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Last Days Harvest

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Lev. 23:40 commands: You shall rejoice before the Lord your God.  One of the names for Sukkot is Z’man Simchateinu (The Season of Our Joy).  In fact, the word JOY appears several times in connection with Sukkot. Dt. 16:13-15 Be joyful at your Feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns.…For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. Sukkot is known as a harvest festival, and that is why it is referred to as the Feast of Ingathering. Ex. 23:16 Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.” The joy of this holiday is characterized by music, song and dancing. Even today, Jewish people gather near the Western (Wailing) Wall to dance, sing and rejoice before the Lord. People fill the synagogues and streets while singing and dancing with tremendous joy until early in the morning.

You may be tempted to say, Robert, we are not farmers and there is no harvest to gather. So, why should we be rejoicing and celebrating? The answer lies in the fact that the Feasts and Festivals are actually prophetic symbols pointing to far greater realities – their substance is Christ – the shadows, and symbols of the good things to come. Colossians 2:16-17 states: So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. NKJV And Hebrews 8:4-5 states: For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” NKJV And Hebrews 10:1 states: For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. NKJV

The Feast of Sukkot, or Booths is a shadow, copy, or symbol of a culmination of the Spiritual Harvest of Souls. In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus tells a parable which illustrates the significance of the harvest symbolism: Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” NKJV

Sukkot is a symbol of the Last Days Harvest of Souls: Acts 2:14-21 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ NIV

The Feast of Sukkot, or Booths is a shadow, copy, or symbol of other good things to come. Why would and should there be rejoicing, dancing, feasting and celebration during this time and what does all the celebrating symbolize? Luke 15:20-27,31 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ NKJV

Luke 15:31 concludes by making the most profound statement: “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ” NKJV

We are celebrating our brothers and sisters who were once dead spiritually but have come to life again. We are dancing and feasting because what was lost has now been found! Now that’s a reason to rejoice!! Are you gathering “wheat” for the Father’s Barn? Are you a laborer in His Harvest? Are you playing your part in raising the dead? Are you a part of God’s Holy Spirit Search and Rescue Team – finding what was lost?

Significance of Sukkot (Tabernacles)

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Deuteronomy 16:16 states: Three times a year shall all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread,(Passover) at the Feast of Weeks, (Pentecost) and at the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.

Exodus 23:14–17 Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to Me.15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before Me empty-handed.16 Also you shall keep the Feast of Harvest [Pentecost], [acknowledging] the first fruits of your toil, of what you sow in the field. And [third] you shall keep the Feast of Ingathering [Booths or Tabernacles] at the end of the year, when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.17 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God. 

Significant events occurred during two of the three mandatory feast days – of God’s Biblical Calendar: Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover = Jesus was crucified, and resurrected. Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks or Pentecost = Jesus Baptized His Followers in the Holy Spirit and Birthed the Church.

What significant event could happen around the Feast of Tabernacles-Sukkot? Like Passover and Pentecost, Sukkot has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. The holiday commemorates the 40 year period the children of Israel wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Sukkot also celebrates the harvest, and is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering. During the days of Jesus’ ministry on earth, Sukkot, was celebrated through sacrificing 70 oxen, corresponding to the 70 nations, and praying for peace and harmony among all the nations of the world. As a religious Holy Day – it follows the Feast of Trumpets, 10 Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The time of judging yourself, confession of sin and repentance becomes a time of celebration at Sukkot. Lev. 23:42-43 You shall dwell in Sukkot for seven days…So that your future generations shall know that I had the children of Israel live in Sukkot when I brought them out of Egypt. Today the Jewish people around the world build temporary shelters to participate in this Holy Day. During this 7-day event – families will eat and sleep in their sukkah.

Hebrews 11:13-16 states: 13 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 on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. NKJV

Sukkot or Tabernacles reminds us we are only passing through this life. This earth is not our home – Jesus is. All followers of Jesus, are strangers and pilgrims in this land. We are looking forward to a Heavenly City – actually seeking it out, desiring, and longing for it. And why shouldn’t we? Have you ever stopped to think that most of us will be forgotten after just three generations. No one will really know who we were. My Dad has done extensive genealogical research on our family. He has traced our roots all the way back to the highlands of Scotland. He has the names of ancestors going back all the way to the 1600’s. I know many of their names. But guess what? In reality I have no idea who they were. Nobody does – but Jesus. Jesus has our names written in the Palm of His Hand (Isa. 49:16); He has the hairs of our head numbered (Mt. 10:30); He saves our tears in a bottle and records them in a book (Ps. 56:8); He saves our prayers in a bowl (Rev. 5:8); He records in a book when we have conversations about Him (Mal. 3:16) He knew us before we were born (Jer. 1:5). I’ve said it often: What gift do you give a rich man who owns everything in the world? The one thing He doesn’t have: you. You are God’s Treasure, His pearl of great price, and His lost coin. My Mom still has my baby book. If my Mom thinks I am that special to save a scrap book of memories about me – how precious is it that we have a God Who hasn’t just saved our baby footprints and handprints? He has saved every trace of who we are – from beginning to new beginning. Remind yourself of these things during these seven days.

Aliens and Strangers?

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 Saturday, October 5, 2019

2 Chronicles 31:18 For in their office of trust they cleansed themselves and set themselves apart in holiness.

What an amazing passage that contains great revelation regarding holiness. For it implies that if we are truly trusting God that we are cleansing ourselves, setting ourselves apart unto holiness. Now the word holiness is often a misunderstood word. For those in the grace camp it is something the New Covenant believer has been excused from. We are under grace not the Law. On the other hand, those in the camp of law and legalism reduce holiness to outward focuses pertaining to jewelry, dresses, makeup and hair. Holiness becomes a posture, religious exercises, and do’s and don’ts. Yet, in reality God never excuses anyone from holiness. His Name alone is Holy not to mention His Person. It is foolish to mistake the grace of God for a license to sin, living as we please. Eternal life, His life that He shed His blood for, wasn’t cheap. And His Life is a call to sacrifice what pleases us for what pleases Him. It’s interesting to me that the Tabernacle of Moses had the Holy Place or the Inner Court and the Holy of Holy Place. How sad the average church goer naively believes that their attendance is enough. Many miss the analogy found in the Tabernacle of Moses. As you read the passages regarding the divisions in the Tabernacle you discover that it actually symbolized three different levels of true believers: outer court followers of Jesus, inner court followers and the rare, holy of holies citizen. Exploring the symbols of these sections reveals the different approaches to God. For the Bronze Altar is a symbol of Jesus’ cross and the Bronze Laver is a symbol of His Word and Spirit. These are only found in the outer court. Yet there are many attending church who have yet to face the cross of Christ, kneeling at His feet in sacrifice and surrender. Not to mention taking the time to wash in the water of His Word and Spirit. Heaven weeps why we pat ourselves on the backs, and wink over our ignorance of His Word, and unwillingness to die daily with Him. The average church attender hasn’t even made it through the Door of the Tabernacle, let alone the outer court. 

Scripture sounds a warning in Hebrews 12:14 Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. Some would argue that we have already been made holy, and that’s true, but it’s only half of the truth. Remember His Sword is two-edged. When Bible believing Christians focus on one truth while denying another they assure their journey will have them tumbling head first, into a ditch. To seek to see the Lord requires that you acknowledge His Holiness. You will not see Him with out it. 

For years I wrestled over a more practical definition for holiness. I discovered that it meant “set apart” but that didn’t clarify the depths of its meaning. So I prayed and meditated on its meaning. It’s my humble opinion that He gave me the following definition: Holiness is being distinctly unique, or different from all that is average, middle of the road, or ordinary. It’s abnormal compared to others normalcy. It’s pushing aside all that would distract from the prize of the pursuit. Unique implies that you have no equal, without a like, or equal. It involves being peculiar, or unusual. Now when we apply this definition to our pursuit of God, praying, worship, witnessing, ministry, fellowship, and or time spent in the Word of God with the Spirit of God – would you say, or could you say that the deck is stacked in your favor? Do you have an equal in your pursuit of God or are others passing you by in their devotion, passion and pursuit? Holiness moves us from kindergarten Christianity to Olympian Christianity. When we add to this Jesus’ exhortation of reaping and sowing you discover how little we invest into the things of the Kingdom. 

How is it that in our culture we applaud the athlete who sacrifices all to excel in sports, or the scholar who studies overcoming, and paying the price to reach Educational heights, or the artist reaching past the boundaries of expectation with it’s stifled boxes of predictability, to a place of creative achievements. Yet when it comes to spiritual achievement we place the high bar on the ground where any blind man can hop over? Holiness is a call to raise the bar high. 

Isaiah 6:1 states: In the year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. 

The good news? Ephesians 4:8-10 Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men. [But He ascended?] Now what can this, He ascended, mean but that He had previously descended from [the heights of] heaven into [the depths], the lower parts of the earth? He Who descended is the [very] same as He Who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest).

Jesus descended so that we could ascend in holiness. Seek the Lord in the beauty of holiness, and taste and see that the Lord is good. Chew on that.