The Fall Feasts of YHWH are almost upon us! Perhaps you’ve never celebrated them before but feel called to? Maybe you’d like to know more about why we should observe them? Possibly, you want to learn how to keep these holy days more accurately? Perchance you need to know when to honor these times? It’s likely some of you want to learn of the prophetic, and end times implications of these amazing festivals? Even if you’re a veteran to all this, and want a quick refresher; I pray this study would prove a blessing to you.
COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE (WHY)
There is a movement happening all around us – a growing group of believers who are being called out of the world and her ways. A departure from Babylon; (spiritual Egypt if you will) and leaving the error of her fornication (false worship & idolatry).
Revelation 18:4
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” Link
As Revelation 18:4 states, we are to come out of Babylon, and this study will be an important portion of what that exodus actually looks like. Let’s quickly review the reason for Mystery Babylon’s coming destruction, as well as those attached to her and her ways:
According to the book of Ezekiel, she will be destroyed for this reason:
Ezekiel 23:29-30
“…and the shame of your fornication shall be exposed: and your ungodliness and your fornication brought this upon you, in that you went a-whoring after the nations, and did defile yourself with their devices.” Link
What is the fornication/whoring mentioned?
“lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods”
-Exodus 34:15-16
We in this realm are joined as husband and wife through a covenant — marriage. Just as if we were to break that covenant, and go unto another, we would be fornication/whoring (committing adultery), so the same remains if we openly serve another god, or even attempt to serve Yah through false and unauthorized methods.
“but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds.”
-Psalm 106:35 & 39
“in that you went a-whoring after the nations, and did defile yourself with their devices“
The word ‘devices’ is defined as: Link
Something devised, or contrived:
- Plan, procedure, technique
- A scheme to deceive
- Desire or inclination
As we know, Satan is the deceiver and he has certainly done his job with the masses, leading them to disobeying the commandments of Yahuah, particularly his Sabbath and feast days, part of the very core of our walk and our show of allegiance to The Most High. Has the enemy used its devices by planning a scheme to deceive the world, especially believers? Absolutely. Brothers and sisters, a monumental part of coming out of Babylon, is no longer celebrating pagan festivals, especially those under the guise of attempting to serve the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What are we saying? It’s time to drop man-made traditions that inseparably serve another god, because he tells us not to worship him in the same way the nations do:
Deuteronomy 12:30-32
“Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their elohiym, saying, How did these nations serve their elohiym? even so will I do likewise. You shall not do so unto YAHUAH ELOHAYKA: for every abomination to YAHUAH, which he hates, have they done unto their elohiym; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their elohiym. What thing soever I command you, guard to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
Christmas and Easter are perfect examples of pagan festivals that were mixed into the faith and ended up replacing in the minds and practices of most, our scriptural command to keep his true Sabbath and feast days. The amazing news, is Yah is starting to wake a generation up and remove us far from this continued whoring (false worship).
“Then those of you who escape will remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols. And they will be loathsome in their own sight for the evils that they have committed, for all their abominations.”
-Ezekiel 6:9
Some might say, “God knows my heart” and he knows I’m not worshiping the christmas tree and so on. This mentality is nothing new. Consider the time when the children of Israel were impatient with Moses being gone 40 days on Mt. Sinai, they wanted to make a feast to Yahuah, their way:
Exodus 32:1-5
“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to Yahuah.” Link
They tried serving Yahuah the way they learned in Egypt, and it did not go over very well. It’s time we serve him the way he’s commanded it. Come out of her my people. Let us learn from the mistakes the ancients made.
“I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same supernatural food and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Messiah. Nevertheless with most of them Elohim was not pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance.” We must not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.”
1 Cor 10:1-8
As we prepare for the feast season, let us heed the words of the apostle Paul.
“Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
1 Corinthians 5:8
This is a perfect time for introspection, and removing from your life what YHWH does not want.
THE FEASTS ARE FOR US TODAY
Jeremiah 16:19
“…Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.”
