Understanding The Feast Days--Appointed Days of God

We are walking in today:  Understanding The Feast Days--Appointed Days of God

Understanding the Feasts (Appointed Times) of God
In Lev 23:2 God spoke to Moses saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations*, even these are my feasts**.

Let us look at the definition of the word translated as “Feast” in the Original Hebrew Manuscripts. Strong’s Hebrew Concordance – H4150 – מועד – mô‛êd – mo-ade’ – appointment

**A better word for “Feast” would be “Appointment” as per the original meaning.
God proclaimed that these are “Holy assemblies*” & “His Appointments**“, in Lev 23:2

***The “Feasts” or “Appointments” of God are mentioned 1st, not in Leviticus, but in Genesis.

Gen 1:14  And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
The word “Seasons” in Gen 1:14 and “Feasts” in Lev 23:2 is the same word in the Original Hebrew Manuscripts, “H4150 – Moed – Appointment”.

When Gen 1:14 talks about seasons, we would automatically think of “Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter”. But God is actually talking about His Appointments.
It would be vastly different if we read this verse as:Gen 1:14  And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for “appointments“, and for days, and years.

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, you too 
will appear to be glorified in fellowship with Him.

There is a pattern of life that God desires for each of us.

It is one full of joy and rest, one that is uninterrupted 
communion with God, and in perfect harmony with His will. 
It is a life that does not thirst and hunger after the world, that walks 
outside of sins, and that transcends all things. Indeed, it is a holy, 
powerful and victorious life, and one that knows Gods will and
experiences the enabling grace to walk it out, step by step. 
It is the life of the Son. The life which God has ordained
is a life that is hid with Christ in God. It is a place of safety.
Nothing can touch, affect or shake this life. As Christ is unshakable, 
so we are unshakable. As Christ transcends all things, we also 
transcend all things. As Christ is before God, so we too are before Him. 
Let us therefore bring every thought captive to this reality. (2Cor 10:5)
"Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." (1John 4:4)
The life of the Son perfectly pleases the Father. “Christ is our life”

“He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, 
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”  Revelation 3:21 
An “overcomer” is one who has risen above any desire for expression of the earthly, and is capable of giving expression to the heavenly. There is a foundational “quality” which relates to our becoming an overcomer.  It is “transparency” in our life experience.  The Lord is calling those who earnestly seek Him, into this experience of becoming transparent in His presence. We are not called to just become “polished” on the outside (religious).  But rather, to be so changed within, that we become the expression of the life of Jesus (spiritual). 

Our heart’s desire is that you know the One who loves you with a perfect love. That you might develop a relationship with Him that never stops maturing.  No matter how difficult your life is now, you can submit to the hand of God.  He has made a divine appointment with you today.  If you look back throughout your whole life He has been there.  Whispering sometimes, calling to you to follow Him.  Today His voice is much clearer.  Today is the day that you must begin to follow Him.  In times past you went your own way.  But now the time is short and God wants to prepare you to serve Him.  All you must do is yield to His Holy Spirit.  Present yourself to the Lord to be used by Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

New International Version (NIV)

1"There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven

2 A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

5 A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.

6 A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.

7 A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.

9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?  

10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 

11 He has made everything appropriate in its time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. 

12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 

13 Moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor, it is the gift of God.  

14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.  

15 That which is has been already, and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by."

V. 1 - "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven"

God appoints the times and Seasons

1. These words are words for every person, in every place, in every circumstance.  God has appointed the times and seasons, the events of our lives, the happy and the sad, the easy and the difficult.
2. On one hand this can bring worry, but on the other hand, it should bring you hope because we know that God is in control.
3. God exalts and humbles the same person.  He raises nations up and brings them down.
4. Even the day of our death has been set.
5. God is in control.

Sometimes you may wonder about that.  I mean, it is easy to doubt that God has it all together when you look at the world. It doesn't seem to be doing all that well:

Crime is up, abortion is up, homosexuality is on the rise, the nation is in debt, etc.  It can be pretty discouraging.

But, God has got it all under control.

God has a purpose in what He does even if we have a hard time understanding what that purpose is.

1. Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

We live in a world of Change

The evidence of change is all around us:

Spring becomes Summer.  Summer becomes Fall.  Fall becomes Winter.  Winter becomes Spring.  The young become aged and the new becomes old.

My computer runs slower and my body gets weaker.....

And the times change. The millennium is here.  Wellspring is closing.

Change: You will be wondering about where to go to next year.

2. But don't worry.  God is in control.
2. Did you know that change is good.
1. Change helps you not become grace-potato Christians.
2. Change helps you learn to adapt to new situations and to grow inside.

7. Christians go through some of the greatest changes.
1. First we are blind, dead sinners.  Then we are made alive.
2. Then we discover more of our sinfulness and God continues to change our hearts.
1. God wants to make our hearts more like his.
8. Change can be quite good.
1. Change stretches you.
1. It challenges you by causing you to grow through the trials and tribulations of life.
2. Change keeps you from getting bored.

9. Are you the same person you were 10 years ago?  5 years ago?  1 year ago?
10. Even though there are things that are contradictory, each has its place.
9. However, God Does not Change
1. Imaging what it would be like if God changed on us.
1. What if one day he were nice and another day he was mean.
2. Or what if he altered between merciful and judgmental, or one day he decided to answer occurs in the next he did not.
2. I thank God that he is unchangeable.
3. That means you can count on Him to always be there and to do the right thing.
4. He wont' change His mind about you.

3. God has set everything for its time so enjoy yourself.

(vv. 12-13, AIl know that there is nothing better for them than

to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor, it is the gift of God.)

1. You should make the best of each event and of each season of change.
2. You should enjoy your life.  It's okay to have fun as a Christian.
1. Enjoy your children if you have them.  Enjoy your, your home, your health, and enjoy the fact that you that has done well and worshiped God.
2. Enjoy going fishing, shopping at the mall, washing dishes, coming to church, etc.
3. God has made everything beautiful in his time.
1. Even the painful things are set in place by God
4. Everything has its purpose, even the cold winter storms that bring rain.
5. You must wait with patience for the full revelation of God's mysterious providence.
1. All you can see is the middle of God's work, not its end.  He knows the beginning from the end and He has you where He wants you.
6. But also, set aside place in your heart where you trust God to provide all of your needs because he loves you so much.
7. So, I will leave you with v. top 10 things you won't have to worry about in the coming years.
1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit praise.
5. There will still be anointed preaching.
6. There will still be the singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings on His people.
8. There will be room at the cross for His children.
9. Jesus still loves you.
10. Jesus still saves.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Feasts written in Lev 23

1. Q: Aren’t these Jewish Feasts?

A: God calls them “His Feasts” in Lev 23:2. Furthermore, these appointments were given to all 12 tribes of Israel. Jews descend from Judah, which is only one tribe of Israel. The reason they are known as “Jewish Feasts” is because the Jews are the ones who obey and keep these appointed days. But like His Commandments, these feasts were also given to His People, Israel.

2.  Q: Why do we, as gentiles, need to commemorate these feasts if they were given to Israel?

A: (First of all read the definitions of Jew & Gentile here) A simple reason is that God said they were “His Appointed times”. The word “Seasons” in Gen 1:14 and “Feasts” in Lev 23:2 is the same word (Strong’s Dictionary – H4150 – Moed – Appointed time). Which means God talked about these appointed times at creation itself, when He created the Sun, Moon and Stars.

The 10 Commandments were only given to Israel. Don’t we need to Keep His Commandments even though it was given to Israel? How can we then pick and choose what to obey and what not to?

3. : Did Yeshua teach us to commemorate these feasts?

A: Yeshua kept the Feasts, thereby showing us how we should follow Him, even though there is no record of Him saying that we have to keep them (Luke 2:39-52, John 2:23, John 7:37-39). The bottom line is, that Yeshua taught people to obey God & His Word(John 14:24) and The Feasts/Appointments of God are part of His Word.

4. Q: Did Paul & the 1st Century church keep these feasts and teach about it?
   A: The 1st Century church including Paul, would have kept all of the feasts in obedience to God. Some of them are recorded as well. (Acts 2:1-4, 18:21, 20:6, 20:16 / 1 Cor 16:5-9 ,5:7-8). Paul asked people to keep the Feasts(1Cor 5:8). Paul even asked people, not to let anyone judge them for keeping the Feasts(Col 2:16) - this verse is commonly misinterpreted as Paul saying not to let anyone judge them for not keeping the feasts(Read Q6 on this link for more info).

5. Q: Aren’t the Feasts only up till Yeshua?
   A: Then why did Paul and the Apostles keep them? The best evidence for this question lies in prophecies that are yet to come to pass about Yeshua’s 2nd coming. We will need to keep these feasts even when Christ returns in the future (Zechariah 14:16-19 / Isaiah 66:22,23). So are we to believe that the Feasts were in effect unto the 1st Century Church. Now it is invalid. And it will be in effect again when Yeshua returns?

  

   6. Q: How am I supposed to keep the Feasts?

      A: Read the Scriptures and obey whatever God says. These are not rituals in any way. You do not need to light special candles and say special prayers. Just obey what God has said in His Word to the best of your ability, even if you are alone in doing it. 

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