In the early autumn of the year following the second,
large, general harvest there is a festival we are commanded to keep holy to
Yahweh. It is the last of the three times in the year we are to appear before
Him.
By Dave Ganton
It
is to be a time of happiness and rejoicing and a time of assembling together.
You can read about this in Deut. 16:13-17. Notice
who are to take part in this festival time. V.14
This is a time to feel great gratitude for all of the blessings that Yahweh has
given us. We are to share this time with others of like mind. All who celebrate
this feast know what a great joy it is and the spiritual food one receives from
the sermons, bible studies, and fellowship.
As
with all of the special times that Yahweh has declared holy, this festival is
also a time of reflection and meditation. As we do this we will come to a
clearer understanding of the meaning of this seven-day festival. (There is
another holy day at the end of this feast that we will cover later. It
also is a very important day.) As
we reflect on the past and the people of Israel living in booths during their
sojourn in the wilderness while awaiting entrance into the land they had been
promised, and look forward to the time of Yahshua’s return, let us remember
that Yahweh does nothing without a reason. The sojourn in the wilderness is a
lesson for us. It can teach us our place in this age and also in the age to
come.
As
stated previously, this time reminds us of the past and points ahead to the
future, but it also symbolizes this present age. It shows us our place in the
scheme of things. In this age Yahweh and Yahshua are concerned with the first
fruits harvest. We as the first
fruits have been planted and are being tended in a foreign land to which we do
not belong. At one time we were citizens, accepted and a part of all this world
had to offer. But Yahweh has called
us to come out of it lest we share in its punishment.
Rev.18:4 Now
we are strangers and foreigners on this earth in this age.
On
reading the story of Abram, it may seem, on the surface, that this is just a
physical inheritance of land. This is all the religions of this world see when
they read it. We must not see it this way but we must understand it in its true
context. As always in everything that Yahweh does, the physical teaches us
spiritual lessons.
Abram,
along with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob were nomads.
Traveling with their herds from place to place as the water and pasture
demanded. They had no country of their own that they could call home. They were
strangers and sojourners wherever they went. Abram had been promised a country
for himself and his descendants if he would follow Yahweh. This was a promise
from Yahweh that was never fulfilled in his lifetime or the lifetime of his son
and grandson. So just what was Yahweh talking about when He called Abram out of
Chaldea and what does all of this have to do with the feast of Tabernacles and
how does it affect us?
Abraham
saw something in the future that attracted him more than a country that would be
his during his physical life on this earth. He entered a life walk in harmony
with Yahweh because of what he saw. We must see this too if we are to succeed in
our life walk with Yahweh and Yahshua.
Yahshua
said that Abraham saw His day and was glad. John 8:56.
Just what did Abraham see? To help us to understand this we must turn to the
story of the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham.
Gen.22:1-18.
How could a loving father who loved his son be willing to sacrifice him? On the
surface this sounds incomprehensible. To find the answer let us turn to Heb.11:17-19
Abraham had faith in the word of Yahweh. He knew that when Yahweh makes a
promise it is sure and unchangeable. Since He had promised that the covenant
would be through his natural offspring Isaac, and his descendants, Abraham knew
that Isaac would have to be alive to make these descendants. Gen.19:17-21
He knew that even if Yahweh required him to go through with the sacrifice of
Isaac, that He was capable to restore him once again to life.
Faith
is not something you get on your own. I have had people tell me they didn't have
enough faith. They would ask me, “How do I get more faith?” One does not get
more faith. Faith comes by the things we see Yahweh doing in our lives. We must
stay focused on Him. He grows our faith by what He does. We do not grow our
faith by what we do.
Abraham
knew this. He had seen the great things that Yahweh had done in his and Sarah's
lives. Rom.4:17-21.
He was a very old man. Sarah was a very old woman. She was past the
natural childbearing years. Yet Yahweh had promised that they would have a
natural born son. This He brought about by His great power. Abraham had lived
through this and knew the power and the faithfulness of Yahweh. This is how he
could sacrifice this son to Yahweh. He knew Isaac's death would have to be a
temporary thing. Because of Abraham’s unfaltering faith, Yahweh did not
require him to go through with this offering but provided a ram instead. Abraham
never lost his focus on Yahweh. We must be the same. Yahweh must always be our
focus no matter what may arise to distract us. What Yahweh says, is and will be.
