Preparing for the Feasts:Learning How to Pray

 

 

The upcoming fall feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Succoth (Tabernacles), this year falling on Oct. 2, 11, and 16, become even more important as we see the unfolding of End Time events, and the imminent return of Jesus drawing near. Jesus will fulfill the fall feasts just as He fulfilled the spring feasts of Israel.

As Israel and Jews and Christians around the world observe the feast days ahead, it is at a time when Israel, as a nation, observes its 68th year. Daniel, the prophet, describes the major events of 69 weeks of years, so we must consider this time in the history of Israel to be significant.

As the feasts approach, prayer becomes a vital preparation for all of us.

The disciples knew that there was something powerful about Jesus in prayer that they desired to know. Even after they had returned triumphantly telling Jesus that the demons were subject to them, Jesus informed them that there was something greater in which to rejoice:

"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."    Lk. 10:20

 

It was immediately following this, that the disciples noticed the special time of prayer that Jesus experienced. They asked him to teach them about it (Lk. 11:1-4):

"And He said unto them, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."

Jesus instructed them to speak directly to our Father in heaven. It is not prayer, according to the teaching of the rabbis, unless it is spoken to God. The Israelites sought to escape from direct communication with God when God descended upon Sinai. They begged Moses that they should not talk to God, but rather Moses do so for them:

"...let not God speak with us, lest we die."     Ex. 20:19

Many believers also pray to others, rather than praying to God, Himself. However, Jesus did not teach this, as we can see above. By using the address "Father", He also emphasized having an intimate, loving, familial relationship with God, as a child with a father.

Jesus continued teaching:

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth."   Lk. 11:2

We recognize that the purpose of prayer is to agree with God's will. His will is His Word-they never contradict each other. We recognize that His will should be in our mouths, rather than our own.

"Give us, day by day, our daily bread."   Lk. 11:3

We attest by our mouths that God sustains and provides us with all we have need, not only the physical bread for food, but the spiritual bread of life, His Son, His Word. Jesus asks His disciples, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent?...if ye then,...know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"  Lk. 11:11-13

He will not ignore our needs, as we ask Him.

"And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us."   Lk. 11:4

We come to God asking for that mercy blood of Jesus that cleanses us of sin, and resurrects (redeems) us from death. Even though by our own efforts, we are not righteous, we can approach Him with confidence knowing that we have been rescued from this condition by our Savior.

Equally important, as we rely upon His forgiveness of us, we must also forgive others. How can we come before Almighty God bearing unforgiveness towards others? How can we come before Him without first examining our own hearts? Let us approach with a reverent heart, a humble heart "...forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph. 4:32)

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."   Lk. 11:4

Let us know that there isn't one of us who is beyond temptation. Temptation comes with every thought, word, and deed. Jesus says that we need the help of our Father to guide us away from these evil things.

 

 

Jesus told us that when we see the signs of the end begin to happen, "...look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."   Lk. 21:28

We certainly see the signs of the end of this age all around us. As we prepare for the feasts, we are also preparing for the nearness of our redemption. All creation is waiting and groaning for this redemption, through which we manifest as the sons of God. We ourselves, along with the rest of creation, "groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies."   Rom. 8:19-23

We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. The communications out of our mouths, and the thoughts of our hearts should reflect this Seal, and not grieve Him. (Eph. 4:29-32).

Prayer, as a type of communication acceptable to the Holy Spirit, reaffirms our seal in Him as we await that redemption. The word "pray" in Hebrew is spelled with the letters pe, lamed, lamed. Pe means to open the mouth, to command, to speak, a beginning. Lamed, which is used twice in the word for emphasis, means a shepherd's staff, to teach, to learn, to urge forward, tongue. As Jesus taught about prayer, it is as much a preparation, and an affirming, as it is a petition.

 

 

As scripture emphasizes the communications out of our mouths as all creation awaits the soon-coming redemption, or resurrection, of our bodies, God talks about "tabernacling" with our mouths:

"And the LORD said unto him (Moses), "Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."   Ex. 4:11-12

This is the very definition of the letters of the Hebrew word "pray".

The communication that should be in our mouths, as Jesus and Paul taught their disciples, is the same communication that God instructed Joshua:

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night...Have I not commanded thee?...For the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."   Josh. 1:8-9



God promises that as His Word is in our mouths, He is in our mouths.

Daniel told us that in the Latter Days:

"... the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits...and they shall be wise that shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they shall turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."   Dan. 11:32, 12:3

We desire to do exploits for God, even turning many to righteousness. What greater exploit can there be than to open our mouths in prayer being led, taught, and urged forward by the Shepherd's staff, with the promise of God that He is with us, and with our mouths? It is the prayer out of our mouths that prepares creation and ourselves for these fall feasts, and the soon-coming Redemption.

 

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Understanding Last Days Prophecies

 

It is very important that the church read, know, and understand the prophecies of the Bible, particularly those that deal with the Last Days, which definitely apply to the time in which we now live.The LORD meant for us to know and understand these things, because not knowing them will mean our destruction. The LORD said to the prophet Hosea, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee..."      Hos. 4:6

The prophet Hosea ministered in a time when Israel and Judah were prospering, but they were morally and spiritually bankrupt. They had turned from God, placed their trust in kings and riches, and worshipped idols, including Ba'al. Even the priesthood had become infected with this idolatry. The LORD said, "...thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against Me: therefore will I change their glory into shame."  Hos. 4:6-7 

God's priests and people had exchanged the condition of His glory for the shame of sin and idolatry. The LORD told His prophet that the spirit of whoredoms was in the midst of them (Hos. 5:4). They had abandoned their Husband, God, to chase after idols.

We find the condition of our society today, including the church, to be similar to that of Israel and Judah in the time of Hosea. We also are rich, and we also have rejected the knowledge of the LORD, and we now find ourselves being destroyed as a result. We choose instead, abominations, and the spirit of whoredoms. We rely upon electing politicians who also have no knowledge of the Word, nor the Spirit of God, or choose to ignore them. As a nation, we have exchanged the glory of our founding upon the principles of God's Word, for shame.

 



Hosea calls the people of God to return to Him:

"Come and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days, He will revive us: in the third day, He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then we shall know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."  Hos. 6:1-3

The LORD tells Hosea above, of revival and the resurrection of the third day. Not only does this merciful resurrection refer to Christ's resurrection on the third day, but Peter tells us that each day of the LORD is as a thousand years (2 Pet. 3:8). This brings us to the very threshold of that third day today. The signs and events of our times also confirm the nearness of that third day resurrection, which includes the rapture, or catching away, of those in Christ who remain alive at that time. We are expected to have knowledge of these precious prophetic promises.

 

This prophetic Word is the very testimony of Jesus, who is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). This same testimony of Jesus tells His Bride to make herself ready for the marriage of the Lamb has come (Rev. 19:7).

Those who keep the knowledge of the prophetic word are blessed (Rev. 22:7). The prophetic word, the testimony of Jesus, tells us to keep this prophetic word, and "worship God... for the time is at hand."  (Rev. 22:9-10). "And behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12

Those who do not know these Last Days prophecies, or do not receive their urgency, will not have made themselves ready:

"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." 

                                                                                                   Rev. 22:11

The thing that adds to the urgency and imminence of these Last Days prophecies is the fact that as the moment draws nearer, the days will even be shortened for the elect's sake, otherwise, no flesh would be saved. The accelerated progression of lawlessness and lies will be such that even the elect will be deceived unless those days are shortened (Mt. 24:22-24, Mk. 13:20). Because of these things, none of us can afford to be complacent, or relaxed in attitude towards these prophecies.

According to scripture, Israel's attitude as Hosea's prophecies came to pass would be, "My God, we know Thee". God denies this responding, "Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him. They have set up kings, but not by Me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off...For Israel hath forgotten his Maker." Hos. 8:2-4, 14

These are like the words of Jesus in Mt. 7:22-23:

"Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me ye that work iniquity."
Much of the church feels that they know, and are part of Jesus, ministering in His name. However, as we leave His Word and His truth behind, choosing sin, worldly comfort and compromise instead, will Jesus say to us that He never knew us? Will the Father say that the choices we made, and the works that we did, had nothing of Him in them?

