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Biblical Holy Days

PROPHECY > Prophecy Outline

The Holy Days and High Sabbaths
A Prophetic Message
 And the Law -- Torah -- in Perspective
Presented by your servant, Dan L Baxley
   
 
What follows is the record of instructions for how to set up and observe the weekly Sabbath, and the Holy Days.  This presentation is for sound doctrine in truth.  Some who have found the Jewish way, or have come into it because of a truth they have embraced, mainly the revelation that our Savior’s Birth Name is YaHshua and not Jesus.  This revelation often leads to other questions and concerns about the Old and New Testaments.  The problem arises when the those newly initiated into this truth, begin their study into the Old Testament writings and begin to listen to those of the Circumcision.   It all sounds very good, when words like, forever, eternal, throughout all generations, and commandments, are tossed about.  It is a profound love for our Savior and our Heavenly Father that a believer expresses a strong desire to serve Him in all truth.  This desire and love is, many times, misdirected by others seeking to build on this new excitement, for reasons only they know.
 
I am a New Covenant follower, and though at one time in my journey I attempted to be one who would please my God and Savior by observing all of the “forever” Holy Days, and all 613 Commandments found in the Old Covenant.  My failure, however, led me off into, what might be called, religious depression, and that took many years to overcome, but never once did I deny my Savior, YaHshua,

This presentation is to help others understand what it has taken me years, literally, to understand.  The education gained is immeasurable.  The frustration in trying to live as a Jew, or a reformed Israeli, has given me much insight.  I never abandoned my Savior and I thank Him for not abandoning me.  I do see this as a process that I can now see His hand, His Word and words, guiding me through all of the ups and downs, always with one foot on that original, narrow path.  The purpose of this website is to share that journey of discovery.  One of those major discoveries is that the Biblical Holy Days, are more than days of worship and sacrifice, they are the revealing of our Creator's Prophetic Plan for mankind, for this Earth.

I do hope that what is being shared here is a benefit to anyone who reads and studies and checks their own Bibles for the truths share here.  Peace, your servant, Dan
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Biblical Holy Days and their Prophetic Message

First Part, the Old Covenant Understanding:
Second Part, the New Covenant Understanding:

First: The First Part, From the Old Testament (Covenant, or Torah) -- A Jewish understanding.  When I say, Jewish understanding, I mean from a Biblical point of view -- in reality, the Jewish calendar and views of these Holy Days differ, even among themselves and with things added to their historical record as holy days, even holidays.  What we are trying here is to stay within the Biblical view, which, at one time, was closer to the Jewish or Israeli understanding.  We ask your forgiveness if this is something that comes across as unfamiliar, even for the devout Jew or Israeli, but it is the pure instruction from the translation into English from the Hebrew Bible -- any adjustments should be to the word already delivered, right, as opposed to what you or I may think, or some Pastor or Priest has been teaching, right?  We ask that you go to your own Bible and follow what has been written, from the Word, the word already delivered -- 1 Cor 4:6.

Second: The Second Part of this Holy Day understanding will be the Prophetic Understanding presented at the bottom portion of this presentation -- Holy Days 1 through 8 -- bringing to light the prophetic meaning and demonstrating a basic outline for what was, what is, and what will be.  These Holy Day Revelations prove who the True Creator, and God the Father are.  These days, these holy days, not being understood, fully, by the people before our Lord YaHshua came in the flesh, and even after, just became days or Feast Days of remembrances from the past, but, as you will see, these days of Remembrance are just the opposite of that.  The Special High Days, the "Holy Days" are anything but remembrances from the past -- they are days "marking" out the future.   In our time, in relation to the Holy Day prophetic Timeline, the first part has past, but most of these Prophetic Days, these Holy Days, are still to be fulfilled, and still remain for the future.  Those claiming to be Bible students and professing what they call the Christian religion, miss these important Days and their true meaning, as to the people that these Special Days of revelation were first given.   It would benefit the reader, however, to go through the First Part, first.  And understand this, for those of you who are seeking to restore the Old Covenant, that to observe these Holy Days as delivered by YaHWeH in the Old Covenant, is impossible for a New Covenant follower of YaHshua.  The RESTORATION of these days and times as a religious command is to be brought about by YaHshua Himself, at His return.  But for now, we live in the times of the Gentiles --

Luke 21:24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Do you suppose that Modern Israel is that fulfilment?  Modern Israel being occupied by many Jewish people is seen as the end of the Times of the Gentiles?  Before going along with the popular crowd, consider the following --

Zec 1:14  So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD (YHWH) of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
Zec 1:15  And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Zec 1:16  Therefore thus saith the LORD (YHWH); I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it, saith the LORD (YHWH) of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Zec 1:17  Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD (YHWH) of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and YaHWeH shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

AND

Zec 2:11  And many nations shall be joined to the LORD (YaHWeH) in that day, and shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and you shall know that the LORD (YaHWeH) of hosts has sent me unto you.
Zec 2:12  And the LORD (YHWH) shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Zec 2:13  Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD (YHWH): for He is raised up out of His Holy Habitation.

(Rom 11:25)  For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
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FIRST Part:   Who is actually following words today, in a literal sense, who?  No one, that I have seen or heard from.  Read for yourself and look around.  Even among the Hebrew Roots and Sacred Names people and a great many Christian groups, who do teach a form of Holy Day observance, do not observed these Holy Sabbaths and days as is written.  The main body of those calling themselves Christians, ignore these things as no longer of interest, as having been abolished by the New Testament.  But, as you will see, this is just another lie and does not agree with what our Savior, the One True Messiah, whom the New Testament introduces as the doorway to our salvation.  All is connected, as you will see.
 
Lev 23:1  YaHWeH spoke to Moses, saying,
 
Lev 23:3  " 'Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no manner of work. It is a Sabbath to YaHWeH in all your dwellings.  (The Weekly Sabbath of rest, the 7th day of the week)
The Passover #1
Not a Sabbath
 
Lev 23:4  " 'These are the set Feasts of YaHWeH, even holy convocations (gatherings), which you shall proclaim in their appointed season.
Lev 23:5  In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is YaHWeH's Passover. (This First Biblical Month, as delivered by YaHWeH Himself, falls in either March or April of the modern world calendar)
 
Feast of Unleavened Bread #2
 
High Sabbath day #1 and day #7
 
(Lev 23:6)  On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to YaHWeH. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.(Lev 23:7)  In the first day you shall have a holy convocation (gathering). You shall do no regular work. (KJV says "...no servile work..." , again noting the difference between "no work at all" and "work done in service to employment of to service one's own house.  This allows for "work" performed at Temple or other religious requirements -- this is an instruction found throughout the Holy Day rules/commandments)
 
(Lev 23:8)  But you shall offer an offering made by fire to YaHWeH seven days. In the seventh day is a holy convocation (gathering): you shall do no regular work.' "  (No servile work)
  
The first day and the seventh day are Sabbaths, the fist day being that day following the Passover -- two Sabbaths not counting the regular weekly Sabbath.  Usually, in this 7day period there will be 3 Sabbaths, where no regular work is done. First day of Unleavened Bread is a High Sabbath, then the weekly Sabbath, then another High Sabbath, the 7th day from the High Sabbath, or 1st day of Unleavened Bread.  Within this 7 day period, there will be three Sabbaths -- the First day of Unleavened Bread, the weekly and the last, or 7th  Day of Unleavened Bread -- three Sabbaths.  Also, over this two week span, from Passover to the last of the 7 days of Unleavened Bread, there will be Two Sabbaths for each week, as a High Sabbath, the First and the Last day of Unleavened Bread falls in a different week.  And, by following the Pre-Babylonian Calendar, these remain the same each year.  
To repeat: First day and Last Day of this 7 day feast are Sabbaths, or High Sabbaths, a regular weekly Sabbath would also be honored within this period of time as well.  Understanding this is essential to a later understanding about the timing of our Lord YaHshua's time of death on the cross and His resurrection -- being able to see more than one Sabbath in a weeks time -- a High Sabbath, and a regular, weekly Sabbath.  Also, in the "midst" of these 7 days of Unleavened Bread, it the Wave Sheaf offering -- Three Holy Days, all falling within the same 8 day time period.  More on that later in part #2.
 
Feast of First Fruits #3
Not a Sabbath
 
Lev 23:9 YaHWeH spoke to Moses, saying,
 
Lev 23:10  "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its the harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest:
 
Lev 23:11  and he shall wave the sheaf before YaHWeH, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. (This puts the Wave Sheaf of First Fruits on the First Day of the Week, commonly known as Sunday)
 
Lev 23:12  On the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt offering to YaHWeH.
 
Lev 23:13  The meal offering with it shall be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire to YaHWeH for a pleasant aroma; and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin.  (What is an "ephah", or as the KJV has it, "deal", and what is a "hin", in measure?  No one knows, and if they think they do, they are only guessing)
 
Lev 23:14  You shall eat neither bread, nor roasted grain, nor fresh grain, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God. This is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.  (No one is to eat anything until this is done, after the 1st day of the week, after the First Fruits offering, the Sunday after the First Day of Unleavened Bread -- putting the waving of the First Fruits right in the middle of the 7 days of Unleavened Bread)
 
Feast of Weeks -- Pentecost #4
 50 days later -- Pentecost is a Greek Term for Fifty
High Sabbath #3
 
(Lev 23:15)  " 'You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be completed: (Lev 23:16)  even to the next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to YaHWeH. (Pentecost is Greek for 50)
 
(Lev 23:17)  You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenth parts of an ephah (deal) of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to YaHWeH.  (This is a separate offering, out of your own dwelling or the place you live and this 50 days after the Special First Fruits offer on that firs day in the middle of the Feast of Unleavened Bread -- here we see the bread offering is made with leavening)
 
(Lev 23:18)  You shall present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to YaHWeH, with their meal offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet aroma to YaHWeH.  
 
(Lev 23:19)  You shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
 
(Lev 23:20)  The priest shall wave (present) them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before YaHWeH, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to YaHWeH for the priest.
 
(Lev 23:21)  You shall make proclamation on the same day: there shall be a holy convocation (gathering) to you; you shall do no regular work (sabbath). This is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.  (Lev 23:25)  You shall do no regular work; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to YaHWeH.' "
 
The Feast of Trumpets #5
High Sabbath #4
 
Lev 23:23  YaHWeH spoke to Moses, saying,
 
Lev 23:24  "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest (sabbath) to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a Holy convocation (gathering).
 
Lev 23:25  You shall do no regular work (sabbath); and you shall offer an offering made by fire to YaHWeH.' "  (There are Sabbath where no work is to be done, and then there are sabbaths where work is done, such as Temple Services, etc., but the daily tasks, personal or under employment, is not done)
 
The Day of Atonement #6
High Sabbath #5
 
(Lev 23:26-27) YaHWeH spoke to Moses, saying, "However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of Atonement: it shall be a holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to YaHWeH.
 
(Lev 23:28)  You shall do no manner of work in that same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before YaHWeH your God.  (This Sabbath is a No Work at all day -- a true Sabbath of Rest)
 
(Lev 23:29-31)  For whoever it is who shall not deny himself in that same day; shall be cut off from his people.(30)  Whoever it is who does any manner of work in that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people(31)  You shall do no manner of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in  all your dwellings.
 
(Lev 23:32)  It shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall deny yourselves. In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath."  (From the evening of the 9th day to the evening of the 10th day is a Holy Sabbath, or High Sabbath)

There is more to this Day of Atonement, much more, found in Leviticus 16, the instructions for this solemn day.  Featured in this observation is the ceremony of the two goats.  One is sacrificed on the alter, while the other has the sins of the people, symbolically, placed upon its head, and this beast is then sent out into the wilderness, carrying with it the sins of all the people.  Supposedly, the understanding is that this animal is Satan, or Satan's representative, carrying away the sins of the people.  All of the sin, all of it, being placed upon the head of the one who brought sin into the world, Satan, the one also called the Devil.  This view ties in nicely with the New Covenant view -- a time when Satan will be chained up in the Pit, separated from all the people -- Revelation 20:1-3.  

Feast of Booth -- or Tents #7
Also called the Feast of Tabernacles
High Sabbath #6 and #7
 
Lev 23:33  YaHWeH spoke to Moses, saying,
 
(Lev 23:34)  "Speak to the children of Israel, and say, 'On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Feast of Tents for seven days to YaHWeH.  (Tents, Booths, or Tabernacles -- all Temporary dwellings)
 
(Lev 23:35)  On the first day shall be a holy convocation (gathering): you shall do no regular work. (A reminder: The KJV says "...no servile work..." , again noting the difference between "no work at all" and "work done in service to employment of to service one's own house.  This allows for "work" performed at Temple or other religious requirements)
 
Last Great Day #8
 
(Lev 23:36)  Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to YaHWeH. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to YaHWeH. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work.
  
(Lev 23:37)  " 'These are the appointed feasts of YaHWeH, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations (assembly or gathering), to offer an offering made by fire to YaHWeH, a burnt offering, and a meal offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day; (Lev 23:38)  besides the Sabbaths of YaHWeH, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings, which you give to YaHWeH.
 < A repeat, from verses 34 and 35>

The following instructions are an expansion of these last two Holy Days -- the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths and the Last Great Day

(Lev 23:39)  " 'So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of YaHWeH seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest (Sabbath), and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest (Solemn rest, meaning, not party, not feasting, no regular or servile work, but not time of celebration either, as these are to be solemn, or quiet times of remembrance). (This gathering is the Fruits of the Land, this being the Fall Harvest, the greater Harvest-- the Last Harvest.  
 
(Lev 23:40)  You shall take on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before YaHWeH your God seven days. (The prophetic value in all of these words, translate into the harvests being the people -- the First Harvest, as the First Fruits of those called, and the Last Harvest, the calling of those to the Final Harvest -- the whole of Earth's produce and productions is a prophetic shouting out of His Prophetic Word and words)
 
(Lev 23:41)  You shall keep it a Feast to YaHWeH seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month.  (The 7th Month is counted from the Biblical First Month, sometime in the March/April of man's calendar, placing the 7th Month)
 
(Lev 23:42)  You shall dwell in booths seven days. All who are native-born in Israel shall dwell in booths, (Lev 23:43) 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 YaHWeH your God.' "
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 Holy Days Interrupted again out of Judah's (YaHudah) return from Babylonian Captivity

Second Temple – Holy Days Introduced – Again
 
A Return from Babylonian Captivity
 
(Neh 8:14-15)  They found written in the law, how that YaHWeH had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month; (15)  and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem (YaHshalayim), saying, Go forth to the mountain, and get olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
 
(Neh 8:16)  So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
 
(Neh 8:17)  All the assembly of those who were come again out of the captivity made booths, and lived in the booths; for since the days of Joshua (YaHshua) the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so. There was very great gladness. (Since the time of Joshua, this was a Holy Day they had not observed.  Even before their captivity, they did not remember to recognize this Holy Feast period.  Obviously, they never kept or honor any of the Feast days during their Babylonian Captivity)
 
(Neh 8:18)  Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. They kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.
 
NATIVE BORN: Feast of Weeks, or Feast of Tabernacles -- 7 days in length
 
(Lev 23:41)  You shall keep it a feast to YaHWeH seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month. (September - October)

 
(Lev 23:42)  You shall dwell in booths seven days. All who are native-born in Israel shall dwell in booths, (Lev 23:43) 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 YaHWeH your God.' "
 
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Second Part: #2 -- the Introduction into the New Covenant Understanding of the Holy Days

If you are going to honor the Holy Days, then the outline of instructions you just read should be followed, these instructions are said to be, a statute forever – with the outstanding question, “to whom are these Sabbaths, these Holy Days, addressed?  To Israel, to Judah, that is who. Notice, that these Holy times and Holy Days are for all NATIVE - Born Israelis – every translation I have checked uses this very same wording.

Are you native born?  If this can be understood we can then see the reason why our Lord and the Apostles kept referring to the Torah as the Law of Moses, even as the Law (Torah) of the Jews – Acts 25:8 "...neither against the law of the Jews."  Even so, going back, in Paul’s report, in a detail account (Acts 24:10-21), we can follow his reasoning and connection to the Law for all believers, is not only the Law but the Writings and the Prophets, as sources to be learned from, to be accept as true and truth, but this does not change what he says later, in calling, or referring to these things as the “Law of the Jews”, just as our Lord did on many occasions, as you will soon and with an explanations as to why.
 
(Act 25:8)  Paul argued in his defense, "Neither against the law (Torah) of the Jews, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offensive." (Of the Jews -- Paul, also known as Saul, calls those of Jewish descent his brothers, and yet he, like our Messiah did on many occasions, refers to the Torah as the Torah of the Jews)
 
There is an account, in the book of Joshua, calling the composition of Torah, or the Law, as the Law of Moses, as we read in Joshua's writings, which he wrote in front of, or in the presence the people as witnesses.
 
(Joshua 8:30-32)  Then Joshua (YaHshua) built an altar to YaHWeH, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal,  as Moses the servant of YaHWeH commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones, on which no man had lifted up any iron. They offered burnt offerings on it to YaHWeH, and sacrificed peace offerings. He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. (Not once, but twice, Yahshua calls Torah the Torah of Moses)
 
YaHshua calls the Torah, “… in your Law…”, quoting from the Psalms 82:6, making it clear that a separation has taken place, by calling it their Law or Torah, as opposed to the Law of God.  He makes this point on several different occasions, even to calling the Torah, the Torah or Law of Moses.  Even though, YaHshua showed respect for the Law of Moses, but a greater point is made -- if you cannot or have not keep the Law of Moses, what would make anyone think they would keep the True Law of God?  What is the True Law of God the Father?  What is the True Work of God the Father?  We will answer those two questions.  But, for now, let's continue with this Holy Day Study.  With these examples, coming from YaHshua Himself, about whose Law or Torah are we talking about?  Yes, YaHWeH gave, in writing to Moses and from Moses to Joshua (YaHshua), copies of copies with some changes were made.  For example: Moses entered the law of divorce -- Mark 10:2-5.  (More about Divorce Link)
 
(John 10:34)  YaHshua answered them, "Isn't it written in your law, 'I said, you are Gods?' (Ps 82:6)
(Luke 2:22)  When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem (YaHshalayim), to present him to the Lord
(Luke 24:44)  He (YaHshua) said to them, "This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled."
(John 7:19)  Didn't Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?"
(John 7:23)  If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with Me, because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath?
(Mat 8:4)  YaHshua said to him, "See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

(John 6:32)  Then YaHshua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven (sky); but My Father gives you the true bread from Heaven.
(John 6:33)  For the bread of God is He which comes down from Heaven (The Heaven of all heavens), and gives life unto the world. (The context demonstrates more meaning to the word heaven or Heaven, one is the sky, or atmosphere we breath, while the other is where His Holy Throne is)

Another revelation is about marriage.  Moses added the Law of Divorce, and yet we are told that God had never intended divorce would be a part of His Kingdom.  This Kingdom, then, set up for and by Israel becomes the Kingdom of men and not God.  So, we await another Kingdom, this time from the Heaven above all other heavens.
           
A popular verse quoted by those attempting to restore the Old Covenant.  Notice, as you read the next quote, how John does not say the Law of Moses.  This is much broader in scope, not limited to the Law of Moses but to all Law – all Law according to our Creator.  
 
(1Jn 3:4) Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Strong’s Greed Dictionary:  LAW= G458 - wickedness, unrighteousness, iniquity - a violation of law (this would be any law)
   
This verse cannot be used in regards to the Covenant Law made with Israel, nor the Law or Torah of Moses exclusively.  This verse applies to all law, the rule of government, civil law, as well as moral law -- the latter seems to be changing all the time in a society that has lost its way. Impure thoughts and actions can mean a natural feeling about right and wrong, knowing instinctively what is right or wrong, but as believers we are given direction toward proper thinking, and something we can trust to be correct for all people -- what nature teaches us, is almost always in line with the Biblical moral Law -- those who would rebel, of course, desire the lust of their own hearts, finding approval for their own bad conduct in their own law.  The verses before this, in context, demonstrates the believer gains their true purity from YaHshua not by any act they do, which this verse makes plain, is impossible with the flesh.  The flesh is always at conflict with the Spirit -- Romans 8:7-8 -- Gal 5:16-17 -- 1 Cor 15:50 -- Feeding the flesh does not lead to salvation.  
 
Wrong thoughts, for example, are not seen as sin -- wrong thinking, evil thought and the like are SIN.  It is, now, on a higher plain that the breaking of the Law of Moses -- for Israel, they were not and are not capable of keeping the Law or Torah of Moses, they have proved this for all people.  Now, a greater Law is in place, one that in many ways, carries a greater responsibility because it has more to do with the Spirit of the individual than the physical.  According to our Lord impure thoughts is a sin, and this is outside of the Law or Torah –
 
Mat 5:27  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' (physical sin)
Mat 5:28  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (mental or spiritual sin)
(Mat 5:21)  "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' (physical sin)
(Mat 5:22)  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. (mental sin)         
 
Later Paul elaborates on sin as being anything where by a person violates or goes against their own conscience, and that could be something perfectly legal, in a Biblical sense, that is in reality of a physical act, but not to the mind, or spirit of the one in doubt or the one who does something they feel guilty about, even if it is not a real sin, that is, in the Biblical sense.   Yes, we must repent even from our bad thoughts.  Yes, we must repent from going against our better feelings, our conscience.  
 
God spoke and Moses wrote and then delivered the message, the rules, the Law (Torah) to the People, more than once – Joshua 24:21-26 – (Remember, that where the English translations have his name covered with LORD, you should read, YaHWeH).  
 
First, at the mountain of Sinai, the Law was presented to the people, to accept or reject -- this became known, later, as the Law of Moses – Mal 4:4, Luke 24:44, John 7:23.  Of course our God and Creator, in the very beginning of this Covenant to be made with the people of Israel, speaking personally to the people and delivered what we know today as the Ten Commandments.  These Ten commandment became a pivotal part of the Covenant with them.  But more than that, these TEN Commandments express a moral code for life, for all life. Clearly, the first four of these Ten, has to do with how to worship or act toward the Party of the First Part of the Covenant being made and the last Six of these Ten commandments, tells us, how we should act toward one another.  Very simple and to the point.  
 
The First real presentation of the complete Torah, to the people, is found in the following account:
 
(Exo 24:4)  And Moses wrote all the words of YaHWeH and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.  (This was not small task.  These pillars of stone were to be a testimony for each of the tribes.  If any part of the Covenant is changed, as it was later, then it ceases to be the Torah of YaHWeH and becomes the Torah of the change, or of the people, and not YaHWeH -- These stone witnesses were before Joahshua and before Moses made certain changes, remember, for the Hardness of their hearts -- Matthew 19:8)
 
(Exo 34:28)  And he was there with YaHWeH forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.  
 
