Have YAHUAH’S Feast Days Been Done Away With?

The majority of professed followers of Mashiach (especially Christians) claim that all of YAHUAH’S appointed times (incorrectly known as feast days) have been done away with. Some Christians believe that we are only supposed to keep the ten commandments. While others believe we should keep the ten commandments along with the list of clean and unclean foods. And only a few believe we should also keep the Appointed Times (also called Feast days), but keep them based on the modern Jewish calendar. All of these discrepancies bring only more confusion to the true seeker. This is why the only standard should be the Word itself (the Bible).

When we accept a doctrine as Truth without performing our own in-depth study on the topic, we can be led to our eternal destruction. We must be very careful when learning from other people (i.e. online ministries, churches, etc.). Yahushua reminds us,

Matthew 24:11: And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Matthew 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Some of these false prophets are lying in order to keep their powerful positions, and while some of these false prophets are being deceived themselves. They do not always realize that they are teaching false doctrine. Although, because they have chosen to lead the flock, their responsibility is heavier. It is up to every person who chooses to teach the everlasting gospel to continuously humble themselves in the sight of YAHUAH, pray to not be led astray, and to always seek the Truth.

YAHUAH’S Kingdom will not tolerate sinners (refer to Matthew 7:21-23). The unrighteous will not inherit YAHUAH’S Kingdom (refer to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Therefore, we must learn how to become righteous (refer to Matthew 6:33). John plainly tells us that,

1 John 3:4: Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law (anomia).

As long as there is sin, there is the Law of YAHUAH Aluahim. Paul writes,

Romans 3:31: Do we then make void the Law (nomos) through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the Law (nomos).

The Greek word used for Law by John (in 1 John 3:4) comes from the root word nomos which was used by Paul (in Romans 3:31). This is Strong’s Concordance number 3551 nomos (nom’-os): custom, law; in NT: of law in general, plur: of divine laws; of a force or influence impelling to action; of the Mosaic law; meton: of the books which contain the law, the Pentateuch, the Old Testament Scriptures in general.

Now, the question we must answer is, what consists of the Law (nomos in the Greek)? The definition of the Greek word Nomos points us to the Tanakh (Old Testament Scriptures). The Old Testament Hebrew word for Law is Torah. This is Strong’s Concordance number 8451, Torah (to-raw): direction, instruction, law.

The Torah (Law) is simply all of YAHUAH’S instructions on how His children – Yasharal, should live. Throughout the first five books of the Bible (Genesis – Deuteronomy), YAHUAH gives us many instructions and commandments. This is why these books (Genesis – Deuteronomy) are often times referred to as the Torah. Although, there are many other instructions or commandments given to us in other parts of the Bible. A brief example of one of YAHUAH’S commandments which is not listed in the first five books of the Bible, is written by Joshua – Moses’s successor. It reads,

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for YAHUAH your Aluahim will be with you wherever you go.

Most people do not realize that this is a commandment. Yes, if we profess to belong to YAHUAH, then we are commanded to be fearless. We must always put our faith in the One and Only Aluahim and Savior. Just think back to the countless martyrs who never recanted their faith in YAHUAH, but stood in the presence of danger, and faced their enemies with courage. YAHUAH will give us strength to persevere just as He gave His son, all of the Apostles and Prophets, and countless martyrs during the Dark Ages. Remember,

Matthew 10:39: He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

I will give one more example of an instruction or commandment given to us that is not mentioned in the first five books of the Bible. This is the commandment to perform Communion which was given to us by Yahushua. Communion was added to the Torah – list of YAHUAH’S instructions, by Yahushua on the evening before the Passover (Abib 13^th). Yahushua instructs us to,

Luke 22:19: Do in remembrance of me.

If we are searching to be blameless in the eyes of YAHUAH and live in His Kingdom, then we are told to keep His Torah – His ten commandments, His ordinances, and His appointed times. Both David and his son Solomon plainly tell us,

Psalm 119:1: Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law (Torah) of YAHUAH.

Proverbs 7:2: Keep My commandments, and live; and My Law (Torah) as the apple of your eye.

The Torah of YAHUAH encompasses a lot more than just the ten commandments listed in Exodus chapter 20. The Torah – YAHUAH’S instructions, include: His ten commandments, His appointed times, His ordinances listed in Leviticus and Deuteronomy (food, sex, modesty, etc.), and Communion (given to us by Yahushua in the Brit Chadashah).

Before YAHUAH reminded Yasharal of His Torah, He promised us,

Exodus 19:5-6: Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.

As a priest to YAHUAH, we are commanded to learn and keep the whole Torah (Law).

The Prophet writes,

Malachi 2:7: For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the Law (Torah) at his mouth: for he is the Messenger of YAHUAH of hosts.

Gaining knowledge of YAHUAH’S Torah written in His Word is one of the most important things we can do for our salvation. Paul writes,

2 Timothy 3:15: from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Yahushua HaMashiach.

And Hosea tells us,

Hosea 4:6: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the Law (Torah) of your Aluahim, I also will forget your children.

Hosea tells us that because of both the lack of knowledge and the forgetting of His Torah (Law), YAHUAH’S people are destroyed. The Scriptures make it evident that the knowledge of the Torah will lead us to righteousness, thus bringing us under the protection of our Creator from His wrath. Malachi further writes,

Malachi 3:6: For I am YAHUAH I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Keeping the Torah makes us Yasharal (sons of Jacob) – YAHUAH’S children, thus saved. And not keeping the Torah, means destruction. Plain and simple. We are told that YAHUAH does not change. Therefore, His covenant Law (Torah), and what is expected from us has also not changed. The all-knowing Creator and Aluahim who does not change would not have given us His Torah – instructions to live by, and then turn around and tell us to no longer keep it. Why would He be so hard on the ancient Yahudim (Jews) about His Law (Torah), and then just suddenly tell us to dismiss it? This is because, the Law (Torah) has not been done away with. Yahushua reminds us,

“For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law (Nomos), till all be fulfilled.” – Matthew 5:18

Has heaven and earth passed?

That is an obvious answer. We are expected to keep the whole Torah (Law) all the way up until Yahushua returns. We cannot partially keep the Law (Torah) – keep the ten commandments and list of clean foods, while disregarding all the appointed times (moedim) that point to Yahushua’s first and second coming. As the eleventh-hour church, we do not want to be luke-warm, thus spit out (refer to Revelation 3:16). We cannot call ourselves disciples of Yahushua, or children of YAHUAH Aluahim, or priests to the Most-High, if we are not striving to keep the whole Torah (Law). The prophet writes,

Malachi 2:8-9: But you are departed out of the way; you have caused many to stumble at the Law (Torah); you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says YAHUAH of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as you have not kept My ways, but have been partial in the Law (Torah).

This partiality does not only refer to keeping 9/10 commandments, but also not keeping YAHUAH’S appointed times (moedim), ordinances listed in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, and communion.

Christians love to use the phrase, “what would Jesus do”. I won’t even get into the fact that that is not the Mashiach’s name, and that Christianity is an ancient pagan trinitarian religion rebranded. Besides all that, “Christians” do not even take their own advice. The beloved disciple tells us,

1 John 2:6: He that says he abides in him (Yahushua) ought himself also so to walk, even as he (Yahushua) walked.

Well, Yahushua plainly kept all of his Father’s appointed times based on the phases of the moon (refer to John 7, Luke 2), His ten commandments, and His ordinances. If Yahushua was to have supposedly done away with any of them, then he would have made it absolutely clear. One thing He did make absolutely clear was,

“Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law (nomos), till all be fulfilled.” – Matthew 5:18

Do not let the false prophets (Christian preachers) deceive you into thinking that Yahushua abolished or as they like to say, “fulfilled” any part of the Torah (Law). Yahushua plainly tells us,

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law (nomos) or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.“ –Matthew 5:17:

Yahushua did not abolish the Law (Torah) or anything written by the Prophets (Old Testament Scriptures), and he plainly tells us that the Law (Torah) will stand until heaven and earth pass. And the Greek word fulfill (pleroo) is defined as: to accomplish, or to carry out and complete. Therefore, Yahushua is telling us that he carried out the task of keeping the entire Law (Nomos in the Greek and Torah in the Hebrew). This action made by the Law-giver Himself confirms that the Torah (Law) is still expected to keep by all of YAHUAH’S children.

The only aspect of the Torah (Law) that Yahushua changed was the Levitical priesthood along with the earthly sacrificial system. This was prophesied by Daniel centuries before the Mashiach laid down his life. We read,

Daniel 9:27: Then he (Mashiach) will confirm the covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week he will bring a stop to sacrifices and gift offerings.

Allow me to repeat that one more time so that it is clearly understood what part of the Torah (Law) was changed or done away with at the cross.

“… he will bring a stop to sacrifices and gift offerings.” – Daniel 9:27

The sacrificial system and gift offerings was the only thing that changed after the death of Yahushua HaMashiach. Now, take note that he said,

“confirm the covenant”. – Daniel 9.27

What covenant? The very same covenant made with Adam, Abraham, Moses, and all the children of Yasharal. Yahushua came to confirm the everlasting covenant.

What Yahushua’s death changed was the sacrifices and gift offerings. This was made clear when “… the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent”(Matthew 27:51). This change from the earthly to the heavenly sanctuary was not easy for some of the Yahudim (Jews) to adapt to, because the Levitical priesthood and earthly sacrificial system was such an old custom. This is why Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews, to outline the change from the earthly priesthood to the heavenly Priesthood. From the earthly sanctuary (tabernacle), to the heavenly Sanctuary. From the earthly sacrificial system, to the one-time sacrifice of Yahushua HaMashiach.

Many years after Yahushua’s death, the true disciples of Mashiach kept all of the appointed times according to the phases of the moon. They did so, because they knew that Yahushua came to establish the covenant Law, and not to abolish it. Paul knew that the true followers of Mashiach would face scrutiny, and especially in Gentile nations. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul attempts to inspire the church to continue keeping YAHUAH’S appointed times even though everyone around them were practicing pagan traditions. It is no different today, as we live in Gentile nations amongst neighbors who keep pagan holidays and worldly traditions. Paul reminds us,

Colossians 2:16-17: So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a Festival (properly appointed times) or a New Moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the body belongs to Mashiach.

Notice how Paul mentions the Hebrew diet, then he mentions YAHUAH’S Appointed Times, New Moons, and Sabbaths. Paul covers the whole Torah in this statement.

