When the dove returned to him (Noah) in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.”
<<<<<>>>>>
On Thursday September 2, (Elul 23), peace talks will resume in Washington DC between President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the creation of a Palestinian state and the division of Jerusalem. Also involved will be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Egyptian President Mubarak, and Jordanian King Abdullah, who will be joining them for dinner at the White House on the eve of the negotiations. http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=186302
It’s interesting, when we consider the timing of the peace talks as they coincide with the date on which the dove returned to Noah carrying an olive branch in its beak. Olive branches as we know are widely recognized symbols for peace and reconciliation. It cannot be coincidence that the talks should resume in earnest on this date. Equally interesting, is the fact, that exactly seven days following Elul 23 is Tishrei 1, which begins the Feast of Trumpets on the evening of September 8.
As I look at the dynamics involved here I am struck by a couple of things. One, is the name for Noah – which means “rest”. And two, the feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Ha Shanah which is known as a day of rest. In Leviticus 23:24, it says: “On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest”. So, we have within a one week period, September 2 (Elul 23) and Sept 9 (Tishrei 1) a name and an event both tied to the idea of rest.
A simple check at wikipedia regarding Rosh Hashanah reveals this:
Rosh Hashanah is observed as a day of rest (Leviticus 23:24) like other Jewish holidays. When not on Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah is characterized by the blowing of the shofar (in ancient times it was also sounded on the Sabbath in the Temple),[5] a trumpet made from a ram’s horn or the horn of a goat or various types of antelope or gazelle (although not from a cow), intended to symbolically awaken the listeners from their “slumbers” and alert them to the coming judgment.[6] (emphasis mine) –
“Awaken the listeners from their “slumbers” …
“Behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but, we shall all be changed in a moment in a twinkling of an eye at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall we raised incorruptible and we shall be changed” 1 Corinthians 15:50-52
… and, alert them to the coming judgment!
The sounding of a trumpet, the shofar or ram’s horn in scripture always precedes a dramatic spiritual event often announcing war and impending judgment – but, it is also used as a symbol of victory and the gathering of God’s people.
>>>>><<<<<
While Noah was on the ark, he rested in God’s provision and his grace. As the waters receded, the dove was sent out to see if dry land had appeared. When the dove returned with proof of new life in its beak, Noah waited another seven days, then sent the dove out again and this time, it did not return.
Many of us are looking at this years Feast of Trumpets as a possible date for the rapture and while I’ve looked at other dates as possibilities, none of them have loomed as large in my mind as this one. For Elul is the month of harvest and Tishrei is the month of beginning.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of weeks. If the church is raptured, we will have a new beginning having entered God’s rest in heaven. Israel, on the other hand, following the talks in Washington, will have a beginning of a different kind – this one on the troubled road which will ultimately lead her to her Messiah.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6 Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Bamba Baby, The Bamba Baby. The Bamba Baby said: #ShanaTova Of Beginnings and Rest « Cindy by the Sea http://tinyurl.com/2ctl7wf […]
By: Tweets that mention Of Beginnings and Rest « Cindy by the Sea -- Topsy.com on August 30, 2010
at 8:07 am
This brings me hope! I have looked for the return of Christ since I was age 7. Now 40 years later, disappointment and sadness reign in my life like never before. I have been overwhelmed by life and personal and family tragedy. The seas rage all around.
Yet, I hold in my heart the “blessed hope” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Christ’s return via the Rapture of the Church, is what I look forward to with anticipation and gets me through each and every day.
My son left this earth on 8/6/10 and I can’t imagine waiting another 40 years to see him, but I can wait 10 more days (9/8/10).
http://www.JoshuaMapstead.info
By: Maranatha Man on August 30, 2010
at 10:03 am
Dear Maranatha Man, Grace and blessings to you dear brother. I’m glad you took the time to write. You have a very handsome son and I can see why he is the light of your life. By God’s grace your parting will be but for a brief moment. Will the rapture come in ten days, I hope so, but, if not don’t lose hope for Jesus is coming soon! I liked the story Michael shared in his comment. I think its excellent and puts a great perspective on things – I know it did for me. Will be keeping you in prayer. Cindy
By: cindybythesea on August 30, 2010
at 5:17 pm
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for your tireless efforts in posting all this information. I know it takes a lot of work to tie all the things together.
As for the rapture; I wish it would be this year as well, but if it is the last trump this year, then what?
The last trump is when JESUS returns, no? Then what happened to the tribulation?
Who gets raptured anyway? Today most of the church is into prosperity and materialism. You know; “Good, better, blessed” says Mr. Osteen.
So if the rapture comes next week or thereabouts, where are we in the revelation timeline?
The last trump is the “last” trump, no? Very hard to figure out isn’t it?
Chuck Missler makes a very good argument for the rapture at anytime. But it is a paradox as the events that must transpire first have not all happened.
Lastly, what of the parable of the weeds and the tares in Matthew 13 where the tares are removed from the world, not the wheat.
JESUS specifically stated that the angles would come at the end of the world and remove the wicked and the godly would remain. Please read Matthew 13:24 and see what you think.
The meek shall inherit the earth. Not the wicked or bold. Meek means humble. How many people are really like that?
It takes a daily discipline to remain humble with all the wickedness around us. In fact it is out of our ability to stay in the path, we need HIM to do that for us and I ask for that daily.
After all is said and done, it is very confusing to try to grasp. GOD bless you as always and I keep praying for Jerusalem. ….. Steve
By: Steve Hollander on August 30, 2010
at 3:00 pm
Hi Steve, Thanks for writing! You bring up some good points and I think the way that I would answer that is to say the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets by the rapture doesn’t necessarily mean there are no more trumpets to be blown – in fact, we know that many trumpets are blown in the book of Revelation (chapter 8) and as mentioned in my post, trumpets are sounded for various things – war, victory, gathering of people, impending judgment etc. So, I think it is entirely possible for the feast of trumpets to be fulfilled and yet one last trumpet will remain to be blown at the very end, the culmination of all things. I agree, it can be confusing but, the study of God’s word is a joy and one day when we look back, it will be very clear. Grace and blessings brother! Cindy
By: cindybythesea on August 31, 2010
at 8:45 am
Excellent Cindy,
Thank You!
On the Jewish calendar…http://www.scribd.com/doc/36622723/Trumpets2010v2 , I think the dates could be questioned, but I find it interesting that the UN decision to partition “Israel” was made on the autumn equinox September 23rd 1947, and here we have another autumn equinox September 23rd, and its 63 years later, and they are still talking about chopping up the land.
This year Tabernacles on the traditional calendar is on the 23rd. The autumn equinox in ancient times was considered a division between harvest and seed planting.
Of signs, indicating the return of our soon coming King. I liked this story from John MacArthur, it simplifies things best.
A father was leaving home and his little boy, as little boys will do, said “how long are you going to be gone dad?” He was going to be gone for several months. But it wouldn’t do any good to say well, to his three year old son, I’ll be back in September. September didn’t mean anything to him. So he says, “Son when you see the leaves turning red and brown and beginning to fall to the ground then you can be sure that I’ll be home soon.”
The father was gone for months; the little fellow every morning got up and peaked out the window. Still green… But without knowing it as he became less and less aware they began to turn ever so slowly. And he didn’t see it, and all of a sudden one night a storm swept through the little town and he woke up in the morning and all over every where red and brown leaves. He jumped up and down and said daddy’s coming, daddy’s coming.
Want to know something, I think if you look the leaves are brown and the leaves are red, and I think Jesus is coming. – John MacArthur
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1320_Why-Jesus-Must-Return-to-Earth-Part-1
Steve: I highly recommend all John’s teaching on eschatology, its sound, Biblically based and he offers over 30 years of his sermons and studies as free downloads. GTY!
Blessings
Michael
By: Michael on August 30, 2010
at 3:29 pm
Great story, Michael! Thanks so much for sharing it here, I love the simplicity of it – we often try to pin point dates, and not without good reason as scripture gives us many good clues, but, when all is said and done, the simple truth is – Jesus is coming soon – the leaves are brown and red!
By: cindybythesea on August 30, 2010
at 5:08 pm
Thanks Cindy I really enjoy your writing. I came back and reread this after looking at the weather, seems Earl is due to cruise up the coast and looks to be by Washington about Thursday or Friday. There are many websites that talk about Genesis 12:3 and the disasters that resulted because of actions the U.S took against Israel. I wonder could this be another one in the works??
By: Mark on August 31, 2010
at 4:44 am
Hi Mark, Thanks so much for writing and for your encouragement. I just checked the news and according to the article on MSNBC, Earl is now a very strong category 4 hurricane and unless things change is due to hit the east coast late thursday – just in time for God to add his commentary to the shameful proceedings taking place in Washington on that very same day. You are right Genesis 12:3 is still in effect and many people like John McTernan have made careful documentation of the results of those who have chosen to ignore it. Keep an eye on Earl, it will be interesting to see what happens. Grace and blessings brother and thanks again for writing. Cindy
By: cindybythesea on August 31, 2010
at 9:00 am
Thank you Cindy, for your faithfulness. I so enjoy reading your posts. My only comment today is that suddenly last week, I was struck by the thought:
WHY … WHY … are we permitting a Muslim-sympathizer at the best, a possible closet-Muslim at worst, have ANYthing to say about Israeli foreign policy? It is the most egregious of offenses we could ever permit to happen… It is like caging the fox, toting him over to the hen house, opening the door and letting him in…. and handing him a knife and a fork! God have mercy on us.
By: Kathi Lee on August 31, 2010
at 2:09 pm
Let us not forget, 911 happened ‘seven’ days BEFORE Rosh Hashanah in 2001.
This nine year gap in time, along with knowing the number “9” is an important number to the ‘Conspirators of Psalm 2:1-3’ in there scheme of things.
Could make September 9th to be a day of significance.
In that God is sending this ‘storm’ as a type of “Olive Branch” as a warning!
This I guarantee, it will not bring with it a “rapture”.
Personally, and I believe there is ‘factual’ Biblical proof that NO ONE is going anyplace until Passover 2013.
With Daniel 12:11 and Daniel 12:12 holding the ‘two’ keys.
What might happen or what the “warning” could be and this is pure ‘speculation’ is that there could be some kind of Israel/Syria skirmish or a ‘greater’ type terrorist attack on the US.
While never leaving out the fact that an earthquake or tsunami or even a ‘volcanic’ eruption could happen.
Didn’t Paul tell us that we are “children of the light” and not of the dark”. Let us keep are ‘eyes’ wide opened and on Him.
Great post, Lauren
By: Lauren on August 31, 2010
at 8:42 pm
Wow, I didn’t know that. That’s gotta be significant!
By: Armageddon Thru To You on September 2, 2010
at 11:54 pm