News Letter 5849-060
26th day of the 13th month 5849 years after the creation of Adam
The 13th Month in the Fourth year of the Third Sabbatical Cycle
The Third Sabbatical Cycle of the 119th Jubilee Cycle
The Sabbatical Cycle of Earthquakes Famines, and Pestilences

March 29, 2014

Shabbat Shalom,

In just a couple of weeks it will be the start of Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. Are you ready? Have you begun your house cleaning, the cleaning of your car and places of work to remove the leaven? Leaven represents sin, and it is by doing this in real life that we learn how difficult it is to remove sin from our lives. It is work and it takes time. Once you remove that sin you do not bring it back into your life; nor do you bring the leavened products back into your home after the Days of Unleavened Bread are over. We must remove sin and keep it out.

We also wait for the announcement from Israel whether the new crescent moon has been seen or not. This year is going to be a very difficult sighting to do, as explained to us by Nehemiah Gordon in his latest posting. There are three possible dates for Passover – because of this I have not told you when the Holy Days will be, although many have written and asked. We just do not know yet. But, now we do know that the Barley is going to be Aviv in time for Passover, which is what we need in order to do the wave offering on the 1st Day.

Once again the words of Yehshua echo in our minds:

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels of Heaven, but only My Father.

Because of the many variables involved in determining the New Year (such as the barley, and now the actual sighting of the crescent moon for the first month, and then again we must sight the moon for the seventh month) it is impossible to know for certain when the Messiah is to come. But this, we who keep His Torah, do know: The Messiah is going to come as a thief in the night on the 1st day of the seventh month, on the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Teruah, the day He was born on and the same day He will come again on in the every near future.

The Blood Moons

There has been a great deal of talk generated about the Blood Moons that will be seen on the Holy Days of Passover and Sukkot in both 2014 and 2015. There is also a Solar Eclipse on Nisan 1 and a partial Eclipse on Tishri 1 in 2015.

We first began writing about these back in 2008 and our message regarding these is still correct. But there is more that you are not being told. Are you even aware of the fact that there are two more blood moons in 2016?  As I was preparing for my upcoming speaking engagement in Ohio this coming Shavuot, I learned this truth but had to know if in fact these blood moons in 2014 actually fell on the High Holy Days of the sighted moon calendar, which I now know they do. On March 23, 2016 at Passover there will be a blood moon if the barley is ripe. And then there will be another blood moon on September 16, 2016 again, using this same calendar – a sighted crescent moon – which is the one we use.

    Apr 15, 2014        Oct 8, 2014        Mar 20, 2015       Apr 4, 2015        Sept 13, 2015       Sept 28, 2015     Mar 23, 2016       Sept 16, 2016

   Passover             Sukkot             New Year                 Passover             Yom Teruah             Sukkot              Passover              Sukkot

These blood moons in 2016 are potentially there, depending on “IF” the Barley is ripe early in 2016. There is a high probability it will be. Nisan 14 (Passover) can fall on March 23, but the Jewish calendar sets Nisan 14 at April 22nd in 2016. How do we know this?  Because the Jewish year 5776 (the Spring months of 2016 fall within the Jewish year 5776) happens to be the 19th year of the 19-year calendar cycle and is then, by Judaic definition, a leap year (the 13th month must be added). This forces the first month to begin one month later than it normally would. By using Yehovah’s calendar, we watch the barley to see if it is ripe enough to be ready to make the wave offering on the first day after the weekly Sabbath during the Day of Unleavened Bread.

But wait there is even more!!!

There is also a solar Eclipse on March 9, 2016 which would be Nisan 1 and again, another Solar Eclipse September 1, 2016 which will be Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets.

Solar Eclipse                      Passover                       Solare Eclipse                         Sukkot

     March 9, 2016                    Mar 23, 2016                     Sept 1, 2016                      Sept 16, 2016

We have been told over and over how rare a “tetrad” (a group of four) of blood moons are. And, in case you do not know, there have been just 7 tetrads since Yehshua’s time. But here now we have 6 blood moons on the High Holy Days in 2014, 2015 and 2016. And we have four solar eclipses as well. How rare is that?

You can check out the solar eclipses at  NASA. You can also check out the lunar blood moons at NASA

But now let us look at where these events will be seen, starting at the beginning at Passover 2014. The first of six – a Lunar Eclipse on April 15  (Passover 2014) – will take place over most of North and South America. The areas shaded dark will not see it.

Then on October 8 is the second of six Lunar Eclipses which occurs during Sukkot in 2014 and will take place over North America and Australia as well as parts of eastern Asia.

Then, on March 20, 2015 we have the first of four solar eclipses that will occur just north of England and North Western Europe. This is then followed by the third Lunar Eclipse on April 4, 2015 which again, will be seen in North America, Australia and Eastern Asia.

This is then followed by our 2nd of 4 Solar Eclipses on September 13, 2015 which is over South Africa. Then on the heels of this Eclipse is our 4th Lunar Eclipse on September 28, 2015. This one is visible over North & South America as well as England and Western Europe and, for the first time, the land of Israel.

That was the Tetrad that Mark Biltz discovered; then John Hagee copied his work and wrote his own book about them, which has sold even more than Biltz’ book has. Both speculate that this could be the sign of the coming of the Messiah. For Christians, the Rapture occurs after 2015, then the Jews are going to be attacked and destroyed by the Russian army they call Gog and Magog.

The Messianic people who still are holding on to the Daniel Timeline lie believe this part to be the last 3-1/2 years. We have shown repeatedly in our teachings on the Sabbatical and Jubilee Cycles that both the rapture and the Daniel timeline are false teachings. So here we have Hagee, who does not follow nor obey Yehovah by keeping the Holy Days, the 7th day Sabbath nor the Sabbatical Years – and also we have Biltz, who does not keep the Sabbatical Year nor use the Aviv barley and sighted crescent moon calendar, but instead follows the Hebrew Calendar based on a calculated moon. Neither of them know what all these signs mean, nor that there are four more of them in 2016 – something we are about to show you.

Our third total Solar Eclipse on March 9, 2016 is over the Pacific, from Hawaii to Malaysia. This could be the start of the Sabbatical Year, when we let the land rest in 2016. If in fact, the barley is ripe and this is the first month of 2016, then Passover would fall on March 23, 2016. Again, the blood moon will be visible over North & South America as well as Australia, much of Asia and Russia. However, once again, the State of Israel will not see it.

This is followed by the 4th Solar Eclipse of September 1, 2016 where it will again be over South Africa. This would also be the Feast of Trumpets once again; the first day of the 7th month. Sukkot would then begin on September 16, 2016, when we have our sixth Lunar Eclipse. This one will not be visible over North America but will be over Israel and Asia and Europe and Russia.

The Hebrew Calendar that Mark Biltz and Judah use today is the one that only recently began to be used. It only came into wide use after the 11th century when Rabbi Maimonides, also known as the Rambam, wrote his Mishneh and all of Judah began to keep the Holy Days by “calculation” uniformly. Calculation is a form of determining far in advance when the Feasts would be scheduled, rather than waiting on the sighting of the New Crescent Moon to determine the months and thus, the Feasts of Yehovah. Using the sighted moon is the method that was used since creation and is documented throughout the Talmud, which was written in the 200’s C.E.

Later, in the 20th century, when groups began to return to Torah and began keeping the Holy Days, they just followed the Jewish example and used the calculated Hebrew calendar which Hillel wrote out around 352 B.C., which did not come into vogue again until Rabbi Maimonides stated so in the 11th Century.

However, the fact of the matter is that the sighted crescent moon has always been the method used. It requires two witnesses to begin the month and the barley to be almost ripe to begin the year. The calculations used by the Sanhedrin were there to double-check and cross reference the two witnesses that came to report they had definitely sighted the new crescent moon. The Talmud, the Mishneh and the Gemera all talk about the sighting of the moon to begin the month.

On top of this confusion, which began in the 11th century as far as the calendar is concerned, is the hatred towards the Jews by much of the Christians who claim over and over that “THE LAW WAS NAILED TO THE TREE AND WE NO LONGER HAVE TO KEEP IT.”  Yet each and every time they want to understand prophecy they must go back to that same law they reject and consult it to try and figure out what is going on. The exact same way Pastor John Hagee and his followers have done, taking note that these blood moons fall on the “Jewish holy days” of Lev 23.

The Christians suspect and believe and even hope that these blood moons mean the “Rapture” is at hand and that it is the Jews who are about to be attacked and killed. In our newest book we show you, in great painstaking detail, how the 70 weeks and the 2300 days shows us and proves beyond a doubt that it is going to be the Christians who will be slaughtered and all but wiped out; and oh yes, many of the Jewish brethren as well. You need to get the book “The 2300 Days of Hell” and understand how we can say this with so much certainty.

These 6 blood moons and 4 solar eclipses that all occur on the High Holy Days found in Lev 23 are telling us something. But what are they truly telling us? They are NOT saying that the “rapture” is at hand; nor is it that the Daniel Timeline has finally, after many wrong dates, come true and the end is now really near.

We read in Lev 23 the following:

Lev 23:2  Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, The feasts of Jehovah, which you shall proclaim, holy convocations, even these are My appointed feasts. 3  Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work. It is a sabbath to Jehovah in all your dwellings.

Lev 23:4  These are the appointed feasts of Jehovah, holy convocations which you shall proclaim in their appointed seasons.

They are not the “Jewish” Feasts or the “Messianic” Feasts. They are Yehovah’s Feasts! They belong to the Creator of the Universe and He is telling You to keep them at their appointed seasons. This word “seasons” is:

H4150    ?????    ???    ????    mo??e?d  mo??e?d  mo??a?da?h         mo-ade’, mo-ade’, mo-aw-daw’

From H3259; properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): – appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed).

Take a look at the H3259 word;

H3259      ???      ya??ad       yaw-ad’

A primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage): – agree, (make an) appoint (-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time).

We are to meet for an appointment with Yehovah on these Holy Days, in their proper season, in the exact same way you cancel work for a doctor or dentist appointment. For Yehovah’s appointed times, you are to cancel everything you have going on and make sure you attend that meeting, that appointment with the Creator of all things – Yehovah. And do not be late!  The very first appointment Yehovah invites you to is the weekly Sabbath, and by keeping it, you learn about the 7th Millennial day of rest from the evil of Satan. It is the first one we are invited to keep. Christians talk about the 7th millennium and how it is the one of rest, yet the very thing that teaches them this, the weekly Saturday Sabbath, they will not keep.

Lev 23 goes on to list all the appointed times Yehovah instructs us to observe:

Lev 23:5  In the fourteenth day of the first month, between the evenings, is Jehovah’s Passover, 6  and on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to Jehovah. You must eat unleavened bread seven days.

8  but you shall offer a fire offering to Jehovah seven days. In the seventh day is a holy convocation. You shall do no work of labor.

On the 14th day of the first month (the 14th having begun the evening before) Yehshua was killed at 3 PM – the exact same time the Passover lambs are killed. Why did Yehovah cause this to happen during His Holy Days? It was on the 15th day, at the Exodus, that the Death Angel “Passed Over” the Israelite homes, sparing them and killing all the firstborn of Egypt.

It was on the last day of Unleavened Bread that the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and the Egyptian army was destroyed. Again, why does Yehovah tell us to keep these appointed times and then we see huge events take place on them?

We are then told:

Lev 23:10  Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11  And he shall wave the sheaf before Jehovah to be received for you. On the next day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.14  And you shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor green ears, until the same day, until you have brought an offering to your God. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

This is the first of two wave offerings. Why is Yehovah telling us to do this at a very specific time? It is because on this 1st day of the week, after the weekly Sabbath, after Yehshua had been in the grave for 3 days and 3 nights and then rose at the end of the Sabbath. He then ascended to heaven at 9AM which was the time of this offering. He then took with Him those saints who had died in the faith up until this time. These are those who are part of the first resurrection that rose from the dead when Yehshua came back to life as Mathew says here:

Mat 27:51  And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared, 52  and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose, 53  and coming out of the tomb after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Once again a huge event took place on the very same day we are told to do something specific in Lev 23. We are told to keep these days Holy and to come together to worship Yehovah and learn about them. Those who do not keep them will not know what is going on and will be outside the loop when they do take place. All those who call themselves “Christian” and that feel they do not have to keep the law are going to be outside the loop and will, instead, be told:

Mat 7:22  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? 23  And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness! 24  Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock.

It also says the same thing about the foolish virgins – that He never knew them. If you do not keep these appointments Yehovah says that He does not know you!

Mat 25:11  Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12  But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.

We next read in Lev 23 of the command to keep Shavuot (Pentecost) and how to figure when it falls on the calendar:

Lev 23:15  And you shall count to you from the next day after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete. 16  To the next day after the seventh sabbath you shall number fifty days. And you shall offer a new food offering to Jehovah.

It was on the day of Pentecost that the Ten Commandments were given to Moses and the 12 tribes of Israel. It was given to all those who would choose to obey Yehovah. These are the rules that you must live by if you seek to live in His Kingdom. And it was on this very same Holy Day, after Yehshua had already been dead and resurrected; the very same Holy Day that Christians say was “nailed to the tree” when Jesus was killed; when, 50 days after the death of Yehshua, the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles.

Once again we have Yehovah acting on His Holy Days that He has told us to keep. If they were nailed to the tree then why would the Apostles have kept them? If they had missed this meeting they would have missed out on this miracle. But there is still more that is about to happen on this very special day. And if you do not keep it you will miss out on it.

Lev 23:17  You shall bring out of your homes two wave loaves of two-tenth parts. They shall be of fine flour. They shall be baked with leaven, firstfruits to Jehovah. 18  And you shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bull, and two rams. They shall be for a burnt offering to Jehovah, with their food offering, and their drink offerings, a fire offering of sweet savor to Jehovah. 19  Then you shall sacrifice one he-goat for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20  And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits, a wave offering before Jehovah, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to Jehovah for the priest.

When Yehshua rose out of the grave at the first wave offering, He led those who had died in the faith of Yehovah with Him to heaven, including the thief on the tree who died alongside Him. This Feast of Pentecost represents the time when all of those who have died in the faith since this first wave offering will then be made to come alive and ascend to meet the Messiah in the clouds as Paul says.

1Co 15:50  And I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51  Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed; 52  in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed. 53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54  But when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and when this mortal shall put on immortality, then will take place the word that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55  O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” 56  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law.

This is the “rapture” that the Christians are looking for, but because they do not keep the Holy Days they will not take part in this rapture when it finally does take place. Pre, Mid or late? Again, all you have to do is keep the Holy Days to understand when. No, I am not going to tell you at this time. I have told you many times previously. Only those who keep the Holy Days can understand this. It is pointless trying to do so when you do not and will not keep these appointed times Yehovah has commanded you to keep.

Our next Holy Day on the calendar is the Feast of Trumpets, also known as the Feast of Yom Teruah – the Feast of Shouting. It is on this day, Sept 11 in 3 B.C., that Yehshua was born. On this day the Messiah came – thus, the command to shout for joy!

Lev 23:23  And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, 24  Speak to the sons of Israel saying: In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath, a memorial summons, a holy convocation. 25  You shall do no work of labor but you shall offer a fire offering to Jehovah.

The word “summons,” in relation to a Holy Convocation is;

H8643    ???????      t^eru??a?h        ter-oo-aw’

From H7321; clamor, that is, acclamation of joy or a battle cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum: – alarm, blow (-ing) (of, the) (trumpets), joy, jubile, loud noise, rejoicing, shout (-ing), (high, joyful) sound (-ing).

This is the birthday of the Messiah, but because most do not keep this day, they miss the importance of it. Keep this day – because on this day, in the near future, He is coming back again. And when He does, there is going to be an epic war with those of this world deluded and deceived into aiding Satan to fight against Him. But Yehovah will prevail; and on the Day of Atonement Satan is locked away. This day is very solemn and it has much more meaning for us when, for 10 years starting very soon, we will be hunted down, killed and afflicted until Satan is stopped.

Lev 23:26  And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, 27  Also, on the tenth of this seventh month, this is a day of atonement. It shall be a holy convocation to you. And you shall afflict your souls and offer a fire offering to Jehovah. 28  And you shall do no work in that same day, for it is a day of atonement, in order to make an atonement for you before Jehovah your God. 29  For any soul who is not humbled in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 30  And any soul who does any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. 31  You shall do no kind of work. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32  It shall be to you a sabbath of rest, and you shall humble your souls. In the ninth of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your sabbath.

Once Satan is locked away, then we are to get ready for the wedding banquet with our Creator. The whole Bible tells of this event; of this amazing love story between Yehovah and Israel. Yehovah, in this next Holy Day, is telling you to take 8 days each year to have a party and celebrate, to be happy and be joyful! It is the wedding party! Then, at the end of the 7th Millennium comes the great white throne judgment. This is the “8th Day” Holy Day.

Lev 23:33  And Jehovah spoke to Moses saying, 34  Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to Jehovah. 35  On the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no work of labor. 36  Seven days you shall offer a fire offering to Jehovah. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you. And you shall offer a fire offering to Jehovah. It is a solemn assembly. And you shall do no work of labor.

I tell you all of these appointments with Yehovah so I can now show you another verse in Gen chapter 1:

Gen 1:14  And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to divide between the day and the night. And let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.

That same word used here in Genesis for “seasons” is used in Lev 23 for those appointed times. The sun and the moon are to be used to determine those festival seasons. In order to use them you must be able to see them. A conjunction moon is not seen. It is the “no moon” stage of the moon’s cycle.

H4150     ?????    ???    ????     mo??e?d  mo??e?d  mo??a?da?h     mo-ade’,mo-ade’,mo-aw-daw’

From H3259; properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): – appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed).

Another word to keep in mind here is the word for “signs.” It is:

H226     ???     ‘o?th     oth

Probably from H225 (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.: – mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.

Again, a “flag, signal or beacon” is something that is seen; a crescent moon is seen. A conjunction moon is not.

So if these Holy Days are abolished, as Christianity says they are, then what will they use for “signs” from Yehovah? The fact of the matter is, they are not abolished. They are still the same signs for us today – so the fact that we have the possibility of 6 Blood Moons in a row on the High Holy Days, along with 4 Solar Eclipses, is something to pay attention to. The fact that people like John Hagee are telling you about these blood moons and how they come on the High Holy Days of Lev 23, is proof that they were never “nailed to the cross.”

Adam Clarke’s commentary says the following:

And let them be for signs – ????  leothoth. Let them ever be considered as continual tokens of God’s tender care for man, and as standing proofs of his continual miraculous interference; for so the word ??  oth is often used. And is it not the almighty energy of God that upholds them in being? The sun and moon also serve as signs of the different changes which take place in the atmosphere, and which are so essential for all purposes of agriculture, commerce, etc.

For seasons – ??????  moadim; For the determination of the times on which the sacred festivals should be held. In this sense the word frequently occurs; and it was right that at the very opening of his revelation God should inform man that there were certain festivals which should be annually celebrated to his glory. Some think we should understand the original word as signifying months, for which purpose we know the moon essentially serves through all the revolutions of time.

We read in Zechariah a very interesting prophecy. It is this prophecy that Christians use to justify the coming destruction of the Jews.

Zec 14:1  Behold, the day of Jehovah comes, and your spoil shall be divided in your midst. 2  For I will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem; and the city shall be taken, and the houses plundered, and the women raped. And half of the city shall go into exile, and the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

It is the Day of the Lord, and this is yet a future day at the coming of the Messiah. But notice what it says next. Those who do not keep the Feast of Tabernacles will not get any rain. So tell me, does this look like they were “nailed to the cross?” Not at all! Christians want to quote the first part of Zechariah where the Jews are being attacked and yet they refuse to acknowledge this part which says the Feast of Tabernacles will still be kept in the Day of the Lord. What hypocrisy!

Zec 14:16  And it shall be, everyone who is left of all the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of Hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17  And it shall be, whoever will not come up from all the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the King, Jehovah of Hosts, even on them shall be no rain.

We have now explained when the rapture is to take place via the Holy Days. We have also shown you that the sun and the moon are going to tell you when the Appointed Times of Yehovah are. We also told you how these Holy Days have been used by Yehovah to perform His great events throughout history and what will happen on those dates in the future also! You now know when the blood moons are, along with there being two additional ones – something no one else has revealed to you. There are also two more solar eclipses that they do not tell you about in 2016.

Mark Biltz and John Hagee tell you about some of the Tetrads that have come down to our time now. When you look at them you see that there have only been 8 since the time of Yehshua, counting the tetrad in 2014-2015. This makes this event very rare as you can see, in the last 2000 years this has only happened 8 times.

#1 162-163 AD

#2 795-796 AD

#3 842-843 AD

#4 860-861 AD

#5 1493-1494 AD

#6 1949-1950 AD

#7 1967-1968 AD

#8 2014-2015 AD

Both Mark Biltz and John Hagee then try to tell you that these blood moons are an “omen’ of something that is about to happen. They use the 1493-1494 blood moons as one example, saying this was when the Jews were kicked out of Spain in the inquisition. Trouble is, the inquisition began in 1478 and went up to 1501 C.E. So the blood moons of 1493-1494 could not have been an omen. They come after the fact.

The next tetrad came in 1949-1950 and they get very excited about this one claiming that this is when Israel became a state. Well Israel was granted Statehood by the UN in 1947 and became a nation in 1948. The blood moons in this case again came after the fact. They were not an omen to anything. It is the same as closing the gate after the horse has fled the pen. It is too late.

The next tetrad is in 1967-1968 and this one they say is when the six day war took place. That war took place on the day of Atonement which is 5 days before Sukkot. So just one blood moon would have appeared at Passover in 1967, but the rest came after the war was over. So again this tetrad is after the fact.

And the first 4 tetrads they could not find anything in history to link them to so they do not mention them.

Again the blood moons are there for a reason. If 4 of them in row on the High Holy Days is rare, then having 6 of them on each of the Holy Days of Passover and Sukkot in 2014, 2015 & 2016 – 3 years in a row is extremely rare, and then to have lunar eclipses on the first of Aviv and the first of the 7th month in 2015 & 2016 is even more rare.

So What do they mean?

In the whole Bible we have just two verses telling us of these blood moons.

Joe 2:31  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Jehovah.

Rev 6:12  And when He had opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake. And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.

We know the sun and the moon are for signs and seasons.  The Bible does not tell us what these blood moons mean except that they come at very bad times, according to the books of Joel and Revelation.

When we go to the Talmud, we can read of what they thought a blood moon means:

Talmud Succah 29a It was taught: R. Meir said, Whenever the luminaries are in eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel since they are inured to blows. This may be compared to a school teacher who comes to school with a strap in his hand. Who becomes apprehensive? He who is accustomed to be daily punished.

Our Rabbis taught, When the sun is in eclipse it is a bad omen for idolaters; when Lavanah (Moon) is in eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel, since Israel reckons by Lavanah (Moon) and idolaters by the sun.

If it is in eclipse in the east, it is a bad omen for those who dwell in the east; if in the west, it is a bad omen for those who dwell in the west; if in the midst of heaven it is bad omen for the whole world.If its face is red as blood, [it is a sign that] the sword is coming to the world; if it is like sack-cloth, the arrows of famine are coming to the world; if it resembles both, the sword and the arrows of famine are coming to the world. If the eclipse is at sunset calamity will tarry in its coming; if at dawn, it hastens on its way: but some say the order is to be reversed.

And there is no nation which is smitten that its gods are not smitten together with it, as it is said, And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. But when Israel fulfill the will of the Omnipresent, they need have no fear of all these [omens] as it is said, Thus saith the L-RD[2],’ Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the nations are dismayed at them, the idolaters will be dismayed, but Israel will not be dismayed.

So first of all, these 10 eclipses – the 6 Blood Moons and 4 Solar Eclipses – are a bad omen for Israel. Keep in mind that Israel is all 12 tribes and not just the tribe of Judah, otherwise known as the Jews. Judah is but one of the 12 tribes.

The Talmud says that when the sun is in eclipse, it is a bad omen for the idolaters – that is, those who worship the sun. So that covers almost everyone who does not keep the Torah. That would include the Christians. When we look at the four solar eclipses we see that one was over England and Northwest Europe. Two were over South Africa and one was over the Pacific, from Hawaii to Malaysia.

Each of the blood moons, as we have shown you, have all been over the Nations that have come to make up the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Go back up and look at them again. The blood moons come 5 times over the USA, 5 times over Australia, 3 times over England and two times over the State of Israel.

The Talmud goes on to say:

If it is in eclipse in the east, it is a bad omen for those who dwell in the east; if in the west, it is a bad omen for those who dwell in the west; if in the midst of heaven it is bad omen for the whole world.

You need to stop and think about this. If it is in the East, that means that the eclipse is east of Jerusalem. If it is in the West it is west of Jerusalem. The first 5 of the eclipses are West of Jerusalem – over North America. The last one is over India and it is east or Jerusalem. But these are not total Lunar eclipses. The reason these blood moons are so red is because they are passing through the Penumbral; that means that the shadow of the sun’s light is reflected so that only the red light shines on the moon.

The Talmud then goes on to say “If its face is red as blood, [it is a sign that] the sword is coming to the world.”

Each of the blood moons is a bad omen over the Nations of the Tribes of Israel. Then we are warned that a sword is coming on the world. Is this not the very same thing we have been telling you all these years in so many various ways?

Lev 26:23  And if you will not be reformed by Me by these things, but will still walk contrary to Me, 24  then I will walk contrary to you and will punish you seven times more for your sins. 25  And I will bring a sword on you that shall execute the vengeance of the covenant. And when you are gathered inside your cities, I will send the plague among you. And you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

The fourth curse lines up with the 4th Sabbatical cycle in black above. It goes from 2017 to 2023. These 10 signs in the sky on the High Holy Days for this year of 2014, as well as the next 2 years, 2015 & 2016, are all a warning of a coming sword to the Israelite Nations today. That is: the USA, United Kingdom, Australian, Canada as well as the State of Israel will be attacked and defeated by this coming sword!

What we show you in our book The 2300 Days of Hell is that the Daniel 9:24-27 prophecy is showing you that the people of these Nations are going to be destroyed so that only a remnant survives. Only 10% survive, to be exact. This same prophecy tells you precisely when:  in the middle of this 120th Jubilee Cycle which is the same as the 70th Jubilee cycle. (We explain this in our book The 2300 Days of Hell) You need to get this book from our website and read it. It is only available at this time as an eBook.

But there is yet more…….

 If it is like sack-cloth, the arrows of famine are coming to the world; if it resembles both, the sword and the arrows of famine are coming to the world.

Now lets go again to Lev 26 and read about the famine that is coming:

Lev 26:25  And I will bring a sword on you that shall execute the vengeance of the covenant. And when you are gathered inside your cities, I will send the plague among you. And you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26  When I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight. And you shall eat and not be satisfied. 27  And if you will not for all of this listen to Me, but will walk contrary to Me, 28  then I will walk contrary to you also in fury. And I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29  And you shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters you shall eat. 30  And I will destroy your high places and cut down your images, and throw your carcasses on the carcasses of your idols, and My soul shall despise you. 31  And I will make your cities waste and cause your sanctuaries to be deserted. And I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. 32  And I will turn the land into wasteland. And your enemies who dwell in it shall be astonished at it. 33  And I will scatter you among the nations, and will draw out a sword after you. And your land shall be waste, and your cities waste. 34  Then shall the land enjoy its sabbaths, as long as it lies waste, and you are in your enemies’ land; then shall the land rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35  As long as it lies waste it shall rest, because it did not rest in your sabbaths when you lived on it. 36  And on those of you that are left I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. And the sound of a driven leaf shall chase them, and they shall flee as if fleeing from a sword. And they shall fall when none pursues. 37  And they shall fall on one another, as if it were before a sword, when none pursues. And you shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38  And you shall perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39  And they that are left of you shall putrefy in their iniquity in the lands of your enemies. And also they shall putrefy with them in the iniquities of their fathers.

Unless you keep the commandments, both this famine and this war is going to come to you; it will kill you and your family. Those who will not obey Yehovah, those who say the laws are done away, those who say they no longer need to keep the law and that they are saved by grace, are the very same ones that will suffer this famine and this sword.

Eze 14:12  The Word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, 13  Son of man, when a land sins against Me by traitorous betraying, then I will stretch out My hand on it, and will break the staff of its bread, and will send famine on it, and will cut off man and beast from it. 14  And though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver only their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord Jehovah.

Righteousness is what we all need to be doing. It is what we are to become. You need to know what righteousness is and we are told in Psalms exactly what it is:

Psa 119:172  My tongue shall speak Your Word, for all Your Commandments are righteousness.

You need to keep the commandments if you want to have any hope of surviving this coming sword and famine.

This is what the blood moons mean! They are a warning us of the coming famine and sword to North America, the United Kingdom and Australian people. They will lose this coming war and those who survive will be placed into slave labor and sex camps for the victors. You, your spouse, your sons and daughters, grandchildren, sisters and brothers will all be war booty! At least those who are not slain or beheaded before being taken prisoners of war. Yehovah is warning you now to repent and begin to obey! You have 10 signs over the next three years; the last three years of this current Sabbatical cycle before the 4th Sabbatical cycle of war is to start after 2017.

If you’re still reading this, then Yehovah is calling you! How will you answer? Your words may not matter but your actions do! Will you keep the 7th day Sabbath Holy this coming week? Will you also keep the Passover and the rest of the Holy Days mentioned in Lev 23 without adding to them or taking away from them? Will you also keep the Sabbatical year in 2016 when it arrives? Your actions will show Yehovah whether or not you will. You get to decide. But you must decide soon.

The last verse of the Prophet Malachi is very revealing.

Mal 4:6  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the sons, and the heart of the sons to their fathers, that I not come and strike the earth with utter destruction.

The word destruction is also translated as a curse, which is what Lev 26 is telling you will happen if you will not obey. The curse of war is about to come. Read what else this word destruction means.

H2764    ???    ???     che?rem  cherem      khay’-rem, kheh’-rem

From H2763; physically (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination: – (ac-)curse (-d, -d thing), dedicated thing, things which should have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing), net.

Unless you repent and begin to keep the dedicated times of Yehovah, YEHOVAH is going to utterly destroy you and your family with these 5 curses of Lev 26. The curse of war and famine are due to start after 2017. The last Sabbatical year before this curse begins in 2017 is the Sabbatical year that starts at Aviv in 2016. Are you going to keep it? Are you going to keep the Holy Days this year, and the next, and from now on? Are you going to keep the Saturday Sabbath this week and show Yehovah you are repenting and trying to learn His way? What are you going to do?

Joh 14:15  If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Joh 14:21  He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24  He who does not love Me does not keep My Words, and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

1Jn 2:3  And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His commandments. 4  He who says, I have known Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5  But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. 6  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked.

1Jn 3:4  Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. 5  And you know that He was revealed that He might take away our sins, and in Him is no sin. 6  Everyone who abides in Him does not sin. Everyone who sins has not seen Him nor known Him. 7  Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous. 8  He who practices sin is of the Devil, for the Devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed, that He might undo the works of the Devil. 9  Everyone who has been born of God does not commit sin, because His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10  In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the Devil: everyone not practicing righteousness is not of God, also he who does not love his brother.

If you are not keeping the commandments, you are not righteous.
If you are not keeping the commandments then you are lawless and a sinner.
If you will not keep the Saturday Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday holy, then you are lawless and not righteous, a sinner and as John has just said, of the devil.
If you will not keep the Holy Days of Lev 23 and not add any other days to them, then once again you are being lawless and a sinner and of the devil.
And if you will not keep the 4th commandment of these ten commandments which also includes the keeping of the Sabbatical year, then you are not being righteous.

Pro 28:9  Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

You need to begin to obey today in order for your prayers to be heard. You need to repent and begin to obey Yehovah today. These blood moons are your warning of the sword and famine that is to come to those who will not obey. The thing is, you get to choose which one you will receive and which one your family will receive.

Deu 30:15  Behold! I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil, 16  in that I command you today to love Jehovah your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, so that you may live and multiply. And Jehovah your God shall bless you in the land where you go to possess it. 17  But if you turn away your heart, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18  I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days on the land where you pass over Jordan to go to possess it. 19  I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death,

blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live,

20  so that you may love Jehovah your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, so that you may dwell in the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give it to them.

 

 

Triennial Tanach Cycle

Triennial Torah Reading Cycle

Gen 31  1 Sam 18-19  Ps 65-67  Mark 9

Jacob Departs from Laban (Genesis 31)

Jacob prospered with God’s blessing and his own clever management of the flocks. But as Jacob increased, Laban decreased. This irritated Laban, especially since he thought his deal with Jacob to be overwhelmingly to his advantage. It also appears that Laban had gotten into the habit of living high while God blessed him because of Jacob, and the decrease in revenue meant an uncomfortable tightening of the belt. Indeed, Laban had wasted the bridal price of 14 years’ labor Jacob had paid for his two wives (verses 15-16). In those days the bridal price was kept by the father in behalf of the daughters as a trust, but Laban had improperly consumed the money. Finally, seeing their father’s fortune decline, Laban’s sons became concerned that they would inherit nothing if something was not done soon.

With increasing hostility between Laban and Jacob and the possibility that Laban’s sons might take some action against Jacob and his family, it was time to leave. Jacob’s speech to his wives prior to departure reveals the duplicity of Laban, the faith of Jacob and the providence of God. During the six years that Jacob tended Laban’s flocks (verse 41), Laban changed the terms of the deal between himself and Jacob many times. But with each change Jacob faithfully relied on God for continued blessing. And with each change, God provided that blessing. Finally, God commanded Jacob to leave. So Jacob left, but without telling Laban, attempting to avoid a confrontation.

Before he left, though, Rachel stole Laban’s household idols. It is possible that she took the idols because it was commonly believed that the possessor of the idols would enjoy the blessing of the gods; Rachel, according to the paganism in which she was raised, may have attempted to “secure” her husband’s good fortune. Yet she and Leah had apparently both come to worship the true God, seeing Him as the one who had blessed them with children and wealth and the one from whom to seek direction (see 29:32; 30:22-23; 31:16). Why, then, did Rachel take the idols? A number of commentators point out that the most likely explanation is that she stole them because they represented ownership of Laban’s possessions. The one who had the idols could thereby prove himself or herself to be the legitimate owner or heir to the property. For instance, the Broadman Bible Commentary states: “The possession of household gods was legal proof of the right to inheritance. Since Rachel believed that the property should be theirs, she ‘appropriated’ what she considered to be hers by right. This did not make the act any less wrong” (vol. 1, p. 220).

Laban, of course, pursued, angered not only by Jacob’s fortune, but also Jacob’s sudden departure and the disappearance of Laban’s household idols. However, God warned him in a dream not to speak “good or bad” to Jacob. Nevertheless, Laban upbraided Jacob for leaving, feigning that he would have sent them away with a great feast. Since he could not compel Jacob’s return, Laban turned his attention to the household idols. After an unsuccessful search of Jacob’s goods—Rachel having hidden the idols—Jacob upbraided Laban. Take note of how Jacob attributes his success to God and portrays God as having judged Jacob’s cause as righteous. Again, this is more evidence of the character development of Jacob.

In parting, Jacob and Laban erected a pillar stone. This stone, however, was different from the stone that Jacob erected in Bethel. This stone was not a sacred stone, but a memorial stone. It stood in that place as a reminder to all who passed by of the covenant made there between Laban and Jacob.

It should perhaps be mentioned that in spite of Laban’s chicanery and double-dealing, he may have been expressing genuine fatherly concern in the end (see 31:49-50, 53, 55). He didn’t have to make it part of the agreement that Jacob take no other wives. (It is interesting in verse 50 that Laban does not regard the maidservants as wives, as these concubines were looked upon as “surrogate mothers” for his daughters). And it is interesting to note his repeated references to the true God. While he was shaken by his dream to be sure, there would seem to be more to it than that. God had used Laban to bring about a dramatic change in Jacob’s character over the course of 20 years. Yet in all that time, Jacob had in turn served as quite a witness to Laban—there were certainly lessons in it for him too. Perhaps here at the end—broke, losing his family and seeing everything he had plotted and schemed after for so long now slipping away—Laban had finally gotten the point.

Saul Resents David (1 Samuel 18)

Jonathan, the son of Saul, immediately recognized in David the qualities he most admired. For, indeed, Jonathan was as courageous as David was. (It would be helpful to go back and review the exploits of Jonathan in chapter 14, and compare them to the exploits of David, to better grasp the tremendous camaraderie that developed between them). Jonathan and David were “kindred spirits.” They made a covenant pledge to always be loyal to one another (verse 3). Later, under adverse conditions, we will see them renew this friendship covenant.

David’s victory over Goliath and his newfound popularity, especially with the women, would soon inflame Saul’s immature jealousy. David’s ongoing successes will further expose the deteriorating character of Saul (verses 6-9). The more Saul gives vent to his rage, the more unstable his mental state becomes—and the more susceptible he is to the evil spirit troubling him (16:14). Indeed, we open ourselves up to satanic influence if we do not control our anger (Ephesians 4:26-27). Saul becomes homicidal and twice tries to run David through with his spear, but David evades him. Realizing God was with David and not with him, Saul has a pathological fear of David. Not able to kill David, he gives him a responsibility that will keep him away (verses 12-13).

Samuel had anointed David to be king, but had not given David any kind of timetable. David knows to bide his time, conduct himself properly and wait on God. Even David’s quiet conduct enrages Saul and causes him to fear David even more (verse 15). Saul then hatches a plot to have David killed. He stoops to using his daughter as bait to trap David, never expecting David to survive the seemingly impossible ordeal proposed to him (verse 21).

In his own eyes David considers himself to be “lightly esteemed” (verses 18-23). Though he is destined to be king of Israel, in his innate meekness David cannot see himself in Saul’s royal circle. (Here is another lesson for us to emulate—to remain humble despite the awesome divine kingship to which God has destined us.)

Saul’s plot fails with David surviving and succeeding twice over. Amazingly, though Saul acknowledges that God is with David, he becomes even more the enemy of David! (verses 28-30). We will continue to see how God works out every situation to fulfill His plan for David.

Assassination Attempt (1 Samuel 19; Psalm 59)

As we study through the historical stories contained in these Bible readings, let’s remember to look for the guidance to make our present lives more Christ-like. All of these passages of Scripture were given under inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit for our edification, to teach us lessons and provide examples.

In the same foolish way that Satan tries to remove God from his throne, Saul, knowing that God is with David, launches an open conspiracy to destroy David. God has provided an ally in Jonathan, which affords David some needed protection. Jonathan gives his father some very sound advice, which is actually heeded by the easily persuaded Saul (verses 4-6). A good relationship between Saul and David is restored when Jonathan points out that what David had done was good for the whole country. But as soon as David wins another battle against the Philistines, Saul’s jealous nature reappears. God allowed a willing evil spirit to agitate Saul’s already volatile envy.

Michal, Saul’s daughter, loves David and is protective of him (18:20; 19:11-17). David escapes and goes to Ramah to seek counsel of Samuel, whom we haven’t read about for a while.

Samuel presides over a group of prophets (verse 20). Recall that when Saul was first anointed, he fell in with a group of prophets, who were also musicians, as Samuel said he would (10:5-11). In both cases, the original King James has “company of the prophets.” Samuel had judged Israel in a circuit—from the towns of Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah yet always returning to Ramah (7:15-17). As noted in the highlights for 1 Samuel 10, the prophet Elijah later presides over an association known as “the sons of the prophets,” located in Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho (see 2 Kings 2). These are often referred to by commentators as the schools of the prophets, training centers of prophetic ministry. It seems likely, as the commentators also surmise, that Samuel founded these schools and that his circuit was connected with them.

This is evidence that God’s desire has always been that His ministry be well educated. While Christ’s original 12 apostles were “uneducated and untrained men” according to the standards of the day (Acts 4:13), they were in fact educated through the instruction they received from Christ, the role model of His life, constant study of Scripture, their Spirit-guided discussions and regular thoughtful meditation.

With David in Samuel’s care, God intervened in the situation so that all those who were sent against David were overcome and, surprisingly, began to do something completely incongruous to their intention—prophesy. Even Saul, when he came to see for himself, began to prophesy—provoking a similar reaction to the one he received when he prophesied when first anointed (1 Samuel 19:24; compare 10:11). “Naked,” says Barnes’ Notes, means without his robe and other outer robes, leaving only his shirt (1997, note on 19:24).

The superscription of Psalm 59 says that it was written upon the occasion of Saul sending assassins to stake out David’s house and kill him—the event recorded in 1 Samuel 19. There are times in an individual’s life when emotionally and psychologically he is “on top of the world,” and there are times when a person is in “survival mode,” just trying to keep it all together. Both emotional states afford opportunities to draw closer to God. When times are wonderful and prosperous, we draw nearer in our relationship to God by giving Him the credit and thanks for all He has done in our lives. But when the days are dark and our strength fails and it seems as though we won’t make it, we cry out to Almighty God for sorely needed help.

In Psalm 59, David is in “survival” mode. He isn’t thinking, “God will make me king.” Instead, he is wondering how he will survive another day. When David flees for his life, his prayer is for deliverance from his enemies. He remembers that God is our Savior and he prays in Psalm 59 to be saved. He knows the vast mercy and power of God.

When times seem darkest, believers can be confident that God is yet working through circumstances for their good (Romans 8:28).

“By Awesome Deeds in Righteousness You Will Answer Us” (Psalms 65-66)

The Zondervan NIV Study Bible says in its introductory note to Psalms 65-68 that these are “four psalms dominated by the theme of praise and linked by the shared recognition that God’s ‘awesome’ deeds evoke the wonder of ‘all the earth’ to join Israel in singing the praise of her God…. In these four psalms, the occasions-and reasons-for this universal praise include (1) God’s mighty acts in maintaining the creation order and making it fruitful so that humans are richly blessed, and (2) God’s saving acts in behalf of his people. These are significantly brought together here by alternating the focus; Ps 65 and 67 speak of the former, and Ps 66 and 68 speak of the latter. Thus, in this short series all of God’s benevolent acts are brought into purview, and the whole human race is encompassed in the community of praise.”

The framing psalms of this section, 65 and 68, are attributed to David. The interior psalms, 66 and 67 are anonymous. These are two of only four anonymous psalms in Book II. Yet since the first, Psalm 43 (attributed to David in the Septuagint), was most likely part of Psalm 42, there are probably only three anonymous psalms in Book II-66, 67 and 71. However, given their placement and the fact that Book II ends a few chapters later by referring to previous psalms as “prayers of David” (Psalm 72:20), it seems likely that these are all Davidic psalms-or at least ones he collected and used. The Septuagint attributes Psalm 71 to David.

Psalm 65, as The Nelson Study Bible says, “is a wisdom psalm and more particularly a creation psalm (as Ps. 19). It celebrates rainfall, sharing the mood of Ps. 104 in this regard. But this is also a prophetic psalm, although it is not always regarded as such. The prophetic element is signaled in the first verse, the vow of praise yet to be paid-that is, all creation is waiting to praise the Lord when He finally appears in glory (see Rom. 14:10, 11; Rev. 19:5). [See also the next psalm, 66:1-4.]….

“In the background of this psalm [65] is an idea not far from that of Paul in Rom. 8:22, the groaning of creation for its release from the curse brought on it by humanity’s [sin in the Garden of Eden] (Gen. 3:17). The point of the psalm is twofold: (1) Every good rain and every full harvest is a blessing from God, showing His delight in His creation. (2) A day of God’s goodness is coming in which good rains and harvests will be greater than ever before” (introductory note on Psalm 65 and note on verse 1).

Yet there is more to it still. For in juxtaposing atonement for sin (verse 3), entry into God’s temple courts (verse 4) and the abundance of rain and harvest to crown the year (verses 9-13), David seems to picture here the observance of the fall festival season in thanksgiving for the late summer and fall harvest as figurative of the future coming of God’s Kingdom and the great spiritual harvest of humanity at that time. In Jewish interpretation, the crowning of the year (verse 11) refers to the civil new year, Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets. As ancient Israelite coronations were accompanied by the blowing of the shofar or ram’s horn, the blowing of the ram’s horn at the Feast of Trumpets was seen as the crowning the year-and indeed this festival begins the sacred year’s seventh month, which celebrates the fall harvest and pictures the culmination of God’s plan for humanity’s redemption and salvation.

Verses 2-3 refer to God providing atonement for all flesh-all people. The Nelson Study Bible notes on these verses: “David speaks of a coming day when sin will be dealt with fully, when redemption will be completely paid. This took place in the death and resurrection of Yeshua Messia (see Eph. 1:7).” However, Christ’s sacrifice will not be generally applied to all mankind until the world at large repents, commencing after Yeshua’s return as symbolized in the Day of Atonement, which comes just nine days after the Feast of Trumpets. And Atonement itself serves as a prelude to the Feast of Tabernacles beginning five days later-also known as the Feast of Ingathering to emphasize its harvest theme (and to prefigure the ingathering of all humanity into a relationship with God, into His temple courts to dwell with Him forever).

When Yeshua Messiah returns, God will truly be “the confidence of all the ends of the earth” (verse 5). All mankind will understand His plan and His awesome and righteous deeds to save all people.

Even now God’s power as displayed through nature elicits awe: “Those living far away fear your wonders” (verse 8, NIV). Yet this may also foretell the humbling of mankind at Christ’s return through a series of global natural catastrophes He will bring. But even these will be to produce a harvest-a harvest of repentant people.

In verses 9-13 David cites God’s comprehensive care for the earth-the rain (verses 9-10), the blessings on the pastures, hills, meadows and valleys. “Your paths drip with abundance” (verse 11b). The NIV translation replaces “paths” here with “carts.” Green’s Literal Translation says “tracks.” The Nelson Study Bible says, “The picture is of wagon tracks across the heavens, where the ‘cart’ of God’s mercies sloshes abundance on the earth below” (note on verses 11-13).

God’s marvelous outpouring of material and spiritual blessings through the year were celebrated with great rejoicing during His annual festivals-particularly during the fall festivals. But those blessings and celebration are only a small foretaste of what awaits in the wonderful Kingdom of God to come.

As already mentioned, the author of Psalm 66 is not given in the title, though David seems rather likely. The perspective in the first part of the song (verses 1-12) is from the plurality of God’s people (using the pronouns “us” and “we”), while the latter part (verses 13-20) is from a singular perspective (using “I” and “me”).

In the spirit of the previous psalm, the psalmist calls on the whole earth to praise God and acknowledge His awesome works (verses 1-3a) and then, to God, prophetically says that in the future “all the earth shall worship You” and “submit themselves to You” (verses 3b-4).

The psalm calls on all to come and see the great things God has done and is doing for people (verse 5)-to witness and experience it firsthand or to look into what is recorded in Scripture. God delivered Israel from Egypt by parting the Red Sea and making a dry-land passage to freedom (verse 6). God also dried up the Jordan River so that “all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan” (Joshua 3:17). Yet in declaring this message to the world at the time of Christ’s return, the wording here could also refer to the parallel crossings over water on dry land that will occur at that time-when “the Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt…[and] shake His fist over the River [Euphrates]…and make men cross over dryshod” (Isaiah 11:15).

God’s people are able to declare that He “has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping” (verse 9, NIV) even though He has tested them (verse 10). The tests are likened to the refining of silver, to being captured (perhaps imprisoned), to being afflicted on the back (perhaps through the lash or in bearing burdens) and to suffering oppression-in summary, “We went through fire and water, but You brought us out to a place [or state] of abundance” (verse 12, NIV). As God says through Isaiah of His intention to preserve His people: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:2-3).

On the occasions of personal deliverance, the psalmist promises to bring thank offerings (verses 13-15). And he will talk about the wonderful things God “has done for me” (verse 16, NIV). Whereas verse 5 called on all to “come and see” God’s works toward humanity, the psalmist now directs those who have been stirred to fear and honor God to “come and hear” his individual witness (verse 16)-what God has done for one, for him, and will also do, it is implied, for each of them.

Then notice the realization of verse 18, which is an implicit warning to others hearing this witness: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” This is in a present or continuing sense. The NIV renders this verse in the past tense, as expressive of what had occurred in this episode: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Either way, we are told here that the harboring of sin, failing to confess it and forsake it, and the nurturing of sinful thoughts will thwart effective prayer. We find this important message in other passages of Scripture as well (see Proverbs 15:29; 28:9; Isaiah 1:15; 59:1-2).

Conversely, the apostle John tells us: “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:21-22). Psalm 66 expresses this very confidence, the psalmist stating in verses 19-20 that God on this occasion has certainly listened to his prayer and has not rejected it nor withheld His hesed-His steadfast love and mercy.

“Let All the Peoples Praise You” (Psalms 67-68)

Neginoth in the superscription of Psalm 67 likely means, as the NKJV translates it here and in other places, “stringed instruments.”

George Knight’s Daily Study Bible Series commentary Psalms says: “Obviously this psalm was composed for public worship. Perhaps it belonged particularly to the autumn harvest festival [i.e., the Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering] (see verse 6)” (comments on verses 1-7). This he takes from the RSV, which renders verse 6 as “The earth has yielded its increase,” whereas other translations understand the verb here as future tense—”shall yield.” Of course, the annual harvest does portray a future harvest, as was pointed out with respect to Psalm 65, which begins the current grouping of psalms—and that is certainly a major theme here as well.

The song opens with a prayer for God’s mercy and blessing and that His face would shine—smile in favor—on His people (67:1). As previously pointed out in regard to Psalm 31:16, the language here is taken from the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:25 (see also Psalm 4:6; 44:3; 80:3, 7, 19; 119:135). The Zondervan NIV Study Bible says that this song’s “content, form and brevity suggest that it served as a liturgical [i.e., worship service] prayer of the people at the conclusion of worship, perhaps just prior to (or immediately after) the priestly benediction” (note on Psalm 67).

“God’s blessing on his people (as well as his saving acts in their behalf) will catch the attention of the nations and move them to praise (65:2)” (same note). Indeed, this is a rather exciting thought within the psalm. Note the repetition in the refrain of 67:3 and verse 5. The excitement here is not just for the increased praise for God, but for the fact that all peoples will be able to rejoice when they experience the establishment of His righteous government over all nations. In their happiness over this certain hope, God’s people are expressing love for all mankind.

Given all this, the focus of verse 6 is clearly future. The earth yielding its increase speaks not only of God’s great agricultural provision in the world to come, but of the great harvest of humanity that will then take place—to the “ends of the earth” (verse 7), as the nations learn to properly fear and respect Him and His people are vastly blessed as never before.

Mark Chapter 9

Mount of Transfiguration

After six days, Yeshua took Kepha, Ya’aqob, and Yohanan and led them up on a high mountain alone by themselves. And He was transformed before them. Eliyahu and Mosheh appeared there too and they were talking with Yeshua.

Peter wanted to stay there and build three booths. This may very well be a reference to the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, it is hard to say.

YHWH spoke from heaven and said, “This is My Son, the Beloved. Hear Him!” After the event, Yeshua ordered them not to speak of the event with anyone until after He was risen from the dead. They discussed together the coming of Elijah.

After these things, they again were greeted by the large crowd and a man also who brought Him a son who was filled with an unclean spirit. He entreated Yeshua to heal his son, and Yeshua did – by casting out and ordering out the unclean spirit and the young man was healed.

After this, Yeshua was teaching His disciples more on how He was about to suffer at the hands of men and that they should kill Him but that He would be raised on the third day.

As they continued traveling to Kephar Nahum, the disciples began disputing which one of them was the greatest. Yeshua told them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” He brought forth a child and used the child as an example of how we are to come to Him and understand His teachings. The disciples were also bothered by others who were casting out demons in THE NAME but who were not part of their small group. Yeshua advised them not to be bothered by this, for whoever is not against them is with them and they should permit good.

Yeshua teaches that whatever it is that is part of us that causes us to offend or transgress the perfect instructions for life, we should get rid of it. Better to lose only part of ourselves than to lose all of ourselves in desctruction.