Jerusalem for Passover, two pilgrims’ adventures….

One of the great joys of going up to Jerusalem for the feasts is to gather on the weekly Shabbats at Independence Park. Some time back, it sort of became an unwritten date on every ephramite’s calendar: 2pm at Independence Park. Everybody will be there in a huge group talking excitedly, meeting new friends, making contacts and trading stories! Dozens of nations are represented and multiple languages heard, though English is the primary.

Well, I had a special encounter with Dave McKnew and Rafael Trevino and heard part of their story. This morning I received a lengthy email detailing their respective trips to Jerusalem, how they met and how the Father knit them together. Enjoy!!

Going to Jerusalem for Passover

David McKnew and Rafael Trevino

Jeremiah 3:17
17 “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of YHVH (LORD), and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of YHVH, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.

I really had no idea why I felt a desire to go to Jerusalem for Passover but after my pilgrimage to the Holy Land it would be crystal clear. The first time I felt a slight desire to go to Israel was in June of 2017 while laying in my hammock in a very remote area of Kauai called the Kalalau Beach along the Napali coast. I had a thought “why have I not visited Israel, I can take time out to come to a beautiful beach like this to enjoy God’s creation but I have not taken the time to visit God’s holy land the only area on earth He
has said to have placed His name forever”. I did not think about it again until some unusual events had taken place just a few months after I had that thought.

August 21st 2017 just a couple months after that thought on the beach, we had an amazing eclipse sweep across the United States from the West Coast to the East Coast. I noticed some very interesting signs which were pointing to Jerusalem when the eclipse shadow
had passed over 7 Salem’s.

Continue reading and see their many beautiful pics: Going to Jerusalem for Passover

The Jerusalem Debate: An excellent series on a challenging topic….

Having just returned from Jerusalem and celebrating my second feast in the Land, I can tell you that being there changes me. You may also understand from numerous travel posts concerning our most recent trip, being in Israel at the pilgrim feasts has a profound effect on Judah to see us in the Land.

Oddly, there are a number of objections given for why some people do not go up for the feasts. Following is an introduction to the subject written by Sue Wyatt with some forewords by the Barking Fox and then a series of short articles written by Bob Parham and hosted by Lamb’s Servant.

I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to think through and wrestle with this material. You will be challenged and, I think, changed! Buckle your seat belt….

The Jerusalem Debate – Introduction | The Lamb’s Servant

The Jerusalem Debate – Eleven Objections and Responses | The Lamb’s Servant

Second Passover: Sundown, May 22, 2016

Is the Second Passover significant?

Quite possibly, it is VERY significant. Consider, Numbers 9:1-15.

….Then Yehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ¹⁰“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If any one of you or of your generations becomes unclean because of a dead ^[f]person, or is on a distant journey, he may, however, observe the Passover to Yehovah. ¹¹In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall observe it;

In numbers 9 we read the story of some men who were not able to partake of the Passover at the appointed time in the first month because they were unclean. Moshe is then instructed by Yehovah to tell them to partake in the second month, on the fourteenth day according to the guidelines.

Several very interesting items pop out from, or are connected with, these verses:

Passover is so important that if one misses it due to ritual uncleanness, there is a provision for a second partaking. No other feast has such an allowance.
Moshe requests on behalf of those unclean, but Abba adds an allowance. those on a distant journey. Who but Ephraim, and those returning home, are on a distant journey?
Noah entered the ark and was saved. Studying the story seems to indicate that the animals came on the 10th day of the second month and they were shut up as the rain came on the 17th day of the month. Certainly the story has Passover implications, but is it possible that Noah celebrated Second Passover and was ‘waved’ before Yehovah on the waters on First Fruits? Consider, Methusalah died in the year that Noah floated, so was Noah unclean at the first Passover due to burying his grandfather? Quite possibly. (And, significantly, does this little picture have a meaning for those of us who live in a time period that is ‘as in the days of Noah?’)

Here’s the simple point: If you missed Pesach, or know someone who did and wants to celebrate, there is still time!! The evening of May 22 is the beginning of Second Passover and you have time to prepare!! My wife and I have been invited to lead a small private Pesach for a couple people who missed Passover this year. We will lead them in their first Feast and first Passover, ever! We, and they, as so excited!! (Pray for this little gathering!)

Shalom and blessings!

Christian Seders a Growing Phenomenon

Breaking Israel News (BIN) has a terrific article up this morning that delves in the Seder observance of Messianic and Hebrew roots believers. I appreciate Eliyahu, the author, giving us a fair shake and accurately reflecting our position, even if he is not entirely in agreement. I appreciate, too, that he uses a number of individuals to confirm various degrees and types of observances among our larger community.

It is very interesting to track BIN’s fascination with and coverage of Messianic and Hebrew roots believers as they exit the Church in droves as the Spirit leads them back to the ancient paths. BIN recognizes something deeply spiritual and prophetic is occurring and they are bravely willing to openly wrestle with it. We must walk in grace and humility sharing when given opportunity and letting the Ruach do His work!

Enjoy this article and if so led, comment here and there. Share on Facebook, etc…

Christian Seders a Growing Phenomenon

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz April 28, 2016 , 12:30 pm

“And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” Exodus 12:14 (The Israel Bible™)

The Passover Seder plate, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 22, 2016. Passover is celebrated to commemorate the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt some 3,500 years ago. (Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90)

The unique phenomenon of Christians participating in Passover seders is beginning to catch on, as many non-Jews delve into the Jewish roots of their faith – but it is taking on new forms that are unexpected and may cross some delicate red lines.

Annie Washburn of rural Tennessee, with her hair covered and modestly dressed, can pass for an Orthodox Jew. Her family held a seder for about 20 people. It became clear that this was not a traditional Jewish home when, in true Passover spirit, her Chasidically bearded husband, Tom, slaughtered a lamb. “As a memorial, not a sacrifice,” she stressed.

Susan Conrad Gates from Indiana adopted many Jewish rituals as important aspects of her Christian observance, lighting Shabbat candles every week and observing Hanukkah. She also reads the weekly Torah portion on Saturday, incorporating readings in the Gospel. Thirty years ago, reading the Bible led her to wonder if people still observed the feasts. At that time, she took part in a Passover seder led by the Chosen People Ministries. For her it is significant as, Continue reading at BIN…

FOREVER. (Chag Sameach)

At least a half dozen times we are told that Passover is a statute to be kept ‘forever’ in ‘all your dwelling places.’

Does your preacher affirm this?

Worth asking the very hard questions!! What a blessing last night and today fellowshipping with families as we celebrate God’s Feast in God’s way.

If this is bondage, lock me up and throw away the key!! 🙂

http://bible.com/59/exo.12.14.ESV

Anne Elliott’s FREE Biblical Feasts Ebook!!

This morning while cruising a few blogs, I found Anne Elliott’s post for a new ebook, simply titled, The Biblical Feasts. (And, the printable cover.)

Having just yesterday reviewed the need to complete my page, How to: Messianic, this was a welcome find that I can add as a resource to that page. Upon reviewing it, I especially like the way it is layed out to draw the reader into interactive learning. Anne doesn’t tell you what to think or how to think. Rather, she simply lists and takes the reader/participant through Scripture so they can come to their own conclusion!

I LOVE it!! Simply, ‘What does Scripture say?’

The overwhelming conclusion one comes to is that the feasts are forever and are for everyone who claims the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. This is a great printable/shareable resource for anyone asking questions. Instead of answering all their questions, you can say, ‘Here. Study out what Scripture says with this nice little guided booklet.’

Enjoy and use this resource!!

Stunning rainbow…

Two days ago, I witnessed what was easily the most stunning rainbow I have ever seen. My camera phone does not do it justice. It was so close and so vivid the tree it appears to come from literally looked like it was on fire. Amazing!!

I cannot look at a rainbow, though, without remembering the Sabbath. God uses EXACTLY the same terminology when He gives the Covenant of the Sabbath as He does with the Covenant of the Rainbow.

Each of those covenants promise that He will DO something. Rainbow = no flood, Sabbath = sanctify the keeper. Both are FOREVER. The Rainbow nor the Sabbath ever change. (In fact, a great study is the word ‘olam’ meaning ‘forever’ and where God uses it…. You may be surprised that Passover and the Feasts are… forever, regardless of doctrine or theology to the contrary.

http://bible.com/100/exo.31.13-17.NASB

‘The Lord’s Supper’ : A tradition of men?

I was raised in Christendom and later attended seminary and was ordained as a pastor in a Presbyterian denomination. One of the highlights of worship in Christendom is ‘The Lord’s Supper’ or ‘Communion,’ served quarterly in some churches, more frequently in others.

A recent question concerning my faith was posed asking if our fellowship observed ‘the Lord’s Supper to remember Christ’s sufficient work to pay for our sins.’ While the question is multifaceted in that it has underlying questions about the sufficiency of Messiah and implied questions concerning the place of ‘working out our salvation with fear and trembling,’ I have been pondering the Christian tradition of the ‘Lord’s Supper.’ Is the normal praxis of Christendom with bread and wine defensible or even found in Scripture? Or, is it a tradition with little basis in Scripture and more a compilation of tradition and ‘feel good’ memories that may seem worshipful, but do not meet the expectations of a Holy God with clear instructions?

Tough, tough questions, but worth exploring!

Having led / performed 60-80 Communion services (our church practice while I was in the pulpit was quarterly observance) I’ll try to shed some light on this touchy subject. Continue reading “‘The Lord’s Supper’ : A tradition of men?”

Blood Moon Update… Counting down!

Well, for several years there has been a buzz, largely generated on the research of Mark Biltz concerning the upcoming Blood Moon tetrad. We have written several times about this upcoming sign in the heavens and now wait, with baited breath, to the see the first of the four, weather permitting!

Here are several links that will refresh the background information…

Blood Moons… Signs in the Heavens!

More on the Upcoming Blood Moons! (Two Videos)

Interestingly, and maybe uniquely, these four lunar eclipses occur ON Feast Days as can be seen in the graphic above. (Click for larger size.)

A graphic depicting where this first eclipse will be visible Continue reading “Blood Moon Update… Counting down!”

Yeshua Keeping Torah in Gethsemane?

Why was Yeshua keeping watch in the Garden of Gethsemane? I think He was keeping Torah! Here’s why…

A friend was here for a couple days last week and we were discussing Pesach observance. He explained that for the last 15 years he and his family have kept an all night vigil. My curiosity piqued, I asked, “Why? How did you arrive at that practice?”

“Exodus 12:42!,” he exclaimed. And, I reached for my Bible.

⁴²It is a night ^[a]to be observed for the Lord for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for the Lord, ^[b]to be observed ^[c]by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.

Interestingly, the word ‘shimmur,’ here twice translated as ‘observed,’ is never used anywhere else in the Tanak. It means ‘vigil.’ The night was to be observed as a vigil, keeping watch! The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says, “1) night watch, watching, vigil.”
Continue reading “Yeshua Keeping Torah in Gethsemane?”