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September-October-2005
Inside this issue: Why we should keep the Feast of YAHWEH The Feast of Trumpets The Day of Atonement The Festival of Booths Succoth The Great Last Day The Last Great Day-2 IN THE NEXT ISSUE What is Forgiveness? Part 2
WHY WE SHOULD OBSERVE
THE FEASTS OF YAHWEH Are
Yahweh’s feast days important to be observed in this day and age By Jerry Healan The
overall majority of the world observes the Roman calendar devised by Julius and
Augustus Caesar with some renovations by the Roman Catholic popes, especially
Pope Gregory.
The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan recently wrote an article
stating that the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar was no longer considered to
be primarily the calendar of the Western Christian world, but that it is being
adopted by almost all nations of the world.
Of course, the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar focuses on Sunday, the
first day of the week, being the religious rest day. Its primary annual feasts
are Jan. 1 (New Year), a floating holiday called Easter Sunday (the supposed
resurrection of the Savior) and Dec. 25th (the supposed birth of the Savior).
Even though these holidays are considered to be religious observances,
there is no command in Yahweh’s word, the Holy Bible, to do such. Yahweh’s
word sanctifies the seventh day Sabbath as the true rest day (order our free
articles “Should A New Testament Believer Observe The Sabbath Day?”
and “Just
Who Was It That Sanctified Sunday Worship?”), and annual festivals predicated on observance of the new moon.
Yahweh’s new year’s day was to occur on the new moon day closest to the
vernal equinox.
Yahweh’s commands were to observe the weekly Sabbath and annual Holy
days which were called, singular, a moed and plural, moedim in Hebrew.
The Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar is broken down into days, weeks,
months, etc. Yahweh’s calendar is also broken down into days, weeks, months,
etc.
The Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calender has a seven day week. Yahweh’s
holy calendar has a seven day week. As stated, the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian
calendar sets aside the first day of the week for rest and religious
congregating. Yahweh’s holy calendar sets aside the seventh day of the week
for rest and religious congregating.
The Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar is also broken down into periods of
time called months. Yahweh’s calendar is also broken down into periods of time
called months. But where does this word month, English, Hebrew, or otherwise,
come from? A quick look at Webster’s
New World Dictionary reveals
that the word month is etymologically derived from the word moon!
One of the definitions given for month is: the period of a complete
revolution of the moon with reference to some fixed point (in full, lunar
month); esp. the period from one new moon to the next (in full, synodic month);
equivalent to 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.7 + seconds.
A quick look at Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance
reveals that the same Hebrew word for moon is also used for month.
Since Webster’s gives the definition of the word month as a period of
revolution for the moon, which is Yahweh’s commanded way of determining a
month, why is it that our months are not predicated as
such? Shouldn’t this alert us that something is drastically wrong with the
Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar?
In the beginning, Yahweh created the sun, moon and stars to be for signs
(Heb. = Owth) and seasons (moedim) and for days and years (Gen. 1:14). Yahweh
gave the sun to rule the day (Psa. 136:8) and the moon and stars to rule the
night (Psa. 136:9).
Furthermore, Psa. 104:19 says, “He appointed the moon for seasons
(moedim): the sun knoweth his going down.”
It is the lunar revolutions and phases which determine the time to
observe Yahweh’s annual feasts
days, but the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar overthrows this knowledge.
The Psalmist cries out, “Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy
congregations; they set up their ensigns
for
signs.
A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick
trees. But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and
hammers. They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by
casting down the dwelling
place of thy name to the ground. They said in their hearts, ‘Let us destroy
them together:’ they have burned up all the synagogues of Elohim in the land. We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among
us any that knoweth how long,” Psa. 74:4-9.
This Psalm is significant because it speaks of the enemy coming into the
land, overthrowing the temple where Yahweh’s great name dwelt and then setting
up their own signs. The final peoples to do such a thing were the Romans! They
cast down the dwelling place of Yahweh’s name to the earth. They then began to
introduce their own signs in place of Yahweh’s.
The interesting thing about the word signs is that it comes from the
Hebrew word owth (toAa). Remember that in Gen. 1:14 we read that Yahweh put the sun,
moon and stars to be for signs (owth/toAa) and seasons (moedim). In Ex. 31:13 Yahweh stated that we are
to keep His sabbaths because it is a sign (owth/toAa)
between Him and His people. His sabbaths, of course, not only refer to the
seventh day sabbath, but also the annual appointments (moedim) or feast days
which are determined by the very items that He put in the heavens, to wit, the
sun, moon and stars.
Thus, we can easily begin to see that the Romans with their Cesaro-Romano-Gregorian
calendar are the real enemies of Yahweh.
Again, when Psa. 74 states that they have burned up all the synagogues in the land, the word “synagogue” is translated from the Hebrew word
moedim (appointments, feasts, meeting place, assembly, etc., etc.).
The Romans did more than destroy the synagogues. They destroyed the
meeting times (also called moedim) along with everything else. Here is the
psalmist lamenting that these things are no longer being observed because of the
introduction of the meeting places and times of the enemy. It is our purpose to
restore as much of that which has been overthrown as we possibly can. We are
seeking to return to the things that Yahweh commanded.
But there is even more reason to observe Yahweh’s sabbath and holy
days. In Lev. 23 Yahweh commands, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say
unto them, Concerning the feasts (moedim) of Yahweh, which ye shall proclaim to
be holy
convocations (miqra-qodesh),
even these
are my feasts (moedim). Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is
the sabbath of rest, an holy
convocation (miqra-qodesh);
ye shall do no work therein:
it is the sabbath of Yahweh in all your dwellings. These are
the feasts (moedim) of Yahweh, even holy convocations
(miqra-qodesh), which ye shall proclaim in their seasons (the rest of the annual
feast (moedim) days are given in verses 5-38),” Lev. 23:2-4.
There is a greater significance to the words feasts (moedim) and holy
convocation (miqra-qodesh) than is actually realized by most.
Yahweh’s feasts, which include the weekly Sabbath and the annual holy
days, are called holy convocations (miqra-qodesh). The Hebrew word “miqra”
is defined as something called out,
i.e. a public meeting
(the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal. (Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance)
Notice that the word has to do with the act, the persons,
or the place. In the New Testament, the assembly is called the “ekklesia.”
The word “ekklesia” is defined as from a comp. of 1537
and a der. Of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting, espec. A religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Chr. Community of members on earth or saints in
heaven or both). [IBID]
The words miqra and ekklesia are both speaking of the same thing. They
have to do with being called out specifically for a holy purpose. The Hebrew
word “qodesh” simply means “holy.”
The Apostle Paul writes, “Who hath saved us, and called
us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose
and grace, which was given us in the Messiah Yahshua before the world began,”
2 Tim. 1:9.
The Greek word for “called” is the Greek word “kaleo.” It is #2564 of Strong’s and is defined as “to call.” Notice that ekklesia is a derivative of
this word. The word “calling” in the above Scripture is #2821
in the Greek Lexicon of Strong’s.
It is the Greek word “klesis” and is defined as from a shorter form of 2564;
an invitation
(fig.).
The Hebrew word “miqra” comes from the Hebrew word “qara” which
means to call. Thus Paul’s writing could be be interpreted as, “Who hath
saved us, and called (qara) us with an holy
calling (miqra qodesh).
With these definitions, we can determine that the Sabbaths and annual
feasts are holy callings (miqra-qodesh), but called to what? Let’s explore the
meaning of the word feasts (moed/moedim) just to see what they are for.
The Hebrew word for feast is moed. Moed is #4150 in Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance
and is defined as from 3259; prop. an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season;
spec. a festival;
conventionally a year;
by implication, an assembly
(as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting;
also a signal
(as appointed beforehand).
We can already see how important this word is by its definition. By
putting this word with the previous words (miqra-qodesh), we can see that they
all are even more important and that the Sabbaths and annual holy days that they
apply to are certainly very important.
But now, let’s look at this root word #3259 from whence moed (#4150) is
derived. It is the Hebrew word “ya‘ad” which is defined as a prim. root;
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by impl. to meet
(at a stated time), to summon
(to trial), to direct
(in a certain quarter or position), to engage
(for
marriage).
