October 2017
Sukkot and the Everlasting Light
(Continue to read more...)
Sukkot: The Feast of Tabernacles by Sam Nadler
Sukkot and the Everlasting Light
When Yeshua was on earth, perhaps the most dramatic and gigantic of the Lord’s Feasts was Sukkot (meaning Booths, or Tabernacles). Each family would live in a temporary dwelling or sukkah to remember and relive God’s protection as they wandered. This eight-day festival was one of three “pilgrim feasts.” All able Israelites were to “appear before the Lord” in Jerusalem. Sukkot traditions developed for the Holy Temple in the city. One such ceremony involved seventy-five-feet high “Golden Candlesticks.”
On the first day of Sukkot, these candlesticks with four bowls and giant wicks, were erected in the “Court of the Women” where the treasury was located. This was a place granting access to all who desired to enter and experience the joy of Sukkot.
We read in the Talmud, the light from those huge candles “lighted all the courtyards of Jerusalem!” Young men would climb up several ladders to light the candle wicks, made from old priestly garments. At the base of the candles “Men of piety and good deeds would dance before them with lighted torches in their hands, singing songs and praises. Levites with harps, lyres, cymbals, trumpets and other musical instruments were there upon the fifteen steps leading down from the court of the Gentiles to the Court of the Women.”
Sukkot and the LightThis celebration would continue for the full seven days; then the lights were extinguished on the eighth day for a holy and solemn assembly (Leviticus 23:36).
Since Sukkot is a harvest festival (23:39), the question might arise: Why did they light these great candles, dancing and rejoicing around them in the Temple? The prophets help us understand its meaning.
The prophet Zechariah forever identified Sukkot with Messiah’s kingdom reign. All the nations, “will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.” (Zech. 14:16) Sukkot was a harvest celebration. Zechariah teaches that it points to the future when the nations will be as a great harvest of King Messiah.
What do the candlesticks have to do with the kingdom? Looking to that day, the prophets explain, “No longer will you have the sun for light by day, Nor for brightness will the moon give you light… For you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over” (Isaiah 60:19-20; Zech 14:6-7).”
In the New Covenant writings John makes mention of these prophecies, looking to the eternal period when the Lord, Himself, is our everlasting light (Rev 21:23; 22:5). In traditional Judaism, this future time is simply referred to as “the world to come” (olam haba) and “the days of Messiah.”
The True Light
We see in those candles the expectation of a time where there will be no other light but the Lord’s. Messiah will be the only light for Israel eternally. The kingdom to which Sukkot points is a time when we will no longer walk in the darkness of sin and spiritual corruption, rather, we will walk in the gladness, salvation and freedom of the Lord’s light.
Moreover, the Messiah of Israel was to go out into the nations of the world!
It is too small that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nation’s So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).
Thus the rabbis also consistently saw Messiah as the true light of God (Berachot 29a; Peskita Rabbati 161ff; Exodus Rabbah 31:10; Deut. Rabbah 11:10).
At Sukkot, Yeshua went up to the Temple (John 7:3, 37-39; 8), where, the Sukkot pilgrims from around the world had been celebrating joyously for seven days, on the 8th day was (the solemn assembly) and lights from the candles were now extinguished and the Temple was dim.
It was then and there that Messiah spoke “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple (John 8:20). By the great extinguished candles, at the treasury in the Court of the Women he declared, Messiah is the Light.
He is the Personal light of God, for He said, “I am…” He alone is the revelation of God’s glory. He is the Perpetual Light of God, Yeshua professed to be the only inexhaustible source of spiritual nourishment. The candlesticks were to be extinguished after the feast, but His light would remain. He is the Perfect Light of God, by which eternal direction is established for our lives. He is the Pure Light of God, the genuine light by which truth and falsehood can be distinguished (John 1:9). He is the Powerful, “the Light of the World,” able to make the enlightening difference for everyone. Regardless of culture or heritage, all people need His light.
This light must be applied! Marriages need spiritual insight; child-rearing needs discernment; businesses need enlightened standards; and in this world of temptations we need spiritual guidance. In anticipation of His glorious Kingdom, may you have the light of life. This feast of Sukkot may you live out His Kingdom, shining the light of Messiah in a darkened world.
READ MORE
Why a Messianic Men's Conference?
. (Continue to read more...)
Why a Messianic Men’s Conference?
Far too often, many congregations assume that the service ‘muscle’ of the congregation will be …the women. The results from various surveys among synagogues* and churches** show that women consistently outnumber men in all congregational and spiritual categories (attendance, frequency of prayer, service, etc.).
You might say, “What difference would it make to have men more involved in congregational life?” Those surveys state clearly that among those men attending places of worship:
- They are more likely to be married and express a higher level of satisfaction with life.
- Their involvement moves them out of poverty. It also correlates to less depression, more self-esteem and greater family and marital happiness.
- Men become more engaged husbands and fathers.
- Teens, with fathers who regularly worship, are more likely to say they enjoy spending time with dad and that they admire him.
- The presence of involved men statistically correlates with congregational growth, health, and harmony. Meanwhile, a lack of male participation is strongly associated with congregational decline.
Word of Messiah Ministries (WMM), biblically founded as a planting system for all new congregations always requires the discipleship of men. This also includes WMM’s assistance and coaching for the many previously established congregations, to help them further develop, evangelize, disciple and grow. Why a Messianic Men’s Conference? To win the spiritual battles for Messiah, we must continually encourage, edify and empower the discipled men for their biblical leadership roles in the home and the congregation, which is their divine calling from God upon each of them!
This conference, “STIR UP” held in a retreat center in Wirtz, Virginia, was like all the ministries that Sam Nadler is involved in: sound bible teaching, much prayer, small groups of men interacting with other men to personally apply the teachings to their lives, home and congregation. Along with Sam, the other teachers represent some wonderful Messianic congregations: Howard Silverman of Beth Messiah in Columbus, Ohio; Seth Klayman of Sha’arei Shalom in Cary, NC; Tony Mardian of Hope of Israel, Roanoke, Va. In addition, there were newer planters leading devotionals: Devin Baucom of Hope Israel, Monroe, NC and Lew Wayburn of Hope of Israel, Columbia, SC.
Each of the major messages were followed by small group meetings of 8-10 men. The goal of the small groups was to apply the teaching in a practical manner to how we can encourage our brothers, and others. This is essential, since Messiah taught us “If you know these things, blessed are you that do them” (John 13:17). In other words, God’s blessings for our lives are enjoyed in only the practical application of the word, for we are called to be not mere hearers but doers of the divine word.
After prayer and worship, Sam taught the introductory message from 2 Timothy 1:3-7, “Spiritual Gifts Must Be Stirred, Not Shaken: Encourage Your Brother to Stir Up His Gifted Calling.” Since we are our brother’s keepers, we need to encourage one another to “stir up” what God has already placed with us through faith in Messiah. It’s this reactivated gift containing the “power of love and a sound mind” that fulfills the purpose of our creation, redemption and calling as Messianic men. Sam gave several practical ways that the text itself teaches us how to encourage one another: by our appreciation of our brother’s God-given individuality, identification with our brother’s God-given similarities, and our motivation by the brother’s God-given responsibility. According to this vital section of scripture, we are motivated by the God-given responsibility to the brother as it is rooted in his discipleship (1:5), as it is recognized by his leadership (1:6), as it is resourced for his stewardship (1:7): by the Spirit-given power, love and sound mind. Along with the outline, Sam provided discussion questions for small group application.
Then Tony Mardian taught on “stirring up the Spirit-given resource of power.” He demonstrated from the scriptures how this enablement helps us to have the wisdom as well as the ability to fulfill our calling.
Seth Klayman inspirationally taught on “stirring up the Spirit-given resource of love.” The provision of God’s own love in our hearts moves us to make a difference for Messiah’s sake in our home and community. The men were both edified and encouraged by Seth’s excellent teaching.
Howard Silverman, an excellent expositor of the word, taught on “stirring up the Spirit-given resource of sound mind.” Demonstrating from the original language that having a sound mind is having a saved or redeemed mind; that is, being sane in an insane world. He went on to show how to develop this “sound mind” by learning how to inductively study the scriptures. All the men were especially challenged by his message, since it addressed the thought life from where our transformation stems (Romans 12:2). After each message there was both small group discussions on application, as well as much prayer that we would grow into the truth that we might make a greater impact in both sharing the Good News of Messiah as well as encouraging a greater discipleship that will lead to even greater witness and outreach.
As an afternoon ‘elective’ Sam taught the men on godly leadership in the home from 1 Timothy 3:4-5. Sam closed the conference speaking from 2 Timothy 2:1-2. “You are encouraged when you thereby encourage others.” Sam taught we’re entrusted to pass it on to others, since we are called to share Messiah “m’dor l’dor” (from generation to generation); but, to do so requires the same saving grace thru faith in Messiah to become our serving grace faith, all of which is eternally in Messiah Yeshua.
Of the comments received, one typifies what was generally said by the men: SK wrote, “To say that this weekend was time well spent is an understatement. It was life changing for me…”
Continue to pray that Word of Messiah continues working thru the congregations it is planting, as well as with our great Messianic ministries of God and will continue to not only get out the Good News to the Jew first and also to the Gentiles, but also to “make disciples” of men who will continue to share the message of Messiah from generation to generation until the Lord returns. To God be the glory!
* This refers to non-orthodox synagogues per Boston.com
** “U.S. Congregational Life Survey”, uscongregations.org/key.htm; Barna Reseach Online, barna.org; Pew Research Center; www.heritage.org; http://hirr.hartsem.edu; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 12 July 2002, findings based on the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1997).
READ MORE
Upcoming Events
High Holy Day Services
Childcare will be provided.
Sam Nadler
Sam's Speaking Events:Oct 1, 11:00 am: Hanes Memorial Bapt, Mooresboro, NC
Oct 1, 6:00 pm: Smith Grove Baptist, Forest City NC
Oct 8, 10:00 am: Calvary Chapel Richmond, VA
Oct 21, 10:00 am Devar Emet,Skokie, IL
Oct 22-23 Developing Healthy Messianic Congregations Conference
Oct 29, 10:00am: Rodgers Park Baptist, Kannapolis NC
SCHEDULE A SPEAKER
From the BOOKSTORE
+ Shipping & Handling
The Messianic Answer book is designed for believers in Yeshua (Jesus) to use in their witness to Jewish people. It addresses some of the most common questions Jewish people have regarding faith in Yeshua as the Messiah, such as: "How can a Jew believe in Jesus and still be Jewish?" / "If Messiah has already come, why isn't there peace?" / "Why the Holocaust?" / "If Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, then why don't most Jews believe in him?" In the back of the book are several testimonies of Jewish people who have come to faith in their Messiah, to further encourage and equip you in your witness.
VISIT OUR BOOKSTORE
TODAH! (Thank you!)
Your prayers and support are invaluable as we share the Good News, establish healthy Messianic congregations, and equip the Body of Messiah around the world in our shared calling to bring the Good News of Yeshua "to the Jew 1st and also to the Gentile."
GIVE ONE-TIME GIFT
Follow us on:
Word of Messiah Ministries
P.O Box 79238
Charlotte, North Carolina 28271, United States
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment