FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Why are there two New Years on God's calendar?                                                

There are essentially two new years on God’s calendar. I know this concept is hard to grasp,

but I hope to be able to shed a little light on it!

​

The first new year is in the fall and is based on the physical creation of the earth. This is knownas Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) and is celebrated on the first day of Tishrei. It is also the Civil calendar when the numerical year advances. Since this number is based on creation, we can estimate the age of the earth is approximately 5786 years old. This “new year” is likened to a physical new year or physical birth of the earth.

​

The second new year is in the Spring and is based on our redemption at Passover. This is

known as Rosh Chodeshim (Head of the Months) and is celebrated on the first day of Nissan. Exodus 12 declare that God told Moses that Nissan would now be the beginning of

months. This was a higher new year or new birth. This is likened to a spiritual new year or the spiritual birth of the earth.

 

So, if you think about it as two births- it’s just like us. We have a physical birth when we are

born into this world, then are invited to a higher birth- a spiritual birth when we are born

again. We have two new years too!

​​

 

Why are there constellations on God's calendar?                                                 

The gospel is on circuit over our heads. The heavens declare the glory of the Lord. (Ps 19:1)

He has placed the stars in the sky and has called them by name. (Ps 147:4)

Remember, the wise men followed the star and found Jesus. Everything points to Him.

Astronomy is the study of God’s heavenly handiwork. Astrology is the counterfeit and is NOT of the Lord as it worships the creation, not the Creator. There is only one Zodiac and it is from the Lord's hand and created to point hearts to His beloved Son, Jesus.

 

​

Why are Babylonian names still used on God’s calendar?                                 

In Exodus 12, God instructed the Israelites to count months in numerical order. He instructed them to call Nissan the first month of the spiritual calendar, as this would be the month of their redemption out of Egypt. Thus, when someone referred to a month, they would in effect recall the great exodus out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God. This would be a constant reminder of their deliverance.

​

Later in history, during the Israelites captivity in Babylon, Babylonian names were also used

for the months. Once Israel was delivered from captivity, the Babylonian names stuck. Not to honor Babylonian names, but to honor and remember the faithfulness of God, who once

again redeemed them from exile.

​​

​

When a month /day is mentioned in scripture— how can you can determine if it is referring to the physical or spiritual calendar?​

When a month or day is mentioned in scripture, you can determine if it is referring to the

physical or spiritual by seeing if it falls before or after Exodus 12.  If the event occurs before Exodus 12, it is reflecting on the physical calendar. If the passage is after Exodus 12, it is corresponding to the the spiritual calendar.

 

Genesis 7 refers to the flood occurring in the second month. The time of this account occurs before the Exodus 12, therefore it is referring to Cheshvan, the second month is of the physical year. Nehemiah 7 mentions the seventh month of the year. Looking at the context, this is recorded after Exodus 12, hence it is referring to Tishrei, the seventh month is of the spiritual year.

​​​​​

 

How are the "characteristics" of the month, such as the tribe, constellation and Hebrew letter determined?

The tribe of the month corresponds to the order in which they moved in the wilderness and in battle. For example, Judah moved first and is therefore connected to Nissan- the first month in the spiritual calendar. Issachar followed second and is connected to the second month, Iyar, and so on.

​

The constellation for each month is as seen in the zodiac. The heavens declare the glory of

the Lord and are each connected to their corresponding month and all point us to the

Gospel.

 

Each month has two numbers which correspond to its order in the physical and spiritual

calendar and each number is depicted in the Hebrew alphabet. For example, Tevet is the

10th month on the spiritual calendar and is related to the Hebrew letter Yod - which has a

value of 10. In addition, Tevet is also the 4th month on the physical calendar and is related to the Hebrew letter Dalet- which has a value of 4.

 

Other characteristics such as the Hebrew letter, action, body part and others often correlate

to the appointed times, feasts and fasts and other events that happened within a particular

month in Biblical history. These and other characteristics are said, by Rabbinical teachers, to

be inherent characteristics of the month, through the study of the Talmud, Midrash and other writings. As always, we want to emphasize, His calendar just another piece of God’s creation to point our hearts to Jesus and His great love for us.​​​​​