What is the Tribulation?

Overview of the Tribulation

I am going to give a high-level outline of the tribulation period.  Also known as “The time of Jacob’s trouble”.

For a detailed study, download a free PDF copy of my book Understanding the future from a Biblical Perspective.

The tribulation will be 7 years long.  Note: A biblical year is 360 days, so this will be 7*360 for a total of 2520 days of hell on earth.

Before the tribulation starts, probably about 10 days or so, Jesus is going to take his bride, the church, out of the world at an event known as the Rapture.  Imagine millions of people, all Bible-believing Christians, and probably all young children suddenly missing from all over the earth.  This is going to cause panic and hysteria all over the world.  For more information on the rapture see my book and my post What is the Rapture?

Now what kicks off the tribulation will be the arrival of the Antichrist on the scene.  Note:  He will not announce that he is “a bad guy” He will be accepted as a really good guy.  He will sign a 7-year peace treaty with Israel and many nations.

The tribulation ends with the Second coming of Jesus.  You will not miss this as he will fly in on horseback with an entire army of the Christians who left at the rapture, coming on horseback out of the sky to the battle of Armageddon.

Now for an outline of what happens in between.

7 Seal Judgments – Revelation 6 #1 – White Horse – Antichrist – Signs Peace Treaty with Israel #2 – Red Horse – War – Possibly World War #3 – Black Horse – Famine – Possibly Hyperinflation. #4 – Green (Yellowish pale) – Death of one-fourth of the world population from war, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts. #5 -Martyrs – Christians are going to be killed during this period. #6 – Earthquake, volcano eruptions, strong enough to move the islands and mountains. #7 – Is made up of the 7 trumpet judgments 7 Trumpet Judgments – Revelation 8:6-9:23 #1 – Hail/Fire/Blood – One-third of the trees and all green grass destroyed #2 – Mountain (Asteroid) into the sea – One-third of the sea turned to blood; one-third of the sea animals died. #3 – Star (Meteor) called Wormwood – One-third of freshwater polluted #4 – One-third of the Sun and one-third of the moon darkened. #5 – Crazy-looking locusts torment men for 5 months, no death. #6 – 200 million demonic creatures breathing fire, smoke, and brimstone. – Kill One-third of the world’s population. #7 – Is made up of the 7 Bowl Judgments 7 Thunder Judgments – Revelation 10:3-4 These are a mystery; John was not allowed to record them.  So, we have 7 more judgments.	Two witnesses arrive in Jerusalem. Preaching and prophesying.  They can breathe fire to vanquish their enemies. They probably announce each of the judgments as they are about to happen. They also have the ability to stop the rain for the 3 and a half years they preach. – Revelation 11   144,000 Jewish missionaries go throughout the world preaching the gospel.  They are sealed so the various judgments do not hurt them for the first half of the tribulation period. – Revelation 7.   The Antichrist (Rev 13) and the false prophet (the second beast) are running a one-world government and one-world religion.  Soon to be followed by a one-world economy with a cashless society.   The temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and the daily sacrifices will be carried out. Christians will be hunted down and killed.  They are the martyrs of the #5 seal.
The midpoint of the Tribulation
The false prophet puts an image of the Antichrist in the temple and tells the people to worship the Antichrist and take his mark (the mark of the beast) (Revelation 13 & 14)   NOTE: DO NOT TAKE THIS MARK…you will not have a chance of going to heaven if you take it   The Antichrist goes into the temple and announces that he is God. The Antichrist is killed and later resurrected.	The two witnesses are killed.  The whole world celebrates.   Angels fly through out the world warning people not to take the mark of the beast.   Those not taking the mark are beheaded or in hiding.   The 144,000 will also be martyred at this time. (Rev 14)   The Jews wake up when the Antichrist goes into the temple and they flee to Petra in southern Jordan and stay there for the last half of the tribulation period until Jesus comes back.
Second Half – 3 and 1/2 years
7 Bowl Judgments – Revelation 16 #1 – Sores on those who took the mark of the beast. #2 – All saltwater turned to blood #3 – All freshwater turned to blood #4 – Sun intensified earth scorched #5 – Darkness of seat of the Antichrist #6 – the Euphrates dried up for armies of the east to go to Israel to fight. #7 – Massive earthquake – no more islands or mountains.  volcanoes and title waves. – 100-pound (45.3592 kg) Hailstones	Religious Babylon and Political Babylon are destroyed (Revelation 17 &18)

Jesus returns to fight the Antichrist and the nations of the earth at the valley of Jezreel in northern Israel.  The blood flows to the horse’s bridle. (Revelation 19)

Satan will be thrown into hell for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20)

The Antichrist and False Prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Note: All of the above events will happen. Some believe the first half of the TRIBULATION will be very peaceful and almost all the “action” takes place during the second half. We will SOON SEE who is correct.

Is the Covid-19 vaccination the Mark of the Beast?

I am updating this article on 04SEP21. 

After a year of the Covid-19-pandemic people are tired of it all and are ready to have life get back to normal.  People around the world are lining up to get “the vaccine”, many are skeptical that it is going to be detrimental to their health, and still others are worried it is the Mark of the Beast.

I am not going to tell you if you should take the vaccination or not, I am going to discuss here why the vaccination is not the Mark of the Beast.  Now, bear with me and let me explain why.  Please read the whole article.

First, I have been shocked by how many people are clueless about what the Word of God, “the Bible” has to say about the future and “the Mark of the Beast”.

Hosea 4::6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:”

So, I think that I need to explain a few things before we dive into the “is the ‘Vaccine’ the ‘Mark of the Beast’?” question.  This is going to be a very high-level overview.

I believe that very soon; the Lord will remove all true Christians from the earth.  This event is known as ‘the rapture’.

After the rapture happens, a world leader, referred to as ‘the Antichrist’ will head up a one-world government, and a religious leader, referred to as ‘the false prophet’, will head up a one-world religion.

The Antichrist will sign a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years.  These 7 years are referred to as ‘the Tribulation’.  Now during these 7 years, God’s wrath will be poured out on the earth.  The Jewish Temple will once again be standing on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  At the mid-point of the tribulation, 3 ½ years in, the False Prophet will set up an image of the Antichrist in the temple. This is “the abomination of desolation” that Jesus is speaking about in Matthew chapter 24. This is described in Revelation chapters 13-14. They will require the Antichrist to be worshiped and it is at this point that all the people of the earth will be required to take the mark of the beast in the right hand or forehead as a sign of alliance to the Antichrist. ANYONE WHO TAKES THIS MARK WILL BE DAMNED TO SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE.  If they refuse, they will not be able to buy or sell, they will be hunted down and decapitated.  Also, during this time angels will fly throughout the earth telling people not to take the mark of the beast or they will be damned to hell.  The Mark of the beast is discussed in Revelation chapters 13 and 14.

So, NONE of those things have happened as of today 04SEP21.

In summary,

1. The Christians have not been removed from the earth.
2. The man of sin, the antichrist, has not been revealed.
3. The false prophet has not come on the scene, although many believe he will be whoever is the current pope at the time.
4. We do not have a one-world government, however, there is a push to bring that to pass and is being referred to as the Great Reset.
5. We do not have a one-world religion, however, there is also a push for all the world religions to unite.
6. The tribulation has not started as there has not been a peace treaty with many countries and Israel signed, facilitated by the antichrist.
7. We are not at the mid-point of the tribulation, since it has not even started yet.
8. The temple has not been rebuilt in Jerusalem, although the Jewish people have been preparing for it for over 50 years and they can start construction at any time.
9. Since the temple is not in Jerusalem, the false prophet who has not come on the world scene yet, cannot set up an image in the holy of holies of the Antichrist, who has yet to be revealed, and demand everyone to worship it, and worship the antichrist and take the mark.
10. There are currently no angels flying around and warning the people not to take the mark of the beast.
11. They are not giving “the vaccine” in the right hand or forehead.
12. No one is chopping off the heads of people who are refusing to take the vaccination.

Therefore, the current Covid-19 shot is NOT the MARK of the BEAST.

Now it is possible that in the future (today is 04SEP21) that the mark of the beast will be associated with a vaccine, but remember the above requirements must all be true.

I know that there is a patient number associated with the vaccine that causes you to raise an eyebrow 060606.  I know also that there is supposed to be some sort of embedded nano-chip in the vaccination that raises the other eyebrow.  Some people are losing their jobs for not taking it, airlines and countries telling you that you cannot travel without it. Stores telling you that you can not enter and buy and sell without it, so you are naturally concerned.  I think what is happening here is that we are in a test run for the real deal.  Satan knows his time is short, he understands Bible prophecy better than any of us and he is getting his ducks in a row for the tribulation.  Also, if a bunch of Christians say that the vaccine is the mark of the beast, they will look like a bunch of religious nuts, and then when the real mark of the beast comes along, people will be desensitized and more people will be deceived and take the mark and be dammed to hell.

You must understand what is going to be happening soon because the way things are going it appears that these things will all transpire in your lifetime.  Bible study must be done carefully and prayerfully.  Not shooting from the hip and diving into the middle of the book of Revelation and expecting to properly interpret it, but comparing scripture with scripture and looking at whole books of the Bible instead of taking a few verses out of context and thinking you understand it.

