JEWISH FESTIVALS-A SHADOW OF CHRIST-PART 2
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
ACTION: Display of pictures of
a) Shofar being blown/Yours truly also blows the same (especially brought from the Holy Land) in front of the congregation..ha..ha..
b) Archangel blowing the trumpet at the zero hour
c) Rapture of Christians
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.
ACTION: Display of a picture of a confused man with a question mark over his head
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
ACTION: Display of pictures of
a) The Jewish High Priest with the Blood of atonement before the Mercy
seat inside the Holy of Holies of the Temple
b) U-turn traffic sign
c) Christ’s Second coming astride a White horse
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” (Levi 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 "nudge" them towards the Loving Saviour by posing a question as to why this "Divine Sign" of "Divine impending wrath" began ONLY in 29 AD (the year the Saviour died the atoning death completely 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 are 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 also. 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
ACTION: Display of pictures of
a) Tabernacle in the Wilderness at night time with Pillar of Fire atop the
Most Holy Place
b) Tabernacle in the Wilderness at day time with Pillar of Cloud atop the
Most Holy Place
c) Jews celebrating Sukkoth in "temporary shelters"
d) Jesus reigning from Jerusalem during the Millennium
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 of 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-MILLENNIAL 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. 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
ACTION: Display of pictures of
a) Jews celebrating Hannukah
b) Ezekiel Temple
Jewish reason for celebrating
This festival is briefly mentioned in John 10:22.
The temple of Jerusalem (Second one built by Zerubbabel) 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
ACTION: Display of pictures of
a) Jews celebrating the Purim
b) Satan instigating the armies of Gog and Magog
c) Heavenly fire destroying the armies of Gog and Magog
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!!!
Suresh Manoharan
ps: this Sermon series replete with pictures/maps is available at the following URL...
http://www.jandsmministries.com/message_oct1_12.asp
