Midnight? 6 PM? Sunset? Sunrise? Noon?

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1) Thank you to Brother Garrick for the privilege to present this topic at his Sabbath gathering.

2) Thank you to Timothy Astleford for digging into his Bible to see if indeed this is Biblical truth and for all the wonderful studies he has written.

3) And, a thank you to whoever it was (an Adventist somewhere) that actually did the initial homework to uncover this truth from the error of tradition.

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A Moment of Gratitude

1. This study did not originate with us.

2. We received the DVD study from a friend Feb 2010.

3. This original study must have been done by an Adventist, because the presentation began with a statement from Testimonies, Vol 1, p. 116.

a. 1T 116 is a small part of a large vision given to Ellen G White found in 1T pgs 113-120.

b. This short portion is considered as her 2nd Sabbath Vision, and the LAST Sabbath vision she had.

c. Date of the vision: Nov 20, 1855.

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History On How This Teaching Came To Us

Many Adventist’s believe that Ellen G White gave us the truth on the commencement of the day – as sunset. (While I had not really thought about it seriously, when this idea was presented to me, I sort of thought that likely was the truth.)

Right after their August 30th wedding in 1846, James & Ellen White learned of the Sabbath truth in the early fall, through the teachings of Captain Joseph Bates.

From the fall of 1846 to Nov 1855, the early pioneers observed the Sabbath from 6 PM Friday evening to 6 PM Saturday evening.

At a Sabbath Conference on Nov 17, 1855, Captain Joseph Bates read a study paper (for the divine Sabbath service) prepared by J N Andrews showing that Andrews believed the Sabbath did not begin at 6 PM on Friday, but rather at sunset.

Of the very few ministers that were gathered together for this Sabbath Conference, the decision was made to take a vote on the matter immediately after the reading of the study.

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How Is Ellen G White Involved In This Study?

Result: A majority vote spoke to change the commencement of the Sabbath from 6 PM on Friday to sunset on Friday, and to implement this immediately. The Sabbath was closed that day at sunset rather than 6 PM.

Problem: Two votes did not agree … Captain Joseph Bates and Ellen G White!

Concern: Most were not worried about what Captain Bates thought, but they were troubled by Mrs White’s negative vote.

Result: At the end of the conference a few days later Mrs White was given a very lengthy vision – at which time she took the opportunity to ask her attending angel about the supposed confusion over the commencement of the Sabbath. (This particular portion of her 2nd Sabbath vision is now found in 1 T 116.) That very day, in 1855, the vision was written out for everyone to read – and printed in the Advent Review & Sabbath Herald in the next issue, for distribution to all their flock scattered hither and yon.

Answer: The angel gave a very clear answer to Mrs White’s question! However, the male pioneers in attendance at that conference did NOT pay attention to the content carefully, nor did they read in context. They simply made some very hasty assumptions, which are still being taught today. 5

How Is Ellen G White Involved In This Study?

1. According to the recommendation of Ellen White, and the mandate of this Bible study class, our study on this topic will begin with the Bible.

2. However, it is understandable that with many Adventists a ‘word from Ellen White’ is very dear.

3. We will consider her 2nd Sabbath vision very briefly today.

4. Once the evidence is presented from the Scriptures, we can delve into the Pioneer study in greater detail at a later time.

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What Next? Where Do We Begin?

Second Sabbath Vision Given on Nov 20, 1855: (1 Testimonies, p. 116.)

I saw that it is even so: "From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath." Said the

angel: "Take the word of God, read it, understand, and ye cannot err. Read carefully, and ye

shall there find what even is, and when it is.” I asked the angel if the frown of God had been

upon His people for commencing the Sabbath as they had. I was directed back to the first

rise of the Sabbath, and followed the people of God up to this time, but did not see that the

Lord was displeased, or frowned upon them. I inquired why it had been thus, that at this late

day we must change the time of commencing the Sabbath. Said the angel: "Ye shall

understand, but not yet, not yet." Said the angel: "If light come, and that light is set aside or

rejected, then comes condemnation and the frown of God; but before the light comes, there is

no sin, for there is no light for them to reject." I saw that it was in the minds of some that the

Lord had shown that the Sabbath commenced at six o'clock, when I had only seen that it

commenced at "even," and it was inferred that even was at six. I saw that the servants of God

must draw together, press together.

