|
|
 |
|
 |
|
JEWISH FESTIVALS
These (Jewish festivals) are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.-
Colossians 2:17
Oh yes, most of the Christians may not be celebrating the Jewish Festivals like some First Century Christians did
(especially those of the Jewish background –
Romans 14:5)
but boy…are there lessons to be gleaned from them!!!
What better time than now…when the World over in the next 20 days or so, the Jews will be celebrating three of their important festivals…Rosh Hashannah…Yom Kippur…and Sukkoth.
Mind you complete Chapters in the Bible like
Leviticus 16/23 and
Numbers 28/29
is dedicated to their observance. When Apostle Paul wrote that they were a “shadow of the things to come”
(Colossians 2:17)
what did he mean by that? When someone is walking towards us, with bright light in the background, we are bound to see his shadow
first and then the person.Right? Similarly when the Son of God was coming to us, with the indescribable light of his Father
(I Tim 6:14-16)
behind him, we were bound to see His shadow first, as a sure proof of His approach. The Divine instructions about
Jewish festivals “hewn in rock” as it were in the Scriptures served and still serve as a “shadow of Christ” to come
not only in his first advent but also in his second advent! Simply put, the Jewish Festivals portray symbolically the landmark
events in Christian history…the ones’ which have already occurred and the ones’ which would occur.
The ORDER in which the Jews have been Divinely commanded to celebrate their festivals beginning with Passover and
ending with Purim in the Jewish calendar year of 12 months (from April to March) is an adequate pointer to God’s
sovereign hand in operation who in His infinite wisdom had concealed the entire history of our times in it! In the
table given below are the Jewish Festivals in the order the good Lord commanded them to commemorate and celebrate and
in the brackets is given the Chronological order in which the events actually occurred…
I. THE PASSOVER (2)
II. THE FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (3)
III. THE FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS (7)
IV. THE PENTECOST (5)
V. THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS (1)
VI. THE DAY OF ATONEMENT (6)
VII. THE FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES (4)
VIII. THE FESTIVAL OF DEDICATION (9)
IX. THE FESTIVAL OF PURIM (8)
ANNUAL FESTIVALS ARE CELEBERATED TO REMEMBER/COMMEMORATE AN EVENT AND IT IS ONLY LOGICAL THAT THEY
ARE CELEBERATED CHRONOLOGICALLY (I,E…IN THE ORDER, THEY OCCURRED HISTORICALLY). BUT WITH RESPECT TO
JEWISH FESTIVALS, WE WOULD OBSERVE DIVINE PROVIDENCE AT WORK IN THAT, FESTIVALS DO NOT REFLECT THE ORDER
IN WHICH THE EVENTS OCCURRED BUT RATHER HIGHLIGHT THE ORDER IN WHICH EVENTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY
HAVE OCCURRED/WOULD OCCUR.
ONE MORE PROOF THAT BY USING THE SACRED JEWISH FESTIVALS, THE ALMIGHTY HAS ALL ALONG WANTED TO CONVEY
A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE WORLD. IN GOD’S SCHEME OF THINGS, WE OUGHT TO REMEMBER THAT AT TIMES, THERE
IS SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT MEETS THE EYE! THE REVEALER OF SECRETS
(DAN 2:22)
WOULD HAVE US DEPEND ON HIM,
IN ORDER WE PRAISE HIM, ALL THE MORE, WHEN HE REVEALS THE SECRETS TO US!
Didn’t Wise King Solomon say that it is
God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them
(Proverbs 25:2)?
So let us for once don the
apparel of an explorer like Indiana Jones in unraveling the “significance” of Jewish Festivals to us Christians especially in
the times when the dispensation of Grace is drawing to a close.
In this essay, we would categorize the Jewish festivals into two groups
I) Jewish festivals signifying those events in Christian history, which have already occurred!
1.THE PASSOVER
2. THE FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
3. THE FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS
4. THE PENTECOST
It has been a constant allegation by contemporary Jewish Biblical Scholars that historical Christian events are not
DIVINELY MANDATED as they did not happen in full public glare, like the Divinely mandated events of the Jewish Scriptural
history…like say events of the Passover night, parting of the Red sea, descent of the Holy consuming fire on Mount Carmel etc etc.
