What if the seven Biblical feasts are signposts to show us what is to come? What if everything happens at exactly the moment God decreed they would happen from before the dawn of time? What if the four spring feasts have already been fulfilled—and the remaining three fall feasts are on the horizon?
The first feast, the Feast of Passover, began on the eve of Israel's exodus from ancient Egypt. If the blood of a lamb was over the door, God miraculously delivered the firstborn from death. This feast points us to Jesus, the Lamb of God, Who was slain from before the foundations of the world (Revelation 13:8). He was killed at exactly the moment the High Priest in Jerusalem sacrificed a spotless lamb. Jesus, the perfect lamb of God, carried the sins of the world for all time for all people. His death purchased our freedom from slavery to sin and our eternal forgiveness. His blood saves us from eternal death. (The lamb in the photo is a newborn Jacob's sheep on its way to Israel in preparation for the sacrifices in the third temple.)
The second feast, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, was begun when the children of Israel ate the bread of Heaven—manna—angels' food—for forty years in the wilderness. It was fulfilled when Jesus was buried for three days. Leaven, or yeast, represents sin. Jesus, the sinless one, the bread of life, the One from Bethlehem (the house of bread), the living Word, feeds us with His Word.
The third feast, the Feast of First Fruits, was fulfilled when Jesus rose from the dead. He was the first new, eternal, incorruptible man—a forerunner of what was to come. Jesus promised to return for those who love Him.
The fourth Feast of Pentecost, Shavuot, was fulfilled when God poured out His Holy Spirit and the church age began. He empowered His people to take the news of eternal life to all nations. The following feasts are still future. God's "moedim" or set, appointed times will be fulfilled. Heaven and Earth will pass away, but God’s Word—His promises—will not pass away. The fifth Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanna—the sixth feast, the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur—and the seventh, the Feast of Tabernacles — will be fulfilled.
The fifth feast, Rosh HaShanah, the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), is known as the day no man knows the day or the hour. It begins when the Rabbi (High Priest) in Jerusalem sees the sliver of a new moon any time over a two-day period. This year the time frame is sunset Sunday, September 25th until sunset Tuesday, September 27th. Jesus said no man knows the day or the hour of His return to take His bride—the church—home to Heaven. It's interesting Jesus used the words of Rosh Hashana when He spoke about His return to take His bride home... "But about the day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, but only the Father." Matthew 24:36
This has all been foretold thousands of years ago. What if we are almost there now? God keeps His promises. What if Jesus is standing at a gate in Heaven (there are twelve gates), waiting for His Father to announce it is the fullness of time so He can appear in the clouds to get His bride? What will happen then? “For the Lord himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
What happens after the Feast of Trumpets? Is there a Rapture? Or will all people go through a time of great peril that will come on the Earth? Whatever happens...hold on to the truth of God’s Word. Your eternal soul depends on following truth.
What if people had chosen to follow and obey God? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 The free gift of salvation has been offered for over 2,000 years. The time of God’s grace could soon be over. What if these really are the very last days — and the time called Jacob’s trouble is about to begin? What if there really is a seven-year Great Tribulation that will come upon the Earth? What if Israel does sign a seven-year peace treaty with the Antichrist? What if people blindly follow the father of lies? What if there will be a one-world currency and you won’t be able to buy or sell — unless you have the Mark of the Beast on your forehead or your hand? What if you have to be totally dependent on God? If you take the Mark you will be separated from God forever.
John, the beloved disciple — while a prisoner on the island of Patmos — saw a multitude standing in Heaven so great no man could number it. (Revelation 7:9-17). He saw the ones who will be saved out of the Great Tribulation. Any who ask Jesus to be their Savior will be among that crowd. I pray God’s peace will be with you. You will need His peace to carry you through the dark days ahead. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” John 14:27 Trust Him. He loves you.
The sixth feast, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, happens when Christ returns at an appointed time called the Second Coming. This will be at the end of the Great Tribulation—when Jesus returns to Earth with the armies of Heaven. The seventh and final feast will be the one thousand years of peace called the Millenium—the Feast of Tabernacles—when Jesus rules and reigns in righteousness as King of kings and Lord of lords. After the millennium, there will be a new Heaven and Earth—untarnished by sin—-beautiful beyond our wildest imagination. Those who love God will be with Him forever. One day this will all come to pass. What if God, in His mercy, gives the people of Earth one final chance to turn to Him? Blessings, Beloved of God.