The Biblical Feasts of Hebrews 6

The Biblical “Feasts” of Hebrews 6! “beyond the preliminary teachings about the Messiah” Chapter 7 Preview: Does the book of Hebrews—directed to a Jewish audience—use “encoded language” to tie the “preliminary principles about the Messiah” directly to Israel’s seven annual Feast Days? This chapter makes the case, using a familiar apostolic text, that the Feast Days actually epitomize Yeshua’s (Jesus’) ultimate objectives, with a primary emphasis on the Last Day—the Eighth Day!   INDEX Hebrews Chapter 6 begins by mentioning the “preliminary principles about the Messiah”. It also mentions that they are directed toward those who have been “immersed” (baptized), (your Greek based versions substitute “enlightened”), and it mentions “the gift from Heaven” and “wonderful Words of God. This is definitely not concerning fringe areas! These topics are “the foundation” of the Assembly of Aloha (God)—the trunk of the tree. The seven principles listed in Hebrews 6 happen to form a thumbnail sketch of the ultimate meaning of the Feast Days, as they relate to the eternity of humanity, and they are all in consecutive order! Yet since it is only a sketch, only one salvational aspect of each day is addressed. (For far more than a thumbnail see Israel’s 7 Apocalyptic Days.) If the following quotation sounds like a sketch of the Biblical Days then don’t bother with reading this chapter. However, since I’ve been reading about the Biblical Days since 1967, and have never come across this concept, let’s consider these seven fundamental principles, one at a time, with the Biblical Days in mind: Hebrews 6:1-2 So let’s go beyond the preliminary Word of the Messiah and move toward spiritual perfection. You don’t need to ‘begin again’ turning away from spiritually dead works and faith in YHVH, 2 the doctrine of immersion [baptism], and the laying on of hand/s, and the resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment. —The Gabriel Bible These two verses, matter of fact and in passing, cover the entire plan of redemption, as pictured by the Biblical Days! Let’s look at them one at a time: [1] PASSOVER evening and the First Day of Unleavened Bread represents our “MOVE TOWARD SPIRITUAL PERFECTION”. This is the very reason for the Passover. Yeshua was the perfect sacrificial Lamb. We are to examine ourselves by comparing ourselves to the perfect standard—Yeshua the Messiah: Hebrews 5:8-9 Even tho He was the Son, He still learned to be obedient by the fear and sufferings He endured. 9 So once He was perfected, He became the source of our eternal Life for everyone who obeys Him. Matthew 5:48 So become perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect. We certainly can’t be perfect in this life, but we can in the next! Every year at the Passover we should consider the following words that Yeshua spoke immediately before He died for us: John 17:23 I am in them and You are in Me. May they be perfected into one so that the world will know that You sent Me and that You loved them just as You loved Me. The process of becoming perfect will not be completed until we are “ONE” with Yeshua. (John 17:21) This is comparable to when “The first man Adam became a living being”, but his imperfection necessitated a restoration of life. 1 Corinthians 15:45 ... The second Adam became a Spirit who restores Life. Hebrews 11:39-40 None of these honorable witnesses received the promised blessings, 40 since YHVH had determined that it is better that they not be made perfect and complete beings without [ahead of] us. As explained in Israel’s 7 Apocalyptic Days, all of the Biblical Days foreshadow “the good things to come”—in the future, they picture seven prophetic events. These good things to come are about a perfect plan. Hebrews 10:1 The Torah, being a foreshadowing of the blessings to come, isn’t an exact likeness of the things themselves. So, altho the same ze’bakim [sacrifices] are offered every year, they can never perfect those who offer them. Hebrews 9:11 But the Messiah who came was a High Priest of the good things to come, and He entered the greater and perfect tabernacle that wasn’t made by human hands and wasn’t part of this creation. Elohim (God) wants for us to be spiritual perfectionists! [2] THE SEVENTH DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD corresponds to when we “TURN AWAY FROM SPIRITUALLY DEAD WORKS”. Prior to the Days of Unleavened Bread we removed the leaven, symbolic of sin or “spiritually dead works”, from every dusty corner of our lives. At the Passover we made a binding commitment with Elohim (God) to strive for perfection. As we progress thru the next seven days we are on the lookout for overlooked leaven lurking in our lives. This pictures our personal Exodus away from the dead works of spiritual Egypt, as we march toward the Promised Land. We make good on our immersion commitments. During these seven special days of the year, we make an even greater effort to overcome sin. Symbolically, by the close of this period that represents our lives, we will literally be born into the spirit realm—if we remain faithful, continually turning from dead works. Hebrews 9:14-15 then how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who thru the eternal spirit offered Himself without blemish to YHVH, cleanse our consciousness from dead works so that we can serve the living Aloha? 15 This is why He became the Mediator of the New Covenant—so that by His death He could become the ransom payment for those who had sinned under the first covenant, so that those who are called to the eternal inheritance can receive the promise. The phrase “spiritually dead works” is similar to what is expressed by James: James 2:20-22 Don’t you realize, you spiritually destitute person, that faith without works is dead! 21 Wasn’t Abraham our ancestor proven righteous by works in offering his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith enabled his works, and as a result of works, his faith was PERFECTED. When you “Amend your ways” it results in “faith”, and that leads to “immersion”. Acts 2:38 Simon said, “Every one of you should amend your ways and be immersed in the name of the Master Yeshua for the exoneration of sins, and you will receive the gift of the kadosh spirit, Striving for perfection is the message of Unleavened Bread. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your bragging isn’t good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out your old leaven so that you can be a new batch of dough, as you are unleavened. The Messiah, our Passover, was offered in our place. 8 So let’s celebrate the Feast, not with the old leaven or with the leaven of wickedness and bitterness, but with the unleavened bread of purity and dedication. On a much larger scale, turning from spiritually dead works is what Elohim is going to cause the twelve Israelite nations to do just before they enter the New Promised Land during the Second Exodus. Elohim will make a New Covenant with His people. Any rebels who are unwilling to change (repent) will be purged out. MAKE NO MISTAKE, the following passage is prophetic. It specifically says that it will be a time not unlike when Elohim brought Israel out of Egypt, thousands of years ago. Elohim will plead with Americans, Brits, Aussies, Canadians etc. in a wilderness area of the kadosh (holy) Land! Notice: Ezekiel 20:34-38 I’ll bring you out of the nations and gather you out of the countries where you were scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out. 35 I’ll bring you into the wilderness of the people [Isaiah 1; Hosea 2:14], and I’ll judge you there face to face, 36 just like when I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, that’s how I’ll judge you, says the Sovereign Yehovah [Jehovah]. 37 I’ll make you pass under the shepherd’s rod, and I’ll bind you in a [Kimchi] [New] Covenant, 38 and I’ll purge out the rebels from among you, and those who disobey Me. I’ll bring them out of the land where they were living, but they won’t enter the land of Israel. Then you’ll know that I am Yehovah. The significance of the seven days is also associated with the seven millennial days in a perfect plan. [3] PENTECOST corresponds to “Faith in Yehovah”: Receiving the kadosh spirit is what the Day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, is remembered for. But there is much more to the story! Acts 2:1-6 When the days leading up to Pentecost [Ar. Pen-ikaos-ia] were fully counted, while they were all assembled together, 2 a sudden sound came from the sky, similar to a violent wind. Aloha’s entire House where they were sitting was filled with it. 3 Then what looked like separate flaming tongues of fire appeared to them, and a flame rested on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the kadosh spirit and began speaking in various languages as the spirit enabled them to speak. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem who revered YHVH, from every nation under the sky. 6 When they heard the noise, many people gathered around in amazement because everyone heard them speaking in their own language. Question: What was the difference between the Jews who were “filled with the kadosh spirit” and those who “revered Yehovah”, but who were in bewilderment? Answer: It was their “faith in Yehovah”. Some of these Jews mockingly said, “They have been drinking new wine, and are intoxicated”. But Peter assured them that it was only the third hour of the day and, unlike today, people patiently waited until the evening to get drunk. I believe that when Peter and John later healed the lame man on the ninth hour of the day, it was the same day. Acts 3:16 By FAITH in His name, He has strengthened and healed this man who you see and know, and faith in Him has given the man this perfect health, as you can plainly see. Our faith should lead us to perfect spiritual soundness! The survivors of the Great Tribulation against Israel will have learned to have faith in Elohim. You know what they say about foxholes. As was the case in ancient Israel, when the people enter the New Promised Land they will become “Yehovah’s people”. Pentecost, for these early Believers was still about entering the coming “resurrected” Promised Land—and it still is! Had ancient Israel gone directly to the Promised land, as originally planned, without the 40 year layover, they should have arrived on Pentecost, since they left the Sinai wilderness “On the twentieth day of the second month” (Numbers 10:11-13), and it is about “eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadeshbarnea” (Deuteronomy 1:2). The second entry into the Promised Land will be much like the first one, minus the 40 years: Deuteronomy 27:2-3,9 On the day when you cross the Jordan River ‘and enter’ the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, you will set up some large stones, and cover them with plaster, 3 and write all the words of the Torah on them, after you’ve crossed over, so that you can enter the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors, has promised you. 9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be quiet and listen, Israel. You have now become the people of Yehovah your Elohim! [4] THE DAY OF TRUMPETS represents “Immersion” (baptism) and resurrection. Here’s how. Immersion specifically symbolizes the death and resurrection of the kadishea (saints). When you are dunked you are being symbolically buried, as well as washing away sins, but when you are lifted up, that symbolizes your own resurrection. Immersion begins the chain of events, that, including the laying on of hands, will prepare you for your life long journey, leading directly to the fulfillment of The Day of Trumpets! “The resurrection of life” will enable us to be present for “The Great and Awesome Day of Yehovah” described by Joel that will follow almost immediately. This resurrection is exclusively for kadishea. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 See, I’ll explain a mystery to you, we won’t all die, but we’ll all be transformed! 52 In the smallest possible fraction of a second [Gr. atomos], while the last [seventh] shofar is sounding, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be transformed! 53 This perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. Now let’s back up to verse 35: Vs.35-37, 42-44 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? And what kind of body will they return with?” 36 Foolish man! The seed you sow won’t germinate unless it dies first. 37 What you sow isn’t the body that will be, but a naked seed of wheat or barley or another grain. ... 42 It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, but what is raised will never decay. 43 They are sown in dishonor, they rise in brightness, they are sown in weakness, they’ll rise in power, 44 it is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a physical body and there is a spiritual body. At immersion, a spiritual body becomes our future hope! [5] THE DAY OF ATONEMENTS corresponds to “Laying on of hands”. There are only a few references to the laying on of hands in Bible. The Day of Atonements is one prominent instance. The lightly concealed symbolism of Leviticus 16 depicts an astounding event: Leviticus 16:21 Aaron will lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the sins of the descendant’s of Israel, and all their rebellious behavior—everything they did wrong; and he’ll put them on the head of the goat, and send him away into the wilderness, handled by a man who’s waiting. This is where Herbert Armstrong got way off track. So far as I know, he was the first person in centuries to promote Messianic meanings for the Feast Days, but he taught that the atoning goat represented Satan. What an appalling misinterpretation! Satan has nothing to do with the atonement of sin! Yeshua is the symbolic goat here as well. Both goats and lambs served this purpose. Goats are often symbolic of evil. For a time, our Savior was burdened with all of the evil of humanity, past present and perhaps into the future! His blood was shed for us. The goat that was ze’baked [sacrificed] represents Yeshua’s death, but the live goat represents the living Messiah! On what day of the year was Yeshua immersed? All three accounts have Yeshua being “led” out into the wilderness immediately after being immersed, and naturally having John’s hands laid on him. Yeshua was immersed on the Day of Atonements immediately before being banished into the wilderness! Herbert Armstrong’s highly promoted teachings of the Feast Days made a left turn with the Azazel goat and stayed off track right thru the eighth day. That interpretation has now spread far beyond his original followers. Leviticus 16:5,7,15 He must take from the congregation of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. ... 7 Then he must take the two goats and present them before Yehovah at the door of the Congregational Tent. ... 15 Then he will slaughter the goat as a sin offering for the people, and bring his blood inside the veil, and do with his blood what he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and in front of the mercy seat. The living Yeshua is the Atonement for our iniquities! 1 John 2:2 He is the atoning ze’bak [sacrifice] for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the entire world. Acts 3:26 You were the first people that Yehovah has sent His Son to bless. But you must amend your wicked ways”. Yeshua died as an atonement for our sins—yet He lives. But leave Satan out of this. The Day of Atonements alludes to reconciliation with Yehovah for those who are still alive at the end of the age. It’s about both “iniquities” and “mercy”! Leviticus 16:15-16 Then he will slaughter the goat as a sin offering for the people, and bring his blood inside the veil, and do with his blood what he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle [1] it on the mercy seat, and in front of the mercy seat. 16 He must make atonement for the Kadosh Place, because of the impurities of the Israelites, and because of their rebellion, all their sins. He’ll do for the Congregational Tent, that is among them amid their impurities. [1] Each of us is responsible for a sprinkling of Yeshua’s shed blood. When John the Immerser saw Yeshua, he said: John 1:29 ... “Look, the Lamb of Yehovah, who takes away the sins of the world! Today, Yeshua is pictured as a perfect Lamb. There is a lot more to the comparison between Leviticus 16 and the dialog that that was begun in Hebrews 6. This chapter in Hebrews ends making reference to “behind the veil”. Notice: Hebrews 6:19 It’s like an anchor that holds our consciousness [psyche, Gr: psuche] firmly in place, a hope that enters the Kadosh Place behind the veil Chapter 7 continues the comparison of the old covenant and the new one, with the emphasis on Melchizedek, (who became Yeshua). There is a connection between the Day of Atonements, with the Azazel goat being set free, and the zebak goat—our Passover that was killed for us. The bottom line is this: Hebrews 7:26-27 This is the kind of Priest we need to stand before us, one pure, innocent and unstained, one separated from wickedness, and elevated higher than Heaven, 27 One who doesn’t need to offer daily ze’bakim [sacrifices] like the [Aaronic] high priests, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. He only did this once, when He offered Himself up. There is, of course, more recent instruction about the laying on of hands. The power of the kadosh spirit can be so dramatic that even an anti Messiah can become jealous: Acts 8:18-19 When Simon saw that the kadosh spirit was given when the envoys laid a hand on someone, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me this ability so that whoever I lay my hand on will receive the kadosh spirit.” The laying on of hands is the next step following our acceptance of the Lamb of Elohim who takes away our sins, preparatory to our future resurrection! On a national level, the Day of Atonements is “a memorial” to the day when Israel makes atonement for thousands of years of rebellion! Exodus 30:16 You must take the atonement silver from the people of Israel, and use it for the service of the Congregational Tent, so that it will serve as a memorial for the Israelites before Yehovah, to make atonement for yourselves. Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1 both mention that Yeshua was “led” into the wilderness. SearchGodsWord describes the word led, used by Matthew and Luke, as being primarily in reference to an animal: “to lead by laying hold of, and this way to bring to the point of destination: of an animal” However Mark is even more plain: Mark 1:12 Immediately the spirit banished Him into the wilderness [2] [2] This is the actual enactment of the Azazel goat—the Lamb of Aloha [God], being banished into the wilderness on the Day of Atonements. The First Day of FEAST OF TABERNACLES is represented in Hebrews 6 by the phrase “The resurrection of the dead”. But remember that on Trumpets we had immersion which is obviously symbolic of not only burial, but far more importantly RESURRECTION! So why is there a specific mention of Resurrection as point number 6? The answer is that there is more than one resurrection! There is to be a resurrection of the kadishea prior to this, notice: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 We declare this to you by the Word of Aloha’s own authority, that we who survive and are alive when our Master comes will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep [into the Kingdom]. 16 Our Master will ‘personally’ come down from Heaven with a mandate, and with a voice like the chief Messenger and with YHVH’s shofar, and the dead who ‘belong to’ the Messiah will rise first! 17 Then, we who are still alive, having survived, will be carried away together with them into the clouds to meet our Master in the expanse. And we will be with our Master forever. Here is another reference to this event: Revelation 20:6 Blessed and kadosh is anyone who has part in this first [or best] resurrection, over them the second death has no influence, but they’ll be priests of YHVH and of His Messiah, and they’ll reign with Them during the thousand years. (So of logical necessity there is at least one more resurrection to follow. That is the topic of the Last Day.) The ignorant people of the world will be awakened to the knowledge of Elohim as the millennium begins during the Feast of Tabernacles! For many, it will be a rude awakening: Zechariah 14:16-19 Then everyone who is left behind [survives] from all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yehovah the Commander, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 When that time comes, if any of the clans of the earth won’t come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yehovah the Commander, they’ll get no rain. 18 If the people of Egypt don’t show up, they won’t get any rain. This is the plague that Yehovah will strike the nations with that don’t go up and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of any other nation that doesn’t go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. The righteous will soon have an amazing “Tabernacle”—the New Jerusalem, right here with us, putting the “TABERNACLE” in “THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES!” The seven days also represent the entire seven millennia plan. At the establishment of the Everlasting Kingdom, people will be resurrected from the dead to become immortal Sons of Elohim. Spirit born people from every past generation will be celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, and as will be explained in the commentary about the “Last Day”, will be enjoying the New Jerusalem together—right away! But on an annual scale, rather than a millennial scale, it represents the final seven years of Daniel 9, just prior to an eighth year: “Because Yehovah has a Day of Vengeance, a year of payback settling the dispute over Zion.” (Isaiah 34:8) The marriage of Israel to Elohim, some of the first good news in a very long time, is like in the ancient legends. The Hero, riding on a white horse, shows up at the last minute to save the King’s daughter from the dragon—killing it with a sword (Isaiah 27:1), then he marries the bride. Isaiah 62:4 You’ll never again be called “Forsaken”, nor will your land be called “Desolate” again, instead, you’ll be called “Hephzibah” [Literally, “My delight is in her”], and your land “Beulah” [Literally, to marry], because Yehovah delights in you, and your land will be married to Him. Our backsliding Israelite brethren from all twelve tribes will be singled out and spared! Jeremiah 3:14 Return, backsliding children, says Yehovah; because I am your husband; and I will take one of you from a this city, and two from that family, and I will bring you to Zion. [7] THE LAST DAY of the Feast of Tabernacles and the EIGHTH DAY share one common element: “Eternal judgment”! The resurrection on the Last Day takes care of the dead, but what about the survivors of the “time of trouble” who have just had an attitude adjustment, during a very thirsty “FAST of Tabernacles” (no rain)? Actually, there is plenty of time for coming generations of humanity to be redeemed or condemned! While the Seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles is not another Feast Day, it has much significance. The most obvious meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles is often overlooked. It marks the Exodus! Leviticus 23:42-43 You must live in booths for seven days. Every native born Israelite must live in booths 43 so that coming generations will know that I had the people of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I’m Yehovah your Elohim.” Be looking for a Second Exodus! Now see The Biblical “Feasts” of Hebrews 6! Part 2 Chapter 6 Google Search only search Everlasting Kingdom   Minor update January 31, 2014   Lon Martin’s work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.