A DIVINE INVITATION
Right after the Lord birthed All Things Restored, He asked us if we would allow Him to align us with His times and seasons. Knowing that it was a Divine invitation, we said yes, having no idea what that really meant. This began a journey of learning about His appointed times and the precision and fluidity of His calendar, which is so different from the timetable of our society today. This place of discovery prompted us to begin doing our monthly new moon Love Feasts… a time of delicious food, amazing company and lots and lots of fun!
THE MOON AND THE MO’EDIM
The Bible does not clearly state that the month begins with the new moon. Yet Genesis 1:14 tells us that God created the sun, moon and stars for signs and seasons. And Psalm 104:19 specifically states that it is the moon that marks these seasons. The Hebrew word for seasons is “mo’edim,” which literally means “appointed times.” It is the same word used in Leviticus 23 to describe the feasts and holy days that God commanded Moses and the children of Israel to observe. The word used for new moon in Hebrew is “Rosh Chodesh,” which literally means “beginning, head, or renewal, thus “head of the month.” And in the Bible, the months were numbered rather than named. The Hebrew names we often hear became part of Jewish culture as a result of the Babylonian captivity.
WHEN IS THE NEW MOON?
Because the Bible does not clearly state how to calculate the new moon, there is much debate as to whether it is counted at the time of conjunction (when the earth, moon and sun are in a straight line) or at the time when the first visible crescent moon is seen in the night sky. But according to the book of Enoch, the sunset following conjunction is the beginning of the first day of the new month (Enoch 73:4). Many people are adamant that the new moon should be “observed,” but miss the fact that right before conjunction, a crescent moon can be seen in the east as the sun is rising.
BIBLICAL PATTERN: EVERYTHING BEGINS IN DARKNESS
Because the earth, moon and sun are aligned at conjunction, there is actually no moon visible in the night sky, and it may seem contradictory to call it a new moon. Yet, this actually fits the Biblical pattern of creation beginning in darkness (Genesis 1:1). In this chapter, we also see that the new day begins in the darkness of evening. Psalm 139:13 tells us clearly that life begins at conception and that we exist in the darkness of the womb long before we are seen by any eyes other than His. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” So, as an earthly picture of a heavenly reality, we know by faith that things exist first in the unseen realm and then simply manifest into visible dimensions.
WE’RE NOT UNDER THE LAW
Colossians 2:16-17: “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
In Christ, we are not under the law and are under no obligation to observe new moons and sabbaths. The old covenant was fulfilled in Christ, so the feasts, which are an earthly type and shadow of heavenly things, are demonstrations that Jesus fulfilled them all. When we choose to observe the feasts, we do not observe them in order to be righteous, but so that we can display Jesus to the world!
WE’RE NOT UNDER TIME
In Christ, we have been given dominion over creation, which includes time, since time is a created thing. Time is a currency of earth, and God is teaching His sons the rhythms and the mysteries governing earth, so that we can rise above them, rule over them and advance His kingdom here. Understanding and celebrating his “mo’edim” (appointed times) is just one small part of this Divine school of understanding “how it works.”
A FEAST, A CELEBRATION
Traditionally, Rosh Chodesh (the new moon, or head of the month) was a joyous time of singing, dancing, Scripture reading and the partaking of a festive meal together.
COME JOIN US
If you’re local or are planning to visit Jacksonville, FL, USA, we’d love for you to join us as we step outside of our rigid calendar-driven lives and into the Father’s dancing rhythm. Come celebrate with us the mystery of His mo’edim. Come eat some scrumptious food with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet… and have the time of your life! If you live elsewhere, consider incorporating this joyous celebration into your life, your family or your fellowship. God loves to have fun with us, so just ask Holy Spirit for some creative ways to set the tone of each new cycle with love, abundance and laughter.
Here are the dates for our 2023 feasts. We celebrate at different people’s homes each month, so you’ll need to contact info@allthingsrestored.org for times and locations.
11th Month: Sunday, January 22nd
12th Month: Monday, February 20th
1st Month: Tuesday, March 21st
2nd Month: Thursday, April 20th
3rd Month: Friday, May 19th
4th Month: Sunday, June 18th
5th Month: Tuesday, July 18th
6th Month: Wednesday, August 16th
7th Month: Friday, September 15th
8th Month: Sunday, October 15th
9th Month: Monday, November 13th
10th Month: Wednesday, December 13th