PART III
In the first two parts, we have learned how the Spring
holydays are tied to Yahshua and His firstfruits assembly. There is a division
between the Spring and Fall season. That division is called the heat and ensuing
tribulations of His people until the beginning of the fulfillment of the fall
festival season. The fall season, once again, witnesses to Yahshua, His people
and His kingdom.
By Jerry Healan
We found that during the first month a count of
fifty days began, which brought us to the Feast of Pentecost. But another count
begins with the first month. That count has to do with a countdown to the
seventh month. This number “seven” is so important and significant to Yahweh
and His people! It will take another in-depth article to research and reveal the
importance and significance thereof.
The Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread reveal Yahshua in His character
as a meek, humble Lamb, slain without blemish. This character is continually
portrayed of Him until the feasts of the seventh month begin!
When the trumpets of the seventh month begin to be blown, Yahshua’s nature
will change into that of a LION! We can understand this concept by going to the
book of Revelation chapter 5.
Yahweh, the Father, is sitting on His throne with a book in His hand, sealed
with SEVEN seals. No one is found worthy to open that book except Yahshua. John
weeps because no one is found worthy, but one of the elders before the throne of
Yahweh tells John, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root
of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals
thereof.’ And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne of the four beasts,
and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having SEVEN
horns and SEVEN eyes, which are the SEVEN Spirits of Yahweh sent forth into all
the earth,” vv. 5-6.
Contained in the SEVENTH seal are SEVEN trumpets. The blowing of these SEVEN
trumpets signifies the end of the age, the end of the rule of the beast kingdoms
and the ushering in of the PROMISED kingdom of heaven.
Yahweh had commanded Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying,
‘In the SEVENth month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a
sabbaton, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, and holy convocation’,” Lev.
23:24.
This feast of the first day of the SEVENth month is the time when the SEVEN
trumpets of the SEVENth seal will begin to be blown.
Believe it or not, there are twelve themes associated with this one feast
day even though there are only three verses associated with it in the book of
Leviticus. It takes a study of the complete Scriptures in order to distil these
twelve themes.
The
first theme of trumpets is found in Lev. 23:24, “In the seventh month, in the
first of the month, shall ye have a sabbaton, a memorial of blowing of trumpets.”
The
Hebrew for “memorial” is zikrown. Interestingly, Yahweh gave Israel three very important memorials before,
during and after their deliverance from Egypt.
The
first memorial was His name, given to Moses before He sent Him into Egypt to
bring them out (Ex. 3, esp. vv. 13-15).
The
second memorial was the Passover (Ex. 12, esp. v. 14), given to them during
their deliverance.
The
third memorial was the seventh day Sabbath (Ex. 16; 20: 8-11, esp. v. 8).
A
search of the Scriptures reveals that the number seven is extremely important to
Yahweh. The seventh day of the week was hallowed (made holy) and set aside as a
rest day in the very beginning.
In
Genesis 21 we find that the number seven is associated with making and swearing
an oath, a witness, and a covenant (esp. v.v. 23-24, 27-32).
The
first day of the seventh month is found to be extremely important, because even
though it is the fourth high day of the sacred calendar year, it begins the
seventh month wherein the final four annual high days are contained and
observed. That has to be very significant with Yahweh when the number seven is
involved. The seventh month contains the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh annual high days.
Interestingly,
this first day of the seventh month is a “sabbaton,” a rest day in like
fashion to the seventh day Sabbath. This first day of the seventh month begins
the month wherein the other feast days are contained which reveal the completion
of Yahweh’s plan of salvation. Yahweh will remember (zikrown) His oath to the
creation. The word “zikrown” not only means “memorial,” but it also
means “to remember.”
We
have appointed a day that we call “Memorial Day.” It is established so that
we will “remember” all those who have served our country, especially those
who have given their lives for it to preserve our freedom. But the Feast of
Trumpets is a far, far, far greater “Memorial Day.” The observance of this
day reminds us that He will, sometime in the future, fulfill His word of promise
to His creation to bring into reality the Kingdom of Heaven to this earth.
The
new moon of the seventh month is usually the most difficult new moon to spot.
The Jews make this a two day feast because of this.
Before
Yahshua ascended on high, the disciples gathered to Him asking, “Master, wilt
Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them,
‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put
in His own power,” Acts. 1:6-7.
In
the book of Mark, chapter 13, verses 31-37, Yahshua told His disciples that no
one but the Father knows of that day and hour, not the angels, nor even Yahshua
Himself.
