Matthew 1:23 states: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). NIV

No it’s not Christmas but I wanted to draw your attention to this passage in order to connect the significance it had for the Jewish people and this sacred time of year. Three Jewish holy days or holidays occur in sequential order during this time of year: Rosh Hashanah (New Years), Yom Kippur (Atonement, or At-One-Ment), and Sukkot, or Tabernacles. Another way of stating the symbolic significance of these holy days is to say, God came down (to be with His people); the people prepared by cleansing their lives; and when God appeared the people were ready for Him to make His Home, or “tabernacle” among them. Two thousand years ago Jesus came to earth but did not remain among His people. Yet He promised He would return making His Home with us.

Why is this significant? Because, the Jewish holy day of Tabernacles reminds us that Jesus has promised He is coming back. God has a calendar, and because of it we know when He has scheduled His return. Annually, the Jewish Feast of Passover reminded the people to prepare for God’s Visitation as the Lamb of God. They spent extra time in preparation cleansing the leaven, or yeast from their households. This leaven symbolized the pride that rises in us all hindering our capacity to receive God’s visitation. Two thousand years ago Jesus ministered to thousands of people yet it appears that only 500 were saved (that’s the number of people He appeared to following His resurrection). That number should alarm you. If the people, and the world, missed Jesus’ visit the first time what lulls us to sleep into thinking we will be prepared for the final, and last time?

God in His infinite wisdom and mercy provided us with His Indwelling Son, His Spirit, His Word, and His prophetic timetable and calendar. Yet many church attenders do not read the Word, or know the Spirit, assuming that the Old Testament no longer has relevance for us. They have been lulled to sleep in believing that Jesus has done it all and we are exempt from any responsibility (responsibility implies an ability to respond). Many are contented to go to church and look at the back of someone’s head, selfishly waiting to die and go to Heaven, wanting the benefits but not the responsibilities. Yet Scripture repeatedly warns the followers of Jesus to prepare and be prepared for His Return. Revelation 19:7 states: Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. The Greek word for prepare means to make fit, prepare, get or make ready and metaphorically is derived from the oriental, or ancient Middle Eastern custom of sending on before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passable. John the Baptist performed this duty for Jesus preparing the minds of the people to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings.

The Ten Days of Awe, beginning today, is a time the Lord has given us mercy to prepare for His Return – coming to tabernacle with us for eternity. Now the question is, Is ten days enough to be ready for Jesus’ Return? Are you prepared to be judged for the works, and righteous deeds you have done for Him and His Kingdom? You may be tempted to say, But I am saved by grace not works – quoting from Ephesians 2:8-9. But if that is your stance you have overlooked verse ten – which follows stating: “you are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus – TO DO GOOD WORKS!” 1 Cor. 3:10-15 adds: ¹⁰ According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it, For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).¹² But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,¹³ The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.¹⁴ If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.¹⁵ But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire. AMPC

The Apostle John reminds us, in the book that is the Revelation, or Unveiling of Who Jesus, of the following: Rev. 21:3 Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God. God’s mercy has provided us with a prompting to prepare, or get ready during this time. Are you ready?