The Coming Fall Feasts*

The time we are living in is very serious. The LORD has set times that He commanded us to keep, and we have entered into one of those set times. These appointments or holy convocations that are to be kept with the LORD are divided into the spring feasts and the fall feasts. In Jesus' first coming, He fulfilled the spring feasts with His death, resurrection, and baptism of the Holy Spirit. Those spring feasts which He fulfilled are Passover, First Fruits, and Pentecost or Feast of Weeks. The Fall Feasts of the LORD which He commanded, deal with His return: the catching away of the Church, the marriage supper of the Lamb, judgment, and our preparation for these events. The fall feasts of the LORD are: the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles. We do not know the day nor the hour of Christ's return, but we can know the season and the times (1 Thess. 5:1). God purposefully created the bodies in the heavens for the purpose of our identifying His set times and seasons: "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 for years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so." Gen 1:14-15 All of the feasts are set at specific appointed times: "...Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts...which ye shall proclaim in their seasons." Lev. 23:2, 4 Many important events in Israel's recent history, including the wars of defense from attack, occurred on the set times of the feast days. We have also seen in recent years that several lunar eclipses have taken place on feast days, so the lights in the firmament are still drawing our attention to His feasts, and His set times. The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, because the moon plays a large role in the timing of the feasts of the LORD. The fall feasts are preceded by the month of Elul. This month is spent in spiritual preparation for the feasts to come. It is a time of repentance and return to the LORD. Every day during the month of Elul, the shofar, a trumpet made from the horn of a ram, is blown to remind the people of the purpose of this time. White linen garments are bleached to remove all stains, and blots, and ironed to remove wrinkles. As Christians, we are familiar with the scriptures that say that we are to be clothed in clean white linen garments of righteousness, which are without spot or wrinkle. These white linen garments being prepared during the month of repentance and preparations for the return to God, Elul, will be worn on the first fall feast, the Feast of Trumpets, or Yom Teruah. The Feast of Trumpets begins by commandment of God on the first day of the seventh month, or Tishri 1. The LORD set the timing of this feast: "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. 23:24-25 This is an unusual feast because it cannot begin until at least two witnesses, who are assigned to watch, see the new moon appear. This first appearance of the new moon marks the beginning of Tishri 1, Yom Teruah. No man knows the day nor the hour of the beginning of this feast. It depends upon waiting and watching for that appearance of the new moon. Similarly, Jesus told us that no man knows the day nor the hour of His return, and He also told us to watch for it. The blowing of the trumpets include a blowing of the last trump, the final blast in a long series of blasts. 1 Thess. 4:13-18 mentions that the raising of the dead in Christ, and catching away of those still alive at the moment of His return will occur at the sound of a shout and the trump of God. 1 Cor. 15:51-55 reveals that the transformation of this moment from corruptible to incorruptible occurs at the "last trump". This moment is the overcoming of death and the grave for all who belong to Christ. As we come upon the appointed time of this feast, we must make sure that our preparations, repentance and return to God have been completed. Without those white, pressed linen garments, we cannot enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9). The next fall feast, the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, comes ten days after the Feast of Trumpets: "Also on the tenth day of this 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. For whatsoever soul it 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..." Lev. 23:27-31 The Day of Atonement, fulfilled by the atonement of the covering blood of Christ which He applied upon the Mercy Seat of God, marks the differentiation between those who submit to the atonement or covering work of God, and those who refuse. It is a most solemn day. Paul wrote about being aware, sober, and awake during the times and seasons of the LORD. He wrote about the sudden destruction that comes, but that we, who are supposed to be aware and prepared, are not meant for that coming wrath of God (1 Thess. 5:1-7). Jesus said to his disciples regarding that destruction to come that we are to watch always and pray that we will be found worthy to escape the terrors that are coming upon the whole earth, and instead to stand before the Son of man (Lk. 21:36). Five (the number connected to "grace") days after the solemn feast of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, comes the fall feast of Tabernacles: "...The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD....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...Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days...And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days....It shall be a statute for ever in your generations...Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God..." Lev. 23:34-44 This fall feast of Tabernacles is connected to the gathering of the harvest, even as the Lord has an end time harvest to gather in. Jesus talked about fields white with the harvest. Those who belong to the Lord are gathered in to the storehouse. Those who have refused the atonement covering of the Savior, Jesus Christ, are gathered for destruction. Isaiah spoke about the chamber that God's people are called to enter at this time: "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 is 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 this fall feast season and set time of the LORD, His Church should be preparing for His return with repentance (2 Chron. 7:14), soberness, and watchfulness. The Church that Christ is looking for in His return is prophesied in these fall feasts, and is described in Ephesians: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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. 5:25-27 Those who belong to the Lord, who have prepared themselves by their return to God, their repentance and the white linen wedding garments which are His righteousness, are gathered in as a harvest to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. They go into the marriage chamber, and the door is shut, as the indignation of God covers those who remain in the earth. This is the promise of the LORD's fall feasts of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles. *Based upon Dr. Kenneth Stevenson's 9/13/20 message to the Church. To contact Everlasting covenant, or Dr. Stevenson: PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705

The Marriage of the Lamb*

 

As we continually see the signs all around us signaling the return of the Lord, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb has a very specific place in these things. God has always wanted to be married to His people, and in scripture He calls Himself a Husband to Israel. The same is true in regards to His Son, Jesus, the Lamb of God:

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God...And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour 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, 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. 19:1-9 (excerpt)

The wife making herself ready is tied to our salvation, the kingdom, the rapture, all of these. In Mt. 25, the Lord tells a parable of five wise, and five foolish virgins. The wise virgins were prepared when they were called into the marriage supper. They had oil in their lamps. The oil here represents the Holy Spirit. The foolish virgins had not prepared adequately for the arrival of the bridegroom, and had no oil to light their lamps. The bridegroom came unexpectedly at midnight, when all slept, and the wise virgins who were ready and prepared, quickly rose and were able to go immediately with him, while the foolish virgins rushed to buy oil. By the time the foolish virgins acquired the oil they lacked, the door to the marriage feast had already been shut, and they could not enter. The Lord said to them as they cried out for Him, "I know you not." Jesus warned, "Watch (keep awake, give strict attention to, active, arouse from sleep, stir up, raise up) therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Mt. 25:1-13).

The Church doesn't understand the maturity, unity, and the fullness of the stature of Christ expected of us as taught by those who have been given to us by God to prepare us and make us ready for Jesus' soon coming. If we are all to have "oil", and be doing the work of ministry, why are some content to live however they want? Jesus warned not to let life, and the cares of life catch us unaware in the snare that is meant for all that dwell on the face of the whole earth. He warned again, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Lk. 21:34-36).

Revelation describes a horrible scene where people from all walks of life, from the highest to the lowest, beg the rocks to fall on them and cover them, "and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17). This is the question for each of us to ask ourselves as the hour draws near: "Who shall be able to stand before the Son of man?"

The prophet Malachi asks this same question:

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness."  Mal. 3:1-3

We believers in Christ are called to a royal priesthood, as well. Malachi continues on to describe the corrupt and wicked condition of the priests (v. 5), and speaks of the necessity for this priesthood to be purified and refined in His fire, until all impurities are removed, and the face of the Refiner is reflected in the pure gold and silver that results.

The Church, Christ's royal priesthood, compromises truth, and is filled with impurities and sin, refusing to be purified and refined through repentance, the LORD's refining fire. The Church in many cases accepts what the LORD has forbidden, and encourages others to do so as well. To all of these things, the LORD says:"For I am the LORD, I change not.." (v. 6). He changes not because this is the way He has made to spare us from destruction. 

The LORD saw the hearts of men then, and now, who say to themselves that there is no advantage to the righteousness of keeping the LORD's word. The wicked are happy, prosperous and delivered out of their problems, while the people of God seem to suffer. However, God promises that there is an advantage in every way to seeking His righteousness.

As the priests of the LORD receive the refining and purifying fire of God, they and their land become blessed, and a blessing to others, recognized by all of the nations of the earth (Mal. 3:11-12). This also is the truth of the LORD that will never change.

Jesus told the parable (Mt. 22:1-14) of the king who prepared a marriage banquet for his son, and invited all the guests that one would expect to see at the royal wedding:

"Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage."  (v. 4).

However, those whom the king honored with his invitation refused to come, too busy with life and business, even doing violence to the servants who brought the invitation. The king then opened the invitation to anyone who would come, regardless of station in life. One man who came, did not have on the proper wedding garments, however. When the king questioned him about it, the man had no answer for the king, and he was ordered bound and thrown "into outer darkness".

We can learn from this parable that as the invited wedding guests try to come to the marriage supper of the Lamb not properly prepared, nor attired in the linen of righteousness (Rev. 19:8), they shall not be accepted into the marriage supper. "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mt. 22:13). Jesus concludes by saying, "For many are called, but few are chosen."

The Lord has made it clear as to what He expects from us. We will not enter the marriage supper in any manner that we choose. We will not enter if we have not prepared for it. We will miss the moment, if we are not watching and praying. We will not enter without the proper wedding garments of pure linen, which is the righteousness of the saints. These garments are attained by those who accept the purifying, refining fire of the LORD. If we take the invitation lightly, we will not be ready.

The question being asked of us today, and which we must search ourselves for the answer, is, "Who shall be able to stand before the Son of man? Who can abide His coming? Who shall stand when He appears?

 *The above is based upon the 7/7/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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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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2019- A New Preparation*

 

The new year has begun, and with it the Church should begin a new preparation for the prophesied events that we are seeing fulfilled even now. World events are lining up with scripture, and wickedness grows greater. This also means for those in Christ, that the marriage supper of the Lamb is drawing near, and the marriage supper requires preparation from us:

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) has 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

The verses above assure us that the call to make ready as the Bride by preparing ourselves for the marriage supper, and the call to righteousness represented by the wedding apparel of fine, clean, white linen, are the true sayings of God, Himself.

Jesus also sounded His Father's call as He told the parable of the king who prepared a marriage supper for his son (Mt. 22:1-14). Servants were sent out with invitations to the marriage feast, but those invited refused to come. Again servants were sent, and were commanded to say to those bidden, "Behold, I have prepared (make ready, prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and receive His blessings) my dinner: my oxen (root word: "alpha") and my fatlings are killed (sacrifice and immolation of the pascal lamb), and all things are ready: come unto the marriage."
Again, not only did the invited guests decline with the excuse of other, unimportant things to do, but also made light of the king's invitation and treated his servants with violence. The wrath of the king fell upon those who had refused in such a way. The servants were then sent out to invite anyone they could find along the streets to come to the royal wedding. Of those who came, it was still expected of them to be dressed appropriately in a wedding garment. About the one guest not properly attired, and who had no excuse, the king said:
"...Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Jesus concluded by saying, "For many are called, but few are chosen."
Many are called and given the opportunity to attend the marriage of Christ and His Bride, but it is still a matter of free choice for man to accept. Only a few recognize the great importance of the event, and prepare appropriately. There are factors that enter into who accepts and who does not: who is prepared and who is not.
All things have been made ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. We must make sure that we have made our preparations as well. As we resolve to make ourselves ready in this new year, Jesus gave us the principle by which we can begin. As the religious leaders of various types began to test and question Him regarding controversial topics of the Torah that had caused division and debate among the experts, Jesus broke down the law and expectation of God to an irrefutable principle, and to the place where we all can begin our preparation:
"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  Mt. 22:35-40
The Church needs to hear and heed this.
The prophet Micah revealed that even considering the obedience to temple sacrifices, the true beginning point of our renewal and preparation in God was found in this way:
"Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God?...He hath shewed thee O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  Micah 6:6-8
True, effective preparation begins in the heart, and we will see that the preparation of the heart begins in the Word of God.
Paul's second letter to Timothy points out the challenge to Timothy and the Church in the midst of a last days spiritual condition of men that is the opposite of all that Jesus and Micah discussed above. Paul gives a complete description of that condition that is very much evident today, beginning with the fact that men have become "lovers of selves", and goes on from there until finally "...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:1-7, 13). However, we are to love God with all that we are, and our neighbor in the same manner, rather than ourselves. Paul exhorted Timothy in the face of this prevailing worldly condition, to stand firm in the doctrine that he has learned from Paul, as a spiritual example, and from the scriptures themselves, that prepare a man in perfection, or completeness in God, being sustained even through the inevitable persecution that will come to the Godly (v. 12, 14-17).
In our wedding parable from Jesus, there is a complete disregard for the king. His invitation is unimportant to those who received it. This is another factor that affects the choice and preparation of men. When questioned directly by Pontius Pilate, Jesus confirmed His kingship- not of an earthly kingdom, but of a heavenly kingdom, and Pilate even agreed crucifying Christ as "King of the Jews". However, the people would not have Christ as their King. They were invited to a royal wedding banquet prepared for them by God, but they received the invitation with belittling and violence. As men reject and lose the kingship of Christ in their lives, this is the moment when they become "lovers of self", and descend into the spiritual condition of which Paul warned Timothy. Scripture also bears witness to this in various places:
"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6, 21:25, Deut. 12:8-9, Prov. 12:15
Also in Proverbs we see these same contrasting spiritual conditions:
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."  Prov. 21:2-3
This is what the Prophet Micah had shown us earlier as well, and this is the same beginning point to which Jesus also pointed us in our complete and total love for God, and our neighbor. This is also where the Church's new preparations for the coming marriage supper of the Lamb begins.

*The above is based upon the 1/6 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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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.



Preparing for the Marriage of the Lamb

(Bride praying at the Western Wall-Jerusalem)

 

Centuries ago, the Church made the decision to remove itself from its Jewish origins and heritage. When we did this, we lost something very valuable to our faith, walk, and understanding. Much of our relationship with Christ as described in the scriptures can be traced back to Jewish marriage customs. One of the most important upcoming spiritual events the Church, more accurately called the Ekklesia (the called out assembly of God's people), will experience, is a Jewish marriage to Christ: 

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him (the Lord God Omnipotent): for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted (used in reference to something given by God, or a king) that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the 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

It is important to know the Jewish marriage customs, because the Lamb's wife "has made herself ready" for this prophetic event that is about to be fulfilled. We cannot make ourselves ready unless we understand what this means. These customs are also important to know because Jesus referred to them.

At the beginning of the forming of a marriage in the Jewish tradition, the father of the prospective groom chooses a woman whom he feels is a good marriage candidate for his son. He goes with his son to the woman's house and they knock. By answering the door, the young lady is stating her acceptance of the young man. They enter the home, where a meal has been prepared. Jesus described this for us:

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

A wedding covenant, or contract, is established at that time, which is called a Ketubah. By this covenant, promises are made by the groom to the bride. Guarantees are given pertaining to property and inheritance. As the bride and groom, and their families, sign the Ketubah, an engagement is established. That engagement commitment is almost as strong as the marriage itself. All it lacks in comparison is the consummation.

The meal, and the wine shared at the table, seal the covenant, as Christ's body and blood, represented by the bread and wine of the communion table (koinonia-intercourse, fellowship, intimacy, the sign, proof, and pledge of same), sealed our covenant agreement, or Ketubah, with Him (Lk. 22:20). Jesus said that He will not drink the wine again until He can drink it new with us in His Father's kingdom (Mt. 26:26). Peter assures us that our bride price was not paid with gold and silver, but with this blood of Christ, the Lamb without spot or blemish, who was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:18-20).

