UPDATE ON THE BLOOD MOONS
 



The evening of August 27^th, 2014 began the month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar. The month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Tradition teaches that the month of Elul is a particularly propitious time for repentance. This mood of repentance builds through the month of Elul to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur.
The name of the month (spelled Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, where the Beloved is G-d and the "I" is the Jewish people/church. In Aramaic (the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word "Elul" means "search," which is appropriate, because this is a time of year when we search our hearts.

During the month of Elul, from the second day of Elul to the 28th day, the shofar (a hollowed out ram's horn) is blown after morning services every weekday. See Rosh Hashanah for more information about the shofar and its characteristic blasts. The shofar is not blown on Shabbat. It is also not blown on the day before Rosh Hashanah to make a clear distinction between the rabbinical rule of blowing the shofar in Elul and the biblical mitzvah to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Four blasts are blown: tekiah, shevarim-teruah, tekiah. The MIDI file on the Rosh Hashanah page emulates this combination of blasts. Rambam explained the custom of blowing shofar as a wake-up call to sleepers, designed to rouse us from our complacency. It is a call to repentance. The blast of the shofar is a very piercing sound when done properly.

Prophetically the blast of the shofar during this period of the blood moons is an extra strong warning to the nations and God's people who are asleep.

 

THE MEANING OF THE MONTH OF ELUL 

This is the month believers are to allow the Lord to show them areas of their life which need to be changed or repented of. In the book of Revelation we see vials and bowls of judgment poured out upon the earth. Time after time in Revelation it says, “and men repented not of their sins.” God desires a heart of repentance or turning from our ways toward His ways. In Revelation, as God is pouring out judgments in the earth, men refuse to repent.

This leads into the second meaning of the month of Elul. This is a month of the blowing of the warning trumpets. The book of Revelation is a book of warning. The sound of trumpets blowing a warning is seen throughout the book of Revelation. The warning trumpets in Elul are preparation for the Feast of Trumpets which comes on the 1^st day of the month of Tishri (Sept 25th this year).

The Feast of Trumpets represents the final warning to unrepentant man in the book of Revelation. God desires man repent and be saved. It breaks His heart to have to pour out His wrath--but God demands justice and righteousness. That is why He sent Yeshua to die for our sins to save us from His judgment.

The warning trumpets of Elul warn us of the coming final trumpet at Yeshua's return. Ten days after the Feast of Trumpets is the Day of Atonement on the 10^th of Tishri (Oct 4th this year). In the book of Revelation the Day of Atonement is represented by the Lord returning with His army in Revelation 19.11-21. Those who have refused to repent will now experience the wrath of God. Matt 13.24-30 Wheat and Tares.

Just as the blowing of the shofar is a warning of the tribulation to come the blood moons are a warning of prophetic events to come. The month of Elul is a month of warning and preparation for turbulent times to come. The second blood moon will appear on the evening of October 8th, 2014 which is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles (sukkot).

 

BLOOD MOONS



Since the first blood moon in April 2014 we have seen an increase in violence in the Middle East. ISIS has over run Iraq and portions of Syria in the months since the first blood moon. Christians in these areas are under intense persecution. Then the three teenage Israeli boys were kidnapped which set off the clash between Hamas in Gaza and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

In ancient Israel a blood moon was a portend of war. This portend has been fulfilled since the April blood moon. It is important we pray for Israel and persecuted Christians during this violent period. We should also pray for the Palestinian people who are being manipulated by their leaders. Rather than improve the lot of the people, the leadership fosters hatred towards Israel, and spends monetary aid on weapons and building of tunnels. Only the cross of Yeshua can bring peace to this troubled area of the world. The unrest between Israel and the Arab world is in fact a family feud.

FAMILY FEUD

Ishmael and Isaac are both of the seed of Abraham. Ishmael had twelve sons and received promised blessings from the Lord (Gen 17.19-21). Isaac was the father of Jacob who had twelve sons which became the nation of Israel. Isaac was the son of promise and was given a small portion of the land of Canaan. Ishmael and his twelve sons were blessed with vast land holdings in the Middle East which today are rich with oil.

In our day, Ishmael refuses to accept God’s promise to bless the sons of Jacob, nor accept the fact that Israel has been given their small inheritance of land by the will, covenant, and promise of God. This family feud will intensify in violence as we near the end of this present age. When Yeshua returns at the end of the age the family feud will end in peace--but not until severe judgment has been meted out at Yeshua’s second coming.

Yeshua came the first time as a suffering servant for mankind's salvation. At His second advent he is coming as the conquering King who will punish the wicked of this world. There will be no mercy at this time except for those who belong to Him. At that time all Israel will turn to Yeshua and be saved as Paul says in Romans 11.26.

Jerusalem will be the future seat of world government. Israel and the Moslem world will finally live in peace when Yeshua establishes the law from Jerusalem. Each nation will be judged on how they have acted towards the Jewish people at this time. Yeshua is KING OF THE JEWS!

"For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2.3b).

 

 HEED THE WARING SHOFAR BLAST

The evening of October 8^th, 2014, the evening prior to the Feast of Tabernacles, is the date of the second of the four blood moons. Two important dates prior to this are Sept 25^th , the Feast of Trumpets, and October 4th, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. See posts on this blog from Feb 8 thru 10, 2014 for the prophetic meaning of these feasts.

The three fall feasts are prophetic explanations and dress rehearsal reminders of the coming end of the age. The blood moons are warnings to the nations and portend increased unrest and warfare in the Middle East and the Holy Land. As we enter into the fall of 2014 we will see increased violence in the Middle East as ISIS continues to attempt to establish a Caliphate that will encompass the entire middle east.

We will also see financial unrest again on the continent of Europe as the EU struggles to unify geographically and monetarily. Expect to see unrest in France and Spain as their financial systems begin to crumple under the weight of their increasing debt. Britain will fall further away from the EU and eventually disengage from it altogether. Prophecy indicates Britain will refuse to be a part of the European Union.

Here in the United States we will see Obama give millions of illegal immigrants amnesty (soon to be announced) and our government will continue to spend like a drunken sailor. The cost of goods and services will continue to rise and we will see more unrest on our city streets. The stress on our economy will continue and may lead to a collapse of the dollar within 18 months from this coming October 4th blood moon.

CURRENCY WAR

Already the nations in the east are waging a currency war against the United States and the U.S. Dollar will soon be replaced as the World's Reserve Currency. This may occur in the next 18 months. The final blood moon will occur in 12 months on September 18, 2015 on the first day of Sukkot.
This will be a critical day to watch and pray about. Many religious leaders and secular economists have targeted the fall of 2015 as a significant time of change in the current economic world order.

Russia, China, India, and Iran are already trading in their own currencies. They are plotting to avoid use of the U.S. Dollar as soon as they can set up the trading platforms and trade clearance mechanisms. Germany and many of the EU countries will then abandon the use of the dollar in trade with these countries. The dollar will collapse and be devalued at this time causing economic chaos in the United States. I believe the blood moons are pointing towards this momentous event.

Even the New York Times in this mild article is calling for the end of dollar dominance in world trade! http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/28/opinion/dethrone-king-dollar.html?_r=1

FOCUS OUR PRAYERS

Pray that a severe terrorist attack does not happen in America or Europe. Pray for wisdom and physical, mental, and spiritual readiness. God is shaking the nations like never before. When the new world trading currency replaces the dollar America will become isolated on the world scene. She will no longer be the world's superpower. This will make the world a very dangerous place and Israel will have to turn toward the European Union and Germany in particular for protection.

Our policy of open and uncontrolled borders is allowing terrorists to freely enter the U.S. and form terror cells. Our fervent prayers are needed to avoid an attack on a major U.S. city. Pray that America will experience a spiritual awakening and that many will turn back to the Lord.

These blood moons are a warning to America and the nations. The nations are not listening. If we are hearing the voice of the Lord then we can be prepared to speak the word of the Lord to the nations. Now is the time to prepare yourself. This is the warning of the blood moons to God’s people.

Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. It begins in our hearts! Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! The warning shofar is blowing!

Part Four - The First Epistle of John

The first epistle of John is an exhortation to love God, our brothers, and Torah. John understood that the spirit of the law rested on the law of love. He explains to us that sin is transgression of God's law. He points out that learning to love one another is a process that is a witness to the world. John understood the Torah and that lawlessness was Torahlessness. This epistle is a great discourse on how God's people are to be obedient to God and His Torah.


The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error - 1 John 3.24-4.1-6
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

This is so important. John says it again, “He who keeps His commandments/Torah abides in Him.” This entire epistle is about this simple issue. Obey His commands and our life is blessed.

The false spirit denies that Jesus was divine and came in the flesh. Jesus was the living Torah. He came to fulfill the Torah. He showed us how to walk in and obey the Father’s laws. Jesus did not break any of the Ten Commandments. The spirit of antichrist denies all this.

The world is only interested in man’s achievements. The world has no interest in the things of God our Father. The world is lawless. The world lusts after each others resources, they go to war over these things, they steal, cheat, and lie. The world is lawless. God’s people are a nation that obeys His royal law. That royal law begins with true love. If you love your brother you will not break the ten commands. Period!

　

Knowing God Through Love - 1 John 4.7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

John understands that the law of love is the root of obedience towards God. If we are not growing in learning how to love one another we do not really know God. This is a learning process. This is not PC love but real love. The kind of love that sometimes must discipline and chastise.
We learn this as we come together as a community and begin to “bump into” each other in the course of our daily lives. We learn to bear with one another and to forgive one another. It is a process. God is patient. As we learn we will become a light unto the world. It will make the world very uncomfortable and they will strike out at us. That is why God sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins. John really gets it.

　

Seeing God Through Love - 1 John 4.12-16
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

If we love one another it is proof that God is abiding in us--because we are bearing with one another and learning to love and get along. This process takes time and commitment on our part. God has given us His spirit to help us. John has seen the Lord. He knows Yeshua is the savior of the world. We are learning to live by “the spirit of the law” which is rooted in love for one another.

　

The Consummation of Love - 1 John 4.17-19
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

We can be confident in the day of judgment because we have striven to love each other. Love will cast out fear and we will find ourselves being transformed into His image. This is God’s family. God is reproducing Himself in and through us! God cannot do that in a gay marriage. He cannot reproduce Himself in that kind of union. The union is between a man and a woman--a type of Christ and His bride. Family is reproduced through union of man and woman. That is God’s law. We love God because He first loved us. He is making us perfect in love as we learn to love His commands.

　

Obedience by Faith - 1 John 4.20-5.5
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Again and again John repeats that he who loves God keeps His commandment/Torah. God is teaching us to become a loving family. He is reproducing Himself through those who love Him. This is a testimony to the world. This brings glory to God the Father. He is recreating Himself in His own image--the God Family! God’s royal law overcomes the world and is preparing His people for life in the MK (Millennial Kingdom).

We need to catch God’s vision of the world of tomorrow--the MK. The world is going to be taught God’s law and Jesus is going to rule with a rod of iron--our Bible tells us so. Catch this vision of the world to come. We are going to rule and reign in this coming kingdom--if we obey now! His book of Revelation is all about this.

　

The Certainty of God’s Witness - 1 John 5.6-13
This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

John now points out one of God’s laws concerning witnesses by using the example of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 18.16, Deut 19.15-19). This is a staple of God’s law. Nothing can be established without two or three witnesses.

God has given us eternal life through His Son Yeshua. John says we continue to believe in the Son of God and that we will have eternal life. We will be resurrected into that eternal life and begin with the thousand year MK that will teach the nations God’s Royal Law.

　

Confidence and Compassion in Prayer - 1 John 5.14-17
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

If we are abiding in God we will be asking according to God’s will. Then He will hear us. It may take us some time to grow into abiding--but once we learn, our prayers will be answered because we will know the will of God the Father when we ask. In the MK God will answer our prayers before we ask (Isaiah 65.24)!

The sin leading to death is unpardonable--accusing the works of God as being from Satan. When Jesus was accused by the Sadducees and Pharisees of doing His works through the power of Beelzebub He told them that was unpardonable (Matt 12.22-31).

　

Knowing the True—Rejecting the False - 1 John 5.18-21
We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

John tells us if we are born of God we are not practicing sin--we keep ourselves and resist the devil. The world is under the sway of the prince of the power of the air--Satan--but we should be abiding in God. Meditate on God’s Word/Torah and you will know God and hear Him speak. Listen to the Word.

Finally, John exhorts us to keep ourselves from idols--any mixture, new age, etc. that would taint our walk.


Tomorrow: Update on the Blood Moons

Part Three - The First Epistle of John

The first epistle of John is an exhortation to love God, our brothers, and Torah. John understood that the spirit of the law rested on the law of love. He explains to us that sin is transgression of God's law. He points out that learning to love one another is a process that is a witness to the world. John understood the Torah and that lawlessness was Torahlessness. This epistle is a great discourse on how God's people are to be obedient to God and His Torah.


Sin and the Child of God - 1 John 3.4-9
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

John says lawlessness is sin! Torahlessness is sin. How can you practice righteousness if you are lawless. This is so simple. The laws of God are not grievous. Yeshua said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus also said, “I have not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill (establish) the law." This is how He destroyed the works of the devil. Jesus walked out the Torah and was sinless. He was showing us how we are to walk out God’s laws in the spirit.

Does looking at this in a Hebraic roots understanding help you to understand better? Do you see it. We are lawful people when we love God. We walk in His ways (Torah) and obey Him. This is not legalism. This is common sense. Jesus scolded the Sadducees and Pharisees for adding to the Torah. They were putting burdens on the people that God did not intend.
They were following traditions of men--changes they had made to the Torah in order to rule over the people. This is why they hated Jesus. He was tearing apart the false laws they had built around the Torah in order to protect their social positions and power. John was there--he saw it all!


The Imperative of Love - 1 John 3.1-15
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

John clearly defines the children of Hasatan--those who do not practice righteousness (obey God’s Torah/Commands) or love their brother. We are to love one another. Cain was jealous that God respected Abel’s blood sacrifice and told him to try again. If Cain had obeyed God and brought a blood sacrifice all would have been well. Instead he slew his brother in a jealous unrepentant rage. His works were evil and he would not repent.

If we refuse to love our brother, and this may take a serious change in our heart attitude, we abide in death. John understood God’s law. If we hate our brother we are breaking God’s law of love. Love covers a multitude of sins. We may have difficulty loving our brother--but God will teach us how if we ask for His guidance.

Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy. Our most powerful weapon is love of God toward our brother. This is what God’s Torah is based on. Without law there is death. The law was created to teach us how to live and this brings life--in the now and eternally. Law is life!


The Outworking of Love - 1 John 3.16-23By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

John has experienced the love of Yeshua. He saw the Lord lay down His life for him. John gives us a simple law to obey--to help those in need if we have the means. John tells us to keep our hearts open to our brother's needs. He exhorts us to follow through in deeds and truth. Once again, John exhorts us to “keep His commandments” and do those things pleasing in His sight. In other words obey the laws of God. This is not difficult if we love God! This is not legalism. It is simple obedience. The church is so hung up on this! “Trust and obey for there’s no other way!” says that old time hymn.


Tomorrow: Part Four

Part Two - The First Epistle of John

The first epistle of John is an exhortation to love God, our brothers, and Torah. John understood that the spirit of the law rested on the law of love. He explains to us that sin is transgression of God's law. He points out that learning to love one another is a process that is a witness to the world. John understood the Torah and that lawlessness was Torahlessness. This epistle is a great discourse on how God's people are to be obedient to God and His Torah.


Their Spiritual State - 1 John 2.12-14
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.
I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

Look at John’s love and patience! Look at how he builds up the believers. He is exhorting them to continue in the Word of God--the Torah. How do we know God? He reveals Himself in His Word. His written Word is the Torah and the rest of the Bible. God is teaching us His law.

When we are resurrected from the dead at the end of the age we will enter the Millennial Kingdom (MK). God’s kingdom has law. We are learning His law now in order to be able to teach the nations in the MK! John understands this. He is shortly going to write a book about what happens when mankind despises the laws of the Eternal One. It will be the Book of Revelation.

　

Do Not Love the World - 1 John 2.15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

John tells us to “not love the world.” He reported Jesus praying for them, “I do not pray that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in thy truth; thy word is the truth.” - the Gospel of John 17.15-17

We are in this world but are not to be in love with the things of this world. The lusts of flesh, eyes, and pride of life is the way Satan walks. That is not the way Yeshua walked--He laid down His life for us. How are we sanctified? By the Word of truth--Torah. God’s law is contrary to how the world walks. If we do not understand the Torah we cannot be sanctified. We are sanctified and set apart because we are a nation of laws!

That was what once made the United States of America a great nation. We were a nation of laws. Those laws protected the citizens and were honored by the citizens of the nation. We are now living in a nation that is becoming lawless. God’s laws are no longer respected. Abortion, gay marriage, and the culture of greed are replacing God’s commands. If you have no understanding of Torah you will not understand how to live in God’s kingdom.

　

Deceptions of the Last Hour - 1 John 1.18-23
Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

What is the spirit of Antichrist? It is a spirit of lawlessness! They went out from us. They were not of us because in their hearts they did not want to obey God. If you disobey God you are disobeying His Law! They are deceivers. They are denying that Jesus is the Messiah! If you despise God’s Torah you despise the Father and the Son!

The MK will establish Yeshua’s reign on earth! Those who walk in His ways and obey His commands will reign with Him! We will be kings and priests. We will be teaching the nations God’s Torah! Jesus is going to establish His kingdom and the “law will go forth from Zion!” Isaiah 2.3

What did the Son do? He obeyed His father! That is why He will sit on the throne in Zion and “the government will be upon His shoulders.” Isaiah 9.6-7

　

Let Truth Abide in You - 1 John 2.24-27
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

What did they hear in the beginning? The Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." We abide in the Word. If you do not read and meditate on God’s Word how can you know Him? How can you abide in Him?

You won’t need a man to teach you if you abide in the Word. He will teach you. You will come to understand what He desires of you--you will be transformed into a new creation man! John understands all this. John understands the Torah. He knows what the kingdom is going to be like. He is going to be a judge in the coming kingdom! (Matt 19.28). A judge understands the law! John is going to be a judge in the MK.


The Children of God - 1 John 2.28-3.3
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

John says that if we abide in Him we will not be ashamed at His coming! If we practice righteousness we are born of God. In order to practice righteousness one must understand the Torah.

God is calling us His children. God loves it when His children obey His commands and live a joyous family life. John says those who practice righteousness will be like God! We will be changed in the twinkling of an eye! (1 Corinthians 15.51-53). This hope purifies us! Only a person who loves God would have this hope!


Tomorrow: Part Three





　

Part One - The First Epistle of John

 

 

The first epistle of John is an exhortation to love God, our brothers, and Torah. John understood that the spirit of the law rested on the law of love. He explains to us that sin is transgression of God's law. He points out that learning to love one another is a process that is a witness to the world. John understood the Torah and that lawlessness was Torahlessness. This epistle is a great discourse on how God's people are to be obedient to God and His Torah.

 

 

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - 1 John 1.1-4That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.


John is saying that he was a witness to the life of Jesus, the Messiah. He has seen with his own eyes, he has touched, bore witness to, and is now testifying to the truth of what he is about to write. Yeshua has given us eternal life and that this is a joyous thing! He is speaking about the resurrection of the dead at the end of this current age. Jesus is the first fruits of those who will be resurrected. He has conquered death and has promised those who believe the same victory!

　

Fellowship with Him and One Another - 1 John 1.5-2.2
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

John proclaims that God is light. If we have fellowship with God we will not be walking in darkness. If we walk in darkness we are not practicing the truth. We would be walking in sin. Sin, as John will later explain, is transgression of the Torah. Practicing sin is lawlessness.

We are to confess our sin to Yeshua and we will be forgiven. We are all sinners and once we truly acknowledge our sinful state we can live a victorious overcoming life. Sin will no longer reign over us if we come to Him and confess our sins. Yeshua is our advocate. If the word of God--the Torah--is our guide we will not walk in sin.

　

The Test of Knowing Him - 1 John 2.3-11
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

If we love the Lord we keep His commandments. His commandments is the Torah! We serve a God of Law. In God’s kingdom there are laws. If we say that we love God and walk in lawlessness John says we are liars! That is a very strong statement.

John is saying that the law hangs on our loving one another. That is exactly what Jesus said! If you read the entire list of commandments in the Torah it is clear that only one who loves his brother will obey them! We abide in the light (God is light) when we follow the commands (Torah) of God. If you are lawless then darkness has blinded your eyes. The Torah is our “Code of Conduct” which teaches us to love one another and do good to one another. That is what John is saying.


Tomorrow: Part Two

TABERNACLE OF DAVID KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TESTAMENT

　

The Conference of apostles and elders at Jerusalem in Acts 15.1-21 is key in understanding the destiny of the church which is made up of both Jew and Gentile believers. This Conference was held to decide how to treat the incoming flow of Gentiles which were coming into the church. The key issue was whether or not these believers should have to be physically circumcised.

The leadership of the church at this time were Hebrews. They were steeped in the ancient scriptures and understood the Old Testament and used the Old Testament to teach new believers about Jesus. There was no New Testament scriptures at this time. Jesus was revealed as the Savior and Lamb of God through searching the ancient prophesies of His advent. The New Testament was just beginning as an oral history at this time. Later it would be written down and complete, as we know it, after the death of John the Apostle around 100 AD.

Up until the time of this Conference the church at Jerusalem was dealing with mostly Jewish converts. Peter had been instructed to go to the house of Cornelius the Centurion and preach to him the Gospel of Christ. Cornelius’ entire household converted at that time. (Acts 10) They were the first Gentile converts. At the same time, Paul was preaching to Gentiles in Antioch and they were becoming believers. This Conference was held to decide if these new converts should be circumcised or not.

After Peter and Paul told of their experiences and that it was obvious that God was calling the Gentiles into the fold James stood up and spoke. It is key to understand at this point that the Gentiles were being called into a church that was led by Jews and that the foundation of the new faith was the Old Testament. (Eph 2.20-22; 1 Peter 2.5-6; Isaiah 28.16)

James stood up and quoted Amos 9.11-12 “On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name….”

James went on to say: “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Acts 15.19-21

The decision was that new Gentile converts would not have to be physically circumcised. This would later be the supreme issue among Gentile converts and something Paul would have to deal with constantly. Gal 5.1-3


WHAT IS THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID?The tabernacle of David is not the temple of Solomon. It was a tent that David constructed for the ark of God which he brought to Jerusalem. (2 Sam 6) Here the tabernacle of David was “pitched” in Zion, the City of David and became the dwelling place of Jehovah. The housing of the ark in Zion was a time of great celebration in Israel. 1 Chron 16.1-3

This tabernacle became a place of worship without animal sacrifice. The Levites who ministered there sang and praised God continually. (1 Chron 16.4-36) The burnt offerings continued to take place in Gibeon. (1 Chron 16.37-43)

Later, Solomon’s temple would combine the burnt offerings, worship and praise, together in his temple.

The New Testament says we are living stones built into a spiritual temple. (1 Peter 2.4-6) Peter also says we are a nation of priests. (1 Peter 2.9-10) This is what the tabernacle of David represents. It is the coming together of Jew and Gentile as one new man (Eph 2.11-22) in Christ. This temple does not require burnt offerings because Jesus has become our burnt offering. It does not require physical circumcision because as born again believers we have had our hearts circumcised. (Ezek 11.19-21; Rom 2.29) This is the new covenant that God has made with His people.

James recognized this by recognizing the meaning of the tabernacle of David. In this tabernacle we are the tent or dwelling place and our sacrifice is our worship to God. There is no Jew or Gentile in this tabernacle, we have become the bride of Christ--both of us. Both Jew and Gentile have a common destiny. The early church brought us together as one man. The veil of separation (Eph 2.14) is now removed. Read Ephesians 2 and 3 carefully. Jew and Gentile are to become one new man. We are the habitation of God. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

The tabernacle of David was in ruins and had fallen down. Israel had not recognized their Messiah as a whole--only individual Jews recognized Jesus. Over time the unbelieving Jews shut off those who believed in Jesus as Messiah. The message was received by the Gentiles. This is what Jesus called the “time of the Gentiles.” This age in now coming to a close.

As time progressed and the church moved into the second century great changes would take place as the church moved away from their Hebraic roots. All things “Jewish” were removed from the church by the completion of the Councils of Nicea and Laodicea. It would be heretical of anyone being a Christian to worship on Saturday or observe the feasts of the Lord.

Ten Commandments teach us how to love

1 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (1)
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (2)
7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (3)
8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (4)
12 “ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (5)
13 “You shall not murder. (6)
14 “You shall not commit adultery. (7)
15 “You shall not steal. (8)
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (9)
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (10)

Many Christians today say “We are under grace all we have to do is love each other, there is no law.” Most of the time these are the Christians who do whatever they want and treat their fellow brothers and sisters very poorly. They feel they don’t have to be responsible, You just have to love them. What they really mean is “I can act and do whatever I want and you still have to love me”. Yes, we do have to love them, but we do not have to tolerate their poor behavior.

Paul had to discipline many of these same types of Christians at Corinth. Those believers were fornicating, a person was having sexual relations with his stepmother, they were getting drunk at communion, coveting, and extorting others. 1 Corinthians 5 Paul certainly had his hands full with this bunch!

He told them to purge themselves of this type of activity. 1 Cor 5.7 In other words if these believers refuse to clean up their act, do not continue to have fellowship with them. 1 Cor 5:9-11 As believers we are to judge among ourselves and to insist our fellow believers walk righteously. 1 Cor 5:12-13

This is not pleasant business and none of us likes to have to do this, but it is necessary if the situation warrants. If we refuse, we as a group will not receive the blessings of the Lord when we congregate together. Most Christians should understand that we are required to obey the commandments of God. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:10-11). Also see 1 John 3.4-8; 1 John 5.1-5.

If we are loving one another we will be treating each other with respect and will not be living in sin. We will be obeying the Lord’s commandments. That’s why God gave us the ten commandments, to show us how we are to walk in the spirit. “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God….” Deut 28:1-2

Walking in the spirit is obeying God’s word. When we do this we are blessed. When we do this we are expressing love for our fellow believers. We are saved by grace and faith in the blood of the Lord. We are blessed by obeying the word (Torah). This is what James meant when he said, “be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.” James 1:19-25

This is how we are blessed. Saved by grace and faith, blessed by walking in the spirit. (Obeying the word)

Our flesh rebels at this. We covet, we lust after things, we fight and war. This is the sin that works in us. James 4:1-10 Now that we are saved by grace and faith in the Jesus, we are empowered to walk out the commandments. We write them upon our hearts and walk it out. When we slip or sin against our brother, we confess and repent and move on. 1 John 1:8-10 This is walking in the spirit. We walk righteously according to the commands and when we slip we go to the Lord (and sometimes our brother), repent and confess - the Lord forgives us and we move on.

If we rebel, refuse to confess and repent when we break the commandments, we are under the curse of the law through our failure to allow the law of grace and faith to operate in us. Jesus has saved us from the curse of the law only as long as we repent or turn from our sinful ways. This is really very simple and is a matter of the heart. This is liberty of the spirit!

We are drawn away by our own lusts. (James 1:13-15 ).We sin because the law of sin and death is working in us. Who can save us from this law of sin and death? (Romans 6:23). The grace of God through Jesus saves us from the law of sin and death. We walk out the commandments by writing them on our hearts and walking them out. When we slip we go to the Lord. (Romans 5:20-21). How beautifully simple!

All the law is fulfilled by loving the Lord and your neighbor as yourself. If you love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might, the commandments are easy. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

If we love the Lord we keep His commandments. If we keep His commandments we are walking in the spirit and expressing our love for the Lord and our neighbor. Anything else is rebellion. Let’s keep it simple and love the Lord!

　

　

YESHUA WAS IN THE GRAVE FOR THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS

Traditional Christianity has long believed that Christ was buried on the afternoon of Good Friday and resurrected early Sunday morning—one day and two nights later—even though this belief cuts in half the time frame Christ established as proof of His messiahship: “For as [Jonah] 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” (Matthew 12:40).

The Bible nowhere mentions “Good Friday” or “Easter” (Acts 12:4 is a mistranslation). What it does say is that Jesus Christ was crucified on Passover (Matthew 26:2).

In ancient Israel, God’s people observed Passover, when leaving Egypt, by killing lambs and smearing blood over their doorposts (read Exodus 12). God then passed over each house where the blood was applied, sparing that household from death. This was only a type of “Christ our Passover,” as it says in 1 Corinthians 5:7. It is Christ’s shed blood that spares the life of a truly repentant person.

Jesus Christ died in 31 AD. The Passover that year fell on Wednesday, April 25 (not Friday). God’s days on the Hebrew calendar begin and end at sunset. The actual Passover ceremony that Jesus observed with His disciples occurred Tuesday night—the beginning of the 14th day of the first month on the Hebrew calendar. On Tuesday afternoon, the disciples had asked Jesus about where to make preparations for the service (Matthew 26:17). That night, during the ceremony, Jesus changed the symbols, explaining that He was now the Passover sacrifice (Matthew 26:26-28).

After the Passover service, they went out to the Mount of Olives (verse 30). Christ spent most of the night praying while His disciples slept (verses 36-45). Early Wednesday morning, still on the 14th day of the first month, Judas came with the multitude to arrest Christ (verses 47-50). The crucifixion occurred later that same day.

At the “ninth hour” of the 14th, Jesus cried out (Matthew 27:46-50; Mark 15:34-37; Luke 23:44-46). This would have been at 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. That night, at sunset, marked the beginning of the first day of Unleavened Bread—one of God’s holy days, as stated in Leviticus 23 (see also Numbers 28:16-17).

The weekly Sabbath, is on a Saturday. But the first day of Unleavened Bread was the first of seven annual sabbaths instituted by God. Since most people do not understand the Hebrew calendar, they do not know that the Bible also refers to these days as sabbaths (see Leviticus 16:31; 23:24, 26-32, 39).

Now follow this course of events closely. In John 19:30, Jesus bowed His head and said, “It is finished.” Notice the very next verse: “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away” (verse 31).

This is where so many scholars fail to understand the Hebrew calendar. They assume that because the day of Christ’s crucifixion is referred to as “the preparation” prior to “the sabbath” (Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54) that it must have been on Friday. John points out that the preparation day was actually before a sabbath that was a “high day”—an annual holy day.

John 19:32-42 explains what happened between Christ’s death and His burial. Notice especially verse 42: “There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.”

They buried Him late Wednesday afternoon, before sunset, because according to Jewish customs, all dead bodies had to be buried before the Sabbath, whether weekly or annual. So Christ died on the afternoon of the 14th at 3 p.m. He was buried later that afternoon before sunset. From that point, all we have to do is count three days and three nights to know when He was resurrected.

Continue to the Gospel account in Matthew to follow the course of events. “Now the next day [after the Passover], that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again” (Matthew 27:62-63).

Even these Jews knew what Christ said! After three days and three nights—not one day and two nights—“I will rise again”!

So Pilate set a watch on the sepulcher for three days and nights. The story continues in the first verse of the next chapter. “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 sepulchre” (Matthew 28:1).

Here again is where so many trip up—mainly because of a poor translation. The King James, along with just about every other Bible version, translates the first part of this verse, “In the end of the sabbath” or “after the sabbath.” But if you study the Greek text, you learn that the word for sabbath is actually plural! “After the sabbaths,” it should read.

Why is this significant? Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday afternoon and buried later that evening before sunset. The next day, Thursday, was an annual sabbath. The day after that, was preparation day (Friday) for the regular weekly Sabbath. The reason Matthew refers to sabbaths, plural, is because there were two sabbaths that week! (An annual and a weekly!)

When Matthew says Mary came early Sunday morning, before dawn, after one of the sabbaths, he is referring to the weekly Sabbath.

There is one more sequence of events that provides additional support for the 72-hour time frame. Mark 16:1 says Mary Magdalene and her companions bought spices “when the sabbath was past.” They were planning to prepare these ointments and spices so that they might anoint the body of Jesus. In Luke 23:56 it says they prepared these spices and then rested on the weekly Sabbath day. Compare these two texts carefully.

Christ inspired four different Gospel accounts to be written so that all the important details of His life might be understood. Mark said these women bought the spices after the sabbath was past. Luke said they prepared the spices before the Sabbath arrived. Those who hold to the Good Friday-Easter belief must conclude that these verses are a glaring contradiction. They are not! They complement each other perfectly, if you understand that there were two sabbaths that week.

The women bought the spices on Friday, after the annual Passover sabbath on Thursday. They prepared the spices that same day, before the weekly Sabbath, and then rested on the Sabbath according to God’s command.

When Mary entered the tomb early Sunday morning before sunrise she exclaimed, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6). He had already risen—the day before, just prior to sunset at the end of the weekly Sabbath. His death, burial and resurrection happened precisely the way He prophesied it would happen. He was in the grave three full Hebrew days!

Why does it matter? Because Jesus Christ staked His claim to being your Savior on the fact that He would remain in the grave for three full days and nights. God does not lie!

Differences between Islam and Christianity. A short list, there is much more!

1. Islam does not believe in the Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

2. Islam does not see God as a loving father. They view God as Omni-potent and far away.

3. Islam believes Jesus is a prophet who is NOT the Son of God or equal with God.

4. Islam believes good works qualifies them for the after-life. Christians believe in the complete forgiveness of sin based upon Jesus’ death on the cross.

5. Islam believes it is OK to lie to an unbeliever if it helps them in the cause of Islam. This is referred to as Taquiyya. A lie is a means to an end. Lying is OK.

6. Anyone who does not believe in Islam is a infidel. You must submit to Islam or die. Muslim countries DO NOT allow freedom of religion. Try getting permission to build a church or synagogue in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, or Libya.

7. Sharia Law is supreme in Islam. Thieves hands are cut off, adulterous women are beheaded, and mercy killings are allowed. A mercy killing would be done if someone in the family converted to Christianity. They could be killed for bringing shame on the family by converting to another religion. Shame is a powerful motivator in Islam.

8. Whatever is written in the Koran, the Muslim holy book, is superseded by what was written later. If it says in the Koran be kind to unbelievers that doesn’t mean to be kind if later it was written they are infidels. Muslims will tell unbelievers they are peaceful and show that verse in the Koran. They are not explaining that later verses permit killing of unbelievers.

9. The stated goal of Islam in the Koran is to make Islam the one world religion. Then they say there will be peace. Of, course, if they kill all those who refuse to convert they believe that will make the earth peaceful. In fact, they cannot get along--Shiite’s hate Sunni’s.

10. Islam’s goal is to infiltrate foreign countries and eventually change the laws of those countries so that they can institute Sharia Law. They have already got lower courts in Great Britain to allow the Muslim population to be judged by Sharia Law in many cases. Eventually they hope to change all the laws in Britain. This is not only happening in England but in many other European countries. This is their ultimate goal: to change the United States.

11. Islam does not believe in separation of church and state or in freedom of religion. Observe how they do things in their native countries. This is what they hope to achieve in the west. It is important to understand this. They will tell us what we want to hear--Lies!

12. God loves all peoples of the earth, including Muslims. It is important to understand Islam so that you can share the ideals of true Christianity with them. We do not wish to see violence done to Muslims. We want to share the living Christ with them.

SOME COMMENTS ON THE PAST FEW POSTINGS

 

 

 

I hope you found the last week of postings beneficial to your understanding of pagan issues. It is vital that we understand the wiles of our enemy and how he has infiltrated not only the church but our entire society. I hope these articles have got you thinking and recognizing how relevent the Bible, the Word of God is in our day and age. It is not just a history book of ancient stories. It is totally relevent to our day and age as you begin to understand these symbols.

 

Once we begin to understand and recognize the pagan influences in our churches, society, and self, we can begin to understand God's call for us to become holy unto Him. We may have been part of all these things at one time but now we are called out unto Him. "Come out of her my people!"

 

We are not paranoid or fearful of any of these things going on around us. In fact, by recognizing these symbols and activity, we become much more grounded in the Lord. His word should begin to have deeper meaning as you read it and meditate on it. "There is nothing new under the sun."

 

Once I began to understand the symbols surrounding me in everyday life I began to become much more confident in the power of God. If these things are real how much more real is the Living God of the Bible! We are walking in the power of God's Holy Spirit and are called into His glorious Kingdom.

 

We are in spiritual warfare each day. Now we can begin to understand our enemy and his wiles. We can pray more effectively against him and can begin to shed the weights that hold us down--if we listen to God and begin to allow the Lord to get these mixtures out of our lives. Then we will walk in the power of the Spirit. The church is lacking power because there is so much mixture in our lives!

 

This is why it is important to understand the Lord's feasts and to observe them. He wants us to observe His times and seasons so we can better understand the world around us. Much has been mixed into Christianity that doesn't belong. Once you receive the truth you are responsible for embracing it. If you refuse, then your walk is going to be very difficult in the coming days of our testing. God blesses those who embrace His truth and walk it out. Those who refuse are left on their own and will learn the hard way--just like a rebellious child! Make it easy on yourself--obey His commands.

 

I hope this blog will help you to understand and push forward in the Lord. I guarantee that if you cry out to Him for understanding and are willing to let go of the traditions of man He will answer you and lead you into all truth. It may take a while to get the answers but He is watching to see if your heart is true and hungry. We live in a world that has been deceived. The truth will set you free!

 

Blessings in Yeshua's Name!


 

The 2009 VMAs: The Occult Mega-Ritual

The following article was published by The Vigilant Citizen on September 25, 2009. I have posted it here in condensed form. To read the entire article and see the photos the following link is provided:

 

http://vigilantcitizen.com/musicbusiness/the-2009-vmas-the-occult-mega-ritual/

MTV’s Video Music Awards have often incorporated dark and strange acts, containing some occult symbolism. This year’s version, however, outdid itself. The show left most people wondering what was wrong with Kanye West or trying compute the madness of Lady Gaga’s performance. The only way to understand the full meaning behind those performances is to look into esoteric teachings. The fact is that the whole awards show took the most common rituals of occult orders and re-enacted them in a show witnessed by the entire world.

The 2009 VMA’s were very different from other awards shows. They focused on a very limited number of artists (Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga), while ignoring many others who were equally successful. The “chosen” artists became characters in the VMA’s ceremony and acted out different ritual dramas. This might sound totally crazy to the average MTV viewer but those acquainted with the practices of occult orders (such as Freemasonry) can decode the references to sacred rituals. There are numerous types of fraternities and rituals, from the most noble to the most infernal, and they have existed throughout History. The VMAs were decisively inspired by dark, sinister and even Satanic ceremonies. Let’s look at those rituals.


