Holy Day Greetings from HomeWorship 101™

YHWH clearly warns a-l-l humanity,

as part of the universal Rainbow Covenant given to Noah

“… I will demand a reckoning…”

– Genesis 9:5

"It is appointed for people to die once--and after that,

to face judgment."

- Hebrews 9:27

YHWH has ordained one annual Holy Day that teaches humanity Divine Grace and Judgment, and that day is approaching soon – probably sooner than you think.  The 10th day of the 7th Biblical month (Monday, Sept. 20, figuring from the first day Sept.11), for angel and human alike, is one of the most important Holy Day of the year.  This year I have been talking about the true meaning of the word Hebrew.  This is not the Hebrew Judgment day, it is the universal Divine Judgment Day, the fearsome Day of YHWH'S reckoning (Gen.9:5-6).  In English it is generally called “the Day of Atonement,” in Hebrew it is called “Yom Kippur,” and it is the day to repent and cleanse the spirit and soul, through a 24-hour commanded fast (Lev.23:26-32).  Jewish tradition teaches that on this day, sometime in the future, the Book of Life will be sealed, and the gates of Heaven will be closed. 

Note on this year’s new moon sighting.  On Sept. 9^th the new moon was barely 2% at sunset in Israel and was not visible, 6-8 hours later when we had sunset over America the new moon matured to 3% and was sighted.  Today there is no mandate to observe the Holy Days according to the sighting in Israel, when one spots it locally then the Holy Days can begin.  My ministry is based on the World Wide Web instead of a local congregation, I feel for me it is more correct to set the Holy Days based on the sighting reports from Israel, then on local sightings.  If you celebrate the Holy Days based on local new moon sighting then the Holy Days would be a day earlier then the dates I publish. 

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification:

that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel 

in sanctification and honor,

not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter,

because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.”

- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

The keyword in the above verse is “sanctification,” and it was introduced in the beginning of the year with Passover.  Sanctification means set apart from all the others.  The faithful are spiritually set apart, spiritual Hebrews, as we walk YHWH’s Ancient Path of Righteousness.  On the Holy Day of Pentecost YHWH gave us His Laws so that we could remain sanctified.  In other words, YHWH wants HIS Faithful to live Holy lives on a day-to-day basis while interacting with the community in our work, and play - to live and work honestly.  The Apostle Peter tells “…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy,” 1Peter1:16.  It is easy enough to understand, and easy enough to read it in Scriptures – but there is still much debate on the topic.  Log on: http://www.homeworship101.com/wp_early_christians.htm

“Be an example to all believers

in what you teach,

in the way you live,

in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

- 1 Timothy 4:12

The Holy Day of Atonement is the tollbooth on YHWH’s Ancient Path. As I pointed out during the spring Holy Days newsletter, surviving Passover means humanity has been 'justified and redeemed' (Exo.ch.12-13).  Redeemed means, that something has been bought back from the marketplace.  Justification means, that someone has been judged and found not guilty.  In other words, humanities sins are washed away in the sea of forgetfulness, and that is a good thing for the spiritual bank account.  During the Holy Days of Unleavened Bread YHWH teaches us humility, because a prideful person will not yield to YHWH’s Divine guidance, and on Pentecost HE teaches us HIS Laws and gave us HIS Holy Spirit, which is our helper so that we may learn to live a Holy life.  Now comes the time to evaluate how well the Faithful have learned their lessons.  In other words it is time to tally up our spiritual bank account.  Justification and redemption makes our spiritual bank accounts possible, but the account does not contain money it contains the Holy Spirit.  If we live a good and honest life the Holy Spirit inside us grows, if we live an evil and sinful life then our Holy Spirit withers and fades.  This is the Day YHWH demands HIS toll before one can enter the Gates of Heaven (HIS Kingdom).  Over the centuries there have been many opinions on what Judgment Day will be like but YHWH sees our hearts and HE relayed a wonderful parable of the final Judgment in the ancient book of “The Shepherd Of Hermas.”  See my Judgment Day webpage: http://www.homeworship101.com/bb-c12_judgment_day.htm

~ The Ten Days of Awe ~

The 10 days from the Day of Trumpets to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are called the Days of Awe (Yamim Nora’im) and/or the Days of Repentance (Yemei Tshuvah).  These Holy Days have dual purpose prophecies and meanings.  The title “Days of Awe” teach us about future prophecies, and the title “Days of Repentance” teach us about personal repentance, let’s cover the prophetic aspects first. 

