Feasts of the LORD (Yahweh)

 

It's Not a "Jewish" Thing, it's a Bible Thing

The Feasts of the LORD (YHWH) is the pattern for the redemption and salvation of all mankind. God gave us His Holy Days to remember, rehearse, honor, and teach to our children so we would know the process that leads to eternal life.

Leviticus 23 - New King James Version

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations (dress rehearsals), these are My feasts.

How Are The Correct Dates For The Feasts of the LORD Calculated?

 

Genesis 1:14 tells us when Yahweh's calendar was created... Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years." Notice the word month or "moon" is not mentioned. The moon does not determine seasons, days, or years.

Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. ~Genesis 1:16 We assume that the "greater light" means the sun and the "lesser light" means the moon. However, we know that the Scriptures always have a much deeper meaning. Is it not plausible that the greater light refers to understanding and the lesser light refers to traditions of men. What communion has light with darkness? ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14 

 

For you were once darkness (ignorant), but now you are light (have correct knowledge) in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) ~Ephesians 5:8-9

Man has created many calendars, none of which are totally accurate. A perfect calendar is one that conforms to the four seasons and is easy to understand. A year consists of 365 and one-fourth days, four seasons, and twelve months.

The equinoxes, and the solstices are the correct guidelines for an accurate calendar. These are the signs God gave in Genesis 1:14. The phases of the moon are not necessary for determining the length of a month. A simple calendar is one that has 5 Spring and Summer months of 31 days each for a total of 155 days. The 7 Autumn and Winter months have 30 days each for a total of 210 days. 155+ 210 = 365 days.

There are 52 Weeks in a year. A true statement, but is it accurate? 7X52 = 364 days. Where's the missing day? It isn't missing at all. There are 52 weeks and one day in a year. Now we have a true statement that is also accurate. 

 

Most people assume a sunset to sunset day based on Genesis 1:5 - "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." Notice it says God called the "darkness Night", it does not say the evening was the beginning of a day.

The sun was created on the 4th day. So what was the source of the light when God said, "Let there be Light"? The Hebrew word for light consists of three letters: aleph, vav, resh (pronounced ore) and was translated "light."

However, "ore" also means brightness which I believe is the better translation.

Jacob Milgrom (February 1, 1923 – June 5, 2010) was a prominent American Jewish Bible scholar and Conservative rabbi. Milgrom spent most of his career at the University of California, Berkeley, where he headed the Department of Near Eastern Studies. He was known for his research on Biblical purity laws and on the book of Leviticus.

Milgrom unequivocally states that the biblical day begins in daylight, not sunset, citing, for example, Genesis 19:33-34; Leviticus 7:15; Numbers 9:11, and 33:3; Judges 19:4-9; and 1 Samuel 19:11.

 

There are two twilights per day, sunrise AM and sunset PM. Each twilight endures for 18 degrees each day... all chickens already know this.

Noon is the moment when the Sun crosses the local meridian and reaches its highest position in the sky, except at the poles. This version of noon is also called solar noon or high noon and can be observed on a sundial. I believe High Noon is the correct starting point for a Biblical Day. In modern times it is expressed as AM meaning Ante-Meridian (before noon) and PM meaning Post-Meridian (afternoon). Meridian means starting at the highest point and returning to the highest point in a circular motion. It isn't called High Noon for nothing. God said: Let there be Light... not let there be sunset and darkness. Remember, the sun was not created until the 4th day. ~Genesis 1:19

 

A noon to noon day is for calculating a biblical day, but a civil calendar is necessary for business purposes.  

At one second past noon it is afternoon that turns into evening that turns into night and returns to daylight at Sunrise and continues to Noon. Thus the "evening and the morning" make a Day. Sunset to Sunset and Midnight to Midnight make a 24 hour cycle, but is it accurate? Sometimes what we think we understand God says may be true, but is it accurate?

Every four years the equinoxes are self-adjusting and add one day to the 12th month for a total of 366 days. The "leap day" is a zero day because it was not formed by the 24 hour cycle, but is made up of fragments of time over a four year period. Therefore, the leap year does not change the dates of Yahweh's set appointments.

