Ever wondered about the differences between the Hebrew and the Greek calendar?
The Jewish calendar features 12 months with 30 days in each, totaling 360 days in a year, and is based on the lunar cycle. Each individual day actually begins at sundown, "evening and morning were the first day," (Gen 1:5)
In the 4th century A.D., a Jewish religious leader named Hillel calculated the number of years since creation. According to his calculations, 2010-11 is the lunar year of 5771. This was determined by adding the ages of people in the Torah all the way back to the creation in Genesis 1.
The Julian calendar, named for Julius Caesar, was created in 45 B.C. The calendar is made up of 11 months of 30 or 31 days, and an extra shorter month of 28 days. (Feb.) and is based upon the solar cycle. By the Julian reckoning, a solar year comprised 365 days; with the addition of a “leap day” every four years.
The conversion from the Hebrew calender to the Julian occurred around A.D. 325, at the time of the Council of Nicaea. Intended to further separate the Roman Church from it's Hebrew roots.
The Gregorian calendar was proclaimed in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a reform of the Julian calendar. This is the current calendar in use throughout most of the world.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Pesach
Pesach is the celebration of Adonai's deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt as recorded in the Torah (Exodus). The name is from the final of the ten plagues God inflicted on Egypt - the slaying of the firstborn - caused by the hardening of Pharaoh's heart.
Adonai instructed the Hebrews to select a lamb on the tenth day of the month and to keep it for four days, to observe that the lamb was without spot or blemish. They were then to kill the lamb at twilight and to mark the doors of their homes with the blood of the lamb. When God saw the blood He "passed over" them, thus not slaying the Hebrew children.
The feast is marked by the celebration of the Seder (meaning order). It is designed to give each participant the experience of "going from slavery into freedom." The Haggadah serves as a guide through the Seder, telling the Exodus story and recounting the Ten Plagues using special foods and symbolism for illustration.
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| Congregation Yeshus Yisrael |
The feast of Pesach (Passover) is right around the corner, April 18 (14 Nisan). This is the first of the three main feasts God commanded all men to go up to Jerusalem to observe. The first of Nisan (April 4) is the start of the biblical year on the Hebrew calender.
Pesach is the celebration of Adonai's deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt as recorded in the Torah (Exodus). The name is from the final of the ten plagues God inflicted on Egypt - the slaying of the firstborn - caused by the hardening of Pharaoh's heart.
Adonai instructed the Hebrews to select a lamb on the tenth day of the month and to keep it for four days, to observe that the lamb was without spot or blemish. They were then to kill the lamb at twilight and to mark the doors of their homes with the blood of the lamb. When God saw the blood He "passed over" them, thus not slaying the Hebrew children.
The feast is marked by the celebration of the Seder (meaning order). It is designed to give each participant the experience of "going from slavery into freedom." The Haggadah serves as a guide through the Seder, telling the Exodus story and recounting the Ten Plagues using special foods and symbolism for illustration.
After dinner, the Seder ends with the Hallel prayer of praise, and the hope of "Next year in Jerusalem."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Earthquakes in Diverse Places
I was recently watching a Glen Beck program where he was talking about the 9.0 earthquake in Japan. Then he listed off several other major quakes that had recently happened, all within a 30 day period of time.
Then it occurred to me, all the quakes he listed were on the infamous "ring of fire." The "ring" is an upside-down "U" shape outline of Pacific Ocean basin. It begins at the tip of South America and goes north to the US, Canada, past Alaska, and back down along the Asian coastline, all the way down to Australia.
Now, picture this inverted "U" in your mind. Mark New Zealand (by Australia), then mark Japan, and mark the nation of Chile on the eastern side. These are the locations of the quakes Beck listed. The New Zealand quake was a 6.3 (Feb. 21), two Chile quakes, one on Feb 11, a 6.8, and one on Feb 14, a 6.6, then we all know about the 9.0 quake in Japan on March 11, plus a couple of hundred aftershocks.
What's interesting is that 3 of the 4 sides of the inverted "U" have had a significant quake to release built up pressure from the movement of the tectonic plates jostling one against the other. The only portion of the "U" that has not had a pressure release is the North American-Canadian portion.
Since all the other quakes were somewhat significant, that tells me there is a great amount of pressure that has built up and the plate boundaries cannot contain that pressure indefinitely. Am I saying there is going to be a West Coast earthquake? No, I don't know. I am simply sharing what I noticed about the information I heard from Beck; which I confirmed on the USGS web site.
I'm no prophet, to be sure, but I do know that Yeshua said there would be many quakes in various and multiple places that would increase in frequency and strength. Like a women's labor pains.
I'm just a watchman on the wall scanning the horizon.
Dawn
Then it occurred to me, all the quakes he listed were on the infamous "ring of fire." The "ring" is an upside-down "U" shape outline of Pacific Ocean basin. It begins at the tip of South America and goes north to the US, Canada, past Alaska, and back down along the Asian coastline, all the way down to Australia.
Now, picture this inverted "U" in your mind. Mark New Zealand (by Australia), then mark Japan, and mark the nation of Chile on the eastern side. These are the locations of the quakes Beck listed. The New Zealand quake was a 6.3 (Feb. 21), two Chile quakes, one on Feb 11, a 6.8, and one on Feb 14, a 6.6, then we all know about the 9.0 quake in Japan on March 11, plus a couple of hundred aftershocks.
What's interesting is that 3 of the 4 sides of the inverted "U" have had a significant quake to release built up pressure from the movement of the tectonic plates jostling one against the other. The only portion of the "U" that has not had a pressure release is the North American-Canadian portion.
Since all the other quakes were somewhat significant, that tells me there is a great amount of pressure that has built up and the plate boundaries cannot contain that pressure indefinitely. Am I saying there is going to be a West Coast earthquake? No, I don't know. I am simply sharing what I noticed about the information I heard from Beck; which I confirmed on the USGS web site.
I'm no prophet, to be sure, but I do know that Yeshua said there would be many quakes in various and multiple places that would increase in frequency and strength. Like a women's labor pains.
I'm just a watchman on the wall scanning the horizon.
Dawn
Sunday, March 20, 2011
SuperMoon Special
When there are strange cosmic events on the Jewish feast days, there usually ends up being something even stranger on earth. This month's SuperMoon is no exception.
The SM occurred on March 19, the same day President Obama declared war on Libya.
In Genesis 1:14, God created the sun and moon, and said "let them serve as signs to mark the seasons." Interesting meanings in the Hebrew. The word used for "signs" is owth (Strong's 226) meaning signal, beacon, omen. The word for "seasons" is mowadah (4150) meaning fixed time or season, a festival, an appointed time. Interestingly, mowadah is the same word God used to describe His feasts, Leviticus 23 "These are my appointed feasts."
It's saying to watch the sun and moon because God uses them as signals during His feasts - the Jewish holidays.
Did you know that there was a blood moon (lunar eclipse) on Pesach (Passover) when Yeshua was killed? (April 3, 33) There were also blood moons on Pesach and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) in 1996, which was the year of Jerusalem's 3000th anniversary as the capital of Israel.
There is so much I found, I'm trying to take it all in. As soon as I can pick my chin up off the floor, I'll blog it in. Until then ...
Keep looking up, your redemption is close,
Dawn
The SM occurred on March 19, the same day President Obama declared war on Libya.
In Genesis 1:14, God created the sun and moon, and said "let them serve as signs to mark the seasons." Interesting meanings in the Hebrew. The word used for "signs" is owth (Strong's 226) meaning signal, beacon, omen. The word for "seasons" is mowadah (4150) meaning fixed time or season, a festival, an appointed time. Interestingly, mowadah is the same word God used to describe His feasts, Leviticus 23 "These are my appointed feasts."
It's saying to watch the sun and moon because God uses them as signals during His feasts - the Jewish holidays.
Did you know that there was a blood moon (lunar eclipse) on Pesach (Passover) when Yeshua was killed? (April 3, 33) There were also blood moons on Pesach and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) in 1996, which was the year of Jerusalem's 3000th anniversary as the capital of Israel.
There is so much I found, I'm trying to take it all in. As soon as I can pick my chin up off the floor, I'll blog it in. Until then ...
Keep looking up, your redemption is close,
Dawn
Friday, March 18, 2011
Parallels of Purim
There are many parallels in the biblical story of Esther and events happening today. On Purim, the Jewish people celebrate a great victory over their enemy. Believers in Yeshua should also celebrate Purim, knowing that their enemy was defeated at the cross.
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A young Jewish girl named Esther was taken out of simple village life and was welcomed into the king's palace. While there she was exposed to a new world of rich tapestries, lavish clothing, jewels, and all spices and smells to delight the senses.
During her 12 months of preparation to meet the king, she was taught about the kingdom, the palace, and about the king, himself. When her days of preparation were completed, she was led into the king's presence. He was so delighted in her that he made her his queen.
A man named Haman, who was an advisor to the king, had a bitter hatred for the Jewish people. So he devised a plan to completely destroy them.
When Esther learned about Haman's plan, she went to the king and exposed his evil scheme. Immediately, Haman was bound and taken to the gallows. As a result of Esther's courage, her people were saved from certain destruction.
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When the modern Jewish people were rescued from the horrors of Europe and WWII, they were allowed to return to the land given to them by God, Israel. In the 60 years since their return to the Land, they have increased, and prospered, and have been a very blessed people.
The long-awaited Jewish Messiah will come. When He does, the Jews will look upon Him, the one pierced, and will mourn for Him as an only child. His Grace will be poured out and all will know and understand.
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When the modern Jewish people were rescued from the horrors of Europe and WWII, they were allowed to return to the land given to them by God, Israel. In the 60 years since their return to the Land, they have increased, and prospered, and have been a very blessed people.
The long-awaited Jewish Messiah will come. When He does, the Jews will look upon Him, the one pierced, and will mourn for Him as an only child. His Grace will be poured out and all will know and understand.
Even today, the Jewish people still contend with the spirit of Haman. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has vowed to "wipe Israel off the face of the map." However, there will be no success for his plans, because God said to Abraham, "I will bless those that bless you and will curse those who curse you."
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Believers in Yeshua have been taken out of the world, and welcomed into His glorious Kingdom. In addition to His Presence, He has lavished them with gifts: salvation, grace, mercy, kindness .... and so much more.
As His people have been preparing for His return, they have gathered together for fellowship, studied the Scriptures, prayed, and worshiped their King. When Yeshua does return, believers will be taken to meet the Him in the air, and will forever be with the Lord.
Until that day comes, the believer's too have a "Haman" to deal with, one who would love to snuff them out. That old serpent, the devil, will quickly learn that he too, is a loser. The only thing he has to look forward to is the lake of fire.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Signs in the Sky - on Purim & Passover
Yeshua said in the last days there would be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. (Luke 21:25)
Next week, the moon is scheduled to make its closest approach to Earth in nearly 20 years. On March 19 the moon will approach to within just 221,567 miles – the closest since 1992. Called a Luner Perigee or a SuperMoon. We will experience 3 of these lunar perigees in a row, which means a new or full moon at 90% of its closest distance to earth. However, a SuperMoon is when the moon is full or new, and is at its 100% closest distance to earth. Last month’s full moon (February 18), this month’s full moon (March 19), and next month’s full moon (April 17) are all “lunar perigees." The SuperMoon is the one on March 19, when the approach is at its absolute closest.
All of this is significant because March 19 is the Jewish Feast of Purim, and April 17 is the beginning of Pesach (Passover), one of the most important dates on the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate Passover to commemorate the exodus out of Egypt; Christians celebrate Passover because it was when Yeshua was crucified.
It's as if God were putting a huge billboard in the heavens and saying "Look!" The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1)
Read more at http://bit.ly/g7JMyZ and http://bit.ly/iaq7ra
Next week, the moon is scheduled to make its closest approach to Earth in nearly 20 years. On March 19 the moon will approach to within just 221,567 miles – the closest since 1992. Called a Luner Perigee or a SuperMoon. We will experience 3 of these lunar perigees in a row, which means a new or full moon at 90% of its closest distance to earth. However, a SuperMoon is when the moon is full or new, and is at its 100% closest distance to earth. Last month’s full moon (February 18), this month’s full moon (March 19), and next month’s full moon (April 17) are all “lunar perigees." The SuperMoon is the one on March 19, when the approach is at its absolute closest.
All of this is significant because March 19 is the Jewish Feast of Purim, and April 17 is the beginning of Pesach (Passover), one of the most important dates on the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate Passover to commemorate the exodus out of Egypt; Christians celebrate Passover because it was when Yeshua was crucified.
It's as if God were putting a huge billboard in the heavens and saying "Look!" The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1)
Read more at http://bit.ly/g7JMyZ and http://bit.ly/iaq7ra
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Feast of Purim
Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. Beginning at sundown, March 19 (14th of Adar), Purim is the celebration of Esther's courage to stand up and expose the evil Haman who wanted to exterminate the Jews living in Susa (Babylon), as found in the book of Esther in the Tanakh (Old Testament).
Purim is celebrated with a festive party where the children dress up as their favorite character from the story. At some point during the festivities, the book of Esther (the Megillah) is read aloud and every time Esther's or Mordecai's names are mentioned, the crowd cheers in excitement; but every time the name of the evil Haman is mentioned, the crowd makes loud noises trying to drown out the sound of his name. The kids can get pretty rambunctious, but its all in good fun.
A modern day echo of Purim was during the Nuremberg war crime trials. In the Book of Esther, Haman's ten sons were hanged on the gallows (Esther 9:13); in 1946, ten of Hitler's top associates were put to death by hanging for their war crimes (including the crime of murdering 6 million Jews). One of the men seems to have been aware of the parallel and on the way to the gallows, he shouted "Purim Fest 1946!" (http://www.jewfaq.org)
Another echo of Purim is found in the Soviet Union a few years later. In early 1953, Stalin was planning to deport most of the Jews in the Soviet Union to Siberia, but just before he was able to carry out his plans, he suffered a stroke and died. This happened the night of March 1, 1953: the night of Purim. Stalin's plans were never carried out (http://www.jewfaq.org)
Throughout the ages, there has continually been some who wanted to wipe out the Jewish people. But like the failed plans of the past, the present attempts will also fall by the wayside, as the God of the Jewish people stands guard to protect His chosen ones.
Purim is celebrated with a festive party where the children dress up as their favorite character from the story. At some point during the festivities, the book of Esther (the Megillah) is read aloud and every time Esther's or Mordecai's names are mentioned, the crowd cheers in excitement; but every time the name of the evil Haman is mentioned, the crowd makes loud noises trying to drown out the sound of his name. The kids can get pretty rambunctious, but its all in good fun.
A modern day echo of Purim was during the Nuremberg war crime trials. In the Book of Esther, Haman's ten sons were hanged on the gallows (Esther 9:13); in 1946, ten of Hitler's top associates were put to death by hanging for their war crimes (including the crime of murdering 6 million Jews). One of the men seems to have been aware of the parallel and on the way to the gallows, he shouted "Purim Fest 1946!" (http://www.jewfaq.org)
Another echo of Purim is found in the Soviet Union a few years later. In early 1953, Stalin was planning to deport most of the Jews in the Soviet Union to Siberia, but just before he was able to carry out his plans, he suffered a stroke and died. This happened the night of March 1, 1953: the night of Purim. Stalin's plans were never carried out (http://www.jewfaq.org)
Throughout the ages, there has continually been some who wanted to wipe out the Jewish people. But like the failed plans of the past, the present attempts will also fall by the wayside, as the God of the Jewish people stands guard to protect His chosen ones.
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