If you’ve followed the yearly feasts cycle this year, you know we have a convocation (rehearsal) of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb this next week. It will start Sunday, October 13th, at sundown and end at sundown on October 23rd. The Jews were told to celebrate this seven day plus one day feast to commemorate the forty years they spent in the wilderness under God’s protection. (FYI the Biblical cycle of the Lord’s feasts are considered to be the “path of righteousness” mentioned in Psalm 23.)
If we are in Yeshua, then these are His appointed dates created for us to draw near to meet with Him. Many of us may have come from backgrounds where there was no celebration of His Feasts. The Creator of the Universe has invited us to come together with Him. May we not be found too busy doing other things to meet with Him on the dates He has selected to bless us, especially if it leads to a wedding!
For review, here is a brief chart of the three parts of the Feast of Tabernacles that takes place every year during the 7th Biblical month (September – October on our Gregorian calendar).
Feast of TrumpetsRosh HaShanah Tishri 1 Leviticus 23 |
The Jewish New Year begins the High Holy Days in the Jewish month of Tishri—in September or October. A celebration of the spiritual birthday of the world or creation. Blowing of the trumpets and the coronation of the King. | Some believe it will be the rapture of the church, a re-gathering of believers at the sound of the trumpet (1 Thess. 4:16-18; Rev. 19) and judgment of the wicked, others believe it is the day of the second coming. Or possibly just announcing His soon return. Jesus is coming for His Bride and will be King of the earth. |
Day of AtonementYom (sounds like home) Kippur Tishri 10 Leviticus 23 and 16 |
The holiest day in the Jewish year is spent in fasting, prayer, and confession. This was the one day a year given by God that each individual could be forgiven. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies to pour the blood of a goat on the Mercy Seat and make atonement for himself and the nation. Another goat was set free into the wilderness as a scapegoat. | Christ our Messiah was displayed as our sacrifice. We can use this as a time of self-searching, repentance, and recommitment to God. The goats represent the Jews and Gentiles. Possibly points to the day of the Messiah’s physical returning to earth, the day that Jews will recognize Jesus as Messiah and repent or it is possible that this is the Judgment Day. Also the day of the Great Last Trump. (Mat. 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16-18) |
Feast of TabernaclesSukkot Tishri 15 Leviticus 23 |
God told the people they should live in booths for 7 days so that the generations would know that His people lived in booths when He brought them out of Egypt. Each Sukkot, the Jews build and dwell or eat in booths or temporary dwellings for 7 days. A joyful celebration. | Christ is our Tabernacle or Dwelling place (John 14:14). May represent the 1,000-year reign of Christ on the earth. Some believe Jesus was born during this Feast. |
The instructions for the feast of Tabernacles are found in Leviticus 23:34-36, 41-43 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord. 35 On the first day there shall be a holy *convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. 36 For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy *convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.
41 You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’ ”
* convocation = a rehearsal – a shadow of things to come.
In Israel today, and in homes of Jews and Christians honoring this feast as a picture of their future wedding supper with their Bridegroom King, families are building three-sided structures (sukahs/booths) to eat and sleep in for the next seven days. These structures will have open roofs except for a few leafy branches. The reason for the openness is to highlight the fact that God, rather than any man-made covering, was their protector and still is.
The Feast of Tabernacles also celebrates gratitude to Abba for the harvest of crops at the end of summer. It was a time of thanksgiving. The early settlers called Puritans were in agreement with the Word of God when they came to this new country called America, and it is more than likely the first Thanksgiving feast was a Feast of Tabernacles celebration expressing thankfulness for God’s provision. The dates have changed but it is conceivable that today’s American Thanksgiving had its origins in the Feast of Tabernacles.
Ultimately, it will also be the celebration of the endtime Harvest of souls who will gather round the tables with us for the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
As Yeshua’s Bride, we will someday enjoy a jubilant marriage supper with the Lamb of God. For Revelation 19:7 says, ‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’
The Messiah will be crowned king and rule and reign in the New Jerusalem for 1,000 years. During His millennium reign, everyone will sojourn to the Holy City each year to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:41, Zechariah 14:16). After, Messiah will present His bride, holy and spotless to Himself. (Leviticus 12:2-4, Luke 2:22)
If you want to build a booth to celebrate in, look online for suggestions. They are as varied and creative as you can imagine. But whether you have a sukah or not, take some time rehearsing this amazing gathering with your friends and family. Let’s make ourselves ready for this pinnacle celebration of all our Bridegroom King is and all He’s done.
Again, so much more can be written about this feast and how it is celebrated. Planning on writing more in the future. Every bit of God’s feasts are full of symbols representing Yeshua and God’s plan for His family. “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday) to all of you.
Shalom ♥
Hear God's Heart 