~ The End of the Age ~

      There is no doubt that millennium fever is beginning to grip the world. As the twenty first century approaches, more and more people are searching for signs that the End of the Age might be upon us.
Most people believe the next millennium will begin at midnight on December 31, 1999, but this is really a fictitious date for two reasons:
      1.) The 21st century (on our current Gregorian calendar) will actually not begin until midnight of December 31, 2000; because two thousand years will not be fully completed until the year 2000 itself is completed.
      2.) The year 2000 (or 2001 which ever you prefer) is counted from a starting year that has absolutely no meaning. Our present numbering system for years is derived from a miscalculation concerning the year of the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah. Today all modern biblical scholars teach that Yeshua was not born in the year 1 CE (Common Era = AD). They may disagree about the actual date, but most all of them put it in the range of 2 to 5 BCE (Before the Common Era = BC).
      As you may have noticed, we are using a date of 5998 on our masthead. That date, if it is accurate (and we are not totally convinced that it is), means that on Tishri 1 (sundown on October 1,1997); a total of 5998 years will have passed since the Genesis I recreation of the earth took place. The ancient Jews taught that Messiah would arrive to usher in the "World to Come" at the beginning of the year 6001. If this is true, then we have only a very short time remaining until that event takes place. By this calculation the creation year 6001 will begin at sundown on Friday, September 10, 1999.
      However, we must not be dogmatic about dates for we all know the actual date of Yeshua’s return is totally in the hands of His Father.

      "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."
(Matt. 24:36)

      Now it is an historical fact that the expression; "No one knows the day or the hour," is a Jewish idiom identifying Rosh HaShanah, the Feast of Trumpets. When this idiom is coupled with another scripture, it causes one to wonder if maybe we are supposed to draw some conclusions concerning when this might take place.

      "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should over take you as a thief.
      "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(I Thess. 5:1-4,9)

      We are not prepared to say, without a doubt, that Yeshua is coming on Rosh HaShanah of the year 1999. What we are prepared to state is that we believe He will come on a Rosh HaShanah. If He does come in the year 1999 we will not be surprised. Neither will we be surprised if He does not come in 1999. What we do know for sure, beyond the shadow of a doubt, is that He is coming back for His Bride.
      A very interesting book that delves into this topic is called Signs in the Heavens by a Messianic Jew named Avi Ben Mordechai. In addition to his coverage of Bible chronology, Ben Mordechai also writes about, future celestial patterns which he believes signal the coming of Messiah.

      "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars..."
(Luke 21:25-28)

      It is a very interesting book, well researched and well written. If you are interested in this type of subject you may obtain a copy by writing to:

Avi Ben Mordechai
Millennium 7000 Communications
PO Box 62217
Colorado Springs, CO 80961

~ ~ ~

~ The Red Heifer Revisited ~

      In our last issue of Hebrew Roots we covered the ‘miraculous’ birth of a red heifer in the land of Israel. Since that time we have been privileged to view a 90 minute video which deals with this issue. This video is available from Hatikva Ministries, PO Box G, Neaderland, TX, 77627-1460.
      On the video, Joseph Good answers many questions about the importance of the red heifer and it’s relationship to the return of Messiah, Yeshua. Also, there are about twenty minutes of footage on the video which show’s the red heifer (her name is said to be Melody) and an interview with the Rabbi who is responsible for her care.
      In viewing the video we noticed that members of the tour group were allowed to go up to Melody and actually touch her and pet her. Since the Halakah (Hah-lah-kah = rabbinic law’) is so strict concerning this animal, it has led us to wonder if this heifer is really legitimate or if it is merely a decoy for the real one which may be hidden somewhere else.
      It has been reported that Melody may not qualify, since a number of white hairs have been found in her tail. Whether this is true, or just more propaganda, we cannot tell. One thing is sure, those in Israel who wish to rebuild the Temple are using this event to bring their cause to the attention of the world, especially the Christian Evangelical world. This is being done in the hope that support for their effort will begin to build among those who look forward to the coming of Messiah.
      If Melody turns out to be a legitimate red heifer, then the earliest she can be sacrificed is just before Rosh HaShanah in 1998. That is just one year away. The important thing to remember is that the Red Heifer sacrifice is another type of the sacrifice of our Messiah, Yeshua. It must be perfect in every way. If only one blemish (sin) can be found she is disqualified. Likewise, Yeshua was our perfect sacrifice in every way. He was perfect and no sin was found in Him.

      "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
(II Cor. 5:2 1)

~ ~ ~

~ A Sign in a Gift Shop ~

There is so much good
in the Worst of Us
And so much bad
in the Best of Us,
That it scarcely behooves
Any of Us,
To talk about the
Rest of Us.

~ ~ ~

~ The Gossip ~

      A woman repeated a bit of gossip about a neighbor. Within a few days, the whole community knew the story. The person it concerned was deeply hurt and offended. Later, the woman responsible for spreading the rumor learned that it was completely untrue. She was very sorry and went to a wise old sage to find out what she could do to repair the damage.
      "Go to the marketplace," he said, "and purchase a chicken, and have it killed. Then on your way home, pluck its feathers and drop them one by one along the road." Although surprised by this advice, the woman did what she was told.
      The next day the wise man said, "Now go and collect all those feathers you dropped yesterday and bring them back to me."
      The woman followed the same road, but to her dismay, the wind had blown all the feathers away. After searching for hours, she returned with only three in her hand. "You see," said the old sage, "it’s easy to drop them, but it’s impossible to get them back. So it is with gossip. It doesn’t take much to spread a rumor, but once you do you can never completely undo the wrong.
- Author Unknown

~ ~ ~

~ The Feast of Tabernacles ~

      Are you looking for a small Torah centered Feast of Tabernacles celebration for 1997? Want to come to the mountains of Colorado?
      A Feast site is being planned with a special purpose in mind: To keep the Feast, praise God, and study our Hebrew Roots! The dates are October 16-23, 1997. God willing, we will be attending this Feast site.
      If interested call:
      AJ. (303)238-0102 or
      Stan & Shirley (303)738-1363

~ ~ ~

~ Winter Bible Seminar ~

      Tentative plans are being made to hold a Bible teaching seminar at Wagoner, Oklahoma on the weekend of December 24-28, 1997. Details are not yet available but it looks like a number of fine teachers will be present to teach and discuss, with the attendees, a broad range of topics.
      If plans succeed, detailed information will be published in the next issue.

~ ~ ~

~ Hebrew Roots at the Feast ~

      Last year, at one of the Feast of Tabernacles sites, a friend of ours set out a sample copy of Hebrew Roots along with a sign up sheet for anyone who wanted to be on our mailing list. We did not know he was going to do this but were thankful to receive the names of people who wish to explore their Hebrew roots.
      This year we will be making a few sample copies, and a packet of current Materials Lists available for those Feast sites that have open literature tables.
      If you will be celebrating at a Feast site that encourages the sharing of outside literature, and would like to introduce Hebrew Roots to the people attending, please give us a call.
      If you are not sure if this would be acceptable at your Feast site, please check with someone in charge before you call us. But, please, please, please, do not place our literature at a Feast site where it is not welcome.
      Our phone number is (715)757-2775.

~ ~ ~

The LORD bless you, and keep you,
The LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Num. 6:24-26)

~ Shalom ~

(Aleph-Tav)

The Beginning and the End

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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