Spring Festivals
The fourteenth day of the first month, Nissan, is the Lord’s Passover. Most readers will already know to point out that the Passover Festival Lamb was a mere shadow of Yahusha, the Lamb of God. On the Passover day, he offered his body and blood for a new covenant and commanded his followers: “Do this in remembrance of me”. (Luke 22:19)
The Feast of Unleavened bread was also a foreshadow of Jesus (Yahusha), who is the sinless “bread of life”. (John 6: 6:35, 48, 51) The first cut sheaf (the wave sheaf) of the first fruit harvest is then offered. (Leviticus 23:10)
The Law was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai on The Feast of Firstfruits, and it was a reminder that they had been slaves in Egypt. On this day, the 17th of Nisan, they celebrated the first fruits of the harvest, a foreshadow of Christ’s resurrection.
Fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits, two loaves of leavened bread are offered (Leviticus 23:17), and this is known as the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost. (Leviticus 23:15) We recognize this as the day the Holy Spirit was poured out as promised.
The Festival of Weeks is believed by rabbinic scholars to be the day that God gave Moses the Torah or law, the first covenant. Thus the Festival of Weeks can be understood to be a foreshadow of a new covenant sealed by the blood of the greater Passover Lamb. Our Father in heaven chose the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) to institute the Law of the New Covenant. Not on tablets of stone but in the mind and on the heart; not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33)
“By this he meant the Spirit, whom those believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7:39)
“The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father – the spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – he will testify about me.” (John 15:26)
Since the Spirit teaches truth in each believer, we are not to judge one another, because we do not know the revelation of the Spirit for that person. Of course we do know that our God is truth, and he would not instruct someone to violate his written word. We can recognize a person of God only by the fruits they bear.
Fall Festivals
There are more festivals, but they take place in the Jewish autumn harvest period. The first of these festivals is Yom Teruah, also known as the Feast of Trumpets. I wrote an entire article on the Seventh Trumpet and the meaning of this feast, as it foreshadows the return of Messiah and Gathering of the saints, something we should all be aware of.
After the Feast of Trumpets, there is Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. On this day the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies only once per year to offer atonement. (Exodus 30:10) On this day the High Priest performed ceremonial washings and made atonement for the transgressions of all the people by means of two goats. (Leviticus 16:7) As for what it foreshadows, we understand the first goat to represent Christ, who died to make atonement for the tabernacle [holy place]. (Leviticus 16:15-19)
When the high priest completed atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, the scapegoat received all the sins of Israel and carried them away in the wilderness not to be seen again. (Leviticus 16:20-22)
The scapegoat carried away the sin, not bringing it back into remembrance. The second goat foreshadows a removal of sin. In a way this is also a picture of Christ, who has himself ‘borne our sins’. (1 Peter 2:24) John the Baptist shouted: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (Matthew 8:17)
How I understand this personally is that the first goat foreshadows Jesus’ blood specifically in covenant-context for his Bride. A picture of the Great Crowd in Revelation 7 describes people from all nations, tribes, and tongues, with their robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb, and serving day and night in the Holy Place [Naos]. (Revelation 7:9-17) The first goat represents a limited-atonement of the congregation. (John 17:9; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-27)
Furthermore, I understand the second goat to foreshadow the atonement for the forgiveness of sin for the people remaining on earth. (2 Corinthians 5:15; John 1:29; John 3:16; John 4:42; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:14) The second goat represents a broad atonement of the world. Notice that the second goat did not die for the sins, he carried away the sins. So while Christ “especially” died for his disciples, he is also the Savior of all the world, making intercession for the sins of the transgressors. (1 Timothy 4:10; Isaiah 53:12)
I confess my belief that while the Christ died for the Church, he also remains the savior of all humankind and will intercede in a spectacular way come the Day of Atonement. More than a year ago I wrote in an article titled “Mercy to the Nations” that Revelation 15:4 speaks of this:
“All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
What righteous acts? After those who were “victorious” are gathered on the sea of glass, it is time for Armageddon. (Revelation 16:16) The people remaining on Earth are about to see Jehovah’s righteous judgment.
Included in those who will not receive mercy are those who have the mark of the beast and worship his image, the waters of people who had clung to Babylon the Great and became partakers in her sin because they did not heed the warning to ‘get out of her’ (Revelation 18:4), those who blaspheme the name of God, and those sitting on the throne of the beast but did not repent. (Revelation 16)
After the nations witness these things, who shall not come before God and worship him in sackcloth, ashes and bitter lamentation? (Matthew 24:22; Jeremiah 6:26)
The next Feast is the Feast of Booths, and the Eighth Day. The Feast of Tents is the feast of ingathering (Exodus 23:16; 34:22), and started just five days after the Day of Atonement. It was a time of great rejoicing where they collected palm branches to build booths. (Deuteronomy 16:14; Nehemiah 8:13-18) I cannot help but relate to the promise in Revelation 21:3 that the Tent of God will be with us.
One important post-mosaic ceremony during the Feast of Tents is the pouring out of the water drawn from the pool of Siloam [1] – the pool from which water’s Jesus healed the blind man. Likewise, He will wipe out every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4) and gush forward water from the spring of the water of life. (Revelation 21:6) On the last day of the Feast of Booths, Jesus cried out:
“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.’ He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38)
What about Summer?
Spring and autumn are seasons of harvest. They are reason for rejoicing. The summer is not foreshadowed by a feast, since it is a season for hard work and growing fruit. Still, many of Christ’s parables referred to a time period between the Master's departure and his return. Those examples include parables of The Faithful Servant, The Ten Virgins and the growing season in the Parable of the Tares.
The message of Christ? Stay on the watch, for although we do not know the day or hour, the Master will surely return! So keep growing in fruits. Knowledge of the coming Autumn feasts keeps our eye focused on the promises for the future. Not one letter will remain unfulfilled.
“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” (Matthew 5:18)
[1] See Ellicott’s Commentary on John 7:37
Archived Comments
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Comment by LaRhonda Torrence on 2015-11-13 10:12:26
This has got to be one of the most beautiful, eloquent articles I've ever read from you Brother. I am going to print it out and keep it in my notebook where I can have easy reference. Finally, the feasts have been explained in a way that I can fully understand them and I thank you so much! Shalom!
Reply by arover2014 on 2015-11-13 15:58:03
Thank you sister. Sure is a pleasure! :-)
Comment by LaRhonda Torrence on 2015-11-13 10:19:56
Thank you so much for this article. I intend to print it out and keep it in my notebook for easy reference. You have made the festivals and their meaning very easy for me to understand and how they reference Yahshua (Jesus) Again, thank you Brother. Shalom!
Comment by The Real Anonymous on 2015-11-13 11:00:30
This is an interesting subject, Alex, one that doesn't get covered this fully all that often.
I would generally concur with what you have written, except for a few points we differ on. I would draw your attention to this passage regarding the two goats during the Day of Atonement:
"How I understand this personally is that the first goat foreshadows Jesus’ blood specifically in covenant-context for his Bride. A picture of the Great Crowd in Revelation 7 describes people from all nations, tribes, and tongues, with their robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb, and serving day and night in the Holy Place [Naos]. (Revelation 7:9-17) The first goat represents a limited-atonement of the congregation. (John 17:9; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-27)
Furthermore, I understand the second goat to foreshadow the atonement for the forgiveness of sin for the people remaining on earth. (2 Corinthians 5:15; John 1:29; John 3:16; John 4:42; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:14) The second goat represents a broad atonement of the world. Notice that the second goat did not die for the sins, he carried away the sins. So while Christ “especially” died for his disciples, he is also the Savior of all the world, making intercession for the sins of the transgressors."
I am unclear if or how you are distinguishing the great crowd in the Naos from the people remaining on the earth. To me, these are one at the same thing. It can be a controversial subject, but, as I see it, the scriptures never explicitly state that people are going to be resurrected to live in heaven, but are simply subjects of the heavenly kingdom, or are earthly administrators of the kingdom for those privileged to act temporarily as kings and priests on the earth (Revelation 5:10). The fact that the great crowd worships in the Naos is evidence of this. The Naos is the temple, and yet the body of Christians is itself that temple: "Do YOU not know that YOU people are God’s temple ... ?" (1 Corinthians 3:16) To me, this suggests that the great crowd is portrayed as being on earth, worshiping "in" the temple [Naos] by working side-by-side on earth with those ruling as kings and priests. This is a long subject; I am just showing you another point of view, not trying to exhaustively prove this point.
Second, there is no need for the second goat to be associated specifically with persons on the earth, as opposed to some group supposedly in heaven. A simpler understanding is that the first goat represents the value of Jesus' ransom sacrifice as he was put to death, while the second goat represents Jesus' role as High Priest, a role he can only carry out once he became alive again after his resurrection. As noted in Hebrews 7:25, "Consequently he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive [as pictured by the second goat] to plead for them."
It is probably not necessary for Christians to fully comprehend all the correspondences between the Jewish festivals and the Christian arrangement, but it is pleasing to see how these correspondences exist, and it is fitting that the Bible harmonizes with itself so well.
Nicely done, Alex.Reply by arover2014 on 2015-11-13 12:20:22
Hi The Real Anonymous,
Thank you for your comment & kind words.
I like your simple explanation seeing Jesus as High Priest. I can support that.
As for the Great Crowd, they are covenant-people of god in my understanding. Their washing their robes in Jesus' blood is evidence of that. So I see them as Christians.
Where they are .. on earth or in heaven, is topic for another article, or for our forum. It seems we have a different understanding at this time, and that's fine :-)
Reply by Dyslexic in English on 2015-11-15 08:14:46
I’m a still a nominal JW but lately came realize that to suggest “that the great crowd is portrayed as being on earth, worshiping “in” the temple [Naos] by working side-by-side on earth with those ruling as kings and priests” is nothing but an utter lie. It’s a man-made doctrine. Nowhere in the Bible do we find this false teaching (not even Matthew 25 as it has been often twisted by the GB). As it has been explained by many sources, Naos is the heaven itself, where the great crowd joyfully serves God.
Reply by The Real Anonymous on 2015-11-15 14:45:51
I know this subject is controversial, and it would take far too much space to give a thorough reply. In a sense, I agree with you the the WT portrayal of th Naos, heaven, the temple, the sanctuary, the great crowd, etc. are faulty. The part I disagree with is the belief that this is in heaven. I don't believe anyone is going to heaven. God created man for the earth, and said it was very good. There is no good reason why He would abandon the earth now or in the future. The kings and priests need to be with the people they are governing. It makes the most sense that they are all in the same place, on earth. In addition, after the thousand years, the king priests will no longer rule, because all things will be turned over to God so He can be all things to everyone. Where would those king priests live then, when their services are no longer needed?
The idea that there are two destinies, one in heaven and one on earth, is just as bad as saying some Christians are God's children and otheres are merely His friends. These false doctrines act to divide and separate people, contrary to Jesus' words that there would be ONE flock and one shepherd, not two flocks living apart.
God has not and will not abandon His good earth, neither will he abandon or separate His worshipers. We are all in this together, and we will stay together, here on the earth, all of us.Reply by Tadua on 2015-11-20 19:26:34
I have recently been coming independently to an almost identical conclusion. I would recommend all readers of these comments to read all scriptures (and their context) containing the phrase "chosen ones" and "holy ones". None of them explicitly say these ones will be in the heavens with jehovah god and jesus. E.g. 1 thessalonians 4:17 they meet jesus in the air, not the heavens. The very few that even might allude to a heavenly hope only mention "Heaven" which depending on the context could refer to ruling (as we understand new heavens and new earth) or the earth's atmosphere. I am still researching this area, but that is the conclusion a simple reading of the scriptures would indicate so far , if we are not coloured in our understanding of potential hopes but rather the understanding a non biased non religious reader would come too if asked what these scriptures indicated.
I do not intend to upset anyone with this comment, my first, but that is the honest opinion I am coming to, one that both the thought that there are 2 destinations, and the other that all true Christians have a heavenly hope, are reached by reading things into scripture that do not exist. Of course I stand to be corrected. Your brother.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-11-20 21:26:22
I am coming to a similar conclusion, Tadua.
Reply by Dyslexic in English on 2015-11-15 08:26:24
On the last part of my previous, I really mean “As it has been explained by many sources, Naos is the heaven itself, where the great crowd joyfully will serve God after the great tribulation”.
Comment by Deborah on 2015-11-13 11:40:02
Very nice article, Alex Rover.
It has a fresh feel to it, a peaceful offering to God.
Deborah
Comment by Brenda Evans on 2015-11-14 08:30:17
Thank you so much Alex
I too enjoyed reading this, and you can appreciate the analogies and relationships between the various Festivals and those to come.
The flow and the eloquence is found in the peace you read in the words.
Much much love and respect - thank you.
Comment by Humiliore on 2015-11-14 19:02:48
Thanks Alex! While I enjoy reading the corrections of WT errors here, its a nice change of pace to read something like this.
Peace,
Humiliore