 

The solar calendar is a perfect calendar that even a child can understand. Man makes things confusing and complicated. Yahweh is not the author of confusion and makes everything simple for those with understanding. ~1 Corinthians 14:32  

 

So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. (the Feast of Trumpets) ~Nehemiah 8:2

 

The Jewish lunar year is about eleven days shorter than the solar year and uses a 19-year cycle to bring it into line with the solar year (proving the solar calendar is correct). The Lunar calendar is the one used to determine the dates of Jewish holidays (Not Yahweh's Holy Days). Every three years the Jewish calendar must add a 13th month. All 12 months are recorded by name in the Scriptures. There is no mention of a 13th month, or for that matter, a leap day or leap year. As it is written: Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 

~Titus 1:14

 

The history of lunar calendars reveals their pagan roots. Jewish Calendars, Chinese Calendars, Gregorian Calendars, and any other calendars are all man made attempts to avoid the instructions of the Creator. Read Bible Months vs Pagan Months.

Thus says the LORD (Yahweh): Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. ~ Isaiah 1:14   

 

The idea that the Jews have preserved a true biblical calendar is totally erroneous. And the Gregorian calendar with the “new year” starting in the dead of winter effectively hides the truth of Scripture. Indeed, Satan has deceived the whole world. ~ Revelation 12:9

The most reliable calendar in the universe is the sun because it never varies from its appointed course, and cannot be manipulated by man. It is so accurate that the U.S. Naval Observatory sets their atomic clock by the sun.

The Spring equinox is the beginning of months, the true Biblical New Year, just as the Autumn equinox is the first day of the seventh Biblical month. With these two immutable witnesses, we can be certain that we are following the correct seasons for the Lord’s appointed Feasts. The moon has absolutely nothing to do with keeping time, and is one of the erroneous assumptions that many people make because they believe in the traditions of the Jews. The words "new moon" means new month, not the planet or phases of the moon.

With the exception of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), all of the Biblical Holy Days are set from the Spring and Autumn equinoxes. That way we are never out of season. Not complicated or confusing, even a child can understand.

The Feast of Dedication is not a commanded feast day, but Jesus observed it as very briefly mentioned in John 10:22. However, the Feast of Dedication is another clue to understanding God's calendar. 

 

The Feast of Dedication, on the third day of Adar (Ezra 6:15), is 40 days before Passover. Adar 3 corresponds to February 22. The word dedication in Hebrew is Hanukkah. Yes, the eight day Jewish festival celebrated in December which has no basis in Scripture. It's simply a tradition of men that passes itself off as religious. As you know, Satan is a great counterfeiter and always attempts to hide or distort the Truth of Scripture. To further hide the truth, the Roman Church made Ash Wednesday 40 days before Easter, and those without understanding fell for it.

 

If you believe Easter observance is in the Bible, please site the Scripture reference where Jesus instructs His followers to hold a sunrise service to remember His resurrection and hunt colored eggs. 

Spring Holy Days

Passover is always on the evening of Abib 14 (April 3rd), followed the next day by the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. Passover is the anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ our Passover Lamb. It is an annual memorial to be observed forever. Jesus did not say observe it every day, every week, every quarter, or whenever you feel like it. Most Church denominations take communion or the Lord's Supper instead of Passover. However, the word communion only appears in three scriptures, none of which say to replace Passover with a communion service.

 

The crucifixion of the Savior took place on Wednesday, April 3, 30 AD and He rose the third day after 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb. Most Bible commentaries claim Jesus was crucified on Friday in 33 AD to fit the popular "Good Friday - Easter Sunday" doctrine. Friday crucifixion and Sunday resurrection is false. Jesus rose Saturday night because the tomb was empty early Sunday morning. ~ John 20:1

Pentecost comes 50 days (or 7 weeks) after the sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread and always observed on Sunday.

Autumn Holy Days

Feast of Trumpets is always on the first day of autumn, September 22nd

Day of Atonement is always October 2nd

Tabernacles is always October 7 thru October 14 with the Last Great Day on the 15th

I pray you take this information in the spirit of love. Search the Scriptures to prove what is true. I'm not an "authority." I have no axe to grind.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. ~Proverbs 25:2

The Sabbath

Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation (a "dress rehearsal" for the real thing ~Hebrews 4:1-10). You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.

