Chapter 4 - An Examination of the End Times (Continued)
God’s Appointed Feasts and Times
Throughout the Old Testament the Hebrew word ’Torah’ is generally translated as ‘the law’, or simply ‘law’. It is widely used to refer to the first five books of the Bible written by Moses, although the word doesn’t always refer to the commands outlined in those five books. But this five-book law does encapsulate what is acceptable behavior and proper protocol from God, as well as what is not acceptable to Him, thereby forming the basis of what constitutes something as being a sin. These five books of Moses also contain story narrative, instructions for ceremonial practices, instructions for moral living, judicial processes, history, and various covenants. One such covenant is what is called by most commentators as the ‘Mosaic Covenant’ between the Israelites and God.[1] As a conditional covenant, it only allowed them to stay in the Promised Land as long as they continued to obey and comply with the law. Sadly, the Israelites failed repeatedly to follow the law.
Scattered throughout the Torah we read about special times that were to be recognized by the Israelites. We find in the 23rd chapter of Leviticus a summary of each of these festivals. In the first two verses of that chapter it reads, “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts.” (Leviticus 23:1-2) Moses recorded twice that the following feasts were appointed by God. He gave them not only a calendar of events that occurred in the past to be remembered, but they were to be commemorated as they also pointed (as models) to future prophetic events.
In the order from spring to fall, the feasts (or some prefer the word ‘festivals’, can be used interchangeably) are: 1) Passover; 2) Feast of Unleavened Bread; 3) Feast of Firstfruits; 4) Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost); 5) Feast of Trumpets; 6) Day of Atonement; and 7) Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). The (then) future events of Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Firstfruits, have been fulfilled by Jesus. The Feast of Weeks was fulfilled on the day the church was born (see Acts chapter two). The remaining three festivals have yet to be fulfilled. Here is a brief review and comparison of all seven:[2]
|
Name |
Time of Year |
Purpose |
Overview of Event |
Prophetic Model |
Instruction |
Application |
|
Passover Also known as: Pesah (Hebrew), Pascha (Greek), Feast of Unleavened Bread (only when used as a metonym or synecdoche, see Luke 22:1, 7) |
14th of Abib (Nisan) Spring |
First phase of the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt, the death of first born (innocent blood). Later Jesus provided complete and eternal atonement so that mankind can be released from the slavery of sin. |
A lamb with no blemish is killed and eaten that day and the blood of the lamb is applied on the door posts and lintels of the homes. The blood protected the occupants of the home from the 10th plague, the death of every first born. |
Ultimately fulfilled with the death of the true Lamb of God. Jesus was crucified on the same day, fulfilling the requirements of God’s law. |
Exodus 12:1-14, 21-29; 43-49; 34:25; Leviticus 23:4-5; Numbers 9:1-4; 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8 |
Exodus 12:28-29; 50-51; Numbers 9:5-14; Joshua 5:10-11; 2 Kings 23:21-23; 2 Chronicles 30:1-20; 35:1-19; Ezra 6:16-21; Ezekiel 45:21; Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:1, 12-25; Luke 2:41; 22:7-23; John 2:13-22; 11:55-57 |
|
Unleavened Bread Also known as: Massāh (Hebrew), Passover (only when used as a metonym or synecdoche, see Matthew 26:2, 17; John 6:4) |
15th - 21st of Abib (Nisan) Spring |
Phase two of deliverance, free but still in the land of Egypt. Just as Christians are free but still live with the burden of sin. |
Being without leaven (representing sin), the people of Israel take three days and three nights to exit Egypt. |
Fulfilled with the burial of Jesus, who lived a sinless life. |
Exodus 12:15-20; 13:3-10; 23:14-15, 17; 34:18, 22; Leviticus 23:4-6; Numbers 28:17-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8 |
Joshua 5:11; 2 Chronicles 8:13; 30:13-22; 35:17-19; Ezra 6:22; Ezekiel 45:21; Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:1, 12; Luke 22:1, 7; Acts 12:1-5; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 |
|
Firstfruits Also known as: Feast of the Sheaves of the Firstfruits, Resurrection Sunday, Easter |
15th or 16th Abib (Nisan), depending on interpretation, or the day after the weekly Sabbath (see commentary under Leviticus 23:9-14) in Spring, barley harvest. Occurs during the celebration of the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. |