Nothing can prevent it.
Abraham
also looked forward to the time of Yahshua and His sacrifice on behalf of all
mankind. John 8:56
He knew as we do that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
Elohim. Rom.3:23
He also knew that the wages of sin is death eternal. Rom.6:23
He knew that the fulfilment of the promise of eternal inheritance made to him by
Yahweh could not happen without the sacrifice of Yahshua to wipe away the sin
that held him, as well as us, in its death grip.
He
was a stranger in the land but he was also a stranger in this world. The
homeland that he awaits is the same one that we are waiting for. This homeland
or kingdom is reserved for us in Heaven until the time of Yahshua's return. 1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, which
according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the
resurrection of Yahshua Messiah from the dead, 4
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you, 5
Who are kept by the power of Elohim through faith unto salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time.
Let’s
move ahead to the time of Moses to see another example of one who was a stranger
and sojourner in the land and also in this world. Moses was raised by Egyptian
royalty. He was educated by the best of their wise men. He was being groomed to
be Pharaoh. He saw beyond his present day to the time still ahead of us. When
asked to make a choice between a life of royalty and that of a homeless wanderer
leading a stubborn, ungrateful, and backsliding people, he saw beyond to the
true inheritance that would be his. Heb.11:23-27
He
also saw the time of Yahshua and what He would make possible by His death for
sin. Moses had a homeland, as did Abraham and when he was called to leave it as
Abraham had, he did so. He lived as a stranger and a sojourner in the land all
the days of his life. He saw the promised heavenly homeland from a distance as
did Abraham but could not enter just as we can not enter at this time. He was a
stranger in this world as well. He was looking forward in time to something
better as were others such as Seth, Enoch, Noah, Shem, and the
prophets. Heb.11:13-16 These
all had the chance to return to what they were before their call but chose not
to. Verse 15
All chose to remain strangers and wanderers on this earth until the true kingdom
would appear at the return of Yahshua as their king and give them eternal
citizenship.
A SOJOURNING KING
There
is someone else who we would not expect to say that he was a stranger with no
homeland to call his own. That is king David. He was the king of Israel. He had
a very beautiful palace with everything he could possibly want. Yet in Psalm 119:19
he says that he is a stranger. In Psalm 39:5-12
David says that he is a stranger and a sojourner as all his fathers were. He
understood that he was in a very temporary state. He says in verse 5 that
the best state of man is vanity. Vanity comes from the Hebrew word “hebel”
#1892 and “habal” #1891 in Strong’s.
It means transitory and unsatisfactory.
With
these things in mind let us come forward to our time now and understand how this
all relates to the Feast of Tabernacles or Succoth. Yahweh commanded that this
festival be kept in temporary dwellings, Succoth. Lev.23:42
The words booth, tabernacle, and tent come from the Hebrew “cukkah”.(pronounced
Sookaw) This is a temporary shelter that one would put up as
protection for themselves or their animals while travelling. This could
also be a cave or shed or barn that might be a permanent building but is only
used temporarily during travel. Yahshua was born in a “cukkah”and was later
moved to a house.
During
this festival we remember the Israelites who lived in tents (cukkah) in the
wilderness while awaiting entrance into the promised land. We also look forward
to the return of Yahshua and spending the millennium and eternity with Him and
His Father. But this time also tells us about the present. We don't just live in
cukkah for the seven days of the festival of booths and the last great day. We
live in cukkah every day of our lives on this earth.
Let
us turn to the writings of Paul to help us to understand this present, temporary
state we are in. 2 Cor.4:18
He tells us that the things we see are temporary but the things not seen
(the spiritual) are eternal. Everything physical will one day pass away. 2 Cor.5:1-4 Paul
likens his physical body to a tent or cukkah. He says that even though the
outward physical body is wasting away, we have a new body made without hands,
eternal and waiting in Heaven for us. It is these permanent spirit bodies that
we will be resurrected into when Yahshua returns. 1 Cor.15:50-54
Peter
also likens our bodies to temporary dwellings. 2 Peter 1:13-14
We who follow Yahweh in this age are in the same condition. We are strangers and
sojourners on this earth living in these temporary dwellings, our fleshly
bodies, while we await our permanent homes.
NO LONGER CITIZENS
We
are no longer a part of this world or its ways. At one time we were true
citizens and members of the evil society around us. Eph 2:2-3 We
were once very happy to take part in activities that we now know are evil and
lead to death. Our families, friends, and co workers are surprised that we no
longer join them. 1 Peter 4:3-4 Some even persecute us and say evil
things about us. The longer we are in this way of life the clearer it becomes
how separate we truly are. We are strangers in a world we used to call home.
Those around us think we are strange. When we look around us to the things that
are going on, it is now alien to us. We don't belong. We no longer fit in.
This
is a Friday night and Saturday world. We are a Friday night and Saturday
(Sabbath) assembly. People of this world pursue shopping, drinking, sports, and
all kinds of recreational activities that give pleasure to the flesh. We as a
Sabbath keeping assembly pursue bible study, prayer, worship services,
fellowship and all of the things that give spiritual uplifting and pleasure. We
seek to please Yahweh and Yahshua. Isn't it odd that those of this world and
those who are Yahweh's people turn in totally opposite directions on the
Sabbath? One to the world and one to Yahweh.
We,
at one time made this turn to the world on the Sabbath too. We can no longer do
this. Yahweh has called us as He did Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Eliyah, David and the prophets to come out of our homelands and follow Him to
the eternal land that He has prepared for us. Let us read about the great
company we are in. Heb.11:1-39
Notice that all of these people who were well attested as being
faithful were all aware of Yahshua the Messiah. They all knew what we
know in this age. Yahweh does not change and neither does His instruction.
Notice
verse26.
In verse 13
we are told all of these people died in faith not having received the fulfilment
of the promise but they could see it far off in the future. Seeing this they
acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on this earth. In verse 38
we are told that the world was not worthy of them. This is not only talking
about them. There is no them. The people of Yahweh then and the people of Yahweh now are all “us”
We are all of the same fold. All, from the beginning until now , have the same
Shepherd. Abraham knew our MELCHIZADEK
priest. (Gen.14:18)
All look to Yahshua for guidance and salvation. All are waiting for the same
king. All will obtain the fulfilment of a permanent, eternal kingdom at the same
time. Verses 39-40
WISDOM OF YAHWEH
Yahweh
is so very wise. He knew that we would be few in number and separated since He
works with small numbers and achieves great results. He
knew we would need special times to all come together in one place to worship
Him and to fellowship with each other. Iron sharpens iron and Yahweh's people
encourage and strengthen each other at these special Holy times. The feast of
Booths is one of these special times. All who attend this festival know how
separate we really are from this world. I have never met anyone who was glad
when it was over. All look forward to the time when Yahshua returns and we will
all be together for all eternity.
As we come together this year let us remember that we are all strangers and sojourners abiding in these temporary dwellings of our bodies and let us rejoice in each other’s company before Yahweh and Yahshua and gain strength from Them and each other to help us on another years journey through this world. Let us keep this scripture in mind during our sojourning. Heb. 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of Elohim, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
HalleluYah!!!!! May Yahweh bless your
studies.
Elder Dave Ganton
The Feast of Booths, Succoth, or
Tabernacles is a seven day feast. But there is a final holy day, an eighth day,
which is added to this festival time.
By Dave Ganton
t
has come to be known as the last great day of the feast but it is actually a
separate holy day making up the last of the seven annual Holy days commanded by
Yahweh. It is a bittersweet day full of memories of the beautiful festival time
that we have all shared. But it is a sad day as we face going back into the
world and leaving our beloved brothers and sisters for another year. The seven
days of Tabernacles are a time of refuelling spiritually and physically. They
give us a brief foretaste of the time when we will all be in Yahweh's kingdom
together for all eternity.
I want to discuss with you about
the great symbolism of this day and what it means to us as Yahweh's people. This
is the day of the pouring out of water. This pouring of water ceremony is not
listed with the other rituals surrounding this holy time in Lev.23.36. It is believed to have begun at the time of Hezekiah
who was one of the good kings of Judah. Since it is not one of the original
commands should we really take notice of it? Yahshua did and since He is our
example we should also hear what He had to say on this last great day concerning
water and what it means to us.
POURING OUT OF WATER
Before
we do that let’s investigate how this ceremony was carried out. On this day
the priest would draw water from the pool of Siloam which flowed under the
temple mount and solemnly poured it onto the altar. This water was brought in
gold containers to the sounds of great jubilation and the sounding of trumpets
that would cease as he poured the water. Following this pouring out, the words
of Is.
