Feast of Tabernacles

From my notes I present a digested lesson taught at our church by teacher Linda and history supplied by Donald.

 

There was much joy and dancing at the Feast of Tabernacles

As we come to study God’s Word, our teacher reminds us to come with a teachable attitude.  We understand that the gifts of God are irrevocable.   

We do not celebrate the Jewish feasts, but it is good to study about them.  Our celebration is the Lords Supper when we celebrate communion representing the body and blood of Christ Jesus.  (Our teacher had brought baked bread with symbols from a press, and grape juice for our fellowship as the lesson was taught.)

There are seven important Feasts that relate to Jesus; 

1.     Passover (Crucifixion of Jesus.)     Justification

2.     Unleavened Bread (Burial of Jesus)     Sanctification

3.     First Fruits (Resurrection of Jesus)     Glorification

4.     Harvest (Descent of the Holy Spirit)     Power given

An interval of three (3) months - -   Current age of the Church

5.   Trumpets (Gathering of the Church)    Rapture

6.   Day of Atonement (Second Coming of Christ)    Jewish Remnant

7.  Tabernacles (Inauguration of the Millennium )    Earthly reign

 

As you study the feasts they fall into three clusters. The first three feasts Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits occur in rapid succession in the spring of the year over a period of eight days. They came to be referred to collectively as “Passover.”

The fourth feast, Harvest, occurs fifty days later at the beginning of the summer. By New Testament times this feast had come to be known by its Greek name, Pentecost, a word meaning fifty.

The last three feasts Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles extend over a period of twenty-one days in the fall of the year. They came to be known collectively as “Tabernacles.”

It was the time of the seven (7) day Feast, and Jesus stayed in Galilee.  But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

John 7:14   Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

There were questions by the Religious leaders, about how did he know all these things?

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me.

There was much murmuring about His teaching, and the Pharisees sought to take him.

Jesus asked why do you seek to kill me.  Their answer was, “You have a devil, no one wants to kill you.”

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.   (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Many believed but others questioned, and there was division among them, some wanting to kill Jesus.

In the Old Testament tabernacle there was a golden candlestick.  Although this object is sometimes referred to as a candlestick, it was actually an oil lamp with olive oil burning in its seven lamps with flower shaped cups and a wick in each cup.  This item also had significance to Christ Jesus. 

Rev 1:13-15 And in the middle of the lamp stands I saw one like the son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire.  His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.

The feast and celebration was a time of great emotional drama as the celebration was in full force.  There was great joy, as all danced around the water.  It was about this time that Jesus cried out “I am the living water, he that is thirsty come onto me.  I am the light of the world and anyone in darkness can come to the light.

There was great responsibility to what was being offered.  We have a choice today to heed the passion of Christ and come onto Him and receive all He offers.