“The Sabbath (a day of rest) was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath (not for man to rest or to be lazy) ~Mark 2:27

After much prayer and research, I am convinced that Biblical days are from noon to noon. The weekly Sabbath is noon Saturday to noon Sunday. So, if you attend church on Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning, you are "remembering the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy."

 

I believe High Noon is the correct starting point for a Biblical Day. In modern times it is expressed as AM meaning Ante-Meridian (before noon) and PM meaning Post-Meridian (afternoon). Meridian means starting at the highest point and returning to the highest point in a circular motion. It isn't called High Noon for nothing. God said, "Let there be light"... not sunset and darkness. The sun was created the 4th day so how was time reckoned the first 3 days with no sunsets? ~ Genesis 1:14-19

At one second past noon it is afternoon that turns into evening that turns into night and returns to daylight at Sunrise and continues to Noon. Thus the "evening and the morning" make a Day. Sunset to Sunset and Midnight to Midnight make a 24 hour cycle, but is it accurate? Sometimes what we think we understand God says may be true, but is it accurate?

Noon to noon is also confirmed by the Passover. God commanded the lamb to be slain on the 14th day of the month of Abib and consumed that self-same evening. A sunset to sunset day causes the lamb to be slain on the 14th and consumed on the 15th which is totally contrary to Scripture. ~ Leviticus 23:4-8

There are certain jobs that require people to work on Saturday and/or Sunday, i.e., doctors, nurses, EMS, firemen, the military, etc. So when is their day of rest? The whole world cannot stop working all at the same time. Even strict Saturday Sabbath keepers want the fire department on duty 24/7. 

As it is written: Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.  Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. ~Romans 14:4-6 

It is my considered opinion that the weekly Sabbath is from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. So if you assemble on Saturday it's to the Lord or if you assemble on Sunday, it's to the Lord.

 

List of The Holy Days as Recorded in the Bible

Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread

These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.  

On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it. But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord for seven days. The seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.

Passover is such an important event that it’s the only Feast that God allows a “make up”… on the 14th day of the second month of Ziv… May 3rd. Numbers 9:1-14

The Feast of First Fruits 

New Testament requires a living sacrifice

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ~ Romans 12:1-2 

    

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.    

 

And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the Lord. Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the Lord, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin. You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (ask your pastor how long forever is)

The Feast of Weeks 

(Pentecost in the New Testament)

And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven.  

They are the first fruits to the Lord.  And you shall offer with the bread seven lambs of the first year, without blemish, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be as a burnt offering to the Lord, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the Lord. Then you shall sacrifice one kid of the goats as a sin offering, and two male lambs of the first year as a sacrifice of a peace offering.  

The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits as a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the Lord for the priest. And you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you. You shall do no customary work on it. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. (for how long?)

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.

The Feast of Trumpets

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.

The Day of Atonement

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God.  

For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (has forever past?)

It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict* your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath. (evening begins at one second past High Noon)
 

*The Hebrew word affict (to grieve) has a spiritual meaning and does not mean to fast (that's a Jewish tradition). Here is the root meaning: to answer, respond, speak, shout, to testify as a witness. Rather than fast, God is telling us to be witnesses and to remember the suffering of Yahshua/Jesus in our stead.

The Feast of Tabernacles

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying: The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord.  

On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.
 
These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day— besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the Lord.

Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.  

You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths (a temporary dwelling) for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (has God changed His mind about forever?)
 
So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.

After reading Leviticus 23, can anyone tell me when the LORD said to observe the New Year in the dead of winter? Celebrate Easter? Christmas? Or ANY of the holiday traditions of men?

Forget the argument about "priest" and "burnt offerings". Any sincere Bible student knows the Old Testament Feast Days were a pattern and shadow to come of the New Testament Feast Days when Christ became our Passover Lamb and our High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Read verses 14, 21, 31 and 41 again. Has forever passed?

NOTE: Don't get hung up on the animal sacrifices. OT was physical laws. NT is spiritual laws. The Feasts of the LORD have not ceased, only the symbols were changed, not the observance. Example: OT physical circumcision. NT circumcision of the heart. Simple when you rightly divide the Word of Truth.

"For the time will come when they (nominal Christians) will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables". ~2 Timothy 4:3-5

For those who claim the Old Testament is obsolete, let's review.

Jesus told Satan...

It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. ~Matthew 4:3-4  Did the Old Testament proceed from the mouth of God?

