Yahweh’s Appointed Feast Days
Now YOU Can Afford to Attend!
The Bible reveals as far back as the days of creation that Almighty
Yahweh established certain appointed times that were specifically chosen by Him
for His called-out people. These are unique times when He would meet with His
True Worshipers:
“And Elohim
said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from
the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons; and for days, and years”
(Gen. 1:14). The word seasons is Strong’s Hebrew No. 4150 mowed,
and literally means “appointed times.” It is a term used for the annual
gatherings of Yahweh and His people.
A number of scholars understand that the first mowed took place in Genesis 4:3-7,
where Abel correctly kept the Passover by offering a lamb, and Cain brought an
offering more suitable for the Feast of Tabernacles, the work of His hands.
Abel’s offering was accepted, Cain’s was not.
Tradition has it that Abraham left
Ur
of the Chaldees on Passover, and the Feast
days can be traced through his journeys and stopping places in Genesis 12.
Certainly the appearance of the three celestial beings in Genesis 18 took place
in the spring as Abraham fed his guests unleavened cakes (v. 7, margin); and
later
Lot
did likewise, Genesis 19:3. Likely
this was also a special time of mowed.
It is apparent that Abraham kept all Yahweh’s Sabbath
and Feast days: “Because that Abraham
obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws”
(Gen. 26:5). The Feast days were again given to
Israel
after they came out of
Egypt
,
when they agreed to the Covenant. These are listed in Leviticus 23. The Savior
kept all the annual Feast days perfectly, 1Peter
2:21
-22.
Scripture tells us that the Feasts and all of Yahweh’s
laws will be kept in the Millennium: “And
it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath
to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, says Yahweh” (Isa.
66:23).
Pay close attention to the words: “all flesh,” meaning
that all mankind will worship Yahweh as He has ordained. Yahweh’s government
will reign supreme in that day, and all nations will obey Him:
“And it shall
come to pass in the last days, that the
mountain
of
Yahweh
’s
house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted
above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go
and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the
Elohim of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his
paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Yahweh from
Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:2-3).
As we have seen, the Bible clearly shows that the
seven annual holy days were established even at creation. They were kept by the
patriarchs, observed by ancient
Israel
,
memorialized by the Savior and the Apostles, and will be commemorated regularly
in the Kingdom. (See Ezek. 45:21-25 and 46:3, 9, 11.)
The fact that these days will be continued to be kept
in the Kingdom is a powerful indication that we should pay special attention to
them now. We are to make them our way of life. We simply cannot ignore them and
still be His people.
Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua publishes a calendar each
year pointing out the dates of each of the seven annual Feast days. Our calendar
is based upon the lunar months or new moons as were observed anciently by
Israel
throughout the year. The Feasts are grouped according to the harvest seasons,
beginning with Abib (meaning green ears),
which comes in the spring at the time of the barley harvest in the northern
hemisphere at Passover time.
Next comes the harvest of wheat in early summer
(Pentecost), followed by the harvest of olive oil, grapes and gardenstuffs in
the fall (beginning with Trumpets). We are told the Feasts are prophetic (Col.
2:16-17), that is, they foretell the future. Yahweh works everything out
according to His timetable:
“To every thing
there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Eccl.
3:1).
Training for Rulership
The
simple fact is, we are being called now to be priests
and rulers in the coming Kingdom:
“And
has made us kings and priests unto Yahweh and his Father; to Him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever” (Rev. 1:6).
In obedience to His Word, we train to learn of His
ways so that we will be found worthy to be kings and priests: “And he made us unto our Elohim kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10).
If we are faithful to the high calling we have in the
Messiah and are the firstfruits, we will be made spirit beings to reign at
Yahshua’s side:
“Blessed and
holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death
has no power, but they shall be priests of Yahweh and of Messiah, and shall
reign with him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).
The firstborn will be in that better resurrection
(Heb.
11:35
), and we will
be partakers of the promise given to
Israel
. We will be grafted into the
olive tree, Romans 11:17. Peter says we will then be partakers of the promise
made to
Israel
:
"But you
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
We have touched on only a few of the Bible’s promises
that we are to be kings and priests in the coming Kingdom on earth. We are
called now and are preparing to be spiritual guides, to help others to know
Yahweh and find the way of salvation. Because the Feast days will be continued
in the Kingdom, we must learn all we can about these special times called mowed.
