Understanding the Holy Feasts as Signs in the Times

Since Biblical times the months and years of the Jewish calendar have been established by the cycles of the moon and the sun.
The length of days and hours vary by the season, controlled by the times of sunset, nightfall, dawn and sunrise.  Though the months follow the lunar cycle, the lunar months must always align themselves with the seasons of the year, which are governed by the sun. Thus, the Jewish calendar is "Luni-Solar." The discrepancy between the solar year (365 days) and the lunar year (354 days) was resolved by every so often adding a thirteenth month to the year, to form a "leap year."  This is the permanent calendar according to which the New Moons and festivals are calculated and celebrated today by Jews all over the world. ~ Introduction to the Jewish Calendar
This original calendar as a way to keep the times, with it's systematized calculations between the moon and sun cycle, is a beautiful concept because it allows the original families of Israel a way to look to and keep their lives centered around the Lord's sacred Holy Feasts for which they were commanded to keep.

John Pratt's Uniform Hebrew Calendar - JohnPratt.com
In Leviticus chapter 23 is reads:
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations (an assembly) even these are my feasts. 
"Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, and holy convocation: ye shall do not work therein: it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings."   Leviticus 23: 2-3
How many Sabbaths are there in a year?  At least 52.  This Sabbath feast is the "Weekly Feast" and Holy convocation.  
These are the Feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons:
  1. Passover:  “In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover.” Leviticus 23:4-5  (takes place in the early Spring, and is called Pesach in Hebrew)
  2. Feast of the Unleavened Bread: “And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of the Unleavened Bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread..., but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation…” Leviticus 23: 6-8 (takes place in the early Spring - began and lasted for seven days)
  3. Feast of the Firstfruits:  “When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the Firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:  and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord to be accepted for you...ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish..., and a meat offering..., an offering made unto the Lord...  Leviticus 23: 9-14 (takes place in the early Spring celebrated on the day after the Sabbath on a Sunday)
  4. Feast of Weeks: “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath..., seven Sabbaths.... Even unto the morrow after the seven sabbath shall ye number fifty days and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord."  This is also called Feast of Pentecost or Harvest, or Shavuot. Leviticus 23: 15-22 (takes place in the end of Spring)
  5. Feast of the Trumpets: “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 shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.”  This takes place at the “Head of the Year,” or in Hebrew phonetically translated to English, Rosh Hashanah.  Leviticus 23: 23-25 (takes place in the Fall)
  6. Day of Atonement: “Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.  And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a Day of Atonement (or in Hebrew phonetically translated to English, Yom Kippur), to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God.  For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.”  Leviticus 23: 26-32 (takes place in the Fall after the Feast of the Trumpets, at the Head of the Year)
  7. Feast of the Tabernacles: “The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of the Tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.  ...It is a solemn assembly...  Beside the Sabbaths of the Lord, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the Lord..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, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath, and ye shall take the goodly tree branches of palms, and the boughs of thick trees and willows of the brook... and ye shall dwell in booths seven days: that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”  Leviticus 23: 34-44 (takes place in the Fall after the Feast of the Trumpets, Day of Atonement at the Head of the Year)
It is important for us to understand that this "Luni-Solar" calendar, used to mark time, is marking (see Two Sticks Crossed, in my Early Semitic Pictographic Alphabet book) our history with God and also the patterns for following the instructions of the Lord since the Creation (Rosh Hashanah - when Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden). Knowing this, we can then look at these patterns of the original calendar, or of the original Feasts, for the markings and signatures upon the events of our day and history in order to see for ourselves and make prophetic connections. This awareness brings us into the light as to what is really happening.
John Pratt's Jubilee Calendar - JohnPratt.com
John Pratt's Millennial Calendar - JohnPratt.com
Using the ancient “time marker” of the Holy Festivals gives us the ability to see more of that which is unseen.

Here are just a few things which have happened over the years on these special Feast/Festival Days that are significant to me.  With the resources below, feel free to look up other dates that may be significant to you:
  • March 26, 1820 - on the 10th of Nisan - The Great Shabbat, or Shabbat Hagadol, the Sabbath before the Passover, God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ visited a young farm boy to begin the Restoration of His Organization and Authority to the Earth. 
  • September 21-22, 1823 - on the 16th of Tishri - The Feast of Tabernacles - Joseph Smith Jr. was visited by the Angel Moroni regarding the Ancient records of the lineage of Joseph, as recorded by John the Revelator.
  • April 3, 1836 - on the 16th of Nisan - The Passover, the Savior, Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared to restore the Priesthood keys to officiate in the ordinances of the Lord in His Holy House.  
  • During 2015 - 2016 - The Sabbatical Year - Shmita/Shemitah (relates to the Feast of Sabbaths, every seventh year there is a release and rest as in the seventh day) - Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ emphasize honoring the Sabbath. 
  • September 22-23, 2017 - on the 2nd of Tishri - Rosh Hashanah - Revelations 12:1-2 prophesy fulfilled - "Women clothed with the sun, moon at her feet, and upon her head crown of 12 stars." 
  • September 9, 2018 - on the 29th of Elul - Feast of the Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah - An Apostle of Jesus Christ speaks from the first Melchizedek Temple and introduces the story of Saints.  
  • October 5-6 2019 - on the 6th of Tishri - Shabbat of Returning - a Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - The Worldwide General Conference held.
What’s to come:

