Today is the third in a series of three concerning the birth of Jesus as we prepare for the beginning of the New Testament readings. Again we ask that you prayerfully consider the things that are written here. There is much to ponder so read slowly
The
birth of Jesus took place during the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall of the
year and not on the traditional date of December 25. The Feast of Tabernacles
was one of three great annual feasts of the Jewish people: the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Each
of these days listed in the Old Testament have the prophetic fulfillment in the
New Testament beginning with the coming of the Messiah associated with the
Feast of Tabernacles.
Colossians
2:17
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is
found in Christ.
Matthew
5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I
have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
When
He came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the
Feast of Tabernacles. When Jesus suffered and died for our sins, He fulfilled
the prophecies of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover, and the Day of
Atonement. When He ascended into heaven and presented Himself to God, the
Father, He fulfilled the prophecies of the Feast of First Fruits. When He sent
the Holy Spirit He fulfilled the prophecies of Pentecost. In all the feasts and
festivals the people of Israel remembered their past and renewed their faith in
the Lord who created and sustained them. Should we as Believers celebrate these
Holy Days today?
Again we find our answers in His Word. One thing we have learned in our
study of God’s Word is that He makes things perfectly clear! We especially like
how He has described life in the Millennium when it comes to honoring the
festivals and feast days, His Holy Days.
While
the people will celebrate all the appointed feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles
and the Passover are specifically named.
Zechariah
14:16-17
Then the survivors from all the nations that have
attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King,
the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If
any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship
the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain.
Deuteronomy
31:10-13
Then Moses commanded them: "At the end of every seven years, in the
year for canceling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacles, when
all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he
will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the
people-- men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns-- so they
can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words
of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and
learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you
are crossing the Jordan to possess."
(See also Nehemiah 8:14-18)
If
honoring and celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles is required during the
Millennium, shouldn’t we honor it today?
It
is important for us as Believers in Jesus to honor these Holy Days today, not
in the way that was done before the Messiah came, but to honor Jesus as the
prophetic fulfillment of those days. Part of honoring Him is to also remember
our past as the people of Israel did (which includes remembering everything
that the nation of Israel remembered). We have additional things to remember on
this side of the cross. We remember Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, and our
salvation through Him.
Who we honor is far more
important than when we honor Him. However, there is much
evidence in Scripture as to when we should honor Him. It just
takes a deep study of Scripture and verification with historical
documentation. There are great blessings in store for those who do honor
the Holy Days.
We
praise Him that He came to “tabernacle” among us and He was and is "God
with us."
Matthew
1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and
they will call him Immanuel"-- which means, "God with us."
For
additional details see the book The Journey of Jesus from the Manger to the
Mansion. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076JQ1ZY1/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
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