Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate
the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth. ESV
Read Messiah in the Feasts of Israel by Sam Nadler, Epilogue, “Should we keep the Feasts Today?” pp.
222-226
The Hebrew word for “feasts” (moadim) literally means "appointed times". YHWH has carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us the work of Messiah Jesus in the Father’s plan of redemption. The seven annual feasts of Israel are spread over seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by YHWH. They are still celebrated by observant Jews and Christians today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate quite accurately the work of redemption through God’s Son.
The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks), and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three holidays (Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short fifteen-day period. All of the feasts have past, present, and future implications. They contain pictures for
us (signs that point to Messiah) both as individuals and as the people of YHWH.
Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that these fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus. However, the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the fall feasts have themes, types, and shadows that give us clues and insight into their future and full historical completion.
Passover was a real event that accomplished the actual deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but the fullness of the feast was realized many years later at the crucifixion and resurrection of Messiah Jesus. As the four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first
coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to the Lord's second coming
In a nutshell, here is the prophetic significance of each of the seven Levitical feasts of Israel:
1) Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the
Passover at the same hour that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that
evening (John 19:14).
|
Passover Observance |
Messianic Significance |
|
The lamb was without blemish |
Jesus was examined and found without blemish. Matt 21:23; 27:1-2;11-14;17-26; Luke 3:2, John 11:49-30 |
|
The lamb was a male of the first year |
Jesus was the first born Son of God |
|
The penalty was imposed the moment the lamb was chosen |
Christ received the death penalty for our sin before He was born. |
|
The lamb was set aside for four days on the tenth of Nisan |
Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple on public display for four days on the tenth of Nisan |
|
The lamb was killed between the evenings at 3:00 pm |
Jesus died in the seventh hour, 3:00 pm (Mark 15:33-37) |
|
The lamb’s bones were not broken (Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12) |
Jesus’ bones were not broken. (Psalm 34:20; John 19:31) |
|
The blood of the lamb applied to the door saved the Israelites’ firstborn |
The blood of Christ saves us. |
|
The body of the lamb must be eaten the same night |
Jesus was crucified, suffered, and died in the same night |
|
No work was to be done on the Passover. The Israelites could not save themselves. Nothing outside of the blood of the lamb could save their sons from the angel of death. |
The blood of Jesus saves us, not our works. (1 Peter 1:18-21) |
2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (leaven is a picture of sin in the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body was in the grave during the first days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life.
3) First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) – Pointed to the Messiah's resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous. Jesus was resurrected on this very day, which is one of the reasons that Paul refers to Him in 1 Corinthians 15:20 as the "first fruits from the dead."
4) Weeks or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Occurred fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and pointed to the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew and Gentile (see Acts 2). God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter's great sermon and his first proclamation of the gospel. It was at this same time in Exodus that Israel agreed to the covenant of Moses and was given the Torah often called the “law” in both the Old and New Testaments. “Torah” means “instructions” more than it means “law” as in the sense of a list of arbitrary rules. The “Torah” of YHWH teaches people the proper way they should live as they walk with YHWH in His kingdom. It teaches them how to relate to one another, how to resolve difference and disputes, and how to reconcile errors and sins committed against God and man. It warns of enemies and how to deal with them. The Torah is holy as it originated out of YHWH, but it was not the complete provision for our redemption.
The completion of the Torah (instruction) came on exactly the same feast day after the resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and teaches us all truth. The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father that Jesus promised to His disciples. The complete provision is the Holy Spirit within us gives us power to
live the kingdom life. No longer do we need to read instructions in a book, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession and instructs us on what we need to do. The gifts of the Spirit demonstrate the very powerof YHWH in our lives to believers as well as unbelievers. This is our present life in the kingdom. It was
first brought forth on the Feast of Pentecost, when the time had “fully come”.
5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. The Lord is King, the King is Coming! This is the first of the feasts that has not seen a “historic” fulfillment as we have at Passover and Pentecost. As a result, we will see and hear many different ideas about the historic event this day will bring. In Jesus’
day there were arguments concerning where and how the Messiah would come. Would it be in Bethlehem? Would it be from Nazareth? Jesus was born in Bethlehem 10 miles from Jerusalem; His family went to the feasts every year for 12 years.
Jerusalem was the epicenter for all of Israel, the scholars studied there, the worship and the sacrifices were all there, and everyone was desperately seeking the Messiah. Rome held them with an iron grip and the Jews sought relief. But even after all those years, no one recognized the Messiah. On their return, Jesus separated Himself from His parents on one of the Passover celebrations. Jesus stayed at the Temple and revealed mysteries of the Scriptures, the leaders were astonished and His parents were indignant that He left their care.
I believe that it was no accident that Jesus was kept hidden for all those years. “At just the right time” (Romans 5:6) Jesus died for us. At just the right time He was revealed. There are no mistakes in YHWH’s timing, not in history and not in the feasts. In the same way I believe that some things are purposely hidden from us until the time is right. This does not disqualify us from “asking, seeking, and knocking”, on the contrary we are encouraged to do so. But we must maintain a proper spirit and attitude in our seeking. This is essential as we explore the mysteries and clues of the Scriptures concerning the fall
feasts.
Many believe that the Feast of Trumpets points to the rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus will appear in the heavens as He comes for His Bride. The rapture is always associated in Scripture with the blowing of a loud trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).
Some others believe that the command for “Yom Teruah” (the Day of Blowing or Noise) is not so much of a command for trumpets or shofars as it is for human beings. Collectively shouting in a loud voice would be the more accurate description. Either way, the first day of the seventh month is set aside for
something to be heard that is not normal. It is a sound of alarm and warning; it is a sound that will inspire expectation for the people of God and most likely fear among the rebellious ones. Yom Teruah is a wakeup call from YHWH. We can use this day to remind us to stay close to our God and repent of sin and mixture that creeps into our lives all too easily, but the true fulfillment is yet to come. We do not know the year.
The Jewish people by tradition have identified Yom Teruah as their “civil” new year, it is called “Rosh Hashanah” (The Head of the Year). This is the New Year’s Day for business, government, and other secular accounting. But that tradition came in during the time when Israel was returning from exile in
Babylon. It was during that period that the Jews adopted the Babylonian names of the months to the Hebrew calendar. The month of “Tishri” happened to be the New Year’s month in Babylon so it was adopted into the Hebrew tradition at that time. We in the Western culture have January 1st as our New
Year’s Day and our history for using that day is as long and sordid as the Hebrew calendar, perhaps even more so. The point of all this is not to argue our cultural New Year’s Day, but to distinguish between the calendar of the biblical feasts and the calendar of our traditions. That is all.
6) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27)—In this feast, God is saying that your sins are forgiven and I will remember them no more. Many believe this prophetically points to the day of the second coming of Jesus when He will return to earth. That will be the Day of Atonement for the Jewish remnant when they "look upon Him whom they have pierced," repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:1-6, 25-36).
At the present time we can look back to the special offerings and service of the High Priest during the Day of Atonement in Old Testament service. The high priest was a picture of “Our Great High Priest” who is Messiah Jesus Christ. In the old covenant service two goats were offered as one single sacrifice.
One goat was killed and its blood sprinkled in the Holy of Holies and the other goat was marked and led
off to a “place not inhabited”.
The high priest wore special garments for part of that day. He took off the expertly woven colored vestments holding the precious stones that represent the tribes of Israel and put on pure white linen with a golden miter that had engraved upon it “Holy to the Lord”. It was on that day, and that day alone, that the high priest did not represent the people before God, but he represented the Son (Messiah) coming before the Father with his personal offering of blood (life) for the sins of the whole nation. It was and still is considered to be the most holy day of the year.
While Passover represents the deliverance we receive on earth as we “take” the Lamb and appropriate His blood on our doors, Yom Kippur shows us that same transaction from heaven’s viewpoint. Certainly, there is more to all of this. The expectation of the second coming is undeniable, but as to how
specifically this historic scenario will work out is beyond my current understanding. Still we will seek and listen and learn.
Psalms 25:14-15 The friendship (secret counsel) of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to
them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
ESV
7) Tabernacles or Booths (Leviticus 23:34) – Many scholars believe that this feast day points to the Lord's promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when He returns to reign over all the world (Micah 4:1-7).
Leviticus 23:42-43
You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. ESV
YHWH’s original instructions for Tabernacles were a reminder for Israel to look back to where and how they were living immediately following their deliverance from Egypt. Israel was living as an organized camp in the middle of a desert completely dependent on the provision of their God. He was a pillar of fire by night for heat (His manifest presence) and a cloud for relief from extreme heat by day (His manifest presence). He gave them water out of a rock and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He became a lake as they sojourned for over a year. He gave them supernatural food every day (manna),
and He supplied them everything they needed. His presence was their protection, and their reputation for the plundering of the Egyptians went before them into the land of Canaan that was their promised future possession. YHWH was and is to be everything we need. This is our past testimony and our future destiny. The camp was a unified camp; it lacked all the divisions and arguments of theology.
We have become the tents. Our bodies are the temporary shelters that house the very presence of God.
We are the living stones as the Scripture says:
1 Peter 2:1-6 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holypriesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in
Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes
in him will not be put to shame." ESV
Messiah Jesus is our one common foundation; He alone is the source of our unity.
1 Corinthians 3:9-12
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the
grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and
another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation
can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. NKJV
He is the author and the conclusion of our lives. As we are instructed to look to the beginning of Israel so we see the end in the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).
Again, I do not know the exact scenario of the historic fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, but I can clearly see the rehearsal. We are to join together as one man and we are commanded to rejoice, to share our provision and wealth with the whole world. The world is invited to the Feast of Tabernacles;
every nation is to send representatives.
Zechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the
Feast of Tabernacles. NKJV14:20-21
In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite (merchant) in the house of the Lord of hosts. NKJV
Tabernacles is the conclusion, no less than the full manifestation of YHWH’s reign on earth through His Son, Jesus.
Revelation 5:9-10
"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood
you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you
have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." ESV
Edited and re-written by Tom Marxen from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-
feasts.html#ixzz3NRiEDkYW
Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. ESV
Read Messiah in the Feasts of Israel by Sam Nadler, Epilogue, “Should we keep the Feasts Today?” pp.
222-226
The Hebrew word for “feasts” (moadim) literally means "appointed times". YHWH has carefully planned
and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us the work of
Messiah Jesus in the Father’s plan of redemption. The seven annual feasts of Israel are spread over
seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by YHWH. They are still celebrated by
observant Jews and Christians today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in
Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate quite accurately the work of redemption
through God’s Son.
The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits,
and Weeks), and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three
holidays (Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short
fifteen-day period. All of the feasts have past, present, and future implications. They contain pictures for
us (signs that point to Messiah) both as individuals and as the people of YHWH.
Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that these fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus.
However, the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will
be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the fall feasts have themes, types, and shadows that give us clues and insight
into their future and full historical completion.
Passover was a real event that accomplished the actual deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but the fullness
of the feast was realized many years later at the crucifixion and resurrection of Messiah Jesus. As the
four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first
coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to
the Lord's second coming
In a nutshell, here is the prophetic significance of each of the seven Levitical feasts of Israel:
1) Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the
Passover at the same hour that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that
evening (John 19:14).
Page 19 of 160
Passover Observance Messianic Significance
The lamb was without blemish Jesus was examined and found without blemish.
Matt 21:23; 27:1-2;11-14;17-26; Luke 3:2, John
11:49-30
The lamb was a male of the first year Jesus was the first born Son of God
The penalty was imposed the moment the lamb
was chosen Christ received the death penalty for our sin
before He was born.
The lamb was set aside for four days on the tenth
of Nisan Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple on
public display for four days on the tenth of Nisan
The lamb was killed between the evenings at 3:00
pm Jesus died in the seventh hour, 3:00 pm (Mark
15:33-37)
The lamb’s bones were not broken (Exodus
12:46, Numbers 9:12) Jesus’ bones were not broken. (Psalm 34:20; John
19:31)
The blood of the lamb applied to the door saved
the Israelites’ firstborn The blood of Christ saves us.
The body of the lamb must be eaten the same
night Jesus was crucified, suffered, and died in the
same night
No work was to be done on the Passover. The
Israelites could not save themselves. Nothing
outside of the blood of the lamb could save their
sons from the angel of death. The blood of Jesus saves us, not our works. (1
Peter 1:18-21)
2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (leaven is a picture of sin in
the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body was in the grave during the first
days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life.
3) First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) – Pointed to the Messiah's resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous.
Jesus was resurrected on this very day, which is one of the reasons that Paul refers to Him in 1
Corinthians 15:20 as the "first fruits from the dead."
4) Weeks or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Occurred fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread and pointed to the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew
and Gentile (see Acts 2). God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter's great
sermon and his first proclamation of the gospel. It was at this same time in Exodus that Israel agreed to
the covenant of Moses and was given the Torah often called the “law” in both the Old and New
Testaments. “Torah” means “instructions” more than it means “law” as in the sense of a list of arbitrary
rules. The “Torah” of YHWH teaches people the proper way they should live as they walk with YHWH in
His kingdom. It teaches them how to relate to one another, how to resolve difference and disputes, and
how to reconcile errors and sins committed against God and man. It warns of enemies and how to deal
with them. The Torah is holy as it originated out of YHWH, but it was not the complete provision for our
redemption.
Page 20 of 160
The completion of the Torah (instruction) came on exactly the same feast day after the resurrection of
Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and teaches us all truth. The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father
that Jesus promised to His disciples. The complete provision is the Holy Spirit within us gives us power to
live the kingdom life. No longer do we need to read instructions in a book, but the Spirit Himself makes
intercession and instructs us on what we need to do. The gifts of the Spirit demonstrate the very power
of YHWH in our lives to believers as well as unbelievers. This is our present life in the kingdom. It was
first brought forth on the Feast of Pentecost, when the time had “fully come”.
5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. The Lord is King, the King is Coming! This is the
first of the feasts that has not seen a “historic” fulfillment as we have at Passover and Pentecost. As a
result, we will see and hear many different ideas about the historic event this day will bring. In Jesus’
day there were arguments concerning where and how the Messiah would come. Would it be in
Bethlehem? Would it be from Nazareth? Jesus was born in Bethlehem 10 miles from Jerusalem; His
family went to the feasts every year for 12 years.
Jerusalem was the epicenter for all of Israel, the scholars studied there, the worship and the sacrifices
were all there, and everyone was desperately seeking the Messiah. Rome held them with an iron grip
and the Jews sought relief. But even after all those years, no one recognized the Messiah. On their
return, Jesus separated Himself from His parents on one of the Passover celebrations. Jesus stayed at
the Temple and revealed mysteries of the Scriptures, the leaders were astonished and His parents were
indignant that He left their care.
I believe that it was no accident that Jesus was kept hidden for all those years. “At just the right time”
(Romans 5:6) Jesus died for us. At just the right time He was revealed. There are no mistakes in YHWH’s
timing, not in history and not in the feasts. In the same way I believe that some things are purposely
hidden from us until the time is right. This does not disqualify us from “asking, seeking, and knocking”,
on the contrary we are encouraged to do so. But we must maintain a proper spirit and attitude in our
seeking. This is essential as we explore the mysteries and clues of the Scriptures concerning the fall
feasts.
Many believe that the Feast of Trumpets points to the rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus
will appear in the heavens as He comes for His Bride. The rapture is always associated in Scripture with
the blowing of a loud trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).
Some others believe that the command for “Yom Teruah” (the Day of Blowing or Noise) is not so much
of a command for trumpets or shofars as it is for human beings. Collectively shouting in a loud voice
would be the more accurate description. Either way, the first day of the seventh month is set aside for
something to be heard that is not normal. It is a sound of alarm and warning; it is a sound that will
inspire expectation for the people of God and most likely fear among the rebellious ones. Yom Teruah is
a wakeup call from YHWH. We can use this day to remind us to stay close to our God and repent of sin
and mixture that creeps into our lives all too easily, but the true fulfillment is yet to come. We do not
know the year.
Page 21 of 160
The Jewish people by tradition have identified Yom Teruah as their “civil” new year, it is called “Rosh
Hashanah” (The Head of the Year). This is the New Year’s Day for business, government, and other
secular accounting. But that tradition came in during the time when Israel was returning from exile in
Babylon. It was during that period that the Jews adopted the Babylonian names of the months to the
Hebrew calendar. The month of “Tishri” happened to be the New Year’s month in Babylon so it was
adopted into the Hebrew tradition at that time. We in the Western culture have January 1st as our New
Year’s Day and our history for using that day is as long and sordid as the Hebrew calendar, perhaps even
more so. The point of all this is not to argue our cultural New Year’s Day, but to distinguish between the
calendar of the biblical feasts and the calendar of our traditions. That is all.
6) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27)—In this feast, God is saying that your sins are forgiven and I will
remember them no more. Many believe this prophetically points to the day of the second coming of
Jesus when He will return to earth. That will be the Day of Atonement for the Jewish remnant when they
"look upon Him whom they have pierced," repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah
(Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:1-6, 25-36).
At the present time we can look back to the special offerings and service of the High Priest during the
Day of Atonement in Old Testament service. The high priest was a picture of “Our Great High Priest”
who is Messiah Jesus Christ. In the old covenant service two goats were offered as one single sacrifice.
One goat was killed and its blood sprinkled in the Holy of Holies and the other goat was marked and led
off to a “place not inhabited”.
The high priest wore special garments for part of that day. He took off the expertly woven colored
vestments holding the precious stones that represent the tribes of Israel and put on pure white linen
with a golden miter that had engraved upon it “Holy to the Lord”. It was on that day, and that day alone,
that the high priest did not represent the people before God, but he represented the Son (Messiah)
coming before the Father with his personal offering of blood (life) for the sins of the whole nation. It was
and still is considered to be the most holy day of the year.
While Passover represents the deliverance we receive on earth as we “take” the Lamb and appropriate
His blood on our doors, Yom Kippur shows us that same transaction from heaven’s viewpoint. Certainly,
there is more to all of this. The expectation of the second coming is undeniable, but as to how
specifically this historic scenario will work out is beyond my current understanding. Still we will seek and
listen and learn.
Psalms 25:14-15
The friendship (secret counsel) of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to
them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
ESV
7) Tabernacles or Booths (Leviticus 23:34) – Many scholars believe that this feast day points to the
Lord's promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when He returns to reign over all
the world (Micah 4:1-7).
Page 22 of 160
Leviticus 23:42-43
You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that
your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought
them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. ESV
YHWH’s original instructions for Tabernacles were a reminder for Israel to look back to where and how
they were living immediately following their deliverance from Egypt. Israel was living as an organized
camp in the middle of a desert completely dependent on the provision of their God. He was a pillar of
fire by night for heat (His manifest presence) and a cloud for relief from extreme heat by day (His
manifest presence). He gave them water out of a rock and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He
became a lake as they sojourned for over a year. He gave them supernatural food every day (manna),
and He supplied them everything they needed. His presence was their protection, and their reputation
for the plundering of the Egyptians went before them into the land of Canaan that was their promised
future possession. YHWH was and is to be everything we need. This is our past testimony and our future
destiny. The camp was a unified camp; it lacked all the divisions and arguments of theology.
We have become the tents. Our bodies are the temporary shelters that house the very presence of God.
We are the living stones as the Scripture says:
1 Peter 2:1-6
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn
infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation— if indeed
you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and
precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy
priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in
Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes
in him will not be put to shame." ESV
Messiah Jesus is our one common foundation; He alone is the source of our unity.
1 Corinthians 3:9-12
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the
grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and
another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation
can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. NKJV
He is the author and the conclusion of our lives. As we are instructed to look to the beginning of Israel
so we see the end in the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).
Page 23 of 160
Again, I do not know the exact scenario of the historic fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, but I can
clearly see the rehearsal. We are to join together as one man and we are commanded to rejoice, to
share our provision and wealth with the whole world. The world is invited to the Feast of Tabernacles;
every nation is to send representatives.
Zechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the
Feast of Tabernacles. NKJV14:20-21
In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in
the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah
shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and
cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite (merchant) in the house of the
Lord of hosts. NKJV
Tabernacles is the conclusion, no less than the full manifestation of YHWH’s reign on earth through His
Son, Jesus.
Revelation 5:9-10
"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood
you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you
have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." ESV
Edited and re-written by Tom Marxen from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-
feasts.html#ixzz3NRiEDkYW
Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate
the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth. ESV
Read Messiah in the Feasts of Israel by Sam Nadler, Epilogue, “Should we keep the Feasts Today?” pp.
222-226
The Hebrew word for “feasts” (moadim) literally means "appointed times". YHWH has carefully planned
and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us the work of
Messiah Jesus in the Father’s plan of redemption. The seven annual feasts of Israel are spread over
seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by YHWH. They are still celebrated by
observant Jews and Christians today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in
Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate quite accurately the work of redemption
through God’s Son.
The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits,
and Weeks), and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three
holidays (Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short
fifteen-day period. All of the feasts have past, present, and future implications. They contain pictures for
us (signs that point to Messiah) both as individuals and as the people of YHWH.
Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that these fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus.
However, the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will
be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the fall feasts have themes, types, and shadows that give us clues and insight
into their future and full historical completion.
Passover was a real event that accomplished the actual deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but the fullness
of the feast was realized many years later at the crucifixion and resurrection of Messiah Jesus. As the
four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first
coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to
the Lord's second coming
In a nutshell, here is the prophetic significance of each of the seven Levitical feasts of Israel:
1) Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the
Passover at the same hour that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that
evening (John 19:14).
Page 19 of 160
Passover Observance Messianic Significance
The lamb was without blemish Jesus was examined and found without blemish.
Matt 21:23; 27:1-2;11-14;17-26; Luke 3:2, John
11:49-30
The lamb was a male of the first year Jesus was the first born Son of God
The penalty was imposed the moment the lamb
was chosen Christ received the death penalty for our sin
before He was born.
The lamb was set aside for four days on the tenth
of Nisan Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple on
public display for four days on the tenth of Nisan
The lamb was killed between the evenings at 3:00
pm Jesus died in the seventh hour, 3:00 pm (Mark
15:33-37)
The lamb’s bones were not broken (Exodus
12:46, Numbers 9:12) Jesus’ bones were not broken. (Psalm 34:20; John
19:31)
The blood of the lamb applied to the door saved
the Israelites’ firstborn The blood of Christ saves us.
The body of the lamb must be eaten the same
night Jesus was crucified, suffered, and died in the
same night
No work was to be done on the Passover. The
Israelites could not save themselves. Nothing
outside of the blood of the lamb could save their
sons from the angel of death. The blood of Jesus saves us, not our works. (1
Peter 1:18-21)
2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (leaven is a picture of sin in
the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body was in the grave during the first
days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life.
3) First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) – Pointed to the Messiah's resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous.
Jesus was resurrected on this very day, which is one of the reasons that Paul refers to Him in 1
Corinthians 15:20 as the "first fruits from the dead."
4) Weeks or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Occurred fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread and pointed to the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew
and Gentile (see Acts 2). God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter's great
sermon and his first proclamation of the gospel. It was at this same time in Exodus that Israel agreed to
the covenant of Moses and was given the Torah often called the “law” in both the Old and New
Testaments. “Torah” means “instructions” more than it means “law” as in the sense of a list of arbitrary
rules. The “Torah” of YHWH teaches people the proper way they should live as they walk with YHWH in
His kingdom. It teaches them how to relate to one another, how to resolve difference and disputes, and
how to reconcile errors and sins committed against God and man. It warns of enemies and how to deal
with them. The Torah is holy as it originated out of YHWH, but it was not the complete provision for our
redemption.
Page 20 of 160
The completion of the Torah (instruction) came on exactly the same feast day after the resurrection of
Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and teaches us all truth. The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father
that Jesus promised to His disciples. The complete provision is the Holy Spirit within us gives us power to
live the kingdom life. No longer do we need to read instructions in a book, but the Spirit Himself makes
intercession and instructs us on what we need to do. The gifts of the Spirit demonstrate the very power
of YHWH in our lives to believers as well as unbelievers. This is our present life in the kingdom. It was
first brought forth on the Feast of Pentecost, when the time had “fully come”.
5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. The Lord is King, the King is Coming! This is the
first of the feasts that has not seen a “historic” fulfillment as we have at Passover and Pentecost. As a
result, we will see and hear many different ideas about the historic event this day will bring. In Jesus’
day there were arguments concerning where and how the Messiah would come. Would it be in
Bethlehem? Would it be from Nazareth? Jesus was born in Bethlehem 10 miles from Jerusalem; His
family went to the feasts every year for 12 years.
Jerusalem was the epicenter for all of Israel, the scholars studied there, the worship and the sacrifices
were all there, and everyone was desperately seeking the Messiah. Rome held them with an iron grip
and the Jews sought relief. But even after all those years, no one recognized the Messiah. On their
return, Jesus separated Himself from His parents on one of the Passover celebrations. Jesus stayed at
the Temple and revealed mysteries of the Scriptures, the leaders were astonished and His parents were
indignant that He left their care.
I believe that it was no accident that Jesus was kept hidden for all those years. “At just the right time”
(Romans 5:6) Jesus died for us. At just the right time He was revealed. There are no mistakes in YHWH’s
timing, not in history and not in the feasts. In the same way I believe that some things are purposely
hidden from us until the time is right. This does not disqualify us from “asking, seeking, and knocking”,
on the contrary we are encouraged to do so. But we must maintain a proper spirit and attitude in our
seeking. This is essential as we explore the mysteries and clues of the Scriptures concerning the fall
feasts.
Many believe that the Feast of Trumpets points to the rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus
will appear in the heavens as He comes for His Bride. The rapture is always associated in Scripture with
the blowing of a loud trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).
Some others believe that the command for “Yom Teruah” (the Day of Blowing or Noise) is not so much
of a command for trumpets or shofars as it is for human beings. Collectively shouting in a loud voice
would be the more accurate description. Either way, the first day of the seventh month is set aside for
something to be heard that is not normal. It is a sound of alarm and warning; it is a sound that will
inspire expectation for the people of God and most likely fear among the rebellious ones. Yom Teruah is
a wakeup call from YHWH. We can use this day to remind us to stay close to our God and repent of sin
and mixture that creeps into our lives all too easily, but the true fulfillment is yet to come. We do not
know the year.
Page 21 of 160
The Jewish people by tradition have identified Yom Teruah as their “civil” new year, it is called “Rosh
Hashanah” (The Head of the Year). This is the New Year’s Day for business, government, and other
secular accounting. But that tradition came in during the time when Israel was returning from exile in
Babylon. It was during that period that the Jews adopted the Babylonian names of the months to the
Hebrew calendar. The month of “Tishri” happened to be the New Year’s month in Babylon so it was
adopted into the Hebrew tradition at that time. We in the Western culture have January 1st as our New
Year’s Day and our history for using that day is as long and sordid as the Hebrew calendar, perhaps even
more so. The point of all this is not to argue our cultural New Year’s Day, but to distinguish between the
calendar of the biblical feasts and the calendar of our traditions. That is all.
6) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27)—In this feast, God is saying that your sins are forgiven and I will
remember them no more. Many believe this prophetically points to the day of the second coming of
Jesus when He will return to earth. That will be the Day of Atonement for the Jewish remnant when they
"look upon Him whom they have pierced," repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah
(Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:1-6, 25-36).
At the present time we can look back to the special offerings and service of the High Priest during the
Day of Atonement in Old Testament service. The high priest was a picture of “Our Great High Priest”
who is Messiah Jesus Christ. In the old covenant service two goats were offered as one single sacrifice.
One goat was killed and its blood sprinkled in the Holy of Holies and the other goat was marked and led
off to a “place not inhabited”.
The high priest wore special garments for part of that day. He took off the expertly woven colored
vestments holding the precious stones that represent the tribes of Israel and put on pure white linen
with a golden miter that had engraved upon it “Holy to the Lord”. It was on that day, and that day alone,
that the high priest did not represent the people before God, but he represented the Son (Messiah)
coming before the Father with his personal offering of blood (life) for the sins of the whole nation. It was
and still is considered to be the most holy day of the year.
While Passover represents the deliverance we receive on earth as we “take” the Lamb and appropriate
His blood on our doors, Yom Kippur shows us that same transaction from heaven’s viewpoint. Certainly,
there is more to all of this. The expectation of the second coming is undeniable, but as to how
specifically this historic scenario will work out is beyond my current understanding. Still we will seek and
listen and learn.
Psalms 25:14-15
The friendship (secret counsel) of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to
them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
ESV
7) Tabernacles or Booths (Leviticus 23:34) – Many scholars believe that this feast day points to the
Lord's promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when He returns to reign over all
the world (Micah 4:1-7).
Page 22 of 160
Leviticus 23:42-43
You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that
your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought
them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. ESV
YHWH’s original instructions for Tabernacles were a reminder for Israel to look back to where and how
they were living immediately following their deliverance from Egypt. Israel was living as an organized
camp in the middle of a desert completely dependent on the provision of their God. He was a pillar of
fire by night for heat (His manifest presence) and a cloud for relief from extreme heat by day (His
manifest presence). He gave them water out of a rock and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He
became a lake as they sojourned for over a year. He gave them supernatural food every day (manna),
and He supplied them everything they needed. His presence was their protection, and their reputation
for the plundering of the Egyptians went before them into the land of Canaan that was their promised
future possession. YHWH was and is to be everything we need. This is our past testimony and our future
destiny. The camp was a unified camp; it lacked all the divisions and arguments of theology.
We have become the tents. Our bodies are the temporary shelters that house the very presence of God.
We are the living stones as the Scripture says:
1 Peter 2:1-6
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn
infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation— if indeed
you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and
precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy
priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in
Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes
in him will not be put to shame." ESV
Messiah Jesus is our one common foundation; He alone is the source of our unity.
1 Corinthians 3:9-12
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the
grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and
another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation
can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. NKJV
He is the author and the conclusion of our lives. As we are instructed to look to the beginning of Israel
so we see the end in the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).
Page 23 of 160
Again, I do not know the exact scenario of the historic fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, but I can
clearly see the rehearsal. We are to join together as one man and we are commanded to rejoice, to
share our provision and wealth with the whole world. The world is invited to the Feast of Tabernacles;
every nation is to send representatives.
Zechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the
Feast of Tabernacles. NKJV14:20-21
In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in
the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah
shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and
cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite (merchant) in the house of the
Lord of hosts. NKJV
Tabernacles is the conclusion, no less than the full manifestation of YHWH’s reign on earth through His
Son, Jesus.
Revelation 5:9-10
"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood
you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you
have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." ESV
Edited and re-written by Tom Marxen from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-
feasts.html#ixzz3NRiEDkYW
Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate
the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth. ESV
Read Messiah in the Feasts of Israel by Sam Nadler, Epilogue, “Should we keep the Feasts Today?” pp.
222-226
The Hebrew word for “feasts” (moadim) literally means "appointed times". YHWH has carefully planned
and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us the work of
Messiah Jesus in the Father’s plan of redemption. The seven annual feasts of Israel are spread over
seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by YHWH. They are still celebrated by
observant Jews and Christians today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in
Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate quite accurately the work of redemption
through God’s Son.
The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits,
and Weeks), and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three
holidays (Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short
fifteen-day period. All of the feasts have past, present, and future implications. They contain pictures for
us (signs that point to Messiah) both as individuals and as the people of YHWH.
Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that these fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus.
However, the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will
be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the fall feasts have themes, types, and shadows that give us clues and insight
into their future and full historical completion.
Passover was a real event that accomplished the actual deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but the fullness
of the feast was realized many years later at the crucifixion and resurrection of Messiah Jesus. As the
four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first
coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to
the Lord's second coming
In a nutshell, here is the prophetic significance of each of the seven Levitical feasts of Israel:
1) Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the
Passover at the same hour that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that
evening (John 19:14).
Page 19 of 160
Passover Observance Messianic Significance
The lamb was without blemish Jesus was examined and found without blemish.
Matt 21:23; 27:1-2;11-14;17-26; Luke 3:2, John
11:49-30
The lamb was a male of the first year Jesus was the first born Son of God
The penalty was imposed the moment the lamb
was chosen Christ received the death penalty for our sin
before He was born.
The lamb was set aside for four days on the tenth
of Nisan Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple on
public display for four days on the tenth of Nisan
The lamb was killed between the evenings at 3:00
pm Jesus died in the seventh hour, 3:00 pm (Mark
15:33-37)
The lamb’s bones were not broken (Exodus
12:46, Numbers 9:12) Jesus’ bones were not broken. (Psalm 34:20; John
19:31)
The blood of the lamb applied to the door saved
the Israelites’ firstborn The blood of Christ saves us.
The body of the lamb must be eaten the same
night Jesus was crucified, suffered, and died in the
same night
No work was to be done on the Passover. The
Israelites could not save themselves. Nothing
outside of the blood of the lamb could save their
sons from the angel of death. The blood of Jesus saves us, not our works. (1
Peter 1:18-21)
2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (leaven is a picture of sin in
the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body was in the grave during the first
days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life.
3) First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) – Pointed to the Messiah's resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous.
Jesus was resurrected on this very day, which is one of the reasons that Paul refers to Him in 1
Corinthians 15:20 as the "first fruits from the dead."
4) Weeks or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Occurred fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread and pointed to the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew
and Gentile (see Acts 2). God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter's great
sermon and his first proclamation of the gospel. It was at this same time in Exodus that Israel agreed to
the covenant of Moses and was given the Torah often called the “law” in both the Old and New
Testaments. “Torah” means “instructions” more than it means “law” as in the sense of a list of arbitrary
rules. The “Torah” of YHWH teaches people the proper way they should live as they walk with YHWH in
His kingdom. It teaches them how to relate to one another, how to resolve difference and disputes, and
how to reconcile errors and sins committed against God and man. It warns of enemies and how to deal
with them. The Torah is holy as it originated out of YHWH, but it was not the complete provision for our
redemption.
Page 20 of 160
The completion of the Torah (instruction) came on exactly the same feast day after the resurrection of
Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and teaches us all truth. The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father
that Jesus promised to His disciples. The complete provision is the Holy Spirit within us gives us power to
live the kingdom life. No longer do we need to read instructions in a book, but the Spirit Himself makes
intercession and instructs us on what we need to do. The gifts of the Spirit demonstrate the very power
of YHWH in our lives to believers as well as unbelievers. This is our present life in the kingdom. It was
first brought forth on the Feast of Pentecost, when the time had “fully come”.
5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. The Lord is King, the King is Coming! This is the
first of the feasts that has not seen a “historic” fulfillment as we have at Passover and Pentecost. As a
result, we will see and hear many different ideas about the historic event this day will bring. In Jesus’
day there were arguments concerning where and how the Messiah would come. Would it be in
Bethlehem? Would it be from Nazareth? Jesus was born in Bethlehem 10 miles from Jerusalem; His
family went to the feasts every year for 12 years.
Jerusalem was the epicenter for all of Israel, the scholars studied there, the worship and the sacrifices
were all there, and everyone was desperately seeking the Messiah. Rome held them with an iron grip
and the Jews sought relief. But even after all those years, no one recognized the Messiah. On their
return, Jesus separated Himself from His parents on one of the Passover celebrations. Jesus stayed at
the Temple and revealed mysteries of the Scriptures, the leaders were astonished and His parents were
indignant that He left their care.
I believe that it was no accident that Jesus was kept hidden for all those years. “At just the right time”
(Romans 5:6) Jesus died for us. At just the right time He was revealed. There are no mistakes in YHWH’s
timing, not in history and not in the feasts. In the same way I believe that some things are purposely
hidden from us until the time is right. This does not disqualify us from “asking, seeking, and knocking”,
on the contrary we are encouraged to do so. But we must maintain a proper spirit and attitude in our
seeking. This is essential as we explore the mysteries and clues of the Scriptures concerning the fall
feasts.
Many believe that the Feast of Trumpets points to the rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus
will appear in the heavens as He comes for His Bride. The rapture is always associated in Scripture with
the blowing of a loud trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).
Some others believe that the command for “Yom Teruah” (the Day of Blowing or Noise) is not so much
of a command for trumpets or shofars as it is for human beings. Collectively shouting in a loud voice
would be the more accurate description. Either way, the first day of the seventh month is set aside for
something to be heard that is not normal. It is a sound of alarm and warning; it is a sound that will
inspire expectation for the people of God and most likely fear among the rebellious ones. Yom Teruah is
a wakeup call from YHWH. We can use this day to remind us to stay close to our God and repent of sin
and mixture that creeps into our lives all too easily, but the true fulfillment is yet to come. We do not
know the year.
Page 21 of 160
The Jewish people by tradition have identified Yom Teruah as their “civil” new year, it is called “Rosh
Hashanah” (The Head of the Year). This is the New Year’s Day for business, government, and other
secular accounting. But that tradition came in during the time when Israel was returning from exile in
Babylon. It was during that period that the Jews adopted the Babylonian names of the months to the
Hebrew calendar. The month of “Tishri” happened to be the New Year’s month in Babylon so it was
adopted into the Hebrew tradition at that time. We in the Western culture have January 1st as our New
Year’s Day and our history for using that day is as long and sordid as the Hebrew calendar, perhaps even
more so. The point of all this is not to argue our cultural New Year’s Day, but to distinguish between the
calendar of the biblical feasts and the calendar of our traditions. That is all.
6) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27)—In this feast, God is saying that your sins are forgiven and I will
remember them no more. Many believe this prophetically points to the day of the second coming of
Jesus when He will return to earth. That will be the Day of Atonement for the Jewish remnant when they
"look upon Him whom they have pierced," repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah
(Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:1-6, 25-36).
At the present time we can look back to the special offerings and service of the High Priest during the
Day of Atonement in Old Testament service. The high priest was a picture of “Our Great High Priest”
who is Messiah Jesus Christ. In the old covenant service two goats were offered as one single sacrifice.
One goat was killed and its blood sprinkled in the Holy of Holies and the other goat was marked and led
off to a “place not inhabited”.
The high priest wore special garments for part of that day. He took off the expertly woven colored
vestments holding the precious stones that represent the tribes of Israel and put on pure white linen
with a golden miter that had engraved upon it “Holy to the Lord”. It was on that day, and that day alone,
that the high priest did not represent the people before God, but he represented the Son (Messiah)
coming before the Father with his personal offering of blood (life) for the sins of the whole nation. It was
and still is considered to be the most holy day of the year.
While Passover represents the deliverance we receive on earth as we “take” the Lamb and appropriate
His blood on our doors, Yom Kippur shows us that same transaction from heaven’s viewpoint. Certainly,
there is more to all of this. The expectation of the second coming is undeniable, but as to how
specifically this historic scenario will work out is beyond my current understanding. Still we will seek and
listen and learn.
Psalms 25:14-15
The friendship (secret counsel) of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to
them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
ESV
7) Tabernacles or Booths (Leviticus 23:34) – Many scholars believe that this feast day points to the
Lord's promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when He returns to reign over all
the world (Micah 4:1-7).
Page 22 of 160
Leviticus 23:42-43
You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that
your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought
them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. ESV
YHWH’s original instructions for Tabernacles were a reminder for Israel to look back to where and how
they were living immediately following their deliverance from Egypt. Israel was living as an organized
camp in the middle of a desert completely dependent on the provision of their God. He was a pillar of
fire by night for heat (His manifest presence) and a cloud for relief from extreme heat by day (His
manifest presence). He gave them water out of a rock and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He
became a lake as they sojourned for over a year. He gave them supernatural food every day (manna),
and He supplied them everything they needed. His presence was their protection, and their reputation
for the plundering of the Egyptians went before them into the land of Canaan that was their promised
future possession. YHWH was and is to be everything we need. This is our past testimony and our future
destiny. The camp was a unified camp; it lacked all the divisions and arguments of theology.
We have become the tents. Our bodies are the temporary shelters that house the very presence of God.
We are the living stones as the Scripture says:
1 Peter 2:1-6
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn
infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation— if indeed
you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and
precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy
priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in
Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes
in him will not be put to shame." ESV
Messiah Jesus is our one common foundation; He alone is the source of our unity.
1 Corinthians 3:9-12
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the
grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and
another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation
can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. NKJV
He is the author and the conclusion of our lives. As we are instructed to look to the beginning of Israel
so we see the end in the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).
Page 23 of 160
Again, I do not know the exact scenario of the historic fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, but I can
clearly see the rehearsal. We are to join together as one man and we are commanded to rejoice, to
share our provision and wealth with the whole world. The world is invited to the Feast of Tabernacles;
every nation is to send representatives.
Zechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the
Feast of Tabernacles. NKJV14:20-21
In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in
the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah
shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and
cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite (merchant) in the house of the
Lord of hosts. NKJV
Tabernacles is the conclusion, no less than the full manifestation of YHWH’s reign on earth through His
Son, Jesus.
Revelation 5:9-10
"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood
you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you
have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." ESV
Edited and re-written by Tom Marxen from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-
feasts.html#ixzz3NRiEDkYW
Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate
the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth. ESV
Read Messiah in the Feasts of Israel by Sam Nadler, Epilogue, “Should we keep the Feasts Today?” pp.
222-226
The Hebrew word for “feasts” (moadim) literally means "appointed times". YHWH has carefully planned
and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us the work of
Messiah Jesus in the Father’s plan of redemption. The seven annual feasts of Israel are spread over
seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by YHWH. They are still celebrated by
observant Jews and Christians today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in
Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate quite accurately the work of redemption
through God’s Son.
The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits,
and Weeks), and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three
holidays (Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short
fifteen-day period. All of the feasts have past, present, and future implications. They contain pictures for
us (signs that point to Messiah) both as individuals and as the people of YHWH.
Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that these fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus.
However, the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will
be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the fall feasts have themes, types, and shadows that give us clues and insight
into their future and full historical completion.
Passover was a real event that accomplished the actual deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but the fullness
of the feast was realized many years later at the crucifixion and resurrection of Messiah Jesus. As the
four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first
coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to
the Lord's second coming
In a nutshell, here is the prophetic significance of each of the seven Levitical feasts of Israel:
1) Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the
Passover at the same hour that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that
evening (John 19:14).
Page 19 of 160
Passover Observance Messianic Significance
The lamb was without blemish Jesus was examined and found without blemish.
Matt 21:23; 27:1-2;11-14;17-26; Luke 3:2, John
11:49-30
The lamb was a male of the first year Jesus was the first born Son of God
The penalty was imposed the moment the lamb
was chosen Christ received the death penalty for our sin
before He was born.
The lamb was set aside for four days on the tenth
of Nisan Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple on
public display for four days on the tenth of Nisan
The lamb was killed between the evenings at 3:00
pm Jesus died in the seventh hour, 3:00 pm (Mark
15:33-37)
The lamb’s bones were not broken (Exodus
12:46, Numbers 9:12) Jesus’ bones were not broken. (Psalm 34:20; John
19:31)
The blood of the lamb applied to the door saved
the Israelites’ firstborn The blood of Christ saves us.
The body of the lamb must be eaten the same
night Jesus was crucified, suffered, and died in the
same night
No work was to be done on the Passover. The
Israelites could not save themselves. Nothing
outside of the blood of the lamb could save their
sons from the angel of death. The blood of Jesus saves us, not our works. (1
Peter 1:18-21)
2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (leaven is a picture of sin in
the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body was in the grave during the first
days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life.
3) First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) – Pointed to the Messiah's resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous.
Jesus was resurrected on this very day, which is one of the reasons that Paul refers to Him in 1
Corinthians 15:20 as the "first fruits from the dead."
4) Weeks or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Occurred fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread and pointed to the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew
and Gentile (see Acts 2). God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter's great
sermon and his first proclamation of the gospel. It was at this same time in Exodus that Israel agreed to
the covenant of Moses and was given the Torah often called the “law” in both the Old and New
Testaments. “Torah” means “instructions” more than it means “law” as in the sense of a list of arbitrary
rules. The “Torah” of YHWH teaches people the proper way they should live as they walk with YHWH in
His kingdom. It teaches them how to relate to one another, how to resolve difference and disputes, and
how to reconcile errors and sins committed against God and man. It warns of enemies and how to deal
with them. The Torah is holy as it originated out of YHWH, but it was not the complete provision for our
redemption.
Page 20 of 160
The completion of the Torah (instruction) came on exactly the same feast day after the resurrection of
Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and teaches us all truth. The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father
that Jesus promised to His disciples. The complete provision is the Holy Spirit within us gives us power to
live the kingdom life. No longer do we need to read instructions in a book, but the Spirit Himself makes
intercession and instructs us on what we need to do. The gifts of the Spirit demonstrate the very power
of YHWH in our lives to believers as well as unbelievers. This is our present life in the kingdom. It was
first brought forth on the Feast of Pentecost, when the time had “fully come”.
