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Understanding and partaking of the holy biblical feasts is not an issue of eternal salvation, but there remains a blessing for those who set their hearts and minds to learn the beauty and prophetic significance of these appointed times. Through them, the nourishing sap of the olive tree root will enrich and fortify a remnant for Yahveh's glory. Yahveh is preparing His priesthood for the Messianic kingdom with all its Hebraic flavor and biblically ordained Jewish customs.
HANNUKKAH
This year the Feast of Dedication begins at sundown December 20th
and finishes Sundown on December 28th
The story of Hanukkah centers around Antiochus IV Epiphanes' desecration of the temple and the head-on confrontation between Hellenism and Judaism. Hanukkah means dedication. The feast of Hanukkah is so named because it commemorates the reconsecration and rededication of the temple to Yahveh after it was desecrated by the Enemy through an obsessive attempt to annihilate the Jewish faith and people. Yahshua recognized and celebrated this momentous occasion. (Read John 10:22)
Alexander, the king of Greece, not only conquered the world, but more importantly was consumed with the zeal of an apostle to spread the religion of Hellenism, which is the unification of the world through Greek religion, Greek philosophy, Greek culture, and the Greek language.
A century and a half after Alexander the great came as prophesied to Daniel, "a contemptible person..." (Daniel 11:21 NIV) This infamous person, the small horn to grow out of the big Grecian goat, was Antiochus IV Epiphanes, as foretold in Daniel 8:11-14.
Antiochus hated the God of the Jews, His people, the Holy Scriptures (the Tenach/Old Testament), and the biblically ordained Hebrew customs. His aim was to bring down the God of the Jews, His people, and His holy decrees, and to elevate the Greek god, customs, language, and religion. He invaded the temple on Mount Zion. He erected an idol of Zeus, the "supreme deity" of the Greeks, on the holy altar. The idol of Zeus was fashioned with the very face of Antiochus, who considered himself to be the visible God. After the swine was offered to Zeus on the altar of the Almighty's great temple in Jerusalem (Kislev [December] 25, 168 B.C.), Antiochus IV Epiphanes sprinkled the blood of the swine in the Holy of Holies and poured its broth over the sacred scrolls. Then he proceeded to cut and burn them. The nation of Israel was shocked, traumatized, and left appallingly desolate!
All Jewish people throughout the land were required to worship Zeus. There could be no middle ground; the chosen people would either follow Yahveh and keep His holy ways, penalized with the brutal destruction of their lives, or compromise and adopt the Grecian customs. Antiochus issued edicts against all Jewish observances and practices. He hated the Sabbath and every holy mandate and biblical custom the Jews observed. Because of Antiochus' anti-Semitic venom, any person found clinging to his or her beloved Jewish heritage jeopardized the lives of their entire family.
Many Jews fled to the wilderness; many suffered intensely under the anti-Semitic atrocities of Hellenism. Thousands willingly lost their lives through horrendous tortures, in order to refrain from compromise and remain faithful to Yahveh, the true and living God. These people stand as an inspiration and example of wholehearted allegiance and courageous faithfulness to all who seek righteousness in these last days.
Three years to the day after Antiochus' desecration of the temple (December 25, 165 B.C. or Kislev 25 in the Hebrew calendar), Judas Maccabee, (called the Maccabee, meaning hammer, for he was to hammer the enemy to pieces), with courage and dedication to the Almighty and his Hebrew heritage, led a small group of Jews in an extraordinary defeat of Antiochus and his fortified Greek-Syrian battalions. This remnant of dedicated Jews refused to bow down to a pagan god and would rather have died than forsake the pure worship of Yahveh, the Holy One of Israel.
As in the days of Antiochus' defeat, our temples- hearts, minds, and bodies - must be cleansed and purified of all fleshly, worldly, and pagan influence. May the light of Yahshua's countenance begin to shine brightly as the Menorah, burning in the living temples of our hearts. May we be willing for the light of Yahshua to expose any darkness in our hearts and thoroughly cleanse us with His blood of any pagan defilement. And may Messiah dedicate us to His Father as living temples and consecrated priests - Holy to Yahveh.
