Feasts – part 2
Leviticus 23:1-2 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
Feast of Trumpets – this feast has a couple types looking toward the return of Christ for the church. It is called the Feast of Trumpets because there was the blowing of trumpets to call Israel together for the feast. (Lev 23:24). Two types of trumpets were used in Scripture – one was a silver trumpet (Num 10:2) and a ram’s horn called a shofar which traditionally was used in this feast – although Scripture is not specific (see Josh 6:5 & Lev 25:9). The first type in this feast is the blowing of the trumpets. Some believe the “; last trump” of 1 Cor 15:52 refers to the last of the seven trumpets in the Revelation (Rev 11:15). However, the blowing of trumpets at this feast was more than just one blast. Thru the years it became a series of blasts with the last one being a long blast. A second type is the fact that it is to be celebrated on the first day of the seventh month when the new moon is showing just a sliver of light. The people had to watch carefully to be sure they had the proper day/time of celebrate of this blowing of trumpets (Matt 24:42; 25:13; Mk 13:15). Watchfulness is urged for its literal occurrence and also for the figurative fulfillment by Christ’s return.
The trump of God – when we speak of the rapture there are three elements involved in it: the voice of the arch angel, the shout and the trump of God also called the last trump. There are two other places in Scripture where it says God blows a trumpet or a trumpet is involved with God’s presence – Ex 19:19; Zech 9:14. Ancient Jewish tradition held that the righteous dead would resurrect on Rosh Hashanah and many grave stones were engraved with a shofar. Jesus spoke of calling the dead forth in Jn 5:28-29.
Day of Atonement – in Israel it was known as yon Kippur or day of covering – it was observed nine days after the feast of trumpets and is often referred to as the time of “awe”. On this day numerous sacrifices were made and the high priest was allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies before the presence of God. On this day the regular daily sacrifices were made along with others that allowed the high priest to enter into the Holy of Holies. Also involved in this day was the two goats – one for an offering and the other for a scape goat. On this day the people would wait before the temple as the high priest presented the offerings for the nation. This was a day for covering the nation’s sins for the previous year. The time of the tribulation will be a time of awe and also Daniel says that it will be to bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up visions and prophecy and anoint the most holy (Dan 9:24).
The Day of Atonement in the OT was simply a covering of sins, but since Christ died for the sin of the world He has made it possible for our sin to be removed (Heb 10:1-17). The shedding of blood is necessary for the removal of sin and Christ’s blood is sufficient for Israel’s sin (Zech 12:10).
Feast of tabernacles – this feast was five days after the Day of Atonement and lasted for one week. It was referred to as “Tabernacles” or the “feast of ingathering” (Ex 23:16). During this week the people were to dwell in booths or huts made of branches which symbolized their wilderness wanderings. It occurred after the full harvest and therefore it celebrated God’s past provision while in the wilderness and also His present provision of the harvest. This speaks to the millennial time after the tribulation when Christ will tabernacle here on earth for a thousand years. Interestingly enough it was during this feast that Solomon dedicated the newly built temple and the glory of God descended upon it (2 Chron 5:13-14). It was also on this feast that Jesus called for anyone who thirsted to come to Him (Jn 7:37-38).