This study is only introductory - not comprehensive. It is hoped that it makes you aware of a counterfeit that has deceived most peoples and churches (the very elect, if possible).
Yahweh has given us His true calendar in His Holy Word, the Bible. All others are false counterfeits
Counterfeit calendars were prophesied by Daniel and Job:
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change TIMES and laws..." Daniel 7:25
"Why, seeing TIMES are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his DAYS? Some REMOVE THE LANDMARKS;" Job 24:1-2
Knowing that there will be false, counterfeit calendars, we should be especially on our guard when it comes to time.
Yahweh's Calender Requirements
Some may argue that there are additional calenderic requirements. My only disagreement with them is that these are the requirements and specifications that Yahweh set down when He created the earth.
Periodic Time Cycles
The following time cycles need no discussion. They are commonly known and understood. Any mechanism for keeping track of these time cycles, is, by definition, a calendar.
Days
Weeks
Months
Years
Readily Observable
Yahweh's Calendar, as set in the heavens, can be seen by anyone who looks up, and Yahweh wants us to look up
Look up
But as for me, I will look to Yahweh; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Micah 7:7
O Yahweh, in the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I will set forth my case to you and I will watch. Psalms 5:3
... look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28
Self-Correcting
All calendars drift in time and need correction. Yahweh's calendar is self-correcting.It doesn't need magicians or astrologers or astronomers to calculate, adjust, fix and correct His calendar.
It keeps itself synchronized with Him and by Him.
Accurate
Yahweh's calendar is accurate
Universal
Yahweh wants his calendar to be readily and freely available to everyone. He doesn't want his people to be dependant on magicians, astrologers, priests or astronomers to interpret His signs and times. He wants each of us to directly see and hear His call to worship.
Yahweh Gave us His Calendar in Genesis 1. Let's look in His Word for the four time cycles, days, weeks, months and years:
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for DAYS, and YEARS: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:14-18
All followers of the God of Creation know this text, but I believe there are some lessons yet to be learned. So it will be the basis of this study. For many years, I never considered this scripture to be a calendar. But, we will see that it has ALL the characteristics and requirements.
Literal and Figurative
This verse has BOTH literal and figurative meanings and commands.
Literal meanings are secular, are easy to understand, and are available for everyone's understanding in their elementary form.
However, Yahweh has HIDDEN his spiritual meanings in figurative speech. These figurative sayings are HIDDEN from the casual observer and can be seen (known, understood) only through revelation by His Spirit.
Figurative (Hidden and Spiritual)This is in keeping with Yahweh's principals:
But we speak the wisdom of יהוה [Yahweh] in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which יהוה [Yahweh] ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the King of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Elohim hath prepared for them that love him. But יהוה [Yahweh] hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of יהוה [Yahweh]. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of Elohim knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Elohim. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of Elohim; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of יהוה [Yahweh] 1 Corinthians 2:7-12
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the HIDDEN manna. Revelation 2:17
The secret things belong unto יהוה [Yahweh] our Elohim: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29
We can understand and interpret the sacred only through the revelation of His Spirit.
According to this principal we will now search for the figurative, hidden meanings in this verse. You will understand only with the help of Yahweh's Spirit. If you don't see it now, don't worry. When the time is right and you are ready, it will be made as plain as the literal cycles. The seed grows slowly. It is being planted now, but must germinate, grow and mature.
Literal Words
Literally, the great lights (sun and moon) are to (literally) "give light upon the earth"
"Day" and "Night" are literal time cycles of Yahweh's calendar.
Figurative Sayings
Figuratively, the great lights (literal sun and moon) are to "rule" the (literal) day and night.
But what is "rule"? It figuratively means something, but what?
Figuratively, there are hidden, spiritual time cycles called "signs" and "seasons".
How long is a sign?
How long is a season? (hint this is NOT the word we use for the seasons of winter, summer, spring and fall).
What does it mean to say "I'll see you in two seasons?"
Or, "I'll be back next sign?"
Understanding the meaning and length of time for a sign and a season will complete our decoding of Yahweh's calendar.
Time cyclesWe studied earlier that the time cycles of a calendar are day, week, month and year.
Secular, Literal Time CyclesDAYS and YEARS are easy to find in this verse, They are spelled out directly and literally.
"...and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for DAYS, and YEARS"
Controlled by the Sun
The sun shines DIRECTLY (literally) upon the earth. Likewise, the time cycles of the SUN are told to us literally and directly in Genesis 1:14 . They are secular, literal, unhidden time period cycles. These secular (literal) cycles are controlled (ruled) by the sun.
These two cycles are the shortest and longest of Yahweh's calendar cycles. Yahweh didn't give us hours, minutes, or seconds. They are man-made.
DAYS
The sun, rising in the morning, starts a new day and ends the night.
The sun setting in the evening, ends the day and starts the night.
The sun controls (rules) the day.
If we LOOK UP, we will know if it is day or night.
See how easily and accurately this calendar functions?
These are DAY CYCLES.
YEARS
The sun also controls (rules) the yearly cycle. The length of time for the earth to orbit the sun is one (secular, literal) year. We all know that as a year progresses, the days get longer, then shorter.
