In all of my studies on prophecy and world religions,
nothing compares to the knowledge that
GOD IS LOVE.
Shir'le
A Lampholder
"And thou shalt make a candlestick [lampstand] of pure gold...
And six branches shall come out of the sides of it...
And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof,
that they may give light over against it....
Exodus 25:31-40
Leonardo da Vinci (Italian, 1452-1519). Last Supper (1495-98).
Tempera and mixed media on plaster. 460 x 880 cm. Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan.
The Apostles depicted in the Last Supper appear to be positioned in threes, six on either side of Jesus. Jesus would numerically be depicted as the Center, or the symbolic, sacred number "7." The Apostles are seated left to right as follows: Bartholomew, James Minor (or The Lesser) and Andrew form the first group of three. All of them are astounded by Jesus' ouncement of betrayal, and Andrew holds his hands up in efforts to say "stop" with this betrayal of trust. Judas, Peter and John form the next group of three. Judas's face is shadowed and surprised by the sudden revelation. He appears to be clutching a small, money bag. The price of betrayal. John, the younger, swoons in the opposite direction, away from Jesus, in a physical act of denial. Peter is obviously quite upset and appears to touch John's shoulder, pulling him closer to whisper in his ear. Who will sit at the right hand of Jesus (written in John 20:21-23)? The place of honor in the space left open between Jesus and John, the younger. It was John who was referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," and who "also leaned on his [Jesus] breast at supper" (John 21:20-21). It was Peter who at one time inquired of Jesus, "Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?" Judas curiously turns toward Peter and John to share in their secret; behind Judas' back, a mysterious hand clutching a dagger. Thomas, James Major (The Greater) and Philip are the next three Apostles. Thomas is angry, his index finger pointed upward, James Major appears quite shocked, and Philip appears confused and wants further explanation. Matthew, Jude Thaddeus and Simon The Zealot are among the last of the three Apostles. Matthew and Thaddeus are turned facing toward Simon, with a confused expression and hand/arm gestures which reveal efforts to seek further answers.
Virtual Tour of The Last Supper by Leonard Da Vinci
A 15th Century prophecy fulfilled today
The lampstand was fashioned out of pure gold, and consisted of three branches ending in flower-shaped
lampholders on each side of the main stem which also supported a lampholder.
Further study recommendations:
Gnosticism
goddess worship
Sophia
The Gnostic View of The Burial of Jesus Tomb
Picture of Talpiot Tomb reveals a chevron, an inverted "V," the eye of Horus.
Invert the picture of the Talpiot Tomb and it becomes the "V" shape opening between Jesus and John, the younger,
in Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper; and
the gnostic connection for the feminine divine revealed in the Da Vinci Code.
During the first 500 years of Christianity, every form of doctrine, philosophy, error, and untruth attempted to infiltrate true Christian doctrine. Many Christian "apologists" during this time wrote extensively on the "blasphemous, heretical" doctrines that soon came to be associated with Christianity.
Paul warned the church elders of Ephesus while in Miletus about what would happen after he departed for Jerusalem, "...shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:28-30). Immediately, this became evident, i.e., Hymenaeus, Alexander, the coppersmith, and Philetus (I Tim. 1:20; II Tim. 2:17; 4:14-15) who began infiltrating strange doctrine into the church in an attempt to gain selfish power, and also one of the earliest known heretical teachings against the church known as Marcion's Docetism, whose members denied the physical resurrection of Jesus' body. Others, including Cerinthus, the Alexandrian Jew, "the foe of truth" (Acts 11:2; 15:1, 24; Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 22:13; I John 4:2-3), denied the divinity of Jesus Christ; and included the teachings of the Ophites, Basilides, Valentinians among them.
Paul addressed one of these doctrines, known as Gnosticism, in 1 Timothy 1:4 and again, in 1 Timothy 6:20, "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith....;" and 1 Timothy 4:1-2, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron...O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called." [Countdown to Eternity, Lampholder Publications, 1997)
Discovery Chel The Lost Tomb of Jesus
James Ossuary Opens a Pandora's Box of Suspected Fakes
Well-Known Israeli Archeologist Casts More Doubt on Authenticity of James Ossuary
No Support Exists for Ascribing the Ossuary to Mary Magdalene
Next - The Eye-Opening Truth!
...to be continued
A Lampholder Publications' Opinion Journal
Herodotus refers to the Magi as of the Median race who were actually priests of the Persians and later became known as priests of Zoroaster (the Zoroastrians). They were especially skilled in dream interpretation and the pseudo-art of astrology. The word Magi took several paths in history and eventually came to be linked with various forms of divination and sorcery, as seen in the New Testament scriptures in Acts 8:9; 13:8. So throughout history, "wise men" appear to have a dual meaning one associated with magic/divination/sorcery/astrology, and the other, as in the case of Matthew 2:-12, the Magi who were also known as "wise men."
The magi
were especially skilled in the study of the heavens and were known as
"aster" (star) "onomers" (watchers) -- or "star watchers"
(Hebrew cocavím).