God’s work they claim would always be a national revelation, not happening in a remote corner. Now who is to tell them, that landmark
events in Christian history occurred on Jewish festivals-PUBLICLY
(Acts 26:26)!!!
Praise God, they did serve as a revelation for many Jews of the first century, who received Christ as their Savior in their lives
(Acts 2:41/5:14)!
II) Jewish festivals signifying those events in Christian history, which are yet to occur! They are also significant to the future of the Jews.
1. THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS
2. THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
3. THE FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES
4. THE FESTIVAL OF DEDICATION
5. THE FESTIVAL OF PURIM
Firstly…Jewish festivals signifying those events in Christian history, which have already occurred!
I) REDEMPTION
1. THE PASSOVER-(Hebrew: Pesach)
Leviticus 23:5/
Numbers 28:16
Jewish reason for celebrating :
First of the Jewish Festivals, though going by historical chronological order it commemorates
an event which happened after what the Seventh Jewish Festival –Festival of Tabernacles-signifies which is namely
the Creation of Adam. Divine hand at work at placing this Festival as the FIRST in Jewish calendar when it ought
have been the second? Absolutely!!!
Passover commemorates’ deliverance from Egyptian slavery and on this occasion a lamb called the Pascal lamb is sacrificed
(Exodus 12:21-27).
Christian significance
Jesus symbolizing the Pascal Lamb died on the Passover day
(Matt 27:50)
to liberate us not from physical Egyptian bondage but from spiritual slavery to sin
(I Cor 5:7-8).
The Heavenly Father had decided about Divine Passover offering-both its place and time in the eternity past -
1 Peter 1:20/
Rev 13:8
Now why Jerusalem was chosen as the “THE PLACE OF ALL PLACES” where the Redemption plan prepared before the foundation of the World
(I Peter 1:20/
Rev 13:8)
would be completed? By virtue of its location in the MIDDLE of the World
(Ezekiel 5:5),
it typified Jesus’ mediatory Ministry of bringing about reconciliation between Holy God and sinful mankind
(1 Tim 2:5).
ALSO IT IS FAR MORE EASIER FOR THE GOOD NEWS
(1 Cor 15:1-4)
TO TRAVEL TO ENDS OF THE EARTH
(ACTS 1:8)
FROM THE MIDDLE SPOT ON PLANET EARTH RATHER THAN FROM ITS NORTH POLE OR SOUTH POLE. The penalty of the Cross which requires the condemned
“hands and legs be fastened by the nails to it” also in a way portrays the “MIDDLEMAN” role of the Saviour for in the Cross the
condemned man’s head neither touches the sky nor do his legs touch the ground. He is right in the MIDDLE between God above and man below.
FINALLY IS IT NOT FAR MORE EASIER FOR THE GOOD NEWS
(1 Cor 15:1-4)
TO TRAVEL TO ENDS OF THE EARTH
(ACTS 1:8)
FROM THE MIDDLE SPOT ON PLANET EARTH RATHER THAN FROM ITS NORTH POLE OR SOUTH POLE?
Amazing, isn’t it! My Saviour paid the price in order I am liberated from both the clutches of sin and demands of the Law
(I Cor 15:54-57).
At this stage, I intend to increase the intensity of the spotlight on the subject of SOVEREIGN God… it would stun many of us when
we observe the sequence of events leading upto the Cross as to how the Almighty had
“everything in His Sovereign control in order everything takes place at the right place and in the right time”.
Now consider this Scripture in the background of Jesus’ arrest
“in the night before His crucifixion” and Judgment of the High Priest
(Matt 26:57-66).
Next day morning...
“Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our
people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”
So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus replied, “You have said it.”
Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”
Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”
“Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s
jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.”
(Luke 23:1-7)
MAP OF ISREAL DURING JESUS TIME
Before I go any further, for the uninitiated a picture of the Geo-political “climate” at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion is
essential to understand better the COMPLETE picture of God’s Sovereign control over the sequence of events.
