I decided to make the entire first chapter of my book available for all to read. Discover the feasts where “No Man Knows the Day nor Hour” and the direct connection to the Groom coming for His Bride.

CHAPTER 1 (Messiah’s Jubilee by Phil Richardson)

THE FEASTS, THE IDIOMS, AND THE ANCIENT JEWISH WEDDING

There is little debate that when Yahshua spoke, He often used parables to explain what He was trying to communicate because of the deep spiritual connections behind their meaning. Even today, we continue to learn and discover new meaning to what was spoken almost 2,000 years ago.

When Yahshua made the statement to the disciples that, “No man would know the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, but only my Father in heaven,” was that statement to be taken literally? Did He mean that we wouldn’t know the timing of His return in every sense of the word or that we wouldn’t know the day or hour?

I believe that those listening to His words were able to make a deeper connection to a particular fall feast. A feast that would begin the civil new year where the High Priest would be heard repeating the idiom, “No man knows the day nor hour.” I go into great detail on this question in the sixth chapter of this book, as I believe it is feasible to understand not only the season but also the day and hour of this particular fall feast. One of the ideas I want to convey to the reader has to do with identifying repeating patterns. These repeating patterns offer clues and paint a beautiful shadow picture of good things to come, as you will discover.

THE SEVEN FEASTS OF YHVH

The Appointed Feasts of YHVH (the LORD) are a combined total of seven feasts. On the image, the first set of feasts are identified in the first month of Nisan and the third month. The 2nd set of feasts are known as the Fall Feasts and take place typically in the month of September. They’re more popularly known today as the Jewish Feasts. You will notice that the Spring and Fall Feasts are made up of these seven feasts:

• (Spring) Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Shavuot.

• (Fall) Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles

The Springs Feasts represent Love, Humbleness, and Servitude and perfectly depict the Messiah as a suffering and humble servant. Setting aside His power, Yahshua willfully died on Passover on a Roman cross as a sacrificial lamb for the forgiveness of sins, laid to rest just before the Feast of Unleavened Bread; and three full days later, resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits, conquering Death.

“O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

It was the Spring Feast of Shavuot that was fulfilled through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling on the 120 believers as recorded in the Book of Acts.

It is my belief, among many others, that Yahshua will fulfill the fall feast in like manner as he fulfilled the spring feasts, but this second time with Kingship, Power and Great Authority when He returns back to Earth with great esteem! Thus, Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Tabernacles (Sukkoth) hold great importance and significance to the Jewish people, and, as you will come to understand, humanity as a whole.

THE SEASON OF REPENTANCE

The season that leads up to the Fall Feast Days of Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles is known in Hebrew as Teshuvah, translated as Repentance. This return to Repentance begins on the first day of the 6th month of Elul and concludes 40 days later on Yom Kippur.

The beginning feast is known as Yom Teruah or the Day of Trumpets, as translated into English. The Civil New Year officially begins with the sighting of the crescent new moon by at least two trustworthy witnesses with the naked eye. Traditionally, the Trumpets or shofars are blown 100 times once the new moon is sighted with the final blast of the shofar known throughout the ages as the Last Trump!

On the Jewish calendar, Yom Teruah takes place on Tishri 1; However, Tishri 1 does not always line up with the sighting of the crescent moon, as Tishri 1 can be off by one or two days within the sighting of the crescent moon. This realization prompted me to search for a more accurate calendar system in order to give myself greater clarity. I did discover a fantastic lunar calendar system, that I refer to as the Creator’s Calendar (Torah calendar).

The period from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur highlights the final ten days of Teshuvah and is considered among the Jewish community as the High Holy Days. These last ten days are also known as the ten days of Awe, and that ends on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, being the most sacred day of the fall feasts. Precisely five days later, the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Sukkoth begins and is followed and ends eight days later on Shemini Atzeret, known as the eight days of assembly.

The feasts are shadow pictures of good things to come intertwined with shadow pictures of judgments to an unbelieving world. Leviticus 23:24 states:

“Speak to the children of Israel saying, in the seventh month on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.”

This passage identifies Yom Teruah as that day of the blowing of the shofar. It is also to be a rest day, much like the traditional Saturday Sabbath. I find the pattern of rest or sabbath fascinating with the set-apart seventh day/week/month/year/millennia patterns. You will be able to pick up on these patterns as I will layout and emphasize these patterns throughout this book.

If we look at the lunisolar Hebrew calendar in terms of two segments, then it is possible to make a distinction between the two Messiahs. One being a suffering, servant Messiah and the other being powerful, reigning Messiah. We know that Yahshua satisfies both of these descriptions. Unfortunately, the Jewish People did not recognize their Messiah 2,000 years ago, because they had their eye’s fixed on a conquering, powerful Messiah who would save them at that moment.

SHADOW PICTURES OF YOM TERUAH

The Feast of Yom Teruah is the prime example of rehearsals and shadow pictures of good things to come; while not so good for those who are out of the will and protection of the Almighty. Yom Teruah ushers in the governmental civil calendar and is associated with different idioms that identify these shadow pictures and what they represent.

The most common shadow pictures associated with Yom Teruah are as follows:

• Kiddushin Nesu’in meaning “The Wedding of the Messiah.”
• The Time of Jacob’s Trouble or the “Tribulation”
• The Day of the Awakening Blast or “Teruah”
• Yom Hadin meaning the “Day of Judgment” or “Opening of the Books.”
• Yom HaKesh meaning “The Hidden Day.”
• Ha Melech meaning the “Coronation of the Messiah.”
• Yom HaZikkaron meaning the “Day of Remembrance.”
• Ha Yom Harat Olam meaning the “Birthday of the World.” The Feast of Yom Teruah starts the series of the High Holy Days every year and was vitally important 2,000 years ago as it is today. Recently, there has been a feverish build-up to these fall feast days anticipated by millions of Jews and Hebraic Christians worldwide. This feast is a significant event in Israel today, especially the new moon’s sight in the 7th month of Tishri.

THE IDIOMS USED BY THE MESSIAH

The Messiah taught in parables to reveal greater truth to those who had the spiritual blinders removed from their eyes while concealing the truth from the spiritually blind who didn’t or wouldn’t embrace the truth.

The statement, “No man knows the day or the hour….but only my Father in heaven,” was an idiom with a much deeper meaning than its interpretation today in our western mindset. Is it possible that Yahshua was using idiomatic language that the current Jewish culture would have understood, but that other cultures, including our western culture, would not fully understand? I believe that this is not only feasible, but this is, in fact, precisely the case. Indeed, only the culture that followed the idioms of the day would make the deep spiritual connections to what was being said.

An idiom is an expression or statement that has a much deeper meaning attributed to it. For example, when I say, Don’t burn your bridges!, what am I saying? Most today would attribute that to keeping your relationships and opportunities in a healthy state. When I say, I’m just killing time, does that imply that I am trying to murder time if that were possible? Of course not! What about, It’s raining cats and dogs! We understand that it is raining hard. How would other cultures interpret these words if they didn’t understand our culture, especially throughout hundreds of years? We laugh at such interpretations today because we know the deeper meaning of what is behind these statements.

Regarding the Jewish culture at that time, the disciples and those listening to Yahshua’s words, “No man knows the day or hour…but only my father in heaven” instantly connected to the Feast of Yom Teruah and the Jewish Wedding.

ANCIENT JEWISH WEDDING

As you will discover, there is a much deeper connection to this ancient wedding to today. Once you understand the details behind the Feast of Yom Teruah and the details behind the Ancient Jewish Wedding, you will also make the connections.

There is a particular set of verses in Thessalonians that have been a stumbling block for many.

“Now, brothers, as to the times and the seasons, you do not need to be written to. For you yourselves know very well that the day of comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and יהוה safety!’ then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-5)

When I read this, I can make individual connections and tie it into our current generation. In my mind, when I read this, I can’t help but read it as such.

“Brothers, regarding the ‘Signs’ in the heavens and the ‘Appointed Feasts Days of YHVH,’ there is no need to be written to because you understand the cultural idioms. You know very well that YHVH comes as ‘a thief in the night’ to a sleeping church, and as a Bridegroom for His Bride on the Appointed Feast Days of Yom Teruah, at the Last Trump of the blowing of the shofar in some future year. When they say ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction falls on that ‘Great Day’ of Atonement. But, we should not be in darkness, for we are the children of light who hear His voice and understand the times.” (Phil’s version)

That is the spiritual connection we can make with these verses because we understand the idioms behind the meaning. Now, let me break these verses down in detail, so you will be able to make these connections.

THE SIGNS AND APPOINTED FEASTS

The phrase “Signs (Times) and Seasons” is first found in Genesis 1:14: 20

“And Elohim said, “Let lights come to be in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and appointed times, and for days and years,”

This verse comes from the TS2009 Institute for Scripture Research version of the Bible. Most versions state, “and let them be for signs and seasons.” The word seasons will be the focus here.

The Hebrew word for seasons is Mow’ed that means appointed times, appointed feasts, and seasons. In the Strong’s Concordance, Mow’ed is identified as Strong’s number H415028. Unless noted otherwise, all references for this book come from the online concordance of blueletter- Bible.com and Bible.com.

What we find is that this Hebrew word is used 223 times within the Old Testament. Within the 223 times, it is translated 150 times as congregation, 23 times as feasts, 13 times as seasons, and 12 times as times. Within the context of the congregation, it is used to describe either the Tabernacle of the Congregation or the Tent of the Congregation, representing the tent or structure that housed the Holy of Holies. In every case, when Mow’ed is used 23 times in context as Feasts, it is used to describe the actual Feast Days of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Tabernacles. The 13 times Mow’ed is used in regard to describe seasons; it is used ten times to highlight the Feast Days. The following are some of the verses that confirm this:

“These are the feasts H4150 of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.” H4150

(Leviticus 23:4, NKJV)

“Let the children of Israel also keep the Passover at his appointed season.” H4150

(Number 9:2, NKJV)

“In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: H4150 according to all the rites of it, and accord- ing to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.”

(Numbers 9:3, NKJV)

“But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the Passover at even, at the go- ing down of the sun, at the season H4150 that thou camest forth out of Egypt.”

(Deuteronomy 16:6, NKJV)

“He appointed the moon for seasons: H4150 the sun knoweth his going down.”

(Psalms 104:19, NKJV)

This last verse clearly shows the context of seasons as referring to the Feast Days of the Lord. The moon does not dictate the seasons as in winter, spring, summer, and fall. Only the sun, the spring and fall equinox prescribe the actual seasons because the actual seasons are based on the sun and the tilt of the earth as indicated in Genesis 1:14. The moon is used to highlight the Feast days, which are entirely Lunar Feasts. Psalms 104:19 is using seasons in reference to the Feast days.