They studied the Sun, Moon, and the movements of the stars as they traveled
the night sky. They observed the mysterious workings of Solar and Lunar
eclipses, the paths of comets, and associated these phenomenon with the major
events that appeared to coincide with changes in the heavens. Many times
these events were calculated far into the future. They acquired great skill in the natural
sciences, medicine, and knowledge of the study of time. Daniel (and
therefore much of the Book of Daniel) was about Daniel's position held in the
office of chief Rab-mag (Isa. 9, 11; Dan 1:19-20; 2:12-13, 47; 4:7-9; 5:11-12;
9).
The Magi passed down their traditions and so successive generations were familiar with the writings of Daniel (the symbolism of the 70 weeks in Daniel 9), the study of time-patterns, etc., and from this knowledge, predetermined the time period in which a redeemer or savior would be born on Earth. This was no ordinary event, for the Magi had waited many years for the prophecy of Daniel to culminate. This is indicated in Matthew 2:2, when the Magi said, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" [his star - see also Num 24:17).
They knew, and expected, a great event to precede the sighting of this "star." An ancient prophecy revealed that a redeemer would come to Earth at a predetermined time, and in the Book of Numbers it attests to this when it reads, "...a star shall come forth from Jacob" [24:17]; and in Matthew 2:10, the Holy Scriptures read, "When they [the Magi] saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."
The indication of the star has broader understanding in relationship to the Magi's study of time in relationship to prophecy. This becomes very clear when studying the entire passage -- (1) The Magi traveled to Jerusalem rather than to Bethlehem. Bethlehem is where Jesus Christ was born, but Jerusalem holds the prophecy of His coming. (2) Jesus was no longer a babe in a manger when the Magi inquired of Him to Herod. This is the reason Herod asked, "...what TIME the star appeared." Herod also referred to Jesus as "the young child" rather than as a "baby." (3) Herod ordered all children in Bethlehem ages 2 and under to be killed "...according to the TIME which he had diligently enquired of the wise men" (Matt 2:16).
The Holy Scriptures do not reveal "how
many wise men" came forth, nor does Scripture reveal their qualification as
"kings." The Holy Scriptures simply state they were known as "wise men," and
they could be none other than the ancient
Magi. Eventually, the three kings' story
became associated with three kings named Gaspar, Melchior, and Belthazar who
followed a star from the East and offered three different gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
Gold is the symbolic element for royal blood (kingship); Frankincense was
burned in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, associated with the priesthood,
and used as a special offering - a fragrance entering into the presence of GOD
within the Holy of Holies; and in the Old Testament, Myrrh represented
sacrifice through death (The spilling of blood through the embalming
process).
In a Biblical context, "east" is always in relationship to (1) Jerusalem and (2) Israel. Therefore, the Magi' origin(s) were to be found in the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia, the location of ancient Babylon (Iraq), and probably included parts of Assyria. Both the Babylonians and the Assyrians were known for their study of the heavens and also for their worship of host of heaven (divination and/or early astrology).
THE BIRTH OF MESSIAH
Throughout history, theologians, scholars, and astronomers still struggle over the issue of the date and year for the Birth of the Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus Christ. Calendar revisions have caused dates, times, and seasons to be changed. It was the early scholar, Dionysius Exiguus (A.D. 525) who made the error for the interpretation of Jesus' birth. He set the date at A.D. 1, and coordinated Jesus' birth with the Feast of Saturnalia (a seven-day "holy or holi' -day feast ending with sun day) of that corresponding year. The feast was symbolized in color as "gold," and decorated in golden ornaments.
Thus, the Roman Church solved two problems of worship by combining them into one day: a celebration of the "sun" (Feast of Sol Invicta, the Unconquered Sun), and feast day for the birth of Jesus Christ, the "son;" and so today we celebrate December 25th as Christmas Day. This calendar change also combined the story of the shepherds abiding in their fields with the star from the East -- but it must be remembered that shepherds were not abiding in the fields during December. The sheep would have been been rounded up in October and November to be housed for the winter months, and the subsequent lambs are born beginning December through Spring of the following year.
Unfortunately, when Exiguus combined the days, he omitted the year "zero," between B.C.E. 1 and 1 A.D — so the calendar jumped from B.C.E. 1 to A.D. 1, thereby missing 1 year, the year "zero."
Dionysius' calculation error wouldn't be evident until almost 2,000 years later. The reason - One year after Dionysius' date actually made A.D. 2 and each year thereafter was subsequently off by one year calculation. As a result, the end of the Millennium occurred on Jan 1, 2000, and the beginning of the next, New Millennium, on Jan 1, 2001.
Most people are aware that December 25th is not the actual birth date for Yeshua Messiah, Jesus Christ. Rather, December 25th corresponds to the ancient Roman celebration of the Feast of Saturnalia, and the birth of the sun-god deity.
It is a day of remembrance when old things return to new, when age-old promises of peace will again rule the Earth, and all of this brought about by the renewal of the solar deity. The "sun's" birthday corresponds to the Winter Solstice marking the start of Winter occurring around December 21st.
Another reason to associate Jesus’ birth in alignment with the Feast of Saturnalia was to divert attention away from the ancient festivals of Mithraism, which happened to be near December 25, Christmas (natalis invicti [solis]), and one of the greatest competitors to Christianity at that time. The similarities to Christian worship caused great confusion among early Believers, and also paved the way for many erroneous doctrines to begin infiltrating into the Church.
The Feast of Saturnalia came to be associated with "birth days," and birth days were fixed according to the placement of the stars/constellations. This can be evidenced, in part, as far back as the Book of Job (1:4), "And his sons went and feasted in their houses, 'EVERY ONE HIS DAY;' and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them." This is actually an early example of the celebration of the "birthday party."
In Rome, it was a joyous time with giving of gifts and great celebration to welcome in the birth of the sun-god - Saturn(alia). It is also an example of where the ancient custom of astrology "signs" developed; i.e., January, Capricorn, February, Aquarius, etc. Today, without realizing it, the practice of celebrating "birth date parties" originates with the ancient custom of astrology.
And so the calendar had been corrupted, and historical dates manipulated, in order to achieve harmony between religious faith and pagan worship. The pagan Feast of Saturn(alia), the Winter Solstice, and the Egyptian god, Horus', birthday were combined with the Christian worship of Yeshua Messiah's birth, and the Church declared Christmas to be celebrated on December 25th of the Gregorian calendar.
SO WHEN WAS JESUS CHRIST BORN?
The Messiah, Jesus Christ birth would most likely fall between B.C.E. 2 but closer to B.C.E. 7....but, undoubtedly no one has the definitive date because of the problems with the calendar prior to A.D. 500 which weren't resolved until much later when "...in 1582, the Gregorian calendar was formally adopted by Rome" (Wisemen, 1849) (Pope Gregory XIII).
The only basis for determining Christ's birth is Scripture. According to the Bible (Matthew 2:1), and the historical evidence written by Josephus, Herod the Great was living during the time of Jesus' birth. ...Jesus birth coincided with the reign of Herod, and Herod died during a lunar eclipse in March B.C.E. 4 (or A.U.C. 750; A.U.C. being o Urbis Conditae, in the year of the Foundation of the City--Matthew 2:1)...Herod's son ruled from B.C.E. 4 to A.D. 39.... (see Matt 2:19-22....
Herod was alive when the Magi went to inquire of the Child, Jesus was already born, but Herod had died when the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 2:19). When Herod was unable to determine the location of the Child, he ordered the slaughter of all the male babies under age 2 in the city of Bethlehem, and this is consistent with Scripture. This could not have occurred any later than 2 years after Jesus' birth. For this reason, this incident occurred near the end of Herod's lifetime, and places the date closer to B.C.E. 7 or 6. The birth of Yeshua Messiah more likely occurred in the Spring or early Fall, but definitely not on December 25th.
An interesting aspect of Yeshua Messiah's birth is
indicated in the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
One of the customs during Sukkot (season
of joy and the festival of lights) is to build a temporary, outside shelter
to live in during the festival. This temporary shelter is called a "booth"
(or sukkah). The sukkah has an opening in the roof to observe the stars in
the heavens above. Some historical and Biblical evidence suggests that Jesus
Christ was born at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. --
The Birth of
Yeshua During Sukkot
.
..and so it is with this thought in mind, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!!!!!Shir'le'ley Miller
The Birth of Yeshua During Sukkot
Sukkot-Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah
Rabbi Moshe Yoseph Koniuchowsky
The Scriptures seem to indicate to us that Yahshua was born during the festival season of Sukkot (Tabernacles). In fact, I believe that He was born on the Feast of Sukkot (which is 15th day of seventh month on the biblical calendar, and is analogous to our September/October). With this in mind, let's look for some evidence of this in the scriptures.
Other Evidences of
Yahshua's Birth During Sukkot
As we have stated earlier in this chapter, the Feast of
Sukkot (Tabernacles) is called "the season of our joy" and "the
feast of the nations." With this in mind, in Luke 2:10 it is
written, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings [basar in Hebrew; otherwise known as the
gospel] of great joy [Sukkot is called the 'season of our joy'],
which shall be to all people [Sukkot is called 'the feast of the
nations']." So, we can see from this that the terminology the
angel used to ounce the birth of Yahshua were themes and
messages associated with the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles).
In Luke 2:12, the babe (Yahshua) was wrapped in
swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. The swaddling cloths were
also used as wicks to light the 16 vats of oil within the court of
the women during the festival of Sukkot. So, swaddling cloths are
associated with the festival of Sukkot.
