The Seven Festivals of the

Transcription

1 The Seven Festivals of the Messiah LEVITICUS 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

2 THE SEVEN FESTIVALS OF THE MESSIAH STUDY INDEX Introduction Chapter 1. Feast of Passover Chapter 2. Feast of Unleavened Bread Chapter 3. Feast of First Fruits Chapter 4. Feast of Pentecost/ Feast of Weeks Chapter 5. Rosh HaShanah/ Feast of Trumpets Chapter 6. Yom Kippur The Day of Atonement Chapter 7. Feast of the Tabernacles (Sukkot)

3 THE SEVEN FESTIVALS OF THE MESSIAH Introduction: In this study it is imperative to use your bible to study the Seven Feasts of the Messiah. I URGE you most earnestly to do this. I think the O. T. in part is a neglected book of study. There are numerous topics that are astonishing, fascinating, inspirational, and these topics of study of the O. T reveal spiritual applications for us. There are some topics of the O.T.; that Christians do not even know exist and those that have heard of these topics are obtuse of them and have misunderstandings of them. I have never in my 30 years of Christian life heard a teacher of the Word of God teach on the topics which I m going to teach on, in the following months. First and fore-most these topics should not be worshipped, celebrated or accepted for salvation, but to be recognized for spiritual growth in faith and to come to know the Savior more. Phil. 3:10. Discovering the Seven Festivals of the Lord: The first mention of the feasts is in Ex. 12:1-23, then in Ex. 23:14-19, Leviticus 23:4-44, and in Deut. 16:1-17. They all are Historic and Prophetic and God gave them for a reason. Why study these Seven Festivals of the Lord? Ex. 24:12, they are from God! They are His feasts and His appointed times. 1. To learn and understand the shadow and patterns of heavenly things on earth. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Rom. 15:4; Col. 2:16, 17; Heb. 8:1 5; Heb.10:1; 10:7; Luke 24:25-27, 44-46; John 5: To understand the deep depth of the personal relationship that God desires us to have with Him. The feasts will reveal to you the deeper things concerning your personal relationship with Him. 3. There are spiritual applications that can teach and instruct us in our lives. 4. The festivals of God will teach us about the death, burial, resurrection, the coronation, the wedding, the second coming, the millennium reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, the empowering of the believers by the Holy Spirit, resurrection of the dead and much more. 5. To have a more love for the lost everywhere and the Hebrew Nation to be saved. What is the meaning of the word Feast in the Bible? Two important Hebrew words to look at and both are translated as feast in English. 1. Lev. 23:2, mo ed means an appointment, a fixed time or season, a cycle or year, an assembly, an appointed time, a set time or exact time. 2. Lev 23:6, chag means to move in a circle, to march in a sacred procession, to celebrate, dance, to hold a solemn feast or holiday. God gave the festivals as cycles to be observed yearly so that, by doing them, we can understand God s shadows, patterns of heavenly things on earth and grow in our personal relationship with Him. Where was the Appointed Place for the Festivals? Deut.16:2, 6, 11, 15, then compare it to 2 Kings 21:4. God s appointed place for the Festivals was in Jerusalem. There were numerous important events that took place in Jerusalem and more to come. Jesus Christ s death, burial, resurrection, the empowering of the believers by the Holy Spirit all took place in Jerusalem. When Christ shall return He will sit on His throne in Jerusalem. How many times a Year were they to assemble for the Festivals? God divided the seven festivals into three major festival seasons. The Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits are observed in the 1 st month which is the Hebrew month Abib (which is now called

4 Nisan) of God s religious calendar in the spring of the year. The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost is observed in the 3 rd month which is the Hebrew month Sivan of God s religious calendar in the summer of the year. The Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles are observed in the 7 th month which the Hebrew month of Tishrei of God s religious calendar in the fall of the year. THREE is the number of complete and perfect testimony and witness. Who had to attend the Festivals of the Lord? Deut. 16:16, Three times a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose. There was a specific appointed time for 3 major pilgrimage festivals that the males would have to attend. Most likely they brought their families with them. What days were they to start the celebrating the Festivals of the Lord? Remember it is God s religious calendar that the Festivals occur and to be observed. The Spring Festivals: Lev. 23:5, the Passover Feast occurs on Abib or Nisan the 1 st month on the 14 th day. Lev. 23:6-8, Feast of Unleavened Bread occurs in the same month Nisan on the 15 th day to the 21 st. 7 days Lev. 23:10-14, Feast of First Fruits occurs in the same month Nisan on the 17 th to the 21 st during the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread at the beginning of the barley harvest. Today this festival is not observed in traditional Judaism. The Summer Festival: Lev. 23:15-21, Feast of Weeks or Pentecost occurs during Sivan the 3 rd month on the 50 th day following the Feast of First Fruits. The Fall Festivals: The fall festival season starts in the month of Elul which is the 6 th month on the 1 st day with an observance of a 40 day period which in the Hebrew is called Teshuvah which means to repent. It concludes on the 10 th day of Tishrei. Lev. 23:23-25, Feast of the Trumpets occurs during Tishrei the 1 st month on the 1 st day to the 10 th day. Lev. 23:26-32, Lev. 16:1-34, Yom Kippur The Day of Atonement occurs in the same month of Tishrei on the 10 th day. Lev. 23:33-44, Feast of Tabernacles occurs in the same month of Tishrei on the 15 th day to the 21 st day. The day after which is the 22 nd a special day is added seen in Lev. 23:36 called Rejoicing. What does the word Convocation mean? It is important to know this word because it is found 11 times in Leviticus 23 and 2 times in Ex. 12. The Hebrew term translated as convocation is

5 miqra which means a rehearsal. We can see that God gave His festivals to be yearly rehearsals to be celebrated, observed. Convocation in the Latin means calling together in the Greek it means to assemble, a group a people formally assembled for a special purpose. Four important aspects to Remember: 1. All of the festivals are, at the same time, both historical, and prophetic. 2. All of the festivals teach about the Messiah (Yeshua) Jesus Christ. 3. All of the festivals are agricultural in context. 4. All of the festivals teach about our personal relationship with God and how you are to walk with Him as you grow in the knowledge of Him, from being a baby believer to a mature believer.