12:2-6 would be sung.
"Behold, Elohim is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for
Yahweh ELOHIM is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." 3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4
And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to Yahweh, call upon his
name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5
"Sing praises to
Yahweh, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6
Shout, and sing for
joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of
Israel."
The
word “WELL” above is from the Hebrew Mahyawn It means spring or fountain. Something to take
note of here is that the pool of Siloam was fed by a spring or fountain. This
has great meaning as we will see soon.
It was after this pouring out ceremony that Yahshua stood up
and declared; John 7:37 "If
any one thirst, let him come to me and drink.
Just
what did He mean by this statement? To begin to understand let’s turn to John 4:7-14
There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Yahshua said to her,
"Give me a drink." 8
For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The
Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me,
a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Yahshua answered her, "If you knew
the gift of Elohim, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’
you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11
The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the
well is deep; where do you get that living water? 12
Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank
from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" 13
Yahshua said to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again,
14
but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst;
the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to
eternal life."
The
woman didn't understand what Yahshua was talking about. We
need have no doubt as to what He meant.
John 7:38-39
He who believes
in me, as the scripture has said, “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of
living water." Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed
in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because
Yahshua was not yet glorified.”
SPRING, THE HOLY SPIRIT
This
water springing up to eternal life is the Holy Spirit that
Yahweh has given us. Why the analogy of water? There are two things that are the
mainstay of physical life; food and water. Without these two things we would not
survive. We would soon become weak and vulnerable to all kinds of illness as our
immune system weakens. We would soon die. This is the very same as our spiritual
life. We need food and water to survive spiritually. Let’s understand fully
what this means.
YAHWEH AND YAHSHUA ON THE SPIRITUAL
PLANE
Yahweh and Yahshua live on the spiritual plane. They have
provided the things we need to live and survive on the physical plain and they
have also provided the things we need to live and survive on the spiritual
plain. They use things that we can identify with to teach us. Deuteronomy 8:3 And
he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not
know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not
live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the
mouth of Yahweh.
Yahshua
repeated this scripture to Satan when He was being tempted after His baptism by
John. Matthew 4:4 But he answered,
"It is written, ’Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of Elohim.’"
Now
we can begin to see that everything about Yahweh's plan of salvation centres
directly on Yahshua. John 14:6 Yahshua
said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father, but by me. Yahshua is called the Word in the evangel of John and also in Revelation 19:13 “He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is
called is The Word of Elohim.”
Let's now begin to connect these scriptures and understand the true food and
water that we need. John
6:32-37 Yahshua then said to them, "Truly,
truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven; my
Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. 33 For the bread of Elohim is
that which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world." 34
They said to him, "Master, give us
this bread always." 35
Yahshua said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me
shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you
have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father
gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.
John 6: 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the
manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which
comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from Heaven; if any one eats of
this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life
of the world is my flesh."
Yahshua
lived in this body of flesh that He is talking about and gave up this
life for us. He died in the flesh that we might eat of the spiritual bread that
He provides as a resurrected almighty glorious spirit being. The bread that He
mentioned is the word of His father Yahweh that he brought to this earth and
that He imparts to us through the Holy Spirit.
Let’s
return now to the scripture John 7:37-39 and Is.12:2-6 and comprehend the great meaning that is in the water that Yahshua is
talking about. The Hebrew for the word “Well” in Isaiah is “mahyawn” As we saw before it means Spring or fountain. In John 4:14 the
Greek word spring in the RSV and well in the KJV is “Paygay” It
means the same as the Hebrew, a spring or fountain. These words are a great help
to us in understanding how this spring of living water works. The well that the
woman was drawing water from was a cistern type well. These wells depend on
runoff water or water from an underground stream below the surface of the earth.
These wells and underground streams depend on surface water for replenishing the
supply. If they are not replenished in this way they will dry up and be
worthless.
CONSTANT REPLENISHING
It
is this way with us. We need constant replenishing from water in order to
survive physically. This is what Yahshua meant. But now He offers us living
water that will spring up to eternal life. He used the term spring and it has
great meaning. A spring of water does not depend on surface water or runoff
water to keep it flowing. A spring has its source deep within the earth. It is
clean and fresh and some springs have been running for hundreds and even
thousands of years. They are constant in quality.
