day 46 of 50 to Pentecost - 2012 may 24th thursday

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JUDGEMENT 46

KEEP THREE FEASTS IN THE YEAR

Ex 23:14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

My comments:

All males must appear before God in the place he chooses as his feast site three times in the year.

Females might have to miss occasionally. Most of the festival-keepers in the world today only travel to a feast site for the autumn festival. But we can see from the example of Jesus` parents and the apostles that they went to Jerusalem (the feast site then) three times in the year.

Lu 2:41* Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Lu 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

If you can afford it, this is the right thing to do. A tent is cheaper than a caravan (so long as you can stay holy) and a self-catering apartment is probably the most expensive.

Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

King Solomon kept the feast 3 times in the year in Jerusalem. Peace offerings are eaten both by priest and people – so long as you are clean.

Lev 7:20 But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
21 Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Peace offerings have never been discontinued, even when Christ made and end to sin and guilt offerings. At a central location, such as a holy temple, Levites could still offer these and eat them with the (clean) people.

1 Kings 9:25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD.

On the Day of Pentecost, Abel (Adam and Eve`s second son) kept the feast with lamb as God had commanded:

Gen 4:3 ¶ And in process of time (Hebrew: “end of days” – i.e. end of the count of 50 days - Pentecost) it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 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:
(brackets mine).

This feast was Pentecost, as it came at “the end of days” as the Hebrew says – that is the end of the count of 50 days.

In the days of Enosh, men again began to keep the festivals, calling on the name of the Lord:

Genesis 4:26 And Seth had a son, and he gave him the name of Enosh: at this time men first made use of the name of the Lord in worship.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all ate sacrifices at the festival times:

Genesis 46:1 ¶ And Israel went on his journey with all he had, and came to Beer-sheba, where he made offerings to the God of his father Isaac. (BBE)

Genesis 21:33 ¶ And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

Noah offered sacrifices to God when he left the ark around the time of Pentecost:

Gen 8:20 ¶ And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

An altar was built at the feast sites where the festivals were kept:

Genesis 12:8 And he (Abram) removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Genesis 26:25 And he (Isaac) builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.

Genesis 26:25 Then he made an altar there, and gave worship to the name of the Lord, and he put up his tents there, and there his servants made a water-hole. (BBE)

The altar for burning fat at the festival times could be earth or uncut stone:

Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

In the spring and autumn, 8 feasts are to be kept to God on his feast-days:

Lev 23:8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

Lev 23:36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:

THE BIBLE EXPLAINS WHAT THE FEASTS ARE: THE KORAN ADDS GUIDELINES

The Koran and Book of Mormon do not write out all the law again – neither does the New Testament. Yet all these books refer to the Torah, or say they had it written on brass plates which they brought from Jerusalem, or they take it for granted their readers know God`s commandments already.

THE TORAH CONTAINS GOD`S LAW:

The following passage from the Koran confirms that the Torah, as given to the children of Israel, is God`s law – and that includes the 7th day Sabbath day:

[THE FEAST 5:43]
Why do they ask you to judge among them, when they have the Torah,
containing GOD's law, and they chose to disregard it? They are not
believers.

The Koran confirms the scripture which proceeded it. A book which contains truth from God does not contradict the Old or New Testament. Yet they can contain additional guidelines to previously revealed truth (not to be taken in isolation from that which came before – the Torah and Gospels):

The Koran has a whole chapter called “The Feast”. Yet no-one who reads the Koran without reading the Bible as well would know what the feasts were.

DEER AND ANTELOPE ARE NOT FOR THE FEASTS:

At the feasts, evening meals should always include beef, lamb or kid. Wild clean animals like deer, buck, antelope etc. are not for festival times, although they may be hunted and eaten at other times if slaughtered properly: (the feast is sometimes called the “Hajj pilgrimage”:

[THE FEAST 5:1]
O you who believe, you shall fulfill your covenants. Permitted for you
to eat are the livestock, except those specifically prohibited herein.
You shall not permit hunting throughout Hajj pilgrimage. GOD decrees
whatever He wills.

Also, fish can be eaten on the jouney to the feast.

The Koran also discusses the fulfilling of a Nazarite vow at the Feast site.

The Sacred months are the first (Passover), the third (Pentecost), the seventh (autumn harvest festivals) and the ninth (fasting).

The rites instituted by God are in Leviticus 23 and other places in the Bible. Animals to be sacrificed and eaten are cows, goats and sheep. The sacred shrine is the holy place where God chooses to place his name:

[THE FEAST 5:2]
O you who believe, do not violate the rites instituted by GOD, nor the
Sacred Months, nor the animals to be offered, nor the garlands marking
them, nor the people who head for the Sacred Shrine (Ka`bah) seeking
blessings from their Lord and approval.

All clean food is lawful to eat (Lev 11). You may eat what trained dogs and falcons bring, so long as the bird is clean and has been only winged, and is then bled properly – according to the instructions in God`s law:

[THE FEAST 5:4]
They consult you concerning what is lawful for them; say, "Lawful for
you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch
for you." You train them according to GOD's teachings.

Much of the Koran is written for the children of Israel, for believers, for people of the scripture, as well as for believing gentiles. We are reminded of God`s covenant with us which he made with the children of Israel:

[THE FEAST 5:7]
Remember GOD's blessing upon you, and His covenant that He covenanted
with you: you said, "We hear and we obey."

Many Israelites and Christians have twisted God`s commands – those who were given the scripture – the old and new testaments – have concealed truths which are in it, and don`t keep the feasts:

[THE FEAST 5:15]
O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you to proclaim
for you many things you have concealed in the scripture, and to pardon
many other transgressions you have committed. A beacon has come to you
from GOD, and a profound scripture.

