Holiday blessings in our Soon-Coming King!

Teshuvah

The month of September, and especially Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), celebrated on September 22-24, 2025, are times of teshuvah (teh-shooh-VAH)—repentance. Soul searching. Turning from sin toward God. Seeking spiritual cleansing and restoration. Waking up spiritually. If pre-believing Israel does all these things, how much more should the bride of Messiah—His KALLAH (kah-LAH)— make teshuvah a priority.

That leads me to the burden on the heart of God as we approach the Feast of Trumpets this year. 5786 (in the Hebrew calendar) could be the year of Messiah’s return when the Heavenly Bridegroom comes for a bride who is looking for Him. Is His bride ready for His soon return or is she asleep?

The Lord highlighted to me the following verse from Revelation 19:7, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Yeshua’s bride—then wife—will one day be One with her Bridegroom, fully clothed in His righteousness. Until that day, Messiah’s Body (His bride) on earth is in a time of preparation for that glorious day. What areas, attitudes, characteristics, traits, and activities contribute to the bride’s readiness? The Lord gave me a list (not an exhaustive one) of some Hebrew words that paint a picture of a spiritual kallah ready for her spiritual groom—khatan (khah-TAHN). After teshuvah came…

Ahavah

AHAVAH (ah-ha-VAH), LOVE, is the adorning of Messiah’s Kallah. Love of God and Love of people. Love is the greatest power in the universe. God’s Love is the only thing that never fails, according to the Holy Scriptures (I Cor. 13:8). Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Rom. 13:10). We love Yeshua because He first loved us (I Jn. 4:19).

Love is something that we are exhorted to “put on.” “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Messiah forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on LOVE, which is the bond of perfection” (Col. 3:12-14, emphasis mine).

In The Priestly Bride by Anna Rountree, the author points out that if the Lord told the Body (Bride) of Messiah to put on love, they must have had it in their possession but were not wearing it. She continues saying that love is a garment for the soul and heart, an inner garment that becomes visible through actions and favors others over self. This truth is expressed in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” When our Messiah returns for His bride, He wants to see us loving each other—a measure of how much we truly love Him. I was recently convicted by the Ruach when I read a quote by A.W. Tozer: “A Pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.” “Abba, please help us put on LOVE—AHAVAH.”

Avodah

A KALLAH ready for the return of the KHATAN must have a proper understanding of avodah (ah-vo-DAH). The noun avodah occurs 145 times in the Old Testament, making it a substantial theme. This Hebrew word is fascinating because it means both work and worship, with the underlying idea of serving and honoring God. In other words, in Hebrew thought one’s work (employment, job) is not service to men but service to God. There is no clear division between the holy and the profane.

Consider Genesis 2:15, “Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend [avodah] and keep it.” Work is understood here. Then, in Exodus 8:1, “And the LORD spoke to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: ‘Let My people go, that they may serve [avodah] Me.'” That explains I Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Do the dishes to the glory of God. Run errands to the glory of God. Obey parents and teachers to the glory of God. Make it your goal to please the Lord, not people, since your work is your worship. No task is “mundane” when performed in the spirit of avodah.

Bitakhon

Those disciples who are ready for Messiah’s return have bitakhon (bee-tah-KHONE). TRUST in GOD. It goes beyond simple belief (emunah) and involves a deep, active reliance on God’s goodness and guidance in all aspects of life. It is the confidence that even in difficult situations, everything will ultimately work out for the best because of God’s involvement in the world. I recently listened to the testimony of Tal, a young Israeli mother who lost her IDF soldier husband in the Israel/ Gaza war. While she was grief-stricken, she exemplified BITAKHON in God, deep trust in the midst of tragedy and heartache. How much more should Messiah’s bride trust Him in everything! When we have bitakhon, there is a deep-seated conviction rooted in faith. That is when we confess scriptures such as Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Emet

A bride who is ready is standing in truth—emet (eh-MET) in Hebrew. The word truth occurs in 210 verses of the NKJV. It is interesting to note that the first time “truth” is found in the Holy Scriptures is in reference to the way of truth of Abraham’s God in leading His servant to take a bride for his son Isaac.

The God of the Bible abounds in emet, “And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth'” (Exodus 34:6). As His children, His Body, His Bride, we should also abound in truth. Do we? In today’s world, where lying is second nature to most people, do we ever lie? What does God say about lying? “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Prov. 12:22).

Pilate asked Yeshua, “…What is truth?…” (Jn. 18:38). Yeshua said to Thomas, “… I am the way, the truth and the life…” (Jn. 14:6). Messiah’s Spirit is the Spirit of truth, who leads His Kallah into all truth, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (Jn. 16:13). The question is: Do we follow Him?

The enemy of our souls, HaSatan, is the father of all lies (Jn. 8:44). His goal is to deceive, twist the truth, and tempt God’s children to believe his lies. Evidence of his success can be seen in some of Yeshua’s followers believing the lies of the mainstream media concerning Israel and the situation in Gaza—that Israel is the aggressor and starving the Palestinians. NOT TRUE. The bride of Messiah should have better discernment. But the Scripture does say… “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Mark 13:22).

What about “truth in the inward parts,” as expressed by King David in Psalm 51:6? If we allow the Ruach HaKodesh to search our hearts, does He find any self-seeking, self-absorption, judgmentalism, desire for recognition and respect, men-pleasing, hypocrisy, and most of all, pride? (Pride and bride are a terrible combination.)

It is time to love and stand for truth—on the outside and the inside, no matter how painful it may be. It is the only way to live a life pleasing to our Father. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:24).

Emunah

Emunah (eh-mooh-NAH) is the Hebrew word for FAITH. It comes from the Hebrew word aman , which means to support, confirm, or be faithful. The Hebrew word amen is derived from this same root and is a confirmation of something true and faithful.

Biblical faith is not blind faith. Like Abraham’s faith, who “…believed in the Lord…” (Gen. 15:6), the faith of the bride is based on the character and Word of God. It is active, not just accepting that something is true, but relying on its faithfulness. Emunah is a way of living, of relying on God, His Word, and His promises, in one’s daily walk. The righteous shall live by his emunah (Heb. 10:38). Emunah in the Torah also includes the idea of loyalty to God. It is considered a moral attribute and means faithfulness as in a devoted marriage. (Great is Your faithfulness is Rabbah Emunatekha.)

Emunah pleases God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). New Covenant faith is active—never passive. That is why the Bible says, “…faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). A bride who has emunah shows faithfulness to her khatan by obeying His word and resting in His promises. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Cor. 1:20).

Kedushah

This word is an important one in the preparation of Yeshua’s bride. Kedushah (keh-doohSHAH) means HOLINESS or sanctity in Hebrew. This is a central concept in Judaism representing separation, elevation, and dedication to God. Kedushah can refer to the holiness of God but also to people. In the New Covenant sense, we are set apart—m’kudeshet to our Heavenly Bridegroom.

Kedushah in Judaism is also a specific prayer, recited during the Amidah prayer, including the phrase “Holy, Holy, Holy” signifying a threefold sanctification of God. The miracle of the New Covenant Bride or Body of Messiah is that we are kedushah. Set Apart. Holy. Indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Consecrated. Dedicated to God.

Yeshua’s kallah is like the bride in Song of Songs 4:12, “A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.” Kallah literally means the secluded or enclosed one. Messiah’s bride belongs to her beloved, the One who purchased her. That’s us. Since we have been bought at a price (see I Cor. 6:19-20), we no longer belong to ourselves—but to the One who was raised from the dead (Rom. 7:4).

Does that include you? Or do you belong to yourself? I have often said that since God is love, and He purchased us, why should we want to belong to anyone else? Isn’t LOVE the best option?

To be “consecrated” is to be holy. Holiness comes through yielding to the Ruach HaKodesh in our lives. The consecrated bride of Messiah is God’s treasured possession, His witness, His servant, His worshipper, even His army. She is strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Yeshua delights in the kallah’s separation to Him. She (WE) may be in the world, but we are not of it. We belong to our heavenly Khatan. We are holy because He is Holy.

