The Holiest Day

In the timetable of the seven festivals of the Lord today is The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur in the Hebrew language--the holiest of all days. According to Leviticus Chapter 16 on the holiest day of the year (the Day of Atonement), the holiest man in the world (the high priest of Israel) went into the holiest place in the world (the Holy of Holies). The high priest had to enter in order to make atonement for Israel.

"It is on Yom Kippur when the Great Trumpet, known in Hebrew as the Shofar HaGadol is blown...There are three primary shofarim (trumpets) to the Jewish people and these three trumpets are associated with specific days in the year. These three trumpets are: (a) 'The First Trump,' blown and associated with Shavuot (Pentecost); (b) 'The Last Trump,' blown and associated with Rosh HaShanah; (c) 'The Great Trump,' blown and associated with Yom Kippur."*

Let me share with you why this really is the holiest day. In the Old Testament "G-d issued a warning that no man could see His face and live (Exodus [Shemot] 33:20). But because on the Day of Atonement the priest could be in G-d's presence (Leviticus [Vayikra] 16:2), another term for the Day of Atonement is "face to face".*

Of course, Yahsuha, our Jesus, became The Great High Priest and The Atonement and presented Himself before God's throne on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-16).

So this fall festival will be completed when we see Him 'face to face'.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away...
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. - 1 Corinthians 13:9,10,12 KJV

"The year of Jubilee was the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 25:9-11). This was a year and day of liberty. Yeshua came to preach this liberty at His first coming (Isaiah [Yeshayahu]61:1-3; Luke 4:17-21...The ultimate fulfillment of the year of Jubilee will take place at the second coming of Messiah. The earth will be redeemed and come into full and complete rest from the curse brought upon it by Adam's sin...So, the year of Jubilee and the day of Atonement speak of the fullness of the redemptive plan of G-d for man."*

*Quoted material from Edward Chumney, The Seven Festivals of the Messiah, Chapter 8. Website: http://www.hebroots.org/hhmi.html

Tribulation--The Time of Jacob's Trouble

We are in the last days of this year's Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trumpets) season. One of the significant themes of Rosh HaShanah is 'the time of Jacob’s trouble (the birthpangs of the Messiah)'. Jacob refers to the natural-born of Israel.

As I have written before, it is significant that the United Nations is taking into consideration a bid of statehood for Palestinians which would, if approved, tear the city of Jerusalem in half and be in total opposition to almighty Yahweh's covenant with Israel. Could this be the precursor to 'the time of Jacob's trouble', the seven-year tribulation period? If so, where does the rapture or gathering of the saints fit in God's timetable?

In Matthew 24:8, Yahshua, our Jesus, refers to The Tribulation as 'the beginning of sorrows'. The Greek word translated as 'sorrows' here is odin, which means "birthpangs". The birthpangs of the Messiah are also spoken of in Revelation 12:1-2 and Jeremiah 30:4-7:

And these [are] the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. - Jeremiah 30:4-7 KJV 

"The interpretation here [of verse 7] is of the day of Babylon's overthrow. The application is of the yet future Great Tribulation of Matthew 24...Jacob's [trouble] Not Israel's, for it is the natural seed that is here in question, not the spiritual." [Note from page 1058 The Companion Bible, Zondervan Bible Publishers.]

To clarify, those who believe on Yahshua, Jesus Christ as the Messiah, are grafted into spiritual Israel (see Romans 11:11 and 17) so that Jew and Gentile become one new man (Ephesians 2:12-16). Those who are natural born of the tribes of Israel who do not accept Jesus as Messiah are not of spiritual Israel.

...For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. - Romans 9:6-8 KJV

So the tribulation will be experienced by the natural born Israelites who have not yet accepted Yahshua as their Messiah.

This period of time will be Israel's most trying time ever... There shall be great tribulation in Israel such as never was since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1). It will also be a time when G-d will ultimately judge sin and all the nations on the earth. Through it, the nation of Israel will be physically saved from total destruction by G-d, and will, as a nation, accept Yeshua as the Messiah. "...But he shall be saved out of it" (Jeremiah 30:7)...[excerpt from page 113 of The Seven Festivals of the Messiah by Edward Chumney]

Another excerpt from The Seven Festivals of the Messiah reads: The festivals will, beyond a shadow of a doubt, tell you that the resurrection of the dead precedes the time of Jacob's trouble (also known as the tribulation). First Thessalonians 4:16-17 says that the dead in Messiah will rise first, and that the catching away of the believers will immediately follow. [Ibid, page 129]

There are many interpretations of the Book of Revelation. This is where I am at in my understanding at this time. I am open to being convinced otherwise if anyone has Biblical evidence. One thing I am certain of is this, however--we are saved from the wrath to come! 

Tribulation--The Time of Jacob's Trouble updated 8/14/21

Jesus' Appearing and the Fall Festivals

Many of you who read my blog are already familiar with or knowledgeable of the seven festivals or feasts of the Lord as outlined in the 23rd Chapter of the Book of Leviticus. The word ‘feast’ is derived from the Hebrew word mo’ed meaning 'an appointed time'. It is a set time ordained by God—an appointment with humanity.

I find them fascinating and am continuing to learn more every time I delve into the topic. (For an overview of the feasts and how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world through them, click here.)

