Abib/Nissan – The Month of the Ear and the Bloom
The biblical month of Abib/Nissan is the first month in the biblical calendar. It is the month of ‘the firstfruits and new beginnings’ because the word ‘Abib’ means ‘ear’ and describes the stage of growth of grain when the seeds have reached full size. The month of ‘Nissan’ is the month of ‘the bloom’ and means ‘opening, beginning’.
Abib/Nissan is the month that is aligned with Judah who was the 4’th son of Jacob. His mother was Lea which means ‘weary’. Judah means ‘praise’.
Since the LORD instructed Moses to count all the months from the month of Abib/Nissan, this Rosh Chodesh – the beginning of the new biblical month – has a special significance because this month announces the new year in the cycle of redemption, according to which all other months must be aligned.
Abib/Nissan opens the new cycle of redemption, which synchronizes with the current cycle of blessing and thus comes in line with the new biblical year. This also means redemption through the blood of the Lamb of God can flow without limitation in the new cycle and year (cf. Exodus 12:2 i.c.w. Exodus 13:4).
Exodus 12:2:
2 ‘This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. …’
2 ‘This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. …’
Exodus 13:4:
4 Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving.
4 Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving.
This synchronization of these two cycles in time is an indication of the increase of worship and the clarity of sound, which changes from ‘monotony – mono’ to ‘diversity – stereo’. With God, synchronization is also linked to the movement of His throne chariot, which carries His presence because its wheels are connected to or within each other (cf. Ezekiel 1:15-22).
Ezekiel 1:15-22:
15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.
16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: they sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went.
18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose.
20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.
15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.
16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: they sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went.
18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose.
20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.
This revelation is important for us in the new synchronized year because it is about our walk in the Spirit, filling the cycles within the new year with the redemptive plan of God, who is Jesus Christ, so that the glory of God becomes more evident. In this regard, the lifestyle of worship is of great importance because it is the worship upon which the Lord is enthroned and this is the place where God settles (cf. Psalm 22:3 i.c.w. Psalm 114:1-2).
Psalm 22:3:
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.
Psalm 114:1-2:
1 When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, 2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
1 When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, 2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
At this time, I would like to encourage us to examine our lives based on the truth of God’s Word and, where necessary, to reconsider and change attitudes that are not in harmony with the Father’s will so as not to hinder the flow of the Spirit for the time to come. Where the Holy Spirit cannot flow effectively, things are difficult, dry and exhausting (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:6).
2 Corinthians 3:6:
6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The Characteristic of Judah
The characteristic and value of Judah is to recognize the new day of the increase of the presence of Jesus Christ in our time as well as the new beginning of human events and affairs (cf. Matthew 24:27).
Matthew 24:27:
27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
The reason is because the tribe of Judah is positioned on the east side of the Tabernacle and is marching first from all the other tribes of Israel (cf. Numbers 2:3; Numbers 10:13-14). This why we say ‘Judah goes first’.
Numbers 2:3:
3 On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab.
3 On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab.
Numbers 10:13-14:
13 They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.
14 The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab was in command.
13 They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.
14 The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab was in command.
Furthermore is Judah the leading tribe and has as tribe emblem the lion because Jacob blessed him as his son to be a lion with the attribute of a lioness (cf. Genesis 49:8-12).
Genesis 49:8-12:
8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness – who dares to rouse him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11 He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness – who dares to rouse him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11 He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
Tied to the Vine
From Genesis 49:11 we can see that Judah ‘will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch’. The vine in this context is a reference to fertility and joy.
The time of Judah is a dimension in which God teaches us as His people how to flourish and become more fruitful, and in what ways we can bear and keep the treasures of the Kingdom that He entrusts to us for the Kingdom.
Since the vine is an upward-twining plant, it calls us in Christ Jesus to ascend in royal authority into the ‘spirit realm of Judah’ to bring God’s Kingdom treasures to earth and carry them to their predestined place through the wisdom of Issachar (cf. Genesis 49:14-15; Deuteronomy 33:18-19).