Food. If we desire to keep the whole Torah, then we will abide by the list of clean and unclean foods listed in both Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. When people find out that we do not eat pork and shellfish (which is extremely common in most Gentile nations), we are questioned and looked at funny.

Drink. Drink pertains to the abstinence of alcohol. Alcohol is one of the most popular substances that Gentiles abuse and use at almost every single social gathering (pagan holidays, weekends, etc.). We definitely stand out when we tell people we do not drink alcohol.  

The appointed times, New Moons, and Sabbaths point to YAHUAH’S calendar. When we keep an entirely different calendar than the world (the Roman Gregorian calendar), we automatically become separate. And when we tell people that we keep these appointed times listed in the Torah, we then risk condemnation. Take special note, that all who keep YAHUAH’S calendar will be tested as the enforcement of the mark of the Beast approaches.

The Christians in the world say they love Jesus, and so they celebrate Christmas and Easter (pagan holidays). But if they really loved the true Mashiach then they would instead, keep YAHUAH’S appointed times, ordinances, and ten commandments. It is obvious to the true follower of Mashiach that Christianity is a pagan religion with a new deity named Jesus Christ, born on December 25^th just like many other pagan deities (i.e. Krishna, Tammuz, Hermes, Horus, Hercules, Adonis, Buddha, Dionysus, Mithras, and more), and who teaches Lawlessness – not keeping YAHUAH’S Torah.

Now, let’s take a brief look at the last part of this passage written by Paul in Colossian 2:17. Paul tells us that all these things listed in the Torah are a shadow of things to still come. This means that we are still waiting, because all of the appointed times have a typological meaning in which we will shortly discuss.

Lastly, Paul tells us that anyone who keeps the Torah – appointed times, ordinances, and ten commandments, are considered belonging to Mashiach, thus of the Body of Mashiach – Yahushua’s church (refer to 1 Corinthians 12:27). The whole Torah is a sign or mark between YAHUAH and His children, and the appointed times are the assigned days in which we are to worship Him.

This article will focus on YAHUAH’S Appointed Times which is often-times inappropriately replaced with the word Feasts. For a more detailed article explaining what the Torah consists of and what was actually nailed to the cross, please read, Should Followers of The Messiah Keep the Whole Law (Torah)?

Now let’s take a deeper look into all seven appointed times instructed for us to keep by YAHUAH Aluahim. The majority of this study will be taken from Leviticus chapter 23. Although, the appointed times (moedim) are mentioned all throughout Scripture, in both the Tanakh and the Brit Chadashah (what we wrongfully call Old and New Testament). YAHUAH tells Moses,

Leviticus 23:2: Speak to Yasharal (Israel) and tell them: These are My appointed times (moedim), the times of YAHUAH that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies.

I must first point out that the Hebrew word used for appointed times is Strong’s Concordance number 4150, moed (mo-ade’): appointed time, place, meeting. This word is often times rendered as feasts or festivals, but the more accurate translation is appointed times.

The Hebrew word for feast or festival is chag (#2282) or chagag (#2287). YAHUAH calls the seven appointed times mentioned in Leviticus chapter 23 the moedim because He is making it clear that they are all meant to be kept according to His calendar (astro-lunar-solar). In Exodus chapter 23:14-19 YAHUAH tells us that there are three feasts (chag) to keep: Unleavened Bread (Matzah), Feast of Harvest (Shabuot), and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year (Sukkot). Through tradition, all of the moedim (appointed times) have been called Feast days but technically, YAHUAH only calls three of them actual Feast days (chag). This means that we are only commanded to have an actual feast on three of the Appointed Times (moedim). Not all of the seven Moedim (Appointed Times) are considered Feast days, but all three Feast days are Moedim (Appointed Times). This is important to understand because one of the Moedim (Appointed Times) should be observed as a fast day.

Another important fact to mention, is that the appointed times (moedim), apart from the seventh-day Sabbaths are also called high days; these are the seven rest and worship days mentioned in Leviticus chapter 23. They are listed as follows:

1. First Day of the Feast of Matzah – Unleavened Bread which follows Passover meal (verse 7)
2. Last Day of the Feast of Matzah – Unleavened Bread (verse 8)
3. Shabuot – Feast of weeks; after Reshith (First Firsts), count seven Sabbaths and then count an additional fifty days after the seventh Sabbath (verse 21)
4. Yom Teruah – Day of Trumpets (verse 24)
5. Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement (verse 27, 28, 32,)
6. First Day of Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles (verse 35, 39)
7. Eighth Day of Sukkot – the Feast of Tabernacles (verse 36, 39)

These seven high days are sometimes referred to as high Sabbaths, but not all of them are actual Sabbaths – a day of rest and worship, that no food is allowed to be prepared. YAHUAH is very specific to use either the Hebrew word Shabbath or Abad when referring to the type of rest that the high day is supposed to be. Shabbath is the word used to describe the weekly seventh day of rest and worship. The word Shabbath is also used to describe four high days:

1. Yom Teruah – the Day of Trumpets
2. Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
3. The first day of Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles
4. The eighth day of Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles

For the three other high days, the word Abad is used. This word is Strong’s Concordance Number 5656 and 5647, abodah and abad: labor, service, customary work.

YAHUAH uses the word Abad instead of the Hebrew word Shabbath because, on these rest and worship days we are allowed to prepare our food. YAHUAH uses the Hebrew word Abad to describe the type of rest that is supposed to be observed for the first two Feasts (chagag); which are the first and last day of Matzah (Unleavened Bread), and Shabuot (Pentacost). Although the first day of Matzah (Unleavened Bread) falls on a seventh-day Sabbath, YAHUAH gives us clear instructions that this is the only Sabbath in which we are allowed to prepare our food (refer to Exodus 12:16). I will further expound upon that when we get to the section about Passover. With that said, there are three high days – rest and worship days, in which we can prepare our food. They are as follows:

1. First day of Matzah (Unleavened Bread)
2. Last Day of Matzah (Unleavened Bread)
3. Shabuot (Feast of weeks)

On the two high Sabbaths of Sukkot; the first and eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, we are not allowed to cook our food. The Feast days (chagag) of Sukkot do not supersede the weekly seventh-day Sabbath. These two days are to be treated as regular seventh-day Sabbaths where our food must be prepared before the sun rises. These two high Sabbaths are also considered to be part of the third and final Feast (chagag) of YAHUAH. Therefore, a large feast can and should be prepared throughout the night before (before sunrise) and or the night of (after sunset).

Take strong consideration that, the very specific wording used by YAHUAH to describe the type of rest that is to be observed on these high days, also provides more evidence of the lunar Sabbath. Now we can further explain the Moedim – YAHUAH’S Appointed Times of rest, worship, fellowship, prayer, song, and praises.

The Sabbath (Shabbat)

YAHUAH lists seven different appointed times for Yasharal (YAHUAH’S children) to proclaim as sacred assemblies and rest and worship days. Interestingly, the very first appointed time commanded to keep is the fourth commandment – the seventh-day Sabbath. YAHUAH says,

Leviticus 23:2-3: Speak to Yasharal (Israel) and tell them: These are My appointed times (moedim), the times of YAHUAH that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of YAHUAH in all your dwellings.

YAHUAH starts off the list of appointed times with the seventh day Sabbath because all of the following appointed times (moedim) are an extension of the fourth commandment, which is mentioned multiple times throughout the Torah. In Exodus 23:10-19 (rule of the Sabbaths) YAHUAH further explains these appointed times while attaching them to the fourth commandment. The fourth commandment being also the first appointed time, points to all the Sabbaths; seventh-day Sabbaths, and High Days – rest and worship days attached to the appointed times. If studied more deeply, one will realize that the majority of the precepts in the Torah simply expound upon the ten commandments.

Many people have no problem understanding that this appointed time (the seventh day Sabbath) should be kept because it is also listed as one of the ten commandments, but they are wrongfully keeping it according to the Roman Gregorian calendar. Modern day Jews and Seventh-Day Adventist alike are keeping a pagan tradition which began in the 4^th Century A.D. when Constantine forced all Yahudim (Jews) to abandon the true lunar Sabbath and Feast days to follow the Roman calendar. Below is a Profession Of Faith From The Church Of Constantinople in the year 325 C.E. (A.D.) Under The Emperor Constantine:

“I renounce all customs, rites, legalisms. Unleavened breads & sacrifices of lambs of the Hebrews, and all other FEASTS of the Hebrews, sacrifices, prayers, aspersions, purifications, sanctifications and propitiations and fasts, and NEW MOONS, AND SABBATHS, and superstitions, and hymns and chants and observances and Synagogues, and the food and drink of The Hebrews; in one word, I renounce everything Jewish, EVERY LAW, rite and custom and if afterwards I shall wish to deny and return to Jewish superstition, or shall be found eating with The Jews, or feasting with them, or secretly conversing and condemning the Christian religion instead of openly confuting them and condemning their vain faith, then let the trembling of Gehazi cleave to me, as well as the legal punishments to which I acknowledge myself liable. And may I be anathema in the world to come, and may my soul be set down with Satan and the devils.” 

– Source: Parks, James The Conflict Of The Church And The Synagogue Athenaeum, New York, 1974, p. 397-398.

And in the Jewish Encyclopedia, we read,

“Under the reign of Constantius the persecutions of the Jews reached such a height that … the computation of the [lunar-solar] calendar [was] forbidden under pain of severe punishment.”

– The Jewish Encyclopedia, Calendar [search for calendar. Select Calendar, History of. The quote is the last paragraph under the Talmudic section]

Just like all of the other appointed times, the Sabbath should be based upon the phases of the moon (refer to Psalm 104:19) because it is an appointed time (moed). The seventh Day Sabbath is always on the 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th of the lunar calendar (based on the full New Moon and not the Babylonian dark crescent), and can fall on any day of the pagan Roman calendar week. A Catholic writer for the Global Catholic Radio Network tell us,

“There was a distinct break between the Old Testament [Tanakh] requirements… dealing with the Sabbath worship… They [Rome] wanted to show that Christianity was distinct from Judaism… The other thing that we should remember, too, is that our calendar that we follow [Roman Gregorian calendar], including Seventh-day Adventists, is not only a calendar that was devised by the Catholic Church, but also it is a calendar that’s based upon the solar year, not the lunar year. The Jewish [Yahudim] calendar that was observed in the time of Christ [Mashiach] follows a lunar calendar… So the great irony is that even Seventh-day Adventists themselves are not worshipping on exactly the same Sabbath day as the Jews [Yahudim] of the time of Christ [Mashiach], because it is several days off now having switched [from] following the lunar calendar.”

– Patrick Madrid, Catholic Apologist, EWTN, Global Catholic Radio Network, Jan 5, 2006

If we are not striving to keep all of the appointed times listed in Leviticus chapter 23 in their due season (based on the full New Moon), then we are not keeping all of YAHUAH’S instructions (Torah). And are considered to be partial in the Torah (refer to Malachi 2:9), thus luke-warm (refer to Revelation 3:16).

The seventh-day Sabbath is both the fourth commandment (out of the ten commandments) and the very first appointed time commanded by YAHUAH.  The seventh-day Sabbath based on the phases of the moon (full new moon) points to YAHUAH as being our Creator, and that we believe the six literal days of the creation week along with the true biblical cosmology (flat stationary earth with a tent-like roof, and the luminaries revolving above us). As YAHUAH worked six days (morning to evening) and then rested on the seventh day, we too rest on the Sabbath day (from morning to evening). The seventh-day Sabbath ultimately represents the Millennial Sabbath (thousand-year reign) which has yet to come.

YAHUAH tells Moses to writes this about the Sabbath,

Exodus 31:13-17: You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defiles it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to YAHUAH: whosoever does any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Whereforethe children of Yasharal shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign (oth) between Me and the children of Yasharal (Israel) forever: for in six days YAHUAH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed. 

By obeying YAHUAH’S commandment and resting in Him every seventh day of His calendar week, we will be granted knowledge beyond this world. The seventh day “Sabbath was made for man” as Yahushua states, so that we may know that YAHUAH is our Aluahim and Creator of heaven, the earth, the seas, and everything in them. Now, let’s take a deeper look at the Hebrew word used for sign in the above passage. This is Strong’s Concordance number 226 Oth (Oth): a mark, or a sign.

We will shortly see that the whole Torah marks us as YAHUAH’S children – Yasharal (Israel). And as the prophet writes, “I am YAHUAH I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). Just as Satan has his mark (his calendar with his holidays), YAHUAH has His mark (His Torah and His holy days attached to His calendar).

The Hebrew word אוֹת (oth) is spelt “Aleph” (א) “Waw” (וֹ) “Taw” (ת) and it means: sign or mark. Yahushua Himself tells us, “I am the Aleph and the Taw” (Revelation 1:8). If Aluahim’s Torah is His אוֹת (sign or mark), then it is even more obvious that Aluahim is His Torah. The “Aleph” and the “Taw” in the word אוֹת (oth) represents the beginning and the end. Right here we can see that YAHUAH’S mark (oth) points us to “time” (beginning and end), and the only true way to keep time is by using the lights in the heavens in which He created for us.

The “Waw” (picture of a nail/hook/peg) in the middle of the word אוֹת (oth) also represents Mashiach, whom sacrificed himself on our behalf in order for us to better keep His Torah (Law) and Prophets (Testimony). Without the Mashiach there is no mark. We are either marked with the blood of the Lamb by keeping YAHUAH’S appointed times based on His calendar, or marked by the Beast and his calendar. From the “Aleph” (beginning with Adam) to the “Taw” (ending with the last day remnant) we are expected to show our faith or belief in Yahushua HaMashiach (our king and his kingdom) by keeping his Torah – ten commandments, appointed times, and ordinances, in their due season (refer to James 2:18).

The seventh-day Sabbath is not kept according to the Roman Gregorian calendar, but rather YAHUAH’S astro-lunar-solar calendar. Interestingly, what they call the three “Abrahamic faiths” all worship according to the Roman Gregorian calendar. Muslims worship on Fridays (day of Venus), modern day Jews and Seventh-day Adventists worship on Saturdays (day of Saturn), and Christians worship on Sundays (day of the Sun).

For more information on the lunar Sabbath, please read the articles, Saturday and Sunday, Tradition or Sabbath (Shabbat)? The Thousand-Year Rest and Reign (Millennial Sabbath), When Does the Sabbath Commence? And, The Sabbath: YAHUAH’S Everlasting Covenant.

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Pesach and Matzah)

When writing to the church in Corinth concerning the observance of Passover, Paul tells us,

1 Corinthians 5:8: Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Paul is clearing up any contentions amongst the members of the church concerning Passover. Paul is both reproving and separating the devout followers of Mashiach – the Natsarim, from the sinners in the church. This is why he further writes,

1 Corinthians 5:11: But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; not even to eat with such a person.

This entire chapter (1 Corinthians chapter 5) is concerning the Passover Feast. This is why Paul tells them not to eat with their fellow self-professed brother in Mashiach who is still practicing sin, or in other words, filled with leaven. The early churches kept all of YAHUAH’S appointed times based on the phases of the moon (full New Moon), because they knew that they all held typological meanings.

YAHUAH is absolutely clear when He says this about Passover,

Exodus 12:14: And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and you shall keep it (Passover) a Feast to YAHUAH throughout your generations; you shall keep it a Feast by an ordinance forever.

And then YAHUAH says this about the days of Unleavened Bread,

Exodus 12:17: And you shall observe the Feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall you observe this day in your generations by an ordinance forever.

YAHUAH further tells us,

Exodus 12:26-27: And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service? that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of YAHUAH, who passed over the houses of the children of Yasharal in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’ So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 

Keeping Passover shows “the only Aluahim our Savior” (Jude 1:25) that we accept His Mashiach as our Lamb – one-time sin offering. Passover is an opportunity to teach our children about the sacrifice that our Creator and Aluahim gave us, Yahushua HaMashiach – YAHUAH’S Salvation. Instead of offering up lamb after lamb, we just go to YAHUAH in prayer, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins, and thank Him for the sacrifice of His only begotten son.

The observance of Passover declares that YAHUAH is our Aluahim that brought Yasharal (Israel) out of Egyptian bondage and into the land of Canaan, and that He will once again bring Yasharal (Israel) out of this typological Egypt and into the land of New Canaan (New Yarushalam). Yasharal (Israel) is once again in captivity, only this time it is in the whole world (the very much alive Roman Empire). Just like the theme of the first Exodus was based around YAHUAH’S appointed times (refer to Exodus 5:1-2), the theme around the final exodus will be all about those who keep YAHUAH’S appointed times (rest and worship days) based on His calendar. We will either worship according to YAHUAH’S calendar (astro-lunar-solar) or the Roman Gregorian calendar (Sunday-Saturday).

Communion is coupled with Passover to remind us of the everlasting covenant Law (Torah) that was renewed in both Mount Sinai and on the day of Mashiach’s crucifixion (Abib 14^th). Communion only needs to be done once a year, but can be practiced more often if desired. It is supposed to be done the night or evening before the very first appointed time of the year (this being Passover). This is a declaration to YAHUAH that you will keep all of His appointed times that entire year.

Communion signifies Yahushua’s return in which Aluahim will once again pass through the land of Egypt (the whole world) to destroy all who do not have the blood of the Lamb on their door post (accept Yahushua as their king and high priest), or as John puts it, “have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

For more details on what and how to perform Communion, please read, Communion: What It Is and How To Perform It.

Paul reminds us,

1 Corinthians 5:7: Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Mashiach our Passover [Lamb] is sacrificed for us.

So how do we observe Passover? Well, Yahushua gave us an example. On the evening of Abib 13^th (the day before Passover), we gather with our family and or brothers and sisters in Mashiach to perform Communion. This evening also gives us a chance to get rid of any and all leftover leaven in the house before Passover day (Abib 14^th) by baking, eating, and communing with each other. This evening sets the tone for the rest of the week. Side note, Communion is not only practiced one time a year, but can be done on a regular basis throughout the year.  

Passover day (morning to evening on Abib 14^th) should be observed as a fast before we feast that night. Yahushua fasted all day while going through trial after trial, being persecuted, and eventually killed before sun down. All of His disciples most likely fasted this day due to the stress and disappointment in losing their Master. Fasting was often observed by the Yahudim during times of loss, fear of losing their lives, and when pleading with YAHUAH. As followers of the Mashiach, we should fast on Passover day to show our deep gratitude towards our Aluahim and Savior. It should be a day of deep contemplation on the one who spent all night in prayer, all day being persecuted and rejected by His own people, and eventually becoming our Passover Lamb that very evening.   

On Passover night (after sundown on Abib 14^th), we have a meal together (does not have to be roasted lamb) and talk about both Mashiach’S sacrifice and His return. We can read the story of the exodus and teach our young ones how it relates to the return of our Savior. Just like ancient Yahudim (Jews) ate the Passover lamb with their shoes on and ready to make haste, we too are reminded that at any moment (day or night) our Aluahim and Savior can return. The meaning of Passover dinner has not changed, for we should always be ready to get up and go. We are not to tarry like Lot, but rather be ready to leave our earthly belongings behind to follow the Lamb wherever He goes. We are told that Yahushua’s coming will be sudden. Therefore we should not be like the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane who kept falling asleep during the night watch, but rather keep our eyes open towards the heavens and look for the glorious return of our King. Yahushua tells us,

Revelation 16:15: Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.  

And both Paul and Peter echo these same words,

1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10: … the day of YAHUAH will come as a thief in the night.

Passover has not changed, just as YAHUAH has not changed. The only aspect of the appointed times that have changed are the sacrifices and gift offerings (refer to Daniel 9:27). YAHUAH makes it absolutely clear that we are supposed to keep the observance of Passover as an everlasting covenant (refer to Exodus 12:14-17), and that it is His אוֹת (oth): mark or sign, between Him and His children. YAHUAH tells Moses,

Exodus 13:16: It (Passover) shall be as a sign (oth) on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand YAHUAH brought us out of Egypt.

The Hebrew word used for sign is Strong’s Concordance number 226, oth: sign, mark.

This is the same word used in Exodus 31 when YAHUAH speaks about His Sabbath. Take note that this sign or mark is on the hand and forehead. This is the exact same place the mark of the Beast is said to be (refer to Revelation 13:16).

Passover night along with the Feast of Unleavened Bread is all considered to be one Feast all together. It is called Passover week – starting on the night of the 14^th of Abib and ending on the night of the 21^st of Abib. Unleavened Bread represents the circumcision of the heart. Moses writes,

Deuteronomy 10:12-16: And now, Yasharal, what does YAHUAH your Aluahim require of you, but to fear YAHUAH Aluahim, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve YAHUAH your Aluahim with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of YAHUAH and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to YAHUAH your Aluahim, also the earth with all that is in it. YAHUAH delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. 

And Paul writes,

Romans 2:25-29: For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the Law (nomos); but if you are a breaker of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the Law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the Law? For he is not a Jew (Yahudim) who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from Aluahim.

