The Prophet stood at the edge of the mountain, overlooking the madness taking place in the city beneath. One day remained before the judgment of YHWH rained down on these people. He’d boldly declared for the past 39 days that YHWH was finished with the evil and idolatry that the city had been defined by for countless years. Grace and mercy had run its course. Punishment was coming.After initially entering the city and proclaiming that the judgment of YHWH was 40 days away, the response had been encouraging. Of course, many ignored the eccentric Hebrew who had entered their Gentile community with talk of his God. But many others seemed truly shaken by the warning. 

And that’s when things took an unexpected turn.

The response of those shaken was in direct opposition to what YHWH desired.

Rather than falling on their faces and repenting in sackcloth and ashes, they began to make preparations for the judgment. Instead of turning the the One True God and seeking His mercy and grace, they began to stock up on food and supplies; started sharpening their swords and filling their quivers with arrows. They were focused on storing food and defending it. “After all,” they said, “If judgment is coming, it’s only wise to protect ourselves and provide for our families.”

The people went to all of the city and declared that God’s judgment was imminent. But their answer for this was to learn how to survive the judgment, instead of repenting for the sin.

The Prophet wept. He couldn’t understand why this had happened. YHWH had given them warning. He’d given them time to repent and turn to Him. He’d called them to appeal to His mercy.

The people had put their trust in themselves, instead.

Judgment was coming. And there may not be anything that could be done to stop it now.

If this seems eerily familiar, it’s because it should be. This is playing out before our very eyes.

The warning of judgment is sounding. I’m not a “doomsday prophet.” I’m not declaring that anything IS going to happen, or that it HAS to happen. But ignoring what is going on around us isn’t wisdom. It’s stupidity. We can’t pretend that it isn’t happening.

The pattern of the Shemitah seems to be repeating itself. While inappropriately applied to the prophecies of Joel, the “Blood Moon Tetrad” phenomenon is real. The calculations of one of the most brilliant scientists in history, Sir Isaac Newton, point toward something of significance taking place in September. CERN is seeking to create a “black hole” in the city known in the biblical period as Apollyon. This black hole is expected to be opened in mid to late September 2015.

And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth…They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. – Revelation 9:1-3; 11

The Pope is meeting with President Obama in the White House (only the third time this has ever happened) on September 23rd – the Day of Atonement. Coincidentally, Pope Francis is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, and he’s meeting with President Obama on the 266th day of 2015. Oh, and there just happens to be 266 days in the gestational cycle of the human baby from conception to birth.

While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. – 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ESV

The following day, Pope Francis is addressing a joint session of Congress – the first time this has ever happened. And on September 25th, he’s speaking before the UN.

It truly seems as if something is coming; that YHWH is sending warning after warning to America that judgment is coming, and that we must repent.

Many are hearing this warning. Jonathan Cahn’s The Mystery the Shemitah is a bestseller and has been since its release. Mark Biltz has become famous for his discovery of the “Blood Moon Tetrads.”

It’s not as if people don’t realize that something may be coming. It’s how they’re responding that is chilling.

Rather than falling on their faces before a holy and just God, they’re storing up food and buying guns. Essentially, they’re saying that God’s bringing judgment against America; and rather than repenting, we’re going to figure out how to survive the judgment.

My friends, this isn’t repentance. This is rebellion.

This morning as I was praying, the Spirit directed my thoughts to the story of Jonah. The Hebrew prophet reluctantly brought a message to the city of Nineveh. God’s judgment was coming in 40 days. Get ready.

And as I was meditating on this and asking the Spirit to direct me to what He was revealing to me, the thought struck me: what if the citizens of Nineveh chose to prepare for the judgment rather than repent of the sin?

And it was then that a righteous fear gripped my heart. Because this is exactly what the most passionate Christians I know are doing right now.

They’ve ignored the repentance that they’re called to, and instead started looking to survive the judgment.

This is so dangerous. If you’re reading this and you simply want to ignore what I’m saying, you’re the very one in danger that I’m fearing.

I’m in danger of it, myself.

August 16th began what the Jewish people call “The 40 Days of Elul.” It’s a period of 40 days of reflection leading up to the holiest day of the year: Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement. This is the day when God’s people have either confessed their sins and transferred them to the Lamb, or they will be held accountable for them.

September 23, 2015 is the Day of Atonement.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it now: I am NOT predicting that something will happen this coming September. But I will say this: judgment is coming to America. We will be held accountable for our sin and rebellion.

Will you respond by making preparations to try to survive the judgment? Or will you repent and seek YHWH’s grace and mercy?

The Prophet lifted his head; wiped the tears from his eyes. No one said that sharing the Word of YHWH was easy. He began walking down the mountainside and back into the city. He’d share the warning again. Perhaps one person would repent