A STUDY ON JEWISH FESTIVALS
THE ORDER OF JEWISH FESTIVALS IS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST-LEVITICUS 23:4-44/NUMBERS 28:16-31/29
• THE PASSOVER (2)• THE FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (3)• THE FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS (6)• THE PENTECOST (7)• THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS (1)• THE DAY OF ATONEMENT (4)• THE FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES (5)
ANNUAL FESTIVALS ARE CELEBERATED TO REMEMBER/COMMEMORATE AN EVENT AND IT IS ONLYLOGICAL THAT THEY ARE CELEBERATED CHRONOLOGICALLY (I,E…IN THE ORDER, THEY OCCURREDHISTORICALLY). BUT WITH RESPECT TO JEWISH FESTIVALS, WE WOULD OBSERVE DIVINE PROVIDENCEAT WORK IN THAT, FESTIVALS DO NOT REFLECT THE ORDER IN WHICH THE EVENTS OCCURRED BUTRATHER HIGHLIGHT THE ORDER IN WHICH EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY HAVE OCCURRED/WOULD OCCUR.ONE MORE PROOF THAT BY USING THE SACRED JEWISH FESTIVALS, THE ALMIGHTY HAS ALL ALONG WANTEDTO CONVEY A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE WORLD. IN GOD’S SCHEME OF THINGS, WE OUGHT TO REMEMBERTHAT AT TIMES, THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT MEETS THE EYE! THE REVEALER OF SECRETS (DAN 2:22) WOULD HAVE US DEPEND ON HIM, IN ORDER WE PRAISE HIM, ALL THE MORE, WHEN HEREVEALS THE SECRETS TO US!• In the brackets by way of numbers, the chronological order of events that these festivals commemorate
is noted, as opposed to the order the Jews follow in their annual calendar as per Divine instruction.
IN THE MANNER OF PROPHECIES, THE ALMIGHTY IN HIS SOVEREIGN WISDOM HAD ALSO IN ADVANCE ENSHRINED THE JEWISH FESTIVALS IN THE SCRIPTURES TO BE A POINTER TO THE COMING CHRIST AND THE EVENTS TO HAPPEN IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY!
WHEN SOMEONE IS WALKING TOWARDS US, WITH BRIGHT LIGHT IN THE BACKGROUND, WE ARE BOUND TO SEE HIS SHADOW FIRST AND THEN THE PERSON. WHEN THE SON OF GOD WAS COMING TO US, WITH THE INDESCRIBABLE LIGHT OF HIS FATHER (I TIM 6:14-16) BEHIND HIM, WE WERE BOUND TO SEE HIS SHADOW FIRST, AS A SURE PROOF OF HIS APPROACH. THE DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT JEWISH FESTIVALS “HEWN IN ROCK” AS IT WERE IN THE SCRIPTURES SERVED AND STILL SERVE AS A “SHADOW OF CHRIST” TO COME NOT ONLY IN HIS FIRST ADVENT BUT ALSO IN HIS SECOND ADVENT!
SOME INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS HERE…
NO WONDER, APOSTLE PAUL, DESCRIBED THE JEWISH FESTIVALS AS “A SHADOW OF CHRIST”
These (Jewish festivals) are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.-Colossians 2:17
IN THIS STUDY, WE WOULD CATEGORIZE THE JEWISH FESTIVALS INTO TWO GROUPS
I) JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED! SINCE THESE LANDMARK EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, OCCURRED ON JEWISH FESTIVALS-PUBLICLY-WE CAN ALSO DEEM THEM AS NATIONAL REVELATIONS’ TO JEWS!
II) JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH ARE YET TO OCCUR! THEY ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE JEWS.
THE FIRST GROUP OF JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH HAVE ALREADY
OCCURRED!
1. THE PASSOVER2. THE FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD3. THE FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS4. THE PENTECOST
I REITERATE THAT WHEN SOME OF THE HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN EVENTSUNFOLDING THE REDEMPTION PLAN OF GOD FOR THE ENTIRE MANKIND,HAPPENED EXACTLY ON THE DAYS OF RELEVANT JEWISHFESTIVALS, THEY OUGHT TO HAVE SERVED AS A PUBLIC, NATIONALREVELATION TO MANY, MANY JEWS! PRAISE GOD, IT DID SERVE AS AREVELATION FOR MANY JEWS OF THE FIRST CENTURY, WHO RECEIVEDCHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR IN THEIR LIVES (ACTS 2:41/5:14)!
THE SECOND GROUP OF JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH ARE YET TO TAKE PLACE! THEY ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE JEWS.
1. THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS2. THE DAY OF ATONEMENT3. THE FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES
Jewish festival Reference Reason for celebrating
Christian significance
Passover Leviticus 23:5/Numbers 28:16
To commemorate, deliverance from
Egyptian slavery, a lamb called the Pascal lamb is
sacrificed (Exodus 12:21-27).
Jesus symbolizing the Pascal Lamb died on the Passover day (Matt 27:50) to liberate us not
from physical Egyptian bondage but from spiritual slavery to sin (I Cor 5:7-8).
THE FIRST GROUP OF JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED!I REPEAT THAT THEY WERE A NATIONAL
REVELATION TO JEWS, AS THEY HAPPENED MOSTLY ON THEIR FESTIVALS’ DAY!
Jewish festival Reference Reason for celebrating
Christian significance
Feast of Unleavened Bread
(Immediately follows the Passover)
Leviticus 23:6-8/Numbers 28:17
To commemorate the speed at which they left Egypt. From the
time the Pharoah allowed them to go
there was no delay, in “breaking away from
the past”(Exodus 12:39).
As soon as Jesus gave-up His Spirit on the Cross, instantly the curtain secluding the Holiest place in the
Jewish Temple was split apart from top to bottom (Matt 27:50-51),
symbolizing the immediate passage of the people from Old
Testament dispensation of Law to New Testament, age of Grace.
THE FIRST GROUP OF JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED!
THE FIRST GROUP OF JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED!
Jewish festival Reference Reason for celebrating
Christian significance
Festival of First fruits ( to be
celebrated ONLY ONCE in the
history of Nation of Israel)
Leviticus 23:9-14 In thanksgiving of the first crop only in the Promised Land.
Not celebrated annually
Jesus rose from the dead for the “first and final time” as “First fruit” of millions of believers who would also rise from the
dead (I Cor 15:20).
THE FIRST GROUP OF JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED!
Jewish festival Reference Reason for celebrating
Christian significance
Pentecost Leviticus 23:15-17/Numbers 28:26
After experiencing the blessings of good rains,
to commemorate annually the first crop of
“that season”
“Fiery "Holy Spirit (in the form of good rain) came upon the disciples on the
Day of Pentecost and on that day about 3000 souls (Acts 2:41) were
gathered into His Kingdom as “the First crop of New season of Grace”. From
then both the “loaves “(Jews and Gentiles) would be acceptable to God
(Eph 2:11-22)!
THE FIRST THREE JEWISH FESTIVALS, TAKE PLACE WITHIN A SPAN OF 50 DAYS. CRUCIFIXTION, RESURRECTION OF CHRIST AND COMING OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DISCIPLES SIGNIFYING THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH AGE (IN THAT ORDER PROVIDENTIALLY) TOOK PLACE IN THAT
PERIOD. AFTERWARDS NOTE THE CONSIDERABLE GAP (4 MONTHS), WHICH REPRESENTS THE EXISTING CHURCH AGE!
IF PARAMOUNT EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, SUCH AS
CRUCIFIXTION OF CHRIST, COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON
THE DISCIPLES TOOK PLACE EXACTLY ON THE DAY OF
RELEVANT JEWISH FESTIVALS, WILL NOT OTHER IMPORTANT FUTURE EVENTS RELATED TO
CHRISTIANITY TAKE PLACE ON THE DAYS OF OTHER RELEVANT
JEWISH FESTIVALS? THE ANSWER IS YES. PERIOD!
THE SECOND GROUP OF JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH ARE YET TO OCCUR ! THEY ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE JEWS.
Jewish festival Reference Reason for celebrating Christian significance
Feast of Trumpets( Jews summoned from the fields of
work by the trumpet blast during this
Festival. Based on sighting of full moon,
this festival is celebrated over a period of 2 days)
Leviticus 23:23-24/Numbers 29:1-6
Creation of Adam Chronologically, this
festival, ought to have been the first, going by the historical order of events. But clearly we see, Divine providence in placing this festival , at the fifth spot,
because it has to serve the purpose of highlighting ,
yet another landmark event in Christian history-
RAPTURE!!!
Called from “fields of work”, by the trumpet blast of the Arch-angel
(I Cor 15:51-53/I Thess 4:15-18), at this stage, there would be a New RECREATION of believers bodies’ into eternal, raptured, glorified
state. This would also signal, the beginning of 7-year tribulation in the
World minus the Church. Sadly, those Jews who have not placed
their faith in Jesus Christ would be left behind to face the tribulation.
IF MOMENTOUS EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, SUCH AS CRUCIFIXTION OF CHRIST,
COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DISCIPLES TOOK PLACE EXACTLY ON THE DAY OF RELEVANT JEWISH FESTIVALS, WILL THE RAPTURE TAKE PLACE ON THE DAY OF YET
ANOTHER JEWISH FESTIVAL-THE FESTIVAL OF TRUMPETS? THE ANSWER IS YES. BUT , HEY
DOESN’T THE BIBLE SAY THAT NO ONE KNOWS THE DATE OF RAPTURE (MATT 24:36)? YES!
