The year 2026 is not just another page on the calendar with a pretty picture on the top. I believe that the year 2026, or as I like to refer to it from the Hebrew calendar, 5786, is a year of prophetic urgency.
Here are some clues regarding the new year from the Hebrew alphanumeric symbols that add up to 5786:
We can easily recognize from Paul’s instruction to the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 12 that all of us are individual members of the body of Christ. We all have a part in the proper functioning of the body, and we have been placed in our positions by the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, we have received gifts and abilities that enable us to fulfill our purpose in the body.
It has become popular lately for local churches to be referred to as gatherings. I much prefer the term assembly. Let me explain why. Years ago, a man in our church worked in a vehicle assembly plant. Someone asked him what he did, and he said, “I build trucks.” When the person who asked the question looked at him incredulously, he explained, “I don’t build the whole truck. I just put on the wheels. I don’t put on all the parts, but I do my part.” He worked in conjunction with many others to assemble the vehicle and get it into working condition. They did not duplicate their efforts or intrude into one another’s areas of responsibility. Everyone did their respective and unique parts, and they all made the finished product a reality.
You can have all the necessary parts for whatever you want to build gathered together, but it will not mean you have a working vehicle, or whatever you intend to build. It can have the most unique design, the best quality components, and the biggest reputation, but none of that will make a difference while the parts remain in their respective crates or containers. The parts must be not just gathered, but assembled in order for the designer or manufacturer’s vision to become a reality.
I believe that in 5786/2026, we are going to experience a divine reset in two ways. First, I believe that people are going to return to a dedication to their devotional life that they may have allowed to wane or become less fervent in recent years. They are going to reconnect with their first love, the Lord Jesus Christ, and experience the fire of God in a vibrant and vital way.
Next, I believe people are going to recognize their need for fellowship in the local church. This is where the body is not just gathered, but assembled, so that they can express the life of God that is in them. This will result in two benefits. Others will be blessed by the gifts they provide to the body, and they themselves will be fulfilled by using the abilities that God gave them to benefit others.
The result of all this is that we will all be able to fulfill the vision God placed in our hearts to accomplish what God has created us and redeemed us to do. For me and for World Harvest Church, that means we are going to reach our city and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I had a very specific and open vision about that 42 years ago. That vision has not come to pass in its entirety yet, but I am not discouraged about it in the least. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. What that tells me is that whatever God has begun He will also bring to completion. Philippians 1:6 says, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
There is much to accomplish and even more to anticipate in this new year. I am looking forward to it, and I trust that you are as well!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer
Here are some clues regarding the new year from the Hebrew alphanumeric symbols that add up to 5786:
- The letter hey represents five thousand, representing divine grace. Grace is the characteristic of God that allows you to receive from Him what you could never deserve from Him. Everything we receive from God is a result of His great grace. Let us begin the year with the understanding that all we have receive and will receive from Him is because of His grace and not any merit of ours.
- The letter tav represents four hundred. It is a covenant mark of protection. This is the mark that God instructed the angel to place on the foreheads of those who were protected from divine judgment in Ezekiel chapter 9. I believe this year will be sealed with divine authenticity as you conduct business for the King of Kings in the midst of a perverse generation.
- The letter shin represents three hundred, and stands for the transforming fire of God. I expect that you and those you influence will experience the holy fire of God’s anointing and presence to ignite a flame of passion that knows no boundaries.
- The letter pey represents a mouth, symbolizing a declaration or decree. I believe that this year, you will open your mouth to declare a thing and heaven will stand behind your words. Fear will not leave you just because you want it to. Faith must drive it out. Fear won’t go because the calendar has changed. Faith must seize the day. Fear whispers, “Wait!” Faith shouts, “Move ahead!” Fears says, “You aren’t ready.” Faith goes before you to prepare your way. Fear says, “That mountain is too big.” Faith says, “Who are you, great mountain?” Fear says, “Never.” Faith says, “Now!”
- Finally, the last digit in both 5786 and 2026 is represented by the Hebrew letter vav (six). It is shaped like a hook—or a connection. The connection is significant this year. I believe it represents our being joined to the Lord Jesus Christ as individual believers, and being joined to one another in like precious faith. I am convinced that it is vitally important for all of us to emphasize our relationship with God in devotion, and our relationship to the local church in demonstration.
We can easily recognize from Paul’s instruction to the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 12 that all of us are individual members of the body of Christ. We all have a part in the proper functioning of the body, and we have been placed in our positions by the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, we have received gifts and abilities that enable us to fulfill our purpose in the body.
It has become popular lately for local churches to be referred to as gatherings. I much prefer the term assembly. Let me explain why. Years ago, a man in our church worked in a vehicle assembly plant. Someone asked him what he did, and he said, “I build trucks.” When the person who asked the question looked at him incredulously, he explained, “I don’t build the whole truck. I just put on the wheels. I don’t put on all the parts, but I do my part.” He worked in conjunction with many others to assemble the vehicle and get it into working condition. They did not duplicate their efforts or intrude into one another’s areas of responsibility. Everyone did their respective and unique parts, and they all made the finished product a reality.
You can have all the necessary parts for whatever you want to build gathered together, but it will not mean you have a working vehicle, or whatever you intend to build. It can have the most unique design, the best quality components, and the biggest reputation, but none of that will make a difference while the parts remain in their respective crates or containers. The parts must be not just gathered, but assembled in order for the designer or manufacturer’s vision to become a reality.
I believe that in 5786/2026, we are going to experience a divine reset in two ways. First, I believe that people are going to return to a dedication to their devotional life that they may have allowed to wane or become less fervent in recent years. They are going to reconnect with their first love, the Lord Jesus Christ, and experience the fire of God in a vibrant and vital way.
Next, I believe people are going to recognize their need for fellowship in the local church. This is where the body is not just gathered, but assembled, so that they can express the life of God that is in them. This will result in two benefits. Others will be blessed by the gifts they provide to the body, and they themselves will be fulfilled by using the abilities that God gave them to benefit others.
The result of all this is that we will all be able to fulfill the vision God placed in our hearts to accomplish what God has created us and redeemed us to do. For me and for World Harvest Church, that means we are going to reach our city and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I had a very specific and open vision about that 42 years ago. That vision has not come to pass in its entirety yet, but I am not discouraged about it in the least. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. What that tells me is that whatever God has begun He will also bring to completion. Philippians 1:6 says, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
There is much to accomplish and even more to anticipate in this new year. I am looking forward to it, and I trust that you are as well!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer