Given by Yahweh as one of the luminaries 'for signs and for seasons' (Gen.1:14), the moon was to be used to calculate the calendar, and the day of the monthly new moon set-apart for consulting the prophets and establishing Yahweh's will (2 Ki.4:23). It is also used to calculate the sacred or biblical New Year, which is the first day of Aviv ('Nisan'), usually in late March or early April. It is not a Sabbath day but is a day for assembling and desisting from commerce. It was announced by the blowing of twin silver trumpets (chatsotserah) and animal sacrifices. Rosh Chodesh commences at the New Moon when the moon is completely invisible. Like the annual festivals, Rosh Chodesh is a shadow or type of the Messiah. Paul warns that we are not saved by legalistically observing it or the other moedim (2 Col.2:16ff.). Like the sun, the moon is a symbol of permanence (Ps.72:5) and is used to mark the coming of the Messiah (Mk.13;24; Lk.21:25). In the New Covenant, because of the unfulfilled autumnal (fall) festivals, it is still used to mark the second coming of Yah'shua. The New Moon is used to consult the prophets probably because in an invisible state it does not affect the mind or interfere with the revelatory process on a psychic level (Ps.121:6; cp. Mt.4:24; 17:15). Find out more about Yahweh's Calendar and how we are to calculate the annual festivals by reading the materials in this register.
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