Tabernacles and the Day of the LORD*

This evening begins the Feast of Tabernacles. There is a direct connection in scripture between the Feast of Tabernacles and "the day of the LORD'. This is the commandment of the LORD regarding the Feast of Tabernacles: "And the LORD spake unto Moses saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD...every thing upon his day." (Lev. 23:33-37). The word "tabernacles" is the Hebrew word sukkah, meaning "booth, pavilion, lair (of a lion), cover". (A root word, sakak, means "fence about, protect, defence, shut in, overshadow, stop the approach, weave together, cover with armor".) The pictographic ancient Hebrew letters form the meaning "Behold, a hand to cover, supply, lift up, or suppress". In Deuteronomy, the LORD explained the Feast of Tabernacles further through Moses: "Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine. And thou shalt rejoice...thou...thy son...thy daughter...thy manservant...thy maidservant...the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates." (Deut. 16:13-14). The Feast of Tabernacles was to include all with rejoicing after the fall harvest that God had provided them. In the same spirit of tabernacles, the LORD commanded Moses to appoint just judges and officers throughout all of the tribes, who will not practice favoritism, nor receive bribes nor falsely accuse the righteous. This just treatment of all is so that they may live in the land that God has given them (v. 18-20). We see a lack of justice everywhere today, while God is calling His people to be just and righteous. We discover that the neaning of the Feast of Tabernacles is also revealed in scriptures regarding the coming day of the LORD: "He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion (sukkah) round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail-stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens...he sent out his arrows, and scattered them...Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me." (Ps. 18:11-17). Just as Noah was drawn out of many waters, the LORD's pavilion draws us out of the hands of our enemies. What looks to the enemies like a covering of thick dark clouds, to us is the pavilion or tabernacle of the LORD. It is "the hand that covers, supplies, lifts up and suppresses". As Psalm 31 declares the greatness and goodness of God towards those who trust Him, it says: "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (sukkah) from the strife of tongues." (v. 19-20). Those who walk in the righteousness of God, and in His Word, are continually judged in this world by the strife of tongues of accusation. However, God has provided a pavilion in which to hide us. As Isaiah prophesied the blessings of God under the Messiah, he wrote of beautiful fruitful branches, excellent and comely fruit of the earth for the remnant who escape. Those that remain will be called holy - every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. The LORD will wash them of filth, purged by the spirit of judgment and burning (Isa. 4:2-4). "...and the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle (sukkah) for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." (v. 5-6). There is a hand to cover and provide our pasture in the tabernacle, but it is shadow, darkness, and clouds to others. The prophet Zephaniah describes the day of the LORD as a day of wrath, of trouble, distress, wasteness and desolation, "a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm...and I will bring distress among men...because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust...Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy..." (Zeph. 1:14-18). The prophet Amos also spoke of the darkness of the day of the LORD, saying, "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD!" (Amos 5:1-18-20). In this case, the very people who were looking for the day of the LORD would be the first to experience the darkness rather than the sukkah tabernacle. The LORD condemned them because He said that He hated their feasts and offerings, "But ye have born the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun, your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves." (v. 21-26). Their tabernacle was a tabernacle to false demonic gods, who demanded child sacrifices, and were filled with worthless idols. The LORD holds His people to a different standard than the standard that the world practices and values. His standard is the righteousness of God. Joel also wrote about the day of the LORD as being "a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness", and of a fire that devours and a flame that burns. (Joel 2:2-3, 30-31). He called the people of God to sound the trumpet of alarm, to call an assembly of all the people, from the youngest to the oldest, because "the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand." (2:1, 16). The people must repent with fasting and weeping and consecrate themselves: "...rent your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." (v. 12-13). The priests especially, as those who were the spiritual leaders of the people, were called upon to lead the congregation in repentance by repenting themselves, crying, 'Spare thy people, O LORD." The LORD has not destined His people for His wrath, but providing them instead a tabernacle, a pavilion, a hand that covers if they will set themselves apart to enter into it. If the people will repent in their hearts, the LORD says that He will pity His people: "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things...he hath given you the former rain moderately...and the latter rain in the first month." (v. 21,23). The LORD promises to remove the attacking northern (hidden, secret, covered over) army, and to add the blessing of abundance in their land, restoring all that the devouring locusts have destroyed (v. 20-26). One of the celebrations associated with the Feast of Tabernacles is the abundant harvest, the fruit of the land, like the fruit of trees and the vine, as we see here (v. 22). "And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed". As part of this blessing, the LORD promises to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, regardless of age or status. (v. 27-29). In Nehemiah, Ezra the scribe caused the Word of God to be read and taught before all of the people. Then they obeyed the Word that they had heard by building their booths from beautiful branches to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, as had been commanded by God (Neh. 8:13-15). When we honor God and His Word, He honors and blesses us. Zechariah prophesied about a plague that comes upon the people in which their flesh is consumed away: "...in that day,...a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them." (Zech. 14:12-13). It is a day when the LORD has gone to fight against the nations that have come against Jerusalem. Those among the nations who survive this terrible day of destruction, will have to come to Jerusalem yearly : "...to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." (v. 16). This prophecy is talking about the rule of Messiah, Jesus Christ, on earth. Those nations that refuse to tabernacle with the LORD in Jerusalem will receive no rain, and will be smitten by the plague. In Jerusalem there shall be found the things that are HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD, "and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts." (v. 16-21). The Word of God says to keep His feasts in "all your generations". There is a place where the hand of God covers, supplies, lifts up, and suppresses, especially in connection with the day of the LORD, as we have seen. This place is found in His tabernacle (sukkah). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/9/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook.

Rejoice in the LORD*

This week, the Feast of Tabernacles ends after a seven day observance. The next day, the Eighth Day, is Shemini Atzeret. The eighth day is also called Simchat Torah, or "Rejoice in the Torah": "Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein." (Lev. 23:36). It is interesting to know that acording to Jewish custom, a marriage supper doesn't occur until after the newly married couple enters their chamber for seven days at the time of the wedding. On the eighth day following the marriage, the bridegroom brings the bride out of the chamber for the marriage supper celebration. The Eighth Day is a time for rejoicing. Eight is also the number of "new beginnings". The phrase "Rejoice in the LORD" occurs thirty-six times in scripture. From the New Testament: "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord...Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:1, 4:4-7). A type of shutting in, like that which occurs for seven days within the wedding chamber mentioned above, appears in prophetic scripture, and again, it leads to rejoicing: "...Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust...and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." (Isa. 26:17-21, excerpt). These verses speak of the raising of the dead, and the punishment of the wicked, while the LORD's people are enclosed safely in their chambers with the doors shut. We see this also with Noah being shut up in the ark, with God Himself shutting the door. In this way, Noah was kept in safety while the earth was flooded in judgment of the wicked. The parable told by Jesus of the five foolish virgins who were unprepared for the arrival of the bridegroom (Mt. 25), found that they were left outside the shut door as a result. Isaiah prophesies of a strong city in Judah, whose walls and defenses are salvation. Its gates are open to the entrance of the righteous nation that keeps the truth. For those who trust in the LORD, there is perfect peace and everlasting strength (Isa. 26:1-4). In this, Isaiah wrote that he will exalt and praise God: "And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine...well refined. He will destroy in this mountain...the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from off all faces...And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us...we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." (Isa. 25:1-9 excerpt). There is also great rejoicing regarding the coming marriage of the Lamb: "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....Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb...These are the true sayings of God." (Rev. 19:7-9). In these verses, first we have the marriage of the Lamb, and then the marriage supper of the Lamb. This fits into the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the rejoicing on the Eighth Day, following it. Rejoicing also accompanies the anticipation of the coming of the LORD: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee...And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again." (Zech. 2:10-13, excerpt). As the LORD promise here to "dwell in the midst" of His people, this is the essence of the Feast of Tabernacles. The LORD will not forget His promises to Israel, Judah and Jerusalem, of which we see one example here in these verses. The Church does not replace Israel in the plan and promises of God, although this false "Replacement Theology" doctrine is believed today by some. The LORD will fulfill His Word regarding Israel and Jerusalem, and all of the nations of the earth will also be benefitted as a result. The LORD is jealous for His land, and its people: "Thus saith the LORD, I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain." (Zech. 8:1-3). Through this fall feast season, we have come through a time of fasting, self-examination and repentance, as found in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. From that cleansing, we enter into the rejoicing of Tabernacles and Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day. The prophet Joel wrote of the same thing. The people were to call a solemn assembly to seek the LORD with their whole hearts, fasting with weeping and mourning (Joel 2:12-17). Even the bridegroom and the bride were to come out of their marriage chamber to join the assembly in repentance. As a result of this repentance of His people, the LORD would turn again and have jealousy for His land, and pity upon His people. He will bless with abundance, and restore what was destroyed (v. 18-25). Joel wrote: "Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things...Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God..." (v. 21, 23). After this, the LORD gave His great prophecy where He promises: "I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh...I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth...before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." (v. 28-32). The LORD also promises that in that day, He will bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:1). We do not react and judge based upon current outward appearances, but we bring all thoughts and imaginations into the obedience of Christ, who is the Word of God (see 2 Cor. 10:1-7). It is time to rejoice in the LORD: "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Hab. 3:18). Are we going to believe the report of the WORD, or the report of the world? *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 9/26/21 message to the church. To contact us, to make a prayer request, to give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705, or by email at Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us, including the complete video of this message, on Facebook and Twitter. You can find information about Dr. Stevenson's newest book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling" at endtimeschool.com.