Currently, it is the season of Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets) that culminates on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Rosh Hashanah is a festival rife with spiritual significance. Here is a list of themes associated with it:

1. Teshuvah (repentance)
2. Rosh HaShanah (Head of the Year, Birthday of the World)
3. Yom Teruah (the Day of the Awakening Blast/Feast of Trumpets)
4. Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment)
5. HaMelech (the Coronation of the Messiah)
6. Yom HaZikkaron (the Day of Remembrance or memorial)
7. The time of Jacob’s trouble (the birthpangs of the Messiah)
8. The opening of the gates
9. Kiddushin/Nesu’in (the wedding ceremony)
10. The resurrection of the dead (rapture, natzal)
11. The last trump (shofar)
12. Yom Hakeseh (the hidden day)

Above information taken from The Seven Festivals of the Lord by Edward Chumney. His excellent website can be found at: http://www.hebroots.org/
The Feast of Trumpets is a fall festival that has not yet been fulfilled by the Messiah. When will it be fulfilled?

Simply put, it is when I Thessalonians 4:16-17 occurs:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV
Edward Chumney, author of The Seven Festivals of the Lord, gives us more insight:

A theme and term associated with Rosh HaShanah in Hebrew is HaMelech (the King). …The shofar blown on Rosh HaShanah is known as the last trump…which is mentioned in First Thessalonians 4:16-17. At this time, the believers in the Messiah who are righteous…according to Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment) will escape the tribulation…on earth and will be taken to Heaven in the rapture (natzal) along with the righteous who had died before this time. [excerpt from page 107]

The gates of Heaven are opened on Rosh HaShanah so the righteous nation may enter (Isaiah 26:2; Psalm 118:19-20). Because the gates of Heaven are understood to be open on Rosh HaShanah, this is further evidence that the rapture of the believers in the Messiah Yeshua will take place on Rosh HaShanah. [excerpt from page 115]

Next I will share about the tribulation—the time of Jacob’s trouble.

Who's Afraid of a Big Bad Fireball!

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee. - Psalm 91:5-7 KJV

As my manner is, I turned on the TV this morning around 7:30 to check the Weather Channel while I waited for the coffee to brew. The TV was already set on a local channel, however, so I listened as a reporter on WBTV said to be on the watch tonight because there will be a geothermal light show. He went on to say that this was caused by solar flares and could result in knocking out satellite and cell phone usage in some areas. This natural light show could actually be seen the next few nights he added.

This led me to later check on-line regarding any other sources mentioning aurora activity. I found an announcement at the Universe Today site: (Click on aurora-alert)

Well, you know how it is once you get on the worldwide web...I clicked on Science Central's link entitled, "Fireballs from Space" (sciencentral.com) which opened a 2003 article about solar flares and the changing of Earth's magnetic field that results in natural light shows that might appear on a nightly basis.

Meteorites are also referred to as fireballs and I found some links at Seven Theory Ministries' home page announcing several recent sitings in the US. The most informative (although quite irritating) source was: (libertybroadcastingnetwork)

I mention all this because just yesterday my daughter, Rachel, and I were reminiscing about prophetic dreams she had experienced years ago. I had been reading the rest of David Wilkerson's book (see the-heat-is-on) where the Lord had given him a dream of New York City burning and great violence erupting on the streets.

This prompted me to ask her, "Hey, Rachel, didn't you have a dream or two related to fire?" She retold me her dreams. One of them was simply that she was at home looking out a window. The house was full of people we were helping. Suddenly a fireball came down, passed through the window and then through her, but did not harm her or anyone else. She also had a dream where she saw piles of debris on fire scattered around homes in a neighborhood.

Again, I looked on-line and found there were postings of other people who had had similar dreams or visions (fireball dreams). I did not watch all of them, but one thing they had in common was that THEY WERE NOT HARMED BY THE FIREBALLS.

I believe that our Lord in His great mercy wanted to reassure us of His loving presence in the midst of disaster. So, whatever you are hearing about comets, asteroids, meteorites, or balls of fire falling from the heavenlies, HAVE NO FEAR!

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. - Psalm 91:1-2 KJV

I Just Can't Wait!

Remember when you were a kid and Christmas was coming and you were just busting at the seams with anticipation? "I just can't wait!" blurted from your mouth while your eyes shimmered at the thought of gifts and sugar plums danced around your head?

That's how I feel today.

I admit that it's all this talk about Comet Elenin--will it affect the Earth or not--that got me thinking more about Christ's return. According to Seven Theory Ministries (http://www.seventheory.com/Home_Page.php), there is a possibility of this happening very soon.

"It doesn't seem like it's the right time yet," I said when sharing my thoughts with my family.

"Yeah--I agree," my daughter added.

"What do you mean?" Tom asked me.

"Well, I have always believed that there would be a great move of God, a great harvest of souls before Christ returns (see harvest/crisis)."

"Who's to say that with modern technology that hasn't already occurred," my husband postulated.

We all agreed, however, that meeting the Lord in the air was not as imminent as we would hope. But He is coming.

That's what has me excited! Whether it's time for His appearing or time for a great wave of the Holy Spirit, I just can't wait!! That's why I still believe that we are...

Living in the best of times and the worst of times,