THE TORAH CONTAINS KNOWLEDGE OF GOD`S LAWS, INCLUDING HIS FEASTS:

The Koran acknowledges that the Torah (books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) contains God`s laws, including information about the festivals:

Honoring Previous Scripture
[THE FEAST 5:44]
We have sent down the Torah,* containing guidance and light. Ruling in
accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and
the priests, as dictated to them in GOD's scripture, and as witnessed
by them.

The Koran also confirms that the gospel of the Messiah, Jesus Christ confirms God`s laws in the Torah, and that the Gospel confirms the Torah – the previous scriptures. Hence, the Gospels support God`s commandments, including the Feasts and Sabbaths:

The Gospel of Jesus: Guidance and Light
[THE FEAST 5:46]
Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the
previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing
guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah,
and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous.

The Koran also makes the point that certain Jews and Christians have perverted the scriptures and we are not to ally ourselves with them. Also different races are different congregations, they can have different things expected of them – for example the 144,000 come from the twelve tribes of Israel, not the Gentiles. The great multitude of Revelation come from all nations. Great emphasis is also put on praying 3 times daily and giving to charity.

The Koran insists that Jews and Christians must believe the Torah and the Gospel and also the Koran. Some do, but many don`t.

[THE FEAST 5:66]
If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent
down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with
blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them
are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.

THE DAY IS COMING WHEN ALL NATIONS WILL KEEP GOD`S FEASTS:

Of course, many Arabs and Indonesians say they are Muslims but do not keep God`s festivals as he commanded in the Torah. They day is coming when they will keep them:


Zechariah 14:16 ¶ 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.
17 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.
18 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.
19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.


ISRAELITES, JEWS AND CHRISTIANS HAVE NO FOUNDATION UNTIL THEY UPHOLD THE TORAH, GOSPEL AND KORAN:

They should all be keeping God`s commandments, feasts and Sabbaths as outlined in the Bible:

¦
[THE FEAST 5:68] ¦
Say, "O people of the scripture, you have no basis until you uphold ¦
the Torah, and the Gospel, and what is sent down to you herein from ¦
your Lord." For sure, these revelations from your Lord will cause many¦
of them to plunge deeper into transgression and disbelief. Therefore, ¦
do not feel sorry for the disbelieving people.

CORRECT FEAST KEEPERS MAY BE IN THE MINORITY – BUT STILL RIGHT:

Many people on earth keep God`s feasts wrongly – not according to his holy calender and his instructions in Leviticus 23. There is a difference in keeping them correctly and incorrectly – even if millions of people keep them wrongly – e.g. “Easter Sunday”, “Whit Sunday”, “pilgrimage to Mecca – at the wrong times” and so on.

Just recently around 2,000,000 people were on pilgrimage at Mecca – but it wasn`t a festival month, and there were no holy days at that time. Thousands gather in the square at Rome on “Easter Sunday” – but that is not God`s holy day either.

So Muslims who keep a “pilgrimage to Mecca” at the wrong time, not at the time of God`s festivals, are also wrong.
¦
[THE FEAST 5:100]
Proclaim: "The bad and the good are not the same, even if the
abundance of the bad may impress you. You shall reverence GOD, (even
if you are in the minority) O you who possess intelligence, that you
may succeed."

WHAT IF YOUR PARENT`S NEVER KEPT GOD`S FEASTS – DON`T FOLLOW THEM BLINDLY:

[THE FEASTS 5:104]
When they are told, "Come to what GOD has revealed, and to the
messenger," they say, "What we found our parents doing is sufficient
for us." What if their parents knew nothing, and were not guided?

THERE IS ONLY ONE SUPREME GOD, THE LORD OF JESUS CHRIST and we worship him at his festivals, three times in the year:


[5:120]
To GOD belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and
everything in them, and He is Omnipotent.

THE MOON IS GIVEN TO PROVIDE THE TIME FOR GOD`S FESTIVALS:
¦
¦[2:189]
¦They ask you about the phases of the moon! Say, "They provide a timing
¦device for the people, and determine the time of Hajj (feasts)." It is not
¦righteous to beat around the bush;* righteousness is attained by
¦upholding the commandments and by being straightforward. You shall
¦observe GOD, that you may succeed.

THE SUN AND MOON ARE CALCULATION DEVICES FOR THE FESTIVALS:

The three feasts are determined according to the sun and moon in God`s holy calendar.

[6:96]
At the crack of dawn, He causes the morning to emerge. He made the
night still, and He rendered the sun and the moon to serve as
calculation devices. Such is the design of the Almighty, the
Omniscient.

The sun and moon are for us to calculate the festivals:
¦
¦[10:5]
¦He is the One who rendered the sun radiant, and the moon a light, and
¦He designed its phases that you may learn to count the years and to
¦calculate. GOD did not create all this, except for a specific purpose.
¦He explains the revelations for people who know.

DON`T BOYCOTT GOD`S FEASTS:

Both Jews and Christians feel the other is wrong about the feasts and holy days. Yet they both have the same scriptures. God says plainly to keep his three feasts in the year and don`t avoid them:
¦
¦[2:113]
¦The Jews said, "The Christians have no basis," while the Christians
¦said, "The Jews have no basis." Yet, both of them read the scripture.
¦Such are the utterances of those who possess no knowledge. GOD will
¦judge them on the Day of Resurrection, regarding their disputes.
¦
You Shall Frequent the Masjid
[2:114]
Who are more evil than those who boycott GOD's masjids (feasts), where His name is commemorated, and contribute to their desertion? These ought not to enter therein except fearfully. They will suffer in this life
humiliation, and will suffer in the Hereafter a terrible retribution.

So keep God`s true feasts three times in the years with joy and rejoicing.

Deuteronomy 12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

Deuteronomy 27:7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: