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The Feast Days of Leviticus 23
By L. McGuire and Daniel Francis
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All Scriptures taken from the ISR (Institute for Scripture Research) unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

 

   
Have you ever wondered what happened to those old feasts (festivals) mentioned in the TaNaK (Old Testament)? There seems to be much controversy over these days. Some claim they have been done away with, nailed to that old rugged cross, along with the Messiah. Hmm…have they really been done away with? Did these feasts have any special meaning to them? If so, what were/are they?

     
Come with us, as we search for the answers to those questions and more. In this book, we will discuss the feast days in-depth. Many will be shocked, as we find out just whom they belong to, man or the Creator (Yahuah).

An even deeper look, at The New Testament will reveal if YaHUaH (the Creator) indeed has changed His mind regarding His laws and feasts. We will examine some of the commonly misunderstood verses by many different groups today.

Looking at many prophetic verses, many will be amazed as we discover that the feasts are thousands of years old and will be kept anew in the future Kingdom (also known as the millennium) of Yahuah and HIS Messiah.

We will explain how the Messiah, Yahushua remarkably fulfilled the spring feasts and how He will possibly fulfill the falls feasts, at his second coming. Lastly, we will look at how the feasts were actually stopped and who put a stop to them.

After reading, “The Feast Days of Leviticus 23,” hopefully you will not only be inspired to look more deeply into the topic of the feasts of Yahuah but also begin to celebrate these special appointed times!

 


Summary of the Feasts

     The best description of the Feast Days can be found perfectly preserved for us in one handy chapter of the TaNaK. Let us turn to the great book of Wayyiqra (Leviticus) where all the Feast Days are listed. Here, we will discover what YaHUaH (The Creator) has to say about these festivals.


Leviticus 23:1-2
, “And Yahuah spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Speak to the children of Yisra’el, and say to them, ‘The appointed times (Feasts) of Yahuah, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings (qodesh convocations), My appointed times (feasts), are these:”

     Wow, the very first verse in this 23rd chapter of Wayyiqra (Leviticus) has already given us the answer to one of our questions. Amazingly, this is going to be easier than what we had thought! The proceeding appointed times (feasts) are Yahuah’s! He tells us these are my feasts’ meaning they are HIS! Beloved ones, see how simple Yahuah’s words are? Truly, if you have questions, do not seek man’s advice, but seek the Written Word of Yahuah, known as the “Scriptures.” These are HIS love letters to us. Are you excited to learn what His feast days are? Ooh, we sure are! Come; let us learn about Yahuah’s feast days.

The Sabbath


Leviticus 23:3, “Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work; it is a Sabbath to Yahuah in all your dwellings.”

Isn’t that interesting? The weekly Sabbath is listed first! This is a weekly observance, different from the Seven annual feasts, but nevertheless, one of HIS appointed times. We just learned that the opening verses of Lev. 23 reveals to us that these are indeed Yahuah’s Appointed Times (Feast Days), not man's. Hmm…let us ponder. Many claim that the Sabbath, the one that was instituted in the book of Beginnings (Genesis), belongs to the Yahudim (Jews). Indeed, this is a lie straight from ha shatan himself. How can we be so sure to say such a thing? Because Yahuah just told us, in Leviticus 23:1-2, that the following feasts (appointed times) are HIS. HALLELUYAH!

Please, beloved ones, do not let Ha Shatan take the simplicity of Eloah’s words! Since Yahuah wants to make sure that we completely understand and there isn’t any confusion, whatsoever, about just who’s Feast Days these are, guess what He does? He simply tells us for a second time that these are indeed His Feasts:

Leviticus 23:4, "'These are the set feasts of Yahuah, even qodesh (set-apart) convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season.”

1. (Pesach) Passover and 2. Unleavened Bread

 The next Feast of Yahuah, is called the Passover. As the Passover ends, the seven-day Feast called, Unleavened Bread begins. We will later discover how the Messiah, Yahushua fulfilled the Passover Feast precisely as recorded here:


Leviticus 23:5-8,
‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to Yahuah. ‘And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread to Yahuah – seven days you eat unleavened bread. ‘On the first day you have a set-apart gathering (qodesh convocation), you do no servile work. ‘And you shall bring an offering made by fire to Yahuah for seven days. On the seventh day is a set-apart gathering (qodesh convocation), you do no servile work.’”

3. (Shavuot) First Fruits


Leviticus 23:9-11, “And Yahuah spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Speak to the children of Yisra’el, and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest. ‘And he shall wave the sheaf before Yahuah, for your acceptance. On the morrow after the Sabbath the priest waves it.”

 

 


4. (Fiftieth) Feast of Weeks

Leviticus 23:15-16, “And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to Yahuah.”

Leviticus 23:21, “And on this same day you shall proclaim a set-apart gathering (qodesh convocation) for yourselves, you do no servile work on it – a law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.”


5. (Yom Teruah) Feast of Trumpets

Leviticus 23:24-25 “Speak to the children of Yisra’el, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you have a rest, a remembrance of blowing of trumpets, a set-apart gathering.‘You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to Yahuah.” 


  6. (Yom Kippur) Day of Atonement

Leviticus 23:26-32, “
And Yahuah spoke to Mosheh, saying, “On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a set-apart gathering (qodesh convocation) for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to Yahuah. “And you do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before Yahuah your Elohim. “For any being who is not afflicted on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people. “And any being who does any work on that same day, that being I shall destroy from the midst of his people. “You do no work – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. ‘It is a Sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your beings. On the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you observe your Sabbath.”