Many
men have made fools of themselves by trying to figure out when the Messiah will
return to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This author was a member of
a work, the Worldwide Church of God, which prophesied that 1975 would be the
year of the appearance of the Savior. When this failed, a new study supposedly
revealed that their figures were off about 10 years. But 1985 has come and gone
and the Savior still hasn’t appeared.
Another
man prophesied that Yahshua would return around Passover in the early to mid
1990’s. He even went so far as to say if He didn’t appear, then he would be
found to be a false prophet. When one uses this own man’s words against him,
he is the one who is excoriated while the false prophet continues his work. The
WWCG did the same. Excuses have to be made. The sheep are gullible and swallow
the excuses hook, line, and sinker. The false prophets continue to flourish.
Yahshua
explained that no one knows when He will appear. He explained that He would come
as a thief in the night (see Mt. 24:36-42, 25:13; Mk. 13:31-37; Rev. 3:3,
16:15). The key is to be observant, alert, awake, vigilant, and ready at all
times.
Both
Israel and Judah have turned away from their Creator, Father, and Husband Yahweh
in accordance with the Scriptures. Their own History proves this fact. The Feast
of Trumpets represents the intervention of Yahweh into not only the world’s
affairs, but to correct and chasten the Hebrews for their waywardness. The Feast
of Trumpets represents the “Day of Yahweh.”
Isaiah
proclaims, “Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of
Yahweh, and for the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks of man (Adam) shall be
humbled, and the haughtiness (Heb. = ruwm [Rome?] of men shall be bowed down,
and Yahweh alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of Yahweh of hosts
shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty he shall be brought low: and
upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the
oaks of Bashan, and upon all the high (ruwm/Roman) mountains, and upon all the
hills that are lifted up, and upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,
and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. For the
loftiness of man shall be bowed down and the haughtiness (Rome) of men shall be
made low: and Yahweh alone shall be exalted in that day,” Isa. 2:10-17.
Jeremiah
calls this day “the day of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7), but he adds that he
shall be saved out of it.
Ezekiel
speaks of the end that is coming. Yahweh says that he is going to pour His fury
out upon the land of Israel because the rod of violence and pride has budded and
blossomed into a rod of wickedness. The trumpet will be blown, but none will go
to battle because of the wrath of Yahweh that will be poured out upon the
multitude (Ez. 7).
Zephaniah
declares that the day of Yahweh is a time of the trumpet and alarm (1:16). It is
a day of wrath, trouble, distress, wastness, desolation, gloominess, clouds and
thick darkness (1:15). The blood of men will be poured out like dust and their
flesh will be as dung (1:17). Yahweh will make a speedy riddance of all who
dwell in the land (1:18).
Zechariah declares that all nations will come
against Jerusalem to battle. The city will be taken, the houses rifled, the
women ravished with half of the city going into captivity.
These
along with many other places in the prophets declare the wrath and fury that
Yahweh will pour out upon the earth because of the waywardness of man. He will
begin His judgment upon the houses of Israel and then will turn upon the
non-Hebrew nations. But He will eventually deliver Israel out of it.
Yahweh
had warned Israel that if they refused to obey Him, He would make their heaven
as brass and their earth as iron (Dt. 24:23). He also declared that Israel’s
brow was brass and their neck iron (Isa. 48:4).
Interestingly,
Yahweh overthrew Israel placing them under the power of world ruling governments
which were gold (Babylon), silver (Persia), brass (Greece) and iron (Rome) in
succession.
The
Greeks were democratic in governmental form, while the Romans were republican.
Does this ring a bell with you? Isn’t that the form of our government and most
governments in Europe and other parts of the world to this day?
Furthermore,
the Christian religion is Greek (brass) in nature. Thus, the prophecy of turning
their heaven into brass has also been fulfilled. The Greeks hated the Hebrews
and anything associated with Yahweh, because they wanted to exalt their supreme
deity, Zeus! Christianity has been deceived to do this very thing. They are,
therefore, shut up behind the gates of brass and iron to this day.
It
is prophesied, “Thus saith Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand
I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of
kings, to open before him the two
leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places
straight: I
will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of
darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I,
Yahweh, which call thee by thy name, am the Elohim of Israel. For Jacob my
servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I
have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me,” Isa. 45:1-4.