6 PASSOVER (PESACH) FEAST OF OUR FREEDOM OVERVIEW: From the foundation of the world God has planned to redeem man through the shedding of blood. Gen.3:15, 21, 4:4; 22:7, 8. God promised to deliver the Hebrew nation (Gen. 12:2, 3; 15:13, 14; 50:24, 25; Ex. 12:40-42) from Egypt and begin a nation. Read Ex. 2:23 25; 3:7, 8; 6:4 8; 4:22, 23. He came down from Heaven to deliver the Hebrews. God new we were afflicted with the condemnation of sin and needed redemption. Christ came down from Heaven (Lk. 2:8-14) to deliver man through His shed blood from sin, death, satan and to bring them into His Kingdom and be His people. What God promises He will bring it to pass; in His time, and it can be trusted. God wanted a people that what would worship, love, serve, and obey Him. Read Romans, Ephesians and Colossians to compare.. Ex. 12:14, 17; God declared Passover to be remembered and to celebrate His sacrifice till His return. 1Cor.11: For all eternity we will be reminded of what Christ did for us. Read and study Exodus Chapters Passover: Ex. 12:12-15, Hebrew word means to pass or hover over. This word speaks to us about two things. 1. It shows the passing over in judgment from death and sin to life in Christ. 2. It tells us about allowing, by faith the blood of Christ to hover over our lives and give us divine protection from the evil one (satan). Spiritual Application: God wants us to understand that Egypt is a type of the world and the world system. Its ruler, Pharaoh, was a type of Satan. The bondage of sin that the people are in is living according to the ways of Satan s world system. John 8:34; Rom. 6:11 23; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1Jn. 2: Historically: The children of Israel were delivered from the bondage of slavery in Egypt by putting the blood of a lamb upon the doorposts of their houses. This redemption from Egypt was accomplished by divine, miraculous intervention and required on the part of the Israelites only faith in the efficacy shed blood. It is looking at what happen before the cross but showing what was to come on the cross. Ex. 12:2, 6, 13 Spiritually: This is a picture of the Messiah, Jesus Christ and how those who believe in Him are delivered from the bondages of sin and the rule of Satan in their lives. Jesus is the Lamb of God. Jesus is also our Passover. 1Cor. 5:7. Those who have repented to God and put faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the house of God. Heb 3:6; 1Pt. 2:5; 1Cor. 3:16; 6:19, 20; 2Cor. 6:16. The door posts are our hearts. It is only through trusting by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Passover that we are free from the bondage of sin. Gal. 4:3-5; 9, 5:1; 2Pt. 2:19; Rom. 6: This is because the blood of Jesus Christ has redeemed us from sin. Lev. 17:11; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1Pt. 1:18, 19; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5 There are 19 spiritual applications and 13 Messianic fulfillments of Passover: 1. Passover was the beginning of months. Ex. 12:2. Spiritual application: Nisan the first month of the religious calendar. The first step, beginning in receiving Christ is REPENTING

7 for our sins. Believing in the blood of Christ is our first step in our walk with God. Receiving Christ into our hearts and lives is the beginning of a New Covenant, relationship with God. Jere. 31:31-33; Jn. 3:5-7; Rom. 6:1-4; 2Cor. 5: The lamb was held for four days. Ex. 12:3, 6. Messianic Fulfillment: Matt ; Mk. 11:1-11. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God (Jn.1:29) and He was on public display for four days. Read Matt. Chapters The chief priests, elders, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians viewed Him. He came in the city with hundreds crying out Hosanna to the son of David and entered the temple. 3. The lamb was to be without blemish. Ex. 12:5. Messianic Fulfillment: Christ the Lamb of God. 1Pt. 1:18 20; 2Cor. 5:21. Christ the Lamb was examined by scores of people. Judas in Matt. 27:4, Pilate s wife in Matt. 27:19, Pilate himself in Matt. 27:23, 24, the repentant thief in Lk. 23:41, the centurion in Matt. 27:54. Christ was without sin. We are made the righteousness of God in Christ. 4. The lamb was of the first year. Ex. 11:5-7, 12:5, Spiritual Application: God always distinguishes the difference between the believers and the world. Ex. 11:7. The theme of the first born runs throughout the Bible. The first born of man or beast was set aside and given to God. Cain was set aside for Abel as was Ishmael for Isaac, Esau for Jacob, Egypt for Israel. Also our first natural birth is set aside for our second birth (spiritual). God distinguishes between the first natural birth and the second (spiritual birth) birth. First birth sinners, second birth children of God. Jn. 1:12; 3:1-7, Rom. 9:8-13; 1Cor. 15:22; 15: Messianic Fulfillment: Jesus first born of Mary and first born of God spiritually. Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matt. 1:21-25; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18; Rev. 3: It is a male. Ex. 12:5, Spiritual Application: Through Adam the first male all were made sinners, through Christ a male must atone for that sin with His blood and all will by faith in His blood be made righteous. Rom. 5:12-19; 1Cor. 15: It is a lamb for a house. Ex. 12:3, 4, Spiritual Application: God s intention that all households experience salvation. By believing Christ we become the household of faith. Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19. Salvation for a household is available to all who believe in the Jesus the Lamb of God. Messianic Fulfillment: Progressive revelation of the Lamb in the Bible. First lamb for a house Ex. 12:4, the second lamb for a nation, Jn. 11:49-52, finally a lamb for the world, Jn 1:29. Remember Gen. 22:7, Isaac said Where is the lamb. See Is. 53:7 7. A Passover lamb was to be killed between the evenings. Ex. 12:6, Gods timetable went like this. The morning runs from 6:00 am to 6:00pm the evening runs from 6:00pm to 6:00am. The 12 hour period from 6:00am to 6:00pm is divided into two smaller portions. From 6:00am to 12 noon is the morning part of the day and 12 Noon to 6:00pm is the evening part. The 3 rd hr. of the day was at 9:00am; the 6th hr. of the day was at 12 noon evening; the 9 th hr. of the day was at 3:00pm evening. Messianic Fulfillment: Mk.15:25, 33; Matt. 27:45, 46, at 9:00am the lamb was laid and tied upon the altar by the high priest and Christ was nailed to the cross at that very same time. For 6 hours they both laid there and suffered. Then at the 9 th hr. 3:00pm the high priest ascended to the altar and slit the throat of the lamb and the blood spilled and said IT IS FINISHED at the very same time Christ said IT IS FINSIHED (Jn. 19:30), the blood had been spilled and He DIED. This is at the very same place (Mt. Moriah) that Isaac said where is the lamb and Abraham said God would provide the lamb.