Hosea calls the people of God back to Him again:

"O Israel, return unto the LORD Thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so we will render the calves of our lips."     Hos. 14:1-2

God answers,

"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under His shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the sent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon."     Hos. 14:4-7

"And I will make them one nation...and one king (Messiah) shall be king to them all..Neither shall they defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places...and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God....David my servant (Messiah) shall be king over them...they all shall have one shepherd: they shall walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes, and do them...and My servant David shall be their prince forever....I will make a covenant of peace with them...an everlasting covenant...and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them...I will be their God, and they shall be My people...and the heathen shall know...when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."   Ez. 37:23-28 Excerpt
Not only will God hear their sincere cries to Him, and heal them, but He also blesses them, and confirms His promise of Messiah to them.

Return unto the LORD. Time is short, and the call of the Last Days prophecies goes out, and those who know the prophecies will answer and be saved from destruction.

 

*photo top of page: the prophet Hosea

My Name's Not Job! Or is it?

 

At this time, we are seeing hatred, and even persecution, directed towards Christians across the globe. America, as a perceived Christian nation, is along with Israel, one of the most hated nations. In America itself, Bible believing Christians are finding that they are hated for the truth for which they stand. Jesus told us that this would be so, and it is recorded in all four Gospels:

"...hated of all nations {hated of all men} for My name's sake," 

                                                                        Mt. 10, Mt. 24, Mk. 13, Lk. 21, Jn. 15

Jesus said there would be persecution (Mt. 10:23). This hatred and persecution would be because of His name, and because the world not only hated Him first, but also because they hate His Father, who sent Him. Jesus said that the world hates Him because He has removed the cloak with which they hide and cover their sin, so they now have no excuse. The world would hate His believers because those believers are not of the world, just as He is not of the world (Jn. 15:18-24). If they hate the Master, and call Him Beelzebub, how much more will they hate those of His household (Mt. 10:24-25).

Sometimes, because this place of hatred in the world becomes so uncomfortable, the church begins to compromise, and give the world back that cloak to cover and excuse sins, but Jesus came to remove the cloak.

Rather than make friends with the hatred, or compromise with it, Jesus instructs us to patiently endure it (Mt. 10:22, Mk. 13:13, Lk. 21:18-19). This very patience and endurance would save us. His use of the word "patience" means cheerful endurance. He prays the Father to equip us with the joy that He has (Jn. 17:13). It seems difficult to endure hatred and persecution with cheerfulness and joy, but Jesus has prayed the Father on our behalf.
 



As we consider patience in the face of adversity, we cannot help but be reminded of Job. It should not surprise us to find that Job's name means "hated, persecuted". Where did he receive the patience to endure? The Hebrew letters of his name, aleph, yod, beth, give us a hint. The meaning of these letters form a picture of dwelling in the tent/tabernacle of God's strength and powerful hand. As Job begins to falter in the presence and counsel of his "comforters", the LORD intervenes and brings Job back to that tent of His strength in no uncertain terms in chapters 38-41. Job's dwelling place, though he is in the world, is not of this world. It is in that tabernacle of God's strength and mighty power! This was the moment of Job's deliverance - when he was brought back to that tabernacle. Job said that previously he had known God by hearing of Him, but now Job knew God by seeing and experiencing for himself God's great power (Job 42:5). What is found in this tabernacle of God's strength and power that delivers us? Hope is found there.

David found this in Psalms 42 and 43:

"When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, and with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God:  for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance...for Thou art the God of my strength...why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?...let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles (tent). Then I will go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy...I praise Thee, O God my God...hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Consider God's strength and power, and stir up that hope and joy that can be found in His tent, even in the face of hatred and persecution. It is our deliverance. Look where this hope brings us:

"...we might have a strong consolation (comfort, encouragement, solace, refreshment, strengthening), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail (veil); Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."     Heb. 6:18-20

Into this tent of Job's, and David's, and Jesus, into this place within the veil, where hope brings us, there is not only comfort and consolation, but blessing and rewards as well. Jesus said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven..."      Mt. 5:10-12 





Even as Job, hated and persecuted, received a double portion (Job 42:10, 12) as he entered back into those tent of God's strength and powerful hand, and prayed for those who had not been a comfort to him (Mt. 5:44), so the prophets promise a double portion:

"For your shame you shall have double; and for confusion, they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them."   Isa. 61:7   and

"Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee."     Zech. 9:12

 



As we endure with patience by entering the tent of God's strength and powerful hand, following hope through the veil, Jesus promised:

"Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth...Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple (tent) of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name."   Rev. 3:10-12

 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope in God.



Other Sheep and A Forgotten Prophecy

 

Many churches are dealing with the challenges of bringing new sheep into the spiritual sheepfold of Christ. As we consider these sheep, we may find that there are many whom we have overlooked, or neglected. Jesus spoke about some of them as He taught of Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep:

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd."   Jn. 10:14-16 (excerpt)
The "other sheep" about whom Jesus is speaking may include those whom we seldom consider.

When God made a covenant with Abram (The Exalted One is My Father), He described the great multitude that would be Abram's seed (Gen. 15:5). He also described the land that would be given to Abram's seed:

"In the same day, the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "Unto they seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates."  Gen 15:18

This great territory extended from Egypt eastward and northward over the Arabian peninsula, to the easterly point of the Babylonian/Assyrian lands, which were bordered by the Euphrates River.



The first of Abram's seed would come from his wife's Egyptian maid, Hagar (Flight).

 

 

As Hagar was with child, she fled from Sarah's anger. She came to a place of a fountain ("ayin", eye). Here, an angel prophesied that she would have a son, Ishmael (God Will Hear), "because the LORD has heard thy affliction". The angel said Hagar's seed would be multiplied exceedingly, unable even to be numbered. He described Ishmael as being wild, and aggressive, with other men aggressive towards him also. The angel also said, "...and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."   Gen 16:10-12

At this fountain (eye) Hagar exclaims that the LORD has seen her: "Thou God seest me", and names the place of this water, Beer lehai roi, "Well of Life, the Living One".

Some years after Ishmael is born, God renames Abram, Abraham, meaning "Father of many nations, or a multitude". Ishmael is circumcised with the rest of Abraham's household.
Later, when Hagar and Ishmael were again cast out, and dying in the wilderness, Hagar placed her son under bushes (commune, speak, pray aloud, sing, meditate). The LORD told Hagar, "...fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is".   Gen 21:17

Even as God made the precious promise of Isaac to Abraham, He blessed Ishmael, saying twelve princes and a great nation, multitudes, would come from him (Gen 17:20). While Abraham left all he had to Isaac, he made gifts to his other descendants (Gen. 25:5-6).

After Sarah died, Abraham married Keturah (incense, smoke from sacrifice), and produced more seed (Gen. 25:1-4).

 



 

Generations later, Moses was shown all of the land that the LORD ordained for Isaac's descendants (Deut. 34:1-4), which is also a description of the approximate territory of present day Israel. This land is just a portion of the land that was promised to all of Abram's seed in Gen. 15:18. 

Even more important than the covenant of land promised to all of Abraham's seed, is the spiritual covenant that God made concerning not just Isaac, but the others as well:

"The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah (children of Keturah); all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar (son of Ishmael) shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebajoth (son of Ishmael) shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of My glory."  

and

"In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt (Hagar's nation), and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD...And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it....He shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and He shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless saying, "Blessed be Egypt, My people, and Assyria, the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance."     Isa. 60:6-7, 19:19, 21-25

Surely the preaching of the Gospel is to all men, but especially to all of Abraham's seed. Particularly, it must be to all those to whom He has revealed Himself as "God sees me, God will hear me". Ishmael's place is to be "dwelling in the presence of all his brethren".

Israel has an everlasting covenant with God regarding land. So do all of Abraham's seed. Israel has a spiritual covenant with God that Messiah would come from the line of Isaac and Jacob. Salvation is of the Jews, and is to be to the Jew first (Jn. 4:22, Rom. 1:16). However, the rest of Abraham's seed also has a spiritual covenant with God according to the Word. It is a covenant of reconciliation with God, and with their brethren, Israel. Now is the time to consider the promises of God, particularly His promises to this         unreached multitude of Abraham's seed.

This month before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Elul. It is a time of reflection, and turning back to God. By tradition, it is considered a time of God's "chased" mercy and favor. The Hebrew letters that make up the word "Elul", aleph, lamed, vaw, lamed, have the meanings of The Head (Chief), The Shepherd's hook, The Nail or Tent Peg (a joining), and The Shepherd's Hook again. The Shepherd's hook is emphasized.

It is a special time to remember those words of our Good Shepherd concerning His other sheep, and to discern the Lord's body:

"...they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd."