08/27/2004 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

We are approaching a special time of the year..

A time Yahweh has appointed for focusing on preparing, repenting, showing our thanksgiving, and rejoicing before Yahweh

The Feast of Trumpets is less than 3 weeks away

So tonight I would like to share a few things about the Fall Feast days

Keeping the fall feasts are a part of the many blessings my family and I have enjoyed as a result of our belief that the Torah/Law of Yahweh is for today.

Considering that the fall feasts are a blessed, wonderful time for brethren to gather together and magnify Yahweh Elohim for all the blessings He has given, it is hard for me to understand how anyone could view the law/Torah as a burden

The feasts are based on the timing of Yahweh's calendar in scripture. There are different understandings as to what moon phase designates the first day of a month, but my family and I watch for the first new crescent of the moon after the moon has been dark. It is visible just to the left of the sun within an hour after sunset.

The first month is in the Spring, as opposed to the middle of winter on the Roman Calendar

On the 1st day of the 7th month, Yahweh commanded us to keep the Feast of Trumpets. This year we expect it to be on the 16th or 17th of September, depending on when we see the new moon

Therefore, the next time we see a new crescent in the sky, we will be observing this feast that very night

The Feast of Trumpets is mentioned in the following verses:

Leviticus 23:24 - Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

Numbers 29:1 - And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

The definition of "Teruah" in a Hebrew Lexicon states:

8643 teruw`ah {ter-oo-aw'} Meaning: 1) alarm, signal, sound of tempest, shout, shout or blast of war or alarm or joy

Now let's examine Numbers 10, which gives us some details on the trumpets used in the Torah:

Numbers 10:1 - And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 10:2 - Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.

Numbers 10:3 - And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Numbers 10:4 - And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.

Numbers 10:5 - When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.

Numbers 10:6 - When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.

Numbers 10:7 - But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.

Numbers 10:8 - And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

Numbers 10:9 - And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before YAHWEH your Elohim, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

Numbers 10:10 - Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your Elohim: I am YAHWEH your Elohim.

Many believe that this feast is symbolic of Yahushua's return, or our own advancement toward the promised land (Yahweh's kingdom) at Yahushua's return. The Feast of Passover represents Yahushua's sacrifice and the Unleavened Bread represents our sinless state and Yahweh's desire for us to live unleavened (sinless) lives after receiving Yahushua.

The Feast of Pentecost/Weeks (Shavuot) represents the giving of the Torah and Yahweh's Spirit in Acts 2

Therefore we have 3 more observances that await fulfillment, beginning with the Feast of Trumpets. It is true that scripture says Yahushua will return at the 'last trump':

1Corinthians 15:51 - Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1Corinthians 15:52 - In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

We must be purifying ourselves and preparing ourselves to meet the bridegroom

I would encourage all of us to focus on this in the coming weeks

The next observance in this coming month (the seventh month) is the Day of Atonement

Leviticus 23:27 - Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:28 - And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before YAHWEH your Elohim.

Leviticus 23:29 - For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 23:30 - And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.

Continuing:

Leviticus 23:31 - Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Leviticus 23:32 - It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

What does it mean to "afflict" our souls?

In Isaiah 58, while Yahweh is criticizing the lack of focus on the weightier matters of the Torah such as relieving the oppressed, we see an example where afflicting our souls refers to fasting:

Isaiah 58:5 - Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to YAHWEH?

Isaiah 58:6 - Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:7 - Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Isaiah 58:8 - Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of YAHWEH shall be thy rereward.

Isaiah 58:9 - Then shalt thou call, and YAHWEH shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 58:10 - And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

Returning to Lev. 23:

Leviticus 23:32 - It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

This is because Yahweh's days begin and end at evening rather than in the middle of the night

Thus, we begin our fast and rest at evening (the beginning time of Yahweh's new days).

In the Torah, this is a very active day for the High Priest

On this day, he puts on special garments and atones for the sins of Israel

This can be read about in Leviticus chapter 16. The high priest enters the Holy of Holies and sprinkles blood on the Ark of the Covenant

He makes atonement for the people and for the Tabernacle

It was predicted in scripture that Yahushua would be our High Priest:

Psalms 110:1 - YAHWEH said unto my Master, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psalms 110:2 - YAHWEH shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Psalms 110:3 - Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Psalms 110:4 - YAHWEH hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Scripturally, there was only one time that a High Priest was permitted to enter the throne room and that was on the Day of Atonement.

We know now that the Messiah Himself would be an "offering" for sin. It makes perfect sense that if the Messiah would bring us atonement with His offering and would be in the throne room, then He would be a High Priest

Hebrews 9:24 - For the Messiah has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of YAHWEH for us;

Hebrews 9:25 - not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another--

Hebrews 9:26 - He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

I have found that this is the same flawed thinking that carries over into the "Messiah fulfilled the law" = "We don't have to do it" philosophy

Yahushua fulfilled other commandments such as "Do not commit adultery", but that doesn't mean we are free to commit adultery

So just because the Messiah fulfilled a commandment or its purpose, this doesn't mean that we shouldn't keep it

For me, the fact that the Messiah has done this is all the more reason why we would WANT to do it! We realize in an even greater way the purpose in it all.. and we memorialize the great and awesome works of Yahweh through Yahushua ha Mashiach!

Some believe the Day of Atonement is also symbolic of when Yahushua will completely destroy the last enemy (death) at the end of the 1000 year reign when Satan will finally be thrown into the lake of fire. Then all sin will be atoned for and those who have chosen righteousness will forever be with Yahweh.

