Counting the Omer, Two Views, One Season

Counting the Omer, Two Views, One Season

by | Apr 22, 2014 | Uncategorized

 

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There are fifty days of counting from Firstfruits [HaBikiurrim] of the Barley to Pentecost [Shavuot]. It was during these days, in 30 A.D., that all of the post resurrection appearances of Messiah were witnessed.  “Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen:  To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me” (Acts 1:2-4).

What an awesome time they had as they spent the first forty days counting the omer with Messiah Yeshua! It was only a ten day wait until the harvest festival of Shavuot, and they all waited together with great anticipation for the fulfillment of Yeshua’s final instructions as He ascended.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  Which also said, Ye men [people] of Galilee, [this group includes the women who followed Him from Galilee] why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey.  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room…These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:8-14)

The count for these  fifty days of the omer begins either on the first day after the annual Sabbath of Unleavened Bread, Aviv 16, according to the tradition of the Pharisees. Or it can begin on the day after the weekly Sabbath during the Week of Unleavened Bread, according to the  tradition of the ancient Sadducees. Either way the count is the same, but the days set apart for the celebrations, and therefore the Sabbath of Shauvot will be different.

According to Judaism 101 (at the site: jewfaq.org): “There was, at one time, a dispute as to when the counting should begin. The Pharisees believed that G-d gave Moses an oral Torah along with the written Torah, and according to that oral Torah the word “Shabbat” in Lev. 23:15 referred to the first day of Passover [Sabbath of Unleavened Bread], which is a “Shabbat” in the sense that no work is permitted on the day… In this view, held by most Jews today, the counting begins on the second night of Passover, that is, the day after the non-working day of Passover [first annual Sabbath of Unleavened Bread]. The Tzedukim (Sadducees) rejected the idea of an oral Torah and believed that the word “Shabbat” in Lev. 23:15 referred to the Shabbat of the week when Pesach began, so counting would always begin on a Saturday night during Passover. The Sadducees no longer exist; today, only a small sect call the Karites follow this view.” (The information in brackets was added for clarification.)

In the time of Messiah’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension, the Sadducees controlled the Temple services, so their application is the one that fits the Passion week of Yeshua, as discussed in the previous blog post titled, “Firstfruits and the Resurrection of Messiah Yeshua”.

After the previous blog post, a man challenged my conclusions.  His claim was that the giving of the Torah on Sinai was “exactly” 50 days after Firstfruits. While I greatly value the giving of Torah at Sinai, Jewish teachings do not confirm this as fact. Shavuot is the season for the Revelation of Torah, not the exact date.

According to The Jewish Book of Why, the Sivan 6th date for Shavuot was determined not from the Bible, but from the Talmud. The connection to the Revelation of Torah at Sinai was not incorporated into Judaism until the 3rd century, after the destruction of the Temple. Yes, the giving of Torah occurred in the third month, according to Ex. 19, but the exact date was not designated in the Bible. Shavuot is the season of the Revelation of Sinai, it is not the day of the event.

The Torah tells us that the Sabbaths are connected to the observance of Shavuot. Leviticus 23:15, “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete”. Shavuot is not indicated in Scripture as occurring “exactly 50 days later” than the Exodus from Egypt.

Once again, referring to The Jewish Book of Why, “The Bible in no way associates the holiday of Shavuot with God’s Revelation on Mount Sinai. The Talmud, however, does make an association between the two. Apparently, the connection was established when scholars, following the biblical account, calculated that the dates of the agricultural festival of Shavuot and the events at Mt. Sinai coincided…The Bible does not connect Shavuot with the giving of the Tora on Mount Sinai…The earliest reference to Shavuot as ‘the time of the giving of the Tora [Zeman Mattan Toratenu]‘ is in the Talmud. The third-century C.E. scholar Rabbi Eleazar said that all authorities agree on the necessity of rejoicing with good food an wine on Atzeret (the talmudic name for Shavuot) because on that day the Tora was given to Israel (Pesachaim 68b). Shavuot became increasingly associated with the Revelation at Mount Sinai because, as a purely agricultural holiday, it had lost its significance. The Jews of Palestine had become an urban people, and to keep the holiday alive it became necessary to associate the Shavuot holiday with an historical event. The event chosen was the Revelation because it occurred about the same time of the year that the agricultural festival of Shavuot was celebrated.” [The Jewish Book of Why pages 211-214, 1981 edition].

Perhaps the season of Shauvot is the reason to celebrate and we should not get caught up with being “accurate”. The date is deliberately vague in the Scriptures, and perhaps that is good with our God. The rabbis determined that the dates of the Biblical holidays may not be observed on time in the diaspora, and recommended that those outside of Israel celebrate for more than one day.  Perhaps we, in the dispersion, could consider both Jewish views for the observance of Shavuot.  One would align us with the Pharisees determination, upheld by the rabbis of the nation of Israel, for the Sabbath of Shavuot. The other count, beginning on the first day of the week, would keep us in line with the Sadducees decision of the first century, which was the timing of events that took place at the resurrection  and ascension of Messiah. Maybe it is not an either/or choice. Maybe both choices are worthy of keeping for their own unique reasons.

Scripture tells us, to keep the annual Sabbaths during their times and seasons. If your local congregation has proclaimed a day set aside for rejoicing and gathering together, it would be good to join with them, whatever day they have determined is best. Being in one accord with the local body takes precedence over being “correct”. It is never “right” to avoid assembling  with the local fellowship, we are in community with. Especially, it is not “correct” to elevate ourselves over the rest of the congregation, because we prefer our private interpretation of Scripture over that of the  shepherds who have gathered the flock.

Torah tells us, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.  These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons” (Lev. 23:2-4). Each local assembly should proclaim they days they are setting aside to celebrate the feast of the LORD, so that everyone can gather in one accord.

It is good to join in unity with our local congregations.  Being in one accord is the reason for the Shavuot season. Joining together for feasting, study, prayer, and worship is what the first century Believers did, and God blessed them with the outpouring of the Ruach/Holy Spirit. Bickering over who is more accurate, or what calender to follow , is not what Firstfruits is about. It is not the Feast of Bickering , but  the Feast of HaBikkurim, a holiday of gathering the sheaves, not scattering them.  Abba wants His children to come together with  an attitude of Hine MaTov. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!   It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard…for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Ps. 133:1-3).

If we want the oil of the Ruach to flow, we need to come together in one place. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.   And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting”(Acts 2:1-2).

May this Shavuot season fill you with the power of the Ruach as you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. May His mercy surround you during the counting of the omer as we anticipate the days ahead. 

Firstfruits and the Resurrection of Messiah Yeshua

Firstfruits and the Resurrection of Messiah Yeshua

by | Apr 19, 2014 | #Firstfruits, Uncategorized

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The Firstfruits of the resurrection is a term that the New Testament gives to define the Messiah. Firstfruits is not a Sabbath, but it is a Biblical holy day that commemorates the greatest defeat of the enemy of our God. When death was given its final blow, and life was restored by the blood of the Lamb. Anciently, this day was celebrated as an agricultural festival of the first harvest of barley. It is a fully loaded holiday on many levels. When Messiah said He did not come to abolish the Torah of Moses, but to make it full, Firstfruits is ripe with fullness for both the Jew and non-Jew in Messiah Yeshua.  It is a holy day that can be determined by Scripture, by two differing dates on the Biblical calendar.

Our local congregation has aligned itself with the Jewish calendar, to create unity, for both the Jew and the non-Jew, in honoring the Feasts of the LORD. Therefore, we are in one accord with the Jewish people, and the nation of Israel, for all the Biblical holidays, with an exception of two days. These two are the Feast of Firstfruits, and therefore, the celebration of Shavuot, which is a 50 day count from Firstfruits. There are two opinions on this topic, based on the interpretation of Scripture, one originating with the Sadducees, and one with the Pharisees. The diverse opinions creates differing days of celebrating the holidays.

Each year, we pray and seek how best to celebrate the Feast of First Fruits, in a way that is honoring to Messiah Yeshua. As a result, Abba has revealed some things that confirm the reasons to continue celebrating Firstfruits as the day after the weekly Sabbath, rather than the annual Sabbath for Unleavened Bread. One of them is rather humorous because of its irony.

In the year that Yeshua suffered to redeem us from the bondage of sin, the days on the Biblical calendar aligned so that Passover was on a Wednesday, and the annual Sabbath of Unleavened Bread was on a Thursday. There was a discrepancy in the first century, and even today, as to which Sabbath the Scriptures refer to about the observance of Firstfruits. Here are the words from Torah about these Spring Feasts:

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits [of barley] of your harvest unto the priest:  And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.  And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf a he lamb without blemish of the first year…it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.  And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering [Firstfruits of the barley]; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days [until Shavuot/Pentecost]…”(Lev. 23:10-16).

If we used today’s modern Jewish reckoning, from the perspective of the Pharisees, Firstfruits would always occur on the 16th day of Aviv, and there would be no need to count the days. Shavuot/Pentecost would always occur on Sivan 6. This calendar determination causes one to lose the picture of Messiah Yeshua being buried in the tomb for three full three days and nights, with His resurrection at that end of the weekly Sabbath. Counting from the 14th of Aviv to the 16th day, doesn’t reveal the sign of Jonah. Messiah Yeshua told us, as recorded in all three synoptic Gospels, “…An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matt. 12:39-40).

The ancient Sadducees reckoned the day for Firstfruits as the day after the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) and therefore, the Biblical holidays for Firstfruits and Shavuot would always occur on Sunday. This aligns with the Biblical calendar in the year 30 A.D. when Messiah was crucified (see: www.rosetacalendar.com). This calendar reckoning of the days allows for the sign of Jonah to be fulfilled. Messiah was crucified on Passover, Aviv 14, a Wednesday. The annual Sabbath of Unleavened Bread followed on Thursday. Counting the three days and nights, the 15th (Thursday), 16th (Friday), and 17th (Saturday) of Aviv, brings us to the end of the Sabbath day. These three days fulfill the sign of Jonah with the resurrection occurring at the end of the weekly Sabbath, at the eve of the first day of the week, at the exact time the Sadducee temple priests were harvesting the first fruits of barley. This would have made Aviv 18th the day of Firstfruits in the year of Messiah’s passion.

Messiah's Last Passover - square

This where the understanding of these events takes a ironic turn. The Sadducees, while they were right in their reckoning of the day of Firstfruits, by beginning the count on the day after the weekly Sabbath, they missed the entire significance of the day. The Biblical holiday of Firstfruits is about the Resurrection of the Messiah. The Sadducees, in opposition to the Pharisees, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead! ( Matt. 22:23). To make matters worse, the Pharisees, who did believe in the resurrection, determined a calculation of days, that actually deny the three days and nights, of the sign of Jonah. What an irony!  The Jewish religious leaders did not comprehend the meaning of Firstfruits in the resurrection of the  One, who is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE in the days they lived.

With the Sadducee’s interpretation of Firstfruits, we find that Messiah Yeshua was raised from the dead on the first day of the week, on the 18th day of Aviv. In Hebraic thinking, the number 18 is the number for LIFE! The Hebrew word for life is chai, formed from the letters from the Hebrew Alef Bet, of Chet and and a Yod. The numeric value of Chet is eight, and the value of Yod is ten. Therefore, the First Fruits of the Resurrection occurred on the exact day that would indicate LIFE, resurrection LIFE!

