Cycle of Sanctification
God has a plan. His appointments are purposeful and unique, they work together within the context of one biblical year, throughout our lifetime. All the Feasts (Appointed Times) listed in Leviticus 23 (which are reviewed here), are called moadim (or in the singular: moed). A moed is a unique and significant appointment or meeting between God and man. The moadim (Appointed Times) act as specific teaching tools by causing us to take focused time-outs from our hectic lives in order to experience greater intimacy with our Creator. These times also "shadow" (
Examine the following overview of God’s biblical calendar. Look at each Feast of the Lord (Appointed Time) individually, and look at them as a whole. Upon careful examination, I believe you will begin to see exactly what I mean by ‘cycle of sanctification.’
Sabbath – Weekly Practice – Leviticus 23:3
On the Sabbath we are commanded by God to cease, rest, rejoice, and worship. We are told not to go our own way or fulfill our own desires, but to rest in the knowledge that God Himself provides for us. The Sabbath is a reminder that we are the Messiah’s covenant people-His bride-and He desires for us to experience an intimate time with Him weekly. While the Christian church has from the time of Constantine to today had its day of worship "changed" for political and financial reasons, the 7th day and the 7 day week has remained a constant "witness" of the reality of God's establishment of the 7 days of Creation and God's own rest on the 7th day. The French tried a 10 day week once, and it failed miserably; however, no matter what calendar mankind has been on, it has always consisted of a 7 day week.
Our Messiah provided His personal example through obedience to the Father and observed a 7th day Sabbath. His disciples observed a 7th day Sabbath, and although many well meaning and sincere believers observe (or at least 50 years ago or so used to observe) a Sabbath on the 1st day, the Word of God simply does not support such a change in the Sabbath day. The 7th day is still the same 7th day and the 1st day is still the 1st day of the week (from Creation week to today), according to every passage of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation; therefore, it is this community's desire to be obedient to the Word of God even though this does conflict with the traditions of men in the current Christian church.
Please let me be clear, there is nothing wrong or sinful about going to church on Sunday; however, going to church on Sunday does not equate biblically to observance of God's command regarding the Sabbath. Paul himself met with the community of The Way at the going out of the Sabbath in Acts 20:7f (f means "and following"). This means the only text that people use to justify a supposed vague change of the Sabbath day fails to place this verse in its context, which means Paul met with the community in the traditional manner at the concluding hours of the Sabbath for a time of worship, "oneg" (which means delight and is the word used for what we would today call a pot luck dinner), and teaching. That means Paul, who is about to travel, rested on the Sabbath, met with the congregation at the concluding hours of the Sabbath (Saturday evening) and he continued to talk until mid-night knowing he was planning to leave Sunday morning and very likely wanted to have a full 6 days to travel before he would need to stop and rest on the following Sabbath. Not to mention, if God was going to make such a drastic change in His system of doing things, one would suspect their would be much more clear and convincing evidence of such a change. The Lord, Jesus (Yeshua) rising and appearing on Sunday morning is not sufficient evidence of a change as well as this simply places Him symbolically as the First of the First Fruits offering that would be given that day, the day following the Sabbath following Passover.
The Sabbath is also a commemoration of the Exodus from
The Sabbath is a true gift of grace to man and a demonstration of God’s love.
The “10 Commandments” of Sabbath: But before we begin, remember, just like it is reasonable to speed when rushing someone to the hospital in an emergency, the higher love walk of God's Torah commands always give way to live saving events. In other words, we should not needlessly or carelessly break commands of God; however, if your "donkey gets caught in a ditch" so to speak, it is not a violation to pull him out. Therefore, going to the doctor if you are sick on a Sabbath day or the emergency room is NOT a violation of the Torah. Fire Fighters, Police, Doctors and other support personnel in my view are likened to the priests of old who do work and violate the Sabbath, but in that work they are blameless, because they are serving the Lord and saving lives. However, for men like my husband who works in the Commercial Real Estate field, there is rarely if ever a case in which his working would qualify as life saving. But, for those just coming to an understanding of the reality of God's eternal Word and eternal commandments, give yourself grace, you do need to feed your family, so I am not suggesting anyone go out and quit their job (unless the Holy Spirit tells you to specifically), but you should consider bringing the issue before the Lord in prayer, let him know of your desire to be obedient in this area, and I am confident in time he will provide a way for you to keep His commands. Just make sure you don't reject the opportunities He sends your way.
1. Remember and Observe the Sabbath: Exd 20:8; 31:13, Duet 5:12
2. Remember that you were a slave in
3. Celebrate the Sabbath as a perpetual covenant: Exd 31:16-17
4. Call the Sabbath a ‘delight’ and ‘honorable:’ Isa 58:13-14 [By this God does not mean we just "say" that it is a "delight" to us or "honorable" for us, but we let our actions do the "saying" for us and let our hearts learn to take joy in entering the physical rest of God that we in reality have spiritually already received in Christ (Messiah)]
5. Do not pursue your own desires on Sabbath: Isa 58:13 [This day is our opportunity to stop seeking or pursuing our own interests financially or personally, and use this "free time" that God has established for us to be disciples of Christ, to minister to others (first within our own families but also to friends and neighbors), to engage in deliberate acts of evangelism, and be those hands and feet for God. Let's face it, we have busy lives in American culture and try as the "church" may, it is often too busy to see or meet the needs of people right around them who desperately need a Savior because we never stop long enough to hear God's voice and open our schedules for the possibility to visit those in need nor bring them to our homes and feed them.]
6. Do not work on the Sabbath: Exd 20:9-10 [While there are various ideas throughout history as to what exactly constitutes "work" and what does not, most all people can agree that if you are gaining sustenance or income from an activity than it is classified as work, beyond that definition, each individual must decide what activities maintain the spirit of the day and which should be avoided. As you observe the Sabbath and eat of the fruit that comes from observing it, the Holy Spirit will begin to teach you what HE considers work and what HE wants you to do or not do on this day. HE will teach you how to guard this time and set it apart to God]
7. Do not cook on the Sabbath (yippy, mom gets a break too!): Exd 16:23 [Cooking back in the biblical days was an all day affair, use your best judgment and give yourself grace in this areas like anything else. The idea is to set this time apart and give yourself a break from what you would otherwise do the rest of the week]
8. Do not kindle a fire [with the exception of life saving activity of course such as staying warm in winter, the intent here is related to work and lighting a fire with express purpose of using it to engage in work. Again use your best judgment and don't needlessly light fires on the Sabbath, but if you need to warm your house in the winter for example, than in my personal opinion I don't think this is necessarily what God intended to limit in this command, so I don't see something like that a violation. This is a vague command and it is difficult to understand exactly what the entire context was surrounding it so that we can apply it to our lives today; therefore, do what the Spirit leads you to do with regard to this and any other command]: Exd 35:3
9. Do not participate in commerce (i.e. don’t be the cause of someone else working): Neh 10:31; Jer 17:21-22 [When we spend money we are complicit in the sin of others who are working to sell us their goods on the Sabbath. Even though they may be non-believers, we need not condemn them, but we need not participate with them either.
10. Do good on the Sabbath: Matt 12:10
Study these verses for yourself, and begin to make healthy, Godly, Biblical boundaries to guard your Sabbath time. Some helpful questions and things to consider as you do your best to adjust your life to God's Word and begin to honor God’s Sabbath might be:
Recalling that building and creating the tabernacle (the house of God) was not even to be done on the Sabbath, considering the importance of that “house” and the “institution,” what will our actions be on that day in light of this precedent.
The Messiah in all His authority and humanity kept and honored the Sabbath. What Would Yeshua (Jesus) Do? Ask yourself in truth, not just WWJD, but what DID Jesus do, because that is our example, we are to imitate Him? Would Jesus work on the Sabbath? No. Would Jesus go shopping on the Sabbath? No. What would Jesus do? The Bible says it was His regular practice to teach the Word of God on the Sabbath (is there a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker whom I can share Christ with by inviting them to my home for an Eve of the Sabbath, i.e. Friday night, meal?), he healed people on the Sabbath (who can I help? or who do I know who is sick whom I might take a meal to, or visit someone who is elderly or in the hospital), he dinned with friends on the Sabbath (who can I invite to my home and feed?) etc.
The Five S’s of Sabbath:
1. Submission: God is sovereign! Exd 20
2. Security: Participation in God’s will! Isa 58:13-14
3. Success: I will prosper you abundantly! Deut 30:8-11
4. Sanctity: Make them joyful in My House! Isa 56:3-7
5. Safety: Now choose Life! Deut 30:19-20
Remember also the words of Paul who states in Romans 8:6-8, “The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Torah (Law) of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
If setting our mind on the flesh means rejecting and not subjecting ourselves to God's Law (Torah commands); than setting our mind on the Spirit means subjecting our will and lives to God's Law (Torah). BUT we do so from a position of "faith" this is wholly different from a non-believing Jew whom Paul teaches seeks to obey the Law in their flesh, meaning apart from faith which only ends in condemnation because they are sinning by lacking faith and thus they know what they should do and yet are not capable of doing it in their hearts even if they look or have the appearance of piety/holiness with their feet/outward observances or actions. Only God can truly judge the heart of a man and know which Israelite (including us grafted in gentiles) are bringing Him an offering from a position of faith. The human priests had to simply accept all offerings brought to them, and as the writer of Hebrews notes, he could not reject that person's offering because he could not know which man was bringing the offering with a heart of faith and which was bringing it with false motives. However, OUR HIGH PRIEST, Yeshua (Jesus) CAN SEE THE HEARTS OF MEN and He will reject some who seek to offer service to Him false motives.
God rested on the seventh day. We are to be Holy (set apart) as He is Holy. Paul exhorts us to be imitators of God and our Messiah Yeshua!
The verses above are guidelines, but I believe God left the specifics purposefully vague because it then REQUIRES US to have the HOLY SPIRIT to implement properly. It's NOT just a matter of "following the rules" it is a matter of the HEART, a HEART submitted to the Father just as the heart of Jesus (Yeshua) was submitted to the Father. Let us all seek to obey God according to all of His commandments for His commandments are not burdensome as many have been told, but rather, through our obedience the world will see our good works (the light of Christ) and praise our Father in heaven!
In other words, subjecting oneself to the Torah (Law) of God is setting one’s mind on the Spirit, because the Words of God are His the express will and wisdom that comes from His Spirit. In doing so, our actions are well pleasing to God and bring honor and glory to His name.
Passover (Pesach) – A Moment of Redemption – Lev 23:4-5
Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is the name of the lamb sacrifice. Our observance of this Appointed Time marks the anniversary of the atoning sacrifice of our Passover Lamb, Jesus the Christ, (or Yeshua in Hebrew). The sacrifice offered at Passover during
Passover mandates a time for casting out spiritual leaven (always used as a symbol of sin in the Bible) from our lives. At His last dinner (called a seder in Hebrew), Yeshua (Jesus) revealed to the disciples God’s ultimate fulfillment of what this service had from the many days since Israel's Exodus from Egypt foreshadowed. He further explained that He had yet to face the execution stake (cross) as John had foretold: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
Our participation in this final meal (and, if it were possible, the partaking of the Passover sacrifice) celebrates and forever memorializes the atoning work of Christ, our redemption from sin, and the bondage we once had under Pharaoh (i.e. satan).
As we enter this first Appointed Time of the Spring Appointed Times, we recognize the fact that we have been redeemed and are now free to serve God…Not only is this an eternal reality in our lives having been purchased by the blood of our Passover lamb (Jesus Christ) but each year we have the opportunity to focus on and bring a specific area of sin that is still lingering in our lives and allow the Father to purge us of that sin, enabling us to continually grow and mature in our faith as each year God strips away another layer of ourselves and reveals the true picture of what we look like in Christ.
The Passover dinner (seder) service ushers in the entire week of Unleavened Bread-the next Feast in the cycle of sanctification.
The Omer – A Season of Maturation and Growth – Lev 23:9-16
The Omer is a 49 day countdown to the final spring appointment of Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew). The Omer is an integral link between Passover and Shavuot. The days of the Omer create a chain between the things we experienced at Passover and Unleavened Bread with Shavuot, when we receive a fresh empowering of God’s Spirit.
The Omer is a time of recognizable growth and maturation. In the
The first year I tried to observe the counting of the Omer I was appalled at my weak flesh that couldn't seem to even remember to do the simplest thing of stopping once a day to say a quick blessing and count the day such as saying for example, "this is the 12th day of the Omer..." Consequently I decided to use a tool to help me by having my girls remind me each day because they would get to put the little barley sheave sticker on the calendar, and I gave them further incentive by placing a wrapped gift up high in the kitchen letting them know that if they were faithful to help me count the days, they would receive the gift on the 50th day at Shavuot. [Talk about kids appreciating a gift they look at for 49 days but don't get to have until the 50th!] This simple idea provided a great learning tool for me to use, which coincided with the historic biblical concepts that go with this holiday. These include the giving of the Word of God (Torah) at Mt. Sinai and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Both events where on this particular Appointed Time and both have themes of empowerment through the giving of truth for the purpose of spreading the Gospel message that both Paul and Moses preached. Therefore, my practical application tool of the gift gives the children the idea of expectancy that relates to the idea of receiving from God on this day.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PDF OF THE TRADITIONAL BLESSING AND METHOD FOR COUNTING THE OMER EACH DAY
Shavuot (Pentecost) – A Time of Equipping and Empowering – Lev 23:15-21
Seven weeks after Unleavened Bread, the feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) is the next appointment on the calendar. It is a celebration of God’s Spirit revealing His Word. At the first Shavuot, the Lord gave the Torah to Moses at Sinai. Fourteen hundred years later, the disciples of the Master were honoring the command and celebrating Shavuot at the Temple in Jerusalem when God’s Spirit came and empowered them to take the message of the Torah (the Gospel) and the revelation of the Messiah (the way to God) to the Nations.
In our individual lives, Shavuot marks the culmination of the greater work that began in us at Passover and followed us through Unleavened Bread and the counting of the Omer. Just as the first fruits of the wheat harvest are harvested at Shavuot, so too the first fruits of Yeshua’s ministry were made evident when the Holy Spirit was poured out on all believers during Shavuot.
As believers in Yeshua, the sanctification process of the spring feasts prepares us to receive a new life-giving power that comes only from God’s Word (His Torah revealed through the Spirit of Truth that lives within us) and results in us moving ever closer to maturity. Each year, through this process, we are reminded of our covenant relationship to God, our betrothal to Messiah, and our role as believers. Shavuot reflects the evidence of our initial fruits of growth. We are now prepared to receive an expanded message of truth and a greater revelation from God.
As the Lord’s redeemed people, obeying God’s commandments and meeting with our Master during the appointed times provides an opportunity to experience a renewed joy of our salvation. We are equipped again and again, year after year, with a deeper understanding of God’s Torah message (i.e. the Gospel and God's will and wisdom for our lives) and our salvation in Messiah. Having received a fresh empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can overcome the areas of significant weakness and sin that previously held us back from being effective witnesses of our Master. This is the fundamental function of these Spring Appointed Times (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Counting the Omer and Shavuot) in our lives today.
Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) – A Call to Return and Remember – Lev 23:23-25
The Feast of Trumpets (known today in the Jewish calendar as Rosh HaShanah (which means the head of the year), is a non-biblical change of this otherwise biblical holiday by the sages) is a day of trumpet blasting and remembrance. After the long, warm, busy summer, we are beckoned back once again to prepare for the sanctification process that God designed in His appointed times. The sound of the ram’s horn reminds us that it is a time for settling accounts, repenting, apologizing, forgiving, reconciling, and refocusing on what God is doing in our lives. It is a time to honestly evaluate our progress and determine our shortcomings-those areas where we fell short of the divine revelation given to us at “Sinai,” or Shavuot.
Yom Teruah prophetically foreshadows the trumpet that heralds the coming of Messiah, His coronation in
The practical elements of this holiday includes, gathering as a community for a time of worship and fellowship, looking for and sighting the New Moon (the first sliver of the moon as it begins to wax anew), and blowing the Shofar or Ram's horn. Their is also a tradition of eating lots of sweets, sweet breads, apples in honey or carmel, etc. It is a joyous time for all because we rehearse the coming of the Messiah, looking to the heavens (sky) and anticipating the day in which He really does return. It also marks a period of 10 days in which we stop to consider if we have offended anyone, if we need to ask forgiveness from anyone or forgive anyone who has offended us. Communities and families can often have issues throughout the year, personality conflicts, miscommunications etc.; however, it is at this time that everyone in the community needs to do as the Messiah commanded and first go to reconcile with our brothers and sisters before we present our offering to the LORD and pour our hearts out in repentance, fasting, and personal reflection at the next Appointed Time, Yom Kippur.
CLICK HERE FOR SHORT TEACHING WITH VERSES FOR THIS HOLIDAY BOTH HISTORIC AND PROPHETIC
Day of Atonements (Yom Kippurim) – A Day of Reckoning – Lev 23:26-32
Six months after experiencing freedom from our bondage during the spring appointments, we "humble our souls" by fasting and take an entire day to pour out prayers of confession and contrition. It is a day of cleansing and recommitment, a preparation for the next and final appointment on God’s calendar.
The Day of Atonement(s) teaches us the depth of the redemptive work accomplished for us in Yeshua’s (Jesus') death at Passover. It teaches us that the atonement, grace and sufficiency of His sacrifice are ongoing. Yom Kippur also leads to an understanding of Messiah’s role as our High Priest in the REAL tabernacle of God in heaven.Yom Kippur is a day of reckoning. It is an annual reminder of the day when our High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for our sins at great cost with His Blood. This day also brings to mind John’s vision of the Book of Life being opened and all humanity giving account before our Maker. In the end, every person will be resurrected and judged, some will enter God's eternal rest, but others who are without Christ, eternal torment.
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) – Celebrating the Completed Work – Lev 23:33-43
The Feast of Tabernacles is a time of great rejoicing; it is a commemoration of our time in the wilderness and our anticipation of the Messianic era to come. During Sukkot, we celebrate the abundant harvest and rejoice in the work that God has done in our lives. The cycle is now complete, and sanctification gives way to sheer, unfettered joy. We are commanded to rejoice at the Feast of Tabernacles. Together, we celebrate and enjoy the abundance of God’s provision. We enjoy the
We camp out in a booth (sukkah, or temporary dwelling) to celebrate the fact that God dwelt with man both in the desert and in the person of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus), and we anticipate God’s final dwelling with us here on earth in
CLICK HERE FOR A SHORT TEACHING WITH VERSES FOR THIS HOLIDAY BOTH HISTORIC AND PROPHETIC
THE GREAT DAY (THE FINAL 8TH DAY ATTACHED TO SUKKOT) - A New Heaven and A New Earth - Lev 23:36
READ ALL OF John 7:1-7:39 for the entire context of this section of Scripture in which Jesus (Yeshua) was observing Sukkot and the last Great Day of Sukkot.
John 7:2 "Now the Feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths (Sukkot) was near"... vs. 14 "But when it was now the midst of the Feast Jesus went up into the Temple and began to teach"...vs.37 "Now on the last day, The GREAT DAY of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believers in Me, as the Scriptures (i.e. the Torah/Prophets/and Writings) said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
Now an interesting ritual was taking place when Jesus said these words. During the Temple period the priests on this last Great Day of Sukkot would perform an elaborate water ritual. A long procession would follow the priests up from the water drawing area to the Temple and they would pour out the water in this ritual as a hush fell over the crowd. All was quiet and then our Messiah, Jesus stands up and shouts out the words above. Can you picture the scene, those in attendance understood the connection Jesus was making and proclaiming Himself their Messiah! Shortly thereafter we see him in the Temple again around the time of Hanukkah in which he proclaims himself on that Festival of Lights, as "the light of the world." See John 8:12.
Summary
In the same way that God causes new fruit and new life to come forth through the changing of His seasons, He also renews His creation. Through His appointed times, a ‘cycle of sanctification’ is formed through which new fruit and greater life can come forth from His people. His kingdom is full of order and in that kingdom there is life-His life-and it produces joy and contentment within us as the people of God!
Our participation is a critical element needed to encounter our Maker at His appointed times. These days are neither random theological exercises nor mere thoughts in our minds. God uses these holy days to free us from bondage (both physical at times and spiritual at times) and transform us into the image of His Son. His Feasts/Appointed Times are tools in our lives that daily, weekly, and annually mature us, heal us, and sanctify us (set us apart from the world).
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FEASTS AND OTHER BIBLE STUDY MATERIALS SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
Torah Resource, Bible Scholar Tim Hegg, www.torahresource.com
Michael Rood and Glenn McWilliams, www.michaelroodministries.com