We know that the year progresses from spring to summer, winter, and fall - one full year, controlled by the sun.
This yearly cycle is literal and secular, like the day cycle. The year is controlled by the sun, which gives its light directly.
Exodus 12:2 explains Yahweh's new year
Spiritual, Figurative Time Cycles
Week and month cycles are also contained in Genesis 1:14, but they are hidden and figurative (not spelled out literally).
They are controlled (ruled) by the moon.
Controlled by the Moon
The moon shines indirectly on the Earth.
The moon doesn't shine directly, but gives reflected light. It's cycles are spiritual and are referred to indirectly (figuratively).
The moon controls the two intermediate cycles, the week and the month. These are referred to indirectly (figuratively) as signals ("signs") and assemblies ("seasons").
The moon and stars (lesser lights) are to rule/control at night.
Below, you will see that the moon controls / dictates / rules the start of the monthly and weekly cycles.
SIGNS (WEEKS)
The Hebrew word translated as "signs" in Genesis 1:14 is 'owth, defined as:
226 'owth oth probably from 225 (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.:--mark, miracle, (en-)sign, token. (Strongs Hebrew Dictionary)
"Sign" and "signal" and "beacon" are appropriate translations for this word. What is this signal? It is the weekly signal that calls Yahweh's people to worship Him on His Holy Sabbath.
It flashes on and off indicating whether the day is a Sabbath or not.
This is a figurative (indirect) meaning just as the moon that controls the weekly cycle shines indirectly, reflecting its light from the sun.
Sabbaths are sacred to Yahweh, so are described in code (figuratively). The week is unimportant sacredly, but the Sabbath is Holy. The remainder of the week is just six secular week-days.
Here are some signals and beacons that we know and understand:
Each sends a signal / message.
This is Yahweh's weekly signal calling His faithful to worship on His Holy Sabbath Day.
These are the weekly signals, signaling the new moon day and the four weekly Sabbaths in a month, or the weekly cycle:
| Moon Phase | Day of Yahweh's month | Holy Day |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------- | ----------- |
| First crescent | New Month (not part of any week) | New moon day |
| 1st 1/4 | 8th day of month | 1st Sabbath of month |
| Full-Moon | 15th day of month | 2nd Sabbath of month |
| 2nd 1/4 | 22nd day of month | 3rd Sabbath of month |
| Dark moon | 29th day of month | 4th Sabbath of month |
SEASONS (MONTHS)
The Hebrew word translated as "seasons" is mow`ed, which is defined as:
4150 mow`ed mo-ade' or moled {mo-ade'}; or (feminine) moweadah (2 Chronicles 8:13) {mo-aw-daw'}; from 3259; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand):--appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed). (Strongs Hebrew Dictionary)
"Seasons" is also an indirect (figurative) cycle, just as the light of the moon shines indirectly.
The moon controls the monthly cycle and the word "new moon" is synonymous with month:
2320 chodesh kho'-desh from 2318; the new moon; by implication, a month:--month(-ly), new moon. see HEBREW for 02318
This word "assembly" or "season" figuratively represents months or new months or new moons (all synonyms). This representation is the calling of Yahweh's people to "assemble" or "congregate" on the new moon day and worship their Creator.
Here is Biblical proof that the moon controls the "seasons":
He appointed the moon for seasons (mow`ed, assemblies, congregations): the sun knoweth his going down. Psalms 104:19
Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed (festival called by moon), on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. Psalms 81:3,4
(notice "time appointed" and "feast day" then compare the definitions of "mow-ade" above.
Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before Yahweh in the sabbaths and in the new moons. Eze.46.3
These are the two times controlled or dictated by the moon. (sabbaths and in the new moons)
Other sacred assemblies (appointments) were for the Holy Days (feast days). Their timing is also dependent on the (new) moons and they correctly belong in the "seasons" (assemblies) designated (controlled / ruled) by the moon.
This is Yahweh's monthly signal, one full monthly cycle after another.
Reading Yahweh's Calendar
Two great lightsYahweh's calendar is "read" by looking up at the sun and the moon.
Sun
And God made two great lights; the greater light (the sun) to rule the day,
Moon and the lesser light (moon) to rule the night: he made the stars also.
Counterfeit Calendars
Any calendar that doesn't include these two lights is a fake, a counterfeit, a lie. And who is the father of lies? Any calendar without these two lights is inspired by the father of lies and designed by one with the spirit of Satan. (see Calendars in History for further study)
It is an attempt to change the times of Yahweh as prophesied many years earlier by the prophet Daniel. (And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change TIMES and laws... Daniel 7:25)
Job explains further:
(Question...) Why, seeing TIMES are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his DAYS? (Answer...) Some REMOVE THE LANDMARKS (or boundary marker); Job 24:1-2
The moon is the boundary marker (landmark) for weeks and months.
The world's current (common) Gregorian calendar, ordered by the Roman Pope, Gregory, is SOLAR ONLY. It does NOT use the moon as a boundary marker to control (rule) anything. It is therefore, by Yahweh's definition in Genesis 1:14, a false counterfeit.
The weekly cycle is controlled (bounded according to Job) by the moon in Yahweh's calendar. Both the Julian (Roman) calendar and the Gregorian (Roman) calendar set the week into perpetual motion with NOTHING to control it or form its boundaries. They have removed the landmark of the moon.
They both use a perpetually repeating week.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1,2,3,
4,5,6,7,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1,2,3,4,5...etc
This perpetual repeating week with no lunar control has deceived the very elect - those who believe they are observing the seventh day, when in fact, they are observing the day of the pagan god, Saturn, Saturday. (click here for further study)
Sunday keepers haven't been deceived, they are simply following the wrong father. Saturday keepers, on the other hand, are the very elect and have been deceived by Satan's counterfeit time, propagated by the beast power of Rome.
This is NOT Yahweh's seventh day, nor is Sunday, nor is Friday.
Yahweh's seventh day is the seventh day of the week that starts fresh with each holy new moon day as controlled and signaled by the moon.
New Moons Days
By now, you are either saying "Ahhh, that makes so much sense" or you are saying "No way, it can't be".
If you aren't ready yet to see Yahweh's calendar, at the very least, honestly consider the Biblical "new moon days".
Having been raised in a xxxxday Sabbath church my first misgivings were upon studying about "new moon days" in the Bible.
My teaching did not include new moon days and I didn't know what to do with them or how to categorize them.
Was there no teaching because they had been "done away" with? I found no record of that.
Was the Bible in error in mentioning them? I found no evidence for that.
Were they an inconsequential ancient anomaly? No, further study indicated they were as important as the Sabbath.
If you, like me at the time, do not know, off the top of your head, the meaning and answer to the question of new moon days, I'm glad you have been led to this study and hope that you find it useful.
What are New Moon Days?
New moon days are the start of a new month. Some months have one new moon day, some have two. This shouldn't be so strange to you. Some Februarys have 28 days, some have 29. Some months have 30 days, some 31.
A new moon day is NOT a weekly Sabbath. It is the day(s) following the weekly Sabbath. It is a sabbath (a rest day), but not THE Sabbath.
It is a worship day. It has been made that by Yahweh.
When are New Moon Days?
The previous month ends on a Sabbath (the 29th day of the month). The following day is always a new moon day.
Sometimes the new month starts the day after Sabbath. Sometimes it starts two days after. The moon phase is dark for either two days or three days. The first dark day is Sabbath, the 29th day of the month. The next dark day is a new moon day. If there is another dark moon, that month will have two new moon days. There are never three new moon days in a row.
Are New Moon Days Worship Days? - Yes.
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the BEGINNINGS OF YOUR MONTHS (new moon days), ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God. Num.10.10
And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 2Kings 4:22,23
(in other words, where will you find the man of God, he isn't worshipping today because it isn't a Sabbath and it isn't a new moon day)
And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD: 1Chr.23.31
We will discover many texts where Sabbath and new moon days are mentioned together, sometimes with feast days.
Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. 2Chr.2.4
Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch, Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. 2Chr 8:12, 13
And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. Ezra.3.5
(here it says these days are "consecrated")
Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. Psalms 81:3, 4
And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. Eze.45.17
Eze.46.1 ******************
Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.
Eze.46.3 *******************
Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before Yahweh in the sabbaths and in the new moons.
Amos 8:5,6 ****************
Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
(these are NOT all the Biblical new moon days, but just a sample)
Have New Moon Days Been Done Away With? - No, I have found no such record.
Were New Moon Days Nailed to the Cross? - No, we will keep them in heaven, along with the Sabbath:
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. Isa. 66:22,23
How / Why Did New Moon Disappear? - Short answer - the counterfeit Roman calendar is solar only, so there is no moon controlling anything. Therefore new moon days are useless, meaningless, and non-existent.
They were eliminated by Rome when Rome eliminated the moon from their counterfeit calendar, and replaced it with the spurious perpetually repeating week.
(see Calendars in History)
Sabbath as a Sign (or signal
God's lesser light (the moon) is a sign or signal calling His faithful to worship on His Holy Sabbath Day.
Our keeping holy His Sabbath is a signal (sign) from us that He is our Lord and that we know (ascertain by seeing) Him.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ... Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign (signal) between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know (ascertain by seeing) that I am the Lord (Yhovah) that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:12-13
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign (signal) between me and them, that they might know (ascertain by seeing) that I am the Lord that sanctify them. Ezekiel 20:12
This is a two way communication, signaling each other. "between me and you" the Lord said. Not "FROM ME TO YOU", and not "FROM YOU TO ME", but "BETWEEN" us. His call to us is with the sign of the moon, and our reply to Him is by keeping holy His Sabbath Day and worshiping Him.
Conclusion
I hope that this explanation of God's calendar was sufficiently clear. That is all I can do. It is up to your further study and God's Spirit to either convict or deny.
At the very least, I ask you to study on your own the new moons until you are either convinced of their importance or you know unequivocally why they should be ignored.
Here is one of man's beacons, in juxtaposition with God's signal. Man's signal certainly appears insignificant! By the way, God's full moon signal is telling us that it is a Sabbath, the 15th day of the month and the second Sabbath of the month. What an easy calendar to read!