Chayah (Chet, Yod, Hey) is the Hebrew word for REVIVE, a demonstration of  the resurrected power, the LIFE of God. Chayah’s word picture means to behold the resurrection. The Hallel Psalm that is sung for Passover includes these verses: “The voice of rejoicing and salvation [Yeshuah] is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD [Yahweh] does valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.  I shall not die, but live [chayah], and declare the works of the LORD (Psalm 118:15-17).

The New Covenant Scriptures confirm what was written in the First Covenant Scriptures about the Feast of Firstfruits. “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. (Corinthians 15:16-23)

Just as Messiah Yeshua was resurrected to LIFE on the 18th day as the Firstfruits of the Resurrection, we can anticipate the future resurrection of the righteous when He returns to gather up His bride. For we shall not die, but LIVE forever with Him.

LaChayim! To LIFE!

Chag Sameach! Joyous Feast of Firstfruits to you all!

The Greater Exodus – Our Future Deliverance – Part 2

The Greater Exodus – Our Future Deliverance – Part 2

by | Apr 12, 2014 | #passover, Uncategorized

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The exodus from Egypt is a prophecy for Believers today. During the last days, before Messiah returns, deception will be on the rise. We need to be aware of the Enemy’s ability to manipulate through his counterfeit movements. To see this deception in action, and to see the awesome power of our God, let us recall the miraculous events in each of the plagues against Egypt.

The First Plague – Blood

“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, ‘Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.’ And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded…” (Exo. 7:19-20)

This first plague went throughout all of Egypt; even the Hebrew slaves suffered this hardship. In response, the magicians in Pharaoh’s court attempted to duplicate Yahweh’s power, and because they brought forth the same miracle, Pharaoh’s heart grew hard. He would not heed the authority of Moses and Aaron.

We find parallels of such hard-heartedness in our world today. Messiah told us that in the last days, people will, “…be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matt. 24:10-12) Those who do not soften at the Word will find themselves hardened by it. If we do not keep God’s commandments, and love one another, our hearts will harden. The same Word of God will produce different results, in different kinds of people. A soft heart will melt like wax when exposed to the heat of the Word.  A hard heart will dry out like clay, when exposed to the same heat. The Word of God is a discerner of our thoughts and the purposes of our hearts. When things heat up, and the pressure is on, the truth comes forth.

The Second Plague – Frogs

“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, ‘Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.’ And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.” (Exo. 8:5-7).

Once again the Egyptian magicians were able to produce a similar wonder. Because of the blindness of our humanity, darkness and light can sometimes seem indistinguishable to our natural minds. Therefore, we must have the discernment from Yahweh. If it may be possible for the very elect to be deceived, then the deceit must be shrouded to appear as truth. The Apostle Paul warned of this counterfeit in his writings to the Corinthians. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:14-15)

Paul also warned of this end times deception in Second Thessalonians, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…” These powerful signs and lying wonders are real, but the source of the power is from Satan with the expressed purpose of deceiving. Why is the human lust for power so strong that some will open themselves up to deception? Why are people seduced into following false prophets? Second Thessalonians continues with the answer, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”(2 Thes. 2:8-12)

We need to meditate on the eternal consequences of these verses. Love is the answer. The love of the truth is our only defense against both the delusion and the deception of the last days. Do not let your love grow cold. If we do things contrary to the Word, or if we do not love the truth above all else, we will find ourselves open to lying and deluding spirits (see 1 Kings 22:22-23).

What is truth?

When Messiah Yeshua was brought before the authority of Rome, Pilate asked Him, “’Art  thou a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘Thou say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause  I came into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.’ Pilate said unto Him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:37-38) The very Word of God, manifested in the flesh, stood before Pilate, and he was so blind, that he could not see. Yeshua came to bear witness to the truth. According to Scripture, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [Torah] is the truth.” (Psalm 119:142) The widow of Zarephath, also testified about the truth. After the resurrection of her son, she knew that the word in the Prophet Elijah’s mouth was truth. “And the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.’” (1 Kings 17:24)

