ISRAEL – A music artist from the Negev Desert of Israel is causing many to be alert to the signs of the times and the return of the Messiah, through her passionate songs of worship that are intertwined with prayer. Among these songs is a warrior’s anthem of victory that includes the blast of shofars, military drumbeats, and a battle cry that is awakening, delivering many, and causing the nations in unexpected places to rise up, worship, and pray!

Baht Rivka Whitten, an Israeli-born recording artist and worship leader, is inspiring and igniting nations with her unique voice and Spirit-led songs.

Born on a literal day of battle, known as the Yom Kippur War of 1973, it is clear why her songs are delivered with anointing to break yokes in the lives of many, especially during times of war. With hit songs such as, “Awake My Soul,” “Heal Our Land,” and “Run,” one song stands out the most, which is “Rise Up.” It is a song about battle, the battle cry, and the God of the Angel Armies. “Rise Up” has become an anthem in countries all over the world for such a time as this which, incidentally, is the Hebrew meaning of Baht Rivka’s music ministry Lazman Hazeh Music (La ZMAHN ha ZEH Music).

“Rise Up” first begins with a faint military drumbeat that ascends into a loud collection of drum beats, similar to those used on the battlefield to keep everyone marching in unison. As this happens, the accompaniment of distinct shofar blasts are heard coming near. This sound pulls on the ears and speaks to the heart with a message that causes the hearer to take heed, stop, and listen. The increasing volume gives the depiction that a battle is on the way, so it’s time to get ready, and be prepared.

The song then leads into a roaring, authoritative, voice of strength and faith, which comes from Baht Rivka Whitten, as she begins to sing, “Rise up, Rise up, oh God of the Angel Armies!”

The lyrics continue to describe and declare who God is, maintaining the message of battle which then moves into prayer. She begins to sing the words, “Mighty in battle! Mighty in war!” A tribe of warrior voices touch in agreement with a deep sound saying, “oh-weh-oh-ohhh, hey!” This paints a mental picture of people gathered as one unit with strength, determination, expectation and weapons in hand, in preparation for what lies ahead. These voices can be heard throughout the duration of the song, as Baht Rivka makes proclamations, with a melody of victory that is sure to shake foundations.

As the song comes to a closure, Baht Rivka makes a final declaration to “sound the shofar, strong and loud, see the walls come crashing down, raise a war cry make a stand, break the curse and take the land.” This last line demonstrates the power of sounding the shofar with courageousness because every restraint or setback will be broken and victory shall be won. The song ends with the sound of the shofar, the voices of war, and a descending sound of drumbeats until it comes to a triumphant end.

The Story Behind the Creation of the Song “Rise Up”

There is no denying that the song, “Rise Up” was birthed by the Spirit of God and given to the perfect person to sing it. It’s also important to note the one behind the lyrics. That person is Sue Samuel, an incredibly gifted musician, who wrote the song.

“When I heard the song, I was like, oh that song was just meant for battle,” Baht Rivka shared. “I just felt God’s Spirit on it so strongly, and when I asked her if I could use it, she said, ‘absolutely.’ Then I went in the studio and put my own spin on it.”

That was that! It became a hit, with over 1.2 million unsolicited YouTube views. People around the world started to listen to it, and began to experience breakthroughs, healings, and victories. Many are testifying and commenting about how God has used her music to make it through their battles into a place of victory! Here is a sample of some of the YouTube comments for “Rise Up.” Swipe to see the various comments below.

Baht Rivka was amazed to see the response of the people. As she reviewed the YouTube studio analytics, it reported the viewings of people from the four corners of the earth in the most unexpected places, like Indonesia, S. Africa, Azerbaijan, and more.

Baht Rivka Whitten’s Birth in Tel Aviv on the Yom Kippur War of 1973

This song is not only a song of battle that is touching the world; it is also a testimony of Baht Rivka, who was born during a significant battle.

“I was born on the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in Tel Aviv. My mother went into labor on the holiest day of the year, the Day of Atonement. For this reason, I think ‘Rise Up’ really resonated with me.”

In Israel, Yom Kippur is the most significant and most holy day of the year. According to Baht Rivka, back then there was total silence on the holiest day, no airplanes were flying, no radio, and no cars were driving. In fact, she says driving in Israel on the Day of Atonement is still considered to be illegal to this day. So when her mother went into labor on this day, she was surprised to hear all the activity outside, which was due to the war.

“A lot of women went into labor that day, but my mother was one of them. And I say it like this, I came out fighting,” says Baht Rivka as she expressively clenches both of her fists in the air. “So it just resonated with me, the sound of the battle. I just heard it in my mind when I heard the song.”

Baht Rivka’s 50th Birthday Celebration – The Same Day as the Israel-Hamas War

Not only was Baht Rivka born on a day of war during Yom Kippur, but the celebration of her birth 50 years later would be another day of war. She was so thankful for this year of Jubilee and expecting breakthroughs and then suddenly the October 7th Israel-Hamas War happened. This caused her to be discouraged for a moment, but God stepped in and spoke a word that inspired her to hold her head up.