Madonna’s sermon Madonna, the music industry’s High Priestess, the revered “elder” of MTV, opens the show with a very solemn eulogy for Michael Jackson. She admitted never really knowing or “connecting” with him, but she was still chosen to pay him tribute. Madonna is a well known and publicized adept of the Kaballah, the esoteric school of Judaism which is studied in most occult orders. Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzadok explained how she uses (or abuses) Kaballah symbolism in her music:

“I discovered that Madonna’s famous dabbling with sacred Jewish mysticism has taken an interesting turn. In her latest music video for the theme song of a new James Bond movie, the “material girl” of old is transforming herself into a “Kabbalah girl.” Aside from the traditional Madonna blend of music and sensuality, in this video we see Madonna has a Holy Name of G-d tattooed onto her right shoulder. Tattooing, mind you, is a practice forbidden under Torah Law, all the more so abhorred by the Kabbalah. Granted the tattoo may not be real or only temporary but nonetheless, any expression of performing a forbidden act is itself forbidden and inexcusable. Unfortunately, Madonna’s abuse of Kabbalah and traditional Torah Judaism does not stop here.

Later in the video we see Madonna winding leather straps around her left arm in the exact same format and style as holy tefillin are worn by religious Jewish men. Tefillin consist of a small leather box containing scared parchments. These are then strapped to one’s left biceps, and the strap is wound down the left arm and around the hand. Granted Madonna did not go so far as to defame the tefillin boxes themselves. Yet, it is quite clear that the wrapping of the straps around her arm is done in orthodox Torah style. This act of hers is pure sacrilege.”
-Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzadok, Madonna’s Kabbalah – Not Kosher
 http://www.koshertorah.com/PDF/madonna%20kabbalah.pdf

Madonna’s tribute focused on the fact that MJ was “otherworldly” and “a king” but she insisted on the fact that he was also a human being. It was wisdom that could only be imparted by the High Priestess. Members of the audience bowed their heads and meditated on her words. They had a deep Kabbalisitic resonance. The speech was followed by a video tribute to Jackson, beginning oddly with ‘Thriller’ and displaying the face of MJ as a decaying zombie, risen from the dead, on a huge screen.


Taylor Swift’s InitiationTaylor Swift wins the “Best Female Video” award and goes up on stage to give her thank you . Kanye West pops out of nowhere, taking the mic from her hand, and informs her that Beyonce has “one of the best videos of all time“. This scene has caused much controversy and has earned Kanye the title of “Douchebag of the year” plus a the honor of being called a “jackass” by the President of the United States. I might shock some people by saying this… but this “unexpected” event was… STAGED! There I said it. Did you ever watch a crappy reality show and had the gut feeling that the whole thing was scripted? Well, I’ve got an overload of that feeling while watching this scene. None of the people involved (not even Beyonce making her “I can’t believe this is happening” face) are good actors. Furthermore, I’ve been following Kanye’s career since his beginnings and I’ve retained one important fact about him: the only thing Kanye West cares about, is Kanye West. So if he had to throw a hissy fit about something, it would had been about him not winning. Not Beyonce. Him.


This scene is in fact Taylor Swift’s initiation into what I call “The Circle of Chosen Artists”. The pupil is humiliated in front of her peers and told that she is not worthy to be on the same stage as Beyonce, the queen of the ceremony. Almost all groups, fraternities and gangs carry out an initiation process to test the recruit’s character, strength and worth. Swift’s ordeal was to have Kanye ruin her first award ever and to be told that she didn’t deserve this recognition. The rapper is known for bitching during award shows so he was the perfect candidate to make it all seem “unexpected”.


The PrayerJack Black comes out dressed as a heavy metal guy on steroids to promote a video game. At one point he asks the audience to put their devil horns in the air and then proceeds to pray to the “dark lord Satan”. The whole thing is light-hearted and comical but I don’t see any other way a prayer to Satan can be inserted into a primetime show without getting a truckload of complaints from “concerned parents”. The scene starts off semi-funny but Jack Black finishes off on a more serious note by saying: “I ask you to grant tonight’s nominees with continued success in the music industry“. This last phrase actually reveals a dark truth about the entertainment business.

So the net result of this scene is this: everybody threw up their “devil horns” hand sign, then took each other’s hands and prayed to Satan. This piece of pre-rehearsed comedy might have been an insignificant skit in another show. But in the context of this one, with its many recreations of occult rituals, the skit takes on a whole other, sinister meaning.


The Blood SacrificeLady Gaga’s performance was hailed as “brilliant” by many music fans. If you however ask them what it symbolizes, their expression becomes questioning. Here’s what Gaga said about her performance during an interview at gagadaily.com

“Do you think it will be one of those defining moments people will remember at the VMAs?”
“I know it will. I sort of have this philosophy about things: there’s never a reason to do something unless it’s going to be memorable, unless it’s going to change things, unless it’s going to inspire a movement. With the song and with the performance, I hope to say something very grave about fame and the price of it.”
“Something grave? What?”
“You’ll have to see.”
“What are you going to wear? “
“I would say that the fashion for the performance is a representation of the most stoic and memorable martyrs of fame in history. It’s intended to be an iconic image that represents people. I think after watching the performance and maybe studying it after you watch it on YouTube, you’ll see the references and the symbols come through.”
The setting for the performance is very symbolic. Gaga performs in a temple or maybe an aristocratic mansion, complete with columns, chandeliers and paintings. Occult rituals, mind control experiments and even human sacrifices have constantly been rumored to take place in those kinds of settings. One feature I cannot ignore is the presence of two massive pillars beneath an arch.

This obvious reference to Freemasonry hints to the occult and ritualistic aspect of Gaga’s performance. Masons are known to carry out ritual dramas in their lodges; live re-enactments of allegorical stories. Gaga’s performance symbolizes her rise to fame and the sacrifice she had to make in order to succeed.

When the bloody Gaga is lifted into the air, an eerie light comes out from between the pillars and the dancers lift their arms in the air in praise. Many ancient religions carried out ritual sacrifices to please the gods. Blood sacrifices have also been viewed by black magicians as the ultimate way to collect spiritual energy. The final scene of the performance conveys the presence of this mysterious “force” after a sacrifice.

Right after her performance, Gaga appears dressed all in red, with her face completely covered in red. She is basically a walking, talking blood sacrifice. It represents the aftermath of fame, the hellish life that follows the sacrifice, the selling of the soul for success in the music industry.

Pink’s Masonic InitiationThere is no way a Mason could watch this performance without recalling his initiation into the First Degree. Here’s a description by Mark Stavish:
“The candidate for initiation is stripped of all material possessions and dressed in a strange and peculiar garb (…). This includes a blindfold and a length of rope called a cable tow.”
He continues
“The blindfold used represents secrecy, darkness and ignorance as well as trust. The candidate is led into the lodge room for initiation but is not able to see what is happening. He is bound about the waist and arm with the cable tow.”
-Mark Stavish, Freemasonry: Rituals, Symbols and History of the Secret Society
Pink is blindfolded and bound with ropes. Her costume exposes her left breast, as is the case with Masonic initiates. Instead of having her left leg exposed, Pink’s costume bears a diamond pattern which is very reminiscent of the floors in Masonic lodges.

Pink’s performance was a dizzying display of acrobatics which undoubtedly left her (and the viewers) totally disoriented. This is also a feature of Freemasonry’s First Degree initiation:
“He is then blindfolded and a cord in the form of a noose is passed round his neck. At this point the novice is entering the marginal stage, associated with ordeals; he cannot see, his sense of direction has been confused and he has been dressed like a victim for execution.”
-J.S. La Fontaine, Initiation – Ritual Drama and secret knowledge across the world
Pink’s performance was yet another blatant reference to ritual dramas in occult orders.

 
Taylor Swift’s Acceptance into the OrderAfter Swift’s public humiliation, Beyonce, the queen of the ceremony, calls her up on stage to let her “have her moment”. She appears from backstage (as if awaiting her cue) in a red dress which is strikingly similar to Beyonce’s. A reader of this site has noticed that, at the moment the two singers hug, a strange phrase appears on the screen behind them saying “RDFO IL 40 PRO DEL ATO”. I have no idea what that means, but it was there.

Taylor Swift being called on stage represents the fact that she has now been accepted as an equal to Beyonce and has become one of the “chosen ones”. The matching dresses also convey this sense of belonging to a new group. She has “passed the test” – the ordeal of being humiliated – and she can now reap the rewards of being an insider.


In Conclusion...ceremonies like the VMAs define and crystallize the pop culture of an era. They consecrate the chosen artists while leaving the others dwelling in the shadows of anonymity. As shown above, the whole show was heavily permeated with occult symbolism, primarily focusing on the “initiation” aspect of it. Why is MTV exposing young people (who know nothing about occultism) to such rituals? Is there a subliminal effect on the viewers? Are we educating the new generation to accept these symbols as part of popular culture? There is definitely a second layer of interpretation in many of MTV’s products. To decode the symbols is to understand the inner-workings of the entertainment industry.

Pagan Feasts and Holidays

When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?' You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God"
 Deuteronomy 12:29-31

Ever since the Lord dispersed the nations at the tower of Babel, the ethnic groups of the world have been decidedly influenced by the Babylonian gods they eventually followed. Each god has a mystery religion that is celebrated at a specific time using pagan ceremonies and ritual feasts (i.e., Yule Day/Christmas, Quadragesima/Lent, Eoster/Easter, Lupercalia/Valentines, Beltaine/May Day, Samhain/Halloween, etc). This is part of the "mystery of Babylon" that the Lord has commanded His people to "come out" of throughout the Scriptures (Ezra 6:21; 10:1; Is. 52:11; Jer. 51:6; 2 Cor.6:17; Rev. 18:4).

As a way of setting His people apart from the pagan religions of Babylon and Egypt, God commands us to observe His feasts and not the pagan feasts of this world. Specifically, He commands us not to use pagan rituals in our worship of Him or partake of pagan feasts in His name (Deut. 12:1-4, 29-32; Ex. 34:13-18; Jer. 10:2-4). In other words, God's people are not to mix ceremonies or sacraments from pagan feasts into their worship of Him. To do so is considered to be eating and drinking from both the "table of the Lord" and the "table of demons", which the Apostle Paul commanded the gentile church at Corinth not to do (1 Cor. 10:14-21).

The council of Jerusalem also took this position when they commanded the gentile believers at Antioch not to celebrate (eat) at pagan tables. Instead, the council told them to attend synagogue on the Sabbath and learn God's table laws from the Torah (Law) of Moses (Acts 15:19-21).

In His message to the church of Pergamos, Yeshua (Jesus) refers to this unholy mixing as the "teachings of Balaam" which are the same as the "teachings of the Nicolaitans" (Rev. 2:12-15). In His message to the church of Thyatira, Yeshua (Jesus) also rebukes His people for allowing the woman Jezebel to teach His bond-servants that observing pagan rituals in the house of the Lord is acceptable to God (Rev. 2:18-20). Given that the book of Revelation spans the history of the church, it appears that pagan rituals have been mixed into Christian holidays and celebrations down to this very day.

Consequently, this mixing of holy and unholy celebrations is undoubtedly part of the great apostasy that causes many in the church to fall away from the faith in the last days (2 Thess. 2:3-11). Unfortunately, this great falling away is manifesting right now as these forms of pagan worship not only serve as the basis of openly occult celebrations, but they also provide the ritual format of most Christian holidays.

As God pours out this truth on the church, there is a body of New Covenant believers who are coming out of the Babylonian forms of pagan celebration and returning to the biblical feasts of the Lord. This journey out of Babylon is an exciting quest that stirs the human heart to return to the Lord and walk in all His ways. As a result, we (the bride) are making ourselves ready for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (i.e., the Feast of Tabernacles) where their will be no pagan mixture (Rev. 19:7).

Norm Franz, Ascension Ministries   http://www.ascensionministries.net/index.php

 

The Feasts of the Lord

"The LORD spoke again to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, 'The Lord's appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations - My appointed times are these" Leviticus 23:1-3

 

God's Appointed Times

As a way of making His redemptive plan known to mankind, God has established 'appointed times' of celebration that are to be observed as feasts to the Lord. Even though many refer to these celebrations as Jewish feasts, God specifically says that they are set apart as His feasts.

God describes His feasts as "holy convocations" that we are commanded to "proclaim at the times appointed for them." This means that we can not just celebrate them willy-nilly any old time we choose, but on specific days during specific seasons.


The imagery portrayed in these holy convocations (miqra) is that of a sanctified people who are called out of the world to celebrate God's redemptive events. Each event is celebrated as a feast which serves as a "rehearsal" in preparation for the "appointed time" of its fulfillment in Messiah. Simply put, the Feasts of the Lord are "rehearsal dinners" that celebrate God's plan of redemption in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).


It's important to note that, throughout history, the holy-days (holidays) a person observed identified them with the God they served. Therefore, as we approach the end of the age and the great end time harvest, God (Yahweh) is using His feasts to separate the righteous wheat from the unrighteous tares (Matt. 13:24-30; Rev. 14:14-20). In other words, God is calling His people to stop observing the pagan feasts of this world and return to His feasts as a way of setting themselves apart from the end time mystery of Babylon (Rev. 18:4).

God's appointed times total eight in all. One weekly observance called "the Sabbath" or "Shabbat" and seven annual feasts. The annual feasts consist of four spring feasts that celebrate Messiah's first coming as the Lamb of God who died for our sins and three fall feasts that celebrate His second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords who will judge the nations and establish His kingdom on the earth.


In fact, as we move toward the return of Messiah (Christ), we must understand what each of the fall feasts represent in order to recognize the sequence and the timing of end time events (i.e., rapture, wrath, thief in the night, Armageddon, wedding supper, etc). Therefore, we encourage New Covenant believers to learn what prophetic event each feast represents and how to properly celebrate them. This will not only help them better appreciate God's redemption in Messiah, but it will also give them a more accurate understanding of events surrounding the coming of the Lord.

A Beginner's Guide To The 8 Sabbats From The Witches Voice

I am sharing the following information with you so that you can better understand the roots of paganism and how it has infiltrated into the Church and our present day society. These are pagan holidays and celebrations. You will begin to understand the deceptions that have crept in over the centuries as you begin to understand these pagan holidays. God bless you as you read and begin to understand how the adopted pagan holidays are now fully integrated into mainstream christianity.

 These descriptions are from the website of the Witches Voice.

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 1 Corinthians 10.21

There are 8 Wiccan Sabbats in a year. Each has its own meanings and associations. These Sabbats are put into two categories: The Minor Sabbats and the Major Sabbats. They are spaced about 45 days apart from each other.

The Minor Sabbats consist of four Sabbats. There are two Equinoxes, March 21st (Spring Equinox – Ostara) and September 21st (Autumn Equinox – Mabon), when day and night are each 12 hours long.


Then there are the two Solstices of June 21st (Summer Solstice – Litha) and December 21st (Winter Solstice – Yule). Litha has the longest daytime of the year and Yule has the longest night of the year. The exact dates of the Minor Sabbats vary from year to year and may occur on the 20th to the 23rd of the month.


The Major Sabbats consist of four Sabbats as well. They occur roughly midway between the Minor Sabbats and are usually at the end of the month. There are many names and dates to these Sabbats, but the meanings of them are the same. Samhain (October 31st), Imbolg (February 2nd), Beltaine (April 30th), and Lammas (August 1st) are the 8 Major Sabbats.


Notice how the enemy has taken the Hebrew Shabbat and calls his holidays sabbat.


The Wheel of the Year as it is called, starts with Samhain and ends with Mabon. The following is the descriptions and associations for each Sabbat starting with Samhain.


Samhain (October 31st):

Samhain is a time to remember those who have left us. This is a time to remember our ancestors, both ancient and wise. This is the time when the barriers between our world and the next become blurred, and those from the other side are free to visit our world, as well as guide us.

It is also the time when the Witches and Wiccans say goodbye to the god. Though this temporary as the God gets ready to be reborn from the Goddess.

This is a time for reflection, to look back over the past year. A time to come to terms with the one great phenomenon of life in which we have no control of – Death.

The year starts with Samhain, for it is in the dark half of the year. The great Druids believed that the day began with the setting of the sun; therefore, the dark half of the year is the beginning. New Years resolutions are made on Samhain. Samhain is the traditional day to raise a Covener within a circle.

