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"Unlocking Prophecy: Jesus Fulfills the Seven Feasts of Israel" (an
article from Return to God Magazine, Volume 1 Number 1, page 22 and
Volume 1 Number 2, page 4).
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God's plan for the salvation of humanity is shown by the seven feasts
He gave to ancient Israel in Leviticus 23. God told the people of Israel
to celebrate these feasts as "lasting ordinances." The seven feasts are
patterns that describe the two comings of Jesus Christ, whose actual
Hebrew name is Yeshua Ha Mashiach. In Hebrew, Yeshua means "Salvation"
and Ha Mashiach (English: the Messiah) means "the Anointed One".
While most Jewish people still celebrate the feasts, it's unfortunate
that many don't understand Jesus' fulfillment of them, and thus miss the
Messiah that was sent for their salvation. It is also unfortunate that
most Christians don't celebrate the feasts, for they would clearly see
that the feasts symbolize Jesus' work. They could then use the feasts to
better understand and praise God and rejoice in His plan for the
salvation of man.
FEASTS DESCRIBE TWO COMINGS OF JESUS
------------------------------------
The four spring feasts describe the first coming of Jesus. He
sacrificed Himself on the Feast of Passover, was buried on the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, was resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits, and He
sent the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). The practices of
each of these spring feasts clearly depict the death and resurrection of
Jesus.
Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God.
"behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" --
John 1:29.
Jesus is the Unleavened Bread of Life.
"I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats
of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall
give for the life of the world is My flesh." -- John 6:51
Jesus is the First Fruits.
"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of
those who are asleep" -- 1 Corinthians 15:20.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost).
"And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in
one place... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." -- Acts
2:1-4
Because Jesus' fulfillment of the spring feasts is so exact, it seems
reasonable that He may also fulfill the remaining fall feasts. In this
booklet we will also describe a view among Bible teachers as to how
Jesus may fulfill the fall feasts and return on the Feast of Trumpets to
catch away His Bride, the church; celebrate the Marriage Supper of the
Lamb in Heaven; then return to earth seven years later on the Day of
Atonement to establish His Kingdom beginning on the Feast of
Tabernacles.
FEASTS ARE DIVINE APPOINTMENTS -
SHADOWS OF THINGS TO COME
-------------------------
How do we know that God intended the feasts to show His plan for
salvation? One of the clues that indicates the feasts have more
significance than mere tradition and remembrance is found in Leviticus
23:4:
"These are the appointed times of the Lord, holy convocations which
you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them..."
The Hebrew translated as "holy convocations" actually means
"rehearsals". These feasts then were appointed times of rehearsals for
events that were to occur in the future.
Paul provides the same conclusion when he refers to the feasts as
shadows of things to come and states that the true substance belongs to
Christ in Colossians 2:16-17:
"Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or
in respect of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day -- things
which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs
to Christ."
First century believers in Jesus understood that the feasts symbolized
God's plan for salvation of man through Jesus, the long awaited Messiah.
They continued to practice the celebrations, but with new joy and
understanding of the substance that was the Messiah!
JESUS FULFILLS THE SPRING FEASTS
--------------------------------
The first coming of Jesus completely fulfilled the pattern set by the
four spring feasts (See Spring Feasts on God's Calendar). The Hebrew and
English names for these feasts are:
HEBREW ENGLISH
Pesach Passover
Hag haMatzah Unleavened Bread
Yom HaBikkurim First Fruits
Shavuot Feast of Weeks,Pentecost
PASSOVER
--------
Exodus 12:2-11, Leviticus 23
Historically, Passover marks the national liberation of the Hebrews
from Egyptian slavery.
Pesach, the Hebrew name of the feast literally means "the lamb". God
instructed each family to take an unblemished year-old male lamb to
their home on the tenth day of the first month. They were to examine the
lamb for four days to see that it was perfect. On the fourth day at
twilight, they were to kill the lamb and take some of the lamb’s blood
and place it on the two doorposts and the lintel of their house. On the
first Passover, the avenging angel of God killed every first born male
throughout the land, from Pharaoh, to slave, to camel. The angel would
"Passover" those homes that protected themselves by placing the blood of
a lamb on their doorposts and lintels.
FULFILLMENT OF PASSOVER BY JESUS -- THE PASSOVER LAMB
"...For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" -- 1 Corinthians
5:7 (NIV).