The Biblical Feasts of Leviticus 23
The Biblical Feasts as outlined in Leviticus 23, are ordained holy days and are a symbolic picture of the entire redemptive plan of YAHveh, the almighty Creator. “These are the appointed times of YAHveh … a perpetual statute…” (vv. 31,41). Indeed, these prophetic festivals have much to teach all who desire to know their Maker and His eternal plan.
Traditional biblical scholarship acknowledges that YAHveh is the memorial name of the Creator. The title LORD or Adonai (Hebrew) used in most translations of the Bible, are substitutes for His original name YAHveh - Yod Hey Vav Hey (the Hebrew letters spelling His name), which was to be remembered forever (Exodus 3:15). The original divinely given name of the Messiah is YAHshua, meaning YAHveh is Salvation, known to many by the Greek rendered name of Jesus.
We are living in perilous and fearful times. The Bible foretold that these things would happen and it cannot be ignored that the prophesies of scripture are being fulfilled. Inspired by the Creator Himself, we can trust the Holy Bible. The One who created you, longs bless you with the knowledge of His love, purpose and plan for your eternal well being.
Messiah is the fulfillment of all the Biblical Feasts. YAHshua’s death and resurrection were the fulfillment of the Feast of Passover (Pesach) and the Feast of Firstfruits (Bikkurim). YAHshua, the Messiah, was crucified in Jerusalem as the perfect Passover Lamb at the hour that multitudes of Jews were sacrificing their “spotless male lambs” (Exodus 12:3-7.) For those who accept His sacrifice, His blood covers the door posts of their hearts and protects them from eternal death (Exodus 12:12). Yahshua was resurrected as fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits. He is “the firstfruits” of those to rise from the dead, promising resurrection and eternal life to those who are covered in His, the Passover Lamb’s blood (1 Corinthians 15:23.) Shavuot (Pentecost), biblically referred to as the Feast of Weeks, was fulfilled precisely on divine schedule when Yahshua poured out His Holy Spirit at Jerusalem exactly fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits. On this day, three thousand Jewish souls were brought into the eternal kingdom of YAHveh. YAHshua’s sacrificial death opened the way for the promised blessings of Israel to be shared with believing Gentiles who through common faith in His cleansing blood would become united as “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15.)
The first of the three Fall Feasts, is the Feast of Trumpets. This Feast commonly known to the Jewish community as Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) but biblically as the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) or the Day of the Awakening Blast, is a feast calling ones attention to the need for humility and repentance. An integral part of this holy time is the blowing of the ram’s horn-shofar (trumpet), to alert the people that they must repent before a holy God who will judge sin and all who fall short of His righteousness. The shofar was made from a ram’s horn reminding the people that Abraham obediently put Isaac on the altar and YAHveh mercifully provided a substitute, a ram caught in a thicket. When the ram’s horn is sounded it reminds the people, that although YAHveh is warning them to come in humility and repentance, He is merciful to provide a way that their sins can be forgiven, a life for a life, a substitutionary sacrifice. Natural catastrophe requires and brings a loud warning to the people’s hearing urging them to escape and leave the path of destruction, to get out of harms way to a place of safety. Likewise in the spiritual a similar alert and loud warning goes forth from heaven to earth beseeching the people to repent and flee from the judgments that are coming!
We are called to be spiritual people, not just fleshly temporal people of this world. We have a soul and that is the issue. Where is your soul going to be for eternity, will your name be written in the book of life? The scripture says, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of YAHveh is eternal life in Messiah YAHshua…” (Romans 6:23) and “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 9:22) The most holy day of Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, the day repentant sins are washed over, covered and removed by the blood of the ultimate and final sacrifice. The Messiah’s atoning blood averts YAHveh’s wrath upon man’s sins fulfilling all that Yom Kippur pointed to. “Now is the day of salvation if you hear His voice do not harden your heart.”