In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, “not with the old traditions of leaven”. Well, the old traditions were with unleavened bread, but without a circumcised heart – a Jew (Yahudim) who is one outwardly. Therefore, we keep the Feast (Passover week) with actual unleavened bread along with the unleavened in our hearts of “sincerity and in truth”. Sincerity, represents loving YAHUAH Aluahim with our whole heart and soul. In Truth, represents keeping YAHUAH’S Torah (refer to Psalm 119:142).

Ultimately, the Feast of Unleavened Bread represents the day YAHUAH puts His Law (Torah in Hebrew and Nomos in Greek) in our hearts and we are purified from sin (leaven) forever. The Prophets writes,

Ezekiel 36:26: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit (ruach) will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Jeremiah 31:33: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Yasharal; After those days, says YAHUAH, I will put My Torah (Law) in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Aluahim, and they shall be My people.

Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Yasharal (Israel) after those days, says YAHUAH; I will put My Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a Aluahim, and they shall be to Me a people:

Each day of Unleavened Bread (seven days in total) represents each millennium of YAHUAH’S obedient Torah-keeping children (refer to 2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 90:4). On the first millennium Adam rested with YAHUAH (this represents the first day of Unleavened Bread on Abib 15^th). And on the seventh millennium which is soon to come, all of Yasharal will rest with YAHUAH on the Millennial Sabbath (represented by the last day of Unleavened Bread on Abib 21^st). Both the first and last day of Unleavened Bread are rest and worship days but the five days in between are regular work days.

For more information on the new heart that will replace our stony heart, please read, A New Heart, Mind, Soul.

Now that we have a better understanding of what the seven days of Unleavened Bread represents, we can now observe each day by reflecting on the history of mankind, the struggles that each generation has endured, and the Prophets that were raised up for each millennium. YAHUAH tells us,

Exodus 12:16-17,20: On the first day there shall be a holy convocation (Abib 15), and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation (Abib 21) for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you. So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. … You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.

We must remember that bread (lechem) was eaten more regularly by the ancient Hebrews. We are not commanded to only eat unleavened bread (matzah) and no other foods or to over consume unleavened bread as many modern Jews do but rather, replace all foods that contain added leavening agents, such as, yeast, baking powder, baking soda, vinegar, and alcohol. The diet for Passover week is similar to someone who takes the Nazarite vow. Examples of food that have added leavening agents and vinegar and or alcohol include, most breads, crackers, cookies, cake mix, sauces, and condiments (i.e. ketchup, mustard, sriracha, apple cider vinegar, etc.).

Another fact to mention, is that the bread dough (whole wheat) made by the ancient Hebrews would have naturally risen if given enough time to ferment (refer to Exodus 12:34-39). Added leaven, such as, yeast is not the only thing to be aware of. The Hebrews left Egypt in haste and this is why the dough did not naturally rise. See, after mixing whole wheat flour and water, the gluten expands and begins to ferment and rise because it has natural leavening agents, such as, wild yeast, and lactic acid bacteria that is naturally present in flour. The longer the dough sits (1-72 hours), the more the dough ferments and expands.

Therefore, we do not need to make matzah bread with a specific flour like the modern Jews do but instead, just make sure we do not allow the whole wheat dough to ferment and rise nor add fermented dough like you would when making sourdough bread. Now, how long is too long is not specified in Scripture. We do know that the Hebrews wrapped the dough in their clothes and carried it with them so that the next time they rested they could bake the bread. We just need to make sure we stay away from added leavening products and fermented dough.

Passover is a time to rid the leaven (false teachings and sin) from our homes and hearts. We are reminded to stay pure (unadulterated), and undefiled by Christianity and all other pagan religions (refer to Galatians 5:9, Revelation 14:4). Just as we would not put old wine (fermented or alcoholic wine) in new-wineskins (fresh grape juice bottles), we would not mix leaven dough (fermented dough) with unleavened dough (fresh dough). For just “a little leaven, leavens the whole lump”. We eat unleavened bread (matzah) and foods that don’t contain fermentation or vinegar, to remind us that, we have the choice every single day to either live in sin or in righteousness, to study the Word line upon line to make sure there is no false doctrine being taught, and to purify ourselves from the leaven (false teachings and pagan traditions) that surrounds us. The making of the bread is work, just as our works can either be fruitful or bare.

The first day (Abib 15^th) and last day (Abib 21^st) of Unleavened Bread are rest and worship days. The first day of Unleavened Bread (Abib 15^th) will always fall on a seventh-day Sabbath. This means that Passover is always the night before a seventh-day Sabbath. The people of Yasharal did not leave Egypt until the night after Passover night. They rested in their homes on the seventh day Sabbath, then fled Egypt after the sun went down on Abib 15^th (refer to Exodus 12:22, Numbers 33:2-3, Deuteronomy 16:1).

On both high Sabbaths; rest and worship days (15^th and 21^st), we are told, “No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you”. All seventh-day Sabbaths are the same; we are told not to boil, bake, or cook our food (refer to Exodus 16:23), and this is why we cook our food the day or night before. The first day of Matzah falls on a Sabbath (15^th) but we are told that on this specific Sabbath along with the last day of Matzah (21^st) which does not fall on a Sabbath, we are allowed to prepare our food. On the first day of Matzah (15^th), we can prepare our whole wheat dough in order to bake matzah (unleavened or unfermented bread) that night for dinner. Remember, when the ancient Hebrews fled Egypt the night after Sabbath (Abib 15^th), they were in the middle of preparing their bread thus, we are allowed to prepare our food on this very specific seventh-day Sabbath only (Abib 15^th).

The five days in between the first and last day of Unleavened Bread (Abib 16^th – 20^th) are work days, but we should still use this time to teach our young ones the meaning of this appointed time while contemplating ourselves, the coming Exodus. Just like the ancient Hebrews traveled on these days, we too, are traveling through life striving to enter into the great and final rest with our Savior who will lead us as a Light by night and a Cloudy Pillar by day.

Now that we have a better understanding to what Passover and Unleavened Bread represents and how to better observe it, we need to know when to observe it. Moses writes,

Exodus 13:10: You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

We are told to keep Passover forever (Exodus 12:17), year after year, and at the appointed time (Exodus 13:10). Once again, YAHUAH is pointing us to His timepiece – the lights in the heavens. The Psalmist tells us that,

Psalm 104:19 (CSB): He (YAHUAH) made the moon to mark the appointed times (moed); the sun knows when to set.

And Moses testifies to this in his account of creation. We read,

Genesis 1:14: Then Aluahim said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons (moed), and for days and years.

The word used in both Psalms 104:19 and Genesis 1:14 is Strong’s Concordance number 4150, moed (mo-ade’): appointed time, place, meeting. This is the same word used in Leviticus chapter 23 to describe all of YAHUAH’S appointed times which are to be observed according to the phases of the moon. The light of the sun was given to us to know when a day begins and ends (refer to John 11:9), for it divides the day from the night. The stars alone were given to us for a light by night, for the moon is not always seen at night because it was created for the moedim (appointed times). The stars, sun and moon together tell us when the beginning of YAHUAH’S year commences (Rosh Hashanah or Rosh Chodesh). Both the sun and the moon move through the twelve zodiacs (constellations) along with the wondering stars (planets).

All the appointed times (moedim) are in accordance to the phases of the moon. The Bible tells us that, along with multiple historians, professors, theologians, and religious writers. Hutton Webster, a sociologist, economist, anthropologists, and lecturer at Stanford University writes,

“The [early] Hebrews employed lunar seven-day weeks, which ended with special observances on the seventh day, but none the less were tied to the moon’s course.”

– Hutton Webster, Rest Days, p. 254-255

And in the Oxford English Dictionary we read,

“The Jewish [Yahudim] festivals being regulated solely by the moon, may fall on any day of the [Roman] week.”

– Oxford English Dictionary, 1971 Edition, Vol. 2, “Pentecost.”

The true followers of Mashiach (the Natsarim) kept all the appointed times according to the lunar calendar (full New Moon) all the way up to the 4^th Century A.D. when all Jewish (Yahudim) customs were abolished through severe persecution. Eusebius (a 4^th Century Catholic priest) is a witness to the fact that all the churches in Asia (the ones set up by Paul and the other Apostles) kept Passover according to the lunar calendar. We read,

“There was a considerable discussion raised about this time, in consequences of difference of opinion respecting the observance of the paschal [Passover] season. The churches of all Asia, guided by a remoter tradition, supposed that they ought to keep the fourteenth day of the moon for festival of the Savior’s Passover, in which day the Jews [Yahudim] were commanded to kill the paschal lamb; and it was incumbent on them, at all times, to make an end of the fast on this day, on whatever day of the [Roman] week it should happen to fall.”

– The Ecclesiastical history of Eusebius Pamphilus, Bishop of Caesarea, in Palestine [4^th Century A.D.], translated by Christian Frederick Cruse, D.D, Tenth Edition, 1850, Chapter 23, p. 207.

Eusebius mentions two very specific Natsarims when speaking about the keeping of the lunar Passover. One of these is Polycarp (AD 69-155), a bishop of the church in Smyrna and disciple of the beloved John. The other, is Polycrates (AD 130-196), who was president of the church in Ephesus. These men, along with all of the churches in Asia minor kept the lunar Passover based on the Full New Moon while the counterfeit churches in and around Rome kept the pagan Easter Sunday to represent their new deity Jesus Christ. Polycrates is quoted by Eusebius, saying,

“We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord’s [Master’s] coming … Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord [Master], and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. All these observed the fourteenth day of Passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people [Yahudim] put away the leaven [Abib 14^th]. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord [Master], and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted to terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ‘We ought to obey God [Aluahim] rather than man.’”

– Eusebius 1890, Book V Chapter 24

The 2^nd Century Catholic Bishop states,

“This change from the lunisolar to a fixed solar calendar occurred in Rome during the repressive measures which were enacted against ALL JEWISH customs … during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. With the fall of the Nazarene [Natsarim] headquarters… at Jerusalem [Yarushalam], this new Roman calendar quickly spread throughout ‘Christendom.’ This new calendar not only replaced yearly festival dates such as Passover, but it also revamped the concept of the week and its seventh day.”

– Iranaeus 2^nd Century A.D.

And in the Jewish Encyclopedia, we read,

“Under the reign of Constantius the persecutions of the Jews reached such a height that … the computation of the [lunar-solar] calendar [was] forbidden under pain of severe punishment.”

