!! Be Blessed and Nothing Less !!
precept upon precept
Beholding Scripture Anew
Beholding Scripture Anew
The Creator of the universe has set-apart His Message for Humanity in His Sacred-Scripture, much of which has been preserved in the Bible. His written-word stimulates our mental and spiritual awareness to the reality of His existence while giving testimony to His just and up-right character. The aspiration of this WebSite is to Harvest the Word of YHWH (click-link) according to His purpose and will.
Bible quotations on this WebSite are from the NET Bible® unless stated otherwise.
Click on the underlined word(s) to follow the WebSite Link.
The Sacred-Scripture of YHWH is only one of four principal indications that can stir our awareness to the reality of our Creator’s existence. Even though the evidence is in plain sight it seems to be either hidden from or ignored by many people. Let’s take a brief look at these four obvious, although often marginalized, indications of our Creator’s ‘fingerprint’.
The first indication includes the sphere we dwell on and all of the marvels that decorate it. The fact that it is spinning while rotating around the sun and that a massive universe envelops our little planet is astounding. The probing eye-of-science is not blind to the multiple factors that determine Earth’s crucial yet precarious positioning in our solar system. This strategic positioning creates an environment that encourages enormous varieties of life to flourish on planet Earth. Buried within the fabric of these multiple expressions of Life is a ‘Book’ that surprisingly opens up to us . . . yes, a Book that contains a highly intelligent format of directives. These directives unlock the intricate details that are required for the DNA and RNA sequences to decipher and implement this well-designed genetic code. This Book-of-Life is essential for nearly every, if not all, known forms of life to replicate in the wide range of environments that planet Earth imparts to us.
To purport that everything that "is", came from nothing that "never was", doesn’t fit well with the elaborate processes and phenomena of the physical existence that embraces us, that is, the established-law and precise-order of physics. To behold the Creation before us and to acknowledge that the finger of its Creator has been imprinted upon its wonders is authentic, unadulterated science. The synchronicity and harmony displayed in the heavens and the earth are clearly not the result of random accidents occurring over a ‘really-big-number’ of years.
The wonders of Creation give attention to the second indication that there is a Creator; the ingenuity and creativity of Humanity. As humans we have the instinct to survive, to protect and to comfort ourselves. Our ability to reason, to plan and even the fact that we are aware that we exist, moves us far beyond the animal instinct to merely survive. As we exercise our intellect, imagination, creativity and pursue our purpose for life, it is not that difficult to observe the parallels of intelligence concerning the specificity of function and purpose in our own life with that of the physical Creation that surrounds us.
To purport that out of absolute nothing-ness, ‘something-ness’ unintentionally came to physically ‘be’ . . . perpetually evolving aimlessly . . . with just the right amount of TIME . . . to accidentally mutate into the splendor of the human-being is physically insurmountable. This groundless ‘hypothesis’ is not only an insult to our common sense, it also blatantly ignores the due logic of ‘design and order’ that the wonders of the human-being (physical Creation) demonstrate to us. The intelligence, creativity and ingenuity inherent to Humanity are clearly not the result of random mutations accidentally synchronizing themselves over a ‘really-big-number’ of years.
The wonders of Creation and the ingenuity of Humanity point us to the third indication that there is a Creator; the Sacred-Scripture of YHWH. Biblical Scripture is the accumulation of writings that give testimony to YHWH’s interaction with Humanity. As humans, we have been equipped with intelligence, observation, intuition, insight, creativity, curiosity and an innate query of probing beyond our physical surroundings. His Word stimulates and inspires us to discover our true potential as an individual and ‘what’ it is that our inner-being is inherently seeking for. A diligent and sincere inquiry of the written-word will unfold the directives of the spiritual ‘DNA Code’ that enables us to replicate His will (Life) on planet Earth.
The whole of the written-word ultimately points to Yahoshua’s sacrifice on the Cross (torture-stake). This action is not a mere symbolic token of Grace and Forgiveness that would presumptuously allow us to continue to fondle with the very sin that destroys us. Quite the opposite is true. His sacrifice initiates the substance (power and authority) that liberates us from being slaves of sin and transforms our core-being into a vessel-of-honor, indeed. Yahoshua said, I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6b).
To purport that Humanity’s disorder and evil negate the obvious existence of a Created-Order is very disingenuous. On the contrary, Humanity’s dysfunctional and destructive tendencies serve to magnify the abundant insight that is presented in YHWH’s written-word. This helps us discern and distinguish YHWH’s ordained order from the errors and blunders of Humanity’s vast spectrum of mythologies, pseudo-science and perceived realities. The expansive and purposeful development (harmony) of YHWH’s authentic Sacred-Scripture is clearly not the result of a hodge-podge of Humanity’s perceived realities that have haphazardly stumbled together throughout the centuries.
The three previous indications give rise to the fourth indication that there is a Creator; the divine essence (Spirit) of YHWH that sustains the entire Creation. The first paragraph of this section (Fourth Witness) provides a brief summary of the first three indications previously mentioned: Creation, Humanity and Biblical-Scripture, respectively. First, the patterns of intelligence and purpose observed in the vastness of Creation, as stated in Romans 1:20, For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse; second, the likeness of YHWH’s creativity and intelligence that are inherent to Humanity, as stated in Genesis 1:27, God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them; and third, the inspiration and profoundness of Scripture, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16, Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; the very existence of these three indications confirm that His essence permeates all of Creation. The remaining paragraphs of this section (Forth Witness - Holy Spirit) will attempt to explain this statement.
The next seven paragraphs provide some insight to the dilemma . . . the dilemma why . . . why the first three indications (Creation, Humanity and Scripture) all can, have been, and will be adulterated, to some degree, by the whole of Humanity. The human-tendency to deviate from YHWH's ordained-order is the consequence and perpetuation of Adam and Eve's rebellion in the Garden. This tragic event is summarized in chapter three of the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Although the event itself is immersed in a landscape that is very foreign to us today, its profound truth and symbolism clearly resonate with us millennia later. The rejection of YHWH's word that separated them from their Creator, in like manner, is spilling over into a great gulf that separates so many individuals from their Creator today. Whether an individual deliberately runs from or slowly drifts, somewhat unintentionally, from the ordained-order of YHWH, the ignorance and confusion along with the rebellion and pride of each individual, compounds the destructive consequences of the collective-human-will.
When Adam and Eve indulged in the ‘Tree’ of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they found themselves frighteningly vulnerable. Uncertain of the fear they were experiencing, they attempted to hide (separate) themselves from the presence of YHWH while instinctively covering their bodies with cloaks of leaves. Their reaction was a feeble attempt to cover over the confusion and uncertainty they were experiencing which was a direct result of coming into the knowledge of ‘Good and Evil’ through disobedience. This of course stands in direct contrast to simply honoring the Word of YHWH by submitting to the ordained order of His Creation in willful obedience. Humanity’s enticement to side-step, to ignore and to hide from the will of YHWH is due to the confusion and disorder that is imprinted upon the heart of the prideful and rebellious, that is, the disobedient. Inevitably this disorder causes a sense of un-wholeness, a sense of abandonment and an uncertainty of one’s true identity which distorts the true purpose of life. This lack of resolve and uneasiness that haunts a disobedient heart, drives an individual to fabricate a wide range of elaborate coverings (distractions), similar to the 'coverings' that Adam and Eve fabricated in the attempt to hide themselves from their altered state-of-being, essentially, ignoring or denying their true condition.
With great futility and dire consequences Humanity has persisted throughout the centuries to hone this art-of-ignorance to no avail. This misguided instinct to conceal one's true state-of-being, in order to protect oneself from the pain of disobedience and sin, will gradually harden an individual’s heart. As the heart hardens, the truth of YHWH begins to fade from one’s consciousness, ever becoming more and more unrecognizable to the disobedient heart.
It is with much sorrow that YHWH watches (permits) His ‘image-bearers’ inflict chaos upon the order and purpose of His Creation due to their altered, and thereby, dysfunctional nature. Even so, it is with great patience (purpose) that He also pursues His own will, to specifically address and provide remedy for the consequences of Humanity’s fallen nature. Through the abundance of His divine-wisdom and eternal-love He bears the ill-freewill of each individual with longsuffering and purpose, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9b)
Even so, the natural consequences of disobeying YHWH’s order and purpose for Creation will inevitably inflict, to some degree, a wounded-ness or a broken-ness upon each individual. To indulge in or pander to the symptoms of one's wounded-ness, is similar to a drug addict returning to the source of their addiction. On the other hand, authentic broken-ness leads to contrition, where one's "conscience is crushed by the weight of its own guilt". But to this one I (YHWH) will look [graciously] to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands. (Isaiah 66:2b - Amplified Bible).
With great love and sensitivity Father-YHWH utilizes the brokenness of each individual in order to expose the secret sins, the deep-seated-fears and the frustrations that are hidden behind the well-crafted (fig) leaves. When the Light of YHWH exposes (softens) the calloused shield that is attempting to cover one’s heart, then the compassion and mercy of YHWH become a viable (logical) option from a futile life of ever hiding from or subconsciously eluding one’s true condition. When our freewill is submissive to the orderliness and purpose of Creation, then YHWH’s Truth (Spirit) liberates us from the weight of our self-inflicted guilt and oppression. Not only do we experience relief from the painful and destructive consequences that sin (pride) imposes upon us in this life, we are also liberated from Humanity’s ultimate destiny of eternal-judgment and punishment.
This awareness gives veracity to YHWH’s terms of reconciliation (salvation) that has been validated by Yahoshua’s blood sacrifice for Humanity’s sins. Through authentic repentance YHWH’s mercy imprints ‘redeemed’ (liberated) upon the heart of the humble. This empowers us to walk-in-the-Spirit, that is, to freely walk in the presence and influence of Truth and Love, rather than in a cloud of unclean fear due to the oppression of sin and the guilt of disobedience. If the path of brokenness to redemption is rejected, then the wounded-ness of disobedience becomes a fundamental part of one's impaired character.
Holy Spirit, the fourth indication, is both the impetus (divine volition) and the consciousness (moral compass) that is woven throughout the three previous indications; Creation, Humanity and Scripture. His presence (divine essence), woven throughout the fabric of life, is what sustains the whole of Creation. His sustaining presence is continually attending to the dilemma that is described in the previous seven paragraphs, by diligently offering remedy for its consequences . . . which is always pointing to the Cause-of-Creation . . . in order to give recognition to the ‘Who’ of Creation . . . with the aim to unveil the purpose of Yahoshua’s ministry that has been woven into the fabric of Creation. For this reason the fourth indication, Holy Spirit, when united with the other three indications (Creation, Humanity and Scripture), is undeniably multi-dimensional in both its purpose and expression, as stated in Colossians 1:15-20; the words in parentheses are added to the following quotation for the sake of clarity. 15. He (Messiah) is the image of the invisible God (Messiah reveals the invisible attributes of Elohim in human-form), the firstborn over all creation, 16. for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him. 17. He himself is before all things, and all things are held together in him. 18. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things (so that Humanity can recognize the preeminence of Yahoshua and His ministry). 19. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son, 20. and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Evidently human chaos and confusion neither undermine YHWH’s purpose for Creation, nor do they explain away His existence. Instead, they clearly (logically) confirm YHWH’s purpose for Creation; redemption in the midst of the chaotic consequences that Humanity incurs upon itself.
Simply surrender to His Gift!
As stated in the opening paragraph of this page, the aspiration of this WebSite is to harvest the Word of YHWH according to His purpose and will. The four principal witnesses stated above (Creation, Humanity, Biblical-Scripture and Holy Spirit), together, serve as a platform by which the cause-reason, the objective-aim and the intention-meaning of Creation are made evident. The purpose of Creation ultimately reveals the will of YHWH by expressing His heart’s desire for Humanity’s spiritual-well-being. Since His compassion for Humanity has been clearly demonstrated through Yahoshua’s sin-sacrifice, it is then with great reverence that the objective of this WebSite is being pursued. The specific aim is to understand how the Appointed-Times (Moed) that Israel received through Moses actually foreshadowed the initial expression of the Gospel that Yahoshua’s disciples would have experienced in first-century Israel, with the Appointed-Times continuing their development through the advancement of the Gospel. Both of these subjects, the Appointed-Times and the Gospel, are recorded in the Bible. Scripture is used to document the transformation of the Appointed-Times of the Old Covenant into the marvelous Light of YHWH’s Salvation as displayed through His Divine-Appointments (Moed) of the New Covenant.
The following four sections give attention to the authority of Scripture since it plays such an essential role in the Advancement of the Gospel: 4. Biblical Scripture - The Written-Word, 5. His Word Does Not Return Void, 6. Preeminence of the Word, and 7. On the Road to Emmaus.
16. Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17. that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
4. For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.
Biblical Scripture serves as a written account and testimony of the Living-Word of YHWH. It is essentially a blueprint of the ‘mind’ of YHWH in reference to His purpose and desired relationship with Humanity on planet Earth. The written-word helps us to become aware of, it inspires us to search for and it encourages us to embrace the Will (Word) of YHWH. His purpose is to lead us into a relationship with Him that transforms the core of our being while sanctifying us due to our interaction (influence) with Him. Our interaction with Him equips us to live out His will on Earth while preparing us to assimilate with Him in His eternal existence, Life-Eternal.
There are examples in the Bible that clearly state YHWH's Word will not (cannot) return to Him void or incomplete. Following are two of these examples from the book of Isaiah.
9. Remember what I accomplished in antiquity. Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me,
10. who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred; who says, My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire,
10. The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat.
11. In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me having accomplished nothing, No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.
There is no variation or deviation in the Word of YHWH, whether spoken or written, because it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend. Apostle Peter echoes a similar declaration concerning the prophetic word recorded by the prophets.
19. Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20. Above all, you do well if you recognize this: no prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination,
21. for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
True reverence for the Word of YHWH is to understand and accept its purpose according to the will of YHWH. No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination. This gives emphasis to the fact that YHWH is the sole Source of inspired Scripture. For this reason His Word cannot be subject to human impulse or one’s own imagination including anyone’s private interpretation, tradition, agenda, inclination, presupposition, feeling, misunderstanding or abuse.
5. Every word of God is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him.
6. Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you and prove you to be a liar.
The Word of YHWH is intentionally designed to accomplish His will, according to the purpose in which each aspect of His Word has been established. His Word and His Action are inseparable and will always be in harmony with one another. Our faith and trust must be situated in the certainty of His Word while our hope and vision are illuminated by the Promises that have been secured by His Word.
1. After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets,
2. in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world.
3. The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Throughout history YHWH’s prophets and His written-word were consistently pointing to the substance and character of the Living-Word, the very essence and Spirit of YHWH. As the Gospel of YHWH began to unravel with Yahoshua’s birth and ministry, the inspired-words of the prophets recorded in the holy-script began to unfold in real time. The Word of YHWH animated the physical life of Yahoshua as He became the literal demonstration of Torah (the Law) and the fruition of YHWH’s written-word (the fulfillment of Scripture). While fulfilling His ministry He became the actual embodiment of the divine Word (Logos) that had been ordained from the beginning of time when YHWH spoke the heavens and earth into existence.
This same Spirit (Word) that embodied and animated Yahoshua inspired the authors of the ‘new covenant’ writings to make multiple references to the ‘old covenant’ writings (Scripture). They were inspired to quote from these Scriptures because YHWH had cleverly (divinely) designed the written-word to serve as a road map that would methodically reveal the deliberate progression of His will. The details of the written-word harmonizing with the embodiment of the Living-Word in Yahoshua, validate the preeminence of the Word as declared in John 1:1-5. Script and Spirit working together to unveil YHWH’s plan of salvation. The significance of John 1:1-5 will be unveiled in a later section, Gospel Timeline, Section One.
To further emphasize the significance and importance of Scripture, the following verses are being presented, Luke 24:13-35. This is an account concerning two of Yahoshua’s disciples walking from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus, shortly after Yahoshua’s crucifixion. During their journey they encounter the resurrected Messiah . . .
The underlined sentences below give emphasis to their reference to Scripture; they are not SiteLinks.
13. Now that very day (the day of discovering Yahoshua’s empty tomb) two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14. They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened.
15. While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them
16. (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him).
17. Then he said to them, “What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19. He said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people;
20. and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21. But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened.
22. Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning,
23. and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24. Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”
25. So he said to them, “You foolish people—how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26. Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27. Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures.
28. So they approached the village where they were going. He acted as though he wanted to go farther,
29. but they urged him, “Stay with us because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So he went in to stay with them.
30. When he had taken his place at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31. At this point their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then he vanished out of their sight.
32. They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?”
33. So they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and those with them gathered together.
34. and saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon!”
35. Then they told what had happened on the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.
Yahoshua’s disciples spent choice time with Him, yet they did not understand the deeper meaning of Scripture concerning the purpose and destiny of their own Rabbi. What an awesome experience to have the resurrected Messiah interpret to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures.
Creator-YHWH carefully orchestrated the development of His holy-script throughout its long and purposeful progression (history). During His ministry and especially after His Resurrection, Messiah Yahoshua became the realization of this holy-script. He was able to explain His ministry to His disciples by revealing the deeper meaning of the very Scripture they had known from their youth. Scripture gives testimony to the divine purpose and will of YHWH just as He had ordained it from the beginning of time.
The four indications that give witness to Creator-YHWH's existence (Creation, Humanity, Scripture and Holy Spirit) serve as a platform to enact YHWH's purpose for the physical creation. This platform brings to the forefront the spiritual backdrop that serves to expose the depraved condition of Humanity. While Scripture records (in general) the consequences of Humanity's disobedience, it simultaneously offers a seemingly obscure, yet profound hope for Humanity. Eventually, Scripture reveals that Yahoshua is the remedy for Humanity's dilemma, just as He proclaimed to His disciples while they were on the Road to Emmaus (in the previous section).
The following two sections, 'In Real Time' and 'Harvesting the Word in Light of the Harvest', will briefly, and hopefully with some degree of accuracy, punctuate how YHWH's purpose for our life unfolds in real time . . . bringing us closer to the unveiling and embracement of YHWH's Divine-Appointments. Although the message is simple, it is very difficult for many individuals to authentically embrace and submit to Yahoshua's message and our true purpose for life.
Creator-YHWH is the Source and Sustainer of all Creation and is absolutely sovereign in His purpose and will. Scripture (Bible) delivers a written declaration of Creator-YHWH’s purpose for Creation. The sequence of events that unfold in Scripture give testimony to and supply an over-view of how He interacts with Humanity, by revealing His just and loving character in the midst of human situations and events. YHWH is very deliberate and prudent concerning the parameters by which we as individuals will, perhaps, encounter Him. He draws us to Himself in order to awaken us to our potential-calling. The development of each person’s relationship with YHWH abounds with unique inflections and revelations (aha moments) that specifically weigh-in and touch-on our heart at a very personal and pertinent level. Equipped with His piercing discernment and eternal wisdom YHWH decides when to personally reveal Himself to us as being the authentic ‘Source’ and ultimate fulfillment of our life. The presence of His Light (Truth) exposes the futility of our own intrigue to somehow circumvent His Truth when we are in pursuit of our own (personal) perception of ‘truth’.
In order to encounter and properly engage in His sovereign-will, our human body functions as the vehicle that transports us from Point-A (our physical conception) to Point-B (our physical death). In between these two points we experience the wonderful gift of Time-Space-Matter where our body serves as a vessel that encapsulates the essence of life that has been bestowed to us by our Creator. Replete within this Breath-of-Life (Spirit) are gifts, talents, desires and inherent qualities that are expressions of the very likeness of our Creator’s divine essence, all of which we express through our gift of free-will. This divine structure that we call Life, ultimately reveals the depth of our character, as the intent of our will is played-out through our heart and mind.
Creation has been designed to provide a stage (a physical platform) whereby our thoughts and choices (the intent of our heart) are made graphic. This animation vividly displays our use, or abuse, of the gifts that we have been given. Upon the completion of our life the very fabric of Time-Space-Matter will have unmistakably captured and accurately documented who and what we actually were in thought and action, during our lifetime. By means of our own volition we give witness (evidence) in real time to the quality of our spiritual character (moral essence) and thereby fulfill YHWH’s purpose to know (reveal) the heart of each individual. This would be similar to when Abraham’s heart was revealed by his actions concerning the ‘sacrifice’ of his son Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-19)
The righteous and just standards of YHWH have been integrated throughout the fabric of Creation during the formation of Time-Space-Matter. They serve as a resounding testimony to YHWH’s upright (eternal) character and are therefore immutable. They accompany His perfect will as YHWH’s justice and mercy are duly measured-out as He carefully witnesses and judges over all matters concerning the fruition of each individual’s ‘heart’. Each person (spirit-being) is impartially, thereby justifiably, subject to these eternal principles making each individual liable (pre-destined) to the very outcome of their own choices. Irreversible . . . and rightly so, for this is the realization of YHWH’s sovereign will, to know and to reveal the heart of each individual.
Galatians 6:7-8
7. Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,
8. because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
Hebrews 4:13
13. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
The dynamic and revealing purpose of Life, as described in the above overview, ultimately exposes Humanity’s inability to properly honor the gifts that we have been blessed with. All Humanity, Jew and Gentile alike, stand exposed before the righteousness of YHWH, for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:22b-23) It is therefore vital to our spiritual-well-being that we are illuminated by YHWH’s Light (Truth). It is also crucial, because . . . you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. (James 4:14).
Our illumination comes by us experiencing a personal-Divine-Appointment with our Creator. This encounter is a direct result of YHWH pursuing His heart’s desire to draw us close to Him. The penetrating quality of His compassion and forgiveness express the depth of His love for us while simultaneously exposing the depraved will of our sin-nature. This Divine-Appointment specifically targets our consciousness concerning the responsibility and accountability of our choices due to our free-will. YHWH compassionately challenges us, seemingly begs us, to relinquish (renounce) the pursuit of our own destructive will while revealing the greater blessings of His eternal purpose and will. The rawness of this exposure is intended to reduce (humble) us to a heart of contrition with the aim of encouraging us to surrender to the method that YHWH has designed to legally purchase our sin-debt, that is, His Redemptive Plan.
In our submission to His Redemptive Plan, YHWH becomes the supreme-authority in our life and is therefore mutually authorized to fundamentally transform the core of our sin-nature-being. Our transformation from sin-laden to sin-forgiven is the result of His eternal essence (Seed) dwelling within us which causes our core-being ‘to be born again’. Under His covenant-covering we are renewed daily as He justifies and sanctifies us according to His perfect will and Grace. As YHWH molds us into the image of His Son (Yahoshua) our innate gifts and talents are transformed into the righteous works (fruits) of His salvation. It is with great pleasure that YHWH sets-apart His ‘Chosen’ from the disobedient (the common-ness of the world) in order to bear His image through His children. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV) The Salvation He offers us here on earth ultimately prepares us to dwell in His presence eternally.
We, as re-newed spirits (creatures) after His own kind, must continually submit to His Spirit in order to properly honor and harvest His Word. By doing so our very being (meaning the remnant of His essence that sustains our existence) is ‘naturally’ drawn and eventually called to the In-Gathering of YHWH’s ultimate Harvest, that is, the gathering of His off-spring. His children are those who clearly emanate His righteous characteristics. There is nothing that can ‘snatch-away’ His Promises from us as long as we choose to remain In-Covenant (an active relationship) with Him, for this is what infuses us to Him. (This is how Adam and Eve chose-to-fall from Grace in the Garden, by dishonoring their relationship with YHWH.) His Covenant with us is the Grace that empowers us to resonate as His kindred-spirit (free from guilt) and by the intrinsic authority (mercy) of this Gift we are found in the Lamb’s Book-of-Life.
On the other hand, by choosing to be ignorant to His Light (by neglecting our Covenant with Him) then we actually allow darkness to overwhelm us to the point where we no longer bear witness of His kindred-spirit. Remember, this is due to our own disrespect and dishonor of His Word. Therefore, by reason of our own culpability (blameworthiness) His just and impartial Spirit must say, depart from me, all you workers of iniquity. (Luke 13:27b / Luke 13:22-28 NKJV)
Listen to King David’s words of advice to his son Solomon: obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him (He will allow Himself to be found by you), but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently. 1Chronicles 28:9b-10
Ezekiel gives testimony to YHWH’s passionate and continual call for Humanity’s repentance.
Ezekiel 18:21-31
21. “But if the wicked person turns from all the sin he has committed and observes all my statutes and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.
22. None of the sins he has committed will be held against him; because of the righteousness he has done, he will live.
23. Do I actually delight in the death of the wicked, declares the Sovereign Lord? Do I not prefer that he turn from his wicked conduct and live?
24. “But if a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and practices wrongdoing according to all the abominable practices the wicked carry out, will he live? All his righteous acts will not be remembered; because of the unfaithful acts he has done and the sin he has committed, he will die.
25. “Yet you say, ‘The Lord’s conduct is unjust!’ Hear, O house of Israel: Is my conduct unjust? Is it not your conduct that is unjust?
26. When a righteous person turns back from his righteousness and practices wrongdoing, he will die for it; because of the wrongdoing he has done, he will die.
27. When a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life.
28. Because he considered and turned from all the sins he had done, he will surely live; he will not die.
29. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s conduct is unjust!’ Is my conduct unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your conduct that is unjust?
30. “Therefore, I will judge each person according to his conduct, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and turn from all your wickedness; then it will not be an obstacle leading to iniquity.
31. Throw away all your sins you have committed and fashion yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why should you die, O house of Israel?
32. For I take no delight in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
To ‘turn from all sin’ and to ‘observe all my statutes’ (verse 21 above) signified the importance of Israel remaining ‘In-Covenant’ with YHWH. They were required to walk in obedience to the Words-of-the-Covenant that were established through Moses. This same commandment (requirement) to ‘turn from all sin’ and to ‘observe all my statutes’ is still necessary for us today in order for us to be ‘In-Covenant’ with YHWH. Both the ‘old’ and ‘new’ covenants are structured according to YHWH’s righteous qualities, yet the format of the ‘old’ covenant is not able to administer the superior qualities of the New Covenant realities (format). This requires a change (transformation) of both the Covenant and the Covenant-Holder. This similar principle was taught by Yahoshua in one of His parables. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the skins burst and the wine is spilled out and the skins are destroyed. Instead they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved. (Matthew 9:17) Only when an individual is born-again, as proclaimed in the gospel-testimonies of the ‘new covenant’ writings of the Bible, is a person then able to be ‘In-Covenant’ with YHWH. This brings us in accord with the Words-of-the-Covenant (The New Covenant) that were established through Messiah Yahoshua. Remember, Yahoshua (Jesus) has become the guarantee of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22b), this being the general theme of the Book of Hebrews, and to a large degree, for the Bible as well.
Simply Surrender to His Gift!
Choose the Light and Live!
The inspiration of this WebSite, to address the significance of the Appointed-Times, is based on two very simple, yet fundamental realizations. First, the whole of Creation has come into existence because of Yahoshua, as stated in Colossians 1:16b; all things were created through him and for him. In other words, the purpose for Creation is to implement Yahoshua's earthly mission, ultimately demonstrating His sin-sacrifice for Humanity. Second, YHWH's Appointed-Times serve as an outline (a summary) of Yahoshua's mission, confirming that He is the substance of what the Appointed-Times represent, as stated in Colossians 2:16-17; 16. So, let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17. which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. (NKJV)
Yahoshua's teachings and His unique approach to the situations that He encountered, often challenged the traditional boundaries and the presumed authority of His generation. Although this conflict was inevitable, early in His ministry, Yahoshua made it very clear that He wasn't challenging Torah nor the prophets with a negative approach. Actually, it was quite the opposite.
Matthew 5:17-20
17. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them.
18. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place.
19. So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20. For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!
This quotation is helpful to understanding Torah (the Law) and the prophets, as well as the Appointed-Times, in their old covenant setting, in comparison to understanding the Divine-Appointments in their New Covenant expression. Clearly, Yahoshua's ministry was to fulfill, not abolish or destroy the purpose of Torah and the prophets. Would we say, now that the table is set, let's not eat . . . or now that we have completed the house according to the blueprint, let's not reside within. This approach would be ludicrous. The vision then becomes clear, rather than attempting to ignore, abolish or destroy YHWH's Appointed-Times, we should instead strive to live in the fulfillment and fruition of their prophetic purpose. We no longer focus on or are limited to the shadow, rather, we live in the realization of YHWH's righteousness as it is displayed through His Gospel, the Better Covenant.
The simple realization and the clear vision that was mentioned at the beginning of this section verifies this truth . . . that within their Old Covenant setting, the Appointed-Times are a shadow of things to come. Yet, when the events of the Appointed-Times are realized in their New Covenant setting, they are no longer being anticipated . . . because when that which was anticipated to come, has actually come, although the anticipation has ended, that which had been anticipated actually remains. Meaning, the observation and commemoration of the Appointed-Times in their New Covenant (Gospel) setting are simply (naturally) acknowledging and demonstrating that which has come. Obviously, the substance of the Divine-Appointments must remain, it cannot be ignored or abolished because it is currently manifesting the presence and on-going work of Messiah.
Leviticus 23:1-2 of 44
1. The LORD spoke to Moses:
2. “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘These are the LORD’s appointed times which you must proclaim as holy assemblies—my appointed times.
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Leviticus chapter 23 identifies the weekly Appointed-Time of Shabbat and the seven annual Appointed-Times of YHWH. Within the historical and covenantal context of YHWH's relationship with Israel, the Appointed-Times were uniquely tailored to fit YHWH's purpose for Israel's calling. They were deliberately set-apart from the other families and nations of the world and, to a large degree, the Appointed-Times served as markers to identify Israel as YHWH’s 'chosen' people. The design and purpose of this relationship eventually reveals a recurring character trait of YHWH; He seems to enjoy hiding His will in plain sight. When YHWH declared to Israel, these are my appointed times, He knew that Israel’s calling would serve as a prototype (a standard example) for a much greater calling. Therefore, the symbols of the Appointed-Times are woven throughout the ordained order of His Creation. They are manifested in the seasons and the harvest of the crops which result in bringing people together in holy convocations and fellowship. Each Appointed-Time is adorned with prophetic symbolism and intertwined with covenantal promises.
Unaware to Israel, these appointed days of celebration and reverence were concealing a profound mystery. When YHWH’s covenants (those which He instituted with Humanity throughout history) are united with the prophetic qualities of each Appointed-Time, they actually serve as an outline, that is, a divine rehearsal for 'The Greatest Story Ever Told'. This of course, is referring to the Messianic Gospel, the Good News of YHWH’s Salvation. When the prophetic qualities of each covenant and the prophetic qualities of each appointed-time are brought together in their divine union, the dynamic qualities of YHWH's Better-Covenant are unveiled. This is the culmination of pre-messianic history spanning from the Genesis-Creation to the onset of Messiah’s ministry. This would have been exactly what Yahoshua proclaimed to His disciples while ‘On the Road to Emmaus’, when he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures. The continual rehearsal of the Appointed-Times under the ‘old covenant’ format, served to honor and preserve the essence of their envisioned resolution, until the pre-ordained expression of the Appointed-Times would be realized through the Power of the Cross. At this point, the Divine-Appointments take-on their Gospel attire (the shadow giving way to the Light) and, to a large degree, serve as markers to identify the Followers of Messiah as YHWH’s authentic 'Chosen' people. This identifies the mature-authentic Israel and signifies the progression of YHWH’s will, concerning both the restoration of our proper fellowship with YHWH and the reinstatement of the earthly dominion that Adam and Eve lost through their disobedience and separation from YHWH.
So, when YHWH proclaims, These are my appointed times, He knows exactly what He is talking about. The journey of this WebSite is to explore the Promises that are concealed within the old structure of the Appointed-Times, in order to experience and celebrate the fruition of the Better Covenant that are manifested in His Divine-Appointments. The rehearsal of the Old Covenant Appointed-Times preserves the essence of YHWH’s will until the Power of the cross animates the substance of YHWH’s Divine-Appointments.
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Leviticus 23:3 of 44
3. “‘Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy assembly. You must not do any work; it is a Sabbath to the Lord in all the places where you live.
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Shabbat (Sabbath), set-apart on the seventh day of the week (a.k.a. Saturday), is the first Appointed-Time of YHWH. This sacred event was initiated, then ordained by Elohim (God) Himself. It could be said, that He was the first to ‘observe’ Shabbat.
Genesis 2:2-3
2. By the seventh day God finished the work that he had been doing, and he ceased on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing.
3. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation.
This set-apartness (distinction) from the remaining six days of the week, stands as an acknowledgment, a testament to YHWH’s accomplishment of Time-Space-Matter. The very fabric of Creation is saturated with the will of YHWH. Each sequence of Creation described in Genesis chapter one, is loaded with intent and purpose in order to prepare and supply the platform for the next sequence to unfold according to the set order of Creation. Although Shabbat is the culmination of the six-day accomplishment of Creation, it simultaneously provides the platform for the next sequence of YHWH’s will. The cyclical motion of the recurring seven days provides a perpetual cycle of Time (hours, days, weeks, moons, seasons, etc.) while continually giving testimony to the theme of Creation (form and structure, new-beginnings, etc.).
When Israel entered In-Covenant with YHWH, the hand of YHWH guided them (commanded them) to honor the very same action that their Creator had exemplified in the advent (the coming into existence) of the original creation. The following reference to Shabbat is a quotation from what is often referred to as ‘The Ten Commandments’, or more accurately, the Words-of-the-Covenant, the Ten Words.
Exodus 20:8-11
8. “Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as holy.
9. For six days you may labor and do all your work,
10. but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or the resident foreigner who is in your gates.
11. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and he rested on the seventh day; therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
It is physically and spiritually impossible to alter or re-arrange Shabbat from its ordained and prophetic order without adulterating YHWH's set-apart purpose for Shabbat. It is situated with great intentionality in order to honor Creation's intended function. While Creator-YHWH was forming Time-Space-Matter, as outlined in Genesis One, He infused the natural and spiritual ‘DNA Codes' throughout the entire structure of Creation. The symbolic use of the term ‘DNA Code’ is referring to the fact (reality) that, when YHWH establishes something by His Word, then it will without doubt unfold according to those exact parameters, just as the directives of the DNA Code for a human being will only allow for the formation of a human being, etc.) The natural ‘DNA Code’ unravels into the physical platform of Time-Space-Matter, as ordained by YHWH. This physical platform is used to manifest the spiritual ‘DNA Code’ that unfolds into the ultimate form of life, Eternal-Life, as imparted to us through Yahoshua. The determination of His Word remaining true to its original purpose, is verified in the following verses.
Isaiah 46:9-10
9. Remember what I accomplished in antiquity. Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me,
10. who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred; who says, My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire.
When Moses recapped the Words-of-the-Covenant (the Ten Commandments) to Israel, this is what He said after declaring the proper observance of Shabbat.
Deuteronomy 5:15
15. Recall that you were slaves in the land of Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there by strength and power. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
YHWH was fully aware of the historical (the original context) of Shabbat, yet He used this sacred ordination to commemorate and celebrate Israel’s liberation from slavery. What a great honor for Israel to be recognized by and united with YHWH in His sacred (set-apart) day. YHWH was also fully aware of Shabbat having a much more profound and farther-reaching significance, as it finds a greater fulfillment in the substance . . . of Christ. The weekly Seventh-Day Sabbath represents completion, rest and cessation from the routine activities of the six previous days of work. Yet, our spiritual-rest is situated in the redemptive work of Yahoshua, our spiritual-being actually rests in His accomplishment concerning the Salvation that He has brought to us . . . Recall that you were slaves to sin and that YHWH your Elohim brought you out of bondage by His strength and power. That is why YHWH your Elohim has commanded you (to continue) to observe the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy 5:15, revisited in Light of the Gospel.
We honor YHWH when we willingly recognize and celebrate Shabbat in the framework by which He ordained its function from the beginning of time . . . embracing it in its current capacity as it has now expanded into the current realization of the Better Covenant in Messiah . . . which encourages us to anticipate its yet greater fulfillment, the prophetic vision when we will shed this mortal shell, to enter His eternal rest. !! Shalom !!
For other examples of the word seven and its usage, see Biblical Numerology.
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Leviticus 23:3 of 44
4. These are the LORD’s appointed times, holy assemblies, which you must proclaim at their appointed time.
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The remaining seven Appointed-Times are recognized once a year, according to their designated time. Passover is situated within the onset of the biblical new year, its announcement is clearly observed by the arrival of the vernal signs of the season, that is, the sprouting and newness of Spring. Along with its announcement of the new year, it also initiates the sequence of events that methodically set into motion the remaining six Appointed-Times.
Deuteronomy 16:16
16. Three times a year all your males must appear before the Lord your God in the place he chooses for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Shelters; and they must not appear before him empty-handed.
Let’s see how the rehearsal plays-out.
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Leviticus 23:5 of 44
5. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, is a Passover offering to the LORD.
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As mentioned earlier, Pesach (Passover) is situated within the onset of the biblical new year. It is nudged each year, by the arrival of the vernal signs of the season, to carefully prepare, and to adorn itself for YHWH’s holy convocations. The love and will of YHWH are embedded within the cyclical motion and the recurring expressions of YHWH’s Appointed-Times, continually wooing Humanity to embrace His saving grace. Remember, YHWH perpetually bound Pesach to the prophetic arrangement of Shabbat’s eternal purpose. While Shabbat served as the commemoration of Israel’s liberation from their slavery in Egypt, it also played the role of a rehearsal, pointing to Humanity’s liberation from the slavery of sin . . . ultimately pointing to our liberation from the confines of this human body, the promise of eternal life.
The Passover lamb that the children of Israel sacrificed in Egypt, which helped propel their liberation from slavery as recorded in Exodus chapters 12-14, actually served as the shadow of the greater Passover sacrifice that was yet to come. Yahoshua's sacrifice on the cross (torture stake), which happened on Passover day, initiated Humanity’s liberation from our slavery to sin, therefore Yahoshua is the authentic Passover Sacrifice. The event of the Exodus Passover still retains its historical and prophetic purpose, yet in light of the better sacrifice that has come in Yahoshua, the shadow can no longer have preeminence over the real event. Meaning, through His sacrifice we no longer walk in the shadow, nor are we limited to the boundaries of the Passover that YHWH had previously established under the Mosaic (Old) Covenant. This transformation of the shadow giving way to the light, applies to all of the Appointed-Times. As Followers of the Better Covenant, we must submit and dedicate ourselves to live in Messiah, that is, to accept and live under the provisions and the liberation of the Better (New) Covenant. Our acceptance of the Better Covenant enables us to live-out daily, the on-going celebration of this liberation. Our personal life, inevitably, becomes a testimony to the supremacy of the New Covenant realities that have been initiated and validated by Messiah.
When the celestial bodies (the stars, moon, sun, etc.) properly align themselves in the heavens, according to the Word of YHWH . . . when the latency of Winter is energized by the vibrancy of Spring on planet Earth, according to the Word of YHWH . . . these two events serve as shofars (trumpets), sounding in unison on Earth to declare the will of heaven, all according to the Word of YHWH . . . then Look-Up! YHWH has begun to release His cycle of vernal (fresh, Spring-like, renewed) characteristics upon planet Earth. A cycle of fresh-ness and new-ness, a restoration of hope and the resounding promise of reconciliation that all take root in the rested soil and the tested heart of the intent Believer. Within two short weeks of the blasting of these shofars, the annual Passover is ushered in, blessed by those who attentively respond to the invitation. The celebration of the vernal atmosphere represents the initiation, the thrust and the fulfillment of YHWH’s will (His heart’s desire) to successfully harvest (separate) His children from the tares, that is, from the workers of iniquity. As adherents of the Better Covenant, we no longer focus on the ornaments, symbols and events of the Appointed-Times in the context of the previous covenant. Instead, we honor the substance by commemorating Messiah's sacrifice, we celebrate the salvation that accompanies it and we also find rest in the accomplishment of His righteous works that are displayed through His Mercy and Grace. The peace and security that we find in His Grace are all the more enhanced when the illusion that we can achieve enough ‘good’ works to outperform (to counterbalance) our ‘bad’ works, is finally severed from our understanding of what salvation actually is in Messiah. His salvation is magnified even greater when we allow His righteousness to animate our clay vessels (our human body), this signifying that His presence is upon us (Immanuel / Elohim - God is with us). This example of Passover as described above alerts us and moves us to be attentive, so that . . . when YHWH (the celestial bodies) are moving, then we as professing Believers (the earthly elements) must willingly respond in accordance with His will.
Stating the obvious then, Yahoshua's sacrifice was ordained (planned) during the formation of Time-Space-Matter, meaning, the purpose of Yahoshua's sin-sacrifice was integrated within the foundation of the physical creation of the Earth. The Day of His sacrifice, Passover, was etched in the 'blueprint' of creation before the physical expression actually came to be. Yahoshua's sacrifice on the cross (torture stake) is therefore the authentic Passover, clearly making the Exodus Passover in Egypt, a type, a shadow or a copy of the real thing. It is therefore impossible for an Appointed-Time to be . . . ignored, abolished, done away with, fulfilled (as to imply that it is no longer significant), or that it is of the old covenant (as to imply that it is outdated) . . . because Messiah (the Gospel message) is the arrival of the real thing. When the real thing has come, obviously, it has come to stay! In other words, the old covenant Appointed-Times were pre-anniversaries of the actual events of salvation and are the celebration of the real anniversaries that were to come but have already arrived.
So . . . the newly wed wife says to her newly wed husband, on their wedding day, now that the courtship (the engagement) period, which was pointing to our marriage, has been fulfilled and is now complete . . . we can just ignore, abolish and do away with the realization of the marriage. That’s right, there is no need to acknowledge the purpose of our commitment to one another nor do we need to commemorate our wedding day with any outdated anniversary. You see, they've been done away with because we are now living in the 'spirit' of marriage. The anticipation, the symbols and the preparation of our betrothal period are just frivolous works in light of what it means to live in the spirit of marriage . . . therefore, we don’t need to follow-through or honor the significance and purpose of our betrothal period. But remember, whenever I want something, I’ll expect you to fulfill my wants and needs. The newly wed husband . . . shocked, speechless, devastated, furious . . . says, what . . . ? How backward would that be for him to receive such a delivery? So, how does YHWH (our Husband) deal with our ‘enlightened ignorance’ when we, perhaps, respond in a similar manner regarding His plans and purpose of His ‘marriage’ with us? This is especially true concerning the realization of His eight-step-outline (the Appointed-Times) that unleash ‘The Greatest Story (Marriage) Ever Told’.
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Leviticus 23:6-8 of 44
6. Then on the fifteenth day of the same month will be the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.
7. On the first day there will be a holy assembly for you; you must not do any regular work.
8. You must present a gift to the LORD for seven days, and the seventh day is a holy assembly; you must not do any regular work.
Leviticus 23:9-14 of 44
9. The LORD spoke to Moses:
10. “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘When you enter the land that I am about to give to you and you gather in its harvest, then you must bring the sheaf of the first portion of your harvest to the priest,
11. and he must wave the sheaf before the LORD to be accepted for your benefit—on the day after the Sabbath the priest is to wave it.
12. On the day you wave the sheaf you must also offer a flawless yearling lamb for a burnt offering to the LORD,
13. along with its grain offering, two-tenths of an ephah of choice wheat flour mixed with olive oil, as a gift to the LORD, a soothing aroma, and its drink offering, one-fourth of a hin of wine.
14. You must not eat bread, roasted grain, or fresh grain until this very day, until you bring the offering to your God. This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all the places where you live.
Leviticus 23:15-22 of 44
15. “‘You must count for yourselves seven weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day you bring the wave offering sheaf; they must be complete weeks.
16. You must count fifty days—until the day after the seventh Sabbath—and then you must present a new grain offering to the LORD.
17. From the places where you live you must bring two loaves of bread for a wave offering; they must be made from two-tenths of an ephah of fine wheat flour, baked with yeast, as firstfruits to the LORD.
18. Along with the loaves of bread, you must also present seven flawless yearling lambs, one young bull, and two rams. They are to be a burnt offering to the Lord along with their grain offering and drink offerings, a gift of a soothing aroma to the LORD.
19. You must also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two yearling lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice,
20. and the priest is to wave them—the two lambs—along with the bread of the firstfruits, as a wave offering before the Lord; they will be holy to the LORD for the priest.
21. “‘On this very day you must proclaim an assembly; it is to be a holy assembly for you. You must not do any regular work. This is a perpetual statute in all the places where you live throughout your generations.
22. When you gather in the harvest of your land, you must not completely harvest the corner of your field, and you must not gather up the gleanings of your harvest. You mus
Leviticus 23:23-25 of 44
23. The LORD spoke to Moses:
24. “Tell the Israelites, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you must have a complete rest, a memorial announced by loud horn blasts, a holy assembly.
25. You must not do any regular work, but you must present a gift to the LORD.
Leviticus 23:26-32 of 44
26. The LORD spoke to Moses:
27. “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It is to be a holy assembly for you, and you must humble yourselves and present a gift to the LORD.
28. You must not do any work on this particular day, because it is a day of atonement to make atonement for yourselves before the Lord your God.
29. Indeed, any person who does not behave with humility on this particular day will be cut off from his people.
30. As for any person who does any work on this particular day, I will exterminate that person from the midst of his people—
31. you must not do any work! This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all the places where you live.
32. It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must humble yourselves on the ninth day of the month in the evening, from evening until evening you must observe your Sabbath.
Leviticus 23:33-36 of 44
33. The LORD spoke to Moses:
34. “Tell the Israelites, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Feast of Shelters for seven days to the LORD.
35. On the first day is a holy assembly; you must do no regular work.
36.For seven days you must present a gift to the LORD. On the eighth day there is to be a holy assembly for you, and you must present a gift to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly day; you must not do any regular work.
Leviticus 23:37-38 of 44
37. “‘These are the appointed times of the Lord that you must proclaim as holy assemblies to present a gift to the LORD—burnt offering, grain offering, sacrifice, and drink offerings, each day according to its regulation,
38. besides the Sabbaths of the LORD and all your gifts, votive offerings, and freewill offerings which you must give to the LORD.
Leviticus 23:39-43 of 44
39. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the produce of the land, you must celebrate a pilgrim festival of the LORD for seven days. On the first day is a complete rest and on the eighth day is complete rest.
40. On the first day you must take for yourselves branches from majestic trees—palm branches, branches of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and you must rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.
41. You must celebrate it as a pilgrim festival to the LORD for seven days in the year. This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you must celebrate it in the seventh month.
42. You must live in temporary shelters for seven days; every native citizen in Israel must live in shelters,
43. so that your future generations may know that I made the Israelites live in shelters when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 23:44 of 44
44. So Moses spoke to the Israelites about the appointed times of the LORD
For more explanation concerning the Appointed-Times, follow the link below,
Originally, the previous section, Leviticus 23, was going to be presented at the very end of the WebSite's presentation. The plan was to read through the ‘new covenant’ section of the Bible (this is referring to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the remaining letters of the ‘new covenant section of the Bible) while providing hints and subtle indications of YHWH’s Appointed-Times during the reading. The hints were to serve as a build-up to a surprising and impactful revelation (a climatic, aha moment), when the Appointed-Times of Leviticus 23 would finally be revealed in their new covenant setting. As the content of the WebSite developed and the many features of YHWH’s design kept expanding, it seemed more appropriate to present this section near the beginning of the WebSite. When you know your destination, the markers (the symbols and shadows of YHWH’s Appointed-Times) are much easier to identify and understand. The following two paragraphs give example to the advantage of already knowing where you’re going.
A very common expression you will hear when someone is giving driving directions to a location that you are entirely unfamiliar with is, "just do this and . . . you can't miss it". To the person that is giving the directions, well, it’s crystal clear in their mind because they are familiar with all of the reference points that they are describing to you. Since you have never been there, the reference points aren't necessarily that clear to you. Sometimes "you can't miss it" turns out to be true, yet all too often those reference points are nowhere to be found on the initial journey. However, the more you travel this route, those once obscure reference points become a familiar sight to you . . . well . . . you can't miss it.
The more defined the biblical destination is and the more distinct its end goal is, the easier it is to recognize the path that will take you to that destination. Some of this clarity comes when we acknowledge the compassion that occupies the heart of YHWH, to methodically redeem Humanity from our imprisonment to sin. As His will becomes more apparent, and even natural to us, the easier it is to identify the method by which YHWH utilizes the Appointed-Times as handles, tools of precision to develop and implement His strategy to liberate us. By explaining the features of YHWH’s Appointed-Times in the beginning, rather than at the end of this WebSite, it will be easier to interpret His ‘blueprint’ while we are experiencing the journey. The more we understand the ‘How and Why’ of where were going, the more engaged we will be in the process . . . the ornaments and prefigures of pre-Messianic biblical history (the part of the Bible that is referred to as the ‘old covenant’) are much easier to identify from the perspective of YHWH’s overall design . . . especially when we understand that the aim of the Divine-Appointments has a clear focus on the target . . . proclaiming ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ . . . that being, the good news of the Gospel of YHWH.
The HomePage of this WebSite is prayerfully attempting to do just that, by presenting His Appointed-Times (the Aim and the Method) of YHWH in light of His plan of Redemption. The HomePage is a ‘not so short’ introduction to the remainder of this WebSite’s aspiration; to Harvest the Word of YHWH according to His purpose and will.The specific aim is to understand how the Appointed-Times that Israel received through Moses actually foreshadowed the initial expression of the Gospel that Yahoshua’s disciples would have experienced in first-century Israel, with the Appointed-Times continuing their development (maturity) through the Advancement of the Gospel.
Please continue reading with this aspiration at heart while also being mindful to the method of discovery that the HomePage has brought forth. It is impossible to properly understand the Grace of YHWH and the superiority of the New-Better Covenant with a Torah-biased-mind-set. It is also impossible to properly understand the righteousness of YHWH and the supremacy of His word with a Grace-biased-mind-set. A renewed, Messiah-centered-mind is the balance of Torah and Grace while harmonizing Scripture and Gospel. Remember, the rehearsal of the Old Covenant Appointed-Times preserves the essence of YHWH’s will until the Power of the cross animates the substance of YHWH’s Divine-Appointments.
Delight in the Promise, Enjoy the Journey!!
Click on the link to read an analogy concerning the planning, development and realization of YHWH’s Appointed-Times, Pre-Anniversaries (click-link).
Click on the link below to follow the Light of Yahoshua’s Ministry.
LAST EDIT: 19:34 / 24 April 2025
ORIGINAL POST: 23 November 2021