Other Names: Third Harvest, Samana, Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega), Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Hallowe’en, and the Scottish Gaelic spellings for Samhain are Samhuin or Samhuinn.

This holiday has become Halloween in the present day Christian community!


Yule
(December 21st):
Yule has the longest night and the shortest day of the year. It is the time when the Goddess gives birth to a son, the God. Witches and Wiccans celebrate the Festival of the God’s Rebirth. It is a time to honor the Holly King. Accomplishes of the past, love, togetherness, and love are also celebrated. These things are celebrated by burning the Yule Log in a bonfire. A portion of the Yule Log is always saved to light next years Yule Log. The Yule Log is usually oak. It is kept throughout the year to protect the home as well.

Other Names: Winter Solstice, Christmas, Alban Arthan, Finn’s Day, Festival of Sol, Yuletide, Great Day of the Cauldron, and the Festival of Growth.

This is the true pagan roots of Christmas. In fact, it can be proven scripturally that the Lord was born in the fall about the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in Sept/Oct.


Imbolg
(February 2nd):
Imbolg is the time to welcome spring, and celebrate the festival of the end of winter. It is a Festival of Light and Fertility. Imbolg is the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. The lengthening periods of light awaken her. The God is now young and lusty, but his power is felt during the longer days. Marking the return of Spring, the Earth feels his warmth. Imbolg represents new beginnings, spiritual growth, and the “sweeping of the old”.

Other Names: Imbolic, Candlemas, St. Bridget’s Day, Brides Day, Lady Day, Imbolc, Lupercus, and the Snowdrop Festival.


Ostara (March 21st):
Ostara marks the true fist day of spring. This is the time to celebrate the balance of seasons and the passage of Night into Day. The Goddess covers the earth with Fertility as she bursts forth from her sleep. The God stretches and grows into maturity. He walks among the greening earth and delights in the abundance of nature. On Ostara, the hours of the day and night are equal. This is a time of beginnings, of action, or planting seeds for future grains.

As spring reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance. (With light on the increase.) The young Sun God now celebrates a sacred marriage with the young maiden Goddess, who conceives. In nine months she will again become the Great Mother. It is a time of great fertility and growth, and newborn animals. Ostara is the time of Fertility of the Earth.

Other Names: Eostre and Spring Equinox.

This is the pagan roots of Easter. Buunies that lay eggs! Candy and bonnets!


Beltaine
(April 30th to May 1st):
Beltaine marks the emergence of the Sun God in manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, he desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lying amongst the grass and flowers and unite. The Goddess then becomes pregnant.


Beltaine marks the return of vitality, of passions and hopes consummated. This is the last Spring Fertility Festival. It is time to dance around the Maypole, a symbol of Fertility. This Festival celebrates the union and marriage of the God and Goddess and reawakening of the Earth’s fertility at its greatest. The time for plating seeds has ended and the time to wait has begun. It is one of the two most important Sabbats of the year. Beltaine is the compliment of Samhain. The Barriers between our world and the next are again blurred. At Samhain the Otherworld visits us, at Beltaine we can visit the Otherworld.

Jumping over the bonfire promotes fertility and prosperity. Wild Water is collected on this day and used to bathe in or used to drink for health. Beltaine literally means “Fire of Bel” (Celtic God of Light and Fire.). May is the month for sensuality and sexuality to be revitalized. The awakening of the Earth and her Children.

Other Names: Beltane, May Day, or May Eve.

A big pagan holiday in witchcraft!


Litha
(June 21st):
Litha is the Summer Solstice. It marks the longest day of the year. Litha is the classic time for Magick of all kinds. Believe whatever is dreamt of will become true for the dreamer. This is a time to celebrate passion and success. Litha is the opposite of Yule. On this day of the longest daylight, life and light are abundant. This is the time when the Sun God has reached his greatest strength. Seated on his greenwood throne, he is God of the forests. The powers of nature are at their highest point. Bonfires are lit to represent the Sun God and to rouse love, purification, health, and fertility. Litha Eve is also special for adherents of the Faerie Faith.

Other Names: Midsummer, and Leetha.

Interestingly June is a popular month for people to get married.


Lammas (August 1st):
Lammas is the time for the first Harvest, when the plants begin to wither and drop their seeds for our use as well to ensure future crops. The Sun God losses his strength as the sun rises farther in the south each day and the nights grow longer. The God is dying, but living inside the Goddess as her child.

We are reminded that nothing in the universe is constant. Lammas stands for the funeral games of Lugh. (Lugh referring to the Irish Sun God.) However, the funeral is not his own, but the funeral games he hosts for his foster-mother Tailte. For that reason, the traditional Tailtean Craft fairs and Tailtean Marriages are celebrated at this time.

Other Names: Lughnasadh, Cornucopia, Lughsasa, and Thingtide.


Mabon (September 21st):
Mabon is the Autumn Equinox. Mabon is the completion of the Harvest that began at Lammas. Once again day and night are equal. The God prepares to leave his physical body and begin the great journey to the unseen, towards renewal and rebirth of the Goddess. Nature begins to die, laying in rest for next springs bounty. The Goddess nods in the weakening sun, but fire burns within her womb. We all take a moment to pay our respects to impending darkness. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight as we store our harvest of this year’s crops. Offerings of Ciders, Wines, Herbs, and Fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Witches and Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.

Other Names: Fall or Autumn Equinox

A conterfeit of God's harvest feasts.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR EASTER AND CHRISTMAS

Baal became Venus and Cupid in Roman times. Asterah means seed of Easter. Ishtar, Isis, Tammuz are all versions of the sun god. Ancient Egyptian art has suns everywhere.

The catholic eucharist is based on sun worship. It has become a sacrament of the church. The communal host is displayed in the Monstrance which is a sunburst. The obelisk in St. Peter’s square is surround by an eight point sun. The obelisk is Baal’s shaft.

Pinecones are ancient sun god symbols. The trident is a satanic symbol seen in many ancient god statues. Also known as the “devil’s pitchfork”.

A crosier is a staff that is shaped like a serpent. It is a symbol of power and is similar to a shepherd’s staff. Remember Moses throwing down his staff and it became a serpent. The Egyptians also threw their crosiers down and they turned into a serpent, but Moses staff ate them. Statues of Athena often depict her with a serpent crosier. Crosiers are popular within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

Symbols often seen in catholic churches are winged dragons, serpent crosiers, sun symbols, and sunbursts.

At the council of Nicea the emperor Constantine set the winter solstice of Dec25^th as the day to celebrate the Lord’s birth. He was a sun worshipper of Mithras and the winter solstice is a supreme sun worship day. This would make it easier for pagans to accept Christianity. Constantine also abolished all “Jewish” festivals and celebrations, replacing them with pagan dates. This was the beginning of the church losing her Hebraic roots.

The twelve days of Christmas comes from the twelve days of burning the Yule log during the winter solstice. Yule day was the “day of the infant”. Not Jesus, but Tammuz, the sun god. The twelve days of burning celebrated Ishtar for bringing back the sun god Tammuz from the dead. In ancient pagan Israel animals and children where sacrificed to the fire on this day. This was an abomination to the Lord. The Roman feast of Saturnalia is also twelve days.

All sun god’s can be traced to Nimrod (Genesis 11).

Easter comes for Ishtar/Ashtar/Isis. Easter celebrates the rising from the dead of Tammuz. They fasted 40 days. It is also the root of Lent. Jesus was crucified on Passover. Easter and Passover do not occur together. This sun god festival was turned into the Easter celebration as it occurred in the spring around the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In reality, Easter is sun god worship and sun rise service is rooted in sun worship. Ham is eaten at this time because a boar killed Tammuz and he rose again.

As you can see the enemy has polluted and mixed into our faith the pagan festivals and celebrations which take us away from our Hebraic roots. The feasts of the Lord are laid out in Lev 23. These are not “Jewish feasts” but are referred to as the feasts of the Lord. Returning to the feasts of the Lord bring special blessings and understanding as we begin to observe them.