The fourth of the seven feasts of Israel, the Feast of Pentecost, occurs exactly fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits. See Leviticus 23:15-21 It is also called the Feast of Harvest and the Feast of Weeks. It is a celebration of the second harvest of the year, the summer wheat harvest, and also traditionally a celebration of the receiving of God's Law at Mt. Sinai.
The Feast of Pentecost was first celebrated in the year that Israel reaped their first wheat harvest in the Promised Land, approximately 1,500 years before the time of Christ. Just as the first three feasts foreshadowed what was to come, so the Feast of Pentecost foreshadowed something that God had in store for His people.
Coincidentally, it was on the very day of the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem, fifty days after Jesus' resurrection, that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the new believers in Christ, or was it just a coincidence? Was the pouring out of the Holy Spirit the prophetic fulfillment of another feast of Israel?
In what way does the Holy Spirit's arrival fulfill the Feast of Pentecost? First of all, Pentecost was a harvest feast, and when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, after Peter preached the gospel, there was a harvest of 3,000 precious souls. (Acts 2:41) It is also interesting to note that 3,000 souls died when Moses came down the mountain with the Law only to find that the children of Israel were partying with the Golden Calf. (Exodus 32:28) As Paul explains in II Corinthians 3:6, "....for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." but that is a topic for another day.
There is another way in which the Feast of Pentecost is fulfilled by the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Jewish tradition is to celebrate the receiving of the Law on the Feast of Pentecost. Why, you might ask, would someone want to celebrate receiving God's Law? It is because with God's Law, the people of Israel would be able to know what God expected of them. They would be able to walk in a way that pleased God because He made it very clear to them what they were to do and not do. God would use the Law to teach the people about Himself and help them to draw near to Him.
With the coming of the Holy Spirit there was a new way for man to walk in communion with God. Since the coming of the Holy Spirit, believers no longer walk according to the letter of the Law written on tablets of stone. We now walk by the Spirit, and the Law of God is written on our hearts.
"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Jeremiah 31:33
Before He left, Jesus told His disciples, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26
And so, all of the spring feasts have been fulfilled in a miraculous way, exactly on time. There are three more feasts that have yet to be fulfilled, and those are the three autumn feasts: Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles. These feasts just might be able to give us a glimpse into the future.....
Friday, August 30, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Jesus Fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits
The third feast of Israel, the Feast of First Fruits, always occurs on the Sunday following the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, 'When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.'" Leviticus 23:9-11
This feast was a way for the Israelites to acknowledge God's provision for them in the land of Israel. It was on the Sunday after Jesus' crucifixion, while the Jews were celebrating this very feast, that Jesus was raised from the dead. This was no coincidence but according to God's preordained plan that Jesus was raised on this particular day. Jesus was fulfilling this feast just as He had already fulfilled the two previous feasts on the exact days that the feasts were being celebrated. Jesus had become the First Fruits of the Resurrection!
"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive, but each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming." I Corinthians 15:20-23
And so, Jesus became the fulfillment of the Feast of First Fruits on the very day that the feast was being celebrated. A first implies that there will be more, and truly one day all believers will also be resurrected to live for eternity with Christ.
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." I Thessalonians 4:16-18
Now that we have seen that Jesus fulfilled all three of the first feasts of Israel with perfect timing, what about the fourth feast? Was it fulfilled with the same precision?
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, 'When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.'" Leviticus 23:9-11
This feast was a way for the Israelites to acknowledge God's provision for them in the land of Israel. It was on the Sunday after Jesus' crucifixion, while the Jews were celebrating this very feast, that Jesus was raised from the dead. This was no coincidence but according to God's preordained plan that Jesus was raised on this particular day. Jesus was fulfilling this feast just as He had already fulfilled the two previous feasts on the exact days that the feasts were being celebrated. Jesus had become the First Fruits of the Resurrection!
"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive, but each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming." I Corinthians 15:20-23
And so, Jesus became the fulfillment of the Feast of First Fruits on the very day that the feast was being celebrated. A first implies that there will be more, and truly one day all believers will also be resurrected to live for eternity with Christ.
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." I Thessalonians 4:16-18
Now that we have seen that Jesus fulfilled all three of the first feasts of Israel with perfect timing, what about the fourth feast? Was it fulfilled with the same precision?
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Jesus Fulfilled the Feast of Unleavened Bread
"Then on the fifteenth day of the same month, there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread." Leviticus 23:6
The second feast of Israel begins on the next night after Passover. For seven days the Israelites are required to eat only unleavened bread. So, how did Jesus fulfill this feast? First of all, Jesus was born in Bethlehem which means house of bread in Hebrew. Secondly, Jesus taught that He was the Bread of Life.
