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The Mystery of No One Knows the Day or the Hour
Faithful Performance is a ministry that correlates the current events of today to the biblical prophets, and specializes in teaching the Jewish roots of Jesus to the Gentiles, while revealing to the Jews that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.
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The Mystery of No One Knows the Day or the Hour

Hello Friends,

In the Gospels, Messiah’s Olivet Discourse prophesied that “no one knows the day and hour” (Matthew 24-25) of His Second Coming events. When we read this terminology on the “surface,” some believers have understood this phrase to mean that no one will know the day and hour of Messiah’s Second Coming events. Of course, it is true that no one will understand the day and the hour, as there are twenty-four times zones across the globe, and it can be two different days at one time. However, did Messiah use this phrase as a metaphor so that we could understand the “season” of His Second Coming events? Does the phrase, “no one knows the day and hour” correlate with one of the Lord’s seven feasts in Leviticus 23?  Before we explore this mystery, it is very important for us to understand that Messiah commands us to watch for His signs and seasons (feasts).

Luke 21:36, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Messiah commands His people to watch and pray, so that we may be counted worthy to escape all the things that shall come to pass, which refers to the great tribulation period. Please note, Luke 21 parallels Matthew 24 and Mark 13, which prophesies about the great tribulation (Olivet Discourse). At Messiah’s First Coming, He scolded the religious leaders and people for not understanding the “time of their visitation.”

Luke 12:56, “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?”

In fact, because the religious leaders and the children of Israel did not understand the “time of their visitation,” Messiah also prophesied about the judgment that would occur upon the children of Israel and Jerusalem.

Luke 19:41-44, “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies (Romans AD 70) will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

At Messiah’s First Coming, the religious leaders and the children of Israel had the Old Testament (Torah, Biblical prophets, Psalms), which includes the seven feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23), to understand the coming of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus (Yeshua) of Nazareth. For 1,500 years, the children of Israel kept the Lord’s feasts as “dress rehearsals” to understand the arrival of the Messiah; the Feast of Passover, Unleavened Bread, FirstFruits, and Shavuot (Pentecost), which are the first four feasts of the Lord in Leviticus 23. At Messiah’s First Coming, He fulfilled the first four feasts to the day, hour, and details of the ceremony found in Leviticus 23; Passover (died), Unleavened Bread (buried), FirstFruits (resurrected), and Shavuot (poured out the Holy Spirit). Nevertheless, the children of Israel did not understand the “time of their visitation,” just as Messiah stated (Luke 19:41-44).

Now, let us fast forward 2,000 years. Today, both Jew and Gentile have the Old Testament (Tanakh) AND the New Testament (Brit Hadashah) in order to help everyone understand “the time of our visitation.” However today, just like the children of Israel at Messiah’s First Coming, neither Jew or Gentile, as a whole, understands when “the time of our visitation,” which is Messiah’s Second Coming, will actually occur.

The apostle Paul explains that the children of Israel (Jews) are “partially blinded” until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25). This means that the children of Israel, as a whole, will not accept Jesus (Yeshua) as the Jewish Messiah until the end of the age, thus denying the validity of the New Testament. (Please note, I am speaking in terms of a whole nation, because there always have been and always will be a Jewish remnant that believes in Yeshua). As a whole, the Gentiles are also partially blinded, because some are strictly “New Testament” believers who have no concept or understanding of how the Torah and the Biblical prophets of the Old Testament correlate with Messiah and the New Testament, including the book of Revelation.

So, when Jews and Gentiles each decide to let go of the way they perceive these things, the scales will fall from their eyes, and each will be blessed and understand the “complete picture” of God Almighty’s perfect, divine salvation plan for both of them. This can only be achieved and completely understood by having the wisdom and knowledge of both Old and New Testaments, which includes the seven feasts of the Lord. Make no mistake, the Holy Bible is one complete book, and we should study and understand it that way.

It is very important to understand that God “declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times, things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:10). If we do not understand the beginning, which is the Torah and the Biblical prophets (Old Testament), how can we completely understand the end? According to the prophet Isaiah, a person cannot fully understand God’s plan for mankind without studying the Torah and the Biblical prophets.

Additionally, if God does not change (Malachi 3:6), and Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), then He wants us to understand “the time of our visitation!” This is not to be confused with setting dates concerning His Second Coming events. Instead, this is to direct us in how to watch and understand the signs and seasons (feasts) that He has divinely appointed for us, which directly correlates with the Lord’s seven feasts (Leviticus 23). Please note, the Hebrew word for seasons is Mo’ed (Strong’s #4150), which means a feast or a divine appointment (Leviticus 23).

