The Appointed Feast

The Appointed Feast

  By:  Dan Fraley

       The festivals described in Leviticus 23 are a blueprint of heaven. In Leviticus 23:1-2 these festivals are described as the "Festivals of the Lord", not the festivals of Israel or the Jews. Who is Lord? ......Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:11, 1 Cor. 12:3). Since Jesus/Yeshua is the Lord, the festivals of the Lord, are festivals of Jesus/Yeshua. If these festivals are festivals of Jesus/Yeshua, every Christian should understand them and celebrate them. God gave these everlasting convocations/festivals to us to celebrate, and if they are a blueprint of Heaven, we will celebrate them for ALL ETERNITY!

       Jesus has and will fulfill all the Biblical festivals in Lev. 23. Four of them He has fulfilled and three He has not, but soon. We must be prepared for this. As Hosea 3:4-5 says, " For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return, seek the Lord their God and David/Messiah their king". In the latter days there will be a revival or restoration among the Jewish people. This is the set time to favor Zion/Israel (Psalm 102:13). Only true repentance and a change in behavior of the church will release this Jewish revival. Favor Israel, show them love, and honor your God's festivals and they will be provoked into jealousy and serve Yeshua our Lord.  

       Why are the "feasts" or festivals so important to us as Christians, you ask. In Hebrew the word for the festivals or feasts, is mo'ed, which means, "appointed times." In other words, these are God's appointed times to meet with us. Do you miss your set time to meet with your doctor?  We miss a great honor and blessing when we miss His appointed time. Will it cost us our salvation? No, but we will miss out on the joy of His set visitation. God also calls these feasts "convocations," which in Hebrew means "rehearsals". God says we should observe these rehearsals at His appointed times forever (Lev. 23:14,21,31,41,).

       The seven feasts are; 1. Pesach, or Passover, 2. Unleavened Bread, 3. First Fruits of the barley harvest, 4. Shavuot, Pentecost or feast of Weeks, 5. Rosh Ha-Shanah or The Feast of Trumpets, 6. Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement, and 7. Sukkot or The Feast of Tabernacles. As I said before, four of the festivals have been completed by Jesus/Yeshua, but what they represent is the first coming of our Messiah. Jesus came into Jerusalem and presented Himself as the spotless Lamb of God on the days before Passover. He dined with His disciples on the eve of Passover, just as everyone else was doing. He died on on Passover (Blood of the lamb on the door frame), was in the ground,dead, on the Feast of Unleavened Bread (sin/leaven out). He was resurrected three days later on the day of First Fruits (First Fruit of the resurrection). Fifty days later while gathered in the House/Temple for The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Holy Spirit was outpoured upon the believers (Acts 2). See article on Pentecost/shabuoth.

       The fall festivals, that Jesus has not fulfilled yet, teach us of His second coming. The fall festivals are about to start. Rosh Ha-Shanah starts on the eve of September 22 (Tishri 1). Rosh Ha-Shanah in Hebrew means "head of the year". The Jewish calendar has two beginnings or births of the year which is a lesson for another time on the former and latter rains, birth and re-birth.

       These fall feasts, teach us about the second coming of Jesus the Messiah. Just as He fulfilled the spring feasts, down to the hour, in His redemptive plan, He will fulfill the fall feasts with His judgments of those who rejected Him. Rosh Ha-Shanah, (trumpet/shofar blast) will usher in the resurrection of the "dead in Christ", Yom Kippur, seven days later (just as in the days of Noah, door shut on ark, seven days later the floods came) will be judgment day! Yeshua/Jesus will place His feet on the Mount of Olives and atonement begins. The last feast is Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, to usher in the 1,000 year rain of the Messiah. Each one of these fall feasts has a lesson that I will get into at another time.

       When times are hard, the world is getting worse and we are really DOWN, remember God is UP to something. If we have to suffer any of the tribulation on this Earth, just remember we have a special seat at the coronation of Yeshua Ha- Moshiach/Jesus the Messiah as King over the Earth. We will be wedded to Him as His bride and we will live with Him in the new city of Jerusalem (in My house there are many bridal chambers) He brings with Him. In Zechariah 14, after we are raptured, we come back with Him to teach the world of His love and His ways (Torah) and reign as Kings. By being faithful in the wilderness of life and being sustained through the revelation of His word during these trying and difficult times, God will take us to our promised land. A thousand years we will live on earth as if it were the garden of Eden. I have often wondered if it will take us a thousand years to get prepared for what God/Yeshua has for us in Heaven. 

       Paganism is immersed in our religious ceremonies and we need to ponder this. Should the foundation of our belief be based on the first century church that honored the Lord's feasts, or should we place our faith in a Roman Caesar who changed the foundation in 325AD by removing all Jewishness from it? We serve a Jewish/Hebraic Messiah, and His ways never change. He came to fulfill the Law, not abolish it (another study soon to come).

