave the sea creatures ability to live and swim in water. He made the birds of the air to fly above the earth and across the firmament. So this is a week of freedom of movement in the spirit. The evil one will work hard to rob people of their freedom and ability to move about. How does he do this? He uses sickness (disease), wickedness, persecution, evil legal systems, scarcity and lack to do this. So, as watchmen, we must take a stand in the spirit and raise our voices against all enemies of freedom and progress warring against God’s purpose in this season. In Exodus 5, Moses went to Egypt and began his God-backed agitation for Israel’s freedom. “This says the Lord, “Let my people go”.

b). On the fifth day of creation, God gave the sea creatures and the birds of the air their habitations. Fish and the other sea creatures, living beneath, represent ‘flesh’. Jesus fed multitudes with fish and bread. The birds of the air, flying above and across, represent ‘spirit’. The Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. The fifth season is a time to give the spirit ascendancy over the flesh. Galatians 5:16-23 is a witness. Some other fifth chapters of the Bible show the danger of living in the flesh in the fifth season (Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 5; Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5; the man that took his father’s wife in First Corinthians 5.

c). The two categories of creatures God made on the fifth day, work and fight with their mouths. Birds and fish do a lot with their mouths. Voice sounds also began on the fifth day of creation. This means that the mouth must be fully engaged in this week for the right purposes. It is a season of raising voice, speaking words, singing songs, making confessions and declarations, offering prayers. This is a week of solving problems through prophetic decrees.

d). Sensory perception began on the fifth day of creation. God gave sense of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and feeling to creatures of the fifth day. So, this should be a week of heightened spiritual sensitivity.

e). Blessings began on the fifth day of creation. God did not bless anything in the first four days of creation. This is a week of blessings. God blessed the creatures of the fifth day with fruitfulness and multiplication. This week, open your mouth and bless.

f). On the fifth day of creation, God filled the waters with abundance of living creatures. Scarcity is not in God’s thought for this week. God changed the famine story in Genesis 26 for Isaac.

g). The living creatures God made on the fifth day of creation are creatures of balance. Birds spread their wings to fly. The sea creatures also maintain balance in water. This speaks of justice. The 26th season is a time to execute justice. The evil one will seek to oppress the just. Watchmen must stand for justice and truth this week.

  1. WEEK 26 IS A BOOK OF EZEKIEL WEEK.

Ezekiel is the 26th book of the Bible and is applicable to the 26th week of the year. The 26th week is to the year what the book of Ezekiel is to the Bible.

How can we apply the book of Ezekiel to the 26th week?

a). Ezekiel was a prophet driven by the Spirit and the word of the Lord. The Spirit and the Word were the two vital forces empowering the prophet in this book. Though he was stationed in Babylon he was very mobile in the spirit. He visited many places in the spirit – including the valley of dry bones. This is a season of spiritual transportation by the Spirit. “The spirit lifted me and brought me into….”. In this book, the prophet traveled places in the spirit and by the Spirit. The prophet was borne by the Spirit of God to go to places he went and to see the things he saw. The word of the Lord also came to him several times. He was a man driven by the Spirit of the Lord and the word of the Lord. The 26th week is a season of life through the Word and the Spirit. 

Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States. He was the ‘Ezekiel’ of US presidency. As disaster led Ezekiel to prophetic ministry, the assassination of the 25th President made Theodore Roosevelt the 26th President. On October 11, 1910, he became the first US President to fly in an aircraft while in office. An aircraft is like the birds of the air. Ezekiel was the prophet of space travels. Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower served as US Presidents in the 26th seven years of the United States (1951-1958). Both were great visionary leaders. The ‘Air Force One’ call sign for the aircraft carrying the US President was created within the 26th seven years of the US. Dwight D. Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System within the 26th seven years in 1956. Ezekiel was a prophet of spiritual transportation. He was always on the highway in the spirit. He travelled widely in the spirit. The 26th season is time to move in the spirit. It is a ‘bird of the air’ season.

b). This book reveals that the 26th season s a time when the heavens are open to the earth for visions and revelations. It is a time to see, hear and speak. The book of Ezekiel is about visions and word-encounters. Ezekiel saw, heard and spoke. The 26th season is a time to hear, see and speak. It is a season to move by the Sprit and speak by the word of the Lord.

c). In the 26th book of the Bible, the word ‘prophesy’ is used about 27 times in the book of Ezekiel; and half of those times, is to “prophesy against”. Ezekiel prophesied from a book of “lamentations, mourning, and woe” that was given to him. This is a week of getting things done by issuing divine decrees. In this season, God does things that would cause men to “know that I am the Lord”.

d). Week 26 is the week of “son of man”. Ezekiel is called ‘son of man’ 93 times in the 48-chapter 26th book of the Bible. In the New Testament, Jesus also called Himself ‘the son of man’. Ezekiel was both an expression of the original man (by unquestioning compliance to God’s will) and a foreshadow of “Son of Man”, who came into the world to do the will of God. Both Ezekiel and Jesus were in different ways expressions of the man God intended. Their ministries began with the opening of heaven. This is the week of the man God intended; and a week of unquestioning submission to the will of God.

  1. WEEK 26 IS A 26TH-CHAPTERS-OF-THE-BIBLE WEEK. 

The 26th chapters off the Bible highlight different aspects of the 26th season. In Genesis 26, God prospered Isaac in a season of famine. This is a season of blessing. Exodus 26 is about the construction of the mobile tabernacle of God. First Chronicles 26 is about the temple. God seeks a dwelling on earth in the 26th season. This is a week to be full of God.

Leviticus 26 is about blessings and curses. Numbers 26 is the second census. By this time, only Joshua and Caleb were left of the people that came out of Egypt. Death had no power over them because of the word of the Lord spoken over them. Deuteronomy 26 is about offerings to be brought to God in response to His blessings. First Samuel 26 is about David sparing Saul for a second time. God delivered David from death and put His enemy in his hands. Jeremiah 26 is about the Prophet’s deliverance from death. The 26th season is not a time to kill but a time to save life. Second Chronicles 26 is about the reign of Uzziah, his prosperity, pride, punishment, and death. Ezekiel 26 is proclamation against Tyre. Pride is a killer in the 26th season. Job 26 is a revelation of the majesty of God. Psalm 26 is a cry to God for vindication and redemption. God delivers in the 26th season. Proverbs 26 is about the fool, the lazy, and the liar. Laziness, foolishness, abuse of the tongue do not pay in the 26th season. Foolishness is refusal to deploy the senses for perception. Laziness is refusing to drive your body to desired ends. God did not make lazy or foolish creatures on the fifth day of creation. Birds of the air and the fish of the sea are smart, sensitive, and perceptive creatures. Isaiah 26 is a prophetic song of salvation which Judah shall sing. Matthew 26 is about Jesus betrayal, arrest, and trial before the Sanhedrin. Acts 26 is Paul’s trial and defense before Agrippa. The 26th season is a time to seek justice. 

  1. WEEK 26 IS A NUMBERS 22-26 WEEK. 

How and why? The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and is guiding light for the fourth seven weeks of the year. The five chapters in the fifth division of the fourth book of the Bible are applicable to the fifth week in the fourth seven weeks of the year. This section of the book of Numbers reveal that the 26th season is a season of overthrows for iniquity and transgressions. Those who walk with God in this season cannot be overthrown. 

In Numbers 22, Balaam was hired to curse Israel. In Numbers 23 and 24, his efforts to curse Israel were unsuccessful. He could not cast a spell on Israel to overthrow God’s people; because they were a blessed people. This is a week of blessings. There is no room in God’s plan for curses this week. So, let us bless to overthrow or block curses. In Numbers 25, Israel worshipped idols through harlotry with Moabites. Twenty-four thousand Israelites died on that day. They were overthrown by their rebellion against God. In the 26th week, curses come through rebellion.

  1. WEEK 26 IS A MATTHEW – GALATIANS SEASON IN THE FOURTH SEVEN WEEKS OF THE YEAR (MAY 28 – JULY 15).

It is the beginning of the New Testament side of the fourth seven weeks of the year (May 28 – July 15). Going through any seven-week season is like taking a prophetic journey through the Bible. The season has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four weeks of the seven-week season belong to the Old Testament side and express the 39 books of the Old Testament. The remaining three weeks of the season constitute the New Testament side and express the 27 books of the New Testament. The fifth week of the season is the beginning of the New Testament side of the 7 weeks; and expresses the first nine books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians and Galatians). These 9 books of the NT are about the Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. The books are about the love and grace of God granting salvation and justification to humanity by faith. This is a week to enter experientially into the New Testament side of the fourth 7 weeks. The old has passed away; and the new has begun. This is a week of the gracious Intervention of God.

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 26TH WEEK:

Going through the 26th week of the year (June 25 – July 1 in a clear year) is like taking a prophetic journey through the 26th book of the Bible (Ezekiel) and 26th chapters of the Bible. So, the Book of Lamentation and the 26th chapters of the Bible (19 of them) are great guiding lights for the week. This is a season to be guided through the Spirit and the Word of the Lord.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

June 25: Ezekiel 1 – 7
June 26: Ezekiel 8-14
June 27: Ezekiel 15-21
June 28: Ezekiel 22-28
June 29: Ezekiel 29-35
June 30: Ezekiel 36-42
July 1: Ezekiel 43-48

SUMMARY OF THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK

Here are 7 things to note and pray about in the 26th week:

  1. It is a season of prophesying and changing situations by the word of the Lord. In the 26th book of the Bible, the prophet got things done by prophesying or speaking the word of the Lord. Of the 84 verses of the Bible where the word ‘prophesy’ is used, 27 are in the 26th book of the Bible. Several times, God commanded him to prophesy; and he did. This is a week of releasing the Voice and Word of God over situations. Prophesy over death situations. Prophesy over people, families, communities cities, nations. Prophesy over the Church and her local expressions. The Word of the Lord is paramount in this season. This week, you will open your mouth and prophesy and also be open receive prophecies. This week, do not use your mouth for wrong purposes. Use asit to declare the mind of God over situations.

PRAYER: Pray, this week, that you will receive and speak the Word of God over places and situations as commanded by God and led by the Spirit. Pray for grace to prophesy as commanded. Pray for strength to magnify and exalt the word of the Lord above circumstances.

  1. It is a season of visions. It is a season of open heaven. Much of what is written in the 26th book of the Bible were things the Prophet saw in visions. The 26th book opened with visions of God and ended with visions of the City of God. Ezekiel 1:1 says, “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God”. The word ‘vision’ appears 20 times in 16 verses of the book. It is second only to the book of Daniel in the matter of visions.

PRAYER: Pray that the heavens will be open to God’s people this week; and that the Lord will also open the eyes of His people to see realities not accessible to ordinary eyes.

  1. This is a season to demonstrate before the nations and all men that the God of Israeli is Supreme. The phrase “shall know that I am the Lord” is used about 65 times in the book of Ezekiel; and 96 times in the entire Bible (NKJV). God is revealed as supreme when He judges the proud and lofty. The great King Uzziah suffered and died because of pride in Second Chronicles 26. In Ezekiel 26, the prophet pronounced judgment on Tyre because of pride and haughtiness. Isaiah 26 is about the judgment and punishment of the wicked and rebellious. God also reveals Himself as supreme when He favors and blesses His own. He prospered Isaac in a foreign land in a time of famine

PRAYER: Pray this week that the Lord will show, by His judgment and mercies that He is Lord over the earth and all men.

  1. This season is for the unveiling of man’s frailty and limitations. In the 26th book of the Bible, the title “son of man” is used in 94 verses for Prophet Ezekiel. In this season, God wants men to know they are men and to acknowledge Him as Lord. In the 26th season, the best of men is still “a son of man in whom there is no help”. Psalm 146:3-4 says, “Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. [4] His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish”.

PRAYER: Pray this week that men will humble themselves before and acknowledge they are just men. Pray Psalm 9:19-20: “Arise, O LORD, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O LORD, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah”.

  1. It is a time to save lives. So, you must take sides with God and the spirit of life against death and murderers. In First Samuel 26. Saul wanted to kill David but David spared the life of the King. Jeremiah 26 is about the Prophet’s deliverance from death. In 1912, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, escaped assassination. He was shot while delivering a campaign speech. The assassin was captured Do not dig a pit for another in the 26th season. Proverbs 26:27 says, “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him”. In the 26th year of Nigeria (March 5, 1986), a high ranking military officer, Mamman Vatsa, and 12 others were executed for alleged involvement in a failed coup.. In Numbers 26, by the time of the second census, adults who were counted in the first census had died except Moses, Caleb, and Joshua. Those two escaped death through faith or agreement with God’s word.

PRAYER: Pray that God will weaken and frustrate those who seek to waste the lives of others. Pray that this is a week of escapes from death.

  1. It is a season of success through obedience. This is a week of doing as God commands. The phrase “As I was commanded” is used only three times in the entire Bible (NKJV); and the three are in the 26th book of the Bible (Ezekiel 12:7; 24:18; 37:7). God prospered Isaac in Genesis 26 because he listened to God and because his father Abraham obeyed God. In Exodus 26, God gave detailed command concerning the construction of the Tabernacle. The phrase, “You shall….” is used 31 times in this 37-verse chapter. Leviticus 26 shows that obedience attracts blessings while disobedience attracts curses.

PRAYER: Pray that God’s people in the nations will be strong to obey God in their different communities and circumstances.

  1. It is a season of truth and justice. For the kingdom of darkness, it is a season of wickedness. Isaac faced injustice in Genesis 26 but the Lord also ended the strife at Rehoboth. Jesus faced trial in Matthew 26. Paul faced trial in Acts 26. Psalm 26 is a cry to God for vindication. This is a ‘Rehoboth’ week.

PRAYER: Pray for those who are being persecuted and for those standing trial for the truth. Pray those who are before the courts because of false accusations.

CHARGE: This is a book of Ezekiel week! It is a week of seeing, hearing, and speaking. It is a week of prophesying over situations and changing things by the word of the Lord. Don’t allow the dry bones in the valley shut your mouth. Do not be intimidated by any circumstance. This week, the rod is in your mouth. Son of man, prophesy! See what God is showing you, hear what He is telling you, and speak as He commands you. This is a week of doing as He says; and prospering until the Philistines envy you. Let the Spirit and the Word drive you this week.

THE 39TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR

Coming into the 39th week of the year is like coming into the Malachi of the year. Malachi is the 39th book of the Bible. The 39th week is the week ending the Old Testament side of the year. It is the bridge-week in the sixth 49 days of the year. It is a prophetic cross over week in the year. Week 39 is also a 39th-chapters-of-the-Bible week.

Here are three things about the 39th season – from the 39th book and chapters of the Bible:

  1. The 39th is the end of a phase, and the beginning of a new story. Malachi, the 39th book of the Bible, is the end of the Old Testament. It is the book before the New Testament.

In Genesis 39, Joseph’s time in Portiphar’s house began and ended. He parted with his garment of slavery in this chapter. He never returned to that house.

The work on the tabernacle, under Bezalel, ended in Exodus 39 with the preparation of the garment of the priests. The tabernacle was dedicated in the 40th chapter.

Job 39 marked the end of God’s first round of questions to Job.

Isaiah’s four-chapter story about Hezekiah that began in the 36th chapter, ended in Isaiah 39. In this chapter, Isaiah spoke of the captivity of Judah. Isaiah 39:5-7 says, “Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: [6] ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD. [7] ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” The remaining chapters of Isaiah are about restoration.

In Jeremiah 39, Jerusalem finally fell to the Babylonians according to God’s word; and Jeremiah was freed and favored by the Babylonians. In Ezekiel 39, the Prophet saw Israel restored to her land.

How has this played out in modern history?

Nigeria became independent on October 1, 1960; the day following the end of the 39th week of the year.

Nigeria also moved from military rule to democracy in 1999, the 39th year of her nationhood. That was when she began to move into the New Testament of her political destiny.

IPOB Leader,Nnamdi Kanu was rearrested in the 39th week of Nigeria’s 61st year on June 27, 2021.

The War of 1812-1814 between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ended with a Peace treaty in the 39th year of the United States. That war was the second and last war of America’s independence.

The Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt happened in the season of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States. It was the beginning of a new day for the two countries.

Margaret Thatcher became UK Prime Minister in the 39th seven years of the United Kingdom; and she was the first woman to hold that office. The stories of men and nations confirm there is a shift that occurs in the 39th season.

PRAYER: Pray and prophesy that this week is the end of the Old Testament side of Nigeria’s current year. Pray that this week will bring a positive shift in the year.

  1. In the 39th season men ought to reflect on the frailty of human life and call upon God for deliverance from death. In Psalm 39:4-6, the psalmist says, “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. [5] Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah [6] Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them. In Jeremiah 39, Jerusalem fell as Jeremiah prophesied. In Ezekiel 39, Gog is deceived to march against Israel. The forces of Gog were defeated and destroyed; and their carcasses given to the birds of the air. 1939 was a year of great loss of lives. January 13 was Black Friday in Victoria where 71 people died in one of Australia’s bushfires. On January 24, earthquake killed 30, 000 people in Chile. On December 27, earthquake shook eastern Turkey and left over 32, 700 people dead. This is besides the lives consumed by the Second World War that began September 1. The war was an invite from the spirit of death.

PRAYER: Pray against disasters that destroy innocent lives in this season.

  1. In the 39th season, heaven permits men to be tested for their destiny. In Genesis 39, Joseph was tempted to commit immorality. He refused, and was victimized. His mind was on truth instead of fantasy. He passed the test of the season. In Exodus 39, God gave commandments to Moses about the priestly garment and the Ephod. The ephod was used to determine the will of God. The 39th season is a time to discern the will of God before taking action. It is not a time to do your own thing. If only Adolf Hitler knew that, he would not commanded the invasion of Poland in 1939. At least, he would have saved his own life. He was deceived and deceived others to go with him on a journey that did not favor him and his large company. In the 39th chapter of Psalms, the psalmist speaks of using his mouth carefully. In Psalm 39:1-2, the psalmist says, I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” [2] I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up”. Words matter in the 39th season. The season is also when the worth of men are weighed in a balance. In Isaiah 39, Hezekiah unadvisedly received Babylonian guests and showed them everything in his palace. Isaiah rebuked Him for that; but the king did not understand the weight of what he did. In Malachi, the 39th and last book of the Old Testament, the Lord entered into controversy with Israel but they were full of defenses. They contested every point God made n the book. How can a man argue, or contend, with God?

PRAYER: Pray against failure and falling into temptation. Pray that Nigeria will not shoot herself in the foot this week. Pray that the enemies of Nigeria will make mistakes that will advance the cause of righteousness in the nation.

THIS WEEK, be hopeful that a phase is ending and a new phase is beginning – even if war breaks out against you. Also, be alert and watch against the tempter and destroyer. May the Lord grant you a shift from those who want you just for themselves; to those who seek to draw out the real value in you for the benefit of all. Ensure and treasure the presence and counsel of God. The presence of God is the secret of success in the 39th season; and you should not do anything to grieve or offend the Holy Presence. Walk in the spirit. Stand for God and believe Him for the transition to a new day.

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK

Isaiah 26:4-5: Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. [5] For He brings down those who dwell on high, The lofty city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He brings it down to the dust.

Genesis 39:2,21: The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. [21] But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Happy 26th week of the year! Happy 39th week of Nigeria’s year!!!..

Prepared for
COALITION OF INTERCESSORS IN NIGERIA (COIN)

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Nkem Okemiri is a herald of patterns, principles, and seasons, for the restoration of eternal purposes on earth. He has a mandate to bring understanding of times and seasons to the nations using a biblical model. He proclaims that NOW is the time to actualize dreams and expectations leading to the manifestation of The kingdom on earth

Contact Me: gotawakening@gmail.com
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