If you recall the stock market plunge in 2008, then you know about the 7 point percentage drop when trading for the day ended at a 777 point loss. At the time, several prophecy experts were taken aback by the number of sevens that paraded across the Wall Street ticker display. Why were they taken aback? The number 7 in the Bible has meaning.
About the number 7 Got Question writes, "...the number 7 is identified with something being 'finished' or 'complete.' From then on, that association continues, as 7 is often found in context involving completeness or divine perfection...a divine mandate is fulfilled." (
Source)
Wall Street is the true American idol, perhaps the most notable of all. What better way to get America's attention than for God to write 777 across the ticker display? Some ministries propose this number is a warning about a divine mandate God would fulfill in the form of a financial judgment. Could that judgment be near?
Possibly, especially when Genesis tells of another time and another place where 7 was on display and judgment followed. After Noah and his family entered the ark, the door remained opened for seven more days (Genesis 7:4).
Why did God leave the door open for seven days after Noah and his family entered? What was the message of 7 then and what is the message of 7 today? Is there a connection between the two and should we care?
Grace
thrufaith speculates on why God left the door open and writes:
God wouldn't have had Noah make the ark as big as it was for no purpose. It was big enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to enter...Therefore we can conclude that anyone who chose to get on board would have been accepted. The open door proves this.
It also proves that all those people who stood there looking at the open door for seven days had hardened their hearts beyond redemption. This is another way in which the time leading up to the 2nd Coming will be like the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37) when most of the world will deny the Lord even in the face of judgment. (Source)
Since 2008, seven years have passed since the stock market plunge. Today, America stands unmoved by the warning, choosing to stiffen its unholy resolve against God, Israel, and Christianity.
Generally, the seven years from 2008 until now would be unremarkable except for a recent book linking Wall Street to a Jewish practice known as the Shemitah Year*. The book is entitled
The Mystery of the Shemitah and was written by Rabbi Johnathan Cahn**. It introduces a theory about a financial judgment coming upon a nation that forgets God (Psalm 9:17).
Shemitah is a term announcing release of debt or suspension of labor every seven years. According to Cahn's book, the Shemitah Year is a blessing and a release from debt for those who obey God; but, for those disobeying God, it's a curse and call for payment of debt or the wiping out of accounts:
Cahn has pointed that, according to his research, the worst of the worst usually happens at the end of the Shemitah year, not at the beginning. In fact, the last day of the year, Elul 29 on the Hebrew calendar, which will occur on Sept. 13, 2015, is the coming dreaded day.
The pattern revealed in The Mystery of the Shemitah is that the beginning of the Shemitah's impact is often subtle, but leads to a dramatic climax. (Source)
Two previous Wall Street events (supporting Cahn's theory) occurred in 2001 and 2008, resulting in stock market plunges:
The Shemitah Year of 2001: America was attacked by radical Islamic terrorists killing nearly three thousand people on 9/11 and this sad day became America's new day of...discredit and humiliation!
The Shemitah year of 2008: America experienced a stock market crash on September 29 when the market fell 777 points in one day. It was the greatest one-day decline in the history of Wall Street. (Source)
After the first event in 2001, the twin towers (a symbol of America's financial supremacy) were in ruin. Wall Street closed for six days until it reopened on September 17 to experience the collapse on the last day of the Shemitah year.
Seven years later in 2008, America scarcely survived another financial collapse on September 29. Many accounts were nearly wiped out.
The next Shemitah Year will end on September 13, 2015, seven weeks from the posting of this article. Rabbi Cahn and others believe this future date could mark the beginning of another financial collapse worse than the previous two.
Of course, not everyone agrees. Many argue the last two market crashes were by chance. They go on to reject the notion that the Shemitah year has anything to do with America and in particular with Wall Street. David James (in a book review of
The Mystery of the Shemitah – by Rabbi Cahn) wrote:
The Shemitah (Jewish Sabbath year) was an obligation given specifically and exclusively to the nation of Israel, and there is no biblical support for the idea that God would either require any other nation to observe the Shemitah year or that He would impose a Shemitah-type judgment according to a seven-year cycle on any nation, including Israel itself. Beyond this, the Shemitah, being a Sabbath and an integral part of the Law of Moses, was completely fulfilled in Christ and is no longer in operation... (Source)
While some believe the hype for the coming Shemitah theory may deflate like air from a balloon, Got Questions defends Rabbi Cahn in one respect:
He is right that America needs to repent. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). The United States of America very likely will meet the same fate as ancient Israel if its people do not repent. Americans need to give their hearts to God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. To that end we should pray. (Source)
Will American repent by giving its heart to Christ? Is Rabbi Cahn right about the coming Shemitah; or is David James' rebuttal of the Shemitah the correct view? Are two past events always a prediction of a future event? Is this theory by Rabbi Cahn about the Shemitah year a misinterpretation if Scripture? Did the Rabbi get it wrong?
Who is right and what can we believe? Should we worry about Wall Street this September? For many, the potential for another financial collapse means nothing. To others, it means everything. To you and me it means we are living in a time when extraordinary events will become commonplace followed by unknown tomorrows.
Of the end time Jesus said, "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37-39).
As Noah stood addressing the occasional troublemakers and scoffers, the ark loomed behind him as a mighty vessel. It was huge. The ark had room for many more. But these hecklers wanted nothing to do with Noah's message, his ark, or his God. They did not understand this coming strange event nor would they change their ways to avoid it if true.
For most people today, the story of Noah and the ark is a fairytale, totally unbelievable and bordering on lunacy. But then today, the story of Jesus and the Gospel are for many equally the same.
