Day 79 - The Festivals Yet to Come

The last reflection on ‘appointed times’ covered the spiritual significance of the first four Jewish festivals: Unleavened Bread, Passover, First Fruits and Weeks as relating to God’s New Covenant. But what about the remaining three feasts which have not yet been fulfilled under the New Covenant?

These are the feasts of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the feast of Tabernacles. In the Old Testament, these all occurred over a fifteen-day period.

Based on the timing of the first four feasts, it is quite likely that the events will occur over a similar period and at the time of the year outlined in Leviticus 23.

Feast 5 – Feast of Trumpets

In the Old Testament this celebrated Rosh Hashanah (or the Head of the Year). It coincides with the Jewish New Year. It heralds the start of a ten-day period of introspection and repentance called ‘Days of Awe’.

In 1Thessalonians 4v13-18 The second coming of Jesus will be announced by the sounding of a trumpet and the dead in Christ will be raised up to be with Him in the air! We would understand this as the prophesied ‘rapture’ of the Church.

If believers were taken up during this time, it would certainly be a time of awe for those that were not taken! Luke 17 talks about two women threshing or two men working in the field. In each case, one of them is taken and the other is left. Those remaining would need to consider their beliefs and standing with God. The fact that it occurs over a period of time may be a sign of God’s grace in providing an opportunity for those who remained to make a decision to express repentance, acceptance of Christ and salvation. After all, God’s desire is that all would be saved.

Feast 6 – Day of Atonement

Under the Old Covenant, this was called Yom Kippur. It was a period when God would judge a persons life over the past year and a judgement would be inscribed in the Book of Life. It was a time for each person to reflect on sins committed against God and against others, to attempt to repair hurt done to others and to pray for forgiveness.

This may be fulfilled with God’s final judgement on all people, where the books are opened and all of our actions will be judged.

Feast 7 - Feast of Tabernacles or Booths

In the Old Testament this occurred over a eight-day period at the completion of the autumn harvest. It started five days after the Day of Atonement, when the Jewish people celebrated God’s presence, provision and protection. They were to live in tents or booths over that period as a remembrance of when they escaped from captivity in Egypt and lived in the wilderness.

It was a celebration of God leading them, providing for them and dwelling with them after their escape from captivity.

The future fulfilment will be a foretaste of God’s people dwelling with Him for all time.

In times of extreme uncertainty, it is of great comfort to know that the God we love and serve, has all things under His control. No power in heaven, on earth or under the earth can stop the completion of God’s plans. Praise His Holy Name!

Steve Horton