A Christian Look at Jewish Feast
Pesach or Passover: [Exodus 12:1-14 & Leviticus 23:4,5] On the 10th day of the first month, Nisan, [roughly equivalent to April on our calendar], every family of Israel was to take a lamb, without blemish, and separate it from the flock. On the evening of the 14th the Passover lamb was killed, cooked, and eaten during the night. The blood was applied on the door posts and lintel. This feast celebrates the Exodus from Egypt. But, like all of the feasts, it also has a prophetic meaning. It looked forward to the sacrifice of the
"Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world."
This was clearly demonstrated by Paul when he wrote,
"For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." [1 Cor. 5:7].
Not only did Jesus fulfill this feast symbolically, but also quite literally. On the 10th of Nisan, Palm Sunday, Jesus rode down the mount of Olives on a colt. He was crucified four days later on Passover.
2. Unleavened Bread: [Leviticus 23:6-8] The day following Passover, the 15th of Nisan, began the feast of Unleavened bread. This feast covered seven days, from the 15th to the 21st of Nisan. The first and last days, [15th & 21st], were "High Sabbath" days, although they do not necessarily fall on the weekly Sabbath. "High Sabbath" days are mandatory rest days which occur during some feast days. They are identified in Lev. 23:7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 28, 32, 35, 36, 39. Just as with the weekly Sabbath, the day before any "High Sabbath" is a "preparation day." This means Passover, the 14th, is also the "preparation day" for the "High Sabbath" on the 15th, [see: John 18:28, 19:14,31]. The feast of Unleavened Bread celebrates the journey of the children of Israel through the wilderness, when God fed them with manna from heaven and supplied water out of the rock. This feast was fulfilled by Jesus during the Feast of Unleavened Bread when He said,
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." [John 6:51].
Jesus was crucified on Passover. His body [His flesh] was laid in the tomb just before sunset, when the "High Sabbath" of the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. His body laid in the tomb for the first three days of this feast, from the 15th through the 17th of Nisan.
3. Firstfruits : [Leviticus 23:9-14] During the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread fell a Sunday. In the year of the crucifixion, Sunday fell on the 18th of Nisan, three days after Jesus was put in the tomb. On this Sunday, called the Feast of Firstfruits, each Israelite family brought a single bundle of barley to the Temple. The priest would then wave it before the Lord. This bundle represented the very first of the harvest. It was gathered at the beginning of the harvest and given to the Lord. Jesus fulfilled this feast as well. He rose from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits. The Apostle Paul said,
"But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept."..."For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order, Christ the firstfruits, afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." [1 Cor. 15:20,23].
The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of our resurrection.
4. Shavuot the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost: [Leviticus 23:15-21] From the feast of Firstfruits, the Jews were to count seven Sabbaths, [49 days]. The Sunday following the seventh Sabbath, was the Feast of Pentecost, [which means "fiftieth"]. This feast commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. On that day God himself came down in a cloud on Mt. Sinai in fire and smoke and a blast of God's trumpet, to establish His covenant with His people. This feast was also a prophecy of the coming of the New Covenant which was consummated on the same day, the Day of Pentecost, with a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire and miraculous demonstrations of the Holy Ghost. Even though the disciples were trained by Jesus for their task of world evangelism, Jesus instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until they received the power of the Holy Spirit which came on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.
The Division
The first four feasts were fulfilled by Jesus both symbolically and literally at His first coming. The last three will be fulfilled by Jesus at His second coming. Since the first four feasts were fulfilled on the very days God commanded His people to celebrate them, it is reasonable to conclude that the remaining three feasts will also be fulfilled on the actual feast days as well.
5. Rosh Hashanah or Feast of Trumpets: [Leviticus 23:23-25] God commanded Israel to keep a "High Sabbath" on the first day of the seventh month, by blowing a series of trumpets. Although the Scripture does not specify what this feast represents, it possibly looked forward to the fall of Jericho. In the days of Joshua, they were instructed to march around the city of Jericho seven days. Each day the trumpets were blown by the priests, but the people kept silent. On the last day, they marched around the city seven times with the seven priests blowing seven trumpets. When the last trumpet sounded, the people raised a great shout, and the walls of the city fell flat. Is it a coincidence that Paul said we will be raised at the "last trumpet?"
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:52).
Is it also a coincidence that at the rapture there will be a great "shout?"
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 [1 Thessalonians 4:16].
InPlainSite.org Note: The first day of every month was begun with the blowing of trumpets, but there was deeper significance attached to the blowing of trumpets on the first day of the seventh month. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) occurred ten days later on the tenth of the month. The ten days from Trumpets to the Day of Atonement are known as "the days of awe" which include penitence, prayer, and fasting in preparation for the Feast of Tabernacles. Rosh HaShanah will occur on the 30th of September 2008 and the 19 of Septemberth 2009
6. Yom Kippur or The Day of Atonement: [Leviticus 23:26-32] The Feast of Trumpets is followed by ten days called by modern Jews, "the days of awe." This is a time of national repentance for Israel. The 10th day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement. On this day the priest entered the Holy of Holies into the presence of God to sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. The Passover clearly represents personal salvation, [each family had their own lamb, and celebrated Passover at home]. But the Day of Atonement represents national salvation for Israel. Only one sacrifice was offered for the whole nation. The Bible makes it clear that at the second coming of Christ, the surviving Jews will look upon Christ and be saved in a day. [cf. Zechariah 12:9,10 & 13:1, Romans 11:25-27, Revelation 1:7] If there is any day on the Jewish calendar which is a prophecy of the second coming of Christ to overthrow the world kingdoms and deliver His people Israel, this is it.
7. Sukkot or The Feast of Tabernacles: [Leviticus 23:33-43] Five days after the Day of Atonement is the Feast of Tabernacles. From the 15th to the 22nd of the seventh month was a time of the greatest rejoicing. It was the festival of all festivals. Israel was commanded to build tents [tabernacles] and live in them during the feast days. This commemorated how God brought them out of Egypt, through the wilderness into the promised land. Secondly, they were to cut off branches of palm trees and wave them, rejoicing before the Lord. Even the Jews today recognize that the Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the Kingdom of the Messiah. Zechariah 14:16-21 states clearly that after Christ sets up His Kingdom the people will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles as a yearly memorial. Also, Revelation 7:9-17 describes the saints who have come through the "great tribulation." This scene takes place at the inauguration of Christ's Kingdom. It depicts a grand celebration with the saints waving "palm branches." Why are they waving palm branches? Obviously they are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. The marriage supper will likely take place during this feast, [Isaiah 25:6-8].
InPlainSite.org Note: "Tabernacle" may not be the best translation of the Hebrew word sukkah (plural: sukkot) because the word "tabernacle" in the Bible refers to the portable Sanctuary in the desert, a precursor to the Temple (mishkan), while sukkot refers to the temporary booths that people lived in during their 40 year wanderings.
However two most important ceremonies of the Feast of Tabernacles— pouring out of water and the illumination of the Temple were both of post-Mosaic origin. However this whole ceremony took on a new and greater meaning when Yeshua stood in the Temple (John 8:12) and declared that He was the Light of the world.
It is in connection with the Feast of Tabernacles and this eighth day that the gospel of John records a fascinating event. John wrote: "In the last day (eighth day), that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38). The Son of God was saying in the clearest possible way that He alone was the source of life and blessing; that He could meet every need of the human heart.
Another ritual included the lighting of huge Menorahs at the Court of the Women. This is the probable background for Jesus' statement: "I am the light of the world." John 8:12).
The water and the "pillar of light" provided during the wilderness wandering (when people dwelt in tabernacles) was temporary and in contrast to the continuing water and light claimed by Jesus during this feast which commemorated that wandering period.
"Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world."
This was clearly demonstrated by Paul when he wrote,
"For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." [1 Cor. 5:7].
Not only did Jesus fulfill this feast symbolically, but also quite literally. On the 10th of Nisan, Palm Sunday, Jesus rode down the mount of Olives on a colt. He was crucified four days later on Passover.
2. Unleavened Bread: [Leviticus 23:6-8] The day following Passover, the 15th of Nisan, began the feast of Unleavened bread. This feast covered seven days, from the 15th to the 21st of Nisan. The first and last days, [15th & 21st], were "High Sabbath" days, although they do not necessarily fall on the weekly Sabbath. "High Sabbath" days are mandatory rest days which occur during some feast days. They are identified in Lev. 23:7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 28, 32, 35, 36, 39. Just as with the weekly Sabbath, the day before any "High Sabbath" is a "preparation day." This means Passover, the 14th, is also the "preparation day" for the "High Sabbath" on the 15th, [see: John 18:28, 19:14,31]. The feast of Unleavened Bread celebrates the journey of the children of Israel through the wilderness, when God fed them with manna from heaven and supplied water out of the rock. This feast was fulfilled by Jesus during the Feast of Unleavened Bread when He said,
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." [John 6:51].
Jesus was crucified on Passover. His body [His flesh] was laid in the tomb just before sunset, when the "High Sabbath" of the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. His body laid in the tomb for the first three days of this feast, from the 15th through the 17th of Nisan.
3. Firstfruits : [Leviticus 23:9-14] During the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread fell a Sunday. In the year of the crucifixion, Sunday fell on the 18th of Nisan, three days after Jesus was put in the tomb. On this Sunday, called the Feast of Firstfruits, each Israelite family brought a single bundle of barley to the Temple. The priest would then wave it before the Lord. This bundle represented the very first of the harvest. It was gathered at the beginning of the harvest and given to the Lord. Jesus fulfilled this feast as well. He rose from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits. The Apostle Paul said,
"But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept."..."For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order, Christ the firstfruits, afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." [1 Cor. 15:20,23].
The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of our resurrection.
4. Shavuot the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost: [Leviticus 23:15-21] From the feast of Firstfruits, the Jews were to count seven Sabbaths, [49 days]. The Sunday following the seventh Sabbath, was the Feast of Pentecost, [which means "fiftieth"]. This feast commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. On that day God himself came down in a cloud on Mt. Sinai in fire and smoke and a blast of God's trumpet, to establish His covenant with His people. This feast was also a prophecy of the coming of the New Covenant which was consummated on the same day, the Day of Pentecost, with a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire and miraculous demonstrations of the Holy Ghost. Even though the disciples were trained by Jesus for their task of world evangelism, Jesus instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until they received the power of the Holy Spirit which came on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.
