Fall Feasts of Israel Asher Intrator
The Holy Days of the Torah (Law of Moses) are referred to by two names in Hebrew:
Chag – meaning feast, from the root word to gather or dance in a circle, and
Mo’ed – meaning “appointed time,” from the root word for destiny or goal.
Chag emphasizes the celebration aspects, while Mo’ed emphasizes the prophetic meaning.
Two Groups of Holy Days for the Two Comings of Messiah
There are two groups of Torah holy days, three in the spring and three in the fall. The spring holy days are connected with the first coming of Yeshua, while the fall holy days are connected with His second coming. The three great works of salvation at the first coming were all done on the dates of the spring holy days related to them.
Pesach (Passover) – Crucifixion
Omer (First Sheaf) – Resurrection
Shavuot (Weeks) – Pentecost or Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
In end times’ prophecies, we also see three major events taking place – the Tribulation, the Second Coming, and the Millennial Kingdom. We understand these to be connected to the holy days that represent them.
Teruah (Trumpets) – Tribulation
Kippur (Atonement) – Second Coming
Sukkot (Tabernacles) – Millennium
Clearing up Confusion about the Trumpets
There has been some confusion concerning the blowing of trumpets as it is commanded both on Yom Teruah (Leviticus 23) and on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 25).
The blowing of trumpets on Yom Teruah is continued in the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6) and in the mobilizing of the camps of Israel (Numbers 10) and in various religious, governmental, and military assemblies. The Teruah blast of the shofar is a call to action and a prophetic warning.
Most of the trumpets mentioned in the Bible are connected to the Yom Teruah. Those trumpets find their fulfillment in the seven trumpets of the book of Revelation. The 7th trumpet declares that the kingdoms of this world will be taken over by Yeshua’s kingdom (Revelation 11:15), just as the 7th blast at Jericho released the people to rush forward and capture the city (Joshua 6:20). It is the call for the saints of God to get ready to take the kingdom by force (Matthew 11:12, Daniel 7:18). It is a message of spiritual warfare leading to kingdom victory.
However, the 7th trumpet is not the “last, great trumpet.” The last trumpet is connected to Yom Kippur, and is blown to symbolize the beginning of the year of Jubilee. That special trumpet is mentioned in the following places:
Exodus 19:13, 16, 19 – On Mount Sinai
Leviticus 25:9 – Yom Kippur
Isaiah 27:13 – Resurrection of the dead, Rapture
Matthew 24:31 – Second Coming, Rapture
I Corinthians 15:52 – Second Coming, Resurrection, Rapture
I Thessalonians 4:16 – Second Coming, Resurrection, Rapture
This special trumpet is the trumpet of God Himself and is only blown twice in history – once at Sinai and once at the Second Coming. It will be blown again by Yeshua Himself as He descends leading the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11). It will not be blown by an archangel like Gabriel or Michael (a misunderstanding of I Thessalonians 4:16), but by Yeshua as the Commander of the armies of heaven, giving the command to attack (Joshua 5:13). By biblical pattern that moment occurs at the jubilee trumpet of Yom Kippur.
The greatest day of the Temple priesthood was Yom Kippur in which the High Priest entered once a year to the Holy of Holies. The greatest day described by the Israelite prophets is the day of Judgment – the “great and terrible day of the Lord” – Joel 2:1, 31. The greatest day of the end times’ is the second coming of Yeshua. The “great day” of the priests, the great day of the prophets and the great day of King Messiah are all referring to the same day. The bible pattern is consistent.
Prophetic Meaning of Tabernacles
The feast of Tabernacles is called by the rabbis as The Great Feast, and also as the feast of the Ingathering of the Harvest. The Torah puts great emphasis on rejoicing during this feast (Deuteronomy 16:15), even saying that there should be only rejoicing. Like all holy days, there are three levels of interpretation: 1. Agricultural, 2. Exodus of Israel, 3. New Covenant.
The prophetic fulfillment can be seen in Zechariah 14:16 “All those who remain from all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of armies, and to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles.” (Compare Isaiah 27:13.)
Many Christians come to Jerusalem today at the feast of Tabernacles to fulfill this verse. The final fulfillment will be in the Millennium. Let’s look at a few lessons from this verse:
Prophecy – Since the feast is to be celebrated in the future, it has prophetic significance. It is important.
Present – If it was commanded in the past and prophesied in the future, the Torah must have validity and the feasts have meaning today. It is relevant.
International – This is not just a Jewish feast, but one for all nations, an international, multicultural, worldwide celebration. It is enormous.
Reformation – If Jews and Christians are going to celebrate this together, there must be a historic reconciliation between the two. It is unifying.
Celebration – After the wars and tribulation, will come a happy ending: a time of joy, peace and victory. It is positive.
Millennium – Since this happens after the great war at the second coming, it proves that the millennial kingdom is literal and not figurative. It is real.
Jerusalem – All the nations come to Jerusalem, the capital of Yeshua’s millennial kingdom. His earthly throne will be there. It is central.
No wonder there is such a spiritual, political, and military battle over Jerusalem. Verse 16 of Zechariah 14 is parallel to verse 2. “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem for battle…” In verse 16 they come to worship; in verse 2 they come to fight. Everyone will be drawn to Jerusalem for one of these two reasons.
The spirit of Yeshua will draw His people to worship; He will draw His enemies to fight. (Verse 3 says He will “fight against those nations” that have come against Jerusalem to battle.) Everyone will come. The choice is whether they come to fight against the city or to worship the king there. The question is: Which side are we on?
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