| The Feasts CONTINUED
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Feast of Pentecost or Seven Sundays from the Feast of First Fruits is the Feast of Pentecost or Feast of Weeks, a celebration of the bountiful harvest. There are three harvests in Israel and this feast is held at the end of the middle harvest. This was the last feast to be fulfilled in the scriptures, when the Lord sent the Holy Spirit where people were gathered in one accord, and 3,000 people received the Holy Spirit. In contrast, in the Old Testament, it is related how Moses came down from Mount Sanai and found Aaron and God’s people worshipping a golden calf. It was ordered that 3,000 people be killed. The law kills, but the Spirit brings new life.
Feast of Trumpets The celebration of the Feast of Trumpets is held at the beginning of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Throughout the scriptures, God has shown a penchant for trumpets. The year of Jubilee was observed with blaring trumpets. Isaiah 27:13 states that the Jews will be signaled to return to their homeland by the blast of a trumpet. The Scriptures also recount battles fought and won by Joshua and Gideo utilizing trumpets. The trumpet referred to in God’s word is the ram’s horn. One of the first accounts of an Israelite’s deliverance through a ram’s horn was that of Isaac whose life was spared, because God provided a substitute sacrifice . . . a ram caught by his horn in a thicket. The Feast of Trumpets is the next feast to be fulfilled by the Lord. This, of course, will be the rapture of the Church, when at the sound of the trumpet and in the twinkling of an eye, all believers will be caught up to be with the Lord.
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Day of Atonement On the 10th day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement is observed. Since all feasts begin at sundown of the previous day, the Day of Atonement is observed from sundown to sundown. It is a day of asking for forgiveness and for confessing all of one’s sins. It is a time of prayer and fasting for the removal of sin from the people and the nation. It will be fulfilled on the day when Christ returns and men look upon Him whom they have pierced. Christians do not observe the Day of Atonement, for Christ died for all of our sins. He said He would remember our sin no more, for He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we confess our sins and ask He for forgiveness. We should make everyday a Day of Atonement. Our fellowship with God is restored through faith in Jesus Christ.
Feast of Tabernacles On the 15th day of the seventh month, the feast of Tabernacles begins and lasts for seven days. It is observed by cutting tree branches, building lean-to like booths and staying out under the stars as a remembrance of the Israelites’ escape from the Egyptians during which time they dwelled in tents in the desert under God’s protection and guidance. This feast will be fulfilled when all believers dwell with the Lord for all eternity.
Chanukah In addition to these festivals given in Leviticus 23, is a national celebration called Chanukah. In John 10:22, it is stated that Jesus observed this Feast of Dedication.
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