Cyrus
was the king of Persia who overthrew Babylon. While Persia was in succession
with the metallic kingdoms of Daniel chapter two, it was during the time of the
reign of the Persian kings that a contingency of Hebrews returned to the land to
rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. Thus, Cyrus is a type of the Messiah Who will
intervene in world affairs in the latter days to overthrow the last two metallic
kingdoms of Greece and Rome. The kingdoms of brass and iron.
All
of the people of the earth have been shut up behind the gates of brass and iron.
The brass and iron are typology of the governments and religions of Greece and
Rome. Soon, Yahweh is going to open those gates and set the people free through
the true Messiah Yahshua.
The
book of Psalms proclaims, “Oh that men would praise Yahweh for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates
of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder,” Psa. 107:15-16.
When
these gates of brass and iron are finally broken asunder, then the gates of
righteousness will be opened, “In that day shall this song be sung in the land
of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will Elohim appoint for walls and
bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth
may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in Yahweh for ever: for in Yah Yahweh is
everlasting strength,” Isa. 26:1-4.
How
can we achieve this righteousness spoken of here in Isaiah? Through the true
door to righteousness, Yahshua the Messiah, “Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other
way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is
the shepherd of the sheep….Then said Yahshua unto them again, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are
thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture,” Jn. 10:1-2, 7-9.
“And
to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that
is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no
man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have
set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name,” Rev. 3:7-8.
It
is also in the book of Revelation that a trumpet is sounded and a door is opened
(Rev. 4:1) to reveal things that should take place hereafter. The sounding of a
trumpet on the day of Trumpets will break asunder the leaved gates of Babylon
the Great; the gates of brass and iron, setting the people free to enter into
the door, the gate of righteousness.
Each
month was attributed to one of the tribes of Israel. The seventh month was
attributed to the tribe of Dan. Dan means to judge.
Peter
writes, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there
shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying Yahweh that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the
way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with
feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time
lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not...Yahweh knoweth how to
deliver the righteous out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be
punished,” 2 Pet. 3:1-3, 9.
“This
second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure
minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were
spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of
Sovereign and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last
days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise
of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they
were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant
of, that by the word of Yahweh the heavens were of old, and the earth standing
out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being
overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now,
by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of unrighteous men,” 2 Pet. 3:1-7.
A
day of judgment is coming at the end of this age. That judgment is specifically
to be trumpeted in against Babylon and its successors, “And I saw another
angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto
them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear Elohim, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is
come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel,
saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,” Rev. 14:6-8.
The
Babylonian system will fall. This system is filled with the merchandising of a
great overburdening political and religious system. The kings and merchants of
the earth are especially involved in this great system. While Babylon began as a
head of gold, its latter end is shown to be filled with devils, foul spirits and
a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (Rev. 18:1-10).
Her
judgment, when it comes, will come swiftly, in one day, the day of trumpets. Her
judgment will come in one hour. (Rev. 18:10)
While
Yahweh’s people must live under this system until the appearance of the
kingdom of heaven, they must not take part in its political and religious evils.
Yahshua
began to reveal things to the Apostle John through the sound of
a great voice as of a trumpet (Rev. 1:10).
The
book of Revelation is composed of seven seals, seven trumpet plagues and seven
vials. Yahweh will reveal His judgment on the Babylonian systems of this world
and also reveal who His people are during this period of time.
Paul
writes, “For the Sovereign himself (Yahshua) shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the
dead in the Messiah shall rise first,” 1 Thes. 4:16.
Interestingly,
the word “voice” in the above verse is translated from the Greek word
“phone” (fo-nay). It comes from another Greek word “phaino” and promotes
the idea of “disclosure” (revelation).
This
voice is the voice of the archangel or “chief messenger.” All of the
writings of Moses, the Psalms, Prophets and Apostles focus on the “chief
messenger” of Elohim, to wit: Yahshua the Messiah. This will be revealed in
its entirety in that day of trumpets when the last or seventh trumpet is blown
in heaven.
Trumpets
not only signify the judgment of the great whore, Babylon, “And after these
things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia;
Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto Yahweh our Yahweh: For true
and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did
corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his
servants at her hand,” Rev. 19:1-2, but they also war against her seed, “And
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and
he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with
a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of Yahweh. And the
armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine
linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it
he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he
treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Yahweh. And he
hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND
SOVEREIGN OF SOVEREIGN. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried
with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come
and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great Elohim; That ye may
eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men,
and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men,
both free and bond, both small and great. And
I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together
to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought
miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of
the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a
lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword
of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all
the fowls were filled with their flesh,” Rev. 19:11-21.