The words of the Covenant are many and amount to 616 direct commandments, that is, 606 over and above the Ten Commandments that nearly all Christians agree should be followed, even though they throw out the respecting of His Holy Name Commandment in favor of, well, whatever name they chose.  That aside, when our Messiah and Savior begins His ministry, even before the New Covenant is put in place, He set about correcting some of the wrong mind view built up over the centuries of abuse and misuse.
 
From Ten to Two -- A Refining of the Law
 
When YaHshua gets into the conduct of mankind, He reduces everything down into just Two Commands – from Ten to Two:  
 
(Mar 12:30)  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: This is the first commandment.
(Mar 12:31)  And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these. KJV   
 
(Luke 10:26)  He (YaHshua) said unto him, What is written in the law? How read you?
(Luke 10:27)  And He answering said, You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
(Luke 10:28)  And He (YaHshua) said unto him, You have answered right: this do, and you shall live.         
 
The Apostle Paul confirms the commandments as a guide to proper conduct that should be exercised among believers, in Romans Chapter 13.  Neither he nor our Savior, YaHshua, include anything about the Holy Days, they find little mention, in the New Testament writings.  Only one is mentioned as a time to hold in Remembrance, and that is the Passover dinner our Savior shared with His Disciples, just before His crucifixion – Luke 22:19.
 
Our conduct as New Covenant participants, are by proxy the children of the coming Kingdom, awaiting the rebirth (resurrection), truly to be reborn, reborn from dust of the flesh into a new creation, given a body fit for eternity, a body that will be like His.
 
(Php 3:20-21) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord YaHshua the Anointed, who, by the Power (The Father) that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
 
_____________________
 
SECOND PART-- Enter, a Different Covenant:

The Holy Days – A Prophetic Outline
 
We have just read about how the Biblical Holy Days were enacted, instituted, brought into the Covenant with Israel.  These were day set at particular times for a Prophetic reason, but to the people of Israel these were days of “remembrance” more than day of a prophetic future.  To the New Covenant believers, however, they have become day of Prophetic Reminders.  Call them, YaHWeH’s Prophetic Outline, or, His Calendar of things to Come.   Let’s now, look at what these Prophetic days and times mean, or should mean to those called to YaHshua and the Promise of His New Covenant.
 
#1 The Passover: The blood of the Passover Lamb was to be sprinkled over the people to absolve them of their sins.  This took place once a year, every year, or it was supposed to.  The blood of the first Passover Lamb, or lambs, initially, was spotted over the doorway of a chosen persons dwelling, those of Israel and Judah, while held in a state of slavery by the Egyptians.  This “marking” would alert the Death Angel, sent to kill all of the first born in the land, to Passover that dwelling, thus, all of its occupant were safe.  This Holy Day was a day to remember and it had to be done each year and would, ultimately require thousands of Passover Lambs, lambs without blemish, to be slaughtered the day of Passover in preparation for the Passover Meal that would take place the evening of the Holy Day for Passover.  Exodus 12:2-4 – every man, or head of household – this day, and month marks the First Month of the year as well.   Take special not of Exodus 12:43-44, no one that is NOT circumcised is to take part in the Passover of YaHWeH, as given to Israel.  Where then, does this leave those who are Gentiles?  This was decided by the Leading members of the Congregation after many Jewish believers were insisting the Gentile converts must be physically circumcised, as recorded in Acts, chapter 15.  Still, the seriousness of this Holy Day is made clear and not to be taken lightly.  This, also, demonstrates a severe and exact separation between those who rejected and continue to reject YaHshua as Messiah and Savior to this very day.
 
YaHshua was crucified the very evening the Jews would be getting ready to sit down to their Passover meal, thousands would have already gone to the Temple to make the offerings and to receive the sprinkling of blood from the lambs they would slaughter and then, later eat (John 18:28).  The irony of this event surrounding the Second Temple, or the Temple of Herod, as some call it, cannot go unnoticed.  YaHshua, and innocent, also called the Lamb of God by many, is slaughtered at the same time that the Temple Lambs are being slaughtered.  And it is by His Blood that we are all saved, once and for all.  Another irony, since the crucifixion of the Lamb of God, a mere 70 years later the Temple is destroyed and the ACT of Passover for Israel has since ceased.  In other words, the Israeli and those of Yahudah, having rejected the true Passover fulfilment, have not been able to cover their sins because this all-important Holy Day, administered by a particular Priesthood has been dissolved.  The people of Israel have been living in a state of sin, covered in their own blood for nearly two millennial.
  
The Passover for the Believer is in the past, it happened in the midst of the week, on the 4th day of the week and the 14th day or evening of the 14th day, around 33 AD, which would be around year 3793 -- this dating would agree with the Christian assumption that our Lord was crucified on a Friday, March 28, 33 AD.  There is a huge problem with this, however, concerning the possible error in the year, something should consider, but even more than that concerns the "day" of the week that He went to the Cross and gave His life for us.  There is an alternate year, 3956 -- This year is more in line with Dr Ussher's time line, counting from 4004 BC as the time counting backward from the Birth of our Savior.   The following is a link that does a good job of presenting the Ussher work.  


Not being able to completely nail down the beginning of this Earth's preparation, making it fit for mankind, we do find others with a far different year from what is presented by the majority in the Jewish community of scholars, the 3793 year, for the year our Lord and Savior YaHshua was crucified, becoming a difference of around 211 years -- prophetically this is a big, no, huge difference.  The Ussher calculation, counting backward from the year zero, we end up with 4004 years, BC that is, and found in many Bible time tables -- check out the year shown in the center column of Genesis, not all but many post the Ussher year of 4004 BC.   At year zero, according to the modern calendar of men, we then count forward to our present time of 2023, and that brings us to a total of 6027 years -- so much for the 6,000 year plan that so many prophets, near and far, had, or have, hung their reputations -- that is where, at the end of the 6,000th year, the Kingdom of God is to be ushered in, for the 1,000 years of peace.  Of course, if we use the common Jewish year, 5784 (2023), or the alternate, 5947, both being counted from the Genesis year 0 forward to now, we still have 216 years before the restoring of all Israel, and the return of our Savior YaHshua.  Or, we have a mere 53 years.  Take your pick.  Either the 7,000 year plan is not correct, using Ussher's calculations, or we have a couple of centuries to go, or only around 50 before the big change comes.  

Back to our Lord's crucifixion and resurrection year, it would seem to be more in line with the alternate possibility, the year 3956, rather than the more popular Jewish 3793.  Do we need the exact date?  No, as the exact timing of things is in the Father's hands, and only He knows for sure when .. still, the dating closer to the 4,000 year mark, in figuring out Lord's time in the flesh, would seem much more reasonable -- when we know that He was cut off in the middle of the week, we know, then, that Friday, as we have previously pointed out by our Lord's own words of proof, it just could not be Friday, the 6th day of the week, so, this alone wold make the dating by other researchers -- 3793, March 28, 33 AD -- an error.  (Prince of the people, cut off in the midst of the week -- Dan 9:26 and with YaHshua's own words -- Mat 12:40 -- He would be in the grave, three days AND three nights -- to solidify this understanding, our Lord compared it to the time Jonah was in the belly of the great fish -- Mat 12:40 & John 1:17 -- in fact, our Lord repeats Himself, saying the same thing twice, in the same verse, and John making a second witness.  And yet, many scholars and teachers say, "Oh, but He only meant parts of days and parts of night".  They say this to make Friday their day for the day of His Crucifixion.  Why?  Because the Pagan Church of Rome says so, and her rebellious Protestant Daughters take with them the same doctrines and traditions.  

No matter how you count, you cannot possibly get three days and three nights from Friday evening to Sunday morning.  There is not argument, the tomb where His body was placed was found empty -- get that?  Found empty that Sunday morning -- Empty.  And to top this off, our Lord YaHshua, told us that there would be no other proof provided -- we should read this, and they you should go to your own bible to confirm this --

Mat 12:39  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: Mat 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
 
Problems in the counting, and still the variations are not millennial separations, but a couple of centuries, and that in historical time is very small.  Then considering, as we have already, the alternate year date of 5947, we could be down to as little as 53 years, and if we take away the 7 year period of expected "tribulation", we may be entering the signs of His return in as little as 47 years.  

Problem – the year zero is not counted and should be as it is a full year from BC 1 to zero to 1 AD.  Then there is the problem of determining His Birth, because the modern calendar is centred around the Birth of the Child most in the world reject as their Savior.  There is a 3 to 7 year swing.  Then, there is the other problem – the calendar before His Birth and its dating has an alternative time, a time other Biblical religious groups, like the Essene of Qumran used.  The Essene were descendants of a break away group of Priest that had a falling out with the Levi priest who were in charge of caring for the Temple.  At any rate, their calculation, only recently coming to light, in the popular sense, by Ken Johnson and his Book the Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar.  And to top this off, there is another dating for the actual and present year – 5947, a difference of around 165 years, between present Jewish counting, for this present time of 2023, the supposed number of years from year zero, marked as the birth of Christ, which is also contested by as much as 7 years – I don’t want to be too exact because it is not exact, none of it.  When our Lord YaHshua said, “No one knows the day nor the hour, only our Father in Heaven”, He meant it –
  
(Mat 24:36) "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
  
Because this Holy Day, the Passover, has come and gone (fulfilled, completed, finished), its prophetic nature can be understood better than those yet to come.  But we still have a fulfilment that we can see, and understand, even in the prophetic nature for the next two Holy Days as well.
  
#2 – Feast of Unleavened Bread – a 7 day observation and the putting away of Leavening (yeast and yeast products) from one’s dwelling.
  
This putting away or removing the products containing yeast or leavening was to the Jew a time to remember when they had to flee Egypt in such a hurry that the dough for the bread could not be leavened, so they are unleavened bread in their flight.  
  
To those called to the New Covenant relation in YaHshua, this is symbolic of putting away your sin, of ridding yourself of sin, the leavening in a person’s life.  Leavening was compared to sin, as sin puffs up.  Another definition for sin, to puff up.  Not all sin is so obvious, like murder, adultery.  Sin that puffs up is like, pride, ego, alter ego, thinking we are more than we are, etc.  This putting away of Sin, the kind that puffs up is to last for 7 days, to begin with a Sabbath and to end with a Sabbath.  All those who have accepted YaHshua crucifixion, His blood to cover us, will seek to put away the leavening in their life – the sin that puffs up.  There will be other sin and sins as we move through life, other temptations we are to avoid and fight against and maybe even fail to fully over come and must continue to repent of – not wilful sin, but a slip here or a slide there.  A continual fight, but in this Feast of Unleavened Bread it is the Sin of puffing up we are to shed and in doing so, it is then we see ourselves and our need for Him, for His covering for His Salvation to become ours.  
 
Once we have entered into this calling, this Covenant and accepted YaHshua and His sacrifice for us and we become determined to put away the sin of pride and ego and importance, we are led into being blessed by His Holy Spirit.  And that leads us to the next Holy Day.
  
#3 – Feast of First Fruits:  The Wave Sheaf offering is a celebration of First Fruits, but most of all, The First Fruit.  This, to the Believer, is the recognition that YaHshua is the First Fruit –
  
(1Co 15:20) But now the Messiah has been raised from the dead. He became the First Fruits of those who are asleep.
  
(1Co 15:23) But each in his own order: the Messiah the First Fruits, then those who are the Messiah's, at His coming.
  
(Rom 8:23) Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
  
The First Fruit to the Israeli is about the first of the crops, the fruits of the land that come out in the early spring. But, to the believer, this Holy Feast day, is all about the Messiah, our Savior, being the first of many and about the many being the First of even more to come – the First Fruit and the First Fruits.  
  
#4 – Pentecost or Feast of Weeks:  This word is a Greek word and it means, 50.  It is determined by counting 7 Sabbaths from the Days of Unleavened Bread and the 50th day is the day He sent His Holy Spirit to a Group of people, a congregation of people all at once.  And it was at this time that this same, Holy Spirit, was promised to those who would accept YaHshua as the Anointed One, as their Savior, individually and as a group or single body.  This was a First Fruits offering time for the Israelis.  The First Fruits of their labor and First of the Harvest.  To the New Covenant adherent this marks the First Fruits of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the Book of Acts, chapter 2.  
  
These past three Holy Days are in now in remembrance, and we have a lot of detail about them since they have come to pass.  Now, from this time of Holy Spirit celebration we enter a time still to be – the following Holy Days have yet to find their Prophetic fulfillment and for that reason we have less information but great expectations.
  
#5 – Trumpets:  The Sounding of the Trumpets:  When a King would arrive in a city or return home from a battle the Trumpets would sound.  The sounding of the Trumpets, in this case, will be the announcement of the Coming of our King and Savior, YaHshua.
  
Exodus 19:13-20, is the account of the people of YaHWeH being called to assembly at the sounding of Trumpets, a call that made a sound like a Trumpet and put the fear of God, so to speak, into the people as they were called before Him, before His presence.  
  
And then there is the Trumpet call that is still to happen that is yet future –
  
Mat 24:31  And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
  
1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
  
At the sound of the Trump or Trumpet the gathering begins, the Resurrection from the Dead begins.  There can be no doubt, that while this was a time the Jews remember as a time the people gather around the Mountain of Laws, trembling in fear at the call from Him, that this moment in time is further down the road, a future or Prophetic event to happen at the arrival of our Lord YaHshua, as the Father brings the Dead back to life in the Resurrection of the Saints.
  
The Trumpet is a call, a literal Voice from Heaven calling and commanding things to happen, for the Dead to hear and rise back to life, for the Angels to go forth and collect the Resurrected and to meet His Coming in the Sky above.
  
Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
  
(Rev 4:1)  After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."
  
(Rev 8:13)  Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!"
  
(Rev 9:13) Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God,
 
(Rev 9:14) saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."
  
An this bring us to the Last 7 Trumpets to be sounded.  We do not need to get into this right now, only to point out that the Trumpets is an announcement of His coming, His arrival, but, there are other Trumpets to sound before that happens.  There are events, prophetic events to happen before the Trumpet of the Resurrection sounds, the Announcement of His Return.  These are called the 7 Last Trumpets that actually end with the Call to the dead to be Resurrected.  These 7 Trumpets leading up to the Last call are found in the Book of Revelation, beginning with Chapter 8.
  
(Rev 8:1)  When the Lamb opened the Seventh Seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
 
(Rev 8:2)  Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and Seven Trumpets were given to them.
  
This is the opening of the 7th Seal.  Reading back, however, we see that the 6th Seal, at this time has already been opened and that is a time before the sounding of the Trumpets.  BEFORE is the key here.  The 6th Seal is coming and is going bring on this Earth a terrible time of devastation.

(Rev 6:12-13) When he opened the Sixth Seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. (Parallel to Mathew 24:29)
 
(Rev 6:14) The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

(Rev 6:15-117) Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" ESV (Read Isaiah, chapter 13 – it is short, but to the point, and appears to parallel with this WRATH)
  
This is BEFORE the sounding of the Trumpets and the Last Trumpet, the call to His servants to rise and meet Him as He comes to Save the World from total destruction.  This call, at the sounding of the Last Trumpet, brings the Servants and Saints of God the Father to a unity, as promised in the promises of the Covenant we entered with YaHshua, bringing us to the Father.  This next Holy Day is the prophetic pointing toward this coming time of Unity.
  
#6 – Atonement:  Ten days after the Trumpets or the Voices from Heaven are sounded out, the Day of Atonement falls in its proper place in the Prophetic scheme.  It only makes sense, really – the King is coming, the Trumpets have announced it, and He is going to collect His people, His servants, from around the Earth – and made ONE with Him.  Atonement, when broken apart by definition is – At-One-Ment with Him.  What then, would be the next step in this Prophetic plan, this Prophetic Outline?  There is more behind the meaning of this Holy Day, but the simple fact is that after YaHshua, our Savior, has returned, Satan will be bound up and removed from circulation for a period of time.  In the Old Covenant we see this, as mention in Part #1 -- and repeated here as another example of a message, or prophetic revelation --

There is more to this Day of Atonement, much more, found in Leviticus 16, the instructions for this solemn day.  Featured in this observation is the ceremony of the two goats.  One is sacrificed on the alter, while the other has the sins of the people, symbolically, placed upon its head, and this beast is then sent out into the wilderness, carrying with it the sins of all the people.  Supposedly, the understanding is that this animal is Satan, or Satan's representative, carrying away the sins of the people.  All of the sin, all of it, being placed upon the head of the one who brought sin into the world, Satan, the one also called the Devil.  This view ties in nicely with the New Covenant view -- a time when Satan will be chained up in the Pit, separated from all the people -- Revelation 20:1-3.  
  
#7 – Feast of Tabernacles: This is a 7 day Feast period.  This Feast is also known as the Feast of Booth.  The Israelis honor this day as a time in their past when they were without homes and were travellers, even strangers among the nations, that is, until they were brought into a land given to them.  YaHshua (O.T. Joshua) led the chosen people into the promised land, the kingdom of God.  No long tent dwellers, they actually moved into the houses left vacant by the vanquished Canaanite, a people steeped in idol.  
  
To the servants of YaHshua this Feast period is prophetic and points to the coming Millennial rule of our Savior and Messiah, YaHshua.  We are living now, as it were, in a temporary dwelling of flesh, awaiting the time we are delivered into our permanent, eternal dwelling (Spirit Bodies) and become like Him – 1 John 3:2.  This is also a period of a 1,000 years a time the world will be forced into a Sabbath, a Millennial Sabbath of peace and rest.  To enter His Rest, in the spirit, is now, but to enter His peace in the future is to enter the literal, Feast of Tabernacles, while many will still be living in temporary dwelling awaiting the final transformation at the end of this 1,000 year period.  
  
At the finish of this 7th day of 1,000 years – the Seven Thousandth year of years from the creation of this Earth, as we know it, there is to be an 8th day -- a special day, that appears to be 100 years in earthly time.  This time would appear to be a time of absolute peace, after the total destruction of the Satanic forces.  So, while the 1,000 years of peace, forced peace, comes to an end in extreme violence, as those who have resented the Kingdom and with the release of Satan, a final rebellion as the people of Gog and Magog come down to their own destruction at the finish of the 1,000 Tabernacles of peace, ultimately ending with the finish of the Last Great Day.
  
#8 – The Last Great Day:  This day we have the least information.  It is so far down the road that to know it will be when we enter the 7th Holy Day and see it coming.  For this day, other than being declared a High Sabbath, we can only speculate.  This Last Great Day is the 8th day after the 7 days of the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles – Lev 23:36.  This is called the LAST Great Day, and this suggests other Great Days, like the Day their Wrath – Rev 6:17.  And the Great Day of YaHWeH – Zeph 1:14.  Being designated a Holy Convocation, that is, a High Sabbath, like other High Sabbaths, we know that this is a special time, apart from the Feast of Tabernacles.  While this may be a time of final restitution, it may also be the day of final judgement on those rebel angels still held in darkness -- awaiting the judgement of that Great Day.  
  
(Jude 1:6)  And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgement on the great Day. NIV
  
There is a Great Day that happens before #7 and #8 prophetic Holy Days and I believe worth mentioning. This is a Great Day of YaHWeH, one of them and perhaps the next to the Last Great Day.
   
Rev 16:13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
 
Rev 16:14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the Great Day of God Almighty.
  
This is before the Last Great Day, a thousand years before.  We are just looking at this to get a sense of time or timing.  This Battle on the Great Day of YaHWeH is pretty much one sided and is revealed in Isaiah 13:9-13, again, before the Last Great Day at the end of the 1,000 year Sabbath Rest and Rule of YaHshua, centered at Jerusalem.  This Last Great Day is in advance of the Father coming to this planet – Rev 21 – the re-creation of Earth and the Heavens.  
 
Last Great Day?
There are those who teach a Last Great Day without any real proof.  For example, Ezekiel 33:1-4 is often quoted – valley of dry bones, or, the resurrection of Israel, with the explanation that this is the resurrection of all people who have ever lived for a final period or a 100 year judgement.  The  problem with this is timing.  
  
First problem: The resurrection of dry bones is the whole house of Israel, not the nations.  
 
Second problem: This has to do with timing.  This resurrection of Israel is the fulfillment of YaHWeH/YaHshua covenant made with Israel.  This is the real New Covenant promised to Israel – Jer 31:31 – reading all of Chapter 31 will show that Israel still has a future under a New Covenant.  Not just some or part of Israel but the WHOLE HOUSE of Israel.
  
(Eze 37:11)  Then He said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.'
  
Eze 37:12  Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign YaHWeH says: O My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.
 
Eze 37:13  Then you, My people, will know that I am YaHWeH, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.
  
Make no mistake, this will be a Great Day but not the Last Great Day.  It is possible this Last Great Day will be a time when all else who have lived will be dealt with.  We are not really told.  This says, to me, that this will have to be a time literally witnessed.  There is the possibility that the rest of believers, those not in the First Resurrection will be raised to eternal life.
  
(John 6:40)  For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
  
(John 6:44)  No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
  
It is very possible the many believers, not of the First Fruits, say, will have to wait their resurrection to eternal life a this period of time, at the end or finish of the 1,000 year rule of YaHshua, after the final rebellion and destruction of the wicked.  This Last Great Day may be the resurrection of all Saints not yet resurrected.  This remains to be seen. Make no mistake, there are more than one Resurrection – and more than one death, but there is a death from which there is no return.
  
(Rev 2:11)  He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.
  
(Rev 20:6)  Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
  
In light of these verses, the Last Great Day may be the time to celebrate the Resurrection of the rest of the dead, the second resurrection over whom the second death, that final death, has no power.  
  
Make no mistake, our Lord and Savior did speak of a Last Day.
  
John_6:54  Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day.
 
John_11:24  Martha answered, "I know He will rise again in the resurrection at the Last Day
 
John_12:48  There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not accept My words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the Last Day.
  
(John 6:39)  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.
 
(John 6:40)  For My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
  
(John 6:44)  No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
  
This 8th day, is without question a Prophetic time to come, and is placed at the very end of events.  We can see that it is the Last of the Day, or Holy Days and is also a High Sabbath to remember, a prophetic Sabbath to come.  Is it the Last day Resurrection that our Savior mentions?  We will find out.  For now this is left open for more study.  Maybe we can see this Last Day, or Great Day, as the time all who are brought through the Judgement, having then confessed in YaHshua, having bowed before the One Savior, are then "raised up", that is, "transformed" from these bodies of death into a newly quickened form, like that of YaHshua, and brought into eternity?  It is called the "Last Day", and we know that before this last day, there has already been a 1st Resurrection, at the return of our Lord.  Knowing this, then, the meaning of this Last Great Day seems to indicate another Quickening of people, another set of people who then look on the Son and believe in Him as their Savior, confessing Him.  Perhaps this is the real meaning behind this Last Great Day?  

Email comments and questions to -- servant@servantsofyahshua.com
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