       If the Bible truly says in the "last days" Law and Grace will be one and Christianiy and the House of Judah will come together, the only way for this to happen is for us to embrace the early first century church's ways. One of the ways to do this is to observe the feasts of the Lord. If we accept our roots of faith, the ways of Torah, the Jewish people will open their eyes to their Savior Yeshua Ha-Moshiach, our Lord Jesus the Christ. There are ways that seem right to man, but in the end only death (Prov. 14:12).        scriptures to read; Ex. 12:24, 2 Thes. 2:7

The Two Houses

The Two Houses

(Ephraim and Judah)

By: Dan Fraley

        We are grafted on to the "House of Israel" when we are "born again" , and in order to see who we are in His plan, we need to search the scriptures. What the prophets said about us, and our duty as part of this body or olive tree we have been grafted to. In order to do this, we need to study about Ephraim (melo-goyim or not a people or even gentile). GOD SAID THAT HIS PEOPLE WERE DESTROYED FOR THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE HOSEA 4:6

       This statement should haunt us into studying God's word diligently. Bible stories are great, but Israel was punished by God for not listening to His prophets. Israel is to be a example to the world, and to show the mighty wonders of a merciful God. Instead they mixed the worlds pagan gods of wood and stone, Ishtar the queen of heaven and Molock the sun god. In the last days we are told to be ready and to study the signs of the times, and learn how prophesy will be fulfilled in the latter days. We also have a duty to tell others about the Kingdom of God and His soon returning. In order to do this we need to have a deep understanding of His word. The Holy Spirit plays an important role in this. Before we go into God's word, we should ask for the Holy Spirits direction.

       In order for our churches to be of viable use to the Lord, our Sunday school classes ought to truly be schooling in His word. Most classes in church are still feeding pabulum and milk. Form extra Bible studies or classes that get into the meat and mysteries of God"s word.  We need movement in our churches, without it we stagnate. Our churches have invested too much work  for the Lord, by our ancestors to fail them and the Lord. We should be on the cutting edge of His will. Study His word, stick with it, pray for guidance and share your knowledge with others.

Scriptures to read; Gen. 48:17, Isa. 11:13, 37:31, Eze. 37:15-28, Rom. 10:19, 11:11-26, Obediah 15-18, Zac. 2: 10, 9:13, 10:7, Eph. 2:11-22, Jer. 33: 14-16, 31: 18, Rev. 11:1-15, All of Mathew 24.

The Olive Tree

The Olive Tree

By; Dan Fraley

       One of the most remarkable trees is the olive tree. Most of us are not too familiar with the olive tree because they do not grow near where we live. However, in the land of the Bible, it was, and is, the most important of all the trees. It is the source of food, light, hygiene, healing (Ex. 27:20, Lev. 24:2), and religious ceremonies (Ex. 30:24-25)

       When I went to Israel, I was fascinated by olive trees growing everywhere on nothing but rocks. Steep terraced mountainsides were covered with them even up in the Galilee area. Their gnarled and twisted trunks with evergreen tops made them look wise and noble. It is this grace and character that sets them apart from other trees. It is no wander this was the tree used as a symbol of the children of Israel. These characteristics of the olive tree used by the writers of the Bible told us about God, Israel and our relationship to both.

       We are set apart from the world just as the olive tree is set apart from other trees. When we are grafted onto this tree, we join our brothers in faith, the Jews, and together we worship the Most High God and wait patiently for our Savior.

       After the flood in Noah's time, the olive tree was the only plant left that did not have to come back by seeds (Gen.8:11). The dove came back with an olive branch with leaves. In an experiment at the Hebrew University, an olive tree was placed under water for several months, and even though the leaves rotted off, when the water was removed it brought on leaves. It can also withstand extreme drought.

       The Mount of Olives, was a favorite place for Jesus (lk. 22:39) and Gat Shemen or Garden of Gethsemane in Hebrew means "olive press". If you have a chance to visit Israel, you will see olive trees that were there when Jesus was.

       Lessons we can learn from the olive tree, which symbolizes faithfulness and steadfastness are found throughout the Bible. Read; Psalm 52:8, 128:3. Three entire chapters in Romans (9-11) the olive tree is used by Paul to describe the relationship between Israel (the Jewish people and God's ancient ongoing covenant relationship) and the church/Christians.  LOVE THE NATURAL BRANCHES!

Spirit of September 12th

Spirit of September 12th

By; Dan Fraley

       This is the 5th anniversary of 9-11 so I feel it necessary to submit something on the subject. 

After suffering the most shocking and devastating terrorist attacks on the U.S. mainland on September 11th 2001, America became a changed nation. We became one! Democrats and Republicans alike stood shoulder to shoulder on the steps of the Capital singing "God Bless America". We as a nation woke up just as we did after Pearl Harbor. Evil exist, and something needs to be done about it. We had the nations of the world sympathetic to our cause. What happened?... If we fast forward a few years, it is obvious we have forgotten about our unity. Is it because:

       1. Economic prosperity and comfort became more important than principled living?

       2. Spiritual and eternal values were blatantly sacrificed on the altar of selfish material pursuits?

       3. Our intelligence and protection agencies failed to safeguard our security because of bureaucratic tendencies to protect their own "turf"?

       4. Mindless political debates deteriorate our national defence?

Our court systems' recent greatest victory has been the removal of the Ten Commandments from our public places. Have we forgotten our Presidents' speech after September 11th?  "We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail". George W. Bush, knows the depths of hatred behind the terrorist activities around the world, yet he also knows that good will ultimately triumph over evil.  He read the back of THE BOOK! He does not fear evil, he faces it and he embraces God's wisdom.  Right now our nation needs God-given insight, power, protection, direction and wisdom. We must continue to ask God to bless America in order for our people to live in peace and security. God protects Holy people that share their love with all.

       A call of salvation from our Savior is not a free pass to comfort. We are all gifted with something in us that He will call forward and use, if we listen. We can not stand still and let those controlled by evil take our God given freedoms away. Our constitution is becoming unconstitutional. They want to call Christmas, "Winter Festival"; Thanksgiving, "Lucky Thursday", they want the songs sang in public not to mention God or Jesus or even Christmas. Did you ever think you would live to see the day a gay preacher would be appointed to bishop in a main stream denominational church? The Bible tells us that if we reject truth, He will turn us over to impurity, degrading passions, and exchanging natural function for unnatural. We have all sinned, but those who know Christ have a will to strive for purity and Holiness. A penitent heart, not just wishing we had not done something, but turning around and facing truth unto redemption. Let us all strive to do our part and seek to become a better Christian and one good American. Luke 10:37

Scriptures to read; James 1:21, Deut. 6:18, 1 Cor. 16:13, Psalm 94:13 and Zac. 9:13 God bless you in your walk home.  

Bible Prophecy

Bible Prophecy

By; Dan Fraley

      Bible prophecy begins and ends with the nation of Israel. America stepped into prophecy with them when it based its foundation on the same values and same scriptures. This decision led America to be the key player in bringing about the most significant prophetic event in two thousand years, the rebirth of Israel (Ezk. 37). William Blackstone, a Methodist layman, from upstate New York wrote the first prophetic book on Israel and the last days, in 1878. The book's title is Jesus is Coming, and is still in print today. This book sparked the Zionist movement in the hearts of Jews living in disporia. The writing of this book offended the Christian mainstream church's philosophy of replacement theology. The book is much more scripture than commentary. It speaks of the rebuilding of a Jewish nation and not a church replacement in the prophecies. Europe's churches (and some of America's) were teaching anti-Semitism. This book opened the eyes of American churches, but Europe (in exception of England) refused to accept it. Hitler's hatred was fueled by Martin Luther's anti-Semitic writings and the churches teaching of replacement theology. A quote from Hitler's Mein Kampf; "Today, I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator, by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord". 

      William Eugene Blackstone, a Christian, is a highly respected hero in the nation of Israel. The founder of the Zionist movement, Theadore Herzl, the number one hero, was so inspired by this Christian book, that he wrote a book himself. Herzl.s book is called The Jewis State and it founded the Zionist movement. Blackstone's Bible is displayed in Herzl's tomb in Israel, with it opened to the marked prophecies that sparked this end time event.

      God works through people to fulfill His prophecies. This inspires me to do all I can to walk in Gods ways, so that He may use me for His will.

      I believe, that if we call on God to heal our land, America will stay aligned with Israel and aid in its restoration in the end times. We do not need to be swallowed up in worldliness that puts us on the wrong side of the final battle of Armageddon. We could accomplish what no other nation on earth could ever hope to do, but we can not do it with out a major course correction. And we better stop getting involved in giving God's land away to Israel's enemy!      

        We are in the cross-hairs of those who hate Christians and Jews and what our nations stand for. We must respond to those who hate us with spirituality, Christian love and compassion based in firmness. Force comes into the picture only because of protection, not revenge! Our political wisdom should be based on clarity of vision and moral integrity. We have a worthy moral calling, far more powerful than the call of martyrdom of the suicide bombers. Yet until we live with a greater conviction than they die with, our generation will not see what God wants to do in it. Our politics and the course of our nation are the result of what is in our hearts............they do not determine what is in our hearts. If God is truly going to heal our land, we must do our part.  It is not just a question of correct foreign and domestic policy, but also an issue of the churches in the United States kicking relativism out and earnestly seeking God and His ways above all else. The Bible tells us that we are to "live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in the present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ"   (Titus 2:12-13)

       The Shepherd is calling for spiritual warriors, will we answer the call?

Scriptures to read; 2 Cor. 3:17, Luke 19:13, Gen. 49:10 (George Washington's Inauguration scripture), Gen. 12:1-3,Rev. 16:7 (Abe Lincoln's I.S.), 1 Cor.13:3 (F.D.R.'s I.S.), Chronicles 7:14, and Gal. 6:8 (Bill Clinton's I.S.)