SABBATH SERVICES IN DECEMBER
Sabbath December 4rth - Hillsdale Location 2:00PM-6:00PM - This Sabbath was spent learning more of the vowel and consonant combinations of the Hebrew language. Memory drills also helped to solidify these concepts. A meal was served and fellowship ensued (special thanks to sister Judith for meal preps). The teaching portion of our study was from the Monte Judah series on Revelations and was a commentary on Revelations chapter 14 and 15. The topic was the Beast, the number of his name, and the fact that there will be some who will be able to identify the Beast before he makes his grand entrance onto the world stage. There were parallels drawn between Revelation 14, the 144,000 and those referred to in the book of Daniel 12: 4,10. The Idea that the symbolism perfectly matched the coat of arms for Prince Charles of England was proposed, inclusive of the Leopard, Bear, and Lion , which are the vestiges of the French, Prussian/German, and English alliances so named the Holy roman Empire in history. The Red dragon on the coat of arms is literally a title given by Wales, and denotes authority and power given to him upon whom it is bestowed. Another interesting note from Revelations 14 was that the 144,000, previously of mystery insofar as the text seems to imply they are virgins, is incorrect in Monte Judah's estimation. Monte teaches that this is a Torah principle and that these 144,000 will be virtuous, and untouched by paganism and manifest as a man or woman of Elohim. Another Torah principle is that if someone is speaking Torah, there can be no lie in the mouth of the Torah-speaker, and so saying that the 144,000 speak truth only.. Putting on the Tallit was seen as putting on righteousness, of which culminated the 3 characterizations of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelations 14. In all, regardless of whether Prince Charles of Wales will become the anti-Messiah, the study opened up some interesting possibilities and enlarged our view of this chapter in Revelations.
Sabbath Dec 11 Hillsdale Location 2:00-8:00PM - This Sabbath was spent learning the Hebrew consonants and vowels as well as some extra rules when reading Hebrew. We worked on memory drills and other exercises to increase our learning in this area. A Chanukah dinner was served of lamb, chicken, and many other fixings (special thanks to sister Judith) Fellowship ensued until sundown, upon which time we lit the candles, and spoke of the Chanukah story and allowed children to open the gifts. We hope to expand the Chanukah celebrations next year.
Sabbath Dec 18nth Hillsdale Location 2:00-7:00PM - We spent this Sabbath learning another study in Hebrew which dealt with the letters which can double as consonants or vowels in the word. We began to read several of these words and learn the English translation. After dinner (special thanks to sister Judith) we continued the studies a while longer, and then started the Monte Judah Revelation studies. The study was taken from Revelations 15-18. Monte views the seals, trumpets , and plagues as integrated during the great tribulation. The picture of the heavenly temple filled with smoke is a picture of Yom Kippur when the high priest would enter into the most set-apart room, and would burn incense such that the smoke would fill the room, and hide the face of Elohim. This is a pattern of the heavenly doings during the Day of the Lord. The song of Moses sang by the tribulation saints is patterned after the song of Moses sung by Israel after they were delivered from Pharaoh. Its a picture of the saints response after the mass exodus, the reuniting of the 2 tribes, and Elohim taking vengeance on the wicked. The thief in the night is likened to the High Priest who leaves the temple after the daily sacrifices have been lit and he entrusts the temple sacrifices to another priest who is to keep the fire kindled. Should the priest not stay awake and neglect his duty, the high priest will come along and find him sleeping, whereupon he will light the priests garment with hot coals, forcing the priest to jump up and tear his clothes off, and leaving the temple naked and in shame. Raising hands toward heaven during prayer symbolizes that the fire on the altar of our hearts burns, and the evening sacrifices are being done properly. The woman riding the beast is a female collection of religious practices which are a counterfeit to the woman in the desert, the Bride of Yahshua. Other ideas about the 7 mountains, and ten kings giving their authority to the beast were tied again to Hapsburg line, holy roman Empire renewed, and the 42 month period of his authority. Another good teaching with many pieces to frame in the greater context of prophecy.
Sabbath Dec 25th Hillsdale Location 2:00PM-6:00PM - This Sabbath study was spent learning some of the rules that govern how syllables are to be dissected in a Hebrew word. Several words were worked out by the group, and many of them we recognized such as Isha, Ish, and Torah. Appetizers as well as a meal was served (special thanks to sister Judith for meal and preps - traditional Musaba, warm spinach and artichoke dip, garlic spread, Mediterranean black bean soup, a green salad with middle eastern ingredients, garlic bread, and spiced chicken. It was all delicious. Also additional thanks to Sister Judith who provided child care). After Shabbat dinner, the Monte Judah Revelation study was taken from chapter 19. The chapter dealt with the characteristics of the Bride of Yahshua. The true definition of the Bride was seen as not preparing her own clothing, but she receives clothing, fine linen, white and clean from her Husband, the Messiah. The Clothing itself is seen as ornate, meaning the righteousness of the Saints, and pure white, without spot or wrinkle. Some marriage parallels were mentioned from Bereshite, about the creation of marriage and how marriage relationships most closely parallels the type of relationship the Bride will have with the Messiah. Just like husbands are called to love their wives, so the Messiah is called to love us, even in spite of our faults, sinfulness, and ugliness. Just as the wife is called to respect her husband, so also the Bride must respect Elohim, and hold him in esteem. The time of our sojourning now, is likened to the betrothal, and not yet the marriage, which shall come after Messiah returns to bring the bride up into the "marriage supper of the Lamb." The Tribulation is the means whereby the Bride shall make herself pure, as in a trial by fire, which will refine her, and make her pure in order to receive the clean heavenly clothing. An interesting aside to Monte preaching was the notion spoken by those who refuse the truths in the scriptures, that they would rather "rule in hell than serve in Heaven." However, as Monte teaches, the devil is not in control of Hell. In fact, people have two choices. Either they serve with the favor of Elohim, in his Kingdom, and in blessing, or they shall be forced to serve in Hell with Elohim's disgust upon such disobedient souls. Some scriptures which relate to the Revelation 19 passage, in the TaNaKh, are Isaiah 60:4, 61:10, 62:1-4, 63:7.