Notice it closely! To ENGAGE FOR MARRIAGE!!! Remember that one of the
meanings for “miqra” is A REHEARSAL! Therefore, the Sabbaths and annual holy
days are a calling out, or appointments made beforehand for us by Yahweh so that
we may rehearse for the wedding since we are engaged to Yahshua.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Would to Elohim ye could bear with me a little
in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with pious
jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you
as a
chaste virgin to the Messiah,” 2 Cor. 11:1-2.
When we are called out of this world, repent, baptized and receive the
Holy Spirit of promise, we are then set aside as a chaste virgin to be married
to the Messiah. Yahweh has given us certain specific times to rehearse
for the wedding! Those times are revealed in the Scriptures to be the weekly
Sabbaths and annual holy days.
In Mat. 22 Yahshua gives a parable concerning a king who made a marriage
for his son and invited guests to the wedding. The King, of course, is the
heavenly Father Yahweh, the Son is Yahshua.
In the parable, the invited (called) guests were too busy to come to the
wedding and made light of the
invitation.
They also treated the
servants that were sent shamefully and slew some of them. Those who were invited
(called) revealed that they were not worthy. The parable reveals that the King
sent his armies and destroyed the invited guests.
In Mat. 25 there is the parable of the 10 virgins. Five were wise and
took oil in and with their lamps, but five were foolish and did not prepare by
taking oil in their lamps.
The Greek word for “foolish” is “moros.” Besides meaning
“foolish,” it also means to be “dull, stupid, HEEDLESS, blockhead and
absurd.
Notice it! It means to be “heedless.” To be heedless means to NOT pay
close attention to, to NOT take careful notice of, to be unmindful and even
FORGETFUL.
In Col. 2:16-17 we find
that the Sabbath and Holy Days are shadows of THINGS TO COME! They remind us of
Yahweh’s coming kingdom. They remind us of His plan in bringing that plan
about. When we observe them, we are not only reminded, but we are practicing,
rehearsing for the ultimate fulfillment of those things to come. We are, in
effect, putting oil in our lamps and also building reserves.
If we are unmindful of the Sabbaths and Holy Days, then we will have a
tendency to forget about Yahweh’s kingdom and His plan. We will not be putting
oil in our lamps, neither will we be practicing or rehearsing for the marriage
of the Lamb.
If we are not practicing or rehearsing for the marriage, then we will be
as the foolish virgins. They were shut out from the wedding and told that
Yahshua didn’t even know them.
We have an opportunity to accept the invitation and prepare for the
wedding. We are called out for this purpose. Therefore, let us not only observe
the weekly Sabbath days, but the annual festivals as well, and prepare for the
wedding!!!
When we turn to the Caesaro-Romano-Gregorian calendar to observe those
days, we have a tendency to neglect and forget Yahweh’s commanded days and
seasons. Actually, we must choose which we had rather observe.
Which will it be for you? Do you still desire to revel in the days and
ways of this world and its pagan Roman calendar which have replaced Yahweh’s
commanded days in most people’s lives? Or will you prepare for the opportunity
to attend the wedding of the Lamb of Elohim
and maybe even be His bride?
JH
By Jerry Healan The
command to observe the Feast of Trumpets is found in Leviticus 23:23-25. Believe
it or not, there are twelve themes associated with this one feast day even
though there are only three verses associated with it in the book of Leviticus.
It takes a study of the complete Scriptures in order to distil these twelve
themes. #1—Memorial
The first theme of trumpets is found in Lev. 23:24, “In the seventh
month, in the first of the month, shall ye have a sabbaton, a memorial of blowing of
trumpets.”
The Hebrew for “memorial” is “zikrown.” Interestingly, Yahweh
gave Israel three very important memorials before, during and after their
deliverance from Egypt.
The first memorial was His name, given to Moses before He sent Him into
Egypt to bring them out (Ex. 3, esp. vv. 13-15).
The second memorial was the Passover (Ex. 12, esp. v. 14), given to them
during their deliverance.
The third memorial was the seventh day Sabbath (Ex. 16; 20: 8-11, esp. v.
8).
A search of the Scriptures reveals that the number seven is extremely
important to Yahweh. The seventh day of the week was hallowed (made holy) and
set aside as a rest day in the very beginning.
In Genesis 21 we find that the number seven is associated with making an
swearing an oath, a witness, and a covenant (esp. v.v. 23-24, 27-32).
The first day of the seventh month is found to be extremely important,
because even though it is the fourth high day of the sacred calendar year, it
begins the seventh month wherein the final four annual high days are contained
and observed. That has to be very significant with Yahweh when the number seven
is involved. The seventh
month contains the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh
annual high days.
Interestingly, this first day of the seventh month is a “sabbaton,” a
rest day in like fashion to the seventh day Sabbath. This first day of the
seventh month begins the month wherein the other feast days are contained which
reveal the completion of Yahweh’s plan of salvation. Yahweh will remember
(zikrown) His oath to the creation. The word “zikrown” not only means
“memorial,” but it also means “to remember.”
We have appointed a day that we call “Memorial Day.” It is
established so that we will “remember” all those who have served our
country, especially those who have given their lives for it and to preserve our
freedom. But the Feast of Trumpets is a far, far, far greater “Memorial
Day.” The observance of this day reminds us that He will, sometime in the
future, fulfill His word of promise to His creation to bring into reality the
Kingdom of Heaven to this earth.
The new moon of the seventh month is usually the most difficult new moon
to spot. The Jews make this a two day feast because of this.
Before Yahshua ascended on high, the disciples gathered to Him asking,
“Master, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He
said unto them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the
Father hath put in His own power,” Acts. 1:6-7.
In the book of Mark, chapter 13, verses 31-37, Yahshua His disciples that
no one but the Father knows of that day and hour, not the angels, nor even
Yahshua Himself.
Many men have made fools of themselves by trying to figure out when the
Messiah will return to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This author was
a member of a work, the Worldwide Church of God, which prophesied that 1975
would be the year of the appearance of the Savior. When this failed, a new study
supposedly revealed that their figures were off about 10 years. But 1985 has
come and gone and the Savior still hasn’t appeared.
Another man prophesied that Yahshua would return around Passover in the
early to mid 1990’s. He even went so far as to say if He didn’t appear, then
he would be found to be a false prophet. When one uses this own man’s words
against him, he is the one who is excoriated while the false prophet continues
his work. The WWCG did the same. Excuses have to be made. The sheep are gullible
and swallow the excuses hook, line, and sinker. The false prophets continue to
flourish.
Yahshua explained that no one knows when He will appear. He explained
that He would come as a thief in the night (see Mt. 24:36-42, 25:13; Mk.
13:31-37; Rev. 3:3, 16:15). The key is to be observant, alert, awake, vigilant,
and ready at all times.
Both Israel and Judah have turned away from their Creator, Father, and
Husband Yahweh in accordance with the Scriptures. Their own History proves this
fact. The Feast of Trumpets represents the intervention of Yahweh into not only
the world’s affairs, but to correct and chasten the Hebrews for their
waywardness. The Feast of Trumpets represents the “Day of Yahweh.”
Isaiah proclaims, “Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for
fear of Yahweh, and for the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks of man (Adam)
shall be humbled, and the haughtiness (Heb. = ruwm [Rome?] of men shall be bowed
down, and Yahweh alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of Yahweh of
hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty he shall be brought low:
and upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all
the oaks of Bashan, and upon all the high (ruwm/Roman) mountains, and upon all
the hills that are lifted up, and upon every high tower, and upon every fenced
wall, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. For
the loftiness of man shall be bowed down and the haughtiness (Rome) of men shall
be made low: and Yahweh alone shall be exalted in that day,” Isa. 2:10-17.
Jeremiah calls this day “the day of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7), but
he adds that he shall be saved out of it.
Ezekiel speaks of the end that is coming. Yahweh says that he is going to
pour His fury out upon the land of Israel because the rod of violence and pride
has budded and blossomed into a rod of wickedness. The trumpet will be blown,
but none will go to battle because of the wrath of Yahweh that will be poured
out upon the multitude (Ez. 7).
Zephaniah declares that the day of Yahweh is a time of the trumpet and
alarm (1:16). It is a day of wrath, trouble, distress, wastness, desolation,
gloominess, clouds and thick darkness (1:15). The blood of men will be poured
out like dust and their flesh will be as dung (1:17). Yahweh will make a speedy
riddance of all who dwell in the land (1:18). Zechariah
declares that all nations will come against Jerusalem to battle. The city will
be taken, the houses rifled, the women ravished with half of the city going into
captivity.
These along with many other places in the prophets declare the wrath and
fury that Yahweh will pour out upon the earth because of the waywardness of man.
He will begin His judgment upon the houses of Israel and then will turn upon the
non-Hebrew nations. But He will eventually deliver Israel out of it.
Yahweh had warned Israel that if they refused to obey Him, He would make
their heaven as brass and their earth as iron (Dt. 24:23). He also declared that
Israel’s brow was brass and their neck iron (Isa. 48:4).
Interestingly, Yahweh overthrew Israel placing them under the power of
world ruling governments which were gold (Babylon), silver (Persia), brass
(Greece) and iron (Rome) in succession.
The Greeks were democratic in governmental form, while the Romans were
republican. Does this ring a bell with you? Isn’t that the form of our
government and most governments in Europe and other parts of the world to this
day?
Furthermore, the Christian religion is Greek (brass) in nature. Thus, the
prophecy of turning their heaven into brass has also been fulfilled. The Greeks
hated the Hebrews and anything associated with Yahweh, because they wanted to
exalt their supreme dety, Zeus! Christianity has been deceived to do this very
thing. They are, therefore, shut up behind the gates of brass and iron to this
day.
It is prophesied, “Thus saith Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose
right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the
loins of kings, to open
before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in
sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of
darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I,
Yahweh, which call thee by thy name, am the Elohim of Israel. For Jacob my
servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I
have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me,” Isa. 45:1-4.
Cyrus was the king of Persia who overthrew Babylon. While Persia was in
succession with the metallic kingdoms of Daniel chapter two, it was during the
time of the reign of the Persian kings that a contingency of Hebrews returned to
the land to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. Thus, Cyrus is a type of the
Messiah Who will intervene in world affairs in the latter days to overthrow the
last two metallic kingdoms of Greece and Rome. The kingdoms of brass and iron.
All of the people of the earth have been shut up behind the gates of
brass and iron. The brass and iron are typology of the governments and religions
of Greece and Rome. Soon, Yahweh is going to open those gates and set the people
free through the true Messiah Yahshua.
The book of Psalms proclaims, “Oh that men would praise Yahweh for his
goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken
the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder,” Psa. 107:15-16.
When these gates of brass and iron are finally broken asunder, then the
gates of righteousness will be opened, “In that day shall this song be sung in
the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will Elohim appoint for
walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth
the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in Yahweh for ever: for in
Yah Yahweh is everlasting strength,” Isa. 26:1-4.
How can we achieve this righteousness spoken of here in Isaiah? Through
the true door to righteousness, Yahshua the Messiah, “Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up
some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the
door is the shepherd of the sheep….Then said Yahshua unto them again, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me
are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me
if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture,” Jn. 10:1-2, 7-9.
“And to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write; These things
saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that
openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy
works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for
thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my
name,” Rev. 3:7-8.
It is also in the book of Revelation that a trumpet is sounded and a door
is opened (Rev. 4:1) to reveal things that should take place hereafter. The
sounding of a trumpet on the day of Trumpets will break asunder the leaved gates
of Babylon the Great; the gates of brass and iron, setting the people free to
enter into the door, the gate of righteousness.
Each month was attributed to one of the tribes of Israel. The seventh
month was attributed to the tribe of Dan. Dan means to judge.
Peter writes, “But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies, even denying Yahweh that bought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by
reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through
covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose
judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth
not...Yahweh knoweth how to deliver the righteous out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be
punished,” 2 Pet. 3:1-3, 9.
“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I
stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the
words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of
us the apostles of Sovereign and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall
come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where
is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they
willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of Yahweh the heavens were of old,
and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that
then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth,
which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment
and perdition of unrighteous men,” 2 Pet. 3:1-7.