Zechariah
is inspired to write, “Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even
to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; When I have bent Judah
for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy
sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. And Yahweh shall be
seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Sovereign
Yahweh shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Yahweh of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling
stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall
be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar,” Zech. 9:12-15.
Please
notice who will be making war against whom. Of course, the head over it all will
be Yahweh, but His people are Zion who will be raised up against Greece.
Shouldn’t this tell us something about those who want to continue to promote
the Grecian names and faith?
In
Zechariah 14 we find that the feet of Yahweh will stand upon the Mount of Olives
in that day of trumpets, judgment and war. This is the very place from whence
Yahshua ascended into heaven. The disciples watched Yahshua ascend until a cloud
received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9). He will come again to the Mount of
Olives with the sound of a great trumpet and with the clouds of heaven (Rev.
1:7) to make war against the kingdoms of this earth.
Paul
writes, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of Elohim; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew
you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up
in victory,” 1 Cor. 15:50-54.
Again,
he writes, “For Sovereign himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with
the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in the Messiah shall rise
first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds, to meet the Sovereign in the air: and so shall we ever be with
the Sovereign. Wherefore comfort one another with these words,” 1 Thes.
4:16-18.
The
Jews call the Feast of Trumpets “Rosh HaShanah.” “Rosh” means head,
chief, first, etc. “Ha” is simply the Hebrew letter “hei” which
generally stands for the article “the” when placed at the beginning of a
word. “Shanah” has various meanings. It can mean a year, or the beginning of
a year. It can mean to alter or change. It also means to fold, i.e. duplicate or
transmute.
Because
of this term “Rosh HaShanah,” the Jews begin the civil year on the feast of
trumpets. However, in the spiritual realm of things, it would signify “the
first (rosh) resurrection (shanah).”
This
is one of the most important themes of the Feast of Trumpets.
Trumpets
were blown when the kings of Israel were anointed to their position (1 Ki. 1:39,
2 Ki. 9:13, etc.).
The
Feast of Trumpets signifies the coronation of Yahshua as King of Kings and
Sovereign of Sovereigns.
Yahshua
told Pilate that He was born to be King of the Jews (Jn. 18:33-37). But He told
His disciples that He had to go away into a far country (heaven) to receive His
kingdom and then to return (Lk. 11:15-19).
In
Revelation 5, the Heavenly Father is sitting on His throne with a scroll sealed
with seven seals. Yahshua, as the Lamb of Elohim comes and takes the scroll out
of His hand and begins to remove the seals from the scroll. Yahshua is, at this
time, functioning as the Lamb of Elohim, but has not yet been coronated.
In
Revelation 11 we read, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great
voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms
of Yahweh and His Anointed (Messiah); and He shall reign for ever and
ever’.” (v. 15)
This
is when Yahshua will be coronated as King of Kings and Sovereign of Sovereigns.
After the seventh trumpet is blown, He is shown with a crown on His head and a
sickle in His hand (Rev. 14:14). He reaps the earth (vv. 15-16). He then
descends upon the white horse with His heavenly armies following Him to take His
power and rule over the earth (Rev. 19:11-16).
Adam’s
bride, Eve, was made from a rib which was taken from his side while he was
asleep (Gen. 2:21-22). Sleep is a type of death (Jn. 11:11-14). Yahshua is the
second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45-47). He was put to sleep (death), a spear pierced His
side (Jn. 19:34), from whence came blood and water. Blood is for atonement.
Water is a type of the Spirit (Jn. 7:37-39).
Adam’s
wife was made flesh and blood. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
heaven (1 Cor. 15:50). Yahshua’s (the second Adam) bride is to be made Spirit.
When
we are called, repent of our sins and are baptized; we become espoused (engaged,
betrothed) to Yahshua (2 Cor. 11:1-2). In our world, an engagement ring is given
as a token of the upcoming marriage. During the wedding ceremony the wedding
ring is added to the engagement ring as a final seal that the wedding is
complete.
Those
who are called to become Yahshua’s bride are given an earnest of the Spirit,
“That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in the
Messiah. In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the
evangel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory,” Eph. 1:12-14.
