This year Tisha B’Av begins the evening of Saturday, July 21st and ends the evening of Sunday, July 22nd. This is an annual fast day that commemorates the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians and the Second Temple by the Romans.
On the Jewish calendar it is the 9th day of Av—unless that is Shabbat, then it is observed on the 10th day of Av.
Traditionally Tisha B’Av is observed by a day of fasting and repentance, and often referred to as “the saddest day in Jewish history.” It marks many of the worst tragedies in Israel’s history, both past, and present.
As we prepare for the Courts of Heaven event coming up later this month, we understand that unless we come into alignment with God, curses can continue.
Look at this marked time as a time to remember God’s chosen people as well as a unique opportunity to examine your hearts and minds so that tragedies are not repeated.
Destruction of the First and Second Temples
The First Temple, built by Solomon in Jerusalem, was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II in 587 BC. The Second Temple replaced the first but was also destroyed 655 years later when the Romans breached Jerusalem’s walls in 69 CE.
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth [Tisha B’Av], the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”—Zechariah 8:19 [Emphasis added]
Recorded below is an abbreviated list of many of the historical accounts of demonic activity recorded on Tisha B’Av:
- 2448/1312 BC – Spies return from 40 days in Israel with evil reports of the Land of Israel. Jewish people cry in despair, give up hope of entering the Land of Israel.
- 3340/421 BC – Destruction of First Temple by the Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar. About 100,000 Jews killed during invasion. Exile of remaining tribes in southern kingdom to Babylon and Persia.
- 3830/70 AD – Destruction of Second Temple by Romans, under Titus. Over 2,500,000 Jews die as a result of war, famine and disease. Over 1,000,000 Jews exiled to all parts of the Roman Empire. Over 100,000 Jews sold as slaves by Romans. Jews killed and tortured in gladiatorial “games” and pagan celebrations.
- 3892/132 AD – Bar Kochba revolt crushed. Betar destroyed – over 100,00 killed.
- 3893/133 AD – Turnus Rufus ploughs site of Temple. Romans build pagan city of Aelia Capitolina on site of Jerusalem.
- 4855/1095 AD – First Crusade declared by Pope Urban II. 10,000 Jews killed in first month of Crusade. Crusades bring death and destruction to thousands of Jews, totally obliterating many communities in Rhineland and France.
- 5050/1290 AD – Expulsion of Jews from England, accompanied by pogroms and confiscation of books and property.
- 5252/1492 AD – Inquisition in Spain and Portugal culminates in the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. Families separated, many die by drowning, massive loss of property.
- 5674/1914 AD – Britain and Russia declare war on Germany. First World War begins. First World War issues unresolved, ultimately causing Second World War and the Holocaust. 75% of all Jews in war zones. Jews in armies of all sides – 120,000 Jewish casualties in armies. Over 400 pogroms immediately following the war in Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, and Russia.
- 5702/1942 AD – Deportations from Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp begin.
- 5749/1989 AD – Iraq walks out of talks with Kuwait.
- 5754/1994 AD – The deadly bombing the building of the AMIA (the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina), which killed 86 people and wounded some 300 others.[i]
Repentance opens the doors of restoration
As we approach this time of individual and corporal repentance, we can anticipate doors of restoration to open. As intercessors, we can approach God and humbly declare His protection. When we come before our Righteous Judge and declare who we are in Yeshua, we align with His will.
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”—Acts 17:24
Alignment brings restoration. We come together as Jewish and Gentile Believers—as One New Man, this is the will of God. The three-stranded cord strengths the Body of Christ, and it is not easily broken.
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”—Ephesians 2:14-16
“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”—Ecclesiastes 4:12
It is time for the Church to awaken, stand, and pray with Israel!
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.’”—Psalm 122:6-7