"...Like a lamb That is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is
silent before its shearers..." -- Isaiah 53:7.
"Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" -- John
1:29.
Jesus completely fulfilled the Passover events with exact timing as
shown in Table 1.
PROCESSION OF THE LAMB
When Israel had a Temple, in addition to the lamb for each household,
a lamb was chosen to die for the sins of the entire nation. On the 10th
of Nisan, it was lead in a huge procession from Bethany to the Temple.
During the procession, the people waved Palm branches and sang Psalms,
including: "O Lord save us (Hosanna)... Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord" -- Psalm 118:25-26 (NIV).
Jesus rode into the city to the Temple on the same day (Nisan 10) as
the procession of the lamb chosen to die for the sins of the nation. By
doing this, He was proclaiming Himself to be "the Lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world" -- John 1:29. As Jesus passed, the people
shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord" -- Matthew 21:9 (NIV).
JESUS, THE PASSOVER LAMB EXAMINED
Just as the Passover lamb was examined for four days prior to
Passover, so Jesus entered the Temple and was examined for four days
prior to Passover by the Sadducees and the Pharisees.
"On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came
to Him and questioned Him..." -- Matthew 22:23-33
"Then the Pharisees went and counseled together how they might trap
Him in word what He said." -- Matthew 22:15-22
LAMBS PREPARED FOR SACRIFICE
Jesus was prepared for sacrifice and beaten on the morning of
Passover, just as a lamb to be sacrificed in the Temple was prepared on
Passover morning.
"Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of
the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death and they
bound Him, and led Him away..." -- Matthew 27:1
"...after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified." -
- Matthew 27:26
LAMBS SLAIN "BETWEEN THE EVENINGS"
Jesus was slain at the same time the unblemished lamb was slain on
Passover. According to God's instructions the Passover lamb had to be
slain "between the evenings" (Exodus 12:6).
Jesus gave up His spirit at the exact time the lambs were to be killed
-- the ninth hour. "Between the evenings" and "the ninth hour" are based
on the manner by which the Temple priests calculated time. Both refer to
the same time -- three o'clock in the afternoon.
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice,..." --
Matthew 27:46
"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His
spirit." -- Matthew 27:50
That Jesus died in just three hours is incredible. Typically, death by
crucifixion took three days. The Romans were experts at crucifixion.
They wanted the crucified person to live in agony for days, while
frightened friends, relatives and travelers stared in horror. Jesus, a
strong young man should not have died so quickly. He died at three in
the afternoon to keep a Divine Appointment!
THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
-----------------------------
Leviticus 23:5-8
Historically, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is a remembrance of God
bringing the Hebrews out of Egypt. It begins at sunset of Nisan/Aviv 15.
In ancient Israel, days were counted from evening to evening, therefore
sunset (6:00 PM) of Nisan/Aviv 14 begins a new day -- Nisan/Aviv 15. The
Feast of Unleavened Bread continues for seven days until Nisan/Aviv 21.
During this period only unleavened bread is to be eaten.
The first meal, eaten on the evening of the 15th, is special. After
the Hebrews sacrificed the Passover lamb, they were to roast and eat all
the flesh of the lamb (head, legs and entrails) together with bitter
herbs and unleavened bread (matzah). No bone of the lamb was to be
broken (Exodus 12:46).
Traditionally, the meal begins as the woman of the house lights
candles. The man takes three loaves of unleavened bread and places them
in a white linen envelope that has three compartments. The unleavened
bread looks like a flat cracker. It is marked with stripes and has holes
pierced through from cooking. The father removes the middle loaf from
its compartment, breaks it, wraps it in a separate piece of white linen
and "buries" it behind his chair cushion or in a drawer where it is
later "redeemed" by the father for a price. During the meal, four cups
of wine are drunk. The Passover meal concludes with singing. One of the
traditional songs is Psalms 118:21-24. In it we find the prophetic
tragedy of the Nation of Israel rejecting the Messiah:
"I shall give thanks to Thee, for Thou has answered me; and Thou hast
become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected Has become
the chief corner stone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in
our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and
be glad in it..."
JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE FULFILLS THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
"I am the bread of life..." -- John 6:35.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is symbolic of Jesus' death and burial.
Jesus fulfilled all the patterns of the feast (see Table 2 for a
summary).
NO BONES BROKEN
Though it was a common and merciful Roman practice to break the legs
of the crucified to hasten their death and relieve their suffering, none
of Jesus' bones were broken, just as the Passover lamb is to have no
bone broken.
"The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first man,
and of the other man who was crucified with Him; But coming to Jesus,
when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs."
-- John 19:32-33
JESUS, THE PURE UNLEAVENED BREAD
When breaking the bread at His last meal, Jesus said to His disciples,
"Take and eat; this is my body." -- Matthew 26:26. Leaven represents
sin, thus unleavened bread is a good representation of our sinless
Messiah, the Bread of Life. Jesus bore stripes from Roman beatings; the
unleavened bread is marked with stripes. Jesus was pierced in the side
when He was crucified; the unleavened bread has holes pierced throughout
for cooking. Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, which translates
from Hebrew: "House of Bread".
Like the father who wraps the unleavened bread in linen, hides
(buries) it and later redeems it, Jesus was wrapped in linen, buried and
He paid the price of our redemption with His perfect sacrifice.
"And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and
laid it in his own new tomb..." -- Matthew 27:59
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
The candles lit by the woman of the home are symbolic of the Messiah,
The Light of the World. The woman is symbolic of Mary, who God chose to
bring us the Light of the World.
"...Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world...' " --
John 8:12
JESUS' BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT
The wine in the Passover meal represents Jesus' blood, as He told His
disciples.
"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them,
saying, ' drink from it , all of you; for this is My blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.' " --
Matthew 26:27-28
THE CORNERSTONE
The traditional hymn sung at Passover, Psalms 118:21-24 speaks of
Jesus when it speaks of the "stone which was rejected". Peter confirms
this in Acts 4:11:
"He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which
became the very corner stone." -- Acts 4:11
THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS
-------------------------
Leviticus 23:9-14
Historically, the Feast of First Fruits was the day that the Hebrew
slaves went down into the Red Sea and emerged alive on the other side,
while Pharaoh was swallowed up by the Red Sea. This set the Israelites
free as the First Fruits from Egyptian bondage. The Feast of First
Fruits falls on the day after the Sabbath, during the week of the Feast
of Unleavened Bread. This is the first Sunday after the fifteenth of
Nisan/Aviv (see Spring Feasts on God's Calendar). When God brought the
children of Israel into the Promised Land, they were to bring the best
first fruits of their harvest and present them to the Lord. Josephus
records that the people did not partake of the harvest until the first
fruits were presented (Antiquities of the Jews 3.10.5). It is
unfortunate that modern Christianity has come to call this feast Easter,
whose name is derived from the Babylonian Goddess Ishtar.
JESUS, THE FIRST FRUITS FULFILLS THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS
"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of
those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also
came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in
Christ all shall be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the
first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming,..." --
I Corinthians 15:20-23
Jesus is the First Fruits. Jesus is first in order and preeminence,
just as the offering of fruits is to be the first and the "best
portion". He was resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits, the first day
after the Sabbath.
"Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of
the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the
grave... And the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not be
afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been
crucified; He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said...'" --
Matthew 28:1, 5-6
Jesus also being The High Priest and always one to observe the Feasts
of Israel, gave a first fruits offering of people!
"...and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had
fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His
resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many." --
Matthew 27:52-53.
THE FEAST OF WEEKS (PENTECOST)
------------------------------
Leviticus 23:15-22
God instructed the children of Israel to count seven Sabbaths from the
day after the first Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The
day following the forty-ninth day is the Feast of Weeks, on the 6th of
Sivan. The forty-nine days are called "The Counting of the Omer". They
connect the Feast of First Fruits (the barley harvest) with the Feast of
Weeks (the beginning of the wheat harvest). On the Feast of Weeks, a
wave offering of two loaves of bread made of fine flour and leaven is
presented to the Lord.
Some scholars believe that the giving of the Law to Moses and the
people of Israel occurred on the Feast of Weeks.
HOLY SPIRIT GIVEN ON THE FEAST OF WEEKS
Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and told
them to wait in Jerusalem until He sent forth "the promise" of His
Father (Luke 24:49).
We know the Holy Spirit was given exactly fifty days following Jesus'
resurrection, because the New Testament clearly mentions that it
occurred on Pentecost.
"And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in
one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent,
rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves,
and the rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit..." -- Acts 2:1-4
The two loaves of leavened bread offered to God during this feast
represent the Jew and Gentile together as one body in Jesus. The fine
flour in which the loaves are made represents the perfect righteousness
of Jesus. The leaven represents the sin in the lives of the Jew and the
Gentile until Jesus' return.
If the scholars are correct about the giving of the law to Moses, the
Feast of Weeks depicts both the giving of the law and the giving of the
Holy Spirit.
HOW MIGHT JESUS FULFILL THE FALL FEASTS?
----------------------------------------
The accuracy in which Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts at His first
appearance is inescapable! By examining the three fall feasts more
closely, we can understand how Jesus may complete God's plan for man
through their fulfillment. The Hebrew and English names for the three
fall feasts are:
HEBREW ENGLISH
Yom T'ruah Trumpets
(also called Rosh HaShanah)
Yom Kippur Day of Atonement
(also called Yom haDin)
Sukkot Tabernacles
(also called Booths)
FEAST OF TRUMPETS
-----------------
Numbers 29:1-11
It is useful to understand the Hebraic mindset in order to better
picture the symbolism of Jesus' fulfillment of the feasts. In Jewish
eschatology, the Feast of Trumpets is a solemn time of self evaluation.
On this day, it is said that God writes the names of those found
completely righteous into the Book of Life, those found completely
wicked are written into the Book of Death and those found neither
completely righteous or completely wicked await the Day of Atonement for
their judgment. The Feast of Trumpets is traditionally a two-day feast,
celebrated on the first and second days of Tishri (see Fall Feasts on
God's Calendar). In Numbers 29:1-11, God instructed the Hebrews to
observe a holy convocation or appointment on the first day of the
seventh month by resting, blowing the trumpets and making offerings by
fire to the Lord.
The Feast of Trumpets is also called Rosh HaShanah or "the head of the
year". Jewish people celebrate this day as the day of the creation of
the world.
A THEORY OF JESUS' FULFILLMENT OF THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS
"And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will
gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky
to the other." -- Matthew 24:31
The catching away of those who believe in Jesus, commonly referred to
as "the rapture", is clearly associated with the sound of the trumpet,
as can be seen by reading the following Scriptures:
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in
Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air..." -- I Thessalonians 4:16-17
"Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
imperishable, and we shall be changed." -- I Corinthians 15:51-52
Jewish eschatology is consistent with this view. The Rabbis taught
that when 6000 years (or six "days") of human history are completed, the
seventh day, the Day of the Lord will come. On the Feast of Trumpets,
Tishri 1, the shofar will sound and all the righteous, both dead and
alive will be resurrected. The righteous will go to the "gates" for the
coronation of the King, the Messiah and then be united with the Messiah
as His bride.
DAYS OF AWE
-----------
MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB
The days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement are
called "the Days of Awe," yamim noraim in Hebrew. The Days of Awe are
devoted to self examination and repentance from one's sin and
preparation for judgment on the Day of Atonement. In Jewish eschatology,
"the Days of Awe" were representative of a "day of trouble" (Jer. 30:6)
that was to come upon the earth before the second coming of the Messiah.
This "day of trouble" is also referred to as the "birthpangs of the
Messiah". Today that time of trouble is commonly called "the
tribulation." During that time of trouble on earth, the Lord will
protect His bride:
"For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In
the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a
rock" -- Psalm 27:5
Rabbis have taught that after being resurrected on the Feast of
Trumpets, the righteous would enter the chupah, or wedding canopy to
spend seven years while the "day of trouble", the seven years of
judgment occurs on earth. By examining an ancient Jewish wedding, we can
more clearly see the picture of the union of the church (the bride) with
the Messiah.
When a man in ancient Israel married, he went to the bride's house
with a "bride price" and made a contract (covenant) with the girl's
father. If the father accepted the man and his bride price, the man
would pour a glass of wine. If the girl drank it, it would indicate that
she accepted the man's proposal and they were betrothed. The man would
go away and prepare a wedding chamber for his bride. When the man's
father deemed that the wedding chamber was ready, usually one to two
years later, the man would return to the bride's house and "steal" her
away "like a thief in the night" at an hour when no one would suspect.
He would take her to the wedding chamber for seven days. During this
time, the groom's father would hold a party to announce the marriage. At
the end of the seventh day, the married couple would emerge from the
chamber and partake of the marriage supper.
The ancient Jewish wedding is a picture of Jesus the Bridegroom and
His bride, the church. The contract (covenant) was sealed at the last
supper when Jesus shared the covenant cup with His disciples.
"And He said to them, 'This is My blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many." -- Mark 14:24.
Jesus, in speaking to the Disciples after the last supper said the
same words that any Jewish man would tell his betrothed.
"In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I
would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to
Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" -- John 14:2,3.
And, of course, Jesus paid the "bride price" with His life. The
marriage of the church to Jesus is described in several Bible texts.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the
marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. And
it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean;
for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." -- Revelation
19:7-8
"For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is
great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church." --
Ephesians 5:31-32.
DAY OF ATONEMENT
----------------
"On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of
atonement..." -- Leviticus 23:27,
Jewish eschatology teaches that the Day of Atonement is the day in
which the people of Israel are to be judged by God and the sins of the
nation of Israel are atoned. The Day of Atonement is also referred to as
"the Day of Redemption" and "the Day of Judgment". The people of Israel
were instructed in Leviticus 23:32 to confess their sins to God for
twenty-four hours prior to the Day of Atonement. On this day, God would
either grant or deny atonement for the coming year.
As Leviticus 16:29-24 instructed, the high priest was to enter the
Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people of Israel. As part of
the atonement, two goats were selected. One goat was slain as a
sacrificial atonement and the other was called the scape goat. The scape
goat symbolically bore the sins of the nation of Israel away from the
people. It was led into the wilderness and was pushed from a cliff to
ensure that it did not inadvertently carry the sins back into the city.
A THEORY OF JESUS' FULFILLMENT OF THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
Since the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, the Day of Atonement
cannot be properly observed by the rabbis. Without a proper place of
sacrifice, there cannot be a sacrifice. Without a sacrifice there cannot
be atonement. The first century rabbis made some substitutions that are
supposed to provide for atonement, therefore the modern observance is
very different than the ancient observance. As Christians, we know that
Jesus has provided our atonement.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ
Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in
his blood. "-- Romans 3:23-25 (NIV)
The Day of Atonement also may have a future fulfillment. The Day of
Atonement may be the day Jesus will physically return to earth! The
Bible clearly states Jesus will return immediately after the great
tribulation.
"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from
heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then
they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and
glory." -- Mark 13:24-26
FEAST OF TABERNACLES
--------------------
Leviticus 23:34-43
The Feast of Tabernacles or Booths begins on the fifteenth day of the
seventh month (Tishri), after the crops were gathered. God instructed
the Israelites to observe the Feast of Tabernacles by building and
living in booths for seven days, to remember that the Israelites lived
in booths when God brought them out of Egypt. Also remember that God
dwelt with the Israelites when He brought them out of Egypt: Exodus
25:8 "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among
them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the
pattern I will show you."
This feast is celebrated by a full week of rejoicing, dancing, singing
and feasting and is called "Season of our Joy".
It is believed that the first American Thanksgiving was based on the
Feast of Tabernacles, since the Puritans were followers of the Hebrew
Scriptures.
The Feast of Tabernacles is the seventh feast. It depicts the Lord's
rest, just as the pattern which God designed in Genesis 2:2 suggests:
"And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done; and
He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done."
JESUS' FULFILLMENT OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Just as God tabernacled with the Israelites during their 40 years in
the desert, Jesus tabernacled with man in His first coming and will come
again to tabernacle with man in His Messianic Kingdom. John 1:14
describes Jesus' first coming: "The Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and
Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (NIV) The
Greek word interpreted as "made His dwelling", skenoo, is derived from
tabernacle, and could also be interpreted as "to have one's tabernacle".
JESUS BORN ON THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES?
The Feast of Tabernacles may be the day that Jesus was born. Since the
fourth century, December 25 has been recognized as the day of His birth,
but it is generally recognized that this date was likely set due to the
"Christianizing" of pagan holidays. December 25th was a pagan holiday
called Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice.
