The bible contains many references to cycles of seven—the number of completness. In addition to that of the Shmita year—the seventh year of every seven years—when God created the universe, He took six days, and rested on the seventh. Similarly, we enjoy Shabbat—a day of rest—on the seventh day of the week. Between Passover and Pentecost there is a cycle of seven weeks—the Feast of Weeks. On a larger scale, there are cycles of seven Shmita years (seven cycles of seven years) that lead to the 50th year—the Year of Jubilee.
“And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.”—Leviticus 25.8-10
This coming Shmita year 5775, will lead us into the Jubilee year 5776—a year of rejoicing, celebration, and fellowship.
Jubilee 5776 is an important date in God’s calendar—according to many scholars, it will be the 70th Jubilee year observed since Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land! We are expecting great things for Israel and for the Church!
Several historic events in Israel have occurred during Shmita years and in the years of Jubilee that have followed, and we are expecting great things in this coming season!
For example, most recently both the years 1916 and 1965 were the 7th Shmitas, preceding a year of Jubilee. In the 1916/17 Shmita year, followed by the 1917/18 Jubilee year, Jerusalem was liberated from the Ottoman Empire (December 11, 1917). Similarly, during the 1965/66 Shmita year, followed by the 1966/67 Jubilee year, Jerusalem was liberated from Arab control (June 11, 1967).
This fast-approaching Shmita year begins on September 24th, 2014, Rosh Hashanah 5775—and ends on September 13th, 2015, Rosh Hashanah 5776—the beginning of next year of Jubilee!
In preparation for the 5776 Year of Jubilee—the 70th Year of Jubilee—My Olive Tree has set a goal of 2,500 olive tree sponsorships between now and September 24th, before the earth enters into the Shmita year 5775, when planting must cease, and the earth enters into the next cycle of rest.
Will you consider helping us reach our goal before September 24th, the beginning of the next Shmita year? My Olive Tree is relying on you to help with God’s plan for the desert to blossom and rejoice as it prepares for the next Year of Jubilee!
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.”—Isaiah 35.1-2
