Good morning,

The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot/Feast of Booths/Feast of Ingathering begins on the evening of 20 September and runs through the evening of 27 September. This is one holiday with four different names and meanings. This week we will explore these events.

The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot/Feast of Booths/Feast of Ingathering

Spiritual/Prophetic Significance:

Sukkot is significant of many things:
1. The Israelites were led through the wilderness, being delivered from the bondage of Egypt and dwelt in booths and tents. YHVH provided everything they needed and protected them throughout their wanderings.
2. Yeshua is believed to have been born on the first day of Sukkot (not on December 25th) and was the Word made flesh and dwelt (tabernacle/sukkoted) among us and was circumcised according to the covenant of Abraham on the eighth day (Hoshana Rabbah).
3. Sukkot could also speak of a future exodus out of Babylon as scattered Israel and those nations that are grafted in journey through the Great Wilderness of the Tribulation and ultimately tabernacle with the Messiah in the New Jerusalem for 1,000 years.

The Messiah in Sukkot–
Bible scholars believe that it was during the feast of Sukkot that Yeshua the Messiah was born upon this earth. Specifically, the first day of Sukkot the Son of God put on temporary flesh and dwelt among men. John the disciple alluded to this fact when he wrote where the Messiah came from. Matthew starts out showing the lineage of Joseph, while Luke eludes to the lineage of Miriam (Mary) through the family connection of Zechariah and Elizabeth but John spoke of the Heavenly DNA, linking Yeshua of Nazareth with the Word of God.

John 1:1-2,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

The word used for dwelt in this passage literally means “tabernacled.” The feast of Sukkot is a 7 day feast with a special 8th day observance called Hoshana Rabba (the last great day or the last great praise) and Yeshua was circumcised on this 8th day (of the feast) and it is recorded in Luke 2:21.

Later on in the life of Yeshua we see another mention of Sukkot and it is a powerful demonstrative teaching that causes much stir in the temple ceremonies. It is during the Feast of Sukkot that a temple ritual would take place called the water libation ceremony. A priest was dispatched from the temple mount out through the southern steps down to the pool of shiloach (which means sent) and the priest fills a vessel with water and returns up the steps into the temple. This is the only time that water (mixed with a little wine) is placed upon the altar. As water is poured out down one side of a trough that led down to the altar, wine was poured down another trough leading to the altar and together they would meet together on the altar that was red hot at this point. As the mixture of wine and water splashed upon the altar it hissed and steamed as everyone huddled around praying for rain in the coming season, praying for the Messiah to come and the indwelling of the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit). It is at this moment that Yeshua stood up and proclaimed,

“If anyone is thirsty, let him keep coming to me and drinking! Whoever puts his trust in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!’” (John 7:37-38).

It is at this moment that everyone started putting together the pieces of the puzzle. The waters carried up from the pool of Shiloach were called the “waters of salvation” or quite literally the waters of Yeshua. Here they have the Messiah who was named Yeshua which meant salvation and he stands at this moment and makes this claim as the mixture of wine and water, which symbolized the blood and water that flowed from his side was spilled upon the altar. Some argued with him and some believed while others pondered these things further. On Hoshana Rabbah, the last day of the feast four 75 foot tall Menorahs were lit in the temple courts and Yeshua continued his teaching by using the symbolism of the bright lights around him:

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world: whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot/Feast of Booths/Feast of Ingathering begins on the evening of 20 September and runs through the evening of 27 September. This is one holiday with four different names and meanings. This week we will explore these events.

The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot/Feast of Booths/Feast of Ingathering

The Facts:
What do the Scriptures say about it?
Lev 23:34 “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.”
Lev 23:35 “On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.”
Lev 23:36 “Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YHVH: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YHVH: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.”
Lev 23:39 “Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.”
Lev 23:40 “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”
Lev 23:42 “ Ye shall dwell in booths seven days…”
Deut 16:13 “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:”
Deut 16:14 “And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.”
When is it?
Lev 23:34 “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto YHVH.”
What are we commanded to do?
1. Keep it Holy as a regular Sabbath, doing no servile work or the things associated with the seventh day Sabbath on the first day and the eighth day of the feast.
2. Keep it at its time and season on the fifteenth day of the seventh month.
3. Have a holy convocation on the first day of the feast and on the eighth day of the feast. This is a calling of the assembly or community of like-minded believers to assemble together and celebrate Tabernacles. If no one is able to convocate then call together your own family or travel to where another group of believers are assembling and keeping this day Holy or set apart.
4. We are to build “booths or sukkahs” out of various branches mentioned in Lev. 23:40. We are to dwell in booths or tents for seven days and rejoice before YHVH. This is one of the pilgrimage feasts where all of the males have to appear in Jerusalem before the Lord.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins on Wednesday evening, 15 September, at sunset. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. This week we will see why.