Paul told Timothy...
All Scripture (Old and New Testaments) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof (an expression of blame or disapproval), for correction, for instruction in righteousness. ~ 2 Timothy 3:16  Remember, there was no "new testament" when Paul wrote this to Timothy.

My Church does not keep the Feasts of the LORD, so what do I do now? Find a group near you to fellowship with at Feast time... http://www.feastgoer.org/index.html

God has always preserved a remnant of people who are sincerely trying to do as God instructs. ~1 Corinthians 5:8

Won't it be a wonderful day when all of God's children can meet together and not care what Church they went to.

 

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

 

Sabbath Day vs Lord's Day

    

As I understand the Sabbath Commandment, the Sabbath is a day of rest after working six days. There is more to the Law of the Sabbath than just "going to Church," even though it was the custom to assemble on the Sabbath Day. Luke 4:16 

What do we do about Colossians 2:16-17? Even strict Saturday or Sunday keepers want the police, fire department, and hospitals on duty (and Walmart - lol). The whole world cannot shut down on the same day.

Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest... Leviticus 23:3.  According to Exodus 31:16, Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.

Who are, and where are, the descendants of Israel today? (the man named Israel not the country called Israel). Answer: Hiding in plain sight in Christian Churches all over the world. The name Israel means overcomers with the Mighty One. 

Where in the Bible does God command people to attend a "Sabbath Service" in order to "keep" the sabbath of rest?

There was no question about which day of the week is the Sabbath Day until organized religion got involved. By the way, there is no such thing as a "Jewish Sabbath" or a "Christian Sabbath." The Sabbath was made for all mankind." ~ Mark 2:27

 

Sunday keepers often refer to the first day of the week as "the Lord's day." The only mention of the Lord's day is found in Revelation 1:10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet... it says nothing about changing the Sabbath Law.

 

Sunday keepers like to site Acts 20, particularly verse 7, to justify taking communion instead of Passover. They take "upon the first day of the week" and "came to gather to break bread" out of context. The Disciples of Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath on the 7th day as commanded. On Sunday they came together to break bread, a common meal, not the Lord's Supper or "communion," because Paul was leaving the next day on a missionary trip. It was simply a farewell dinner. Farewell dinners are still a custom today. The 4th commandment is not a suggestion, and communion is not Passover.

 

Jesus clearly states in Matthew 12:8  HE is Lord of the Sabbath, not that HE is our Sabbath, or that HE is Lord of the "first day of the week."

Who changed the seventh day Sabbath to the first day Sunday? 

 

On March 7, 321, Roman Emperor Constantine I issued a civil decree making Sunday a day of rest from labor, stating: All judges and city people and the craftsmen shall rest upon the venerable day of the sun.

​ The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine 2nd edition (1910) p50. Q. Which is the Sabbath day? A. According to the Bible,The 7th Day is the Sabbath. ~ Exodus 20:10

Q.Why then do most Christians observe the 1st day instead? Answer: The traditions of men, as it is written: For false christs and false prophets (Roman Catholic Popes) will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ~ Mark 13:22

Who are the elect of God? The elect are people who obey the commandments of God rather than the commandments of men.

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day.” ~ Romans 11:7-8

Every Christian knows that "remember the Sabbath Day" is a commandment from Almighty God. And sincere Christians want to observe the correct day.

 
Which brings us to the another question... when do "days" begin and end? Most people assume (never a good thing) that the Jewish observance of sunset to sunset is correct. Or is it?

What say the Scriptures? In the first chapter of the book of Genesis, God said. "Let there be light"... not sunset and darkness. The writer of Genesis goes on to say that the evening and the (next) morning constituted a "day." But were those "days" 24 hour periods of time as we know them today? I think not. The sun was not created until the fourth "day." I have come to believe that the word "day" refers to epochs of time... an indeterminable period of time. The creation story is from God's point of reference. With God, time as human count time does not exist. ~ Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8

 
In the Spirit realm time is irreverent, therefore, the story of creation was written from God's point of view. Later, when God wrote the Ten Commandments, HE specified a special day called Holy (set apart) to be remembered as a Day of Rest, or in Hebrew, Sabbath.

The word Sabbath simply means rest, not a day of the week. OK, then when do "days" begin? I say at Noon. Why noon? Because it concurs with Scripture. Noon has always been the correct dividing point for a 24 day. We call it AM and PM today.