Upon
the resurrection or change from physical, mortal corruptible flesh to spiritual
immortality and incorruption, the marriage of the Lamb to His bride will take
place wherein they will receive the Holy Spirit of Yahweh without measure,
“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven,
saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto Yahweh our
Elohim: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great
whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the
blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke
rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts
fell down and worshipped Yahweh that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our Elohim, all ye his
servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the
voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of
mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for Almighty Yahweh omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of
the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted
that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is
the righteousness of saints. And he
saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper
of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of Elohim,” Rev.
19:1-9.
The
day of Trumpets is called in the Hebrew “yowm teruah.” This day not only has
to do with the sound of trumpets, but it also has to do with shouting with
voices. This day signifies the overthrow of the kingdoms of this world and the
establishment of the kingdom of heaven.
Those
being overthrown will be shouting in grief, pain, sadness and sorrow because
their world will be ending. Those inheriting the kingdom of heaven will be
shouting for joy and rejoicing because their reign will begin. They will be full
of praises for Yahweh.
There
will be the mournful, painful shout of those who will be losing their lives. But
there will also be the joyful, rejoicing, praising shouts of those who are
loosed from the bands of death and the grave into everlasting life.
There
will be the sad and mournful shout of Satan, the god and king of this world, and
his followers, as he is deposed, bound and cast into the abyss (Rev. 20:1-3).
But there will be the joyful shouts, praises and rejoicing of Yahshua’s people
as their Great King is coronated—LONG LIVE THE KING!!!!
There
will be the shouts of war, and finally, there will be the mourning of the great
whore as her dark, idolatrous ways are exposed and destroyed, while the saints
of Yahweh’s kingdom will be rejoicing because of the marriage made in heaven
and the great light that will be shining forevermore.
When
the seventh angel sounds his trumpet there will be great voices in heaven saying
(shouting), “ The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our
Yahweh, and of His Messiah; and he shall reign for ever and ever,” Rev. 11:15.
While
the day of trumpets will be filled with a great commotion, great voices,
thunderings and lightenings, war, sadness and mourning for some, it will be
filled with great joy and rejoicing for others, the truth of the matter is that
once finished, it will serve to bring in peace and rest to this earth that has
not been since the Garden of Eden.
The
Prophet Isaiah declares, “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning
Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the
mountain of Yahweh’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains,
and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And
many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of
Yahweh, to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways,
and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the
word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall
rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their
spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more. O
house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Yahweh,” Isa. 2:1-5.
Micah
also declares almost the same thing as Isaiah, “But in the last days it shall
come to pass, that the mountain of the house of Yahweh shall be established in
the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people
shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up
to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; and he will
teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth
of Zion, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many
people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords
into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and
none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of Yahweh of hosts hath spoken it,”
Micah 4:1-4.
Again,
Isaiah is inspired to write, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem
of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of Yahweh
shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh; And shall
make him of quick understanding in the fear of Yahweh: and he shall not judge
after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But
with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek
of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with
the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the
girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also
shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the
calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead
them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down
together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall
play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the
cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for
the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign
of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious,”
Isa. 11:1-10.
Many people refuse to observe the feasts of
Yahweh in today’s world. But the feasts reveal Yahshua along with Yahweh’s
plan revealed in Him. The Feast of Trumpets is a shadow of things yet to come.
There are tremendous and significant themes associated with this day. Observing
this day annually reminds us, that it is a memorial, of a coming event. As we
observe it, we learn so much more about Yahshua and the good news of the kingdom
of heaven.
These
twelve themes of the Feast of Trumpets can be expanded upon in much greater
detail. So much more than an article in a magazine can provide. We have given
you a base, a foundation upon which you can expand in your own studies of
Scripture. If we will repent and begin to observe the days that Yahweh commanded
for our admonition, won’t they help us to be more prepared for that which is
to come? Won’t they also teach us about our Great Messiah, Yahshua?
Remember
that the news of this world and its history are of events that have already
past. But Yahweh’s news, while it may be about things that are past, it is
also about future events which He will usher in at the time of His choice.
Let’s observe this most important day as well as the other commanded days so
we can be reminded of that which will take place in the near future.
May Yahweh bless you to see these things. HalleluYah!!!!!
Does the Papacy have the “Primacy of Peter” as
claimed? The Papacy seems to be somewhat powerless in today’s world. Such has
not been the case in the past. What about today’s appearances? Is it possible
that there is more than meets the eye concerning this seeming powerlessness?
This article explains who really has the “Primacy” as well as reveals some
things going on behind the scenes with the Catholic Church.
By Johnny McCarty
Matthew 16:18 is the sole authority
on which the Catholic Church bases its legitimacy and the Pope's authority.
