GIVING &
SHARING NEWSLETTER September,
1992 No. 19
Learning
More About Biblical Festivals
Biblical Holy
Days provide a gold mine of spiritual insight. Our book, Biblical Holy
Days, is the result of countless hours of prayerful Bible Study, and
reading many books and literature from numerous sources. As I have said before, we have just barely
scratched the surface in understanding the Festivals of the Almighty. Once in a while, we discover material new
to us, explaining even more fully the purpose and meaning of these sacred
times. If I had all the Truth, there
would be no need for further study.
Even the Apostle Paul had to admit that he saw through a glass darkly. The more we learn, the more we should
realize that there is much that we do not know.
It may be
unsettling to realize that, at times, other people have a better
understanding of God’s ways than we do.
If we are honest, we should admit that many times we can learn from
others. I’d like to discuss an example.
Rabbi David
Chernoff, a Messianic Jew, believes the Children of Israel should keep the
Biblical Festivals. He and hundreds of
thousands of others[1] are
beginning to study the Holy Days and celebrate them with Messianic
significance. In a series of eight
cassette tapes, Chernoff explains the importance of all the major Festivals of
Israel, plus other celebrations such as Purim, Year of Jubilee, and
Hanukkah. Chernoff notes that tens of
thousands of non-Jewish Messianic believers are keeping the annual Feast of
Booths, or Sukkot, in Jerusalem.
He believes that this is a sign of the Messiah’s Second Coming. Learning more about the Biblical Holy Days,
and celebrating them, is helping to prepare many hearts for Messiah’s return,
when the Festivals will be an important part of His Millennial reign (Zechariah
14). You cannot learn the
lessons the Almighty wants for you to learn, without keeping the annual Holy
Days! Studying the Holy Days
is good, but keeping them is much better.
I rejoice that
many others are coming to believe in the Biblical Holy Days. There are many interesting points Rabbi
Chernoff brings up in his tapes. For
example, in his tape on “Sukkot, The Prophetic Feast of Tabernacles,” Chernoff
points out that God doesn’t want us to work on the annual Sabbaths, because He
doesn’t want us to be distracted from learning from Him. We should give our best time to YHVH. Dwelling in booths, huts, temporary
dwellings, at the Feast of Tabernacles, teaches us that God provides for us
supernaturally. Our lives are
impermanent, and we need to trust in God, and not forget what God has done for
us. The Feast of Tabernacles is
prophetic of the Almighty’s divine protection of His people during the coming
Great Tribulation.
I disagree
with Rabbi Chernoff on some things. He
feels, wrongly, that only Jews are required to keep the Festivals, although
Gentiles can gain spiritual insight by keeping them as well. The Truth is, God’s Sabbaths are for all
mankind. Chernoff is confused about the
Last Great Day of the Feast, which is Tishri 22, not Tishri 23 as he says. We do not recommend that you follow Chernoff
in a Sivan 6 Pentecost or a Seder Passover supper. But in general, Rabbi Chernoff has a great deal of insight to
many aspects of the Biblical Holy Days.
We can learn from someone who deeply appreciates and relishes the
significance of God’s Sacred Appointments.
Passing
of John I. Ajalli
I never met
him, but I loved him. For more than a
dozen years, I got to know him through correspondence. Giving & Sharing has published several
of his articles. Elder John Ajalli of
Nigeria recently died of an unknown ailment, accompanied by swelling and
coughing. He is survived by his wife
Margrett, two sons and five daughters.
He was converted in 1973, and ordained to the ministry in 1977. He was a teacher by profession, and at his
death was Principal of a Secondary School.
His friend, Elder Joseph Orie, describes Ajalli as “a hard- working
evangelist. He was so helpful to the
Church in many ways . . . . the Lord willing, we shall meet in His Kingdom.” May we all exhibit the gentle, patient,
spirit of John I. Ajalli.
Common
Sense Medicine From Dr. Unruh
In the tradition of the late Dr. Robert S.
Mendelsohn (who wrote the excellent book, Confessions of a Medical Heretic),
Dr. Allen Unruh publishes a variety of helpful brochures covering nutrition,
exercises, and chiropractic solutions to back pain. As a practicing chiropractor for 22 years, Dr. Unruh’s
educational brochures are written for the layman. We highly recommend that you write for a listing to: Complete Health Communications, 600 N.
Western Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Ω