Day of Atonement

Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land.

(Lev. 25:9)

September 20th, 2017 at sundown, the holiest day of the Jewish year began. Many who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast, and attend synagogue services last night and today. The name “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement,” and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to “afflict the soul,” to atone for the sins of the past year.

Many religious Jews believe that in Heaven books recording all the deeds of mankind are opened on Rosh Hashanah beginning an annual review of man’s behavior. Those whose behavior has been exemplary in every respect are given another year of life, those who have demonstrated no redeeming qualities are scheduled for death, and those who fit neither category are given 10 days until Yom Kippur to right all the wrongs committed during the year just past.

Days Of Awe

These 10 days are called the Days of Awe because each man’s destiny hangs in the balance as he goes about asking forgiveness  for sins committed against Him (violations of His Law) and from friends and neighbors for wrongs done to them.  On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed and the books are closed for another year. So this day is, essentially, their last appeal, their last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate their repentance and make amends.

Yom Kippur is a Holy Sabbath; no work can be performed. Jews refrain from eating and drinking even water. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur.

In ancient times, Yom Kippur was the only day of the year when it was permissible to speak the Name of God. During a great and solemn ceremony at the Temple, two goats were brought before the High Priest. One was a goat “for the Lord” to be presented as a sin offering as commanded in Lev. 16:7-10. The other was called “the scapegoat” because all the sins of the nation were symbolically placed upon its head, and it was led outside the city. The goat for the sin offering had done nothing to deserve this, but was killed to remind the people that only the shedding of innocent blood could atone for their sins. The death of the two goats symbolically set aside the sins of the nation, made their offering acceptable and gave them another year of peace with their Creator. Lying prostrate before Him the people spoke the Name of God in heartfelt thanks.

Holiday Leftovers

Here are a couple of interesting tidbits from Jewish tradition. When the goats were brought before the High Priest, their respective roles in the ceremony were determined by lot. Two golden lots were placed in a golden bowl and as he placed his hand upon the head of each goat, the High Priest reached into the bowl and pulled out one of the lots. Before the cross the goat that was to be presented to the Lord as a sin offering was always on the right hand of the High Priest. After the cross it never was.

While the scapegoat was symbolically receiving the sins of the people upon its head a scarlet ribbon was tied from one of its horns to the door of the temple. Just before the goat was led from the Temple into the wilderness this ribbon was cut in two, leaving some on the horn and some on the door. According to tradition, at a predetermined location outside the city, the goat was pushed off a cliff and fell to its death. All the years before the cross, at the moment of the scapegoat’s death, the piece of ribbon on the temple door turned from red to white recalling the passage from Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” After the cross this never happened again.

The Law Is Only A Shadow …

Some Christians believe that the Lord Jesus began His ministry on Yom Kippur announcing in effect that the judgment that was due mankind would be borne by Him instead (Luke 4:16-21) and that man no longer need live in fear of judgment nor have to endure the 10 Days of Awe every year.

It’s easy to see the Lord in the role of our sin offering, whose shed blood purchased our pardon forever (Hebrews 10:1-4). And at His trial before Pontius Pilate, wasn’t He chosen to bear our sins while Bar Abbas was released? But He was also our peace offering. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:19-20). He is our peace, who has broken down every wall (Ephesians 2:14).

So why was the goat chosen for the Lord never on the right hand again? And why did the ribbon no longer turn white at the death of the scapegoat? The One Who had fulfilled the role that the two goats only symbolized had come. It is He Who sits at the right hand of the Father and it is He Who has forever taken away the sins of all who would accept Him. Where the reality has come the shadow is no longer effective. (Colossians 2:17)

History To Prophecy

The prophetic fulfillment of Yom Kippur will come at the end of the Millennium at the so-called Great White Throne judgment, when all the unsaved dead are brought back to life to be judged according to their works. (Revelation 20:11-15). The books will be opened for the last time and those from all ages who have refused the pardon purchased for them at the cross will bear the full responsibility for their sins against God and man, destined to spend eternity in shame and torment. But those who have accepted the Lord’s pardon are at peace with God, and will spend eternity with Him and shine like the brightness of the Sun. Shalom.

https://gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/holidays-and-holy-days/the-day-of-atonement-yom-kippur/

Today, Saturday September 30 is Yom Kippur.  This past week has certainly been one of reflection for me as I have read and studied much that has been written about this day, including this one by Jack Kelley which I have chosen to share with you.  It is my hope and prayer that all who read this will reflect as well on the fact that by the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we can spend eternity in Heaven with Him.  The signs of His return, the labor pains He told us would occur, are happening all around us and He could call us home to be with Him at any time.  If you have never made the decision to accept this free gift of salvation, or are in any way unsure of your eternal destiny, I encourage you to pray this prayer and accept God’s promise to save you.

Jesus I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live for you from now on. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Keep watching.

Behold the Bridegroom Comes

An article by Jack Kelley

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’  “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’”  ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’  “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matt. 25:1-13).

What’s That All About?

This parable is often incorrectly described as having to do with the church, especially by those who cling to the post-tribulation rapture viewpoint. Let’s apply some standard rules of interpretation to see what it really means.

As for the timing of the event, there’s little debate since it’s clearly disclosed. The opening phrase “At that time” refers to several earlier references in the Olivet Discourse all pointing back to Matthew 24:29 which says, “Immediately after the distress (tribulation) of those days…”

This verse of course refers to the Great Tribulation.  It’s a 3 1/2 year long sequence of judgments begun by the appearance of the “abomination that causes desolation, standing in the Holy Place,” commonly thought to be the anti-christ standing in the newly rebuilt Jewish Temple in Israel proclaiming himself to be god.  Paul prophesied this in 2 Thes. 2:4.

So the timing of the parable is just after the end of the Great Tribulation, when what’s left of the world awaits the appearance of Messiah, the King. But notice, they’ve been waiting a long time, implying that the story actually began much earlier, and is now concluding.

The parable centers around 10 virgins, or bridesmaids depending on which translation you prefer, awaiting the appearance of a bridegroom. The Greek word is parthenos, which always describes someone who has never had sexual intercourse. The use of the word bridesmaid comes from an attempt by translators to adhere to the context of the story. But in any case, here’s where some knowledge of 1st century Jewish wedding traditions comes in handy.

Can I Marry Her?

In those days when a man took a fancy to a young woman, he approached her father to ask for her hand in marriage. A brief negotiation followed where the price he was required to pay as compensation for the family’s loss of their daughter was determined. It was called the bride price. If acceptable, and if the daughter agreed to become the man’s wife, they were officially betrothed and he went away to build a home for them next to his father’s house. This could take some time, and the couple rarely met again until the father of the groom pronounced the newly built home fit for habitation. Only then was the date set, and the man given permission by his father to go collect his bride for the wedding.

During this time the young woman was to watch and wait. She and her bridesmaids were to maintain a constant state of preparedness, since the wedding date would not be known to her until the bridegroom actually appeared. For his part, the groom would usually try to show up unexpectedly to surprise her, carrying her off suddenly “like a thief in the night” when no one would see them. When the bridesmaids discovered the bride had been “snatched away” there would be a great torch-lit procession, announcing to the whole town that the wedding banquet was about to begin. This was typically a seven day celebration during which the bride and groom were hidden away in their private rooms while the whole town made merry. The father of the groom picked up the tab for the festivities.

I Can See Clearly Now

Against the backdrop of this tradition, the meaning becomes clear when we insert the actual characters that those in the parable represent. To do this, we’ll rely on the principle of expositional constancy, from which we learn that symbolism in scripture tends to be consistent. For example, whenever yeast is used symbolically it always refers to sin, while symbolic use of the word rock always refers to the Lord, etc.

All through the scriptures, whenever the term bridegroom is used symbolically, it always refers to the Lord. And no one argues that the Bride of Christ is uniquely descriptive of the church. Obviously, the bridesmaids are not the Bride so they can’t represent the church. In fact, the Bride is never mentioned anywhere in the parable, and in any case could never be refused admittance to her own wedding banquet.  She was obviously spirited away earlier while the bridesmaids slept. The bridesmaids represent people on Earth during the Great Tribulation after the church has gone.

Got Oil?

Now it’s time for the wedding banquet but some bridesmaids lack sufficient oil to light the way. Asking to borrow some from their friends they’re refused, since there might not be enough to go around, and are sent off to buy some for themselves. By the time they return, the banquet has already begun, the door is closed and they’re denied admission, the bridegroom claiming that he doesn’t even know them.

Checking on the symbolic use of oil, we find it refers to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift uniquely given to believers at the moment of salvation. You can’t get it for others nor can they give any of theirs to you. Each of us has to receive it by ourselves and for ourselves.

During the Church Age the Holy Spirit is sealed within believers as a guarantee of our inheritance. But no such guarantee is mentioned for Tribulation believers (Rev. 14:12).  In fact Rev. 16:15 specifically warns them to stay awake and maintain their righteousness, symbolized by keeping their clothes with them. (Clothing is often used to represent righteousness, as in Isaiah 61:10). Rev. 16:15 implies that Tribulation believers are responsible for remaining steadfast in their faith to avoid losing their salvation. Matt. 25:8 agrees, telling us that all 10 virgins had oil in their lamps at the beginning, but the five foolish ones didn’t have enough to carry them through.  All 10 bridesmaids fell asleep and their lamps were in danger of going out. Only 5 had the ability to replenish their lamps with oil they had brought, and they refused to lend any to the others.