Notice also in Luke 2:12 that the baby Yahshua was laid
in a manger. The word manger is the Greek word phatn'e. It is the
same word translated as "stall" in Luke 13:15. By seeing how the
word is used in Luke 13:15, we can see that the Greek word phatn'e
means a place for hitching cattle. The Hebrew word for stall is
marbek, which can be found in Amos 6:4 and Malachi 4:2. In Genesis
(Bereishit) 33:17 it is written that Jacob (Ya'akov) journeyed to
Sukkoth and made booths (the word booth in this passage is the
Hebrew word sukkah; the plural is sukkot) for his cattle. So we
can see from these passages how the word booth (sukkah or sukkot)
was used by Jacob (Ya'akov) for his cattle in Genesis 33:17, and
how the Greek word for manger or "stall," phatn'e, was also used
to refer to hitching cattle in Luke 13:15. Phatn'e is the same
word translated as "manger" in Luke 2:12, where Yahshua was laid
at the time of His birth.
During the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles), Yahweh
required that all male Yisraelites come to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
(Deuteronomy [Devarim] 16:16). For this reason, the city would be
overcrowded with people and would explain why Mary (Miryam) and
Joseph (Yosef) could not find lodging in and around Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
(Luke 2:7). Bethlehem, the place where Yahshua was born, is only
about four miles from Jerusalem.
The last evidence we will give for the birth of Yahshua
during this time of year, i.e., Sukkot, according to the
Scriptures is in Matthew (Mattityahu) 2:1. There we see that "wise
men" come from the East to visit Yahshua. The land of the East is
Babylon, where the largest Jewish population was at the time of
the birth of Yeshua. Remember that the book of Ezra states that
only around 44,000 from the tribes of the southern kingdom
returned from babylon after the babylonian exile. Not all of
Yehudah retuned, to this day when somee are still returning! So at
tyhe time of yahshua, these Yehudim (Jews) on Babylon were
descendants from the captivity when King Nebuchadnezzar defeated
Judea (the only remnant of Yisarel extant at the time for the
northern kingdom i.e., non-Jewish Efrayim Israel had long been
scattered) and Nebuchadnezzar took these Israelite Jews to Babylon
to serve him. Babylon is referred to as the land of the East in
Genesis (Bereishit) 29:1 and Judges (Shoftim) 6:3. Following this
scriptural evidence, it is thus highly probable that these "wise
men" described in Matthew (Mattityahu) 2:1 were rabbis. The
rabbis, also called sages, are known in Hebrew as chakamim, which
means wise men. The word in Matthew (Mattityahu) 2:1 in Greek is
magos, which is translated into English as "Magi." Magos in Greek
is the Hebrew word ravmag. Ravmag comes from the Hebrew word rav,
which means "rabbi." It should also be noted that the Greek word
magos can also mean scientist, counselor, scholar, or teacher. The
rabbis were scholars or teachers of the Jewish law. Yeshua was
referred to as "Rabbi," or "Teacher" in John (Yochanan)
1:38,47,49; 3:2. So, we can see that the wise men were Jewish
rabbis coming from Babylon to witness the birth of Yahshua.
A question we can ask ourselves is, "What made the
rabbis make the journey from Babylon to Bethlehem to witness the
birth of Yahshua?" The answer is given in Matthew (Mattityahu)
2:2, as it is written, "...we have seen His star in the east...."
One of the requirements during the time of Sukkot was
to build an outside temporary shelter and live in it during this
festival season. This shelter is called a booth, or sukkah. The
sukkah had to be built with an opening in the roof so the people
could see the stars in heaven. This is another reason for why the
rabbis would be looking for, and thus seeing, the star in the sky
when it appeared. In addition, there was a prophecy in Numbers (Bamidbar),
as it is written, "...a star shall come forth from Jacob..."
(Numbers [Bamidbar] 24:17 NAS). King Herod inquired about where
the Messiah would be born in Matthew (Mattityahu) 2:4. He was told
in Bethlehem (Matthew [Mattityahu] 2:5-6), based upon the prophecy
in Micah 5:2. In Matthew 2:10 it is written, "When they saw the
star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Once again,
remember that Sukkot is called "the season of our joy." In Matthew
2:2, the rabbis (wise men) saw the star from the East. Salvation
was seen by the Jewish Israelite people as coming from the East.
Yahshua descended from the tribe of Yehudah/Judah (Revelation
5:5). The tribe of Judah was positioned on the east side of the
tabernacle of Moses (Moshe) in the wilderness. Finally, in Luke
2:32, Yeshua is called "a light to the Gentiles." Once again,
Sukkot is called "the festival of lights" and "the festival of all
nations." Note the connection between this and YehsYahu/Isaiah
49:5-6 where Yahshua is given principally to restore the brolken
taberncacle (sukkah/booth) of King Dawid that had fallen
(including scattered Efrayimites of the northern kingdom of
Yisrael long gone and thought to be "lost" from their brother
Judah in the southern kingdom) AND, to be a light to the true
goyim i.e., nations/gentiles.
Therefore, by studying and understanding the festival
of Sukkot and the themes and messages that YHWH desired to be
conveyed during this festival, enables us to read the Bible in a
new light; it enables us to understand that Yeshua was born during
the season of Sukkot and that He is the Star we are all called to
see with our (spiritual) eyes!
Spiritual Significance of the Feast of Sukkot
One of the most outstanding truths of the Feast of
Sukkot (Tabernacles) involves the seasonal rains in Israel. The
prophet Joel (Yoel) tells us that the former and latter rain would
come in the first month (Joel [Yoel] 2:23). This is because
Passover (Pesach) is the first month in the religious or sacred
calendar, and Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the first month in the civil
calendar. So Israel has two first months in the same year because
of the special calendar that YHWH set up in Exodus (Shemot) 12:2.
Hosea (Hoshea) 6:3 tells us that the coming of the
Messiah will be as the former and latter rain on the earth. We
just saw in the previous section that Yahshua came to earth (was
born) during the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles), the first month
of the civil calendar, and died at His first coming during the
first month (Avib/Nisan) on the sacred calendar. His second coming
will also be in the first month of the civil calendar, Tishrei.
Yahshua will return to earth during the fall of the year.
Yahweh promised Israel that upon their obedience to the
covenant He made with them at Mount Sinai (Exodus [Shemot] 34:10;
Deuteronomy [Devarim] 5:2; 29:12-15), that He would give them the
rains in their due season (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 11:10-17). No
rain was a sign of judgment and the curse of YHWH on the land as
well as on the people (l Kings [Melachim] 8:33-43; 17:1-7;
18:41-46; Proverbs [Mishlai] 16:15; Amos 4:6-13; Joel [Yoel]
1:10-12). Today, the land of Israel is becoming green once again
(Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 35:1; Ezekiel [Yechezekel] 36:24-38; Joel [Yoel]
2:18-27).
The rain is a type of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh)
being poured out upon all flesh (Acts 2:1-8,14-21; Joel [Yoel]
2:23,28-29). The Word of Yahweh (which foundationally and
scripturally speaking was always first and foremost known to be
Yahweh's Torah/Instructions/Law) is likened to the rain
(Deuteronomy [Devarim] 32:1-3; Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 55:8-12;
Ephesians 5:26). The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) is also likened
to the rain (Joel [Yoel] 2:21-32; Acts 2:1-8,14-21; James 5:7;
John 7:37-39). Rain is associated with righteousness in Hosea (Hoshea)
10:12. Yahweh has made His righteousness available for all who
believe on the Messiah (Romans 3:21-22; 5:17).
Yahshua is the rain that came down from Heaven as well
as the living water and the fountain of living water spoken of in
John (Yochanan) 4:4-6,10-14,20-24; and Revelation 21:6 and
22:1-5,17. Yahshua desires that we drink of the water He gives,
which results in everlasting life (John 4:14) that we might be
filled (Matthew 5:6).
Rain also speaks of revival, restoration, and returning
to Yahweh (Teshuvah) and trusting/faithfulness (emunah) in Him.
Just as the rain came after Elijah prayed seven times for it (1
Kings [Melachim] 18:41-46), the great rain or outpouring of
Yahweh's Holy Spirit will come when the believers in the Messiah
will earnestly pray to Yahweh that it be done. Yahweh has already
declared that He would pour out His Holy Spirit during the seventh
month, (which we are in at this moment!) which is a spiritual
picture of the end of the age (Olam Hazeh). So far, we have for
the most part seen only showers of blessing (Ezekiel [Yechezekel]
34:26). The greatest outpouring of Yahweh's Spirit is yet to come.
The feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) and the rain speaks of a mighty
outpouring of the Holy Spirit of Yahweh, a universal outpouring of
His Spirit. This outpouring will be accompanied by signs and
wonders and manifestations of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ruach
HaKodesh) as well as a revelation and illumination of the Word of
Yahweh beyond all that has ever been seen in the history of the
congregation of believers/assembly (kehilat) in the Messiah. This
outpouring will touch every nation, both Jew and non-Jew. (Meaning
those of the southern kingdom of Yisrael that were dispersed into
Babylon and those of the northern kingdom of Efrayim that were
scattered into Assyria AND...also whosoever else will believe/show
faithfulness corroborated by actions (Yoch/John 3:16/Ya'akov/James
2:17,20,26) on Yahshua who become the Yisrael of Elohim Gal. 6:16
upon belief, and children of the promise made to Avarahm Who too
"believed" and it was credited unto him as righteousness (Gal
3:28-29; Beresheit/Gen. 15:6). The believer in the Messiah who is
living at the time of the latter rain is called to seek Yahweh and
ask Him to send rain on the people of the earth (Zechariah 10:1;
Psalm [Tehillim] 46:4; 65:9-10; Jeremiah [Yermiyahu] 5:23-24;
31:10-14).
