Sermon Central
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The Spirit Of Festival Laws Series
Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 23, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: Ancient Hebrews used a lunar-solar calendar, easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable events. How is this relevant for Christians?
The greatest of all first fruits is Jesus. He is the first to be resurrected, and the rest of the first fruits at His coming. What happens between now and then has been a matter of great speculation for the past two millennia.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV)
But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:23 ESV)
Trumpets
The Festival of Trumpets is a different kind of celebration. Anciently, a trumpet was like the town alarm used today for fire, ambulance, and other emergencies. In those times it was an alarm for war and like ringing church bells, an announcement of worship. How is it used in the New Testament?
And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31 ESV)
Jesus will gather the elect to the sound of a mighty angelic trumpet blast.
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. (1 Corinthians 15:52 NLT)
The resurrection will occur to the sound of a mighty trumpet.
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 will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16 NASB)
Jesus’ return will be announced by a mighty last trumpet. It will be the seventh of a series of trumpet blasts, preparing for Jesus to take over from corrupt human governments.
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15 NKJV)
Atonement
On the Day of Atonement everyone fasted from sunset to sunset. It was a total fast, with no food or water. Two goats were chosen to bear the sins of the people, and this was the only time the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies. The basis of Atonement for Christians is that Jesus died for our sins. Paul explained this to the Corinthians.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:3 ESV)
Part of the Atonement message for Christians is reconciliation between God and humanity.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10 KJV)
Part of the meaning of the Atonement is spiritual and physical healing. In scripture, sin is often spoken of as being like a disease, a deadly malady, a sickness of the soul.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24 KJV)
