Tuesday, March 5, 2013

PROPHECY OF THE SEVEN JEWISH FEASTS

In Leviticus 23, we find that the Festivals of the Lord were appointed times established as yearly rehearsals that taught both historically and prophetically the whole plan of God concerning the coming of the Messiah and the redemption of man. The first four feasts have been fulfilled and the Jewish community celebrates them historically. They are Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. These four Spring Feasts are considered to be an interrelated whole where Pentecost is the completion of the process begun at Passover.

*** Passover – pictures the Death of Jesus Christ
*** Feast of Unleavened Bread – pictures the Burial of Jesus Christ
*** Feast of First Fruits – pictures the Resurrection of Christ
*** Pentecost – pictures the Descent of the Holy Spirit & the Birth of the Church

While the first four Festivals occur in close proximity, an entire season passes before the Fall Feasts begin. This long period represents the dispensation of grace that we now live in. The last three feasts (Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles) are celebrated in the Fall season and are yet to be fulfilled so they remain prophetic in nature.

*** Feast of the Trumpets – pictures the Rapture of the Church
*** Feast of Atonement – pictures the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
*** Feast of Tabernacles – pictures the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ

The final three feasts are also known as Rosh HaShanah (Feast of the Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Feast of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).

The Feast of Trumpets may soon find its prophetic fulfillment. Here are some reasons why the Rapture may occur during this Festival:
  • All the Spring Feasts were fulfilled at Christ's first coming, and on the exact day of the feast. All the Fall Feasts picture the Second Advent, and the Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts, picturing the rapture.
  • The Feast of Trumpets is when the "last trump" of the rapture of 1st Corinthians 15 is blown.
  • The Feast of Trumpets is known as the Wedding of the Messiah, and the Church is the Bride of Christ, and the rapture is when the Church is caught up to heaven to be wed with Christ.
  • The Feast of Trumpets happens on the "new moon", which is 29.5 days after the last one, meaning it might occur on the 29th or 30th day, nobody knows for sure. "Of that day or hour no man knows" is an expression referring to this feast, and thus, the rapture.
  • "Of that day or hour no man knows, but my Father only" is an expression used by a groom when asked when his wedding will be. He says this because it is his Father that will tell him when his preparations on the bridal chamber are completed and it is time. Again, the wedding pictures the rapture.
  • The "Open Door" of the rapture in Matthew 25, and Revelation 3, & Revelation 4:1 is a symbol of the Feast of Trumpets. [Ezekiel 46:1] "Thus says the Lord GOD: The gate of the inner court that faces east shall be shut on the six working days; but on the Sabbath day it shall be opened and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened”.
  • We are told that the new moon and the Feasts of the Lord are a shadow of things to come in Colossians 2:16-17. Since the Feast of Trumpets is the only Feast of the Lord that falls on a new moon, we should take particular note.
  • There are seven days of awe in between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. These picture the seven years of Tribulation. Atonement pictures Satan being defeated and cast away at the end of the Tribulation. If you add the two-day Trumpets feast, and the Day of Atonement, the 7 days of awe are "ten days of tribulation" which might be referred to in Revelation 2:10.
  • In the Jewish Wedding, the groom comes for his bride "like a thief in the night" to take (sieze / rapture) her away and into the bridal chamber for the bridal week at his father's house.
  • The Feast of Trumpets is also known as the coronation of the Messiah, when He will start reigning as king, thus the beginning of the "Day of the Lord", which includes the Tribulation.

God’s plan for humanity is clearly found in Leviticus 23 through the establishment of the Seven Feasts. The number seven throughout the Bible represents completeness. Just as seven days finish a weekly cycle, so could seven festival occasions complete the work of God on Earth.