Showing posts with label Christian perspective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian perspective. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

A Christian Perspective on the Manchester Attacks - MARTIN CLARKE CHARISMA NEWS

Police officers are seen outside the Manchester Arena. (Reuters/Jon Super)

A Christian Perspective on the Manchester Attacks

MARTIN CLARKE  CHARISMA NEWS
Nearly 21 years since Manchester was so brutally bombed, we awoke to another attack. This time it was the young, the very future of the nation, who were singled out. It was an act of evil. Twenty-two people lay dead this morning, 59 injured, some fighting for their lives, families torn apart.
That's what evil does.
In 1968, Enoch Powell warned of these events and was derided at that time. Today his words echo. Manchester, our second largest city of about 2.5 million, is resilient, and 77 years ago, they survived two nights of Nazi bombing. They survived Arndale in 1996, and they will survive again.
Crimes of this nature can only be responded to by the authorities, we've had advance warning, but again, we are reminded that one can damage many, and it is mankind that perpetrates evil from within the heart (see Jer 17:9). Meantime we stand in prayer alongside the broken, and it is all we can do.
Frustration reigns, tears well and hearts break with ache and angst.
Never in the field of war has so much damage been done by so few to so many. We ask America to pray for the people of Manchester, twinned with the great City of Los Angeles, and we ask the Lord to send His ministering angels to those families and friends of those directly affected. We pray for the police and emergency services for their bravery and service at this time. 
Martin Clarke is a London businessman and a member of Holy Trinity Brompton Anglican Church in London.
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Sunday, September 15, 2013

Happy Sukkot (Succot) - Feast of Tabernacles - starts sundown on Wednesday 09.18.13

Happy Sukkot!

Bible Feasts:

Paul said in Colossians 2:16-17 that the Jewish feasts and celebrations were a shadow of the things to come through Jesus Christ. And though as Christians we may not commemorate these holidays in the traditional biblical sense, as we discover the significance of each, we will certainly gain a greater knowledge of God's Word, an improved understanding of the Bible, and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Sukkot - Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths:

Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles is a week-long fall festival commemorating the 40-year journey of the Israelites in the wilderness. It is one of the three great pilgrimage feasts recorded in the Bible when all Jewish males were required to appear before the Lord in the Temple in Jerusalem. The word Sukkotmeans "booths." Throughout the holiday, Jews continue to observe this time by building and dwelling in temporary shelters, just like the Hebrew people did while wandering in the desert. This joyous celebration is a reminder of God's protection, provision, and faithfulness.

Time of Observance:

Sukkot begins five days after Yom Kippur, from the 15-21 day of the Hebrew month of Tishri (September or October).  



Russian

Photo by Steve Martin 
in Jerusalem area succa - 2009








Have succa will travel!



Knowing the faith of the early American settlers, 
 am sure they knew of the Feasts of the Lord 
and in giving Thanksgiving to Him!

Fruits of the Harvest - Succot!



Photo by Steve Martin - 2009 in Jerusalem
- on the Vision for Israel Succot Celebration tour 
with Barry Segal



Happy Sukkot to our Jewish friends, and those who love Israel worldwide! The Lord's blessings be on ye heads!

Steve and Laurie Martin
Love For His People, Inc.



More on the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) 
from a Christian perspective 
(as shared by Mary Fairchild):

Scripture Reference:

The observance of the Feast of Tabernacles is recorded in Exodus 23:16, 34:22; Leviticus23:34-43; Numbers 29:12-40; Deuteronomy 16:13-15; Ezra 3:4; and Nehemiah 8:13-18.

About Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles:

The Bible reveals dual significance in the Feast of Tabernacles. Agriculturally, Sukkot is Israel's "thanksgiving," a joyous harvest festival to celebrate the ingathering of grain and wine. As an historical feast, it's main characteristic is the requirement to dwell in temporary shelters or booths in remembrance of God's protection, provision and care during their 40 years in the wilderness. There are many interesting customs associated with the celebration of Sukkot. These are explained in detail by About.com's Judaism Guide, Ariela Pelaia.

Jesus and Sukkot:

During Sukkot, two important ceremonies took place. The Hebrew people carried torches around the temple, illuminating bright candelabrum along the walls of the temple to demonstrate that the Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles. Also, the priest would draw water from the pool of Siloam and carry it to the temple where it was poured into a silver basin beside the altar. The priest would call upon the Lord to provide heavenly water in the form of rain for their supply. During this ceremony the people looked forward to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Some records reference the day spoken of by the prophet Joel.
In the New Testament, Jesus attended the Feast of Tabernacles and spoke these amazing words on the last and greatest day of the Feast: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38 NIV) The next morning, while the torches were still burning Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12 NIV)

More Facts About Sukkot:

  • The booth of Sukkot is called a sukkah. These shelters consist of at least three walls and are framed with wood and canvas. The roof or covering is made from cut branches and leaves, placed loosely atop, leaving open space for the stars to be viewed and rain to enter.
  • It is common to decorate the sukkah with flowers, leaves and fruits.
  • Today, the requirement to dwell in the booth can be met by eating at least one meal a day in it. However, some Jews still sleep in the sukkah.
  • Since Sukkot is a harvest celebration, typical foods include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • More about Sukkot.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement - Friday sundown, Sept. 13 through Saturday sundown, Sept. 14




  1. Friday, September 13
    and ends in the evening of
    Saturday, September 14

    Day of Atonement


    By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide


    Orthodox Jews Prepare for Yom Kippur
    Photo: David Silverman / Getty Images

    Bible Feasts:

    Paul said in Colossians 2:16-17 that the Jewish feasts and celebrations were a shadow of the things to come through Jesus Christ. And though as Christians we may not commemorate these holidays in the traditional biblical sense, as we discover the significance of each, we will certainly gain a greater knowledge of God's Word, an improved understanding of the Bible, and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

    Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement:

    Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is the most solemn and important holy day of the Jewish calendar. In the Old Testament, the Day of Atonement was the day the High Priest made an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people. This act of atonement brought reconciliation between the people and God. After the blood sacrifice was offered to the Lord, a goat was released into the wilderness to symbolically carry away the sins of the people. This "scapegoat" was never to return.
    Time of Observance:

    Yom Kippur is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri (September or October).

    • See Bible Feasts Calendar for the actual dates of Yom Kippur.
    Scripture Reference:
    The observance of the Day of Atonement is recorded in the Old Testament book of Leviticus16:8-34; 23:27-32.

    About Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement:

    Yom Kippur was the only time during the year when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the innermost chamber of the Temple (or Tabernacle) to make atonement for the sins of all Israel. Atonement literally means "covering." The purpose of the sacrifice was to bring reconciliation between man and God (or "at-onement" with God) by covering the sins of the people.

    Today, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are days of repentance, when Jews express remorse for their sins through prayer and fasting. Yom Kippur is the final day of judgment, when each person's fate is sealed by God for the upcoming year.

    Jewish tradition tells how God opens the Book of Life and studies the words, actions, and thoughts of every person whose name he has written there. If a person's good deeds outweigh or outnumber their sinful acts, his or her name will remain inscribed in the book for another year. On Yom Kippur, the ram's horn (shofar) is blown at the end of evening prayer services for the first time since Rosh Hashanah.
    Jesus and Yom Kippur:

    The Tabernacle and the Temple gave a clear picture of how sin separates us from the holiness of God. In Bible times, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies by passing through the heavy veil that hung from ceiling to floor, creating a barrier between the people and the presence of God. Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would enter and offer a blood sacrifice to cover the sins of the people. However, at the very moment when Jesus died on the cross, Matthew 27:51 says, "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split." (NKJV)

    Hebrews chapters 8 and 9 beautifully explain how Jesus Christ became our High Priest and entered heaven (the Holy of Holies), once and for all, not by the blood of sacrificial animals, but by his own precious blood on the cross. Christ himself was the atoning sacrifice for our sins; thus, he obtained for us eternal redemption! As believers we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Yom Kippur, the final atonement for sin.

    More Facts About Yom Kippur:

    When the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., the Jewish people could no longer present the required sacrifices on the Day of Atonement, so it came to be observed as a day of repentance, self-denial, charitable works, prayer and fasting.
    Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath. No work is done on this day.
    Today, Orthodox Jews observe many restrictions and customs on Yom Kippur.
    The book of Jonah is read on Yom Kippur in remembrance of God's forgiveness and mercy.