Encountering Jesus on the Holiest Day of the Jewish Year - SANDRA TEPLINSKY CHARISMA NEWS

If you have faith to engage authentically by the Holy Spirit in these appointed days, you may find rich blessing in them. (Flickr/Government Press Office/CC 2.0)

Encountering Jesus on the Holiest Day of the Jewish Year

9/29/2017 SANDRA TEPLINSKY  CHARISMA NEWS

Yom Kippur, traditionally regarded as the holiest day of the biblical year, falls this Friday evening through Saturday evening on Sept. 29-30. Yom Kippur literally translates "Day of Covering," but is usually called the Day of Atonement. The English word atonement was devised specifically to convey the "at-one-ment" with God that was attained by following the detailed procedures for sacrifice and priestly cleansing on this day. (Lev. 16 and 23:26-32, Num. 29:7-11) For a basic summary of Yom Kippur, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur.

Our salvation or right standing with God does not depend on our observance of special days or seasons. However, if you have faith to engage authentically by the Holy Spirit in these appointed days, you may find rich blessing in them. For this reason, many Christians and Messianic Jews celebrate Passover, First Fruits (Resurrection Day), the New Year/Yom Teruah and Feast of Tabernacles. Regarding Yom Kippur, however, there can be unique challenges. The day seems to require an embrace of a system for forgiveness of sin specifically rendered ineffective (if not altogether anti-Christian) in the New Covenant. Moreover, Yom Kippur is a solemn day that, as traditionally kept, can appear almost morose. As a result, many Christians who celebrate other feasts give little attention to the highly meaningful Day of Atonement. Nevertheless, I believe that followers of Yeshua can not only observe this day with integrity, but that God invites us, as a 1 Peter 5 holy priesthood, to engage intimately with Him on Yom Kippur in at least five ways. (And just a loving reminder here: Gentile believers can only authentically observe this or other feasts with integrity by being who God created them to be—Gentiles, not Jews.)

1. Yom Kippur is, first and most of all, a time to commemorate Messiah's stunning self-sacrifice. We are eternally thankful that Yeshua is our once-for-all atonement: "When Messiah appeared as [High Priest] .... He entered into the Holies once for all—not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:11-12, TLV).

Therefore, throughout the day on Yom Kippur we honor and celebrate Yeshua. He has marvelously done away with sin, not just covered (as in "Kippur") our sin. Yom Kippur is an appropriate time to seek renewed and expanded understanding of the authority and power of His shed blood. It is a day to engage "the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings" and "power of His resurrection" (Phil. 3:10)

2. With this undertone of celebration for Messiah's once for all atonement, Yom Kippur is a Sabbath, a day not to work but assemble before YHVH. It is a day on which we "deny" or "afflict" ourselves (Lev. 23:27, 32, Num. 29:7) The Hebrew word generally translated either "deny" or "afflict" means to look down, abase, chasten or harshly deal with. In context, the word refers to an extreme humbling, sober examination and judgment of oneself. For this reason the Jewish people fast on Yom Kippur. The fast is a matter of tradition but fits well with the day. I recommend it for those desiring to engage uniquely with God on Yom Kippur.

Recall that Yeshua calls His followers to self-denial, too, " Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.me" (Matt. 16:24, MEV). Romans 12:1 affirms: "I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship."

God does not want our lives focused on self-examination or affliction throughout the year. But He does call us to judge ourselves regarding sin. By rightly judging ourselves and turning from sin, we may avoid coming under His judgment or chastening (1 Cor. 11:31). On a somewhat related note, recall that Israel's high priest had to atone first for his own sins before he could minister to God's people. Could God be calling you to consecrate this Yom Kippur as a Sabbath on which to humble yourself, fast and ask Him to search your heart? Would you want to receive anew His precious gifts of conviction, repentance and expanded, holy love relationship?

3. Yom Kippur involves sacrifice. According to the New Covenant, how do we offer God a sacrifice? Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Him, then, let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." Yom Kippur is a highly appropriate day to spend in sacrificial praise and worship. But bear in mind that for praise to be sacrificial it must cost something, such as time, resources, energy—or pride. The notion of sacrifice is one not often discussed by followers of Yeshua. Therefore, Yom Kippur can be a time to revisit the Scriptures, including those in the New Covenant, regarding the blessing of sacrifice. These are but a few relevant verses through which we can be empowered by the Spirit, through rightly offered sacrifice, for the days ahead:

"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice ..." (Ps. 50:5) Consecrated ones who have made a covenant by sacrifice include those partaking in the New Covenant, with its exchange of Messiah's life for theirs, and their lives given over to Him. Reaffirming this sacrificial exchange on Yom Kippur can reaffirm covenant with God.

"Sacrifice a thank offering to God ..." (Ps. 50:14). Thank offerings were freewill offerings not required for the forgiveness of sin. Instead, they were given to God as an overflow of love and gratitude. He highly and uniquely valued these voluntary offerings. Today, because our sins have been forgiven, thank offerings include voluntary worship and praise—and any other way in which our lives are laid down for Him and His people.

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me and prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God" (Ps. 50:23). Sacrificial thank offerings can serve as powerful intercessory acts.

Followers of Messiah "are a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5). Spiritual sacrifices offered voluntarily, not reluctantly, may be a vital function of God's holy priesthood.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart" (Ps. 51:17). The value of any sacrifice depends on the disposition of heart with which it is offered.