Keeping the LORD's Feasts*

The feasts of our discussion today are not identified in scripture as "Jewish" feasts, or as church feasts. They are repeatedly called the LORD's feasts. The LORD called them "My feasts" (Lev. 23:2). The prophet Zechariah wrote that in what we understand to be the Millennial Reign of Messiah (Jesus) from Jerusalem, it will be required of all the nations on earth to come to Jerusalem yearly for the Feast of Tabernacles. If a nation refuses to come, there will be no rain given upon that nation (Zech. 14:16-21). Jesus already fulfilled, in their type, the spring feasts of the LORD, Passover, Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Weeks (Pentacost). We also believe, therefore, that He will fulfill the fall feasts of the LORD in their type. The three fall feasts of the LORD are Yom Teruah, or the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. All of the feasts are described in Leviticus 23, which we will see. The times of the feasts are appointed specifically by God, and God gave the means by which time is appointed in Gen. 1:14: "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." The Hebrew word used for "seasons" in this verse is moed, which means "congregation, feast, season, appointed meeting, appointed time, assembly, appointed place". The Hebrew root word for "seasons" in this verse is yaad, which means "appoint, assign, especially of acquiring or designating as wife, to espouse". This should be especially important to believers in Christ who understand that we are called "The Bride of Christ", and we are called to prepare and participate in the marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-8). Unfortunately, some have taken this verse from Genesis and created a counterfeit of the truth called horoscopes. The month of Elul, leading up to the beginning of the fall feasts, is dedicated to repentance, reconciliation with those whom we have offended, and the care of the needy. The shofar (trumpet) is sounded on each day of that month of preparation. Leviticus described the fall feasts of the LORD, which will begin in just a few days from now, this way: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD." (Lev. 23:23-25). On Yom Teruah, or the Feast of Trumpets, the shofars are sounded. It is the only feast that begins on the new moon, the first day of the month. No man knows the exact day or hour when the new moon will appear, so there are those who are appointed to watch for it. Paul wrote to the Church regarding the importance of the trumpet blast: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep...For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord..." (1 Thess. 4:13-18). As Jesus described the day of His coming, He said that no man knows the day or the hour (Mt. 24:36). The same applies, as noted above, to beginning of the Feast of Trumpets. Paul continued in Ch. 5 of 1 Thessalonians that this day is not to overtake us, the children of light, although that day of His coming, "like a thief in the night", will be a surprise to others. There is to be a difference between the children of light and those in darkness in this regard. Again Paul referred to the sounding of "the last trump: "...for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed...then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory...The sting of death is sin...But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:51-58). It was with the sound of a trumpet that John was also told "Come up hither...", and was brought up alive into heaven to receive the revelation of the Lord (Rev. 4:1-2). The Feast of Trumpets reminds us and prophesies to us of the moment, called The Rapture, when we will meet the Lord in the air. We are to be diligent and prepared for this event that will come suddenly. The second of the LORD's fall feasts is Yom Kippur, 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 for you before the LORD your God. And whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people...it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings...ye shall afflict your souls...in the ninth day...at even, from even unto even, ye shall celebrate your sabbath." (Lev. 23:27-32). The Day of Atonement is a day of repentance in the face of the atonement for sin provided by God for His people, even as we know this Atonement was fulfilled not by the blood of animals, but the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. Those who refuse to participate in the Atonement, as stated in the Leviticus verses, will die. We know that the wages or consequences of sin is death unless we partake of the Atonement. The third fall feast of the LORD is the Feast of Tabernacles: "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD." (Lev. 23:34). The desciption of this feast includes a sabbath rest for the first and eighth days of this feast. No servile work is to be done on those days. On each day of the feast, an offering by fire is to be made unto the LORD. A booth made of tree branches is built for use by the family during the seven days of Tabernacles. Being in the booth, or sukkah, not only meant to bring to remembrance the booths the Israelites dwelt in while in the wilderness, but it is also compared to the shutting in of a bride and groom, particularly the Messiah, Jesus, and His Bride. Isaiah also wrote of a period of shutting in: "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." (Isa. 26:19-21). In these verses, being shut in the chamber or tabernacle provides covering during God's judgment. All of the feasts of the LORD work in our lives as they depict the sacrifice of Jesus, and His prophetic plans for His Body, His Bride: "...That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:25-26). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/29/21 message to the church. To contact, for prayer requests, to support the ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. Look for us also on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