Please read my book, Understanding the Future from a Biblical Perspective.  It is free and can be downloaded as a PDF from this website.  See link at the bottom of the page. It will give you a good solid understanding of what will soon take place.

Now, the next question is, should you take “the Covid-19 vaccine”?

I have been reading a lot of articles on this subject and watching a lot of videos.

This is not my area of expertise, so I will not “officially” comment on it, but I am adding a few links here of information that you should carefully consider.

An interview with Dr. Sherry Tenpenny, a vaccine expert, discussing it.

An interview with Dolores CaHill, a molecular biologist and virologist.

Interview with Judy Mikovits,a molecular biologist and virologist, also discussing it.

Another excellent source is Dr. Mike Yeadon You can listen to his interview here.

Still another interview with an expert in the field, Geert Vanden Bossche, discussing the dangers.

Interview with Dr. Bhakdi another expert in the field. He also discusses the dangers.

These men and women are very on the ball and know what they are talking about.  Check them out and pray about what you learn and how you should respond to their information.

Read my new book – Understanding the Future from a Biblical Perspective.

Download a free PDF copy of ‘Understanding the Future’

Understanding the Future from a Biblical Perspective

Have you noticed how the whole world is in a state of turmoil from the Coronavirus, to regional wars and rumors of wars, the economy, etc?

The Bible tells us that this is how things would be just before Jesus comes back to earth. I have written a book to explain in simple terms what is going to happen in the very near future. It is posted here on this site.

Please feel free to read and study up on what the Word of God has to say about the future.

Understanding the Future

Introduction to Eschatology

Matthew Chapters 24-25

Ezekiel Chapter 38-39

Daniel

Revelation

How to get to Heaven

To download a FREE copy of the book

Download a free PDF copy of ‘Understanding the Future’

Are you a good person?

For more information on how to go to heaven.

Does Astronomy Reveal Creation?

Yes, it does!  I was blessed to hear Dr. Jason Lisle speak on the topic “Astronomy Reveals Creation”

Please take the time to watch his lecture, it was very interesting and well worth your time.

Dinosaurs, Soft Tissue, and the Bible

This is an awesome lecture about Dinosaurs and the Bible.

The most impressive part for me was near the end when he talks about soft tissue discovered in the dinosaur bones.

Brian Thomas is a scientist with the Institute for Creation Research

What is Sukkot?

Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles)

Leviticus 23:33-44 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,  “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord.  On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.   For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.

‘These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day —   besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the Lord.

‘Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest.   And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.  You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.  You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths,  that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.'”  So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.

Also read – Num 29:12-38; Deut 16:13-17

Sukkot was also known as the Feast of In gathering or booths.

The harvest-thanksgiving of the Sukkot reminded Israel, on the one hand, of their dwelling in booths in the wilderness, while, on the other hand, it pointed to the final harvest when Israel’s mission should be completed, and all nations gathered unto the Lord.

It was the 3rd of the great annual festivals at which every male in Israel was to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. It begins on the 15th of the month of Tishri and lasts for 7 days until the 21st.

An octave, or Azereth followed it on the 22nd day. Though closely connected with Sukkot, it formed no part of that feast, as clearly shown by the sacrifices and the ritual, and by the fact that the people no longer lived in ‘booths.’ This day was to be a Sabbath day, just as the 1st day of Sukkot. (Lev 23:35-36)

It not only was the close of the sabbatical year, it closed the agricultural year too. (Deut 31:10)

It is a time to thank God for the bountiful harvest. Every worshipper carried the aethrog (a fruit tree branch) in his left hand, and in his right hand the lulav (palm branch), with myrtle and willow branch on either side of it. The lulav was intended to remind Israel of the different stages of their wilderness journey, as represented by the different vegetation – the palm branches representing the valleys and plains, the ‘boughs of thick trees,’ the bushes on the mountains heights, and the willows those brooks from which God had given His people drink. The aethrog was to remind them of the fruits of the good land, which the Lord had given them.

The booths must be, according to the Mishnah, constructed of boughs of living trees, and solely for the purposes of this festival. It must be high enough, yet not too high. Between 10 handbreadths and thirty feet. Three of the sides must be boughs; it must be fairly covered with boughs, yet allow sunshine to enter, and still provide shade. They were to eat, sleep, pray and study in them unless there was a heavy rain. Exceptions were made for the sick and those who were taking care of them.

There were several offering made each of the seven days.

Sin offering – One kid goat was offered each day.

There was to be a burnt offering each day. The number of bulls offered changed each day.

• Day 1: 13 young bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs.
• Day 2: 12 young bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs.
• Day 3: 11 young bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs.
• Day 4: 10 young bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs.
• Day 5: 9 young bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs.
• Day 6: 8 young bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs.
• Day 7: 7 young bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs.

A grain offering for each animal and the corresponding drink offering would have accompanied them.

• 3/10 ephah of flour for each bull
• 2/10 ephah of flour for each ram
• 1/10 ephah of flour for each lamb

The amount of wine:

• 1/2 hin of wine for each bull
• 1/3 hin of wine for each ram
• 1/4 hin of wine for lamb or kid

(See Weights and Measures table)

Zechariah 14:16-21 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, the LORD of hosts, 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, the LORD of hosts, 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 the LORD 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. In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’s house shall be like the bowl’s before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

This passage tells us that during Jesus’ 1,000-year reign, the Millennium, all of the nations will travel to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot. Notice that if they disobey, they will have no rain. It is hard to imagine that with Jesus on the throne there will still be those who will turn their backs on Him.

Some believe that it was during Sukkot that Jesus was born.

 

Can Scientists Consider Intelligent Design Without Being Ridiculed?

Not according to Ben Stein’s Documentary “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”.

As I watched this well researched documentary, it reminded me of how Galileo was persecuted by fellow scientists in his day.  Instead of taking an honest look at Galileo’s findings and considering them, he was ridiculed by the scientific community.  As you will see from watching this video, the same thing happens today to scientists who suggest that there is intelligence behind the creation of the universe and not random processes.  This video is well worth the time it takes to watch it.

My favorite part is the interview at the end with Richard Dawkins.

What is Yom Kippur?

YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur is observed starting from sundown to sundown on the 10th day of the 7th month, the month of Tishri.

Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement”. It is also referred to as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” because it is the holiest day of the Jewish Year.

The word “Atonement” literally means, “to cover up”. The Hebrew word is – kaphar (kaw-far’); a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:

Yom Kippur is described in – Leviticus 16; Leviticus 23:26 – 32; Numbers 29:7-11. Please read these passages.

The day is a fast day. The Children of Israel were to fast and to ‘afflict their souls’. This is the day of repentance and reconciliation to God.

On Yom Kippur, only the High Priest officiated. He was required to leave his home seven days before Yom Kippur to stay in the high priest’s quarters inside the Temple area. On the 3rd and 7th days he was twice sprinkled with the ashes of a red heifer in case he had become unclean through touching a dead body. (Num 19:13)

The Morning Service

The Temple service for Yom Kippur did not begin until dawn the next morning. The ashes on the altar were cleared away, and four fires instead of the normal three were lit to set the day apart as distinct. On any other day, the high priest would merely wash his hands and feet with water from the priestly laver before performing his service. On Yom Kippur, he was required to totally immerse himself in a special golden bath near the Court of the Priests. This was carried out behind a large linen curtain, which revealed only the shadow of his movements to the public view. This assured that no changes were made to the required procedures.

The high priest put on his golden garments with great care. His majestic purple robe was hemmed with tiny golden bells so that the people could hear him work as he represented them. Over the top of his robe, he wore a golden breastplate, which was studded with twelve precious stones – a constant reminder that he was the representative of the twelve tribes of Israel before the true and living God.

After dressing, the high priest washed his hands and feet to perform the regular daily service. Following the morning service, the high priest returned to his bath chamber to change into his white linen garments for Yom Kippur. He symbolized Jesus, who is now our High Priest, leaving the glory of heaven and taking on human flesh in order to atone for our sins.

The High Priest was the mediator between God and man. Who better to be the perfect mediator that the one who is all God and all man.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Five times during the day he changed clothing, and five times he followed the same cleansing procedure. Five is the number of Grace. Each time, he washed his hands and feet, removed his garments, totally immersed his body, put on his change of clothing, and washed his hands and feet a second time.

The Sin Offering

Leviticus 16:6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

Now the High Priest needed to first confess his own personal sins before he could represent the people before God. For His sins a Bull was offered as his sin offering. Because of his relationship to God, God required a larger animal.

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

He laid his hands on the head of the bull and confessed as follows:

Ah YHWH! I have committed iniquity; I have transgressed; I have sinned – I and my house. Oh then, YHWH, I entreat Thee, cover over (atone for, let there be atonement for) the iniquities, the transgressions, and the sins which I have committed, transgressed, and sinned before Thee, I and my house – even as it is written in the law of Moses, Thy servant: “For, on that day will He cover (atone) for you to make you clean; from all your transgressions before YHWH ye shall be cleansed.”

Notice that YHWH was spoken 3 times, this symbolizes the Unity of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). It was only on Yom Kippur and only the High Priest who would speak the name of God. It was spoken a total of 10 times that day. Each time the name of YHWH was spoken the people prostrated themselves before God.