I must make these connections with seasons because you must make the spiritual connection to Signs and Seasons as literally meaning Signs and Appointed Feast Days. This is the accurate translation of this text and is highly essential in making connections to the times in which we live because the time is short.

Concerning Signs, the Hebrew word is Owth and means a sign, signal, a distinguishing mark, banner, remembrance, miraculous sign, omen, and warning in that particular order. When I think of the 1949 to 1950, 1967 to 1968 and the 2014 to 2015 Lunar Tetrad Blood Moons, I can’t help but identify these Blood Moons as an exact interpretation of the Hebrew word’s meaning Owth. These Blood Moon Tetrads are four consecutive total lunar eclipses in the spring and fall in back-to-back years. It’s during a total lunar eclipse that the moon appears like blood.

To make a point regarding the word Owth, these Blood Moon Tetrads act as a heavenly sign or signal with flashing red lights. These four flashing red lights are a miraculous sign or distinguishing mark. The distinguishing mark is a good definition of these Lunar Moon Tetrads, as you will discover.

The Lunar Tetrads act as a warning but aren’t always accurate in that definition because these Tetrads sometimes occur after the event like the case after Israel was declared a nation in 1948. This implies that these Tetrads are more of a distinguishing mark that identifies or highlights key events that have to do with the Jewish People and the land of Israel, and identifies a time of liberation or possibly judgment. I go in-depth on these Blood Moon Tetrads in chapter four. It is known among the Jewish culture that lunar eclipses are a bad omen to Israel, while solar eclipses are a bad omen to the nations.

The remaining verse 1 of Thessalonians 5 states that “you do not need to be written too.” What a stumbling phrase! If you read this phrase in its proper context concerning the Jewish culture, then it makes perfect sense. The Apostle Paul is clearly identifying Signs and Appointed Feast Days to Season as the Appointed Feast Days. He made the statement that you do not need to write to because it was evident within the Jewish culture that this was about the Fall Feast Days. Especially Yom Teruah/the Day of Trumpets to Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement or, more specifically, The Last Trump and The Great Trump in that order. The 2nd verse of Thessalonians 5 states, “For you yourselves know very well that the day of יהוה”comes as a thief in the night

Why would he state that you yourselves know very well? It was because they understood the meaning behind the idiomatic language pointing to the Fall Feast Days. There are two expressions in this verse that needs to be viewed deeper. They are The Day of יהוה or The Day of The Lord and Comes as a Thief in the Night. These statements are idioms and, as such, have a much deeper meaning behind them. Let us start with a Thief in The Night

THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT — AN IDIOM FOR CELEBRATION

There are both positive and negative attributes associated with this idiom. Within the Jewish culture at that time, just before a Jewish wedding, the bridegroom would come for his bride in the middle of the night, often to her surprise because she did not know the day or hour he would come, but knew the general timing of his arrival. This event was often attributed to him coming as a thief in the night. This was a joyous occasion, and the bride needed to have oil in her lamp because the groom would come at a time when no man would know the day or the hour. Therefore, she needed to be prepared along with her bridesmaids. Of course, she would not wait around for her bridesmaids as the groom would snatch her up off the ground to be carried back to her new home prepared for her by her groom.

This is the positive aspect of this idiom. Another name for this day is Yom HaKeseh meaning the Hidden Day as in the groom coming for his bride like a thief in the night. This day is also associated with Kiddushin Nesu’in, suggesting the Wedding Ceremony or the Wedding of the Messiah.

A THIEF IN THE NIGHT: AN IDIOM FOR APATHY

Someone who is caught unaware would be the negative aspect of the idiom, a thief in the night. The prime example of this would be the example of the five wise and five foolish virgins or bridesmaids. The wise bridesmaids were eagerly awaiting the sounds of the shofar and the coming of the bridegroom, while the foolish bridesmaids were not and thus would miss his arrival.

“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”

(Revelation 3:3, NKJV)

There is another idiom in regard to coming as a thief and that has to do with keeping his garments. Here is the verse spoken by the word of Yahshua:

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

(Revelation 16:15, NKJV)

To fully appreciate this statement, we must travel back to when Herod’s Temple was standing and still in operation 2,000 years ago. This idiom has to do with the temple guards that guard the temple gates and courts, especially at the night watch. Twenty-four stations needed to be manned by a total of 240 guards and 30 priests. Because these guards would need to be awake and on guard, those guards that had fallen asleep would not be treated lightly.

As was the custom, the Captain of the Temple would make his rounds every night, approaching the guards where they would arise and salute the Captain. If the Captain found any guards who had fallen asleep, he would set their clothes on fire with his torch. While the guards’ uniforms were on fire, the surprised guard would begin to shed his clothes, running naked and ashamed. Thus, the Captain of the Temple would be known to come as a thief in the night. Yahshua was using this idiom to describe what was spoken in Revelation 16:15 and can be attributed to other Scriptures with the Bible.

It is why the term a thief in the night can apply to the sleeping church. Concerning the Day of the Lord, this is about Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement as it is called. This Day is terrible and dreadful and implies great judgment. This Day is also known as the Great Day. It is especially meaningful in that it is quoted from the 16th chapter of the Book of Revelation and applies to our time.

