holy days

The Holy Days

THE THREE FESTIVALS AND THE SALVATION OF ALL

Holy Days of God

The nation of ancient Israel was commanded to observe the seven holy days of God as described in Leviticus 23. Those days are clearly different than the modern holidays of today such as Christmas and Easter. If you as a Christian wanted to keep God’s commands concerning obedience on certain days, which would you keep? Holidays or holy days?

The holy days of God include the following given in scripture:

Spring Holy Days: Passover (1), Unleavened bread (2), Pentecost (3) Autumn Holy Days: Trumpets (4), Atonement (5), Tabernacles (6) and the Last Great Day (7)

holy days

Much of the Old Testament describes God’s involvement with the nation of Israel. God gave that nation a covenant at Mount Sinai after He delivered them from the bondage of Egypt. It is called the Old Covenant and it consisted of the ten commandments and many statutes and instructions, including the Holy Day observances. The Old Covenant was a burdensome load. The nation was never able to live up to many of its requirements.

Heb 8:8 (KJV) For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Heb 8:9 (KJV) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

But the Old Covenant reveals New Covenant spiritual truths by types and shadows. The laws of the Old Covenant were a silhouette of good things revealed in the New Covenant of what was to come concerning salvation. These Old Covenant observances were a shadow of the plan which God is working through the eons (ages).

Heb 10:1 (KJV) For the law (law given at Mt. Sinai) having a shadow of good things to come

Col 2:17 (KJV) Which are a shadow of things to come (salvation).

Part of the Old Covenant had the requirement for the children of Israel to keep the Holy Days in three seasons of the year. These days included Passover, the days of unleavened bread (spring time), Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks, (late spring), Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day (autumn). Seven in total. Modern day Christians regard these as “Jewish”, and have nothing to do with the New Covenant. Although many Christians do recognize Pentecost as the giving of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts chapter two. Also some Sabbath keeping Churches of God groups believe they are required to keep all the Holy Days.

In reality the Holy Days, all of them, reveal to a believer much about the Plan of God for mankind. Remarkably the last two feasts reveal how God will deal with the unconverted masses of humanity who have never been saved. Very few Christians understand the meaning and timing of the following magnificent scripture about the future:

John_7:37 (KJV) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

It is not possible for anyone to come and accept Jesus in this age. Only those whom God has called and chosen are able. No one can come just because they desire to do so. God’s Plan of Salvation is not complete until the Last Great Day is fulfilled in the final age (eon), yet future. Yes there is hope for all the unconverted humans who ever lived. And be assured that they are not now and will never will be tormented in an ever burning hell fire as so many believe.

Most people simply do not see the meaning of the festivals, especially the fall festivals and how they relate to God dealing with the multitudes of those through out history who never received Jesus Christ as their Savior. Also most people have not given thought to why God created the Holy Days anyway. It is assumed that they were given to the Jews as a form of worship and obedience of God. So really, what was its purpose since they were unable to obey them anyway?

Jer 31:32 (KJV) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD.

Israel’s inability to keep the Old Covenant laws reveals to us that it is impossible for anyone to be obedient to God without His Holy Spirit dwelling in them. That is the entire purpose of what God was showing. A Christian is obedient to the spiritual requirements of law, not to the letter of the law as given in the Old Testament. And yet small groups of New Testament Christians cling to the belief that they should strive to keep the Holy Days in their worship of God. That is perfectly fine and for many a, joyous experience, but not a commandment nor a requirement for salvation.

Jesus Christ demonstrates in Matthew 5 that the Old Covenant – (Deut 4:13) are all types and shadows “of the law of the spirit of life” (Rom 8:2). As Jesus said in Mathew 5 – “it has been said (old covenant commands), but I say unto you…. (law of Christ)”. Types and shadows serve a necessary purpose, but are completely incapable of revealing the fullness of the body of Christ to whom Christians are to be conformed.

A Christian should recognize that the Holy Days of God reveal elements of the Master Plan of God for salvation, starting with the Passover through to the last great day of the fall festival.

The Spring Holy Days - the third eon

Some of the historical events of the third eon include the calling of Abraham, the exodus, the history of Israel, the birth and death of Jesus Christ, and His resurrection. It is a period of blood shed, cruelty and wars and rumors of wars. It is the age that Satan (the Adversary) deceives the whole world (Rev. 12:9). We live in that age today. For a believer, thank God, it is also the age of grace.

Passover

The Passover in ancient Israel was a type of its true fulfillment to come in our Lord’s crucifixion. The first Passover involved the sprinkling of the blood of an unblemished lamb on the doorposts of the Israelites dwellings when the death angel went through Egypt. The blood of the sacrificed lamb saved the Israelites first born from death. The sacrifice of our Savior saves us from sin and death and makes it possible for us to be His firstfruits.

1Cor 5:7 (KJV) …. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Christ was the first to be born from the dead. As a result of His resurrection by God the Father He is called the first of the firstfruits.

Pentecost

The Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament was fulfilled by the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit became available on that day, soon after the ascension of the resurrected Christ to Heaven. Those who received the Holy Spirit in that day became the Elect, the firstfruits. Many more came later. Pentecost follows the early spring harvest. Pentecost means “count fifty”. Count fifty from a day during the feast of unleavened bread. It usually occurs on a day in May or June of our modern calendar.

1 Cor_15:20 (KJV) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

James 1:18 (KJV) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

1 Cor 15:23 (KJV) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

These verses clearly demonstrate that Christians, those who are baptized with the Holy Spirit, are called firstfruits. They are those who will be in the first resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ.

Rev 14:4 (KJV) …. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

It is also important to note that whenever the word “first” is used, it suggests more to follow — there is never a Spring harvest without a following Fall harvest.

Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles : The 4th Eon

Trumpets

The Feast of Trumpets introduces the autumn festivals—representing the culmination of the present age of man and the beginning of an incredible time during which God will play a much more direct role in world events. Trumpets signal the intervention of God in the affairs of humanity on a global basis. This feast represents a dramatic turning point in mankind’s history. It ushers in the start of the Millennium. In Ezekiel Chapters 40 – 48 describes the millennial temple, the return of God’s glory to the temple (43:1-9), the temple regulations (43:10-46:24), and the millennial features of the land and people (47:1-48:35).

The Feast of Trumpets depicts the return of Jesus Christ to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God. The seventh angel’s sounding of the last trumpet signifies that “the kingdom of the world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ”.

Rev 11:15 (KJV) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever (eons of the eons).

1Thes 4:16 (KJV) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Paul also spoke of the day when the firstfruits pictured by Pentecost will be resurrected to immortal life. They will rule with Christ during the Millennium.

1Cor 15:52 (KJV) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Atonement

Christ is our Passover and His shed blood atones for our past sins. Atonement means reconciliation. The Day of Atonement symbolizes the reconciliation of God, initially to Israel, then eventually to all humanity.

The Day of Atonement pictures the time during which the Adversary’s (Satan’s) deception will be removed and he will no longer be free to influence and deceive mankind. He will be restrained from deceiving mankind for a 1000 years, the time of the Millennium. Righteous judgment will prevail on the earth in the Kingdom of God under Chris’s direct rule. At the end of the 1000 years the Adversary will be released to deceive the nations once again for a short period of time. It is amazing that after 1000 years, after all this time of prosperity and peace, Satan will again have the power to deceive nations on a worldwide scale.

Rev 20:1 (KJV) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Tabernacles

For ancient Israel this feast was the happiest time of the year. Here truly were seven days in which everyone, every single person in all Israel, and the strangerwho was not an Israelite could really rejoice.

Deut 16:13 (KJV) Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: Deut 16:14 (KJV) And thou shalt rejoice in thy
feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

These feast days were referred to by God in scripture as HIS feasts.

Lev 23:4 (KJV) These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

Can we not see the fulfillment in God’s grand plan of salvation in His holy days?

Why is the profound and marvelous truth of this festival not understood or taught by the preachers of mainstream Christianity? How is it even possible to avoid seeing the powerful and glorious progression of God’s salvation in this Fall Harvest Festival? Why is the truth of this great feast being hidden from the eyes of most Christians?

This feast, also called the feast of in gathering.

VWe know that Christ was the First of the firstfruits to be resurrected to life. We also know that all the chosen Elect are the rest of the firstfruits who are to reign with Christ at His coming. And there is another large group of people who will be harvested by God. Have you ever been taught about the great fall harvest, which excludes no one but includes everyone?

The literal fulfillment of this Old Covenant feast starts with the millennial rule of Christ and His saints. Knowledge of God will be so abundant at that time that it will be like the waters covering the sea bottoms. It is a time of prosperity and peace for everyone. It is true that Christ will rule with a rod of iron during that time, but also rule with justice and mercy.

Isa 2:2 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Isa 2:3 (KJV) And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isa 2:4 (KJV) And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Sin will exist but will not be as prevalent because the Adversary (Satan) will be out of the way. However, he is released for a short period of time at the close of the millennium. For that short period rebellion of mankind under Satan’s sway will be quashed by God with fire coming down from heaven.

Rev_20:9 (KJV) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

That brings to a close the fourth eon (age).

Last Great Day - the 5th and final eon

There is one more feast day called the Last Great Day. The eighth day of this Feast of Tabernacles was called “The Last Great Day of the Feast.” Jesus Christ Himself came to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem and spoke on the Last Great Day.

John 7:37 (KJV) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

These waters (a symbol for God’s Spirit) will be available to all those living in this eon until every soul in heaven and earth is saved.

Rev 21:6 (KJV) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Rev 22:17 (KJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

According to orthodox Christianity there is no great fall harvest of souls.

They say there will be no Fall Harvest in God’s Kingdom. Just how do they account for such a thing? Is God such an inept and unskilled Farmer that He has a total crop failure when Fall harvest time comes, or will He just burn the entire harvest in the eternal fires of some mythical hell?

What happens at the end of the eons (ages) is not well understood by many Christians. The commonly understood belief of today’s Christianity is that at the very end there will be spirit beings in heaven with God who believed in Jesus Christ. And there will be those in an ever burning hell of torture for those who never knew Christ or rejected Him. This is a demonic idea.

The firstfruits are but the beginning of God’s harvest, and there is to follow the full fall harvest of all humanity. God said that this end of the year fall harvest was a time of rejoicing. One could hardly rejoice over throwing the entire fall harvest of humanity into some torturing chamber of eternal fire.

At the end of eonian times all in the universe will be made right and be in harmony with God. There will be no more death, only life. All who lived will be immortalized and be in God’s family as his children. God will be all in all.

The Consummation (finallity)

All of mankind will be athirst for God’s way of life upon receipt of the Holy Spirit. The truth as to what happens at the end is not disclosed in the book of Revelation, but in first Corinthians.

1 Cor 15:24 (KJV) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

1 Cor 15:25 (KJV) For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

1 Cor 15:26 (KJV) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1 Co 15:27 (KJV) For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

1 Cor 15:28 (KJV) And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

And so we see in the New Testament that these three festivals of ancient Israel are really types in God’s master plan of salvation. Christ the first of the firstfruits. Then believers in this current eon are the firstfruits who are resurrected at the seventh trumpet. And later the great final harvest of all humankind. Truly a time of happiness and rejoicing. So yes, Christ is the first of the firstfruits. He is the first of EVERYTHING, He is the very Creator; and He is the last, the end, the CONSUMMATION of God’s plan of universal salvation.

1 Cor 15:22 (KJV) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Eph 1:10 (KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.

At the consummation “in Christ all be made alive”. It does not say all in Christ shall be made alive. Some may twist this scripture to say only those in Christ shall be made alive. ALL shall be made alive, not some. In Ephesians we are told that in the fullness of times (consummation) He will gather together in one ALL things in Christ. Could anything be more wonderful and glorious than that?

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