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Cramming for the All-Nighter or a Delighter in the Day of the Lord?

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Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

Since our heart, or soul, is deceitful above all things it most definitely can deceive us into believing we are believing and trusting in Jesus – when in reality we are really trusting ourselves. Our soul has the potential to deceive us into believing we are worshipping, serving, and obeying Jesus – when in reality we are simply serving ourselves. For this reason we seek God. Not only does Scripture repeatedly exhort us to seek God, it provides us with appointed holy days designed purposefully to readjust our focus (if the Christian believes all the Word of God – including the Law – is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness – see 2 Tim. 3:16-17) to return to the true center of the universe: God Almighty! (Not SELF) Many of us have participated in the month of Elul’ focus on confession, repentance, and seeking God but now the focus narrows as we approach the highest of all holy days: Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur begins on Wednesday, October 1 concluding Thursday October 2, 2025. This is considered the highest of all holy days on God’s Biblical calendar. Why? The fall festival of Sukkot (or Tabernacles). Sukkot is a prophetic signpost alerting Jew and Christian when the Messiah is coming to “tabernacle” with mankind. Our Father, in His mercy and love, provides us with an opportunity to prepare to appear before Him. Monday, September 22, alerted us to the 10 Day countdown (the number ten being a prophetic symbol of judgment) to prepare for Yom Kippur and ultimately, to prepare for Jesus’ Return. Now I did not believe the church was about to be raptured on September 23, 2025. If I had of known when this was about to take place it would put me above Jesus (Who said He didn’t know the day the Father appointed – see Mt. 24:36).

Why does any of this matter? Let me explain it this way. I used to be a horrible student waiting till the last minute to cram for a test. In truth I hadn’t learned a thing. Quite simply I was doing what ever it took to pass the test and continue in my ignorance. Yet Matthew 24:42, 44, 46 states: Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming….. 44 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him…. 46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing.

In other words don’t be waiting the “night” before to prepare for the test. Live a lifestyle of learning. Jesus provided us with another parable to alert us to what we should be doing: Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.2 Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent).3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; 4 But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. (Matthew 25:1-3)

The oil in this parable is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Wise virgins didn’t wait till the last minute to prepare for the return of the Bridegroom. They had spent their time collecting extra oil. How do you get more of the Spirit? It’s no coincidence that Jesus spent some of the final days of His earthly ministry in a place called Gethsemane. The Garden of Gethsemane was where Jesus prayed through to the Father’s Will regarding His crucifixion and resurrection. Here Jesus gathered extra Oil from the Spirit for the biggest test of His life. It’s no coincidence that this garden is where olive presses manufactured the oil sed to anoint kings and priests. Jesus wasn’t spending the night before the “test” cramming for extra oil. His entire life had been pressed in surrender to the Father’s Word and Will. Through His submission and obedience He had been gathering the Oil of the Spirit. He was a true “learner” of His Father in every way – not waiting till the last minute to regurgitate information He thought the Teacher wanted to hear. (See Hebrews 5:8-9) Jesus not only mastered the course laid out before Him He received His doctorate in order to teach others His Ways.

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.

Happy Sukkot (Tabernacles)

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Throughout the years of ministry I have sought to teach followers of Jesus their Hebraic roots and their relevance for today. Often, and ignorantly, I will hear statements like, “We are not under the Jewish Law.” or “Are you trying to “Judaize” us?” or “Are you trying to make us Jewish?” Their comments expose an ignorance of God’s Word and the inadequacy of their partnership with the Spirit. (He really is our Teacher)

Born-again, followers of Jesus believe the Bible is God’s Inspired, Authoritative Word. It is the bedrock, and foundation of the things we believe and practice. With that in mind, we hold the tension between no longer being bound by the Old Testament Law – and our freedom purchased from it by Jesus’ sacrificial, Blood. Yet, though we have been set free from the keeping of the feasts, festivals, sacrificial law, and dietary restrictions – there are principles contained in its teachings that still apply. (The Ten Commandments are part of the Law. Yet, we still practice their teachings) Case in point, true, born-again, followers of Jesus believe He is returning to earth to reign a 1000 years. We believe this because Jesus taught it, and Old Testament prophets affirmed its inevitability. Regarding this time the prophet Zechariah wrote: Zechariah 14:16-19 And everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths.17 And it shall be that whoso of the families of the earth shall not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain.18 And if the family of Egypt does not go up to Jerusalem and present themselves, upon them there shall be no rain, but there shall be the plague with which the Lord will smite the nations that go not up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.19 This shall be the consequent punishment of the sin of Egypt and the consequent punishment of the sin of all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

During the Millennial (1000) Year Reign we will observe and keep the Feast of Sukkot, (Tabernacles, or Booths) and make pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts. (All followers of Jesus look forward to that wonderful day) During the month of September or October, a sukkah, or temporary shelter is erected in front of the entrance to our church. And over the years, Crystal Brown, and others have gone about the business of decorating it – for all to see. We do this as a testimony of our belief that Jesus is returning to earth – to tabernacle, or make His permanent home with us. John alludes to this in his gospel account: And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. John 1:14 AMPC

In 2022 The Pew Research Group survey of Americans revealed a surprising 55% of adults, including three quarters of Christians, say Jesus is returning. Pew Research observed: Respondents who said they believe Jesus will return to Earth were also asked how certain they are that this will happen during their lifetime. One-in-ten Americans say they believe the second coming of Jesus will definitely or probably occur during their lifetime, 27% are not sure if Jesus will return in their lifetime, and 19% say the return of Jesus will definitely or probably not occur during their lifetime. That’s a considerable amount of people. Sadly, of those Christian respondents, how many are actually cognizant of the Old Testament prophecies that testify to the fact that we will celebrate this Biblical Feast with Jesus? Are you ready?

Notes From the Pastor

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God’s Calendar and Appointments (All Scripture!)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 states: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

When the above reference was first penned by the Apostle Paul, there was not yet a New Testament division in what we call the Bible. The Scriptures for New Testament believers, the followers of Jesus, was what we know as the Old Testament. This has profound implications for modern day believers who have assumed and been taught the Old Testament books of the Bible no longer apply. Jesus did not come to create a new religion. His goal was to change the hearts of all who were willing and set them free from the oppression of religion – rules without relationship; lies that stemmed from the Garden of Eden’s “fig leaf” religion: do this – to be…like God. What was Satan’s original lie? Did God really say? In other words, do not trust God, His Word, His Love and His Truth – and you can become your own self-centered, pride-filled god. Trust your god-like self to become good like God. 

The root of this lie has made its way into the heart of many a church-attender and infected Jesus’ family with the virus of religion. The good news is that Jesus and His Word still have the power to emancipate those who long for liberty and deliverance from the chaffing shackles of flimsy, fig leaf religion. They recognize something is missing in their day-in day-out routines – the fig leaf formats, practices, and routines that lack the ability to cover their sin and lead them to a living relationship with the Godhead.

This very God-breathed scripture states in Leviticus 23:1-2: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.

The Hebrew word for feast means appointment, or appointed time. Thus, in the Word of God we not only have His words, thoughts, and heart for His people, we have God’s Calendar Book. His Book of Appointments.

Chosen people Ministries: The holy days are prophetic in nature, and over the course of the year, provide a roadmap to redemption; Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, the New Year, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. They are similar in that each one involves worship, offerings, a rest from labor, and usually a reminder of a great event in the history of Israel. It is important to note the Hebrew word translated as “holiday” in Leviticus 23 is better understood as “appointments.”

Add to the weighty significance of these facts the startling realization that on every appointment designated by God in the Old Testament, an event of eternal consequence occurred. Passover (Pesach) ~ Crucifixion of Jesus; Seven Days of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzatot) ~ the Sinless Life of Jesus; Feast of First Fruits ~ the Resurrection of Jesus; Pentecost (Shavuot)~ Birthing of the New Testament Church with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; Yom Kippur or Atonement ~ Jesus making us at-one-with the Father in a moment. There are only two feasts, two of God’s Appointments that have yet to be fully realized: The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). The season of the Feast of Trumpets, is also recognized within the time frame of the 10 Days of Awe, prophetically symbolizing when the rapture of every believer, Jesus’ Bride, will occur. Can you picture this? Imagine being “snatched up” (raptured)during this season of prayer, fasting and seeking to be near Jesus. Add to this the culminating crescendo of the final appointment, the Feast of Tabernacles, when Jesus will return with His Bride to rule over the earth. Now imagine during this time, the trumpet being blown. What action do you want to be found doing? Would you want to be in the process of preparing yourself to meet face-to-face with Jesus? Can you think of a better way to spend your time? Would it be absurd to believe that God is loving and knows that when we see Him face-to-face, we won’t want to be hanging our heads in shame? Would it be absurd to believe that He desires to see His children lifting their heads up to see and welcome Him when that trumpet blast is first heard? 

3 Times A Year

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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, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed (Dt. 16:16 AMPC)

Tomorrow night we are going to celebrate Pentecost which is a holiday, or holy day celebrated by Jews and Christians every year. The Church holiday bases their date of Sunday, May 31 on the Gregorian calendar, whereas the Jewish date of Friday-Saturday, May 29-30 is based on God’s calendar. I say God’s calendar because if we believe the Word of the Lord to be true – from “Kiver to Kiver” (Cover to Cover) – then we also believe that God gave these feasts and festivals to His people for a purpose. Now when I say, His people, I am referring both to Jew, and those who have been ingrafted into the Fig Tree that Israel is through the righteousness of Abraham. We have become the circumcised of the heart and God’s Law has been written upon our hearts. The question is, How does all of this apply to the modern day saint in the 21st century?

Recently I was convicted by the revelation that in two out of the three feasts something significant happened. (I could make an argument for all three but I will spare you the details. Suffice it to say that an argument could be made that Jesus was actually born during the Feast of Tabernacles based on several prophecies regarding Jesus being Immanuel – “the God Who Tabernacles or Dwells with His people“) We know that Jesus was crucified during Passover, and the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. It is my opinion that Jesus will return during the Feast of Tabernacles. Again this would take a great deal of time to explain but I’ll leave you with a little tidbit of information to consider: Why did the Jews lay down palm branches when Jesus was entering Jerusalem? (Palm branches were specifically used during the Feast of Tabernacles). My answer would be, that the Jews associated the Palm Branches with Tabernacles, or Sukkot, and with the coming of the Messiah. My conviction expanded into the realization that if God told His people that they had to gather on these three significant holidays, and on two of the three holidays Jesus appeared, then it would behoove us believers to also gather on the three holidays for Inspection (Passover, and Ridding ourselves of the yeast, or leaven of sin); for Dedication and Consecration (Pentecost was an offering of the very best of their first fruits from harvest); and lastly, for Preparation (Tabernacles was preceded by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in which the people sought to draw near to God, repent of sin, and prepare for God drawing near to them). Thus, by the Grace of God, and His Spirit our church will celebrate these three readying ourselves for Christ’s Return.

If we are practicing all three then we too will be prepared when the Trumpet Blasts sound from the Heavens and the saints are gathered to meet Him in the air. May the Spirit of Revelation set us free from the powerful delusion that has come upon the mainstream church that does not love the Truth, or know (ginosko) Him. Lord willing I will see you tomorrow night for our Pentecost meal.