“This is the second time that a war has broken out in my country on my birthday. The Lord spoke to me about this and said don’t be discouraged. You were BORN for BATTLE. I really took that to heart. Whoever is out there who calls himself or herself a believer in the ‘God of the Angel Armies,’ we are here for such a time as this. We were born for battle. This song is a battle cry for all of us, so in some ways it doesn’t surprise me that God has taken this song to the four corners of the earth.”

Baht Rivka Whitten

It’s obvious why this song continues to have an impact on people around the world. This song is not just lyrics with an arrangement, it is Baht Rivka Whitten’s life story, and now it has become an anthem in the hearts of people worldwide.

The Story Behind the Creation of the “Rise Up” Visual

Not only is “Rise Up” conveying a message of battle, so is the image that was used for the song. The creation of the “Rise Up” visual was done in the most intriguing way. It was divinely designed by the leading of God’s Spirit, and put together by Baht Rivka and her husband, George Whitten. They both searched through pictures that would best represent a battle cry. The visual used contains a picture from a regular battle. When they saw the battle picture, Baht Rivka visualized shofars to go along with it.

Baht Rivka, as the visionary of the image, shares her experience during the moments of creating the “Rise Up” visual:

“We were looking for the right picture, for the background of the song. When we saw that battle picture, I just saw shofars coming in on the side. So I mean, it was really just us putting together a picture that looked like a battle cry. The movement of the clouds in the video, brings a sense of urgency into the picture, that time is moving fast. It is important to be aware of the times, take heed to God’s signs during these times, to awaken, and ‘Rise Up’ from slumber.”

Baht Rivka Whitten

George Whitten, as the technical one of the creation of this image, and prophetic news writer, added his take to the visual:

“I just wanted to do a video where the focus was actually the words. A lot of videos the movement happens so much you’re actually looking at the pictures, instead of focusing on the words. The words are really a call to battle. And God is with us. If God is with us, who can be against us? The idea really was to raise up warriors for the battle. It’s not our battle. It’s His battle. So if we’re focusing on the fact that He’s already won it, then it’s a lot easier to fight.”

George Whitten

The Song “Rise Up” as it Connects to Signs of the Times – Baht Rivka & George Whitten Share Their Thoughts

The subject matter of battle is so significant, especially due to the Israel-Hamas War which started on October 7, 2023. She and her husband both share the same thoughts when it comes to the times that we are currently in.

Baht Rivka Whitten’s Thoughts

On Baht Rivka’s Lazman Hazeh Music website and Facebook page, she shared urgent posts of various events that recently took place in America and in Israel. These posts include the Statue of Liberty being struck by lightning, a post about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsing in Baltimore, the Eclipse, the Earthquake in the New York-New Jersey area, and a number of pictures and videos of the happenings of war in Israel. On April 7th, she the hinted words “Rise Up,” in reference to Israel.

On April 4th, Baht Rivka made reference to the Statue of Liberty. She requested for others to join them in prayer for America.

All of her comments and posts had one thing in common, which is to pray. When asked about her thoughts of these various happenings, she quickly responded with the following words:

“Well, these are the signs of the times. We are nearing the end…maybe not the final end, but close to it. God is doing great things. There are signs in the heavens and so many things happening. It is pretty clear that Messiah is drawing near.”

Baht Rivka Whitten

 

Amazingly, they happened to be in the area when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore and also the earthquake in NY/NJ. These were catastrophic events, but God allowed them to be present, which is significant based on what the Whittens stand for, which is to pray. Her husband, George Whitten, also shared his stance on these occurrences and the significant meanings behind these events.

George Whitten’s Thoughts

“You have to understand the circumstances behind the bridge. I think it was really a warning to America from the Lord. I don’t believe in conspiracies and coincidences. I believe in ‘God incidences’ that God is orchestrating to help His people understand what is going on and how to pray. What I personally think is happening is that we are gearing up for a potential civil war. But this war wouldn’t necessarily be meant for destruction, it would be meant for revival.”

George Whitten

George went on to elaborate what he has analyzed from the events that Baht Rivka posted, which is paraphrased below. Per George Whitten, the events are as follows:

*Date of Event – March 26th – Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapsing in Baltimore – Francis Scott Key was the one that wrote “The Star Spangled Banner.” The place where the bridge hit is what marked the home of the free and the brave and a place of battle. Baltimore is where the first death of the civil war took place on a street called Pratt Street at the base of Federal Hill. Federal Hill is where people gathered to watch the battle of the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was inside of the British Ship when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner. He believes this is a forewarning of a war and redemption.

*Date of Event- April 8th – The Eclipse – When the eclipse started, it traveled across Eagle Pass, TX first. This is where the supreme court told the governor of TX, that you need to cut all the barbed wire. The Governor of TX, Greg Abbot, refused and doubled-down instead. This location is where several red state governors gathered and decided to send national guard troops from their states to defend the border. Then the eclipse went across Jonah, TX, before it goes across the seven Ninevehs. Many commented about the eclipses in 2017 & 2024, that the path of those eclipses formed a cross-like movement. Incidentally, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet Tav looks like a cross. In the last days, it all ends with the cross.