The Jewish groom then leaves the bride's house, returning to his father's house, where, under his father's supervision, he prepares a home for his soon bride. The groom cannot return for the bride until his father agrees that all has been made ready for her. Jesus promised us this same preparation:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."   Jn. 14:1-3

Those present, hearing these words of Christ, would immediately associate them with the marriage customs, and the Ketubah covenant. Jesus wants us to "believe also in him". His promise here to us is as iron-clad as a Jewish Ketubah contract. We have lost the precious understanding of this, as we discarded our Jewish roots.

Before we leave the subject of the Ketubah, we should compare the guarantees or promises it contains to the future bride, with the promises made to us in our Ketubah with Christ. Peter wrote that we obtain these promises of "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled...that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1). Peter also describes them as being "great and precious promises", all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through which we become partakers of the divine nature. These promises remove us from the carnality of sin, that we should be neither barren nor unfruitful (2 Pet. 1).
As we said, the Ketubah marriage contract gives the bride certain material guarantees. So also does our Ketubah covenant with Christ. As we trust and believe Christ, "ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest (down payment, security for full amount subsequently to be paid) of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession..."  Eph. 1:12-14
The "earnest", or Spirit, is a guarantee of an inheritance, as the bride is guaranteed an inheritance by the Ketubah. This "earnest" or guarantee also assures us that this earthly house in which we are currently clothed, will be replaced by a house which is from heaven, for which we groan and desire. It is like receiving a title deed:
"Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Holy Spirit...we are confident that absent from the body...present with the Lord."  2 Cor. 5:1-8
The Holy Spirit promised and given to us by Jesus, is the earnest, or guarantee, of the heavenly house with which we will be clothed, as a house would be provided in a Ketubah contract.
According to the Jewish marriage customs, while the groom is preparing the house for his bride, the bride is also preparing, and making herself ready. One thing that the bride has to do is to take a ritual cleansing bath called a Mikvah, in order to achieve purity. Living (moving) water is sometimes required for the Mikvah. Paul tells us that those who are full of the impurity of sin, in such a condition, cannot "inherit" the kingdom of God. "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."  1 Cor. 6:9-11
Like the Jewish bride, we are to be washed before we receive our inheritance. In scripture, our relationship with Christ is compared to a relationship between husband and wife, Like a husband is supposed to love and give himself to his wife, "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself...not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."   Eph. 6:25-27
Have we allowed Christ to cleanse us in the bridal mikvah? Are we prepared in a way to receive our inheritance?
Lastly, the Jewish bride prepares her wedding garments. For us, the believer, our verse from Rev. 19 at the top of the page, describes those bridal garments. Those garments reflect the righteousness of the saints. It is not a righteousness "earned" by obeying the Law, but as in our whole marriage relationship with Christ, it is a righteousness of works that have been manifested in our hearts and lives by our faith. Our works do not replace our faith, but are the manifestation of our faith. These faith-created works cover us as a pure wedding garment covers a bride. Those without the appropriate wedding garments, will not be allowed to enter the marriage supper (Mt. 22:11-14).
Are our wedding garments prepared? Have we, the bride of Christ, made ourselves ready? The marriage supper of the Lamb could happen at any moment. Let us use the lessons from the Jewish marriage customs, which Jesus taught and to which scripture refers, to understand how to prepare for this soon event.

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:

Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart. I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.



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 Coming Fall Feasts

 

The prophetic shadows and types found in the spring feasts of the LORD were fulfilled in Christ's first coming. The fall feasts are a foreshadowing of Christ's return. It is not only important for the Church to know the significance of these feasts, but it is a blessing to see how God has revealed His prophetic plan through them.

The three fall feasts of the LORD are described in Lev. 23-44. These feasts are The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot. Each feast is memorialized by a special Sabbath. There is to be no work done on these days. The Sabbath is a day in which the completed work of God, is to be remembered and held holy. These feasts as well, point us to His plan, and the completion, or fulfillment of that plan.

The first of the fall feasts is the Feast of Trumpets:

"...In the seventh month (Tishrei), in the first day of the month (a new moon), shall ye have a Sabbath, and 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. 23:24-25

This feast can only begin when the new moon is seen in the sky in the month of Tishri. Even though the date of the feast is marked on the calendar, because it can be difficult to spot the new moon, no man can know the precise day, nor hour for the beginning of the feast (see also Mt. 24:36, 50). Once the new moon is spotted in the sky, the signal is given, the shout goes up, and the trumpets, or shofars, begin to sound all throughout the land ( Listen here ).

It is a feast of shouting, sounding, and rejoicing:

"Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob...Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day."  Ps. 81:1, 3

The above Psalm was written by Asaph, whose name means "to gather, to collect, receive, remove, to gather and take away, to receive into". His Psalms should remind us of the great gathering in of harvest that the LORD has planned. Could that "gathering in", that "taking away" be associated with the Feast of Trumpets? Let's read on.

The Apostle Paul talks about a similar event in 1Thess. 4:1-18, and 5:1-6, 12-18. He begins by speaking that we are to know how to possess our vessel (body) in sanctification and honor. God has not called us unto uncleanness, but to holiness. We are to love and honor God with our behavior, and to act with honor and love towards one another. This is to fulfill the commandments of Christ (Mt. 22:36-40). Paul goes on to say that we should not be ignorant.:

"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."  (see also Jn. 14:2-3) 1 Thes. 4:16-17

We are to be aware of the times and the seasons so that this day should not overtake us unaware, like a thief, as those who do not know God. He concludes by warning:

"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;  but let us watch and be sober...Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in every thing give thanks." 1 Thes. 5:6,16-18

A similar warning is given by Christ in a parable about the sudden coming of the Bridegroom  in Mt. 25:1-13. Ten virgins had been sleeping when the shout comes, "Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him." (v. 6). Some, who are wise, are prepared to go out to the bridegroom immediately, but some who are unwise have been careless and negligent, and therefore, unprepared. By the time these unwise, careless virgins are ready, the bridegroom has already left. But "...they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."  (v. 10). The Lord concludes by warning:

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh."  (v. 13).

The above parable about the coming of the Bridegroom warns us to be prepared and ready for that sudden appearing. The Apostle Paul warns above about preparing ourselves in holiness and honor, adding that a shout and a trump will signal our gathering away to be with the Lord. Also, Rev. 19:7 proclaims that "the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."  Being ready is necessary for this event. This occasion is also accompanied by gladness and rejoicing, as the Psalmist declared.

Being ready, or prepared, is also part of the prophetic pattern of the Feast of Trumpets. Before the Feast of Trumpets begins in the month of Tishrei, the preceding month of Elul is considered a month of "teshuvah", or repentance, in order to prepare, and be ready for the coming feast. Not only do the worshippers prepare their souls, but they also spend the month before the feast preparing the garments they will wear for the Feast of Trumpets. According to the traditional observance, the garments of this feast must be clean, white linen, without spot or wrinkle. It should come as no surprise to find that the Bride who has made herself ready is further described:

"And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints."  Rev. 19:8

And Paul also uses similar words to describe the Church:

"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. 5:27

The preparation month of Elul will soon be here, and then Tishrei will begin with the Feast of Trumpets. We do not know which year the prophetic shadow of the Feast of Trumpets that we have described above will be fulfilled, but we know the signs of the times tell us that it is near, at any moment. We are called to be among those who are not ignorant, and not in darkness, but aware, awake, prepared, and ready when the shout goes out, and the trumpet sounds, to be gathered in, to go into the marriage supper of the Lamb.

 

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