"I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." John 6:48-51
Leaven is a symbol of sin and evil, which is why the bread in the Passover meal and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is unleavened. This bread is symbolic of Jesus, who was God in the flesh, the perfect man who was totally without sin, totally unleavened. During the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus took the bread, broke it, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Eating unleavened bread for seven days is symbolic of a pure and holy walk with the Lord.
There are two interesting facts about the bread used in the modern day celebrations of the feasts of Unleavened Bread and Passover. The Jewish matzoh bread is not only unleavened, but it is also striped and pierced, even as the body of Jesus was. Also, during the Feast of Passover, a piece of this bread is broken, buried, and then resurrected, even as the body of Christ was. It is so sad that most Jews do not even understand the symbolism they are performing when they do this.
Jesus was buried at sundown of Passover Day, at the beginning of the fifteenth day of Nisan, the First day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He had exactly fulfilled the first two of the Jewish feasts which God had instituted to foreshadow what Christ would one day accomplish. Would He also fulfill the third feast in the same miraculous way?
The second feast of Israel begins on the next night after Passover. For seven days the Israelites are required to eat only unleavened bread. So, how did Jesus fulfill this feast? First of all, Jesus was born in Bethlehem which means house of bread in Hebrew. Secondly, Jesus taught that He was the Bread of Life.
"I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." John 6:48-51
Leaven is a symbol of sin and evil, which is why the bread in the Passover meal and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is unleavened. This bread is symbolic of Jesus, who was God in the flesh, the perfect man who was totally without sin, totally unleavened. During the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus took the bread, broke it, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Eating unleavened bread for seven days is symbolic of a pure and holy walk with the Lord.
There are two interesting facts about the bread used in the modern day celebrations of the feasts of Unleavened Bread and Passover. The Jewish matzoh bread is not only unleavened, but it is also striped and pierced, even as the body of Jesus was. Also, during the Feast of Passover, a piece of this bread is broken, buried, and then resurrected, even as the body of Christ was. It is so sad that most Jews do not even understand the symbolism they are performing when they do this.
Jesus was buried at sundown of Passover Day, at the beginning of the fifteenth day of Nisan, the First day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He had exactly fulfilled the first two of the Jewish feasts which God had instituted to foreshadow what Christ would one day accomplish. Would He also fulfill the third feast in the same miraculous way?
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Jesus, Our Passover Lamb
The first of the seven feasts that God commanded the Israelites to observe is the Feast of Passover, which commemorates the last night that Israel spent in Egypt before their exodus. During that last night the Lord brought the tenth and final plague to bear on the Egyptians, killing all the first-born of Egypt, of man and beast. The Israelites were saved from the plague by putting the blood of a lamb on the doorway of their house, according to the Lords' instructions. "And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13
God's instructions regarding the first Passover were explicit. Each family was to take a lamb into their house on the 10th day of Nisan. The lamb was to be an unblemished male a year old. On the 14th day of Nisan, they were to kill the lambs at twilight and apply the blood to the doorposts and lintel of their house. Then they were to roast the lamb and eat it, all of it, without breaking any of its bones. Any leftovers were to be burned. They were even told in Exodus 12:11 exactly in what manner they were to eat it: with loins girded, sandals on their feet, staff in their hand, and in haste.
In fulfillment of this feast, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was crucified at the time that the Jews were observing the annual Passover Feast. His blood paid the penalty for our sins so that if we apply His blood to ourselves by faith, we are given eternal life with Him, and the death angel passes over us. In fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 34:20 and the instructions for the Passover lambs eaten each year in the feast, none of Jesus' bones were broken when he hung on the cross, even though the soldiers broke the legs of the two men who were crucified with him. John 19:32-33
It is interesting to note that Jesus fulfilled what the Passover Feast was foreshadowing on the very day that Israel was celebrating the feast, but most of the Israelites were oblivious to the connection. Unfortunately, most of the Jews today are still unaware that Jesus, their true Passover Lamb has already come. John the Baptist tried to announce this fact to Israel 2,000 years ago when he said of Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 Jesus sets us free from the slavery to sin and the world, even as Israel was set free from slavery in Egypt so many years ago. Praise God for his wonderful gift, the gift of His precious son, Jesus.
"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.'" Matthew 26:27-28
God's instructions regarding the first Passover were explicit. Each family was to take a lamb into their house on the 10th day of Nisan. The lamb was to be an unblemished male a year old. On the 14th day of Nisan, they were to kill the lambs at twilight and apply the blood to the doorposts and lintel of their house. Then they were to roast the lamb and eat it, all of it, without breaking any of its bones. Any leftovers were to be burned. They were even told in Exodus 12:11 exactly in what manner they were to eat it: with loins girded, sandals on their feet, staff in their hand, and in haste.
In fulfillment of this feast, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was crucified at the time that the Jews were observing the annual Passover Feast. His blood paid the penalty for our sins so that if we apply His blood to ourselves by faith, we are given eternal life with Him, and the death angel passes over us. In fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 34:20 and the instructions for the Passover lambs eaten each year in the feast, none of Jesus' bones were broken when he hung on the cross, even though the soldiers broke the legs of the two men who were crucified with him. John 19:32-33
It is interesting to note that Jesus fulfilled what the Passover Feast was foreshadowing on the very day that Israel was celebrating the feast, but most of the Israelites were oblivious to the connection. Unfortunately, most of the Jews today are still unaware that Jesus, their true Passover Lamb has already come. John the Baptist tried to announce this fact to Israel 2,000 years ago when he said of Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 Jesus sets us free from the slavery to sin and the world, even as Israel was set free from slavery in Egypt so many years ago. Praise God for his wonderful gift, the gift of His precious son, Jesus.
"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.'" Matthew 26:27-28
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The Prophetic Seven Feasts of Israel
"...I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done..." Isaiah 46:9-10
The bible is the most amazing book I have every read, and the more I read it, the more convinced I am of its divine inspiration. In its pages God reveals who He is, who man is, and how God and man have interacted since man's creation. He also reveals what His eternal plan is for mankind.
One of the most amazing things about the bible is that approximately one third of it is prophetic, foretelling future events. Many of these prophecies have already been fulfilled and those events are now in the history books, but many have yet to be fulfilled. There is no other book in the world that has foretold the future with such detailed accuracy. In fact, I don't know of any other book that has foretold the future at all.
One of the most interesting bible studies I have done is regarding the seven feasts of Israel. In Leviticus 23, approximately 3,500 years ago, God instituted seven annual feasts that the Israelites were supposed to observe perpetually. These feasts are a prophetic picture of events beginning with the crucifixion of Christ and ending with Christ's return to Earth to rule and reign here. Four of these feasts have already been fulfilled with amazing accuracy. Three of them have yet to be fulfilled.
Four of the feasts are celebrated in the Spring, and three of them in the Fall. The Spring feasts were fulfilled when Jesus came to Earth the first time. The Autumn feasts will be fulfilled in the second coming of Christ. Each of these feasts contains rich symbolism that teaches us something about Christ. I will attempt to give you a brief overview of each of them, describing the symbolism in each of them, and how they either were fulfilled or will be fulfilled in the future. Hopefully, after reading my posts you will be interested enough to do your own study. Zola Levitt wrote a small booklet titled "The Seven Feasts of Israel" that is very helpful in understanding this topic.
The bible is the most amazing book I have every read, and the more I read it, the more convinced I am of its divine inspiration. In its pages God reveals who He is, who man is, and how God and man have interacted since man's creation. He also reveals what His eternal plan is for mankind.
One of the most amazing things about the bible is that approximately one third of it is prophetic, foretelling future events. Many of these prophecies have already been fulfilled and those events are now in the history books, but many have yet to be fulfilled. There is no other book in the world that has foretold the future with such detailed accuracy. In fact, I don't know of any other book that has foretold the future at all.
One of the most interesting bible studies I have done is regarding the seven feasts of Israel. In Leviticus 23, approximately 3,500 years ago, God instituted seven annual feasts that the Israelites were supposed to observe perpetually. These feasts are a prophetic picture of events beginning with the crucifixion of Christ and ending with Christ's return to Earth to rule and reign here. Four of these feasts have already been fulfilled with amazing accuracy. Three of them have yet to be fulfilled.
Four of the feasts are celebrated in the Spring, and three of them in the Fall. The Spring feasts were fulfilled when Jesus came to Earth the first time. The Autumn feasts will be fulfilled in the second coming of Christ. Each of these feasts contains rich symbolism that teaches us something about Christ. I will attempt to give you a brief overview of each of them, describing the symbolism in each of them, and how they either were fulfilled or will be fulfilled in the future. Hopefully, after reading my posts you will be interested enough to do your own study. Zola Levitt wrote a small booklet titled "The Seven Feasts of Israel" that is very helpful in understanding this topic.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
The Ecumenical Movement - Unity or Truth?
In my previous post, I talked about the fact that Jesus brings division because He is the truth, and the truth divides. There is a big push in the world today and in the church for unity, because people believe that unity will bring peace, and most people want peace, but this brings us to an important question: Can we have unity without compromising the truth?
