The Gospel in the Fall Feasts of Israel

ROSH HASHANAH

“Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, “In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord’” (Leviticus 23:23–25).

In this presentation, the ancient world meets the future as we explore the historical application of the Feast of Trumpets and its prophetic promise of the Messiah’s (Jesus) Second Coming. As we view these passages together, you will develop a greater appreciation of the union of the Old and New Testaments as a consistent whole rather than a series of detached writings.

YOM KIPPUR

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the Lord. You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the Lord your God. If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people. As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your sabbath.”Leviticus 23:26–32

Knowing part of a story is never quite as satisfying as knowing the whole account. In the same way, when we examine Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—our hearts overflow with a greater appreciation for Jesus’ work on the cross. This presentation, like our Rosh Hashanah presentation, unifies the ancient and prophetic. It also explores the meaning of Yom Kippur in the life of unbelieving Jewish people and provides a  case for Jewish evangelism.

SUKKOT

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The Greek word translated “dwelt” is from the same word used for “tabernacle,” a place of dwelling. The above passage could, therefore, be translated as “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” When He became flesh, Jesus inhabited the temporary shelter of an earthly body, knowing He would soon be required to leave it. Similarly, the Israelites  lived in temporary structures under God’s provision as they made their way through the wilderness into the Promised Land. In this presentation, your church will connect the dots between the Feast of Tabernacles and Jesus’ dwelling among mankind.