Revisiting "Back to the Garden: Taberncles"*

 

This message revisits the 2017 message titled, "Back to the Garden: Tabernacles", with current updates. The news headlines, particularly those dealing with Turkey (Togarmah in scripture: Ezek. 38), who is attacking and executing Kurds, the turmoil in the nation of Syria, and the lining up of the other nations mentioned prophetically in Ezekiel, now occurring during this fall season of the feasts of the LORD, should bring our attention to the meaning of these feasts in these end times.

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is the seventh feast, taking place in the seventh month, and lasting for seven days. We can see from this that this feast has a Sabbath rest significance. This Sabbath rest is associated with the Millennial Kingdom of Messiah. With our nation shredded from within, the Sabbath association with Tabernacles is very much needed at this time in our history.

Tabernacles is a feast of rejoicing in the LORD. The Jewish people build booths called sukkah, meaning tabernacle, tent or pavilion, from tree branches (see photo at the top of the page) to celebrate this feast. Seventy bulls were offered during this feast to represent the seventy nations of the earth, because God's Feast of Tabernacles will encompass every nation, according to the prophecies of scripture. In the Book of Jubilees it is written that Abraham celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles** before it was proscribed in the Law of Moses, to rejoiced and worship as God reaffirmed His prophetic promise and covenant with  Abraham.
Tabernacles is seen as the culmination of the will and word of God in the Book of Revelation:
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new...And he said unto me, It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
                                                                                                       Rev. 21:1-7
Along with this awesome fulfillment of the promise of the Feast of Tabernacles, however, the Lord also issues a grave warning:
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and the murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers (Grk- pharmakon: a drug, potion, druggist, poisoner, magician, magical remedies), and idolaters, and all liars (to speak deliberate falsehoods, deceive by falsehood), shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."   v. 8
Current headlines are full of the abundance of lies and liars. Politicians of all leanings and parties, news media, even religious leaders, are engaging in lies, each for their own advantage. Jesus made clear, above, the penalty for those who engage in the flood of lies that we are seeing in this time. We can also see how the recent headlines regarding pharmaceutical drug scandals, as well as the contamination of our food with chemicals, hormones, and harmful additives for profit are all relevant to this prophecy.
The Feat of Tabernacles is promised by, and in Christ. He is the fulfillment of the feast, as it is written:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."   Jn. 1:1, 14
The purpose of the Word who became flesh, Jesus, was to dwell in the midst of men, or tabernacle among them, where we could look upon Him.
A disciple asked Jesus how He will manifest Himself to them, but not to the world (the world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth: Jn. 14:17). Jesus answered:
"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."  Jn. 14:22-23
We cannot enter the fulfillment of Tabernacles in just any manner. It requires us to love (Grk-agapao: to love dearly, have a preference for, to welcome, to be well pleased, or contented with) the Person of Jesus, and to keep His words.
David wrote about experiencing tabernacle with the LORD, a place of rest and protection, not just in a time to come, but now, during the days of our lives:
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD (refer to Jn. 1:14, above), and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD...When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."   Ps. 27:4-8
Tabernacles is a provision for "the time of trouble", as David revealed. We are seeing that time now, that tribulation, as prophesied in scripture, in the signs around us. We enter into that Tabernacle, as Jesus pointed out, by believing and loving, and obeying Him and His word. David learned by revelation from God that tabernacle required him to "Seek my face". Jesus said in John 14 that He is the face of Tabernacles. He is the face, and Tabernacles is the place reserved for us in the time of trouble.
Balaam saw the pleasing tents of Israel, and could not curse them, though he was hired by a king to do just that. The day of judgment is coming, and the return of Christ is at hand. Jesus said if these days are not shortened, no flesh would survive. The Feast of Tabernacles is speaking to us of these things, and this time.

*The above is based upon the 10/13/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

**The Book of Jubilees, Ch. 16
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message:

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

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Sukkot: Tabernacles

 

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is the third fall feast of the LORD. It is observed for seven days, with an additional holy convocation on the eighth day. No servile work (meaning work of any kind, but especially work associated with bondage, captivity, or slavery) is to be done on the first and eighth days of the feast (Lev. 23:33-36). During the seven days of this feast, the Israelites were commanded to dwell in booths, or sukkot (tents or tabernacles). They were to observe this feast with booths for ever (v. 42-43). The booths are a reminder that after delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the LORD set His tabernacle in the midst of them, and His presence continually dwelt with them defending and providing for them. Tabernacles is a joyous feast, celebrating God's bountiful deliverance, provision and protection.

The haftorah readings from the books of the prophets during the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles show the connection between deliverance from the enemy, and Tabernacles. The portion from Zechariah 14 read for this feast includes:

"Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations (who come against Jerusalem), as when He fought in the day of battle."  v. 3

In this prophesied battle, there is a great event that will split the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. That moment is when the Lord, Himself, the Messiah, will set His feet on the Mount. He then establishes His kingdom:

"...and the LORD My God shall come, and all the saints with Thee...And the LORD shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one."  v. 5b,9

At that time, living waters are released (v.8), and a plague destroys the enemies of God's people (v. 12).

In the Messianic kingdom established at that time, all the nations of the earth will be required to come yearly to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles:

"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles...whoso will not come up...even upon them shall be no rain."  v. 16-17

We can see that the Feast of Tabernacles is directly associated with this great victory over the enemy, and prophetically, with the reign of Messiah on earth. Not only that, but Zechariah clearly identifies Jesus as that Messiah:

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn...In that day, there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." 

                                                                                            Zech. 12:10, 13:1

The defeat of the enemies of Israel in the battle that the LORD fights in the passages from Zechariah above, is the battle of Armageddon. It is also referred to as the war against Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38:18-23. Rabbis teach that this war will occur during the fall feast season, and often refer to it as "the Tishri war". We can imagine the great joy of God's people as they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, as the LORD, Himself, descends and intervenes against the enemies of Israel during this horrific battle. We currently see in the events of today, the very same nations of which the prophets spoke, lining up against the nation of Israel.

