THE APPOINTED TIMES OF GOD
IT’S TIME TO BEGIN AGAIN
The next several weeks I want to take you through some understanding of God’s appointed times and seasons.
THIS WEEK-5779- ROSH HASHANAH-JEWISH HEAD OF THE YEAR
“Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years.” (Genesis 1:14)
The phrase “signs for festivals” in the above scripture is the Jewish word mow’ed, it means an “appointed time” a festival. Because the Jewish calendar is a lunar one you could say that God appointed the moon to determine His appointed times and seasons in the earth. In ancient times the apostles and prophets looked to the moon to determine the time of the month. For example: new moon=new month.
Tishrei is the first month on the (Lunar) Jewish civil calendar and marks the Jewish New Year.
Yesterday at sundown the Jewish New Year came in. It’s called Rosh Hashanah (meaning-“Head of the Year”).
It has now been 5779 years since God created the heavens and the earth. This new year celebration lasts through tomorrow Sept. 11 at sundown. This is just the beginning of this sacred feast season.
These appointed times and festivals of the Lord are important for us to understand so we too can be aligned with how God is moving in the earth.
WE ARE BRANCHES ATTACHED TO THE ROOT TOO!
How does this apply to us as gentiles in the faith? We too are grafted into the root….
“However some of the branches have been pruned away. And you, who were once nothing more than a wild olive branch in the desert, God has grafted in—inserting you among the remaining branches as a joint partner to share in the wonderful richness of the cultivated olive stem…” Rom. 11:17
“On that day the root of Jesse (Jesus) will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him and His place of rest will be glorious.” Isa. 11:10
Find out where you fit in the Company of the Lord!
God uses “appointed times” and the 12 tribes of Israel as types and shadows, to show us how we can partner with Him as co-heirs with Christ through His appointed times in the earth.
Excerpts from the book- “A Time to Advance” (Chuck Pierce, Robert Heidler)
_________________________________________________________
TISHRI-The month of Ephraim (Sept/Oct-30 Days- beginning Sept. 9)
Appointed Times: Feast of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles
Alphabet: LAMED- which signifies the aspiration to return to your absolute source-“TESHUVAH”
The 7th month in the tribes: all 7’s are important: completion and fullness.
The Month of the fall feasts: returning to God and experiencing His Glory
The month to touch: Matt. 9-Remember the woman who pressed through to touch him.
The month linked with: awakening, and removing that which would keep you from returning.
Tribe: Ephraim, 2nd son of Joseph meaning-“be fruitful and multiply”
The month of the scales where the deeds of man are weighed and judgment is released. (Concentrate more on the justice system of the Lord than any other time) _____________________________________________________________________________
This month more than any other months is a month of God’s appointed times.
At the “Head of the Year” you need to ask the Lord how you are to get to the place where you are sure you are flowing with what he is doing.
This is a time of great revelation but also self-examination. Never forget the redemptive nature of God, realized through our new covenant of forgiveness IN CHRIST. Examine your life through the blood of Jesus.
Take time this week to be still in the Lord’s presence and and listen for his still, small voice and be expectant. Be open in your heart and mind for repentance however God leads you and allow room in your heart to accept forgiveness if it is extended to you.
The Feast of Tabernacles
This feast was at the end of the harvest season (Ingathering-Exodus 23:16). By this time the harvest was complete and the land and people were at rest.
While the feast of Passover teaches us of “God’s peace” and Pentecost teaches us of “God’s power”, Tabernacles teaches us about “God’s rest.”
God wants you to learn to rest in him; and as you live connected to the life of Jesus you too can enter his rest.
This week focus on these 3 “r’s”
Repentance-Redemption-Rest
Closing prayer: Teach us Lord to put our trust in your finished work of the cross; help us repent quickly and forgive easily. May we always remember to pray- “on earth as it is in heaven”and show us how we can cooperate with your appointed times and seasons as we seek your kingdom first.
For Jesus sake- amen.