A time is coming when everyone will be held accountable for what he or she has done in life. We must be ready to answer when that day comes. What can we do to prepare ourselves for that time?
Acknowledge Wrongdoing
Everyone has sinned; everyone has gone against the teachings, instructions, and commandments of God.
- We lie.
- We cheat.
- We steal.
- We gossip, slander, and mistreat people.
- We act selfishly.
- We do wrong then try to weasel our way out of trouble.
- We deny our God.
Everyone carries the guilt of sin, but there is a solution.
Receive God’s Forgiveness
…if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
God promised to forgive us our sins if we will:
- Humble ourselves before Him
- Seek Him in prayer
- Acknowledge our wrongdoing
- Ask for His forgiveness
- Commit ourselves to change and stop doing what is evil
All we need to do is act in faith, which is to believe God’s promise and put it into practice.
Receive God’s Atonement
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:22-25)
God forgives us when seek Him and turn away from our sins. However, our relationship with God is still damaged and requires restoration. Sin carries a penalty that must be resolved, and God cannot simply turn a blind-eye to sin or arbitrarily dismiss it. God is love, but God is also just. For God’s law to have any power and authority, it must be upheld and enforced. Forgiveness is the first step towards restoring the relationship, but then we need atonement to fully restore us to God.
Yeshua, commonly known as Jesus, is the Messiah who saved us from the penalty of our sin. Jesus resolved the penalty for our sin by taking our guilt upon himself and sacrificing himself in our place. In this way, the penalty required under God’s law is paid and God’s justice is appeased.
All we need to do is act in faith, which is to believe God accepts Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for our sin then faithfully follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
The Coming Fall Feasts
At any time, even right now, we can act in faith on God’s promises. We can humble ourselves before God, ask Him to forgive our sins, and faithfully follow Jesus as our savior. But the coming fall feasts are a special time to be mindful of these things. These are appointed times of God when He told us to meet with Him.
To love God is to obey Him, and that includes keeping His appointed holy days. Furthermore, the fall feasts contain spiritual lessons and foreshadow the future return of Jesus.
Yom Teruah
Begins at sundown September 9, 2018
Ends at sundown September 10, 2018
Yom Teruah is the day of trumpets. It is a time of calling and awakening. We should hear the call, turn to God, and prepare ourselves for His coming. This is a time to reflect on our condition, come before God in prayer, and make ourselves ready for His return.
Yom Teruah foreshadows Jesus’ return. Jesus will return with the sound of a trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16) before the final judgement commences.
Yom Kippur
Begins at sundown September 18, 2018
Ends at sundown September 19, 2018
Yom Kippur is the day of atonement. It is a time for the sins of the people to be acknowledged and cleansed so that we, as a kingdom, are restored to God.
Yom Kippur foreshadows the Day of YHWH when all will be judged according to what they have done. Those who have Jesus’ salvation will receive atonement and be purified to enter the eternal kingdom.
Sukkot
Begins at sundown September 23, 2018
Ends at sundown September 30, 2018
Eight Day Sabbath
begins at sundown September 30, 2018
Ends at sundown October 1, 2018
Sukkot is a feast of celebration. We celebrate God’s blessings and all He has done for us.
Sukkot foreshadows what is commonly known as the “Wedding Feast of the Lamb”. It is the time when all God’s redeemed people will celebrate the completion of the eternal kingdom with Jesus’ rule on the throne.