  • April 4, 2020 - on the 10th of Nisan - The Great Shabbat, or Shabbat Hagadol, the Sabbath before the Passover…  The Worldwide General Conference held, a Hosannah Shout performed
  • October 3-4, 2020 - 15th of Tishri - The Feast of the Tabernacles, or Sukkot...  The Worldwide General Conference will be held, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Sept 2021 - Sept, 2022 - The Feast of the Trumpets, Rosh HaShanna - the next Sabbatical Year, or Shmita... 
  • September 30-October 1, 2023 - 15th of Tishri - The Feast of the Tabernacles, or Sukkot... The Worldwide General Conference will be held, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 



Enjoy knowing more how to discern the times and center your lives around Christ and these Holy Feast days given of Him in the Old Testament and Ancient days.
~Katie Hansen

Resources:

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The Mystery of the "Last Shall Be First, the First Shall Be Last"

When I talk about The Hebrew Way, I often encounter Christians who have a better-than judgement tone in their voice when they say things like, "But the Jews were wrong." Or, "Why follow the Jews? They missed the mark."
This has troubled me because the Hebrews were of Abraham's lineage through Isaac and Jacob. Abraham is the Father of the Hebrews and his children are under the Abrahamic covenant. Does that include the Jews? Yes. Could that mean that like us, they too have struggled while they have been on their "wilderness" journey trying to keep the covenant as they understand it?
If the Jews are also under that Abrahamic covenant because they are a part of the family, could their "Pharisaical" actions at various times in history have be the result of them being "asleep"? And if they were "asleep" in a time of their "wilderness", do you not think God has anticipated that and has a plan for their redemption? How about all the other descendants of the family of Israel? Could this mean that if they too have been "asleep", and "lost" to who they are, their actions could have also looked "Pharisaical"? If you or I have been a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph, and are of the family of Israel, while we have been "asleep", have our actions always been indicative of those who stand fast in their covenants?(See Romans 11 and Jacob 5) In the past times, during the House of Israel’s slumber, these behaviors have been the result of being “asleep”, and in our criticism of the Jews, we might not have been understanding the big picture context that God knows what He is doing.
  "And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last."  1 Nephi 13:42 And I love this one. "And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.  And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last." Luke 13:30
Source: Destination-Yisrael.BibleSearchers.com

The members of  the House of Israel are dispersed over the entire Earth, and God has a plan for their time of awakening.  This includes each and every one of us, as Paul has told us in Romans chapter 11.
"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
"God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
"Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
"But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal..... What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
"(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. .... Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
"And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
"For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
"For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.....
"For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
"Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?" 
It's all okay and it will all work out. Yes, some back in the ancient days forsook their covenants, threw down God’s altars and slew the prophets with their swords (1 Kings 19:19), however God has a time for them, and us too.  Let us not forget this.  His Son's atoning power is offered to all  His children.  
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  ~ Romans 8:38-39
Read more:
  • Romans chapter 11, and the context of this chapter 
  • Matthew chapter 19 verse 30, chapter 20 verse 16, and the context of these verses  
  • Mark chapter 10 verse 31, and the context of this verse
  • Luke chapter 13 verse 30, and the context of this verse
  • The Book of Nephi, in the Record of Nephi, son of Lehi 
  • The Book of Jacob, in the Record of Nephi, son of Lehi 
  • See more on the Gentile nations
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A House of Study "ProTip"

Where do you sit when you study?  On a couch?  At a table?  On the floor?
What tools do you have near you when trying to study? 

I have a lady in my Sunday class that recently commented on my scriptures and said she'd love to be in my mind for a day.  I think that's interesting.  Could it mean she'd love to learn how to study, take notes and see the scriptures the way I do..?  Whatever it was she was thinking and feeling, I feel the conclusion can be summed up in one thing - how present I am with the scriptures.

I have wanted to share some tips I have learned about studying and getting really present in our opportunities for learning through books and scriptures, and didn't know when or where to do that, but after this exchange, I think I could share a few of my simple "Pro Study Tips." 

a glimpse of Katie's scriptures 
For the most active and present mind experience 
1. Study at a table 

A table can be nurturing experience in many ways.  This applies to our minds as well as our bodies and hearts as we are nourished by family meals. I've noticed, studying at a table puts our mind on “serious scholar alert” and our minds engage in the experience with more presence and commitment. 

