Song of The King

Zeph 3:17

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A description of the Feasts and Holy days ordained by God and celebrated by Jesus.

Not only were all seven Feasts given by God in Leviticus Ch 23 observed by Jesus, they are also perfect prophetic pictures of God's plan for mankind, repeated every year as a clear representation of Jesus' purpose, and our ultimate destiny.  Jesus' ministry on earth in fact, fulfilled the prophecies of the "Spring" feasts while the remaining "Fall" feasts appear closer than ever in God's timeline. (see Summary).

Passover

First in the year (14th of Nisan), and arguably the most important, is Pesach or Passover.  This historically commemorates the delivery of Israel from slavery under the Pharaoh (Lev 23:5, Ex Ch 12) and delivery from the death of the firstborn by the shedding of the blood of the Passover lamb (Ex 12:5).  And so we have a picture of the perfect blood sacrifice on our behalf, The Lamb of God (Jo 1:29).  "For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed" 1Co 5:7.  Israel thus delivered from slavery to Egypt, and the believer from bondage to sin.

Unleavened Bread

The day after Passover begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6), where God commands His people to eat only unleavened bread for seven days. In a way this symbolizes the perfect walk without sin (or leaven as the Bible symbolizes it), for a complete seven day cycle.  "Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Co 5:8.  Understanding that seven is a complete cycle in God's timing, and is used to represent "completeness" throughout God's word, we see the complete and final work of the sacrifice of the Lamb in purging sin from our lives.  It should not be lost on us that Jesus referred to Himself as the "Bread of Life" born in Bethlehem or "House of Bread", and was without sin, a Lamb without blemish.  It is on this day after Passover that Jesus was buried by Joseph marking the beginning of the 3 days and nights that Jesus would be in the tomb.

First Fruits

On the first Sunday during the Feast of Unleavened Bread is First Fruits.  The first of the harvests of the year in springtime for Israel (Lev 23:10-11).  The planting of a seed followed by the gathering of this first crop is embodied by the death and resurrection of Jesus on this 17th day of Nisan. "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming," 1 Co 15:22-23.  Although this is the last Feast fulfilled by Jesus during His initial ministry on earth, we see here a clear pointer to more "fruits" to come in the future: the resurrection of the entire Body of Christ or the Church. (See the Fall Feasts).

Pentecost

On the day after the seventh Sabbath from "First Fruits", or 50 days from First Fruits God ordained a Feast of Harvest, "Shavuot", The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (Lev 23:15-16). This is again a Sunday and it marks the summer harvest, the second of the year where more crops are harvested than in the first. Among the several instructions God gives the Israelites in celebrating this feast, one stand out: 'You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the LORD." (Lev 23:17). As leavened bread, these cannot represent the Messiah, but two "first fruit" offerings of sinful, but redeemed man.  It may be that these two equal loaves represent the two future parts of the redeemed church, the Jew and the Gentile (Rom 11:26, Zec 12:10).

After Jesus had been resurrected and returned to teach his disciples for a further 40 days, He promised that the Holy Spirit would be given to them, and it was on this Feast that the promise was fulfilled with three thousand souls harvested (Acts 2:1). It is in this period of "summer harvest" where we continue working in the "fields" today. The following Feasts portend the future outworking of God's plan, and represent the events we as the church are longing to see (Lk 21:25-28).

Trumpets (Yom Teruah)

The Feast of Trumpets, also known as Yom Teruah, (Day of Blowing), and Rosh Hashanah, (Head of The Year or New Year) occurs in the seventh month (Tishri) on the first day of the month, usually September or October on the English calendar.  It begins the series of Fall Feasts that, like the Spring Feasts, come in close proximity to each other. The sound of the Shofar, from earliest times, was given to alert the people to danger, to war or to a gathering for an important event. At Yom Teruah, Israel is alerted by the sound of the Shofar, to the coming Day of Atonement and God's judgment.  Between this feast and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) there are Ten Days of Awe, days spent in self examination and repentance, searching one's conscience, making restitution for wrongs done, taking responsibility for every thought, word and deed before God, knowing that the Lord determines one's fate for the coming year.

For Christians, this Feast is also significant. The long period between the Spring and Fall Feasts represents the dispensation of grace in which we now live. The Last Trump (I Thess.4: 16-17; Matt. 24:31) alerts the Church of Jesus Christ to His imminent return for His bride, the Rapture of the Church. The bride prepares herself for the coming of her bridegroom, clothing herself in fine linen, bright and clean, depicting righteous acts (Revelation 19:8).  She knows judgment at the Bema Seat after the Rapture, although not for sins (that was dealt with on the Cross), will be an examination of character and faithfulness. Priorities, stewardship of the gifts, talents, blessings given and motives will be revealed.

The question that requires an answer from every Christian is "am I ready"?

(Listen to our Lesson on the Feast of Trumpets)

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar, occurs on the tenth day of the seventh month of Tishri. In Biblical times, animal sacrifices provided the blood covering for the cleansing of the Temple, the Priesthood and the nation of Israel for the forgiveness of sins.  (Leviticus 16:29-34). Today Yom Kippur is marked by fasting (affliction of the soul or self-denial, Leviticus 16:29; 23:27) and prayer.

John the Baptist said about Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)  The once for all blood sacrifice of Jesus, on the cross, fulfilled God's ordained principle behind the system of sacrifices, a life for a life.

The soon to follow "Feast of the Ingathering" or Feast of Tabernacles would end the cycle of fall festivals. It is significant that repentance (Rosh HaShanah) preceded redemption (Yom Kippur) before the final fall festival of rejoicing before the Lord for the forgiveness of sin (Feast of Tabernacles).

(Listen to our Lesson on Yom Kippur)

Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Sukkoth, the last of the seven Jewish festivals, occurs on the 15^th day of the 7^th month of Tishrei.  It is a seven-day period of rejoicing and celebration for the forgiveness of sins and restoration of fellowship to God. The Sukkah (tent or tabernacle) made of woven branches and leaves, symbolizes the temporary dwelling of the Hebrew Children in the wilderness on their way out of Egypt, into the Promised Land. It also serves as a memorial to God's loving presence, provision and protection both then and now.

There are a number of themes for this festival, Season of Our Joy, Feast of the Nations and the Feast of the Ingathering, all of which have great Spiritual application to Messianic believers. The final ingathering of souls to Jesus, at the end of this age, will usher in the Millenium, when God will once more dwell among His people on earth, initiating great peace, joy and fulfillment to all the nations.

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