The sabbath day was never intended to be a burden. The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath [Mark 2:23-28]. To keep it "holy" means to set a day apart from work days. In fact the Ten Commandments are actually ten promises. As Paul wrote in Hebrews 4:1-10  there is coming "another day" when we will rest in Jesus. The seventh day after working six days was given as a practice day to make us ready for that "other" day.

There are certain jobs that require people to work on Saturday and Sunday, i.e., doctors, nurses, EMS, police, firemen, the military, etc. So when is their day of rest? The whole world cannot "rest" all at the same time. Even strict Saturday Sabbath keepers want the fire department on duty 24/7.

 
Mankind has always ignored the plain instructions of the Creator which has caused much confusion and misinformation. A noon to noon day is for calculating a biblical day, but a civil time is necessary for business purposes.

 
According to Strong's Concordance of the Bible, the word noon in both the Hebrew #6672 and the Greek #3314 means mid-day. It also means the ninth hour which has come to be called 3PM. I have no problem with the "3PM." God allows for a time of preparation for the Sabbath, so from noon to 3PM is enough time to do last minute things before resting. 

 

After much prayer and research, I am convinced that Biblical days are from noon to noon. The weekly Sabbath is noon Saturday to noon Sunday. So, if you observe the Sabbath Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning, you are "remembering the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy." The word 'holy' simply means separate. The Sabbath is really about three things... Stopping, Resting, and Enjoying. Stop what you normally do the other six days, get some rest, and enjoy a day off.

The word twilight has caused many to assume (never a good idea) that it can only refer to the time just before sunset. Actually, there are two twilights per day, sunrise AM and sunset PM. Each twilight begins at 18 degrees above the horizon... all chickens already know this.

Noon to noon is also confirmed by the Passover. God commanded the lamb to be slain on the 14th day of the month of Abib and consumed that self-same evening. A sunset to sunset day causes the lamb to be slain on the 14th and consumed on the 15th which is totally contrary to Scripture. Leviticus 23:4-8

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

Churchianity vs Christianity

The Bible is the most read, and most misunderstood, book in the world. Why is that?

Jesus gives us the answer: "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled", which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive'. ~ Matthew 13:12-14

To understand the Bible, you must realize that it is written on two levels.... physical and spiritual. Everything in the universe comes in "twos". The knowledge of good and evil, right and wrong, true and false grows on the same tree. It's the job of a Christian to know the difference and act accordingly.

Your brain is physical, your mind is spiritual. God is Spirit and the Father of Spirits. The only way to truly understand the Bible is to "have the mind of Christ*" and be led by the Holy Spirit who "will teach you all things". Read these Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:16; Hebrews 12:9; John 4:24; John 14:26

*Having the mind of Christ means knowing the plan and purpose of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus did not say, 'Follow your Church doctrines or some celebrity pastor'. He said "Follow ME" ~ John 10:27

 
There are two types of Christians… overcomers and non-overcomers. Non-overcomers believe the purpose of salvation is to populate heaven with “saved sinners”. Overcomers know the real purpose of salvation is to become like Jesus. Do what He did… crucify the works of the flesh, and get what He got… the crown of Life. Read it for yourself in James 1:12 and Revelation 3:21.  

Knowledge is gained by understanding God's Word. Wisdom is gained by applying God's Word to your every thought and deed. The Truth often sounds very strange to Christians who only believe what their particular denomination teaches. As it is written: "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, But the honor of kings is to search out a matter". ~ Proverbs 25:2

God wants His children to learn by doing, not just hearing. Millions of Christians have heard about Jesus, but many still do not KNOW Him. As Job so aptly put it: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye* sees You.Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.” ~Job 42:5-6

*Notice, "eye" is singular. Job sees with his spiritual eye.

Do you abhor yourself for falling for the deceptions of Churchianity? I know I did. I was shocked to learn that my denomination's doctrines were mostly false. From 1974 through 1979 I did a word by word, verse by verse study of the Bible. And I am still learning to this day.