Unfortunately, most believers have bought into the lie that the feasts are just “Jewish holidays” and not for the church.
Sadly, this is so far from the truth. We know the scriptures say this:
Numbers 15:15-16
“One ordinance shall be both for you of the assembly, and also for the stranger that sojourns with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as you are, so shall the stranger be before YAHUAH. One Torah and one manner of law shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourns with you.” Link
Leviticus 19:34
“But the stranger that dwells with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for ye were strangers in the land of Mitsrayim: I am YAHUAH ELOHAYKEM. Link
Paul teaches us that we are no longer ‘gentiles’ when we become believers in Messiah:
Ephesians 2:11-13, 19
“Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Elohim in the world: But now in Messiah Yahusha you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Elohim.“
Paul states we are the Seed of Abraham through faith in Messiah (Galatians 3:27-29). The Seed of Abraham is and always will be Israel!
“And if you are Messiah’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.”
-Galatians 3:29“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, my friend;”
-Isaiah 41:8
Leviticus 23 states these are his feasts. They came from him, not the jews.
Leviticus 23:4
“These are the feasts of YAHUAH, even holy assemblies, which ye shall proclaim in their appointed times.
Giving up the world’s holidays may seem scary at first, or it may seem like you’re loosing something. HARDLY! His feasts are much more enjoyable and fulfilling, if you have not participated in an organized Sukkot yet, you are in for a treat! Also, there’s just something ancient and gratifying about walking in his way, instead of the world’s. You truly have to experience it for yourself! There’s nothing that could take me away from his Feast days at this point.
Then you will destroy all your silver idols and your precious gold images. You will throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, “Good riddance!”
Isaiah 30:22
One word of caution; as people continue to come out of the apostate church system, many have unfortunately gone to the other side of the gutter, Judaism which is filled with added man-made traditions that are just as bad as the system they left. Growing up in Judaism, I am acquainted well with all the added traditions that seem great on the surface. Some seem harmless, but we must remember that we were instructed not to add unto his word:
Deuteronomy 4:2
“You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that ye may guard the commandments of YAHUAH ELOHIM which I command you.” Link
I will be sticking to scriptures at all costs and I recommend the same for you and your family. Remember, Messiah Yahusha didn’t rebuke the Pharisees and Saducees for keeping the Torah (law), but for elevating man-made traditions.
Matthew 15:8-9
“This people draws close unto me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
THE FALL FEASTS
Now that we’ve established why we should celebrate these feasts, let’s move on to the ‘when’ discussion.
WHEN?
The calendar discussion (the when) seems to bring about more contention and frustration than any other topic within this growing community. Let me be clear, I will be merely sharing the best understanding I have at this point, and I have no desire to debate, strive about, or belittle anyone else’s calendar, I am simply here to share what I know at this time. If I’m wrong, pray for me. I believe debatable topics like the calendar are a test from on high — to see if we can really love one another, regardless of our differences. If you are on a different calendar, yet desire to walk in Yah’s way, you are my brother and sister and I love you.
As a preface, we must realize, that it was prophesied in Daniel 7:25, that the 4th Beast, or 4th Kingdom (Rome) would be given the power to deceive many; particularly with time (calendar). Yes, Yahuah has allowed this to serve his purpose (more on this another time).
Daniel 7:23 & 25
“Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And he shall speak great words against the most High and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” Link
This has come to pass. Not only has Rome changed the commandments of YHWH, but it also controls the world’s calendar; time, at least in human affairs. The current calendar that the world operates on is the Gregorian, created by Pope Gregory XIII and introduced in 1582, which replaced the Julian calendar, another one of Rome’s devices. Link
“The reform also altered the lunar cycle used by the Church to calculate the date for Easter” (Wikipedia)
This was a major move in altering the observance of Passover in favor of the pagan festival of Ishtar (easter). The word easter is used is in Acts 12:4, however, when we look at the Greek, the word used was ‘pascha’ which is Passover. This is one of many deceiving ‘devices’ of the Beast. Link
“And Elohim said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for appointed times (feasts) and for days and years”
-Genesis 1:14
With this in mind, we must go by Yahuah’s calendar as he described in the scriptures. While Rome’s gregorian calendar is solar only, The Most High’s is a Luni-Solar, using the Sun for Days, the continuous 7 day Sabbath for weeks, the Moon for months and a combination of the aforementioned and the Stars for years. Here is our introduction to the calendar, and how it operates, according to our current understanding.