The fullness of this feast in the seventh month will be
experienced at the coming of the Messiah when He will rule and
reign on the earth during the Messianic age, the Millennium,
called the Athid Lavo in Hebrew eschatology. This time will be a
time of joy for all believers in the Messiah Yahshua and will be
the age of Israel's glory.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Immediately following the last day of Sukkot, Hoshana
Rabbah, is Shemini Atzeret (the eighth day of assembly). Shemini
Atzeret along with Simchat Torah are celebrated together on Month
7 day 22 . As it is written, "On the eighth day you shall hold a
solemn gathering (Atzeret); you shall not work at your
occupations" (Numbers [Bamidbar] 29:35). The rabbis interpreted
this verse to mean that YHWH asks all who made a pilgrimage for
Sukkot to tarry (atzeret, which comes from the Hebrew root word
meaning "to hold back") with Him one additional day. From this,
the rabbis concluded that Shemini Atzeret is an independent
festival.
To understand Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, we
must review a few things. First, the seven days of Passover
(Pesach) are followed by a 49-day period of counting the omer,
which climaxes with the fiftieth day of Pentecost (Shavuot). Thus,
the liberation of Passover (Pesach) is linked with the revelation
and giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, known as Shavuot
(Pentecost). If we look at the festival cycle, Shemini Atzeret is
analogous to Shavuot, which is understood to be the conclusion or
atzeret to Passover (Pesach). Just like Shavuot, a one-day
festival, is the conclusion to Pesach, a seven-day festival, so
Shemini Atzeret, a one-day festival, is the conclusion to Sukkot,
a seven-day festival.
Therefore, we see that Shemini Atzeret is the eighth
day -- that is the day after "seven." Seven, being a perfect
number in the Bible, signifies a complete unit of time as each
week ends with the seventh day called the Shabbat (Sabbath). Thus,
the eighth day is the day after time. It is the end of both kinds
of time. It is thus not just the promise of redemption, but the
actual moment of it. Yahweh said, "Remain with Me (atzeret) an
extra day," a time beyond time.
Simchat Torah: Rejoicing in the Torah
At last comes the most joyous day of all, the day of
Simchat Torah, rejoicing in the Torah. Simchat Torah is celebrated
on the twenty-third of Tishrei, or the day following Shemini
Atzeret. Once again, it should be noted that the Hebrew word Torah
means "teaching [or instruction]," for it teaches us our way of
life, the kind of life Yahweh wants us to lead. The Torah is the
foundation for understanding the entire Bible.
The Cyclical Reading of the Torah
Until the early Middle Ages, there was more than one
cycle with regard to the reading of the Torah. In fact, the most
widespread cycle was the triennial one, in which the reading of
the Torah took three years and ended before Passover (Pesach).
In modern times, the ual reading cycle became
predominant. Therefore, Simchat Torah became the end of the
reading cycle and thus its own festival day. As just stated, the
Torah reading cycle is concluded on Simchat Torah. However, at
this time, it is immediately started again from the beginning.
This shows that there is no end to the Torah, and that it must be
read and studied constantly, over and over again. The Torah, like
Yahweh Himself who gave it, is everlasting (Matthew [Mattityahu]
5:17-18).
Simchat Torah celebrates a Torah of joy, a Torah
without restrictions or a sense of burden. This is what Yahshua
means when He says "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" at
MattithYahu/Matthew 11:30.
Yahshua and Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Month 7 day 22/, Shemini Atzeret, and month 7 day 23,
Simchat Torah, in ancient times were considered one long day and
celebrated on the 22nd. Simchat Torah is a celebration of
rejoicing in the Torah.
As it is written in John (Yochanan) 7:37, "In the last
day, that great day of the feast [of Sukkot]...." This day would
be known as Hoshana Rabbah, or 7th month day 21. In John (Yochanan)
8:1-2, it is written, "Yahshua/Jesus went unto the mount of
Olives. And early in the morning He came again into the temple,
and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught
them." This is the next day after Hoshana Rabbah, the day attached
to Sukkot called Shemini Atzeret. Once again, in ancient times
that day was also called Simchat Torah, the rejoicing in the
Torah. So, in John (Yochanan) 8:5, we see Yahshua, the author of
the Torah, is questioned about the Torah on the day referred to as
"the rejoicing in the Torah"
The Spiritual Understanding of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
In Deuteronomy (Devarim) 31:9-13, at the Feast of
Sukkot (Tabernacles), you are to read the Torah. The seventh year
is called the year of release (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 31:10); all
debts are to be forgiven at this time (Exodus [Shemot] 21:2;
Leviticus [Vayikra] 25:1-4; Deuteronomy [Devarim] 15:1-12;
Jeremiah [Yermiyahu] 34:8-22). The seven years are a picture of
the 7,000-year plan of Yahweh (Psalm [Tehillim] 90:4; 2 Kefah/Peter
3:8). The seventh year is the year of release and is a picture of
the seventh day or the Messianic age, the Millennium, or the Athid
Lavo. Yeshua referred to this in both Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 61:1-3
and Luke 4:16-21. The phrase, "liberty to the captives" in Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 61:1, speaks of the year of release. Yahshua is
saying, in essence, "I am that release. Trust in Me and you will
be free."
