For the Jewish race, the 17th day of Tammuz and the 9th of Av are two days linked with great historical sorrow. It is also held in Jewish tradition that these two days hold great spiritual significance as well. The United States is linked with the nation of Israel at the heart. Events in Israel's history are foreshadows and catalysts for events in the CHURCH and I believe even in the United States of America. We are presently in the middle of 21 days of mourning leading up to 9 Av, or Tisha B'AV, the Fast of the Ninth Month. It's time to weep and wail over our condition because the "walls have been breached," and America is under judgment.

By Chris McDonald

I recently attended a Messianic conference in Chattanooga, TN. where Bill Cloud of Cleveland, TN.. was ministering. Bill did a tremendous job in bringing a series of speakers together to speak of the end times and the restoration of the Jewish roots the church. Bill along with Perry Stone wrote a book, "Living In The Final Chapter," from which I am taking and relating the following story from. On July 8, 1992, a comet, now referred to as Shoemaker-Levy, ventured too close to Jupiter and broke up into TWENTY ONE pieces and large fragments. Trapped by Jupiter's strong gravitational pull, these fragments began to bombard the planet between July 16 and July 22, 1994. The Hubble Space Telescope was able to relay images of this awesome event back to NASA. As fantastic a display as that was for the eyes of cosmetologists, for the believer, the story is even more riveting.

        On the Hebrew calendar, the bombardment began on 9 AV. As we wrote in our journal, Yeshua and The Fast Of The Ninth Month, this was the date the 10 spies negatively influenced all of Israel in bringing back an evil report to Moses concerning the Promised Land. As a result, the Lord was grieved with the entire nation and made them wander in the wilderness for FORTY years. This was no small event in Israel's history because it set the stage for a perpetual cycle of backsliding the nation would go through for centuries even up to today. There were 12 spies total. Two of the spies - Joshua and Caleb - came back in faith and said "WE ARE ABLE TO GO IN AND POSSESS THE LAND." The faith of two could not change the unbelief of 10 and as a result the Lord cursed the entire nation. From that day to now, the ninth of AV has been considered a day of ominous events though to be cursed by God.

        Underscoring this belief is the destruction of the First and Second Temples took place on this day  as well. In 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the Temple and razed it to the ground. Centuries later on 9 Av, 70 A.D., the Romans destroyed the Second Temple with fire. According to the Mishnah (Ta'an 4:6) in 136 A.D. the Roman emperor Hadrian established the Temple of Jupiter on the Temple Mount and erected an image of Jupiter on that site. He also rebuilt the city of Jerusalem and called it Aelia Capitolina, in honor of his name (Aeilus Hadrinaus) and the god Jupiter (Jupiter Capitolinus). Closer to our time, all Jews were expelled from Spain on 9 Av, 1492. That was the very day Christopher Columbus had chosen to set sail on his Indies expedition. Perhaps you can understand why many Jewish people have great lament on this day. The book of Lamentations is read on this day to recall the despair of prior generations. That is what makes this bombardment of Jupiter on 9 AV, 1994 so incredibly prophetic in nature.

        According to Stone, the planet Jupiter, in Hebrew, is known as Tzedek or "Righteousness." It is the same root word that is in the name Melchizidek. For those who study their Bibles you will know that Melchizidek was the priest Abraham met during his adventures trying to rescue his nephew Lot from heathen kings in Genesis 14. Many believe Melchizidek was actually an Old Testament theophany, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Yeshua.

        The planet Jupiter literally represents the star of David. For this bombardment to begin on 9 AV was seen as an ominous sign. In the summer of 1994 Israel was at the time hammering out peace initiatives with Jordan, Syria and other Arab neighbors. Her Prime Minister at the time, Yitzhak Rabin, had angered many in Israel by concessions he was willing to make the PLO in the elusive search for peace and safety for his people. In early 1995, Rabin was assassinated.

        It is very interesting to note that there were TWENTY ONE fragments hit Jupiter. That number is very key because 21 days BEFORE the 9 AV is the 17th Day of Tammuz.

        On this date in Israel's history it is believed that Nebuchadnezzar AND Titus both breached the walls 21 days before they destroyed the two temples on 9 AV. For many centuries, 17 Tammuz is the day the destruction of both houses is said to have begun. Consequently, this day has become a fast day which initiates a three-week (21 days) mourning period leading up to 9 AV. These three weeks of mourning are called bein hametzarim or "between the straits."