The Division
The first four feasts were fulfilled by Jesus both symbolically and literally at His first coming. The last three will be fulfilled by Jesus at His second coming. Since the first four feasts were fulfilled on the very days God commanded His people to celebrate them, it is reasonable to conclude that the remaining three feasts will also be fulfilled on the actual feast days as well.
5. Rosh Hashanah or Feast of Trumpets: [Leviticus 23:23-25] God commanded Israel to keep a "High Sabbath" on the first day of the seventh month, by blowing a series of trumpets. Although the Scripture does not specify what this feast represents, it possibly looked forward to the fall of Jericho. In the days of Joshua, they were instructed to march around the city of Jericho seven days. Each day the trumpets were blown by the priests, but the people kept silent. On the last day, they marched around the city seven times with the seven priests blowing seven trumpets. When the last trumpet sounded, the people raised a great shout, and the walls of the city fell flat. Is it a coincidence that Paul said we will be raised at the "last trumpet?"
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:52).
Is it also a coincidence that at the rapture there will be a great "shout?"
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 [1 Thessalonians 4:16].
InPlainSite.org Note: The first day of every month was begun with the blowing of trumpets, but there was deeper significance attached to the blowing of trumpets on the first day of the seventh month. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) occurred ten days later on the tenth of the month. The ten days from Trumpets to the Day of Atonement are known as "the days of awe" which include penitence, prayer, and fasting in preparation for the Feast of Tabernacles. Rosh HaShanah will occur on the 30th of September 2008 and the 19 of Septemberth 2009
6. Yom Kippur or The Day of Atonement: [Leviticus 23:26-32] The Feast of Trumpets is followed by ten days called by modern Jews, "the days of awe." This is a time of national repentance for Israel. The 10th day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement. On this day the priest entered the Holy of Holies into the presence of God to sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. The Passover clearly represents personal salvation, [each family had their own lamb, and celebrated Passover at home]. But the Day of Atonement represents national salvation for Israel. Only one sacrifice was offered for the whole nation. The Bible makes it clear that at the second coming of Christ, the surviving Jews will look upon Christ and be saved in a day. [cf. Zechariah 12:9,10 & 13:1, Romans 11:25-27, Revelation 1:7] If there is any day on the Jewish calendar which is a prophecy of the second coming of Christ to overthrow the world kingdoms and deliver His people Israel, this is it.
7. Sukkot or The Feast of Tabernacles: [Leviticus 23:33-43] Five days after the Day of Atonement is the Feast of Tabernacles. From the 15th to the 22nd of the seventh month was a time of the greatest rejoicing. It was the festival of all festivals. Israel was commanded to build tents [tabernacles] and live in them during the feast days. This commemorated how God brought them out of Egypt, through the wilderness into the promised land. Secondly, they were to cut off branches of palm trees and wave them, rejoicing before the Lord. Even the Jews today recognize that the Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the Kingdom of the Messiah. Zechariah 14:16-21 states clearly that after Christ sets up His Kingdom the people will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles as a yearly memorial. Also, Revelation 7:9-17 describes the saints who have come through the "great tribulation." This scene takes place at the inauguration of Christ's Kingdom. It depicts a grand celebration with the saints waving "palm branches." Why are they waving palm branches? Obviously they are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. The marriage supper will likely take place during this feast, [Isaiah 25:6-8].
InPlainSite.org Note: "Tabernacle" may not be the best translation of the Hebrew word sukkah (plural: sukkot) because the word "tabernacle" in the Bible refers to the portable Sanctuary in the desert, a precursor to the Temple (mishkan), while sukkot refers to the temporary booths that people lived in during their 40 year wanderings.
However two most important ceremonies of the Feast of Tabernacles— pouring out of water and the illumination of the Temple were both of post-Mosaic origin. However this whole ceremony took on a new and greater meaning when Yeshua stood in the Temple (John 8:12) and declared that He was the Light of the world.
It is in connection with the Feast of Tabernacles and this eighth day that the gospel of John records a fascinating event. John wrote: "In the last day (eighth day), that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38). The Son of God was saying in the clearest possible way that He alone was the source of life and blessing; that He could meet every need of the human heart.
Another ritual included the lighting of huge Menorahs at the Court of the Women. This is the probable background for Jesus' statement: "I am the light of the world." John 8:12).
The water and the "pillar of light" provided during the wilderness wandering (when people dwelt in tabernacles) was temporary and in contrast to the continuing water and light claimed by Jesus during this feast which commemorated that wandering period.
Comment
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Comment by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 18, 2009 at 6:36pm
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I don't think they are required to obtain salvation (That came through Yeshua's death and resurrection) however I believe Passover SHOULD be observed instead of the pagan Easter celebration, Jesus IS our Passover lamb, and I believe THAT best exemplifies His mission. Be careful NOT to make ANY feast or ceremony ESSENTIAL to salvation (READ GALATIANS)
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