 


 7. (Sukkoth) Feast of Tabernacles
(An Ingathering with the Last Great Day)

Leviticus 23:33-44, “And Yahuah spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Speak to the children of Yisra’el, saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Booths for seven days to Yahuah. ‘On the first day is a set-apart gathering (qodesh convocation), you do no servile work. ‘For seven days you bring an offering made by fire to Yahuah. On the eighth day there shall be a set-apart gathering (qodesh convocation) for you, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to Yahuah. It is a closing festival (solemn assembly) you do no servile work. ‘These are the appointed times (feasts) of Yahuah which you proclaim as set-apart gatherings (qodesh covo-cation), to bring an offering made by fire to Yahuah, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a slaughtering and drink offerings, as commanded for every day – besides the Sabbaths of Yahuah, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your voluntary offerings which you give to Yahuah. ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the fruit of the land, observe the festival of Yahuah for seven days. On the first day is a rest, and on the eighth day a rest. ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of good trees, branches of palm trees, twigs of leafy trees, and willows of the stream, and shall rejoice before Yahuah your Elohim for seven days. ‘And you shall observe it as a festival (feast) to Yahuah for seven days in the year – a law forever in your generations. Observe it in the seventh month. Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native Yisra’elites dwell in booths, so that your generations know that I made the children of Yisra’el dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am Yahuah your Elohim.’ Thus did Mosheh speak of the appointed times (feasts) of Yahuah to the children of Yisra’el.”


We have just read the weekly Sabbath and the Seven Annual Feasts of Yahuah! All through these verses, there are two points we need to emphasize. Yahuah makes these two points very clear and He repeats Himself regarding the feasts. Numerous times, He tells us that these are His Feasts and He states that these festivals are an everlasting ordinance. This means that the feasts were not just given to the Yahudim (Jews), but to all of Yisra’el (His people). And yes, they are given forever. We know from Scriptures, that he tells us He does not change
(Mal. 3:6) and in the book of Hebrews, we learn that the Messiah, Yahushua is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

 

Misunderstood verses in the New Testament

“But then, indeed, not knowing Elohim, you served those which by nature are not mighty ones. But now after you have known Elohim, or rather are known by Elohim, to which you wish to be enslaved (bondage) again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, lest by any means I have laboured for you in vain.(Galatians 4:8-11)

Some use the above verses, especially the one bolded, to try to explain that Yahuah’s Seven Annual Feasts have been done away with. This makes no sense, for a couple of reasons. By taking verses out here and there, one can easily manipulate and change the meaning of verses to fit their teaching (doctrine). When reading Scriptures, after we have asked Yahuah for wisdom, knowledge and understanding, we need to ponder on what the main subject matter is. In the above verses, we first find that he was talking about them being in bondage. What were these believers in bondage to? Other deities (gods) of course. When were they in this bondage? Clearly, the above verses reveal that they were indeed, in bondage before they even knew Yahuah, the Eloah of Yisra’el. Since they did not know him (Yahuah) then there is no possible way they could be referring to Yahuah’s Feasts (Leviticus 23).

Secondly, since these people were not Yahudim (Jewish), they would not be returning to the feasts, as they would have never kept them. Nor were they taught how to. Please remember, they were Romans. Therefore, the weak and miserable principles they were returning to, were not the perfect commands of Yahuah, but rather the pagan practices. They observed special days, months, years, as in one's birthday, seasons of old. Beloved ones, the pagan practices were being observed long before the time of Yahushua. At the rise of Christianity (old cult, Mithraism), these pagan practices were adopted under new labels.


Let us look at another misunderstood verse regarding the doing away with the Sabbath and feasts. Turn with us to the great book of Colossians.

[Note: the text in brackets was inserted by the translator but is not contained in the original Greek].


 
(K.J.V.)“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
(1378) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his Cross (stake); And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Messiah. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of Yahuah.Wherefore if ye be dead with Messiah from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Colossians 2:14-23)

Strong’s #1378 - Greek

1378 dogma dog'-mah, from the base of 1380; a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical):--decree, ordinance.

Strong’s #3551 - Greek

3551 nomos nom'-os from a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.

The dogma is not the Torah, commands of Yahuah. When comparing Strong’s Greek word #3351 Nomos, which is used numerously throughout the Messianic Scriptures (New Testament) to refer to the Commands of Yahuah. Whereas, the Strong’s Greek word #1378 dogma refers to the laws that the Pharisees and religious leaders had made in addition to the Torah. These are the Commandments of men the Messiah, Yahushua was referring to. Sha’ul (Paul) is not saying that Yahushua has destroyed the Commands of Yahuah but the dogma. He then goes on to talk about the worshipping of angels, which is another commandment of men. Let us review the following verses:

Let no one therefore judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths which are a shadow of what is to come but the Body of the Messiah. (Colossians 2:16-17) (K.J.V.)

Here, he is telling us that the Appointed Times (Feast Days) and the Sabbath are a shadow of things to come. A shadow is of the same image as what it is portraying. So, doesn’t this imply these will be observed in the future kingdom? And note the text says that these commands ARE a shadow of things to come, notwere a shadow” or “used to be a shadow” of things to come. He then says, let no man judge you’ (in these things: new moon; Sabbath; feasts) ‘but the Body of Messiah.’ The word “is” has been added to the original text and did not appear in the Greek.

The Body of Messiah is to judge each other with regard to these things. A second witness to this can be found in the following verses:

1Co. 5:11-13, “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone called ‘a brother,’ if he is one who whores, or greedy of gain, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler – not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are inside? But Elohim judges those who are outside. And put away the wicked one from among you!”

Galatians 6:1, “Brothers, if a man is overtaken in some trespass, you the spiritual ones, set such a one straight in a spirit of meekness, looking at yourself lest you be tried too.”

Ya’aqob (James) 5:19-20, “Brothers, if anyone among you goes astray from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the straying of his way shall save a life from death and cover a great number of sins.”

Sadly, ha shatan (the adversary, devil) has many obstacles, that he uses in this world, to get people extremely busy. How many times have you heard or even said yourself, ‘if only there were more hours in the day?’ I have said it a few times myself. A big problem can arise when the cares of this world, get us so busy with this and that, causing us to lose our first love! We must remember false doctrine does not appear to be false when the wolf in sheep’s clothing comes along picking a few verses here and there. At first glance, it seems to be truth. However, the spirit of error can be easily detected when we read verse by verse.

The Feast and the New Testament, say what?

One example of Sha’ul (Paul) continuing to keep the feasts, after Yahushua had been resurrected, is found in the book of Acts. Many of these feasts (which are a shadow of Messiah) required one to keep Sabbaths, and three of them even required one to go to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). We must ask, if the Messiah had done away with the Law and the feasts, why would Sha’ul, a Yahudim, still be traveling all the way to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to keep the feast?

“And when they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he declined, but took leave of them, saying, “I have to keep this coming festival in Yerushalayim by all means, but I shall come back to you, Elohim desiring so. And he sailed from Ephesos.” (Acts 18:20-21)

Sha’ul (Paul), in the following verses used the Passover & Unleavened Bread Feasts as an example of cleaning up our lives from malice and wickedness. Leaven is often used in the Scriptures as a reference to sin. We are actually told to keep the feast of Unleavened Bread:

“Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us. So then let us observe the festival, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)

Scriptures tell us that, “At the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

"One witness does not rise up against a man concerning any crookedness or any sin that he commits. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses a matter is established. (Deut. 19:15)

“This is the third time I am coming to you.” By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1)

So far, we have found two witnesses. Let us remember that this was taking place after the Messiah had risen. Keep reading because as we have uncovered, there are lots more verses. For instance, the following verses are in reference to the days of Unleavened Bread.

“And seeing that it was pleasing to the Yahudim, he proceeded further to arrest Kepha (Peter) as well – and they were the Days of Unleavened Bread. (Acts 12:3)

“And we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days. (Acts 20:6)

The Day of Atonement was known as the fast, as this was a day of denying oneself. (Please see Leviticus 23:32)

“And much time having passed, and the sailing now being dangerous, because the Fast was already over, Sha’ul advised them,” (Acts 27:9)

A reference to the feast of weeks, Shabuoth (some say Pentecost.)

“And I shall remain in Ephesos until the Festival of Weeks.”
(1 Corinthians 16:8)

 Nowhere in the New Testament does the Messianic Scriptures or the letters of the apostles, ever tell us that we are to stop keeping these high feasts. We can see from Scripture that the opposite is true; the feasts (appointed times) did not stop being kept by the disciples after Yahushua had died. They encouraged the believers to keep them and led by example. Scriptural examples show us that Sha’ul (Paul) still kept them (Acts 18) and that he encouraged the believers to keep the Passover (1Cor 5:7-8).

As we will see in a later section, these feasts (appointed times) were stopped by the early church, not by the apostles.

A Match made in Heaven, the Law and the N.T.

Even though Sha’ul (Paul) kept the feasts mentioned in Lev. 23, there is only one direct command in the New Testament to  keep the feasts, that we are aware of (1 Cor 5:7-8). However, there are numerous verses and places where Yahushua tells us to keep the commands Yahuah has given us. Reading the following verses, in context, will clearly show that the law has not been eliminated!


Mattithayahu (Mat.) 5:17-19,"Don't think that I came to destroy the law (
Torah) or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy (2647), but to fulfill (4137).“For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, (earth and the sky a form of two witnesses) not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law (Torah), until all things are accomplished.”, “Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (World English Bible)

To explain a little more, let us take a careful look at what the Greek words

‘fulfill’ (4137) and ‘destroy’ (2647) mean.

Strong’s #4137 pleroo play-ro'-o- Greek

from 4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

Strong’s #2647 - Greek

2647 kataluo kat-al-oo'-o

from 2596 and 3089; to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare 2646) to halt for the night:--destroy, dissolve, be guest, lodge, come to nought, overthrow, throw down. 

After saying that He has not destroyed the law, Yahushua then goes on to build upon the Old Testament laws. He expands on the meaning behind the law from numerous different Old Testament laws. We find that very interesting and you should also. The Messiah is telling us that not even the smallest part of the law (Torah) will be removed until heaven and earth pass away! Hurry, run outside and tell me what you perceive? Beloved ones, the earth and the sky still remain and so does the Torah! Notice how He then makes a distinction between those who do and teach the Commandments, compared to those who break them.

This goes right along with Revelation 14:12,
Here is the endurance (Patience) of the qodesh ones (saints) here are those guarding the commands of Elohim and the belief (faith, testimony) of Yahushua. Again this same message can be found in Revelation 12:17, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to fight with the remnant of her seed, those guarding the commands of Elohim and possessing the witness of Yahushua Messiah.” Please do not let ha shatan (the adversary) steal the simplicity of Abba’s words.

Another example can be found in the New Testament. It was very important, toYahushua, that we keep the law. He tells the people that he never “knew” them. Keep in mind, these are people who think they have worked miracles in HIS name, yet because they kept not his law, he says depart from me:

Mattithayahu (Matthew) 7:22-23, “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name? ‘And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness (iniquity) (458).”

Strong’s #458 anomia an-om-ee'-ah

from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness:--iniquity, X transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

The book of Romans tells us plainly that Yahushua did not do away with the laws of the Old Testament, but rather that the law existed to point us to sin. Therefore, showing us how we are in need of a Saviour. The law points us towards the Messiah, Yahushua, leading the sinner to repentance. Praise Yah!

Romans 3:20-21, “Therefore by works of Torah (Law) no flesh shall be declared right before Him, for by the Torah (Law) is the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from the Torah, a righteousness of Elohim has been revealed, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets,”

Romans 3:28, “For we reckon that a man is declared right by belief without works of Torah.”

Romans 3:31, “Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief? Let it not be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah.”

Once again SIN=Lawlessness. This is confirmed in the following verses:

1 John 2:3-7, “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard (keep) His commands. The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard (keep) His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever guards (keep) His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked. Beloved, I write no fresh command to you, but an old command which you have had from the beginning. The old command is the Word which you heard from the beginning.”

There are three important parts, to these verses, we must stress:

1) If we know him, we will obey His Commandments

2) We are to walk as Yahushua did (he walked obeying the Law & the feasts)

3) The commandment is not new (so it must be old).

