Who We Are
The Messiah Beyond a Shadow of Doubt is a presentation of Ancient Words Ministries, Inc., a Christian ministry that is committed to faithfully teaching the Word of God.
The contents of this web site are based on our book, The Messiah Beyond a Shadow of Doubt, written by Donald McCluskey, president of Ancient Words. Its purpose is to spotlight a unique section of the Scriptures that casts prophetic shadows that clearly identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Lord’s Messiah.
Our hope and prayer are that visitors to this web site will explore these materials with a true and honest heart and judge for themselves whether Jesus is truly Messiah, and based on that understanding, prepare to meet Him. We would love to hear from you if this message has helped you or if you have questions about the content.
An Overview of the Appointed Times
The Jewish holy days, also known as the Lord’s Appointed Times, provide the clearest proof that Jesus of Nazareth is truly the Messiah. Many people believe that the Jewish holy days are somehow related to Jesus, but the connection is not clear in their minds. For example, the apostle Paul refers to Christ our Passover and Christ as the first fruits of those who are asleep (i.e. deceased), but what else do these concepts teach about Jesus? The book of Acts records the day of Pentecost (also known as the Feast of Weeks), as the day the Holy Spirit was given to those who believe in Jesus. But what is the background of Pentecost and how does it relate to Jesus? The book of Hebrews makes a very clear connection between the Day of Atonement (YomKippur) and the eternal redemption that Jesus obtained, but there is much more that we can learn about His atoning work through an understanding of this holy day.
Jesus and the apostles alluded to the relationship between the Jewish holy days and the work of the Messiah (i.e. the Christ). In Colossians 2:16-17, Paul tells us that festivals, new moons, and Sabbath days, (which were defined by the Appointed Times), cast shadows of things to come, but their substance belongs to Christ. We are, therefore, on the right track when we explore the Appointed Times for the purpose of learning about the Messiah.
For the seeker and the scholar and everyone in between, this book clearly explains the origin, purpose, and timing of each Appointed Time in easy-to-understand language. But, of greater importance, it explains how Jesus fulfilled each of the shadows in perfect timing, proving beyond a shadow of doubt that He is truly the Messiah. The Appointed Times are:
Passover
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
First Fruits
The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
The Day of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
The Feast of Booths
The Weekly Sabbath day
Do you need encouragement in your faith? Do you want to know more about your Creator and His plan for abolishing evil and lawlessness, and forgiving and redeeming those who turn to Him? Do you want to know about the ultimate destiny of the human race and planet earth? Then this book is for you. Understanding these concepts helps to establish believers in their faith, providing fresh evidence for Jesus’ claim as the Messiah. Furthermore, it explains the magnificent hope of all who believe – eternal life in paradise, living with God as our tender, loving Father.
