Feasts of Israel

Passover Matters

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Whether you just want to learn more about the Passover pattern…

Whether you just want to know Jesus better…

Or if you want to know how the pattern is applying now,

This episode will do that for you. Passover is a pattern. Jesus fulfilled it. We are living in that pattern.

The gavel has come down. Decide now, quickly, if you want to be in Pharoah’s army, plunging into the Red Sea in order to catch and get their slaves back. Or, get in the house with the outline of the door in the blood of the lamb. There, the Lord protects you with his wings. Come.

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Interesting Conversation

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Two men who have serve the Lord and seen miracles discuss various forms of leadership in congregations.

When you have a toxic situation, is it because the structure or doctrine made the leader toxic or did the leader set up a toxic structure?

When you have some special status, some special revelation, is that itself a red flag of being off center, heretical.

Is there a clear system for organization in the New Testament? Did Jesus give us a clear vision statement? Do we need more?

Many questions to ponder.

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Agenda for a congregation, for Reforming “The Move,” and Certainly for Creating a good Movement

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  1. Build character. If we don’t build people, we can not progress. We must be sure we are discipled to Jesus in godly character or we will find ourself sadly discipled to the anti-Christ. This has been exposed already in so called Christian schools. And surely in government.
  2. We need to find a way to make a healthy congregational culture, in which we cherish rather than denounce each other. One that we can depend upon.
  3. We need to become prepared to take care of our families, then our congregation, and finally those around us.
  4. We need to develop a healthy eschatology. Clearly, we are in the very end of the end times. Unfortunately, most of the eschatological teaching has pointed us into depression, apathy or fear or alternatively to pride and fear. Either way, this is the opposite of what should be happening. Jesus is coming back for a bride who has made herself ready and wow, we need to get on the task right away and in a bug hurry.
  5. We need to serve as servant leaders! How are we going to have a great awakening or be ready for the millennium if we don’t? How could we ever claim to be like Jesus if we don’t.
  6. We need to begin to understand how law is always rooted in a religious viewpoint and thus being to learn Biblical law. Similarly, we must immediately find schools with Biblical worldview in order to protect, disciple and train for leadership our children and any those brought to us.
  7. We need to rule and reign through prayer, praise, and declarations.
  8. All of this is being more like Jesus in practical ways. First, of course, we need to be regenerated and filled with the Spirit, and seeking to be closer to the one and only Jesus Yeshua MaMesiach
Current Events Feasts of Israel Holidays Moedim

Lessons from Hanukah and the Maccabees

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You probably have heard about Hanukah, the winter festival of the Jews in which they light the menorah. However, you probably don’t know the story of the Maccabees behind it. There is lots to learn.

First, I tell you the basic history, and then a little about how the rabbis interpret it, and how the Jews celebrate today. Then, I offer some thought questions.

The wildest thing is how it parallels today! Stick with it to the end. Then, really think. What were the issues then? Now? So, what does it mean to be faithful to YHWH?

Notice, that the Macabees were lauded for serving the good of the whole even at cost to themselves. But wouldn’t have the Antiochus officials said that they should have Hellenized and gone along, and given them more money? Sometimes you judge how much someone has contributed by how much they lost and not how much they gained.

Teaser: I didn’t find the miracle of the oil in I Maccabees.  Not in II Maccabees. Hmmm. But I did read about the Battle of Emmaus! Wow!

More resources.

  1. Get the text.

2. Rabbi Sobel gives you amazing number study  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVjpUHT_slE  

My A&P and messianic friends will like this.

3. Here is the consensus rabbinical explanation. (So very funny: I asked a respected rabbi here this question and he referred me to Rabbi Google. I figured I had so little knowledge that such would not be a reliable source. Was he perhaps unwilling to face public pressure because the people like Hanukah? I may never know.)

https://www.myjewishlearning.com › article › transforming-hanukkah
Why Were the Rabbis So Uncomfortable With the Maccabees?
That being the case, why do the Rabbis decide to focus entirely on this miracle of the oil? The 16th-century Maharal of Prague, Rabbi Judah Loew, offers a concise answer to this puzzling rabbinical emphasis on the miracle of the oil: The main reason that the days of Hanukkah were instituted was to celebrate the victory over the Greeks.
4. Here is the Lubavitcher word on the holiday. They are very conservative, millenial, and evangelistic.
https://www.chabad.org › holidays › chanukah › article_cdo › aid › 4588772 › jewish › 13-Facts-About-the-Maccabees-Every-Jew-Should-Know.htm

13 Facts About the Maccabees Every Jew Should Know

13 Facts About the Maccabees Every Jew Should Know By Menachem Posner 1. The Maccabees Are the Heroes of Chanukah The Maccabees were Jewish fighters who led the revolt against the Syrian Greek ruling class, who had suppressed Jewish religion in an effort to spread their Hellenistic customs and idolatrous beliefs.

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Current Events Leadership Replication

HOW TO PRAY IN PUBLIC *** How to Lead in Prayer

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I was asked to be the lead for prayer in a Christian political group recently.  Surprisingly to me, people were surprised and appreciative. Then, someone was angry — whether from jealousy or from insecurity or more likely from demonic control. No matter. This became the impetus to share what I know. We need prayer leadership. Other ministers teach how to pray, but no one teaches how to pray in public, or how to lead in prayer. Prayer is not for applause. Prayer is not for arguing. Prayer is for acknowledging God in our meetings; prayer is for aligning with the purposes of God; and prayer is for receiving miracles.

It is time to offer prayers for all these reasons! Let’s have no more mumbled meaningless ditties! Let us pray God for intervention in our situation! Let us pray to thank the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Further, let’s lend some leadership in this space that is so very much needed. We need leadership in prayer.

So, for those who don’t yet know, or don’t yet feel comfortable, here is how.

Clarification: short advice is:  pray according to the Bible and according to the Spirit. I am guessing that you already knows that, but felt now I needed to say this clearly. This course is to get someone over the hump of being shy, intimidated, or bewildered. Once you have begun, always throw out your notes and go where the Spirit leads — which always will be exactly aligned with the Bible.

How to Pray in Public, Introduction

Mistakes People Make

Structure of Prayer

Content of Prayer

Delivery Tips

Praying in Mixed Groups

How to Pray in Public Conclusion

Examples

These files will be posted here temporarily, probably only until the coming mid-term elections. After that, when I have time, they will be available on some platform as a course.

Blessings Controversial Issues Current Events Feasts of Israel Holy Spirit guidance Perfection Sonship Tabernacles

Feast of Tabernacles – NOW! Wow!

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Today we define and explain the original Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths, or Sukkoth.  We talked about how Jesus fulfilled this feast also, in being Emmanuel, God with us. We talk about the not yet of the prophetic meaning of the end-times.  That eschatological means is proleptic: both now and not yet. The real point is the real walking out spiritually now. It is one thing to say that, but what does that look like? How is it done?

Answer: It looks like Jesus. And what was his first foot forward?  And How is it done? The inner work of laying it all on the altar. Oh my goodness … old words with disappointment on them. Check out this episode. I have new revelation — at least it was for me. It is right there in the text: the sacrifices, the rest, the deliverance from slavery.  That is a picture of the FEAST of TABERNACLES.

Please hear; please share.

Conference (that was mentioned) website: https://www.setapartwomen.co/

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Controversial Issues Current Events Feasts of Israel Moedim

Do the The Feasts of Israel Have Prophetic Meaning?

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Do the The Feasts of Israel Have Prophetic Meaning? Is it legitimate to try to find prophetic meaning in the “Feasts of Israel”  (or better named the “moedim” the appointed times of God)?  Shouldn’t we just take the Scripture at face value? Who is to say what they mean? And then, if we do take any meaning, isn’t that an open door for people to “find” some future prophetic meaning?

HOW THIS CAME UP

In a messianic group I visit this was the question posed. First time it was posed, rather than asserted. As a question, it is worthy of being answered. Are there “types and shadows” in the Bible. Is it legitimate to find allegorical meaning? Do these scripture speak of a time beyond the basic commandment? Is there possibly future prophetic meaning?

We can answer all of these questions surely and definitely, based on the text of the Bible, especially the New Testament. Yes, the Bible itself witnessed to, in clear language, that the Old Testament, the Torah especially, was written with types and shadows in mind. Yes, the Bible itself gives examples of finding allegorical or typological meaning in Scripture, and in the moedim in particular.

WHAT ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS?

Having said that yes, there are prophetic meanings, does not mean that ANY BODY AND ANY interpretation is correct. There is a pattern, a trajectory, and other Scriptures. Standard hermeneutical rules apply. Nevertheless, yes, there are prophetic meanings in the text. And most especially, yes, the feasts do have prophetic meanings — of course!

CALL TO A DECISION — FOR JESUS

Scripture is deep. Those who want to reduce it to face value want to do so because they want to control it. They want to justify themselves. Those, who look deeply into Scripture will find more. Think Jesus speaking to the pharisees. Think the Bereans. Love the scripture; love to hear the Spirit; focus on Jesus!  It is all about Jesus. It is not about the law. It is not even about the text, as precious as it is. It is about Jesus. (And  it is not so much about us as it is about Jesus, the Pattern Son.)

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Controversial Issues Current Events Holidays Moedim Repentance

Day of Atonement : What is Sin?

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There seems to be quite a lot of confusion about what sin is, how sin is best dealt with, and to what extent gentiles should keep the Mosaic Law. All answered here. And a great time to answer them, as we approach the Day of Atonement.

The Day of Atonement is a moed, an appointed time, one of the “7 feasts of Israel”, and appointment of the people with God.  The Day of Atonement a time to repent, to seek forgiveness of God, to reconcile with God and with others.

I will cover the basic scriptures on this topic from Torah, cover briefly the consensus Jewish thinking and the Chabad/Lubavitcher viewpoint. Then, let’s go into the New Testament about what sin is and how sin is best dealt with.

SHOULD WE KEEP THE LAW? IS SIN MERELY FAILURE TO KEEP TORAH?

We should have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Torah and Tanakh, for without them, we could not understand Jesus/Yeshua. On the other hand, we should not trample the greater gift of Jesus/Yeshua.  Nor should we think we, in our unlettered and prideful state are so much smarter than Peter, James, and John, or Paul. Let’s consider what all of these teachers had to say, shall we?

We will find that both in original Hebrew thinking and in New Testament thinking that sin is “missing the mark.”  What mark? For Paul: the glory of God. High mark. So, how would be come up to that bar? Only Jesus Christ/ Yeshua HaMesiach/Son of God could help us that far up.

This is not rabbinic thought. Nor is it sloppy Christian “messianic”  — shall we say messy legalism.My position is we should have more respect for the Jewish traditions today, more learning about the Torah, and a full understanding of our own New Testament. We get into trouble when the unlearned take part of a Scripture and blithely take away others’ faith. They feel very spiritual and righTeous doing so, but…. the results are very regrettable, first for others who are made worried… but later themselves when they find they have disrespected Jesus.

RETURNING TO THE FAITH; RECONCILING WITH GOD

Today I am most concerned to help concerned Christians back to settled faith, and comfort in the grace of God, after they have been pummeled and battered by ignorant messy-anic folks who want to make them feel guilty because they are not fully keeping the Mosaic law. Sin is much more than merely transgressing the Mosaic Law. It is pretty hard to keep the Mosaic Law. Always was. particularly, now when there is not Temple and no sacrifice.

Sin is bad and we should acknowledge that sin exists. This failure to acknowledge sin is rampant. Sin is foolish, harmful, but also knowing about sin is an opportunity to return to God. Wonderful Hasidic wisdom.  But the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, our wonderful Messiah who is more than we ever imagined, has come and invited us into His own righteousness. This is the wonder. Let’s not overlook that. This is the awesomeness of the sonship message. It is all of grace; it is all of faith; it is not without works.

https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2093-atonement-day-of

https://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/yom-kippur/yom-kippur-customs-and-rituals

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/177886/jewish/What-Is-Yom-Kippur.htm

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2830/jewish/What-Is-Sin.htm

https://free.messianicbible.com/tag/kol-nidre/#.YzbaPUzMI5s

https://perrystone.org/the-day-of-atonement-leviticus-chapter-16/

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Controversial Issues Current Events Maturity Moedim Snship Soul winning

FEASTS OF TRUMPETS

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Seeing so much hunger and hearing so little good teaching,  I have posted an audio file on the Feast of Trumpets, more commonly known as Rosh HaShannah. I have defined the Feast of Trumpets, relayed the relevant Scriptures, or most of them, and applied it. The trumpet announces the presence of royalty, war, warning, and worship. Brief discussion of various eschatologies. Invites you to learn more of the Word of God. Equips preachers. Encourages you to worship, service, and evangelism.

 

SOURCE ALLUDED TO FOR REFERENCE

When does “the last trump” sound? The Rapture, the Second Coming, or some other time?

Dr. Showers argues that “the last trump” Paul is referring back to I Cor 14 when he mentions a military trumpet. In this case, the last trumpet is the call for men at war to stop fighting, or a watchman to finish his time at post. Either way, “the last trump” means “time of rest.” This makes sense, especially since we have a seen a difference between the last trump and the Great Trumpet.

There is much discussion about the Trumpet of the Rapture being or not being the 7th Trumpet in the book of Revelation. Some people read that the Rapture happens between the letters to the church and what John sees in heaven, making the “come up hither” be the same as the Rapture. At any rate, the idea that the “last trump” is a call to rest works very well with the theme of the Feasts of Trumpets being about preaching in the church age.

RULING

Amir Tsarfati gave a wonderful teaching on the timeline on Sept 24th, but marred it by at the very end of the Q&A time calling out and lumping together that Kingdom now and the 7m teaching and those who think they will make things better and thus bring back the Messiah. These camps are not the same, except that they are more optimistic and therefor more willing to grow and work. They have on their side “the Kingdom is within/among you.”

Since I had enjoyed Amir’s teaching that day, I was momentarily confused. I sought God. Here is the scripture that came to me as an answer ; “The wheat and the tares grow together.”  So, yes the world is dark… but that doesn’t mean we have to be pessimistic and throw down our weapons and just wait for a rescue. No.  Now we are the technon, the teenagers. Then we will be like Him: grown son. For we shall see Him as He is. Division in the camp is a trick of the enemy. We need all that the Body has to be a full Body. Each piece has a revelation and they will fit together like a puzzle.

Sam Fife said, correctly, that preaching against error in other camps makes more error.

Okay, so, Sharon, what are you doing? I am preaching truth in my camp, as respectfully as possible. And erring on the respectful side, too, I think. I get attacked for speaking truth, but when I do, I check to be sure I was as loving and soft as possible,  grieve over those who are inclined to attack others, and then I roll my hurt upon Jesus.

 

IMPORTANT RESOURCEs TO BUY, READ, APPLY

CF DO NOT LEAVE QUIETLY by Mario Murillo  This book is an excellent real time application guide for how to “trumpet” in the current situation. We must speak up, for the Lord, for the church, and for ourselves …. just as Paul did when asked to leave the jail in Phillippi .

Here is a similar place to jump in, and a model to follow, of Christian “speaking up” or “trumpeting forth.”  https://lancewallnau.com/episode-750-the-revival-we-seek-is-breaking-out-in-local-territories-like-this/

Someone else, more from a political angle, or at least a different faith angle, chimes in: get active. https://rumble.com/v1l4vm1-a-letter-to-americas-churches.-eric-metaxas-with-sebastian-gorka-one-on-one.html?mref=7x15j&mc=b4trb

Hear is a prayer confession offered for our nation. Kenneth Copeland was saying back in 2011 or so that we needed to start voting and getting involved. Now, he has the www.govictory online channel with the FlashPoint show bi-weekly, twice daily news, and election watch shows. Copeland’s theology might not be your cup of tea, but you have to admit that the current criticism against him: that he claimed it was the devil trying to …. “squeal” the election and destroy our children…. is sort of illustrative of his being entirely correct on at least these 2 points.

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Controversial Issues Maturity Perfection Questions and Answers sin

12 Lies in the Church

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Recently, I ran a series on how to tell what is true on The Great Shalom Broadcast: Overcoming Learning Problems, with a view to helping mothers and educators teach their children in these dangerous and bewildering times. Then, I just had this one come up in my spirit.  These may not be the most important lies ever, but probably pretty close. These are lies that are perennial and perverse. You for sure have heard some, if not all of them. Gosh, most of us are caught up in several. If not, then you probably get “corrected” by religious people with these lies — they are so pervasive.

I put them in an order of 12, some of which are paired. Like the judaizers and the gnostics. If you have studied the letters of Paul, you have heard of these. Have you thought about the same lies cropping up in the church today? Legalism hoops and spiritual ladder show-offs. What about the worst and most prevalent: we all sin every day. Oh. Is that true? Maybe. But what about the intended meaning: “so get comfortable with it!” Ah…. no.  That is why I made this “12 lies in the church” track.

This, you must hear.

If you want to hear the series on The Great Shalom, well, you can go there and select the “shop” tab and get the set as a download. It is on sale now, I think.

By the way, if you are a God-hater, and hoped to find criticisms of God… well listen in. Find the grace and mercy of God. The straightforward truth of God, reaching out for you… and all of flesh that is corrupt until God redeems is with resurrection power.

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