Phase three of deliverance, the people of Israel are out of Egypt, they are now completely free from the oppression of Pharaoh. God sent His Son; on this day He rose from the dead, freeing all who accept His gift of freedom. |
Freedom for the people of Israel has been obtained, though the trip to the Promised Land will still take time, those that have no faith in God will die en route. |
Fulfilled with the resurrection of Jesus. God was leading His people to a promised land, just as today Jesus is leading believers to heaven. |
Exodus 34:26; Leviticus 23:9-14; Numbers 15:18-21; Deuteronomy 18:4; 26:1-10 |
2 Chronicles 31:5; Nehemiah 10:35-37; Ezekiel 44:30; Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10; Romans 8:23; 11:26; 1 Corinthians 15:15-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4 |
|
Weeks Also known as: Pentecost, Feast of the Harvest, Shavout (Hebrew for ‘weeks’) |
50 days after Firstfruits Late Spring, wheat harvest |
Purpose not specified in the text, however, the term ‘proclaim’ appears to be emphasized, possibly to proclaim God to the world (see Isaiah 43:10-15; 44:6-8), celebrated on the same day the Christian church was instituted to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. |
The people were to present grain offerings, wave offerings, burnt offerings, drink offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings to YHWH, to proclaim their dedication to God. |
Fulfilled 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection with the birth of the church. |
Exodus 23:14, 16-17; 34:22; Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28:26-31; Deuteronomy 16:9-12, 16 |
2 Chronicles 8:13; Acts 2:1-41; 20:16; 1 Corinthians 16:8 |
|
Trumpets Also known as: Rosh Hashanah |
1st of Tishri in Fall Celebrated as Rosh Hashanah (New Year’s Day) and the first day of a ten-day period of preparation for Yom Kippur |
The purpose was to make noise, trumpets were often used to call attention to great news. As the “head of the year,” the noise was to herald the new year, celebrate creation and to begin preparation for the Day of Atonement. |
The people were to make noise on their trumpets, do no work and present nine sacrifices for a burnt offering, along with the appropriate grain offerings. |
The sound of the trumpet is mentioned several times in Scripture in reference to the calling Christians alive on earth to heaven. Another yet-to-occur event, anticipating God bringing believers to heaven prior to judgment on earth. |
Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-6 |
Isaiah 27:13; Joel 2:1, 15; Zephaniah 1:1-16; Zechariah 9:14; Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 |
|
Day of Atonement Also known as: Yom Kippur (Hebrew) |
10th of Tishri in Fall |
Obtain the forgiveness of sins and atonement for one year. |
First the High Priest was to present God with a sin offering and a burnt offering for his and his family’s sins. Then take two goats from the people, one was released to the wilderness of Azazel, and the other used as a sin offering, plus one ram for a burnt offering. The blood of the sacrifices was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat directly as the High Priest was able to enter the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle. Atonement was provided to the High Priest, his family and the people of Israel. |
The process outlined for the Day of Atonement covered the sins for one year, the new covenant through Jesus is eternal, no need to continue adherence to the law or seek atonement (see Romans 6:10; Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10; 1 Peter 3:18). Prophetically, this day looks forward to a time when the Jews collectively seek and find Jesus for forgiveness and atonement (see Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 13:34-35; 19:41-44; John 5:30-47). |
Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:1-34; 17:11; 23:26-32; 25:9; Numbers 29:7-11; 35:33 |
1 Chronicles 6:49; 2 Chronicles 29:24; Nehemiah 10:33; Ezekiel 45:17; Hebrews 9:6-10, 22; 10:1-18 |
|
Booths Also known as: Sukkot (Hebrew); Tabernacles, Ingathering, Shelters |
15th – 21st of Tishri in Fall |
To remind the people of Israel about God delivering them from the bondage of Egypt and the provisions He blessed them with on their way to the Promised Land. |
Considered the most joyful of all of the festivals. |
Looking forward to a period of continual fellowship with Jesus, prophetically speaking of the time after Jesus returns (eternity in heaven). |
Exodus 23:14, 16-17; 34:22; Leviticus 23:33-43; Numbers 29:12-39; Deuteronomy 16:13-17; 31:10-13 |
1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5:3; 7:1-10; 8:13 |
⇐Previous (Table of Contents) Next⇒
[1] The other covenants found in the Torah include the Abrahamic and Noahic covenants.
[2] Adapted from author’s book, “Everything a Christian Should Know About the Torah A Commentary on the First Five Books of the Bible”