5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. The Lord is King, the King is Coming! This is the
first of the feasts that has not seen a “historic” fulfillment as we have at Passover and Pentecost. As a
result, we will see and hear many different ideas about the historic event this day will bring. In Jesus’
day there were arguments concerning where and how the Messiah would come. Would it be in
Bethlehem? Would it be from Nazareth? Jesus was born in Bethlehem 10 miles from Jerusalem; His
family went to the feasts every year for 12 years.
Jerusalem was the epicenter for all of Israel, the scholars studied there, the worship and the sacrifices
were all there, and everyone was desperately seeking the Messiah. Rome held them with an iron grip
and the Jews sought relief. But even after all those years, no one recognized the Messiah. On their
return, Jesus separated Himself from His parents on one of the Passover celebrations. Jesus stayed at
the Temple and revealed mysteries of the Scriptures, the leaders were astonished and His parents were
indignant that He left their care.
I believe that it was no accident that Jesus was kept hidden for all those years. “At just the right time”
(Romans 5:6) Jesus died for us. At just the right time He was revealed. There are no mistakes in YHWH’s
timing, not in history and not in the feasts. In the same way I believe that some things are purposely
hidden from us until the time is right. This does not disqualify us from “asking, seeking, and knocking”,
on the contrary we are encouraged to do so. But we must maintain a proper spirit and attitude in our
seeking. This is essential as we explore the mysteries and clues of the Scriptures concerning the fall
feasts.
Many believe that the Feast of Trumpets points to the rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus
will appear in the heavens as He comes for His Bride. The rapture is always associated in Scripture with
the blowing of a loud trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).
Some others believe that the command for “Yom Teruah” (the Day of Blowing or Noise) is not so much
of a command for trumpets or shofars as it is for human beings. Collectively shouting in a loud voice
would be the more accurate description. Either way, the first day of the seventh month is set aside for
something to be heard that is not normal. It is a sound of alarm and warning; it is a sound that will
inspire expectation for the people of God and most likely fear among the rebellious ones. Yom Teruah is
a wakeup call from YHWH. We can use this day to remind us to stay close to our God and repent of sin
and mixture that creeps into our lives all too easily, but the true fulfillment is yet to come. We do not
know the year.
Page 21 of 160
The Jewish people by tradition have identified Yom Teruah as their “civil” new year, it is called “Rosh
Hashanah” (The Head of the Year). This is the New Year’s Day for business, government, and other
secular accounting. But that tradition came in during the time when Israel was returning from exile in
Babylon. It was during that period that the Jews adopted the Babylonian names of the months to the
Hebrew calendar. The month of “Tishri” happened to be the New Year’s month in Babylon so it was
adopted into the Hebrew tradition at that time. We in the Western culture have January 1st as our New
Year’s Day and our history for using that day is as long and sordid as the Hebrew calendar, perhaps even
more so. The point of all this is not to argue our cultural New Year’s Day, but to distinguish between the
calendar of the biblical feasts and the calendar of our traditions. That is all.
6) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27)—In this feast, God is saying that your sins are forgiven and I will
remember them no more. Many believe this prophetically points to the day of the second coming of
Jesus when He will return to earth. That will be the Day of Atonement for the Jewish remnant when they
"look upon Him whom they have pierced," repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah
(Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:1-6, 25-36).
At the present time we can look back to the special offerings and service of the High Priest during the
Day of Atonement in Old Testament service. The high priest was a picture of “Our Great High Priest”
who is Messiah Jesus Christ. In the old covenant service two goats were offered as one single sacrifice.
One goat was killed and its blood sprinkled in the Holy of Holies and the other goat was marked and led
off to a “place not inhabited”.
The high priest wore special garments for part of that day. He took off the expertly woven colored
vestments holding the precious stones that represent the tribes of Israel and put on pure white linen
with a golden miter that had engraved upon it “Holy to the Lord”. It was on that day, and that day alone,
that the high priest did not represent the people before God, but he represented the Son (Messiah)
coming before the Father with his personal offering of blood (life) for the sins of the whole nation. It was
and still is considered to be the most holy day of the year.
While Passover represents the deliverance we receive on earth as we “take” the Lamb and appropriate
His blood on our doors, Yom Kippur shows us that same transaction from heaven’s viewpoint. Certainly,
there is more to all of this. The expectation of the second coming is undeniable, but as to how
specifically this historic scenario will work out is beyond my current understanding. Still we will seek and
listen and learn.
Psalms 25:14-15
The friendship (secret counsel) of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to
them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
ESV
7) Tabernacles or Booths (Leviticus 23:34) – Many scholars believe that this feast day points to the
Lord's promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when He returns to reign over all
the world (Micah 4:1-7).
Page 22 of 160
Leviticus 23:42-43
You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that
your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought
them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. ESV
YHWH’s original instructions for Tabernacles were a reminder for Israel to look back to where and how
they were living immediately following their deliverance from Egypt. Israel was living as an organized
camp in the middle of a desert completely dependent on the provision of their God. He was a pillar of
fire by night for heat (His manifest presence) and a cloud for relief from extreme heat by day (His
manifest presence). He gave them water out of a rock and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He
became a lake as they sojourned for over a year. He gave them supernatural food every day (manna),
and He supplied them everything they needed. His presence was their protection, and their reputation
for the plundering of the Egyptians went before them into the land of Canaan that was their promised
future possession. YHWH was and is to be everything we need. This is our past testimony and our future
destiny. The camp was a unified camp; it lacked all the divisions and arguments of theology.
We have become the tents. Our bodies are the temporary shelters that house the very presence of God.
We are the living stones as the Scripture says:
1 Peter 2:1-6
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn
infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation— if indeed
you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and
precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy
priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in
Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes
in him will not be put to shame." ESV
Messiah Jesus is our one common foundation; He alone is the source of our unity.
1 Corinthians 3:9-12
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the
grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and
another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation
can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. NKJV
He is the author and the conclusion of our lives. As we are instructed to look to the beginning of Israel
so we see the end in the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).
Page 23 of 160
Again, I do not know the exact scenario of the historic fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, but I can
clearly see the rehearsal. We are to join together as one man and we are commanded to rejoice, to
share our provision and wealth with the whole world. The world is invited to the Feast of Tabernacles;
every nation is to send representatives.
Zechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the
Feast of Tabernacles. NKJV14:20-21
In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in
the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah
shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and
cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite (merchant) in the house of the
Lord of hosts. NKJV
Tabernacles is the conclusion, no less than the full manifestation of YHWH’s reign on earth through His
Son, Jesus.
Revelation 5:9-10
"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood
you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you
have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." ESV
Edited and re-written by Tom Marxen from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-
feasts.html#ixzz3NRiEDkYW
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