Beit Yeshua
2009
August to October
Yom
Teruah
(Rosh Hashanah)
Yom Teruah
Dance Performance
Yom
Kippur
Sukkot
"Latter Days"
Dance Performance
Family
Sukkot
Moses'
Tabernacle
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you.
Isaiah 62
6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night:
ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.The dancers from Beit Yeshua & Covenant practice for a Yom Teruah Israeli Folk Dance performance
Dancers form a Magen David (Star of David)
Practicing for a SUKKOT performance
The song "Latter Days" (by Barry & Batya Segal) speaks of the Millenial Reign of
Messiah Yeshua when all the Nations will come to Jerusalem to worship Him during Sukkot.
Yom Teruah is a two day festival falling in the Autumn (September or October) of each year, on Tishri 1 & 2. Yom Teruah literally means "Day of the Awakening Blast". Other names for the two-day holiday include Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year), Yom Ha’Zikkaron (Day of Remembrance), Yom HaMelech (Day of the King), Yom HaKiseh (The Hidden Day) and Yom HaDin (Day of Judgment). It is also called The Feast of Trumpets, Feast of the Last Trump and Feast of the Born Again. Blowing the Shofar on Yom Teruah is the only specific commandment for the holiday. Yeshua said no man knows the day or the hour. This was actually an indication that the “catching away” would take place on this “hidden” festival. Beit Yeshua gathered on Friday, September 18, 2009 to celebrate the Biblical Festival. We were joined by many of our friends from Vision For Israel, Highway to Zion, Beit Shofarot, Christian Friends of Israel, Christ Alive Church, as well as a variety of other churches and congregations.
About 100 came to the celebration. Many dressed in white as a symbol of purity and also as a reminder of the 2nd coming of Messiah Yeshua and His future marriage to Believers.
Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
The evening provided an opportunity to see old friends and also to make some new ones
Dale (from Charlotte) chats with Linda & Jim (from Grandfather Mt)
Vision For Israel and Greetings From Jerusalem graciously provided a merchandise table with books, CDs, flags, keepas, tallits, t-shirts, shofars and a variety of other Messianic merchandise.
Susan lights the festival candles
The Shofarot are sounded as is commanded in scripture for the festival
Chuck gives a brief teaching on the various soundings of the sofar
and invites all to join him for another sounding using the Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah and Tekiah Gedolah
Psalm 27 is traditionally read during the 30-day period of Teshuvah leading up to Yom Teruah and continues to be read to the end of Sukkot.
Cathy from Highway to Zion reads Psalm 27
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
(Left) Paul prays for Israel and the Jewish people as well as the leadership in Israel and the US.
(Center & Right) Rabbi Yossi of Beit Shofarot prays for those
who were getting ready to leave for Israel and the Feast of Tabernacles there.
A time of praise, worship and dance begins with the singing of the Sh'ma
We do love to dance - and so do our friends.
Men, women, children, young and old - all worshipping the Lord in dance.
The circle continues to grow - first one circle, then two
What a blessing to watch the children get involved in the dancing and the fun
The children watch carefully as they learn to dance before the Lord
Doug talks about the festival and its significance for us today
One of the highlights of the evening was the drama on "The Ancient Jewish Wedding" and its parallels to our own marriage relationship with Yeshua.
2009 Ancient Jewish Wedding Drama
Part 1: Introduction
Click Here2009 Ancient Jewish Wedding Drama
Part 2: the Betrothal, the Bride Price, the Wedding Contract, Bride's Acceptance
Click HereThe Betrothal
Hosea 2:19-20
I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, In love and compassion.
I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.
The Bride hadn’t known the Bridegroom
1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him, you love him; and even though you do not see Him now,
you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.The Bride Price
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
The Wedding Contract
Jeremiah 31: 31-33
The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
The Bride’s Acceptance of the Wedding Proposal
Romans 10:9-10
…If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Wedding Garments
Ezekiel 16:8-13
“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD. “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth.
Revelations 3:5
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;
but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”2009 Ancient Jewish Wedding Drama
Part 3: the Cup of Betrothal, Betrothal Gifts, Bridegroom's Departure, Mikvah
The Cup of Betrothal – The Cup of the Covenant
Matthew 26:27-29
(At the Pesach Meal with His disciples Yeshua …) … took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”Betrothal Gifts
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father ...
The Bridegroom’s Departure
John 14:1-3
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
The Mikvah (Baptism)
Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved.
A Time of Waiting
1 Thessalonians 5:1,2,4
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
2009 Ancient Jewish Wedding Drama
Part 4: The Witness Sent, the Bride Abducted, Wedding, Ketubah Signed
The Witness is Sent First
Matthew 25:6
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
The Bride is Abducted
Matthew 25:6
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of G-d: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
2009 Ancient Jewish Wedding Drama
Part 5: Bridegroom & Bride in Bridal Chamber 7 days, the Wedding Feast
The Bridegroom & Bride Spend Seven Days Alone
1 Thessalonians 5:6,9
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For God hath not appointed us to wrath,
but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Wedding Feast
Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Celebration
2009 Ancient Jewish Wedding Drama
Part 6: Coronation of the King
Baruch Ha'Ba B'Shem YHVH
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LordAfter the drama, there was a dance to the song "A Resting Place" by Paul Wilbur
Doug led us in a time of repentance and self-examination as we observed Communion.
Beit Shofarot brought their Torah Scroll that they had recently acquired and shared it with many interested onlookers. The Torah was over 130 years old and was rescued from the Nazis during WWII before it could be burned.
Rabbi Yossi with Indira & Cathy
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Thanks to Duke and Paul for the great photos
Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, occurs on Tishri 10 and is the most solemn holiday of the Jewish year. Those of us who know Yeshua as Messiah can also see reason for celebration since Yeshua became the "Atonement" for our sins with his sacrificial death.
Susan lights the festival candles as we gather to celebrate the feast of Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement
Leviticus 23:27, 28, 31, 32 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a Day of Atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a Day of Atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. ...it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.
Two goats were set aside at Yom Kippur – one for God, and one for Azazel (HaSatan or Satan). The High Priest cast lots to determine their fates. The one for God was sacrificed, and the other (the Scapegoat) represented Israel and the sins of the nation. Tradition teaches that the scapegoat had a scarlet ribbon tied to its neck with a portion of the same ribbon tied to the door of the Temple. The scapegoat was driven into the wilderness (and in later years thrown over a cliff). If the Jews had repented, the scarlet ribbon tied to the door of the temple would miraculously turn white – a sign of God’s forgiveness.
Leviticus 16:7-10 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat (Azazel). And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
The scapegoat was driven into the desert, the same place the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) led Yeshua after he was baptized of John to be tempted by Ha’Satan. (Matthew 4:1)
The Mishnah tells us that 40 years before the destruction of the temple, the ribbon stopped turning white. This would have been during the time of Yeshua’s ministry, death and resurrection. The “scapegoat” was no longer necessary as God provided another way for the atonement of sin. Yeshua, Himself, became the perfect atonement for all our sins – past, present and future.
Doug lead the group in a wonderful teaching/discussion about the festival and then led us through 5 areas of prayer.
1. Individual Repentance
Proverbs 6:16-21 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eves, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devised wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
Psalms 24:3-6 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.Ephesians 2:14-16 For He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its ordinances and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their enmity.
Matthew 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are sons of disobedience.Psalms 122:6-7 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and prosperity within your palaces."
Genesis 22:15-18 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.
Zechariah 14:16-17 And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
Chuck, Janice, Lynda, Doris, Susan, Marcia, Paul and Doug
Beit Yeshua gathered corporately on Friday, October 2nd, to celebrate the feast of Sukkot.
The Family Life Center at Covenant was vibrantly decorated with bright colors and a sukka
Other names for the Biblical festival include: The Feast, The Feast of Booths (Hag ha Sukkot), The Feast of Tabernacles, The Feast of Ingathering (Hag ha Asif), The Great Feast, The Feast of Final Harvest, The Feast of Full Glory, The Feast of the Watergate and the Time of Our Joy (Z’man Simchateinu). Leviticus 23:34, 39
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month
shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a Sabbath,
and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath.
Leviticus 23:41-43
And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year.
It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths.
That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths,
when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
The sukka can be constructed of any light weight material. Just remember it is a temporary shelter. According to tradition, a sukka must have at least 2 ½ walls. The most important part of the sukka is the roof. Branches of “goodly” trees are used for the roof covering, but you must be able to see the stars. Wooden slats allow you to place the branches on top of the structure without them falling on your head. It is customary to “dwell” in the sukka. Dwelling implies eating, sleeping (if weather permits) and study. Sukkot reminds us that life is temporary. Even our bodies are temporary homes as we prepare for eternity with the Lord. In John 14:2, Yeshua even said “I go to prepare a place for you”. Deuteronomy 16:13-14
Thou shalt observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days,
after thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine. And thou shalt rejoice in they feast, thou,
and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite,
the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.Yeshua observed all of the Biblical Festivals - including Sukkot.