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My
assembly, and the gates of hades [the grave] shall not prevail against it."
They claim that Peter was the first bishop of Rome and that all Roman bishops
(later Popes) are in a direct line of succession from Peter. Does this passage
really support this theory?
First, look at the subject of the entire chapter and the context of verse
18. The subject is the Messiahship of Yahshua. The Pharisees and Sadducees had
asked Yahshua for a sign from heaven to prove He was the Messiah. He rebuked
them and then warned His disciples against the false and hypocritical doctrines
of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Later, He again brought up the subject of His
identity as "the Messiah, the Son of Yahweh."
"When Yahshua came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked
His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
(Matthew 16:13). Here, He is asking His disciples who the people of Judea think
He is. They respond, "So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some
Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets'" (Matthew 16:14).
From their answer, it is obvious that most of the people think He is a
messenger from Yahweh but are not sure of His exact identity. Now Yahshua asks
His disciples who THEY think He is. "He said to them, ' But who do you say
that I am?'" (Matthew 16:15).
Peter answered for the disciples. "And Simon Peter answered and
said, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of Almighty Yahweh'" (Matthew 16:16).
Peter correctly states the identity and position of Yahshua. In His next
statement, Yahshua reveals that He had never told the disciples that He was the
Messiah. At the same time, He explains how they came to this knowledge.
"Yahshua answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon
Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who
is in Heaven" (Matthew 16:17). Yahshua states plainly that Yahweh the
Father supernaturally revealed this information to Peter. Notice that during
this entire exchange, Yahshua, the Messiah is the subject of the conversation
and lesson.
Examine carefully the next statement of Yahshua. Remember, Peter had just
identified Yahshua as the Messiah. "And I also say to you that you are
Peter [Greek - petros], and on this rock [Greek - petra] I will build My assembly, and
the gates of the grave [hades] shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).
The Greek "petros" means a small fragment of
rock, whereas "petra" means a large projecting rock or crag. The difference is significant.
From the context, Yahshua' use of the word has two meanings. First, He is
referring to Himself as the large rock and secondarily to the knowledge revealed
by His Father to Peter. He pointedly calls Simon "petros" or a small rock in comparison to Himself.
A more meaningful translation might therefore, be, "And I also say
to you that you are a small rock and on this Great Rock the Father has revealed
to you, I will build My assembly, and the gates of the grave shall not prevail
against her." Peter echoes this idea in his later writings. "Coming to
Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by Yahweh and
precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Yahweh through
Yahshua Messiah. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay
in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by
no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to
those who are disobedient, 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the
chief cornerstone' and 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense'" (1
Peter 2:4-8). Paul confirms this identification of Yahshua.
"Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Yahshua Messiah Himself being the chief cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20). The
true and only foundation of the Congregation of Yahweh is Yahshua Messiah.
There is absolutely no evidence in Scripture or secular history that
Peter had any type of primacy among his peers. Peter himself makes no mention of
it in any of his letters. Significantly, none of the other three evangels
mentions Yahshua's statement to Peter. And remember, it is possible that Luke's
account of the evangel was related to him by Peter. See also Luke 22:24-26; Acts
15:6-22 and Galatians 2:11-14 for examples that Peter (nor anyone else) had
supremacy over any of the others.
There is no proof of any kind that Peter was ever in Rome, let alone was
bishop of Rome or of any other congregation. While he was in Jerusalem, he was
just one among many equals.
Among the early congregations that accepted direction from the apostles
and elders in Jerusalem was the congregation in Rome. Like any other
congregation of the Followers of Yahweh, it had elders who served as a body of
overseers. These overseers served with equal power and status, none of them
having supremacy over the others. Without doubt, none of these overseers in the
Roman congregation was viewed by their contemporaries as bishops or as a
"pope," since the monarchical episcopate at Rome had not yet
developed.
The title "pope", from the Greek pa'pas meaning "father," was
not used during the first two hundred years of the Assembly. The former Jesuit,
Michael Walsh has this to say on the subject, "The first time a Bishop of
Rome was called 'Pope' seems to have been in the third century, and the title
was given to Pope Callistus ... By the end of the fifth century 'Pope' usually
meant the Bishop of Rome and no one else. It was not until the eleventh century,
however, that a Pope could insist that the title applied to him alone." (An Illustrated History of the Popes).