In last week’s article, we discovered that Messiah sometimes taught the disciples by using Jewish traditions and terminology, since they would have understood the reference point. It is important to remember that Jesus (Yeshua) is Jewish, His disciples are Jewish, and the Holy Bible is a Jewish (Israel) centered book. Gentile believers are grafted into the commonwealth of Israel (Romans 11), therefore, they are included in the blessings of the promised everlasting covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants). Hallelujah!

Ephesians 2:11-13, “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands–that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”  (Also see Romans 11)

Galatians 3:26-29, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Now, let us review the origination of the phrase “no one knows the day and hour,” as we will gain great insight into what feast (season) Messiah was referencing when He used this terminology. During the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, the children of Israel (Jews) were taken into Babylonian captivity and also exiled and scattered among the nations (Book of Jeremiah). Nevertheless, the children of Israel were still commanded by God under the Mosaic Covenant (Old Covenant) to keep His feasts and commandments found in Leviticus 23.

The Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25) is the beginning of the Hebrew (Jewish) civil calendar. It is the only feast that begins on the new moon, which falls on Tishri 1-2 (Oct 3-4, 2016). Once the leaders knew what day the new moon fell on, they could mark the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets, as well as the other feasts. However, because the children of Israel were scattered among the nations after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, the only way they could communicate with each other and observe the Feast of Trumpets was by lighting fires on the mountaintops in order to signal the feast had begun. However, by the time they were able to spread the word and observe the Feast of Trumpets, the day was over. So, the Feast of Trumpets was observed for two days (Tishri 1-2) to ensure that all of the children of Israel could observe it, as commanded by God (Leviticus 23). In Judaism, it is known as the feast where “no one knew the day and hour it came,” because of the Diaspora, and the time it took to light the fires on the mountaintops across the land. (There is a wise saying that if Satan would have known what day and hour the Feast of Trumpets fell on (Tishri 1-2), then he would not have wanted our Lord crucified, because this means his time is drawing nigh (Revelation 12:12).

Another tradition and customary terminology used by the children of Israel, related to a Jewish wedding. In Jesus’ day, weddings were arranged, so when someone would ask the son the date of his wedding day, the son would say, “Only my Father knows.” Let us remember, Jesus (Yeshua) is a Jew and spoke in Aramaic (Hebrew). When He spoke using these traditions and customary terminology, the children of Israel would have understood the reference point, which in this case, is the Feast of Trumpets. Now, let us discover these traditions in the Gospels.

Matthew 24:36,40,44, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is comingBut know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Messiah is prophesying about the Rapture/Natsaw (one will be taken and one left). From the traditions above, He is explaining that the Rapture will occur on God’s appointed year on the Feast of Trumpets. When He states, “no one knows the day and hour,” He is metaphorically referencing the Feast of Trumpets, and the disciples would have understood the phrase as it correlates to this feast. Furthermore, when Messiah proclaims, “only My Father knows,” He is explaining that the Rapture and all of the events (idioms) on the Feast of Trumpets are “arranged,” just like a Jewish wedding, and it will occur on God’s appointed year(s) on the Feast of Trumpets. Again, nobody will know the day and the hour of the Rapture and the events of the Feast of Trumpets, because it a two day feast, and will occur on Tishri 1 or Tishri 2 of God’s calendar, which is the Hebrew calendar.

Messiah concludes His prophecy by giving us a parable about the master and the thief.* Just as we discovered in last week’s article, Messiah does not come as a thief in the night to the people who are faithful and watchful, and who continuously pray that they may be counted worthy to escape all the things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

The Importance of Watching

In the Olivet Discourse, Messiah also explains the difference between a good and watchful servant and a evil and unfaithful servant.

Matthew 24:45-50, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Messiah confirms how important it is for us to watch for His Second Coming events, which correlate with the feasts (Leviticus 23), so that “we (good servants) will be blessed when the Master (Messiah) comes and finds us watching. Messiah continues with a very sobering prophecy for the evil servants, which are the believers who are not watching for His Second Coming events, and which will occur on the three unfulfilled fall feasts (Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles). Messiah declares, “the master (Messiah) will come on a day (Feast of Trumpets-tradition) when he (believer who is not watching) is not looking for him and at an hour (Feast of Trumpets-tradition) that he (believer who is not watching) is not aware of.”  This is referring to the Feast of Trumpets (day and hour). He continues with the judgment for the believers (evil servants) who did not watch, as “He will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites (unbelievers), where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), He gives three consecutive parables that explains the importance of watching for His Second Coming events, which will occur on the Feast of Trumpets, the Feast of Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Certainly, if Messiah did not want us to watch for the “time of our visitation,”which are His Second Coming events, He would not have strongly emphasized three consecutive parables about watching for His return.

Matthew 25:1-13, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish virgins said to the wise virgins, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Messiah is clearly speaking to the foolish virgins when he proclaimed, “Assuredly, I do not know you,” since they were not prepared, did not watch, and missed the “time of their visitation.” When the Lord states, “watch therefore, for you neither know the day nor the hour,” He is referencing the Feast of Trumpets, as it is the feast “no one knew the day or hour,” because of the Diaspora. In other words, the wise virgins were prepared and watching, thus understanding “the time of their visitation.”

Messiah also gives us additional insight regarding the Rapture (Natsaw), which will also occur on the Feast of Trumpets. He states, “and while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding.” The wedding of Messiah is referring to ia another idiom (event) that will occur on God’s appointed time on the Feast of Trumpets, although it will occur after the Rapture. (We will discover all of the events of the Feast of Trumpets in the article on October 2nd).

The Feast of Trumpets Events (Idioms): The events of the Feast of Trumpets will occur in the exact order as listed. Please note, the events could occur on one year or on different years during the seven year tribulation period before Messiah’s Second Coming on the Feast of Yom Kippur.

  • The Day of the awakening blast (Rapture)
  • The Seven Year Tribulation
  • The opening of the gates/doors (Judgment Day)
  • The Hidden Day
  • The Wedding of the Messiah.
  • The Coronation of the Messiah

Therefore, the question is, “Do you want to be at the wedding of the Messiah?” I am sure that the answer is a resounding yes! With that being said, it would be wise to observe the “dress rehearsal” of the Feast of Trumpets until that glorious day, so that you will be a wise virgin and not a foolish one. If you were about to be married, would not your betrothed be upset with you for not attending the dress rehearsal before the wedding? Or if you were the Best Man or Maid of Honor at a wedding, and you skipped the rehersal, would not the bride and groom be upset with you for not attending? How would you understand what to do at the wedding? It is safe to say that the answer is absolutely yes. Certainly, Messiah feels the same way if we do not pray, meditate, celebrate, and proclaim the dress rehearsals of His feasts, including the Feast of Trumpets.

Revelations 3:1-3, “And to the angel of the church in Sardis (dead church) write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

In the book of Revelation, Messiah is clearly speaking to the dead church (Sardis), because He tells them to be watchful. Messiah continues to prophesy that “if they do not watch, He will come upon them as a thief in the night (tradition from last week), and He will come at an hour that they do not expect.” Again, He is referencing the Feast of Trumpets from the tradition above. The apostle Paul also gives us great insight and confirmation of the importance of the Lord’s feasts.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, “But concerning the times and the seasons (feasts), 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.”

Paul is proclaiming that the people who are faithful and watchful, like the Thessalonian church, do not need to be written to about the “times and the seasons (feasts-Mo’ed #4150), because they perfectly understand the Lord’s feasts (seasons); Leviticus 23.

In conclusion, the Feast of Trumpets is the feast that “no one knew the day or hour it came,” because of the Diaspora. Messiah used this phrase to teach the disciples, beause they would have understood its correlation to the Feast of Trumpets. We have to remember that just as we have terminology and phrases in the specific region of the world that we live in, so did Messiah and the children of Israel. So, in order to understand what Messiah and His prophets are telling us, we must study the terminology associated with the period of time in which they lived. My friends, it cannot be overstated how important it is for us to celebrate and proclaim the Lord’s seven feasts, because they are His feasts, and they directly correlate with Messiah’s Second Coming events. I pray that if you have not made the paradigm shift in understanding the Lord’s feasts and how they correlate with Messiah’ First and Second Coming events, that you will do it today and celebrate the three fall feasts coming in October (Tishri)! Without question, understanding the Lord’s feasts will deepen your relationship and knowledge of Messiah and His Second Coming events, including the book of Revelation! In the name higher than every other name, Jesus the Messiah (Yeshua Hamashiach), who is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Ancient of Days, the Author and the Finisher of our faith, and the eternal and everlasting God of Israel, Amen, Amen, and Amen! ​

 

Joe Harvey
chad@turtlecreek333.com
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