Likewise, Yom Teruah is attributed to judgment as it is known as Yom HaDin or the Day of Judgment or the opening of the books to judge. Many Jews believe this will mark the time of Jacob’s trouble. Another name for Jacob is Israel. Today we would read this as Israel’s trouble or the start of the seven years of tribulation known in the Christian community. You can see why the ten days that follow Yom Teruah is a critical period until Yom Kippur as this Great Day will begin Great Judgment.

Many Jews believe that Israel will be saved on the Day of Atonement in some future year. This thought or belief is critical! This future Yom Kippur is discussed in the final chapter of this book.

“Come, my people, enter thou into the chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their indignity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”

(Isaiah 26:20-21, NKJV)

“No one is able to come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. And I shall raise him up in the last day.”

(John 6:44)

The Scripture in Isaiah is another example of the shadow pictures of good things to come alongside great judgment. This Scripture hints that the Groom will come for his bride whereby they will both enter the wedding chamber. This lines right up with the Ancient Jewish Wedding, where they enter the wedding chamber first and then emerge from their chambers to be presented to the entire wedding party and guests after seven days.

Continuing with Thessalonians 5:3-4, “For when they say, ‘Peace and Safety!’ then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”

You may have picked up on this. When Paul says, this Day, he is referring to Yom Kippur because it is Yom Kippur known as the Great Day or just the Day. It is also a day of the blowing of the shofar, much like Yom Teruah, but is known as one long blast or the great shofar as it is often referred to within the Jewish communities. Some believe this final blowing of the shofar on the Day of Atonement will usher in the returning of the Messiah in some future year. The implication here is that we are not to be ignorant of the times in which we live. We do not want to be found sleeping as in the Temple Guard or unprepared in the case of the bride or the five foolish bridesmaids.

For when they say “Peace and Safety, then sudden destruction.” Let’s not forget Yahshua’s words; today, we hear and read about wars and rumors of wars. We can pick up the paper or read on online news sites regarding peace and safety. “For we are all sons of light and sons of the Day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” Let’s not be in darkness as to the times!

PARALLELS OF THE ANCIENT JEWISH WEDDING

When Elohim (The plural form of God) created marriage between one man and one woman, he attributed this same marriage pattern to His Son and His future Bride. The Hebrew wedding is much different from our western weddings, so to paint an accurate picture of how Yahshua will one Day come for His earthly bride, I need to identify and explain the 12 Jewish events and customs that make up this wedding.

Twelve events make up the typical Ancient Jewish Wedding. They are in order as follows:

1. THE SELECTION OF THE BRIDE BY THE SON’S FATHER.
2. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BRIDAL PRICE AND ACCEPTANCE.
3. THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE BETROTHED TO ONE ANOTHER ONCE THE BRIDAL PRICE IS ACCEPTED.
4. A WRITTEN DOCUMENT DRAWN UP CONTAINING THE PROMISES OF THE GROOM AND THE RIGHTS OF THE BRIDE.
5. THE BRIDE’S ACCEPTANCE AND CONSENT.
6. GIFTS WERE GIVEN TO THE BRIDE AND THE COVENANT WAS SEALED ONCE THE BRIDE DRANK FROM THE CUP OF WINE.
7. THE BRIDE HAS HER MIKVAH (BAPTISM), WHICH IS A RITUAL CLEANSING.
8. THE BRIDEGROOM DEPARTS FROM HER, GOING BACK TO HIS FATHER’S HOUSE FAR AWAY TO PREPARE THE BRIDAL CHAMBER.
9. THE BRIDE WAS “SET APART” UNTIL HIS RETURN TYPICALLY ONE TO TWO YEARS.
10. THE BRIDEGROOM WOULD RETURN FOR HER, UPON THE APPROVAL FROM HIS FATHER. HE WOULD RETURN WITH A COMPANY OF WEDDING GUESTS, WITH THE BLOWING OF THE SHOFAR AND WITH A SHOUT, “BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMES.”
11. THE BRIDEGROOM WOULD ABDUCT OR RAPTURE HIS BRIDE, USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE EXPRESSION USED WAS AS “A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.”
12. LASTLY, THERE WOULD BE “THE MARRIAGE SUPPER” WITH A HOST OF WEDDING GUESTS WHO HAD BEEN INVITED BY THE GROOM’S FATHER. IT WOULD LAST FOR SEVEN DAYS.

If this is your first time reading this, you have already made some connections to the Messiah (Yahshua) and are more than likely scanning well known verses in your head that have remained a mystery to you. It should have become clear to you that Yahshua was using cultural wedding idioms concerning His coming for his bride and His return.

Now, let’s dive deeper into these 12 steps and apply familiar Scriptures that will begin to paint a picture in your mind of how Yahshua will one Day return for his bride.

“For I am jealous for you with a jealousy according to Elohim. For I gave you in marriage to one husband, to present you as an inno- cent maiden to Messiah.”

(II Corinthians 11:2)

Paul is making the connection of a wife to her husband as a maiden or virgin to the Messiah. Ephesians 5:25 is a similar reference, “Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it.” Here we see the assembly would be the assembly of believers attributed to a wife as Messiah as a loving husband.