The scape-goat

Leviticus 16:7-10 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’s lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Two goats were selected that were identical in their look, size, and value. Lots were cast to determine which one would be for YHWH (la-Jehovah) and the other one for the scape-goat (la-Azazel) The scape-goat had a scarlet cloth tied to its horn. The one for God had a scarlet cloth around its neck.

The scape-goat was presented to the people waiting for the sins of the people to be laid on him. He is a type of the Messiah Jesus. Pilate presented Jesus to the people before he was led off to bear the iniquity of the people.

Tradition has it that when the sacrifice was fully accepted the scarlet cloth on the scape-goat became white.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

However the tradition goes on to say that this miracle did not take place for the 40 years before the destruction of the temple. This would have been the since Jesus died for our atonement; the scape-goat was no longer necessary.

After this the High-priest placed his hands on the bull a second time and confessed his sins, the sins of his household, and the sins of the priesthood.

Leviticus 16:11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:

He then killed the bull and caught his blood in a vessel, and gave it to an attendant to keep it stirring, so that it would not coagulate. He took a censer of burning coals from the brazen altar and a dish of incense (frankincense). He stopped to wash at the brazen laver and then preceded into the holy place.
He entered the Holy of Holies and placed the golden censer before the mercy seat. He added the incense to cause a cloud of smoke to fill the room.

Leviticus 16:12-13 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

This was done because sinful man cannot look on the full glory of God. Remember this was the only day of the year that the High Priest was permitted to enter into the presence of God.

The incense speaks of his pleading on our behalf. Because of his vicarious death, all who come in repentance may receive a pardon for sins. Thus, we see how the atonement began with Jesus’s intercession.

Leviticus 16:14 And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

The High Priest took the blood from his own sin offering and sprinkled it 7 times before the mercy seat. 7 is the number of perfection.

When he exited the Holy of Holies the High Priest deposited the bowl with the blood before the veil.

Leviticus 16:15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

Then he went out to the brazen altar and killed the goat that was set-aside for God, being careful to catch the blood in a vessel. He made his third trip into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the goat’s blood 7 times before the mercy seat. Upon leaving the Holy of Holies he left the vessel of goat’s blood before the veil.

Note: Whenever the High Priest left the Holy of Holies he backed out of the room so as not to turn his back on God. If you visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem today you will see the Jewish visitors walk backwards away from the wall were they believe the Holy Spirit dwells.

Leviticus 16:16-17 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

He took the bowl of the blood of the bull and sprinkled it 7 times before the veil, outside the Holy of Holies. This procedure was repeated with the goat’s blood. This was done to make atonement for the holy place.

Leviticus 16:18-19 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

Then the bulls blood and goats blood was combined and thoroughly mixed together. He then sprinkled each of the horns of the altar of incense with blood. He also sprinkled the top of the altar of incense with the commingled blood seven times. He was careful not to get the sin-laden blood on his clothes during this whole procedure. The remaining blood was poured out on the west side of the base of the altar of burnt offering.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul (Lev. 17:11)

The High Priest then laid his hands on the scape-goat and confessed the sins of the people over it.

The scape-goat was then lead out into the wilderness to a place uninhabited. The two goats symbolize the death and resurrection of Jesus. The goat that was slain symbolizes his death on the execution stake and the scape-goat symbolizes his resurrection.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

The blood of the sacrifices in the Tanakh did cover up the sins of the believers, but not until Jesus shed His blood were the sins blotted out.

Romans 3:25 – Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Propitation = hilasterion (hil-as-tay’-ree-on) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark, mercy seat, (in the Temple):

2 Cor 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

While the scape-goat was being led out to the wilderness, the High priest prepared the bull and the goat for the sin offering. As we learned in our lesson on the sin offering they were burnt outside the city, just as Jesus was put to death outside the city.

After this the High Priest bathed and changed into his golden garments. This was done to impress upon the people the pervading evilness of sin, even on those who were only ceremonially affected by it.

He then offered two rams for a burnt offering and the fat of the bull and goat from the sin offering. Remember the burnt offering symbolizes the believer’s total consecration to God.

This was the end of the special sacrifices for Yom Kippur. It was still necessary for the High Priest to perform the daily evening sacrifice. After which the High Priest bathed and changed into his regular clothes. They then went to their homes to enjoy a feast.

The work of the High priest was never finished. There were always the daily sacrifices, etc to perform and each year there was another Yom Kippur. He could never say, “It is finished”. But Jesus, our High Priest, finished the job once and for all. (Yom Kippur will be observed during the 70th week of Daniel (tribulation) in the fourth temple because many Jewish people have not received their true Messiah. During Jesus’s millennial reign there will be sacrifices offered as a memorial of His finished work on the cross. Just as those who lived during the Old Testament period looked forward to Jesus’s atoning death, those people living during the millennial reign look back to Jesus’s atoning death.)

John 19:30 He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Matt 27:50-51 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;

The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn! Notice it says from top to bottom. This veil was very thick and would not have been possible for a human to rip it. The separation between God and man was no longer necessary. The price had been paid.

Hebrews 10:12 But this (man) Jesus, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;

For 1940 years it has not been possible to perform the Yom Kippur service as described in the Torah. There has not been a Temple. If Jesus’s shed blood did not atone for your sins. Where is your atonement?

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

As you spend Yom Kippur in prayer and fasting, why not ask God to show you how you can be sure your sins have been atoned.

Does Science Confirm the Bible?

Yes it does!

This video done by Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis.  It is awesome!

PLEASE take the time to watch it.  He covers the answer to this question in great detail.

What is the Rapture?

The word “rapture” is not in the Bible. It comes from the Latin word “rapere” meaning “caught up”

It is a term we use to refer to the event, which is described in the following passages.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we, which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Notice both of these passages mention a trumpet sounding.

Who will be raptured? The church.

Remember “the church” consists of all believers in Jesus, both Jewish and Gentile, from the start of the church on the day of Pentecost until the “rapture”.

The rapture ends “the church age”.

Matthew 24:36-44 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Notice this event is immediate, sudden, and could happen at any time. The dead believers will be raised from the dead and given their new glorified bodies. Then those believers that are alive will be transformed in an instant and transported to meet Jesus in the clouds.

Very important note: We meet Jesus in the clouds. Jesus does NOT stand on the earth again until His second coming.

For More Info Read about Rosh Hashanah.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah

In Hebrew “Rosh Hashanah” means the “Head of the Year“.
The name “Rosh Hashanah” is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday.

The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar).

Leviticus 23:23-25 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to 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, an holy convocation. You shall do no servile work therein: but you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.

Numbers 29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have an holy convocation; you shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets to you.

Tishri – the seventh month

Tishri marks the start of the civil year.

The day is considered a “Sabbath” day, a Holy day of rest.

Numbers 28:11-15 And in the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot; And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram; And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering to one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD. And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine to a bullock, and the third part of an hin to a ram, and a fourth part of an hin to a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. And one kid of the goats for a sin offering to the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

Numbers 10:10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.

The first always stands for the “whole“. The “firstborn” stands for all the rest. So the first day of the year represents the rest of the year.

The Jewish people believe the world was created in the month of Tishri. Jewish tradition claims that this is the day that Adam was created. It is also believed to be the birthday of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the day Joseph was released from prison in Egypt, and the day Moses appeared before Pharaoh, demanding that the king let the Israelites go from Egypt.

There are four ‘New Year’ days during the Jewish calendar year: on the 1st of Nisan is the New Year for kings and feasts; on the 1st of Elul is the New Year for the tithe of cattle…on the 1st of Tishri is the New Year of Release and Jubilee years, for planting [of trees] and for vegetables; and the 1st of Shebat is the New Year for [fruit] trees…(Mishnan Ros Hasana i.1)

Psalms 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

Isaiah 66:23 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 the LORD.

Trumpets were used in the Bible as a call to worship and also as a call to battle.

All 7 Jewish Feasts foreshadowed a future event. Four of the seven: Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread, First fruits, and Pentecost have been fulfilled.

There is a 4-month gap between Pentecost and Rosh Hashanah (The Feast of Trumpets), which is symbolic of the Church Age, described in Revelation 2 & 3. Officially it lasted through the summer, the growing season.

John 4:34-38 – Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

We, the church (True believer’s in Jesus (both Jewish and Gentile)), are the workers in the field laboring for the Lord.

The next feast to be fulfilled is Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah, “the Feast of Trumpets”, looks forward to the “Rapture of the Church” (True Believers in Jesus).

The high priest blew the trumpet so that it could be heard in the surrounding fields. The workers would immediately stop harvesting and go to the temple to worship.
This feast will be fulfilled with the Rapture of the Church. That is why some believe the rapture will happen on this date. The trumpet is blown and the believers will be immediately transported to heaven to worship the Lord. It is significant that it is the seventh new moon of the year, seven is the number of completion, and this concludes the church age.

Matthew 24:31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect (Believers) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the “new moon”. This makes it difficult to know the exact moment the year commences. This foreshadows the rapture too.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as “Days of Awe”, a time when the Jewish people examine themselves and prepare for the Holiest day of the Year, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

For more on the Rapture.

Where are all the transitional fossils?

If evolution were true, there should be many transitional fossils, but I have yet to see one.

Why?  Because, evolution is not true.  Please watch the following video from the Institute for Creation Research.

“The Forbidden Chapter” in the Tanakh

Did you know there was a forbidden chapter in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible)?