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Ellen G White’s 2nd Sabbath Vision (1855)

1. Who said these words? I saw that it is even so: "From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath."

2. What was the homework given by the angel? Said the angel: "Take the word of God, read it, understand, and ye cannot err. Read carefully, and ye shall there find what even is, and when it is. (The words “what” and “when” are italicized in 1T116.)

3. Did Ellen White understand that homework? No she didn’t! In fact the whole issue of “new light on the Sabbath commencement time” troubled her. It became an intense paradigm shift that she could not understand!

4. Ellen White inquired further of the angel about why they had to make such a huge change in this area. Next, the angel speaks: Said the angel: "Ye shall understand, but not yet, not yet." Said the angel: "If light come, and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes condemnation and the frown of God; but before the light comes, there is no sin, for there is no light for them to reject."

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Questions To Consider Regarding

Ellen White’s 2nd Sabbath Vision

5. In conclusion: Ellen White responded … I saw that it was in the minds of some [such as Captain Bates] that the Lord had shown that the Sabbath commenced at six o'clock, when I had only seen that it commenced at "even," and it was inferred [by Captain Bates & Ellen White] that even was at six.

6. Further conclusion: But, the male pioneers that voted “yes” to the sunset change responded: “Yes! There we have it! Ellen White has now had a vision that confirms sunset is the commencement for the Sabbath, so everything is now settled!” [This is my paraphrase.]

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How Is Ellen White Involved In This Study?

7. Your homework: a. Read this vision very, very carefully in context. b. Where is the issue of “sunset” addressed by the angel? c. Where does the angel and Ellen White confirm that

“sunset” is the new truth? d. Did the angel give any clues as to the Biblical truth of the

matter? (Read carefully!) e. Did the pioneers (including Ellen White) actually take the

time to complete the homework? If not, why not? If they did complete the homework, where can their studies be located?

f. What is your final assessment after reading this vision in context, paying special attention to the content as well?

g. DID YOU KNOW? This is the very vision Adventism has used since Nov 20, 1855 to confirm that Friday sunset is the commencement of the Sabbath!

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How Are You Involved In This Study?

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Definition of Paradigm Shift: A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.

In other words: Your view point, or your perspective, towards a particular thing completely changes in a flash of time.

This is exactly what happened to our pioneers and Ellen White – more than once! o 1st Sabbath paradigm shift: 1846 when they discovered that

Sunday was not the Biblical Sabbath, but it was Saturday. o 2nd Sabbath paradigm shift: 1855 when they were challenged

that 6 PM was not the commencement of the Biblical Sabbath. o There was at least one other Sabbath paradigm shift that they

should have made. Do you know what it was?

The Challenge Of The Paradigm Shift

For The Pioneers

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1. This study may challenge you, just as we were challenged in 2010. 2. Some will accept the Paradigm Shift more easily than others. 3. The more you understand through Scripture, the easier it is to

understand the shift that is forthcoming. 4. Understanding must be supported with:

a. A complete Biblical study from cover to cover that includes a solid witness in the life of our Messiah.

b. A complete study of secular history to determine how “sunset” was ever introduced into the tribe of Judah. o We must also understand that not all traditions of the Jews

are Biblical truths. c. For Adventists: A complete study of pioneer history to

understand why “sunset” was accepted rather than following the angel’s homework.

5. We must learn to challenge every belief that we hold dear, to see if indeed it can be Biblically supported.

The Challenge Of The Paradigm Shift

For Us Today

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Session 1: Our study today is going to begin with some very basic Bible Testimonies – favourite Bible stories that are well loved and known. We’ll begin with the “practical or practicum”– a place where these testimonies put the “theory” into practice.

1. Gen 15: Abram’s Covenant with God

2. Exo 12: Passover Deliverance from Egypt

3. Exo 10: The Locusts – 8th plague of Egypt

4. Exo 14: Pharaoh and the Red Sea

5. Exo 16: The Manna Week

6. Ruth 2: Ruth’s Reply

7. Gen 1: 1st Day of Creation (Mini-Introduction for Session #2)

Where Should This Study Begin?

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Session 2: The study will be a bit more intense because it can be compared to “the theory.” It will address:

1. Gen 1:1-5 … the 1st day of creation. This study will provide a detailed explanation of the last 10 words of verse 5 which reads: “… and the evening and the morning were the first day.”

2. Lev 23:32 … Day of Atonement context. This study will provide a detailed explanation of the last 9 words of the complete passage from verses 26-32 which reads: “… from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.” o Note: These are the two main passages used by Saturday

Sabbath keepers to endorse “sunset” as the commencement of the Sabbath. They will be challenged!

Where Will This Study Lead To?

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Session 3: This study will focus on the four gospels. a. Do the gospel writers endorse “dawn” or “sunset” as

the Sabbath commencement?

b. Does the Messiah endorse “dawn” or “sunset” as the Sabbath commencement?

i. Will our Saviour’s WORDS align with the Torah? His parable teachings?

ii. Will the Messiah’s ACTIONS in His “life” align with Torah?

iii. Will the ACTIONS in His “death, burial & resurrection” align with Torah?

iv. Is our Messiah our final witness?

c. Is there any word of support from the disciples and apostles after the resurrection?

How Will This Study Continue?

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Session 4:

a. Secular Historical account of the Jews dating back to the Babylonian exile.

b. Religious Historical account of the Advent Movement.

Note: Those are the four categories that are planned for presentations in their order. If we don’t get through everything planned today, we’ll continue the study at the next time of meeting.

How Will This Study End?

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i. We will learn to read the content of the Scriptures very carefully. ii. We will learn to read in context. iii. We will learn to pay attention to grammar. iv. We will learn to keep the events of the Bible stories in order, according

to the order of the verses. v. We will learn to use our logic and common sense more than ever

before. vi. We will remember our belief that there is not one idle word in Scripture

– that everything is written according to Divine Inspiration, and for the edification of truth.

vii. We will learn how to use the Hebrew (and Greek) definitions properly, and consistently.

viii. We will expect (and insist) to establish at least 2-3 firm witnesses to establish this new truth.

ix. We will expect the “sunset tradition” to be clearly exposed for the darkness that it represents.

x. We will understand the fuller restoration of “the Sabbath” according to the Torah, the Prophets, and our Saviour.

Requirements For This Study

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Are There Any Questions So Far?

Question breaks will be given through the presentation to allow the listeners on the live program to interact in the discussion. Or, questions can be emailed to either Charlene Fortsch or Tim Astleford. Contact information is provided on the last 2 slides of this power point.

Before we have prayer and begin this study, I would like to share a few wise words from the pen of Ellen White.

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Words Of Wisdom From Ellen White

In The Great Controversy on page 625 we read:

Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise … Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only? GC 625.3

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Words Of Wisdom From Ellen White

Selected Messages, Vol. 2, page 82:

The only true way to search the Scriptures is to lay down every prejudice, every preconceived opinion, at the very door of investigation, and then enter into the work with an eye single to the glory of God, with an understanding open to conviction, and a heart softened to believe what the Lord says to you. 2 SM 82.3

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Words Of Wisdom From Ellen White

It is clear by these quotes that we are to investigate the Scriptures with an open mind, devoid of “every prejudice” and “every preconceived opinion” we may have developed throughout life; and, we are to “cling to the Bible and the Bible only.” Are we willing to do that today? Again we read from Manuscript 8a, 1888: God is presenting to the minds of men divinely appointed

precious gems of truth, appropriate for our time. God has rescued these truths from the companionship of error, and has placed them in their proper frame-work. When these truths are given their rightful position in God's great plan, when they are presented intelligently and earnestly, and with reverential awe, by the Lord's servants, many will conscientiously believe because of the weight of evidence, without waiting for every supposed difficulty which may suggest itself to their minds, to be removed.--Manuscript 8a, 1888.

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Words Of Wisdom From Ellen White

From Testimonies, Vol. 5, p 675-676: Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room.

God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence. God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.--5T 675, 676 (1889).

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Words Of Wisdom From Ellen White

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Opening Prayer

1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion … KJV

confusion – Strong’s; NT:181 from NT:182; instability, i.e. disorder: KJV - commotion, confusion, tumult.

In other words: God is the author of ORDER!

These studies are going to provide a very strict comparison between order and confusion with the use of charts. Will Babylon’s confusion be exposed and become extremely evident?

Specifically, we will be looking for Forward Progressive Movement [of events]. This is an important Bible Hermeneutic – or Biblical rule.

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Scriptural Order / Babylon’s Confusion

Lucifer, God’s adversary, has usurped the worship the Creator deserves by convincing us through human agencies, the idea that “sunset commencement for Sabbath” is correct, and midnight is error.

The modern 24 hour day begins at midnight – according to Rome.

Most Jews and Sabbatarians commence their Sabbaths precisely at the moment of Friday evening sunset – according to what the Jews have honored for centuries. This is likely because most have been convinced the Jews have been admirable keepers of the Holy Oracles, including the correct commencement time for the Sabbath (or any day of the week for that matter).

However, Scripture clearly reveals when the day begins.

It is neither midnight nor sunset!

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Getting Started

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Does a day really start at night or as some like to say, in the evening? Does the Sabbath really begin at evening, (at the sunset moment) and continue to the next sunset, like we have been taught for so many years?

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Do you believe this? The evening equals the night portion of the day and the morning equals the daylight portion of

the day? Can this be proven from scripture? With this presentation we will see how this traditional teaching is actually not Biblical.

Many Sabbath Keepers have come to the conclusion that the 5 words in this phrase:

“the evening and the morning” determine the beginning of a new day. Is this your thinking, your conviction?

Many assume, (based on tradition),

that evening equals the night and the morning equals the day.

Is this really how we constitute “one day”?

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We must be fair and first look at the evidence from the Scriptures and history. After that - a decision can be made. Remember: (1) we can’t go by tradition, (2) or the opinions of man, (3) or by the way we have been taught.

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1. The Roman Calendar begins a new day at “midnight” – the

very darkest part of the 24 hour cycle,

on the Roman calendar day.

2. The Jewish reckoning begins a new 24 hour calendar day at “sunset” – just before the night phase begins.

3. Many Sabbath-keepers started out reckoning the beginning of Sabbath at 6 PM on Friday (whether there was a sunset or not).

4. God's instructions in His inspired Word begin a new 24 hour cycle with the first rays of light

from the sun at dawn, before sunrise.

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“Does it really matter, how one calculates the beginning of a new day?” 1. To the majority of the world, it certainly doesn’t

matter. 2. To the lukewarm Christians, it doesn’t seem to matter. 3. To those who search the Scriptures for truth, it DOES

matter when the Sabbath begins.

4. To our Creator, I believe … it matters a LOT! He has not written any idle words in Scripture.

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Most People Likely Think:

What Do You Think?

Many of us have been taught that a 24 hour timeframe is reckoned from evening to evening – meaning “sunset to sunset.” We have also been taught and assumed:

1. That the Sabbath is observed from the moment the sun sets on Friday evening until sunset on Saturday evening;

2. That the terms “even” and “evening” are defined as “sunset” or the whole dark period of the night. PERIOD!

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Is it possible that the enemy has counterfeited God’s truth on this very point 4 times over? If so, Scripture should provide the truth! We must consider the Hebrew definitions of “evening” – (OT:6153)

The 1st Hebrew meaning of “evening” is DUSK – that is AFTER sunset!

The 2nd Hebrew meaning of “evening” is DAY – that is way BEFORE sunset! The 3rd Hebrew meaning of “evening” is TWILIGHT – about the same as dusk! The 4th Hebrew meaning of “evening” is NIGHT! NOW WHAT? Sunset is NOT one of the definitions!

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Sunset, is a moment of time in the evening when the sun begins to fall below the horizon. The sun can no

longer be seen with the physical eye. The time between sunset and night is called dusk or twilight,

which is a mixing of light and darkness. 36

Sunrise occurs for only an instant, the moment at which the upper limb of the sun appears tangent to the horizon. However, the term sunrise commonly refers to periods of time both before and after this point. Twilight, the period in the morning during which the sky has light but the sun is not yet visible, is called dawn – another mixing of light and darkness.

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Abram’s Covenant with God

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In Gen 15 [vss 1-4] God tells Abram in a vision there is nothing to fear; he will be protected like a shield.

Then [vs 5] Abram was taken outside and told to

count the stars [likely at night; still in vision], with the promise “so shall thy seed be.”