John 7:2, 11, 14, 37, 38
Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.
Then the Jews sought him (Yeshua) at the feast, and said, Where is he?
Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying,
If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. [in reference to the water libation ceremony]
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
The crowd arrives and the shofarot are sounded
Susan lights the festival candles - Paul says the blessings over the bread & wine
Dancers dance to the song "Peace of Jerusalem" by Kirk Dearman
An offering was received for Emergency Medical Supplies in Israel that will be given to Vision For Israel
Doug, Paul, Chuck and Curtis shared the scriptures about Sukkot,
prayed for spiritual & physical rain during the new year, and showed the lulav and etrog
There was a marvelous time of praise, worship and dance!
The shofars were sounding, the tambourines were ringing, and the drums gave rhythm.
Shouts of praise were lifted up to YHWH and Yeshua Ha'Mashiach!
The evening was even described by one as "the best worship experience I've had ever been in"
The songs selected for the evening all has a Sukkot theme and included:
"Tabernacle" by Jonathan Settle (written by Kirk Dearman)
"Mayim Mayim" by Barry & Batya Segal
"Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord" by Paul Wilbur
"Come Let's Go Up to the Mountain" by Paul Wilbur
"Watchman" by Paul Wilbur
"When the Lord Returns to Zion" by Jonathan Settel
"Lifted Higher" by Twila Paris
"He Shall Reign" by Paul WilburLATTER DAYS The song "Latter Days" by Barry & Batya Segal speaks of the time in Zechariah 14 when Messiah Yeshua
is ruling & reigning in Jerusalem and all the nations will come up from year-to-year to keep the Feast of SukkotZechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem
shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.Dancers prepare for the nations dance to the song "Latter Days"
Latter Days
by Barry & Batya Segal"In the Latter Days, on the Mountain of Zion, all nations will flow to the House of the Lord ..."
"All people will bow down to the God of Jacob, Then His glory will appear ..."
"He’ll wash away the filth from the daughters of Zion, And purge all the blood of Jerusalem ..."
"When He pours out the Spirit of judgment and burning, Then His glory will appear. Come up!"
"Going up, Going up to the mountain, Going up to the House of the Lord."
Going up, going up to the mountain, He will teach us all His ways."
"He will make a covering, A tabernacle of the Lord,"
"By night a shining, flaming fire, A pillar of smoke and a cloud by day."
Additional Nation's Dance Photos
Thanks to Duke & Myrl, Chuck & Janice, Doug & Lynda, Paul, Stacy & Jeanne for all their hard work in preparing for Sukkot
Curtis & Carolyn set up the frame to their family Sukkah with the help of our granddaughters the day before Yom Kippur
Later that week Carolyn and Curtis added the fabric and decorations to the sukka
as well as the branches on the top
Allie enjoys Doug & Iline's Family sukkah.
What a wonderful way to teach children about this prophetic festival!
Marcia's converted a tree-house into her family sukka.
She started writing a verse on the wood panel and added a Scripture every year.
Her first year to decorate the tree-house as a sukkah was 2006. She also placed a mezuzah in it.
This year the scriptures Psalm 1:1-3 and Psalm 117 were added to the wood panel.
Timmy from Vision For Israel in Charlotte and his family constructed their first sukkah in 2009.
His daughter (pictured below) is wrapped in a tallit as she watches the flames of the menorah
that was no only decorative, but also provided light for the temporary structure.
Timmy hung a large sheet on one wall of his sukkah with the Aaron Blessing.
"The Lord bless you and keep you and be gracious to you,
The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace"
Children from the community were given an opportunity to write there thoughts about God on the sheet
- including "God loves us" and "I am a Princess of God"
A view of the full moon from Timmy's sukka
Timmy shared how much his daughter and entire family enjoyed the Biblical festival -
eating all their meals and spending as much time as possible in the sukkah.
When it started to rain, they even put a tarp over the top so they could still go outside and spend time there.You didn't build a sukkah this year? Make the decision now to do it in 2010.
It's being obedient to the command of the Lord in Leviticus 23 - loads of fun for the family -
and helps you start some "interesting" conversations with the neighbors! :)Thanks to all who shared the photos from their family sukkah this year
Thanks to Bonnie & Iline for the models of the Tabernacle of Moses Many of us that are part of Beit Yeshua are also members of Covenant Bible Church in Lincolnton. Pastor Mike Devine started a multi-session teaching on the Tabernacle of Moses and Tabernacle implements were provided by friends Bonnie & Iline to make the learning experience more meaningful. The Table of Shewbread
The Incense Altar