A day of judgment is coming at the end of this age. That judgment is
specifically to be trumpeted in against Babylon and its successors, “And I saw
another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and
tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear Elohim, and give glory to
him; for the hour of
his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel,
saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,” Rev. 14:6-8.
The Babylonian system will fall. This system is filled with the
merchandising of a great overburdening political and religious system. The kings
and merchants of the earth are especially involved in this great system. While
Babylon began as a head of gold, its latter end is shown to be filled with
devils, foul spirits and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (Rev.
18:1-10).
Her judgment, when it comes, will come swiftly, in one day, the day of
trumpets. Her judgment will come in one hour. (Rev. 18:10)
While Yahweh’s people must live under this system until the appearance
of the kingdom of heaven, they must not take part in its political and religious
evils.
Yahshua began to reveal things to the Apostle John through the sound of
a great voice as of a trumpet (Rev. 1:10).
The book of Revelation is composed of seven seals, seven trumpet plagues
and seven vials. Yahweh will reveal His judgment on the Babylonian systems of
this world and also reveal who His people are during this period of time.
Paul writes, “For the Sovereign himself (Yahshua) shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of
Elohim: and the dead in the Messiah shall rise first,” 1 Thes. 4:16.
Interestingly, the word “voice” in the above verse is translated from
the Greek word “phone” (fo-nay). It comes from another Greek word
“phaino” and promotes the idea of “disclosure” (revelation).
This voice is the voice of the archangel or “chief messenger.” All of
the writings of Moses, the Psalms, Prophets and Apostles focus on the “chief
messenger” of Elohim, to wit: Yahshua the Messiah. This will be revealed in
its entirety in that day of trumpets when the last or seventh trumpet is blown
in heaven. Trumpets
not only signify the judgment of the great whore, Babylon, “And after these
things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia;
Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto Yahweh our Yahweh: For true
and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did
corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his
servants at her hand,” Rev. 19:1-2, but they also war against her seed, “And
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and
he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with
a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of Yahweh. 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 should 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 Yahweh. And he
hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND
SOVEREIGN OF SOVEREIGN. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried
with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come
and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great Elohim; That ye may
eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men,
and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men,
both free and bond, both small and great. And
I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together
to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought
miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of
the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a
lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword
of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all
the fowls were filled with their flesh,” Rev. 19:11-21.
Zechariah is inspired to write, “Turn you to the strong hold, ye
prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy
sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty
man. And Yahweh shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the
lightning: and the Sovereign Yahweh shall blow the trumpet,
and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. Yahweh of hosts shall defend them;
and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and
make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the
corners of the altar,” Zech. 9:12-15.
Please notice who will be making war against whom. Of course, the head
over it all will be Yahweh, but His people are Zion who will be raised up
against Greece. Shouldn’t this tell us something about those who want to
continue to promote the Grecian names and faith?
In Zechariah 14 we find that the feet of Yahweh will stand upon the Mount
of Olives in that day of trumpets, judgment and war. This is the very place from
whence Yahshua ascended into heaven. The disciples watched Yahshua ascend until
a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9). He will come again to the
Mount of Olives with the sound of a great trumpet and with the clouds of heaven
(Rev. 1:7) to make war against the kingdoms of this earth.
Paul writes, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of Elohim; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory,” 1 Cor. 15:50-54.
Again, he writes, “For Sovereign himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim:
and the dead in the Messiah shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Sovereign in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Sovereign. Wherefore comfort one
another with these words,” 1 Thes. 4:16-18.
The Jews call the Feast of Trumpets “Rosh HaShanah.” “Rosh” means
head, chief, first, etc. “Ha” is simply the Hebrew letter “hei” which
generally stands for the article “the” when placed at the beginning of a
word. “Shanah” has various meanings. It can mean a year, or the beginning of
a year. It can mean to alter or change. It also means to fold, i.e. duplicate or
transmute.
Because of this term “Rosh HaShanah,” the Jews begin the civil year
on the feast of trumpets. However, in the spiritual realm of things, it would
signify “the first (rosh) resurrection (shanah).”
This is one of the most important themes of the Feast of Trumpets.
Trumpets were blown when the kings of Israel were anointed to their
position (1 Ki. 1:39, 2 Ki. 9:13, etc.).
The Feast of Trumpets signifies the coronation of Yahshua as King of
Kings and Sovereign of Sovereigns.
Yahshua told Pilate that He was born to be King of the Jews (Jn.
18:33-37). But He told His disciples that He had to go away into a far country
(heaven) to receive His kingdom and then to return (Lk. 11:15-19).
In Revelation 5, the Heavenly Father is sitting on His throne with a
scroll sealed with seven seals. Yahshua, as the Lamb of Elohim comes and takes
the scroll out of His hand and begins to remove the seals from the scroll.
Yahshua is, at this time, functioning as the Lamb of Elohim, but has not yet
been coronated.
In Revelation 11 we read, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there
were great voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become
the kingdoms of Yahweh and His Anointed (Messiah); and He shall reign for ever
and ever’.” (v. 15)
This is when Yahshua will be coronated as King of Kings and Sovereign of
Sovereigns. After the seventh trumpet is blown, He is shown with a crown on His
head and a sickle in His hand (Rev. 14:14). He reaps the earth (vv. 15-16). He
then descends upon the white horse with His heavenly armies following Him to
take His power and rule over the earth (Rev. 19:11-16).
Adam’s bride, Eve, was made from a rib which was taken from his side
while he was asleep (Gen. 2:21-22). Sleep is a type of death (Jn. 11:11-14).
Yahshua is the second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45-47). He was put to sleep (death), a
spear pierced His side (Jn. 19:34), from whence came blood and water. Blood is
for atonement. Water is a type of the Spirit (Jn. 7:37-39).
Adam’s wife was made flesh and blood. Flesh and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of heaven (1 Cor. 15:50). Yahshua’s (the second Adam) bride is to
be made Spirit.
When we are called, repent of our sins and baptized, we become espoused
(engaged, betrothed) to Yahshua (2 Cor. 11:1-2). In our world, an engagement
ring is given as a token of the upcoming marriage. During the wedding ceremony
the wedding ring is added to the engagement ring as a final seal that the
wedding is complete.
Those who are called to become Yahshua’s bride are given an earnest of
the Spirit, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted
in the Messiah. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth,
the evangel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his
glory,” Eph. 1:12-14.
Upon the resurrection or change from physical, mortal corruptible flesh
to spiritual immortality and incorruption, the marriage of the Lamb to His bride
will take place wherein they will receive the Holy Spirit of Yahweh without
measure, “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in
heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto
Yahweh our Elohim: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged
the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath
avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia.
And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the
four beasts fell down and worshipped Yahweh that sat on the throne, saying,
Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our Elohim,
all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 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 Almighty Yahweh
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,
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 Elohim,” Rev. 19:1-9.
The day of Trumpets is called in the Hebrew “yowm teruah.” This day
not only has to do with the sound of trumpets, but it also has to do with
shouting with voices. This day signifies the overthrow of the kingdoms of this
world and the establishment of the kingdom of heaven.
Those being overthrown will be shouting in grief, pain, sadness and
sorrow because their world will be ending. Those inheriting the kingdom of
heaven will be shouting for joy and rejoicing because their reign will begin.
They will be full of praises for Yahweh.
There will be the mournful, painful shout of those who will be losing
their lives. But there will also be the joyful, rejoicing, praising shouts of
those who are loosed from the bands of death and the grave into everlasting
life.
There will be the sad and mournful shout of Satan, the god and king of
this world, and his followers, as he is deposed, bound and cast into the abyss
(Rev. 20:1-3). But there will be the joyful shouts, praises and rejoicing of
Yahshua’s people as their Great King is coronated—LONG LIVE THE KING!!!!
There will be the shouts of war, and finally, there will be the mourning
of the great whore as her dark, idolatrous ways are exposed and destroyed, while
the saints of Yahweh’s kingdom will be rejoicing because of the marriage made
in heaven and the great light that will be shining forevermore. When
the seventh angel sounds his trumpet there will be great voices in heaven saying
(shouting), “ The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our
Yahweh, and of his Messiah; and he shall reign for ever and ever,” Rev. 11:15.