In step one, we see that the father of the groom searches for a potential bride for his son. Likewise, the Father has examined and found a Bride for His Son, and it is the body of believers known today as the church. The Father is looking for a perfect and pure Bride for His Son. Keep in mind that the entire body of believers does not make up His Bride as is so commonly understood. There seem to be two separate groups for the wedding. Scripture suggests that the bride and groom are made up of one group, while the wedding party and guests make up the second. As you may realize, there are believers in Yahshua who will be a part of the wedding party group and the more prized group being the bride.

What group we eventually become a part of is more difficult to explain. What comes to mind are the words from Yahshua himself in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” I believe observing his commandments are an excellent first step.

THE BRIDAL PRICE

“Ask of me a bride price and gift ever so high, and I give according to what you say to me, but give me the girl for a wife.”

(Genesis 34:12)

“Knowing that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers, not with what is corruptible, silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless,”

(I Peter 1:18,19)

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”

(I Corinthians 6:19-20, NKJV)

As was the custom, once the father had selected a potential bridal candidate for his son, he would then approach the father of the potential bride and offer a bridal price for her on behalf of his son, this along with the ketubah or the contract. We see throughout the Scripture that brides in ancient times were purchased with a price. We see this demonstrated when Rebekah accepted the initial bridal price of the nose ring and bracelets made of gold for her pledge of marriage to Isaac, as recorded in the entire chapter of Genesis 24.

The reason for the bridal price was to show the father of the bride what worth his daughter was to the potential groom. We also see this in the Scriptures of Jacob when he married Leah instead of Rachel. In the 29th chapter of Genesis, we see Jacob serving Laban for seven years as a bridal price for his beloved Rachel, who he was betrothed to marry. So, the bridal price can be finances or the greater price of servitude, as in Jacob’s case for seven years.

One of the highest expressions of love is to lay down your life for others, such as your bride. This expression of love far exceeds gold and silver or any kind of wealth. Likewise, as the Bride of Messiah, we were paid by a very high bridal price: the death of the Messiah and the shedding of his blood for the redemption of sin. This bridal price is beyond even servitude, for there is no greater love than to lay one’s life for their friends

(John 15:3). It was the first-fruits of the Messiah’s death that resulted in His Bride receiving many gifts in the form of forgiveness, eternal life, the fruit of the Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit.

There are many more gifts to speak of, but to summarize my point, all of these gifts are of great value and cannot be bought with worldly riches such as gold and silver. The gift of eternal life that has been freely given had a high cost to both the Father and the Son and is the greatest gift that we as believers can receive.

THE BETROTHAL

The bride and groom are betrothed to one another once the bridal price is accepted, and a written document is drawn up containing the promises of the groom and the bride’s rights. This step is known as the betrothal and is similar to an engagement today whereby a fiancé has accepted a proposal and has received a ring as a bridal price. Back then, there was a much higher sense of commitment as they entered a legally binding contract or covenant. This covenant was in the form of a marriage contract known as a ketubah, which was presented to the bride’s father. This covenant would consist of the groom’s promises to his bride. The bride, in return, would cherish her ketubah. Once a couple entered a betrothal covenant, they were legally married in the eyes of the law.

The final step was to seal this covenant and make it binding for both par- ties by the drinking from the cup of wine. The drinking of the cup was what Sealed the marriage. Although legally married, physical contact was refrained, and consummation was forbidden.

Much like the ketubah, we have a marriage covenant known as the Bible. The transliteration of the New Testament and Old Testament is Catholic/ Latin in origin and originates from New Covenant and Old Covenant as a marriage covenant or contract. Much like the ketubah, the Bible contains the promises that await those who embrace the Messiah. Likewise, we are to cherish what is written and place His word and His Torah on our hearts.

“See, the days are coming,” declares יהוה, “when I shall make a new covenant with the house of Yisra’ĕl and with the house of Yehudah, not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares יהוה “For this is the covenant I shall make with the house of Yisra’ĕl after those days, declares יהוה: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts. And I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people”

(Jeremiah 31: 31-33)

This prophecy is directed to the northern House of Israel. The southern House of Judah, the Jewish people, have always had the Torah written on their hearts, even in their rebellion. This Scripture applies more to the northern kingdom that assimilated themselves within the Gentile Nations. The new covenant, ketubah, is for both houses of Israel, the Jews, and for the dispersion of Israel who has lost their identity. I would like to note that it was on Shavuot that Elohim presented His ketubah in the form of the Ten Commandments to his bride— the 12 tribes of Israel.

THE BRIDE’S ACCEPTANCE AND CONSENT

If she did not accept his offer, then the espousal would be broken, and the father of the groom would begin searching for another candidate for his son. Because Elohim is a gentleman who does not force anyone into a relationship with Him, we see that those who choose Him must be pure. We see this in Scripture regarding Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24:57- 58, where Rebekah was asked concerning Isaac: “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”

We have a choice! Either we accept Yahshua and obey His commands that make up the ketubah (the Bible), or we reject His free offer. Unfortunately, the majority of the world rejects Him and His free offer.

“Enter in through the narrow gate! Because the gate is wide – and the way is broad – that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in through it. “Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard-pressed which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

(Matthew 7: 13-14)

SEALING THE KETUBAH

Once presented, the ketubah would need to be sealed by the partaking of the cup filled with wine and would represent the final act of acceptance. In doing so, the marriage covenant would become a legal and binding agreement, and they would be betrothed as bride and groom.

I can’t help but make the connection of what Yahshua did for us on the cross. The new covenant that would save us from the sting of death was not sealed until the shedding of his blood. It is why drinking the cup sealed the deal and made it a legal binding contract. If she refused the cup, then the betrothal would be annulled. The partaking of the cup was the deal maker or the deal-breaker. Likewise, we are entering into a binding contract when we participate in communion. According to 1 Corinthians 11:27-30, “We are not to take communion lightly as those who eat and drink in an unworthy manner bring on disease, sickness, and even death.” It is for this reason that communion is to be taken seriously in much the same way you would want your spouse to take their vows seriously before the wedding.

We see another example of this during the Passover Seder regarding the 4 cups of the Seder. These 4 cups represent sanctification, deliverance, redemption, and restoration34. It is what YHVH did for the children of Israel when He took them out of Egypt. Exodus 6 identifies these four works of YHVH…

1.  “I will bring you out” — sanctification
2.  “I will save you” — deliverance
3.  “I will redeem you” — redemption
4.  “I will take you as My people” — restoration

Likewise, the Messiah has given us all of these aside from the final cup of restoration. He has sanctified us by calling us to be set apart by living life different from the world, much like the children of Israel were separated and sanctified from the Egyptians. They were punished for following false gods, and all that was an abomination to God.

As YHVH delivered Israel from slavery and heavy bondage, Yahshua has delivered us from the bondage of sin through the shedding of his blood on that Roman cross. We are no longer slaves to sin or the fruits of bondage that lead to death but instead delivered with the hope of eternal life.

He has redeemed all humanity through His death and resurrection. However, He has not restored the world. Not Yet! It is the final cup of the Passover Seder that Yahshua refused to drink on that Passover night nearly 2,000 years ago.

“And taking the cup, and giving thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. “For this is My blood, that of the renewed covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. “But I say to you, I shall certainly not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on till that day when I drink it anew with you in the reign of My Father.”

(Matthew 26:27-28)

“This cup is the renewed covenant in My blood. As often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of Me. ‘For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Master until He comes.’ ”

(1 Corinthians 11:25-26)

We see that Yahshua clearly identified this 4th cup as the cup of the renewed covenant of restoration or the b’rit chadashah applied as the “renewed covenant in my blood.”

THE BRIDEGROOM

Yahshua understood His mission at His first coming! He understood that He would be returning to his Father’s house where he would eventually be drinking this final cup in His Father’s kingdom with His Bride at the appointed time of his Father. Yahshua and His disciples were actually entering into a marriage covenant by drinking from the cup of restoration whether they realized or not, much in the same way that we are do- ing so today. I bet you will never partake of communion the same!

“And before the Festival of the Passover, יהושע knowing that His hour had come that He should move out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

(John 13:1)

He was making an idiomatic statement with this final cup that restoration would not take place until that day “when I drink it anew with you in the reign of My Father.” This verse implies that the wedding day will either be in heaven or during the millennial reign on earth.

The 4th cup of the Seder represents the coming Messianic Era, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the final and full Restoration of this world. The be- ginning of the 7th Millennia will usher in the Kingdom of God where one righteous King will reign.

Yahshua has been declared the Messiah. It is like a newly elected President of the United States, is considered President on or after November 2nd of an election year, depending on when Tuesday falls on the calendar. The President-elect will officially become President at the swearing- in ceremony on January 20th or 21st for a four-year term. At the swearing-in ceremony, he inherits all the power and authority that comes with his seat and position. Yahshua, being Messiah Elect, is awaiting His swearing-in ceremony that will happen sometime at the beginning of the 7th Millennia at the Mow’ed or appointed time of Yom Kippur in the very, very, near future.

Another verse that comes to my mind is Isaiah’s scroll that Yahshua read from as is recorded in Luke 4:16-21:

“And He came to Natsareth, where He had been brought up. And according to His practice, He went into the congregation on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Yeshayahu was handed to Him. And having unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of יהוה is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to bring the Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away crushed ones with a release, to proclaim the acceptable year of יהוה And having rolled up the scroll, He gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the congregation were fixed upon Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been filled in your hearing.’ ”

You may or may not have noticed, but He stopped reading right in the middle of the sentence that ended on the, acceptable year of יהוה. Why did He not continue reading the remainder of the verse? The rest of the verse states, “and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn,…”

The Day of vengeance of our God is meant to be fulfilled in the end of days during the Fall Feasts and was not meant to be fulfilled during his first coming. His first coming was as an innocent lamb, in humility, humbleness, and without worldly appeal or the world’s authority. That dominion was and still is, under the jurisdiction of the god of this world. The full Scripture of Isaiah 61:1-3 is as follows:

“The Spirit of the Master יהוה is upon Me, because יהוה has anoint- ed Me to bring good news to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of יהוה, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, to appoint unto those who mourn in Tsiyon: to give them embellishment for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

Isn’t it interesting that that comma separating these two statements would make up a time frame of almost 2,000 years! This same principle is applied to another remarkable prophecy within the 9th chapter of Daniel’s book. I discuss this in detail in chapter three.

This Scripture alludes to restoration after the Day of the Lord, to comfort all that mourns. Regarding restoration, this is still going on today and will continue until the final restoration of all things. We have seen and are seeing a restoration of the Jewish people back to their land. We are seeing a restoration of the name of the Creator —YHVH. We are seeing a restoration of the Son’s name — Yahshua. We are witnessing Christians coming out of paganism, embracing their Christian non-pagan Roots, embracing the Biblical feasts, embracing the Sabbath, and much more. There is indeed restoration taking place.

I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU

Once the cup was partaken, she was now legally his bride and betrothed to him. At that point and as was the custom, the groom would make the declaration that he would go to his father’s house to prepare a room for both him and His bride. Which is known as the bridal room.

“In My Father’s house are many staying places. And if not, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ‘And if I go and prepare a place for you, I shall come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you might be too.'”

(John 14:2-3)

He would promise to come back for her once the bridal room was finished and once He had the approval from His Father for only the Father had the authority to send His son for His bride. The Father would send His Son for His bride under His terms and according to His appointed time.

The Jewish custom was not to set a date for the wedding, unlike our western culture. The date would remain a mystery, and only the groom’s father would have an idea to when that time would be. Traditionally, the wedding would take up to one to two years (spiritually 1,000 to 2,000 years35).

During this time, the bride was to be set apart and honored her ketubah best identified by the word of God. She was to be eagerly awaiting his return as she would not know how long he would be gone. She was prepared as he would come at a day and hour that she might not expect. Her lamp was filled with oil, and she would need to be ready to depart at the father of the grooms choosing. Likewise, her bridesmaids, who were often made up of her family members such as her sisters and who lived under the same roof, would need to be ready with their lamps filled with oil.

As the weeks and months passed, worry and doubt would set in, and she would begin to wonder if he would indeed come back for her. As believers, it is easy to fall under the same doubt, and as the world becomes more lawless and wicked, will Yahshua indeed come back for us as He promised? Will it be this year, next year, or 30 years from now? I believe He is closer than we realize! Will your lamp be filled and burning?

THE BRIDE HAS HER PURIFICATION BAPTISM

Another cultural step is the ritual cleansing of the bride being mikvah or immersed in water, otherwise known today as being baptized. The reason for this is two-fold. One is for physical purification and the other for spiritual purification. The word mikvah means being immersed into a stream of living water, such as when Yahshua was mikvah’d in the Jordan River by the High Priest, Yochanan ben Zechariah36, known as John the Baptist. The mikvah represents the old life and coming up out of the water to new life.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to every creature. He who has believed and has been immersed, shall be saved, but he who has not believed shall be condemned.“ ’

Mark 16:15-16,

When Esther was chosen to become queen, she went through a purification process of one year. We can see during her purification that she was to remain set apart and pure.

As the Bride of Messiah, we have been immersed in the living water as part of the purification process both physically and spiritually to shed our old life of sin into a new life of obeying his word. “Old things pass away, and all things become new.”

APPROVAL FROM HIS FATHER

Once the chamber room was built, and after the father had determined that his son was ready, he would send his son back to where his bride and bridesmaids were located. In like manner, the bride and bride’s maidens would eagerly be awaiting his soon return.

Because the bridegroom is righteous and true, he would return to her as promised, accompanied by a host of those who made up the wedding party, bridesmaids, and guests. It was a happy, joyous occasion as there would be laughter, shouts of joy, the blowing of the shofar (Trumpet), and dancing. The groom’s best men would go ahead of the wedding party and would proclaim, “Behold! The bridegroom comes.”

He would come for her at a day and hour that she did not usually expect at midnight. The bride would begin to hear the singing, shouts of laughter, and the blowing of the shofar in the distance. This commotion would give her enough time to gather her things but not always to warn her bridesmaids.

When he arrived with the wedding party, he would snatch her up as a “thief in the night” where they would begin the long journey back to his father’s house. The Hebrew word that describes this event is nissuin, and that word is derived from the root word of nasa – which means to carry. Thus, the groom’s custom was to hoist his bride in the air, where she would be placed safely in a carriage being carried37 off to the groom’s added chamber room at his father’s house.

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”

(Revelation 9:7-8)

This final culminating event where the bride is hoisted in the air speaks of the bride’s rapture. During the entire trip, she would be covered and hidden by her wedding garments and by her veil. Her identity would be hidden from the wedding party and guests. This is the idiom used for Yom Teruah, being a day of hiding known as Yom HaKesh.

We see this in the Scriptures when Jacob married Leah instead of Rachel. We recognize that Jacob served Laban for seven years as a bridal price for his beloved Rachel, whom he was betrothed to marry. Laban, instead, switched his daughters, and he married Leah to Jacob instead. How was this possible without Jacob knowing this? It was because of the wedding dress and the veil that covered her. The bride was hidden!

The ten maidens or virgins recorded in Matthew 25:1-13 are not the bride, but rather the bridesmaids as the groom would snatch his bride into the air as he would never leave his bride! The bridesmaids would join the wedding party back at the father’s house where the wedding would take place. But then, who are the foolish maidens, and who do they prophetically represent?

“Then the reign of the heavens shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “And five of them were wise, and five foolish. “Those who were foolish, having taken their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their containers with their lamps. “Now while the bride- groom took time, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard, ‘See, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!’ “Then all those maidens rose up and trimmed their lamps. “And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, indeed, there would not be enough for us and you. Instead, go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. “And later the other maidens also came, saying, ‘Master, Master, open up for us!’ “But he answering, said,‘Truly,I say to you,I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, because you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Adam is coming,”

(Matthew 25:1-13)

The 5 foolish maidens describe a sleeping church that have been caught up with the cares of this world, much like the church from Laodicean mentioned in Revelation chapter three. The oil may refer to the Holy Spirit or righteousness, and those five foolish virgins that did not have enough oil may represent those believers not being filled by the Rauch. Also, not being clothed with “the garments of salvation (Yeshua)” that is required to be the bride of Messiah.