YOM KIPPUR

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

ELEMENTS OF YOM KIPPUR

1) Afflicting your soul

The word in Hebrew is “anah” and means “to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down”.  This occurs through fasting.  God requires a fast to be humbled and afflicted on the Day of Atonement.

        a) Prayer

        b) Confession

        c) Repentance

        d) Renewal

The picture is of a lost sinner, searching for the Messiah, Jesus, finding Him, confessing and repenting their sin before Him.

2) Sabbath

No work is to be done on this day. There was a penalty for working on this day. “And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.” (Leviticus 23:30) The day was to be completely dedicated to God.

This is a picture of the rest we have in the Messiah.

3) Atonement

“To cover, purge, make reconciliation”.  The atonement was a reconciliation of the children of Israel to their God. This happened through the blood sacrifice of the bullock and goat. The scapegoat was a picture of the sins of Israel being taken by the scapegoat.

This pictures what Jesus did on the cross. He paid the sin debt for all mankind through his blood sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. No more need for animal sacrifices. 

CONCLUSION

Yom Kippur is:

• A day of reflection
• A day of rest
• A day of fasting
• A day of renewal
• A day of confession of sin
• A day of repentance of sin
• A day of reconciliation between man and God
• A day of atonement
• A day of salvation

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins on Wednesday evening, 15 September, at sunset. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. This week we will see why.

YOM KIPPUR

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Followers of Jesus the Messiah confidently look forward to eternal life, because our names are written in the Book of Life. When Jesus died, the veil of the Holy of Holies ripped in two, symbolically breaking a barrier between humans and the presence of God. Previously, only the High Priest had access to this room, and he only entered it once a year on Yom Kippur (Matt. 27:51). However, Jesus’ death gives believers access to God, because He entered into the Heavenly Holy of Holies to offer His blood for our redemption (Heb 9:11-12). Unlike the Israelites’ annual sacrifices on Yom Kippur, Jesus’ one sacrifice continues to provide atonement to this day. Yom Kippur, for followers of Jesus, reminds us of the certainty of our redemption through the blood of our Messiah and High Priest, Jesus.

Yom Kippur also reminds us of the ultimate salvation of the Jewish people. The prophet Zechariah speaks of a day when the nation of Israel will recognize her Messiah and “they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son” (Zech. 12:10). When the Jewish people recognize Messiah, as Paul writes, “All Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). The Day of Atonement thus reminds us of our own salvation and also looks forward to the salvation of Israel.

Tomorrow, we will examine the elements of Yom Kippur.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins on Tuesday evening, 8 October, at sunset. The day of atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. Today we will see why.

YOM KIPPUR

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: 30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. 32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: 33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. 34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 16:29-34, also reference Leviticus 23:27-32 and Numbers 29:7-11) 

INTRODUCTION

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. The Bible prescribes Yom Kippur as a day of affliction (Lev 16; 23:26-32). In the ancient world, the High Priest woke up early, donned his priestly garments, and sacrificed a bull for both himself and his family. He then cast lots over two goats, choosing one for the Lord and designating the other as the goat to remove sin. Only on this day did the High Priest enter into the Holy of Holies in the Temple to offer incense and sprinkle blood on the Ark of the Covenant. Before concluding the sacrifices by burning both the bull and the goat, the High Priest placed blood from the Lord’s goat onto the second goat. He then cast the second goat into the wilderness, thus symbolically removing Israel’s sin.

In modern observance, Yom Kippur involves a fast from both food and drink. Many spend the entire day praying in the synagogue. During the Ten Days of Awe preceding Yom Kippur, many Jewish people give tzedakah (charity) which some consider a replacement for the animal sacrifice. A small segment of the Orthodox Jewish community practices kapparot, a ceremony in which a person waves a chicken over his head, before killing the chicken as a symbolic transfer of sin. According to tradition, the Book of Life and the Book of the Dead are closed on Yom Kippur, and the fates of those within the books are sealed for the coming year.

Followers of Jesus the Messiah confidently look forward to eternal life, because our names are written in the Book of Life. When Jesus died, the veil of the Holy of Holies ripped in two, symbolically breaking a barrier between humans and the presence of God. Previously, only the High Priest had access to this room, and he only entered it once a year on Yom Kippur (Matt. 27:51). However, Jesus’ death gives believers access to God, because He entered into the Heavenly Holy of Holies to offer His blood for our redemption (Heb 9:11-12). Unlike the Israelites’ annual sacrifices on Yom Kippur, Jesus’ one sacrifice continues to provide atonement to this day. Yom Kippur, for followers of Jesus, reminds us of the certainty of our redemption through the blood of our Messiah and High Priest, Jesus.

Yom Kippur also reminds us of the ultimate salvation of the Jewish people. The prophet Zechariah speaks of a day when the nation of Israel will recognize her Messiah and “they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son” (Zech. 12:10). When the Jewish people recognize Messiah, as Paul writes, “All Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). The Day of Atonement thus reminds us of our own salvation and also looks forward to the salvation of Israel.

ELEMENTS OF YOM KIPPUR

1) Afflicting your soul

The word in Hebrew is “anah” and means “to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down”.  This occurs through fasting.  God requires a fast to be humbled and afflicted on the Day of Atonement.

        a) Prayer

        b) Confession

        c) Repentance

        d) Renewal

The picture is of a lost sinner, searching for the Messiah, Jesus, finding Him, confessing and repenting their sin before Him.

2) Sabbath

No work is to be done on this day. There was a penalty for working on this day. “And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.” (Leviticus 23:30) The day was to be completely dedicated to God.

This is a picture of the rest we have in the Messiah.

3) Atonement

“To cover, purge, make reconciliation”.  The atonement was a reconciliation of the children of Israel to their God. This happened through the blood sacrifice of the bullock and goat. The scapegoat was a picture of the sins of Israel being taken by the scapegoat.

This pictures what Jesus did on the cross. He paid the sin debt for all mankind through his blood sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. No more need for animal sacrifices. 

CONCLUSION

Yom Kippur is:

• A day of reflection
• A day of rest
• A day of fasting
• A day of renewal
• A day of confession of sin
• A day of repentance of sin
• A day of reconciliation between man and God
• A day of atonement
• A day of salvation

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins on Wednesday evening, 15 September, at sunset. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. This week we will see why.

YOM KIPPUR

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. The Bible prescribes Yom Kippur as a day of affliction (Lev 16; 23:26-32). In the ancient world, the High Priest woke up early, donned his priestly garments, and sacrificed a bull for both himself and his family. He then cast lots over two goats, choosing one for the Lord and designating the other as the goat to remove sin. Only on this day did the High Priest enter into the Holy of Holies in the Temple to offer incense and sprinkle blood on the Ark of the Covenant. Before concluding the sacrifices by burning both the bull and the goat, the High Priest placed blood from the Lord’s goat onto the second goat. He then cast the second goat into the wilderness, thus symbolically removing Israel’s sin.

In modern observance, Yom Kippur involves a fast from both food and drink. Many spend the entire day praying in the synagogue. During the Ten Days of Awe preceding Yom Kippur, many Jewish people give tzedakah (charity) which some consider a replacement for the animal sacrifice. A small segment of the Orthodox Jewish community practices kapparot, a ceremony in which a person waves a chicken over his head, before killing the chicken as a symbolic transfer of sin. According to tradition, the Book of Life and the Book of the Dead are closed on Yom Kippur, and the fates of those within the books are sealed for the coming year.

Next time we will see how this holy day is significant to the believer in Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins on Wednesday evening, 15 September, at sunset. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. This week we will see why.

YOM KIPPUR

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Scriptural basis for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement

29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: 30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. 32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: 33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. 34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 16:29-34, also reference Leviticus 23:27-32 and Numbers 29:7-11) 

Tomorrow, we will introduce this holy day.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Rosh Hashanah’s religious services focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty. God does rule in the affairs of men. Today we will look at the sovereignty of God. 

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

                A.  GOD REIGNEST OVERALL (1 CHRON 29:11-12) V12

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

          B.  THE WORLD IS GOD’S (PSM 50:10-12)

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

          C.  GOD CREATED (GEN 1:1) V1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

          D.  GOD CHOOSES ISRAEL DOES WHAT HE PLEASES (PSM 135:4-6)

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.⁵ For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.⁶ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

          E.  GOD IN CONTROL (1 SAM 2:6-9)

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

          F.  GOD CONTROLS RULERS (PSM 75:6-7) V7

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

          G.  GOD DOES HIS PLEASURE (IS 46:9-10)

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

          H.  CAN NOT FLEE FROM GOD (PSM 139:7-10) V10

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

          I.  GOD’S WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID (IS 55:11)

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

          J.  GOD REIGNS OVER DEATH (JOHN 5:21)

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

          K.  GOD ‘S COUNSEL (EPH 1:11)

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

These verses show why God has the right to rule in our lives. Please meditate on these verses and allow God to speak to you. You might be surprised what you learn.

God has given each one of us a free will to make choices. He has given us His precepts in the Bible to guide us through this life. We choose to follow God by faith or rebel against God and serve Satan. Satan is the enemy of God. There are consequences for following or rebelling against God. God rules over both Godly believers and wicked unbelievers.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

---

 [TS1]

Good morning,

Yesterday, I referenced the Shofar and asked the question, “What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)?” The answer is it signals the Rapture of the Church. Verse 16 references the ”…trump of God…”

Paul explains the Rapture to the Church at Thessalonica.

Comfort in light of the Rapture (13-18) This is the most extended and most important description of the Rapture in all of Scripture.

The Hope of the Rapture (13)

¹³ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

The Confidence of the Rapture (14)

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

The Order of the Rapture (15)

¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 The Person of the Rapture (16a)

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

The Resurrection of the Rapture (16b)

with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

The Catching up of the Rapture (17a)

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

The Intimacy of the Rapture (17b)

 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The Encouragement of the Rapture (18)

¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Ultimately the Rapture is a comfort to a needy people. We are to serve God till He returns. We are to watch expectantly and persistently.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Rosh Hashanah

Head of the Year

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

Two nights ago, began the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. The Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes[TS1]  of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.”

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty.

This would be a great time to wish all our Jewish friends a hearty Happy New Year. It would also be a good time to reflect on our own lives. Are we keeping short accounts with God? When He reveals sin in our lives, do we confess it (1 John 1:9) and move on serving God? What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)? (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) What does it mean that God is sovereign?

Yesterday, I referenced the Shofar and asked the question, “What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)?” The answer is it signals the Rapture of the Church. Verse 16 references the ”…trump of God…”

Paul explains the Rapture to the Church at Thessalonica.

Comfort in light of the Rapture (13-18) This is the most extended and most important description of the Rapture in all of Scripture.

The Hope of the Rapture (13)

¹³ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

The Confidence of the Rapture (14)

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

The Order of the Rapture (15)

¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 The Person of the Rapture (16a)

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

The Resurrection of the Rapture (16b)

with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

The Catching up of the Rapture (17a)

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

The Intimacy of the Rapture (17b)

 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The Encouragement of the Rapture (18)

¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Ultimately the Rapture is a comfort to a needy people. We are to serve God till He returns. We are to watch expectantly and persistently.

Rosh Hashanah’s religious services focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty. God does rule in the affairs of men. Today we will look at the sovereignty of God. 

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

                A.  GOD REIGNEST OVERALL (1 CHRON 29:11-12) V12

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

          B.  THE WORLD IS GOD’S (PSM 50:10-12)

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

          C.  GOD CREATED (GEN 1:1) V1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 

          D.  GOD CHOOSES ISRAEL DOES WHAT HE PLEASES (PSM 135:4-6)

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.⁵ For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.⁶ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

          E.  GOD IN CONTROL (1 SAM 2:6-9)

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

          F.  GOD CONTROLS RULERS (PSM 75:6-7) V7

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

          G.  GOD DOES HIS PLEASURE (IS 46:9-10)

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

          H.  CAN NOT FLEE FROM GOD (PSM 139:7-10) V10

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

          I.  GOD’S WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID (IS 55:11)

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

          J.  GOD REIGNS OVER DEATH (JOHN 5:21)

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

          K.  GOD ‘S COUNSEL (EPH 1:11)

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

These verses show why God has the right to rule in our lives. Please look up the verses and see what they say. You might be surprised what you find.

God has given each one of us a free will to make choices. He has given us His precepts in the Bible to guide us through this life. We choose to follow God by faith or rebel against God and serve Satan. Satan is the enemy of God. There are consequences for following or rebelling against God. God rules over both Godly believers and wicked unbelievers.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

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