THE LIVING WATER
The
living water of the Holy Spirit that Yahshua spoke about is this same way. When
we drink water we will soon need more. It will be as if we had never had water
before because our system has used it until it is depleted causing us to thirst
again. Its effects are temporary and must be constantly replenished. This is
water from an outside source. When we drink of the living water of the Holy
Spirit we will never thirst again. It's source is from deep within. It depends
on no outside source. The Spirit is from Yahweh and it is constantly refreshing
us from within. Once we have it there will be no more nagging thirst that we
cannot quench. Just as a spring can not stay within itself for long and finally
comes streaming to the surface so this living water will at the return of
Yahshua well up in us and spring forth to eternal life.
POVERTY NOT A PROBLEM
You
do not have to be rich to afford this food and drink. Is.55:1
"Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor
for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in fatness.
EVERYTHING IN LIFE TEMPORARY
In this life everything is temporal nothing is lasting. We eat and we are not
satisfied for very long until we hunger again. We drink and it is the same
thing. We buy goods and they either wear out or rust or maybe they are even stolen. Everything in this
life has only temporary effects. It brings only temporary satisfaction. Before
we knew Yahweh and Yahshua life was very unsatisfactory and permanence was
lacking from our lives. We all had a longing that we tried to answer with
material and physical things. But the longing was for something else that we
could not identify and nothing could fulfil us completely.
A LONGING FOR ETERNITY
Psalms 42:1 As a hart longs for flowing
streams, so longs my soul for thee, O Elohim.
Psalms 42:2 My soul thirsts for Elohim,
for the living Elohim. When shall I come and behold the face of Elohim?
Psalms 63:1 O Elohim, thou art my
Elohim, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a
dry and weary land where no water is.
Psalms 143:6 I stretch out my hands to
thee; my soul thirsts for thee like a parched land. Selah
We all longed for this same thing even if we did not know it. We got our first
inkling of how this longing would be fulfilled when Yahweh called us to follow
His Son Yahshua. John 6:44
When we answered the call, repented and were immersed into the name of
Yahshua Messiah, Yahweh gave us His gift of the Holy Spirit we had the first
taste of this life giving water. As we studied His word we had our first taste
of the true bread sent from Heaven. This hunger for something and this thirst
for something that would be truly satisfying was fulfilled.
SEED OF ETERNITY
All
are born with the seed of eternity in their minds and hearts. No one wishes to
die. Yet from the time we are born death is a certainty. The bread from Heaven
and the living water from the spring
of Yahweh's Spirit reveals to us that this seed can grow and flourish and one
day we will hear these ever so wonderful words; Revelation
21:6 And he said to me, "It is done! I
am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will
give from the fountain of the water of life without payment.
Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come."
And let him who hears say, "Come." And let him who is thirsty come,
let him who desires take the water of life without price.
By Jerry Healan
Yahweh
gave this annual festival period to His People Israel who, like Adam, were
unfaithful to Yahweh’s commands, and like Adam, failed.
Yahweh had established a pattern of deliverance by delivering Israel out
of bondage to the land of Egypt through the Passover Lamb. They were commanded
to eat unleavened bread for seven days, observing the first annual holy day at
the beginning of the unleavened festival and the second holy day on the last or
seventh day of the period.
The Passover Lamb was a type of Yahshua the Messiah Who would serve as a
far greater Passover of deliverance during a future deliverance of Yahweh’s
people. The Unleavened Bread was also a type of Yahshua. Leaven is a type of
sin. Sin brings death (Ro. 6:23). Yahshua was without sin (1 Pet. 1:18-21,
2:21-25). He is the true bread from heaven (Jn. 6:32-58) through which we can
become unleavened, washed clean of our sins.
During the period of Unleavened Bread, a sheaf of firstfruits was waved.
This sheaf of firstfruits was a type of Yahshua Who gave His life for His
People, was in the grave for a period of three days and nights, and was
subsequently resurrected from the grave to begin the plan of salvation and the
count-down (50 days) to the next annual holy day, Pentecost.
Pentecost is a type of the firstfruits assembly that was raised up
through the giving of the Holy Spirit on that very day (Acts 2).
The first two annual festival times occur in the spring of the year to
represent the power of Yahweh to bring forth life, especially His power to
restore from destruction and the grave.
