​​Welcome  to    Joy By Surprise

The aim of this article is threefold:
 

1. To make the reader aware that YaHuWaH the Almighty Elohim of Israel uses His own calendar as the basis of His 'diary' to organize His work on earth; and that He has already appointed certain days, seasons and years in it during which He will perform His mightiest deeds in the Program of Salvation.
2. That the Almighty is about to draw universal attention to those appointed times by displaying signs in the sun, moon and stars.
3. That the nation of Israel is still the chosen people of Elohim; and that believing Gentiles, by virtue of their faith in YAHUSHUA the Messiah are grafted into the 'Olive of Israel' and are, thereafter, expected to express their faith in YaHuWaH the Elohim of Israel by keeping His commandments.

The reader is advised to carefully preserve this booklet, for it contains rare information concerning the appointed days on which divinely predicted signs in the sun, moon and stars are expected; signs which will not only confirm the Holy Bible as the Word of Elohim, but will cause all humanity to prepare for the Day of Judgement. With these opening thoughts in mind let us proceed.

The Need for a Calendar

Pause a while and consider the civil calendar hanging on your living room or office wall and ask yourself these questions. Why is it there? What is its true purpose? Where and how did the calendar originate? Is a calendar essential?

Your response would probably go something like this. The calendar is there to help me, my family and my fellow-workers keep track of time. Its purpose is to keep us in touch with appointments and events at home, in the office and abroad. No, I have little knowledge of where and how it originated.

Before answering the next question, Is it essential? try to imagine a world without a calendar; a world without pre-numbered days, months and years. Could society operate in a world without a calendar? I suppose it could - after a fashion; but it would be a crippled society at best. Why? Because planning further than a few days ahead would not be possible. All official, social, religious and sporting appointments would be extremely difficult to make; for no one would know on which day to meet. The entire legal profession, with its millions of carefully dated documents, would also be thrown into a state of total chaos. The activities of travel agents, airlines, hospital/dental surgeries and countless business organizations and clubs would slow to a snail's pace; for no one would be able to organize events more than a few days ahead. Without a calendar there would be no diaries, no long-term business, social or personal planning. Without question, a world without a calendar would be a world of frustrating confusion. Yes, you may be sure that a calendar of some sort is absolutely essential.

Currently there are several calendars in use throughout the world. Most are religious calendars used mainly to identify the dates of religious festivals celebrated by the faithful of the world's many religions. Among these is the sacred calendar of YaHuWaH the Elohim of Israel, the calendar this booklet is about. The sacred calendar is based on the movements of the sun and the moon. It is also linked directly to many Bible prophecies which describe world-encompassing events shortly to take place. Bible prophecy clearly tells us that there is coming a 'great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.' After the tribulation there will be 'signs in the heavens.'

Knowledge of the sacred calendar will stand you in good stead when those signs in the heavens appear. But more of this later.

The Gregorian Calendar

Besides the various religious calendars being used by mankind, there is the popular civil or Gregorian calendar. This is the calendar that hangs on the wall of almost every office in the civilized world. The Gregorian calendar takes its name from Pope Gregory X111, who reformed the Roman calendar in the year 1582. Before that time the civil calendar was called the Julian calendar, after the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar who had also made some alterations to the calendar in the year 46 BC. One of Caesar's amendments was to pattern the civil calendar on the calendar of ancient Egypt, which was at that time the only calendar in which the lengths of the months and years were fixed by definite rules. In other words, the civil calendar which hangs upon your office wall is similar in structure to the calendar that was used in ancient Egypt. Like its Egyptian ancestor, the civil calendar is governed by the sun alone, and its months (January to December) are in no way influenced by the moon. In the civil calendar a new moon can occur on any day in the month; days begin in the middle of the night (0.00 hour) and years (in the northern hemisphere) begin in the middle of winter on the 1st January.

The Sacred Calendar

By comparison the sacred calendar is strikingly different. In it the days begin and end at sunset, months begin at the sighting of a new moon and the years begin in Israel's spring, when nature awakens from its winter sleep. Not surprisingly, therefore, many creatures from tiny birds keeping to their 14, 21 or 28 day cycles, right through to the complex human body, are designed to keep in step with the weekly and monthly periods of the Creator's calendar.

Interesting though these points may be, they are, nevertheless, of small account when compared with these two all-encompassing facts:

• That YaHuWaH 's main objective in designing the sacred calendar was to enable His worshipers to identify and keep their spiritual appointments with Him - on the sacred days of His choosing.
• That the Almighty would never do anything which concerns the human race without first telling His servants the prophets. Surely Adonai YaHuWaH will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)

The Most High not only reveals His plans to His servants the prophets, but, like every good managing director, His plans are carried out on schedule - at appointed times. And those appointed times are all linked to the sacred calendar, which has been in existence since the creation of the world. We read of the sacred calendar's use in the account of Noah's flood which was over 800 years before Israel came out of Egypt.

Here we can see that the sacred calendar was in use many hundreds of years before the first Jew (Judah) was born. The sacred calendar is in fact the oldest calendar known to man; and, if we may put it thus, is the only one that is linked to the diary of YaHuWaH, Elohim of Israel. We therefore, consider it an inestimable privilege to tell you about it; to briefly explain its structure and above all to help you keep your weekly and annual appointments with the Creator of the mighty universe. With these thoughts in mind let us begin by defining some of the basic terms used in this booklet.

In the sacred calendar a 24 hour day is the period of time between one sunset and the next. According to the Scriptures, days begin and end at sunset and are divided into two parts, evening and morning.

Evening: When the Sun is Down

Mark 1:32 : And at even, when the sun did set…For further proof that days start and end at evening, sunset, at the going down of the sun, see Joshua 8:29, Joshua 10:26-27, 1 Kings 22:35-36, 2 Chron.18:34, 2 Samuel 3:35

Morning: when the sun is up.

Thus in Genesis chapter 1 we read how "the evening and the morning were the first day," "the evening and the morning were the second day," "the evening and the morning were the third day" and so on.

A month in the sacred calendar is measured by the moon. A month is the period of time between one new moon and the next. A month begins when the new moon is sighted with the naked eye. The moon orbits the earth in about 29.5 days. Months in the sacred calendar may, therefore, be either 29 or 30 days in length: they cannot be 28 or 31 days in length. Note that the new moon mentioned here is not the astronomical new moon (conjunction), which is invisible; but the visible new moon as it is first sighted with the naked eye by an observer at Jerusalem. This point is explained further in Part Two, Question 1.

Months in the sacred calendar are usually, though not always, referred to in Scripture by their numbers, not by their names: i.e. 1st month, 2nd month, 3rd month, 7th month etc. Unlike most weekdays, however, months in the sacred calendar do have proper names, most of which are found in the Bible. The names of months are given below:

Note:
When a 13th month is periodically added to keep the sacred Feasts 'in their seasons,' (agricultural seasons) then the 12th month is called Adar 1 and the 13th month is called Veadar or Adar 2. In the literature published by us we usually refer to months by number. We do this for two reasons:

• Because Bible writers mostly do so.
• In order that believers will remember that the religious year starts with the 1st month of Aviv (Nisan) and not the 7th month of Ethanim (Tishri). Using numbers helps keep the position of a month in focus; and believers will know exactly how far into the year they have progressed. Using names alone does not guarantee this.

A year in the sacred calendar begins in Israel's spring (March/April) and is the time between one spring season and the next. When the sacred calendar is printed in advance the new moon nearest the spring equinox is chosen to begin the year; that is, the new moon which normally coincides with the natural conditions in Israel which the ancient Sanhedrin looked for when they selected Aviv's new moon. See the answer to Question 2 at the back of this booklet concerning the choice of Aviv's new moon.

Most years in the sacred calendar consist of 12 months, each of 29 or 30 days. Thus, assuming six months at 29 days and six months at 30 days, a normal year would contain about 354 days. This figure is about 11.25 days short of a 365.25 day solar year, which is the time the earth takes to complete one orbit of the sun. In order to ensure that the Feasts of the Most High occur at their appointed seasons (Passover in the Spring, First Fruits in the summer and Tabernacles in the Autumn) it is necessary for this 11 day annual loss to be made good every two or three years. This is done by intercalating (adding) an extra month after the twelfth month to make the calendar harmonize with the solar year and the agricultural seasons. This extra month (Adar 2) results in a leap year - which has 13 months. See Part 2, Question 5 for further details about leap years.

To summarize the foregoing we may say that in the sacred calendar:

• A day begins and ends at sunset, at the going down of the sun.
• A month begins and ends when the new moon is sighted by an observer at Jerusalem. Months are either 29 or 30 days in length.
• A year begins in Israel's spring with the new moon nearest (before or after) the spring equinox. Ordinary years have 12 months and leap years have 13 months.

Note: In the popular Jewish calendar the year begins in autumn with the 7th month of Tishri. Strictly, this is the start of the agricultural year. The religious year begins in the spring with the Passover 1st month of Aviv (Nisan).

In ancient times, years were usually numbered from important events such as a ruler's birth, coronation or death. Examples are:

The week is another important cycle operating within the sacred calendar. It was designed by the Most High to regulate the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of the human race. Peoples of all religions have a seven day week; a fact which is strong proof that all nations came from a common ancestor who received the seven-day week from the Creator. At first glance the week appears to have no connection whatsoever with the movements of the earth, the moon and the sun. The week, however, forms the basis of an important spiritual cycle of sevens, which we refer to as the Sabbatical cycle. The sabbatical cycle figures extensively in Bible prophecy. The Sabbatical/Jubilee cycles mentioned in Leviticus chapter 25 are briefly described later in this booklet.

In the sacred calendar the days of the week are not named but numbered: first day, second day, third day etc. The main exception being the seventh day of the week, which is called the Sabbath. In the Roman civil calendar, the one currently used by virtually all the world, the days of the week are named after various pagan or planetary gods:

• 1st day Sunday: named after the Sun god.
• 2nd day Monday: named after the Moon god.
• 3rd day Tuesday: named after Tiu, an ancient Teutonic deity.
• 4th day Wednesday: named after Woden, a god in Norse mythology, associated with the Roman god (and planet) Mercury.
• 5th day Thursday: named after Thor, the supreme god in Norse mythology, associated with the Roman god (and planet) Jupiter.
• 6th day Friday: named after Friga, wife of the god Odin, or Wodin another god in Norse mythology.
• 7th day Saturday: named after the planet Saturn.

When conversing with the peoples of this world, it is necessary to use these popular names (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday etc.), else few would know what we were talking about if only the Biblical numbering system were used. But it should be remembered that these popular weekday names have pagan roots and are not found in the Bible.

In the Scriptures the seventh day of the week is called the Shabbat. The word Shabbat is synonymous with rest, repose, restoration, refreshment, calm, tranquility, freedom, peace, harmony, holiness and sanctification. It is, therefore, a fitting sign of the Creator's character and aims. The divine record of the creation is brief; but it leaves one in no doubt that the Creator rested on, blessed and sanctified the seventh day of the week at the creation of the world. Notice what His Word says on this matter in:

Many people will be surprised to learn that the true Shabbat day is not Sunday but Saturday. Sunday is the first day of the week. Saturday is the seventh and in Scripture is called the Shabbat of YaHuWaH. In other words Saturday is the true YaHuWaH 's Day. The Shabbat starts at sunset on Friday evening and ends 24 hours later at sunset on Saturday evening.

The Sabbath commandment is part of the Ten Commandments, which were written with the finger of Elohim!

The 4th Commandment

You may read the Bible from cover to cover and you will not find a single verse which cancels or amends the Sabbath commandment. That is a fact. You will, instead, find many texts which call for the observance of Shabbat, the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday.

YaHuWaH 's Shabbat Day

In view of the above facts, it is a mistake to refer to the Shabbat as the Jewish Shabbat; or that it is only to be observed by Jews. The Shabbat is YaHuWaH 's Shabbat; or, as the Scriptures put it: the Shabbat of YaHuWaH thy Elohim! To be sure it is kept by Israel and the Jews; but it is not for Israel alone, any more than the Ten Commandments are for the Jews alone. According to the fourth commandment, even 'strangers' (from other nations) are expected to keep the Sabbath day. If they obey this royal command, those of other nations will also be greatly blessed. Notice the word 'stranger' in the following texts:

Yes, the Shabbat belongs to YaHuWaH and, like all the other nine commandments, He made it to be remembered and kept holy by all nations. In obedience to this commandment the seventh day Shabbat was kept by all the great and holy personalities mentioned in the Bible:

• By all the Old Testament Prophets of YaHuWaH the Elohim of Israel.
• By the early Christian Church long after the death and resurrection of the Savior.
• By the 12 early Apostles.
• By YAHUSHUA the Messiah
• And by YaHuWaH Himself.

Neither is there any evidence in the New Testament to suggest that the Savior or his Apostles changed the Ten Commandments and transferred the sanctity of the Shabbat from the seventh to the first day of the week. Instead, YAHUSHUA kept his Father's commandments (John 15:10). If he hadn't done so he would have been classified as 'a sinner.' But we read that the Savior kept the Shabbat day as it was meant to be kept, much to the annoyance of the Scribes and Pharisees who had burdened the day with many petty, man-made restrictions. These the Master brushed aside. Commenting on the eternal nature of his Father's law the Savior said these words:

Moreover YAHUSHUA advised His followers, who were mostly Jews at that time, to pray to YaHuWaH that He might allow them to keep the Shabbat at the destruction of Jerusalem: which was to take place in AD70, some 40 years after the resurrection.

Pause and consider this text and see how pointless it would have been for the Savior to have given this advice to His predominantly Jewish followers if the Shabbat commandment was going to be abolished at Calvary. The truth is, the Savior had absolutely no intention whatsoever of doing away with or changing the Shabbat commandment. He had an extremely high regard for his Father's law; which he was instrumental in giving to Israel in the first place. (James 4:12) In short, the true Shabbat day is still the seventh day of the week, the day commonly known as Saturday!

This unequivocal fact means that those who break the Sabbath commandment are guilty of sin, whether they realize it or not; for '…sin is the transgression of the Torah.' (1 John 3:4) For further proof of this astonishing fact, see the article Is Sunday the Christian Sabbath?

Hanging from the Shabbat commandment in the law of the Almighty are the seven annual Shabbats of YaHuWaH the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Unlike the popular holidays of Christmas, Easter, Hallowe'en etc., which have absolutely no scriptural backing whatsoever, the Feasts of the Almighty are the sacred memorials of the Creator's mightiest acts in the Plan of Salvation; each and every one of them being an appointed anniversary of a distinct, decisive achievement in His plan. YaHuWaH 's Feasts are the high days in His Diary. He looks forward to them in much the same way as we would some special anniversary or event. At this moment in time, most of them point to realities that are still future. But all through eternity the redeemed host will look back at these days and will then - year by year - commemorate the mighty deeds the Most High and His Son performed on them for the salvation of the human race. "What" you may well ask, "are the Almighty's Annual Shabbats?" There are six Feast days and one Fast day. I list them:

1. The First Day of Unleavened Bread which falls on 15th day of Aviv, the first month in the sacred calendar.
2. The Last Day of Unleavened Bread which falls on 21st day of Aviv.
3. The Feast of First Fruits (Pentecost) which occurs 50 days after the Passover Sabbath.
4. The Feast of Trumpets which falls on the 1st Tishri (the 7th month)
5. The Fast of Atonement which falls on the 10th Tishri.
6. The Feast of Tabernacles which falls on the 15th Tishri.
7. The Last Great Day which falls on the 22nd Tishri.

These are the seven annual memorial Sabbaths of the Almighty; which all peoples, Jew and Gentile alike, are commanded to observe. These days do not belong to any particular race or religion. They are not Jewish festivals. They are the Almighty's 'appointment times' and all nations are required to keep them. The Most High refers to them as 'My Feasts, My Sabbaths.'

For further information about these divinely appointed memorial Sabbaths of the Most High see the article entitled: The Feast Days of the Elohim of Israel.

The sun, moon and stars were originally created by the Almighty to draw universal attention to the spectacular deeds He planned to perform on the appointed Feast days, seasons and sabbatical years in the sacred calendar. This astonishing fact is mentioned in the very first chapter of the Bible. Genesis 1:14 which says:

The sun and moon were set in the heavens to signal the appointed sacred seasons, the set feasts, when Israel was to gather in worship at the Creator's tent of meeting. To be sure the sun and the moon determine the literal days, nights, seasons and years and they directly influence the climate. But the language of Genesis 1:14 goes far beyond these natural events. It tells of the spiritual reasons why the sun and moon were created. They were created I repeat:

• To serve as celestial warning signs and omens to signal the sacred seasons, feast days and years of the Almighty Elohim!
• They were placed in the sky by the Most High to alert the universe to His appointed meeting times: when the human race is called to worship Him.

Several Bible prophecies confirm the message of Genesis 1:14 by telling us that before YAHUSHUA the Messiah returns to Earth there will be 'signs in the sun and the moon.' Consider these verses:

These predicted signs in the heavens are scheduled to happen shortly before YAHUSHUA the Messiah returns to Earth; and happen they will. When they occur they will provide unmistakable evidence that one of the Almighty's appointed seasons has begun and that the end of this age has arrived. World shattering events will occur at that time and all mankind will then become aware of YaHuWaH 's requirements and His anger at the refusal of many to obey His law.

If you believe the message of Genesis 1:14 then at each sacred festival you should be on the watch for celestial signs in the sun, moon and stars. Failure to keep the Almighty's appointments could mean that when those signs occur - as they surely will - the spiritual significance of the Feasts and the prophecies to which they relate will be lost to you. To be sure you will marvel at those celestial signs, all humanity will, but you will not realize their spiritual significance and will be completely oblivious to what they mean and, more importantly, what you are expected to do.

Note:

Astrology is the study of the supposed influence of the stars on human affairs. A horoscope is an astrologer's forecast of future events, based on the position of stars and peoples' birthdays. The study of astrology and the daily reading of horoscopes is strongly condemned in the Scriptures. (Deut.4:19, 2 Kings 23:5)

The signs in the sun, moon and stars mentioned in this article have nothing to do with the study of astrology or the reading of horoscopes. The celestial signs prophesied in the Scriptures will occur at the Almighty's appointed time. When they appear, it will be too late to rush about improving your understanding of YaHuWaH 's Word. That must be done now, before it is too late. If on the other hand you are a believer, then do not be terrified when those signs appear, because they spell out good news to the obedient.