The celebration of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, is in remembrance of YAHveh’s provision of shelter for Israel as He led them during her wilderness journeys. This last great Biblical Feast speaks of Messiah’s first coming when He came to dwell (tabernacle) among His people. This feast will ultimately be fulfilled and enjoyed by a redeemed remnant of Jews and Gentiles who experience His kingship and holy presence forever. This feast is one of great rejoicing that can only be eternally experienced by those who have repented and are redeemed by the blood of YAHshua the Passover Lamb, who is the final Yom Kippur atonement for our sins. The Savior of our souls extends His invitation: “Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of everlasting life.” (Revelation 22:17)
THE HOUR IS LATE
WHICH PATH ARE YOU ON?
By Terrye Goldblum Seedman
Are you ready and waiting for your glorious soon coming Savior? Time is rolling up like a scroll and the Almighty’s sovereign proclamation to judge the world in righteousness and truth is an impending reality, as trustworthy as labor pains that come upon a pregnant woman. “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice before Yahveh (God) for He is coming to judge the earth in righteousness and in His faithfulness.” (See Ps 96:11,13) Yahshua, the Savior has infinite love for all mankind, He “does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” receiving forgiveness through His sacrificial cleansing blood. (2Pe 3:9)
Regarding the last days, our Redeemer said in Luke Chapter 21, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close in on you unexpectedly like a trap… Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Lk 21:34,36)
We must pay attention to our Savior’s warning against “dissipation” which is the squandering and wasting of our time, energy, and resources. Dissipation is also defined as selfish indulgence and the extravagant pursuit of pleasure. It denotes any diversion that entices us and draws us away from Yahshua and the high and holy calling He has for His redeemed children.
The clock is ticking, the grains of sand are falling in the hourglass; very little time is left! We are exhorted “to redeem the time for the days are evil.” (Eph 5:16) An important question is – What are you doing that is of eternal value at this most critical juncture in world history and its threshold into eternity? Most people are dulled and lulled into a stupor because of the varied enticements and preoccupations of this perishing world, including man-made religious agendas, which can deceive, if possible, even the elect. (See Mt 24:24)
Yahveh the Most High is continually crying out, “Come out of the world and be separate and holy.” (See 2Cor 6:17) He gave His Son to die on the stake at Calvary, to cleanse you of your sins and to purchase you with His precious blood. This is the unfathomable price He willingly paid to give you eternal life and deliverance from the powers of darkness and deception that rule this world system. True “born again” believers can no longer be half-hearted lip servers, who cater to the flesh’s cravings and longings for the things of this world. His Holy Spirit warns, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward the Almighty? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Yahveh (God).” (Jas 4:4) “Do not love the world nor the things in the world… the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but it is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of Yahveh lives forever.” (1Jn 2:15-17)
The love and indulgence of self is an enemy to the love and service of Yahveh the Most High God.
“The enemy comes to deceive the inhabitants of the earth.” (Rev 12:9) The Heavenly Father loves you and is trying to get your undivided attention, wholehearted devotion, and love filled obedience, lest you be ensnared in the world and suffer its coming judgments. Hear His heartbeat, “Open your ears, wake up, O sleeper, now is the day of salvation.” (Eph 5:14 and 2Cor 6:2)
“Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahveh.” Our righteous King longs to bring you to a place of “godly sorrow that leads to true repentance.” (2 Cor 7:10) He is faithful and just to cleanse and consecrate your repentant hearts with the precious blood of His Son. Judgment is coming upon all who walk according to the flesh and live to satisfy their selfish desires and self justified prideful, stubborn, and often rebellious ways.
