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The New Moon
The Word and The Spirit on The New Moon The subject of New Moon observance is one that seems to receive scant attention, even among those who keep Sabbath and the Feast Days of YHVH. Let us examine the Scriptural record regarding this time. In chapters 28 and 29 of the book of Numbers instructions for offerings are given. Following is a breakdown of these two chapters: From Chapter 28: vss. 1-8 Daily offerings vss. 9-10 Sabbath offerings vss. 11-15 New Moon offerings vs. 16 Passover is not explained because it is by nature an offering vss. 17-25 Feast of Unleavened Bread with vs. 24 noting these offerings are for each day vss. 26-31 Feast of Pentecost offerings From Chapter 29: vss. 1-6 Feast of Trumpets offerings vss. 7-11 Day of Atonement offerings vss. 12-40 Feast of Tabernacles offerings day by each of the eight days The New Moon is set apart with its own separate offerings in the midst of special holy days that are nearly all Sabbaths. In fact, the word “Feast” in this passage is from a Hebrew word (Strong’s #4150) that means “appointment” or refers to a fixed “time”. The New Moon is a fixed time that this Scripture indicates is appointed unto its own functions. Chris Barr Unregistered User (3/11/02 2:20:37 am) Reply I Samuel 20:5, 18 and 24-26 vs. 5 And David said unto Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat . . .” vs. 18 Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you shall be missed, because your seat will be empty.”
vss. 24-26 . . . and when the New Moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. . . .
and David’s place was empty. Nevertheless Saul spoke not any thing that day: for he thought, “Something has befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.”
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 2:23:57 am)
Reply II Kings 4:22-23
vss. 22-23 And she called unto her husband, and said, “Send me, I pray you, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of Elohim, and come again.” And he said, “For what reason will you go to him today? It is neither New Moon, nor Sabbath. . . .”
The Shunammite woman sent word to her husband that she was sending for Elisha "the man of Elohim". Her husband was perplexed as to why she would send for "the man of Elohim" because ". . . it is neither New Moon, nor Sabbath." The indication is that both New Moon and Sabbath were times to gather after a holy manner.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 2:33:30 am)
Reply I Chronicles 23:31; II Chronicles 2:4, 8:13, 31:3
vs. 31 And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto YHVH in the Sabbaths, in the New Moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before YHVH.
Here is a reminder to always observe Sabbaths, New Moons and the Feasts of YHVH.
The next reference in a similar vein is in II Chronicles 2:4.
vs. 4 Behold, I build an house to the name of YHVH my Elohim, to dedicate it to Him, to burn before Him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings, morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, and on the New Moons, and on the solemn Feasts of YHVH our Elohim. This is an ordinance forever to Israel.
Solomon proclaimed this reminder to observe Sabbath, New Moons and the Feasts of YHVH. In this case there is an additional notation not found previously: "This is an ordinance forever ..."
Another reference to Solomon observing New Moons is found in II Chronicles 8:13.
vs. 13 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the New Moons, and on the solemn Feasts, three time in the year, even in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Tabernacles.
The next citation of New Moons is in II Chronicles 31:3.
vs. 3 He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, and for the New Moons, and for the set Feasts, as written in the law of YHVH.
This verse records the declaration of Hezekiah to observe Sabbaths, New Moons and the Feasts of YHVH. This was a period of rediscovery and restoration of the divine commands of YHVH by King Hezekiah after more than 200 years of evil kings and wickedness in Israel since the time of King Solomon.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 2:40:59 am)
Reply Ezra 3:5; Nehemiah 10:28-33
Another period of rediscovery and restoration was after the return to the land from captivity that gave us the record that was recorded as follows:
vs. 5 And afterward the continual burnt offering, both of the New Moons and of all the set Feasts of YHVH that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto YHVH.
Once again we find the New Moon mentioned with ". . . all of the set Feasts of YHVH . . ."
This same period of renewal is also cited in Nehemiah 10:28-33 noting those returning from captivity ". . . that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of Elohim . . . to walk in Elohim's law . . . to observe and do all the commandments of YHVH our Adonay, and His judgments and His statutes . . . of the Sabbaths, of the New Moons, for the set Feasts . . . and all the work of the house of our Elohim."
Observance of the New Moons was one identifier of the people who would be 00a0000000000000000000000 part00 of YHVH, separated from “the people of the lands unto the law of Elohim”.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 2:47:33 am)
Reply Isaiah 1:13-14; 66:22-23
The writings of the prophets are a rich source of information on the New Moon, commencing with the book of Isaiah. The New Moons figure prominently at the beginning and ending of the prophecies of Isaiah. In the first chapter we read:
vs. 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the New Moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
vs. 14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
YHVH notes His distaste with the keeping of all His holy days by His people when they do not live for Him. He tells them He does not want them to bring sacrifices because they carry no meaning for this people in sin, and yet He cannot do away with New Moons and Sabbaths. These are appointed times that He has fixed.
These people are not keeping His times in a holy manner. YHVH refers to their keeping them as “YOUR New Moons and YOUR appointed Feasts . . .” that He hates, is troubled by, and wearied of, as they have appropriated His times for themselves.
Isaiah concludes with the same subject as he began as recorded in the final chapter of his prophecy.
vs. 22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, says YHVH, so shall your seed and your name remain.
vs. 23 And it shall come to pass, from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, says YHVH.
At the end of this book of Isaiah, referring to the establishment by YHVH of His kingdom with the new heavens and the new earth, YHVH declares that all flesh will appear before Him for worship on every New Moon and Sabbath.
The prophecy begins and ends with the declaration by YHVH as to the permanency of Sabbath and New Moon observance. He cannot even do away with the observance of these times by wicked peoples, and will eventually reign victoriously by these times throughout eternity.
Truly His Word is TRUTH (John 17:17), He changes not (Malachi 3:6), and He is yesterday, today and forever the same (Hebrews 13:8).
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 2:54:39 am)
Reply Ezekiel 45:17; 46:1-6
The prophet Ezekiel references the New Moons in several instances, initially in chapter 45.
vs. 17 . . . in the Feasts, and in the New Moons, and in the Sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel.
The New Moons are noted in the midst of the Feasts and Sabbaths as “solemn” times of observance.
The very next chapter further defines the importance and purpose of this time as recorded by this great prophet Ezekiel in chapter 46.
vs. 1 So says Adonay YHVH; “The gate of the inner court that looks toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the New Moon it shall be opened.”
The eastern gate was commanded by YHVH to remain shut except on Sabbath and New Moon, giving a special and similar significance to New Moon as to Sabbath.
vs. 3 “Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before YHVH in the Sabbaths and in the New Moons."
The New Moons are a commanded time of “worship” along with the Sabbaths! Ezekiel 46:6 then follows with a notation as to the offerings to be given at New Moon.
The record of the prophet Ezekiel is that New Moon is a time to be solemnly gathered together for worship unto YHVH.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 2:59:59 am)
Reply Hosea 2:11
The prophet Hosea declares judgment from YHVH in the second chapter.
vs. 11 “I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her Feast days, her New Moons, and her Sabbaths, and all00 her solemn Feasts.”
00 00
In this declaration by YHVH of His judgment on adulterous Israel, He proclaims that He will remove all her joy from ". . . her Feast days, her New Moons, and her Sabbaths . . .", denoting that New Moons are joyous times of celebration.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 3:02:24 am)
Reply Amos 8:5
In the eighth chapter of Amos is a recording of disdain for greedy merchants.
vs.5 Saying, when will the New Moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?
Even greedy merchants who cheat their customers would not violate the Sabbath by conducting business on this day. This proscription against transacting business on the Sabbath is also noted by the prophet Amos for the New Moon!
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 3:08:25 am)
Reply Colossians 2:16-17
The apostle Paul in the New Testament wrote to the saints at Colosse about the New Moon in chapter 2 of his epistle to the Colossians.
vs. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a Holy Day, or of the New Moon, or of the Sabbath:
vs. 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; . . .
This passage is one of the dearest in all Scripture to me as it was instrumental in bringing me to the truth of the law, Sabbath and Holy Days of YHVH.
The key is found in verse 17: "Which are a shadow of things to come". Under the New Covenant, when Paul was writing, these observances still ARE! The passage does not read "were", as is so frequently taught, and otherwise noted in commentaries. These times have not ceased. Don't let any man tell you that you don't have to be bothered with these observances (verse 8 identifies such men as worldly). These times are not a bother. The Scriptural record is that these are times of joy and celebration.
Follow the body of Mashiach in the observance of these blessed times. Please note that once again the New Moon is included right between Holy Day and Sabbath.
A return to the Old Testament will further the understanding of the New Moon with an examination of Scripture about trumpets.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 3:24:56 am)
Reply The roles of TRUMPETS
The tenth chapter of Numbers is the first mention in Scripture about New Moon.
vs. 10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your Elohim: I am YHVH your Elohim.
The “beginnings of your months” are the New Moons. The context of this chapter is that of trumpets and their purpose.
vs. 1 And YHVH spoke unto Moses, saying,
vs. 2 Make you two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shall you make them: that you may use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
vs. 3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to you at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
vs. 4 And if they blow with one, then the princes, heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
vs. 5 When you blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
vs. 6 When you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
vs. 7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.
vs. 8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance forever throughout your generations.
vs. 9 And if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresses you, t0hen you blow an alarm wit00h the tru0mpets; and you shall be remembered before YHVH your Elohim, and you shall be saved from your enemies.
YHVH instructed Moses to use trumpets for two purposes as recorded in vs. 2: 1) the calling of the assembly (as in Joel 2:15-17), and 2) the journeying of the camps (as in Jeremiah 4:5).
YHVH uses repetition to teach these purposes in the same order as given in verse 2, alternating back and forth: 1) the calling of the assembly (vs. 3 and again in vss. 7-8), and 2) the journeying of the camps as an alarm (vss. 4-6 “time to move on” and vs. 9 “time for war”).
Verse 10 is a notation to also blow the trumpet over the offerings of your special days that include the New Moon. This is a time to gather together before YHVH!
Numbers 29:1 set forth the Feast of Shoutings (Trumpets) as a day of "holy convocation" or gathering together per Numbers 10:7 in which ". . . you shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing trumpets to you." The implication here is that if the trumpet was blown for services, then the day was at least treated like a Sabbath in which no servile work was performed.
The Scriptural record for the observance of New Moon is as a day to gather together for worship in joyful celebration, and to cease from work and business. Although this day is never called out in Scripture to be a Sabbath, it is at least treated as a Sabbath by application.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 3:51:01 am)
Reply New Moon Origin or Inception
The origin or inception of New Moon observance is not given in Scripture. As noted previously, the first mention of this time is in the book of Numbers. However, reference the Scriptures in Psalms 81 that denote the observance of the New Moon predates the giving of the Law to Moses by at least several hundred years.
vs. 1 Sing aloud unto Elohim our strength: make a joyful noise unto Elohim of Jacob.
vs. 2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
vs. 3 Blow up the trumpet in the New Moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn Feast day.
vs. 4 For this was a statute for Israel, a law of Elohim of Jacob.
vs. 5 This He ordained in Joseph a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: I heard a language I understood not.
vs. 6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
The psalmist is exhorting the reader to praise and leads directly into the keeping of the New Moon, which he then notes was “ordained in Joseph”. At least as far back as Joseph this observance was known and kept. It helped to sustain Joseph in his days of slavery “when he went out through the land of Egypt” and “heard a language” which he didn’t understand, until he was removed from his slavery (vs. 6) through his faithfulness to YHVH. The observance of the New Moon is here identified as a central tenet of the faithfulness of Joseph.
Another central key to this passage is the phrase “in the time appointed” that is actually one Hebrew word that identifies the ‘time appointed’ that the New Moon is to be kept by. This word is 3677 in Strong’s and is noted as probably ‘fulness’ or ‘the full moon’ . . . but also noted as apparently from 3680 in Strong’s.
This word (3680 in Strong’s) is noted as “a primitive root: probably to cover (for clothing or secrecy):--clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm.” This word is noted as a comparative to 3780 in Strong’s.
This word (3780 in Strong’s) is noted as “a primitive root; to grow fat (i.e. be covered with flesh): --be covered. This word is cast back comparatively to 3680 in Strong’s again.
The implication of this word through this completed etymology then is that of concealment. Darkness covers, conceals, hides or overwhelms, while light illuminates or reflects. The moon only gives light as a reflection of the sun. Therefore “the time appo00inted” relates the New Moon0 as actual00ly when the New Moon is fully new, that is, completely darkened.
This completely fits with the picture that Paul gives us in Colossians of the ‘shadow’ that this time, and all of the appointed times of YHVH, represents as to types and shadows. The New Moon is both the beginning and ending of the cycle of the moon even as YahShua is “the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end”.
Psalm 81 notes the New Moon as a time of comfort and sustenance to Joseph when he was enslaved in Egypt. The Scriptures teach Egypt is a type of sin and idolatry. The only other place that 3677 from Strong’s is used is in a passage that deals with succumbing to the enslavement of the sin of adultery, which is idolatry i.e. the placing of one’s lust for the creation above the creator.
Proverbs chapter seven speaks of a tempting adulteress trying to seduce one into her bed with an assurance of sorts.
vs. 19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
vs. 20 He has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
Translated as “the day appointed”, there is no assurance of safety. It is in essence saying “It’s OK to come into my bed because ‘the goodman’ will not be home until ‘whenever he gets home’”. Yet the Bible I looked up this Scripture in has a footnote to “the day appointed” and in the margin reference it is printed “Or, the new moon”.
This makes sense of the passage. It gives an assuredness to the passage by relating a specific time. That time is sensible because the ‘goodman’ would come home for the New Moon.
There are many that will say the first crescent must be observed because that is how the Jews observe New Moon. Yet this is a tradition which can only be traced back as far as the Babylonian captivity. There are no records of this tradition prior to Babylon.
Read the accounts of Nehemiah and Ezra. The Jews had to relearn the appointed times after captivity because they had forgotten them. They also took out pagan, Babylonian names for the months ('Nisan' instead of the Scriptural 'Abib', etc.), and eventually fashioned the talmud filled with rules, regulations and other non- and extra-Biblical traditions after the manner of Babylonian writings -- for which our Saviour soundly condemned them:
“Well has Isaiah prophesied …
‘This people honors Me with their lips … in vain do they worship Me’ ...
Full well you reject the commandment of Elohim that you may keep YOUR OWN TRADITION … Making the Word of Elohim of none effect THROUGH YOUR TRADITION,
which you have delivered."
(Mark 7:6-13)
The only pre-Babylonian record is the Biblical one recorded in Psalms 81. Will you prefer 2500 years of man’s traditions or the inspired Word of YHVH? I will stand in the company of Joshua, “ . . . as for me and my house, we will serve YHVH.” (Joshua 24:15)
As I was writing this manuscript I actually had Psalm 81:3 between the historical books and the writings of the prophets. I had decided to delete this Scripture at that point and only mention it at the end of this discourse as a controversial passage of Scripture.
As I deleted it The Ruach ha Kadosh of The Almighty spoke to me, “What are you doing?” I responded “I’m deleting this unclear passage.” The Ruach ha Kadosh responded, “Read it again.”
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 3:54:37 am)
Reply Interjection
I would interject here a thought that my wife had as I sat down to begin this treatise. She spoke to me of the Scripture in Genesis 3:2 about the Spirit of YHVH moving upon the face of the waters in the darkness of creation before there was light upon the earth. She wondered aloud whether this could relate to the conjunctive, dark moon as being the New Moon. I responded to her that it was an interesting thought.
My wife had been reading “The Prophetic Word”, a book of over 1100 pages in tiny print by John Quincy Adams (00circa 1924) during the whole00 time I was 00writing. Adams was a Sabbath keeper who also kept the New Moon and Feast Days.
In fact, I was preparing this, and she was reading and meditating, as part of our New Moon observance.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 4:04:24 am)
Reply The Ruach and Ha Devar Et Elohim
As I went to check Psalm 81 again my wife asked what I was doing. I told her of the prompting by The Ruach ha Kadosh of The Almighty as I started to delete Psalm 81:3.
After reading this again in Scripture, I consulted my Exegeses Bible, then my Hebrew Interlinear, and finally my Strong’s concordance. As I just got to the appropriate page in the concordance, my wife bolted up from the reclining position she had been reading from and declared “It’s the conjunction!” I said “What?” and she repeated with fervor, “It’s the conjunction.”
It was then that I discovered the series of Hebrew words which revealed just that from numbers 3677, 3680 and 3780 in Strong’s.
As for what to do on this day, I would repeat what I have previously noted: the Scriptural record for the observance of New Moon is as a day to gather together for worship in joyful celebration, and to cease from work and business. Although this day is never called out in Scripture to be a Sabbath, it is at least treated as a Sabbath by application.
One suggestion I would have is to follow after the offering set forth in the portion that follows. It is from John Quincy Adams, an apostle of our YHVH and Saviour, given in the first half of the 20th century.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 4:10:40 am)
Reply THE OBSERVANCE OF THE NEW MOON
adapted from Great Memorial Days
by John Quincy Adams
The monthly, New Moon observance memorializes the fact that our Eternal ever maintains His work among men . . .
Any great Memorial Day of YHVH should be observed by rest and worship. Let us here give a special virtue that we find in this blessed Monthly New Moon observance.
New Year Resolutions are a very familiar tradition. Their purpose is to meditate on the failure or shortcomings in the past year, and to meditate on the things that especially you would like to attain unto or perform in the course of the new, coming year -- and then to draw up a few rules or resolutions that will best prevent recurrence of such shortcomings again, and will best aid attaining certain special feats in the New Year.
By the time most have gone very far into the year, they usually have wholly forgotten their list of resolutions. Then they just wait until the next year.
Why not draw up such plan or program on every New Moon, just for the coming month? Here are a few suggestions:
1. This month I shall read certain Bible Book or Bible Books through, or, so many (designate the number) of Bible chapters.
2. This month I shall try to testify so many times (and choose some number).
3. This month I shall write - and plan to whom, or on what subject, Divine theme/topic.
4. This month I shall try to see how many current events I personally can relate to fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
5. This month I shall memorize certain song or songs.
6. This month I shall memorize certain Bible verses.
7. This month I shall mark my Bible on certain theme (or themes) or points.
8. This month I shall try to give what number of public discourses.
9. This month I shall try to read what Book, new or old, something you deem worthy.
10. This month I shall call a voluntary 15-minute meeting for each morning in our home. Whoever of the household will, may join for prayer, Bible reading, singing, etc.
Consider Planning the Monthly New Moon of YHVH Instead of the Annual New Year of the World
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 4:19:20 am)
Reply ADDENDUM - THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT ON THE NEW MOON
The New Moon observance is a day noted with great freq00uency throughout the Scripture00s. Note the ve00ry last and VERY important final mention of this day.
Paul notes its continuance in Colossians 2:16-17. He instructs the Colossian believers not to let any unbelievers judge them with regard to 1) eating and drinking (daily), 2) Sabbaths (weekly), 3) New Moons (monthly) and on 4) Feast Days (annually). Warnings against the influence of unbelievers from whence the Colossian believers had previously come out are the consistent focus of chapter 2, and for that matter of the entire epistle.
Verse 17 has been mistranslated, misinterpreted and misused. It refers back to those things above from verse 16 as ARE, in the present tense. Yet commentaries and teachers note these same things are no more, that they WERE, in past tense -- in direct contradiction to what the passage clearly states.
In order that the contradiction appear to have some merit the contrary conjunctive word "but" is subsequently placed in the verse by translators for the Greek word 'de'. This then requires the insertion of the verb "is" in the clause that follows to make grammatical sense of this particular rendering of the passage. However, the word "is" does not appear in the actual text that the translators have to work from. There is a good reason it is not in the actual text. It does not belong there.
The Greek word 'de' occurs hundreds of times in the New Testament. It is NEVER translated "but" except in cases where a blatant black and white contrast is set forth such as between good and evil. Colossians 2:17 has been mistranslated in order to square with the erroneous theology of translators.
There are those who seek to use this apparent adversative clause to teach not to let any judge you EXCEPT the Body. Such then seek to use this verse as a leverage to justify control over others for the when, where and how of these matters.
The Greek word 'de' is overwhelmingly continuative in its application throughout Scripture. There is no need to 'fix' Scripture in Colossians 2:17 with an addition of the verb “is” as though there were an inadequacy in the text. It should not be a surprise to anyone that there is in fact no inadequacy in the text at all.
The point Paul is making is an affirmation of the foregoing Biblical precepts for the Gentile believers at Colosse. He is shoring up their newfound faith against the influences of former cohorts who are yet unbelievers. He is combating those who would tell them “what they don’t have to do”. He is not trying to set up a contrasting justification for those who would tell them “what they do have to do”.
Now read the corrected translation of verse 17 with reference to the items of verse 16 (including the New Moon):
"Which ARE a shadow of things to come and the body of Mashiach."
The items of verse 16 (including the New Moon) still ARE a shadow of BOTH things to come AND the body of Mashiach. They have future kingdom applications and address our own living as a body of believers in this day as well!
These verses logically either do away with all four categories, or enforce all four. Either Catholicism and her Protestant daughters are right in saying that 1) dietary laws (Leviticus 11), 2) Sabbaths (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5), 3) New Moons (Numbers 10; Psalm 81; Colossians 2) and 4) Feasts of YHVH (Leviticus 23) are a case of the past and these verses indicate so, or one has to admit that these verses prove and enforce all four 'decrees' that Christians are to live by.
To pick one (e.g. Sabbath, like the Seventh-Day Baptists), or two (e.g. Sabbath and unclean food, like the Seventh-Day Adventists), or even three (e.g. Sabbath, unclean food, Feasts of YHVH, like those from an RCG/WWCG background) is inconsistent.
Tertullian chastised the hierarchy of his day in the third century, writing with regard to its members "… who are strangers to Sabbaths, and N00ew Moons, and Festivals, once ac0ceptable to God;00 the saturnalia (christmas), the feasts of january, the brumalia, and matronalia are now frequented; gifts are carried to 0and fro, new year's day presents are made with din, and sports and banquets are celebrated with uproar; oh, how much more faithful are the heathen to their religion, who take special care to adopt no solemnity from the christians" (from Tertullian's 'De Idolatrica', c. 14, volume i., page 682, cited in Hislop's 'The Two Babylons', page 93).
There are special blessings to be received from honoring YHVH at the New Moon. However, honoring Him at this time will not come initially without a fight from the enemy in my experience. Those I have observed who have seen their commitment through the initial period of struggling have received subsequent blessings greater than the struggle.
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 4:20:56 am)
Reply NOW ...
(drum roll please)
Chris Barr
Unregistered User
(3/11/02 4:22:44 am)
Reply ... WHAT will you DO ...
.. with this DAY?!?!?!?
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