Genesis 49:14-15:
14 “Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens.
15 When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. …”
14 “Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens.
15 When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. …”
Deuteronomy 33:18-19:
18 About Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents.
19 They will summon peoples to the mountain and there offer the sacrifices of the righteous; they will feast on the abundance of the seas, on the treasures hidden in the sand.”
18 About Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents.
19 They will summon peoples to the mountain and there offer the sacrifices of the righteous; they will feast on the abundance of the seas, on the treasures hidden in the sand.”
The vine, Jesus Christ, in this context is a pathway between heaven and earth, between the spiritual realm and the natural realm. It is a pathway that is linked with joy and rest. This rest includes physical rest or peace, which includes inner rest in emotions as well as rest in all endeavors (cf. John 14:27; John 15:5).
John 14:27:
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 15:5:
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. …”
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. …”
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Abib/Nissan is the biblical month, in which we, as the bride of Christ, celebrate the blood of the Lamb of God as ‘Pessach’ means ‘to pass over/by’ and where we enter deeper into the land of our promise. It is the blood of the Lamb of God which led us out of slavery into His glorious freedom as children (Note: sons) of God and that protects us in the judgments of God (cf. Exodus 12:5-7.12-14 i.c.w. Romans 8:21).
Exodus 12:5-7.12-14:
5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. …
12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgement on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD – a lasting ordinance.
5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. …
12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgement on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD – a lasting ordinance.
Romans 8:21:
… 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children (Note: sons) of God.
… 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children (Note: sons) of God.
It is the blood of the Lamb of God that made us kings and priests to serve God, the Heavenly Father (cf. Revelation 1:5-6).
Revelation 1:5-6:
… 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
… 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Jesus Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and is as well the Lamb of God that was slain whose appearance is connected with the access to the sealed prophesy (cf. Revelation 5:4-6 i.c.w. Revelation 6:1).
Revelation 5:4-6:
4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Revelation 6:1:
1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”
1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”
The Lion of Judah is only mentioned by the 24 elders in the book of Revelation (cf. Revelation 5:5). The Lion of the tribe of Judah is not visibly appearing as an animal for John and this reveals that Judah has a sound and it includes, among other things, the call to praise.
The Acknowledgment of Jesus Christ, the Crucified and Resurrected One
When we acknowledge Jesus Christ as the crucified and resurrected one in our lives, we are qualified by God to recognize things which He had hidden from our spiritual eyes and sealed over a period of time, at the right time in accordance with His will.
It is the Heavenly Father’s desire that we move in His seven-fold Spirit (Note: His ‘seven eyes’; cf. Isaiah 11:2), as well as in the structure of the seven horns of the Lamb of God, which comprise His power, His wealth, His wisdom, His strength, His honor, His glory and His praise (cf. Revelation 5:6.12).
Revelation 5:6.12:
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. …
… 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. …
… 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
The Alignment of Judah and the ‘First Three Stages’
Judah is aligned with the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun who belong to the first unit of the tribes of Israel. Because of their position you can call them ‘the front line tribes’ and they are placed in the east (cf. Numbers 2:3-9).
It is the tribe of Issachar, which means ‘He will bring a reward’. and the tribe of Zebulun, which means ‘habitation, flat’ that belong to the camp of Judah, meaning ‘praise’ (cf. Numbers 2:3-9; Numbers 10:13-17). In this alignment, the tribe of Judah is the leading tribe.
These three tribes mentioned above form the forefront of the tribes of Israel could also be called the ‘first three stages’ in the time cycle of God within the holy year of redemption.
1) Judah => new sound to break through the old sound barrier in order to move ahead
2) Issachar => the ability to bring favor/blessing
3) Zebulun => the place of rest and relationship
2) Issachar => the ability to bring favor/blessing
3) Zebulun => the place of rest and relationship
The East and the Face of the Human Being
The east is connected in a biblical context with the ‘front’ (cf. Numbers 2:3) and points to a time of renewal or new beginning (Note: in the east the sun rises).
The human face of the four living beings of God is connected with the east, because it is first mentioned in Ezekiel 1:10. The faces of the four living beings are connected with the direction in the book of Ezekiel, in contrast to the book of Revelation, where the beings are connected with position (cf. Revelation 4:7).
Ezekiel 1:10 (Note: Positioning for visitation):
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being (Note: east), and on the right side each had the face of a lion (Note: south), and on the left the face of an ox (Note: north); each also had the face of an eagle (Note: west).
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being (Note: east), and on the right side each had the face of a lion (Note: south), and on the left the face of an ox (Note: north); each also had the face of an eagle (Note: west).
Revelation 4:7 (Note: Positioning for government):
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
The positioning of the four living creatures in Ezekiel 10:14, on the other hand, refers to the phase of God’s judgment, since God reveals judgment in Ezekiel 9, which is related to the withdrawal of His presence from the temple.
Ezekiel 10:14:
14 Each of the cherubim had four faces: one face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
14 Each of the cherubim had four faces: one face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
The directions and the positions of the four living beings are to illustrate to us how important it is to know spiritually where to go (Note: direction) and at what time (Note: position, order) to keep moving with God.
The View into a New Direction
In order to look in a new direction, it is necessary that we turn toward it, which means that we are willing to renew our spirit and mind (cf. Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23).
Romans 12:2:
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians 4:23:
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; …
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; …
The positions of the four living creatures of God in the book of Revelation are giving us a new understanding about the ‘hierarchy’ and ‘divine ranking’ as well as the authority of God.
The Human Face and the Lion
It is no coincidence that the face of the human being of the four living creatures in Ezekiel 1:10 is first mentioned as well as the living creature of the lion in Revelation 4:7.
The human face as well as the lion (Note: The lion is the king of the land animals.) direct to Jesus Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as it is mentioned by the blessing of Jacob for Judah who would ‘tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch’ (cf. Genesis 49:10-11a i.c.w. Mark 11:1-11a; John 12:14-15).
Genesis 49:10-11a:
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11a He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; …
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11a He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; …
Mark 11:1-11a (Jesus Christ riding into Jerusalem as King and Priest):
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”
6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.
8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.
9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11a Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. ...
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”
6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.
8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.
9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11a Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. ...
John 12:14-15:
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt (cf. Zechariah 9:9).”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt (cf. Zechariah 9:9).”
The Face of the Human Being
It is the face of the human being that is linked to the spirit of the understanding of God and the spirit of the counsel of God.
=> The spirit of understanding teaches us where and how to access the realm of God. It teaches us how to use the things we possess from God at the right time. Furthermore, it helps us to determine revelation, visions and divine mysteries.
The spirit of understanding trains us how to discern, teach and inform others about the Kingdom realm. It teaches us how to govern in the realms of God as His sons in the sonship of Jesus Christ.
The Spirit of counsel teaches us the ways in which we govern as sons of God and how to access the counsel of God which means how to consult God, how to clarify matters, and how to bring the counsel of God from the realm of the Spirit to those around us.
He teaches us how to associate with God and receive His counsel. He instructs us in the function of the various chambers of God’s council, about the role of His royal advisors, the Holy Spirit and about His Son Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, the Spirit of counsel teaches about the triune God and His role in our lives today.<= (The text set in ‘=>’ is based on an explanation from the book ‘Realms of The Kingdom Volume I’, pages 188-190 by Ian Clayton.)
The biblical month of Abib/Nissan is the biblical month in which we position ourselves in gratitude and respect for God’s guidance by His sevenfold spirit to sow into the new cycle. As this is the month of redemption, we ask God to bring us into the complete redemption plan for our life.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
