Reformation 500 - Repair, Rebuild, Rescue

On 31 October, the Protestant world celebrated 500 years since Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg that led to the start of the Protestant Reformation. In a later treatise, Luther pointed out that just as the Jews were carried away from Jerusalem into captivity under the tyranny of the Babylonian Empire, so in Europe during his time Christians had been carried away from the Scriptures and made subject to the tyranny of the Roman Catholic Papacy through the misuse of the sacraments.

As we continue our study of "Israel the Kingdom of God," we will examine how the history of Israel - in particular, its division, exile and return in the run-up to the advent of Jesus Christ - is prophetic of the historical development of the Church as we look forward to our Lord's return.

If the original motto of the Reformation is the 3 Solas (Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia), then we would describe this lesson in terms of the 3 Res - to Repair, Rebuild, and Rescue.

Rejoicing of the Torah

Sundown this evening marks the end of the Feast of Tabernacles and the start of the Shemini Atzeret or Eighth Day Sabbath (literally "assembly of the eighth [day]"). It is symbolic of our eternal rest (end of the seven-day cycle of time) in the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition, after the Tabernacles, God invites His people to stay on for another day/Sabbath (eternity!) for a more intimate celebration.

The Simchat Torah ("rejoicing of the Torah") is also celebrated on this day to mark end of the Torah reading cycle. It is therefore apt that our next lesson will bring us through the rest of the Pentateuch or Torah as well as the book of Joshua as we look at "Israel the Kingdom of God."

As we continue our study of God's Word, may we discover true fellowship with the King!

Blow the Shofar!

Today at sundown marks the beginning of the Fall Feasts with the blowing of the shofar to commemorate the Feast of Trumpets.

It is also the Jewish New Year (5778) and the start of the third year of the First Jubilee since Israel's rebirth in 1948.

We will be considering the spiritual meaning of these and the other sacred times of God in our next lesson.

May God's Rhema word wake up our souls like a trumpet call as His Kairos time draws near!