After spring comes summer. This is a type of the long period of time that
it would take to complete Yahweh’s plan of salvation. It has been almost two
thousand years now since Yahshua appeared on the earth to initiate the greater
plan of salvation. During this period of time, much corruption has crept in. The
creation is awaiting the manifestation of Yahshua and His resurrected saints so
that the cleansing can begin again in earnest and the kingdom of heaven
established on earth.
The Feast of Trumpets (see our article on this feast day) represents the
time when Yahweh will begin to finalize His plan. The kingdoms of this world
will become His and the center of His kingdom will be focused in Jerusalem.
Trumpets represents the day of Yahweh. The Day of Atonement represents the time
when Israel will be restored and the kingdom power will be given to them.
The Feast of Tabernacles begins with the sixth annual holy day. It
represents the kingdom rule. A day with Yahweh is as a thousand years and a
thousand years as a day (2 Pet. 3:8). While the Feast of Tabernacles is the
sixth annual holy day, it represents the seventh millennium. There will be a
period of one thousand years wherein Yahshua and His people will rule the earth,
bringing in rest and peace to the earth.
While the kingdom rulership will now endure forever under Yahweh and
Yahshua and the firstfruits, this one thousand year period is still temporary.
Yahweh reveals that He is going to bring forth a new heavens and a new earth
wherein dwells righteousness. (2 Pet. 3:13) Thus, the Feast of Tabernacles’
distinction as the Feast of Booths (Succoth), a temporary dwelling place. This
is further depicted in Revelation 20 wherein the arch-enemy of Yahweh Satan is
bound for a thousand years. As long as the perpetrator of rebellion and evil is
put away, there is peace and rest. But He is released from the abyss after the
millennial rule to go forth and deceive the nations one more time (Rev.
20:1-1-9).
THE DAY OF JUDGMENT
The seventh millennium having expired (represented by the sixth annual
holy day festival), the devil is released to do His work of deception and
destruction once more, but the period of time symbolized by the final day (the
seventh annual holy day) has now begun. Satan the devil was once a great
powerful ruling cherub. He is given one last opportunity to learn his lesson and
repent, but when he is loosed, he continues his deceptive practices. He must,
therefore, be judged and destroyed. This is accomplished by casting him into the
lake of fire, prepared for him and his angels (Mt. 25:31-46).
This period of time is also known as the Great White Throne Judgment
(Rev. 20:11). This day of judgment has begun by first judging he through whom
chaos, destruction, corruption and death came (Satan).
Then, all who have ever lived are resurrected to life in order to be
judged. The dead, both small and great, stand before this judgment seat. Notice
that the books are opened, as well as, the book of life. What are these
“books” that are opened?
The only books that are truly important to Yahweh are the books of His
Word, the Holy Scriptures. Most of the world has been purposely blinded and shut
up to the understanding of Yahweh’s word. Some may proclaim that this is an
unfair situation, but Yahweh has made us all and has the power to create us as a
vessel fitted for glory and honor or dishonor (Ro. 9:21).
If one will read the 37th chapter of Ezekiel, he will discover that
Yahweh is going to resurrect all of the house of Israel and have mercy upon them
in spite of their sins. This day of judgment, while it can appear to be ominous
and forbidding, will be a period of time when the rest of the nations of the
earth will have an opportunity to discover the truth of Yahweh’s word, the
promise of His mercy, repent, have their sins washed away in the blood of the
Lamb and have their names written in the book of life.
However, some, even in this life, have committed such heinous sins that
they are already twice dead (Jude 12). These will have no opportunity for
repentance. Their fate is to be cast into the lake of fire suffering the
“second death.”
This period of time will serve to bring the overall preponderance of
mankind who have ever lived to salvation and life! Yahweh is merciful and the
multitudes upon multitudes and myriads of myriads will sing and praise Him for
all eternity because of His graciousness and mercy.
WATERS POURED OUT
This period of time is spoken of by the Prophet Joel who declared, “And
it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream
dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon
the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit,” Joel 2:28-30.
Notice that He says “all flesh.” It was in the last day of the Feast
that waters were poured out in the temple. This is indicated by the Apostle John
who wrote of the event of the last day of the feast, called the “great day.”
(Jn. 7:37)
Ritually, the priests would go to the pool of Siloam to draw water, take
it back to the temple and pour it out on the altar along with the wine or drink
offering. Yahshua saw a man blind from his birth. He spat on the ground making
clay of the spittle anointing the man’s eyes therewith (Jn. 9:1-6). He then
told the man to go wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam which when he did, he
received his sight. (v. 7) These events recorded in John 7 and 9 all occurred on
the same day. They symbolize the blindness of mankind to the Word of Yahweh
until the Holy Spirit (heavenly waters) are poured out upon them. When the
Spirit is poured out upon all flesh, then the earth will be as full of the
knowledge of Yahweh as the waters that cover the sea (Hab. 2:14).
YAHSHUA THE WELL
Yahshua is the well of salvation! Yahshua told the people that those who
would believe upon Him would have living waters flowing out of their belly (Jn.
7:38). However, He was speaking of the Holy Spirit which was not yet given
because He had not yet been glorified (v. 39).
When Yahshua was hung on the tree, He was struck by a spear thrust into
His side from whence came water and blood. Yahshua, like His predecessor Adam,
was put to sleep (death is a type of sleep) in order for His bride to be taken
from His side. Adam’s bride was made flesh and blood from a rib taken out of
his side. Yahshua’s bride is to come from the water (spirit) and blood that
issued forth from His side. Blood is not only for atonement, covering of sin,
but for the New Covenant made by His blood.
The types are extant throughout the Scriptures. The animal sacrifices
were types and shadows of the one sacrifice of Yahshua. When Moses struck the
rock in the wilderness in order for water to be given to the people, this was a
type of the time when Yahshua, the rock (1 Cor. 10:1-4), would be struck in
order to provide the heavenly waters (Holy Spirit) for His people, His bride.
The very last letter of Yahshua’s Hebrew name is the “ayin.” The
modern day “ayin” looks like this “[,” but the original Paleo Hebrew “ayin”
looked like this “[.” It was an hieroglyphic
for an “eye,” “well,” or “fountain.” Thus, the very last letter of
Yahshua’s own name indicates that He is the well or fountain of living waters.
Looking at the whole name “Yahshua” in the original Hebrew letters
with their corresponding hieroglyphics is quite revelatory. The name Yahshua in
the original Paleo Hebrew is [cwhy.
The “y”
is an hieroglyphic for a “hand.” Yahshua not only sits on the right hand of
Yahweh the Father, but is His right hand, so to speak. (Heb. 1:13; Psa. 110:1,
etc.)
The Psalmists proclaim, “Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right
hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise
up against them,” 17:7. “For they got not the land in possession by their
own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy
right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because
thou hadst a favour unto them,” Psa. 44:3. “O Elohim, thou hast cast us off,
thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the
breaches thereof; for it shaketh. Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou
hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast given a banner to them
that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. That thy
beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me,” Psa.
60:1-5.
Yahweh never changes. He saved the people from Egypt by His right hand
(Ex. 15:6), David speaks of being saved by Yahweh’s right hand. We, today, are
saved by Yahshua, the right hand of Yahweh. HalleluYah!!!
The next letter is the “h”
(hei). The “hei” means “lo” or “behold.”
The third letter is the “w”
(vav/waw). It is an hieroglyphic for a tent peg or nail. Thus, in the first
three letters of the name Yahshua we are to “Behold (h)
the imprint of the nail (w) in the right hand (y).
This is all according to Scripture. Yahshua is the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). He was to be lifted up on a pole like unto
the brass serpent that Moses made in the wilderness (Jn. 3:14; Num. 21:9).
Yahshua says that if he is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself (Jn.
12:32). Those who were bitten by a poisonous serpent (a type of all who are
under the power of the bite of the serpent Satan), when they beheld the brass
serpent that Moses made, were healed.
Yahshua was made flesh (clay). Yahweh has blinded the whole world to the
truth of His Scriptures, even those who had the law of Moses. It is when we are
called, turn to Yahshua, and washed of our sins that the blindness is removed
and we are able to see the truth and power of His word.
THE MEDIATOR
The next letter in the name of Yahshua is the “shin” (Paleo Heb. = c, Modern Heb. = v). Notice the similarity in these two letters.
It is one letter but has three heads or peaks. According to those who have
studied the Hebrew language and especially the hieroglyphic representations of
the Hebrew alphabet, these three peaks represent three heads or three in one.