The Conquering Messiah’s Judgment…

"I will gather all the nations,

 and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.

Then I will enter into judgment with them there,

on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,

whom they have scattered among the nations;

And they have divided up My land."

-  Joel 3:2

YHWH’s Final Judgment…

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it,…

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,

and books were opened.

And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.

And the dead were judged according to their works…

The sea gave up the dead who were in it,

and Death and Hades delivered up the dead…

And they were judged, each one according to their works.”

- Revelation 20:11-13

These 10 days between the two Holy Days are awe inspiring because sometime in the future, almost tomorrow, it will be the time when the conquering Messiah returns and gathers the nations of the world together in Jerusalem to render judgment (Mat.25:32; Rev.19:11-21).  We all know, the haters, the destroyers, and warmongers will not do well.  And sometime in the future, after the Millennium rule of the Messiah, in these 10 days, YHWH will return to earth and gather a-l-l humanity and the angels together for HIS final judgment (Rev.20:11-15; 2Pet.2:4).  How these two prophetic events happen will be an awe inspiring sight to witness 

~ Judgment Day ~

Yahshua clearly warned:

“... but if you want to enter into life,

keep The Commandments,”

- Matthew 19:18

Today in the Christian churches one does not hear a lot of preachin’ regarding Judgment- it’s too divisive they would say.  The 501(c)3 corporatization of the church has rendered it spineless and impotent.  Today's sermons amount to little more than "positive mental attitude," feel-good drivel.  Churches spend more time pounding the pulpit for money then teaching the disciplines of Christian life.  The fire and brimstone Protestant sermons of the 17^th and 18^th century that help form this nation are out, and the recreation, the feel good messages, the want to be entertained, the have their children a place to play, type of country-club churches are in.  The “lets all get along” attitude have overtaken the unyielding sermons based on Biblical principles, unfortunately this is not how Yahshua talked or behaved (Mat.3:7, 5:20, 23:1-36; Luk.11:37-54, 18:9-14; Jno.8:44).  Beware, and be aware, using the “stick your head in the sand” approach to the Bible will not stop the coming Judgment.  

“We love the LORD, of course,

but we often wonder what HE finds to love in us.”

 - Ed Howe

The true Believer, the spiritual Hebrew, has nothing to fear on Judgment Day.  There is some confusion regarding the term Judgment Day, because the same word is associated with different Biblical events, so to clear up some confusion let’s review them.  As I mentioned above, sometime in the future, almost tomorrow, the next big Judgment Day will be after the Messiah returns to earth and judges the nations of the world.  The peacemaker nations will survive and become the nations of the Messiah’s Millennium Kingdom (Mat.25:31-46; Rev.19:11-21) – the haters and warmongers will not survive.  The last and final Judgment will be after the Millennium rule of the Messiah when YHWH returns to earth.  HE calls the evil angels from their holding cells and all humanity from their graves, and begins the final judgment of whether they will die permanently or enter into eternal life (2Pet.2:4; Rev.20:11-15).  There is only one group of humans that escape these two spiritual judgments; they are the Bride of the Messiah.  Sometime before the Messiah returns to earth He will call out His true believers (from the living and the dead) and translate them to the place prepared for them in heaven (John 14:2-3).  Once there, every person called will spend a little private time with the Messiah, not to be judged, their sins are burnt up as wood hay and stubble (1Cor.3:11-13), but it will be their unique traits that will be examined, and determined how the candidate can best serve in the Millennium Kingdom – and beyond.  Remember: The true believer has nothing to fear on Judgment Day, they have already passed the test – so to speak.

 ~ Character Counts ~

“…keep to the paths of righteousness.

For the upright will dwell in the land,

And the blameless will remain in it;

But the wicked will be cut off from the earth,”

- Proverbs 2:20

Facing a Divine Judgment Day causes one to ponder, just exactly what is my Covenant obligation?  What must I do to receive that approving nod from YHWH to enter the Gates of Heaven?  GOD is love (1John 4:8), and HE wants all humanity to join HIM in HIS Kingdom, but there are conditions.  YHWH does not believe in the whip of big government, HE promotes self-discipline and small government, and to that end, HE teaches us in HIS Scriptures to heed HIS Commandments, because the bad behavior called “sin” (adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, etc) will not get you into HIS Kingdom.  Sin is mentioned over 640 times in the Bible, unfortunately today, our political and religious leadership does not like to talk about sin any more – it’s too divisive they say, so they talk about empty feel good topics.  Let no man deceive you (1Tim.4:13), the hard reality is that sinners cannot get into Heaven – even if they are Christians (1Cor.6:9; Gal.519-21; Eph.5:3-6; Rev.21:8, 22:15), and this is the Holy Day that teaches a-l-l humanity, not just the Jews, to repent and change from your wicked ways.

"For whom the Lord loves--He chastens."

- Hebrews 12:6

The sage says that the facade of man [or woman] has three sides: What he thinks he is, what others think he is, and what he really is.  To understand our place in life, we must be honest and yield ourselves to guidance of the higher Divine life force and seek our true face.  Sometime in the future, there will be a day, you are standing in line and nervously looking up you receive a majestic nod to step forward and give account (Rev.20:12).  GOD will ask: What part of "Thou shalt not..." didn't you understand?  Lame excuses for our mistakes, or misdeeds, won't work on this Day, our FATHER sees our hearts (Heb.4:12).  This is a serious day to take responsibility for our actions, we should reflect on our life, repent for our sins, forgive and be forgiven.  We are commanded to afflict our souls through a 24 hour fast (Lev.23:26-32).  For more info log on to: http://www.homeworship101.com/holy_days_fall.htm .

“I bet you there will be people in hell saying,

'I thought there was no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.'”

- G.A. Jarquin

The Bible has hundreds of references regarding living a righteous Holy life, but sadly many preachers today do not touch on the subject. In Hebrew, the term for an exceptionally righteous person is Tzaddik.  Proverbs 10:25 say that unlike the wicked who are swept away by a whirlwind, the righteous have an everlasting foundation. The Bible also warns us, “be not overly righteous,” Ecclesiastes 7:16.  I like using the salt analogy, the Faithful are the salt of the earth, but we shouldn’t be too salty, because too much salt spoils the taste of the spiritual food we share.  For the full log on: http://www.homeworship101.com/fyi_salt_covenant.htm

Our CREATOR makes the gates of Heaven available,

 the Messiah opens the gates,

but you walk through on your own two feet.

Thankfully, GOD deals with humanity via HIS Covenants not man’s religions (Mat.22:23), and HE makes allowances for the false education humanity has been taught during their mortal lives.  The Gospels lessons are centered on ‘grace,’ which is the advanced concept of mercy.  Yahshua teaches humanity that our CREATOR is a GOD who loves and forgives all humanity, even the lowly most wretched person has value, and all should ‘learn’ so they may join HIM in HIS Kingdom (Mat.ch.5-7).  The lessons Yahshua taught discount most Jewish oral law, but still use the lessons of the Torah and the Prophets of the Hebrew Bible as foundational guidance, and the main lessons are honor and humility, repentance and kindness. 

~ The Days of Repentance ~

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.” – Psalm 51:2-3

As I mentioned above, these ten days between the two Holy Days are traditionally called the Days of Awe and the Days of Repentance.  I already talked about the prophetic aspects of the Days of Awe, the Days of Repentance are directed to humanity.  For us mere mortals, the Divine lesson during this time is to forgive and be forgiven.  Forgive those who have wronged you, and repent of the wrongs you have caused others.  Because in the end, if you cannot forgive others, then you cannot expect to be forgiven (Mat.6:12-15).

For us mere mortals, the universal theme of this Holy Day is self-improvement.  Evolve beyond your primitive sub-routines!  Seize the moment to find "at-one-ment" with YAHWEH, and live again!  Lose the customer is always right attitude, and the haughty spirit that knows nothing of repenting.  One must approach our Covenant responsibilities with a humble spirit, because a humble spirit will learn, the haughty in spirit thinks they know it all and have no need to learn anything.  This is a serious day to take responsibility for our actions, we should reflect on our life, repent for our sins, forgive and be forgiven, and find at-one-ment with YHWH and Yahshua. 

Today, modern science would agree with this ancient mandate from heaven: Repentance is good for the soul!  It frees you from the heavy baggage of guilt that haunts your subconscious.  This is the day to make peace with loved ones and friends, then put the old issues behind you, and start your renewed spiritual life.  (A good place to begin learning about personal behavior is from the Biblical Book of Proverbs.) 

Believers are commanded to grow in knowledge and grace (2Pet.3:18), to be a living sacrifice . . ., transformed by the renewing of your mind . . . (Rom.12:1-2).  Seeing the error of your ways is accomplished in the most intelligent and clever way, and driving the point home, is not accomplished through brow beating sermons.  Our Biblical example is with King David who stole the wife of one of his captains (2Sam.12:1-13).  The Prophet Nathan was directed by YAHWEH to show King David the error of his ways, not by going and yelling at him, but by showing him his sin in the form of a parable, which was a story of a pet lamb. 

In this story the Prophet paints a picture of a rich man with much live stock, but when the rich man wanted to provide a dinner for a visitor, he stole the poor man’s only lamb.  The poor man loved his only lamb and treated it so well it was like a member of the family.  It is a wonderful story and anyone who is a pet lover can instantly relate to the example.  Coincidentally, King David was once a shepherd and he understood the poor man’s pain.  King David became enraged at hearing the story and said the rich man should die for what he did.  Upon realizing he was the rich man, it moved King David to repent immediately (2Sam.12:1-14). 

Pride is the worst sin, because pride is what caused the dark angels to rebel against YAHWEH.  Pride prevents asking for forgiveness, and then there can be no repentance.  GODLY sorrow is a much deeper sorrow than simple remorse; GODLY sorrow leads to repentance.  In YAHWEH’S Church a Believer must do as King David did, when a person understands their sin, one must repent.  It is not merely a religious exercise of just going through the motions.  Repentance means a change of mind.  It invokes a “revelation,” of not only heartfelt sorrow for the past sins, but a total change of mind, of attitude, of direction and purpose to life.  It is like tasting food that has spoiled, once you realize it, yuck, you spit it out, and think to yourself, I’ll never eat that again!

Psalm 51 describes a three-step process:

[1] Accept responsibility, and acknowledge the transgression, vs.1-2. 

[2] Repentance (say you are sorry), then ask forgiveness, and offer restitution to the injured party, vs.3-4. 

[3] Change lifestyle to avoid that sin, vs.10-11.  Once repented do not commit that sin again (Heb.10:26).  Work to strengthen the spirit.  Study the Bible to increase knowledge and character in faith - grace - love - gentleness - temperance - patience - modesty - forgiveness - charity - truth - cheerfulness, etc.

This is also a day to give thanks for all the blessings of our CREATOR.  Do you sometimes feel like the world is against you?  If you need some reasons to give thanks, log on to http://www.homeworship101.com/wp_be_thankful.htm .

 ~ The 24-Hour Commanded Fast ~

“…when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites…

and anoint your head… ” - Mat.6:16-17

Today, modern science would agree with this ancient mandate from heaven: Fasting is good for the soul!  Fasting, withholding nutritional inputs is an essential component to good health.  It is a vacation from digesting food, which is the most energy-demanding activity of the body, and can be a beneficial part of the healing and energizing process.  One third of the body's energy supply is used during digestion.  While fasting, energy normally used for digestion is redirected to the restorative processes.

On HIS Holy Days YHWH gives us a snap shot of what is good for us all year, I.E. the Temple offering of salt, bread, barley grass, unleavened bread, etc., are all good things to promote health throughout the year, and it is the same with fasting. The lost art of the practice of fasting once a week or once a month for 24 hours is a wonderful and safe lifetime habit for most people.  Fasting regularly enhances one's health more than any other single activity.  Even after a person reaches ideal body weight, unwanted substances that are hard for the body to eliminate enter the body through the foods we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.  Fasting helps to release unwanted substances, toxins, and other wastes from the fat and tissues and helps to restore and maintain vitality and strength.

Regardless of the day’s activities (if you have to work or not), DO NOT brag about it, or walk around with a sad countenance to show off your fast and sacrifice.  It is private affair between you and your CREATOR.  Beginning a fast is also the time for the precious anointing with oil (Mat.6:16-18).  Anointing yourself and loved ones is a powerful spiritual power-tool.  The Apostle John writes in 1John 2:27, that anointing refers to the Divine spiritual process in which the Holy Spirit empowers a person’s heart and mind with YAHWEH’S truth and love.  For more info log on to: http://www.homeworship101.com/sp-t5_anointing.htm .

Those who really need an anointing are easy to spot, the proud in heart, lofty in spirit, covetous in his aims, condemning others, justifying himself, unsympathetic or harsh, etc – but they are too proud to humble themselves before YHWH and Yahshua.  For more info see the Book of James.

For tips on how to 'invoke' the sacred anointing, log on to http://www.homeworship101.com/sp-t8_order_of_rites.htm 

~ Don’t forget your sea salt! ~

All believers are part of the Salt Covenant with YHWH (Lev.2:13; 2Chr.13:5).  In ancient times, salt was also used to seal a bond of friendship forever.  Brethren at an Israelite table would seal their friendship by the sharing of salt.  On this day after fasting, seal your prayers of repentance with a lick of pure sea salt to heal the spiritual rift.  Modern science is confirming the benefit of YHWH’S ancient rites, (real unprocessed) sea salt acts as preservative for your body.  (And believers also know it preserves our spirit.)   Log on to: http://www.homeworship101.com/fyi_salt_covenant.htm

~ GOD Bless the USA! ~

Here in America, for a country based on 'unalienable' GOD-given-rights, it should be a national day of fasting and repentance (2Chr.7:14).  And the money saved on food during the fast day, should be donated to your local food bank, and then watch the blessings grow.

Our FATHER knows what is good for us.  HE wants HIS Faithful to be kind and giving, not as a religious requirement, because it is good for your health.  One study by the University of Michigan kept track of 400 elderly couples over a five-year span and they found that couples that gave to charity were twice as likely to outlive those who didn’t!  Other studies show that people who give more than they receive – no matter if it’s money, clothes, or even advice – are healthier and happier!

“If you study the Bible without applying it to your daily life,

then it would be better not to study it at all.”

- Zac Poonen

Through Noah, YHWH told humanity to form community governments, and HE told us how to run them in the Torah.  The reason is simple; learning the personal virtues of this Holy Day also benefits our community.  There is a saying; “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.”  Our founding fathers knew their Bibles and world history. They knew that basically there are two ways to govern a community.  People will either be self-disciplined or need the whip of tyranny.  If people are disciplined and honorable then they need less government to control them, if they have no moral character then they will need the whip of big government to control them.  The early immigrants who settled this country were self-disciplined because they were a deeply religious, Bible-believing, Christian people - and they built a great country.  Unfortunately for the last 50 or more years, the minions for the dark side have been hard at work removing the Bible and the founding religious values from our public squares and educational establishments.  Even if they did want to remove GOD but still promote good values, then you would think that at the very least they would trumpet the Golden Rule – it’s universal, every religion has one, and it is at the heart of spiritual maturity - their silence speaks volumes.  In my humble opinion, it would appear that they silently want to ruin this great nation instead of help it.

~ In Closing… ~

Meditate, Practice, Pray,

“You must meditate and dwell upon what you read…

You must also practice and live out what you read….

You must also pray over what you read….”

- Thomas Brooks (“The Unsearchable Riches of Christ”)

The Judgment Day quote from Revelation 20:13 clearly says “…judged, each one according to their works.”  It’s a curious thing; the verse did not mention purity of the religion, but your “works.”  This Holy Day teaches our “works” means we are to live, on a daily basis, a righteous life, with charity, and a slow to anger, forgiving heart, which in-turn, makes the Faithful, Ambassadors of the Kingdom (2Cor.5:20).  The prime directive of Ambassadorship: Love your GOD, and love your neighbor.  And, “. . . forgive them for they know not what they do . . .,“ is the motto (Luk.23:34). 

To be an Ambassador of the Kingdom means you are a Friend of the Kingdom, not a servant to it.  The Faithful are considered Friends because of the Divine Knowledge revealed to them (Jno.15:15).  Log on for more info: http://www.homeworship101.com/sp-t7_sacred_assembly.htm

“...we do not war according to the flesh,

and the weapons are not carnal...” 

- 2Corinthians 10:3-4

The Faithful know Satan is the target of this spiritual war not our neighbor (Eph.6:12).  Satan is the god of this world and the Believers in our CREATOR are “living in their native lands - but as aliens.” 

The Believers are “in this world, but not of this world.”  The Believers are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom of YAHWEH (Phi.3:20), fellow citizens with the Old Testament Saints (Eph.2:19) - under the authority of the Messiah.  They follow local customs in clothing, food, and other aspects of life - but as citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom, they are only passing their days on Earth.  Log on for more info: http://www.homeworship101.com/wp_early_christians.htm

They are “present in the flesh” - but do not live “according to the flesh.”  They obey the appointed laws of the community - but go beyond that and follow the Heavenly Laws in their own lives.  They are treated with outrageous disrespect - but behave respectfully and bless those in return.  They are dishonored and their names blackened - but they gain glory through dishonor and their names are cleared in the Heavenly Book of Life.  

The Faithful are given the Armor of YHWH.  YHWH doesn’t call the equipped; HE equips the called, with HIS armor.  Ephesians 6:11 states “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  Log on for more info: http://www.homeworship101.com/sp-t6_armor.ht

Knowin’ is the easy part!  This is not a church of potted plants.  The citizens are Ambassadors of the Kingdom and represent their Government.  This is not a passive role; it is a pro-active role.  They live by example and share the spiritual truths that they have learned, using clear and simple language - not political style double-talk, using many words to say nothing, or spiritual, feel-good psychobabble which has no lasting benefit (Mat.5:37).  We follow Yahshua, the Apostles, and the Hebrew Testament Prophets, fearless and uncompromising, but seasoned with amazing grace.

In philosophy and religion, it has been said

that you will know the quality of a tree by the fruit that it bears.

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. 

Enjoy the journey of learning.

> http://www.homeworship101.com/wp_10_commands.htm

> http://www.homeworship101.com/bb-c5_sacred_covenants.htm

> http://www.homeworship101.com/bb-c12_judgment_day.htm

> http://www.homeworship101.com/holy_days_fall.htm

> http://www.homeworship101.com/holy_days_fall_observance.htm

> Ambassadors: http://www.homeworship101.com/sp-t7_sacred_assembly.htm

During your Holy Day prayers, please remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for all those who stand with Israel (Ps.122).

May you be written in the Book of Life.

Wishing you peace and blessings, Errol.

**********************************************

Errol Mueller, chronicler extraordinaire

  e-mail: errol@homeworship101.com

website: www.homeworship101.com

**********************************************

WSC Newsletter 2010-10, posted 09/12/10.

 

Copyright © 2010 Errol Mueller.  All rights reserved.  Short quotations, page copying, or redistribution for personal or non-commercial group study is permitted and encouraged, provided they are copied in total with no alterations or deletions.  Author’s name, website address, and copyright notice must be included.  If any other use is desired, written permission is required.

For information, email or call (334) 678-0913.  White Stone Communications (Rev.2:17), Dothan, AL.

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Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

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