By Bill Goff
We often hear from many pulpits of the churches of God, stating that there is no calendar in the Bible, and for that reason (they say) we have to rely on the Hebrew Calendar (sometimes referred to as “God’s Sacred Calendar”) to know when to keep the Holy Day. But could that be correct? When our Heavenly Father puts so much importance on the keeping of His Holy Days, His “Appointed Times” would He neglect to give us a way to know the timing of them in the Scriptures, and expect us to rely on corruptible men to know when His Feast Days are?
I want to put this calendar issue on the table today brethren, and I hope to show that there IS a calendar in the Scriptures. And that it is quite a simple one. Remember, there is simplicity in Christ Jesus. And remember the Scriptures also say that much is hidden from the wise and prudent Matthew 10:25 & Luke 10: 21-23. Yes, there is much that has been hidden from the “scholars” but thankfully much is revealed unto babes.
So let us look for simplicity today in the Scriptures concerning the calendar issue, and let’s not approach this subject as if we have to climb Mount Everest to comprehend God’s calendar, because the calendar issue is just a mole hill that can easily be understood.
Now, as we move on lets also realize something else that is important to keep in mind. God doesn’t lie, and He is a God who means what He says, and says what He means. So let us put our trust in Him, and in His Word, and not in men.
In Genesis 1:14 we are told: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for “seasons”(Strong’s #4150 same exact word in Scripture for “feasts” & “appointed time”) and for days, and years. Scripture plainly and clearly tells us here that the lights in the firmament of the heavens are for determining “God’s Holy days” and for “days” and “years.” Yes Brethren, God has given the “authority” to determine His Holy days to the Sun and Moon. Notice verse: 16 “And God made two great lights; the greater lights to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. That word “rule” is Strong’s 4475 rule; a realm or a ruler; dominion, government, power, to rule.
Can it be that God has placed His calendar in the heavens for all to see and observe? Yes, no need to rely on men to know when the day begins, no need to rely on men to know when the year begins, and no need to rely on men to know when to observe the Holy Days, because that authority was not given to men, that authority was given to the sun and moon. The sun and moon are there to tells us when the day begins, when the month begins, and even when the Holy days are. Yes, God’s calendar is in the heavens like we are told in Psalm 104:19 “He appointed the moon for “seasons” (again #4150 feasts, appointed times) and the sun knoweth his going down.
Now, as we move on, let us realize something else that helps simplify God’s calendar. The Hebrew word for “month” is the same exact Hebrew word for “new moon”. Its Strong’s #2320 = the new moon; by implication, a month:- month(-ly) new moon.
So we can read the verses pertaining to the Holy Days using the word “month” or “new moon” because it means the same thing. For example in Leviticus 23:5 we can read that verse as follows: In the fourteenth day of the first “month” is the Lords Passover. Or: In the fourteenth day of the first “new moon” is the Lord’s Passover.
Now being that God lists His Holy Days by simply stating the “day” and “month” in which to observe them, we need only to know “when” each “day” and when each “month” begins. Then it’s just a matter of counting to the fourteenth day for Passover, or the tenth day for Atonement etc. etc. on their particular months.
Now most will agree that the “day” begins at sundown. But most will not agree when the “month” begins. But once again, there is simplicity here, because the Scripture is quite clear concerning when the “month “or “new moon” begins. And, let us keep in mind that all of our “beliefs” all of our “doctrines” need to be supported by Scripture. Not by our own reasoning, or any other mans reasoning or agendas. Its God’s “Word” that holds the Truth and sets us free; its God’s “Word” (the Scriptures) that sanctifies us.
The majority of the brethren in God’s church incorrectly observe the Holy days in accordance with the Hebrew calendar, with all of its postponements and manmade rules. The second largest group in God’s church incorrectly looks to the sighting of the “crescent” of the new moon to determine the Holy Days. But, there is no Scripture that tells us to use the crescent or sighting of the crescent moon to determine when the month begins. Brethren, it is the Scripture that need to support “all” of our beliefs and doctrines, not our own reasoning or reasoning of men. And there is a Scripture that does tell us exactly when the new moon is, and when the month begins. It’s Psalm 81:3 where we are told: “Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the “time appointed,” on our solemn feast day. That word “time appointed” tells us exactly “when” the new moon or month is. It’s Strong’s #3677 from #3680 properly, fullness or the full moon, i.e. its festival;- (time) appointed. And to elaborate from #3680 to plumb, i.e. to fill up hollows; by implication, to cover, conceal, hide.
Brethren, the new moon is not determined by when you see its crescent, the new moon is determined by when it is fully dark, covered, concealed, and hidden. Astronomers support this, as specified in the following statement found on the Internet:
New Moon – The Invisible Phase
in modern astronomy, the New Moon is when the Sun and Moon are aligned, with the Sun and Earth on opposite sides of the Moon. The New Moon is invisible from Earth. At New Moon, the Sun, Moon, and Earth, are in alignment, technically known as Syzygy. (Yes, same as Psalm 81:3 states “Plumb.”)
I found the following commentary in a very old Bible of mine. It pertains to 1st Samuel 20:5 where Jonathan was talking to David about the “new moon” I will quote it here:
“At the beginning of each month, the Israelites gathered to celebrate the New Moon festival. While this was mainly a time to be enjoyed, it was also a way to dedicate the next month to God. Other nations had celebrations during the full moon, and worshiped the moon itself. The Israelites however, celebrated their festival at the time of the new moon, when the moon was not visible in the sky. This was an added precaution against false worship. Nothing in the creation is to be worshiped – only the Creator.”
Now that we have seen Scriptures that tell us how to determine the month, let us see how we can determine the beginning of months. Yes, how can we know when the New Year begins? Remember Genesis 1:14 tells us that the sun and moon are for signs and seasons(and also for) days, and years.
EQUINOXES
The vernal and autumnal equinoxes are signs made by the sun that mark the turns of the year in spring and autumn. At the times when the sun is crossing the celestial equator day and night are of nearly equal length at all latitudes so we call these dates the ‘equinoxes’. No part of the earth is hidden from the sun’s light or heat on the day of the equinox.
The Latin word, equinox, is not mentioned by that name in the scriptures but Psalms 19:6describes what an equinox does. (6) “His going forth is from the end of heaven, and his circuitunto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” The word circuit in this verse is Strong’s #8622, the Hebrew word tequwphah or tequphah, tek-oo-faw, from 5362, a revolution, i.e. (of the sun) course, (of time) lapse:– circuit, come about, end. The Hebrew word for heat in this verse is Strong’s #2535, chammah, khqm-maw’, from 2525; heat; by implication the sun:– heat, sun. As the sun makes its circuit (across the equator) there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. A good description of what an equinox does.
In Exodus 34:22, this same Hebrew word, tequphah, #8622, indicates that the autumnal equinox marks the year’s end or turn of the year, referring to the last part of the year. (22) “And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s “end,” (Strong’s #8622). Jay P. Green’s Interlinear Bible translates the word end in this verse as the year’s “turn.”
The vernal and autumnal equinoxes are signs made by the sun that mark the turns of the year in spring and autumn, thus making it quite easy to keep both the Spring and Fall Holy Days in season. Once the vernal (spring) equinox occurs, the next new moon is the first month of the year. Fourteen days later is the Passover. And in the fall, once the autumn equinox occurs, the following new moon is the beginning of the seventh month (Trumpets) ten days later is the Day of Atonement. And on the fifteenth day the Feast of Tabernacles begins.
Brethren, there is simplicity in the Word of God, and God’s Holy Day calendar IS in the Scriptures. Each year when I look to see when the Holy Days are so I can post the dates on the Web site, I first check with a few others that also use the Scriptures to determine the calendar. And without previous conversing, we always come up with the same exact Holy Day dates. So don’t be fooled and led astray by men who are deceived and being deceived. Prove all things, hold fast that which is Good.