Signals of the Future – The Ninth of Av

And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years;and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth”; and it was so. And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. Genesis 1:14-16.

Here God states the purpose of the heavenly bodies. Within that description, God says ‘let them be for SIGNS and SEASONS.’ What does that mean?

We have commonly looked at that expression with the thought that perhaps it means the starry constellations or the signs of the zodiac and the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter; but is there a deeper meaning?

1. The Hebrew word used here for signs is ‘oth’ and means “a signal, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy or evidence.” – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, H226

2. The Hebrew word used here for ‘seasons’ is “mo’ed” and means “an appointment, more specifically a festival, an assembly, a signal (as appointed beforehand).” – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, H4150

The signs in the heavenly bodies we see in the sky are God’s beacons, signals, signs to show events that have been appointed beforehand.

The Hebrews have their own calendar that operates on Lunar cycles. The Hebrew year is 360 days in length rather than the Gregorian calendar which is 365 days in length. The Jewish festivals happen on the same date, and day of the week according to their calendar. For example, Passover (Pesach) always happens on the 14^th day of their first month at twilight (Leviticus 23:4).

In addition to the seven Hebrew feasts or festivals described in the Bible, the Jews recognize other days as well. There is significance in the date that the Jews call ‘Tish B’Av’ or the Ninth of Av. It is on this very date the Jews fast and pray because of the terrible things that have historically occurred on this date,

It just so happens that there is significance in the 9^th of Av for the three years, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Each is preceded by a total eclipse of the sun. While I was considering this last year and was wondering about it, I noted that was the date that Russia invaded Georgia. There are a lot of Jews living in Georgia, but what was the significance of that to Israel itself? Israel happens to be the major arms dealer to Georgia and there were rumors going around that Israel was going to use Georgian airfields to refuel their jets following an attack on the Iranian nuclear plants.

Could it be that the unusual event of a total solar eclipse in such

proximity to the 9^th of Av is a signal, a beacon, a warning to the

world of some ominous portent? If you believe so, then be aware that the 9^th of Av for the next two years occurs in Israel at the

corresponding times here:

Total Solar Eclipse: July 22, 2009

Tish B’Av (9.Av.5769) = 30.July.2009 (4 AM PST – 29 July

2009 – 4 AM.PST 30 July 2009)

Total Solar Eclipse: July 11, 2010

Tish B’Av (9 Av 5770) = 20.July.2010 (4 AM PST – 19 July

2010 – 4 AM PST 20 July 2010)

Am I predicting a disaster or calamity regarding Israel?

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be prepared.

Question: What can I do to prepare?

Suggestion: Keep enough dry food and water for a month. Go to the service station and fill your vehicles no later than July 27th. Keep enough cash to get by for a couple of weeks. Keep a battery powered radio and flashlights, candles etc. Hopefully this will be just an exercise and nothing at all will happen, it’s nothing to be alarmed about, but even so you’ve lost nothing and in the remote event something does happen, you’ ll be better off for it.

God bless.