We need to know when the Feasts are to be kept, what
to do during these special observances, and how they show us the great plan of
salvation – for we have been purchased by the blood of Yahshua our Savior. He
expects us to be obedient as He is: “If
you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my
Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John
15:10
)
How can we expect to be a priest or a king in the
Kingdom and teach Yahweh’s ways if we have never kept His special times a day
in our life? We cannot teach what we do not know! As a king or priest, how can
we judge others for not keeping these Feast days if we have never kept them
ourselves?
Sign and Seal
The
two most ignored commands in the Bible are the sign He has given us and the
seal by which we are preserved. Briefly, we find that the “sign” is keeping His
Sabbaths:
“Moreover also I
gave them my Sabbaths, to be a SIGN between me and them, that they might know
that I am Yahweh that sanctify them. (Ezekiel
20:12
)…And hallow my Sabbaths; and
they shall be a SIGN between me and you, that you may know that I am YAHWEH
your Elohim” (Ezek.
20:20
).
We are sanctified by keeping His Sabbaths; that is, we
are set apart as a special people for His holy purpose. The Sabbaths are a
distinct time in which we come to truly known Him and draw closer to Him. The
world in general rejects these days, thinking they are free from all such
obligations and responsibilities and thereby they miss the opportunities to
learn to know Him.
His Sabbaths set us apart from the world. The time spent honoring His Sabbaths enriches our understanding of
Him and His ways. What’s more, important and prophetic events likely
will occur at these times, which will reveal His very presence.
The seal is His Name: We are sealed with His Name upon
baptism (Rev. 14:1) and already carry His Name for we are known as “His wife”
(Rev. 19:7), and have prepared and made ourselves ready. The sealing agent is
the Holy Spirit: “And grieve not the holy Spirit of Yahweh, whereby you are sealed unto the day
of redemption” (Eph.
4:30
).
We are to be baptized into the saving Name of Yahshua, the only Name that has salvation (Acts
4:12
).
Feast Financing: Here’s How
The
seven annual Feasts scattered throughout the year in three groups are commanded
convocations. Yahweh’s people have no choice about attending – the directive is
there. Our overriding obligation is to go to where Yahweh has placed His Name.
We must not make up excuses to stay home, and especially not use the
rationalization that we lack the finances.
Yahweh has already taken care of that problem, and the
True Worshiper should have no trouble with the means with which to attend –
that is, if he has been obedient to Yahweh in all things. In His plan, Yahweh
reveals a financial design that allows us to fund our trips to the appointed
gatherings without their being a heavy burden.
In His wisdom, Yahweh has not only told us that we are
to keep these days to honor Him, but He has also made a way for us to
compensate our Feast observance. It is known as the second tithe.
Just as we assume the responsibility of tithing so
that His plan of salvation can be proclaimed around the world to all nations,
He also shows us that we are to set aside special funds just to keep the
Feasts.
Notice:
“You shall truly tithe all the increase
of your seed, that the field brings forth year by year. And you shall eat
before Yahweh your Elohim, in the place which he shall choose to place His name
there, the tithe of your corn, of your wine, and of your oil, and the
firstlings of your herds and of your flocks; that you may learn to fear Yahweh
your Elohim always. And if the way be too long for you, so that you are not
able to carry it; or if the place be too far from you, which Yahweh your Elohim
shall choose to set his name there, when Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you:
Then shall you turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand, and shall
go unto the place which Yahweh your Elohim shall choose (Deut 14:22-25).
And you shall
bestow that money for whatsoever your soul lusts after, for oxen, or for sheep,
or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever your soul desires: and you
shall eat there before Yahweh your Elohim, and you shall rejoice, you, and your
household” (Deut. 14:26).
Notice that this is a special tithe kept by the
individual to use for the Feasts. It is retained and managed by the individual
to assure sufficient funds to attend and enjoy the Feasts as commanded (Lev.
23:14
, 21, 31, 41). It is separate from
the first tithe, which is to proclaim the Evangel to the world, and is holy
unto Yahweh, only to be used for that purpose.
Yahweh also expects us to support those doing His
work, proclaiming His truth to the world. Production and mailing costs for literature
become more expensive each year. Providing tapes, videos, and answering
questions takes time and money, as do ministerial trips. We are grateful to
those dedicated people who provide the means for us to continue proclaiming His
truth.
We are always encouraged to find those who desire to
pay their own way and not be a burden on others. But it is a greater blessing
when we hear from those who not only pay their own way, but also provide for
others as well through their generosity.