8 8. The whole assembly shall kill it. Ex. 12:6. Spiritual Application: Every person who has lived on the planer Earth and sinned is guilty of killing Jesus Christ. Christ died for all sinners. Rom. 3:10, 12, 23; 5:8; Jn. 10:17, 18; 19:11, Jesus laid down His own life. Christ vicariously made expiation of our sins to satisfy God s judgment upon sin. Messianic Fulfillment: The whole congregation of people was involved in the death of Jesus Christ. Matt. 27:17, 20-22, 25; Acts 4: The blood must be applied to the door with HYSSOP. Ex. 12:7, 13, 22. Spiritual Application: Those who believe in Jesus Christ are the house of God. Eph. 2:19; 1Tim 3:15, Heb. 3:6; Gal. 6:10. The only way into the house of God is through the blood of Christ. Jn. 10:7-9. The Hyssop was a plentiful small plant for medicinal and culinary usages. It reminds us of the door of our hearts need to be humble and have repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to have the blood applied to us. V.23 when I see the blood 10. The body of lamb must be eaten. Ex. 12:8-10. Spiritual Application: Both the body and blood of the lamb speak of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Mat. 26: We spiritually eat of the body of the lamb and drink of His blood represented by the bread and grape juice. There only symbols of the body and blood of Christ. 1Cor. 11: By reading and following the Word of God with a sincere heart we are spiritually eating of His body. The lamb had to be eaten the same night, eaten with unleavened bread and eaten with bitter herbs. Ex. 12:8. Christ was crucified, suffered, and died the same night. Leaven speaks of sin (1Cor. 5:6-8) Unleavened bread is without sin. Christ was without sin being made sin for us that we would be made righteous in Him. We are to live holy lives in Christ. Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 1Pt. 1:15, 16. Spiritual Application: Matt.4:4; Jn. 6:31-35, 41, 48, 50, 51, 58. We must also realize that Jesus Christ is the unleaven Bread of Life. We must feast upon the bread the Word of God. The Word of God is unleavened, it is truth, without error, anything that is contrary to the Word of God is leaven bread, false doctrine. Matt. 16:11, 12. Spiritual Application: Bitter herbs. To those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior into their lives they experienced the bitterness of bondages and burdens while they lived in this world before they accepted Christ into they re lives. The burden of sin are placed on us by satan when we yield to his lies and deception, and then because of our own evil desires which is the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. We also face bitterness of burdens in our lives (Rom. 8:28-39) when we follow the Savior on a daily basis. Messianic Fulfillment: For Christ dying on the cross was a bitter experience because He had to pay for man s sin with His sinless life. The lamb must be roasted in fire, it must not be sodden with water, head, legs and other parts of the lamb must be eaten. Ex.12:8, 9. According to the Jewish writings from the Mishnah, the lamb was gutted the intestines placed upon the head and was roasted upright on a pomegranate stick. All of this pictured Christ on the cross with the crown of thorns. Spiritual Application: Fire speaks of judgment, refining, and purification. Our faith is judged, tested by fire so it can be refined and purified and come forth as pure as gold. Jam. 1:12; 1Pt. 1:7; Rev. 3:18. Water speaks of the watering down of preaching the Gospel of Christ, watering of false teachings of Christ. Gal. 1:10, 11; Acts 20:21; 2Thess. 2:3; 1Jn.4:1 3; Phil. 3:18; 2Pt. 2:1; 2Tim. 3:1-17. Spiritual Application: The head: Those who believe in Christ must feed on the mind of Christ. Phil. 2:5; 1Cor. 2:16; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:21-23; Heb. 8:10. The legs: This speaks of our

