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Let There Be Light!

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A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays records: The Feast of Tabernacles is by far the most festive and joyous occasions. History records that four huge candelabra were constructed, lighted, and attended by young men ascending ladders periodically with pitchers of oil to keep them burning. The light from these lamps illuminated the whole city, and around them danced distinguished men with torches in their hands, singing hymns and songs of praise. The dancing as well as the music continued until daybreak. It was an extravaganza. 

Some scholars believe Jesus was referring to Sukkot when the following happened in John 8:1-12 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”11 She said, “No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” NKJV

Sukkot is a reminder that Jesus has come to shine His Light into the works of the devils darkness: Ephesians 5:8-14 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.12 For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret.13 But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. AMPC

Sukkot is a reminder to awake spiritually allowing the Light of Christ to shine into your darkness and the dark works of the evil one. We accomplish this through allowing the Light of His Word to be absorbed into every aspect of our life. This requires the Light of His Word to become more than a Sunday thing and more of a lifestyle thing. Faith, obedience and submission become the keys to unlock the padlock securing the chains of our demonic strongholds. Where His Light shines in us – His Light shines through us – to those who are bound by works of darkness. It is through His Light we are called to destroy the works of darkness. In a sense, we become liberators of captives who have been enslaved to the works of darkness. Sukkot reminds that our liberation is a call to liberate others.

Romans 13:12 exhorts: The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. AMPC

Happy Rosh Hashanah or Shanah Tovah!

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Shanah Tovah in Hebrew translates to, “Good Year!” and is a common greeting for the Biblical New year. Referring to the Christian Women for Israel article its writer states: “…the Jewish world will step into the year 5786. In Hebrew, this year is written Tav–Shin–Peh–Vav(תשפ״ו). Each letter carries meaning: Tav is covenant and completion. Shin is fire and refining. Peh is the mouth and proclamation. Vav is the nail or hook that connects. Put together, they point to a year of truth spoken boldly, promises fulfilled, and heaven and earth joined by God’s hand.”…“The feasts of the Lord are not only markers of Jewish history but signposts of God’s covenant promises. Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets, calls God’s people to repentance, awakening, and readiness. When that ram’s horn is sounded, heaven’s calendar turns a page. Should we not pay attention when God Himself declares a new season? This is the year of Vav. In the Bible, Vav is the small stroke that says “and.” It is the hook that held the Tabernacle together. It joins heaven to earth. In 5786 the Lord is joining what we prayed with what we see, what He spoke then with what He is doing now.“

When I read these words I am reminded of a powerful promise in Isaiah 43:18-19:  Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.19 Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 5786 is the promise of a new beginning, a chapter break. What is a chapter break? A chapter break is a pause in a story, typically marked by a symbol like three asterisks, or a blank line, that signals a transition to a new section of the text. It serves to indicate a shift in time, location, or point of view, or simply to give the reader a moment to pause and reflect before continuing the narrative. Chapter breaks are a tool for controlling the story’s pacing, building suspense, and creating structural shifts like moving from one act to another in a narrative arc. 

Rosh Hashanah means, Head of the Year, and is a two-day celebration of the creation of the world marking the beginning of the High Holy Days, a period of judgment and repentance leading up to Yom Kippur. Key traditions include blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) to awaken the soul, and eating apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year. Is this what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote: Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. (Ephesians 5:14-18) The Famous Scottish Preacher of the Hebrides Island Revival of Lewis, Duncan Campbell, once stated: “Suddenly an awareness of God would take hold of a community, and, under pressure of this divine presence, men and women would fall prostrate on the ground, while their cry of distress was made the means of God’s hand, to awaken the indifferent who had sat unmoved for years under the preaching of the Gospel.” Awakening to an awareness of God do you hear the trumpet? How spiritually blind and deaf do you allow yourself to become to the One and only True, God – Who is everywhere? He is the Word! Implying He speaks. Are you awakening to the Sound of His Voice? Are you on fire, and rocketing forward?

Let There Be Light!

/in /by

A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays records: The Feast of Tabernacles is by far the most festive and joyous occasions. History records that four huge candelabra were constructed, lighted, and attended by young men ascending ladders periodically with pitchers of oil to keep them burning. The light from these lamps illuminated the whole city, and around them danced distinguished men with torches in their hands, singing hymns and songs of praise. The dancing as well as the music continued until daybreak. It was an extravaganza.

Some scholars believe Jesus was referring to Sukkot when the following happened in John 8:1-12 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”11 She said, “No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” NKJV

Sukkot is a reminder that Jesus has come to shine His Light into the works of the devils darkness: Ephesians 5:8-14 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.12 For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret.13 But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. AMPC

Sukkot is a reminder to awake spiritually allowing the Light of Christ to shine into your darkness and the dark works of the evil one. We accomplish this through allowing the Light of His Word to be absorbed into every aspect of our life. This requires the Light of His Word to become more than a Sunday thing and more of a lifestyle thing. Faith, obedience and submission become the keys to unlock the padlock securing the chains of our demonic strongholds. Where His Light shines in us – His Light shines through us – to those who are bound by works of darkness. It is through His Light we are called to destroy the works of darkness. In a sense, we become liberators of captives who have been enslaved to the works of darkness. Sukkot reminds that our liberation is a call to liberate others.

Romans 13:12 exhorts: The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. AMPC