I view denominational Christianity as a nursery for baby Christians. It is only necessary until we are "weaned from the milk" as the apostle Paul said: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which are the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (or true and false). ~Hebrews 5:12-14

 

Organized religion - especially the mega churches - is run as an entertainment business competing for members (customers) with paid staff, housing, car, medical insurance, paid vacations, retirement plan... the whole nine yards. TV preachers need a private jet to do "the Lord's work." The gospel has become a commodity to be sold by 501(c) preachers for profit. And Jesus said: "Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” ~John 2:16 

The adversary doesn’t tell 100% lies. People wouldn’t fall for it. But he mixes it with just enough truth that even it were possible, the elect would be deceived. Satan is a very clever counterfeiter. He takes the word of God and twists it into something that God never said, or never meant. Don't be fooled by false preachers. Don't let the way they dress, good communication skills, charisma, books they have written, popularity, sweet talk, and their acceptance of "cultural christianity" deceive you. If their preaching is not in line with God's Word, then they are either deceived or they are deceivers.

 

Trust in the LORD (not your Church denomination) with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and HE will make your paths straight. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15 

 

Churchianity is fragmented into thousands of denominations and cults. With all the conflicting religious doctrines and customs it is no wonder people are confused about who and what to believe. The Church Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a Body of Believers who seek first the Kingdom of God. Organized religion stopped seeking the Kingdom and only seeks members and money. Instead of the Church changing the world, the world changed the Church.

Jesus said: "And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” ~ Matthew 15:9 

 

Churchanity latches on to a few Scriptures and builds their doctrines around a very limited knowledge of the "whole counsel of God." Once a church organization codifies their doctrines into a "Statement of Faith", they stubbornly refuse to make any corrections. There are so many "one and only" churches, I have lost count. Churchanity is as phony as a $3 bill, yet they pretend to be the sole guardian of the Christian faith. I guess that makes them "trans-christian." 

So let's do some "rightly dividing." Let's begin with one of the most popular traditions of men... Easter. What does your pastor teach?

Christ is our Passover Lamb, not our Easter Bunny

  

Tradition Deceives...
Organized religion observes Lent, 40 days before Easter.

Truth Transforms...

Jesus observed the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22), 40 days before Passover.

And He taught His followers to observe the Passover. ~Matthew 26:2-19

What About Acts 12:4?
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions (4 squads of 16 Roman) soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

The Word Easter Only Appears One Time

The word Easter was inserted by the 1611 King James translators that one time in Acts 12:4. They knew the Greek word was Passover, but they chose to translate it as "Easter" instead because it was popular with the people, the merchants, and King James who was paying them. The merchants of the earth make lots of money selling Easter junk. ~ Revelation 18:3

 

The Geneva Bible of 1599 is the correct translation of Acts 12:4. Be very aware that every new version of the Bible loses something in translation. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated.

Jeremiah 8:8
How do you say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes (translators) is in vain. (totally worthless)

2 Peter 2:1-2
But there were false prophets also among the people (in the time of Jeremiah), even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

How Jesus Describes Deception 
And because iniquity (ignoring God's commandments) shall abound, the love of many (of the truth) shall wax cold. ~Matthew 24:12

Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. ~Mark 7:7

Acts 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent. (turn in the right direction)

Acts 17:11
These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Jesus' Own Words
If you love Me, you will be keeping my commandments. ~John14:15

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: (not man's words) and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. ~John 14:21-24

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide (popular) is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. ~Matthew 7:13-14

Churchianity or Christianity

Why are man-made holidays so popular, and God's Holy Days ignored? MONEY! Easter and Christmas are huge money makers for merchants and Churchianity.

And He (Jesus) said to those who sold doves (and cards, candy, flowers, baby chicks, ducks, rabbits, toys, etc.) “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” ~John 2:16

 

Once the Church doors were open.

John 10:2-3 But he that enters by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. (Out of what?... out of false doctrines)

 

Now the doors are closed. All denominations have their pet doctrines and are closed to any revealed Truth. The less Holy Spirit they have, the more coffee and donuts it takes to keep their Church going.

 

Are the doors of your heart open to Truth?

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

I highly recommend Stone Kingdom Ministries as a good source for Bible study material... https://stonekingdom.org

 

Although I recommend Stone Kingdom as a resource, it is not a blanket endorsement. No Church has a franchise on God or a monopoly on the truth. Don't fall for that old "we're the one and only" trick.

Mother of Harlots

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.