1 Yohannan (John) 3:4-11, “ Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. Whoever remains in him doesn't sin. Whoever sins hasn't seen him, neither knows him. Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of Yahuah was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of Yahuah doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of Yahuah. In this the children of Yahuah are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of Yahuah, neither is he who doesn't love his brother. For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;” (W.E.B. with proper names).

No Law x No Sin + No need for a Savior =Lawlessness

[Total separation from Yahuah!]


We find it amazing how Scriptures reveal simple questions to us. As we can see in 1 John 3:4 we find that, SIN IS LAWLESSNESS! How can this be misunderstood? If we remain in Him, we do not sin. He who sins is of the devil. If we are born of Yahuah, we do not sin. We are told to walk as Yahushua walked. 1 Yohannan (John) 2:6, “The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked. Did Yahushua keep the Torah and festivals of Yahuah? Of course He did and we should as well.

The New Testament is very clear, in some verses, that the Torah (law) has not been done away with. Rather it is still the benchmark for believers living. We should be walking as our Messiah walked. To say the Law has been nailed to the cross is heresy at its worst! This is being taught by many wolves in sheep’s clothing, who are messengers of darkness, tares amongst the wheat!

What Prophecy Reveals about Future Events!

There is much debate about the law being done away with. Those who keep the law have been labeled legalistic. Many have replaced the Feasts (Appointed Times) of Yahuah with pagan holy days. The bottom line, there is only one authority we need to look towards to answer every question we have. Therefore, let us place all assumptions on the top shelf and just look at prophetic Scriptures. Astonishing prophecy, about the end times, is quit clear in regards of Sabbath keeping in the coming Messianic age and also Yahuah’s feasts (appointed times).


Zekaryah (Zechariah) 14:16-21, “And it shall be that all who are left from all the gentiles which came up against Yerushalayim, shall go up from year to year to bow themselves to the Sovereign, Yahuah of hosts, and to observe the Festival of Booths. And it shall be, that if anyone of the clans of the earth does not come up to Yerushalayim to bow himself to the Sovereign, Yahuah of hosts, on them there is to be no rain. And if the clan of Mitsrayim does not come up and enter in, then there is no rain. On them is the plague with which Yahuah plagues the gentiles (nations) who do not come up to observe the Festival of Booths. This is the punishment of Mitsrayim and the punishment of all the gentiles (nations) that do not come up to observe the Festival of Booths. In that day, “SET-APART TO Yahuah” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. And the pots in the House of Yahuah shall be like the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Yerushalayim and Yahudah shall be qodesh (set-apart) to Yahuah of hosts. And all those who slaughter shall come and take them and cook in them. And there shall no longer be a merchant in the House of Yahuah of hosts, in that day.”

For the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) it was commanded that the people go to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) for this feast once a year. When the Messiah returns setting up His Reign, during the Millennium, all are commanded to observe the Feast of Tabernacles [Booths]. This will be a breathtaking site! We are told three times that there will be a plague to all nations that do not keep the feast.

The above verses highlight some fascinating points. First, this feast is being kept long after Yahushua’s death and resurrection. The Feasts were not done away with, at the stake. Secondly, once again the Scriptures highlight that this feast was not just for the Yahudim (Jews), as some claim, because He punishes Egypt and any other nation who does not keep it.

The following does not speak of the feasts directly, but highlights the fact that in the Messianic age, the Law (Torah) will come forth from Zion:

“And in the latter days it shall be that the mountain of the House (Temple) of Yahuah is established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills. And peoples shall flow (stream) to it. And many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahuah to the House of the Elohim of Ya’aqob, and let Him teach us His ways, and let us walk in His paths. For out of Tsiyon (Zion) comes forth the Torah, and the word of Yahuah from Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).”And He shall judge among many peoples, and reprove strong nations afar off. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks – nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither teach battle any more. (Mic 4:1-3)

Another verse speaking of the future kingdom of Yahuah is found in Yeshayahu (Isaiah):

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:21-24, “And from them too I shall take for priests – for Lewites,” declares Yahuah. “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make stand before Me,” declares Yahuah, “so your seed and your name shall stand. “And it shall be that from New Moon to New Moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” declares Yahuah. And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm shall not die, and their fire not be quenched. And they shall be repulsive to all flesh!”

Please read the whole chapter of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66. The above prophecies emphasize that the Law, and more specifically the feasts will still be kept in His Kingdom.

 

Fulfillment of the Spring Feasts

 There are many parallels between the Messiah and the Spring Feasts. All of Yahuah's Feasts (Appointed Times) are a foreshadowing of things to come. I pray the following words will bring esteem to Abba and His Son! Plant the following words into your heart.


The Passover and then the Feast of Unleavened Bread is extremely important.We know the children of Yisra'el (
all who have been grafted into the vine
) were slaves (bondage to sin) in Mitsrayim (Egypt, this world) for 400 years.Yahuah delivered the children of Yisra'el (all that have been grafted into the vine) with an outstretched arm (Mighty One of Yisra’el) from Pharaoh (type of ha shatan, satan, devil). Mitsrayim was struck with plagues (Yahuah‘s Wrath). Moses and Aaron two witnesses (two more witness Rev. 11:3). Scriptures reveal the final plague (death of the first-born, first-fruits) was far worse than any other. Yahuah instructed Moses to tell the children of Yisra'el (all who have been grafted into the vine) to take a perfect lamb (Yahushua) on the 10th day of Abib/Nisan (Yahushua entered into the city of Jerusalem). Four days they were instructed to inspect the Pesach Lamb, making sure the lamb was perfect, having no blemish (Yahushua was in public view for four days, He spoke openly being inspected, interrogated by the Sadducees, Pharisees and found to be without blemish, having no defect) .On the 14th of Abib (Nisan) they were to kill the innocent lamb, between the evening (Exodus 12: 3-6). Between the evenings was anywhere from 3:00 to 6:00. (Yahushua gave up his spirit at the ninth hour which is 3:00, Mark 15: 33, 34, 37) The blood of the perfect lamb was placed on the doorpost of each home (doorpost of our beings). The Passover (Abib 14th) is not a High Sabbath but was a Preparation day. Meaning everyone was to prepare by getting the leaven (sin) out of their homes (temples, bodies).Watch this beloved ones, Yahushua (Passover Lamb) took our sin (leaven) away! Since He carried our sins, the plague of the first-born (death), he took in our place! Wow, ponder on how awesome these two feasts alone, the Messiah fulfilled perfectly! More fulfillment: Psalms 118, He came in His Father’s Name (Not Jesus or God); John 12; Isa: 53:7, Lamb led to the slaughter; 1 Cor. 5:7, Messiah our Passover; 1 Peter 1:18, 1 Peter 2:24; John 19:36, John 1:29. Not one bone was broken (Psalm 34:20). 