The 5 bridesmaids with oil represent those who will have given their hearts to the Lord during the tribulation period after the Church has gone and stayed faithful, while those without it symbolize others who haven’t. Only those who’ve remained faithful will be invited in.

What’s That Supposed To Mean?

So what does the parable mean? First of all, I’m convinced it’s not trying to hint at the timing of the Rapture. I believe it’s sole purpose is to serve as one of the clearest warnings the Lord ever gave to those He would find still on Earth when He returns, and that’s to make sure they remain faithful and ready to receive Him no matter how long they have to wait.

When the Lord comes back at the End of the Age, He’ll find both believers and unbelievers present on Earth. Having previously spirited His bride (the church) away, He’ll now decide who among the Tribulation survivors should be allowed to participate in the blessings of His Kingdom, using the presence of the Holy Spirit in each one’s life as the determining factor. Those in whom the Spirit resides when He returns are invited in but those without it will be excluded.

Because just as importantly, the parable teaches that His return signals the deadline after which even the request to be saved and receive the Holy Spirit will be denied. (The foolish virgins, as the story calls them, were on their way to replenish their oil when the bridegroom arrived.) The door will be closed, and the Lord will deny ever knowing those who’ve come too late.

By not remaining faithful, these tribulation believers, who are not part of the Church, will have disqualified themselves from participation in the kingdom.  Once everyone sees the Lord returning on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory, the opportunity for them to restore their salvation will have ended.  Salvation has always been by faith and faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see (Hebr. 11:1).  Selah 3-21-04

https://gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/parables/the-parable-of-the-ten-virgins/

Final Warning?

In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.  Daniel 5:5-6  NKJV

“And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. “This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; “TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; “PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”  Daniel 5:25-28  NKJV

Have you ever considered that God always chooses to give mankind fair warning of His intentions towards us and always gives us a chance to repent?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9  NKJV

For the past few weeks I have chosen to talk about the possibility that we are quickly approaching the “point of no return” where the Church will be taken away to be with the Father in Heaven and His judgment on an unbelieving world will begin.  One of the most gratifying things to me as a watcher is the fact that it would appear I am in no way the only one to think this.  In fact, even though there are countless other watchers of the same mind, it appears that even the secular world is looking at what has been happening, realizing where we are as a world, and asking the same questions.

Of course, they discount the answer that God is displeased and attempting to give us fair warning of His intentions, yet they do acknowledge that something out of the ordinary is going on.  To us as believers, however, the question should well be about what God expects from us in these last days leading up to His intervention in the affairs of men.  The answer to that, I am sure, would be that we all agree it is up to us as the body of Christ to share with those who will listen that God has provided a way of escape for all who would choose to accept it through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

While this has been the message of the Gospel since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there has lately certainly appeared a sense of urgency, stimulated no doubt, by recent events we as a world have witnessed.  Should we as a body consider all that has occurred recently as our “handwriting on the wall”?  My answer to that is “why not”?  

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,        Romans 1:18  NKJV

If this is the case, what should our response as believers be?  I have no doubt that most all of us would agree that we need to take any opportunity we are presented with to share the Gospel with those who are seeking answers.  I cannot tell you the numerous opportunities I have had to share in the past month or so, which from what I can tell, result directly from all of the events which are taking place in the world right now.  How close are we?  That is a question I get a lot, and one which I am sure you do as well.  While I am careful not to set dates, this week brings us to a series of events occurring, one of which, many are claiming has every indication of relating to the Church’s deliverance from this earth.

While there are several things happening this week, the one which has garnered the most attention is one which is being called the "Sign of the Woman".  In short, a celestial alignment of stars and constellations will occur which mirror the passage given to us in the book of Revelation, chapter twelve.  While some people debate whether or not the male child referred to in this passage is the Church or Israel, there is one inescapable fact which should be considered. In Rev. 12 the word "harpazo" is used, which is the same word that is used describing the Rapture in 1 Thess. 4:16 & 17. 

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.       Revelation 12:1-5  NKJV

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.  1 Thessalonians 4:15-18  NKJV

Am I saying the Church will disappear this week?  No, but then again I would not be surprised at all if it did.  As for me, I will be looking for every opportunity to share the Gospel with anyone who will listen, as well as sharing it with you as I always do.  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept the free gift of eternal life offered to us by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I urge you to do it today.  All you need to do is pray a simple prayer like this one, and believe.

Jesus I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live for you from now on. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Keep watching.