4. "Do not forget to do good and to share. For with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Heb. 13:16). A Messianic or Christian observance of Yom Kippur can involve sacrificial giving to others. One of many ways to "do good and to share" with others is to pray for them. Yom Kippur can—and I believe should—be a day on which followers of Yeshua pray intentionally for Israel's salvation.

In Israel and around the world, Jewish people will gather in synagogues this weekend to fast, recite Scripture, and ask for forgiveness of sin. They will end the day hoping or trusting that their sins were forgiven. In so doing, they will reaffirm the traditional Jewish belief there is a way to the Father not involving Yeshua, His Son. Meanwhile, God's heart toward them is expressed in Romans 10:1: "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved." He yearns for His ancient covenant people to be fully reconciled to Him in Messiah. You, as part of a royal priesthood, can sacrificially intercede on Yom Kippur for that to happen.

At the end of Yom Kippur, the Jewish people traditionally sound the shofar. According to rabbinic teaching, the trumpet blast signifies that our souls have been freed from sin; therefore, we may have a good year. It also reminds us of the Jubilee, which is heralded by shofar blowing every 50th Yom Kippur (Lev. 25:8-9). Last, the shofar is said to announce the departure of God's especially near presence on Yom Kippur with His people though the high priest.

5. For believers, the shofar blast of Yom Kippur has deeper meaning. It announces a sealing of that which has taken place by the Spirit throughout the day. In addition, it heralds the coming Day of the Lord or Day of Judgment. This is the glorious yet fearsome day of Messiah's return. Many Messianic leaders believe Yom Kippur prophetically foreshadows the Second Coming and day of Israel's national salvation; and therefore, Yeshua will return as Judge and King on a Yom Kippur in the not-too-distant future. This is implicit in Paul's teaching: "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will remove ungodliness from Jacob"; "for this is My covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins" (Rom. 11:26-27).

For those choosing to engage with it, Yom Kippur can be a day of special blessing in at least five ways. (1) Yom Kippur can be a Sabbath on which to commemorate Yeshua's heaven-and-earth-shattering atonement. (2) It is a day to fast and soberly invite the Holy Spirit's conviction, correction and then reconsecration of ourselves as living sacrifices. (3) It is a day to offer God a genuine sacrifice of praise. (4) Intercession for the salvation of Israel (and others) is highly appropriate this day. (5) Celebration of the promise of Yeshua's return and hope of His coming is perfect for Yom Kippur. The Bible's last words remain, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20) 

Sandra Teplinsky has been in Messianic Jewish ministry since 1979. She is president and founder of Light of Zion, a Messianic outreach to Israel and the church based in Jerusalem.

This article originally appeared on lightofzion.org.

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As Prophetic Words Rise About 2017's Rosh HaShanah, Here's What You Need to Know About This Holy Day - SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION CHARISMA NEWS

On Rosh HaShanah, Jews dip apple slices into honey and say a prayer asking God for a sweet new year. (Pixabay/cstpdx)

As Prophetic Words Rise About 2017's Rosh HaShanah, Here's What You Need to Know About This Holy Day

 9/19/2017 SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION  CHARISMA NEWS

Last week, Israelis began excitedly preparing for Rosh HaShanah, the secular Jewish New Year. As you may know, Israel observes two main New Year's. According to Exodus 12:2, the new year which God gave us starts in the spring. The secular or civil New Year's celebrated the first day of the seventh month ("Tishrei").

Rosh HaShana literally means "Head of the Year." The holiday falls this year on Sept. 20-22. It is traditionally celebrated with liturgical worship, merry greetings and gatherings, gift-giving and sounding the shofar. A hearty consumption of apples and honey symbolizes hopes for a sweet new year. Prophetic words about the upcoming year (which will be 5778) now add to the mix, as more and more Christians celebrate this special day.

It is good that Gentile followers of Messiah are engaging in the biblically Hebraic roots of our faith. We Messianic Jews encourage your authentic celebration of the feasts. What you may not know, however, is that some of the most critical, biblical aspects of Rosh HaShana are overlooked by many Jews and Christians due to a focus on extra-biblical traditions. Restoring the purity of God's appointed day in your celebration could bring even greater blessing to you, others—and Him.

What are some ways we can restore the foundations of this week's feast known as Rosh Hashanah? First, Rosh HaShanah as the Jewish new year is not a biblical feast. It is not mentioned or even directly referenced in the Scriptures. The feast that is commanded on what has been popularized as Rosh HaShanah is actually the day of blasting trumpets (Num. 29:1) or according to Leviticus 23:24, memorial of trumpet blasting. The Hebrew name for the day is Yom Teruah.

There is reason to believe Rosh HaShanah was likely observed by the ancient Israelites. It developed as a major holiday during the Jewish exile in Babylon in order to accommodate the pagan culture in which Israel had become immersed. Eventually, it overshadowed any national emphasis on the new year God actually designated for His people, which is the first day of the first month, called "Nissan." Unfortunately, Rosh HaShanah also eroded much of the significance of Yom Teruah. This is reflected in the fact Yom Teruah is the only feast rarely called by its biblical name. So to start, to help restore the pure essence and meaning of the day, Rosh HaShanah ought rightly be called, and observed as, Yom Teruah.

One rationale for the replacement of Yom Teruah with Rosh HaShanah, and resulting new year focus, is the rabbinic belief that Yom Teruah marks either the creation of the world, or of Adam and Eve, or both. (Believing in both could impact the meaning of seven "days" of creation.) This is based partly on a complex, mystical word play on the first word of Scripture, bereishit. In any case, I believe we would do best to call the day as God calls it, namely, a day to sound trumpets:

In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you will have a holy assembly. You will do no ordinary work. It is a day of blowing the trumpets for you. You will offer a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to the Lord ... [a] grain offering] ... [and other offerings] made by fire to the Lord" (Num. 29:1-6).