9 walk in Christ. Col. 2:6; Rom. 6:4; 8:1, 4; 2Cor. 5:7; Gal. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; 5:2, 8; Col 1:10; 4:5, 1Thes. 4:1; 1Jn. 1:7; 2Jn. 1:6; 3Jn. 1: The lamb must be eaten in haste. Ex. 12:11. Spiritual Application: Bible believers must quick to leave Egypt (the influences of the world system) and run toward the life that is in Christ. Luke 19:5, 6; Rom. 12:1, 2; Jam. 4:4. It must be eaten with our lions girded. Ex. 12:11. Our lions being girded speaks about our hearts desire to eagerly serve and obey God. Our spiritual lions are the truth of the Word of God. Eph. 6:14; 1Pt. 1:13. Shoes must be on our feet. Ex. 12:11. The shoes on our feet speaks about our walk with God. Scriptures that speak about shoes being on our feet can be found in Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15; Is. 52:7; Nah. 1:15. The staff must be in our hand. Ex. 12:11. The staff in our hand speaks about the believer s authority in the Kingdom of God by the name of Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:18 20; Titus 2: It is the Lord s Passover. Ex. 12:11. Spiritual Application: 1Cor. 5:7, We have passed from death unto life. No condemnation. We are Justified because our Lord died in our place to satisfy the law and the judgment of God upon sin. Christ is our Passover! Rom. 3:21-25; 5:1 21; Jn. 3:15-18, 5:24; 1Jn. 5: It is a memorial. Ex. 12:14; Lk. 22:1-20. Spiritual Application: God remembered us! Gen. 3:15; 22:7, 8; Ex. 2:23 25; Eph. 1:3-10. The Passover of the Israelites and our Passover Christ should be a memorial or a remembrance. God remembered us and we must remember God. 1Cor. 11: It is to be observed at the going down of the sun. Deut. 16:2, 6; Ex. 12:6. Messianic Fulfillment: Matt. 27: The 6 th hr. to the 9 th hr. 15. It is the place where God would put His name. Deut. 16:2, 6. Messianic Fulfillment: 2Kings 21:4 Christ was crucified in Jerusalem. 16. Not a bone of the lamb was to be broken. Ex. 12:43 46; Num. 9:12; Ps. 34:20. Messianic Fulfillment: Not a bone of Christ was broken. Jn. 19: There was to be an explanation of the service. Ex. 12: Spiritual Application: We are to witness and give an explanation of the Lords Supper and the plan of salvation to our family, neighbor and friends. Messianic Fulfillment: Lk. 22:14 20; 1Cor. 11: The Egyptians were spoiled at the Exodus. Ex. 12: Messianic Fulfillment: Satan was spoiled when Christ arose from the dead. Heb. 2:14; 1Jn 3:8; Col. 2: You must be circumcised to eat the Passover. Ex.12:43, 45, 48; Joshua 5:2-10. Spiritual Application: The physical act of circumcision was only a picture of the inward or spiritual circumcision that God wanted us to have. God always desired for His people to be circumcised in the heart. Rom 2:28, 29; 1Cor. 11:26 29; Rom. 8:9-23. Only those who have been born again in the heart can take part of the Lord s Supper for He is our Passover. Gal. 6:15; Jer. 24:7; Eph. 2: The Passover was to be a holy convocation, and no work was to be done. Ex. 12:16. Spiritual Application: A believer finds true rest and peace in ceasing from his own works and resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ the Passover Lamb. It is finished was His last words on the cross. No work can be done that my Savior has done. No works I could ever do to appease the God of heaven for it was the work my Savior did on the cross to satisfy God s judgment upon sin. Matt. 11:28 30; Jn. 17:1-4; 19:30; Rom. 3:21 30; 4:1 8; 20 25; 5:1 21; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; Heb.4: The Passover lamb must be killed outside the gates of the city. Deut. 16:5 Messianic Fulfillment: Jesus Christ was crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem a place called Golgotha. Jn. 19:16; Heb. 13:10-13.

10 22. They sang a song of rejoicing to the Lord. The song of the Redeemed. Ex. 15:1; Spiritual Application: Phil. 1:18; 2:16 18, 28; 3:1, 3; 4:4, 10. When a believer comes to realize the privileges and promises that comes through salvation in Christ we should have a spirit of rejoicing to the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing we have been delivered from the condemnation of sin, death and victory over satan, and experience the new life in Christ, we should have the joy in our heart no matter what happens in our life. Seeing Christ in the Passover shows us that. The Israelites sang a song of rejoicing experiencing the salvation in the Lord. The words rejoice, rejoiced and rejoicing are found 259 times in the Bible. When you read the book of Philippians you see the words JOY and REJOICE repeatedly used by Paul. 23. Israel is the firstborn of God. Ex. 4:22, 23. Spiritual Application: All those who accept the Christ are called the firstborn of God even as Christ is called the firstborn of God. Rom 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18; Heb. 12: To understand the truth about Christ when referring to the term firstborn it must be pointed out that refers to priority of position rather than origin. This meaning can be found in Ps. 89:27 Also I will make Him my firstborn, higher than the kings of earth. The assertion in Col. 1:15 therefore is that Christ, as the eternal Son, holds the position of priority in relation to all creation, in that He was before all things, He created all things, and in Him all things consist and because Christ arose from the dead. Col. 1:18 asserts that His resurrection claimed the Deity of Christ that He is God the firstborn from the dead. He became glorified and will bring many like unto His glorious body. Believers had a physical birth and a spiritual birth and we are being conformed to the image of Son of God. We will be changed like unto Him. Compare all scripture. Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9 17; 1Jn. 3:2; 1Cor. 15:52; Phil. 3:21.

11 THE FESTIVAL OF UNLEAVENED BREAD The Feast of Unleavened Bread was so much a part of Passover that the names of Passover and Unleavened Bread were used interchangeably. They expressed the same idea. Read Lk. 22:1 The Feast of Unleavened bread was to be observed on the 15 th day of the 1 st month Nisan, which is the day following Passover. Ex. 12:17 20; Lev.23:6-8. It is a seven day festival of the Lord. From the 14 th day of Nisan for the next 7 days God forbade the people to eat any leavened bread in their houses. Though the 15 th day was the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread they were to eat unleavened bread on the 14 th also. Historical Events; Two major historical events took place on this feast. The first was the Exodus journey beginning from Egypt. The second was the burial of Christ the Bread of Life. The Feast was to be kept seven days. Remember the number 7 is the biblical number for completion or fullness. Spiritual Application: We are to give ourselves completely to the Lord empty ourselves and give Him our fullness. Remember our sanctification. We are set apart from sin unto God and we are to live separated holy lives from leaven (sin) and feed upon Christ who is unleavened (without sin) the Bread of Life. The Bible is the Bread of Life, Word of God, Christ is the Word of God. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and Bethlehem in the Hebrew means House of Bread. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Purging leaven from the house. Ex. 12:19. The preparation for searching and removing the leaven from the house actually begins before Passover. THE CLEANING OF THE HOUSE: First the wife thoroughly cleans the house to remove all leaven from it. Then the wife is instructed to leave 10 pieces of leaven in the house. Father takes the children along with a candle, wooden spoon, feather and piece of linen cloth. Once the leaven is found father sets the candle by the leaven lays the wooden spoon by the leaven and takes the feather and sweeps the leaven on the spoon and wraps it with the linen and throws it out the door. The next day the father takes it to the synagogue and throws the linen into the fire. The spoon is the tree (cross) and the leaven is sin and the feather is the Spirit of God and He sweeps, swept, cast your sins and my upon the sinless (un leaven) one and He sheds His blood and dies for our sins. Then the linen cloth is the burial garment and Christ is buried and casting the linen out the door is Christ being wrapped in linen is buried carrying our sins away and the linen being thrown into the fire is that God has past judgment upon our sins and is satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son. Our sins were judged in Christ. In the Bible, leaven is always a symbol of sin. Spiritual Application: The human race is completely ruined in sin (leaven) and cut off from God and is in need to be cleansed from sin. If one is not cleansed of their sin they will be cut off from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. And the one and only way one s soul is to be cleansed, washed and removed of sin (leaven) is to be washed in the Blood of the Lamb. Today be Born of His Spirit washed in His Blood and enter into His presence. Rom. 3:21-30; 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1Pt.1:19, 20.

