A Calendar Bias for Biblical Time
(Revised 2021)

Section 7:

TIMES AND SEASONS

We have now established, using Biblical scripture, and eliminating any calendar bias, that days, months, and years are determined through Yehovah's ordained signs, defined from an observer's perspective within the firmament above us. He gives us the sun to rule the days, the stars to divide the day from the night, and the moon to rule the night. The day begins after the sun's light gives way to the moon and stars, after it goes down below the horizon. The moon begins the month when it is renewed in the firmament, and it marks the seasons or the appointed festivals of Yehovah from which we are instructed to count. Additional instruction is given to begin counting those months (or renewed moons) with the renewed moon of the aviv harvest growing within the land, ready to present in the annual wavesheaf offering. We are told to blow trumpets, communicating the events of the renewed moon and Yehovah's appointed times. Finally, we are given direct instruction to keep a perpetual Sabbath every seven days, creating the continuous week.

We are given no instruction on substituting these visible signs (or beacons) for any kind of unseen, mathematical alternative, such as a dark moon or the spring equinox. A new, or renewed, moon cannot be represented by a waning crescent, or a full moon and we are certainly not given a fixed number of days to observe months or a fixed number of months for determining years. Sighting the signs given to us within the firmament depends on several variables controlled by Yehovah Himself, which include the movements of the celestial bodies themselves. Actively looking for these signs often requires one to rely on faith, having no certainty to when and where they will occur despite weather or viewing conditions. For this very reason, observation is a turnoff to many who prefer the predictability and unity of mathematics. Because observation can be unpredictable, they view it as primitive and too difficult to plan around. And instead of utilizing mathematics as a tool to help find these observable signs, nearly all abandon the signs entirely, relying instead on man-made rules and algorithms. They believe this makes them more sophisticated, cohesive and reliable – able to predict events years or centuries in advance. Proverbs 27:1 reminds us^[1]:

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

By using a method of observation, you simply cannot predict with any certainty when these signs will occur in the future. Although mathematics has matured to a point that will allow man to calculate when the sun should go down at any geographical location worldwide or when the new moon crescent should be bright enough to be seen by the naked eye, man has not reached the level of wisdom to factor every possible variable that plays a role. Determining mathematically when barley crops will be ready to harvest years in advance (even weeks in advance) cannot be determined with 100% certainty. Only Yehovah has the capability to understand and control when all these things merge, and in His time. It is always His visible signs that should trump any mathematical result.

Furthermore, when man uses averages to construct their static, fixed timetables, or calendars, over time they nearly always find a need to adjust them by adding leap day rules. This is even true with our clock bias where our official clocks today are based on the atomic clock - a modern scientific marvel that measures time to a clock using the frequency of atoms^[81]. This method is used to track the changes within the Earth's rotation and occasionally adjusts the official clock to within one second of this rotation by adding leap-seconds.

Unless the variables involved in any calendar are completely static, unchangeable, or certainly predictable, there will always be a need for fixes, adjustments, and intercalary tweaks. Since Yehovah created the celestial bodies in a continual state of flux, and since He can allow any variable to change at any time, our mathematical timetables will never be as good as when they were originally established. We are given direct instructions within scripture to count the number of days from these events and signs, we are never told to predict them, neither are we ever instructed to calculate or average the time between these events. Our bias toward calendars almost certainly leads us down this path, forcing the variables into fixed, universal patterns to help us predict and measure future events. All so we can rely solely on the math-based prediction rather than observing the event we were attempting to predict in the first place. This is wrong. In fact, scripture encourages us not to predict the future for our own planning. James 4:13-15^[1] tells us:

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'"

Given what we have learned, perhaps Yehovah did not give mathematical formulas within scripture for a good reason. Mankind tends to break Biblical principles when it comes to creating calendars. Some go even further by trying to apply spiritual understanding within these patterns, believing they have found that magical key to understanding Yehovah or the universe. By letting go of this bias and relying on pure observation, however, requires us to have trust and conviction in His overall intelligent design given by Him. It is His signs that appear in His timing we must accept as being His time and season. We must yield the festivals to be shown by Him rather than by man - no matter how wise men may become or how advanced the wisdom of mathematics become. I Corinthians 2:5^[1] states:

"that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." {Underlined emphasis added}

Mathematics is a wonderful tool, even a blessing. But most men believe it puts them in control, including His times and seasons. This cannot be further from the truth! There is a powerful lesson we can learn through the practice of observation. Acts 1:6-8^[1] tells us:

"When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, 'It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.'" {Underlined emphasis added}

Once again, the disciples wanted to know when the future coming kingdom was to take place and were told that it is Yehovah who has ultimate control of time itself, with only signs to search for to know when the end-time was near! With faith and guidance in the Holy Spirit, we too can understand using the signs that are given to us to tell His current time - and we can prove it with scripture. The lack of any further Biblical instruction to calculate a calendar shows that we have been given all that we need. Simply by observing these signs and recognizing them when they appear and making them known is simplistic in nature. The process itself can be taught to school children. Only by participating in observation (combined with the power of the Holy Spirit) will we truly come to realize how this practice can apply to understanding prophecy and signs of the end-times.

A good analogy would be one driving down the road. Imagine you are driving in a white-out blizzard, difficult to see around you until you are right up close. This type of situation causes one to be more heightened and alert to their surroundings, unaware of what lies ahead. Stress increases as we begin to desperately seek any kind of sign or road marker, while also keeping an eye out for other cars or obstacles in the road. If you come across a stop sign or witness brake lights ahead of you, most would stop. We begin to rely on the communication of others to keep us safe and on course. Would we ever decide to simply abandon the practice of observing these signs around us in this situation? Would we rely, instead, on mathematics, calculating the distance of all the stop signs? Could math predict when a car is stopped in your path? Even more, would we calculate the mean average of distances between stop signs and only stop based on that mean result? Of course not! So why do we do this with time? Why would we use solar midnight, or the dark moon, or the spring equinox, or any other unseen event when our God tells us to look for the signs He has ordained? Does the unpredictability of signs make driving too complicated to navigate or too unpredictable to rely upon? No, in fact it's preferred.

Observation Is Confusing?

Some church organizations claim that relying on calendar observation creates confusion, leading to inconsistent outcomes; they conclude that mathematical calculations must be the only solution. Yet, they contradict themselves by then teaching that the Biblical Day begins by observing sundown, stopping short of providing any calculation for this event. If mathematics is truly the solution to avoid differing interpretations, shouldn't these organizations also provide calculations for the day's beginning to ensure unity? Shouldn't they also teach and explain their mathematical rules, ideally with scriptural support?

For instance, consistency challenges still arise based on interpretation: one person may observe sunset, while another may prefer sundown. If it truly is unity they wish to achieve, shouldn't the more standard approach be to keep a fixed 6pm-to-6pm schedule? Or even better, to adopt the standard concept of midnight, the ultimate mathematical solution used in modern timekeeping that would offer global consistency, unity, and convenience through mathematical precision, complete with time zones and instituting daylight savings?

By dismissing observational calendars as being too confusing, many argue over defining other observed events, such as: what constitutes a new moon? Is it the dark moon, the crescent, or the full moon? Although historical scholars agree that months were originally based on the visible crescent, many church organizations continue to reject the facts, prioritizing unity in mathematics over adherence to scripture. When they endorse observing the sun, however, suddenly these debates seem less significant. Yet the question remains: should we define the sun's setting as sunset or sundown, civil or nautical or astronomical, twilight or complete darkness? Despite these ambiguities, Sabbath-keeping churches that rely on the calculated Hebrew Calendar still traditionally begin Shabbat at local sundown, despite any confusion they claim observation causes.

Some groups opposed to an observational calendar also argue that those who follow it are only prioritizing their own self-interests, or personal interpretation, over the moral standard of scripture – by only doing what is right within their own eyes. This phrase, often used in the Book of Judges, is cited as a caution. For example, it states in Judges 17:6^[1]:

"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Observational practices, indeed, require the use of one's eye to observe the visual signs within the heavens, which might explain the appeal to use these verses. The NIV puts this as, 'Everyone did as he saw fit.' But when their mathematical solution is not found anywhere in scripture, it's clear that the concept is man-made. Aren't they doing exactly what the scripture warns against - keeping time how they see fit? Whereas observation simply confirms, visually, what Yehovah Himself ordained in the heavens - as He saw fit and described within scripture. Yet it's the mathematical formula that is often preferred for their predictability, regardless of what His signs actually display.

Another point to consider: if mathematics were the preferred method, it would make more sense to calculate when the moon should be seen rather than rely on an average timetable. Adding rules to postpone days, or even months, to maintain predictability distorts our perception of time, pushing us to follow rigid constructs rather than God ordained natural cycles. While mathematics rely on axioms, or foundational definitions, to maintain consistency, when it comes to observing Yehovah's calendar in the sky, these organizations suddenly disregard definitions for it – such as what constitutes a new moon - to justify rejecting observational calendars altogether.

In their quest for uniformity these organizations inadvertently contradict God's command in Deuteronomy 4:2^[1]:

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

Yehovah is not whimsical, changing methods or bending to the will of man-made concepts that require constant adjustments. As Malachi 3:6^[1] reminds us,

"For I am the LORD, I do not change. "

Scripture provides no indication for a calculation-based approach; marking time has always been linked to Yehovah's ordained signs, as set in Genesis, with instructions to count months from the renewed moon of Aviv and to blow trumpets as markers to warn and communicate with others. Isaiah 66:23 even prophesies that observing the renewed moons will continue in the coming Kingdom.

As a society, our bias toward mathematics and fixed timetables gives us a false sense of security, as though we are somehow immune to uncertainty. Many church organizations lean on this false security, assuming that calculations must be the solution and, in turn, place their faith into them. This desensitizes us to His method of marking time. Observation, however, allows for any natural inconsistencies to be corrected visually the next cycle, while organizations argue that such variations lead to confusion, citing 1 Corinthians 14:33^[1]:

"For God is not the author of confusion."

Ironically, many struggle to explain the Hebrew calendar's construction or the rationale behind the postponement rules, often dismissing these as a can of worms. Ultimately, the only certain uniformity the Hebrew calendar provides is uniformity in error.

Throughout history, Satan has sought to deceive Yehovah's people, using tools like mathematical averages to do so. Daniel 7:25^[1] warns that Satan will

"speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law."

Satan has successfully confused Yehovah's times and seasons, leading many to view Biblical timekeeping as a can of worms. Despite recognizing that Biblical time wasn't measured by today's Gregorian Calendar, many still try to create similar calendar systems, nearly all using repetitive averages and presenting them as precise. Reliance on these formulas is so ingrained that when the topic of observation is raised, it's often avoided, argued against on the basis of varying interpretations, or simply dismissed in favor of tradition.

Now that we have a deeper understanding of the Biblical concepts and historical evidence for an observational calendar, even within Jewish history, we can now examine the current Hebrew calendar, how it came about, and the biases that may influence its acceptance.