Q.There is a story about an axe head that fell into the water in 2 Kings 6. What does that mean?

A.Yeshua said in Luke 24.27 that the Scriptures teach
about Him, so this story is no exception. This story
is found in 2 K 6.1-7) and Elisha (God is salvation)
is a picture of the Father. The story takes place near
Gilgal and that is important (2 K 4.38). Gilgal is
where the kingdom is renewed (1 Sam 11.14-15). Saul is
a picture of Adam/man and he goes with Samuel and is
made king, but we know he falls, just as the first
king Adam and the rest of us have fallen. John the
Baptist has his ministry in the area because the
Kingdom of God has come and he is getting the people
ready for it through immersion, and Yeshua Himself
goes there for immersion ( Jn 1.28). Gilgal has the
same root in Hebrew as "golgotha" and the symbolism is
even clearer. When Israel crossed over the Jordan they
wewre circumcised at Gilgal. Back to 2 K 6, the sons
of the prophets go there to cut some trees and want to
build a place to live, all symbolic of our desire to
"live" spiritually. Elisha goes with them (v3) which
shows that the Lord is also with us. They go to the
Jordan which always means "death" and the trees are
cut down, indicating that we all have sinned (Mt
3.6-10) and live near death. While they are doing this
an axe head falls into the Jordan through an error
(sin). The iron axe head is also symbolic of man (Prov
27.17. So man (axe-head) falls into sin and death
(Jordan) and can't be used. They cry for Elisha (the
Father) in v 5 because it was borrowed which
symbolizes our lives which are "borrowed" and we must
give an account(Deut 19.15; Acts 17.28). Elisha wants
to know where it fell. Man fell in the garden (with
trees) and God also asked "where are you?" (Gen 3.9).
They showed him the place and he cut off a branch.
This symbolizes Yeshua, the branch (Isa 11.1; Zech
6.11-13; Jer 23.5) being "cut off" ( Dan 9.26). The
branch is thrown into the Jordan (death; 1Pet
2.21-24;Psa 69.1-14; Psa 88.6-7,16-18) and the iron
axe-head (man) floats, which means the lost is found
and useable again. In v 7 Elisha tells them to "take
it up for yourself" which means each person must reach
out and take his new, useable life again for himself.
Others can't do it for you. So, in short, the presence
of the wood (Messiah) thrown into the water (death)
leads to a change in the nature of the iron and it
floats (Jn 3.3-16). Man could not be taken down to
death and kept there but his nature needs to be
changed first. We are raised by faith and made useful
again. In Mt 14. 25-33 this story is repeated when
Yeshua, the branch, is in the water with a sinking
Peter (axe-head)and he raises him out of the water and
he is made useable again. I hope this answers your question.

Q. Did man eat meat before the flood?

A. The Bible doesn’t really say they did until after the flood (Gen 9.3) but that doesn’t mean they didn’t either. I believe man could have eaten meat before the flood and there are several reasons why. First, in Gen 1.29 it says man was assigned food from plants yielding seeds and from trees. But that could have been a temporary instruction because the creation was only days old and the animals needed time to procreate. Let man and the animal population grow and then it would be allowed. Man was not to start killing animals right away. After the fall he could start eating plants of the field (Gen 3.16) and then after the flood meat was included (Gen 9.3). However, Abel was a shepherd and offered a blood sacrifice in Gen 4.4 which would have been eaten (Lev 10.12) because it was a “minchah” offering and not an “olah” which was a whole burnt offering like the one Noah offered after the flood (Gen 8.20). So man was probably eating meat very soon after the fall at least. Noah was told to take 7 pairs of clean animals (as opposed to 1 pair of the unclean)onto the Ark which also seems to support the fact that man was already eating meat before the flood. Clean and unclean is related to what can be eaten and not eaten (Lev 11) and not just in a ritual sense. The instruction in Gen 9.3 was repeating the same instruction He gave to Adam. He told Noah to be fruitful and multiply but that doesn’t mean they weren’t doing it before the flood. There is no way to be certain whether or not they ate meat before the flood but there is no biblical reason to think they couldn’t have either. This brings up another aspect to the creation story. Did death enter the world for all living things because of Adam? I don’t believe so. Rom 5.12 and 1 Cor 15.21-22 says that death entered the world through sin for human beings and relates to a spiritual redemption but you can’t make a case for all living things from this. Messiah’s death does not make alive spiritually the animal kingdom or creation. It is limited to man. The plants given to man to eat had seeds that had to be planted and die in order to bring forth more, man and animals were then to eat the fruit of those plants and fruit so they died, and the list could go on. Adam had the potential to live forever if he ate from the tree of life which means he may have not been inherently immortal. He had to draw from the life of God. Separation from that life brought death (Gen 2.17). Now, if man was not inherently immortal it would seem that animals weren’t either. If Adam did not at least have an understanding of what death was he would not have understood what God meant by using the term in Gen 2.17. What Adam understood after his creation is not known but it was not a new concept to him. We know the first recorded death of an animal is in Gen 3.21 so whatever Adam didn’t understand was quickly made clear to him within days of his own creation. God said the creation was good but not perfect. Death from natural causes as opposed to violent death are two different concepts. Death from natural causes does not have to be linked to the fall of Adam. Man’s death certainly was, however. So, in conclusion it is possible that man ate meat before the flood and death did not enter the world for all created things as a result of Adam’s sin.

Q. In Genesis 5 the list of Adam’s descendants only gives some of the names. What is the reason for this?

A. Genesis is the book of beginnings. It’s the beginning of everything connected to the universe, including the fall of mankind and sin. The whole story of the Bible is the redemption of man and the universe from the ravages of that sin through the Messiah, who we know as Yeshua of Nazareth. In Genesis 3.15 God promises a redeemer , the “seed” of the woman. The Genealogy in Genesis 5 is the righteous line through whom the Messiah will come and that is why it is repeated in Luke 3.23-38, which is his mother’s line not Joseph’s. The Luke 3 list is the genealogy of the “seed of the woman” of Genesis 3.15. Another reason these names are listed is because it reveals God’s plan of redemption through the Messiah. If you look up the meaning of the names it tells the plan. I’m going to start with Adam through Noah, giving their meanings and then put it all together. Adam means “man”, Sheth (Seth) means “appointed”, Enosh means “mortal”, Kenan means “habitation”, Mahalaleel means “the blessed God”, Yered (Jared) means “shall come down”, Chanok (Enoch) means “teaching”, Methusalach means “his death shall bring”, Lemek (Lamech) means “captive” and Noach (Noah) means “rest.” So, putting these names together, Genesis 5 means “ man is appointed a mortal habitation but the blessed God shall come down teaching and his death shall bring the captives rest.” So, Genesis 5 starts the genealogy of the Messiah, the seed of the woman( the complete list of his mother Miriam (Mary)is given in Luke 3) and their names give the plan of redemption.

 

Q. Have you read the predictions of Nostradamus?

A. I’ve seen TV programs on him but I have never considered him to be from God. I don’t waste my time reading Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, Jean Dixon, or any other so-called “prophets.” I study and read the Jewish prophets in the Scriptures and nobody else, and that includes Gentile or Jewish mystics dead or alive. I have never spent much time reading the latest “word” from TV preachers and their stories either. They all have visions and been to heaven and “Jesus” appears to them but I never pay attention to them anymore. They are just modern day Nostradamus’ who tell silly stories that lead people away from the true prophets. It’s sad , really.

Q. How do you find a true teacher?

A. The basic test is that they believe Yeshua is the Messiah and the keep and teach that the commandments of God found in the Torah of Moses are valid for today. If someone claims to be sent from God and does not believe in these two things he is a liar and a false prophet/teacher. It’s just that simple. You can’t say you believe in Yeshua and not follow the commandments (Jn 5. 39-47) and you can’t truly follow the commandments and not see who Yeshua is. So, just to make sure you understand, a true teacher is someone who believes Yeshua is the Messiah and teaches that the commandments are valid for today. If someone meets both of these categories it is up to you decide what kind of a teacher he is, if he knows anything worthwhile to learn, does he answer your questions, are you growing in your knowledge and so on. I hope this helps.

Friday, September 28, 2007.........

.....begins the 8 day festival of Sukkot, or Tabernacles. This festival is full of eschatological meaning and significance so a few of these will be pointed out. There is no way to go into all the detail on this festival but it’s significance to the Messiah and the redemption, idioms, phrases and prophetic significance will be discussed briefly. Yom Teruah or Rosh ha Shana was on Tishri 1 with the sighting of the new moon. Ten days later Yom Kippur was observed and five days after that Sukkot begins. The first day (Tishri 15 ) is a Sabbath and so is the eighth day, Tishri 22. Some of the idioms associated with this festival are the “Feast of the Nations” because all the nations will come in the kingdom, to Jerusalem and the rebuilt Temple to worship the Lord (Zech. 14). A ceremony called the “Beit ha Shoevah” (house of the water pouring) was done that illustrated that the Messiah was the Living water. Any scripture that had to do will living water was studied. It was on the seventh day of this festival and ceremony in John 7 that Yeshua stood and cried out that he was the Living water. This festival is called the Feast of Lights and Yeshua is the light of the world. Four poles containing 4 vats of oil each were erected in the Court of the Gentiles for this purpose. These 16 vats of oil were lit at night and you could see the light from the Temple from miles away. Sukkot is also called the Feast of Leviathan. Leviathan in scripture is a picture of the false messiah. After the false messiah is killed on Yom Kippur (azazel=scapegoat) his followers (the tares) are gathered for the judgment of the nations (Matt 25). They are judged and killed and the beasts and birds of the air feast on their flesh (Rev 19, Isa 66). On the other hand those that will go into the kingdom are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb (Matt 8.11, Isa 25.6). The believers are invited to the wedding feast, and unbelievers are invited to the other one, and they are the menu! Scriptures having to do with gladness, light, joy, and living water are associated with this festival. Sukkahs, or booths, were constructed all over the land. This was done by native-born Israelites who were to remember that their ancestors lived in these to get to the land. Those that lived in the land did this to remember the price they paid to get there, and they, their descendants, were enjoying the benefits. The eschatology connected with this festival is well known in history. King Solomon dedicated the first Temple at Sukkot. Assyria invaded Israel and was destroyed around Yom Kippur and the people rejoiced at Sukkot (Isa 9, Micah 5, Isa 37). This will happen again in the very near future when Russia (Assyria) invades Israel and is destroyed around Yom Kippur and the people rejoice on Sukkot. By then Israel will have accepted Yeshua (Isa 9.6) and they are delivered by God’s power because The United States has been destroyed, Europe was fighting Russia for 3 years and losing so Russia feels secure enough to invade Israel and Israel has no help from anyone. After hearing the two witnesses and the 144,00 preaching about Yeshua for 3 years they believe and never turn away again (Eze 39.22). The Seleucid Greeks with Antiochus Epiphanes were overthrown at the time of the Maccabees. They had missed the feast of Sukkot 2 months before so they celebrated Sukkot late and redicated the Temple like Solomon did and that “second” Sukkot became known as the feast of Chanukah (dedication). Another concept associated with this festival is that Yeshua was most likely born on the first day of sukkot and circumcised on the eighth day, that’s why they are Sabbaths. History says Herod died in the fall and scripture says he died within 40 days of Yeshua’s birth. The angel appeared to Zechariah around June (Luke 1)and John was born 9 mos later, or around Passover. Six months later Yeshua was born and that brings us to the fall. If you look at the phrases used at his birth they are all associated with Sukkot. “Joy to the world” is the main theme of Sukkot. Remember those 16 vats of oil used in the Temple as the “light of the world?”. The wicks for those lights were discarded priestly clothing called “swaddling clothes.” The famous song in Handels Messiah “For unto us a child is born” is from a Sukkot passage in Isa 9.6! Yeshua was not born on December 25th. So if you want to celebrate the Lord’s birth then it’s September 28th this year. There is more biblical and historical evidence pointing to thebirth of Yeshua at the feast of Sukkot than December 25th. So, in closing, I hope this gives you some idea of its significance and why the Lord’s festivals should be observed. They are and always have been “done away with” by those that won’t believe. Like Herod, they try to do away with Him. And if they can’t get at the “substance” (Yeshua), do away with the “shadow” (the Torah). I hope this gives you some insight into a great festival and one that will be celebrated in the Kingdom to come.

Q. If we’re not doing sacrifices why are we celebrating the feasts?

A. This question comes out of several misconceptions about the Torah and obeying the Lord but it is a good question. This question has several aspects to it and they are, believe it or not, related so I’ll take one at a time. First of all, the sacrifices were a part of biblical worship. Numbers 28 and 29 describe what was offered in the daily Tamid service and all the festivals, new moons and Sabbaths. Biblical worship involved these offerings. When Abraham went to Mt. Moriah to offer Isaac he said they were going to “worship” the Lord (Gen. 22). They were not going there to sing songs and dance. The altar was where man did business with the Lord and it was a very serious thing. What passes for praise and worship today is not the total biblical ideal. Once the Lord gave Israel rest (from their enemies) and their inheritance (the land) He would choose a place for His name to dwell and it was there that they were to bring their offerings (Dt. 12.11). That place is Jerusalem and the Temple mount. Offerings were not to be given any other place from that time on. For 2000 years Israel has lost this privilege due to their disobedience to the message of Yeshua in the 1st century. Sacrifices are not offered right now because there is no altar. However, festivals can still be observed to some extent because they are appointments and rehearsals for things to come (Col 2.16-17). Themes, idioms, phrases and the eschatology of each biblical feast can still be explored and studied. Paul taught the Thessalonians about the festivals, times and seasons so that they would not be unaware concerning prophecy (1Thes 5.1-5). They were not going to the Temple, they lived in Thessalonica but they kept the festivals the best they could by observing the day, by study, prayer and fellowship. The Sabbath day involved the regular daily offerings and additional ones called a “mussaf”(Num 28.9-10). But, we cannot do any of that today but we can still observe the Sabbath and that mindset can be carried over with all the other festivals. When the Greeks took over the Temple during the time of the Maccabean revolt they brought their offerings and those who were Nazarites as close to the Temple as they could and asked God to deliver the Temple back into their hands so they could truly worship the Lord at the place He chose to place His name. They did not offer the sacrifices but went as far as they could, within sight of it. We can do the same thing today no matter where we are. The Temple and the altar is not there right now but we can go as far we can to remember what was done and what it all meant until the day these sights are restored to God’s people, both Jew and Gentile. Ultimately there will be no need for a Temple (Rev.21.22) but that comes at the end of the Messianic Kingdom when everything has been restored and believers will be experiencing the reality of the New Covenant in its fullness (Jer. 31.31-34). That day hasn’t come yet and we still need to teach our neighbor about the Lord, and it will be that way in the Messianic Kingdom. Another aspect to this is there is no functioning priesthood in existence at this time. Even if you had an altar you would still need the kohanim (priests). A misconception with many is that a Temple is needed to offer sacrifices but that is not entirely true. What you need is the true altar sight on Mount Moriah and a functioning priesthood with kosher animals (Ezra 3.6). The good news is once Yeshua returns, the altar and the Temple will be restored, a legitimate priesthood will be installed and the festivals will be celebrated again with all the prescribed sacrifices. Yes, that’s right. Animal sacrifices will be offered in the Messianic Kingdom when Yeshua returns. They were offered in the 1st century by believers in Yeshua (Acts 21.15-26, 24.17) and they will be offered again (Ezek. chapters 40-48; Isa 56.6-8). I hope this gives you some additional insight and helps answer your question.

Q. Should the Sabbath count start with the sighting of the new moon?

A. Many people are coming to the conclusion that the Fourth commandment is valid and the Sabbath should be kept. For some that day was “changed” from the seventh day to the first day of the week and that error has been exposed and dealt with many times in these articles in the past. There is another error being taught in some circles and that is the teaching called “The Lunar Sabbath .” This teaching says that once you sight the new moon every month, it is called ”New Moon Day”. The next day is day one and you count of seven days and that is the true Sabbath, which is really day eight. Then the 15th, 22nd and 29th day of the month are “Sabbaths.” There some variations the all this but I will try to keep it simple. There is no scriptural support for all this and the followers of this false doctrine rely on the writings of men for their support. But, we should use the Word of God for our support not commentaries, Jewish or non-Jewish encyclopedias and other things for our support if it contradicts the Scriptures. I know some of the proponents of this doctrine and they all have a serious misunderstanding of the scriptures in common. Some are new to the faith and false teachers got a hold of them early and indoctrinated them in error and some are false teachers themselves who I have dealt with personally. They are the ones who never saw a wrong answer they didn’t like as long as someone listened. They write books, go on radio and the Internet and appear knowledgeable but they are hidden reefs and clouds without water. So, this question is going to come up among Sabbath observers so this article will help you to identify and confront this error with simple, biblical truth. To test this doctrine one only needs to consult the Word of God and the Lord gave us an answer in the first book of the Bible-Genesis. God sanctified the seventh day as a Sabbath and rested from all His works. Now which of the creation days did the moon appear? Was it the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth day? Genesis 1.14-19 clearly states that the moon was created on the fourth day. If the Sabbath was to be reckoned from the sighting of the new moon called a “Lunar Sabbath” then why did God rest on the seventh day of creation and not the 10th? Proponents of the new moon say that the new moon is also a Sabbath day of rest, but if it is why didn’t God rest on the fourth day when he created the moon? The truth is the week began without a new moon so it is irrelevant to the Sabbath. God said in Exodus 20.8-11 that we are to work six days and rest on the seventh day. Why? Because He created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh day (of creation)! We are to follow His example. We are to have six days of labor between Sabbaths, not seven or eight like Lunar Sabbatarians. This is consistent with the Scriptural mandate for determining the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) also. The count is to begin “on the morrow after the Sabbath”, it is to contain seven Sabbaths, and the count is be 50 days. Another scriptural way of disproving the Lunar Sabbath theory is the collection of the manna in the wilderness.. God sent manna 6 days and didn’t on the Sabbath. Israel has kept track ever since. There is not one shred of historical evidence that disproves that Israel has been keeping the wrong Sabbath day. In fact, the false religions themselves know when the Sabbath day is because they changed it to another day in order to not be identified with the Jewish people. Some Lunar Sabbatarians say that after the Babylonian captivity the lunar calendar was changed due to pagan influence but that isn’t true. Yeshua and the first century believers kept the same Sabbath day as everyone else. After all, He was there when it was created so He should know and he endorsed the seventh day Sabbath by His obedience. So, for the above reasons alone no serious consideration should be given to the Lunar Sabbath teaching.

Biblical Calendar

The beginning of the year is based on the abiv barley in Israel

The beginning of the month is based on the sighting of the first visible sliver of the new moon from Israel.

We follow the “Actual Visibility with 30-Day Maximum” opinion, which states that a month cannot be longer than 30 days.

We do not follow the “potential visibility” opinion, which states that if the new moon is astronomically expected to be visible (not borderline) but is not seen due to weather, then it will be declared even though it was not visible. We believe that YHVH sets the times and the seasons and controls the weather. We are told to declare what we see, not to declare what is calculated that we may potentially expect to see.

We show the potential visibility of the new moon on these calendars and post the actual sighting information on our home page in the section “Rosh Chodesh.”

The calendars of the 1st, 3rd and 7th months are updated on Rosh Chodesh to show the Moedim based on the above criteria.