This is an exciting discussion in Hebrew with English sub-titles.

Please watch. Pause it if you need to read it more slowly.  It is well worth your time.

Courtesy of Tree of Life

Are you transitioning?

Today we will hear from my Mom, who I am proud to say, is taking the courageous step to transition. :~)
—-

I’m transitioning! You see, I was born left-handed, but I have never felt quite “right” about it. I feel that a mistake was made somewhere and I should have been born right-handed. I am a right-handed person trapped in a left-handed person’s body! So after years of struggling with my identity, I have decided to take the necessary steps to become right-handed. First, I am going to tie my left-hand behind my back, forcing myself to eat, write, type, etc with my right hand only. Then I am going to have my left arm amputated so that I will completely be a right-handed person! It is so good to have the full support of my friends and family!

—-
Well there you have it! Does that sound crazy to you? It should! Of course my mom is not going to have her left arm amputated. She would have to be stark raving mad or completely taken over by demons to do such a thing!

However, it seems that we cannot look at the TV, Internet, listen to the radio, or read a newspaper or magazine without hearing that someone is transitioning. I don’t know what is more disturbing:

1) The fact that these people are planning to destroy their bodies which were created by God.

2) The fact that they have no friends or family members that love them enough to get them the help they need. But instead “support them”. I’m so glad I don’t have friends and family like that.

3) The fact that there are “medical professionals” out there that would violate the Hippocratic Oath to “not harm the patient”. Is it not harmful to cut of functioning body parts? I’m glad I don’t have a doctor like that

Remember this: You can take hormones, have parts cut off, have implants, etc, BUT in the end you CANNOT change your DNA. You sex will be forever what GOD assigned to you at conception.

Satan is a destroyer, he wants to destroy you.  He is the one who delights in your desire to mutilate your body.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

But Jesus has come to give us life, he has plans for your future.

John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The only kind of transitioning that will satisfy your soul is to turn from your sins and turn to God. Jesus referred to it as being “born again”.

John 3:3 I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

When one is spiritually “born again” he becomes a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Please read the following posts to learn more:

What does it mean to be Born Again?

How can I go to heaven?

Do your origins matter?

Yes they do!

Recently I had the privilege of meeting with Dr Jason Lisle from the Institute for Creation Research.  I wish all of you could meet him too.  It was a real blessing.  I am adding a link below to his lecture “Your Origins Matter”.  I am sure you will learn a lot from him.  I did.

What about the Easter Bunny, should he visit us?

The Easter bunny is a myth about a bunny that brings Easter eggs. I know that the Easter bunny is phony because: Bunnies don’t walk on two legs.  The Easter bunnies you see are people in costumes.

Where does the idea come from?

The idea of the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs comes from early pagan traditions. The word “Easter” comes from comes from the Saxon goddess of Eastre who was the goddess of the dawn and the spring. Pagans celebrate the spring equinox around the same time that Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They celebrate the arrival of spring and the awakening of life. Eastre’s sacred animal was the rabbit because of its rapid production and fertility. The pagans used brightly colored eggs, bunnies, and chicks in the festival of Eastre.

There is a legend that claims the goddess Eastre arrived late one spring and found a bird whose wings were frozen in the snow. She took pity on the bird because his wings were damaged and he could no longer fly. So she turned him into a snow rabbit that had the ability to lay multicolored eggs. But he was only able to lay these eggs on day a year, on the festival of Eastre.

Perhaps this is the missing link the evolutionists are looking for! Half bird – Half rabbit! 🙂

Mixing paganism with Christianity is never a good idea. We should not compromise with the devil.

In addition to that, too many people focus on the coming of the Easter Bunny and egg hunts rather than focusing on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps we should use the term “Resurrection Day” to refer the day Jesus came back to life and not Easter, since Easter is a pagan holiday.

To focus on the rabbit rather than the Redeemer is a slap in the face to the one who died for your sins.

It is like a person who is pulled from a burning building by a fireman, but he never thanks the fireman for saving his life. Instead he makes a fuss over the fireman’s dog, which never left the safety for the fire engine. Then every year on the anniversary of the event, he again recognizes the dog but never the fireman.

Do you think that Jesus is happy to be taking a back seat to a pagan rabbit?

What is a cult?

A Cult is a religious group that claims to be Christian but they deny the basic truths of the Bible.

They usually teach that Jesus was not God and / or that salvation is not by faith alone.
By denying that Jesus is not God, results in Jesus’ death not being a sufficient payment for our sins.

John 10:25-30 Jesus answered, “I did tell you. But you do not believe. The kinds of things I do in my Father’s name speak for me. But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one can steal them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than anyone. No one can steal them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Denial of salvation by faith alone results in salvation being achieved by our own works, something the Bible does not teach.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

There Is No Other Good News

Galatians 1:6-9 I am amazed. You are so quickly deserting the One who chose you because of the grace that Christ has provided. You are turning to a different “good news.” What you are accepting is really not the good news at all. It seems that some people have gotten you all mixed up. They are trying to twist the good news about Christ. But suppose even we should preach a different “good news.” Suppose even an angel from heaven should preach it. I’m talking about a different one than the good news we gave you. Let anyone who does that be judged by God forever. I have already said it. Now I will say it again. Anyone who preaches a “good news” that is different from the one you accepted should be judged by God forever.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the good news I preached to you. You received it and have put your faith in it. Because you believed the good news, you are saved. But you must hold firmly to the message I preached to you. If you don’t, you have believed it for nothing. What I received I passed on to you. And it is the most important of all. Here is what it is.

Christ died for our sins, just as Scripture said he would. He was buried. He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as Scripture said he would be.

Cults will also tell you that there are “problems” with the Bible. They will tell you that they have new knowledge revealed to them and you must read their books, listen to their teachers / prophets because they are the only ones that “have the truth”.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.

The Bible ends with this warning.

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Should We Believe in Santa?

Did you say no? If you did, you were correct! Here’s why:

1. Santa travels all over the world in one night delivering toys. This is an impossible task for a mere man.  Being able to do this makes him omnipresent! (All present)  One of the attributes of God.
2. Santa knows if you were good or bad from a far distance.  He is able to do that for all the children of the world.  That makes him omniscient! (All knowing) Another attribute of God.
3. Santa can lift all those toys into his sled that makes him omnipotent!
   (All powerful) Still another attribute of God.
4. He keeps track of who is good and bad and rewards the good.  This is also another task that belongs to God.
5. Santa has been around for centuries, that makes him eternal!

So we see that he has several characteristics that are normally reserved to describe God.

Satan is using Santa as a false god to get you to focus on him and forget about Jesus’ birthday!

To learn more about the true meaning of Christmas go to this link:  What is Christmas all about?

Did the Ancient Chinese worship the God of the Bible?

Yes!  I am Chinese and I am proud to say that my ancestors worshiped the God of the Bible!   The Creator and Ruler of the Universe!

The ancient Chinese worshiped the God of the Bible. The story of creation is embedded in the Chinese characters.

The following videos are fascinating lectures, taught by a Chinese man,   He does an awesome job in the first video explaining the Chinese characters and how they confirm the creation story.  The second video describes how the ancient Chinese worshiped the creator of the universe in a similar manner to the way the ancient Hebrews worshiped the creator of the universe.  They are long but are well worth your time to watch them.

Finding God in Ancient China Part 1

Finding God in Ancient China Part 2

 

What does it mean to be Born Again?

I received an email from a friend who had the following under his signature. “I thought about being born again, but my mother refused.” I know it was meant to be a joke, but I wondered if my friend really understood what it means to be born again as defined by Jesus in the Bible. You see, shortly before I read his email, we received a call telling us that a friend of the family had passed away. A young woman had a massive heart attack and died while her loved ones looked on and could do nothing to help. She had no idea she had a heart condition and bam here one minute and gone the next. But where did she go?  That is the haunting question. My husband has known her for years. He had talked to her several times about her need to be born again but she was not interested, she hardened her heart to the message and now it is too late for her. She does not have another chance. We don’t know, perhaps in her final moments of life she called out to God and repented of her sins, we can only hope.

So my friend before it is too late for you too, let me explain what it means to be born again.

In John Chapter 3 we read:

1 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was one of the Jewish rulers. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. We know that God is with you. If he weren’t, you couldn’t do the miraculous signs you are doing.”

3 Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom without being born again.”

4 “How can I be born when I am old?” Nicodemus asked. “I can’t go back inside my mother! I can’t be born a second time!”

See you are not the first one to question this!

5 Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born through water and the Holy Spirit. 6 People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again.’

Water birth is physical birth that we all go through. Spiritual birth is when you are born again, born in to God’s family.

John 3:16 “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.

17 “God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not judged. But anyone who does not believe is judged already. He has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

19 “Here is the judgment. Light (JESUS) has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light. They loved darkness because what they did was evil.

20 “Everyone who does evil things hates the light. They will not come into the light. They are afraid that what they do will be seen. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes into the light. He does this so that it will be easy to see that what he has done is with God’s help.”

You see we are all born sinners on our way to hell. But because God loved us so much he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect sinless life and die for our sins, and raise again conquering sin and death.

Romans 3:21-25 But now God has shown us how to become right with him. The Law and the Prophets give witness to this. It has nothing to do with obeying the law. 22 We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. That happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for anyone else. 23 Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. 24 The free gift of God’s grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. 25 God gave him as a sacrifice to pay for sins. So he forgives the sins of those who have faith in his blood.

