Judah Tabernacle

Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles concludes the Fall Feasts on God's calendar and begins at sundown today. These feasts began with our focus being put on repentance and renewal. We were awakened to the need to humble ourselves and be prepared for the second coming of the Messiah. Forgiveness came to the forefront of our hearts as we sanctified ourselves to hear from heaven.

We couldn't have anticipated the peril that is in the world at this time. We know that no matter what happens here on earth it doesn't change God's appointed times! He is not moved by the circumstances and we position ourselves under the window of heaven to meet with Him. God owns our year and we don't have to be moved either. We take joy in knowing the presence of our Father Creator is with us at all times.

Sukkot is the most joyous of all of God's feasts and is filled with light. It is rich with many powerful prophetic implications and ultimately points to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It is a 7-day feast with an 8th "Great Day" added. The people of Israel dwell in temporary booths/tents (sukkah) as a reminder of God's provision as the journey to the Promised Land was made. Today, as we worship in the purpose of the Feast, we are reminded that this world is only temporary and we await our permanent home.

We don't know what the immediate future looks like, but we know who controls it! The light that would fill the temple during this feast reminds us that the light of our Messiah illuminates our hearts as we are now a temporary dwelling for His Spirit. As the light of the full harvest moon fills the sky tonight, let our hearts be filled with radical praise and worship that resounds from the earth to heaven! Our spirits feel the weight of the spiritual warfare, but our hearts are filled with joy as we anticipate the return of the Lord.

The ancient bride stayed prepared for "the day and the hour" her bridegroom would come. In the same light, we purpose to stay focused and diligent as we look forward to a future filled with hope, peace and joy until our Bridegroom comes to take us back with Him! All of the signs in the earth that are provoking the anxiety we sense in the spirit, simply remind God's people to look up for our redemption is nearer than ever before! The Bible tells us we will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles during the Millennial Reign. But, for now it is just a rehearsal. We praise God for this season that gives us hope and peace in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. May your name be inscribed. Maranatha!

Sundown today, we arrive at Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Among the many sacred moments on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur stands apart as the highest and holiest day of the year: a solemn day set aside for repentance, deep reflection, and the earnest pursuit of restoration with God.

The instructions for Yom Kippur, outlined in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23:26-32, reflect this communal understanding. The High Priest did not enter the Holy of Holies to atone for his personal sins alone; he carried the burdens of the entire people. His sacrifices and rituals were acts of national purification, designed to cleanse the community so that God’s presence could continue to dwell among them.

Repentance in Scripture is consistently framed in the context of returning: “Return, O Israel!” (Hosea 14:1-2), “Turn now, every one of you from your evil ways” (Jeremiah 25:5). John the Baptist and Jesus both called not isolated individuals but the entire nation to turn back to God (Matthew 3:2; Luke 13:3).

There were many rituals prescribed to represent God’s desire for restoration. The ceremonies of Yom Kippur emphasize cleansing and restoration, not wrath or retribution. The High Priest first offered sacrifices for his own sins (Leviticus 16:6,11), ensuring he was purified before interceding for the people.

The New Testament reveals that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection fulfill the deeper realities that Yom Kippur symbolized. Jesus is portrayed as both the High Priest (Hebrews 9:11) and the perfect sacrifice, entering the true heavenly sanctuary with His own blood to secure an eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).

Like the Old Testament sacrificial system, Jesus’ sacrifice was about achieving cleansing, healing, and reconciliation with God. Yom Kippur‘s goal was always restoration, and Jesus fulfills this perfectly. He does not die to appease an angry deity; He dies to remove sin, conquer death, and bring humanity back into communion with God. He dies to redeem the world.

The New Testament presents Jesus’ atonement in universal terms: “God was pleased… to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through His blood” (Colossians 1:19-20). Ultimately, Yom Kippur points forward to a future hope. The complete removal of sin and death, the full restoration of God’s dwelling with humanity.

Because of Jesus, through Him this hope is already breaking into the present. His atonement initiated the restoration of all things. The invitation remains open to all - repent, be cleansed, and be made whole.

Yom Kippur teaches that God is not a distant, wrathful deity waiting to punish. He is a loving Father who cleans our mess and passionately committed to removing the barriers between Himself and His children. His heart is always toward reconciliation, always seeking restoration, always offering renewal. Judgment will come to those who ultimately refuse this love and forgiveness.

As we look forward to Tabernacles, we pray a quiet time of reflection and renewal of your commitment to your relationship with God. The return of the Messiah is certain. The timing is not. We faithfully prepare and rejoice as we look forward to the time of the fulfillment of all things. Praise God for our High Priest!

Join us Sunday in the park as we regather to worship!

Stop by tomorrow for our last sale. We still have a wide variety of inventory left, including craft supplies and housewares. Some of the other things we have left are:

We have a good selection of fall decor and still some Christmas decor.

• 32 black banquet chairs
• 40 pew chairs (light maroon & blue)
• Child/toddler chairs
• 3 Rubbermaid commercial high chairs (great for church or daycare)
• File cabinets
• Bar stools
• Computer/study tables (great for classrooms)
• 2 Folding chair racks
• Electrical supplies
• Misc tools/bolts/nails, etc.
• Large variety of books
• Bibles (some bulk sets great for outreach/street ministry)
• Large variety of kitchen items (commercial pans)

We need a few volunteers to assist with our last Liquidation Sale this Saturday, September 19, from 8am-1pm. Please let Pastor Jeff know if you are able to help. Thanks in advance!

LIQUIDATION SALE EXTENDED!

We sold a lot but still have plenty to offer. So we will have one more this Saturday, September 19. We still have a large selection of smaller, miscellaneous items, and several larger items left.

We will post later this week with more details of what we have left.

THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME YESTERDAY.

ATTENTION: The lady that bought several of the VBS kits earlier. We have some accessories that go with some of the kits you purchased that we forgot to give you. Please come back and we will give them to you. Thank you!

*THE SALE IS IN FULL SWING! WE ARE I SIDE SO THE RAIN ISN’T AN ISSUE!

We have a lot of inventory! A wide variety of items from furniture, school and office supplies, kitchen pots and pans, steam table pans, household items and much more. We have a lot of holiday decor, craft and art supplies, Group Publishing VBS kits, and a wide selection of Christian books. There’s quite an inventory of play costumes and props as well. You have to come to see it all! We will post pictures next week of some of the larger items.

The biblical feast, Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), begins at sundown. Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) is the modern inclusion and came about during the Second Temple era. The “shout” of the shofar is central to both. This season has evolved to become the new year.

Historically, Feast of Trumpets was the time to crown the new king. It didn’t matter when they had been chosen for the throne, they were crowned at this time. It was a time of renewal and fresh perspective. The hope of a future filled with unity and peace.

The spiritual aspect is looking forward to a future of peace and unity. For the present, a time of new beginnings and renewal, with a theme of forgiveness and repentance. Preparing the heart for the future with the king. This begins the Days of Awe, lasting for ten days.

As we move into Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) from the Days of Awe, we look forward to the final fall feast, Sukkot or Tabernacles. A new heaven and a new earth will come bringing restoration to the world.

We pray your home is filled with hope and joy from the anticipation of the second coming of our Messiah. May you set your sights to bring your heart into alignment with the Father Creator as you ready yourself for His coming!

Pastor Jeff will be at the church about 2:30 this afternoon to work on finishing the sorting and set up for the Liquidation Sale. He will be there through the evening until done, but no later than 8:00. Any help is appreciated.