Exodus 12:12-13,"And I shall pass through the land of Mitsrayim on that night, and shall smite all the first-born in the land of Mitsrayim, both man and beast. And on all the mighty ones of Mitsrayim I shall execute judgment. I am Yahuah. "And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I shall pass over you, and let the plague not come on you to destroy you when I smite the land of Mitsrayim.”

For years, I always thought it was some death angel, you know like the grim reaper or something, that passed through the land. Without a doubt, the One: Who that passed through the land; is able to execute judgment (Great white throne judge-ment); the blood of the Pesach Lamb (Yahushua Ha Mashiach) is a sign that will cause this One to pass over and the plague of death (second death for the unrepented person) will not destroy (will not harm the ones that are in the first resurrection. They are the firstfruits and the second death has no bearing on them, these are believers, the congregation). Everyone who has the blood of the Lamb (Yahushua) on their house (bodies being the temple) the giver of the breath of life, the great I am will Passover. We learn the following in John 1:29, "On the next day Yohanan saw Yahushua coming toward him, and said, "See, the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!" The first Passover was a foreshadowing of the Lamb of Yahuah! The blood of the lamb being put on the doorpost is also a sign of how the Messiah, poured his blood out for mankind. Beloved friends, we need the blood of the Passover Lamb, Yahushua poured over the doorpost of our beings. When judgment day comes and Yahuah sees the blood of HIS Lamb over us, then the plague of the second death shall passover us! Praise be to Yahuah! At those words, my spirit leaps for JOY!

Immediately yet simultaneously following Passover, comes the feast of Unleavened Bread. The children of Yisra’el were commanded to eat the Passover meal in haste and to eat it with unleavened bread (without sin Ex.12:8). This type of bread, known as matzah, is flat having no ingredients like yeast, baking soda or leavening to cause the bread to rise. What is very interesting is that the matzah bread is striped and pierced just like the Messiah, Yahushua (Isaiah 53:5). Matzah is also known as bread of afflication! During the 14th of Abid, the children of Yisra’el along with preparing the Pesach Lamb, would also start the process of removing ALL leaven (sin) out of their home (removing sin out of their bodies).

 


Mat. 16:6, “And Yahushua said to them, “Mind! And beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees”

Mat. 16:11-12, “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?” Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

Gal 5:9, “A little leaven leavens all the lump.”

 

From the above verses, it is clear that leaven is being used symbolicly for sin. A little leaven (yeast) puffs things up, just like sin can grow, causing one to become puffed up (Col. 2:18). The Messiah is that unleavened bread having no sin. Yahushua told us that He is the Bread of Life (John 6:33, 35).

1Co 5:7-8, “Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us. So then let us observe the festival, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

 




  The next feast is called, First Fruit. This is when the children of Yisra’el were told to bring a sheaf of their first fruits to the priest. After the Sabbath, the priest would then wave the sheaf before Yahuah. Yahushua is the first-fruit! He overcame death and the grave.


1Co 15:20-26, “But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, and has become the first-fruit of those having fallen asleep. For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a Man. For as all die in Adam, so also all shall be made alive in Messiah. And each in his own order: Messiah the first-fruits, then those who are of Messiah at His coming, then the end, when He delivers up the reign to Elohim the Father, when He has brought to naught all rule and all authority and power. For He has to reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be brought to naught is death.”

We know the Messiah told us that the only sign they would get is the sign of Jonah, he would be in the grave for three days and three nights (Mat. 12:40). He rose at the end of the weekly Sabbath (3:00 to 6:00) and when Mary took him for being the gardener (John 20: 15) He told her the following:

Yohannan (John) 20:17, “Yahushua said to her, “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My Elohim and your Elohim. ”

She could not touch him yet, because the Messiah, now being the first- fruit, needed to be waved to Yahuah! He fulfilled this exactly. He ascended to Abba, entered into the Qodesh Place once and for all, having then sprinkled His blood, making atonement for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-14)! HalleluYah!

Then on the morrow (the day following the weekly Sabbath), the children of Yisra’el were told to count fifty days for the Feast of Weeks. Some call the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost, which means fiftieth in Greek.

Lev 23:15-16, “And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. ‘Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to Yahuah.”

Do you see how Yahuah’s plan has been made for mankind just through His Seven Annual Feasts? Seven is the number of completion. We know the week of creation was done in seven days.Yahuah sanctified, at creation the 7th day Sabbath. At the end of the seven completed Sabbaths (49 days/years), comes the day/year of release, also known as the Jubilee. This is a shadow of believers being the first harvest (Revelation 14:15; 18). What is even more intriguing about this Feast of Weeks is that not only was the Torah given on Mount Sinai but this Feast of Weeks is also when the Ruach Ha’Qodesh (The Spirit of Apartness) descended on the earlier believers in that upper room (Acts 2:1-4)! WOW,…the Ruach Ha’Qodesh was likened unto tongues of fire, reaching a momentum of 3,000 believing in just one day. At that moment, the Torah was written on their hearts! Praise be to Yahuah! Amazing! This is what the Messiah, Yahushua promised all believers would receive!

The Completion!

How these feasts might be fulfilled is open to one’s interpretation of the end time prophecies. We are not aiming to solve or argue any particular view, just that we believe these feasts will be fulfilled, at the return of Yahushua.

By obtaining knowledge, about the Fall Feasts, we can also see how the false Messiah (the counterfeit) will also come to deceive many. Keep that in mind!

The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) was the feast no one knew the exact day or even the hour :“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the messengers of heaven, but my Father only. (Mattithayahu 24:36).” The feast would begin with the sighting of the new moon by at least two witnesses (John 8:17; 2Co. 13:1; Rev. 11:3).

The blowing of the Trumpets was a form of communication (Numbers 10:2) for the children of Yisra’el. The trumpet (rams horn, shofar) would be blown at different times, for different reasons. For instance, they would be blown for military purposes, to prepare the people for battle, making announcements, getting the peoples attention, the beginning of the weekly Sabbath, High Sabbaths along with other special occasions. True believers continue to announce, “Repent for the reign of Yahuah draws near (Luke 13:3; Matt. 10:27; 24:14).What is interesting is that the Feast of Trumpets happens to occur in the seventh month and there are seven trumpets that blow in the great book of Revelation.

Rev 8:2, “And I saw the seven messengers who stand before Elohim, and to them were given seven trumpets.”Rev 8:6, “And the seven messengers who held the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”

The completion all of things in this earth age, will have come to pass, at the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet. The Seventh (last) trump will usher in the biggest occasion of all time… the announcement of the return of Yahushua Ha Mashiach (1 Th. 4:16-17; 1Co 15:52)! The long anticipated second coming, of the Messiah will have come to pass. The earth will be ripened for the great harvest of believers (Mark 4:29; Rev. 14:14-16), He will then strike the earth with His sickle, gathering the scattered sheep of Yisra’el!

Mattithayahu (Mat) 24:31 “And He shall send His messengers with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”

Shortly after, the marriage supper will come! All those who have been faithful (kept the marriage vows, Ten Commandments) believers (the Bride) to the Bridegroom (Yahushua, Ha Mashiach) will enter into the wedding feast!

 When a Yisra’elite man (a form of
Yahushua the Messiah) wanted to marry (the congregation), he would go to the maiden’s house with a ‘bride price.’ He would make a contract (covenant) with the maiden’s Dad. How exciting it must have been for both, the soon to be bridegroom (Yahushua) and the bride (Believers, called out ones). I’m sure the man would be very nervous, being in love, wondering if his bride price (Yahushua gave his life for the bride) would be acceptable, by the girls father (Yahuah was pleased to crush him. Isa. 53:10). If the bride price was accepted, a glass of wine would be poured (Mat 26:29). If the maiden drank, then they would be betrothed. Then the Bridegroom (Yahushua) would go off to build a place (the Millennium) for his bride (believers). Now let us consider the following verse:


Yohannan (John)14:2-4 “In My Father’s house are many staying places. And if not, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you, I shall come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you might be too. “And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Praise be to Yahuah! Amazing! Read that again, we will wait. At that time, His taught ones did not understand what he was saying:

Yohannan (John) 14:5, “ T’oma said to Him, “Master, we do not know where You are going, and how are we able to know the way?”



The Messiah was saying, that He was going to prepare a place for us! Watch this beloved ones…when the Father (Yahuah) decides the marriage chamber is indeed ready, (Mark 13:32) as it was custom for the groom’s father to do, the Bridegroom (Yahushua) would (will) get the Bride (Believers) at an hour know one suspected(s), like a thief in the night! Are you waiting for the Bridegroom, Yahushua to come get you? Fill up‘em oil lamps! I say, let the Bride prepare herself, for when the hour does indeed come, she shall be ready!

The Feast of Trumpets leads up to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). A time for Teshuah (repentance) or the “Days of Awe.” The blowing of the first trumpet could be the start of Jacob’s Trouble,’ lasting for seven days (seven years) leading up to the, ‘Day of Atonement‘, a day when all of Yisra’el is told to afflict their bodies (Lev. 23:26-32). This time may be shortened (Mat. 24:22). ‘Jacob’s Trouble,’ (Jer. 30:7) is a time that the Messiah referred to as, the Great Distress (great affliction, great tribulation).

Mattithayahu (Mat) 24:21, “For then there shall be great distress, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

This will be the time that the dragon makes war with the remnant (Rev.12:17; 14:12). Please note this great distress is for the qodesh ones (set-apart ones) and will take place after the false messiah (the counterfeit) has returned! This is the time the Bride (the congregation) will prepare herself:

Revelation 7:14, “And I said to him, “Master, you know.” And he said to me, “These are those coming out of the great distress, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

The sounding of the seventh trump, the last one, the Bridegroom (Yahushua) will return for His Bride (congregation).

The Day of Atonement is when the high priest would enter into the qodesh place (presence of Yahuah) to make atonement for Yisra’el’s sin. Please read Hebrews chapter nine and Leviticus chapter sixteen to get the clearest picture of the Messiah and the ritual that took place.

Hebrews 9:11-13, “ But Messiah, having become a High Priest of the coming good matters, through the greater and more perfect Tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, entered into the Most Set-apart Place once for all, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, having obtained everlasting redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the defiled, sets apart for the cleansing of the flesh.”


The Day of Atonement shows us that the Messiah atones for mankind’s sin. Through His faithfulness to his Father, he has redeemed mankind, making a way for us to have direct fellowship with Abba (Yohannan/John 14:6). He has become our High Priest and our Mediator!

Hebrews 9:23-28, “It was necessary, then, that the copies of the heavenly ones should be cleansed with these, but the heavenly ones themselves with better slaughter offerings than these. For Messiah has not entered into a Set-apart Place made by hand – figures of the true – but into the heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Elohim on our behalf, not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the Set-apart Place year by year with blood not his own. For if so, He would have had to suffer often, since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the offering of Himself. And as it awaits men to die once, and after this the judgment, so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to those waiting for Him, unto deliverance.”

 


We all have to appear before the great white Throne Judgment (
Day of Atonement). Everyone who has believed and obeyed, Yahushua Ha Mashiach will be found innocent. Our High Priest, Yahushua has atoned for our sins! HalleluYah!

The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths, Sukkoth, Succoth or even Sukkoth)’ is the last annual Feast of Yahuah. This fall feast is also known as the Feast of Ingathering and last seven days with an exclusive eighth day celebration called, ‘the last great day’. Succoth is Strong's #5521 and means the following: "a hut or lair: - booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent"

Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) along with Yahuah's other Feasts (Appointed Times) is a foreshadowing of things to come. When the children of Yisra’el left Mitsrayim (Egypt), do you know the first place they went? Exodus 12:37 "And the Children of Yisra'el set out from Ra'meses to Sukkoth, about six hundred thousands men on foot besides little ones.” They went to the city of Sukkoth, and then they went to the wilderness before they entered into the promised land. During the time of the fall harvest, the children of Yisra’el temporarily lived in these little huts.

 
Lev 23:42-43 "Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native Yisra'elites dwell in booths, so that your generations know that I made the children of Yisra'el dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am Yahuah your Elohim."

The Scriptures tell us that the Messiah, Yahushua pitched his tent (booth, tabernacle) among men: Yohannan (John) 1:14, "And the Word became flesh and pitched His tent among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-forth of a father, complete in favour and truth."

The body is just a temporary dwelling place for our being (Romans 8:16; Matt. 10:28). We are sojourners in this world.Yahushua said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). The Bride (congregation) has been called out (of the confusion, religious Babylon) and delivered out of Mitsrayim (bondage to sin) by acknowledging the Passover Lamb (Yahushua Ha Mashiach). Right now, we are living in the wilderness, dwelling in temporary homes (Romans 12:2). This is the time, when believers are being deprogrammed from the inherited lies. We are learning how to be obedient children because we have had the Torah written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). We are being tested and tried (furnace of affliction, Tribulation, John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3;8:35;2 Co. 1:4; Rev. 1:9;2:10). We especially wait for the second coming of Yahushua (7th trumpet; 1Co 15:52), Who will then lead us into the promised land (the Millennium, Yahuah‘s Kingdom). Let us be not as some of them were, grumblers, having no faith, wanting to go back to Mitsrayim, back to the house of bondage (sin)! Let us be strong and of good courage. For seven days (type of 7,000 years), mankind is to dwell in these tabernacles (human body).On the last great day (Day of Yahuah, type of Jubilee) all who had the leaven (sin) removed from their tabernacle (body). through belief in the Passover Lamb’s atoning blood (Yahushua). The High Priest (Yahushua) will/has enter(ed) into the courtroom (presence of Yahuah, Great white throne Judgment) the plague of the second death (Revelation 20:6; 21:8) will Passover us! We will be the great fall harvest (Feast of Weeks, Revelation 14:15; 18). Then we will dwell forever in our permanent dwelling place (Rev. 3:12; 22:14; 21:2).

Obviously, the feasts have a lot of meaning for us as we live today. Our Messiah has fulfilled all of the spring feasts to the finest detail. It makes sense that at His second coming, He will fulfill the remaining feasts.

In Plain Sight, they were stopped!

We have discovered in previous sections that nowhere in the Scriptures are we told to stop keeping the Feasts. Plainly, the early believers kept the Seven Annual Feasts of Yahuah including the weekly Sabbath. They even encouraged others to do so. So why did the festivals stop? To whom does, this credit belong to? The Messiah? On the other hand, was it the church? Turn with us to the great book of Daniel. Prior to the following verse, we learn that there is to be four kingdoms here on earth. We are amazed at how awesome prophecy is fulfilled. We know from these verses, that the fourth and final beast is different from all the others. This beast is horrendous, in that it does something no other kingdom as ever thought of doing.

Dani ’el 7:25, “and it speaks words against the Most High, and it wears out the  qodesh (set-apart) ones of the Most High, and it intends to change appointed times and law,
and they are given into its hand for a time and times and half a time.”

This is unimaginable! This beast, the fourth kingdom speaks against the Most High. Wears out the qodesh ones (set-apart ones, saints) which keep the Commandments of Eloah and has the faith (belief) of Yahushua (Revelation 12:17; 14:12). This fourth kingdom, which was and is not yet is, (Revelation 17:8) does something so corrupt, it is almost unbelievable! The fourth beast, thinks to change times and laws. The times it thinks to change is Yahuah’s Seven Annual Feasts including the weekly Sabbath and His Torah. Yep, you guessed it…with their leaven; they truly believe they have the right to change Yahuah’s Laws! Oh, this is absurd! The nerve of such a kingdom to think of themselves, as being able to change the Creator’s Law. Who gave this beast such a power? Why, that dragon of course!


Revelation 13:2, “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” (K.J.V.)

Marvel not, for this fourth beast of course is Pagan Rome, controlled by the Papacy. The church has a dodgy reputation for changing days, introducing pagan and unbiblical practices (for evidence of this look at Easter, Christmas,
Sunday Sabbath, ect). One other point, to note is that the early church wanted to distance themselves from the Yahudim (Jewish) community of believers. As seen from the texts below, this also applies in regards to the Feasts of Yahuah.

Constantine expressed the anti-Judaic sentiments of the bishops of the Christian world when he wrote:


Let us therefore have nothing in common with this odious people, the Jews, for we have received from our Saviour in a different way…Strive and pray continually that the purity of your souls may not be sullied by fellowship with the customs of these most wicked men…All should unite in desiring that which sound reason appears to demand in avoiding all participation in the perjured conduct of the Jews.”

There were also direct commands issued from the church regarding the feasts. Consider the following decree; Council of Laodicea (364AD) CANON XXXVII. “IT is not lawful to receive portions sent from the feasts of Jews or heretics, nor to feast together with them.”

Bear in mind, the seven annual feasts are not the Yahudim (Jews), yours or ours but they are Yahuah’s! CANON XXXVIII. “IT is not lawful to receive un-leavened bread from the Jews, nor to be partakers of their impiety.”

Here is some of what the Roman Catholic saint John Chrysostom preached in 387 A.D.: (we have replaced the pagan name with the true name)


“The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to march upon us one after the other and in quick succession: the feast of Trumpets, the feast of Tabernacles, the fasts. There are many in our ranks who say they think as we do. Yet some of these are going to watch the festivals and others will join the Jews in keeping their feasts and observing their fasts. I wish to drive this perverse custom from the Church right now...If the Jewish ceremonies are venerable and great, ours are lies...Does Yahuah hate their festivals and do you share in them? He did not say this or that festival, but all of them together. (John Chrysostom. Homily I Against the Jews I:5;VI:5;VII:2. Preached at Antioch, Syria in the Fall of 387 AD. Medieval Sourcebook: Saint John Chrysostom (c.347-407) : Eight Homilies Against the Jews. Fordham University.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chrysostom-jews6.html 12/10/05).”

Saint John Chrysostom (c.344 - 407) - wrote of the Jews and of Judaizers in eight homilies Adversus Judaeos, Against The Jews (or Against the Judaizers).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiahianity_and_antisemitism#Observance_of_Jewish_law

"Shall I tell you of their plundering, their covetousness, their abandonment of the poor, their thefts, their cheating in trade? the whole day long will not be enough to give you an account of these things. But do their festivals have something solemn and great about them? They have shown that these, too, are impure." (Homily I, VII, 1)

"But before I draw up my battle line against the Jews, I will be glad to talk to those who are members of our own body, those who seem to belong to our ranks although they observe the Jewish rites and make every effort to defend them. Because they do this, as I see it, they deserve a stronger condemnation than any Jew." (HOMILY IV, II, 4)

"Are you Jews still disputing the question? Do you not see that you are condemned by the testimony of what Christ and the prophets predicted and which the facts have proved? But why should this surprise me? That is the kind of people you are. From the beginning you have been shameless and obstinate, ready to fight at all times against obvious facts." (HOMILY V, XII,1)

As seen from above the Roman Catholic (Universal) Church had very little respect for Yahuah’s Laws or his people, Yisra’el. The following is taken from www.biblicalholidays.com (we have added the proper names)

Fourth Century

“By the time of the Council of Nicea (325 a.d.), Constantine, Emperor of Rome, claimed conversion to Christianity and considered himself the leader in the Christian church. Things changed drastically for the Gentile believers. Gentile believers were no longer persecuted. It became an economic advantage to be a Christian. Constantine also supported paganism with Christianity. In 314, he placed the symbol of the cross on his coins with the marks of Sol Invictus and Mars Conservator. Constantine retained the title of chief priest of the state cult until he died.

Under Constantine, things got better for the believing gentiles; however, now the Christians persecuted the Jews. The Jews who accepted Yahushua as the Messiah were forced to give up all ties with Judaism, Jewish practices, Jewish friends and anything Jewish. Constantine issued laws forbidding Jewish believers to keep Saturday as Sabbath, circumcise their children, celebrate Passover, etc. The punishments included imprisonment and even death. Constantine replaced the Biblical Holidays with alternative forms of celebrations adopted from other religions.

Wow…the truth really is in plain sight! We just need to know where to look!

The Jewish New Testament Commentary reports that the Jewish believers were told to ignore the way commanded by Moses or they could not be saved! "You Messianic Jews should not separate yourselves from us Gentile Christians by having Messianic synagogues! Don't you know that in Messiah there is neither Jew nor Greek? So be like us, give up your Jewish distinctives, stop observing the Torah and the Jewish holidays, put all that behind you; and worship with us in our Gentile-oriented congregations, living our Gentile lifestyle. The misuse is in concluding that because there is no distinction in Yahuah's sight between the forensic righteousness of believing Gentiles and of believing Jews, therefore Jews are prohibited from observing Yahuah-given commandments. Such a conclusion defies both logic and the practice of the early believers.

The anti-Semitic attitude toward the Jews flourished. During the Middle Ages, bands of Crusaders destroyed many Jewish communities. The raiders demanded the Jews convert but the majority preferred to die for their faith. In the late thirteenth century half of the world's Jewish population were living in Western Europe, over five hundred thousand. By 1500 there were no more than 150,000 Jews in this region due to riots, plagues and expulsions.”

Taking a good look at history and historical documents, one will discover that the feasts were never stopped by Yahushua or the Apostles but rather by the early church in an anti-Semitic attitude. In an attempt to “de-Judaize” their new religion. Once again, unless you consider the Catholic Church to be inspired of Yahuah, then the changes were made in error of the scriptures, which command them to be kept forever. The fourth beast (Daniel 7:25) can think to change times and laws all they want but Yahuah’s Feasts remain!

Conclusion

Through this study, we have seen that Yahuah instituted certain feasts in Scripture that He called them His own feasts and that He set as ordinances forever. We have seen that nowhere in the New Testament did Yahushua or the apostles ever change the days, but rather that they kept the days just as those around them did. We should keep Yahuah’s Seven Annual Feasts along with the weekly Sabbath, because they reveal the purpose of mankind’s salvation and the future millennium. The feasts of Lev. 23 all are a rehearsal for Yahuah’s magnificent plan for us. A look at the New Testament has also shown the Law (Torah) of Yahuah has not changed and is still the benchmark for Followers of Yahushua. Following this, we discovered that the change in the feasts and the non-observance of them was due to the early church and its interpretation of the scriptures and its Jewish bias. We have seen that prophecy tells us that the feasts will again be practiced when the world is under the rule of Messiah. Interestingly, we have seen that the feasts ultimately tell us of Messiah during His first and second coming to this earth, and hence are relevant for us as believers today. So should the feasts be kept today? We believe if the Scriptures are to be taken as a whole and not one or two verses, misunderstood and then highlighted and taken out of context, then the answer has to be YES. The Scriptures confirm for us that the feasts are His feasts and given eternally. May you receive the blessings, which are bestowed upon those who keep Yahuah’s weekly Sabbath and His Seven Annual Feasts!

 

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Written By L. McGuire and Dani'el Francis
(C) 2008-2011
F.O.Y. Pub.

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