Get Understanding!

 

We have already entered into the season of the Fall Feasts of the LORD. These feasts not only incorporate important spiritual principles, but also prophetic promises that will ultimately shake the heavens and the earth in their fulfillment by Jesus, the Messiah.

It is essential that all of God's people, including the Church, walk in understanding concerning the feasts, to which the LORD attaches so much significance. This is what the LORD has proclaimed regarding the next fall feast, the Day of Atonement:

"Also, on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it shall be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month, at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath."   Lev. 23:27-32

This day of atonement, according to the LORD's description above, was to have no distractions from the purpose of the day-fasting and repentance. He makes it very clear that souls hang in the balance. It is not to be taken lightly. The day of atonement was, and is, a prophetic type and shadow of the atonement for all men that was made through the blood of His own Son, Jesus. Even when the LORD saw the animal blood, which was just a faint shadow and type of the Eternal Atonement, He answered from heaven. How much more He answers the blood of His only begotten Son.
These feasts also continue to speak and promise prophetically to us of coming events, and we should understand those events, and how they are to unfold. The LORD wants His people to understand His feasts and His principles. His Word exhorts His people to get this understanding:

"Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth...Wisdom is the principal thing (beginning, first (fruits)); therefore get wisdom: and with all thine getting, get understanding...How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"   Prov. 4:5, 7,  and Prov. 16:16

God warns through His prophets that failure to get knowledge and understanding could be fatal:

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that 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, I will change their glory into shame."   Hos. 4:6-7

The prophet, Hosea, quoted above, had been instructed by God to marry a prostitute, as a picture of what God's marriage to Israel had become. His own people, even His own priests, had allowed sin to multiply among them. We, the Church, have been called to be priests and kings to our God. We also have been overset by sin.

The Day of Atonement, meant to prophecy the atoning blood of His Son poured out for all time, requires our self-examination and repentance in the face of it. The nine days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement are called "The Days of Awe", dedicated to prayer and repentance. The whole month of Elul before the beginning of the fall feasts is a month of repentance and return, teshuvah, to God. According to the Jewish tradition, not only was the individual to examine himself, but also to gather friends to examine him for sins, that he may acknowledge them, and repent of them. The purpose of this repentance is reconciliation with our God, who desires it earnestly, and who is continually reaching out:

"Go and proclaim these words to the north, and say, "Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause Mine anger to fall upon you: For I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God,  and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed My voice, saith the LORD. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."   Jer. 3:12-14

The LORD describes His relationship to Israel, including the backslider, as a marriage. He is ever committed and always watching for our return. His goal is to bring us to His city, the spiritual place called Zion. He provides pastors to give us this knowledge and understanding, so we will know His heart towards us (v. 15). He sent His Son, the greatest Shepherd of all, our atonement, to teach us, and to provide this place for us eternally.
As the LORD describes His marriage relationship to Israel, it can't help but remind us of the Church as the betrothed in our relationship with Christ, becoming the Bride who has made herself ready in righteousness for the coming marriage supper of the Lamb. Yet many Christians do not understand the importance of self-examination and repentance from sin. In lack of understanding, they think that the covering of the grace of God, which Jesus' sacrifice made available for us, requires nothing more from them. This is not true according to scripture:
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?.....Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." 
                                                                                        Rom. 6:1-2, 12-14
During these precious feast days, the LORD is calling to us: "Get wisdom, get understanding." The feasts have nothing to do with setting dates, or predicting the end of the world, but, rather, for examining ourselves, and returning back to God. They are about the understanding of the price of the atonement for our sins, and thereby preparing for the coming prophetic events.
For our serious consideration of our relationship with Him, and for our sincere desire to be servants of righteousness rather than servants of sin (Rom. 6:16), the LORD makes this promise:
"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not."   Mal. 3:16-18

May you be inscribed forever in the Book of Life.

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The High Holy Days & The Marriage Supper

 

This week, we are entering the days of the Fall Feasts of the LORD. These feasts include:

• The Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah
• The Feast of Atonement, also called Yom Kippur
• The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot

This season of fall feasts is called "the high holy days". Throughout these high holy days, there are Torah readings in the synagogues, which are followed by Haftarah (leaving, departure) selections. "Haftarah" refers to the Books of the Prophets, or nevi'im. These selections from the Prophets are usually sung, or chanted, rather than read. A large selection from the Prophet Isaiah, including 61:10-63:9, plays an important roll during these high holy days of the fall feasts. They are glorious passages of salvation and restoration. The imagery given to Isaiah from the LORD in these prophetic verses includes that of a bride, a bridegroom, and a marriage:

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as a garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the LORD God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations."   Isa. 61:10-11

This bridal description is an instant reminder of the verses from Revelation:

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, "Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." And, he saith unto me, "These are the true sayings of God."   Rev. 19:7-9

Both the high holy day verses from Isaiah, and Revelation also tell us about a new name which is given us:

"And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name."   Isa. 62:2

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it....Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God...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. 2:17, 3:12

The new name given by the LORD is set as part of the marriage theme in Isaiah. Even the land receives a new name through marriage:

"Thou shalt no more be termed (called, named) Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah ("My delight is in her"), and thy land Beulah ("Marry"): for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as a bridegroom rejoiceth over a bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee."  Isa. 62:4-5

What brought about this joyful marriage, and its resulting transformation, and restoration? It is the coming of, and the work of, Salvation:

"Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, "Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold thy salvation cometh; behold his reward is with him (Rev. 22:12), and his work before him. And they shall call them The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called Sought out, A city not forsaken."   Isa. 62:11-12

As we can see in the verses above, the Salvation spoken of is a person (also see Isa. 63:1). This person of salvation, our Messiah, is clothed in special garments. His robe will be marked by the effects of the great battle by which He redeems those who have been held captive:

"Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the

winef(v)at? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment...and the year of my redeemed is come."   Isa. 63:2-3, 4b

This same vision of the Redeemer from Isaiah is given to us in Revelation following the marriage supper of the Lamb:

"And he was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God, and the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he shall smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."   Rev. 19:13-16

We have no trouble recognizing the Person of Salvation, the Redeemer referred to in these Haftarah verses from Isaiah. He is our Jesus.

As these verses from Isaiah about a bride, a bridegroom, a wedding, and a great work of salvation and redemption are sung and chanted during the high holy days, the hopes and cries of many hearts will be ascending to heaven. The final verse sung from the Haftarah portion of Isaiah will be:

"For he said, surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Savior. In all their affliction, he was afflicted (see Isa. 53:3-5), and the angel (messenger) of his presence (face) saved them: in his love, and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare (lifted up) them, and carried (carried away) them all the days of old (perpetual, everlasting time)."  Isa. 63:8-9

 

 

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The Fall Feasts-The Feast of Trumpets

Tekillah Shofar Blast Click Here

 

The Feast of Trumpets, also called Rosh Hashanah (The head of the year) on the civil calendar, along with the other fall feasts of the LORD, is described in Lev. 23. It is to be observed on the first day of the seventh month. All are to come together in a holy assembly, and the day is to be treated as a Sabbath. Trumpets, or shofars (ram's horns), are to be blown in one long blast called a tekillah (listen above), as a memorial to the LORD (v. 23-25). This single long blast proclaims the Kingship of the LORD, and His crowning. When we hear this sound, it reminds us to crown the LORD as King in our own hearts and lives.

Earthly rulers come and go, and their power ultimately corrupts them. They rule to benefit themselves and the state at the expense of the people. Even King David, called a man after God's own heart, used his position as king to number the people, and to take another man's wife. To cover up his adultery, David used his kingly authority to send the husband, his loyal servant and soldier, to that man's death on the front lines of battle.

God's reign as King, on the other hand, is to benefit His people and all of creation. He rules as a Servant, as a Father, and as Justice for those who would never see justice otherwise. Those around us should be able to see this Kingship of God through His Kingship in our own lives.

Many Christians do not understand the significance of observing the feasts of Israel. Jesus, and the New Covenant in His blood, are not separated from the fall feasts, but rather, are the fulfillment of them. These feasts are a pattern on earth of the heavenly:

"...we have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the LORD pitched, and not man."  Earthly priests "... serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things."       Heb. 8:1-5 excerpt

From His position of power and Kingly authority in that heavenly tabernacle, Jesus is the mediator of an even better covenant  (v. 6). He ascended to this position at the right hand of majesty "far above all heavens, that He might fill all things."  (Eph. 4:10)

 

Shevarim Shofar Blasts Click Here

 

We can see Christ fulfilling the other fall feasts, as well.

The three wailing shofar blasts called shevarim (listen above), blown on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, represent the sobbing of hearts in repentance, and the desire to be reconnected, or reconciled, back to God. This is a day to afflict the soul, as well as a day of fasting. It is a Sabbath. (Lev. 23:26-32).
Jesus fulfills this feast as He is our reconciliation with the Father, and calls us to a ministry of the same reconciliation (2 Chron. 29:24, Ez. 45:15, Heb. 2:17):

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."  2 Cor. 5:18-19
Like David's repentant cry, the cry of our hearts should be:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."  Ps. 51:10

The shofar call of the Day of Atonement is a call to examine ourselves, judging ourselves that we are not judged and condemned (1 Cor. 11, 28-31-32), to grow up into Him, our Atonement, Christ (Eph. 4:13, 15).

 

Teruah Shofar Blasts Listen Here

 

The nine quick shofar blasts of the third fall feast, the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, are called teruah (listen above).The rabbis refer to these blasts as a "spiritual alarm clock" to awaken us from spiritual slumber.
Jesus taught the same idea as He told the parable of the ten virgins. He said that while all slumbered and slept, the awakening cry went out, "The bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him."  (Mt. 25:5-6). We are to be prepared, and to make ourselves ready, for this awakening call of our Bridegroom as He takes us into His tabernacle, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

On this holy convocation of the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasts seven days, we are to build booths out of the greenery of goodly trees to remember how God provided  tabernacles, or tents, for His presence, and for His people in the wilderness after He brought them out of Egypt (Lev. 23:33-44). He was with them every step of the journey.

The New Covenant tabernacle of God, and of our dwelling, is described:

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself, shall be with them, and be their God."   Rev. 21:3 (Lev. 26:11-12)

The fall feasts, like the spring feasts, are not limited to the Old Covenant, nor only to the Law of Moses. They are a pattern and shadow of the work of the Father and His Son in heaven, and in each one of us in earth. "Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.". 

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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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