When Yeshua came to bear witness to the truth, He came to uphold the Torah and the Prophets. In His transfiguration on the mountain, Moses and Elijah, representing Torah and the Prophets, stood with Messiah. Everyone who hears Yeshua’s voice should be in agreement with the truth of Torah and the Prophets. If anyone speaks against the eternal truths of Torah and the Biblical Prophets, we are not to listen to them. Even if the seemingly “anointed” teacher manifests both signs and wonders, we must be wary of the intent of his words. “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples….To the law and the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:16-20)

Deluded teachers say and do things that oppose the Word; they speak against the Torah and the Prophets. They claim that:  “the Law is done away with” or “the Torah is only for the Jews”. False leaders and teachers prophesy things that are contrary to what is written in Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc. Yet the New Covenant Scriptures state,“…the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1 Cor. 14:3) To be subject to the Biblical prophets is not something taught in most seminaries today. The prophets we embrace should be in agreement with the Prophets of Ancient Israel. We need to be a people who are working toward “…the restoration of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began.” We are told in Acts 3:21, that Yeshua will not return until the words of the Prophets are fulfilled. If you desire His Kingdom to come and His will to be done, then seek out what Moses (Torah) and Elijah (The Prophets) have to say to our generation.

What is the purpose of the Prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures? They are crying out for Israel and Judah to repent and return to the Holy One of Israel, to remember His Covenant, based in Torah. They also foretold of the reason why God would need to initiate the New Covenant and how Messiah Yeshua will restore the Kingdom to Israel. If you hear a prophet who utters something that is incongruent with prophets of Scripture, it is because that prophet is not subject to the Biblical Prophets and is, consequently, missing the aim of Torah.

The Third Plague – Lice

The LORD said, “’Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all of the land of Egypt.’ And they did so…And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not…Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God’: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened…” (Exo. 8:16-19) After this third plague, Yahweh makes a distinction between His power and the power of the Satan. The magicians can no longer compete. Even still, Pharaoh refused to listen because he was deluded into thinking that he was a god. Pharaoh’s pride was preceding his fall. To avoid this same calamity we are instructed in Scripture to do what the LORD requires of us, “to do justly… love mercy, and to walk humbly” with our God (Micah 6:8). Walking humbly, in the fear of the LORD, will convert our souls and save us from the wrath that is to come. Because we serve a just God, justice will come forth through His judgments upon the earth. For those who have His Torah written on their heart, there is nothing of this world to fear. The only positive fear is the fear of the LORD. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” (Psa. 19:7-9)

The Fourth Plague – Flies

This plague was against Egypt and Egypt alone. Prior to this plague, no distinction was made between the Hebrews and the Egyptians. The first three plagues were as difficult for the Hebrew slaves as for their Egyptian masters. However, with the announcement of the fourth plague, the LORD said, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou wilt no let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee…And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there…And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be.” (Exo. 8:20-23)

As the plagues became more sever, a distinction began to show between who followed the God of Israel and who did not. This demonstrates that Believers can have, and will suffer trials and tribulations. They can suffer the same as those of the world, as the LORD brings forth His judgments on the earth, but it only lasts for a season. Ultimately, Yahweh makes a distinction between those who do, and those who do not, belong to Him. Messiah Yeshua also referred to this distinction. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:20-23)

As we celebrate Passover each year, we remember the wonderful truth that our God is going to deliver us.  In the Lord’s Prayer, the Greek word translated “deliver” means to draw to one’s self, to rescue. So when we pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”, we are asking the Lord to rescue us by drawing us to Himself so that evil is not allowed to come near where we dwell. When we do suffer trials in this life, we can draw near to Him and let Him keep us in the shadow of His wings. We hide and abide in His tallit (prayer shawl) of love. “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” (Ps. 119:114)

The fourth plague upon Egypt begins the last seven plagues. In the book of Revelation, the last seven plagues are where the wrath of God is poured out. “I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” (Rev. 15:1) The Elect may go through a season of judgment and tribulation, but they are not appointed to suffer God’s wrath. In the end times, there will be a distinction between Believers in Messiah and those of the world. This distinction is foreshadowed in the Torah by what happened to Israel when they came out of bondage in Egypt.

This Passover season, remember that our deliverance is complete in Messiah Yeshua. No matter what we have to endure, it is only for a season. Yeshua is the reason for our Passover Deliverance and He will lead us into the Greater Exodus to come that will overshadow the days of Moses.

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. (Jer. 23:7)

The Greater Exodus – Our Future Deliverance – Part 1

The Greater Exodus – Our Future Deliverance – Part 1

by | Mar 30, 2014 | Uncategorized

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It was with great with great signs and wonders, that Avinu Malkeinu (our Father and King) delivered the Hebrews, from slavery, in the land of Egypt. The awesomeness of that ancient event is still remembered each spring as Believers sit together to celebrate the Passover Seder meal. Interestingly, according to Scripture, there will soon be a greater exodus, with such a vast deliverance for the Chosen of the LORD, that it will overshadow the Egyptian exodus. This future event will be so momentous, that the former, will not be mentioned anymore. The prophet Jeremiah foretells of this day. “Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD lives [Yahweh Chai], which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The LORD lives, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jer. 23:7-8)

When we look to the Torah concerning these things, much is revealed about the prophetic events that are soon to unfold. This spring, as we observe Passover, we will look back into history at the faithfulness of Yahweh Almighty to deliver His people from bondage. We also will celebrate as a rehearsal for the prophetic Kingdom when the righteous Branch of David, Messiah Yeshua, will gather us back to the Promised Land where He will reign upon the earth as our King.

In the exodus from Egypt we find, “…the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders.” (Deut. 26:8) In this passage, the Hebrew word for “signs” stands for signals, or distinguishing marks. This year many Believers are having their attention drawn to signs in the heavens. God is revealing these signals in the heavens for the purpose of getting our attention back on His calendar, His timing, and His feasts. The Hebrew word for “wonders” means a miraculous display of God’s power, or tokens of a future event. Therefore, based on this understanding, of the first exodus, we should expect signs and wonders to happen among us in the greater exodus to come.

The purpose of the LORD’s signs and wonders, is to establish His Word and authority, to His Chosen people. “And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.” (Exo. 4:30-31) True signs and wonders from Yahweh Almighty cause people to bow down in reverence, not fall back in disbelief. To kneel and bow down is an act of voluntary submission to Him.

Next the LORD used signs and wonders to display His power before Pharaoh, but Pharaoh refused to believe in God’s Word. “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shall speak all that I command thee…And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt…Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments,” (Exo. 7:1-4) The Holy One’s purpose in displaying His power was for the Egyptians to have the opportunity to “…know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” (Exo. 7:5) Signs and wonders, even when they are used as judgments upon people, can be part of the Father’s mercy toward unbelievers. It was through His signs and wonders that many Egyptians came to believe in His Word.  (More about this in Part Two with the upcoming discussion of the plagues).

It is essential that we realize in that the deceiving forces of darkness can also imitate the signs and wonders of God, but only to some extent. “And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.  For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods,” (Exo. 7:10-12)

This passage reveals that not all supernatural signs and wonders are from the Holy One of Israel. There are supposed “wise men” that imitate Yahweh’s miracles with enchantments or magic. This is why Yeshua give us many end time warnings in Matt. chapter 24. When His disciples questioned Him about what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the world, He answered, “Take heed that no man deceives you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, [ie. “I am anointed”]; and shall deceive many…and many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many…Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is the Christ [“the anointed man of God”], or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs [anointed ones], and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold I have told you before.”

Many of the distinguishing marks of the true Believer hinge on the little word “If”:

“If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

“To the law [Torah] and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Is. 8:20).

To discern a prophet’s intent, according to the Word, include their view of Torah. Do not be deceived according to the signs and wonders they are able to display. True prophets of God return God’s people to His covenant. The signs of the Covenant are the truths that don’t make you wonder. In the last days there will be many supernatural miracles occurring. Some of these will occur at the Word of God, while others will come from false prophets. The events of the future will parallel what took place in ancient Egypt. At the beginning of the deliverance from Egyptian slavery, it must have been confusing to see both spiritual camps at work, one produced true signs and wonders, while the other produced imitations.

As we look at the plagues that took place in Egypt, we will see when the limits of deception meet their match. The magicians in Pharaoh’s court were able to demonstrate their limited power, but it was only for a season. During the fourth plague, we will see how Yahweh makes a distinction between who are His people, and who are not.

Click here for Part Two 

Firstfruits and the Women Who First Preached the Good News

Firstfruits and the Women Who First Preached the Good News

by | Mar 28, 2014 | #Firstfruits, #passover, Sabbath, Uncategorized

The Women that Followed Messiah from Galilee

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In the beginning of Messiah Yeshua’s ministry, along with the Twelve Apostles, there was a group of women that followed Him from Galilee. We read about them in the gospels, but perhaps we have not paid attention to them before.

And it came about soon afterwards, that He [Yeshua/Jesus] began going about…proclaiming and preaching the Kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him, and also some women…Mary who was called Magdalene…Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means. (Luke 8:1-3)

These women were the first-hand witnesses of the Gospel of Messiah. They saw His crucifixion on the Day of Passover, they observed where He was buried for three days and nights during  Unleavened Bread, and they confirmed His resurrection on the day after the weekly Sabbath on the Biblical holiday of Firstfruits.  The Scriptures confirm this beginning with Matt. 27.

Now the centurion…saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened, and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’  And many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Yeshua [Jesus] from Galilee…among whom was Mary Magdalene, along with Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. (Matt. 27:54-56)

After Yeshua’s death, these female disciples watched and remained with the body of Messiah, as they waited for His burial. They were attentive to ministering to the needs of Yeshua’s body.

And when it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Yeshua. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body…And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb…and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave. (Matt. 27:57-61)

…the day was the preparation, and the Sabbath [annual Sabbath of Unleavened Bread] drew on. And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how His body was laid. They returned, prepared spices and ointments, and rested the Sabbath day [the first day of Unleavened Bread] according to the commandment. (Luke 23:54-56)

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (Mark 16:1)

The book of John (20:1) states that, “it was yet dark” when Mary Magdalene came to the tomb . The Greek text indicates the hour was between 3:00-6:00 am. The book of Matthew states, “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.” (Matt. 28:1)  In Hebraic reckoning the new day begins, just as the sun sets on the previous day. Therefore, during the dark hours, of the first day of the week, on the Biblical holiday of Firstfruits, Messiah was raised from the dead.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, “Fear not: for I know that you seek Yeshua, which was crucified.  He is not here: for He is risen, as He said…And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead”…And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. (Matt. 28:2-8)

When the women arrived at the tomb, they discovered that the stone had been rolled away. The resurrection of Messiah had already occurred before the first light of day. The only people present at the time were the soldiers keeping watch, and they did not witness the resurrection, because they had passed out in fear at the sight of the angelic visitation. When they recovered from their dread, they must have run from the scene in stark terror.

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This is a good time to interject something. Today, some skeptics state that Christianity is ancient Mithraism revisited. To some degree they have a point, because modern Christianity has strayed away from the Biblical Jewish or Hebraic roots of the faith. There are traditions and customs, adopted in the fourth century, that many unknowing Christians still keep, that have their origins in Mithraism. The worship of Mithra was a mystery religion of Roman soldiers, sailors, and merchants; one that only men participated in. If one wanted to create evidence for the cult of Mithra in the resurrection story, men should have arrived at the tomb first. The detailed Biblical information of women being present to witnesses of the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Messiah, throws out the Mithraism speculation all together. As Christians and Jews are replacing the traditions of man in their lives, with the instructions of Scripture, we should also take another look at the believing women in the first century. What role should women play, as commanded by the angels and Yeshua, in the preaching of the Good News?

