Prophetic Signals Hidden in the Feast of Tabernacles - KELLY MCDONALD, JR. CHARISMA NEWS

Prophetic Signals Hidden in the Feast of Tabernacles

10/5/2017 KELLY MCDONALD, JR.  charisma news

Jews pray with lulav during Sukkot at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. (Kkl-jnf photo archive via the PikiWiki - Israel free image collection project)

The Feast of Tabernacles is an eight-day celebration every fall. This year it is from Oct. 4 (at sunset) through Oct. 12 (at sunset). It is also called Sukkot, which is a Hebrew word referring to the temporary dwellings the Israelites lived in on their way to the Promised Land (sukkah is the singular form). During this time of the year, the Jewish people build a sukkah and rejoice.

The Feast of Tabernacles has past and future meanings for believers in Christ. First of all, Jesus came down to earth and lived in a tabernacle! "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). The Greek word translated as "taberna" is skenoo, and it can also refer to the sukkah. Christ came down and dwelt in a human body so that humanity could have fellowship with God. Jesus actually celebrated this festival while He was on earth (see John 7).

This festival also has a prophetic meaning. During the Feast of Tabernacles, we also celebrate with expectation the coming millennial reign of Jesus on earth! "Blessed and holy is he who takes part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:6). Micah 4:1-4 tells us more about this glorious time:

Then it will be that in the latter days, the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as head of the mountains, and will be lifted up above the hills; and people will stream to it. And many nations will come and say, "Come, that we might go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, that He might teach us His ways, and that we might walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Then He will judge between many peoples and mediate for mighty nations far and wide; they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, and they will no longer train for war. Then each man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one will make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken (Mic. 4:1-4).

Micah 4:2 says that the Law will go out from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Zion is the church (see Heb. 12:22-24). This shows us that the kingdom of God will be ruled by spiritual authority (Zion) based from a physical location (Jerusalem). These verses go on to say that many nations will come and ask you and me (His children) to teach them God's ways.

Once Satan is removed from earth, which is the final prophetic fulfillment of atonement, then the whole world will have a desire for God's ways (see also Isa. 2:1-5). In Micah 4:3, the Lord mentions how we will settle disputes for many nations. The nations of the world are going to see peaceful mediation as a more attractive alternative than going to war. They will beat their swords into plowshares. There will be no standing armies in the millennium!

Every person will have their own vine and fig tree. In other words, every person will be provided for. The millennial reign of Christ will be the greatest time of prosperity that has ever existed on planet Earth. No one will have the thought to try to take from someone else because everyone will have plenty! There will be no fear that someone else will take from you, and no fear that you will be taken from. A world without fear—imagine that! Satan will not be there to stir strife between mankind.

These are wonderful prophecies from God for us to meditate on during this joyous time of the year. Happy Feast of Tabernacles! 

Kelly McDonald Jr. is an ordained evangelist at Hungry Hearts Ministries in Jackson, Tennessee. He has written over 40 books and booklets on pursing Christ, Hebrew roots and end-times prophecy. He is currently president of the Bible Sabbath Association (BSA). You can follow him at kellymcdonaldjr.com.

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Why Throngs of Christians Observe the Feast of Tabernacles - AARON EBY CHARISMA NEWS

Sukkot booth (Pinterest )

Why Throngs of Christians Observe the Feast of Tabernacles

10/13/2016 AARON EBY  CHARISMA NEWS

Every year, throngs of Christians from all over the world flood the streets of Jerusalem in October, waving flags of Israel and the nations from which they come. It is a beautiful expression of solidarity for Israel and love for the Jewish people.

Many of these Christians are inspired by biblical prophecy. According to Zechariah,"Then it will be that all the nations who have come against Jerusalem and survived will go up each year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zech. 14:16, MEV).

But what is the Feast of Tabernacles?

The Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths in some translations, is one of the biblical holidays described in Leviticus 23. Jewish people do not typically refer to it as "the Feast of Tabernacles" (or "Booths") but more commonly refer to it by its Hebrew name: Sukkot, which this year falls on Monday, October 17.

What is a Sukkah?

"Tabernacles" and "booths" are attempts to translate sukkot into English. The singular form is sukkah.

A sukkah is a makeshift shade from the sun made from readily available materials. For example, during the harvest season of late summer, a laborer might rise early and work throughout the morning. Then as the oppressive midday sun bears down, he takes a break. Using leftover plant stalks, leaves, and branches, he constructs a simple shelter to provide him with shade.