The Day of Atonement is casually mentioned in the book of Acts:

Acts 27:9 - Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

Acts 27:10 - And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

On this day, we do fast. We neither eat bread nor drink water. It is a somber time of considering our ways and recognizing the atonement found in Yahushua the Messiah who is now seated at the right hand of Yahweh

Yahweh anointed the Messiah Yahushua as both king and priest. He is High Priest after the order of Melchizidek (a name meaning "King of Righteousness"). Melchizedek was the king that Abraham paid tithes to. Mechizedek was also the King of Salem, which is modern day Jerusalem.

The next observance during the seventh month is the Feast of Tabernacles

Deuteronomy 16:13 - Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:

Deuteronomy 16:14 - And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

Deuteronomy 16:15 - Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto YAHWEH thy Elohim in the place which YAHWEH shall choose: because YAHWEH thy Elohim shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

But why is it called the feast of tabernacles?

Leviticus 23:24 - Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:25 - Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:26 - And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:27 - Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:28 - And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before YAHWEH your Elohim.

Leviticus 23:29 - For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 23:30 - And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.

Leviticus 23:31 - Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Leviticus 23:32 - It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

Leviticus 23:33 - And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:34 - Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:35 - On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

Leviticus 23:36 - Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.

Leviticus 23:37 - These are the feasts of YAHWEH, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:

Leviticus 23:38 - Beside the sabbaths of YAHWEH, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:39 - Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto YAHWEH seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

Leviticus 23:40 - And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before YAHWEH your Elohim seven days.

Leviticus 23:41 - And ye shall keep it a feast unto YAHWEH seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

Leviticus 23:42 - Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

Leviticus 23:43 - That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am YAHWEH your Elohim.

We are all sons of Abraham (Israel) in the Messiah Yahushua

Galatians 3:29 - And if you are the Messiah's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:30 -

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been impaled with the Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of YAHWEH, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Therefore all the promises.. and the obligations of Israel are for "US". WE ARE ISRAEL

It's not "they" even if you are a Gentile

Ephesians 2:11 - Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--

Ephesians 2:12 - that at that time you were without the Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world.

Ephesians 2:13 - But now in the Master Yahushua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

Jeremiah 31:31 - Behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

But what of the sacrifices?

We cannot sacrifice without a High Priest officiating at the altar. Our High Priest is in the heavens but will return one day.. very soon

Until then, we have much during this feast to enjoy. Allow me to share with you how the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is such a great blessing!

The first day of the feast is kept as a Sabbath

The last day (which is not technically part of Sukkot) is also known as the "Last great day". The first and eighth days are Sabbaths and holy convocations.

At this feast, it is good to build a "Sukkah" or temporary dwelling place made with surrounding trees and branches. We usually dwell in tents or other types of temporary dwellings.

I do not believe that this feast was intended to be a resort-styled "get-away vacation" as is the manner of some, but a remembrance that our tabernacle on this earth is but temporary, but when we tabernacle with Elohim forever.. it will be a tabernacle that will not fade

It can be a test sometimes when we learn the less than pleasant life of tabernacle living. But the Children of Israel were expected to not complain or murmur in their tents, and so it is with us.

In spite of the minor tests of tabernacle living, the feast is a blessed time of rejoicing, fellowship, worship under the stars and growing in the Word of Yahweh

Leviticus 23:42 - Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

Leviticus 23:43 - That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am YAHWEH your Elohim.

Therefore, instructing the children should be a key part of this feast

While the world appeals to the carnal nature of children with its gifts and candies during its "holi-days", Yahweh's feasts should appeal to the spiritual needs of our children. Especially in this age!

They are our future!

They are the leaders of Yahweh's people in the days to come

This feast will be most enjoyed if you have the chance to gather and dwell among brethren for the entire length of this feast. It is a time to remember how temporary this life really is and to consider that if we endure to the end, one day we truly will tabernacle with Yahweh forever:

Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of YAHWEH is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. YAHWEH Himself will be with them and be their Elohim.

We might as well get used to observing these days, for in the age to come they will be enforced:

Zechariah 14:8 - And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Zechariah 14:9 - And YAHWEH shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one YAHWEH, and his name one.

Zechariah 14:10 - All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

Yahweh will be the King and He will rule the world

Zechariah 14:11 - And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

Zechariah 14:12 - And this shall be the plague wherewith YAHWEH will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue she will consume away in their mouth.

Zechariah 14:13 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from YAHWEH shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.

Zechariah 14:14 - And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.

Zechariah 14:15 - And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.

Israel is coming again.. to again take the land, and Yahweh will be known by this awesome act

Jeremiah 23:5 - Behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6 - In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, YAHWEH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 23:7 - Therefore, behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, that they shall no more say, YAHWEH liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

Jeremiah 23:8 - But, YAHWEH liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

Continuing in Zechariah...

Zechariah 14:16 - And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, YAHWEH of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Then they'll learn that the Torah really wasn't abolished after all

Oh, that they would only open up their scriptures and see that it truly isn't! The right time to see this is now! Repent O blind people.. Yahweh open our eyes to see the truths in Your word!?!?

Zechariah 14:17 - And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, YAHWEH of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

Zechariah 14:18 - And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith YAHWEH will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:19 - This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Those who have Messiah in them will be keeping it as He did when He was on the earth.

Yes, those who reign with Messiah should be quite familiar with this feast, for we will have been keeping it all along. So what we observe today is a taste of what is to come

It is a time for brethren to gather...

To learn from one another...

To seek Yahweh together...

To praise His name together...

To sing together....

To share His love to our children together...

To rejoice in Yahweh's blessings together...

To eat together...

And grow together....

To grow stronger in love for one another ...

..and love for Yahweh Most High

For love is the purpose in it all, truly

It's a blessing.. believe me. Or better yet.. believe HIM. Yahweh knows best. Don't miss out!

May Yahweh bless you and have mercy on us all!