The Holidays of God: A Prophetice Timetable? Part 2

When God told Moses to proclaim seven holy convocations, He referred to them as "My feasts" (Lev. 23:1-2). In English, that means "appointed times" or "dress rehearsals". In other words the God of Israel established an annual cycle of holidays to be practiced year after year as their prophetic "type" is fulfilled by the Messiah. Jews all over the globe continue the holiday cycle having little understanding of their prophetic significance because they do not recognize that their Messiah has come.

There are seven feast days divided by seasons linked to the agricultural cycle of Israel. Four come in Spring:

• Passover (Pesach)
• Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot)
• Firstfruits (Ha Bikkurim)
• Pentecost (Shavout)

Three come in the fall:

• Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)
• Atonement (Yom Kippur)
• Tabernacles (Sukkot)

These appointed times (or dress rehearsals) of the Lord provide a panorama of God's plan for mankind. They are an overview or outline of history that has amazing implications for every one of us.

According to Kevin Williams of RBC Ministries, "Many Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus share the conviction that the first phase of Messiah's deliverance has been recorded on the center page of human history."

He goes on to explain that the plan of God was revealed during the holy days of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Pentecost. "With a sudden turn of events, the first four feasts of Israel took on the personality of a miracle worker who bore the marks of God's Messiah. On Passover, Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb whose blood marked all who believe in Him for deliverance. During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, He died to take away our sin and to give us, in the place of our own efforts the "bread" (life-sustaining provision) of His eternal presence. On the Feast of Firstfruits, He arose from the dead to show that it was by God's power that He carried out our rescue. Then 50 days later on the Feast of Pentecost, Jesus sent His Spirit to show His presence with all who are willing to stake their lives on Him."

Next week, we'll elaborate a little on Pentecost and it's amazing spiritual and prophetic significance.

Words to the wise: "Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone expects of you." - Henry Ward Beecher

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