We must “find out what pleases The almighty and do it.” (Eph 5:10) “For this you know with certainty, no immoral, or impure person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, or the cowardly, or those who practice magic arts, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah…” (See 1 Cor 6:9, Rev 21:8 and Rev 22:15) May the fire of His eternal presence bring conviction, compelling you to “cast aside every sin that so easily besets you.” (Heb 12:1) In order to be obedient and pleasing to our righteous King, we must “walk by the Spirit, so we will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16) “without holiness no one will ever see Yahveh (God).” (Heb 12:14) The Heavenly Father is purifying a redeemed remnant, to become as a beloved holy bride, who is preparing and longing to be with her soon coming eternal bridegroom. (See Jn 3:29 and Rev 19:7)
Are you eagerly preparing and longingly waiting for your Savior’s return? Are you making every effort to know your precious Redeemer more intimately in the spirit, adoring Him with an ever-increasing love, because He is becoming your utmost heart’s desire? Are the desires of His heart your interests? Apostle Paul said, “Many seek after their own interests, not those of Messiah Yahshua.” (Php 2:21)
Are you struggling with a conflict of interest? What is competing for your attention and affection? Are there cravings for other things that make you like an adulterer, idolater, and His enemy because He is not enough for you? Are the cares and preoccupations of daily life hindering your faith, love, and growing relationship to our great King and Redeemer?
Yahshua the Messiah said, “Make every effort (strive with all your being) to enter through the narrow door, because many I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Lk 13:24-28)
True disciples must “count the cost” to forsake everything to follow the Good Shepherd on that narrow path that leads into His eternal righteous kingdom. The redeemed remnant will continue to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” as they glorify the Father and bring the love and uncompromised truth of the Savior to a lost and dying world.
Yahshua continually cautions His disciples, “be on guard” against the deceptive pull of this world, including its man-tainted doctrines, traditions, and religious agendas that compromise and often nullify the very words of Yahveh His Father; the full counsel of the Old and New Testament Scriptures. “For this is the love of Yahveh, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1Jn 5:3)
He made it clear that although Many would want to, only a remnant- “a Few would enter that narrow gate and that narrow path that leads to eternal life.” (Mt 7:13-14) Messiah elaborates, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ (‘Master, Master,’) will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many would say to Me on that day, ‘Master, Master,’ did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I (Yahshua) will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness (the breaking of Yahveh’s commandments).’ (Mt 7:21-23)
Our Savior described the tragic reality of so Many religious people who thought their destiny was sealed in the eternal Promised Land, His forthcoming Messianic kingdom. Instead the Many were assigned a place with the hypocrites where there will be everlasting “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” “Many are called but Few are chosen.” (Mt 22:14)
Our precious sacrificial Lamb has poured out His atoning blood to redeem you to be His very own, now and forever. He says, “Behold, I am coming soon and My rewards are with Me. I will give to everyone according to what they have done;” (Rev 22:12) whether by Messiah’s indwelling Holy Spirit, which brings eternal dividends, or by man’s vain, dead-end efforts. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Pr 14:12)
Dear ones take your eyes off this dying world! Our Savior is crying out repent, “Look up, lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Lk 21:28) Our Heavenly Father’s infinite love, mercy, and grace, when humbly and wholeheartedly sought, will ensure that you will be “more than a conqueror through Yahshua Messiah” and endure victoriously to the end. To Him be all the praise, honor, and glory!
“Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Messiah also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those (the few) who eagerly await Him.” (Heb 9:27-28) Don’t delay, make ready, be waiting, rejoice, he is coming soon!
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I humble myself in prayer before You, Yahveh my Heavenly Father and Yahshua my merciful Savior,
I ask Your Holy Spirit to convict me of my many sins. Please help me to have true godly sorrow that leads to true life changing repentance. I confess that I have been selfish, stubborn, rebellious and prideful in many ways. Forgive me for my disobedience, my self-centeredness, and focus and desire for the things of this world. Please cleanse me with the blood of Yahshua the Lamb. I need Your help to make every effort to ascend on Your narrow path, I want to be part of the few, the redeemed righteous remnant, who seek and do Your will. Draw me so close to You that I will not be anxious or fearful in the midst of these perilous times. Give me a hunger and a thirst for righteousness, a desire to pray and read Your Scriptures, so that I may be obedient and holy to You in my words and actions. I want to redeem the time that is left; “Teach me to number my days, that I might present to you a heart of wisdom.” (Ps 90:12) I acknowledge that apart from You I can do nothing. Help me to have unshakable faith as I eagerly wait for Your return and eternal kingdom. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Yahshua’s Name.
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