"But the silence of the scriptures upon this point evidences to us that it is hidden from us for the wisest purposes" (EGWSROCHG 1.2).
Let me explain first and foremost that, there is nothing one can do to attain salvation. Salvation is God's free gift to man without man's input. Anything we do, is an expression of our faith demonstrated in love, gratitude and thanksgiving, but must be in spirit and in truth.
THE DAY OF CHRIST’S DEATH DIRECTS TO THE DAY OF HIS BIRTH
It is generally accepted according to the book of Luke that, “Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age.” And His ministry lasted for three and a half years .He died on the fourteenth day of the first month according to the Jewish sacred Calendar, which theoretically points to His birth date as the fifteenth day of the seventh month, exactly six months after the date of His death.
Jesus’ ministry began at the Feast of Tabernacles. It is written, “Now the Jews feast of Tabernacles was at hand. So His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea that Your disciples may see the works You are doing. For no man works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world. For even His brothers did not believe Him” (John 7:2-5).
But Jesus said to them: "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come" (John 7; 6-8).
Now, about the middle of the Feast Jesus went up to the temple and taught. The Jews marveled at it, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when He has never studied? (John 7:14-15).
Therefore, Christ's three and a half years of ministry began with the Feast of Tabernacles, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and culminated with His death on the 14th day of the first month at the Passover.The birth of John Baptist also points to the birth of Jesus Christ to the seventh month of the Jewish sacred calendar.
It was the official duty of Aaron and four of his sons, namely; Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar to offer sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded (1 Chronicles 6:49; 1 Chronicles 23:27-32).
Two of the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu died before Aaron their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests. David divided the services of the temple between the sons of Eleazar who numbered sixteen, and the sons of Ithamar who numbered eight, giving a total of twenty four divisions.(1 Chronicles 24:1-4).
Dividing twenty four divisions to serve during a period of twelve months means that, each division would have to serve for a period of two (2) weeks: or more precisely two weeks, one day, and four hours, by dividing fifty two weeks in the year into twenty four divisions.
The scriptures state clearly that, Abijah from whom Zacharias the father of John Baptist descended was of the eighth division. Implying that the time Zacharias was visited by the angel it was during the fifteenth and sixteenth week of the Jewish sacred calendar, or the last two weeks of the fourth month of the year.
Now according to Luke’s gospel, “As soon as the days of his [Zacharias’] service were completed, that he departed to his own house’. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months saying, thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”
Zacharias left the temple at the end of the fourth month mute, and unable to speak because he did not believe what the angel told him, went home to his wife at the beginning of the fifth month, now since it is clearly stated that, "after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived;" one can therefore conclude that Elizabeth was conceived during the fifth month of the year.
Now, nine months of normal pregnancy will lead us to the birth of John Baptist, to be during the first month of the following year. It is well documented in the scriptures that John Baptist was six months older than Jesus Christ (see Luke 1:26, 36).
Therefore if John Baptist was born during the first month of the year, it is therefore conclusive that Jesus Christ was born six months later, which leads us to the seventh month of the year according to the Jewish calendar, which begins its first month with the first new moon in spring, between the months of March – April, and the seventh month begins with the new moon between late September and early October.
The feast of Tabernacles therefore, celebrates the birth day of Jesus Christ and the Eighth Day of the feast commemorates His circumcision.
These times of ignorance God has overlooked and now commands all men everywhere to repent.
With brotherly Love
Lucius Joseph.
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