WHILE, I AM AFFIRMING THAT THE RAPTURE WOULD CERTAINLY TAKE PLACE ON THE DAY
OF THE FESTIVAL OF TRUMPETS IN THE COMING YEARS, PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT EXACTLY SPECIFYING EITHER THE DAY (THIS FESTIVAL IS SPREAD
OVER 2 DAYS, SO WILL RAPTURE TAKE PLACE IN THE FIRST DAY OR SECOND DAY OF THE SAID FESTIVAL IS STILL MATTER OF CONJECTURE) OR AM I
SPECIFYING THE YEAR!!!
Jewish festival Reference Reason for celebrating Christian significanceDay of atonement (while the gap between Feast of Trumpets and this solemn festival as per Divine instruction is 10 days, the actual gap comes to ONLY 7 DAYS*, when we take into account the 2 days of trumpets’ festival and 1 actual day of atonement.)* A year for each day as in Numbers 13:25/14:34, when it comes to prophetical fulfillment
Leviticus 16/23:26-27/Numbers 29:7
To express their deep anguish of sinning (remembering the
worship of the Golden calf) Chronologically, this festival,
ought to have been the third, going by the historical order of
events. But clearly we see, Divine providence in placing this
festival , at the sixth spot, because it has to serve the
purpose of highlighting , yet another landmark event in Christian history-JESUS’ II
COMING!!!
The Jews after undergoing 7 years *of tribulation would (in national
repentance) make a U-turn towards the Messiah (Zech
12:9-10/Romans 11:26)-THE VERY ONE- they rejected 2000 years back. He would come back and
fight on their behalf against Anti-Christ who had been severely persecuting them. This battle
would take place at Armageddon, where Anti-Christ would be
defeated (Rev 19:19-21).* A year for each day as in
Numbers 13:25/14:34
JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH ARE YET TO OCCUR ! THEY ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE JEWS.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES-THE LAST OF JEWISH FESTIVALS
IN THE JEWISH CALENDAR
NOTES IN THE TABULAR COLUMN AVAILABLE ON THE NEXT PAGE….
Jewish festival Reference Reason for celebrating Christian significanceFeast of TabernaclesChronologically, this
festival, ought to have been the
fourth, going by the historical order of events. But once
again clearly we see, Divine providence in placing this festival , at the seventh spot,
because it has to serve the purpose of
highlighting , yet another prophetical
landmark event in Christian history-
MILLINIAL RULE OF CHRIST!!!
Leviticus 23:33-34(“TABERNACLED
WITH” MEANS TO LIVE WITH , THE
EQUIVALENT WORD IN HEBREW
IS MISKAN, WHEREAS THE EQUIVALENT
WORD IN GREEK FOR THE SAME IS
SKENEH)
To remember, they lived in the wilderness in temporary shelters and the Lord in the wilderness “tabernacled” with them. He sheltered them with the “Pillar of Fire” by night, giving them warmth in the chilly desert nights and with “Pillar of Cloud” by day, giving them the needed shade in the hot desert noon-time heat. While our OT counterparts, may have complained about lack food or water, when the Lord tested them (Deu 8:3), the good Lord, did not give them an opportunity to complain about harsh desert weather!
Christ in the Millennium would “tabernacle” with the Christian Jews in their mortal bodies (who trusted
Him during the tribulation and survived it) in Jerusalem . In His
Second Advent, He would rule the whole world FROM JERUSALEM.
Christians (of all ages till the rapture) who would return with their Lord (Rev 19:11-16) before the Armageddon war
would rule the World, under the sovereign reign of their Lord. Christ
would “shelter” the Christian Jews in Jerusalem during the final Gog and
Magog war (Rev 20:7-9) . For more on this subject ( Prophetical, future
events of the World ) you may click on the following link…
http://www.jandsmministries.com/rev_pre.asp
JEWISH FESTIVALS SIGNIFYING THOSE EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, WHICH ARE YET TO OCCUR ! THEY ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE JEWS.
JEWISH FESTIVALS TOUCH UPON ALL THE THREE DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY
1.JUSTIFICATION: PASSOVER ,FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD AND FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS
2. SANCTIFICATION: PENTECOST
3. GLORIFICATION: FESTIVAL OF TRUMPETS, DAY OF ATONEMENT AND FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES
THE FINAL SUMMARY
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AMAZING, ISN’T IT…THE STUDY OF JEWISH FESTIVALS? THE GOOD LORD HAS
CONCEALED THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF OUR TIMES IN IT!
It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them – Proverbs 25:2