In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath, a memorial with the blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work, and you shall offer a food offering made by fire to the Lord (Lev. 23:23-25).

According to the Scriptures, God wants us to honor what we call Rosh HaShanah as a Sabbath. Instead of our usual daily work, we are to gather in holy assembly with His people. He instructs us to make temple offerings and sacrifice, but thankfully, the atonement of Yeshua fulfills this command. In Yeshua, we are to approach Yom Teruah (and everyday) with a spirit of sacrificial surrender: "I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God" (Rom. 12:1). Perhaps most importantly, the Scriptures say God wants us blasting trumpets loudly and repeatedly throughout the day. According to tradition, the shofar was (and is) sounded in Israel 100 times.

Understanding certain Hebrew nuances of the name Yom Teruah can help us grasp deeper realities of the day. The Hebrew word which is translated "sound trumpets" or "blow trumpets" in Numbers 29 and Leviticus 23 is teruah. According to Strong's Concordance, the Hebrew root for teruah means (1) to disfigure or shatter by breaking; (2) to split ears by loud noise, such as by shouting for joy, sounding an alarm or intense crying and (3) loud destruction or triumph. Based on the root meanings of teruah, Yom Teruah can be translated as a day of loud clamor or noise, loud acclamations of joy, piercingly loud alarms, shattering battle cries and jubilee. This is significant!

Collectively, the Hebrew meanings of teruah describe kingdom breakthrough. Not just humankind, but the earth and spirit realms may be affected by the ear-piercing cries, wails and triumphant declarations and decrees released this day through the shofar. One (admittedly exra-biblical) possibility is that heaven's shofars are sounded over the earth realm on Yom Teruah. As we come into agreement with the declarations and decrees of YHVH by likewise blowing trumpets, His kingdom on earth is released in greater measure.

When Yom Teruah was divinely instituted, the Israelites would have associated shofar blasting with their first and only direct, national encounter with YHVH. The literal heaven- and earth-shaking encounter took place at Mount Sinai. After a great and mighty shofar blast, God gave His people the gift of His holy Law (Ex. 19:13, 16-19; 20:18). Therefore, to the ancient Israelites, Yom Teruah would have served as a memorial—but also reaffirmation or renewal—of divine covenant: "If you will faithfully obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My special possession out of all the nations ...Then all the people answered together and said, ' All that the Lord has spoken we will do: (Ex. 19:5, 8a). If you, too, are in covenant relationship with God, Yom Teruah can be a special day to remember and reaffirm or renew covenant as the shofar blasts.

Before long, trumpets were associated in Israel with other key events. They were used to call sacred assemblies. They sounded military battle cries to which God promised to respond: "When you go into battle ... sound a blast ... then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies" (Num. 10:1-10). If you assemble (with or without others) before God this Yom Teruah, or are engaged in battle (and who isn't?) why not ask Him to apply trumpet blast victory to your situation?

A final primary purpose of trumpets was to declare the coronation of a king or anointing of a high priest (1 Kings 1:34, 39; 2 Kings 9:13; 11:12-14, 2 Sam. 15:10) Therefore, on Yom Teruah, observant Jews still declare the kingship of YHVH over creation. Yom Teruah is also an ideal time to declare Yeshua as King and High Priest over your life, your nation, Israel and all the earth.

With Yeshua as its focus, Yom Teruah is not just a memorial or new year celebration. It can serve as a prophetic act of intercession, worship, repentance and re-alignment with YHVH. It is also a form of spiritual warfare. "Dream" with me, for a moment. What might possibly happen if on Yom Teruah, Holy Spirit-filled shofar blasting resounded across Israel and the nations? What kingdom breakthroughs could transpire if His people around the world gathered in their respective nations, in unity by the Spirit, and sounded trumpets for a day to affirm covenant with YHVH, declare Yeshua's kingship and posture themselves for Kingdom advance?

In addition to all the above, Yom Teruah is a prophetic foreshadow of Messiah's return and resurrection of the dead. When Yeshua comes to earth, heaven's trumpets will sound loudly (1 Thess. 4:16-17, 1 Cor. 15:52, Matt. 24:30-31). Some believe that on a future Yom Teruah, followers of Yeshua will be caught up in the air to meet Him. Others say Yom Teruah is the day on which He will physically return to judge humankind. Still others say both could take place simultaneously.

Observant Jews who do not believe in Yeshua (and some who do) have traditionally regarded Yom Teruah as a day of judgment. It is said that heaven contains books in which every person's words and deeds are recorded. There are also books of life and death, and all are opened on Yom Teruah. On Yom Teruah, God carefully reviews the books. Some rabbis believe Satan is given access to heaven's court on Yom Teruah. There he stands and accuses humankind, proverbially throwing the book at us. God hears Satan's case, then gives us 10 days to repent of our sin. Ten days later He closes the books and seals our destiny for the upcoming year. The day of sealed or final judgment is known as Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:26)

Such a scenario could well foreshadow the end of this age. After followers of Yeshua are caught up to join Him in the marriage supper of the Lamb, those remaining will have 10 days, so to speak, to turn to God before they are judged. If this is so, the trumpet call this Yom Teruah offers an ideal time to praise God for the gift of forgiveness of sin and to pray for the salvation of others. He desires that none perish, but that all gain everlasting life. Pray especially for Israel's salvation as our people gather in synagogues this Yom Teruah, read His Word and leave hoping to be inscribed in God's book of life.

