Ushering in decade of transition

By Rev SEIK PITOI
THE unfolding of another year always brings with it a sense of expectancy; and at times, apprehension.
We get excited when we feel that the year will bring good fortunes and that many things we have hoped for will come to pass.
But a sense of apprehension always lurks nearby; we’re not so sure if things will go right or not. Often, we think back to the times we got excited and started off believing for great things, only to slump back dejected for the rest of the year because of disappointments. So we’re careful not to get too excited again.
But why am I talking here about stuff that takes place at the start of a year? We are not into December yet. This is because I am referring, as I have always been doing, to the Biblical Hebrew calendar.
This calendar runs apart from the Gregorian Roman calendar which we normally use.
Our New Year of 2020 will fall on Jan 1, but the Hebrew calendar’s New Year of 5780 began at sundown on Sept 29 this year. This was Rosh HaShanah, or the head of the year. It is also known as Yom Teruach, or the day of the Blowing of the Trumpet (Feast of Trumpets).
This day ushered in the final three Fall feasts that are part of the seven feasts enumerated in Leviticus 23, the blueprint for every major event recorded in Israel’s history.
The dates also point prophetically ahead of time. The three Fall feasts this year are: Feast of Trumpets – Sept 30; Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) – Oct 9; and Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) – Oct 16, 2019.
In previous articles, I have done some teaching on the significance of the seven Feasts of the Lord in Lev 23, so I will not go into it again here. However, I do wish to bring out some interesting insights into this year of 5780, which has also started off a new decade.
As explained before, the year 5780 in rabbinic teaching counts 5,780 years from the day of creation, and the Gregorian counts from the time of Christ.
We have just concluded the Hebrew decade of the 70s. The Hebrew letter for 70 is Ayin and is represented by an eye. Scholars talked about the decade being a “time to watch”. Each year in the decade had something to do with seeing. The year that just ended was the year “79”.

To God, it makes no difference what title you carry. God is not impressed. It’s the simplicity and humility of our hearts in surrendered service to Him that counts.

The 9 in the Hebrew alphabet is “tet” and is represented by a coiled up snake. So what were we to watch, from September last year throughout this year? We watched the nature of the snake in deception, lying and manipulation.
We are seeing massive deception on the international front which I will not go into now. We are also seeing a rise in the practice of evil powers of darkness, represented by the serpent.
Personally, this year I too experienced sever spiritual attacks from demonic sources like never before.
The serpent was at work but God won in every battle! But, tet also has a positive side, as it is also likened to a womb.
This refers to the things God wants to birth in our lives, but as in Rev 12:4, the serpent is ready to strike to de stroy the fruit of the womb.

Thankfully, for those who trust in Christ, God did allow some birthing processes to take place in 2019, while the devil did his best to supress others.
But we are now into the decade of the 80s. This is a decade of “open doors”! That which God prepared in the womb for the past nine or so years will be birthed.
As we leave the decade of Ayin (to watch), we move to the decade of Peh (mouth, to speak – per the numeric value of 80).
So, this is a decade of hearing God’s mouth speak (Word of God) and of us uttering with our mouths what He said. This speaks of declaring, proclaiming, confessing, prophesying and speaking into existence what God wants to bring forth into your life, family and ministry.

Exciting times ahead
I am quite excited about this decade. Prophetic people tell us things will not get any easier. Scripture says, “Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, … violent, and fierce; they will … love pleasure rather than God.” (2 Tim 3:1-4). We are seeing that happen today. But the balance is these are also times of restoration, revival and blessing (Acts 3:19-21).
The result will be what you believe and declare with your mouth!
Another way to see this decade is that it is a period of transition and shifting. It’s like a transition from King Saul to David.
In Saul, we see leadership that has got corrupted and lost its way, operating on his own strength and wisdom. God wants a transition to Davidic leadership that is humble and dependent on Him alone.
In the church world, we will see a transition from pompous religious formalism to humble servant-hood. I am amazed at the number of people who will do anything to get a title, e.g., a ceremonial “Dr” title to be recognised and approved by men (not referring to those who have worked hard for a genuine doctoral award)! But why?
To God, it makes no difference what title you carry. God is not impressed. It’s the simplicity and humility of our hearts in surrendered service to Him that counts.
And in this decade of transition, see the Saul’s fall, and watch the David’s get elevated as we begin to shift from the pompous and proud to the humble and honourable.
Every person’s situation is different because God’s plans for our lives are not the same. We are so unique that even our fingerprints differ. But God’s promises are the same for everyone who cares to believe them. The Gregorian year of 2020 is significant. We know that to have “20-20 vision” is to have perfect vision. How does that stand prophetically next year and throughout the decade of the 20s?

Summary
In summary, let me give my prophetic take on what I feel God is saying:
This is the season of change, from the old to the new. In secular national government, we are seeing such shifting take place. A birthing has occurred, and a shifting from man-dependence to God-dependence is taking place. But sin must continue to be renounced and dealt with on every level. God has started; let’s pray for its continuity.
Personally, are you still stuck in the rut you were in for the past 10 years? God told Elisha to move from the dried up Cherith creek to the widow’s house for his next miracle of provision (1 Kings 17:3-9). He had to move.
Has your creek, where you once received blessings, dried up? Seek God and shift to see His new place of provision.
What are you declaring over your life and family? Have you been speaking evil over children, cursing your home in frustration, and dwelling over your mistakes from the past? Check out what God says about you (e.g., Jer 29:11) and speak it into existence. Declare the goodness of God over your family, prophecy increase and blessing over your life (Prov 18:21), and live according to your confession.
Finally, maintain “20-20” spiritual vision. Do this firstly by renouncing sin and walking in holiness and righteousness. Then, get into the word of God. Spend time in it, memorise it, and live it.
Then, you will see with 2020 vision clearly and walk into His blessings this year 5780/2020, throughout this whole decade, and God-willing, until He comes again!

l Rev Seik Pitoi is a freelance writer.