This letter in the name of Yahshua the Messiah is important and
significant to represent Yahshua as the Mediator. Yahshua prayed to the Father
concerning those who were given to Him, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest
me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me;
and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou
hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou
gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out
from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I
pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are
thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to
thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name
those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
While
I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me
I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the
scripture might be fulfilled. And
now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have
my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath
hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I
pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the
world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word
is truth (Note: Yahshua is the Word and the Truth). As thou
hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And
for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they
also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these
alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and
I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe
that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and
thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the
world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved
me,” Jn. 17:6-23.
Paul writes of this mystery in the Messiah, “That in the dispensation
of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in the
Messiah, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him,” Eph.
1:10.
Notice that it says “in the dispensation of the fulness of times.” In
other words, this is going to be completely understood by all when the times
that Yahweh has ordained come to their fulness or completion. The Last Great Day
is the fulness or completion of those times.
Again, Paul writes, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all
men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Yahweh our Saviour; Who
will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For
there is one Elohim, and one mediator between Elohim and men, the man the
Messiah Yahshua; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due
time,” 1 Tim. 2:1-6.
Notice again that is says this is to be testified in due time. This due
time is the fulness of the times, the completion of the times.
The three heads of the Hebrew letter “shin” are a type of the Father,
The Son Yahshua, and you or me. In other words, He is he Mediator of each person
individually and all persons as a whole. Even though the “shin” has three
heads or peaks, it is made one through the middle peak or head, the mediator
between the other two.
THE WELL OF SALVATION
Finally, comes the last letter of the name Yahshua which is the
“ayin” ([).” This has already been
touched upon, but the “ayin” is an hieroglyph for an “eye,”
“fountain,” or “well.”
The “Last Great Day” of the feast represents the time when all of the
earth, all flesh will have the heavenly waters, the Holy Spirit poured out upon
them.
Yahshua is the beginning and end of the creation of Elohim, “And unto
the angel of the Assembly of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen,
the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of Elohim,” Rev.
3:14. “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Aleph and Tau, the beginning and the end.
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely,” Rev. 21:6.
He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, “Wherefore seeing we also
are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience
the race that is set before us, Looking unto
Yahshua the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of Yahweh,” Heb. 12:1-2.
Satan is no longer around to deceive and destroy. Yahshua, at this time,
is going to finish the plan of salvation begun in Him for the masses of the
earth who never had the opportunity for salvation.
They will have the opportunity to repent, submit themselves to Yahshua
and drink from His well of salvation. The plan of Yahweh will now have been
completed in Yahshua. Yahshua will then be utilized to begin a new creation, a
new heavens and earth wherein dwells righteousness. The new Jerusalem will
descend out of heaven from Yahweh to a new earth created through Yahshua. The
glory of Yahweh and the songs of praise and salvation will reverberate
throughout this new creation.
The Last Great Day is a most powerful witness and testimony to the greatness and power of Yahweh Elohim. May Yahweh cause you to understand His mighty power through the days that He has instituted so that you, and all of us, may declare His power and greatness even before they take place. HalleluYah!!!!!
Yahweh’s Evangelical Assembly
invites you to come observe the Feast of Tabernacles with us. We
are happy to report that we have made arrangements to acquire the Texarkana
Music Park for our observance of the Feast of Tabernacles this year. The park is
located about 8-9 miles south of Texarkana, Texas, right off of U. S. Highway
59.
There are plenty of hook-ups for RV’s as well as
plenty of space to pitch a tent. The price of the spaces will be $10 per day for
full hook-up, $7 per day for electricity and water hook-up, $6.00 per day for
water only (tents).
It is a beautiful, well manicured park with plenty
of shade trees. The park has two restroom facilities for both men and women with
two showers in each restroom. The meeting hall also has restroom facilities with
one
shower each.
The meeting hall also has restroom facilities with one shower each. The meeting
hall has kitchen facilities with 3 refrigerators and an electric cook stove,
sink, etc.
For
those who prefer a motel room, the closest motel is The Budget Inn, 4501 S. Lake Drive, Ph. #
903-838-0300. Of course, there are plenty of other national motels in
the Texarkana area.
The
dates for the Feast of Tabernacles are Sept. 19th-26th.
You may contact us at 903-796-7420 or 903-826-1804 for further
information or arrangements.
IN THE NEXT ISSUE
What is Forgiveness? Part 2