Many different factors point to Jesus' birth being in the fall rather
than the winter. Scholars have calculated that John the Baptist was
likely born on Passover based on the schedule that the priests served in
the Temple, since John's father, Zechariah, was performing Temple duties
when the angel appeared to him and prophesied John's birth. Zechariah's
wife Elizabeth became pregnant shortly after. We know that Elizabeth was
six months pregnant when the angel appeared to Mary to tell her of
Jesus' birth (Luke 1:26-31). If John the Baptist was born on Passover,
Jesus was born six months later, during the month of Tishri, the month
of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Another factor which suggests that Jesus was born on the Feast of
Tabernacles is that we know that there was "no room in the inn" when
Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. The Feast of Tabernacles was one
of the three feasts when the men of Israel were required to appear
before the Lord (Deut. 16:16). Since everyone would travel to Jerusalem
to appear before the Lord, the surrounding area would likely be very
crowded, thus "no room in the inn". We also know that shepherds were
watching their flocks in the fields when Jesus was born. The flocks
around Bethlehem were normally brought into a "sheepfold" or corral
during the winter (approximately November through February).
How appropriate if Jesus (Immanuel, God with us) should make His
dwelling place with us during the Feast of Tabernacles.
A custom on the Feast of Tabernacles during the time of Jesus was a
ceremony of pouring water. On the last day of the feast, called Hoshanna
Rabbah, a priest would fill a water pitcher from the Pool of Siloam and
carry it back to the Temple, followed by a procession of the people
dancing, singing and chanting Psalms. The procession circled the altar
seven times then the priest poured the water at the Temple altar. This
was followed by rejoicing.
It was at this time during the Feast of Tabernacles, that Jesus made
the declaration found in John 7:37-39:
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a
loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever
believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will
flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who
believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had
not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. On hearing his
words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."
Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ
come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come
from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"
(NIV)
A THEORY OF JESUS' FUTURE FULFILLMENT OF TABERNACLES
The Feast of Tabernacles is a time to rejoice! Many believe that on
this day, the Messiah Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth for one
thousand years.
The saints reigning with Jesus for one thousand years is described in
Revelation 20:4:
"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and Judgment was given to
them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the
testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not
worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon
their forehead and upon their had; and they came to life and reigned
with Messiah for a thousand years."
When Jesus establishes His kingdom on earth, all nations will
celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-19):
Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem
will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and
to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (NIV)
JESUS' FULFILLMENT OF THE SPRING FEASTS IS EXACT!
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Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God.
"behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" --
John 1:29.
Jesus is the Unleavened Bread of Life.
"I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats
of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall
give for the life of the world is My flesh." -- John 6:51
Jesus is the First Fruits.
"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of
those who are asleep" -- 1 Corinthians 15:20.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or
Pentecost), the same day that the law is thought to have been given to
Moses and the people of Israel.
"And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in
one place... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit... " --
Acts 2:1-4
SUMMARY OF JESUS' POSSIBLE FULFILLMENT OF THE FALL FEASTS
---------------------------------------------------------
"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is
coming." -- Matthew 24:42
Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts to the letter! Following the
patterns suggested by the fall feasts, it is highly probable that He
will come to catch away His bride to Heaven (fulfilling the Feast of
Trumpets) for seven years during the tribulation (the Days of Awe) and
will celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (fulfilling the Jewish
wedding ceremony). He will then return to earth to judge and cleanse the
people (fulfilling the Day of Atonement) and establish His kingdom on
earth (fulfilling the Feast of Tabernacles).
1948 saw the re-establishment of Israel as a nation. Jewish people
from all nations are returning to their land. Newspaper accounts of
world events appear to be taken directly from Bible prophecy. Be on the
alert! This is an exciting time to be a living witness of Jesus.
"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to
make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope
that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence..." -- 1Peter 3:15.
There are many wonderful details not presented here but which will add
to your faith and understanding of the purpose of the Feasts of Israel.
We urge you to study the various references below.
REFERENCES
The Seven Feasts of Israel by Zola Levitt
The Miracle of Passover by Zola Levitt
The Gospel in The Feasts of Israel by Victor Buksbazen
The Fall Feasts of Israel by Mitch and Zhava Glaser
Yeshua in the Feasts of Israel by Richard Booker
The Jewish Holidays by Michael Strassfeld
God Intervenes in the Middle East by Marion F. Kremers
Israel’s Holy Days In Type and Prophecy by Daniel Fuchs
The Complete Works of Josephus
Bible quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (copyright
1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman
Foundation; Used by permission) except where noted. NIV = New
International Version (copyright 1985 by the Zondervan Corporation).
Biblical bit-map images are from Bible View Clip Art, by Pastoral
Computer Services copyright 1993.