The question is often asked of some of us Disciples of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), as to why we recognize the major High Holy Days of the Jews….when Christians are no longer under the law of Moses, but the Doctrine of Grace. This is an excellent question, since a few of our brethren can go a little in the other extreme and place themselves back under the authority (and therefore,the judgment) of the Torah! I suggest the following article to get a flavor of these important Biblical feasts, and the signs we need to look for and comprehend.

Yom Kippur 2012 has added significance. When read against the words of the Apostle John in 1 John 3:5 about the Atonement of the Cross, by Jesus (You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin… 1 John 3:5 ESV), we should recognize the time of the Return of the Messiah is fast approaching.

Check this out. This man is told to go find a prostitute! If that does not sound bad enough, he is told to MARRY her and have children. Then not only is he told she will run away and go back to her “oldest profession”, but then this poor guy has to go find her and BUY her back as if he were one of her vile customers.

Then after purchasing her, he has to bring her back into his home and forgive her adultery and love her! If this sounds like something you and I will never do – hold on! We will – if the God of Heaven and earth not only told us to do it, but then gave us the spiritual strength to accomplish it.

This is the story of the great Old Testament prophet Hosea, who lived around the time of Isaiah, who himself went through his own trials and tribulations. Isaiah would later be sawed in half by the corrupt priesthood of that day! My study of Hosea in the past couple weeks provided many insights and truths about our wonderful, forgiving and compassionate God. It is possible to admire and love Him even more!

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