The Importance of Old Testament Feasts

Tonight, I wanted to do a blog post concerning the Feasts of the Lord. There were several feasts that God had Moses to institute for the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai nearly 3,500 years ago, all of which have major significance for the church today. There are 7 major feasts in all - 3 take place in the spring, 1 in the summer, and 3 in the fall. All 3 which take place in the spring and the one which takes place in the summer have been fulfilled already by an act of the Messiah Jesus Christ (Yeshua in Hebrew).

The 3 Spring and 1 Summer feasts and their fulfilment are as follows.

1. Passover was fulfilled when the Passover Lamb was slain at Calvary. It takes place on the 14th of Nisan in the Jewish Calendar (March or April in ours (ref. Lev. 23:5)).


2. Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15-21) speaks of Sanctification. Messiah's body was set apart and would not see corruption (Lev. 23:6).


3. Firstfruits (Nisan 16 or Sivan 6 (March/April or May/June)) speaks of Jesus' triumphant resurrection, which took place on the 3rd day after he was crucified (Lev. 23:10)!


4. Pentecost (Sivan 50 days after Firstfruits) was fulfilled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church (Lev. 23:15-16; Acts 2).
   

The first 4 feasts have been fulfilled literally by Jesus Christ while they were going on! Therefore, we can assume that the next 3 (Fall Feasts) will be as well!

The 1st Fall Feast and next one to be fulfilled is the Feast of Trumpets. This feast begins on Rosh Hashana, which marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It takes place on Tishri 1-2, which is in September or October of our callendar. It takes place at sundown on September 29th of this year! It is marked by the blowing of a shofar/trumpet. A trumpet was used to warn of impending judgment and announce the arrival of the King (Lev. 23:24-25).

It will be literally fulfilled when Christ returns to rapture the church and judge the world. The trumpet will literally wake the dead. This event is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which say:

1Th 4:13
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1Th 4:15
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Th 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th 4:17
Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Obviously, no one can foretell when this event will occur, and this feast be fulfilled, however, it could be soon. It could be this year! No other sign has to be fulfilled before Jesus returns to rapture his church. This event will signal the beginning of Daniel's 70th week of prophecy concerning Israel. That week of years (7 year time period), will be a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation, according to Jeremiah. It will be a time of Jacob's/Israel's trouble. As we see Jerusalem becoming the cup of trembling and Israel's annihilation being called for by Ahmedinijad, it ought to make us realize we're close to our blessed hope! Lift up your head, Jesus is coming soon! Don't miss out, be prepared.

For info on how to be saved go to: www.parkerscreek.org and click on the "do you know 4 sure" sight.

For more info on the Feasts of the Lord, go to: http://www.endtimepilgrim.org/trumpets.htm

Keep Looking Up, Jesus is Coming Soon! May God richly bless you!