The price for sin is death, this means eternal separation from God in Hell.

Romans 6:23 When you sin, the pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.

Jesus died for our sins because we are unable to save ourselves.

Romans 5:6-10 At just the right time Christ died for ungodly people. He died for us when we had no power of our own. 7 It is unusual for anyone to die for a godly person. Maybe someone would be willing to die for a good person. 8 But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 The blood of Christ has made us right with God. So we are even more sure that Jesus will save us from God’s anger. 10 Once we were God’s enemies. But we have been brought back to him because his Son has died for us. Now that God has brought us back, we are even more secure. We know that we will be saved because Christ lives.

We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9-13 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

So in summary, to be born again, and on your way to heaven, you just need to pray sincerely from your heart to God and:

Admit you are a sinner.

Understand that as a sinner, you deserve death.

Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from sin and death.

Repent by turning from your old life of sin to a new life in Christ.

Receive, through faith in Jesus Christ, his free gift of salvation.

Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

No need to go back into your mother’s womb. :~)

For more information see the following

Are you a good person?

How can I go to heaven?

Any questions feel free to write.

What about the High Priests clothing?

The High Priest had two different garments.

• The uniform, which he wore all year long, known as the “Golden Garment’s”. This consisted of 8 pieces: The ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, belt, crown, and pants.

• The clothing, which he wore on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). These 4 garments called the “white garments”. They consisted of tunic, pants, the turban, and belt. They were made from white flax. (Lev 16:4)

The garments were not sewn, like other clothes. Each item was woven, seamless, of one piece. The only exception to this is the sleeves of the robe, which were woven separately and sewn onto the robe afterwards.

Jesus also wore a seamless garment.

John 19:23-24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus took His garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also His coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which said, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

This was prophesied in:

Psalms 22:18 “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

This Psalm is very interesting; it paints a picture of Jesus’ death on the execution stake.

The “Golden Garments”

• The Pants

Exodus 28:42 “And you shall make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:”

The pants were for modesty. They went from the waist to the knees and tied with a lace. There were no openings in them other than the waist and the leg holes.

The priests from many pagan religions performed at the altars of false gods while they were naked. The priests of the true and living God were to be modest in their attire.

• The Tunic

Exodus 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

The tunic was one piece and extended from the neck to the feet. It was the closest piece of clothing to the skin after the pants. The tunic was made of woven linen. There were no seams. To put it on the priest pulled it over his head.

• The Robe

The Robe was worn over the tunic. It was also a woven seamless garment. It also slipped over the head. It was made of woven sky-blue wool. The Tunic was a handbreadth longer and could be seen below the robe at the bottom.

Exodus 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

The pomegranates on the hem were made of blue, red, purple wool.

This fruit is an emblem of fruitfulness. This fruit is quite filled with seeds so that it is able to reproduce itself in a multitude of new plants. It is also a type of sweetness and satisfaction. These are a fruit of the Spirit of God in life, bringing about these lovely results.

The golden bells represent the gracious and beautiful testimony of God’s people as they go about in the service of the King.

Exodus 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he does not die.

Because the High Priest ministered in the very presence of God, his very life would be taken from him if his relationship with the Lord was not right.

• The Ephod

The most important garment worn by the High Priest is the ephod. This garment represents part of that wardrobe described in Isaiah 61:10 as the “garments of salvation”.

Photo Courtesy of the Temple Institute

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decked himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

It was something like an apron covering both the chest and the back and was worn over the robe.

Two sardonyx stones, also known as “Remembrance Stones”, were fixed in settings of gold on the High Priest’s shoulders; one on each shoulder, the names of the tribes was written on them.

Exodus 28:9-10 And you shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel: Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.

The Sages say that as God looked down on the names of the children of Israel He was moved with compassion and would have mercy on them.

Exodus 28:12 And you shall put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

The ephod may represent that part of our relationship with Jesus through which we show forth the virtues of our Christ. It contained threads of gold, blue, purple, red, and white. These colors and materials represent the various and glorious characteristics of our Lord Jesus Christ, and are imparted and imputed to us when we are made children of God. They are the same colors that were in the door to the outer court, the door to the sanctuary, and the veil and represent Jesus as He is pictured in the four gospels. The gold implies his divinity.

Beneath the “Remembrance Stones” there were gold clips with gold chains to attach the breastplate to the Ephod.

The ephod with the stones and the breastplate attached refers to Jesus who carries us on His shoulders and on His breast. Jesus is pictured as the good shepherd who carries his lambs on his shoulders.

Luke 15:4-7 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he laid it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he called together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

• The Breast Plate

In Hebrew “choshen mishpat” meaning “breastplate of judgment” it was attached to the Ephod and was worn over the heart of the High Priest.

The high priest wore a breastplate in which were brilliant stones, each one bearing the name of one of the tribes of Israel. This also is a figure of the nearness to God and dearness of each believer wherein his own High Priest carries him on His breast close to His heart.

The stones are arranged on the breastplate from top to bottom right to left, in the order of birth. There were three stones on each row for a total of four rows. The following is a list of the name of the tribe (son) of Israel, the meaning of the name, the stone, and the color of the stone. (Note: It is difficult to translate some ancient words into modern ones. You are sure to see different lists of stones depending on which translation of the Bible you use. This list is from the Temple Institute.)

1. Ruben – means sonship – Ruby (Red)
2. Shimon – means scholarship – Jade (Green)
3. Levi – means lordship – Agate (Red, White, and Black Striped)
4. Judah – means worship – Carbuncle (Bluish-Green)
5. Issachar – means partnership – Lapis-Lazuli (Blue)
6. Zebulon – means comradeship – Quartz Crystal (Clear)
7. Dan – means judgeship – Turquoise (Blue)
8. Naphtali – means workmanship – Amethyst (Purple)
9. Gad – means companionship – Agate (Grey)
10. Asher – means fellowship – Aquamarine (Blue-Green)
11. Joseph – means leadership – Onyx (Black)
12. Benjamin – means heirship – Opal (A stone possessing all of the colors)

In John 10 we see Jesus as the shepherd who knows his sheep by name.

John 10:3 To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.

The names of the tribes on the breastplate also represent the names of true believers who are written on the heart of Jesus our High Priest. The names are engraved in stone they cannot be erased. Just as we cannot lose eternal life once we place our faith and trust in Him.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

• The Urim V’ Tummim

Exodus 28:30And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.

This item is a little bit mysterious; there is not a specific description in the scripture, they were probably stones. The High Priest used them in order to discern the will of God in important matters. They were kept in a pouch under the breastplate. The method of obtaining an answer may have been by casting lots. The stones may have been marked to indicate a yes or no answer. When the High Priest reached in and pulled out a stone He would have had his answer from God.

• The Belt

The belt of white linen was only 3 fingerbreadths wide but it was 32 cubits long!! It was wound around the priest several times and tied at the waist.

We are instructed to wear the “belt of truth”.

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,”

Jesus tells us in:

John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Although the belt was linen it was embroidered with a blue, red, and purple wool floral design. Normally a mixture of linen and wool was forbidden.

Leviticus 19:19 “…neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woolen come upon thee.”

However, it was allowed in the garments of the High Priest. This is not just seen in the belt, we see it in the woolen robe, which is worn over the linen pants and tunic.

Why is it allowed?

LINEN AND WOOL

Deuteronomy 22:11 “You shall not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woolen and linen together.”

Why did God command the children of Israel not to wear a garment of linen and wool?

The linen represents the good works of man, for men make linen.

The wool represents the divine work of God. (God’s Grace). Only God can make it.

So a garment combining linen and wool would represent human works mixed with God’s Grace.

By this figure God reveals to us His displeasure at man’s schemes and plans to make a different robe of righteousness from that which He ordained.

Man cannot cover himself with a religious garment, which is made partly of God’s provision in Jesus, and partly of his own provision in works. Atonement must be completely from God with no mixture of mans good works.

We are not saved by grace and kept by works. Nor are we partially saved by grace and partly by works.

This picture, the linen and wool together, tells us the God condemns the mixture of grace and works for our atonement.

God’s gospel of grace cannot be mixed with works.

 

Keep in mind that Jesus is our High Priest. When the High Priest wore wool over the linen, it symbolized God’s divine work of grace or mercy thru the perfect lamb sacrifice “Jesus” covering our sins and our righteousness once and for all.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Yesha’yahu is telling us that all of our Mitzvah (good deeds) are as Schmutzegeh Shmatas (filthy rags).

• The Turban

Ex 28:39 You shall skillfully weave the tunic of fine linen thread, you shall make the turban of fine linen, and you shall make the sash of woven work.

The turban was made of from a narrow strip of white linen, measuring 16 cubits long and was wound around the top of the priest’s head. White linen symbolizes our righteous deeds. With the head being wrapped it speaks of our thought life being in subjection to Him.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Jesus means “salvation” in Hebrew. When we accept Jesus as our Messiah (savior) our thoughts are to be in subjection to Him.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

• The Crown

The crown was attached to the Turban and was made of gold. Inscribed on the front was the phrase “Holy to the Lord”.

Truly Jesus, our High Priest, is “Holy to the Lord”.

 

What was the Role of the Temple Priests?

