Month 1:17 (Aviv), Week 3:2 (Shanee/Matzah), Year 5935:017 AM
CHAG HA-MATZAH (Unleavened Bread) ANNUAL MOED 2:3
Gregorian Calendar: Wednesday 20 [Red] April 2011
Chag haMatzah 2011 III
Quietness and Assurance Forever
Continued from Part 2
The kinds of holidays we observe plainy display to the world under what banner we stand. Each country has its own unique and common holidays, both secular and religious. And, of course, each culture marks time somewhat differently even if they share an international calendar, the one invented by Pope Gregory. What a vast difference there is between those who follow the authentic biblical calendar and system of holy days to the ones marked in our diaries? Back in 1977 when I first became born-again, I would never have dreamed that there was such a vast difference.
Eating matzah as we are currently doing, and as some of my family did in the town park this afternoon whilst doing our weekly shopping, I was reminded - even though lots of other Arvikans were around us doing their own thing - that we are marked not just on earth but especially in heaven by what we do. What do we suppose we will be doing in the Millennium when Yah'shua (Jesus) returns? What calendar will we be following? What holidays will we be celebrating? Unless I have got it terribly wrong somewhere along the line, we will, I firmly believe I am now following the original Creation Calendar and observing Yahweh's authentic annual moedim or festivals. Amongst them will be Chag haMatzah - we'll be eating unleavened bread then just as we are doing now and won't think twice about it:
"The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isa.32:17-18, NKJV).
As I looked over the lake, the ducks and geese quietly moving over the water (see picture above), the clear, warm sky and the beauty of nature all around, I was reminded of the inner tranquility that follows those who walk in the ways of Yahweh. We are truly homeward-bound. When lovers agree to meet at a rendez-vous, they do not easily or quickly miss such meetings, do they? They eagerly anticipate it. If we love Yahweh, we do not want to miss our appointed times with Him either. The reason we keep the sabbath when we do, the new moons and the annual festivals like this one, is not because we are 'trying to be different' (for whatever reason) but solely because Yahweh has promised that He will meet with us at these times in a special way - in a way different and set-apart from all other times. Moreover, these are His times and seasons, not ours. If we are not there to meet together with Him at these times, then we have missed out on something very special.
"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it'" (Jer.6:16, NKJV).
Obviously (unless the meaning of language has changed) the "old ways" are not "new ways". We are not permitted by the Most High to change His ways at will. Yahweh's moedim or appointments are a part of the "old ways" and their message is unchanging. The promise we receive is that we get rest for our souls if we follow them.
Knowing when Chag haMatzah starts is important in calculating when the next festival, Shavu'ot or Pentecost starts too. We are to count seven creation sabbaths and thereafter 50 days from Yom haBikkurim, the second day of Chag haMatzah, to reackon it accurately (Lev.23:16). But how can we do that if we don't know when the true sabbath is or when Yom haBikkurim begins?
The Bible prophesies that Yahweh's festivals will be changed and by who:
"He (Satan) will speak against the Supreme Elohim (God) and oppress Elohim's (God's) people. He will try to change their religious laws and festivals" (Dan.7:25, GNB)
Indeed, would it not be a little strange if the enemy changed practically everything else that Yahweh has taught and expects of His people and not change the sacred appointments? If you were trying to break up a pair of lovers wouldn't you seek to cause confusion so that they failed to meet up? Satan has sought to destroy a knowledge of Yahweh's appointments with mankind but now, in our time, these times and seasons are being restored so that the end-time remnant is walking in "all truth" (Jn.16:13, NKJV).
It has taken me 34 years to finally find the "old paths" after a very, very long journey. There is so much error in this world, so many lies, stacked upon layers and layers of more lies. Those who love Yahweh with all their hearts will seek and find (Mt.7:7) and eat unleavened - pure - emet (truth). I feel to celebrate this "quietness and assurance" today. I hope many of you will do it with me. Amen.
Continued in Part 4
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