Feast of Tabernacles

FEAST OF TABERNACLES

Part thirteen of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days Importance Today series

 Leviticus 23:34-35:  “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts seven days.’”

            October 5-11, 2017, are the current dates for this Feast.

            Apostle Peter’s sermon in Acts 3:19-21 summed up God’s instructions for every person: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sin may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, that He may send Jesus Christ, …  He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago … .”

            This Feast represents that restoration.  Jesus’ return to earth—(Feast of Trumpets), and banishment of Satan, (Day of Atonement)—sets the foundation for His millennium (1,000 year) reign.  Believers long for, and even pray for this time of peace and harmony of all creation with God every time we recite the Lord’s Prayer. (Your kingdom come, Matthew 6:10a). 

            People were created in God’s image so that He could have a two-way relationship with us (Genesis 1:26).  This relationship is characterized by obedience to His laws.  What Satan broke in our perfect relationship, Jesus patched up with His blood.  

            So everyone who believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior can come boldly before the Father (Hebrews 4:16).

            The lesson linked below adds Scriptural background.  Isaiah 11:7-9 tells of magnificent restoration of all creation, like the wolf living with the lamb.  The whole world will live in harmony.  All creation will be healed.

            Our Father will also provide spiritual restoration.  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.  I will take out the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will pit My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will keep My judgments and do them (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

            Isaiah 2:4 and 51:4-5 say this Feast offers universal opportunity for salvation.  Jesus will judge the people living on earth.  The firstfruits of God’s harvest from this age will reign with Christ on earth as a kingdom of priests (Revelation 5:10).

            Jesus promises in Revelation 2:26, “He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over nations.”  They will lead many to God’s Kingdom and have the awesome privilege of working alongside Christ (Revelation 20:6).  Nations will learn a right relationship with God.    

Take Home Nugget

            The final conflict between God’s righteous living and His people will resolve when people finally choose.  Rebellion or righteousness?  Satan will be released for a short time after the millennium.  Revelation 20:7-10 describes how those who choose rebellion are identified.  Their tragic choice will earn them death by fire—along with Satan.  

Come, Lord Jesus!    

Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.  ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ.  Ohio.  Pgs. 40-45.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Feast of Tabernacles

. 

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

 To order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:    

  To order “The Thing is…” click here

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

I               

Day of Atonement

DAY OF ATONEMENT

Part twelve of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days Importance Today series

 Leviticus 23:27:  “The tenth day of this seventh month [or September, 30, 2017] is the Day of Atonement.  Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the Lord by fire.”

            Working on the Day of Atonement is forbidden.  But 24 hours of fasting is expected to create worshippers humble and meek before the Lord.  Atonement [a-TONE-ment] means reconciliation [rek-on-SIL-e-a-shon, or a loving reunion.  Thanks to Jesus for becoming our Passover Lamb so that the Father welcomes sinful kids before His throne!

            The week Feast of Unleavened Bread drove home how each person is drenched in sin.  Praise God for sending His Son into the world!  Jesus’ shed blood became our LAST Passover Lamb executed for forgiveness of human sin.  Christ’s sacrifice makes possible Believers approaching Almighty God’s throne room.  As forgiven kids, we’re allowed to climb up on His lap like kids adoring Dad.

            Why is a Day acknowledging Atonement critical to peace on earth?  Answer: Because sin has a cause.  Satan leads an army of demons that tempt people to disobey God.  (See the lesson linked below).

            The Day of Atonement focuses on removing Satan.  Many people are tricked that this threat even exists.  Christ and Apostle Paul warn people how deadly our battle is.  “For our battle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12).

            Jesus offers victory in this spiritual battle by putting on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:13-18.  James 4:7 urges Believers’ active role: submitting to God wearing His armor while resisting the devil, so that “he will flee from you.”

            The Old Testament in the Bible uses a symbol of Atonement.  Leviticus 16:5, 7 commands the priest to select two goats.  Cast lots which one is “for the Lord” and kill him (verses 8-9).  He represents Jesus Christ—who paid the penalty for our sins.  On the other is placed atonement (the priest lays both hands on its head, confessing the sins of the people).  Then he’s released into the wilderness.   

            Azazel is the Hebrew name of the goat freed into the wild.  He represents Satan, who’s the cause for human sin (verses 21-22).    

  

Take Home Nugget

            Some Bibles name the Atonement goat “Scapegoat.”  But calling him that is   unfairly blaming him for people’s sin.  Green’s Literal Translation more accurately calls him “goat of departure.”  Jesus will hold Satan accountable for his historic deliberate actions tempting humans to sin. 

   

Come, Lord Jesus!  We praise You as our high priest.  Reign on earth, fulfilling Your promise in Revelation 20:2-3 of locking the devil away!  Amen. 

Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.  ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ.  Ohio.  Pgs. 35-39.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Day of Atonement

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

To order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:    

  To order “The Thing is…” click here

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Feast of Trumpets

FEAST OF TRUMPETS

Part eleven of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days Importance Today series

 Revelation 11:15:  “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven which said:  ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.’”

                                                                                                                          

            This feast introduces autumn festivals, signifying the final four Holy Days.  Feast of Trumpets ends present-age human rule.  This blasts a dramatic turning point in world history.  Falling on September, 21, 2017, celebrate the Feast that describes a mind-blowing era when God intervenes globally into the affairs of humanity.

            The Feast of Trumpets paints Jesus Christ returning to earth to establish the Kingdom of God!  (See the lesson linked below).  After Christ’s resurrection—His apostles were excited—sure that Jesus’ promises would be filled now.  They knew messianic prophecies like Isaiah 9:6-7: “the government will be on His shoulder” and “the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.”

            When they realized that the prophecies weren’t to be filled imminently [IM-in-ent-lee] means today, they were disappointed.  Instead, Christ told them to focus on spreading the gospel.  This is on what Believers today must keep their focus.

             Apostle Paul obeyed Jesus and wrote: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).   And: “In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will raise imperishable, and we will change.”  (1 Corinthians 15:52).

            There’s no good excuse why this Holy Day should not be observed today. Keeping all God’s commanded Holy Days, Believers grasp His extraordinary plan for humanity.  “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the world will mourn.  They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”  (Matthew 24:30-31).

Take Home Nugget

            This feast fulfills Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah coming as king from the line of David.  Jesus Christ will rule from David’s throne in Jerusalem with power and authority over all nations on earth.  This is the most exciting news possible for this weary, sin-ravaged world!

Heavenly Father, not only the “whole creation”, but we “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we await eagerly for our adoption as sons, and the redemption of our bodies!”  Amen.  (Romans 8:22-23).

           

Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.  ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ.  Ohio.  Pgs. 28-34.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Feastof Trumpets

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

 To order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

 

  To order “The Thing is…” click here

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Firstfruits Church

FIRSTFRUITS CHURCH

Part ten of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days Importance Today series

Leviticus 23:11: “He is to wave the sheaf before the LORD so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.”

            The Israelites first planted barley in Canaan, their Promised Land.  This first harvest was the grain offering which the priest was to wave one sheaf, or bundle, before the LORD.

            Mary Magdalene wept outside Jesus’ empty tomb.

            “Woman, why are you crying?”  Mistaking Jesus for the gardener, Mary answered, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, ...”

            “Mary.”    

            Mary froze.  She knew that voice.  Crying out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” she started toward Him. 

            Backing away, Jesus warning her, “Do not hold onto Me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.”  (John 20:11-17).

            Jesus links the opening Old Testament Scripture to New Testament fulfillment.  As the newly-resurrected grain harvest wave-sheaf, Jesus presented Himself to the Father.  Yahweh accepted Christ’s sacrifice as payment-in-full for our sin the same day during spring harvest when the grain sheaf is waved before the LORD!  

            (Matthew 28:9 shows the “secret ascension.”  Jesus ascended to and was accepted by the Father.  Afterwards, He welcomed human contact).

            Christ is the firstborn over all creation AND the firstborn from the dead.  (See lesson linked below).  Romans 8:9 claims Jesus Christ is the firstborn of many brethren.  The New Testament Church is also considered firstfruits.  1 Corinthians 16:15 calls the first-century Christians the firstfruits of God’s calling.

            Firstfruits Church Paul calls Firstfruits of the Spirit in Romans 8:23.  How many—from that firstfruits Church and through the centuries—have truly accepted and followed Christ the way that He taught?  How many truly deny themselves, accepting the Father’s will over their own?  

            God’s Kingdom is represented in His Holy Days.  He longs to save all people by offering eternal life with Him forever!  We’re the beginning of the harvest for the Kingdom of God.

            Apostle Paul teaches, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep … For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”  (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22).

            Anyone called and chosen by God is included with Christ as God’s firstfruits.

Take Home Nugget

            Pentecost—God’s pouring out His Spirit on people expanded His spiritual harvest—also dramatically turned the world upside down. 

            Are you ready for another Pentecost blast turning the world upside down?

“I will pour out My Spirit on all people.  You sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  Even My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”  Joel 2:28-29

Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.  ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ.  Ohio.  Pgs. 25-27.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Firstfruits Church

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

 To order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:    

  To order “The Thing is…” click here

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Holy Spirit - Established Church

HOLY SPIRIT- ESTABLISHED CHURCH

Part nine of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days Importance Today series

 Acts 2:38-39: “Peter replied [to ‘What shall we do?’ question that people asked], ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”

 

            The Holy Spirit is transforming whoever has decided to follow Jesus into His likeness.  Right after the apostles received God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, crowds listened to Peter preach.  God’s Spirit inspired Peter and led the hearts of 3,000 people to obey his instructions to claim salvation for themselves.

            This began the Holy Spirit’s establishing the infant Church for God’s Kingdom.

            We can make our indwelling Holy Spirit feel at home with hearts of pure gold.

            God’s instructions for a holy container (the Ark) is found in Exodus 25:10-11.  “Have them make a chest of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half long.  (3 ¾ feet long, 2 ¼ feet wide and high).  Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.”

            People judge each other from the outside, but God judges one’s heart.  Who we are beneath the surface must reflect who we appear to be on the outside.  Only a person who is pure gold through and through is a fitting vessel for God.  

            Yahweh chose acacia wood obtained from a living creation in Ark construction.  Trees change as they grow.  People must also change as we grow.  No one can become pure gold overnight.  We grow into our best selves only with constant cooperating with the indwelling Spirit’s transforming work.

Take Home Nugget

            Jesus joined the Old with the New Testament in the Bible with two great principles of love in Matthew 22:37-40.  “Jesus replied [to What is the greatest commandment? question], ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

            Because God’s indwelling Spirit is alive, Believers-in-Christ can display pure-gold love as we grow.  (See the lesson linked below).

            God’s Spirit makes it possible for Believers’ growth to fully obey God’s love commandments.   Holy-containers (Believers) fill God’s Spirit-established Church to serve and worship Him. 

Holy Father, purify this holy container so that I can serve and worship You as a member of Your established Church! Amen.   

Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.  ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ.  Ohio.  Pgs. 24-25.

Adapted from “Holy Containers” by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  March 1, 2017.  www.HolyLandMoments.com.

J.D. Griffith

 

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Holy Spirit - Established Church

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here. 

                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

 To order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:    

 

  To order “The Thing is…” click here

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Pentecost

PENTECOST

Part eight of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days Importance Today series

 Exodus 23:16: “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your fields.”

 

            Revealing His plan for human salvation, Yahweh established Holy Festival Days around the harvest season.  As His people harvested their crops, God harvests people for His eternal Kingdom.  These Feasts build upon one another.  Together, they reveal increasingly more about God’s awesome plan.   

            Passover showed His plan of Christ being the LAST Passover lamb offering His life as payment for human sin.  Every Believer-in-Christ is forgiven and offered eternal life.  The Feast of unleavened Bread teaches us to remove and avoid all sin.  We fill that sin gap with obedience to God.  Attitudes and actions begin supporting God’s will. 

            Obedience is obviously a choice.

            Pentecost builds a foundation upon this choice.

            Let’s investigate the many names God calls the Feast of Pentecost.  Coming from both meaning and timing, the Feast of Harvest represents first fruits.   (See lesson linked below).  The timing is May or June, around the harvest gathering spring grain in ancient Israel.  That’s why Jews wear green to celebrate this Feast. 

            Everyone who tithes knows that God only honors first fruits.  Peoples’ offering money that’s left after paying all the bills isn’t obeying the commanded tithe.  In fact, God HATES leftovers!

            Also called the Feast of Weeks in Exodus 34:22, this name comes from counting seven weeks plus one day, (50 in all), after the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  This determines when it falls each year (Leviticus 23:16).  The original Greek for fiftieth is Pentekostos¹.  Jews prefer calling this Holy Day Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot.  This Feast marked a great event—when God revealed His Law on Mt. Sinai.  

            But more than giving the Law, Pentecost shows a great miracle.  The first Pentecost in the early Church after Christ’s resurrection was when God poured out His Holy Spirit on 120 Believers (Acts 1:15).  “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”  (Acts 2:3).  That’s why Christian Believers wear red on Pentecost.         

Take Home Nugget

            Leviticus 23:9-14 ends with, “This [Firstfruits] is to be a lasing ordinance for generations to come, wherever you live.”

            Those Holy Spirit tongues of fire enabled the Disciples to speak in the various languages of people who gathered from many nations to Jerusalem.  Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Galileans, those from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia could understand what was being said in his native language!   And no, they weren’t drunk, as some people accused them in Acts 2:13!

Holy Father, baptize me in Your Spirit with the sacred language of “Tongues”.  I’m asking this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

   

Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.  ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ.  Ohio.  Pgs. 23-27. 

¹ Vine, Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.  Vine, W.E.  1985.  

J.D. Griffith

 

Clickhere for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Pentecost

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

 To order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

 

  To order “The Thing is…” click here

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers