Feasts Introduction

December 10 (Genesis 1)
I have studied God’s word intensely for nearly four decades now. I have read about the feasts and sacrifices literally hundreds of times and never felt inclined to get to know them intimately. I reasoned they were certainly meaningful to those who actually carried them out, namely the twelve tribes of Israel, but they were almost impossible to follow and certainly difficult to understand thoroughly nearly two thousand years after they ceased. Then, just the other day, I came to realize they will be reinstated during the millennial reign of Christ and there will be a very small contingency of church age saints who will be joining with a select group of the Levites reinstating those sacrifices and offerings. Of course they will not have any redeeming affect (they never did). They will simply be reminders of the cross of Calvary, just as the B.C. sacrifices pointed forward to Calvary. I’m not suggesting any of those sacrifices ever saved anyone. But those offering them according to prescribed sacrificial law offered them in faith, believing in a Messiah who would eventually come and pay for the sins of the world.

I won’t be using any scholarly works to assemble this information accept to gather information I know for a fact is not in scripture. For example, I have already begun consulting web sites to learn about the Jewish calendar. It is a crucial part of the overall scheme of things, and other than being able to discern the number of years since creation, that information is not found in scripture. The reason for using the method of study I use is to allow God to teach me from His word. I believe if it is important enough for us to understand it, He will illumine our minds so that we are able understand it. I have a great deal of regard for the work many before me have put into this kind of a task. I think I am uniquely qualified to do this particular biblical study for several reasons: First, I have walked with Jesus for nearly 40 years; Second, I have studied His word many hours a day for that entire time. There have been few days in that time I have failed to spend a significant amount of time to read and study it. Third, I have written extensively on over twenty-five bible topics already. Fourth, I have taught the Pentateuch twice, the Revelation many times, attended both secular and Christian universities taking, history, Greek, Hebrew, and two years of classes on apologetics. And finally, every day God speaks to me as I read His word and pray. I make no claim He has ever spoken to me orally, but He may as well have done so, because His voice has been as real and believable to me as if He had been standing in front of me.

Jesus declares in John the Holy Spirit, when He comes, will guide us into all truth. I believe, if this study is to be of any benefit to me as His child, it must be done as He speaks to me about the things I will be writing in it. I trust no one thinks I mean it will be inspired in any sense as His book is inspired. While I don’t adhere to the theory revelation is complete (Rev. 10), I am making no claim God is telling me to write the very words that will be in it. We know for a fact most of the prophets who wrote the inspired word of God also wrote things that were good stuff for the church to have, but they have not been preserved, for whatever reason, as the divinely, God breathed scriptures have (II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:20, 21).

I’m quite sure writing about these things over two thousand years removed from their implementation, will be a challenge. My Greek and Hebrew are non-existent any more since I have allowed them to rust in a closet of my mind for over thirty years. Therefore, I will be using six or seven of the major translations together and consulting some Hebrew scholars for meanings of some words. I trust my research will uncover a fresh and renewed understanding for me and any who take the time to read this study. teach me from His word. I believe if it is important enough for us to understand it, He will illumine our minds so that we are able understand it. I have a great deal of regard for the work many before me have put into this kind of a task. I think I am uniquely qualified to do this particular biblical study for several reasons: First, I have walked with Jesus for nearly 40 years; Second, I have studied His word many hours a day for that entire time. There have been few days in that time I have failed to spend a significant amount of time to read and study it. Third, I have written extensively on over twenty-five bible topics already. Fourth, I have taught the Pentateuch twice, the Revelation many times, attended both secular and Christian universities taking, history, Greek, Hebrew, and two years of classes on apologetics. And finally, every day God speaks to me as I read His word and pray. I make no claim He has ever spoken to me orally, but He may as well have done so, because His voice has been as real and believable to me as if He had been standing in front of me.

Jesus declares in John the Holy Spirit, when He comes, will guide us into all truth. I believe, if this study is to be of any benefit to me as His child, it must be done as He speaks to me about the things I will be writing in it. I trust no one thinks I mean it will be inspired in any sense as His book is inspired. While I don’t adhere to the theory revelation is complete (Rev. 10), I am making no claim God is telling me to write the very words that will be in it. We know for a fact most of the prophets who wrote the inspired word of God also wrote things that were good stuff for the church to have, but they have not been preserved, for whatever reason, as the divinely, God breathed scriptures have (II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:20, 21).

I’m quite sure writing about these things over two thousand years removed from their most recent implementation, will be a challenge. My Greek and Hebrew are non-existent any more since I have allowed them to rust in a closet of my mind for over thirty years. Therefore, I will be using six or seven of the major translations together and consulting some Hebrew scholars for meanings of some words. I trust my research will uncover a fresh and renewed understanding for me and any who take the time to read this study.