When traveling through Israel's countryside during the harvest season in biblical times, one would no doubt have seen many of these little shelters in fields, vineyards and orchards. But they are not just for harvest. Jonah also built such a sukkah to sit in as he waited to see what would come of Nineveh (Jon. 4:5). Jacob built sukkot for his cattle in his journeys, and actually named the place after them (Gen. 33:17).

When the ancient Israelites emerged from Egypt, they left their houses behind. At first, they would not even have had tents to pitch to protect themselves. They would have gathered whatever brush they could find to keep the sun off their heads. God Himself also sheltered them from the sun's rays; His presence was the sukkah they needed!

Because of its uses, the sukkah is a symbol for both harvest and sojourning.

The Biblical Source

Given this information, let's take a look at the institution of this holiday in the Bible:

"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles [Sukkot] for seven days to the Lord" (Lev. 23:34, MEV).

"On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall keep a feast to the Lord for seven days. On the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. You shall take on the first day the branches of majestic trees—branches of palm trees, branches of leafy trees, and willows from a brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native children of Israel shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 23:39-43, MEV).

To summarize this passage:

• Sukkot is a happy seven-day holiday.
• It starts on the 15th day of the seventh month.
• It is connected to the harvest.
• The first and eighth days are days of rest.
• One should rejoice using four kinds of plants.
• It is an everlasting commandment.
• Jewish people in Israel are commanded to dwell in a sukkah for seven days.
• It is a commemoration of the exodus from Egypt.

Happy Campers

Today Jewish people all over the world, not just in Israel, construct sukkot to celebrate this joyous festival. Usually this takes the form of a small hut with natural plant material, such as branches or bamboo. Then decorations and furnishings are added to make it feel festive and comfortable. Depending on the weather and climate, one might eat meals or even sleep in the sukkah each night.

The four plants mentioned in the verse (identified as a citron fruit, palm branch, myrtle branches, and willow branches) are bound together. Each day, participants shake them in each direction as an expression of prayer and worship.

On the seventh day, called Hoshana Rabba, there are prayers for rain. In ancient times, these prayers accompanied a ceremony in which water from the pool of Siloam was poured on the Temple altar.

In the gospel of John, Jesus taught in the Temple during Sukkot (John 7:2–14). It was on the seventh day, Hoshana Rabba, when He said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38, MEV).

Sukkot in the Future

Sukkot may contain symbols of the past, but it is a future-focused holiday. It occurs at the very culmination of the calendar: after the harvest, in the seventh month, on the 15th day (the full moon), and lasting for seven days. It depicts the messianic future of peace and God's provision.

As the prophet Zechariah declared, one day all nations will flow to Jerusalem for the festival. So why not start now? 

Aaron Eby is a writer, teacher, and translator for the Messianic ministry of First Fruits of Zion (www.ffoz.org), an international organization with offices in Israel, Canada, and USA, bringing Messianic Jewish teaching to Christians and Jews. Aaron is also a member of the Board of Directors for The Bram Center for Messianic Jewish Learning in Jerusalem (thebramcenter.org).

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Feast of Tabernacles Celebration at Antioch Intl. Church - Dr. Peter Wyns

Dr. Peter Wyns - Senior Pastor of Antioch International Church

Founder of Christians For Messiah Ministries

Feast of Tabernacles Celebration 

at Antioch Intl. Church

Fort Mill, SC

On Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, 2015 it was my joy to be part of the Feast of Tabernacles Celebration at Antioch Intl. Church in Fort Mill, SC. Having purchased the former Heritage USA/PTL "Barn" and grounds almost two years ago, what a place to now have their annual feast of the Lord (Sukkot in Hebrew) gathering.

Dr. Peter Wyns and Pastor Jesse Enns hosted the time of music, teaching and FOOD!

My good friend Little Big Eagle, along with his wife Mary and daughter Little Deer, shared their musical talents in bass playing and vocals. Toni Bogart played keys along with the others in the band.

Peter, as I like to call my Messianic Jewish friend, clearly taught from the Lord's Word on the meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles, being even for Christians today. The grandson of Derek Prince, born from Derek and wife Lydia Prince's adopted daughter Magdella (Peter's Jewish mother from Israel), he clearly communicated why Christians join their Jewish brethren in celebrating the Lord's feasts.

Thank you to all who brought delicious food, representing the many cultures and nations of the world. What a feast indeed!

Shalom,

Steve Martin
Love For His People

P.S. Antioch had been Laurie's and my home church for over three years. We are grateful to all our friends there!

Little Big Eagle

Toni Bogart (keyboard & vocal) and Jesse Enns (worship leader - guitar & vocal)

Mary and Little Deer - wife and daughter of Little Big Eagle

Antioch's main worship center. Formerly the Heritage USA "Barn"

The sukkah (booth)

Antioch's & Christians For Messiah Ministries bookstore

Books and CDs by Peter's grandfather Derek Prince

One of Peter's many published books

Jesse Enns - Pastor and worship leader

Israeli Navy's Underwater Sukkah is a Blast ✡ "You Shall Live in Booths"

For a seven day period you shall live in booths. Every resident among the Israelites shall live in booths LEVITICUS (23:42) בַּסֻּכֹּת תֵּשְׁבוּ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים כָּל הָאֶזְרָח בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל יֵשְׁבוּ בַּסֻּכֹּת ויקרא כד:מב ba-su-kot taysh-vu shiv-at ya-meem kol ha-ez-rakh b'-yis-ra-ayl yash-vu ba-su-kot

Today's Israel Inspiration Listen to the powerful words of the Israeli Army's Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Peretz on what Sukkot means for the soldiers: "The IDF’s success in battle and in protecting the State of Israel is not just about physical strength. The sukkah, a flimsy and temporary structure, shows us that our security is entrusted not only to physical means... we know that without help from Above and faith in the justice of our path, we would not succeed." "On every base, unit and post, there is a sukkah," he continues. "It is often a brittle structure, but also full of strength. And you, dear soldiers, provide it with its strength. Sitting together in the sukkah, all of us together as one person with one heart, ready for every mission and every challenge, give the sukkah its festive atmosphere which we longed for and anticipated throughout our long exile." We wish all of Israel's soldiers a safe and happy Sukkot! Support the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces » "Dear Israeli Soldier": Blessings From Around the World Leave Soldiers Stunned A touching video of IDF soldiers reading greetings from supporters from around the world. The soldiers are grateful beyond words for your support. Watch here » Letters of Jonathan Netanyahu, IDF Hero of Entebbe Jonathan “Yoni” Netanyahu was the oldest brother to PM Bibi Netanyahu, He was the leader of the 1976 rescue mission at Entebbe airport, and the only soldier killed during the operation which freed 106 hostages. His secret letters reveal the inner life of a hero. Read more » IDF Sweatshirt Wear your support for the IDF with this great hooded sweatshirt in khaki, bearing the official emblem of the Israel Defense Forces. Get this Great Deal » Today's Israel Photo Sukkot, IDF-style! All fun aside, the Israel Navy's combat divers go through intense deep water training enabling them to dive up to 100 meters. We thank them for protecting Israel at sea. Support the soldiers of the IDF » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Robin Sussman in memory of her parents Sigmund and Barbara Beer. Sponsor a day in memory of a loved one » “I Appreciate the Emails I Get Daily” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365! Stay in Touch » Hi! I am from Sweden and I appreciate the e-mails I get daily because they contain information about the Jewish people, Israel, prophecies and what is going on in general. - Joel T. Shalom Rabbi, I visited Israel in May during the Empower21 conference. I have fallen in love with the Holy land. I am from Namibia , a country in the southwest of Africa- immediately north of South Africa. God bless- Christine Adams Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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What is the Sukkot—and What Does it Mean? - CHARISMA NEWS

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks near ritual booths, known as sukkot, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood. (Reuters)

What is the Sukkot—and What Does it Mean?

 9/29/2015 LAUREN MARKOE/RNS  charisma news

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths, began this year at sundown Sunday (Sept. 27). What is this holiday that makes Jews eat their meals al fresco? Let us explain ...

Q. Why are my Jewish neighbors eating in a little house in their yard this week?

A. That's a sukkah they've constructed for Sukkot, a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the harvest and commemorates the Israelites' wandering in the desert for 40 years after their liberation from slavery. Sukkahs approximate the temporary dwellings they lived in before they reached the Promised Land.

"For a seven-day period you shall live in booths," God commands in Leviticus 23:42-43. "In order that your ensuing generations should know that I had the children of Israel live in booths when I took them out of the land of Egypt."

Q. Can a sukkah be your garage, tool shed or sun porch?

A: Nope. There are many specific rules about building a sukkah. Among them: It's got to be outdoors under the open sky and it may not stand so tall that it feels like a house. Sukkah builders have plenty of choices for the wall material. But the ancient rabbis required the roof to be made of something natural, such as bamboo, cornstalks or straw. It's known as "sechach," and it must provide shade, but also allow the stars to be seen at night.

The sukkah is purposefully an impermanent structure that reminds Jews of the fragility of earthly creations, as contrasted with the solidity of faith and tradition. It's also supposed to be a joyous place — many are decorated with children's drawings, and sukkah meals are to be shared with guests.

Q: What if you live in an apartment building? How can you build a sukkah?

A: "People build them on balconies," said Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, director of congregational learning at Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, Md. "If you're in Israel, you'll see this all over the place." No balcony? Apartment-dwelling Jews often build a communal sukkah on the roof or next to the building. "Or you can go to a synagogue's or a friend's sukkah," Cohen said.

Q: Do you have to sleep in there too?

A: Yes but no. The Talmud, the record of Jewish rabbinic teachings, teaches that a man should dwell in the sukkah during Sukkot, making it his home for the holidays. But the obligation is lifted if sleeping there would be uncomfortable. Most Western Jews sleep in their bedrooms during the holiday.

Q: Now my Jewish neighbors are shaking a long green thing and a giant lemon. What is happening here?

A: The green thing is the "lulav," a palm branch that is grouped with myrtle and willow branches and a yellow citrus fruit called an "etrog." Together they make up the four species mentioned in Leviticus 23:40. During Sukkot prayers, they are gathered in the hands and waved — up and down, left and right, forward and back. "It represents God's presence in all directions," said Cohen.

Q: I don't think they sell etrogs at my supermarket.

They probably don't. Jews around the world usually order them and lulavs from Israel.

Q: How can I learn more?

Online resources for adults on Sukkot include those from the Chabad movement and the Union for Reform Judaism. And you can watch an Israeli film that takes place during Sukkot and illustrates the many aspects of the holiday, called "Ushpizin," or "guests," in Hebrew.

Two fun book for kids are "A Watermelon in the Sukkah" by Sylvia A. Rouss and Shannan Rouss, and "Engineer Ari and the Sukkah Express" by Deborah Bodin Cohen.

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"Impress These Words Of Mine Upon Your Heart" ✡ The World's Smallest Bible

You shall therefore impress these words of mine upon your heart and upon your soul. DEUTERONOMY (11:18) וְשַׂמְתֶּם אֶת-דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה עַל-לְבַבְכֶם וְעַל-נַפְשְׁכֶם דברים יא:יח h'-sahm-tehm et-dee-var-ay eh-leh al-l'-vav-khem v'-al-nahf-sheh-khem

Jerusalem Inspiration This verse is traditionally understood to refer to the Jewish practice of laying tefillin (phylacteries), small boxes containing Hebrew texts which Jewish men wrap around their foreheads and arms with leather straps while reciting the morning prayers. However, the meaning is so much deeper than just the literal interpretation. God commands us to constantly keep His words with us and cherish His laws not just physically with rituals and practice, but spiritually, with an endless emotional devotion to Him. With incredible new technology, an Israeli company has created the world's smallest Bible and set it into a beautiful piece of silver jewelry so that you can keep the sacred words of God close to you wherever you go. Cherish the words of God wherever you go with your own Nano Bible » A Portable Sukkah! For the seven days of the Festival of Tabernacles, Jews move out of their houses and into succot, or booths, to commemorate how the Jews travelled with God’s protection in the wilderness of the dessert on their way to the land of Israel. This innovative 17 year old created a succah on wheels, so that everyone can partake in this activity. Watch now » Israeli Company Creates World’s Smallest Bible With the entire manuscript of the Hebrew Bible printed on a 5mm by 5mm surface, the appropriately named Nano Bible is the smallest Bible printed onto a single surface. Read more » Bible Greeting Cards (Set of 8) Photographer and former Nisanit (Gush Katif) resident, Tina Nagar, turned her beautiful photography into a set of greeting cards.The photographs commemorate her garden where she created a colorful oasis in the Gush Katif sands. Get this Great Deal for the holidays » Jerusalem Photo Trivia In today's photo by Elad Matityahu, a rabbi helps a young man lay tefillin. Which Hebrew texts are inside these small leather boxes that religious Jewish men lay on their foreheads and arms, and what do they all have in common?Send me your answer or post it on Facebook! Guess on Facebook » Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel! Sponsor a day and receive a free devotional book » “We Enjoy and Find Very Informative the Jerusalem365 Write-Ups” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!). Stay in Touch » Hi, my wife Sue and I are born-again Christians living in South Africa and we love and support the Jewish people. We also believe what the Bible teaches those who bless Israel with be blessed and those who curse Israel are cursed. We have seen how the Israeli people are being discriminated against and the many lies that are being propagated by the media and how it is causing the drastic increase in anti-semitism. We are both retired and enjoy and find very informative, the Jerusalem365 write-ups as well as the videos being posted. May Almighty God give you victory over all your enemies.- RIchard Harrison Blessing from Jerusalem, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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