One of the earliest bishops of Rome to impose his authority was Pope Leo
I (pope 440-461 A.D.). Walsh goes on to explain, "Leo appropriated the once
pagan title of Pontifex Maximus, still used by the popes today, and borne, until
towards the end of the fourth century, by Roman Emperors" Leo I based his
actions on the Catholic interpretation of Yahshua's words in Matthew 16:18-19.
He declared (with no Scriptural authority) that since Peter was the first among
the apostles, then Peter's church (at Rome) should be accorded primacy among the
churches. With this declaration, he exercised supreme spiritual power over the
Western Roman Empire. This power assumed by the bishops at Rome was pointedly
illustrated when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Holy Roman
Empire in 800 A.D.
It is interesting to note that the kingdom over which the popes rule is
not the "Kingdom of Yahweh," but the "Holy ROMAN EMPIRE." Nothing more than the old
pagan, Believer and Jew persecuting power that has donned the mantle of a sheep.
Messiah Himself, warned of such things. "Beware
of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravenous wolves. You will know them
by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad
fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire. Therefore by their fruits you
will know them" (Matthew 7:15-20).
And further, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into apostles of Messiah. And no wonder!
For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves
into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their
works" (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
The pope is not now, never has been, and never will be the head of
Yahweh's Kingdom or even its representative. Any power or authority he may
possess is based on a purely secular assumption of power and on the spilled
blood of innocent people, “Christians” and non-Christians alike.
Messiah will demand recompense for that shed blood. Woe be to those upon
whose head it falls.
THE
DANGER OF THE ROMAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Most Protestants today view the Roman Catholic Church with much more
favor than in times past. More and more, the pagan doctrines and practices of
the papists are being looked upon as "not that different" from those
of the traditional Protestant religions. It is hard for people today to imagine
the feelings of contempt and distrust that the original Protestants and
Reformers felt (justifiably) toward the Romanists. This is very unfortunate for
the Protestants and, indeed, for the liberty of modern nations everywhere.
However, it's to be expected since the Roman church is the "mother of
harlots" (Revelation 17:5) and the traditional Protestant churches her
daughters.
The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned,
and the Protestant world is inclined to accept that statement. Many feel that it
is unjust to judge the church of today by the abominations and absurdities that
marked her reign up to 1788. They excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of
the barbarism of the times and plead that the influence of modern civilization
has changed her sentiments. Actually, it was the Catholic church that caused and
nourished those barbarous times!
Have we so soon forgotten the claim of INFALLIBILITY claimed for 800
years by the presumptuous popes? The Romanists have NEVER abrogated this claim!
On the contrary, it was AFFIRMED as late as the 19th century. The "church
never erred; nor will it, according to the Scriptures, ever err." (Institutes of Ecclesiastical History, John L. Von Mosheim, book 3,
century II, part 2, chapter 2, section 9, note 17). Think about it, if they feel
they are incapable of making mistakes, then ALL other religions MUST BE WRONG!
The Romanists will never relinquish their claim to infallibility.
Everything they have done to persecute and destroy those who reject their dogma,
they feel to be just and proper. Make no mistake, if the restraints imposed by
the various secular governments were removed and Rome were restored to its
former power, the tyranny and persecutions they took so much pleasure in would
be very quickly restored.
"There are many who are disposed to attribute any fear of Roman
Catholicism in the United States to bigotry or childishness. Such see nothing in
the character and attitude of Romanism that is hostile to our free institutions,
or find nothing portentous in its growth. Let us, then, first compare some of
the fundamental principles of our government with those of the Catholic Church.
"The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of
conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX in his
Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: 'The absurd and erroneous doctrines
or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error - a
pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.' The same pope, in his
Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized 'those who assert the
liberty of conscience and of religious worship,' also 'all such as maintain that
the church may not employ force.'
"The pacific tone of Rome in the United States does not imply a
change of heart. She is tolerant
where she is helpless. Says Bishop O’Connor: 'Religious liberty is merely
endured until the opposite can be carried into effect without peril to the
Catholic world.' ... The archbishop of St. Louis once said: 'Heresy and unbelief
are crimes; and in Christian countries, as in Italy and Spain, for instance,
where all the people are Catholics, and where the Catholic religion is an
essential part of the law of the land, they are punished as other crimes.'...
"Every cardinal, archbishop, and bishop in the Catholic Church owe
allegiance to the pope, in which occur the following words: 'Heretics,
schismatics, and rebels to our said lord (the pope), or his aforesaid
successors, I will to the utmost persecute and oppose.'" (Our Country, Josiah Strong, chapter 5, paragraphs 2-4).
