The Feasts of Israel: Spring and Fall When are the Feasts of Israel held and what are they all about? Dr. David Reagan and I were blessed by having Michael Norten as a guest on our television show Christ in Prophecy. Michael is a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate, formerly a pastor and staffer with Campus Crusade for Christ, and the
television personality the Garden Guy. He s written an absolutely fascinating book on the Feasts of Israel titled Unlocking the Secrets of the Feasts, explaining what each one means and how they are prophetically significant. I believe you ll find the following interview with Michael concerning the prophetic importance of the Feasts that relate to the First and Second Comings of the Messiah a fascinating read. The Spring Feasts Nathan Jones: Michael, can you give us an overview of the Feasts of Israel? What are they about? When do they occur? Michael Norten: God gave Israel seven specific Feasts. The first four Feasts are what we call the Spring Feasts. The last three Feasts are called the Fall Feasts. Concerning the four Spring Feasts, there is Passover, then the Feast of Unleavened Bread, then the Feast of First Fruits, and finally Pentecost. Pentecost is the same Feast that in the Old Testament is also called the Feast of Weeks. Dr. Reagan: Concerning those Spring Feasts, the first three occur very close together, don t they? Michael Norten: Yes, the happen very close together, except that for when there is 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits to the last of the Spring Feasts Pentecost. Dr. Reagan: That would put Pentecost in what, May or June? Michael Norten: Pentecost almost makes it into the Summer. The Fall Feasts occur much later, and there lies the longest period of time
between the Feasts. That time period has significance, too. For the three Fall Feasts, we have the Feasts of Trumpets which is also called Rosh Hashanah. It s held in the later part of September. Then we have Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement. Five days later the Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated. Nathan Jones: In what book of the Bible were these Feasts established? Michael Norten: Leviticus 23. All seven are given in Leviticus 23. Nathan Jones: These Feasts are all tied to the agricultural system and seasons, too, right? Michael Norten: Yes. The Feasts also tied to momentous events in Jewish history. The First Feast the Passover was to remind the Jews of how God got delivered them out of slavery from Egypt. The Second Feast the Feast of Unleavened Bread exists to remind them of the swiftness of leaving Egypt. Dr. Reagan: How does it remind them of the swiftness? Michael Norten: The Jews didn t have time for leavening the bread, which means adding yeast so that it rises. They had to travel with flat, unleavened bread and get out of Egypt quickly. Unleavened bread has so much more significance to the Jews and to us now, which I hope we ll get into later. The Third Feast the Feast of First Fruits coincides with the barley harvest. The Feast of First Fruits is a big, big event. The Fourth Feast the Feast of Pentecost is the wheat harvest. Remember that these Feasts were not observed until the Jews finally made it into the Promised Land, of course.
Nathan Jones: The Jews had to wait 40 years from when they left Egypt before they got to the Promised Land and could begin celebrating the Feasts? Michael Norten: Right. Dr. Reagan: How did the Fourth Feast get the name Pentecost? Michael Norten: Pentecost comes because there is 50 days between from the Feast of First Fruits to that feast. It comes from the Greek word pente. Pentecost has to do with the celebration of Jubilee and the Sabbaths, which we ll see is very significant prophetically. The Fall Feasts Dr. Reagan: Something like a five month period exists between the Spring and the Fall Feasts? Michael Norten: Yes, right. Dr. Reagan: How do the Fall Feasts relate either to the agricultural cycle or to history? Michael Norten: It s interesting that the number five, like in five months, in the Jewish system is always symbolic of God s grace. Concerning the Fall Feasts, the Fifth Feast the Feast of Trumpets is in actuality the Jewish New Year. They celebrate their New Year then. The Sixth Feast the Day of Atonement is when the Jews would be forgiven, having their sins covered for another year. The significance of the harvest part is tied to the Seventh Feast the Feast of
Tabernacles. The Feast reminds the Jews how God took care of them in the wilderness. It was also a time of celebration when all the harvests were finished, including the fruit harvest in the Fall. Their vats were full and the barns were full and they would celebrate God s provision. Dr. Reagan: Yes, the Feast of Tabernacles is a wonderful celebration time in Israel. It s a time when everybody takes off for a week. It s kind of like our Thanksgiving here in the United States, except theirs is a week long. Israelis will go to the beach, or they go to Galilee, and they take off from work. Nathan Jones: Michael, do you think God tied these Feasts to the harvests to remind His people to celebrate them? Michael Norten: Oh, yes, because it all has to do with God s provision. In the third segment of our interview with Michael Norten concerning the Feasts of Israel, Michael will provide some fascinating parallels between the practices of the Feasts and what they symbolize concerning Jesus First Coming.