In the days of Yahshua, there was a seven-year cycle of
reading the Torah. In years one through three, the people would
read from the Torah, the prophets and the writings. In years three
through six, they would start over. In year seven, they would read
from them all. While reading, the priest or rabbi would stand on a
podium (beema) and give the understanding and teaching (Nehemiah
8:1-12). This was done during the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles)
(Nehemiah 8:2,13-14,18).
In the future, we will experience the real Simchat
Torah during the time Yahweh judges the believers in the Messiah
according to the lives they lived on this earth. At that time,
when we hear the truth of the Bible and understand Yahweh's Word,
we will cry when we see how we have failed to keep and follow the
Bible and Yahweh's truths. But Yahweh will say, "Do not sorrow,
for the joy of Yahweh is your strength" (see Nehemiah [Nechemiah]
8:9-10). At this time, we will not be going through the rehearsal
(miqra) of the festival, but we will be experiencing the "season
of our joy," the time of the Messianic kingdom on earth. The
reading, teaching, and understanding of the Torah will be at its
height during the Messianic age, the Millennium. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu)
2:1-5 and Micah (Michah) 4:1-5, Yahshua, the Messiah, the author
and teacher of the Torah, will teach all the peoples of the earth
the ways of the Torah.
Rain and Dew: ( Geshem and Tal: A Prayer for Rain )
On the festival of Shemini Atzeret, the Musaf, the additional
service on this day, begins with a special prayer for rain (geshem).
The reason for these special prayers is understandable enough (if
you have lived in the land of Israel). The winter months in the
Holy Land are the rain season, and the entire life of the country
depends on rain. If the rains come down in their due season and in
sufficient quantity, the rich soil will produce abundant crops and
fruits; if not, the country is doomed to famine and starvation.
During the summer months, there is no rain; it's the dry season.
During these rainless months, the earth would have been completely
parched, the top soil would have turned into dust and been blown
away by the wind, and the land would have turned into barren
desert -- were it not for the dew that settles on the cool soil
during the hours of the night, drenching the ground with the soft
moisture which we know as dew and which sparkles in the early rays
of the sun like pearls. Thus, the rain in the winter and the dew
in the summer are vitally needed to sustain life.
Spiritual Application (Halacha).
Let's review the spiritual significance of the feasts of Yahweh
and particularly the fall festival of Sukkot (including the
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah celebrations) to the individual
believer in the Messiah and how they relate to his life.
Yahweh designed the agricultural and weather seasons in Israel to
parallel the life of every believer in Yahshua who seeks to love
Him and serve Him with all his heart. With this in mind, let us
examine how this is true.
Every time a person receives Yahshua the Messiah as his own
Savior, he spiritually experiences Passover (Pesach). He is to
flee Egypt (Mitzrayim; the world's evil system and ways); trust (emunah)
in the Messiah, the Lamb of Yahweh; and allow Yahshua to be the
doorpost of his heart. As believers, we are then to seek to live
holy lives before Yahweh and experience Unleavened Bread (Hag
HaMatzah). Just as Yahshua rose from the dead, we are to consider
our former ways dead to us and experience the newness of life in
the Messiah. Once we do this, we can be immersed (baptized) in the
Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) and have the power of Yahweh (the
anointing) in our lives. Spiritually, we have experienced the
spring harvest of Israel in our lives. When we accept Yahshua into
our hearts and lives, He begins to teach us the scriptures/Bible
and show us how much He loves us, and we begin to grow in the
knowledge of Him.
At that time, Yahweh will begin to take us on a spiritual journey
through the wilderness of life. Spiritually, we will begin to
experience the dry summer season of Israel. Many things in our
lives will not go the way we expect them to or how we trust Yahweh
for them to go. In the process of experiencing life's bitter
disappointments and struggles, if we keep our eyes upon Yahweh, He
will take us from Passover (Pesach) to Shavuot (Pentecost). There
He will reveal His ways and His Word, the Bible, in a deeper and
more progressive way. By keeping our eyes on the Messiah through
life's struggles, Yahweh will not only reveal His Word, the Bible,
to us in a greater way, but He also will refine our faith like
fine flour, just as was done to the wheat during the days of
counting the omer between Passover (Pesach) and Shavuot
(Pentecost). Meanwhile, if we put our entire
faithfulness/trust/belief (emunah) in Yahshua while on our
spiritual journey in the wilderness of life as Yahweh refines our
faith and reveals Himself to us in a greater way, then our
spiritual journey will not end in the wilderness of life (HalleluYAH!).
Instead Yahweh will take us forward to spiritually experience the
fall festivals and our spiritual promised land.