Does that sound like an organization that would tolerate the Freedom of
Religion we claim under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution?
Absolutely not! People of today are closing their eyes to the very real dangers
represented by the rising popularity of the papacy. The Romanists are vying for
more influence in both national and international political affairs. The Truth
of the Scriptures and the truth of history are the only means to stir the people
to resist the most dangerous threat to their civil and religious liberties.
Many people are attracted to Catholicism for its splendid pomp,
pageantry, and grandeur. Its cathedrals are, for the most part, exceedingly
beautiful edifices, virtual works of art. They are designed to impress the
masses with whose money, blood, and sweat they were built. Its music is
unsurpassed in its ability to awe and inspire. Its ceremonies relieve, if only
temporarily, the drudgery of everyday life.
This physical beauty serves only to hide the core of darkness and
corruption that is Romanism. Unfortunately,
too many of today's Protestant churches are doing their best to emulate the
physical grandeur of the Catholics. The results are the same, also. They too,
have become mere shells of outward piety while their core is dark, corrupt, and
worldly.
The Catholic Church claims the sole right to pardon sin on earth. They
assert that no other Christian religions have this power. The scriptures state
that only Yahweh, through the grace of Yahshua Messiah, can pardon sin. By
usurping this authority, it gives the members of the Catholic Church the feeling
that they may sin with impunity. After all, they merely have to confess to a
priest and their sins are immediately forgiven. Nothing else is required. They
don't have to repent, and change from their sinful ways. They can return to
their sinful ways feeling fully "forgiven" and "sanctified."
This practice of "confession" to a mere fallible, sinful man
places a barrier between Yahweh and man. It also is in direct contradiction to
the Word of Yahweh. The Word of Yahweh says, "For there is one Elohim and
one Mediator between Elohim and men, the Man Messiah Yahshua." (1 Timothy
2:5). However, man finds it easier to confess and debase himself before other
equally sinful men than to submit himself to the will and law of Yahweh. It
frees him to sin again. The related practice of calling their priest
"Father" is also condemned by the Word of Yahweh. "Do not call
anyone on earth your father, for One is your Father, He who is in heaven."
(Matthew 23:9).
The Catholics give a great outward show of piety and respect for the
sacrifice and suffering of Messiah on the stake. Everywhere you look there is a
cross or crucifix. Indeed, one could say they go too far in depicting a weak,
defeated, dying Messiah. At the other end, the Romanists depict Messiah as a
small helpless babe held and nourished by His mother. They completely fail to
present Him as the Resurrected, Living, All-Powerful, Glorified, High Priest
that He, in fact, is at this present time. To do so would be an admission on the
part of the Romanists that they have less power and authority than Messiah. This
they will never do.
Rather than teach the Evangel of the Kingdom of Yahweh as Messiah
commanded, they substitute the pagan inspired traditions of man. "For they
bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they
themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." (Matthew 23:4).
The lay members of the Catholic Church are told to sacrifice all for the glory
of the church; to live in poverty if need be. Yet, the officials live in
splendor and dress in grand manner where even their drinking cups are silver and
gold. "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their
phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments."
(Matthew 23:5).
Probably one of the most heinous practices is their
overt, unabashed worship of idols, images, relics, and dead "saints."
Closely related to this is their exaltation of the pope as "Yahweh on
earth." The Word of Yahweh
condemns this practice, also. "I am Yahweh your Elohiym, who brought you
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other
elohim before me. You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any
likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor
serve them." (Exodus 20:2-5).
To whom do you give honor, praise, glory, obedience, and allegiance?
If it is to ANY man, be he Pope, Reverend, so-called modern day Apostle,
or Elder, then you need to REPENT of this and follow only Yahweh and His Son,
Yahshua the Messiah! If you blindly
follow and obey some human leader, then you are no better off than those who
blindly follow the Pope.
We must not fall into the same error as the Papist and unquestioningly
follow some man simply because he is the current leader of the group or assembly
of which we may be a member. Listen
carefully to what these leaders say and write and then compare it to the Word of
Yahweh. If it does not follow the
clear commandments of Yahweh, then you must follow Yahweh’s Word rather than
that man. Any man that intentionally
teaches ANYTHING that is contrary to the plain Word of Yahweh is not truly
following Yahweh but is placing himself above the Word of Yahweh.
Pray always for help and guidance from Yahweh. HALLELUYAH!