The word angel, in both Hebrew and Greek, means a messenger. The message given by the angels to the women was:

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words, and returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene,and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. (Luke 24:5-12)

While Peter and John ran to the tomb, seeking evidence of the women’s words, they did not believe. They left the scene, and only one woman remained to try to understand what was happening.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. (John 20:9-10)

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But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping…and looked into the sepulcher, and seeing two angels…And they said unto her, “Woman, why do you weep?” She said unto them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Yeshua  standing…(John 20:13)

Mary thought He was a gardener and it wasn’t until Yeshua called her by name, that she recognized Him and called Him Master.

 Yeshua said unto her, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her. (John 20:11-18)

Important to note here is something new is being revealed about the New Covenant in Messiah. Yeshua could have chosen to first reveal Himself after His resurrection to Peter and John.  After the group of women revealed the good news of the empty tomb to the Apostles, both men ran to the tomb. The reason Yeshua did not first reveal Himself to the males is part of the restoration of all things. Yeshua deliberately waited until Mary Magdalene was alone to reveal the new order of life in the Kingdom. Messiah’s first word spoken after His resurrection was, “Woman”, to enlighten us all that the curses and its associated punishments of the first Adam was over. The Seed of the Woman has overcome through the blood of Messiah Yeshua!  “Woman” it is now time for you to become a preacher of the Good News! The shocking revelation that a woman was the first to experience  the New Covenant shocked the Apostles so much that they could not fathom it.

And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.  Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them, which had seen Him, after He was risen. And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:10-15)

Messiah rebuked the Eleven Apostles for unbelief and a hard heart because they would not receive the Good News delivered to them, by the female image bearers. They first thought the women were speaking nonsense, and did not believe in the revelation of the Word they shared. The angels gave the women a message to preach, a message to share with the Apostles, but they did not receive it.  Messiah Yeshua, Himself, gave Mary Magdalene the additional instruction to enlighten the brethren with the glorious hope, that He ascended. She had witnessed the resurrected Messiah, still they did not believe. Then two men shared the Good News of their road to Emmaus experience. Still, they did not believe until they saw Yeshua with their own eyes.

At the end of the day of Firstfruits, Yeshua entered into the disciples’ presence with a rebuke, but also offered  a word of encouragement.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Yeshua and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Yeshua to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. (John 20:19-22)

The women, who traveled with Messiah from the beginning of His ministry in Galilee, were included in these disciples of Yeshua. One reason we can deduce this, is they knew where the hiding place was. Mary Magdalene traveled there at least two different times on the day of Firstfruits; first with a message from the angels and then again later following  Yeshua’s instructions. Interesting to note, the women were not hiding in fear, like their male counterparts. Instead, they were seeking the LORD, by drawing near to the body of Messiah. Their seeking lead to them being used as apostles to the Apostles.

The book of Acts gives us more details, about the women, who followed Yeshua from Galilee.

Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: To whom also He showed himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [men and women] forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of me.  (Acts 1:2-4)

And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them, in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men [people] of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Yeshua, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner, as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women… ( Acts 1:9-14)

The women, who followed Messiah from Galilee, were given the authority to preach, inform, and share the revelation of the Gospel, even to the male Apostles, by both angels and Messiah Himself. Perhaps we should reconsider the verse, “For this cause ought the woman to have power [authority] on her head because of the angels” (1 Cor. 11;10). Since Messiah Yeshua, along with the angels, confirmed the intent of the prophet Joel (vs. 2:28 and Acts 2:17-21) at His Firstfruits resurrection, we should also give  the liberty and authority to His Spirit-led women to preach and teach, in both our congregations and our communities of faith.

May we all soften our hearts to the kindness of our Savior toward His women, and be of one accord, until He returns.