THE TABERNACLE PRIESTS

Initially God had called out the entire nation of Israel to be a nation of priests, which would be His representatives to the world. This was to be accomplished by sanctifying all firstborn males.

Exodus 13:11-13 “And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.

Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

It appears that prior to the golden calf episode Aaron and his sons were selected to minister in the temple as the priests. The firstborn males from the rest of the tribes were to minister to the priests.

Exodus 28:1 “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

The privilege of being a kingdom of priests rested upon their obedience to the covenant. In Exodus 32 we read how this covenant was broken when the nation worshipped the golden calf, thus abolishing their privileged position as a kingdom of priests. It was at this time that the Levites were chosen over the firstborn from the nation.

Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

The priests, Aaron’s sons, ministered to God and the rest of the Levites ministered to the priests.

Photo Courtesy of the Temple Institute

Tasks that were performed by the priests:

• Performing all offerings and sacrifices (Lev 1-7),
• Preserving the fire on the brazen altar (Lev 6:13)
• Keeping the menorah burning (Ex 27:20)
• Burning incense (Ex. 30:7-8)
• Providing showbread (Lev 24:8)
• Covering the furniture before the camp moved (Num 4:15)
• Diagnosing diseases of the nation (Lev 13-15)
• Administering the law of jealousy (Num 5:11-31)
• Administering the Nazarite vow (Num 6:13-21)
• Blowing of the trumpets (Num 10:1-10)
• Pronouncing blessing (Num 6:24-27)
• Teaching the Law (Lev10:11; Deut 24:8; 31:9-13 and 33:10)
• Compounding the holy anointing and sweet incense (Ex 30:22-28)
• Purifying ceremonially unclean (Lev 15:31)
• Preparing the water of separation (Num 19)
• Ascertaining the value of devoted things to be redeemed (Lev 27:8-12)
• Encouraging the army before battle (Deut 20:2-4)
• Inquiring of God for the nation (Ex 28:30)
• Working within the judicial system to ensure that justice would be according to God’s laws (Deut 17:8-13; 19:17; 21:1-9)

The task of taking down and setting up of the tabernacle was the work of the three sons of Levi: the Kohathites, the Gershonites and the Merarites. (Num 3 and 4)

THE CONSECRATION OF THE HIGH PRIEST

The first High Priest, Aaron, was presented to the congregation. He and his sons then washed at the laver. This washing speaks of the sinfulness of Aaron and his sons who could not truly represent the sinlessness of Jesus.

Exodus 29:4 “And Aaron and his sons you shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall wash them with water.

Jesus was also announced and washed.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

After Aaron put on the garments of the High Priest he was anointed with oil.

Exodus 29:7 And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.

The oil that was poured on Aaron’s head ran down on his beard and garments. This method of anointing was only used for the High Priest. The High Priest is referred to as the priest that is anointed. (Lev 4:5, 16, 6:22 and Num 35:25)

John 1:41 “The first thing he did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We’ve found the Messiah (Christ)!” (The word means “one who has been anointed.”)

Jesus is our anointed High Priest. (Hebrews will refer to this also.)

The oil represents the Holy Spirit being poured out upon Jesus our High Priest. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove.

Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Part of consecrating the High Priest was a burnt offering. Then the blood of the offering was applied to the High Priest and his sons.

Leviticus 8:23 And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.

The application of the blood to the ear signified that they were to hear and obey God’s laws; its application to the thumb signified the use of their hands for priestly work and the application to the toe signified they were to walk in His ways.

What was it like to be crucified?

Most of the pictures that we see of Jesus hanging on the cross do not show how absolutely awful crucifixion was.  Even the movie the “Passion of the Christ”, though bloody, was still not as awful as the real thing was.

The following video is not graphic.  It is a description of crucifixion from a medical doctor.  It is not long.  Take a few minutes to learn what Jesus did for you.

To learn more on how you can be saved from your sins and have eternal life please read:

How can I go to Heaven?

A Symbolic look at Pesach (Passover)

Many people read the Old Testament (Tanakh) and do not read the New Testament (B’rit Hadashah). Conversely, there are a large number of people who read the New Testament and neglect to read the Old Testament. In order to properly understand God’s Holy Scriptures we must read and study both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The story of the Pesach (Passover) is recorded in Exodus chapter twelve. Pesach lasts for eight days.

Each year, on the first full moon of spring, the Jewish people faithfully commemorate how God delivered their ancestors from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. The tenth plague to befall the Egyptians was the plague upon the first-born. The Israelites were instructed to slaughter an unblemished male lamb and apply the blood of the lamb to the two sides and top of the doorframe at the entrance of the house. In this way the angel of death would see the blood and pass over the house. The Pesach Seder is full of symbolism. It not only commemorates the Exodus story, it is a beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus sacrificial death.

Leviticus 23:5-8 In the fourteenth day of the first month at evening is the LORD’s pesach. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But you shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein.

To prepare for Pesach, the home is thoroughly cleaned and all leaven (yeast) is removed from the home.

The Bedikat Chametz (Search for Leaven) is conducted on the evening before Pesach, the leaven that is found is burned the following morning. This is known as Blur Chametz (Burning of the leaven) and must be done by 10AM the day before Pesach. Leaven represents sin in the Bible. Removing the yeast from the home symbolizes searching our hearts and separating ourselves from sin.

The day before the Pesach all first-born males are obligated to fast to commemorate the miracle of their salvation from the plague of death of the first-born.

The Pesach Seder (Order) begins when the mother lights the candles on the dinner table and says the blessing. This is symbolic of the woman, Miryam (Mary), bringing us the light of the world, Jesus.

John 8:12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The father leads the family in the Pesach Seder. One of the first things he does it to place three pieces of Matzah (unleavened bread) into the Matzah Tash (Matzah Pocket), this linen bag has three pockets one for each piece of Matzah. This represents the trinity. The first piece of matzah represents the Father, the second the Son, and the third Holy Spirit.

Kaddesh: Sanctification – First Cup of Wine

Blessing is said over the wine, half the cup is drunk.

Urechatz: Washing

Washing Hands

Karpas: Vegetable (See Seder plate below)

Parsley dipped in salt water and eaten.

Yachatz: Breaking

Second Matzah is broken. Half is placed rapped in white linen and hidden. The other half is placed back in the ‘Matzah Tash’. This represents the second person of the trinity, Jesus, dying for our sins. His body was wrapped in white linen and hidden away in the tomb for three days. Jesus confirmed this when he commemorated the Pesach Seder the night he was betrayed.

1 Corinthians11:23-24 That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread (matzah): And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

If you take a minute and look carefully at the Matzah, (You may want to hold it up to the lit candle) notice that it is pierced and also it has stripes running across its surface. This reminds us of

Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

Maddid: The Story

The youngest member of the family asks four questions. Why do we eat only matzoh on Pesach? Why do we eat bitter herbs, maror, at our Seder? Why do we dip our foods twice tonight and, why do we lean on a pillow tonight?

The Story of the Exodus is told.

Deliverance: Second Cup of Wine (aka. Cup of Deliverance or the cup of Plagues)

One drop of wine is dropped on the plate for each of the plagues of Egypt.
Half of the cup is drunk after a blessing is said.

Rachtzah: Washing

Second Hand Washing

Motzi: Blessing over Grain Products

A generic blessing is said for bread and other grain products
A piece of the first and third Matzah are eaten.

Matzah: Blessing over Matzah

A specific blessing is said for the Matzah.

Blessed O Lord our God King of the universe who brings forth bread from the earth.

The Matzah is symbolic of the manna the Israelites ate in the wilderness. It also symbolizes Jesus.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means House of Bread and He was buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Maror: Bitter Herbs (Usually Horseradish)

Blessing over the bitter herbs.

Korech: The Sandwich (See Seder plate below)

The Charoset is eaten on a small piece of Matzah from the third Matzah.

Shulchan Orech: Dinner

The evening meal is now eaten.

Tzafun: The Afikomen

The children are sent to find the Afikomen. This represents the resurrection of Jesus. Afikomen means “He came”. The child who finds it is promised a gift, but the gift is not given to them until the ‘Feast of Pentecost (50 days later). The promised gift symbolizes the comforter Holy Spirit who Jesus promised to send to them. This was fulfilled on the Feast of Pentecost.

Barech: Grace after meal

Redemption: Third Cup of Wine

Third cup of wine is poured, the blessing is said “Blessed O Lord our God, King of the Universe who bringeth forth the fruit of the vine.”
Half of the cup of wine is drunk.

Release: Fourth Cup of wine Known as the Cup of Release or the Cup of Praise.

Half of the cup of wine is drunk.

This cup symbolizes our release from the bondage of sin through the shed blood of Jesus. It is the cup of praise because we shall praise him eternally for what he has done for us.

A fifth cup of wine is poured for Elijah

In Jewish tradition this special cup is placed in the center of the table and not filled until the conclusion of the meal – anticipating, when the door is opened, the coming of Elijah to announce the coming of Messiah. By Jesus picking up Elijah’s cup, blessing it and giving it to his disciples, saying, “Drink ye all of it, for this is My blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins,” He affirmed his identity as the Messiah and at that moment established the Kingdom of God. As we partake of the cup we, too, bear testimony to precious faith in Him.

Hallel: Praises

Several psalms are sung. Jesus and his disciples sang at the end of their Pesach dinner.

Mark 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Nirtzah: Closing

The Seder plate contains five foods.

Photo Courtesy of Judaism.com

1. Charoset:

A mixture of apple, nuts, cinnamon and wine.

The Charoset symbolizes the mortar used by the Israelites when they were in slavery. Every child of Adam is born by nature into the bondage to self and sin from which he, too, must be redeemed. The sweetness symbolizes the blessed hope we have that someday we will to will cross over the Jordan to our heavenly home.

2. Karpas (Parsley dipped in salt water)

The parsley represents Israel in the spring of her nationhood going into the Red sea. It also symbolizes that just as greens come to life in the spring, there is everlasting hope of redemption. The saltwater stands for the tears shed by all, Jew and Gentile alike, when we’re in the lost state.”

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

When Jesus came that was the springtime of hope for the lost world. Dipping the parsley also symbolizes the immersion of the believer.

3. Roasted egg:

It symbolizes the grave. We are reminded that the Divine sentence has been placed on mankind in the decree,

Ezekiel 18:20 “…The soul that sinneth, it shall die…”

Unless God intervenes there is no hope for the human race. For the believer in Jesus that hope is resurrection and eternal life.

NOTE: THE EGG WAS NOT A PART OF THE ORIGINAL PASSOVER SEDER. It was incorporated in after the Israelites were taken into Babylonian captivity. They were evidently influenced to some extent by the Babylonian springtime renewal and regeneration (fertility) celebrations. Does this mean we should stop celebrating Passover? Does this mean we should remove the egg from our Passover Seder? Should we throw out our Seder Plates, which has a spot for the egg? Could it be that the egg, which once symbolized something PAGAN, taken on new meaning?

4. Z’roa:

The roasted Shank bone is found on the Pesach plate. It is symbolic of the offering of the lamb that was slain for the sins of Israel.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

Thus, the Shank bone of the lamb on every Jewish Passover table speaks symbolically of Jesus, crucified as our substitute.”)

1 Corinthians5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us:

5. Maror (Bitter herbs)

This symbolizes the bitterness of Israel’s slavery in Egypt. It also represents the sorrow and ruin experienced by mankind as he serves the evil one.)

There are four cups of wine at the dinner. The wine symbolizes the shed blood of the innocent lamb given in place of the first-born of Israel in Egypt. It also symbolizes the blood Jesus shed for our sins. He himself confirmed this in

Matthew 26:27-29 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

It is no coincidence that Jesus was crucified on Pesach. Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem where the shepherds raised the sacrificial lambs for use in God’s Holy Temple. He was the first-born son, he was perfect and sinless and was the only one who was able to keep the whole law.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

From the time of Adam and Eve’s first sin a blood sacrifice had to be made to atone for sin. We know this because God clothed them in animal skins. There had to be bloodshed in order to have animal skins.

No other sacrifice is acceptable to God. It must be a blood sacrifice.

Genesis 4:3-5 “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Leviticus 17:11. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Romans 5:8-12 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Ha Mashiah, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
O precious is the flow.
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What does the Ark of the Covenant represent?

Exodus 25:10-22 “Have them make a chest out of acacia wood. Make it three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide and high. Cover it inside and outside with pure gold. Put a strip of gold around it. “Make four gold rings for it. Join them to its four bottom corners. Put two rings on one side and two rings on the other. “Then make poles out of acacia wood. Cover them with gold. Put the poles through the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it. The poles must remain in the rings of the chest. Do not remove them. I will give you the tablets of the covenant. When I do, put them into the chest. “Make its cover out of pure gold. The cover is the place where sin will be paid for. Make it three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide. “Make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Put one cherub on each end of it. Make the cherubim as part of the cover itself. The cherubim must have their wings spread up over the cover. The cherubim must face each other and look toward the cover. “Place the cover on top of the chest. I will give you the tablets of the covenant. Put them into the chest. “The chest is the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept. I will meet with you above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark. There I will give you all of my commands for the people of Israel.

The only piece of furniture in the Most Holy (Holy of Holies) was the Ark of the Covenant.

The ark was a chest like structure that the mercy seat sat upon, the mercy seat being the cover. Together they are referred to as the “Ark of the Covenant”. The ark was made of acacia wood over laid with gold. It was three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide and two feet three inches high. It had a crown around the top to secure the mercy seat. The mercy seat was a solid gold lid on the top of the ark.

It had 2 golden cherubim one on each end. Their wings were stretched over the seat as they faced toward each other and down toward the mercy seat. They represented God’s glory.

The “mercy seat” literally means “place of Atonement”. It is so named because it was where God manifested Himself for the purpose of atonement.

Here is the lid (mercy seat) from my model.

The ark had 4 gold rings 2 on each side, probably near the base. They held the gold covered wooden poles used to carry the ark.

The ark contained 3 items:

1. The golden pot of manna – To remind Israel of God’s providence in the wilderness.
2. Aaron’s rod that budded – Memorial of God’s choice of the Aaronic priesthood and the nations rebellion at this choice. Only Aaron’s rod yielded almonds. Israel was to learn from this miracle that the family of Aaron was to be the fruit-bearing family in the service of God. The other families were to have no part in the priestly ministry. The high priest only is a type of Messiah, was to be known as the fruit bearing priest of God. All others would be intruders and thereby rejected.
3. The tables of the covenant – The stone tablets with the commandments on them. – Given by God for the nations well being.

The “Holy of Holies” was off limits to everyone. Entrance into it was allowed only once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and was restricted to the High Priest himself.

Here you can see my model with the roof off and the High Priest in the Holy of Holies before the Ark of the Covenant.

The other furnishings required the priests to perform daily or weekly functions associated with them. They symbolized the various ministries of Jesus.

Exodus 37:3-5 – And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

The ark is a type of Jesus Christ. As God’s perfect Son, and yet perfect man. The wood represents His humanity and the gold both inside and outside the ark represent His deity. In Him dwelt the law of God perfectly (stone tables), the priesthood of God fully (Aaron’s rod), and the bread of God abundantly (Manna). His is God’s “mercy seat” place of atonement; God meets the sinner in Jesus Christ. Jesus is called the “propitiation” in Romans 3:25 which is understood to be the same as the mercy seat. The expression “mercy seat” means “propitiatory” (atonement). We come to Jesus, both as our High Priest and also as our “mercy seat”, that we may confess our failures and receive again the cleansing of the precious blood. Mercy abounds there. Mercy meets the needs and requirements of justice.

The Ark had rings in the side, two to a side, to bear the ark. This symbolized Jesus’ hands and feet with the four holes that bore his body on the beam. The opening in the Ark represented the wound in His side. The Ark was also were judgment resided over Israel and the Priests had to make atonement for sin through the shedding of blood. In the same respect He is our judge and will judge all. The Ark’s presence did no only come to Israel but to other nations such as the Philistines. This symbolized our Lord not only coming to save the lost of the nation of Israel, but also to the lost of the Gentiles.

John 18:4-6 Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went out and asked them, “Who is it that you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, was standing there with them. When Jesus said, “I am he,” they moved back. Then they fell to the ground.

Here He declares He is the great “I am” and reminds us of the Philistines falling dead before the Ark. God, the Holy Spirit dwelt above the mercy seat.

The ark is discussed in greater detail in the study on the “Day of Atonement”.

What does the Altar of Incense represent?

Exodus 30:1-10 “Make an altar for burning incense. Make it out of acacia wood. It must be one foot six inches square and three feet high. Make a horn stick out from each of its upper four corners. Cover the top, sides and horns with pure gold. Put a strip of gold around it. “Make two gold rings for the altar below the strip. Put the rings across from each other. They will hold the poles that are used to carry it. Make the poles out of acacia wood. Cover them with gold. “Put the altar in front of the curtain that hangs in front of the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept. The ark will have a cover. It will be the place where sin is paid for. There I will meet with you. “Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on the altar. He must do it every morning when he takes care of the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at sunset. Incense must be burned regularly to me. Do it for all time to come. “Do not burn any other incense on the altar. Do not use the altar for burnt offerings or grain offerings. Do not pour drink offerings on it. “Once a year Aaron must put the blood of a sin offering on its horns to make it pure. He must do it on the day Israel’s sin is paid for. Do it for all time to come. The altar is a very holy place to me.”

The altar of incense, also known as, the golden altar was located on the west end of the holy place. It stood directly in front of the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies. It was made from acacia wood overlaid with gold. It was one foot six inches square and three feet high. It had gold rings on it to hold the gold covered wooden poles used to carry the altar. It had a gold crown around the top edge. It also had horns on each corner.

This is a picture of the new Altar of Incense that will be put in the new temple. Photo courtesy of the Temple Institute.

A golden censer sat on the altar. This was used to hold the incense, which was burned before the Lord. The priests burned incense here twice a day. This was done in the morning and evening at the same time the oil in the Menorah was replenished. The incense was to be constantly burning.

This is a picture of the actual censer that will be used in the new temple.  Photo courtesy of the Temple Institute.

Exodus 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.

This altar was for incense only, not burnt offerings.
The term “strange incense” refers to incense not made according to divine instruction.

In Leviticus we read how Aaron’s sons did not follow the Lord’s command and they were put to death.