For smooth governance, the Land of Palestine was divided by Rome
(the World super power at that time, which had over-run the Land of Palestine)
into 6 provinces’ with three provinces of
A) Galilee, Samaria and Judea (North to South in the Western side of River Jordan) and
B) Iturea, Decapolis and Perea (North to South in the Eastern side of River Jordan)
While the Rome-appointed Governor for Judea and Samaria was Pontius Pilate with his headquarters at the Coastal city of CAESAREA
(not Jerusalem, obviously commercial reasons influenced Rome in the matter of choosing Caesarea with a thriving port over Jerusalem),
the provinces of Galilee and Perea were under the Governorship of Herod Antipas, with him stationed at TIBERIAS (we will restrict the information on
the Geo-political climate to this, for this is what matters for better understanding of the afore-captioned Scripture portion).
Now consider the magnitude of God’s sovereignty over the sequence of events leading upto the Cross. If Pontius Pilate had NOT been at
Jerusalem in the climactic hours before crucifixion, doubtless the Priests (virtual local rulers over Jews) would have taken Jesus
to Caesarea to get the ruling of Pontius Pilate (did not the scene of action shift from Jerusalem to Caesarea when Apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem –
Acts 23:23-33)
which is good 112 Kms away from Jerusalem. Now at Caesarea too in the questioning process Pontius Pilate would have discovered Jesus was from
Galilee and would have directed the Jesus’ accusers’ to take him to Herod Antipas in Tiberias in Galilee which is a good 90 kms away from Caesarea.
Undoubtedly Herod Antipas after examining Jesus would have passed “the buck” back again to Pontius Pilate. In all this ponder for a
moment… tick –tock…tick-tock… on the time ticking away. JESUS HAD TO DIE IN JERUSALEM ONLY ON THE PASSOVER DAY ONLY BETWEEN 3 PM -5 PM AT GOD’S APPOINTED TIME.
Now lets go on stitching together the probable sequence of events…
Finally in Caesarea Pontius Pilate under severe pressure from the highly influential Priestly class “would have washed his hands off “
and the High priests would have crucified Jesus in Caesarea itself well after Passover time… may be 2 days LATER after the subsequent
Sabbath days’
(John 19:31)
were over. Bye, Bye Divine plan of God’s Paschal Lamb dying in Jerusalem at the appointed twilight time??? NO WAY!!!
THE ALMIGHTY ADONAI(HEBREW TERM FOR SOVEREIGN GOD) ENSURED THAT THE BOTH THE GOVERNORS (INTRUMENTAL IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS)
WERE IN JERUSALEM AT THE RIGHT TIME BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAD TO OCCUR AS PER THE PRE-DESTINED UNALTERABLE TIME TABLE.
Hey, the Adonai God can make the Earthly authorities virtually dance to His tune without even their own knowledge
(Proverbs 21:1).
The Earthly Kings may undertake to do something to achieve their own selfish ends but the Almighty can turn their actions around in
such a way it would all fit His Greater plans. Historically speaking during that Passover festivities both Pontius Pilate and
Herod Antipas came to Jerusalem for “selfish reasons” one “announced” and the other “secret”.
Firstly about the former…like in modern times, even 2000 years ago the politicians were all for
PUBLIC PLEASING and it was a custom for Rome appointed Governors to “identify themselves with the Jews during their most
prominent Festival time…the Passover” by being at Jerusalem (the temple city where the festival is celebrated)
and come-up with some public-pleasing gimmicks
(Matt 27:15).
In the Indian context, do not our political leaders all with an eye on vote-bank go the “extra-mile” announcing sops to
some communities on the occasion of their festivals and participating in some parties like “Iftar”, “Christmas” parties
(Nothing has changed eh?)? Coming to the “secret” reason (now our Indian political leaders are innocent on this score),
whenever lakhs of Jews are gathered in one place, one jingoistic shout “Freedom from Rome” would be sufficient to spread
the wildfire of “rebellion against Rome”. So presence of large number of heavily-armed Roman soldiers on ground and
Mounted cavalry with gleaming swords under the personal supervision of Rome-appointed Governors would serve as a deterrent to
such nationalistic uprisings besides making crowd-control process that much easier. SO THERE WERE PONTIUS PILATE AND HEROD
ANTIPAS IN JERUSALEM AT THAT TIME RATHER BEING AT CAESAREA AND TIBERIAS, RESPECTIVELY. AH, THE BOTTOM-LINE IS THAT ALMIGHTY
WAS IN COMPLETE CONTROL KEEPING THE AUTHORITIES IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME IN ORDER THE DIVINE REDEMPTION PLAN
PREPARED EVEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD WAS LAID WAS CARRIED OUT AT THE RIGHT PLACE AND AT THE RIGHT TIME.
HALLELUJAH!!!
Now let’s go the actual “Passover sacrifice”? Who were ordained by the Law to offer Passover sacrifices? ONLY THE TEMPLE PRIESTS!!!
Now with Pontius Pilate “washing his hands off” both figuratively and literally the responsibility for “slaying the Divine Passover
Lamb” passed onto the Jewish Levitical hierarchy headed by the likes of Annas and Caiphas as THE LAW PRESCRIBED. HALLELUJAH!!!
That is why it is said that at Jesus’ sacrifice
SIN WAS NULLIFIED, SINNER WAS JUSTIFIED, LAW WAS SATISFIED AND GOD WAS GLORIFIED!!!
Remember Jesus himself said that He had come to fulfill the Law
(Matt 5:17).
Because, He fulfilled the Law, we do not have to repeat the OT sacrifices’.
HALLELUJAH!!!
II) ACCELERATION
2. FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (in Hebrew-Hag HaMatzah) - Immediately follows the Passover
Leviticus 23:6-8
/Numbers 28:17
Jewish Reason for celebrating
To commemorate the speed at which they left Egypt. From the time the Pharoah allowed them to go there was no delay, in “breaking away from the past”
(Exodus 12:39).
Christian significance
As soon as Jesus gave-up His Spirit on the Cross, INSTANTLY the curtain secluding the Holiest place in the Jewish Temple was split apart from TOP TO BOTTOM
(Matt 27:50-51),
symbolizing the immediate passage of the people from Old Testament dispensation of Law to New Testament, age of Grace.
While on the subject, a word on the said veil’s specifications…
Solomon's temple was 30 cubits high
(1 Kings 6:2),
but Herod had increased the height to 40 cubits, according to the writings of Josephus, a first century Jewish historian.
There is uncertainty as to the exact measurement of a cubit, but it is safe to assume that this veil was somewhere near 60 feet high.
Josephus also tells us that the veil was four inches thick and that horses tied to each side could not pull the veil apart.
Add to this the fact that it was torn from TOP TO BOTTOM and not the other way around is yet another proof that the tearing of
the Temple veil was a Divine act devoid of any human effort. Stretching our imagination a bit, we can in “good humor” even assume that
the Jewish clergy steeped in absurdity having charged the Jesus’ disciples of theft of their Master’s body
(Matt 28:11-15)
subsequent to the Saviour’s resurrection may have even put down the tearing of the veil to an “act of sacrilege” by the Disciples
(though not recorded in the Gospels) albeit who would believe in the first place the devout disciples secretly intruding into places’
secluded only for the Priestly class and then putting up a 60 feet ladders, balancing the same against a thick cloth (not wall),
climbing the ladders and then tearing the thick veil down. This imaginary story , if it went around, like the one to “justify” the
“disappearance of Jesus’ body” would have bagged all awards for gross irrationality, though I am tempted to say at this stage that it
was NOT beyond the capacity of Caiphas and co to cook –up one of this nature!!! Oh the depths some hard-core people can plumb in the matter
of hard-heartedness!!!
III) RESURRECTION
3. FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS ( to be celebrated ONLY ONCE in the history of Nation of Israel) –in Hebrew Reshit Katzir
Leviticus 23:9-14
Jewish Reason for celebrating
In thanksgiving of the first crop ONLY in the Promised Land. Not to be celebrated annually
Christian significance
Jesus rose from the dead once and for all - “first and final time” -as “First fruit” of millions of believers
a) Who would resurrect from spiritual death
(Eph 2:5)
b) Who would also rise from the physical death
(I Cor 15:20).
should the same precede the Rapture
Hey, have you ever contemplated, if in the old dispensation the Lord God created the perishable Heaven and Earth
FIRST and the first Adam last
(Gen 1:1-28),
then in the New dispensation, having “re-created” (read resurrected) the Final Adam First
(I Cor 15:45)
on the First Easter He is going to “re-create” the indescribably beautiful, imperishable Heaven and Earth towards the END
(Rev 21:1)
as an abode for all the “re-created ones’” who then would bear the image of His glorious Son
(1 John 3:2)!!!
IV) CONFIRMATION
4. PENTECOST (IN HEBREW LANGUAGE SHAVUOT)
Leviticus 23:15-17/
Numbers 28:26
FIRST- Jewish reason for celebrating
To commemorate, sealing of the covenant with the redeemed Jewish people by giving of the Law, 50 days after redemption from Egypt,
even as the Lord came as FIRE upon Mount Sinai
Christian significance
The Almighty sealed the covenant of redemption (from Sin) to the Christians by giving birth to the Church, 50 days after the atoning death of the Savior,
by coming down in the form of FIRE upon the Upper room. We can go on comparing…hey… the Law kills whereas the Spirit gives life
(2 Cor 3:6).
During the time of the giving of the Law, 3000 men died
(Exodus 32:27-28), whereas during the time of the giving of the Spirit 3000 men were given a
“new life”
(Acts 2:41)
which comes with “born-again” experience.
SECOND-Jewish Reason for celebrating
After experiencing the blessings of the FIRST rains of the year, to commemorate annually the FIRST CROP of “that spring season”.
Mind you, there were always TWO rains
(Joel 2:23)
in the Blessed Land and two crops too. Rains of month of May are referred to as
“rains of Spring season” whereas that of Sept/October are referred to as “autumn season rains”. Two loaves would be “waved” before the Lord on the
Day of Pentecost
(Leviticus 23:17).
Christian significance
“Fiery "Holy Spirit (in the form of good rain) came upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost and on that day about 3000 souls
(Acts 2:41)
were gathered into His Kingdom as “the First crop of New season of Grace”. From then both the “loaves “(Jews and Gentiles) would be acceptable to God
(Eph 2:11-22)!
The first three Jewish festivals, take place within a span of 50 days. Crucifixtion, Resurrection of Christ and coming of the Holy Spirit on the
disciples signifying the birth of the church age (in that order providentially) took place in that period. Afterwards note the considerable gap (4 months),
which represents the existing church age!
Before coming to
The second group of Jewish festivals signifying those events in Christian history, which are yet to occur it is pertinent to ponder…
If paramount events in Christian history, such as crucifixion of Christ, pouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples took place EXACTLY
on the day of relevant Jewish festivals, will not other important future events related to Christianity take place on the days of other relevant
Jewish festivals? The answer is yes. Period!
v) PROMOTION
5. FEAST OF TRUMPETS in Hebrew Language : Rosh Hashanah
Leviticus 23:23-24/
Numbers 29:1-6
The Jews are summoned from the fields of work by the trumpet blast during this Festival which comes at crop harvest time after the autumn rains.
Based on sighting of full moon, this festival is celebrated over a period of 2 days)
Jewish reason for celebrating
To commemorate the Creation of Adam. Chronologically, this festival, ought to have been THE FIRST,
going by the historical order of events. BUT CLEARLY WE SEE, DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN PLACING THIS FESTIVAL , AT THE FIFTH SPOT,
because it has to serve the purpose of highlighting , yet another landmark event in the order it would occur in CHRISTIAN HISTORY-RAPTURE!!!
Christian significance
Called from “fields of work”, by the trumpet blast of the Arch-angel
(I Cor 15:51-53/
I Thess 4:15-18),
at this stage, there would be a New RECREATION of believers bodies’ into eternal, raptured, glorified state like the one Adam possessed BEFORE the Fall.
This would also signal, the beginning of 7-year tribulation in the World minus the Church. Sadly, those Jews who have not placed their faith in
Jesus Christ would be left behind to face the tribulation.
If momentous events in Christian history, such as crucifixion of Christ, coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples took place exactly on the day of relevant Jewish festivals,
will the rapture take place on the day of yet another Jewish festival-the festival of trumpets? The answer is yes. But wait a minute doesn’t the
Bible say that no one knows the date of rapture
(Matt 24:36)?
Yes! While, I am affirming that the rapture would certainly take place on the day of the Festival of Trumpets in the coming years, please note that I am NOT SPECIFYING THE EXACT year!!!
VI) TRANSFORMATION
6. DAY OF ATONEMENT: IN HEBREW LANGUAGE CALLED-YOM KIPPUR -
LEVITICUS 16/23:26-27/
NUMBERS 29:7-
Seven days after the Feast of Trumpets
Jewish Reason for commemorating
To express their deep anguish of sinning (remembering the worship of the Golden calf).
Chronologically, this is the only festival which matches the historical order
of events. On the day of atonement, by
sacred dice out of 2 goats, one would be selected for sacrifice, whose blood
would be placed on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant while the other
(scapegoat) would be taken to the desert and left there to “carry into the
wilderness all the sins of the Jewish nation”
(Leviticus 16:7-10).
For proper identification,
the Jewish priest would tie the red ribbons of varying lengths on their horns
after their selection. It is also Jewish tradition that a piece of that red ribbon
tied to the horn of the scapegoat, would be tied to the doorpost of the Jewish
temple. The moment the scapegoat died in the wilderness, the red ribbon tied to
the Temple doorpost would turn “white” indicating Divine acceptance of the
sacrifice. But from the year (29 AD) Jesus died on
the cross outside the city gates
(Heb 13:12),
even as per Jewish history, red ribbons (tied to the temple
doorpost) continued to remain red in all subsequent Yom Kippurs till Temple
destruction in 70 AD as though to suggest once the Lamb that takes away the
sins of the world had died
(John 1:29),
there was no further need for the day
of the atonement. When we point this fact out lovingly
and respectfully to our Rabbi Friends in order to nudge them
towards the outstretched arms of the loving Saviour, they would come up with
their own interpretation as to why the Red ribbon tied to the Temple door post
continued to remain red from 29 AD onwards and that is the Lord was telling
them in advance about the impending terrible Temple destruction by this
Sign. When we further try to nudgethem towards the
Loving Saviour by posing a question as to this Divine Sign of
Divine impending wrath began ONLY in 29 AD (the year the Saviour
died the atoning death fulfilling the Law and cancelling out all other Jewish
religious rituals-
Heb 10:14)
and not before it or afterwards, they have NO
ANSWER. I only hope and pray the Jews (if any) reading this piece would humbly
surrender their lives into the hands of their loving, forgiving Messiah.
Yes, Jewish festivals were a shadow of the coming Christ
(Col 2:17).
Christians may not observe them but have to read about them reverentially for better appreciation of God’s
sovereign plan and glorify him. Remember all Scripture is God-breathed
(2 tim 3:16-17)
and He doesn’t waste his breath!!!
Christian significance
The Jews towards the end of 7 years *of tribulation would (in national repentance) make a U-turn towards the Messiah
(Zech 12:9-10
/Romans 11:26)
-THE VERY ONE- they rejected 2000 years back. He would come back and fight on their behalf against Anti-Christ who would be
severely persecuting them in the second half of this 7-year tribulation period. This battle would take place at Armageddon, where Anti-Christ would be defeated
(Rev 19:19-21).
Before their National repentance besides persecution from Anti-Christ, the Jews would also be at the receiving end of several natural calamities
which would come upon this World during those 7 horrific years.
The gap between the Festival of trumpets and the Day of atonement is SEVEN days, likewise from the Christian perspective the time
between the Church rapture (with the Children of Israel at that time stubbornly refusing to accept Jesus as the Messiah) and National repentance of
Jews would be SEVEN years, with EACH DAY BEING REPRESENTATIVE OF A YEAR LIKE IN
NUMBERS 14:34/13:25.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, ONE DAY -ONE YEAR PRINCIPLE IS OBSERVED AT THE TIME OF ISRAEL’S TROUBLE. LIKE THE DIVINE COMEUPPANCE IN
NUMBERS 14:34
SPELT TROUBLE TO THAT NATION, THE CURSE OF BEING LEFT BEHIND FOR REJECTING THE MESSIAH AND CONSEQUENTLY EXPERIENCING
TRIBULATION WOES FOR SEVEN YEARS WOULD COME UPON THAT NATION SOON AFTER THE CHURCH RAPTURE.
While the gap between Feast of Trumpets and this solemn festival may appear to be 10 days going by cursory glance at the Scriptures,
the actual gap comes to ONLY 7 DAYS*, when we exclude the 2 days of trumpets’ festival and 1 actual day of atonement.
It is worth noting that a similar time-related “discrepancy” is conspicuous by its presence in the Gospel accounts.
While Matthew says that the transfiguration experience took place SIX days after the Peter’s declaration of Jesus to be the Messiah
(Matt 16:13-16/
Matt 17:1)
Luke records that it took EIGHT days later
(Luke 9:20/28).
Why? While Matthew EXCLUDED the TWO days when these events actually took place, the good Doctor Luke included them in his writing!!!
VII) HABITATION
7. FEAST OF TABERNACLES -
Leviticus 23:33-34
(IN HEBREW LANGUAGE CALLED SUKKOT)- AT ONE TIME THE LAST OF JEWISH FESTIVALS IN THE JEWISH CALENDAR
Jewish Reason for celebrating
To remember, they lived in the wilderness in temporary shelters and the Lord in the wilderness “tabernacled” with them.
He sheltered them with the “Pillar of Fire” by night, giving them warmth in the chilly desert nights and with
“Pillar of Cloud” by day, giving them the needed shade in the hot desert noon-time heat. While our OT counterparts,
may have complained about lack food or water, when the Lord tested them
(Deu 8:3),
the good Lord, did not give them an
opportunity to complain about harsh desert weather! NO, NOT EVEN ONCE!!!
Chronologically, this festival, ought to have been the fourth, going by the historical order of events.
But once again clearly we see, Divine providence in placing this festival , at the seventh spot, because
it has to serve the purpose of highlighting , yet another prophetical landmark event in the order it would
occur in CHRISTIAN HISTORY-MILLINIAL RULE OF CHRIST!!!
“TABERNACLED WITH” MEANS TO LIVE WITH, THE EQUIVALENT WORD IN HEBREW IS MISKAN, WHEREAS THE EQUIVALENT WORD IN GREEK FOR THE SAME IS SKENEH.
Christian significance
Christ in the Millennium would “tabernacle” with the Christian Jews in their mortal bodies (who trusted Him during the tribulation and survived it)
in Jerusalem. In His Second Advent, He would rule the whole world FROM JERUSALEM. Christians (of all ages till the rapture) who would return with their Lord
(Rev 19:11-16)
before the Armageddon war would rule the World, under the sovereign Lordship of their Master.
In the year, we are remembering with sorrow the terrible tragedy of World War I which occurred exactly 100 years ago,
I would like to say these words. The League of Nations birthed immediately after the WWI ended to prevent recurrence of
World Wars failed. What about UNO? Now the United Nations’ Organization (HQ in New York) charged with a similar mission has in
the vicinity of its gates, has engraved part of the Scripture portion recorded in
Isaiah 2:4
“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore” missing out on a key accompanying Scripture portion (more about it in the next para).
Has UNO succeeded in accomplishing the main purpose behind its institution? The answer is obvious…the Syrian carnage,
Egyptian Civil War, Libyan unrest, ISIS atrocities in Nigeria being flashed in the media today besides all the wars fought
between the Nations from 1945 onwards (year of its birth) till now simply attest to the fact that it has miserably failed,
so much so a famous novelist Alistair Maclean (of Where Eagles Dare and Guns of Navorone fame) wrote very bluntly
in one of his novels “United Nations cannot stop a dog from peeing in front of its gates”. However, WHEN THE LORD REIGNS
FROM JERUSALEM (this key Scripture portion is missing in the inscription near the UN gates) the story would be starkly
different as the “Nations then will indeed beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,nor will they train for war anymore”. For most of the time, there would
be universal peace.
VIII) DEDICATION
8. FEAST OF DEDICATION (IN HEBREW LANGUAGE CALLED HANNUKAH)
John 10:22
Jewish reason for celebrating
This festival is briefly mentioned in
John 10:22.
The temple of Jerusalem had been "desecrated" by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 BC.
After the success of their revolt, the Maccabees cleansed and rededicated the Temple and the Altar in 164 BC,
and mandated an annual 8-day celebration to commemorate this joyful event
(1 Macc 4:36-59).
THIS EVENT HAPPENED AFTER THE EVENTS MENTIONED IN THE BOOK OF ESTHER.
Chronologically, this festival, commemorating an event that took place AFTER the lifetime of Esther
(during whose time, the festival of Purim originated) ought to have been the ninth and the final one,
going by the historical order of events. But once again clearly we see, Divine providence in placing this festival ,
at the eighth spot, because it has to serve the purpose of highlighting , yet another prophetical landmark event in
Christian/Jewish history in the order it would occur in future-DEDICATION OF EZEKIEL TEMPLE!!!
Christian significance/Significance to Jewish Christians in the Millennium
Anti-Christ like the wicked Antiochus IV Epiphanes would desecrate the Jewish temple
(Rev 11:1-2)
re-built in the 7-year tribulation period but during the Millennium at that very spot with some topographical changes
occurring, the HUGE temple shown to Ezekiel in his vision would be built
(Ezekiel 40-48)
and “dedicated”. The topographical changes brought about by the seventh bowl Judgment (a massive earthquake-
Rev 16:17-19-NKJV)
would facilitate construction of this huge temple (now Temple Mount where this massive Temple would be constructed is
topographically NOT BIG ENOUGH to accommodate such a huge Structure of 875 feet square). Jewish sacrifices by
Jewish Christians would commence IN REMEMBRANCE of the Lamb that took away the sins of the World.
The Pre-Millennial Christians at that time would be ruling the World, along with Christ.
IX) EXTRICATION
9. FESTIVAL OF PURIM (IN HEBBREW LANGUAGE ALSO CALLED PURIM)
Esther 9:24-32
Jewish Reason for celebrating
Commemorates Queen Esther's and Mordecai’s defeat of a plan to slaughter all Jews, ca. 400 BCE, as told in the Book of Esther.
In modern Judaism, the entire Book of Esther is read on the day of Purim. It is a time of great celebration, with noisemakers,
costumes, etc.
Chronologically, this festival, ought to have been the eighth one, going by the historical order of events for it
commemorates an event which took place before the one mentioned in
1 Macc 4:36-59.
But once again clearly we see,
Divine providence in placing this festival as the last and the ninth one, because it has to serve the purpose of highlighting ,
yet another prophetical landmark event (in the order it would occur in future).
Christian significance/Significance to Jewish Christians in the Millennium
Towards the end of the Millennium, as Gog and Magog (two more villains like the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet about 1000 years before),
at the instigation of Satan surround Jerusalem to complete its annihilation with all its inhabitants ,
the Almighty would intervene miraculously
(Rev 20:7-9)
to save them like He did in the case of the Jews of Esther’s time.
For more on this subject ( Prophetical, future events of the World ) you may click on the following link…
http://www.jandsmministries.com/rev_pre.asp
In conclusion, it needs to be said that JEWISH FESTIVALS ALSO TOUCH UPON ALL THE THREE DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY
1.JUSTIFICATION: PASSOVER ,FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD AND FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS
2. SANCTIFICATION: PENTECOST
3. GLORIFICATION: FESTIVAL OF TRUMPETS, DAY OF ATONEMENT,FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES , FEAST OF DEDICATION AND FESTIVAL OF PURIM
AMAZING, ISN’T IT…THE STUDY OF JEWISH FESTIVALS? THE GOOD LORD HAS CONCEALED THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF OUR TIMES IN IT!
Time we remember once again, what wise King Solomon said…
It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them –
Proverbs 25:2
Now it is only in order that theology should end with doxology!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!
(Suresh Manoharan)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