In describing the deliverance of His people from the enemies around them, the LORD says that He does it by His "mighty hand, and a stretched out arm" (Deut. 4:34, 26:8, Jer. 32:21)

He associates that mighty hand and outstretched arm of deliverance with His name of "LORD" (Ex. 6:6). His name is written with the Hebrew letters yod, hey, vaw, hey. The pictographic meaning of these Hebrew letters is "Behold the hand, Behold the nail". The LORD's great hand that delivers is a pierced hand, according to His name. The bared arm of the LORD in deliverance is associated in scripture with salvation, or "yeshuah", Jesus (Isa. 33:2, 52:10, 63:5).
Finally, in scripture, David brings together the tabernacle of the LORD with deliverance from his enemies:
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple (sanctuary, prevail, victor, overcome, strength). For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion (booth, protection, hedge, fence about, defend): in the secret of His tabernacle (dwelling, to shine) shall He hide me; He shall set me upon a rock. And now mine head shall be lifted above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD."  Ps. 27:4-6

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Back to the Garden- The Feast of Tabernacles

 

Since before creation, when the Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8), it has been God's will and plan to tabernacle, or dwell, with men.

As we go through the feasts of the LORD during the year, the last feast is the Feast of Tabernacles (dwelling, habitation, tent, abide, reside). It is the seventh feast, in the seventh month, lasting seven days. The number "seven" has a special significance being the number of the Sabbath rest of God. The Feast of Tabernacles is a joyous feast that comes at the end of the fall harvest. It is a prophetic type and shadow of the will of God to make His dwelling place with men. From the beginning of God's relationship with man on the earth, we see His desire to tabernacle with us:

"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid (hide, secretly, withdraw, harden) themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden."    Gen. 3:8

It is interesting to note that God did not withdraw from man, but man withdrew from God after he sinned. From that point onward, God expressed His desire and plan to re-establish His tabernacle with men. God gave us a beautiful picture of this desire when He approached Abraham's tent (dwelling, tabernacle, home) in Mamre (Gen. 18:2). The LORD supped with Abraham (v. 8). The LORD prophesied the miraculous birth of a son for the aged Abraham and his wife (v. 10). The LORD received the intercession of Abraham for the righteous that may have been living in the doomed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 26-32). Later, because of Abraham's intercession, a miraculous angelic rescue was provided for a family that lived there.

The LORD repeated His desire to tabernacle with men to Moses, not only through the Law pertaining to the feasts (Lev. 23:34-44), but also in prophecy:

"And I will set My tabernacle amongst you: and My soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people. I am the LORD your God which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright."   Lev. 26:11-13

The LORD placed in David's heart and song, a desire to tabernacle with Him:

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion...my head shall be lifted up above mine enemies....therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy..." 

                                                                                                         Ps. 27:6-6

Though David was a sinful man, he had a heart of repentance, and his heart always sought God's heart. The LORD described David as, "...a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My will."  (Acts 13:22). We see that heart above in David's desire for the tabernacle of God.

The LORD spoke again of His plan to tabernacle with men through His prophets:

"Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them...and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."    Ezek. 37:26-28

Even the heathen will know God because of the way that He will tabernacle with His people. This dwelling among men will not just be for seven days out of every year, but for eternity.

In the Father's plan of salvation, He reveals again His desire to tabernacle with men. He sent His Son to dwell, or tabernacle, with them, and Jesus confirms the goal:

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth."

"Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."  Jn. 14:23

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with Me."  Rev. 3:20

All that is required of us is to open the door of our hearts to Him, and He will tabernacle with us.

Further into the ages, the LORD repeats His plan to have His tabernacle among men. Throughout the Millenial Reign (1,000 years) of Christ on earth, the nations will be required to come to His tabernacle:

"And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles."   Zech. 14:16

Even the enemy nations which will seek to destroy Jerusalem in the day of the LORD, even the most strident in hatred, those who will set their plans against God and His people, will be required to come to the Feast of Tabernacles. If they fail to do so, their land will receive no rain (v. 17-19). So strong is the LORD's will to tabernacle among men.

And it will be the Spirit and heart of tabernacles that will bring the earth into a new creation, and into an eternal dwelling place with God:

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven, and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 21:1-3

So, as you can see, from before the beginning, and continuing on into the last chapters of scripture, God has not changed His desire and plan to tabernacle and dwell with men. Even when we have withdrawn and hidden from Him in sin, even when we have rejected and rebelled against Him, His glorious plan for us has never wavered. It is His everlasting covenant with us- His covenant of peace. Let us joyfully celebrate the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles.

 

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