There has been a lot of discussions and debates about whether or not Jesus fulfilled all of the OT laws and feasts. So, in an effort to post a topic for respectful and constructive dialogue, I decided to start with the 7 Levitical Feasts of Israel.

For anyone who may disagree with some or all of this posting, let it be done in love - agree to disagree with respect of others. We are not all on the same page of our spiritual growth so we are going to disagree on some issues. But, we should not take the "slam dunk" approach in our disagreements. I will never proclaim to have all knowledge. I hunger to know more about God and His will for mankind. I welcome every opportunity that comes before me to learn from the vessels He chooses to teach and share with me. This life, though not perfect but He that indwells me is perfect, that I live is not about me - never has been and never will be. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MESSIAH/JESUS!

The way in which Jesus fulfilled the Jewish feasts is a fascinating study. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Jewish prophet Amos records that God declared He would do nothing without first revealing it to His servants, the Prophets (Amos 3:7). From the Old Covenant to the New, Genesis to Revelation, God provides picture after picture of His entire plan for mankind and one of the most startling prophetic pictures is outlined for us in the Jewish Feasts of Leviticus 23.

The Hebrew word for feasts (moadim) literally means "appointed times." God has carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us a special story. The seven annual feasts of Israel were spread over seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by God. They are still celebrated by observant Jews today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate 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 Christ in the New Testament has already fulfilled them all. The final three holidays (Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short fifteen-day period.

Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that Jesus has not yet fulfilled these fall feasts. However, the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will. As the 4 spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first coming, these 3 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.

2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (as 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 I 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, who would be brought into the kingdom of God during the Church Age (see Acts 2). The Church was actually established on this day when God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter's great sermon and his first proclamation of the Gospel.

5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. Many believe this day points to the Rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus will appear in the heavens as He comes for His bride, the Church. The Rapture is always associated in Scripture with the blowing of a loud trumpet (I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and I Corinthians 15:52).

6) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27) – 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 and Romans 11:1-6, 25-36).

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).

Should Christians celebrate these Levitical feast days of Israel today? Whether or not a Christian celebrates the Jewish feast days would be a matter of conscience for the individual Christian. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Christians are not bound to observe the Jewish feasts the way an Old Testament Jew was, but we should not criticize another believer who does or does not observe these special days and feasts (Romans 14:5).

While it is not required for Christians to celebrate the Jewish feast days, it is beneficial to study them. Certainly it could be beneficial to celebrate these days if it leads one to a greater understanding and appreciation for Christ’s death and resurrection and the future promise of His coming. As Christians, if we choose to celebrate these special days, we should put Christ in the center of the celebration, as the One who came to fulfill the prophetic significance of each of them.

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"...IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MESSIAH/JESUS!..."

You know Sister Pat, I wonder why most Christians have not celebrated Pentecost (some do but very few).

I would think that it would be the MOST Christian celebration we could observe.

We know Christmas (whether one observes it or not) is man made.
But with Pentecost - how can we go wrong...it was the beginning of the 'Church'
And it is the fruition of promises and prophecies of the OT (for those that are more into the OT than the New)
How can we go wrong/

Thats a mystery to me.
I couldn't agree more Sis. Newview . . .for the Charismatic Christians, this would be a joyful celebration.

On the other hand, I think (my personal opinion, of course) that the reason many non-charismatic Christians do not celebrate the Pentecost could be for one or two reasons:

Acts 2:1-4 KJV . . . 1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1. The fear of unknown tongues. You have pros and cons on this specific issue. For the non-Charismatic believer, this "questionable" gift is not readily accepted and for some it is down right rejected. They do not have this gift and they also believe that this gift was a thing of the past. Therefore, they are probably thinking that anyone who practice this gift is a hypocrite to say the least, or as others may think, the Charismatic believers are demonically manipulated.

2. The gift of tongues is no longer applicable in today's church. The scriptures clearly state that on the day of Pentecost, the speaking in tongues was the speaking in other human languages. For all of those who witnessed this miracle, they were now able to go forward with the Gospel in their own language. Now that this has come and gone, this gift is no longer necessary.
Bro. Watson,

I concur. Ironically, my pastor of the "typical" Black Baptist did not teach on the gift of tongues until a couple of years ago when he received this awesome gift and the gift of laying on of hands. These two gifts/issues were taboo in our church in for many years, and to some extent, still is.

However, because many of the long term members and leaders of our church who still have not accepted these gifts as being legally operational in today's church, these gifts are not practiced by him in the sanctuary or anywhere else except in his private office. If any member wishes to have our pastor pray for them and lay hands on them, he is more than willing to do so in semi-privacy (during office hours at the church). He makes this announcement openly in the sanctuary before and sometimes after delivering the altar prayer and/or sermon.

He does not permit anyone else with these gifts to practice openly within the church because he does not want to offend those who do not have the full understanding of these gifts, especially since he did not teach on them for years. And, even though he received this gift in his late 60s (he's now 70 yrs old), he is having to re-teach these lessons. This of course, is not going to be readily accepted by the conservative members, and my pastor is fully aware of this. So, in keeping with the God's instruction on doing all things decently and orderly, he is being patient with the members and other conservative leaders in prayer that God will move on their hearts.
Amen & Hallelujah! Bro. Watson . . . .

I long for the day when my pastor or his replacement after he retires, will go public in these gifts within the church.
The topic of this discussion is The Fulfillment of the Levitical Feasts of Israel, not the definition of Hallelujah.

If you want to discuss/refute the word hallelujah, take it to another thread!

Shalom in Jesus
I was only asking if you knew what it meant. You say it so often. I was only asking.
Do you know what Hallelujah means?
Hallelujah = Praise the Lord!
I think we should , host all of them just to be set apart, since we know that all the holi(holy)days we have been hosting are, of pagan origin, why continue in them???
I would also like to bring to mind that in the institution of these feast the LORD said that his feast are good forever, in all your dwellings,

I think the feast of weeks(the day of pentacost) is a good example=because long after Yahshua's death the were still hosting it. Concider because they were where they should've been the Holy ghost found them all togather on one accord (Acts 2 these were israelites from all over the world who had came to jerusalem to host the feast of the lord(deut.16:16))
You'll get no argument from me Bro. Pharoah!
Does anyone know what any of the Feasts point to?
In anwser to your question, yes,.,the Bible says that Christ Jesus fulfilled and completed all scripture and prophesy and feasts.Old and New testament,Some of them have yet to be revealed to mankind,but they will in God's despensation.[time &will]

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