P’ree

P’ree (p’REE) is the most common word for FRUIT in Hebrew. It can refer both to literal fruit or the result of an action and spiritual growth. Our Messiah wants a fruitful bride—to bear fruit (parah ). What kind of fruit are we to produce as Messianic believers? Various kinds: Souls for the Kingdom (Prov. 11:30), Good works (Eph. 2:10), and Godly qualities (Gal. 5:22-23).

We were chosen to bear fruit for God. Yeshua told His talmidim, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (Jn. 15:16).

How do we bear fruit pleasing to God? By abiding in the “True Vine:” Yeshua. He said in John 15:2 “…that every branch in Him [that’s us] that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Don’t be surprised if you are pruned this month! God’s purpose is not to punish you but to cause you to flourish. Draw closer to Him with a contrite heart and be willing to acknowledge your sin, forsake it, and receive the grace of God, to walk in greater victory and power and be more fruitful.

Make yourself ready for greater union with the Beloved. Fruit will come from this union. Messiah creates the fruit in us as we abide in Him. We are His garden enclosed and, God-incidentally, the nine fruits of His Spirit (p’ree HaRuach) are the nine plants mentioned in Song of Songs 4:13-14. I believe that LOVE is the greatest fruit. Pursue it this Yom Teruah. May the shofar call us all to LOVE.

Ruach

Ruach is the Hebrew word for spirit, breath, and wind— (ROO-akh). Ruach Elohim is the Spirit of God. Ruach HaKodesh is the Holy Spirit. Ruach is a feminine noun which always makes me think of the gentleness of God’s Spirit.

So much could be said of the role of the Ruach HaKodesh in the preparation of Messiah’s Kallah. I mention in my booklet, The Ancient Jewish Wedding, that the Ruach HaKodesh is our spiritual engagement ring who leads us to focus on our Heavenly Bridegroom. He doesn’t call attention to Himself but rather to the One who purchased us. Just as a diamond is many-faceted, so too the Holy Spirit. He helps keep our eyes on our soon-coming, many-faceted Bridegroom. Are your eyes looking up this month? Just as Hegai, the king’s servant in the Book of Esther, prepared Esther for her union with the king, the Ruach HaKodesh prepares us for our King. We must yield to Him and choose life in the Spirit over life in the flesh. Our choice. A pure bride resists the world, the flesh, and the devil and seeks to be continually filled with fresh oil (Matt. 25:1-4).

Do you identify with Anna Rountree concerning the Ruach? I do. “Life in the Spirit is being known intimately and knowing intimately—trusting the Beloved One, preferring the Beloved One, thinking of the Beloved One, honoring the Beloved One, holding the Beloved One in your heart.” (Oh, Abba, please help us to do this!)

Tefillah, Torah, and Tzedakah

Tefillah (teh-fee-LAH), Prayer. Torah (toh-RAH), the Word of God. Tzedakah (tzeh-DAH-kah), Righteousness. These three all play a crucial role in our readiness for the soon return of our Messiah. Proverbs 15:8 says, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer [tefilat] of the upright is His delight.”

Lois Tverberg, in Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus, makes an interesting point about khutzpah (KHOOTS-pah)—boldness—as part of Middle Eastern culture in ancient times. She cites various examples of prayer with khutzpah in the Bible and shows how Yeshua actually liked this kind of boldness—persistence in prayer and coming to God again and again. (Good book to order.)

What about Torah? Our New Covenant ketubah or marriage contract. Is God’s Word the joy and rejoicing of our heart? (Jer. 15:16) Do we endeavor to live by every word that proceeds from His mouth? (Matt. 4:4) Is our walk with Messiah one of daily obedience? (Heb 5:9) “Abba, please help us to dig deeper into your Torah this year.”

Finally, Tzedakah (Righteousness). We have no righteousness of our own, but stand by faith in the righteousness of our Sinless Savior. (Rom. 3:25-26) This is why we can boldly proclaim: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Is. 61:10). If we are covered with Yeshua’s righteousness, we are ready for our Bridegroom’s return.

Looking up!