Fasts Of The New Moons
Identifying The Fast Of The New Moon: The New Moon marks the first day of each Biblical month. That is, the first New Moon following the Vernal Equinox identifies New Years Day of each Biblical Year and the subsequent New Moons identify the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, ... thru the 12th and sometimes 13th month. And the 13th month is automatically inserted if the 13th New Moon occurs before the Vernal Equinox (Exodus 12:2;13:4).
Note that if the New Moon occurs after sundown, the fast of the New Moon commences at sundown. If the New Moon occurs before sundown, then the fast of the New Moon commences with the previous sundown as each Biblical day extends from sundown to sundown. Thus, at times, the day of the New Moon may vary by one day depending on a person's location.
The New Moon Is A Fast Day: A Biblical fast day involves no food from sundown to sundown but, as a cleansing agent, drink plenty of water. The water, of course, symbolizes the Word ... drink plenty of the Word. Sharing your food with others involves sharing the Word. Note: every day is a time for sharing food with the needy which includes both the Word and that which nourishes the physical body.
Fasting is a simple exercise of self restraint, choosing obedience despite the pleasures and addictions of life. Fasting is voluntary and not to be imposed on animals, little children and infants, the sick, and the infirm not aware of matters.
The Meaning Of The New Moon: Like the visible manifestation of the apparent sun overtaking the moon, the true light overtaking the image; the New Moon foreshadows the glorious events of Atonement.
Note that the fast of Trumpets (the first day of the seventh month) heralded the arrival of The LORD'S Day as it prefigured the year 6001 from Creation. However, the year 6001 from Creation came and went without recognition. Nevertheless, The LORD'S Day is here. And the next annual Holy Day following Trumpets is Atonement.
Atonement, of course, is when the Messiah officially receives His kingdom, the Betrothed Wife is given unto the Son (Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 11:15; Exodus 21:2,7-11; Psalm 110:1-4; Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42-43). So, again, the fast of each New Moon involves self restraint, obedience, just as required for entering the kingdom (Deuteronomy 30:1-3; Isaiah 56:1-8; Psalm 94:16; Exodus 23:20-25). Again, each New Moon prefigures Atonement.
Again, this is so very important to know that GOD repeats it 12 and sometimes 13 times each year. The physical New Moon is identified by the apparent motion of the sun, the true, as it overtakes the moon, the image. It therefore prefigures Atonement Year (6010 from Creation: 2005-2006 AD Spring to Spring). As such, the New Moon identifies both the occasion when Jesus receives His Kingdom and when Satan is cast down and comes to reign over his Eighth Kingdom, the Tares (Leviticus 16:7-10,15-22; Colossians 2:16-17; Daniel 4:35-37).
Celebrating The New Moon: Since each day of the New Moon is to be kept Holy unto the LORD: in addition to fasting from sundown to sundown observers are required to rest, take it easy, do no work, and turn from the ways of the world. This includes no traveling, no laundry, no shopping (buying and selling), no washing vehicles, no yard work, no ball games, etc.
Don't light fires refers to no cooking and no working. It does not prohibit lighting fires to keep warm. However, people are responsible for getting fuel, chopping wood, etc. beforehand.
Note that emergencies, caring for animals, caring for the sick and injured, caring for children and the elderly, etc. are exempted.
Scripture does not require any special festivities at the moment (time) of the sun's transit of the moon ... the whole 24 hour day is a time of fasting.
New Moon References: Colossians 2:16-17; Isaiah 58:3-7; 66:23; Zechariah 7:3-7; 8:19; Ezekiel 46:3; Daniel 9:3; Leviticus 23:26-32; 16:29-31; Psalm 118:15-16; Isaiah 40:10.
| Prepared By Father - Son Team George & Dana Brown P.O. Box 320932 Cocoa Beach, Florida USA 32932-0932 Email: brianshouse@yahoo.com |