It is when we spiritually experience the fall festivals --
especially the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), Shemini Atzeret and
Simchat Torah -- and enter into our spiritual promised land that
Yahweh will anoint our lives for Him in an awesome way, as we live
and serve Him, and we will then experience the greatest joy in our
entire lives. Joy unspeakable! But we will experience not only
joy, but also dancing, praise, victory, peace, and the power of
Yahweh in our lives. Spiritually, we will be experiencing the fall
harvest of Israel. The rain in the Bible speaks of two things: the
great outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) and an
in-depth understanding of Yahshua and His Word, the Bible, in our
lives. Both the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) and
great knowledge of spiritual truths will be present in our lives
in order that we may accomplish the purpose Yahweh has for every
one of our lives. Therefore, we have the anointing of Yahweh upon
our lives so we may help to do our part to build up the Body of
Messiah to full maturity and to establish the Kingdom of Yahweh on
earth until we come to that day when we will rule and reign with
the Messiah, the King of kings and Master of masters (Lord of
lords) on earth during the Messianic age, the Millennium, and for
all eternity.
Messianic Fulfillment and Understanding
When Yahweh created man and put him in the Garden of Eden (Gan
Eden), the Garden of Eden was like paradise, Heaven, or the world
to come, known in Hebrew as the olam haba. However, man sinned and
as a result, both man and the earth was diminished in comparison
to the original glory and beauty in which it was created. As a
result, Yahweh laid out a 7,000-year plan to restore both man and
the earth back to the esteem/glory and majesty of the Garden of
Eden (Gan Eden). The Messiah was to play a central role in this
redemption.
In Hosea 6:3 and Joel 2:23, the Scriptures tell us that the coming
of the Messiah Yahshua will be like the rain. As previously
discussed, in Israel there are the spring rains that are in the
form of dew and showers, and the fall rains that make up the great
rainy season. In His wisdom, Yahweh gave the weather season in
Israel to teach about the coming of the Messiah. Just as there are
mainly spring rains and fall rains in Israel, Yahweh designed for
two comings of the Messiah. During the first coming of the
Messiah, the Messiah would fulfill the role of Messiah ben Yoseph,
the suffering Messiah. During His second coming, the Messiah would
fulfill the role of Messiah ben David, the King Messiah. Those who
would receive the Messiah in the season of His first coming would,
spiritually, be like the spring rains in Israel and Yahweh would
pour out His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) upon all people at this
time. However, the greatest number of people who would accept the
Messiah would be during the season of the fall rains in Israel,
which speaks of the Messiah's second coming. The greatest
outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) would be at this
time as well.
This great outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) and the
knowledge of the Messiah on earth, will reach their greatest
height during the Messianic age, the Millennium, and continuing
into eternity. This is what the fall rains in Israel are
spiritually all about and are why Yahweh instructed the people to
pray for rain during the festival season of Sukkot including
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. After all, Sukkot (Tabernacles)
and Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah were given to us by Yahweh
to instruct us what life would be like during the Messianic age
and all eternity when the knowledge of the Messiah and the Spirit
of Yahweh will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, as
prophesied in the Book of Zechariah. For Yahshua the Messiah is
both the Former and Latter Rain and the Teacher of Righteousness
(Hosea [Hoshea] 6:3; Joel [Yoel] 2:23; Psalm [Tehillim] 72:6;
84:5-6; John [Yochanan] 3:2; Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 55:10-12). How
glorious it will be to live with the Messiah during those days!
This is the essence of the festivals of the Yahweh, and
particularly the Feast of Sukkot which we have just celebrated!
"He which testifies to these things says, 'Surely I come quickly.
Omein. Even so, come, Master Yahshua." Revelation 22:20
________________________________________________________________
The Candy Cane As A Christmas Symbol
History of Santa Claus, St. Nicholas of Myra
History and Traditions of Christmas
We call [the holiday] the Festival of Lights, giving this name to it, I think, from the fact that the right to
worship appeared to us [like a flash of light] at a time when we hardly dared hope for it.
"The Festival of Lights"
'Kanukáh' (Hanukkah - the word for "dedication")
Khag Kanukáh Saméyah!
Happy Kanukáh Celebration
The answer to the simple question Mai Hanukkah?--What is Hanukkah?--has continued to be like the flickering flame of the menorah.
The flame never looks the same from one instant to the next, but at its core it remains unchanged.
_______________________________________________________
References
Leonardo DaVinci Lampholder Picture - http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/Lampholder
Talpiot Tomb Picture - http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/02/25/tomb_arc.html?category=archaeology
The Prophecy Continues...._
©
Lampholder Publications 1985-2008"The Cassandra Effect"
Contributing Editor, SAMMIE Miller and/or
Prophecy Articles/Contributing Editor, Shir'le'ley Miller
An International Prophecy Journal
All Rights Reserved
www.lampholderpublications.org
www.lampholderpublications.net
Email - lampholder@hotmail.com
If we are to live unto God at any time, or in any place,
we are to live unto Him at all times and all places.
If we are to use anything as the gift of God,
we are to use everything as His gift.
-William Law
True Prophets do not wear titles or celebrity status;
They are not remembered for their heroism, or likeability...
they are remembered because their words reverberate through time,
quickening the soul with fear, trembling, and
the knowledge of GOD.
The Lampholder 1999
