A Year of Transition
This past year has been a year of incredible transition for me and my family. Between the Jewish new year 5783 (which began at sundown on September 25, 2022) and the Jewish new year 5784 (which began at sundown on September 15, 2023), every single member of our immediate family either physically moved to a new location, a new house, or started a new career. Some even experienced all three of these changes!
For my husband and me, the transition involved selling our home of 22 years, leaving the area we had lived in all our lives (something I thought we'd never do), and purchasing a ranch in another area of our state. In doing so, we felt we were following the Lord's direction—not only because this ranch fulfills a longtime dream of ours, but also in order to reset the generational blessing that had been lost through unjust inheritance perpetuated through the generations. In addition, we feel the Lord may have us use this property as a place of ministry or refuge in the future.
The reason I'm telling you this is because it ties into the theme of open doors. But before I connect those particular dots, let me fill you in on some background and context.
The Year of the Door
As you might be aware, the Jewish new year 5784 is associated with doors. Four is the value of the Hebrew letter Dalet, and Dalet symbolizes a door. The number four can also signify completion, wholeness, or fullness—as in the "four corners of the earth," or the indication of all directions, as in North, South, East and West. We see this type of use of the number four in Zechariah 6:1-8, in which the "four spirits of Heaven," represented by four chariots drawn by strong steeds, are charged with walking to and fro throughout the whole earth.
It's worth noting that we are still in the decade of the Hebrew letter Pey, which has the numeric value of 80. The primary symbolism for Pey is the mouth and, by extension, words, vocalization, expression, or speech.
In order to fully realize all that the Lord has for you in the year of the door, it's important to decree and declare what the word of the Lord is—both for you, personally, and for His greater purposes in the earth. Job 22:28 (NKJV) says, "You will also declare [decree] a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways" (emphasis mine).
The 4:44 Blessing
I wanted to share our testimony of moving. We've been very busy with this new move to the ranch. Some of the complicating factors of this move included moving the contents of a large house to a much smaller one, as well as moving the contents of multiple outbuildings and construction-related equipment. Then, as if that weren't enough, we had several other real estate transactions happening at the same time, and the sale of our old property failed on the day of closing (through no fault of our own). Fast forward six months, during which time the economy continued to worsen, interest rates continued to rise, and the market for the price bracket of our old property softened by at least 30%. But God!
Despite this, not only did we sell, but we got a good price—just in the nick of time. The challenges of maintaining the old property as winter approached, much less the interest we were paying on interim loans, were concerning to say the least. Over and over again, my husband and I reminded ourselves that we had followed the Lord's direction to buy the ranch, and proclaimed the words the Lord had given us over time, including the decree that we would sell the house! (Photo via Pexels)
At one point, before it sold, I told my husband that the Lord had a greater picture in mind as to the timing than what we probably understood. It would appear that was true, as what followed is fascinating. The sale closed on September 13, but we were told the funds would likely not be disbursed until the following week. But God!
At 4:44 PM, on September 15, my husband got a call from our bank saying that all funds from the sale were in, and he happened to be a couple minutes from a branch that was open until 5:00 PM. Within a short time, all loans were paid off, with the remaining balance placed in our accounts.
Our provision was secured, just in time for the Hebrew New Year of "open doors"! I believe this 4:44 blessing is just the signpost for what's coming.
What's the Meaning of All Those Fours?
I want to share another story about fours. On September 4, my husband and I were traveling to Virginia for annual meetings for the 50-state prayer network we are in. We had a number of difficulties getting to our destination that day, one of which included missing our connection in Atlanta and having to re-book a later flight.
As my husband and I boarded the plane, I looked for our seats in row 44. A young gal was already in the seat by the window, kneeling down, apparently praying. She insisted on giving me the window seat, which I was happy to take, and as the three of us settled in our seats I looked at my phone. It was 4:44 PM.
I leaned forward, showed them my phone, and said, "What do you suppose is the meaning of all those fours? It's September 4, we're in row 44, and seated at 4:44." The young gal's eyes got wide. I continued, "Well, I'm not sure, but I think it means we're all in the right place at the right time, and there's a purpose for us being here."
I was invited to share that story at the opening of the meeting the next day. After an afternoon of meetings, which went longer than scheduled, we finally adjourned, at which point a good friend held up her phone, looked at me and announced, "It's 4:44!"
Unsurprisingly, I began to pay more attention to what the Lord might like to reveal to me through all the fours, in this, the year of the door!
Four Open Doors in 5784
I see four open doors in this season:
1. Strategy and Revelation
I first began hearing the Lord speak of open doors as early as last May. At that time, I felt He highlighted to me that the door of revelation was opening. I see this not just as revelation about what God is saying and doing in the earth at this time, but also as revelation to us as individuals regarding what our part in His plans are, and the specific strategies needed in order for us to execute them. By seeking God for what His specific plans are for us, we then become strategically positioned and fully equipped to perform whatever exploits He has planned for us in the season ahead (Daniel 11:32b; Revelation 4:1-2).
2. Fulfillment
In late July, I began hearing the Lord speak of "crossing over to the Promised Land." As I continued to seek the Lord, I felt He showed me that in this season, beginning with 5784, the door to the fulfillment of promise and destiny stands open before you.
One significant "crossing over" was when Joshua led the people of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 3). On one side of the river, the Israelites knew what the promise was and looked forward to it, and on the other side, they lived it—they became it. They became the manifestation of the word. I believe this will be true not only for individuals, but for nations and people groups as well. (Note: Remember to decree your promises, and that you are in a season of "crossing over" to fulfillment!)
3. Abundant Provision
Let's talk about bread for a minute. Bread speaks of eternal life (John 6:22-58). It's interesting that the Israelites ate manna (the bread from Heaven) in the wilderness; but shortly after they crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land, on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land, the manna stopped appearing (Exodus 16:15; Joshua 5:12; John 6:31, 57-58). God had a better means of provision for them after they "crossed over." (Photo via Pixnio)
In late June, I heard the Lord speak of opening the door of Revelation 3 that no one can shut. I believe we are crossing over into a new and better provision. This provision is abundant, supernatural provision, based upon sacrifice. I see this as the open door of Revelation 3:7-8 that no man can shut.
Just as there is a difference between life and abundant life, there is a difference between provision and abundant provision (John 10:10). I hear the Lord say, "Get ready for an overabundance of blessing—pressed down and running over, poured out without measure—in response to your sacrifice (Luke 6:38)!"
4. Honor
I believe the open door that no man can shut is also a door of honor. This passage was directed to the church at Philadelphia. Philadelphia was the name of a city of the Roman province of Asia Minor, derived from a combination of two Greek words: "love" (phileo) and "brother" (adelphos), meaning "brotherly love."
In this season of open doors, it will be particularly important to show love to one another, that the Lord may exalt you among men. I see this as a double honor season, as written in Isaiah 61:7 (NKJV): "Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs."
Preparing in Practical Ways
Just recently I have seen several prophetic words that speak of "battening down the hatches." The phrase "batten down the hatches" is a nautical term meaning to "secure a ship's hatch-tarpaulins, especially when rough weather is expected." In other words, it means to prepare for any difficulty or crisis.
In March/April of 2021, I did a three-episode series for our CPN podcast, Preparing the Way: The Practical Prophetic, in which the Lord gave me some of the most clear, detailed revelation I have ever received. It focused on the idea that, as the Body of Christ, we need to practically prepare for any storms ahead. It's biblical to take care of your own family (1 Timothy 5:8). When we are prepared, we can help others in need. Like our spiritual father Abraham, we are blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:3)!
We live in a rural location with space for storage and our own wells. Even if space is tight and you're in the city, He will give you practical ways to prepare. There's no need to fear or panic—God's got our backs! He will never leave us or forsake us. He's promised us this in His Word (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrew 13:5).
Lord, let us prepare our hearts, as well as practically prepare, in this, the season of open doors! Amen.
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Diane Lake
Starfire Ministries
Email:Â info@starfireministries.org
Website:Â www.starfireministries.org
Diane Lake is a writer, speaker and minister ordained with both Christian International and Generals International. Her articles are regularly featured on The Elijah List, as well as platforms like Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, Intercessors For America and others. She and her husband, Allen, co-founded Starfire Ministries with a vision to see the Kingdom established beyond the four walls of the traditional church. They host a podcast with Charisma Podcast Network, and serve as Church Mountain, Regional, and Montana Coordinators for the Reformation Prayer Network, and as Media Mountain Leader/Facilitators for C.I.'s Culture Influencers.
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As you read through Diane's word, you'll be encouraged by the four open doors that are available to us...and how the Lord will come through for us in ways that are above all that we ask or think. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List 