– The Jewish Encyclopedia, Calendar [search for calendar. Select Calendar, History of. The quote is the last paragraph under the Talmudic section]

The Psalmist writes,

Psalm 148:3-6: Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of YAHUAH, For He commanded and they were created. He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.

If the moon was made specifically for the appointed times (refer to Psalm 104:19) and YAHUAH made an everlasting covenant with the moon (refer to Psalm 148:3-6), then the appointed times were also established forever. No moon no appointed times!

But both the moon and the Torah (Law) will stand until heaven and earth pass (refer to Matthew 5:18). If the appointed times were supposedly done away with then there would be no more need for the moon. But were told that the moon will also exist in the New Kingdom of New Yarushalam (refer to Isaiah 66:23). Therefore, the appointed times or at least the first appointed time (the seventh-day Sabbath) will exist in the New Kingdom of New Yarushalam.

It is our duty to restore YAHUAH’S appointed times in which all of the early followers of Mashiach (the Natsarim) observed in their appropriate seasons – based on the astro-luni-solar calendar. This includes the phases of the moon in accordance to the constellations.

The New Moon (full moon, not dark crescent) is always day 1 of the month. New Moon day is not a Sabbath, except the seventh New Moon day, but it is also not a day for buying and selling (refer to Amos 8:5). The six working days begin on the 2^nd day of each lunar month. Therefore, the seventh-day Sabbath will always be on the 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th of the month.

Passover will always be on the 14^th day of the first month of the year (according to the astro-lunar-solar calendar). Therefore, the first day of Unleavened Bread will always fall on a seventh-day Sabbath. And First Fruits (the day our Savior arose from the grave) will always be on Abib 16^th, the day after the first day of Unleavened Bread. The last day of Unleavened Bread (21^st day of Abib) will always fall on the day before the following seventh-day Sabbath (22^nd). It will always be a back to back rest and worship day for the children of Yasharal.

For a deeper study on when the New Moon begins, when New Years Day is, and how to utilize the moon for Sabbaths and Appointed Times, please read the article, The Full Moon is the New Moon.

First Fruits (Reshith)

Leviticus 23:10-11: Speak to the children of Yasharal (Israel), and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the First Fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before YAHUAH, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

YAHUAH tells us that once we reap the harvest in the land which He will give us, then we are to wave the sheaf before YAHUAH. As ancient Yasharal (Israel) was given the land of Canaan and the city of Yarushalam (Jerusalem), we today are awaiting the land of New Canaan or New Yarushalam. Therefore, we keep this appointed time and look forward to waving the sheaf in the presence of YAHUAH Aluahim in the city of New Yarushalam and in the land of New Canaan. Interestingly, the Hebrew word Canaan derives from the root word kana (#3665) which means: to be humble. All who humble themselves in the sight of YAHUAH will receive the land of humility.

Some argue the fact that Yahushua HaMashiach fulfilled this appointed time when he was resurrected on this day as the First Fruits to YAHUAH. This is partially true. Although, the appointed time of First Fruits is a typology which represents the land of New Canaan in the New Kingdom (the land of humility). As Yahushua was the type to fulfill this appointed time, the resurrection of the just, are the anti-type in which will fulfill this time yet again. Paul writes,

1 Corinthians 15:20: But now is Mashiach risen from the dead, and become the First Fruits of them that slept.

It is important to learn that all the appointed times are typological. The key part written by Paul is “of them that slept”. Yahushua was the First Fruits of all who are sleeping (dead) in Mashiach and waiting to be resurrected to life. We are still waiting for the rest of them that are sleeping to be resurrected unto life when He returns. Paul tells us,

1 Thessalonians 4:16: For Yahushua Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an Archangel, and with the trumpet of Aluahim. And the dead in Mashiach will rise first.

Those that are resurrected when Aluahim returns are represented by the spring harvest (Reshith). The wheat is planted in the late fall/early winter during darkness, death, and corruption. It is harvested in the spring during new life, and the beginning of longer days or the first rays of light (Mashiach). Paul writes,

1 Corinthians 15:42-45: So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption [winter], it is raised in incorruption [spring]. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

This appointed time (Reshith) will be fulfilled when Yahushua returns to resurrect all of them that are “sleeping in Mashiach”. They will be part of the first resurrection (of the just) which will happen at the coming of our King.

So now that we better understand the meaning of this appointed time (First Fruits), let’s learn how and when to observe it. YAHUAH tells us,

Leviticus 23:11: … on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

First Fruits is always on the day after the first day of Unleavened Bread. This will always fall on Abib 16^th thus, part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. YAHUAH tells us,

Leviticus 23:14: You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Aluahim; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

We are not supposed to eat any sort of grain until we have given an offering to YAHUAH. Basically, we are to worship before we eat. The question remains. If there is no earthly temple and the earthly sacrificial system and offerings have ceased (refer to Daniel 9:27), then how do we worship YAHUAH? Well, we are told to make an “offering made by fire to YAHUAH” (Leviticus 23:13), and fire represents the Ruach HaQodash (refer to Matthew 3:11). Are we not told to worship YAHUAH in Spirit (fire) and in Truth (refer to John 4:24)?

The Truth represents both the Torah (refer to Psalm 119:142) and the Mashiach (refer to John 14:6). To worship in Truth means to keep the whole Torah: ten commandments, appointed times, and ordinances, while accepting Yahushua HaMashiach as your king, high priest, and upholder of the Law (Torah). Spirit and Truth (Ruach and Amet) go hand in hand. We can only be granted the Ruach of Aluahim if we strive to keep His Truth (refer to Acts 5:32). When we are filled with the Ruach of Aluahim, only then can we worship Aluahim and bear fruit. John the Baptists says,

Matthew 3:10-11: And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Ruach HaQodash (Holy Spirit), and with fire.

Before we eat food or perform any work on this day (Abib 16^th), we should show our Aluahim that He is our bread (refer to Matthew 4:4), and worship and give Him praise with the gifts of the Ruach that He has so graciously given us (refer to 1 Corinthians chapter 12). This is done with prayer, song, healing, speaking in tongues, prophesying, or reading of Scripture. For every appointed time (moed) we should worship YAHUAH using the gifts of the Ruach, for this is the way in which we can give an offering made with fire (Ruach) to YAHUAH our Aluahim.

Paul writes,

Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Aluahim’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Aluahim. This is your true and proper worship. 

Feast of Weeks (Shabuot)

Leviticus 23:15-18: And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to YAHUAH. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the First Fruits to YAHUAH. And you shall offer with the bread seven lambs of the first year, without blemish, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be as a burnt offering to YAHUAH, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to YAHUAH.

This is where many people (myself included) have been duped. If we properly read the above verse then we will see that Shabuot (Feast of weeks) is not in the third month of the year as tradition has it, but in the fifth month of the year. Bear with me, because this is going to take the understanding of His calendar. YAHUAH’S calendar has a monthly count (1-29 or 30), and a weekly count (1-7). New Moon days (30^th and 1^st) are counted in the monthly count but are not counted in the weekly count. For the Feast (Chag) of Shabuot, we are introduced to a Sabbath count in which counts Sabbaths. We are commanded,

Leviticus 23:15: And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed.

The day of the sheave of the wave offering always falls on the day that Yahushua was resurrected, which is on the first day of the weekly count and on the 16^th day of the monthly count (Abib 16^th). This is after the first day of Matzah which is always on the 15^th of Abib and the seventh day of the weekly count (a Sabbath). We are told to count seven Sabbaths after Abib 15^th. This will always land on the very first Sabbath of the third month of the year (day 8 of the third month). Remember, we are counting Sabbaths only and therefore, New Moon days are not counted (30^th, 1^st).

Most of us are led to believe that verse 16 is reiterating the fact that we are told to count seven Sabbaths but this is not the case. We are told to count seven Sabbaths (day 8 of the third month), and then from there to count an additional fifty days. Let’s read it together,

Leviticus 23:16 (NASB): You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to YAHUAH.

Can you see it now? YAHUAH says to count fifty days after we have counted seven Sabbaths. Let me write it in a way that will help you better understand it, “after the seventh Sabbath, you shall count fifty days”. Remember, YAHUAH is having us first count Sabbaths (seven of them), then He is asking us to count days. The question is, are these days a monthly count or a weekly count? Well, since the topic of this Feast is based on Sabbath weeks (Feast of weeks) then we would count fifty weekly days (1-7). We would count fifty days from day 8 of the third month of the year and not include New Moon days (30^th and 1^st). This count will always bring us to the 2^nd day of the fifth month which is also the first day of the weekly count.

How do I know that this is the correct date for the Feast of Shabuot? The Scriptures tell us that the covenant was confirmed in the third month of the year. Moses writes,

Exodus 19:1: In the third month after the sons of Yasharal had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

After Moses read all the commandments to the children of Yasharal, they agreed to the words that Moses spoke to them out of the book of the Law. Afterwards, Moses was commanded to go up to mount Sinai to receive the ten commandments in stone (refer to Exodus 19-24). Now, most of us know exactly how long Moses was on the mountain. We read,

Exodus 24:18: So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Moses went up to Mount Sinai in the third month of the year (refer to Exodus 19:1). This is when YAHUAH gives Moses strict instructions concerning offerings, the making of the ark of the testimony, the making of the tabernacle, the priestly garments, etc. (refer to Exodus 25-31). The day Moses came down from the mountain was exactly forty days after the third month of the year. On this very same day, the people of Yasharal were worshipping a golden calf (refer to Exodus 32). Now, it is very important to read what Aaron said directly after making the golden calf. We read,

Exodus 32:5-6: So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow is a Feast (Chag) to YAHUAH.” Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Notice that the day the children of Yasharal worshipped the golden calf was on a Feast day. Now, there are only three Feasts (Chag) commanded by YAHUAH for us to keep, the Feast of Matzah, the Feast of Shabuot or also called the Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Sukkot or also called the Feast of Ingathering (refer to Exodus 23:14-19). Forty days and forty nights after the latter part of the third month of the year when Moses went up to receive the Law would place us in the beginning of the fifth month of the year when Aaron reminded the people that, “Tomorrow is a Feast (Chag) to YAHUAH”.

Shabuot or the Feast of Harvest should be observed on the 2^nd day of the fifth month of the year. This Feast day (Shabuot) represents both a typology and a prophecy. The seven Sabbaths point us to understanding the law of Sabbaths. In prophecy, a day is a year (refer to Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34) thus, the 50 days resembles a Jubilee (50 years in total).

There are over a dozen prophecies in Scripture that points to the return of Mashiach 2,000 years after his death and resurrection. And interestingly, forty Jubilees (40 x 50) after Mashiach’s death and resurrection is exactly 2,000 years. The next Jubilee will have to land on the seventh millennia. To my understanding, the sixth millennia ends after creation year 6000 (spring of 2032 on the Roman calendar), and the seventh millennia begins on creation year 6001 (spring of 2032 on the Roman calendar).

For a deeper understanding about the seven millenniums, Aluahim’s week, and prophecies that relate to Mashiach returning 2,000 years after his death and resurrection, please read, The Millennial Sabbath.

We are told that, “You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah.” Interestingly, an ephah is equivalent to about fifty pounds. Here we see the number 50 again. We are told that the leaven bread loaves represents the First Fruits to Aluahim (the 144,000), “They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the First Fruits to YAHUAH”, says YAHUAH. This is also why we perform Communion with leavened bread and not unleavened bread, because the leaven bread represents the Body of Mashiach who are full of spots yet have been covered by the blood of the Lamb. (refer to 1 Corinthians 12:27, Revelation 7:14), and not the literal body of Yahushua like Christianity falsely teaches.

Remember, Communion was first introduced on the evening before Passover on Abib 13^th. Leaven bread was commanded to be cleared out of the houses by Passover day on Abib 14^th  (refer to Exodus 12:15). Therefore, it was not a sin to have regular bread (lechem) in the house on Abib 13^th.

For more information on what Communion represents and how to properly perform it, please read, Communion: What It Is and How To Perform It.

Yahushua was the First Fruits (Reshith) of those that fell asleep, but the First Fruits of the living has not yet been fulfilled. In the very same chapter to the Corinthians, speaking about the First Fruits, Paul also writes,

1 Corinthians 15:51: Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

Paul is telling us that some of us will still be alive when the Mashiach returns, 144,000 to be exact. Speaking about the 144,000, John writes,

Revelation 14:3-4: They sang as it were a new song before the Throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the First Fruits to Aluahim and to the Lamb.

There will be 144,000, the remnant of YAHUAH’S children, that will not taste death and will fulfill this appointed time (Shabuot) as the ripe harvest, sweet, pure, and unadulterated to YAHUAH our Aluahim. John further writes,

Revelation 14:14-16: Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat one like the son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, thrust in your sickle and reap, for the time has come for you to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe. So he who sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

The Feast of Harvest (Shabuot) marks the time between the two first fruits. The resurrection of Mashiach and all whom are asleep in Mashiach represent the Reshith (spring harvest) or the first fruits of them that slept (the first resurrection). The spring harvest of wheat symbolizes Yahushua’s death and resurrection. The wheat is planted in the late fall/early winter during the time of year which represents darkness and death and then is harvested in the spring during the time of year that represents the lengthening of sunlight, new life, and a new year.

The summer harvest during the time of Shabuot (August – September) symbolizes the first fruits to YAHUAH of them that are alive. The wheat is planted in the spring during the time of year that represents rebirth (baptism and coming out of Babylon), and is harvested in the late summer when the wheat is fully ripe and has produced much fruit (preached the everlasting Gospel). It is gathered by the Harvester (refer to Revelation 14:14-16), Yahushua, when he returns to gather his chosen ones (those he planted in the earth) whom are the first fruits to YAHUAH Aluahim (the 144,000). This will occur on a Jubilee – a 50-year cycle (seven Sabbaths).

The seven lambs without blemish represents the seven millenniums (refer to 2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 90:4) that Mashiach’s blood covers. His spotless sacrifice covers the sins from Adam to the last day remnant (refer to Hebrew 9:26, Hebrews 10:12, Revelation 5:9, 1 Peter 19:20, Revelation 13:8), and including the one-time offering in the heavenly sanctuary (refer to Hebrews 9) which we all need in order to enter into the gates of New Yarushalam and worship YAHUAH Aluahim on His Sabbath day (the seventh millennia). Mashiach’s sacrifice covers both earth and heaven, and seven full millenniums (7,000 years) or seven days in the eyes of Aluahim.

Because heaven was also tainted with sin from the errors of Satan and his angels, Aluahim had to purify the heavenly sanctuary as well (refer to Revelation 12:9-11, Hebrews 9). There will not be a new heaven and a new earth until after the millennial Sabbath (thousand-year reign). After the millennial Sabbath, we will receive a new heart and the Torah will be written in our DNA, and all things will be made new (refer to Revelation 21:5).

For more information on when we are given a new heart, please read, A New Heart, Mind, Soul.

Back to the commands concerning Shabuot. YAHUAH says,

Leviticus 23:21: And you shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: you shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

This is another back to back worship day for YAHUAH’S children (following New Moon day), and once again, we are told to keep this appointed time (moed) forever. And forever means forever. It doesn’t mean until Mashiach dies on the cross, for Yahushua Himself said that, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law (nomos), till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). If Yahushua’s death supposedly brought an end to all of the appointed times (moedim), then why did His disciples keep this Feast of Shabuot years after the Mashiach’s death? If the disciples of Yahushua were not supposed to keep this Feast of Shabuot, then YAHUAH would have not blessed the Apostles on this Feast day because they would have been being disobedient to Aluahim, or as Christians say, “denying Christ by keeping the Feast days”. But the Acts of the Apostles tell us that on this very specific rest and worship day they were blessed by YAHUAH Aluahim with the Ruach HaQodash (Holy Spirit). We read,

Acts 2:1-4: When the Day of Pentecost (Shabuot) had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This Scripture brings us to the Greek in which people will use to back the claim that Shabuot is fifty days from Passover. The word Pentecost is used three times in the Brit Chadashah. This is Strong’s Concordance number 4005, Pentekoste: Pentecost, a feast of the Jews, the fiftieth day after Passover.

Helps Word Study further says: 4005 pentēkostḗ (from 4002 /pénte, “five”) – properly fiftieth, referring to the festival of Pentecost – a one day festival celebrated at the end of the barley harvest. This was a joyous time of giving great thanks to God [Aluahim].

Helps Word Study says that the prefix, pente, is from pente (#4002) which literally translates to five (not fifty). And interestingly, the word Pentekoste (Pentecost) is a different word than the Greek word used for fifty. The Greek word for fifty is Strong’s Concordance number 4004, Pentekonta: fifty. This word is used seven times in the Brit Chadashah and is accurately translated as, fifty each time.

The Greek word for five is pente (#4002) and it is used 38 times in the Brit Chadashah. Everytime, it is translated as, five. When a word has the prefix, pente (penta in English), it is often times associated with the number five. For example,

1. pentagon – 5 angles of plane figures.
2. pentathlon – 5 events in an athletic competition.
3. pentarchy – 5 rulers in a government.
4. pentad – 5 angles in a group
5. pentangle – 5 angles in a shape or line
6. pentagram – 5 pointed star


Knowing that the Greek word Pentekoste (Pentecost) differs from the actual Greek word for fifty (pentekonta) and that the prefix, pente (penta) usually means, five, then it would make sense that each time Paul wrote the word Pentekoste (Pentecost) he was referring to the number five and not the number fifty. Paul was both defining and translating in the Greek language the Hebrew Feast day of Shabuot (the Feast of Harvest or Feast of weeks) by telling us that it is in the fifth (pente/penta) month of the year (according to the Hebrew or lunar/solar calendar).

Now back to YAHUAH’S instructions concerning this appointed time of Shabuot.
We further read,

Leviticus 23:22: And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when you reap, neither shall you gather any gleaning of your harvest: you shall leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am YAHUAH your Aluahim.

Here you can see YAHUAH use the word harvest. Shabuot is the Feast of Harvest which usually falls near the fifth month of the year (August – September). Notice how this Feast day points to the promised land in which Yasharal has not yet been given. We observe this day to show our king that we await his return to gather his people and bring us to the land of New Canaan (land of humility). This is a rest and worship day (no work is to be done). On this day we should give praise and worship to YAHUAH Aluahim with the gifts of the Ruach (Spirit) – speaking in tongues, prophesying, praying, singing, and reading from the Holy Scriptures.

Day of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)

Leviticus 23:24-25: Speak unto the children of Yasharal (Israel), saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing (teruah) of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no servile work therein: but you shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHUAH.

This appointed time is the only one that falls on a New Moon day (Full New Moon Day). Here, we see the rule of sevens. Six days we work and on the seventh day we rest. Six years we labor in the earth and on the seventh we let the earth rest. Six years of servitude and on the seventh we are set free (typology for the millennial Sabbath). Seven Sabbath years and there is a Jubilee for the earth. Six New Moon days we can work, but on the seventh New Moon day (Full New Moon) we rest and worship. All New Moon days are considered to be a day of worship. The Scriptures do not imply that we cannot do any type of work on New Moon days, although we are told that buying and selling is not permitted (refer to Amos 8:5). The seventh New Moon day is the only New Moon day that we treat as a Sabbath day – rest and worship.

Modern day Judaism which is a new religion born out of the Roman empire wrongfully joins this appointed time (Day of Trumpets) with Rosh Hashanah (New Year’s day). The Babylonia religion of Judaism has separated their worship calendar (based on the dark crescent moon) from their civil calendar while combining the Roman Gregorian calendar with their worship days (Saturday Sabbaths). It is important to understand that the modern religion of Judaism does not resemble the original religion of the ancient Hebrews. They begin their New Year (Rosh Hashanah) during the fall time in the dark crescent phase of the moon. This is the exact opposite of what YAHUAH commanded Moses. Directly before the ancient Hebrews fled Egypt, YAHUAH told Moses,

Exodus 12:2: This month (chodesh) shall be your beginning (rosh) of months; it shall be the first month of the year (Hashanah) to you.

Rosh Hashanah (New Year’s day) is supposed to be in the month (chodesh) when Passover is celebrated (in the spring). YAHUAH never told Moses to create both a civil calendar and a worship calendar, or a solar calendar and a lunar calendar like many of the ancient Gentile nations did and still do. Once again, we are reminded how Rome thought “to change appointed times and laws” (Daniel 7:25).

For more information on when both Rosh Hashanah (New Year’s day) and the months (Chodesh) are supposed to begin (Rosh Chodesh), please read, The Full Moon is The New Moon.

The name of this appointed time is Yom Teruah. Yom is the Hebrew word for day, and teruah is Strong’s Concordance number 8643, which means: a shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy.

The Day of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) points to the loud cry right before Yahushua’s second coming hence, the “blowing of trumpets”. The prophet Joel records the events leading up to and after the second coming of Mashiach. Three times does Joel tell us to warn the people of the coming judgment,

Joel 1:14-15: Sanctify you a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of YAHUAH your Aluahim, and cry unto YAHUAH, Alas for the day! for the day of YAHUAH is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Joel 2:1: Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of YAHUAH is coming, for it is nigh at hand.

Joel 2:15-16: Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the Bridegroom go forth of His chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Notice that each time the alarm is sounded (Teruah) Mashiach’s return becomes closer. And with the final cry, Yahushua is at the door. This appointed time (Day of Trumpets) points to the return of our king. This day reminds us of the ministry work we must do – the cry of the three angels message (refer to Revelation 14:6-12), before the seventh trumpet is heard. John the Revelator writes,

Revelation 10:6-7: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of YAHUAH Aluahim should be finished, as He has declared to His servants the prophets. And swear by Him that lives forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.

When the seventh and last trumpet (or loud cry) is finished, then YAHUAH will reward all those who do not keep His Torah with the seven last plagues (refer to Revelation 11:15-19). After all these things have come to pass,

1 Thessalonians 4:16: Yahushua himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Aluahim and the dead in Mashiach shall rise first.

On the seventh New Moon day we rest from our labors and worship Him who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them. This day starts off the seventh month of YAHUAH’S calendar which has multiple appointed times and high Sabbaths within it. This is a good day to ask YAHUAH how you can better get His message out to the world. We should be asking ourselves, am I ready for the latter rain in which all of the obedient children of YAHUAH will receive gifts in order to perform miracles in the sight of all the living, in order to turn as many as possible to the Truth before the seventh trumpet sounds and the seven last plagues fall upon mankind?

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

Leviticus 23:27-32: Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to YAHUAH. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before YAHUAH your Aluahim. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be to you a Sabbath (sabbat) of solemn rest (sabbatown), and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your Sabbath (šab·bat·tə·ḵem).

Before speaking further about this appointed time (Yom Kippur) I need to mention that many Sabbath-keepers use this passage to wrongfully support the Babylonian reckoning of what a day is. Both modern Jews and Seventh-day Adventists are led to believe that a Scriptural day begins at sundown, but this is an age-old Babylonian tradition and not an ancient Hebrew practice.

Notice how I put in parenthesis all the places that Moses writes Sabbath. The last word used for Sabbath (šab·bat·tə·ḵem), is the only occurrence throughout the entire Bible. This particular Sabbath (Day of Atonement) is called “your Sabbath”, to denote a difference between this very specific high Sabbath and other Sabbaths; for the weekly Sabbath is often called the Sabbath of YAHUAH (refer to Exodus 20:10).It was only this appointed time (Day of Atonement), where YAHUAH specifically commands us to celebrate from “evening to evening”. Throughout the entire chapter of Leviticus 23, this is the only time we are commanded to celebrate a Sabbath (rest and worship day) that is supposed to commence the evening before the actual Sabbath Day.

It is quite presumptuous to take this verse, “from evening to evening, shall you celebrate your Sabbath”, and use it to say that all the high Sabbaths (moedim) including the weekly seventh-day Sabbath should be celebrated from evening to evening. And it is even more far-fetched to use it in order to define the beginning of a Day. The evening to evening seventh-day Sabbath, and along with the evening to evening Day is purely a pagan Babylonian tradition in which Rome has adopted.

Moses purposely breaks up the directions YAHUAH gives him pertaining to each one of these appointed times (moedim) and Sabbaths (rest and worship days) by starting off with, “And YAHUAH spoke unto Moses, saying,”. Very similar to when Moses writes in Genesis 1 and the account of each creation Day, he starts off each Day by stating, “And Aluahim said”.

For more information on what YAHUAH says a day is, and when the seventh-day Sabbath begins, please read, When Does The Sabbath Commence? And What Constitutes a Day in Scripture?

The Day of Atonement is the only Sabbath that is to be kept for 24 hours. Sunset to sunset. This appointed time begins on the ninth day of the seventh month at evening (or sunset), and ends on the tenth day of the seventh month at evening (or sunset).

Once again, we are told to keep this appointed time “forever throughout your generations”. And it is of no coincidence that the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) directly follows the Day of Trumpets. The Day of Trumpets is the last loud cry to preach the everlasting covenant or gospel, because YAHUAH’S judgement is near. The Day of Atonement represents the great day of judgment that has yet to come. The day of judgment is not the day that Christendom teaches about which is mentioned in Revelation 20:12. When John writes about that judgment day, it is of the unrighteous and unjust whose fate has already been sealed prior to that time. The Day of Judgment is the same as the Great Day of YAHUAH; this is the day the Mashiach returns to judge the world. Yahushua plainly tells us,

Revelation 22:12: And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every one according to his work.

Our High Priest Yahushua is ministering in the heavenly sanctuary as we speak. He is separating the sheep from the goats, the just from the unjust, the righteous from the unrighteous, to see who will reign with him as kings and priests for a thousand years. We either rest and reign with our king on the Millennial Sabbath (thousand-year reign) or not. We only get one chance to show our faith and love for YAHUAH’S Kingdom and our king who reigns in that Kingdom. That opportunity ends either when we die or when Yahushua returns. All of the unrighteous are destroyed upon Mashiach’s return, and then are resurrected after the thousand-year reign as a testimony against themselves, only to be destroyed forever with the rest of the unrighteous throughout all-time (all six millenniums).

For more information on understanding both what happens after we die and what the judgment day really is, please read, What Happens After We Die?

This Day of Atonement is a very special occasion. Only once a year the high priest entered into the Most Holy to minister for all the children of Yasharal, but not without first making an atonement for the sanctuary, because of the uncleanliness of the children of Yasharal. He was required to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat, make a sin offering for both himself, the holy place, and then for the children of Yasharal. All of this cleansed the entire sanctuary along with the people of Yasharal from the uncleanliness of sins accumulated throughout the year. Now, he was ready to minister in the Most Holy for all of Yasharal (refer to Leviticus 16). This was the only day in the year that the priest would go into the Most Holy among the presence of the glory of YAHUAH, the Most-High.

Just because there is no more earthly sanctuary, doesn’t mean this appointed time was done away with, for all of these same actions were fulfilled in the heavenly sanctuary by our Savior and High Priest Yahushua (refer to Hebrews 9). And the Day of Judgment on the whole world has yet to come.

This special occasion demands special preparations. YAHUAH wants to make sure that we are fully attentive during this Sabbath, with no distractions during this time. Twice, we were commanded: “you shall afflict your souls”. This Day is like no other Sabbath, because it represents the day Aluahim will return to reward every man for his works. YAHUAH doesn’t want us to take this day lightly or treat it like every other day of rest. No, YAHUAH wants us to meditate on our character, and all of our accumulated sins from the past year. To re-evaluate the way in which we live; from our actions and words, to our very own thoughts. He wants to make sure that the evening before this special rest and worship day, we are finished with all of our preparations in order to mentally prepare for the coming Day of Judgement.

No work at all is to be performed on the Day of Atonement nor the evening before because the evening and night before this day represents the night watch. We are told multiple times throughout Scripture to keep watch, because Yahushua will “come as a thief in the night” (refer to Revelation 16:15, 1 Thess. 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10). We are to finish all of our work by the evening, because the night before this special day is set aside for contemplation, and self-examination. It is meant to remind us of the ministry work that Mashiach is performing for us in the heavenly sanctuary, and that he will soon step out of the sanctuary, Aluahim will open up the firmament, and Mashiach will descend down with his army of heavenly beings and destroy every single person who has transgressed YAHUAH’S Torah, denied Mashiach’s sacrifice, and lived a life without true repentance and humility.

This Sabbath is for us. It is meant for us to afflict our souls, to humble ourselves in the sight of YAHUAH, and ask how we can better worship Him. For 24 hours once a year, we reflect on our lives and how we can better love and worship YAHUAH with our whole heart, soul, and mind. We meditate on the scenes of the Judgment Day that is yet to come. This day should instill the fear of YAHUAH in us, and put us back on the straight and narrow road which leads to righteousness (Matthew 7:14). This is a serious day of prayer, asking for mercy and forgiveness of our sins, reading of Scripture, and fasting from food.

This appointed time (moedim) should be a fast day, because in Scripture, fasting is often-times associated with affliction, in which YAHUAH commands us to do twice during this Sabbath. The prophet Joel records the Word of YAHUAH,

Joel 2:12: Turn you even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping and with mourning.

There are multiple stories in the Bible of times in which people fasted and prayed for many days in their afflictions, pleading to Aluahim and asking for mercy and forgiveness. Sometimes this was a corporate fast, and other times it was a single person fast. We read,

Jonah 3:5: So the people of Nineveh believed YAHUAH, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

Ezra 8:23: So we fasted and besought our Aluahim for this: and He was intreated of us.

Nehemiah 1:4: And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the Aluahim of heaven.

Daniel 9:3,20: And I set my face unto YAHUAH Aluahim, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Yasharal…

Ester 4:16: Go, gather together all the Yahudim that are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

1 Samuel 7:6: And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before YAHUAH, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against YAHUAH. And Samuel judged the children of Yasharal in Mizpeh.

2 Samuel 12:16: David therefore pleaded with Aluahim for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.

Fasting is associated with pain and affliction. On the Day of Atonement we are commanded to afflict our souls, and “any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people”. We fast on this day not only to afflict our souls, but to prove to YAHUAH our Aluahim that He is our bread and water and that we cherish our eternal life far more than this one. Of course, it is not recommended for children nor those who are ill to fast. Therefore all food preparations should be in order before the sun sets on the ninth day of the seventh month.

Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Leviticus 23:39-43: 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 YAHUAH 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 YAHUAH your Aluahim for seven days. You shall keep it as a Feast to YAHUAH 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 born in Yasharal shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Yasharal dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am YAHUAH your Aluahim.

Once again, we are told that, “It shall be a statute forever in your generations”. Another appointed time where it is clear that we are still supposed to observe it. It is even recorded in the Gospels that Yahushua commanded his disciples to keep this Feast when he told them, “You go up to this Feast” (John 7:8). Then afterwards, Yahushua himself went up to this Feast, and even preached during the entire eight days (refer to John 7). This is another example recorded in Scripture where Yahushua had the opportunity to clearly rebuke his disciples by telling them that he came to abolish the Appointed Times and Feasts, if that was the actual case.