If you’d like to know how we arrived at the dates we are about to mention, I would highly recommend watching it, especially considering our dates are different than the mainstream jewish calendar. Here is our downloadable calendar pdf. It covers 2021-2025. POTV-CALENDAR-21-25-update
The dates are shown on the gregorian calendar for easy reference:
Moving on — this study will be a quick overview of each of the 3 Fall feast days. The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and Sukkot (Tabernacles). There is so much to learn about each one; specifically how they all pertain to our messiah Yahusha! Alongside this, there is a wealth prophetic implication within each one, that we could spend 2-3 hours on each feast day, so for this study, we will do a brief overview of each. I would highly encourage you all to do further study when time permits. Here is a link to our Feast Day playlist, where you can learn more about each one.
Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets)
The Command
Leviticus 23:24-25
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall you have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no servile work therein: but you shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahuah”
When
I will be making references to the gregorian calendar dates, only so you can understand what I am saying and learn when to celebrate them based of what you know now. The first day of the 7th month starts with the New Moon sighting. Here is further evidence:
Psalm 81:3
“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day” Link
Considering this feast is the only one celebrated on the first day of the month, it is safe to assume this is speaking of the Feast of Trumpets.
What is the New Moon? Unfortunately, there’s nothing in the 66, or even 80 book cannon that tells us specifically what constitutes the New Moon. Yet, the ancient book of Enoch that was quoted by Jude and Peter, and also referenced by our Messiah on several occasions, does.
“And this is how she rises. And her first phase in the east comes forth on the thirtieth morning: and on that day she becomes visible, and constitutes for you the first phase of the moon on the thirtieth day together with the sun in the portal where the sun rises. And the one half of her goes forth by a seventh part, and her whole circumference is empty, without light, with the exception of one-seventh part of it, (and) the fourteenth part of her light. And when she receives one-seventh part of the half of her light, her light amounts to one-seventh part and the half thereof. And she sets with the sun, and when the sun rises the moon rises with him and receives the half of one part of light, and in that night in the beginning of her morning [in the commencement of the lunar day] the moon sets with the sun, and is invisible that night with the fourteen parts and the half of one of them.”
Enoch 73:4-7“And on the first day she is called the new moon, for on that day the light rises upon her.”
Enoch 77:12“…again she wanes till all the light vanishes and all the days of the month are at an end, and her circumference is empty, void of light.”
Enoch 78:14
This is the reason why the dates we celebrate are one day off from the majority, who follow the jewish calandar. The current standard is the ‘blank’ or conjunction moon being the first day, whereas Enoch states the sliver is day one and the ‘blank’ or conjunction moon is the last day of the month. Here is a link to why we believe Enoch is scripture, and authoritative.
Take a look at the picture below. The evening of the 26th of Sept will be the sighting of the New Moon crescent. From the Evening of the 26th to the evening of the 27th will be the Feast of Trumpets. This is the first day of the 7th month of Yahuah’s calendar (how we understand it).
Why we calculate evening to evening (another hotly debated topic). If we disagree, I love you nonetheless!
How
Now that we have established when, let’s talk about how, or rather, what we actually get to do!
Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) is the day of blowing the Shofar, or also, the day of shouting, or making loud noises; a sounding of the alarm if you will. We will be gathering together on the evening of the sighting of the New Moon and when we do, we will be making a lot of noise!