Next [vss 9-10] Abram receives the command to prepare a formal treaty contract, which consisted of a certain selection of animals and birds – five in total to be prepared in a specific manner. Abram did this. (Note: God’s sacrificial request of Abram was customary among the men of that time for endorsement of a solemn agreement.) 40

Gen 15:9-10

9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

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Abram’s Part Of The Covenant

During The Day Season

(For illustration purposes only: The 14th day of the 1st month of Abib will be randomly chosen as the day that Abram offered these sacrifices. We’ll see in another study if that date is in fact honorable.) Abram prepared the five sacrifices, most likely for around the 9th hour (3 PM Roman time), or the set time for the evening sacrifice. While Abram was waiting for God to fulfill his part of the covenant agreement, the birds of prey hovered continually over the sacrifices (vs 11) indicating this was indeed the Daylight Season.

Gen 15:11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

Note: Most birds go to roost when the darkness approaches. We know that God has the power to quiet the birds and keep them away from the bloody sacrifices while Abram is in a deep sleep. However, this verse may also be giving details as to the actual time during the 24 hour cycle of this day.

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Sacrifices Prepared During

Daylight Hours

Then in Gen 15:12 it states:

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

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Abram Falls Into A Deep Sleep

… telling him that his descendants would be foreigners and immigrants in a land that does not belong to them for 400 long years, but God will judge the nations and bring his offspring forth with much wealth.

Gen 15:13-16 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

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Abram Receives A Vision

Then in Gen 15:17 God completes His portion of the covenant, for it states … “And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.”

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God’s Part Of The Covenant

During The Night Season

This was the two part covenant (agreement):

1) Abram’s part preformed during the Light Season (of Abib 14; a random selection for a date) AND

2) God's part performed during the Night Season (which would be Abib -what ??).

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Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a

covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land …

This two part covenant took place on the

SAME (24 hour Cycle) DAY (Abib 14); not over a

period of 2 days. This proves the night following the 3 PM sacrifices was part of the same 24 hour cycle (of the 14th day of Abib, the 1st month).

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Genesis 15: Dawn Format Chart

Please note the Forward Progressive Movement in the chart. From Gen 15:10 to verse 18, all the events are in perfect order.

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In comparison to the DAWN Chart, there doesn’t seem to be a problem.

However, this chart does not include verse 18 yet!

This is the 1st Sunset Chart. The events of Gen 15:10-16

are still aligning with the Forward

Progressive Movement that we are looking for.

Genesis 15: Sunset Format Chart #1

a) Adding verse 18 to the Sunset Chart completely destroys the

Forward Progressive Movement of the events as they happened.

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Genesis 15: Sunset Format Chart #2

b) The Night Season of Abib 14 was first used for Abram’s first vision to count the stars! Then, how can the smoking furnace and burning lamp pass between the sacrifices on the

same Night Season of Abib 14, when Abram has not offered them yet?

Vs 9-10: Abram prepares 5 sacrifices at approx. the 9th hour.

Vs 11: Abram drives the fowls away from the sacrifices. (Before the birds had gone to roost.)

Vs 12: Abram falls into a deep sleep when the sun was going down; receives a vision.

Vs 17: “the sun went down and it was dark” – the covenant is then ratified by smoking furnace.

Vs 18: “On the same day” the full covenant was completed. All of these events happened on one day.

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Abram’s seed did end up in the strange land of Egypt. Exodus 12 records the rest of the story of how Abram’s seed was delivered from Egyptian bondage 400 years later.

Therefore, the specific requirements of God’s Covenant with Abram, through the Day Season and the Night Season - was completed during one 24 hour cycle.

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Genesis 15 is the

Template for the

upcoming events

of Exodus 12.

Question Time For Genesis 15

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Contact Information for

Questions & Comments Main Writer:

Timothy Astleford (Alberta, Canada)

Email: Shofar1owr@gmail.com

Editing & Narration:

Richard & Charlene Fortsch (BC, Canada)

Email: littlepines@telus.net

8 Aug 2015

We are thrilled that you desire to join us in the restoration of Yahuah’s Word and we encourage you to freely use this Power Point series and/or Dawn studies for this cause. We will gladly assist you in any way possible. There are also approximately 36 separate Bible studies available explicitly on the Dawn start of Yahuah’s days.

The Power Points will also be available with the use of Sacred Names upon request.

We do have one small request: If you will please notify us of the usages so that we are prepared to answer emails or calls, this will assist us in tracking the progress, and most importantly, address the effectiveness of the Power Points and/or studies. All comments and suggestions are welcome. Thank you!

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