12 Spiritually the believers in Christ are the house of God and sin (leaven) is to be cleaned out of our house, which is our body. Heb. 3:6; 1Tim.3:15; Eph. 2:19; 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20; 2 Cor. 6: Spiritual Application: Spiritually we are to clean our houses of leaven (sin) from our houses by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal to us, through the knowledge of Christ and the Scriptures, the sin that is in our lives. 1Cor.2:9-12. It is only through the Word of God that we are able to identify sin in our lives. Ps. 119:105; Ps 19:7 Historically, Israel learned that keeping the feast of Unleavened Bread meant a complete separation from Egypt's false gods, religion, bondage, food, and slavery as well as its worldly glory, wisdom and splendor. We must remember that Egypt is a type of the world system that we live in. Pharaoh is a type of satan. We are tempted by satan's world system. The feast of Unleavened Bread gives us spiritual applications: 1. Involves putting away the sin in our lives. 1Cor. 5:7, 8; 1Pt. 1:14 16; Phil. 1:10-12, 2Cor. 7:1. 2. Separating ourselves from all evil that is corrupting our walk in Christ. Eph. 4:21, 24. We must take heed and read what Paul wrote in 1Cor. 10: As believers we are to flee the world's ways and philosophies that are contrary to the Word of God. Rom. 12:1, 2; 1Jn.2:15-17; Col. 2:8 4. We must Sanctify ourselves, which means holiness and separation from all appearances of evil. To sanctify means to make holy, to purify, or to consecrate. In Christ you are sanctified 1Cor. 1:2, 30; 6:11; Heb. 10:10, 14. But the human element is to sanctify yourself by reading and then applying in obedience what you hear and read in the Word of God. Eph. 1:4 5. The Bible, the Word of God washes us. The washing from the Word of God instructs us concerning sanctification and separation. Jn 15:3; Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:26; 1Pt. 1:22; 2:1, 2. We must immerse ourselves in studying the Bible the Word of God and by doing so enables the knowledge of the Word of God to transform and change our lives. The Feast of the Passover is a memorial and brings in view redemption upon which all blessings rests. Passover stands for "Christ our Passover (who) is sacrificed for us. The Feast of Unleavened Bread speaks of communion with Christ, the unleavened wave-loaf, in the full blessing of His redemption and of a holy walk. The divine order first, redemption; then, holy living. Sincerity is a must when you know you are in Christ. If so, one must be sincere in love, worship, obey and serve Him till He returns.

13 THE FESTIVAL OF FIRST FRUITS OVERVIEW: The 14th day of Nisan the 1st month of the Jewish calendar started the Feast of the Passover. The Feast of Passover is memorial and brings into view redemption upon which all blessings rests. Christ is our passover, 1Cor. 5:7, 1Pt. 1:19. The 15th started the Feast of Unleavend Bread and speaks of communion with Christ. No leaven bread was to be eaten starting from the evening 6:00pm of the 14th until the 21st of the 1st month. The feast lasted 1 week. We see a divine order so far in the Feasts of the Messiah. We see the full blessing of Redemption and of a holy walk. During the feast of Unleavened Bread another Feast is commanded. Turn to Lev. 23:9-14. The Festival of First Fruits started on Sunday the 16 th of Nisan which would be the day following the sabbath. Christ was slain on the tree on the day of Passover the 14 th of Nisan, and arose from the dead 3 days later on the 16 th day of Nisan which is the feast of the First Fruits. He was in the tomb Friday evening till Sunday morning which makes 3 days. We will see later in the lesson that in fact, Christ is called the first fruits of those who rise from the dead. How was it observed: The celebrant had to bring the first produce of a lone sheaf from the standing barley harvest to the priest. The priest brought the sheaf in the court of the Temple and there it was threshed, parched, ground and sifted and then mixed with oil about 5.1 pints and then a handful of frankincense was put upon it. Then the priest would take this lone sheaf and wave it before the Lord in the Temple, and then he would put a handful on the altar to be burned. The Hebrew word for sheaf is "omer". An omer is a measure of dry things containing a tenth part (5.1 pints) of an ephah. An ephah contains 10 omers of grain. (one ephah nearly 31/2 pecks) (1 peck =8qts.) Remember: The Feasts of the Messiah are agricultural harvest festivals. The harvest represents all who would put their faith, trust, and confidence in Christ. A sheaf represents a person or persons in the Bible. The sheaf represents people who accept Christ into their hearts. What is first fruits: First Fruits is mentioned 32 times in the Bible. It is mentioned 7 times in the N.T. and 25 in O.T. The Nation of Israel was familiar with the concept of first fruits or the first born. The first fruits were always the choicest, foremost, the first, the best, the preeminent of all that was to follow. Everything on the earth, both man and beast was to be presented before the Lord as first fruits to Him. They were holy to the Lord. The concept of the first fruits is a major theme in the Bible. There are many verses in the Bible but here are just a few. Ex. 13:1, 2, Ps. 89:27, Heb. 1:6 Heb.12:22-23, Rom. 8:29, Col. 1: Cor. 16:15. James 1:18 The theme of the Festival of Firsts Fruits is resurrection and salvation. Several important events happened on this day. Noah's ark rests on Mount Ararat. Gen. 8:4 Israel crosses the Red Sea. Ex. 14:1-31 Israel eats the first fruits of the Promise Land. Joshua 5:10-12 Haman is defeated. Esther 3 Chapters 1thru 6.

