"In the time of the end, every divine institution is to be restored."
"Christians who extol Christ, but array themselves against the law
governing the Jewish church, array Christ against Christ."
Happy Hebrew New Year everyone!! The first day of the first month of the year will occur this coming Friday the 11th of March 2016. Passover will be celebrated on Thursday evening, March the 24th which is the 14th day of the first month of the Hebrew or Biblical calendar.
It is sad but by the time the vast majority of Jews and Christians get around to celebrating Passover in late April the vast majority of spring wild flowers in Israel will all be dead and gone as they always are that late in the year. Those who decide to ignore Ellen White's calendar interpretation will once again celebrate the feast days one month late.
So if you are planning to celebrate Passover on April 22nd, 2016 I want to encourage you to have fun keeping the feast one month late which is the provision made for all unclean people contaminated by the dead corps of belief system.
Second Passover
Numbers 9
So Moses told the people to celebrate the Passover 5 in the wilderness of Sinai as twilight fell on the fourteenth day of the month. And they celebrated the festival there, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 6 But some of the men had been ceremonially defiled by touching a dead body, so they could not celebrate the Passover that day. They came to Moses and Aaron that day 7 and said, “We have become ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body. But why should we be prevented from presenting the Lord’s offering at the proper time with the rest of the Israelites?”
8 Moses answered, “Wait here until I have received instructions for you from the Lord.”
9 This was the Lord’s reply to Moses. 10 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people now or in future generations are ceremonially unclean at Passover time because of touching a dead body, or if they are on a journey and cannot be present at the ceremony, they may still celebrate the Lord’s Passover. 11 They must offer the Passover sacrifice one month later, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the second month.[c] They must eat the Passover lamb at that time with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. 12 They must not leave any of the lamb until the next morning, and they must not break any of its bones. They must follow all the normal regulations concerning the Passover.
13 “But those who neglect to celebrate the Passover at the regular time, even though they are ceremonially clean and not away on a trip, will be cut off from the community of Israel. If they fail to present the Lord’s offering at the proper time, they will suffer the consequences of their guilt. 14 And if foreigners living among you want to celebrate the Passover to the Lord, they must follow these same decrees and regulations. The same laws apply both to native-born Israelites and to the foreigners living among you.”
Ellen White and the timing of Passover and the Month of Abib/Aviv
"There were three annual feasts, the Passover, the Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, at which all the men of Israel were commanded to appear before the Lord at Jerusalem. Of these feasts the Passover was the most largely attended. Many were present from all countries where the Jews were scattered. From every part of Palestine the worshipers came in great numbers. The journey from Galilee occupied several days, and the travelers united in large companies for companionship and protection. The women and aged men rode upon oxen or asses over the steep and rocky roads. The stronger men and the youth journeyed on foot. **The time of the Passover corresponded to the close of March or the beginning of April, and the whole land was bright with flowers, and glad with the song of birds.** All along the way were spots memorable in the history of Israel, and fathers and mothers recounted to their children the wonders that God had wrought for His people in ages past. They beguiled their journey with song and music, and when at last the towers of Jerusalem came into view, every voice joined in the triumphant strain,{DA 75.2}
"The first of these festivals, the Passover, the feast of unleavened bread, occurred in Abib, the first month of the Jewish year, corresponding to the last of March and the beginning of April. The cold of winter was past, the latter rain had ended, and all nature rejoiced in the freshness and beauty of the springtime. The grass was green on the hills and valleys, and **wild flowers everywhere brightened the fields**. The moon, now approaching the full, made the evenings delightful. It was the season so beautifully pictured by the sacred singer:"{PP 537.3}
A Few Relevant Videos Dr. Michael Brown video "Did the LORD do away with the feasts?"
In the video below Michael Brown is so well spoken that I can not say enough good about the content of this short presentation addressing the subject of the feast days and why it has never been wrong to observe them as long as we do not loose our focus upon Messiah and the prophetic, apocalyptic significance of the feast days. Michael Brown's common sense approach on this subject is unparalleled. He does an exceptionally good job of dismantling the argument that many use against the feast days when they twist the meaning of Isaiah 1:13-18. Michael Brown explains how it is no more an offense to Elohim for people to keep new moons and feast days and sabbaths than it is for them to pray and that it was the hypocracy and lack of love and concern for their fellow Israelite that Elohim was disgusted with and not the feast days themselves.
1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear [them].
1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Michael Brown stands corrected in one area of his teaching in this video when he says that the feasts were not given to the Gentiles and that Gentile believers are not obligated to keep the feast days. My studies have revealed otherwise. All of the feast days listed in Leviticus 23 are part of the moral law just as much as any of part the Lord's moral law and are as eternal as the character of Yahuwah Himself. To say that Gentile believers are under no obligation to observe God's holy convocations is equivalent to teaching that New Testament Gentiles do not need to keep any of God's moral code.
The truth is that the feast days have always existed which can be easily proven from Genesis 1:14, 18:6 and 19:3. Any grafted in gentile that expects to partake of the covenant promises in Messiah has a new identity as an Israelite Jew according to Romans 2:28, 29
"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
Did the LORD do away with the feasts? Dr. Michael Brown
How to say "Happy New Year" in Hebrew - doitinHebrew.com
Learn Hebrew Writing #1 - Hebrew Alphabet Made Easy: Alef and Beit
Below was written on March 20, 2015 - 11:37 AM and was taken from this link http://blog.ifcj.org/post/10-great-spots-see-israels-spring-flowers "Happy first day of spring! In Israel this is also peak wildflower season (which usually runs from mid-February to late March), so the Holy Land is already decked out in its springtime finest."
"For those who are lucky enough to be in Israel during the peak wildflower season of mid-February to late March, ISRAEL21c offers this list of 10 awesome sites to see beauty growing wild."
Israelis really love their kalanit (anemone), rakefet (cyclamen), narkis (narcissus), tourmus (lupine) and other wildflowers. They love them so much that they almost picked them into extinction, but in the past 50 years legislation and education have assured that springtime in Israel is a riot of color just about everywhere you look.
For those who are lucky enough to be in Israel during the peak wildflower season of mid-February to late March, ISRAEL21c offers this list of 10 awesome sites to see beauty growing wild.
Our recommendations come from two experts: Elisha Mizrahi of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and professional photographer Yehoshua Halevi, who is working on an ebook about photographing Israel through the seasons.
They tell ISRAEL21c that it’s not just wildflowers but also blossoming fruit trees that make this time of year so spectacular. Look for almond and cherry blossoms as you travel the country.
There’s still some time to take advantage of the yearly Scarlet South Festival in the northwestern Negev, produced in conjunction with KKL-JNF. Each Friday (from 9 to 3) and Saturday (9 to 4) throughout February, the public is invited to enjoy free tours through the red carpets of anemones in the Reim Recreation Area and the Ruhama Forest. But if you miss the festival, there’s still plenty of color to see in March and April.
Anemones in Ruhama Forest. Photo by Yehoshua Halevi
2. Kfar Yarok, Ramat Hasharon
Through the month of March, take the kids to pick anemones and buttercups (nuriyot) at Kfar Yarok’s Anemone Field. Admission: NIS 40 per picker on Sunday through Thursday, from 4 p.m. until dark; NIS 50 per picker on Friday and Saturday, from 10 to 3. Free to children up to age three. Information: 052-662-0253.
On the road just south of Beit Shemesh in the Elah Valley, anemones grow everywhere on northern side of the road. But the spot that really rocks is Givat Hatourmasim (Lupine Hill) on the southern side of the road. Though purple lupine rules here, many other species are also in full bloom. Go early on Friday, or on any other day of the week, to avoid crowds.
“It’s a 10-minute hike to the top, where there is the best collection of diverse wildflowers I’ve seen anywhere,” says Halevi, who is leading three photography workshops there in the next few weeks.
Almond trees and cyclamens are in bloom this time of year at Sataf, a hiking and nature preserve to the east of Har Eitan on the western fringes of Jerusalem. Cyclamens, in shades from white to dark pink, are also called Solomon’s Fire because they look like clusters of flame shooting up from rocks and shady areas.
5. The Valley of Narcissus Flowers
Emek HaNarkisim (Valley of Narcissus Flowers) is field a north of Tel Aviv, in the Glilot Junction area. Glilot is also a great area to see daisies.
Valley of the Narcissus Flowers. Photo by Zachi Evenor
6. Carmel Nature Reserve (“Little Switzerland”)
Carpets of lupines and irises are blooming across the Carmel region now, but the truly unusual sight to see is the special tulip variety of this area: yellow-and-brown striped “tiger” tulips that are unusually large. The main entrance to the reserve is near the University of Haifa.
7.Mount Gilboa
This hill in the Beit Shean Valley is famous for its incredible irises. In fact, the Gilboa Iris was chosen as the symbol of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Peak season is March and April.
Israel’s famous Gilboa Iris. Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90
An iris in Duda’im Forest. Photo by Shmuel Shantall
9. Cyclamen Hill
This pine-tree-shaded spot in the Ramot Menashe Park near the Elyakim Interchange in the Megiddo area features a short walking trail where visitors come to see the pink cyclamen blossom in early spring. Signs along the trail provide information about this unique flower.
Speaking of cyclamen – as well as anemones and tulips — these large KKL-JNF archeological and nature parks in the Beit Shemesh-Beit Guvrin area of the Judean plain are awash with colorful wildflowers right now, according to Mizrahi. You’ll also see almond trees and cactus flowers in bloom.
An almond in bloom. Photo courtesy of Tourism Ministry
Hebrew Roots rising: Not quite Christians, not quite Jews
Rico Cortes, a former minor league baseball player and scout for the Chicago White Sox, was raised in a Christian community in Puerto Rico. But in the 1990s, he began "searching his roots" and found out he was a descendant of medieval Spanish Jews. His reaction was anything but predictable.
"When I kept reading the Bible, [Jesus] kept Shabbat, he ate kosher, he kept the faith," says Cortes. He found himself thinking, "Wait a minute — what's going on? How come we don't do what he did? It's hypocritical."
Cortes, 47, decided that the best way to understand the Torah is to "really live it.… It's the only way." So he became a self-described "Torah-observant believer inYeshua," or member of the Hebrew Roots movement.
Now Cortes studies Torah six to seven hours a day and teaches full time. He is also the founder of the popular Wisdom in Torah ministry, which is mainly online. He says he has followers from more than 130 countries, and he is invited to speak to Hebrew Roots communities all over the world. In the next few months he will travel toColombia, South Africa, Canada, Costa Rica and multiple cities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. He recently lead a prayer session of 500 followers in China, held in a school gym.
"There's a huge awakening all over the world; it's growing by leaps and bounds," he says.
Meet the Hebrew Roots movement. On the surface, many of its followers might look like Conservative or Orthodox Jews. They keep kosher, observe the Sabbath, celebrate Passover, wear Stars of David and speak Hebrew. Some are circumcised, and have beards and peyos. They're extraordinarily pro-Israel and often place an emphasis on how many times they've visited the country."A lot of the first believers in Jesus were Jewish," says Caleb Camero, a 21-year-old member of the movement. "For me, getting closer to the lifestyle is getting closer to my Messiah."
But their religion centers on Jesus, whom they refer to as Yeshua, his Hebrew name. And they believe that the right path to following Jesus is to live as he did, by observing the Torah.
(Hebrew Roots shouldn't be confused with Jews for Jesus, whose followers consider themselves Jewish, are heavily organized, and are known for their intense proselytizing.)
Menachem Kaiser is a journalist who published an in-depth article on Hebrew Rootsfor Tablet magazine. He reports that while the number of Hebrew Roots members is hard to quantify, there are 200,000 to 300,000 followers worldwide, most of whom joined in the past 15 years.
"Everything is very, very much Internet-fueled," says Kaiser. "All of the ministries are mainly online." He points to an enormous rise of online orthodox institutions likeaish.com and Chabad.org. Translations of ancient Aramaic and Hebrew texts have drastically improved. The combination of better translations and the Web has made a lot of very traditional Jewish texts accessible to the masses.
"This wouldn't have been possible 20 years ago," he says.
The majority of Hebrew Roots followers fellowship practice online, and thus the community aspect of the movement is virtual. Some believers attend nearby messianic or traditional synagogues. Every now and then big events are held, where members come together in person. Last June, for example, more than a thousand people attended Revive 2013, a religious conference in Dallas. This year's conference will be held June 27-29 in Jacksonville, Fla. Other large gatherings include the Feast of the Tabernacles, hosted by Lion and Lamb Ministries. Missions to Israel are common.
Many of the followers Kaiser interviewed were from the American South, although there are believers scattered all over the world. A majority came from highly religious Christian backgrounds, where the Bible is followed very closely. Camero, for instance, belonged to the Church of God and was inspired by his aunt to go to a messianic congregation. He started learning Hebrew and began to observe the Torah more closely.
"Nationwide, people are finding the Talmud above the Bible and reading it in Hebrew," he says.
Hebrew Roots followers emphatically don't identify as Christian, because they view contemporary Christians as strongly influenced by pagan culture. For example, they don't celebrate Christmas. On the other hand, Kaiser explains, they see a conversion to Judaism as a renouncement of faith in Jesus, which they view as a travesty.
"It's a loose identity," explains Kaiser. "There isn't a church, there isn't a leader. It gets very fragmented."
There are 10 to 15 major ministries and hundreds of smaller ones. Many are subscription-based and charge for their seminars, classes and prayers. If Hebrew Roots continues to grow, one could easily see certain personalities turning their followings into the kind of hefty profits brought in by megachurches, trading sprawling cathedral complexes for vast online ministries fueled by a culture of paying for knowledge.
Legions of well-educated, faithful followers mixed with big personalities and big profits? Sounds like Hebrew Roots, not unlike other ascendant religions, may soon have to deal with some complex challenges.
What would Yeshua do, indeed.
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