Journey to the Mountain of the Lord
Feast of Tabernacles 2023
(Sermon Notes) By Warren Zehrung 9/30/2023
We begin by giving thanks to God for all He has given us—especially His word and calling. After calling us to a knowledge of His Truth, it is His word – the Bible – that enlightens us.
The beloved apostle John had quite a library – he had all of the Old Testament scriptures, and the 3 synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and the epistles of Paul before him as he wrote his gospel, his epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
And John included in his writings many details, trends, times and dates that were keys to understanding so much of the rest of the Bible.
God fulfills his purpose for things according to His specific time schedule – especially in regard to His Holy Days.
John wrote all about Jesus in a way that is most enlightening to God’s people — while at the same time being an enigma to the world.
John 1:4 In him [Jesus Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men.
Jesus is definitely our enlightenment.
John 1:5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The entire world lay in darkness until the light of Christ appeared. The darkness comprehended it not – meaning the world cannot properly understand the Scriptures which reveal what God is doing—but we can know.
1John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light [Jesus Christ] now shines.
This world was in darkness until Jesus – who is the light of men – appeared on earth.
Brethren, we have the Berean brethren for example who received the word of God with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). (Berea is in southwestern Macedonia in northern Greece about 35 miles from Thessalonica.)
A good and proper knowledge of the bible is a life-time of work and searching – and still we will not find all that the bible reveals.
But that should not deter us from searching – quite the contrary – it should embolden us to search ever deeper into God’s word.
This first day of the Feast began fittingly last evening with a beautiful and bright full moon. Sharon and I went out on our front porch – and watched it rise. I said to her, “There is a very real probability that Jesus was born on this bright beautiful night at the very beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles.”
There are a set of scriptures about the birth of Jesus Christ I would like to look at today – that the church has been somewhat reluctant, reticent – I would even say remiss, negligent – to preach much about.
They are beautiful and informative verses about the birth of Jesus Christ, that the Catholic church has appropriated for their music and abominable Christmas celebrations. In the past, when we came to those verses, we quickly jumped past them because they sounded too much like “Christmas.”
Brethren, that was our mistake. All these verses in the Bible are the inspired word of God, and should be considered as such. So please do not be offended when we read from the word of God today.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Greek word “dwelt” is derived from the word skenoo [pronounced skay-no-o], which literally means to pitch one’s tent or tabernacle with.
Only John uses this word “dwelt” – and he uses it only 5 times! No one else uses skenoo.
Dwelt among us literally means tabernacled among us! John is emphasizing that Jesus dwelt among us.
That is appropriate for today on this Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles points to that time when Christ will literally begin to establish His Father’s Kingdom. Luke 2 we see:
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
What better time to tax the people than right after harvest time?
Luke 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
From Bethlehem to Jerusalem is only five miles. This Feast is one of the three pilgrimage Feasts on which all male Israelites were required to journey to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and bring offerings to the Temple. (Leviticus 23:39-40).
Joseph dutifully followed suit to be taxed:
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished [all 9 months] that she should be delivered.
Jesus had “tabernacled” with the Israelites in the wilderness at the time of Moses. And, it has always been God’s intention to dwell with His people. He dwells in us in order for us to be able to complete the journey to His Holy Mountain. The Feast of Tabernacles is a memorial of the journey to the Promised Land which is a type of the Kingdom, the Millennium, and the Mountain of the Lord.
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell “tabernacle” among them.
And now Jesus was brought forth to be with His people in His physical life many centuries later.
Luke 2:7 And [Mary] brought forth her firstborn son [that is Jesus], and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger [a trough that fodder (like hay) was placed in to feed livestock such as cattle and sheep]; because there was no room for them in the inn.
It has always been difficult to get good Feast accommodations. Joseph and Mary with the infant Jesus were in a barn. I love the smell of the hay and the animals in a nice clean barn. How many people never get to enjoy the unique atmosphere a barn with a hay-loft provides?
And Jesus’ birth was announced to shepherds by an angel:
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Christ the Lord
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
There is a very real probability that Jesus was born on this bright beautiful night. The angel Gabriel told Joseph:
Matthew 1:21 [Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. [God (Christ) tabernacled with mankind!]
The Bible reveals so much about the timing of Jesus’ conception and birth which are an integral part of Christ’s birth. Again, in the Worldwide Church of God we shied away from these verses concerning the birth of Jesus Christ because they smacked of Christmas – which indeed is an abomination.
But, the words in Luke concerning the birth of Jesus are indeed the word of God to be read and proclaimed! When should we hear these verses, except when Christ was truly born? I believe that Jesus Christ was born on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles in 5 BC.
Jesus’ conception had to be at a precise time for all prophecy to be fulfilled exactly – even to the timing of the death of Jesus Christ on a Wednesday ‘in the midst of the week’ on Nisan 14th – Passover Day 34 years later on Wednesday April 5, 30 AD. [Count 1 AD – 1 BC, because there was no -0- year.] The average length of human gestation is 266 days, or 38 weeks from conception, which is exactly 9 lunar months. If Jesus was conceived on December 21/22, 6 BC, Jesus could have been born on the 15th day of the month of Tishri, or September 15, 5 BC, everything pointing to His birth being at the time the Feast of Tabernacles which had just begun at sunset that evening! It is noteworthy that when the autumn full moon shown at its brightest there was a lunar eclipse marking that particular Feast of Tabernacles that year. (Compare E.W. Bullinger, Companion Bible, APPENDIX 179 1. p. 198)
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Joseph and Mary were still there in Jerusalem 8 days later – at the Temple!
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb…
More on the conception and birth of Jesus after the offertory music:
Brethren, when do we Brethren have the opportunity to likewise sing Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
There is a song that is entirely appropriate and fitting for our Offertory music today – and the words to this song are Scriptural. The lyrics of the song: “O holy night” are Scriptural and not offensive in any way to the Church of God.
Here is a sampling of the lyrics that we will hear.
“O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Chorus
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel’s voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.”
And now, we will take up the offertory.
“O holy night,” sung by Jonathan Antoine
End Offertory
Journey to the Mountain of the Lord
The mountain of the Lord is a reference to the Kingdom of God.
The Feast of Tabernacles is the story of our journey to the mountain of the Lord. The Kingdom of God is soon to be established by Jesus Christ at His soon coming return. The Feast of Tabernacles is the memorial of the journey to the mountain of the LORD.
The title of today’s sermon comes from:
Isaiah 2:2 It shall come to pass in the last days [that is very near], that the LORD‘s house shall be established in the top of the mountains [over all the nations of the world], and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
That is a picture of God’s world ruling Kingdom that Jesus will set up on His return.
Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [It will be a glorious Day indeed!]
In the same way that the Israelites lived in temporary dwellings (tabernacles or booths) during their sojourn in the wilderness to the Promised Land, we dwell in our temporary earthly tabernacles—our bodies. A tent of flesh as Peter and Paul describe in great detail (2Corinthians 5:1-10, 2Peter 1:13-14). I like the way Paul said it in:
2Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
“Let’s get with it!” “Let’s get with the program!”
When you hear the word, “Tabernacle,” what comes to mind? “Sukkoth,” or “Booth.”
God gives His people the clear sense that His desire is to tabernacle with them. Abide with them, be their abode, dwell with them, live in them…
Whether it is Moses’ Tabernacle of Exodus 26, in the wilderness, or the Tabernacle of our body, or a Feast Booth – we need to think, “Temporary Dwelling.” “Fleeting Lives.”
In our journey to the Kingdom of God – we live in temporary bodies.
God wants us to remember that we currently dwell in physical, temporary bodies that will one-day pass away, and that this present evil world will also one-day pass away.
Brethren, we are merely pilgrims in this world, passing through in temporary dwellings (these physical bodies), and that our real, permanent home awaits us at a future time when we are resurrected to rule with Jesus for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).
We will all be given the opportunity to choose God and Life – or death. But, while we are in these temporary tabernacles – what does God expect of us?
We find the answer of what God expects of us in the Good News Gospel message preached by King David.
Psalm 15:1 A Psalm of king David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy mountain?
We see the title of today’s sermon again right there. And what does God expect of us who shall abide in His holy mountain?
Psalm 15:2 He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.
Just for your further study let me give you a few places where John used the Greek word skenoo, which literally means to pitch one’s tent or tabernacle with.
God Tabernacles With Us
God will Tabernacle With Us in the Millennium.
Revelation 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sits on the throne shall dwell among them…
Alternate translation: He that sits on the throne shall tabernacle among them. [skenoo [skay-no-o]] John wanted to drive this point of tabernacling home to us. Then God Tabernacles with Us forever more:
Even in the Last Great Day, especially in the Mountain of the Lord, God will tabernacle with His Saints (Daniel 2:35 … The stone that smote the image became a great mountain).
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell/tabernacle with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Let’s return to the details of Jesus conception and birth so that He would be dwelling with us.
How did it begin that: John the Baptist’s father was of the priestly course of Abijah? [That is the eighth of the 24 courses or classes into which the priests were divided for serving at the altar.]
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
They were a Godly childless family.
Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Luke 1:9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, Zacharias’ lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Zacharias’ duties began on a Sabbath day. (1 Chronicles. 28:11-13,19) in the month of Sivan which would put his service in June (13-19).
We know precisely when Zacharias was in the Temple doing his service and had his vision and when he went home to his wife Elizabeth. (he was unable to even speak to her).
Luke 1:24 And after those days [Zacharias’] wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months,
Birth of Jesus Foretold
A few months later – the Bible tells us exactly when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would conceive and bear a son and call His name “Jesus” because He would save the people from their sins.
Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist had conceived six months before Mary conceived.
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:33 And He shall reign [as King] over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
John the Baptist was born 3 months later. It was Jesus Himself who inspired these Scriptures of His Nativity to be recorded for our edification and knowledge, and He gives us a great many details.
The fact that the world has so horribly polluted these verses about Jesus’ conception and birth to mean something else – should in no way deter our right to rejoice and be inspired without having our understanding curtailed in the correct worship of God.
These verses have been misappropriated… dishonestly taken for their wrong use.
When is the right time of the year to preach these words from the Gospel Message? Brethren, please do not be afraid to read them from the word of God itself.
Jesus was conceived in the month of Kislev (Nov-Dec).
John 8:12 Jesus said, I am the light of the world:
1John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.
Brethren, these dates are my best estimates right now. You may wish to check them out for yourself.
Jesus’ conception had to be at a precise time for all prophecy to be fulfilled exactly – even to the death of Jesus Christ on a Wednesday ‘in the midst of the week’ on Nisan 14th – Passover Day, 34 years later on Wednesday April 5, 30 AD. ([Count 1 AD – 1 BC, because there was no -0- year.])
We know that the average length of human gestation is 266 days, or 38 weeks from conception, which is exactly 9 lunar months.
Jesus came to remove darkness and bring light. The darkest day of the year is December 21/22. Then the light begins to lengthen. I believe that that is when the conception of Jesus Christ took place.
If Jesus was conceived on December 21/22, 6 BC, Jesus could have been born 9 months later on the 15th day of the month of Tishri—on the Feast of Tabernacles.
That would have been on September 15, 5 BC, everything pointing to His birth being at the time the Feast of Tabernacles which had just begun at sunset that very evening!
It is noteworthy that in 5 BC, when the autumn moon shown at its brightest there was a lunar eclipse marking that particular Feast of Tabernacles that year.
With NASA’s precise measurements of the Sun and Moon it is possible to reconstruct the lunar cycles exactly – going way back into antiquity. (Compare E.W. Bullinger, Companion Bible, APPENDIX 179 1. p. 198)
Noted Biblical scholar, E.W. Bullinger lays all this Scriptural evidence out in exacting detail – and comes to the conclusion that Jesus was born on the first day of the Feast of tabernacles in 5 BC!
Again brethren, that is not established doctrine, only my best estimate.
In John 1:14, the Word was made flesh refers to Jesus’ conception, whereas, dwelt (tabernacled) among us refers to His birth.
Many Scriptural references help us accurately locate the season of Christ’s birth. And, of course we are able to count backward to His conception.
The Bible makes it very clear that Jesus was born nowhere near December 25th. But the pagan “Christmas” has been celebrated for 2,000 years, and was being celebrated even before Jesus was born.
Luke shows that Jesus was not born in the winter by recording that shepherds were tending their flocks in the fields by night (Luke 2:8).
While cold temperatures generally do not bother well-fed sheep in full fleece, cold winds do—so grazing in open fields was inappropriate in the cold of winter.
Jesus, at His first coming, was not born at Christmas time, but born earlier in the year during the annual Fall Feast Days—very possibly the Feast of the Feast of Tabernacles.
All the Feasts of the Lord carry most significant meaning for the Plan of God.
Jesus fulfills the very meaning of the Feasts of the Lord, past present and future (Leviticus 23:2).
God deliberately made His Holy Days to be Holy Convocations for all time—each an important epoch in the history of God’s people—so that we could understand what they meant, and how they accomplish the Plan of God.
Remarkably, Jesus had left His place as the Creator God in the heavens. He had set aside His Divinity and Power so as to be able to become mere flesh—and eventually die for mankind.
God cannot die – He lives forever. But Jesus did die!
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Philippians 2:7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Jesus had emptied Himself of all glory and power – even the immeasurable cosmic power to create the vast heavens and earth in order to be made in the likeness of a vulnerable infant baby boy at nine-month’s fruition, full gestation, and birth.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus was able to save all mankind because, as Creator God, He was worth more than all the creation itself. But in death, Christ’s eternal Glory as Creator God was no more… Until Jesus Christ was raised and glorified by the Father (Ephesians 1:17-20, John 17:5).
It was part of God’s Plan for all of mankind that Jesus would give Himself in sacrifice for our sins.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
Jesus would die, His breath would cease – His thoughts would perish.
Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on him the nature of children of Abraham.
{Amplified Bible} Hebrews 2:16 For, as we all know, He (Christ) does not take hold of [the fallen] angels [to give them a helping hand], but He does take hold of [the fallen] descendants of Abraham [extending to them His hand of deliverance].
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren [in sinful flesh], that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Romans 8:3).
But Jesus’ Glory needed to be restored by His Father:
The Restoration and Re-Glorification Chapter
John 17:1 These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 17:4 I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gave me to do.
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world existed.
And after three days and three nights in the tomb, God the Father raised Jesus to life and glorified Him with the exact Glory the Father possessed (John 17:5).
In order to glorify Jesus, it took the most immense power – more power than the power it had taken for Jesus to create the entire universe, in order to for the Father to Re-Glorify His Son.
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, ..
Ephesians 1:19 With what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church [brethren],
Jesus Christ is the head of the called out brethren. We church brethren are the Body of Christ. Jesus brought the church brethren into existence. We are brothers and sisters to Jesus because God the Father is Jesus’ Father as well.
Ephesians 1:23 [the church] Which is His body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.
Jesus brings the Plan of God to fruition. At Christ’s second coming, He will again “tabernacle” with mankind. He will dwell with people on earth for a thousand years. Christ is definitely at the center of this Feast of Tabernacles—as the Ruler who “tabernacles” with His people in the great harvest of the age to come.
Brethren, this Feast today points to Jesus who has literally tabernacled with us in the past, and continues with His Father to dwell in us now in the flesh, and will tabernacle with us forever more (John 14:23). Let’s thank God for sending His Son to tabernacle with us.
End: Journey to the Mountain of the Lord