The 40th week is a critical gate of time. Since nothing comes into this world without passing through a gate of time, this week will be the door for certain purposes seeking to manifest on earth. God has an agenda for every gate of time. The evil one also has a purpose for every gate of time. It is important to understand this battle for time and what we ought to do or how we ought to pray.. Gates of time should be guarded diligently just as we guard physical gates. When gates of time are not guarded with understanding, the enemy will push through the gate to execute evil purposes planned for that gate of time or to obstruct divine purposes meant for that time.
Here are 7 things the Bible indicates concerning the 40th season:
1. The ’40th’ is the beginning of good news. The 40th book of the Bible (Matthew) is the beginning of the New Testament and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40 opens with a message of comfort: “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. [2] “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the LORD’s hand Double for all her sins.” The plan of the evil one is for battles to continue when it ought to cease.
2. The 40th is a point of testimonies and new songs. Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. [2] He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. [3] He has put a new song in my mouth- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD”.
3. The 40th season is for the manifestation of God in the affairs of men. In the 40th book of the Bible, Jesus is called Emmanuel (God with us). In Genesis 40, God manifested Himself through Joseph to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants. Joseph told them that “interpretations belong to God”; yet it came through him. He was Emmanuel in that prison. In Exodus 40, the glory of God filled the tabernacle in the form of cloud; and Moses could not enter the tabernacle of meeting. In Job 40, the servant of God laid his hands in his mouth and said he would not speak again. He gave up the floor so God would have His way. In Psalm 40, the psalmist testifies of God’s intervention and deliverance following a season of waiting. Isaiah 40 says, “Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. [11] He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah 40:10-11). In Jeremiah 40, God sent a savior, Johanan, to Gedaliah; to save his life by revealing the plot of the Ammonites to assassinate him; but he did not believe him. He rejected the truth. He lacked spiritual sensitivity. The 40th season is a time to solve problems by the ability God gives.
4. The 40th season is a season of freedom and salvation for those who believe. In Jeremiah 40, the prophet was set free to choose where to live. Jesus set people free from afflictions in the 40th book of the Bible
5. The 40th is a season to operate by faith. It is not a season of merely reasoning out things. Sensitivity in the spirit is key to succeeding in the 40th season. Jesus challenged people to believe the gospel in the 40th book of the Bible. In Ezekiel 40, the prophet began to receive a revelation of the Jerusalem and new temple. God comes in the 40th season; so, it is necessary to prepare the way for His coming. The 40th season is a time to see into the spirit realm.
6. The 40th season is the terminus for waiting. Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I WAITED PATIENTLY for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. [2] He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. [3] He has put a new song in my mouth- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD”.The Lord discharged Moses from waiting and fasting before Him on the 40th day. Jesus ended His great fast on the 40th day. Israel’s wilderness journey ended with 40th year. Moses ended His allegiance to the Pharaoh family about his 40th year. This is a good time to remember nations, journeys and projects that are in the 40th season.
7. The 40th is where man stops and hands over to God. The book of Exodus ends at the 40th chapter with the cloud of God’s presence over the Tabernacle and the glory of God filled the Tabernacle. As soon as Moses finished the work, God took over and the Moses could not enter the Tabernacle. God overtakes man in the 40th season.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 40TH WEEK
1. Give thanks to God for leading us through 39 weeks of the year. Thank Him for His love and faithfulness.
2. Pray that as the Old Testament ends with 39th book and the New Testament begins with the 40th, so be it that the Old Testament side of the year is gone with the 39th week and that we have cone into the New Testament side of good news in the year. Let the good news begin this week.
3. Pray also that as the stripes of Jesus ended with the 39th, let the season of stripes come to an end in the year. Let there be a shift in the year from pain to comfort as Isaiah 40:1-2 says.
4. Pray that the Lord will grant us grace to walk by faith concerning His works in the nations and concerning our prayers before – as this New Testament week demands; because without faith it is impossible to please God; and two cannot work together unless they agree.
5. Pray that the presence and glory of the Lord will take over in the nations this 40th week – wherever God’s people have done as commanded – as it filled the Tabernacle in the 40th chapter of Exodus.
6. Pray that as Jesus came in the 40th book of the Bible and brought change by His teachings and miracles, let the 40th week of the year be a week of week in the nations.
7. Pray that the Lord will us this 40th week to find answers to puzzles in the nations as Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants in Genesis 40.
8. Pray for strength to diligent occupy and guard the gate of this 40th week against satanic purposes and to see that God’s will is done in the nations as it is in heaven.
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah 40: 31 “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint”.
Have a happy 40th week of the year!
Learn more about the Mystery of the 40th week