While the day of trumpets will be filled with a great commotion, great
voices, thunderings and lightenings, war, sadness and mourning for some, but
with great joy and rejoicing for others, the truth of the matter is that once
finished, it will serve to bring in peace and rest to this earth that has not
been since the Garden of Eden.
The Prophet Isaiah declares, “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that
the mountain of Yahweh’s house shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto
it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain
of Yahweh, to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; and he will teach us of his
ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and
the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and
shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and
their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more. O
house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Yahweh,” Isa. 2:1-5.
Micah also declares almost the same thing as Isaiah, “But in the last
days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of Yahweh shall be
established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the
hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say,
Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the Elohim
of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for
the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And he
shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks:
nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war
any more. But they shall sit every
man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for
the mouth of Yahweh of hosts hath spoken it,” Micah 4:1-4.
Again, Isaiah is inspired to write, “And there shall come forth a rod
out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the
spirit of Yahweh shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of
Yahweh; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of Yahweh: and he
shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing
of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with
equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of
his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And
righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of
his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie
down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and
a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young
ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the
sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put
his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters
cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand
for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall
be glorious,” Isa. 11:1-10. Many
people refuse to observe the feasts of Yahweh in today’s world. But the Feast
of Trumpets is a shadow of things yet to come. There are tremendous and
significant themes associated with this day. Observing this day annually reminds
us; is a memorial, of a coming event. As we observe it, we learn so much more
about the good news of the kingdom of heaven.
These twelve themes of the Feast of Trumpets can be expanded upon in much
greater detail. So much more than an article in a magazine can provide. We have
given you a base, a foundation upon which you can expand in your own studies of
Scripture. If we will repent and begin to observe the days that Yahweh commanded
for our admonition, won’t they help us to be more prepared for that
which is to come?
Remember that the news of this world and its history are of events that
have already past. But Yahweh’s news, while it may be about things that are
past, it is also about future events which He will usher in at the time of His
choice. Let’s observe this most important day as well as the other commanded
days so we can be reminded of that which will take place in the near future.
May Yahweh bless you to see these things. HalleluYah!!!!!
By Jerry Healan The
Day of Atonement should not only be a most important day to our Jewish brethren,
but it is also a most important day to other Hebrews and non-Hebrews alike.
“And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this
seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation
unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire
unto Yahweh. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of
atonement, to make an atonement for you before Yahweh your Elohim. 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. 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. 23:26-32.
Yahweh commanded this day to be a day of affliction of one’s soul. But
how do we afflict our soul? We know that the Jewish people observe this day by
abstaining from food and drink for a 24 hour period.
David proclaimed, “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was
sackcloth: I humbled
my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom,” Psa. 35:13.
The words “afflict” and “humbled” are translated from the same
Hebrew word “anah.” Anah is defined as, a primitive root (possibly rather
ident. with 6030 through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress
literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications,
as follows):--abase self,
afflict(-ion,
self), answer (by mistake for 6030), chasten self,
deal hardly with,
defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble
(self), hurt,
ravish, sing (by mistake for 6030), speak (by mistake for 6030), submit self,
weaken,
X in any wise. (Strong’s Exhaustive
Concordance, Hebrew Lexicon, #6031)
Fasting is a way that we can humble, abase, chasten and afflict
ourselves. Moses fasted for forty days and nights twice. Yahweh proclaimed that
Moses was very meek, above all men on the face of the earth (Num. 12:3).
Yahshua the Messiah fasted for forty days and nights in order to humble
Himself so that the master of lies, sin and pride, Satan, could be defeated
spiritually (Mt. 4:1-11; Mk. 4:12-13; Lk. 4:1-13).
Yahweh declares, “Thus saith Yahweh, The heaven is my throne, and the
earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is
the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those
things have been, saith Yahweh: but to this man will I look, even to him that is
poor
and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word,” Isa. 66:2.
The Hebrew word for “poor” in the above Scriptures is “aniy”
which is a derivative of “anah.” It also has to do with being
“afflicted,” “humble,” and “poor.” |
