PURIM – preparing for Pesach. Two Feasts of Freedom. Purim is carnival like - Pesach is serious but joyful.

Thank you to those who faithfully responded to the last two newsletters. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to discuss truthful aspects of faith, we need to be obedient.

This month as we celebrate the "Feasts of Freedom" we realize that God has indeed "SET US FREE" from the bondages of sin and of all hindrances to our leshachrer i.e. Hebrew for "being set free." To be chofesh i.e. "have feedom" indeed means we are to use our minds, hearts and whole will to understand, and not be subject to any dictatorial system I Corinthians 10:29-33; II Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 2:4; 5:1 especially - Liberty! This does not cancel out true God ordained and appointed Authority Exodus 4:1-31; 6:13 and Ephesians 4:11-13. This "Freedom" ultimately is in our Messiah/Savior. John 8:36; Galatians 4:31.

Before our teaching series, we have good news and a request for prayer and for God-sent partners.

We have been in touch with a sincere television productions ministry. They are willing to help us produce a year’s pre-taped professional series on the Mishkan AND videos and CD Roms. A video series along with the CD will contain animated priests, music, ancient chants, etc. We have also begun by faith to prepare for the productions of three versions of the Ark of the Covenant and three versions of the Priest models. These can accompany the CD’s and videos or can be sold individually.

WE NEED HELP to make the models right away! We are praying for patrons and sponsors. The need is $100,000 to make the models and to produce the catalogues. We will make copies of our prospectus available to any interested potential patrons. We are now on file for tax exempt status and will be able to send our own tax receipts. Thanks to Peace for Israel, Inc. and Jack and Joan Heintz in Florida for helping us until we could accomplish this. Bev, thanks for all your work in processing the receipts and doing bank deposits. The Lord will bless all of you abundantly for upholding this ministry.

If you would pray - we will also find office space (office equipment will be needed) large enough to be able to set up our "museum" and have a conference center/teaching location for seminars with sound doctrinal foundations. Your prayerful responses will determine the results. Thanks.

---

We have just completed the minor Feast of Freedom called PURIM = "Lots." This, also called the Fast/Feast of Esther, as a feast which according to Jewish tradition will continue throughout the Messianic Age = Millennium. The time of its occurrence, about 400 years before Yeshua's crucifixion. Chronologically, Esther was in Persia/Babylon at the time of Purim – about 9 years after Ezra and Nehemiah had returned to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem. Cyrus had sent Zerubabel to lead them. Briefly – Xerzes I (known as Ahasherus in Hebrew) had become Emperor at Cyrus’s death. His wife, Vashti , daughter of Belshatzar, was deposed for her disobedience. Esther , a descendant of King Saul, became Ahashetus’s wife by selection. At the same time Haman the Prime Minister instigated a decree to exterminate all Jews. He was a direct descendant of Agag, King of the Amelekites, who had been spared by King Saul contrary to God’s orders. So the Amalakites, Israel’s bitterest enemies were still in existence. God raised Esther (her Hebrew name was Hadassah=Myrtle)to deliver the Jewish people.

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

The tide turned on Haman, even to the extent that the 75 foot high gallows he built for Esther’s uncle Mordecai (one of the original founders of the Ashnei Knesset Hagdola = The Sanhedrin or People of the Great Assembly. An interesting turn of events occurred around this time, one we would be wise to give heed to. In Esther 5:14 Haman’s wife, Zeresh and all of their friends advised him to make the gallows and to encourage the king to give his permission to hang Mordecai on it. Like Job, we need to be careful to discern and know who we pay heed to – listen to the complete change of advice in the next chapter, Esther 6:12-13 – "And Mordecai come again to the Kings gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning and having his head covered." He had been found out – having a LYING tongue – Hebrew lashon hara. – Vs 13: "And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him – (NOW listen to their advice.) – "Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, "IF MORDECAI BE OF THE SEED OF THE JEWS, BEFORE WHOM THOU HAST BEGUN TO FALL, THOU SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST HIM, BUT SHALT SURELY FALL BEFORE HIM!"

Please, friends, pray for discernment, especially in these days of testing.

---

This is an introduction to the major Feast of Freedom as God instructed Moshe Rabbeinu, Moses our Teacher. We will look at the ultimate Feast of Our Freedom as instituted by Yeshua (Jesus) our ultimate Redeemer, Prophet, Teacher and Apostle (Shaliach – Hebrew) and the Final and Ultimate Sacrifice – the true Lamb of God.

As we go from Purim to Pesah (Passover) we prepare with kavvanot i.e. intentions, in memory of the traditional dedication of the Mishkan/Tabernacle in the wilderness. This starts on the 1st Nissan/18th March this year.

In essence Jewish concept holds that Purim has ended the yearly cycle of Festivals. Now, Pesach begins the cycle all over again. God, not angels or humans, becomes the redeemer! Isn’t it wonderful that NOW GOD HAS BECOME ONE OF US TO COMPLETE OUR REDEMPTION AND HE WILL COME BACK – AGAIN – TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO ISRAEL AND ALL NATIONS – FINAL(LY). Baruch Ha Shem – Praise the Name (of God)!

PASSOVER

Exodus 12 describes the BEGINNING of the Jewish feasts. In fact, in Hebrew, this IS the ROSH HASHANAH! i.e. head (month) of the Hebrew year. In contrast to the Babylonian Talmud which replaced the actual = Yom Teruah = Feast of Trumpets (i.e. day of blowing) with the Babylonian 7th month Festival and replaced the name of the FIRST month – relegating the name to Rosh Hashanah/1st month to the 7th month.

So, in the first month, God told the Children of Israel (B’nai Israel) to prepare to go from slavery to freedom. A Lamb would be taken as token for their innocent victim, bitter herbs and unleavened bread and most of all the protective blood of the Lamb on the lintel and doorposts as the Atonement. We’ll look at the "Door," the "appropriation of the blood and how it points to separation not only in symbol but in reality. Many "talk the talk" but don’t "walk the walk." God is about to reveal this soon! Luke 12:3 and Ephesians 5:12-13.

Next newsletter, we’ll explain Passover as you’ve probably never heard it. We’ll give the Biblical Old Testament and New Testament along with "Tradition" and its meaning. Mostly we’ll show how the Communion/Lord’s Table came to be Messiah’s special Passover for believers – Jewish and non-Jewish. Till then, Messiah’s Shalom be upon you,

---