To sight the New Moon, on Sept 26th, at sundown, look to the west. It should appear something like this (a very slim sliver):
Hopefully we will all have clear skies that night, but if perchance you don’t, celebrate anyway, this month, there is no other possibility of another day being the New Moon. If you have your Shofar ready, let her sound off with all you have; this is a warning to all, that the day of Yahuah is near and judgement is impending.
Hosea 8:1
“Set the trumpet to your mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of YHWH, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my Torah.”
Some believe this is the day of the great Trumpet blast that starts the Day of Yahuah (commonly known as the Day of the Lord) A great reminder of our need to repent and attach ourselves to him and his ways.
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a shofar, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
Isaiah 58:1
Psalm 47:5-9
“Elohim is gone up with a shout, Yahuah with the sound of a Shofar. Sing praises to Elohim, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For Elohim is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. Elohim reigns over the nations: Elohim sits upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the Elohim of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto Elohim: he is greatly exalted.” Link
Ok, so now really blow that shofar! Why? Here’s why:
“And in the day of your rejoicings, and in your solemnities, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your consecrated victims, and they shall be for a good memorial to you before the Yahuah your Elohim; for Satan shall be troubled at the sound of your jubel notes: I am Yahuah your Elohim”
Numbers 10:10 Aramaic Targums
The Feast of Trumpets is a day of no work, including buying and selling (causing others to work). If you have like-minded believers near you, get together, everyone bring food to share and praise Yah for this set-apart day. If you haven’t gathered with a group of people blowing multiple shofars, you haven’t lived yet! Don’t have fellowship? Live alone? Celebrate anyways; I’m willing to imagine Yah will be pleased with any effort we put forth towards his day. It’s been a long time since a large group of people have come back to his ancient path, desiring to serve him in spirit and in Truth. Let us give him something to smile about in this dark world.
Again, this lasts from the evening of Sept 26th, until the evening of the 27th. This is a feast day unto Yah and is also speculated to be the real timing of the birth of Yahusha (evidence).
The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) calls for an offering made by fire to Yahuah. While we will be sharing a meal with friends and loved ones, we should consider that we are not in a time of animal sacrifices, but spiritual ones. We turn to scriptures to guide us on what we should do in a time like this:
1 Peter 1:5
“You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Elohim by Yahusha Ha’Mashiach” Link
More specifically:
Hebrews 13:12-15
“Wherefore Yahusha also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Elohim continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Link
“Accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Yahuah, and teach me Your judgments.”
Psalm 119:108
“Take with you words, and turn to the Yahuah: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.”
Hosea 14:2
Unbelieving or Unequally Yoked Spouses
This section will apply for all of his feast days and sabbaths (I won’t repeat this part for each section). I can’t speak for Yah here, but only from experience. If you have a spouse who’s just not quite with you on this journey, be a light to them. Don’t be angry or bitter or rude if their eyes haven’t been opened yet. Perhaps this is a test for you both?
“For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
1 Cor 7:16
Think about it, we are to ‘love our neighbors as ourselves’. Well, this is your closest neighbor. Yahuah loved us and sent his son for us while we were yet sinners, blind and deaf. Can you love your spouse and be a good example to him/her, even in the face of ridicule or hatred for wanting to keep Yah’s ways? Husbands, keep the feast with your children. If your wife doesn’t want to celebrate, don’t force it. Did Yahuah force you? What I wouldn’t recommend, is allowing your wife to talk you out of celebrating his day.
Wives with unequally yoked or unbelieving husbands, I would never suggest you rebel against them, but do as much as you can, when you can. Prayer and fasting leading up to these days for deliverance is highly recommended. Who knows if Yah would hear you and open your husband’s eyes. I’ve heard and seen testimony after testimony. Yah is good my brethren!
Why?
The Feast of Trumpets should be a joyful day of blowing the Shofar, or making a loud noise, not working, sharing a meal with family and friends but most importantly, giving Yahuah the praise to his name with our lips and hearts. HALLELUYAH!