2. Study with a pencil
a pencil and bookmark
Having a pencil in our hand or right by us, adds another layer for our minds to engage in the searching experience.  We want to find truth, right?  This searching in our minds is essential to be able to come to truth and having a simple tool as a pencil to mark and underline phrases we like or which stand out to us, will help our minds engage more fully.   

3. Study with a tri-folded blank paper bookmark.

When we have a pencil in our hand, it naturally makes sense to have paper close by to write on.   Try taking a piece of blank computer paper and fold it in thirds as a bookmark.  This not only gives us a place to take notes as we go, but it also holds our spot in the book.  When I write down my notes or thoughts, I like to mark a reference of the page or chapter so I can find the place again if wanted.  These notes help my mind remember what I am reading.  I can also feel free to diagram the images I am reading about as those visuals come and I definitely like to diagram concepts I really want to remember.  The tri-fold paper is perfect for this remembering tactic.
Diagraming in my books
A specific benefit to studying a book or document at a table with a pencil and paper is becoming fully present with the author and their writings.  This presence of mind allows questions to flow out of us, so that we can come to receive the answers to these questions of the heart.  What is the message?  What is the author saying?  What can I learn today?  Why even spend the time picking up a book such as the most important inspired Words of God recorded by Holy Men, if we don’t have the presence of mind to be patient with the coming message? 

This brings me to my last “Pro Study Tip” ~ a “Be-Attitude”,

4. Being Humble Enough to Recognize a Need to Study

Desire only comes when we recognize a need.  Do you understand the scriptures?  Do you want to hear the voice of God in them?  Do you want your prayers answered when turning to the Word for direction?  But, do you fall asleep when reading them?  Do you get lost in the middle of the chapters or forget what the beginning was about?  Or, do you struggle to even figure out the author's main point?  (I could go on for several posts on the many Hebraic main points that are shown in the Bible, and how to decode the patterns in these ancient records - another post for another time! ;)  When we can recognize that we have a need, desire to study comes more intensely.  This desire is the foundation of study and the key “Be-Attitude” of becoming more present in our study.  
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:105
I have learned “House of Study” is the Hebrew way to describe a scholarly study.  Originally, all scholarly study began within families, as they taught their children from God’s laws in Nature and the Hebrew Bible.  I believe practicing by studying in the scriptures is the best way to gain scholarship and learn to study.      Resources:



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A Promise from a High Priest of the Lineage of Joseph

If you could hear the words of a High Priest at the Tabernacle on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) during the Feast of the Tabernacles (Sukkot), would you want to understand the significance of his message in regards to the Holy One of Israel and the House of Israel?  What if this wasn’t Moses, but a different High Priest speaking from a Tabernacle built in the promised land (now called America) after his father was led out of the land of Jerusalem and across the great sea?
Jacob as the High Priest preaches to the Nephites. Drawing by Jody Livingston

This is Jacob, son of Lehi, and descendant of Joseph son of Israel.  He gave one of the most profound messages to his people using a covenantal structure patterned after Moses' sermon teaching the Ten Commandments, called the Suzerainty Treaty.  Several other significant patterns emerge as he teaches his people. 

First he follows this covenant  pattern, beginning his message with a preamble by identifying himself as an authority or a Sovereign “King” speaking to his Vassals, called of God, ordained after the manner of the God's Holy Order, and consecrated by his brother Nephi. 

Then, in a prologue, Jacob lovingly refers to his and his brother’s role as protectors concerned for the welfare of the souls of their people and like their father Lehi, did teach the people “all the things written from the creation of the earth.”  He also gives much historical context to his concerns as he refers to the writings of Isaiah and invites the hearers to understand those very comforting prophecies written about them, his brethren and children who are of the House of Israel, after they will be driven to and fro.   
 Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
And, Kings shall be their nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing  mothers, they shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth, and lick up the dust of they feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed who wait for me.      2 Nephi 6: 6-7
With his invitation and historical prophesy, he extends a possibility that "if those Gentiles repent and fight not against Zion, and do not unite themselves with that great and abominable church [of the devil], they shall be saved; for the Lord will fulfill his covenants which he has made unto his children and for this cause did [Isaiah] write these things."  


He stipulates that those who choose not to believe, when the Messiah will manifest himself in great power and glory, those unbelievers will experience temporal destruction. 
"by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine."  2 Nephi 6:15
Isaiah's words offer the explanation of the Divine covenant made originally with Abraham:
"Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare you; for I called him alone and blessed him."   2 Nephi 8:2; Isaiah 51:2
Then, this High Priest Jacob gives his beautiful divine witness of the great Creator fulfilling his covenants through his merciful plan, reviewing how the law must be fulfilled by the power of resurrection after the broken law of the Fall through an infinite atonement, and the blessings of restoration that shall come to the House of Israel. 
The central portion of his message then illustrates another lesser known but equally valuable type of Hebraic poetry pattern and way of learning. 

 Jacob's Promise of the Restoration of the House of Israel

 Jacob gives us additional layers of meaning in his loving invitation to his brethren of the House of Israel, to keep the Covenants of the Lord, through the amounts of times he repeats the word "O."   He praises the merciful plan of the great Creator by sharing 6 "O's":
  1. O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! ..
  2. O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape...
  3. O how great the plan of our God! ...
  4. O the greatness and justice of our God! ...
  5. O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! ...
  6. O how great the holiness of our God!  For he knoweth all things... and he cometh into the world to save all men if they will hearken to his voice...
He concludes this praise of our God with the promise that this "atonement [made by the Holy one of Israel will] satisfy the demands of justice upon all those who have not the law given to them," and that "they are restored to that God who gave them breath..."  

 Jacob's message from his six 6 "O's" leads up to his promise of a restoration of his brethren at a future time (today), a thesis and central message of this chiastic sermon of blessings and stipulations.  This is also referring to a prophecy that Elijah would come to restore the House of Israel to their God, but he is giving the updated promise ~ restoration from sin will come from the Holy One of Israel.  

 This 6 "O's" Hebrew literary poetry and mathematical pattern is unknown to most.  It is usually taught orally from Rabbi to Rabbi in synagogues, and is a part of what women are trained to do in the Foundation Builder Guide.  (Learning to see the Hebrew patterns) Seeing this additional and important Hebraic literary pattern helps us identify more specific meanings and messages of truth.  It also verifies to us the Hebrew roots of the record, and brings such joy to truly be able to understand the scriptures and the intention of their authors.  
Jacob immediately gives warning in 10 "Woes" to those who have the law:
  1. Wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, ...  
  2. Wo unto the rich who are rich as to things of the world,.. because they despise the poo, and they persecute the meek,...
  3. Wo unto the def, that will not hear,..
  4. Wo unto the blind that will not see,...
  5. Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart,...
  6. Wo unto the liar,..
  7. W unto the murderer, who deliberately killeth,..
  8. Wo unto them who commit whoredoms,...
  9. Wo unto those that worship idols,...
  10. Wo unto all those who die in their sins...
Just like Moses did in his "High Priest sermon," when he helped the Vassal House of Israelites be established under a Suzerainty Treaty and covenant with God, Jacob the High Priest is warning his brethren, the House of Israel, of the stipulations of their contract.  (See Exodus 20)  These ten "woes" teach Israel of their ability and power to act and to choose their God, not the enemy of their soul.
To help them remember to keep their covenants, he gives them 5 more "O's."
  1. O, my beloved brethren, remember the uawfulness in transgressing against the Holy God,... Remember to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
  2. O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words.  Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel...  
  3. O, then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One.  Remember that his paths are righteousness... whoso knocketh to him will he open...
  4. O, my beloved brethren, remember my words...[that I am not accountable for your sins]...  
  5. O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast;  come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation...  
Jacob invites the House of Israel to Come

In a loving invitation for his posterity, he says it is expedient that he should awaken them/us to our awful reality, but ends with 5 inviting "Come's."
  1. Come, my brethren, everyone that thirsteth
  2. Come ye to the waters
  3. Come that hath no money, come buy and eat
  4. Come buy wine and milk without money and price
  5. Come unto the Holy one of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, ...let your soul delight in fatness.



What could be the message of these "5's?"  What could be the additional meaning Jacob is sharing with us? 

This last statement brings us back to the first in his sermon, as a well trained Hebrew author understanding the learning of the Jews, and to these "5's" ~ that we might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has made with all the House of Israel, and that we might live them.

In the last of the eight "remembers" Jacob says, "Remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day and give thanks unto his Holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.  And behold, how great the covenants of the Lord..."  These 8 "remembers" bring us, the House of Israel and his descendants of the lineage of Joseph, to the point that we must be born again and truly enter into his Tent and become hearers of His Word. 

 In these repetitive ancient poetic patterns Jacob was using to speak to the ancient and modern family of Israel, we can see his educational training in the “Hebrew way of learning,” that he was speaking to a people who could understand the depth of this historical context, and that in a future day, a family member of the House of Israel would recognize these patterns. 

Those of us who are also House of Israel members but who have been trained up in the “manner of the Gentiles” are not always familiar with these Hebraic patterns and the historical context the sacred records we have offer us.  We think we understand the basic meaning while relating to it from our own context, which doesn’t fully reveal the author's intention, and so we sometimes miss the richness and depth.  This symbolic way of understanding is not just available to professional scholars, but can be learned by anyone with a desire and willingness to take the time and effort to learn.  This process is offered to mother mentors in a monthly outline in Foundation Builder Guide. 

Resources to learn more:
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