        In Jewish tradition, it is highly believed this is without question the most unluckiest (we don't believe in luck as believers) for the Jewish people. It is highly recommended that no Jewish person enter into any kind of argument or law suit with a Gentile because if they do during this time the Jewish person will lose. In spiritual traditions among Orthodox Jewish rabbis, it is taught that these 21 days are ear marked with a great increase in the workings of evil spirits. Remember that when Daniel set his face towards the Lord to seek His face it was TWENTY ONE days to get an answer (Dan. 10:13). Many believe that Daniel was praying during the time known as "between the straits."

Daniel 10:13  - But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
 

        It is also commonly believed that on 17th Tammuz that Moses broke the tablets of LAW when he discovered Israel worshipping the golden calf. The Talmud (Ta'anit 6:6) reports that on this day a mysterious figure called Apostomos (apostasy?) burned the Torah and erected an idol - some contend the IMAGE WAS OF JUPITER - in the Sanctuary of the Tabernacle of Moses. A pattern is very clear here - for the Jewish people - the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of AV are days associated with:

• Idolatry, Especially The God "Jupiter"

• Judgment

• Suffering At The Hands Of Gentiles

Tammuz And The Last Days

        Those days in 1994 when those fragments hit the planet "Jupiter" was a warning from the heavens that something is really happening in the spirit world! Jesus said that in the last days there would signs in "heaven."

Luke 21:11  - And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

        Israel suffered in the natural when this happened but one must ask the question was the Lord sending warnings to the United States as well? Let me explain why I believe it was and what it means for us today in 2002.

           There is and will always be a supernatural bond between Christians and the Jewish people because of the Messiah. Our Messiah is JEWISH! Our Savior is JEWISH. The WORD OF GOD is JEWISH! In addition to this supernatural lineage between Christians and Jewish people, there is also a spiritual linkage between the USA and Israel. Our foundation was one of great spiritual importance. America's history is so full of parallels with our spiritual Israel it isn't funny. We have stated many times before that whenever something happens with Israel in the natural, it usually is followed by something "spiritual" in the Church. In addition, when Israel is suffering, the United States has suffered. This is not idol words but backed up by history books. In Hebrew the United States means "the lands of the covenant." God raised up this nation and patterned it after His covenant people and His covenant relationship with the seed of Abraham.

           One great example of this spiritual bond between the two countries happened in the fall of 2000. During the summer of that year Mr. Clinton hosted the Camp David Meetings which tried to force an agreement between Yasser Arafat and then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Barak offered the PLO more concessions than ANY Prime Minister in the past. The talks however broke down over Jerusalem. The PLO wanted complete control over the Temple Mount and the Israelis would not give it. Two months later current Prime Minister Ariel Sharon went to the Temple Mount and declared Jerusalem the "eternal capital of Israel." (Sept 2000) Rioting broke out in the nation in an unprecedented  fashion. At that time the Israeli government was destabilized as a result of this rioting. Barak received a vote of no confidence. Israel’s government no longer existed because of the United State's efforts to force the Israelis to sign a peace treaty with the PLO.

        We all remember what happened here in America AT THE SAME TIME!!! In November, 2000, we did not have an election result for six weeks in late 2000. Our government was destabilized the same DAY the Israeli government was destabilized. While the Israeli government destabilized, our government destabilized. When they finally came to stability was when they agreed to have elections - December 10, 2000. It was on that date that a –divided US COURT OVER PRESIDENT. The Israeli stabilized held elections, our government stabilized when the US Court decided Bush would be the President elect. The most stabilized democracy was destabilized at the same time Israel was going through a government crisis as well. WE ARE CONNECTED

        Daniel's 490 Weeks

        Bill Cloud and Perry Stone make a tremendous statement in saying that Daniel's 490 week cycle may very well be a foreshadowing of the life-cycle of the United States. At the end of this cycle, wickedness ceases to influence Israeli affairs, judgment is administered, and God reigns unopposed. In short, man's season of sin is OVER and he must account for his actions. Remember that Daniel saw "seventy weeks." A week is 7 years in length. The 490 years are 70 weeks of years. We may very well be living on borrowed time in this nation!

        Let me explain it this way. In 1507 a German cartographer, Martin Waldeesmuller, printed a map which was the first to use the name "America. for the new continent. He named it for Amerigo Vespucci, a contemporary of Christopher Columbus. Vespucci was one of the first men to declare the Indies a "new world." Oddly enough 1997 marked the 490th year of the naming of America. Many prophetic people believe 1997 marked a place where America crossed the line with God. In other words, nothing America could do as a nation could change the judgment decree upon her. The call would no longer be corporate from the HOLY GHOST but individually.  If you will pause and think it was in 1997 that the focus of the world on the Middle East exploded. In the mid-1990s there was some concern but in 1997 everything this nation did (under Mr. Clinton) was to try and bring peace to the Middle East.

        It was also in 1997 that the world witnessed a European "revolution" of power and unity if you will unlike anything in Europe's history. This was validated by the creation of the common European currency - the EURO.  Since 1997 we have seen massive tornadoes, stock market crashes, earthquakes, political upheaval (elections of 2000) unlike anytime in the past 20 years. Many go back to 1987 and say that warning judgments from God began to hit America. But since 1997 those warning judgments have increased and in September, 2001 the hedge was finally let down in measure when we were attacked by terrorists.

        It is interesting to note that the current "Intifada" against Israel on September 2000.  The first suicide bombing took place on September 28, 2001. Nearly one year to the day, the very same elements attacking Israel were now attacking the UNITED STATES on September 11, 2001.  Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and has been the scene of MOST ATTACKS BY THE PALESTINIANS. The USA’s capital – Washington  - was one of the targets of the attacks. The USA’s capital was under the same attack as the suicide terrorists.

        Prophetic Words Concerning 9-11-2001

        After the  attacks on America in September, 2001, many prophetic voices began to warn America. Many said there was a time table of about 18-24 months before this nation would come under foreign power and suffer cataclysmic judgment. It's interesting to note that that 24 months from September 2001 will be around the year 2004. That is SEVEN YEARS from 1997. Everything in heaven runs on SEVEN YEAR CYCLES. That tells me that we are in a cycle of judgment that may very well culminate in the total destruction of this nation.  Neighbor that is a sobering thought! That is why it is imperative for individual repentance on all our parts. We cannot keep doing things in the church as we have done them in the past. The nation is at stake.

The Walls Have Been Breached

Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Neh. 2:13
And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

Neh. 4:7
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

        Something triggered a collapse of America's protection on September 11, 2001. Those who fear the Lord always have a hedge of protection around them. if and when they (a nation) or individual cease to fear the Lord, the hedge is removed. When this happens, every enemy who has previously been restrained is fee to move in and create havoc and destruction.

        When the hedge around Job was removed - three things were touched by the enemy - his "finances" (ECONOMY), his "family," (GOVERNMENT), and his personal health (SOCIETY IN GENERAL). By foreign influence, natural disasters and pestilences affecting every sphere of Job's life - HIS ENTIRE WORLD COLLAPSED. Why? Because the HEDGE was removed.

        Hear me neighbor, the walls of America have been breached just as they were broken down in Jerusalem in Nehemiah's day. The "gates" were also consumed with fire. Many prophetic visions of America's destruction deal with FIRE. Many have foretold nuclear explosions occurring in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Others have seen the entire West Coast fall into the Pacific Ocean. That is the time we are living in. We are living in the season of the 17th of Tammuz. We are under a decree of judgment. We are in the last days. Some preachers are so ignorant of this they say we are not living in the end times. To them you can only shake your head and pray.  But friend, we ARE in those days RIGHT NOW!

        To further illustrate what is about to happen, let me say this. When God judges a nation, He spoils their chief deity. In America's case it is MONEY. What we have seen just this past month in the collapse of several HUGE corporations in America due to fraud and accounting mistakes is but a precursor of things to come. Many more will crumble. Many more will file bankruptcy. This has sent shock waves through Wall Street. What is ahead for the American economy is so devastating that the Great Depression of 1929 will look like an afternoon tea party. Our nation's government continues to struggle to find a way to fight terrorism. They may tell us we're safe but the truth is that NO ONE will be able to protect us from GOD and when He decrees something - the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army and the Marines all combined will be no match!

        One interesting note on the Great Depression. It took place in 1929 - seven years after the first "BOOM" market in America really took place. The "Roaring Twenties" as they were called began in 1922. This seven year "period of blessing and plenty" took this nation away from simple faith in God. Moves of God at the turn of the century brought the nation to a place of repentance before the first World War through the preaching of Moody, Spurgeon and Whitfield. Sadly, the "financial prosperity" of the 1920s,  (Moody, Spurgeon, etc.) replaced a national sense of repentance and dependence on God with a feeling of pride, self-sufficiency and apathy. Seven years after the "plenty" in October, 1929 it all crashed. Interestingly enough for the next "seven years" up until 1936 America went through some of her most trying times. The seeds for the Depression were planted in 1922 when everything seemed wonderfully ok and nothing could harm us. The Depression lasted longer than 1936 but did not really end until America ended up in WAR. War is always a remedy for a failing economy because of the industrial needs it brings. That may sound ominous and it should.

        Am I the only one asking the question why we are so "possessed" with a dictator like Sadaam Hussein who cannot be that hard to get to if we REALLY wanted to. Why all this talk of "war with Iraq?" The real problem is not with Iraq it rests in Lebanon and Syria!! But we are literally "hell bent" on attacking Iraq and we are willing to sell our souls to the Arab world to get support to do it. America needs oil and needs it bad because our economy is slipping. Neighbor it's a pattern played out all over again. The walls have been breached. The enemy has been allowed to destroy America. Jerusalem's walls were Jerusalem's security from  her enemies. That was why Nehemiah WEPT when he saw them torn down.

        All of our doing and all of our money will not protect us from the enemy when he comes in. ONLY THE WALLS OF THE HOLY GHOST and the STANDARD of the Lord will! And unless America repents to a spurned God, she will suffer the end of her days.

        Our national survival hinges on repentance and ISRAEL. As the CHURCH, we must support ISRAEL and ALL COSTS! There is no room for compromise or waffling. We must stand on the covenant God made to Abraham long ago that declared that those who blessed ISRAEL would be BLESSED and those who CURSED Israel would be CURSED. We must come along side the Jewish people because the bond between us and them is not just spiritual - IT IS ETERNAL! When we walk through those streets of gold we will walk through a city whose foundations carry on them the names of the 12 JEWISH apostles! The 12 gates will have the names of the 12 JEWISH TRIBES of Israel! Neighbor that is as eternal as it gets.   Paul wrote that in the last days that the “scales on the eyes” of Jewish people will fall off! As a result the church will experience LIFE FROM THE DEAD when that happens. If Israel's falling away has been a blessing to us - HOW MUCH MORE WILL HER RESTORATION BE???? Glory to God. The church standing up BOLD for the Israeli people is going to be the same as Queen Esther standing up for her people in the last days.

        The last days and the 17th of Tammuz are interchanged more than we care to admit. Spiritual forces are at work right now to bring into place the "new world order." This new world order will come to pass WITH or WITHOUT the influence of the United States. There is not a Bible teacher out there that has seen the U.S. in prophecy as it pertains to the Great Tribulation. And at the same time there is NO WAY not to see ISRAEL in the prophetic strain of scripture. That should speak to us in BOLD TERMS.

America's Call Is No Longer Corporate

Rev. 3:20-22  - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [21] To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

        The last call of Yeshua in His LAST message is to a lukewarm church. His call though is no longer to that "church" but to any MAN who will open the door. Neighbor that is an individual call to repentance. We need to be sure we know where we stand with God in this awesome hour of history we live in. I have to tell you I have a sense each day that the USA is on borrowed time. I can't tell you what the future holds for the country. I can tell you this - America has crossed a line and unless she comes back (and signs are showing us that she is NOT PLANNING on coming back) she is doomed. SO that makes the Individual's standing with God that much more important.

        We need to be ready to meet Yeshua at ANY MOMENT no matter WHAT HAPPENS. The walls have been breached. I'm a watchman sounding the SHOFAR - blowing a TRUMPET IN ZION - that the enemy is coming and we are in serious trouble. Get right with God America, get right with God backslider. Get right with God adulterer. Get right with God thief. Get right with God lukewarm Christian. Eternity is about to beckon to us all soon.

        The last days are here. Are you ready to meet the Lord? It's time to repent for TODAY is the day of salvation. Life is but a vapor and we are not promised of tomorrow. So what we do with TODAY is eternally important! Praise God. It's getting late neighbor, it's getting late. No other way to put it but that. We're in the fourth quarter and the two minute warning is sounded. We're in the ninth inning, bases loaded and two are out. The hands on the clock say "ten to midnight." NEIGHBOR it's getting LATE. Allow the Holy Spirit to break your heart today and WEEP over the condition of our nation. This is the season we are in - the 17th of Tammuz - the "bearing the straits." And it is a time of weeping to have us see our condition and honor our Jewish brethren unlike we have at any time in history. Praise God.

Related Journal: The Fast Of The Ninth Month