14 The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Jn. 2:19, Jn. 12:24, 1Cor. 15:35-44, Mk. 10:34, 1Cor. 15: Acts 13: Glorification 1Jn. 3:1-2. Jesus Christ is the First Fruits of the Barley Harvest: First born of Mary Matt. 1:18-25; first begotten of the Father (position not origin) Heb. 1:6; first born of every creature (position not origin) Col. 1:15; first begotten of the dead Rev. 1:5; first born of many brethren Rom. 8:29, Rev. 3:14, first born from the dead and first place in all things Col. 1:18. Rom. 4: The Spiritual Application: A sheaf in the Bible is used to typify a person or persons. Gen 37:5-11. Christ will return to earth during His second coming as King over all the earth. He also will bring the sheaves (born again believers) with Him. Psalm 126, Jere. 31:9-14, Joel 3:11-13, Zech. 14:3-5, Matt. 13:37-39, Mk. 4:26-29, Heb. 12:1, Jude 14, Rev. 1:7. Jesus Christ is indeed the most Holy One of God and is sanctified by the Father. Christ is the first, the choicest, the preeminent One. He is the first born of God and the first fruits unto God. Christ is the sheaf of the first fruits. Christ is called the first fruits of those who rise from the dead. 1Cor. 15:20-23, Matt 27:52-53, 1Thess. 4:13-18, 1Cor. 15: Those who accept Christ are indwelled with the Holy Spirit. Rom.8:23 The 144,000 witnesses of Christ from the tribes of Israel are the First Fruits to God during the Great Tribulation. Rev. 14:1-4. Some Scriptures concerning First Things: 1. The natural is first then afterward is spiritual. 1Cor.15: Israel was God's firstborn. Ex. 4: The Gospel was preached first to the Jews and then to non-jews. Rom. 1:16, 2:9-10, 10:5-6, 15:21-28, Acts 1:8. 4. We are called to seek first the Kingdom of God. Matt 6: Jesus Christ was the first to rise from the dead. Acts 26:23, Rev 1:7. Col. 1: The early believers were a kind of first fruits. James 1: Those who arose from the dead with Christ during His resurrection became the first fruits of all those who would rise from the dead. Matt. 27:52:53, Eph. 4:8, 1Thess. 4: Jesus Christ first loved us, and He is to be our first love. 1Jn. 4:19, Rev. 2:4. 9. Jesus Christ is the Alpha (first). Rev. 1:8, 11, 17, 22:13, Is. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12.

15 FESTIVAL OF PENTECOST FEAST OF WEEKS Review: The Festival of Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and Festival of Weeks or Pentecost were fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who was our Passover Lamb, died on the day of Passover. Passover brings into view Redemption. He was The Unleavened Bread because He was without sin and is the Bread of Life. Unleavened Bread brings into view our communion with Christ. Christ was buried in the tomb. Christ arose on First Fruits of the barley harvest. Christ is the first fruits of those to rise from the dead and receive a resurrected body. First Fruits brings into view our glorified bodies. Now we will see how He fulfilled the Festival of Pentecost. He fulfilled all the spring festivals of God. THE LAW The First Historical Event of Feast of Weeks: Ex. 19:1-8. In the 3 rd month (Sivan) 7 weeks or 50 days (Pentecost means 50) after the Jews left Egypt they arrived in the Sinai desert and camped opposite Mount Sinai. Moses was then told by God to gather the Israelites together to receive the Law. The Law was given on the 6 th day of Sivan 50 days exactly after crossing the Red Sea the 16 th of Nisan. The Feast of Weeks is a celebration of the giving of the Law. Deut. 16:9-10, Ex. 34:22, Lev. 23: The Law was given to the Israelites for a rule of living who were under the Covenant of Abraham and covered by animal blood sacrifice. The Law s purpose was to make clear the purity and holiness which should characterize the life of a people with whom the law of the nation was at the same time the law of God. The Law s function in relation to Israel was one of disciplinary restriction and correction it was to hold Israel in check for their own good. Deut. 6:24. Ex. 19:5-6. What does the Law Teach? It teaches God s unapproachable holiness. Ex. 19:12, 13, 18, 21. Rom. 3:23, Is 59:2 It teaches the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Rom. 7:13, 1Tim. 1:8-10, Rom. 5:20 It teaches the necessity of man s obedience. But we can t obey the Law! Jer. 7: Deut. 27:26, Gal. 3:10, Rom. 6:23 It teaches and proves conclusively mans sinful nature and all are under sin. Rom. 3:19-20, 7:7, 1Jn. 3:4, Ja. 2:9-11 It teaches the marvel of God s grace in providing a way of approach to Himself through the blood sacrifice looking forward to a Savior who would become the Lamb of God to bear the sin of the world. Jn. 1:29, Eph. 2:8, 9, Rom 5:8-21. Galatians 3:19: We know what the Law teaches, so why serve the Law? The Law cannot justify. Gal. 2:16, 21, 3:1-25.

16 The Israelites committed a grave mistake concerning the Law just like others have. They misinterpreted the purpose of the Law (1Tim. 1:8-10). They sought righteousness by good deeds and ceremonial ordinances, traditional religious rituals, ceremonies and sacraments. (Acts 15:1, Rom. 9:30-10:3) and rejected their own Messiah. (Jn. 1:10-11). The Law leads us to Christ: Gal. 3:24 THE HOLY SPIRIT The 2 nd Historical Event of Pentecost Feast of Weeks: Acts 2:5 The Jews from many different nations were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Feast of Weeks when the Law was given to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. Fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit came to indwell in the hearts and lives of all believers in Christ. Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, Luke 24:49, Joel 2:28-29, Ex. 19:16, Is. 44:3, Deut. 16:5-6, 16, 2Kings 21:4. This feast was a shadow of what was to come. The Holy Spirit decent was to form the Church and endue it with power. We need to observe that Pentecost was a wheat harvest feast and it is now loaves, not a sheaf of separate growths loosely bound together, but a real union of particles making one homogeneous body. The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost united the separate disciples into one working body. An Interesting Happening on Feast of Weeks: Ex. 32:28 compare to Acts 2:41. 3,000 souls perished on that day breaking the 1 st commandment of the Law but 3,000 souls were saved by repenting towards God in knowing that they broke God s Law and having faith towards Jesus Christ on the Feast of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks). The Promise is given on Pentecost Feast of Weeks: The Holy Spirit is given. Jn. 14:16-18, 26, 16:13. FULFILLED BY CHRIST: Jn. 16:7 THE RESULT OF FAITH IN CHRIST: 1Cor. 3:16, Acts 1:8, 1Cor. 2:9-14, 2Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:13, 4:30, Rom. 8:23 EPHESIANS 1:13-14: SEALED AND EARNEST: SEALED: The Holy Spirit being described as a seal brings to mind many images. A seal in ancient times was generally made of wax. It was common practice to melt a bit of wax to seal a scroll. Into this melted wax a signet ring was often pressed, leaving the mark of its owner. It was to guarantee that the letter was authentic. In ancient times there were also many cults, some of which required their adherents to receive a tattoo or mark upon their bodies. This was to identify them as members. You might think of the common practice on cattle ranches of branding cows to identify them as belonging to their owners. EARNEST: The meaning is 'pledge' or 'part of the full purchase money or property given in advance as security that the full amount will indeed be paid.' Today we would say 'deposit' or 'downpayment.' When you pay a deposit on a house or a car you are offering a small security of your commitment to paying the full purchase price within either days, months or years (depending on the

17 terms of the agreement). What God is saying to Christians is that we should look upon the Holy Spirit as a divine guarantee that we are indeed saved and will finally inherit Eternal Life which is conclusive evidence that Eternal Security is indeed a biblical doctrine. And thus we see the great work done by the servants of God through the in acting Holy Spirit! And thus we see the great work done being done by the servants of God here at Faith Baptist through the in acting Holy Spirit! May the servants of God give the law and then depend upon the Holy Spirit to convict the lost they have broken the Law of God and to convict them that they are under wrath and condemnation and then open their hearts to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!! Remember: The Feast of Weeks is to remember that the Law was given and the Holy Spirit was given on that day. 1. To learn and understand the shadow and patterns of heavenly things on earth. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17, Rom. 15:4, Col. 2:16, 17, Heb. 8:1-5, Heb.10:1, 10:7, Luke 24:25-27, 44-46, John 5: To understand the deep depth of the personal relationship that God desires us to have with Him. The feasts will reveal to you the deeper things concerning your personal relationship with Him. 3. There are spiritual applications that can teach and instruct us in our lives. 4. The festivals of God will teach us about the death, burial, resurrection, the coronation, the wedding, the second coming, the millennium reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, the empowering of the believers by the Holy Spirit, resurrection of the dead and the catching up of the believers and much more. 5. To have a more love for the lost everywhere and for the Hebrew Nation to be saved. 4 important aspects to Remember: All of the festivals are, at the same time, both historical, and prophetic. All of the festivals teach about the Messiah (Yeshua) Jesus Christ. All of the festivals are agricultural in context. All of the festivals teach about our personal relationship with God and how you are to walk with Him as you grow in the knowledge of Him, from being a baby believer to a mature believer. We have studied 4 Feasts of the Messiah the Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits which taught us about the death, burial, resurrection, Feast of Weeks (Passover) The empowering of the believers by the Holy Spirit. There calendar is based on the moon not the sun.

18 ROSH - HaSHANAH THE FESTIVAL OF TRUMPETS Lev. 23:24, Num. 29:1, The word Trumpet is found 135 times. Shofar-rams horn Biblical/ Hebrew Name: Rosh HaShanah, Rosh- new, HaSanah- year English Name: Feast of the Trumpets Time of observance: Tisheri 1. 1 st month of the Jewish calendar Historical Aspect: Blowing the shofar: Bringing in the Jewish new year Messianic Fulfillment: The resurrection of the dead and the rapture of the believers. Spiritual Application: Repentance and hear the calling of God for our lives. There is special season before the Feast of the Trumpets: Tesh u vah: Repent, Awake. Teshuvah begins on Elul 1 st (search) 12 th month of civil Jewish calendar Teshuvah is observed for 40 days. 40 is a number of cleansing and purification. All the feasts begin according to the new moon. Teshuvah continues for 40 days thru Tisheri 1 st Rosh - HaShanah the Feast of Trumpets to Tisheri 10 th Yom Kippur. Rosh HaShanah is observed for 2 days. This year Tehsuvah was Aug 12 th, Rosh HaShanah was Sept 13 th, Yom Kippur was Sept 22 nd. This is according to the Gregorian calendar. The worlds civil calendar. Teshuvah: It was a process of preparation through personal examination and repentance for the coming Feast of the Trumpets, Yom Kippur and the Feast of the Tabernacle for the Jews. Those who believe in Christ are called to examine their lives each day to see where they have departed from God. The Word of God and Truths for life. Each morning during the 30 days of the month of Elul, the trumpet is blown to warn the people to repent and return to God. It is a call to examine the Scriptures and the evidence of the Messiah of who He said He was and to shed light on our lives to reveal our sins and repent. 2 Pt. 3:9, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, 31 Feast of the Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah) teaches you need to know you have been born again. Don t wait until after Feast of the Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah) or you will find yourself in the Days of Awe the great Tribulation. In Jewish tradition many reasons have been offered of using the Shofar an instrument used in blowing the sound. It was used to sound the battle cry, when the king begins to reign, celebration of the birth of creation and on the Jubliee Year. Trumpets are symbols of testimony. Feast of the Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah) marks the Jewish New Year and is part of the season of repentance. Feast of the Trumpets is also called the Day of Awakening Blast or Day of the Sounding. It is a theme of To Awake or Shout.