Yom Teruah is a day to hear, and then do, what the Spirit is saying through the shofar. It is a day to engage with fresh revelation of and from God. It is a day to celebrate a fresh start—and new year, if you will. I encourage you to eat the scroll that is trumpeted on Yom Teruah, and then, feel free to enjoy your apples and honey, too! 

Sandra Teplinsky has been in Messianic Jewish ministry since 1979. She is president and founder of Light of Zion, a Messianic outreach to Israel and the church based in Jerusalem.

This article originally appeared at lightofzion.org.

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The Prophetic Significance of This Year's Purim Intercessory Fast - SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION CHARISMA NEWS

A group of young men walk to a synagogue during the celebrations of the Jewish festival of Purim in Stamford Hill in north London, Britain, March 24, 2016. (Reuters/Neil Hall)

The Prophetic Significance of This Year's Purim Intercessory Fast

3/10/2017 SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION  CHARISMA NEWS

The biblical feast of Purim ("Lots") takes place this year on the evening of March 11-13. The merriest of all Jewish holidays, Purim is based on the book of Esther. As you likely know, the book is an historical account of events that occurred in Persia (modern Iran) approximately 2,500 years ago. At that time, virtually all the Jewish people lived under Persian rule. An unprecedented genocidal death decree was issued against them, which was miraculously overturned.

The story of Esther brims with prophetic meaning and wisdom for today. It contains at least four specific keys to overturning the kingdoms of this world and releasing over them the government of God. These keys are effective at every level of human government, from personal to national and international levels. This Purim season and beyond, God is sharpening and "duplicating" these keys for Purim-like victory in and through His people. He is making them available to "whosoever," or anyone willing to accept them.

Humility

The first key to Purim-like kingdom turnaround is humility. In the book of Esther, two champions arise, Mordecai and Esther. Both are Jews and serve as models of humility. Mordecai is dutifully going about his business when he "just so happens" to save the life of Persian King Xerxes I. For this heroic deed, however, he seeks neither reward nor recognition. Eventually, he is paraded around town in a delayed, and ironic, demonstration of honor. Still, Mordecai takes no glory in the fact his praises are shouted in the streets. Following the hoopla, he immediately resumes his own—and extremely serious—business. By the end of the book, Mordecai is exalted to second in command of the Persian Empire. But consistently he seeks only the good of His people, not his own (Esth. 10:2)

Likewise, Esther displays no pride in her physical beauty, position as queen or final vindication in overriding the genocidal decree. Time and again, she humbly waits on God before she acts. As a result, she is given divine favor and strategy with which to navigate otherwise fiendishly impossible circumstances. "With the humble is wisdom" (Prov. 11:2). And so Esther receives wisdom to bring down ungodly government authorities and systems, replacing them with the government of God. She gains authority to issue decrees which override the enemy's plot to destroy her people. She teaches us much about governmental intercession.

God raises up both Mordecai and Esther, in due season, beyond what they could imagine (1 Pet. 5:6; James 4:10). Because He "crowns the humble with victory," the two come to possess the gates of their enemies (Ps. 149:4). Through them we see how humility—especially as God increases our authority—is prerequisite to honor. We see that humility does not imply lack of boldness or leadership. Rather, the humble of spirit gain honor from God (Prov. 29:23, 15:33).

This Purim and beyond, you can be intentional about humility. Choose to stay low before God and man. Wait on Him to lift you up in due season. Then, however high He takes you, go low again. In this manner, you will be positioned to receive endless grace (Prov. 3:34; James 4:6).

Hiddenness

The second key is to Purim victory is embracing hiddenness—when God brings hiddenness into our lives. Any believer I've known who has walked with the Lord more than a few years has said they've experienced a time when He seems to have hidden from them His manifest presence. At other times, God may choose not to hide Himself from us, but to (somewhat) hide us from others. Either experience is normally hard to embrace.

Perhaps no story in Scripture highlights the embrace of hiddenness like that of Esther. All but one of the main characters in the story are strategically hidden for a period of time: Esther, Mordecai, Vashti and even Haman in the sense that his evil schemes are concealed from the king. God Himself is hidden throughout this intriguing tale in that His name is nowhere mentioned. Esther is the only book in the Bible with no direct reference to YHVH.

Some rabbinic scholars say God's absence in Esther comprises the core message of the book, that of hester panim. Hester panim refers to the concealed face of God and is based on Deuteronomy 31:18. That verse reads, "And I [God] will surely hide My face in that day for all the evil things which they [Israel] shall have done, in that they turned to other gods." The rabbis point out the name "Esther" is actually found in that sentence. In biblical Hebrew, the phrase "surely hide My face" is pronounced "hester ahster panai." If you speak it aloud, you will hear the words sounding almost identical to "Esther, Esther."

As Deuteronomy 31:18 foretells, the Jews of Persia had sadly forsaken the ways and the Word of God. As a result, in love and holiness, He had to hide His face from them for a season. But during that time, God never truly absented Himself from His people. Although it appears He has left the scene, He remains actively engaged behind the scenes. All the while, He very actively works on His people's behalf.

Today, when believers experience periods of God's seeming hiddenness, sometimes that is the result of unrepentant sin. But always it is because God is a good, loving Father. Like any good father, our heavenly Abba disciplines the children He loves. "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be weary of His correction [discipline] ... for whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom He receives" (Prov. 3:11-12).

Some Bible translations substitute the word "discipline" for "correct" in the verse above. That is a fair translation because the meaning of "discipline" is related to that of "disciple." Discipline does not mean punishment. Rather, it suggests discipleship, or dedicated training and instruction. In the Scriptures, God disciplined/discipled His beloved Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and others. He even disciplined/discipled Yeshua, who learned obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8). Should we be dismayed or offended when He treats us similarly?

When your heavenly Father disciples you, be encouraged that He is preparing you for kingdom victory. In the recent movie God's Not Dead 2, a Christian school teacher faces the hardest trial of her life. A deeply committed believer, she is greatly troubled because during the ordeal God has hidden Himself from her. She does not sense His presence or hear His voice. Then she is wisely counseled, "As a teacher, you of all people should know that when you give your children a test, you don't engage them or give them the answers" (my paraphrase).

When God disciples you as His child, He is testing you to prove and promote you to the next level. When it appears He has left the scene, He is lovingly working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is preparing you for face to face fellowship with Him throughout all eternity.

Sometimes, rather than hide His manifest presence from you, God may call you to a season of hiddenness—not from Him, but from others. This was the case for Esther, both before and after her appointment as queen. The call, "Come away, My beloved" (Song 2:8) takes you intimate places in God that you can only go alone. The call may last weeks, months or even years. You may feel lonely and misunderstood. But as it was for Esther, hiddenness is intended to transform you. Esther emerged from it matured and emboldened to exercise new levels of governmental authority. God gave her the keys with which to overturn a worldly kingdom to the kingdom of heaven. So it can be for you.

Joy

A third key to kingdom turnaround is joy. The story of Esther contains, from beginning to end, many expressions and lessons on joy.

Ten different banquets or feasts take place in Esther. Half are given by worldly Persian rulers and half are given by Jews. (Esth. 1:2, 5, 9; 2:18; 3:15; 5:5, 8; 8:15-17; 9:18-23) The worldly banquets are characterized by pride, self-indulgence and over-feeding sensual appetites. The Jewish feasts take place in the opposite spirit as God's people rejoice in His glory and victory. They do not overly self-indulge but share their bounty with the poor. According to the Hebrew text, their joy became key to the fact many, many Persians turned to YHVH. (Esth. 8:17) For the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10), and Purim is the most joyful of all the biblical feasts. It is God's appointed time to renew our spiritual, mental and physical strength. This does not mean we muster up our own happiness; instead, we engage intimately with the joy that is in God's own heart. He imparts His personal joy to us. While we can access the joy of His heart any day of the year, I believe He releases unique grace at Purim to celebrate with Him. It is an appointed time to celebrate His victory in your own life, seen and not yet seen, as well as in Esther's.

Rejoicing on Purim can serve as a prophetic intercessory act for the battles ahead. According to Esther 9:22, Purim is remembered as the time the Jews got "relief" or "rest" from their enemies, and their sorrow was turned to joy. Their enemies (Haman and company) were the descendants of Amalek, with whom God said He would wage war from generation to generation (Ex. 17:16). Any reprieve from that war, therefore, is temporary. Rejoicing in the Lord when you experience relief from your enemies renews your strength for battles ahead. As those battles intensify in coming years, His joy will prove increasingly important. Cherish joy!

Prayer and Fasting

A fourth key to Purim victory is that of prayer and fasting. A satanic stronghold was overturned at Purim not only through Esther and Mordecai, but because the Jews turned to YHVH. Recall that in that day, virtually all the Jewish people lived within the vast Persian Empire. Therefore, had Haman's decree been executed as planned, and God not spared His people, the Messiah would not have been born. The Jews were facing off against the spirit of the Antichrist, not just anti-Semitism. Such a battle had to be fought and won in the spirit realm.

As a result, kingdom intercession broke out even before Esther called for her three day fast. When the genocidal decree was issued, Jews across the kingdom turned with desperation to God: "When Mordecai learned of all that had been done...he sent out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly...In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. ... Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai." (Esth. 4:1-4) Only then did she learn what had taken place. Not until verses 15 and 16 did Esther call for a three-day fast. 

Perhaps the Jews (or Jewish remnant) who cried out to God before Esther's fast are unsung heroes in the story. Their repentant and desperate prayers for deliverance may have turned circumstances around as much as Esther's personal appeal to the king.

As in Esther, war wages today in and over the governments of men. This is taking place on a global level as never before. You may not be an Esther or Mordecai in the sense of holding high office in the natural realm. But in the Kingdom of God, you have already been called, authorized and strategically placed into office. You are positioned even now to mediate or intercede between heaven and earth.

Intercessory prayer and fasting is part of every believer's lifestyle, to varying degrees and expressions. For whatever your gifting or destiny may be, you stand in the gap between heaven and earth. Therefore, you are positioned to mediate heaven to earth.

Revivalist Lou Engle writes: "Esther is a prototype of history's hinge: a courageous [individual] who humbly and artfully spoke truth to power. Facing witchcraft and dark conspiracies in Persia's power base, Queen Esther risked her life, armed with nothing but an undying love for her people, a providential position of authority, her own dignity and the secret arsenal of corporate prayer and fasting. Through her, a nation was spared annihilation." So it can be with you! (See Lou's important message here.)

I believe intercessory prayer and fasting serves as the master key to the kingdom of God overtaking the kingdoms of this earth. So this Purim season and beyond, as God's people, let's humble ourselves before Him, embrace hiddenness when He strategically wills it, and stay intentional about rejoicing in Him. Let's turn the master key to His kingdom. Then let's join in the chorus, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Rev. 11:15). Chag Purim Sameach (Happy Purim)! 

Sandra Teplinsky has been in Messianic Jewish ministry since 1979. She is president and founder of Light of Zion, a Messianic outreach to Israel and the church based in California and Jerusalem.

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How Hanukkah Empowers Us to Overcome the New Anti-Israel Alignment - SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION CHARISMA NEWS

A general view shows a Star of David near buildings in the Israeli settlement of Maale Edumim, in the occupied West Bank Dec. 28, 2016. (Baz Ratner/Reuters )

How Hanukkah Empowers Us to Overcome the New Anti-Israel Alignment

12/30/2016 SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION  CHARISMA NEWS

A day before Hanukkah, U.S. President Obama brokered U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334, declaring that Judea and Samaria (including the Western Wall) belong to Palestine. The resolution puts in place putative legal groundwork, lacking until now, for dividing Israel into a Palestinian state.

The exquisitely evil timing of the American ambush against Israel is not unprecedented. Through history, God's enemies have plotted genocidal schemes against the Jews specifically to coincide with biblical holidays. Historically, those schemes backfire. God judges His enemies and more than overcomes them. From a macroview perspective, He actually advances His kingdom to the next phase of global redemption.

Therefore, when the kingdoms of this world rage against Yaweh and His people, we should weep and pray. But we should also be encouraged, for the kingdom of heaven will soon break upon us in a greater, more glorious measure.

Last week's unjust international resolution at Hanukkah (and Christmas) may forebode a new year of extreme difficulty for Israel and the nations. Battle lines have been drawn; kingdoms are clashing. Sadly, the battle may be bloody.

There will likely be serious casualties—and a call for compassionate ministry in response. For this we must be ready. But as God delivered His people over 2,000 years ago at Hanukkah (and Christmas), we must remember He will deliver us again.

The Hope of Hanukkah

Israeli officials say they expect Obama and the U.N. to take further steps to enforce Resolution 2334 before the Nobel Peace Prize-winning president leaves office next month. The next president will be hard pressed to reverse or amend the international resolution or any mechanisms put in place for its enforcement.

He will, however, have authority to redirect America's response to the travesty. We must pray for him to act wisely and rightly so other nations may follow his lead. President-elect Trump faces an unprecedented, worldwide anti-Israel alignment that has just gained exponential momentum. It is possible only a wide-scale military operation can reverse this momentum. (On this I pray I prove wrong.)

Global circumstances at the start of 2017 are reminiscent of those leading to events culminating in the original Hanukkah. Less than 200 years before Messiah's first coming, the Seleucid emperor Antiochus IV was in power across the Middle East. The crazed conqueror is regarded by Bible scholars as a type of antichrist prophesied in the book of Daniel.

Antiochus IV sought to rule the known world as one people, under one humanist religion. With great arrogance he surnamed himself "Epiphanes," meaning Manifest God. He made it illegal to teach or even speak the Holy Scriptures. With murderous tortures resembling those of ISIS, the devil-driven ruler aimed to destroy all worship of Yaweh. Miraculously, a small band of Jewish priests named the Maccabees militarily resisted and defeated him. Hanukkah celebrates this victory.

The timing of Resolution 2334 last week, ushering in Hanukkah, actually underscores its ultimate defeat. As God raised up a remnant over 2,000 years ago to defeat the anti-Jewish, antichrist spirit, He will do so again. He wants us inspired, infused with faith and empowered for victory. He wants us embracing the hope of Hanukkah.

The Maccabees' Message

The Maccabee remnant stood firm in the grace of Yaweh. Unlike us, they were not indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, they intentionally chose to access the strength, courage and faith residing in us today. They clung tenaciously to righteousness.

Hanukkah's heroes of old loved not their lives unto death. They trusted God as their personal redeemer, despite the limited revelation they had of His salvation. They knew He would use their faithfulness—even martyrdom—for His glory through eternity. Indeed, these saintly ones are collectively memorialized in Hebrews 11:35-39. Their testimony is intended to help us stand firm in these last days.

In Matthew 24, Yeshua (Jesus) connects Hanukkah-related events with the end times antichrist. He shows how Daniel prophesied concerning them both. Prior to His first coming, the antichrist spirit sought to destroy the Jews. Satan's goal was to thwart God's plan of redemption and future, governmental kingdom rule. But the Jews survived. Hanukkah resulted. Messiah King was born not long thereafter.

The antichrist spirit will arise with even greater vengeance before Messiah's Second Coming. Conditions that led to the original Hanukkah will be similar to those resulting at the end of this age. Events at the U.N. last week reflect this prophetic trajectory.

In 2017 and beyond, like the Maccabees, you and I will have opportunity to align in righteousness with the kingdom government that rests on His shoulders (Is. 9:6). In an increasingly anti-Christian/anti-Jewish culture, it will be our Father's good pleasure to impart faith, courage and victory to us.

This new year, I encourage you to align even more intentionally with the government of His kingdom. Execute the authority He gives you for the salvation of Israel and the nations. Choose righteousness and humble boldness. Do not let your love grow cold because of the increase of wickedness around you (Matt. 24:12). And do not keep silent. Remember that no circumstance or decision of yours will be too big or too small to impact according to the rule of His government.

2017 Celebrates Kingdom Advance

God sets times and seasons, giving special meanings to them (Dan. 7:25). One hundred years ago in 1917, Britain's Balfour Declaration formalized the intent to create a Jewish homeland. Seventy years ago in 1947, U.N. Resolution 181 re-established a Jewish state. Fifty years ago in 1967, the City of Jerusalem was restored to Israel. The time frames of 50, 70 and 100 years are biblically significant. 2017 could prove a watershed year for Israel (and the nations) in which your life makes a difference for eternity.

There is reason to believe we are entering a very challenging but also very happy new year.

"Why do the nations rage? ... Blessed are all who seek refuge in Him" (Psalm 2:1, 12). In 2017, put your trust in Him and be blessed! 

Sandra Teplinsky has been in Messianic Jewish ministry since 1979. She is president and founder of Light of Zion, a Messianic outreach to Israel and the church based in California and Jerusalem.

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Does the Jewish New Year 5776 Hold Special Meaning? - SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION

Is there biblical significance in the numbers in this year's Jewish New Year? (iStock photo)

Does the Jewish New Year 5776 Hold Special Meaning?

9/15/2015 SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION  charisma news

Rosh Hashana, the traditional Jewish New Year, fell on Sept. 14 this year and ushered in the year 5776. Although Rosh Hashana is known in the Bible as a day for blowing trumpets, by the time of Yeshua it was observed as the Jewish secular new year.

Could this year hold any special meaning for Christians, based on the unique numbers and letters associated with 5776?

As you probably know, some scholars believe the numbers comprising 5776 represent key themes of Scripture. The biblical concept differs from numerology, which uses numbers and symbols for purposes related to divination, soothsaying or manipulation.

Biblically, 5 could represent grace, 6 can represent humankind or the ways of man, and 7 can stand for completion. If that is true, and if God chooses to speak to us through our admittedly imperfect calendar system, 5776 could herald a watershed year in world history.

The number 5776 could represent a certain completion of grace as we've known it, coupled with a certain completion of following in man's (our) own ways. Now, to be sure, God is never not gracious! But His grace manifests in different ways at different seasons, for our ultimate good, to mature us to Messiah-likeness. Not always pleasant at the time, the complete intersection of grace with our own ways puts an end to (or completes) our ways. It transforms us to godliness in love, joy, peace, holiness and supernatural service. It draws sinners to Yeshua. It is actually a form of judgment.

There's more. In the Hebrew language, letters are assigned to numbers for various purposes. The letters assigned to the year 5776, "tav-shin-ayin-vav," spell a word used in modern Hebrew, meaning "heed." (The letters for the two 7's differ.)

Could the numbers and letters associated with 5776 confirm predictions or prophecies of impending global crisis? Perhaps. We will know in retrospect. Meanwhile, God does not want us unduly fascinated with signs or coincidences. Those are always intended to turn our focus and fascination upon Him.

At this season of tetrad blood moons, a completed Shemitah, and exponentially escalating sin, of this we can be sure: God is trumpeting a love call to give heed to Him and His ways. To those who respond, He will give grace to receive new grace. He will empower them to boldly withstand and shift some of the ways of the world in the year ahead.

Kingdom conflict will intensify, as the Scriptures say it must. But that's because the King Himself is coming. My prayer is that in 5776 He'll come powerfully through each of us. This year, may the shofar's trumpet draw you deeper into His kingdom goodness and glory!

Sandra Teplinsky has been in Messianic Jewish ministry since 1979. She is president of Light of Zion, an outreach to Israel and the church based in Southern California and Jerusalem. She is an ordained minister and prophetic conference speaker, and has written several books and articles about Israel and the church.

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5 'To-Dos' For Fall Feast-Related Events - Sandra Teplinsky

5 'To-Dos' For Fall Feast-Related Events

8/31/2015 SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION  charisma news

We all need to be ready for the fall feasts, no matter what we're anticipating in society. (Flickr )

Some Christian leaders warn that on or about Rosh Hashana (September 13, 2015) the U.S. economy will collapse, global disasters will result, and cataclysmic war against Israel will follow. At the outset, I must forthrightly say God has not told me that shattering life changes will occur in America or on a global level this coming month, this fall, this year or on any specific date.

But to be fair, He hasn't told me He won't change life, as the Western world knows it, in the near future either. In any case, the times are critical by most objective measures. And sin, which is intensifying rapidly on a global level, He must judge.

In prayerfully seeking Bible-based and Spirit-sensitive insight on the fall feast season from a Messianic Jewish perspective, here's the sum of what I've learned: God's gracious call to surrender more fully to Him is now urgent. If commotion about calendar convergence is what it takes for us to surrender to Him more fully, then that is what He'll use. Meanwhile, it is good that followers of Yeshua gain sensitivity to His calendar, the biblical calendar maintained faithfully by the Jewish people.

If you and I respond to God's call to surrender and something cataclysmic happens very soon, He will have prepared us. If we respond and nothing happens, He will still have had His way with us. We will still be better prepared for the future by being more conformed to the likeness of Yeshua.

In that spirit, I hope this article offers some clarity, biblical mooring and recalibration to believers who may be worried or troubled about the coming fall feasts.

5 'To-Dos' (Each begins with an "R" for ease in remembrance.)

1. Remember Who God is. To rightly engage with what God will do, we must first remember Who God is. Because He is holy and just, God judges sin. Because He is loving, He does what's best for us. Because He is merciful, He forgives when we turn to Him. Because He is sovereign, He's always in control. Because He's redemptive, He wants all humanity saved. Because He's victorious, He gives us peace. Because He's gracious, He provides what we need. Because He's covenant-keeping, He's passionately engaged with Israel. Our response to any future, major life change should derive from and reflect God's character (Exodus 3:13-14).

2. Remain in the Word. This point can't be overstated! Make time, if you don't have it, to abide in the cleansing vitality of God's Word. Humble yourself with fresh expectancy to be shown truth. From Scripture, God will prepare and empower you for whatever life brings, whenever (John 16:33).

3. Repent, personally. Ask the Holy Spirit to graciously reveal your own sin. And don't forget the sin of fearing the future! Not all, but many of the prophetic warnings about the fall feasts seem more fear-driven than divinely-driven. Focus less on personal survival and more on public revival. Humbly but boldly intercede for a nationwide spirit of repentance, that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

4. Rejoice in the fall feasts. Rosh Hashana, known more accurately as the Feast of Trumpets or Day of Judgment, should be welcomed, not dreaded. The biblical name for the holiday is Yom Teruah, literally meaning Day of Blasting. It is a day to blow trumpets, awakening God's people from spiritual slumber. Yom Teruah sounds an alarm to prepare us for reckoning and judgment ten days later on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement or Day of Covering). It is God's gracious call to judge ourselves so that He needn't do so. As we turn to Him we rejoice in His righteous judgments that will restore all things. We rejoice in the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Messiah Yeshua. We celebrate His dwelling with us forever, foreshadowed in the Feast of Tabernacles five days later (1 Corinthians 11:31).

5. Readiness. Get re-filled daily with the Holy Spirit. Shift from a defensive posture to the offensive! You and I are in a joyful war for souls. When crisis shakes complacency, opportunity results. Be ready to give the reason for the hope that's in you. It's reasonable, by the way, for readiness to involve the natural as well as supernatural. It's good, if you can, to store a few essentials for your family and others in need. The goal is not to selfishly hoard but selflessly help. Exactly how to make ready on a tangible level varies from person to person and place to place. But in every instance, we're told to do all from love, even as God's love will enable us to stand firm to the end (Luke 17:33, Matthew 24:12-13).

Sandra Teplinsky has been in the Messianic Jewish ministry since 1979. She is president of Light of Zion, an outreach to Israel and the church based in Southern California and Jerusalem. She is an ordained minister and prophetic conference speaker, and has written several books and articles about Israel and the church.

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Discover an Often Neglected Key to Understanding Israel's Land Promise

 7/22/2015 SANDRA TEPLINSKY/LIGHT OF ZION   charisma news

The Torah still serves as the foundational holy text. (Wikimedia Commons)

These days, many are uncertain as to how to interpret Israel's land promise in light of the New Covenant. Many are unsure of how to respond to the denial of many Christians that promise still exists.

Sadly, no lack of controversy surrounds the subject. Many important principles of Scripture interpretation come into play. One often neglected key can help.

First, a quick bit of background needs to be set. Scholars generally agree that the best interpreter of the Bible is the Bible. The Scriptures themselves teach us how to understand new and inspired revelation in light of earlier text.

The five books of Moses, known as the Pentateuch or Torah, serve as the foundational holy text. The Hebrew prophets and other writers built squarely on that foundation. Their newer writings amplified and applied God's Word, taking it to the next level of redemption history. Sometimes they described new covenants—like those God made through Abraham, Moses and David. Jeremiah described a profoundly new covenant in which God's Word would be engraved in human hearts.

Since the New Covenant is not the first of God's several covenants, how did the ancient writers of Scripture interpret newer covenants in light of earlier ones?

When new revelation was given to biblical authors, they never re-interpreted the pre-existing Word of God to accommodate their new revelation. Rather, new revelation was accepted as divine truth based on what had been previously acknowledged to be true

To qualify as holy canon, no new text could refute or replace the foundational meaning of earlier text. A critical test for judging the divine inspiration of any proposed new writing was its consistency with prior writings. If the proposed passage or scroll or covenant contradicted God's pre-established Word, it disqualified as Holy Scripture. In fact, any new covenant would be primarily interpreted in light of older covenants, never the other way around.

Yeshua and the New Covenant's Jewish authors would have been strongly influenced by this sacred principle. Therefore, when they give fresh meaning to an Old Covenant passage or principle, they build on or amplify, not abolish, the original contextual meaning of that passage or principle. (How many times have you read Scripture only to hear God speak deeper, fresh personal meaning to you each time?) Thus, the Messiah said He came to fulfill, not do away with, the Torah. He is not the terminator, but the perfection, completion and goal of all Hebrew Scripture.

By this principle, God's unconditional land promise to Abraham in Genesis 15, inherited by the Jewish people, still applies to them. Those promises have been amplified by the Mosaic covenant (law) and the prophets. By the New Covenant, they may also apply, on another level, to the metaphorical land of Christian hearts. Meanwhile, some Gentiles may also be called to live in Israel, just as some Gentile have always lived in the Promised Land.

Because the New Covenant was written in light of the Old, confusion results if we reverse that order and interpret the Old Covenant primarily in light of the New. Such an approach amounts to reading the Bible backwards. It almost guarantees the Scriptures will not be rightly understood.

Few of us would read a book by starting two-thirds into it, finish it and then pick up on page one. As an author, I wouldn't be too happy if that's how my writings were read! In this sober hour of history, God wants us to "rightly handle the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Don't you?

Sandra Teplinsky has been in the Messianic Jewish ministry since 1979. She is president of Light of Zion, an outreach to Israel and the church based in Southern California and Jerusalem. She is an ordained minister and prophetic conference speaker, and has written several books and articles about Israel and the church.

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