Unable or Unwilling?

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!  Matthew 24:33  NKJV

By now I am sure that most all of us have heard the question asked in one form or another; “what in the world is going on”?  The eclipse, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, tropical storms and floods, solar flares, unseasonable heat waves and other events are all combining to produce in many the thoughts of nature out of control.  Yet as believers, we know with a certainty who it is who not only controls the weather, but has often used it for the purpose of exhibiting His displeasure and judgment.  That said, it would seem not only reasonable, but logical to consider that God is sending us a message.

I asked you a few weeks ago to consider the possibility that many have expressed about the forty days between the eclipse and Yom Kippur being a time of judgment for America.  I think I would be remiss if I didn’t ask that same question again today and wonder if many of you might have changed your minds in the past few weeks?  Of course, I couldn’t say for certain but I think it is beginning to look a lot like it is a much better answer to the question many are asking than blaming it all on climate change.  Yet I think it important to consider if there is more to what is happening than meets the eye.

I would, however, also want to suggest that what we see happening might just as well be part of God’s plan which answers one of the most asked questions those who teach about the end times receive on a regular basis, and that is where is America in prophecy?  If you have studied that question, you may have already formed your own answer, but for myself, I believe what we see happening may fit perfectly in supporting the position of many, including myself who teach that America is not mentioned because it is unable or unwilling to be a participant in the coming events in the Middle East.

Let’s first examine the “unable” position for a moment.  We now have finally elected a government which holds the position that our national debt and government spending must come under control.  To their credit, these two goals are slowly being achieved, and it is obvious that our administration is serious about accomplishing this.  Now add to the equation the current drain on our resources as a result of the many natural disasters we as a country are experiencing at the moment.  How many requests for federal aid are on the books right now and after hurricane Irma passes through this weekend, how much more will that add?

Of course, if we accept the possibility that there is, in fact, a forty day period of time to consider, that leaves us with three more weeks to experience even more disasters.  Do you see where this is leading?  I can recall many times as a father that I wanted to do something for my children but was unable to do so because of a serious lack of funding.  As a country, is it not possible we would find ourselves in the same predicament?  A series of disasters on the scale we have been experiencing so far could economically ruin any chance of us having the funding to spend defending our allies in the Middle East should a conflict there arise.

Then, of course, we come to the “unwilling” part of this discussion.  Why would America be unwilling to defend its greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel?  As most of us know, there are two different political leanings in our country at present which most would categorize as conservative and liberal.  If we were to speak in general terms, polls have shown that the majority of conservatives identify themselves as Christian and support the nation of Israel while those who identify as liberals are less likely to have any religious affiliation and often support the positions of Israel’s enemies.  As I said, this is a generalization and there are always exceptions.  If we accept this as fact, however, there is an obvious question which arises.

Our present administration not only identifies itself as conservative, but also as Christian as well.  Even the media, which could hardly be considered supportive of the administration, has often reported on the fact that many of the members our President has appointed are people of faith, and even revealed that there are now Bible Studies being held in the White House for those who wish to attend.  This being the case, one would expect our support for the nation of Israel to be not only unwavering, but virtually guaranteed.  To this point, it has, yet there is one event, which as believers, we must consider as well.  What happens after the rapture?

As the Bible clearly reveals, all believers will be suddenly taken from this earth to by our Savior Jesus Christ, to be with Him forever in Heaven.  This of course, only leaves unbelievers behind.  In such a case, I think it rather logical to assume that whatever government rises from the ashes in this country would be less than supportive of Israel than the current one.  Considering that the period of time following the rapture is called among other things, the time of Jacob’s trouble, and the fact that America is not mentioned in the prophecies of that period, it would be reasonable to believe this country is unwilling to be involved.

Unable, or unwilling?  You could make an argument for both, or a combination of both.  The fact remains, however, many believe we are experiencing a dramatic display of God’s displeasure and a foretaste of what many believe is soon to come.  What will we see occur in the coming weeks?  More of the same, or an increase of events which will make it plain to all that there is more to what is happening than just nature acting outside of her norm.  If you are familiar at all with the book of Revelation, you know that what is happening right now is nothing compared to what is to come.  The passage from the book of Matthew which begins today’s discussion is directed to, and about the things which happen during the tribulation.  Yet it certainly is applicable right now with what we are seeing around us.

I truly believe what we are seeing and experiencing today is God’s warning that His return is near.  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do it right now.  All you need to do is pray a simple prayer like this;

Jesus I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live for you from now on. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Keep watching.

 

https://apnews.com/b0860812593744c588dd9db9f6a8b599/Winds,-fire,-floods-and-quakes:-A-nutty-run-of-nature