Lesson One: "The Creation of Time: Exploring the Heavenly Calendar"

Hello everyone, welcome back to Torah Truth Life. Let’s dive right in to today's lesson. My prayer for everyone joining us today is that the Most High opens your eyes to the deep secrets of the Torah, and grants you wisdom and understanding.

This is a learning platform, and even I am still on this journey. At times, I may need to revise or clarify some points, so as you come, approach this space with an open heart and ears, ready to listen and learn. The most important thing after hearing these teachings is to seek guidance from God. Ask Him if what you’ve learned aligns with His word, and be diligent in your own research and study.

Now, if you’ve watched any of the videos I’ve posted on YouTube, you’ve probably seen the character Malachi, who teaches in these videos. Yes, he is portrayed as a male figure. You may be wondering why I chose a male figure instead of using my own image. Well, I’ve opted for this because, in my view, many are more receptive to a male figure teaching. However, this doesn't mean it’s biblically required for only men to teach, nor does it mean I believe that women cannot share the word. I consider myself more of a guide, sharing what I’ve learned with others. I hope that clears up any confusion. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email. I’ve also created a chatroom where we can have group studies or connect one-on-one.

Now, let’s get to the main lesson.

As we embark on getting to know the Most High and developing a closer relationship with Him, understanding the commandments, laws, and statutes is essential. It’s crucial to know the who, when, where, how, and why behind these ordinances. So, I’ll start from the beginning of creation, where these laws were first set in motion to guide us along the righteous path.

I’ll break down the information in manageable sections so as not to overwhelm you. Soon, I’ll also open a separate Bible study section to delve deeper into topics like prayer, verses, and more. Let’s get started!

If you’ve read Genesis 1:1-19, you’ve seen that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, with darkness covering the deep waters. Then, the Spirit of God moved over the waters, and God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

One key point I want you to notice here is that before God spoke, He created heaven and earth. The first words uttered were, “Let there be light.” It’s also important to note that God used a staff or wand to create the heavens and the earth—something I’ll revisit in later studies.

Let’s continue:

• God saw that the light was good, and He divided it from the darkness.

• He called the light “Day” and the darkness “Night.” And the evening and morning were the first day.

• God made the firmament to separate the waters, creating Heaven on the second day.

• On the third day, God gathered the waters and let dry land appear, calling it Earth, and He saw that it was good.

• God created vegetation: grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees, each producing after its kind, and He saw that it was good.

• On the fourth day, God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day (the sun) and the lesser light to rule the night (the moon), along with the stars. These lights were placed in the firmament of heaven to divide day from night and to mark signs, seasons, days, and years.

In verses 14-19 of Genesis 1, the heavenly calendar is introduced. In the beginning, the Creator designed the movements of the moon and the sun to measure time. God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years" (Genesis 1:14). He created two great lights: the greater to rule the day, and the lesser to rule the night, along with the stars. Time can only be measured by movement—the movement of the sun measures the day, and the movement of the moon measures the night.

A solar year, which takes 364 days, is the time it takes for the sun and Earth to return to the same relative position. The moon completes its cycle in approximately 29.5 days, which is the basis for measuring months, also known as a lunation. Twelve and a third lunations equal one solar year. There are three basic calendar formats based on the movement of the sun and moon: solar, lunar, and lunisolar.

Calendar Formats:

Solar Calendar:This calendar measures time based solely on the Earth's movement around the sun, particularly the spring and fall equinoxes. It only measures the length of the year, with months being arbitrary and having no direct link to nature. The Gregorian calendar, for instance, follows this system. Weeks cycle continuously without adjustment to the solar year (Enoch 72).

Lunar Calendar:This calendar measures time based on the moon's cycles, with months beginning on the first dawn after the conjunction of the moon. Since 12 lunations are about 11 days shorter than a solar year, lunar months shift throughout the seasons, without adjusting to the solar cycle.

Lunisolar Calendar:A lunisolar calendar combines both the lunar and solar cycles to measure time. The lunar cycle tracks the moon’s phases, while the solar cycle tracks the Earth's revolution around the sun (Enoch chapters 72, 73, and 74). Lunations are adjusted to the solar year by adding a 13th month seven times in 19 years. According to Jubilees chapter 6, the year completes in exactly 364 days, with 52 weeks and four seasons. The moon’s cycle restarts each new moon, and each lunation consists of four complete weeks. The calendar established at the beginning of creation is lunisolar and is the most accurate timekeeping system.

In scripture, each lunation is celebrated with a special day of worship called New Moon Day (Jubilees 6). In ancient times, the new moon marked the beginning of the month, and offerings were made to God. The Hebrew calendar, being lunar-based, determined the start of the month by observing the first visible appearance of the new moon (Numbers 28). The new moon starts when the moon's light is completely extinguished. The first day of the month begins when light re-enters the moon, transitioning from zero to one percent illumination, marking the waxing crescent phase. Today, apps can tell us when the new moon begins, allowing us to celebrate the heavenly Father’s appointed festivals and commandments at their proper time.

God’s Calendar from Genesis 1:1-19

Key Factors:

Key Factor #1:God refers to the days using numbers, such as Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc. This simple numbering system marks the passage of time.

Key Factor #2:According to scripture, the day starts from evening to morning, as referenced in Genesis 1:5: "And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." This means the day begins at sundown and ends the following day at sundown (evening).

Key Factor #3:In Genesis 1:14 (NIV): “And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years.’”This verse explains that the lights in the sky—the sun to mark day, and the moon and stars to mark night—serve as signs for time, including sacred times like festivals and feasts.

Understanding the Month and Year of God’s Calendar:

From the book of Jubilees (Chapter 6:30-32), we learn that God’s calendar consists of 364 days per year, broken into 52 weeks and divided by four seasons. This calendar is precise and unchanging, with no days or feasts omitted.

In Jubilees 6:32, it is clear that the children of Israel are instructed to observe the years according to this reckoning, with everything falling in its proper time. This is consistent with God's design in Genesis, where the sun, moon, and stars work together to create months and years.

Key Points in Jubilees 6:31-32:

• 364 days make up the complete year.

• The year is divided into four seasons and 52 weeks.

• God's calendar should be strictly observed, and its appointed feasts should not be disturbed.

In the book of Enoch (Chapter 73), the movements of the moon and sun are explained, showing how they work together to mark the months.

God's Calendar and the Feast Days:

God’s calendar is not only for measuring time but also to mark His feast days, such as the Sabbath, New Moon, and other festivals referenced in Leviticus 23 and Exodus 12. Understanding the calendar is essential to observing these feasts at their appointed times.

The Sabbath is particularly significant. Genesis 2:1-3 describes how God rested on the seventh day, setting an example for us. This day was blessed and made holy by God. In Exodus 20:8-11, God commands us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, refraining from work on this day as a sign of rest and reverence to God.

How to Find the Month, First Day, and Sabbath Days in God’s Calendar:

• The Month: The month is determined by the moon's cycle, beginning with the New Moon. The first day of the month is marked when the moon begins to receive light, transitioning into the waxing crescent phase.

• The Sabbath Days: The Sabbath is observed on the seventh day of the week, as set by God in Genesis and reaffirmed in the Commandments.

The observance of these days and feasts, rooted in God’s creation and calendar, helps us align our lives with His divine timing. We will delve into this further, but for now, remember: the creation of the heavenly calendar was part of God’s original design, and it is still used today to mark our seasons, days, and years.

Let’s continue to explore this teaching in the next lesson, where we will dive deeper into the creation of time and the laws that were set in motion from the very beginning. Thank you for joining me today. Stay tuned for more!