THE YEAR OF JUBILEE?

You probably heard those televangelists and preachers proclaiming that this is the year of Jubilee! They promise prosperity, increase, that blessings will overtake you, a Jubilee anointing where your debt will be canceled in exchange for you sowing money seed into their ministries! They have miracle crusades with miracle water and miracle cloths. According to them, miracles are always coming your way. You just need to receive them, put your hand out and touch the screen of the TV.

From what we see and hear on Christian TV, one would think the Church has never been in better shape. Not quite! The Church has never struggled more than she does today and it’s all because we’ve bought into the false advertising of these Christian vendors.

According to the Torah, the first five books of Moses in the Old Testament, the observance of Jubilee ONLY applies to the JEWISH people who live in the land of Israel. This has NOTHING to do with the New Testament church! This is just another deception being conveyed in the Body of Christ for financial gain!

The word “jubilee” literally means “ram’s horn” in Hebrew and is defined in Leviticus 25:9 as the sabbatical year after seven cycles of seven years (49 years). The fiftieth year was to be a time of celebration and rejoicing for the Israelites. The ram’s horn was blown on the tenth day of the seventh month to start the fiftieth year of redemption.

The Year of the Jubilee involved a year of release from indebtedness and all types of bondage for the Israelites. All prisoners and captives were set free, all slaves were released, all debts were forgiven, and all property was returned to its original owners. In addition, all labor was to cease for one year, and those bound by labor contracts were released from them. One of the benefits of the Jubilee was that both the land and the people were able to rest. (See Leviticus 25:23-38, 39-55)

The Jubilee presents a beautiful picture of the New Testament themes of redemption and forgiveness. Christ is the Redeemer who came to set free those who are slaves and prisoners to sin (See Romans 8:2, Galatians 3:22, 5:1). The debt of sin we owe to God was paid on the cross as Jesus Christ died on our behalf (see Colossians 2:13-14), and we are forgiven of the debt forever! We are no longer in bondage, no longer slaves to sin. Having been freed by Christ, we can truly enter the rest God provides as we cease laboring to make ourselves acceptable to God by our own works! (See Hebrews 4:9-10)

So, the problem is, the Bible doesn’t say anywhere that any Old Testament practices meant for the Jewish people should be continued after the death of Christ. The Law, regulations, rules, traditions, ceremonies, and festivities have been replaced with worshiping Christ only as an every-day practice.

He is now all we focus and center around!

Therefore, contrary to all the false promises of provisions and blessings a “Jubilee Year” is supposed to give me, as a New Testament follower of Christ, I don’t have to worry about anything, instead I pray about everything. I tell God what I need, and thank Him for all He has done. I experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. His peace guards my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus! (See Philippians 4:6-7)

Yes, I seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He gives me everything I need! (See Matthew 6:33)