In His wisdom, Yahweh established the tithe to
proclaim His truth. And the second tithe ensures that His people can keep His
holy days as well. Both are extremely important for the True Worshipers.
Instead of setting aside funds as the world does for a
vacation or some “xmas savings plan,” Yahweh long ago gave us the command of
the second tithe as assurance that we could always attend His Festivals. Bank
and payroll savings institutions have saving programs that are actually
patterned after Yahweh’s plan of saving the second tithe for what is very
important to Him.
In obedience to what really matters, the majority of
Yahweh’s people, therefore, plan their vacations and time off work in
accordance with the Feast days. They save a second tithe to enable them to
observe these annual Festivals.
Feast: A Part of Life
What
better way to spend a vacation than to gather with others of like faith and
clearly identify with the “sign” Yahweh gives us that we might learn of Him by
honoring His Sabbaths! Spiritual enrichment for the entire family is a part of
His Feasts plan. At His appointed moedim we get to know other saints and share our joy and experiences with the future
kings and priests of His coming Kingdom! Determine now to worship with and
share time and experiences among future kings and rulers under the Savior!
Making Feast attendance a part of our life is a
maturing experience as we discipline ourselves to obey Yahweh and gather where
He has placed His Name. His Feasts are like schools of higher learning.
Yahweh’s Assembly In Yahshua
holds the Feast of Tabernacles at a campground so brethren can stay in tents,
RV’s or even motels if necessary. We encourage all to stay on the campground if
at all possible. There we have main lodge for meetings and some rooming
accommodations, while today’s
Israel
encamps around the “tent of meeting,” just as ancient
Israel
of old.
The three “Pilgrim Feasts” are the seven “Days of
Unleavened Bread,” “Pentecost,” and the eight days of “Tabernacles.” Plane
reservations, transportation, motel or sleeping accommodations, auto repairs,
etc., should be taken care of early, for we are to: “…bind up the money in your hand, and shall go unto the place which
Yahweh your Elohim shall choose” [which He does through His ministers]
(Deut. 14:25).
In keeping Yahweh’s Feasts, His people are sanctified.
That is, they are set apart as a special treasure, away from the world to
become all the more near and dear to Him:
“Speak unto the
children of
Israel
,
saying, Verily my Sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you
throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh that does
sanctify you” (Ex. 31:13).
Consider the words Moses gave to
Israel
just before they were to
cross over into the Promised Land – (for we will some day cross into the Kingdom):
“Three times in
a year shall all your males appear before Yahweh your Elohim in the place which
he shall choose; in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks,
and in the Feast of Tabernacles…” (Deut. 16:16).
Is Yahweh Calling You?
Our
Heavenly Father is not calling everyone to understand the Bible today or to
comprehend the deeper truths of His Word. He is looking for a special people to
be the firstfruits elite in His Kingdom. He is seeking those who are willing to
give up whatever it takes in this
life to be obedient to Him.
This fact is missed by the vast majority, who think
Yahweh is competing with the Adversary for converts. The masses have the idea
that they can be nonchalant and superficial about following Him and He will go
along with it. They can live their lives as they want to and give Him only the
crumbs of obedience. Those with that attitude are not fit for the Kingdom, let
alone for rulership next to Yahshua who was obedient in all things and expects
us to be the same! Yahshua said, “So then
because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of my
mouth,” Revelation
3:16
.
But a growing number have a burning thirst and hunger
for a deeper knowledge of the Bible, and they seek with all their being to know
more.
Yahweh’s Spirit is moving among His people today, and
that spiritual activity will steadily increase. He is calling many, but only a
few will answer that call, which will draw them closer to Him and His Word
through obedience to the Father they worship.
If you feel Yahweh has His hand on your shoulder, do
not shrug off that inner compulsion to obey, but consider Yahshua’s warning
words: “Many are called, but few are
chosen,” Matthew
20:16
.
In John
6:44
Yahshua said,
“No man can come to me, except the Father
which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at that last day.”
Yahweh may be drawing you right now. Are you listening to His call?
Yahweh promises a blessing upon those who obey Him.
Begin now to set aside and keep a second tithe for the next Feasts, as Yahweh
has commanded. If you need a calendar to determine when the next annual Feast
days will be, or should you have questions, feel free to contact us. Include
the Feast in your annual vacation plans. And let us hear from you during the
year.
We look forward to seeing you at the next Feast of our
Creator!
© 2007 Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua
2963 County Road
233,
Kingdom City
,
Missouri
65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
Call Toll Free: (877)
642-4101
Main Line: (573) 642-4100