15-CHAPTER FIFTEEN - THE FEASTS OF JEHOVAH

CHAPTER FIFTEEN -

THE FEASTS OF JEHOVAH

Leviticus 23:1-4

Since we began these chapters by calling attention to the fact that, before GOD undertook to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt, He indicated that He was about to make a new beginning, as to times and seasons in His dealings with His Chosen People, it would seem fitting and proper to bring this book to a conclusion by a more extended consideration of these times and seasons, as established under Divine commandments, for the observance of The Feasts of Jehovah.

It should never be forgotten for one moment, that the supreme events in the life and ministry of JESUS CHRIST perfectly coincided with the observance by Israel of these great Feast Days. Leviticus 23 presents in order seven Feasts of Jehovah which, through the centuries, Israel has always held in veneration.

It is profoundly significant that, as JESUS approached the Cross, He governed His movements by the time-element affecting His ministry. "My TIME is not yet come." (John 7:6-8) Later, as the Passover Feast drew near, He said; "My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover." (Matthew 26:18) The careful Bible student will give full significance to the fact that the Feasts of Jehovah were central, or pivotal points during JESUS’ life and ministry. The Gospels are specific as to whether He did, or did not, go up to Jerusalem to attend these feasts. (Luke 2:41-42; John 5:1; John 6:4; John 7:2; John 7:10; John 7:14; John 7:37; John 11:55; John 12:12; John 13:1; John 13:29)

The Feast of the Passover is supremely important. From the foregoing passages of Scripture we see that JESUS timed His last visit to Jerusalem with evident foreknowledge that it determined the exact time when He must present Himself as "The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:51) Doubtless, this hour was set and determined by the time of that first Passover Feast with whose observance this book has its proper beginning.

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Those who have devoted a life-time to such research have concluded that JESUS was born October 5-6., 4 B. C., Julian Calendar. Competent scholars are agreed that JESUS was born in 4 B. C.; but the exact date has always been an open question. The date usually celebrated in Christendom was arbitrarily chosen by the Roman Catholic church for the observance of our Lord’s birth, to do away with the Feast of Saturnalia, a hideous, pagan Roman holiday, falling on the 25th of December.

Previously it had no Christian significance whatsoever. Since the source of information used to determine the date of the birth of JESUS correctly indicates the accepted date for His Crucifixion and death, the preponderance of evidence favors the date indicated for His birth, as also correct.

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES

According to the Jewish calendar, October 5-6, B. C. fell on the 15th day of the Hebrew month, Tisri. This date was that of the Feast of Tabernacles. This fact is startling in view of the figure under which the Incarnation is presented in the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (TABERNACLED) among us... full of grace and truth . . . No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which was in the bosom of the Father He hath declared Him." (John 1:1-14; John 1:18) Here are facts meriting our most careful consideration.
THE FEAST OF PASSOVER AND OF UNLEAVENED BREAD

(Leviticus 23:3-8)

These Feasts had their fulfillment in the inauguration of the "Lord’s Supper," and in the death of JESUS, on the Feast of Passover, on the 14th and 15th of the Jewish month Nisan, or the 6th and 7th of April, 30 A. D.

THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS

(Leviticus 23:9-14)

CHRIST, the "firstfruits of them that slept", (1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Colossians 1:15) arose from the grave "on the morrow after the Sabbath," which was the "Feast of First-Fruits." How beautifully and significantly was this feast given its larger and eternal meaning by the Resurrection of our Lord on that day.

THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

(Leviticus 23:15-17)

Those who possess the slightest understanding of the Scriptures, know that "when the day of Pentecost was fully come," this Hebrew feast was fulfilled by the outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT, which characterized the empowering of the Christian Church. In passing, let us suggest that these feasts have their analogy and fulfillment in Christian experience, as well as in Christian chronology and history.

By all means let none who read these words miss the profound significance of the fact that the Feasts of Jehovah were wonderful types which, in harmony with the plan and purpose of GOD, had fulfillment in exact meaning and on exact dates of the year, clearly indicated many centuries before. Furthermore, it is important to note that these Feasts of Jehovah, so meticulously fulfilled, through the wisdom and power of GOD, in New Testament meaning and force, appear in a part of the Scriptures which misguided men have relegated to the realm of uncertainty in chronology and authenticity.

Nothing is more dangerous and devastating to those who do so, and to those who believe their foolish pronouncements and speculations. Take away the original setting and significance of these feasts, and by what possible coincidence do they have such wonderful fulfillments! The New Testament Gospels and Epistles accept these feasts at their full value and mark their fulfillment with an exactitude, as to time and significance, which is astounding.

THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS

(Leviticus 23:23-25)

The next feast in order after the Feast of Pentecost, is the Feast of Trumpets. This feast came on the first day of the seventh Jewish month. It was the occasion of "an holy convocation," or gathering of all Israel. It is also the Jewish New Year. This is of supreme significance when we remember that in reckoning events in Israel’s history, as well as in ours, New Years Day marks the turning of the years, with their endings and beginnings. Several important periods in Israel’s history had their beginning on their New Years Day, or on the Feast of Trumpets. This will be true of wonderful events yet to come.

Doubtless, on some future Feast of Trumpets, or Jewish New Years, will occur the true regathering of Israel. They have gone back and reestablished the present Israeli government. Hideous sufferings will come to them and bring disillusionment and disappointment before their day of true deliverance shall come. Satan will yet "deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24), and in unbelief they will think that they are doing GOD service, but Satan will ensnare and hideously persecute and decimate them, before they will sincerely repent of their personal and national sins, when they shall behold "Him whom they pierced," and they and "all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him." (Revelation 1:7)

GOD’s clock will strike on some future Feast of Trumpets and again Jehovah’s special providences toward His Ancient People will be realized in wonderful fulfillment of His gracious promises and prophecies. But before final victory, shall come the "Time of Jacob’s Trouble," (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:21-22) which will be a time of judgment upon the apostate and unbelieving in Israel all over the world. It is important to realize that calendar datings have no significance for GOD’s Spiritual people, whether Jew or Gentile. On some future Feast of Trumpets, the trumpet will sound and all believing saints will be caught up to meet their Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Please note that it is on some future Feast Of Trumpets that the Rapture will take place, and also, that at the sound of the trumpet, Jehovah, their GOD, will summon Israel back into covenant relations with Himself.

SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATIONS

If the birth, the death, the resurrection of CHRIST, and the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT, all fell with amazing exactness on Jewish Feast Days, is there not established, by a remarkable analogy, the presumption that the next great Prophetic Event, which is the Second Coming of CHRIST for His Church, may fall on some approaching Feast of Trumpets? Nothing would be more in harmony with the Word than that Israel may be recalled and regathered on their New Years Day, not too far in the future. Such would be required for the fulfillment of a chronology as exact as that indicated by Sir Robert Anderson who demonstrated that JESUS CHRIST offered Himself as Israel’s King on the exact day which ended the 483 years, fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy of His rejection by His nation. (Daniel 9:26)

FORESHADOWINGS

No man knows "neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." (Matthew 25:13) But this does not preclude the fact that CHRIST’s fulfillment of the Feasts of Jehovah points to the possibility, and even probability, that He may come FOR His Church, and later on, WITH His Church, in the larger fulfillment of some coming Feasts of Trumpets.

We close this chapter and this book with a number of citations of Scripture, relating to these great events, which point to the sounding of the trumpets, as a signal for the conclusion of the earthly pilgrimage of the Church, and for the regathering of Israel, and the Coming of CHRIST to establish His Kingdom over all the earth. (Isaiah 18:3; Isaiah 27:12-13; Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 4:1)

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