Some theologians speculate the door on the ark remained open for seven days for one very good reason: It was a symbol of God's grace. Anyone bold enough to step out from among the mocking crowd and venture up the ark's gangway would have heard the jeering crowd, but then warmly welcomed onboard.
Today as then, most people are sleeping away the day of grace. Wrapping themselves in the comfort of worldly pleasure while being fully vested in silver and gold and Wall Street securities, they sleep. Their American idol is serving them well in this life. They live like kings, unaware their silver bars and golden coins and investment portfolios are of no value in God's kingdom.
As we stand in defense of the Gospel, Jesus stands behind us as the great I AM. (John 1:1) He is the spiritual vessel of Immeasurableness (1 Chronicles 16:25; Isaiah 55:9). The world knows about him but they will not accept him. They heard about his message but chose to wallow in all manner of ungodliness (Romans 1).
After seven days, God shut the door. (Genesis 7:4) The closing thump of the heavy wooden door against the ark's massive hull echoed through the inner chambers. The fateful hour was upon them. Now, there was no escape. The sky darkened, a phenomenon never seen before then. The jeers of the mob turned to silence as empty, godless hearts filled with fear and dread. You know how the story ends.
Prophecy leaders like Hal Lindsey, Dr. David Reagan, and others believe the days of Noah are here and God is finished with America. Others strongly disagree and believe if we fast and pray, as a nation, God will restore America to its former glory and splendor. But, what are the odds of that happening?
If the 7-year cycle from 2008 until now is a time of grace, then are we like Noah "in wait" just before the flood? Can we know for sure we are in the season of the Lord's return? Dr. David Reagan writes:
Many people believe there is nothing that can be known about the timing of the Lord's return because Jesus said He would return like a "thief in the night" (Matthew 24:42-44).
But Paul makes it clear in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 that Jesus' statement does not apply to believers: "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief...for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of the night or of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober."
Paul is referring, of course, to the light of the Holy Spirit who indwells all true believers and who can enlighten us through our study of Scripture to know the season of the Lord's return (1 John 2:27). (Source)
If we are in the season, then the days of grace are far spent and the sky over Wall Street is growing darker by the hour. Some say America will never repent as in evidence by its long standing disregard for the holy things of God. (Psalm 9:17).
Will God no longer pour out grace upon this land? Will He no longer crown this nation's "good" with brotherhood from sea to shining sea? Can God bless a nation that embraces evil and hates good? Can God protect a nation that exists entirely to glory in its shame (Philippians 3:19)?
The burden of an unknown tomorrow belongs to those who choose their own path in life. They alone must carry within the weight of their iniquity and fear of not knowing what's next. For us, God makes the end known from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10) Shemitah or no Shemitah, we alone carry within the life of Christ with a known tomorrow overflowing with unending promises.
Of all that God purposed in His heart for redeeming humanity, He resolved that the footsteps of Jesus in Galilee would never be in vain. About these Galilean footsteps Vince Aquilino writes,
We are living in the period of history that the Jewish rabbis call the "Footsteps of the Messiah." We can hear His approaching footsteps as the time of Jesus' return draws near. (Source)
The beloved and talented Bill Gaither (inspired by his love for Jesus and his soon return) wrote a hymn entitled "Because He Lives." This song fills the heart with blessed assurances leaving no room for fear. One of my favorite parts from this melodious hymn is, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow...all fear is gone...and life is worth the living!" (Matthew 6:34). (
Source)
Should we worry? (Philippians 4:6) Dare we ignore the signs (Luke 21:36)? Even though the Shemitah theory about Wall Street may prove uneventful in 2015, the remaining end-time signs are still in play and we are to keep watch.
In closing, these modern-day predictions are just that, a theory. But, theories like dreams sometimes come true.
Shalom!
*A Shemitah (also spelled Shmittah and Shemittah) is a seven-year cycle. A Shemitah year (also known as a Sabbatical Year) is the last year in the cycle. Shemitah is a term announcing release of debt or suspension of labor every seven years. For those obeying God, it is a blessing and release from debt, a heavy burden. For those disobeying God, it's a curse and call for payment of debt or the wiping out of accounts.
A Shemitah is associated with finance. According to Rabbi Cahn, the last two Shmittahs and this current Shmittah (2014 through 2015) are said to be related to the financial markets here in America. He wrote:
2001 - The World Trade Center buildings (the symbols of America's economic strength) are destroyed by an Islamic terrorist attack. One week later Wall Street has one of its greatest collapses on the last day of the Jewish Shmittah Year.
2008 - Exactly seven years later, Wall Street suffers its largest decline. America is now the world's largest debtor nation.
2014-2015 - In Sept of 2014 we start a new Shmittah Year. This happens in connection with a Tetrad of 4 Blood Moons which all occurred on Jewish feast days. As the United States has turn away from God and endorsed many sins, it is very possible that God's judgment will fall on America during this year of the Shmittah." (Source)
Note: Above list is from Rabbi Jonathan Cahn's book
The Mystery of the Shmittah.
The current Shemitah (or last year in the seven-year cycle) runs from September 2014 to September 2015; and then, a new seven-year cycle begins. Some suggest the next Shemitah could be the Tribulation, also on a seven-year cycle.
Rabbi Cahn does not speculate on what might transpire in the US economy during the Shemitah year ending on September 13, 2015; however, he does believe that it warrants close observation to see if the pattern begun after 9/11 continues.
While he acknowledges that the US is not under the Mosaic Law, he asserts that the Shemitah can serve as a sign of judgment on a nation that has rejected God." (Source)
**Rabbi Cahn is a believer and Bible teacher also widely known for another book entitled,
The Harbinger.