Simchat Torah and Soteriology*
Simchat Torah is the eighth day celebration of the Torah that comes at the end of the seven day Feast of Tabernacles. It celebrates the end of the readings of Moses, and the renewed cycle of Torah readings, starting back at the beginning with Genesis. It is considered a day of "new beginnings". Before we begin, however, we must take a moment to first pray for Jerusalem and Israel as they have come under attack, as the Word commands, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem...". This present outbreak of war comes fifty years to the day when Israel was last at war with her neighbors. This is a deadly sibling rivalry over the covenant made by God regarding the land, and the people of His inheritance. However, God also promised to bless all of the seed of Abraham. Other nations, like Persia/Iran, and even Russia, interfere in this situation for their own agendas. Soteriology , as mentioned in the title of today's message, is the study of beliefs and doctrines concerning ...