19 The Word of God says in Eph. 5:14, Rom 13:11, 1Cor. 15:34. Feast of the Trumpets reveals: Prophetically. The regathering and repentance of Israel after the Church age is ended. Is. 18:3, 27:13, Joel 2:1, 15, It could be possible that the Rapture could happen on this feast. I DON T KNOW THOUGH. Feast of the Trumpets reveals a SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: Looking for the coming of Christ right now! The Rapture: The term rapture comes from the Greek word harpazo which means to seize, catch away, catch up, pluck, pull, take by force. The Hebrew equivalent is the word natzal Ps 34:19. Is. 26:2-3, 19-20, 57:1-2 all speak clearly of the resurrection of the dead, the tribulation, and salvation of Israel through the Tribulation. Ps 27:5 In 2Thess 2:1: The phrase gathering together comes from the Greek word episunagoge (ep-eesoon-ag-o-gay') which means an assembly. In Num. 10:2-3 the trumpet is blown to assembling the people. The blowing of the trumpet and the assembling of the people also appear together in 1Thess 4:16 17, 1Cor 15: One of the reasons for blowing the shofar is to proclaim the resurrection of the dead. It is the 13 th principle of the Jewish faith is belief of the Resurrection of the dead. The Opening of the Gates: Ps. 118:19-20, Is. 26:2, 19-21, Matt. 7:13,14, Jn. 10:1-2,7 The Wedding of the Messiah: Believers are the bride and Christ is the groom. Believers in the Messiah become betrothed to Him by faith while on earth. By accepting, trusting and believing in the Messiah, we will become the bride of Messiah, His followers become one with Him. 2Cor. 11:2, Eph. 5:25, Jn. 3:29, Rev. 19:7, Jere. 23:5-6, 33:15, 16, 2Cor. 5:21,1Cor 1:30 The Day of Judgment: Judgment of the believer not of sin but of works. 2Cor. 5:10, 1Cor. 3:9-15 It is what we do for Christ while we are here is what is going to count on the day of judgment. The Bemis seat where the rewards will be given on the works the believer did for Christ here on earth. The concept of the Bema Seat comes from the ancient Olympics, where a judge would sit on the Bema Seat at the finish line. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in-first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat. REWARDS: He also spoke of crowns for the Church as rewards for certain kinds of behavior. These crowns are identified as: Crown of Incorruptible in 1Cor. 9:23-27 this crown is for believers who overcome the temptations of this world and live a victorious Christian life. Crown of Rejoicing in I Thessalonians 2:19, Phil 4:1 this crown is a reward given for witnessing, follow-up, and ministry to others. Dan. 12:3

20 Crown of Righteousness in 2 Tim 4:8, and 1Thes 2:19 this crown is a reward given for faithfulness to use our spiritual gifts and opportunities serving the Lord and for loving His appearing. Notice that these two things go together. To love His appearing is to live in the light of it. Heb. 11:6 Crown of Life in Jas 1:12 and Rev 2:10 this crown is for those who persevere under trial. Crown of Glory in 1 Peter 5:4 this crown is for those who are shepherds of God's flock, elders, preachers, teachers and mentors of the young. The Casting of Crowns Rev. 4:10, 11. Because Christ alone is worthy and because we can only be fruitful when we abide in Him allowing His life to fills ours, we will all cast our crowns before Him in recognition that all we have done is by His grace. There is more to this feast then I covered in this study. There could be a book wrote on this feast alone. I skimmed over the study of the shofar, our betroth and marriage with Christ, rapture, day of judgment and much more.

21 YOM KIPPUR The Day of Atonement Lev. 17:11 Names, Themes and Idioms for Yom Kippur: The Great Day, Face to Face, The Fast, The Great Shofar and Closing of the Gates. Reference: Lev. 16:1-34, Lev. 23:26-32, Num. 28:22, 30. The Biblical name is Yom Kippurim: Day of covering, canceling, pardon, reconciling. Atonement: The Biblical use and meaning of the word must be sharply distinguished from its use in theology. In theology (Atonement) is a term which covers the whole sacrificial and redemptive work of Christ. O.T. atonement is the English word used to translate the Hebrew words which mean cover, coverings, or to cover. The Hebrew word kaphar (kaw-far) means to cover figuratively, to expiate (atone, appease) or condone, to placate or cancel, appease, make an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). Propitiation used in the N. T. expresses the same concept. Propitiation is translated from the Greek hilasterion, meaning that which expiates or propitiates, or the gift which procures propitiation. The word is also used in the N.T for the place of propitiation, the mercyseat the lid of the ark. Another Greek word hilasmosis, is used for Christ as our propitiation and for atonement in the O.T. The Day: The seventh month Tisheri on the 10 th day of the month. Sept. or Oct. usually. The entire day is spent fasting and praying because this day is the most solemn day in the year. This is why this Yom Kippur is known also in the Jewish language as The Day, The Fast. The Day of Atonement: The most solemn of all the Feast days. It was a cleansing of temple, priest and people of the nation of Israel. It was a time of prayer, fasting, repentance and Atonement. THE CEREMONY: There are many aspects to look at concerning the ceremony of the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. We will see that it points to the Messiah Christ Himself and how it relates to the believers in the Messiah. 1. The high Priest and the golden censer: Lev. 16:1, 2, 12 14, Heb. 9:1, 4, Num. 16:18, 46, 1Kings 7:50, 51, 2 Chron. 4:19, 22. The incense represents the prayers of the believers. Psalms 141:2, Lk. 1:5 11, Rev. 5:8, 8:3, 4. Aaron the high priest typifies the ministry of mediator, and intercessor. Christ is our High Priest, Mediator, Intercessor. He lives to make intercession for us. Heb. 3:1, 12:24, 7:22 27, Rom. 8:34, 1Tim. 2:5. 2. He went within the veil once a year: Lev. 16:2, Heb. 9:3,7. By the death of Christ, we are free to enter into the veil everyday. Matt. 27:50, 51, 2Cor. 3:14, Heb. 4:16, 6:13 19, 10:19 22.