In the book of the prophet Zechariah, we plainly read that YAHUAH will not grant the latter rain to those who do not keep Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), nor will they be protected from the seven last plagues. We read,

Zechariah 14:16-19: And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Yarushalam shall go up from year to year to worship the King, YAHUAH of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Yarushalam to worship the King, YAHUAH of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain;  they shall receive the plague with which YAHUAH strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Remember, Egyptian captivity resembles the whole world as we are captives in a land that is not our own. We are awaiting the great and final Exodus in which all whom have the blood of the Lamb on their heart (Torah keepers) will receive the latter rain (spiritual gifts), be protected from the seven last plagues, and will be led out of this world and into the Kingdom of YAHUAH our Aluahim.

Similar to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, each day of the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) represents a millennium. The first day of this Feast (15th of the seventh month) represents the very first Sabbath rest that YAHUAH spent with man in the Garden of Eden. On this very same day (first millennium), Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out of their home (refer to Genesis 2:16-17, 3:23-24). It has been almost six full millenniums (6,000 years or 6 days to Aluahim) that man has been living and wondering in this earth outside of the original garden that was made for him.

In the letter to the Hebrews, Paul plainly tells us that there is a rest for Aluahim’s people that has yet to come (refer to Hebrews 4:1-11). The land of Canaan was the permanent rest or home for the children of Yasharal, but the permanent rest or home for all of YAHUAH’S children throughout all-time has yet to come. This occurs after the thousand-year reign (Millennial Sabbath) and on the 8th day or eighth millennium when we are given back the garden (paradise) on a new earth. We are strangers in this earth but when Aluahim makes a new heaven and a new earth, He will grant us a permanent home in a garden on earth in which He originally intended. Paul sums up this teaching when he writes,

Hebrews 11:13-16: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore Aluahim is not ashamed to be called their Aluahim, for He has prepared a city for them.

We have been living apart from our Creator and in a decaying body in which He did not originally intend for us to have. Neither is this earth our home nor this body our home. Peter writes,

2 Peter 1:14: Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as Yahushua HaMashiach has showed me.

The last day of Sukkot (22nd of the seventh month) is the last and Great Feast which signifies the marriage Feast of the bridegroom and the church; Aluahim and Yasharal (refer to Revelation 19:6-9). This happens after we put off this tabernacle and reign with Him for a thousand years during the Millennial Sabbath. After the thousand-year reign, we will finally be given a home on the 8th day or eighth Millennium. This will be the land of New Canaan (humility) and the city of New Yarushalam (YAHUAH’S foundation of covenant peace). On this day, YAHUAH will make all things new (Refer to Revelation 21:1-3).

For a deeper understanding of the rest that is yet to come, YAHUAH’S week, and the seven Millenniums, please read the article, The Thousand-Year Rest and Reign. And for a deeper study on when we receive a new heart (the Law written on our heart), and when all things will be made new, please read the article, A New Heart, Spirit, Mind.

So how do we observe the Feast of Tabernacles also called the Feast of Ingathering? Well, we are told to “dwell in booths for seven days”. The Hebrew word used for dwell is Strong’s Concordance number 3427, yashab: to sit, remain, dwell.

This does not imply that we have to sleep in the booth, although if we want to we can. We simply need to spend our time in the booth or tent; eating, communing with one another, and reading from the Torah (refer to Deuteronomy 31:9-13). From the first day of this Feast (15th) to the seventh day of this Feast (21st) we spend meal times outside in the booth or tent. This reminds us not to get too comfortable with material belonging and amenities because this earth is not our home. The first six days of Sukkoth represent the six millenniums (6,000 years or 6 days) spent on earth outside of the garden. The seventh day of Sukkoth represents the millennium (year 7,000 or day 7) spent in heaven also outside of the garden.

On the eighth and final day of Sukkoth (22nd), we spend this specific day eating in our homes. On this very specific seventh-day Sabbath we should act as if we are eating and resting with Aluahim Himself. We should be grateful for the home that we currently have, and look forward to the permanent dwelling place that YAHUAH will grant us after He makes all things new. If, on most Sabbaths we are using it to catch up on sleep then we should make it a point on this Sabbath to spend time awake, rejoicing, singing, praying, and asking YAHUAH to teach us how to be priests and kings to Him. The eighth day represents the eighth millennium (year 8,000 or day 9 of the monthly count and day 1 of the weekly count). On this glorious day, YAHUAH will put us back in the garden in a newly created earth which will be our permanent home. (refer to Revelation 21:1-5).

Concerning this Feast, we are further told, “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 YAHUAH your Aluahim for seven days”. It is customary to decorate the booths or tents with leaves and branches from the surrounding trees. It is the responsibility of each person to decorate and construct their own booth or tent in the way in which they are convicted to do so. The main take-away is to spend time outside of your home in a temporary dwelling establishment. Aluahim willing, I will see you on the millennial Sabbath.

Conclusion of the Matter

Most people are under the false precept that the Appointed Times were only kept by the Hebrews after the Exodus. This is not true. The entire Torah existed before Egyptian bondage. YAHUAH’S Law has and will always be.

The children of Yasharal (Israel) were chosen to preserve the Law in writing so that we would never forget it while enslaved by Gentile (pagan) nations, but the Law (Torah) existed before it was written down by Moses. For example:

• Abraham gave tithes, specifically a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek the high priest in his day (refer to Genesis 14:20, Hebrews 7:2).
• The sacrificial system was practiced by Adam and Eve (refer to Genesis 3:21), Abel (refer to Genesis 4:4), Noah (refer to Genesis 8:20), Melchizedek – who was a king and high priest (refer to Genesis 14:18), Abraham (refer to Genesis 22:13), Job (refer to Job 1:5), and Jethro – Midian priest and Moses’ father in-law (refer to Exodus 2:16).
• The Patriarchs were told to dwell in tents, thus fulfilling the moed (appointed time) of Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles (refer to Hebrews 11:9).

The Patriarchs walked with YAHUAH, so they knew His Law (Torah) whereas the children of Yasharal became distant from YAHUAH and forgot His Law while in Egyptian captivity. It is true that some aspects of the Law were either changed or added throughout time. For example; meat was introduced after the flood, the appointed time (moed) of Passover was introduced after Egyptian bondage, and Communion was added the evening before Yahushua HaMashiach’S death. But the Patriarchs of old always offered up the First Fruits of their labor and spoils, kept YAHUAH’S seventh-day Sabbath and New Moon, fasted when afflicted, and looked forward to the day that their Savior, Aluahim and Mashiach would take them out of this world of bondage and into His Kingdom (refer to John 8:56).

We are plainly told that we will still keep the seventh-day Sabbath and the New Moon Day in the Kingdom of Aluahim. For it is written,

Isaiah 66:23: And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me, says YAHUAH.

For those who are not familiar with the Moedim (Appointed times), it may seem overwhelming, but it is actually quite simple. YAHUAH does not ask too much of us, for the majority of the appointed times fall on seventh-day Sabbaths in which we would treat as holy days of rest and worship anyways. And the longer Feast days such as Matzah (Unleavened Bread) and Sukkot (Tabernacles), we are able to still work in between the Sabbath days. There are only a couple back to back rest and worship days, and only one New Moon Day in which we are to treat as a Sabbath. The Moedim are simply the appointed days that YAHUAH asks us to worship Him. YAHUAH tells us,

Leviticus 23:37-38: These are the Appointed Times (Moedim) of YAHUAH which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to YAHUAH [Ruach HaQodash], a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day—besides the Sabbaths of YAHUAH, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to YAHUAH.

YAHUAH tells us to keep these Appointed Times along with His seventh-day Sabbaths.

We no longer make offerings of lambs, grain, and drinks (refer to Daniel 9:27), but instead a gift of Fire. An offering made by Fire literally points to YAHUAH’S Ruach HaQodash (Holy Spirit). When we obey His Torah (Law), then we will be baptized with Fire, and receive the knowledge of YAHUAH Aluahim (refer to Amos 3:7). Only through obedience are we granted more wisdom and knowledge of how-to better worship YAHUAH Aluahim. We read,

Acts 5:32: And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Ruach Ha Qodash, whom Aluahim has given to them that obey Him [keep His Torah].

Only after we are given Aluahim’s Ruach, can we worship our Aluahim properly. Yahushua says,

John 4:24: Aluahim is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. 

Spirit refers to the Ruach HaQodash. And Truth refers to YAHUAH’S Torah. The true worshippers of YAHUAH worship Him in obedience by keeping His Torah, and with offerings of Fire – the gifts given to us by His Ruach (refer to 1 Corinthians chapter 12).

We are not just to observe the Torah, but to do the Torah. We are not just to meditate on the Torah, but to keep the Torah. The Torah demands both mind and body, both thought and action. Remember, YAHUAH tells us that His Torah – His ten commandments, appointed times, and ordinances, are a sign or mark between Him and Yasharal (Israel). Moses writes, 

Deuteronomy 6:8: And you shall bind them for a sign (Oth: mark) upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

The hand represents action – doing, keeping, and practice perfecting the Torah. The frontlets between the eyes represents the frontal lobe – thought, meditation, and observance of the Torah.

Furthermore, the prophet Ezekiel writes,

Ezekiel 20:19-20: I am YAHUAH; walk in My statutes, and keep My judgements, and do them; And hallow My Sabbaths; and they [everything that encompasses YAHUAH’S Torah] shall be a sign (oth: mark) between Me and you, that you may know that I am YAHUAH your Aluahim. 

We are either marked by YAHUAH or by Satan. We either keep YAHUAH’S Law (Torah) and Holy days according to His calendar, or Satan’s laws and holy days according to his calendar. We either obey YAHUAH or Satan.

Yahushua reminds us that “He who is not with me is against me”. Yahushua says this because he is the king of YAHUAH’S Kingdom and therefore is the one who enforces the Law (Torah) of Aluahim. There is no such thing as a luke-warm child of YAHUAH in which all of Christendom tries to deceive us into thinking. And there is no room for transgression of YAHUAH’S Torah in His Kingdom. We are reminded,

Matthew 7:13-14: Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

We must never stop thirsting for righteousness, and never stop seeking for Truth. Every single day we must humble ourselves in the sight of YAHUAH Aluahim, and ask how we can better serve and worship Him – who made heaven, the earth, the seas, and everything in them. The day we stop living and growing in Mashiach, is the very day we start dying. To my fellow brothers and sisters in Mashiach,

Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belong unto YAHUAH Aluahim: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this Torah (Law).

And,

Joshua 1:8: This book of the Torah (Law) shall not depart from your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Amen.