HOSANNA AND THE CORONATION OF THE KING

After their long journey from the bride’s hometown (Earth) to the Father’s house (Heaven), they would arrive to be married and proclaimed husband and wife. Soon afterward, they would be the honored couple at the Great Wedding Feast.

On the couples wedding day, the groom will be seen as the King and the bride as queen. The groom would dress as much as a king as his finances would allow. If the groom came from a wealthy family, he would wear a gold crown and fine linen and royal garments. The bride, like- wise, would be dressed in a way that reflects his queen. The Book of Esther reveals this. After 12 months of preparation with oil, myrrh, and perfumes, she (Esther) would prepare for her role as queen.

“I greatly rejoice in יהוה, my being exults in my Elohim. For He has put garments of deliverance on me, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with orna- ments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10)

The Hebrew word for deliverance is yesha’, which means salvation and is the root word for Yeshua’s name.

As the groom, bride, and the accompanied wedding party approached the father’s house, they would hear the words, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of יהוה!” Psalm 118:26. Likewise, when Yahshua was approaching Jerusalem during his Triumphal Entry, the people were quoting this prophetic phrase verbatim. It was Yahshua who was announcing himself as the Bridegroom to Israel on that prophetic Day.

“And the crowds who went before and those who followed cried out, saying, “Hoshia-na to the Son of Dawid! Blessed is He who is coming in the Name of יהוה! Hoshia-na in the highest!”

(John )12:13

The Hebrew word of Hoshia-na would be Hosanna in English and comes from the Hebrew root word, Yasha, a word that means save, savior and delivered. This saying is the joyful wedding cry of the bride to the groom. Yahshua was entering Jerusalem riding on the colt or donkey, where he mentioned that even the stones would cry out an apparent reference to Scripture being fulfilled through him as the Messiah on that Day thus fulfilling prophecy,

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Tsiyon! Shout, O daughter of Yerushalayim! See, your Sovereign is coming to you, He is right- eous and endowed with deliverance, humble and riding on a don- key, a colt, the foal of a donkey”

(Zechariah 9:9).

“Hoshia-na to the Son of Dawid! Blessed is He who is coming in the Name of יהוה! Hoshia-na in the highest!,” was referenced not only as a husband, but also as King, a King who will radically save them at their greatest hour of need being a future event.

He made his triumphant entry past the crowds and towards Jerusalem, He would make the following statement,

“Yerushalayim, Yerushalayim, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to her! How often I wished to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you would not! “See, your house is left to you laid waste. And truly I say to you, you shall by no means see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who is coming in the Name of יהוה!'”

(Matthew 23:37-39)

Remember that the new covenant was for both houses of Israel, the southern kingdom making up the Jews and the tribe of Benjamin, and the northern kingdom identified as the ten tribes. In this passage, he is clearly defining the southern kingdom. The prophecy of the houses being laid waste was about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.

“Let Your dead live, together with my dead body, let them arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; for Your dew is a dew of light, and let the earth give birth to the departed spirits. Go, my people, enter your rooms, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little while, until the displeasure is past. For look, יהוה is coming out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their crookedness. And the earth shall disclose her blood, and no longer cover her slain.“

(Isaiah 26:19-21)

Interestingly enough the passage in Isaiah 26 states at the time that the dead would arise, that His people would enter their rooms in order to hide themselves, for a little while until the displeasure is past as YHVH will punish the inhabitants of the earth. This passage seems to line up with John 14:2-3,” In My Father’s house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you.”

It seems that this passage speaks of these main events happening in one moment:

The dead in Messiah shall arise first; then the bride shall be taken and will enter into her wedding chamber (room); she will be hidden from tribulation as Elohim punishes the inhabitants of the earth.

In other words, this passage is alluding to the rapture, the wedding, and tribulation starting at one instance in time. If you have read this far, you can see how all of these events can happen on the feast days of Yom Teruah.

It will be this future appointed feast that Yahshua and his Bride will be known as King and Queen to all who attend the wedding party. When they arrived from their long trip, the bride and groom would enter the bridal chamber as the wedding party would wait outside. Once inside the chamber, they would consummate the marriage for the first time. The bridegroom friend would wait outside the room until the groom would announce the news to his friend. The stained linen would offer proof of the bride’s virginity, and with that, the identity of the bride would be unveiled, and there would be a tremendous and joyous wed- ding celebration. The bride and groom would spend the next seven days in the bridal chamber together, coming out to join in the festivities with the wedding party and guests from time to time when there would be food, dancing, and a grand celebration. As was the custom, the wed- ding party/feast would last for seven days.

The playing of music and dancing was a regular part of the celebration. This feast is identified in the 19th chapter of the Book of Revelation as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! There seems to be an equal split of opinions concerning when this event takes place and where. About the location, there seem to be two choices, that being heaven or earth. If this prophecy reflects the Ancient Wedding Feast, which I believe it is, then I think this Great Feast not only takes place in heaven but also back on earth.

“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.’ Then he said to me, Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!’ And he said to me ‘These are the true sayings of God.’ “

(Revelation 19:6-9)