The ecumenical movement today is trying to bring all religions together in unity. This movement sounds like a great idea except for two big problems. The first problem is that in order to come together, each religion must compromise its beliefs. If you believe, as I do, that there is only one way to God, and that is through belief in Jesus, then any compromise of that belief jeopardizes ones eternal soul. The scriptures warn Christians not to be yoked with unbelievers because it leads to compromise and apostasy. II Cor. 6:14-18
The second problem with ecumenism is that this one world religion of peace and unity that people envision will prepare the way for the antichrist, the one who will pretend to be the true Christ. In Revelation, chapter 13, we read that ultimately all will have to worship him or be killed. The ecumenical movement is laying a foundation for that ultimate one world religion. Many will be deceived and sucked into it willingly because it will look so good and sound so right. II Thess 2:1-12 Remember that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. II Cor. 11:14 The antichrist will appear to be the ultimate humanitarian. He will promise peace and safety for all, but the scriptures warn, "While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." I Thess. 5:3
We can't have it both ways. We can't expect unity with the world or those outside the Christian faith if we are going to uphold the truth. The only unity Christians can have on this earth is with other true believers in Jesus Christ who are walking in the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.
Jesus tells His disciples, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19
The ecumenical movement today is trying to bring all religions together in unity. This movement sounds like a great idea except for two big problems. The first problem is that in order to come together, each religion must compromise its beliefs. If you believe, as I do, that there is only one way to God, and that is through belief in Jesus, then any compromise of that belief jeopardizes ones eternal soul. The scriptures warn Christians not to be yoked with unbelievers because it leads to compromise and apostasy. II Cor. 6:14-18
The second problem with ecumenism is that this one world religion of peace and unity that people envision will prepare the way for the antichrist, the one who will pretend to be the true Christ. In Revelation, chapter 13, we read that ultimately all will have to worship him or be killed. The ecumenical movement is laying a foundation for that ultimate one world religion. Many will be deceived and sucked into it willingly because it will look so good and sound so right. II Thess 2:1-12 Remember that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. II Cor. 11:14 The antichrist will appear to be the ultimate humanitarian. He will promise peace and safety for all, but the scriptures warn, "While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." I Thess. 5:3
We can't have it both ways. We can't expect unity with the world or those outside the Christian faith if we are going to uphold the truth. The only unity Christians can have on this earth is with other true believers in Jesus Christ who are walking in the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.
Jesus tells His disciples, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Truth, Peace and Division
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." John 14:6
Jesus claimed to be the truth, and truth divides because some believe it and some do not, so does Jesus, by His very nature, cause division? Did Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) come to bring peace on the earth? Division certainly does not bring peace, and in His own words Jesus denies that He came to bring peace, and admits He will cause division. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword, for I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household." Matthew 10:34-36 How can these things be?
In John, chapter 10 Jesus speaks what we call the "Parable of the Good Shepherd." He is contrasting Himself with Satan, the thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. When He finishes speaking, verse 19 says, "There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words. And many of them were saying, 'He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?' Others were saying, 'These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?'" Jesus' words caused division on many occasions, as they still do today. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Did Jesus, the Prince of Peace, come to bring peace on the earth? Ultimately, the answer is yes, and for those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus, we have peace with God already, and that is the most important kind of peace to have. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7 But at the present time, Satan is still the god of this world; therefore, we do not have peace on earth. There is a battle raging. The truth exposes the lie. The light repels the darkness. One day, the Light will overcome, and Jesus, our King, will rule. Then, there will truly be peace on earth, but for now, the truth divides, and we must make a choice. Which side will we choose? Light or darkness? The truth or the lie? Can you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd calling?
Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27
Jesus claimed to be the truth, and truth divides because some believe it and some do not, so does Jesus, by His very nature, cause division? Did Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) come to bring peace on the earth? Division certainly does not bring peace, and in His own words Jesus denies that He came to bring peace, and admits He will cause division. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword, for I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household." Matthew 10:34-36 How can these things be?
In John, chapter 10 Jesus speaks what we call the "Parable of the Good Shepherd." He is contrasting Himself with Satan, the thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. When He finishes speaking, verse 19 says, "There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words. And many of them were saying, 'He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?' Others were saying, 'These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?'" Jesus' words caused division on many occasions, as they still do today. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Did Jesus, the Prince of Peace, come to bring peace on the earth? Ultimately, the answer is yes, and for those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus, we have peace with God already, and that is the most important kind of peace to have. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7 But at the present time, Satan is still the god of this world; therefore, we do not have peace on earth. There is a battle raging. The truth exposes the lie. The light repels the darkness. One day, the Light will overcome, and Jesus, our King, will rule. Then, there will truly be peace on earth, but for now, the truth divides, and we must make a choice. Which side will we choose? Light or darkness? The truth or the lie? Can you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd calling?
Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27
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