*Date of Event – April 5th – The Earthquake – This happened in Lebanon, NJ. Right next to this is a town called, White House Station, NJ, which is next to Bedminster, NJ where Donald Trump has a golf course. Another time when an earthquake took place at that location was in 1783, a little over 200 years ago, when the constitution was founded.

*Date of Event – April 5th -The Statue of Liberty Struck By Lightning – This statue is the gate of America. When people integrated in the 1800’s, the very first stop was Ellis Island at the Statue of Liberty. Lightning is basically hitting the torch of America.

These are just a few of George’s observations. To get the details, it can be found on his Worthy Ministries YouTube channel. George also added that all these signs are simply God showing us that He is getting ready to move in a way that He has never moved before. He mentioned that wars and rumors of wars are God’s way to wake people up!

“While everyone’s looking for doom and gloom, I look at it as God is getting ready to move like He’s never moved before. God is getting ready to shake us up. It’s time to wake up out of our slumber, out of our sleep. Get ready! He’s getting ready to move.”

George Whitten

George concluded by explaining the difference between an “awakening” and a “revival”, which is important for the Body of Christ to know. We often use these words as if they are the same, but they have different meanings.

“A revival usually happens within a sector, within a denomination, within a locality and an awakening actually transcends denominational lines, transcends nations. It goes across all. The water lifts up all ships.”

George Whitten

Indeed, revival is near in this nation, based on the signs God is showing us. May our prayers and intercession tug on God’s heart to turn it into an awakening among the nations. All of this goes back to the symbolism of the shofar and the song “Rise Up.” It’s time for the Body of Christ to wake up and stand in their rightful position! The Lord is showing us signs in ways like we’ve never seen in the past. God wants His Bride to be ready and be prepared. That is why we see warnings both near and far. According to George, a water-breaking moment is soon to come.

“We are birthing a Kingdom. The world is going through labor pains, and the water-breaking is near. God is getting ready to pour out His Spirit to raise up a level of holiness and righteousness in His Body. There are a lot of things happening right now, that are getting ready to shake this world…in a good way. God is getting ready to move and He is looking for vessels to move through. May we be those vessels. We want to see the harvest of the world, and we want to see a healthy birth.”

George Whitten & Baht Rivka Whitten

As we prepare for the water to break, God is equipping the Body of Christ with the knowledge of what to do as true sons and daughters. It is time for us to rise up and pray. God of the Angel Armies is calling us into a place of being properly postured. The alarm has sounded.

As both Baht Rivka & her husband George continue to spread the word and awaken the Body, may we all do the same as vessels that God can use. It is time to prepare for battle and time to get ready for the move of God. May we all “Rise Up” for such a time as this!!!

Now that you understand the roots behind the song, the singer, and its connection with the times, be empowered by hearing the song. Check out the YouTube video of “Rise Up” by Baht Rivka Whitten.

Horns of Heaven Global News is also happy and so honored, to report that Baht Rivka Whitten has agreed to allow us to use “Rise Up” as our theme song. As the visionary of HOH Global News, I, Sharlene Shantalle Hylton, am one of the many people from the four corners of the earth to receive a breakthrough from this song during a time of heavy battle.

God used this song to reveal His plans through an open vision. In the vision, I was sounding the SHOFAR to the four corners of the earth to assemble and unite the nations at a mountain of prayer. After saying “yes” to God’s call in my heart, and sowing a seed of faith into our church, God worked a miracle! He blessed my family, and He also allowed my book Horns of Heaven & Earth, a manual about the Biblical symbolism of horns, trumpets, and shofars, to be expanded into a non-profit news organization, called Horns of Heaven Global News. It was birthed in February 2024, with a news team of four. This quickly branched into the development of a virtual platform that would house spiritual leaders of many nations from across the globe to assemble, unite, and pray, known as “The Roundtable.”

In so little time, we have reported on the victories and hardships of men and women of God on the front lines across the globe from South Asia, Africa, USA, Islands of the Sea, and now the Middle East, who are impacting the lives of others. We vow to continue to sound the shofar, thus the presence of the word “Horns” in Horns of Heaven Global News, which is our trumpet of news to give God the Glory!

Thank you Baht Rivka Whitten for allowing us to use your song for our news organization. Thank you also for allowing God to use you to release a sound that is changing the world, bringing victories to battles, and birthing many into the fullness of their call. May God bless you, your family, and ministry for your work in the Kingdom.

This is Sharlene, reporting from Horns of Heaven Global News, letting the power of Jesus be known, by sounding the TRUMPET of news from God’s People to God’s People across the globe. It’s all about the Kingdom of God and connecting the believers of Christ through clear communication and the real-life stories told around the world! ADONAI ECHAD! ANACHNU AM ECHAD! HEBREW FOR “THE LORD IS ONE. WE ARE ONE PEOPLE!” 👑

To connect with Baht Rivka Whitten’s music ministry, donate, or make reservations for a booking, please go to lazmanhazehmusic.com. Additional contact details for can be found within the HOH Global Directory.

To find out more about the water-breaking that George Whitten was referring to, check out his message on YouTube titled: The Simchat Torah War — Is this a Water-Breaking Moment of Revival?