Leviticus 10:1-2 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

This is the shovel that will be used to carry fire from the Brazen Alter to the Alter of Incense.   Photo courtesy of the Temple Institute.

Apparently the fire did not come from the brazen altar. It was important that only the fire from the brazen altar be used to prevent fire being taken from a pagan altar.

This altar represents the execution stake of Jesus where the beautiful perfect life of Jesus was offered up to God as a sweet perfume and fragrant incense. The life of Jesus, which was perfect, was offered to God instead of our lives which are so imperfect. It is typical also of the life of the believer from which there ascends to God a sweet odor of our lips in thanksgiving, worship and praise.

The strange incense is a figure of human activities and religious performances, which are offered to God for His acceptance in competition with and instead of the life of Jesus. It is human merit substituted for Christ’s merit.

Incense symbolizes prayer.

Psalms 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Jewish tradition teaches that the priests prayed at the incense altar. It seems that the people also gathered to pray at this time of day.
Zechariah was performing his duties at the altar of incense when the angel Gabriel visited him.

Luke 1:8-10 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

The brazen altar represented access to God through sacrifice and the incense altar represents access to God through prayer. This speaks of Jesus’ intercessory ministry.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

The incense was made from 11 different spices. Only 4 are listed in the Bible.

Exodus 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moshe, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

The ingredients of this power made a perfume that was not to be used by anyone else for any other purpose than in the tabernacle. It symbolized Jesus life, and could not be imitated by another.

The incense burned day and night telling us that we can always approach God in prayer. He does not have office hours. We will not get a recording, put on hold, or a busy signal.

 

What does the Table of Showbread represent?

Exodus 25:23-30 “Make a table out of acacia wood. Make it three feet long, one foot six inches wide and two feet three inches high. Cover it with pure gold. Put a strip of gold around it. Also make a rim around it that is three inches wide. Put a strip of gold around the rim. “Make four gold rings for the table. Join them to the four corners, where the four legs are. The rings must be close to the rim. They must hold the poles that will be used to carry the table. “Make the poles out of acacia wood. Cover them with gold. Use them to carry the table. “Make its plates and dishes out of pure gold. Also make its pitchers and bowls out of pure gold. Use the pitchers and bowls to pour out drink offerings. “Put the holy bread on the table. It must be near my holy throne on the ark of the covenant at all times.

Exodus 37:10-16 The workers made the table out of acacia wood. It was three feet long, one foot six inches wide and two feet three inches high. They covered it with pure gold. They put a strip of gold around it. They also made a rim three inches wide around it. They put a strip of gold around the rim. They made four gold rings for the table. They joined them to the four corners, where the four legs were. The rings were close to the rim. They held the poles that were used to carry the table. The workers made the poles out of acacia wood. They covered them with gold. They made plates, dishes and bowls out of pure gold for the table. They also made pure gold pitchers to pour out drink offerings.

Photo of the new table of Showbread for the future temple.  Courtesy of the Temple Institute.

This table stood on the north side of the holy place. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold and was 3 feet long one foot six inches wide, and two feet three inches tall. On each corner were gold rings for carrying the table. On its top were 2 crowns (boarders) one on the outside edge of the table and one a hand’s breath in, to hold the bread into position.

The wood symbolizes Jesus being born of a woman, his humanity. It was overlaid with gold, which symbolizes His being conceived by Holy Spirit and thus His divine nature. The crown around the rim tells us He was crowned with glory and honor.

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

There were 2 stacks of bread. Each stack contained 6 loafs of bread, one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Each loaf was made from 2 omers of wheat flour, which had been passed through 11 sieves. The cakes were anointed in the middle with oil, in the form of a cross. :~) Jewish tradition tells us that they were each 5 handbreadths broad and 10 handbreadths long, but turned up at the end, they were 2 handbreadths on each side, to resemble the Ark of the Covenant.

Between the rows, two bowls with pure incense were placed. This symbolized that the life, which is in His presence, is one of praise.

The name “showbread” is not a good translation. It was called the “Bread of His Presence”. It should be noted that the bread was NOT placed in the temple to feed Israel’s God, as various pagan religions do in their shrines and temples. It was to acknowledge that the 12 tribes were sustained under the watchful eye and care of their Lord. The loaves were all the same size, revealing that God makes just as much provision for the small tribes as for the large tribes. God does not give by measure according to the riches of His grace.

There were several golden utensils kept at the table of showbread. They included dishes, spoons, bowls, and covers.

Each Sabbath the bread was replaced and the priests ate the old bread. The flour is a type of the beautiful white, smooth life of Jesus in which there was no sin, or evil. His life was pure grace, pure love, pure holiness and pure beauty. The bread symbolizes Jesus Christ. He is the bread, which came down from heaven.

John 6:32-35 Jesus said to them, “What I’m about to tell you is true. It is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven. It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven. He gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us this bread from now on.” Then Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever go hungry. And no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.

John 6:48-51 I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

Just as bread provides for our physical needs Jesus’ atoning death provides for our spiritual needs. The priests, by eating the showbread every Sabbath, typified Jesus’ provision of our spiritual needs. This same principal (a priest representing Christ) is seen in the animal sacrifices, after which a priest ate a portion of an offering he ministered, so that together both he and the offering could fully typify Christ as both priest and sacrifice.

The above picture shows my model without the roof.  It is focused on the Holy Place.  You can see the Menorah at the top left of the room, below it is the Table of Showbread.  To the right is the Altar of Incense.  To the far right you can see the curtain that divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.  You can even get a glimpse of the Ark of the Covenant.

What about the new Noah movie?

Hi,

I am not going to waste my money on the new Hollywood movie “Noah”.  We have read the reviews and it is NOT even close to the Biblical account of the Noah and the Ark.

Ken Ham and his staff have done an excellent review of the movie.  I encourage you to watch his review.

Here it is.

Who does the Menorah represent?

The Gold Menorah (Lampstand)

Exodus 25:31-40 “Make a lampstand out of pure gold. Hammer out its base and stem. Its buds, blooms and cups must branch out from it.  “Six branches must come out from the sides of the lampstand. Make three on one side and three on the other.  On one branch make three cups that are shaped like almond flowers with buds and blooms. Then put three on the next branch. Do the same with all six branches that come out from the lampstand.  “On the lampstand there must be four cups that are shaped like almond flowers with buds and blooms.  One bud must be under the first pair of branches that come out from the lampstand. Put a second bud under the second pair. And put a third bud under the third pair. Make a total of six branches.  The buds and branches must come out from the lampstand. “The whole lampstand must be one piece that is hammered out of pure gold.  “Then make its seven lamps. Set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it.  The trays and wick cutters must be made out of pure gold.  Use 75 pounds of pure gold to make the lampstand and everything that is used with it. “Be sure to make everything just like the pattern I showed you on the mountain.

The Menorah was made from a single block of gold. First the main center branch, which represents Jesus, was formed. Then the other six branches were beaten out from the center one. This symbolizes the fact that we are members of His body.

The height of the menorah is about 5 feet tall. We saw the menorah at the Temple institute in Jerusalem. It was thrilling!

The center lamp represents Jesus.

There are a total of 7 lamps. Seven is the number of completion. The 7 branches of the lampstand represent the sevenfold Spirit of God.

Exodus 27:20-21 “Command the people of Israel to bring you clear oil that is made from pressed olives. Use it to keep the lamps burning and giving light.  “Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Tent of Meeting. The lamps will be outside the curtain that is in front of the tablets of the covenant. The lamps must be kept burning in my sight from evening until morning. That is a law for the people of Israel that will last for all time to come.

Only pure olive oil was used in the menorah. Olive oil is a type of Holy Spirit.

The cups to hold oil look like Almond blossoms. The almonds in the golden menorah in the tabernacle are a type of the fruitfulness which will characterize that one who sheds abroad the light of life in his life. Each one who dwells in the holy place holds forth the Word of Life, and brings light to those who sit in darkness. They symbolize the fruit-bearing believer. It is possible that the cups were holders for little oil lamps. The cups represent the great provision of the Spirit. The flowers on the menorah represent the beauty of the Spirit.

The utensils for the menorah were are also to be made of gold.

1. Tongs to clean and trim the wicks.
2. Snuffdishes also translated censers. Censers were probably used to hold coals from the brazen altar.
3. Oil vessels were used as containers for the pure olive oil.

So we see the Holy Spirit illuminating all the things of God. The gold represents divinity. The purity of the gold represents the purity of the Spirit and His Word.

The sages refer to Jerusalem as “the light of the world” (B’reishith Rabbah 59). But Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world.

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will never walk in darkness. They will have the light that leads to life.”

1 John 1:5-7 Here is the message we have heard from him and announce to you. God is light. There is no darkness in him at all. Suppose we say that we share life with God but still walk in the darkness. Then we are lying. We are not living by the truth.  But suppose we walk in the light, just as he is in the light. Then we share life with one another. And the blood of Jesus, his Son, makes us pure from all sin.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 He makes both us and you stand firm because we belong to Christ. He anointed us.  He put his Spirit in our hearts and marked us as his own. We can now be sure that he will give us everything he promised us.

The lamps of the menorah were to be kept burning continually. First the center lamp was lit representing Jesus. Then the other lamps were lit from this one. This symbolizes our light coming from Jesus. We would still be in darkness without Him.

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can’t be hidden.  Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house.  “In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven.