ECCE

      We are familiar with the quote: "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Abraham Lincoln, who dealt with the political, legal and moral issue of slavery that was dividing the nation, and then later, a civil war that  physically divided the nation, spoke about the destructive result of that division. At one point, one of Lincoln's advisors made the remark that he was grateful that God was on the side of the Union (the North). Lincoln answered him, saying, "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." Our nation has witnessed the destruction that comes from disunity.       There is also religious disunity that always divides. The religious leaders had accused Jesus of performing miracles by the power of the prince of devils after He had healed one who had been possessed with a devil, causing the person to become both blind and dumb, or mute. This acc...

            Considering the speed and escalation of world events, what is next on the prophetic timeline? What will we see happen in the future? What should be our role as these events unfold? The prophets, and our Savior, Jesus, gave specific details and warnings for us to know and heed.       The prophet Ezekiel wrote of the restoration of the nation of Israel, not because of the righteousness of its inhabitants, but, as the LORD said, "...I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake , which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name...and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD...when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes." The LORD also promised to cleanse Israel from its sins and give them a new heart and spirit. This renewal and cleansing will cause Israel to walk in the statutes and judgments of the LORD..."and ye shall be my people, and...

      Both  Simchat Torah , meaning "Rejoice in the Torah," and Shemini Atzeret , meaning "the eighth day," follow the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. The eighth day has a meaning to the Jewish people of new beginnings. At this time, readings from the first five books of the Bible (the Torah) ending with Deuteronomy have been studied for the year, and the readings return to the first Book of the Torah, with Genesis chapters 1 and 2. It is also a sad fact that often during God's appointed holy days, attacks have come against Israel in the past. These holy days were ordained by God to "awaken" His people and to bring His people into His presence and relationship with Him.      The LORD spoke to His people through Isaiah the prophet contrasting His own righteousness and omniscience with the unrighteousness of His people: "...Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the en...

      B oth a pattern and a promise come with the Feast of Tabernacles. Two things to keep in mind during this message about Tabernacles are found in Genesis: First: the man and wife were naked and not ashamed. Secondly: They walked with God in the cool of the day.      The Feast of Tabernacles is commanded by God in Leviticus 23:33-43 . The Feast begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month and is to last seven days. The first and last days of the feast are to be Sabbaths. Every day of the seven days of the feast, offerings by fire are to be brought to the LORD. It is to be a feast of rejoicing as the fruits of the trees are harvested : "And ye shall take on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before your God seven days....Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that ...