Study Of The Feasts Of The Lord

STUDY OF THE FEASTS OF THE LORD with respect to the CHRIST

William Akehurst, HSWC

Scriptures: Leviticus 23:1-44, Leviticus 23:5, Exodus 12:1-30, John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Leviticus 23:6-8, 1 Peter 2:22, Psalm 16:10, Leviticus 23:9-14, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Leviticus 23:15-22, Acts 2:1-4, Jeremiah 31:33, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Leviticus 23:23-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:52, Leviticus 23:26-32, Hebrews 9:11-14, Zechariah 12:10, Romans 11:26, Leviticus 23:33-43, Zechariah 14:16, Revelation 21:3

The Feasts of the LORD (Leviticus 23) are GOD’s appointed times (moedim). They are prophetic in nature, and they reveal GOD’s redemptive plan.

BIG IDEA: Each feast points to JESUS (Yeshua) as Messiah; His conception, birth, ministry, death, resurrection, the sending of the Spirit, and His future return.

• Spring feasts. JESUS fulfilled at His first coming (death, burial, resurrection, Spirit given).

• Fall feasts. Await fulfillment at His second coming (rapture, Israel’s salvation, Messianic reign).

• JESUS is the center and fulfillment of all the Feasts of the LORD; GOD’s prophetic calendar of redemption.

JESUS’ FIRST COMING — FULFILLMENT OF THE SPRING FEASTS

1. Conception – Hanukkah (Festival of Lights / Dedication)

• John 8:12 – “I am the Light of the world.”

• Hanukkah celebrates rededication and the miracle of light.

• Likely time of Jesus’ conception – the Light entered the world.

• FACT: Science has recently proven that at conception, there is light that occurs (between sperm and egg) within the womb.

2. Birth – Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

• John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.”

• Shepherds in the fields (Luke 2:8) fits the autumn season, not December.

• Called the “Season of Our Joy” and “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).

• Jesus literally dwelt (tabernacled) with His people.

The Spring Feasts (fulfilled in His first coming)

3. Death - Passover (Pesach) – Leviticus 23:5

• Israel remembered the lamb’s blood that saved them from judgment in Egypt (Exodus 12).

• JESUS, the Passover Lamb (John 1:29), was crucified at the very hour lambs were slain (1 Corinthians 5:7). His blood covers us from GOD’s judgment.

• Fulfilled when JESUS was crucified on Passover.

4. Burial - Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) – Leviticus 23:6-8

• Symbolized removing leaven (sin) from the house.

• JESUS, the sinless One (1 Peter 2:22), was buried during this feast. His body did not decay (Psalm 16:10).

5. Resurrection - Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim) – Leviticus 23:9-14

• The first of the harvest was offered to GOD.

• JESUS rose from the dead as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep

(1 Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection guarantees ours.

6. Spirit given - Pentecost (Shavuot) – Leviticus 23:15-22

• Originally celebrated the giving of the Law at Sinai.

• Fifty days after Firstfruits, the Holy Spirit was poured out (Acts 2).

• Just as at Sinai, the Law was written on stone tablets, the Spirit now writes GOD’s law on hearts

(Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3).

JESUS’ SECOND COMING — FULFILLMENT OF THE FALL FEASTS

The Fall Feasts (to be fulfilled in His second coming)

7. Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah) – Leviticus 23:23-25

• Marked by trumpet blasts, a call to repentance and gathering.

• Foreshadows the rapture / resurrection when the trumpet sounds

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:52).

• Points to JESUS’ return for His bride. (the CHURCH)

• Announces the coming of the King.

8. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) – Leviticus 23:26-32

• The high priest entered the Holy of Holies with blood for the nation’s sins.

• JESUS is our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11–14), who offered His own blood once for all.

• Prophetically, it points to the future national repentance of Israel

(Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:26).

9. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot / Booths) – Final Fulfillment – Leviticus 23:33-43

• Remembered GOD’s presence with Israel in the wilderness.

• Points to the future when JESUS will dwell (tabernacle) with His people in the Millennial Kingdom (Zechariah 14:16; Revelation 21:3).

• The nations will come to worship the King.

THE BIG PICTURE (SUMMARY)

• Conception – Hanukkah (Light enters the world)

• Birth: Tabernacles (God dwells with us)

• Death: Passover (Lamb slain)

• Burial: Unleavened Bread (Sinless in the grave)

• Resurrection: Firstfruits (Victory over death)

• Spirit Given: Pentecost (Law on hearts)

• Return: Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles (Kingdom reign)

CONCLUSION

The Feasts of the LORD are not just Jewish holidays — they are God’s prophetic calendar, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

• The Spring Feasts were fulfilled in His first coming.

• The Fall Feasts will be fulfilled in His second coming.

• From His conception to His return, Jesus is the center and fulfillment of every feast.

Scriptures referenced:

Leviticus 23:1-44

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”