Some say this day is the day of the resurrection:
“For Adonai himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Adonai in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Adonai.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Possibly the beginning of the Day of Yahuah (Day of the Lord):
“Blow ye the Shofar in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Yahuah comes, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And Yahuah shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of Yahuah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?”
Joel 2:1-11
And the fall of the nations:
Joshua 6:1-5
Now Jericho was shut up from within and from without because of the people of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And Yahuah said to Joshua, “See, I have given into your hand Jericho, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. And seven priests shall bear seven shofars of Jubilee before the ark; and on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the shofars. And when they make a long blast with the horn of Jubilee, as soon as you hear the sound of the shofar, then all the people shall shout with a great shout (teruah); and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him.”
Day of Atonement
The Command
Leviticus 23:27-32
“Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto Yahuah. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before Yahuah your Elohim. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that does any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. You shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall you celebrate your sabbath. Link
When
The Day of Atonement is celebrated from the evening of the 9th day of the seventh month until the evening of the 10th day of the seventh month. Take a look below:
So we will be celebrating the Day of Atonement from the evening of the 5th until the evening of the 6th of Oct.
How/Why
Not many know this, but the Day of Atonement stems from the Book of Enoch, where the Fallen Angel Azazel is made the scapegoat – he was the original cause of sin and rebellion of the 200 watcher-class angels, and the leading astray of mankind. Let’s take a look:
Enoch 10:4-8
“And again Yahuah said to Raphael: ‘Bind Azâzêl hand and foot and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening in the desert, which is in Dûdâêl, and cast him therein. And place upon him rough and jagged rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there for ever, and cover his face that he may not see light. And on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire. And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the Watchers have disclosed and have taught their sons. And the whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azâzêl: to him ascribe all sin” Link
We see: Azazel, Sin, Judgement and the Desert. With these terms in mind, let’s take another look at the Torah, regarding this most somber day. Leviticus 16 is all about the Day of Atonement, and I’d recommend all of you reading it on your own during this day, but for now, we will pull a few passages from it:
Leviticus 16:7-10 & 21-22
“Then he shall take the two goats and set them before Yahuah at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for Yahuah and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for Yahuah and use it as a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before Yahuah to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness (desert) to Azazel”“And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness (desert): And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness (desert).”Link
Once a year, only the High Priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies, in order to obtain forgiveness for the people. Also, during this day, one goat was sacrificed for sins while the other was sent out to wander the wilderness, or desert, as Azazel was judged to abide in. Regardless of this past ritual, praise be to Yahuah for sending his beloved son, Yahusha to atone once and for all, our sins and to be fully reconciled back to him, HALLELUYAH!
1 John 2:1-2
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yahusha Ha’Mashiach the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Link
Let’s take a look at the word ‘propitiation’.
Strongs concordance defines propitiation as: Link to Strongs
- an appeasing, propitiating
- the means of appeasing, a propitiation
Strong’s Definitions (Strong’s Definitions Legend)
ἱλασμός hilasmós, hil-as-mos’; atonement,
Merriam-Webster Dictionary says: Link to Merriam-Webster
1. “The act of gaining or regaining the favor or goodwill of someone or something”
Something that propitiates or appeases, specifically: an atoning sacrifice
Brothers and sisters, we were bought with a heavy price. This is a day to remember what Yahusha our Messiah has done for us; he was reviled, mocked, spit upon, beaten and even laid down his own life down for us.
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”
John 15:13
This is a day of ‘afflicting one’s soul’. Considering we are living post-crucifixion, I believe this is a time to remember his suffering.
“But Elohim demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Some say this is a day for fasting (as depriving one’s self from our very basic needs, such as food and water is afflicting) and others say it’s not. As for me, I do believe that fasting and a broken and contrite heart is the proper way to conduct ones self on this High Holy day. As with all maters, take counsel with Yahuah in prayer for direction. This past year, we have been examining the Aramaic Targums of the Torah. This translation is much older than many of the versions we read today and has been a blessing to study. It’s not perfect, like all translations, but contains a great amount of information that seems to have been lost for centuries.
“No work of labour may you do an everlasting statute for your generations, in all your dwellings. It is a Sabbath and time of leisure for you to humble your souls. And you shall begin to fast at the ninth day of the month at even time; from that evening, until the next evening, shall you fast your fast, and repose in your quietude, that you may employ the time of your festivals with joy.” – Leviticus 23 Aramaic Targum
“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Aha′va, that we might afflict ourselves before our Elohim, to seek from him a straight way for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.”
Ezra 8:21
In my opinion, this is a proper day for reading Psalm 22 and perhaps some of the gospel accounts of his crucifixion. Here is a snippet of what he suffered for us, which should cause some affliction of your heart:
Psalm 22:13-18
“They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Link
Truly, what an amazing thing he’s done for us; let us never forget.
On a lighter note, one of the most exciting future implications of the Day of Atonement comes with the Year of Jubilee. The Jubilee was the releasing of the captives and all debts to be forgiven. Remember when we read Joshua 6?
“And when they make a long blast with the horn of Jubilee, as soon as you hear the sound of the shofar, then all the people shall shout with a great shout (teruah); and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him.”
Joshua 6:4-5
Many believe this will be the announcement of the coming 2nd Exodus:
Leviticus 25:8-10
“And you shall number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto you forty and nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a Jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.” Link
Deuteronomy 30 contains a monumental prophecy about the times we are living in, right now. A time when many would wake up and come back to his Torah with all their hearts — that this would be the marker in time right before we are regathered and given our inheritance. These are exiting times brethren!
Deuteronomy 30 Aramaic Targums
And it will be, when all these words of blessings, or their contraries, which I have set in order before you shall have come upon you, you will be converted in your hearts to return unto My fear, in all the dispersions (among) the nations where Yahuah will have scattered you. The upright of you will be favored with a blessed repentance; and though you have sinned, yet shall your repentance come up unto the glorious throne of Yahuah your Elohim, if you will hearken to His Word according to all that I have commanded you this day, you, and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul. And His Word will accept your repentance with favor, and will have mercy upon you, and He will gather you again from all the nations whither Yahuah your Elohim had scattered you. Though you may be dispersed unto the ends of the heavens, from thence will the Word of Yahuah gather you together by the hand of Elijah the great priest, and from thence will He bring you by the hand of the King Mashiach. And the Word of Yahuah your Elohim will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed by inheritance, and you shall possess it, and He will bless you and increase you more than your fathers. And Yahuah your Elohim will take away the foolishness of your heart, and of your children’s heart; for He will abolish evil desire from the world, and create good desire, which will give you the dictate to love Yahuah your Elohim with all your heart and soul, that your lives may flow on for evermore”
Oh what a day that will be!
So to recap, from the evening of the 5th of Oct. to the evening of the 6th, do not work, don’t buy or sell and if you feel led, abstain from food and keep this as a somber time of prayer and supplications to Yahuah through his son Yahusha.
This is what we will be doing at our local congregation: we all fast from the evening of Oct 5th and gather together before sunset on the 6th. We will bring food (but not eat right away), discuss the somberness of this day, and afflict our souls together for the last portion of the day. When evening comes we will break our fast together and then give praise to Yahuah for sending his amazing son as an atonement for us; HalleluYah.
Sukkot
(Feast of Tabernacles)
The Command
Leviticus 23:34-36
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto Yahuah. On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein. Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahuah: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahuah: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.” Link
When
This year, Sukkot will begin on the evening of the 10th of Oct (when the 15th day begins, after sunset), and end on the evening of the 18th of October. The ‘First day’ (sabbath) will be the evening from the 10th to the 11th of Oct. The ‘Eighth day‘ (sabbath) will be the evening of the 17th to the evening of the 18th. On these two days there is no work to be done, except meal preparation (it is a feast after-all!). Those two days are days of ‘holy convocations’ or gatherings which we will talk about what we can do to celebrate shortly. Take a look below
How/Why
Growing up, this was my favorite festival of all. I remember when my dad and grandfather would build the Sukka outside and then my grandmother and I couldn’t wait to bring it to life with the palm branches, fruits and other fun decorations to commemorate that great week! This feast is literally the most fun of all of Yahuah’s seven feast days. Part of the commandment in the Torah regarding this day is to rejoice! It truly grieves my heart for those who call the Torah a burden, as they don’t know what they are missing out on!
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
“You shall keep the Feast of Cukkoth (Tabernacles) seven days, after that you have gathered in your threshing floor and your wine: And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates. Seven days shall you keep a solemn feast unto YAHUAH ELOHAYKA in the place which YAHUAH shall choose: because YAHUAH ELOHAYKA shall bless you in all your increase, and in all the works of your hands, therefore you shall surely rejoice.” Link
For many, this is a time to gather in large groups and literally go camping for a week (plus a bonus 8th day). A concept about this feast is to remember the time in the wilderness when the children of Israel had to dwell in temporary shelters, or booths:
Leviticus 23:42-43
“Ye shall dwell in Cukkoth (booths) seven days; all that are Yashar’el born shall dwell in Cukkoth: That your generations may know that I made the children of Yashar’el to dwell in Cukkoth, when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim: I am YAHUAH ELOHIM.” Link
If you don’t have a group to Sukkot with, no worries, just put up a tent or lean-to, or any type of temporary shelter in your backyard and spend some extra time with Yah, away from our comfy modern lifestyles in Egypt. This is a good thing for us to do, after all, we are waiting for the greater exodus, aren’t we? I hope we all are ready to give up these modern comforts at his command (myself included). Quite frankly, this is good training for the days ahead. Will we be ready? Or will we be murmurers and complainers like the first Exodus when our modern conveniences are gone?
Three years ago, I had a friend help me build a Sukka like I had back when I was a child. This is where we had our Sukkot dinner (thanks again Gavin!)
Then we decorated with all sorts of fun stuff! Here’s the command:
Leviticus 23:40
“And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before YAHUAH ELOHAYKEM seven days.” Link
We had plenty of these items to gather in Southern California where I grew up, but we don’t have those types of plants in SW Missouri, so I improvised with some other items. We had a most excellent time, praise be to Yahuah! Last year, Sukkot 2021 was absolutely amazing. Approximately 400-450 of us camped out in Lebanon MO, and feasted and praised Yah for 9 days. This, was the best ‘holiday’ I’ve ever had in my life.
/senior-mans-hands-harvesting-grapes-from-vine-556415823-58339d1f5f9b58d5b1bf918a.jpg)
Most of us are far removed from an agricultural lifestyle, however, Sukkot is a festival of the harvest:
Leviticus 23:39
“Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto YAHUAH seven days: on the first day shall be a Shabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Shabbath” Link
Just as we were commanded in the Feast of Trumpets to offer a sacrifice, we are also commanded to do the same with Sukkot:
Leviticus 23:36
“Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHUAH: on the eighth day shall be a holy assembly unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHUAH: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein” Link
Once again:
Hebrews 13:15
“By him (Yahusha) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Elohim continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”
Sing and give praise to him like there is no tomorrow!
Did you know that Abraham was the very first person to celebrate this day? This is a longer passage, but very interesting and really gets to the heart of this most amazing celebration:
Jubilees 16
“20 And he built there an altar to YAHUAH who had delivered him, and who was making him rejoice in the land of his sojourning, and he celebrated a feast of joy in this month seven days, near the altar which he had built at the Well of the Oath. 21 And he built Cukkoth for himself and for his servants on this feast, and he was the first to celebrate the Feast of Cukkoth on the earth. 22 And during these seven days he brought each day to the altar a burnt offering to YAHUAH, two oxen, two rams, seven sheep, one he goat, for a sin offering, that he might atone thereby for himself and for his seed. 23 And, as a thank offering, seven rams, seven kids, seven sheep, and seven he goats, and their fruit offerings and their drink offerings; and he burnt all the fat thereof on the altar, a chosen offering unto YAHUAH for a sweet smelling savour. 24 And morning and evening he burnt fragrant substances, frankincense and galbanum, and stacte, and nard, and myrrh, and spice, and costum; all these seven he offered, crushed, mixed together in equal parts and pure. 25 And he celebrated this feast during seven days, rejoicing with all his heart and with all his soul, he and all those who were in his house, and there was no stranger with him, nor any that was uncircumcised. 26 And he blessed his Creator who had created him in his generation, for he had created him according to his good pleasure; for he knew and perceived that from him would arise the plant of righteousness for the eternal generations, and from him a holy seed, so that it should become like him who had made all things. 27 And he blessed and rejoiced, and he called the name of this feast THE Feast of YAHUAH, a joy acceptable to EL ELYON. 28 And we blessed him forever, and all his seed after him throughout all the generations of the earth, because he celebrated this feast in its season, according to the testimony of the heavenly tablets. 29 For this reason it is ordained on the heavenly tablets concerning Yashar’el, that they shall celebrate the Feast of Cukkoth seven days with joy, in the seventh month, acceptable before YAHUAH a statute forever throughout their generations every year. 30 And to this there is no limit of days; for it is ordained forever regarding Yashar’el that they should celebrate it and dwell in Cukkoth, and set wreaths upon their heads, and take leafy boughs, and willows from the brook. 31 And Avraham took branches of palm trees, and the fruit of goodly trees, and every day going round the altar with the branches seven times a day (like Joshua/Jericho) in the morning, he praised and gave thanks to his ELOHIYM for all things in joy.” Link
What a passage! A few things to note. This celebration was made for the fair climate of the land of Israel, and in our dispersion, this isn’t realistic for all (love you brother Frank in Alaska :D). My only suggestion would be to do what you can, when you can, and as always, take it to Yah in prayer. DON’T FORGET — HAVE FUN AND PRAISE YAH!
Yahusha’s Declaration During Sukkot
John 7:37-38
“In the last day, that great day of THE feast, Yahusha stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Link
What a prophetic image, pointing to the Tree and the river of life proceeding out of the midst of New Jerusalem, where Yahuah and Yahusha will ‘Tabernacle’ (dwell) with us! Keep in mind, each feast points to our messiah and this one is no exception. Even though we are waiting for the full fulfillment of this, he did come and tabernacle amongst us already! (John 1:14)
Revelation 22:1-5
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for Yahuah Elohaynu gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
HalleluYah!
Lastly, it is also very interesting that this will be celebrated by all nations during the Reign of Yahusha and his saints. This is one of the many reasons I believe the 1000 year reign hasn’t happened yet:
Zechariah 14:16-19
“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahuah Tseva’oth, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahuah Tseva’oth, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith Yahuah will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.” Link
Can you even begin to imagine what that would look like? All the nations of the earth assembling around New Jerusalem, camping, singing, eating, drinking, blessing, dancing and celebrating our creator? WOW, just wow!
Brothers and sisters, I hope this was an encouragement to you and your family and I pray that you will be keeping his Feast days (regardless of what calendar you observe) and praise him for all he has and will do for us for all of eternity, as these set-apart days are a blessing and a gift to us!
All esteem and glory to Yahuah through Yahusha.
May:
Yahuah bless you and keep you,
Yahuah make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you,
Yahuah lift up his countenance upon you and give you Shalom
(Numbers 6:24-26)
POTV Sukkot in Lebanon, MO: Oct 9th-19th https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parable-of-the-vineyard-sukkot-2022-registration-385052120257
