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Unveiling 1
"Just a Closer Walk"Midi!
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(Psa 40:7 KJV) "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,"

These studies consist of various instructions, deductions, warnings, and Biblical (Heb 10:7) information and truths for the budding or mature Christian. In the final third part of this study, my decisive focus is on three annually observed Israelite festivals (Exo 23:14-17 71) when all the males appeared before the LORD, and other ones 55 that have spiritual fulfillments (Mat 5:17-19).

Some of the things learned in these studies are not necessarily accepted by the Dispensational Premillennialist, or the schools that teach non-Biblical Pre-Tribulation Rapture, Gap and Day-Age Theories, traditions and false visions. Their errors only helped reinforce my quest, leading me to explore deeper (1 Cor 2:9-14) the riches (Rom 11:33) of God's Word to find more truths.

After all these years of periodically studying the Book of books (John 21:25; Rev 10:8-11), from Genesis to Revelation, I still do not have revelations (Dan 10:1) and visions (Ezek 1:1) like the prophets (Heb 1:1-3) did. The privilege of being in His kingdom (John 3:5), one of His children and joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom 8:14-17) opens the door, enabling me to receive the right understanding (Mat 13:51-52 51), and gives me the liberty (2 Cor 3:17) to learn truths (Col 1:25-27; Rev 1:1-3). The ones that I receive are manifested and declared through what the Holy Spirit unveils (1 Cor 2:9-14) while studying (2 Tim 2:15 36), with His guidance (John 16:12-15), the Bible and scriptures (Rom 16:25-27) contained within.

Various Categories

To help get the right ideas across in these studies, the Word of God could be placed into various categories. Besides the historical side, parts of the Bible form a road map showing present location and route, which represent our sinful condition and direction, and guiding both Jew and Gentile the way to salvation. Then, some parts are comparable to gathering material and building a house, which show how God is gathering His children and building a spiritual house with lively stones (1 Pet 2:3-5), a holy temple (Eph 2:19-22), His new covenant Church 56 with many members (Eph 5:29-30) -- are one bread and one body (Eph 3:6) in Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17 6) -- who are being conformed to the image 3 of the Father's 28 dearly beloved 60 Only 4 Begotten Son. 5

Gathering Scattered Pieces

And then the prophetic parts are like gathering scattered pieces of a picture puzzle and placing them, which clarify God's unveiling (2 Cor 3:13-18) order of events (1 Cor 15:20-28), learning about things once sealed (Dan 9:24, 12:3-4, 9), but now not sealed (Rev 22:9-10) and revealed (Mat 11:25-27; Eph 3:1-6) about the Savior (Psa 40:7-8 R) and His (mysteries) secrets (Rev 10:7) to whoever He so desires (Amos 3:6-8; Deu 29:29 7). Just as Jesus' first coming was foretold with various details scattered throughout the prophetic (1 Cor 13:9-13) Word, it is the same with His second appearing (Heb 9:28) and coming (Mat 24:30).

Examine Both Testaments

To understand more of Jesus, and He and His disciples' messages, and where they were coming from (considering they were in the covenants' transition), we need to examine both Testaments.

Preparation for a Good Foundation

We will begin by examining some O.T. scriptures (spoken of in the N.T. are the O.T. and its passages), which testify of our Savior (John 5:39-40), and getting an over-all picture of things. The O.T. is the foundation for the N.T. books. For if it did not exist, we would not have the true creation account (Gen 1-2), the beginning 30 of the heavens and earth, which have existed for around 6000 years (not eons), 29 and the Law and written prophecies (2 Pet 1:20-21), which are being fulfilled, and much more.

The Fall

Beginning with Genesis, we first learn about God's good and finished creation, His order of things, about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, their fall (Gen 3) into sin (Rom 5:12) and death (Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-13),, and the beginning of disorder and chaos on the earth.

After the serpent deceived Eve (Gen 3:13; 2 Cor 11:3), and she and Adam ate of the forbidden fruit, the LORD (Yehovah) God ('elohiym) said unto Satan...I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he will bruise your head (Rev 13:3), and you will bruise his heel (Gen 3:14-15), which happened at Calvary during Roman rule. Man had alienated himself from God, but He had made plans before hand to redeem him (Rev 13:8; 1 Pet 1:18-20). God said unto Adam and Eve, "...be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish [fill] the earth, and subdue it..." (Gen 1:27-28 KJV).

The Flood

Around 1656 years later, 29 when the earth was corrupt before God and it was filled with violence (Gen 6:11-13), the LORD (Yehovah) said He will destroy man and every living creature, but Noah found grace in His eyes (Gen 6:8). God ('elohiym) said unto him to build an ark (Gen 6:14-22), and then He caused it to rain upon the earth (Gen 7:1-4) to the Flood it and destroyed all flesh in whose nostrils was the breath of life (Gen 6:17; 7:21-23), except for eight souls (Gen 7:12-13; 1 Pet 3:20) and those that were with them in the ark.

Abram and Isaac

Around 367 years after the flood and the LORD had said unto Noah to multiply and replenish the earth (Gen 9:1), He chose (Neh 9:7-8) a man named Abram (Gen 11:31-25:10). The LORD said unto him to get out of his country and go unto a land that He will show him. So at 75 years old, he departed Haran and went forth into the land of Canaan (Gen 12:1-5). The LORD gave him and his seed the land (Gen 13:12, 14-15) and changed his name to Abraham (Gen 17:5-7). When he was 100 years old, his son Isaac was born unto him (Gen 21:5) by his wife Sarah who was 90 (Gen 17:17).

After God tested him (Gen 22:1-14), He said, "...because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son [Isaac], thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed 8 because though hast obeyed my voice" (Gen 22:15-18 KJV). And according to Galatians 3:16, 27 the promises were made to one seed, which is Christ—and if you are in Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:29).

Note: Abraham means "father of a multitude" according to Strong's Dictionary.

When Isaac was 60 years old, he had two sons born unto him, Esau and Jacob, by his wife Rebekah (Gen 25:19-26).

Jacob and Israel

When (Gen 32:28) Jacob (Israel) was 130 years old (Gen 47:9), he and eleven of his twelve sons and their families (Gen 46:5-7 9) went into Egypt (Exo 1:1-5) to be with son Joseph and his family (Gen 48:5; 50:23).

After the children of Israel stayed four hundred and thirty years (Exo 12:40-41 10) and multiplied (Exo 1:6-7; Deu 10:22), the LORD called Moses (Exo 3:1-10) who He had raised up (Exo 9:16) and delivered the children of Israel from the authoritarian Pharaoh. And while in the wilderness (Exo 19:1), He gave them the Law (Exo 24:12; John 1:17), commands (Exo 16:28), ordinances (Exo 18:20), statutes (Deu 4:4-10) and judgments (Lev 26:46) in which they were to keep (Lev 18:4-5) and observe (Deu 12:32) to do (Deu 17:18-19). If they did they would go in and possess (Deu 4:1-2; 8:1) the Promised (Canaan) Land (Lev 20:22-24), live (Deu 5:31- 6:2) and be blessed (Deu 28:1-14), but if they did not they would be punished (Lev 26), cursed and destroyed (Deu 28:15-62). Moses wrote the words of the Law in a book, and it was put beside the Ark of the Covenant (Deu 31:24-26).

After seeing all the signs (Num 14:11) and wonders (Exo 7:3; Deu 4:34) in Egypt (Exo 7-13) and the miracles in the wilderness (Num 14:22), having an angel of God go before them (Exo 14:19; 23:20), having a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exo 13:20-22; Num 14:14), crossing in the midst of the divided Red Sea waters on dry ground, seeing the drowning of the Egyptians by the returning waters (Exo 14:1-15:21), the coming of the quails and the manna from heaven (Exo 16:9-36), hearing the voice of the LORD (Exo 19:14-25), seeing the LORD (Exo 33:9-23), the God of Israel and the glory of the LORD on top of Mount Sinai (Exo 24:1-18), which appeared at the tabernacle of congregation (Num 16:42), seeing the fire that came out from before the LORD and consuming the burnt offering (Lev 9:23-24), and much more, regardless of all the wondrous works (Neh 9:9-23) the LORD did (Psa 78), the children of Israel sinned still (Num 21:1-9) and believed Him not (Num 14:11; Psa 78:32).

The LORD at first was not able to bring them into the Promised Land (Num 13-14). Even after forty years in the wilderness (Num 14:33-34) and proven (Exo 16:4; Deu 8:2), many of them still did not get to see (Deu 1:34-35) or enter (Num 20:23-24) it. Because of their complaining (Num 11:1-2), murmurings (Num 14:26-39 76), rebellion (Deu 9) and their disobedience (Josh 5:6), many died (Num 16:46-50 38) in the wilderness (Num 26:61-65). Even Moses died (Deu 34:1-8) there because he sanctified the LORD not at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh (Deu 32:49-52). But Joshua as their new leader (Josh 1:1-9), Caleb (Deu 1:36-39) who followed the LORD fully (Num 14:24, 30), the children of Israel (Josh 1:10-18) who believed and obeyed the LORD, and their children (Num 14:31; Josh 5:7-10) crossed over Jordan (Josh 3-4) to possess (Num 14:24; Deu 3:18-20) the Promised Land (Deu 27:3; Neh 9:24-25), continuing to become that great nation (Gen 12:1-3, 46:1-4) as promised (Deu 1:8-11; 6:3).

Judges, Prophets and Kings

After Joshua died (Josh 24:28-31), the LORD raised up judges for a period of 450 years (Acts 13:20) who delivered them out of the hand of those who spoiled them (Judg 2:16-19). And during Samuel the prophet (1 Sam 3:20), the Seer (1 Sam 9:9) who also was a judge (1 Sam 7:15), the children of Israel wanted a king, in so doing were rejecting (1 Sam 10:19) the LORD as their king (1 Sam 8:6-7; Isa 41:20-21). So the LORD placed Saul, who He chose (1 Sam 10:24) and who the Israelites chose and desired, as king over them (1 Sam 12:12-13).

After two years (1 Sam 13:1), the LORD rejected him as king, because he rejected His word and transgressed His commandment (1 Sam 15:23-24), and chose David, a man (1 Sam 13:13-14) after His own heart (Acts 13:22). After David reigned seven and a half years in Hebron, he and his men took the strong hold of Zion. And from Jerusalem he reigned another thirty-three years—all together forty years (2 Sam 5:3-10). Because he was a man of war and had shed blood, the LORD chose his son Solomon instead to build His house (1 Chr 28:2-7).

In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Exodus, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign and after his Father's death (1 Chr 29:26-28), he begin to build the house of the LORD (1 Ki 6:1), and in the eleventh year, it was finished (1 Ki 6:37-38). After he reigned 40 years and died (2 Chr 9:30-31), David's descendants continued to sit upon the throne of David (1 Ki 2:45) and of Israel (1 Ki 9:5).

The LORD sent the divided kingdom (1 Ki 11:31-33; 12:16-20) prophets (2 Ki 17:13; Luke 13:34), and the children of Israel wanted them to prophesy deceits, not right things (Isa 30:9-11). He warned them time again, but many were still much of the time rebellious (Isa 65:2) and disobedient (Neh 9:26-38; Rom 10:21) to the Law and to the commandments of the LORD (Exo 16:28; Neh 1:7) during the reign of kings (2 Chr 12:1; Dan 9:5-6) and the judges (Judg 2:17) before them, whoring after the gods (1 Chr 5:25-26 20).

Captivity, Jerusalem and Temple Destroyed

Around 390 years (Ezek 4:4-5) after Solomon's death, the LORD brought the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Ki 24:14-17) into captivity -- earlier northern Israel (2 Ki 17:1-6, 22-24) -- and the land into desolation (Lev 26:25-35). In 586 B.C. (according to Western Civilizations, Eleventh Edition, Volume One, page 80) Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple (2 Chr 36:16-21; Ezra 5:12).

Rebuilding

In 516 B.C., after they were destroyed and Jerusalem lay desolate seventy years (2 Chr 36:21 11), the rebuilt temple (Ezra 1:1-2 12) was completed (Ezra 6:14-15). Few years later, the remnant that were left of the captivity there in the province (Neh 1:3) begin repairing the wall and building the gates (Neh 3). According to Josephus in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of Xerxes (Artaxerxes according to Holman Bible Dictionary) in the ninth month, the wall was finished (Antiq. 11.5.8.179-180) -- completed in fifty-two days (Neh 6:15), possibly around 437 B.C. The LORD recovered a remnant the first time from all nations (Jer 43:5), and in these last days, He is recovering a remnant the second time (Isa 11:10-11; 27:12) from all nations (Deu 30:3-5). 13 The spiritual connotation of some of those O.T. scriptures is Jesus building His Church 56 and the gathering together of His elect (Mat 24:31; Mark 13:27).

Still Disobedient

Better than four hundred years passed and after the birth (Mat 2:4-6) of Jesus (Mat 1:21) -- called Immanuel (Isa 7:14-16; Mat 1:22-23) -- some Israelites were still disobedient to the Law (John 7:19) and to the commandment of God (Mat 15:3-9 14), some by their traditions.

Messenger Then Messiah

The Messiah, whom Moses (Deu 18:15-19) in the Law and the prophets wrote about (John 1:45) and who was to bruise the head of Satan (Gen 3:15), was to make His appearance. But first the messenger 21 of the Lord (Mal 3:1-3) had to come (Mat 11:7-15), who was John the Baptist and Elias (Mark 9:11-13), and preach repentance for the kingdom of God was at hand Preach (Mat 3:1-3), preparing (Isa 40:3) the way of the Lord (Luke 3:2-6). For in their midst (Isa 9:1-2; Mat 4:14-16), who come preaching the gospel (Isa 61:1-2 22), was Jesus the Christ (John 1:40-41), the Lamb of God who was to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29), heal (Luke 4:18-19), forgive (Mat 9:1-8; Acts 26:17-18), do miracles 23 by the power of God (Luke 9:38-43) and bring into man God's Kingdom (Luke 17:20-21). The Lord made a promise that He has kept. The New Testament (Mat 26:26-29), new covenant (Heb 12:24 26) believers, who were to be a kind of first fruits (James 1:18), were about to receive (Acts 2:1-4 15) by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 3:22-26) the promise and blessings of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3 8).

Fulfillment

Heirs

Israel—the Church (Acts 7:38; Heb 2:11-12) -- might have not known all what was happening. For the Law of Moses (John 1:17) and the Prophets was being fulfilled (Luke 4:17-21; 24:44-49) and not destroyed (Mat 5:17-19). Paul, who knew the scriptures (Acts 13:32-35) more than anyone that I know, other than Jesus who is the Living Word (John 1:1-5, 14), and who wrote thirteen possibly fourteen books of the N.T., by the inspiration of God (2 Tim 3:15-16) said, "...the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Gal 3:24 KJV).

This one Israelite (Rom 11:1; Acts 22:2-3) had lived under (Rom 3:19-20 24) the Law (Exo 24:12 25). It made nothing perfect (Heb 7:19), as we can see from Israelites' disobedience in the past. The Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, with gifts and sacrifices could not continually make the comers perfect (Heb 10:1), or he that performed the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience. The tabernacle 65 the children of Israel had in the wilderness for forty years was a figure for the present time Heb 9:1-10), and the holy places were figures of the true (Heb 9:24-26). All could not redeem man, free him from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2-4), give him power over the flesh (Col 2:23) and sin (Rom 7:5-25), nor could they take away sin (Heb 10:4, 11).

If one keeps the whole Law and offends in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10). Paul tells the brethren to have no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:1-6). "...What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh," God sent his own Son "...in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:2-4 KjV). By "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances [Heb 9:1, 9-10] that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the away, nailing it to the cross" (Col 2:14 KJV), and abolishing "...in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances..." (Eph 2:15 KJV), the Lord made a way for us to live a new life in Him.

The Lord is the only One who could redeem them that were under the Law (Gal 4:4-5) and its curse (Gal 3:13), and from all iniquity (Titus 2:13-14). God has done the impossible (Mark 10:26-27; Luke 1:37) with the making of a new covenant (Jer 31:31 26), by the one offering that He hath perfected, by the one sacrifice (Heb 10:4-18) that could ever take away sin (1 John 3:5), writing His law in the heart (Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10) and perfecting (2 Tim 3:16-17 16) the children of God (Heb 11:39-40 17). With God's indwelling Spirit (Ezek 36:27), we can love our enemy (Mat 5:43-46), and fulfill the Law by loving one another (Rom 13:8-10) and our neighbor as our self (James 2:8-17).

(Heb 9:8-12 KJV) "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: {9} Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; {10} Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. {11} But Christ being come an high priest 74 of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; {12} Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

Blessing Received by Jews and Gentiles Alike

Not only has the Lord redeemed Israel, He has also brought in the Gentiles (Isa 11:10 18) so they too could receive (Acts 26:17-18) through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:14, 26 19) the promise and blessings of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3 8) -- "...a father of many nations have I made thee" (Gen 17:5 KJV), "...In thee shall all nations be blessed" (Gal 3:8 KJV).

Perfection

We know there has been only one perfect person, who knew no sin (2 Cor 5:21 31), to ever walk this earth, and that's Jesus the Christ (Anointed). In the beginning man was created in the likeness of God (Gen 1:26-27; 5:1-2), but then he sinned. And I believe at the end of this age, when He -- "...the last Adam made a quickening spirit" (1 Cor 15:45 KJV) -- comes again, all believers who have become the children of God (Rom 8:14-17) will be like Him (Rom 6:5 3), who is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3). On that Day it will be life in paradise (Rev 2:7) with Him ("We have Been Redeemed" Midi!) as though we had never sinned (Psa 103:11-12 32). As for now, some say that we cannot be perfect, but Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Mat 5:48 KJV).

What son does not desire to be like the perfect Father? If Jesus knew we could not be, He would not have said it. The work that the Lord God does is perfect (Deu 32:2-4), and He finishes it (John 5:36 33). Striving (Luke 13:24; 2 Tim 2:3-5) for perfection is a higher goal than just in the natural.

(2 Tim 3:16-17 KJV) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

The Word of God helps us to understand perfect in its various ways, and also helps us to be perfect and complete. If we let our depraved nature run its course, 57 we will fall prey to Satan, away from the Lord God just like the children of Israel did, away from what He desires to perform in us, and end up in captivity with everything lost and destroyed. The word perfect, according to which Greek word used, and where and how it is applied, can mean "of full age, mature, complete, finished," etc.

Like Building a House

To envision perfect, we could look at a tangible objective that we would like to complete, for example, building a house 56 (for I'm a carpenter), or even a Bible study like what you see here. First, must have acquired some knowledge, understanding (Isa 11:2, 9) and ability (Dan 1:3-4); then, go forward, and along the way, be willing to learn (Mat 11:29-30 42), not being a know-it-all (Phil 3:7-16).

Before beginning construction, need to be a wise builder (1 Cor 3:10), count the cost (Luke 14:28-30), sell all to buy land (Mat 13:44), give all for the kingdom (Mat 19:12; Luke 18:29-30), prepare (Mat 3:1-3 34) mind, heart, soul (Mat 22:37-40 40) and body (Mark 2:18-20), and establish a solid (firm) Midi! foundation 56 (Mat 7:24-25 35). And then, to build a proper house upon that foundation (Eph 2:19-22), need the best material (1 Cor 3:11-14), a schematic (2 Tim 2:15 36), all the appropriate tools (Eph 6:11-18; Rom 6:13) and some construction skills (Dan 1:17). In the process of building, may need to learn (Prov 9:9 42) new things not yet experienced (Rom 5:3-5) to be able to complete the house (Ezra 6:14-15).

Prepared for Troubles

It is challenging to building one -- mine is still being worked on (Phil 1:6) with so much more to learn (Phil 3:7-16) -- but once finished, completed, perfected a soul can rest through the raging agonizing freezing winter (2 Cor 11:23-28), the blistering hot summer (Mat 24:32-34), the dark dreary hellish night (Rev 8:12 37) and through the fire (1 Cor 3:11-14) if it is fire proof.

Who can build a perfect house that can withstand the various seasons (2 Tim 4:1-8; Gal 6:9) and storms, and be even fireproof? But God only! Christ is over such a house (Heb 3:1-6). One day after all what we might have experienced, there will be a storm (Mat 24:21 39), a test (Zec 13:7-9 77) in the night (1 Th 5:1-5 37) like no other.

Because of that, we need to be aware of what is being taught and not taught in today's churches, and know the truths that concur with the Word of God, which will help prepare us for the time of Jacob's trouble (Jer 30:7 41), for the Great (Trouble) Tribulation (Mark 13:24 39), for the temptation that will come upon the entire world (Rev 3:10), no matter what rapture theology believed. Until then I'm going to continue to study so my spiritual house will be prepared for all its trials (James 1:2-4 61) and troubles (Mark 13:8 62). Your house too can be ready if you learn (Prov 1:5 42) God's Word by becoming a scribe (Mat 13:52), and let the truths grow (Mark 4:32 43) and take root in your heart.

(Rom 15:4 KJV) "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

Study and Search for Myself

I am better at understanding prophecy when I study (2 Tim 2:15 36) the Word and search the scriptures (Acts 17:11) for myself.

Some Lying Pieces Do Not Fit Correctly

In doing so, I found that some lying (John 8:44) pieces did not fit correctly into the picture, such as the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory, 58 which sounds as bad as Gap (the earth is only around six-thousand years old, not eons 29) and Day-Age Theories (the Lord God created everything in six literal days 30 in which evolution had no part). Those established Theories should not be taught as if they were Biblical doctrines, because they contradict the truth. If we do not understand something, we should not force a piece just so the picture will look complete for everyone to see (Mat 23:1-7), appearing to be theologically smarter and omniscient.

Scripture Confirmation

Before accepting any of the various prophecies (2 Pet 1:20-21) within Christian circles, need to see if the teachers are confirming their revelations (Rom 16:25-27 7) with the scriptures (John 5:39-40), and with the prophets (John 5:45-47) and eyewitnesses (John 1:45) mentioned in the Bible (Heb 10:7). I have found that O.T. prophets (Mat 24:15), prophecies (Isa 8:13-15; 28:16) and scriptures (Psa 118:22-23) were referred to time and again by other prophets (John 19:37), Apostles (Rom 9:32-33) and disciples' (1 Pet 2:6-8) of Jesus, and by Jesus himself (Mat 21:42, 44) verifying (Luke 4:17-21) the Word (Luke 24:25-27).

For instance, on the way to Emmaus after Jesus' resurrection, two disciples discussed with Him about all what had happened to Him. That was when the Savior "...expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself..." (Luke 24:13-32 KJV).

Before, when He had talked of persecution (John 5:16), rejection (Mark 8:31 63), betrayal (Mat 26:20-25 44), denial (Mat 26:30-35 45), suffering (Luke 18:31-34 46), crucifixion and resurrection (Mat 16:21-23 54), His disciples could not receive or believe it. Peter knew He was the Christ, the Son of God (Mat 16:16-17), and John knew He was the Word (John 1:1-5, 14). Yet Peter just could not accept what was going to happen to Him (Mark 8:31-33 46).

(Luke 24:25-27 KJV) "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken: {26} Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and enter into his glory? {27} And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scripture the things concerning himself."
(Luke 24:44 KJV) "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
(Luke 24:46 KJV) "And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:"

His disciples did not understand (Luke 18:34) or know (John 20:9) the scripture at first (John 2:22) -- until Jesus had talked with them after His resurrection (Luke 24:34-53). And too, the saying in Luke 18:31-34 was hid from them. They did not even know what He was talking about.

Luke 18:31-34 KJV) "Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. {32} For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: {33} And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. {34} And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken."
Note: In like manner, some Church members, who are ignorant of the scriptures, do not know or understand what will happen and is expected of them 59 when they follow Christ (Mat 16:24-28 47), partake of His body (Luke 22:15-20), which was broken for us, and become members of one bread and one body (1 Cor 10:16-17 6). The real facts are, if we belong to Him and in Him (Rom 8:35-39), we too will experience persecution (John 15:20 64), rejection (Luke 10:9-11), suffering (Col 1:21-29; 1 Pet 4:12-13), also tribulation (John 16:33), trouble (2 Cor 1:7-8) and possibly martyrdom (Acts 7:53-60) before our resurrection.

I believe doubt and fear came when their expectations were not met. His disciples desired to see the kingdom established (Isa 2:2-5; Micah 4:1-5), which they had heard so much about. And many thought it would immediately appear (Luke 19:11). Instead, the O.T. scriptures about the suffering Servant (Isa 53) come to pass in which Jesus Christ as prophet (Deu 18:15 48) had spoken.

Foretold

Your adventure in the Bible will seem to be endless. You will find more pieces to complete the bigger picture. If you like reading a mystery novel, I assume you will love reading God's Word time and again. You will not only see what was foretold about our Savior's first coming, but also much about His second coming (Heb 9:28).

Members of His body (Eph 5:23-32 6) have gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:4-12; Eph 4:7-16), equipping them for their calling, and some have the gift of prophecy (Rom 12:6 49). My gift is the understanding (Luke 24:45) of various written prophecies and parables. Many of the prophetic truths are in Jesus' parables. His speaking in them was foretold by the prophet (Psa 78:2-3).

(Mat 13:35 KJV) "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." 50

Kept Secret

They were a way of telling us much about the kingdom of heaven (Mat 13:31-35) -- which is synonymous with kingdom of God (Mark 4:30-34) -- things which had been kept secret from the foundation of the world, even from prophets (Dan 9:24; 12:4, 9) of old. Many prophets and righteous men desired to see and hear things many had seen and heard (Mat 13:17).

Hearing and Receiving

To grasp the meanings of the parables, each Christian needs to read them for himself with some guidance (John 16:13; Acts 8:27-35) and receive what God has for him. If you are Jesus' disciple, "...it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven..." (Mat 13:11 KJV).

And if you belong to Him, Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27 KJV).

Being of His sheepfold, we need to be careful to whom we are hearing (2 Pet 3:3-4) and what we are receiving in these troubled last days, even if it were from an angel (Gal 1:6-12; Heb 13:2).

(Heb 1:1-2 KJV) "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, {2} Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"

In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son (Heb 1:1-2). After His ascension, He conveyed messages (and things) to John (Rev 1:1; 4:1-2) and to Paul (2 Cor 12:1-4; Gal 1:11-17) by revelations; and by the scriptures (Rom 16:25-27), by the Word of God and by His Holy Spirit (John 14:26) conveys and reveals things unto us (1 Cor 2:9-16).

Beware!

Without a doubt many disciples of Jesus, including myself, have been led astray because of false teachings (2 Pet 2:1-3). I do not profess to be a know-it-all (Phil 3:7-16) or have all the truths, but the records show that a secret and pre-tribulation rapture doctrine started to come about before the 20th Century, sometime after the early Church Fathers died, and not from the eyewitnesses in the Bible.

(Mat 24:11 KJV) "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
(Col 2:8 KJV) "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Good Ground

In the parable in Matthew 13:3-9 and 18-23, a sower went forth to sow.

(Mat 13:23 KJV) "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

He who received seed into the good ground hears the Word and understands it (Mat 13:51-52 51). His heart was prepared (Mat 3:1-3 34) when he received it. It will take root is his life, grow and bear fruit. He will have something to show for his faith (James 2:14-26) when reward (Mat 16:27 52) time comes (Rev 14:12-13). And the Biblical truths he learns will carry him through until then.

Stony Places

But he (Mat 13:5-6) "...that received the seed into stony places..." and has no root endures for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, he is offended (Mat 13:20-21), or as Luke's account puts it, "They on the rock...receive the word...have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13 KJV). Having no root, he develops no sound Biblical doctrine to sustain him.

(Mat 13:20-21 KJV) "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; {27} Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."
(Luke 8:13KJV) "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."

There are some hidden revelations for the pretribbers who will not hang in there long enough when tried -- in my general opinion to see if they truly love God (Deu 6:5-6 40) -- and learn some significances of persecution, tribulation, trials (Dan 11:35; 12:10) and refining (Mal 3:1-3) fires (Zec 13:7-9). In my agony I can see truths behind suffering for Jesus. Most importantly Christians are being conformed to the image (Rom 8:28-29) of God's dearly beloved (Mat 3:17 60) Only Begotten (Psa 2:7 5) Son (John 1:14 4), becoming more like Him.

Wheat and Tares

In another parable, Jesus spoke of wheat and tares that will grow together until time of harvest (Mat 13:24-30, 37-43).

(Mat 13:30 KJV) "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

The tares (darnel or false grain) that resemble wheat are pawns in the hands of Satan. They lack commitment, for they are shallow and do not examine the Biblical truths for themselves. They appear to be righteous on the outside (Mat 23:25-26). They work really hard to be seen only of men (Mat 6:5), helping to spread those false doctrines, theories, misinterpretations and false visions that are so readily accepted by the large, dominate church groups. I can partly understand why there are so many tares today. Life is so easy when following crowds (Mat 7:13-14), looking like everyone else and accepted, but very difficult when standing alone, different and rejected.

Satan's Lie

By the groves, pretending Christians everywhere have believed Satan's pre-trib rapture lie. For them to accept it, they may have never truly repented and been grounded in God's Word. For sure the father of lies (John 8:44) has influenced the Church greatly on this dogma. Many like Adam and Eve in the garden have yielded to him.

Path of the Least Resistance

Another thing, it is so easy to believe that our rewards (Mat 5:12 52) come without an effort on our part (Mat 10:37-39 53). Man has a tendency to take the path of the least resistance. Sure we are saved by grace through faith and not of works (Eph 2:8-10), but works (James 2:14-26) are a result of a heart that understands, bears fruit and brings forth (Mat 13:23).

Burned or Refined

I believe the pretribbers need to re-examine their salvation before it is too late. When it comes time for the harvest, the tares will be gathered into bundles to be burned—would much rather be refined (Mal 3:1-3) now than burned later (Zep 2:1-4; Luke 3:16-17) -- and the wheat will be gathered into the Lord's barn (Mat 13:30). The harvest is coming! For each person that bears fruit, it is going to be such a joyful event. Midi!

Interwoven Relationship

Now, fitting together more scattered pieces of the picture puzzle can be really exciting, especially when one fits and more of the bigger picture is unveiled. After a few years of studying Jesus' parables, Revelation, Daniel, other Old and New Testament books, and then the O.T. festivals, in spite of the language variations, I eventually found there to be some interwoven relationship amid them as you will see.

Hidden Meanings

There is spiritual significance in each of seven Israelite festivals, which the LORD commanded (Exo 23:14-17) and was declared by Moses unto the children of Israel (Lev 23:44), that are very important for today's N.T. 2 Church. Their hidden (Mat 11:25 7) meanings, which are superior to our views (Isa 55:8-9), show our Lord's complete, finished and perfect work (John 5:36 33) all fulfilled in His time, which are not naturally (Rom 8:5-6) viewed (Heb 11:3) or perceived because they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor 2:9-14).

A Shadow of Good Things to Come (Col 2:16-17)

(Col 2:16-17 KJV) "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: {17} Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

Feast Fulfillments

With those ideas and Colossians 2:16-17 in mind, let us look at three Israelite festivals (2 Chr 8:13), 55 when all the males appeared before the LORD God (Exo 34:22-23), plus others of seven (Lev 23) that have spiritual fulfillments and will help us to grasp more of Jesus, and He and His disciples' messages.

Passover (Lev 23:5)

(1 Cor 5:7-8 KJV) "...For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us...."

The festival that began the seven days of unleavened bread at even on the fourteenth day of the first month (Lev 23:5 66) was the LORD's Passover. The two were coupled together (Deu 16:1-3 68) and incorporated into one festival, and were annually observed (March/April) in the time appointed in the month of Abib 67 by the LORD as an ordinance forever (Exo 12:1-24). This festival had the sacrificial lamb without blemish, which was a shadow (Col 2:16-17) of the Lamb of God who was to come and shed his blood (Lev 17:11) for many for the remission (Heb 9:22-24) of sins (Mat 26:28).

Most Christians should know by heart the story of the Exodus, and how the LORD delivered the children of Israel from the authoritarian Pharaoh of Egypt. After He had brought ten plagues upon the Egyptians along with the encounter at the Red Sea (Exo 14:4-31) Pharaoh had no choice but to let the children of Israel go serve the LORD. The last plague was when the LORD passed over (Passover), and all those who did not have the lamb's blood applied around their door, the firstborn of that house were smitten (Exo 12:21-30).

(Exo 12:21-23 KJV) 72 "Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. {22} And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. {23} For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you."

Very important fulfillment in the feast is that Jesus Christ is our Passover who was sacrificed for us (1 Cor 5:7). The lamb used was to be without blemish, a male of the first year (Exo 12:5) with no bones broken (John 19:36 69). Today the N.T. Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-4 15) filled Church celebrates Easter instead of the Passover. The Greek word pascha (G3957) was translated "passover" everywhere in the N.T. KJV except for the one time "Easter" in Acts 12:4.

Note: Easter is "An annual Christian festival celebrating resurrection of Jesus, held on the first Sunday after the first full moon, occurring on or after March 21" according to Webster's New World Dictionary.

Three times thou shalt keep a feast (Exo 23:14-17 71)

(Exo 23:14-17 KJV) "Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. {15} Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) {16} And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. {17} Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD."

Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6-8)

(Mark 14:22-26 KJV) "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body...."

The first of the three Israelite festivals (Deu 16:16-17), when all the males appeared before the LORD God, was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 70 beginning in the first month (Abib) on the fourteenth day at evening (Exo 12:17-20) when the Passover began and on the fifteenth day (Lev 23:5-6 66) of the first month and continuing for seven days (Exo 13:6-7).

(Exo 23:15 KJV) "Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)"

One reason the children of Israel ate unleavened bread, the bread of affliction was because they had escaped out of Egypt in haste (Deu 16:3) and did not have time to prepare bread with leaven (Exo 12:33-34) when they left Rameses on the fifteen day of the first month (Num 33:3).

Note: In today's Church, we should be doing the Lord's business in haste and not so much concerned with making of pleasure (2 Tim 3:1-5) bread (John 26:26-27) as so many are doing. The statement, "...and none shall appear before me empty" (Deu 16:16 KJV) tells me that we need to be about our Father's business (Luke 2:49), and more like our Savior (John 9:4-5) winning souls (Mat 9:37-38) and seeking the lost (Luke 19:10), so we can sing with a sincere heart Bringing in the Sheaves Midi! (Psa 126:6) as the end time harvest draws nearer (Rev 14:14-16).

Passover Bread

The festival was fulfilled in Christ. In remembrance of our Savior, 2 Jesus' disciples ate bread at the Lord's Supper on the day of the Feast of the Passover (Luke 22:1) and the first day of unleavened (Lev 23:5-6) bread (Mark 14:1, 12-16). There Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to His disciples and said, "..."...This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19 KJV). To help us understand more, read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 by inspiration of God (2 Tim 3:15-16) about the Passover and some spiritual significance of unleavened bread. As you read take notice of some old covenant language that's used to convey a new covenant message.

(1 Cor 5:7-8 KJV) "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: {8} Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Our Savior's Sinless ness

There is an interesting premise to be addressed about this festival. If leaven (ferment) represents sin, then within the context of unleavened bread representing His body, it shows our Savior's sinless ness.

Note: And then could add that Christ, who lived a sinless life (2 Cor 5:21 31), fulfilled the O.T. Law (Mat 5:17-19; Luke 24:44-49) and blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross (Col 2:14). He was the one sacrifice (Heb 10:10-13) that could take away our sin (John 1:29; 1 John 3:5).

Sheaf of the First Fruits (Lev 23:9-14)

(1 Cor 15:20, 23-24 KJV) "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept... {23} But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. {24} Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."

Before the children of Israel could celebrate the next festival, they had to cross over Jordan, and during their conquest of the Promise Land, they perhaps designated brethren to sow the fields, so they could have first fruits to harvest (Lev 23:10). The day after they ate of the old corn of the land the manna ceased (Josh 5:10-12).

Note: To produce much corn in a spiritual sense, Jesus said, "...Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" (John 12:23-24 KJV). Jesus, who is the Living Word, died and rose to bring (Heb 2:10) forth much fruit.
His Word is sown (Mat 13:3-9, 18-23) into our hearts. When we are baptized into Christ (Rom 6:3-6), it is into His death, burial and resurrection (Col 2:12). We should be dead to sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:11), taking up our cross (Luke 9:23-27) and dying daily (1 Cor 15:31). We too can bring (Psa 126:5-6) forth much fruit (Mat 13:23).

After the reaping of the first harvest, the children of Israel offered to God a "...sheaf of the firstfruits of the harvest...." On that day, when the sheaf was waved before the LORD "...the morrow [Sunday] after the Sabbath [Saturday]..." (Lev 23:10-12 KJV), a he lamb without blemish was also offered.

The festival was fulfilled in Christ. The Lamb of God (John 1:29) who rose from the grave the first day of the week (Mark 16:1-2, 9) on Sunday was the first fruits of them that slept (1 Cor 15:20-23). Midi! If you have noticed the first fruits were a sheaf of first fruits (Lev 23:10-11). Jesus did not go alone, for ever since He has been bringing (Psa 126:5-6) many sons unto glory (Heb 2:10).

After He yielded up the ghost on Calvary, "...the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" (Mat 27:52-53 KJV).

Unfortunately those sleeping Saints who came out of the graves, like Lazarus, I believe physically died again, because they did not receive their resurrected bodies. 85

High Priest

(Heb 9:24 KJV) "...now to appear in the presence of God for us."
(Heb 2:17 KJV) "...to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

To perform the service and enter into the holy place, Israel had their temporal High Priest. But ever since the veil of the temple was rent in two, after Jesus yielded up the ghost (Mat 27:50-51) and He arose from the grave, He became High Priest 74 forever (Heb 6:19-20). Before He would let anyone touch Him after His resurrection, He first had to ascend unto the Father (John 20:17) and enter into the holiest of all as our High Priest (Heb 9:8-12) to make reconciliation (atone) for the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), and is now at the right hand of God (Heb 8:1-2 84) making intercession (Heb 7:22-25) for us (Rom 8:34).

Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26-32)

(Mat 20:28 KJV) "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
(Rev 5:8-9 KJV) "...hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation...."

Christ did not enter the holy place made with hands to sprinkle animal blood (that made the atonement, Lev 16:29-34; 17:11) upon the mercy seat (Lev 16:14-16) "...but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us...to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb 9:24-26 KJV). "...By his own blood he entered in once into the holy [of all] place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb 9:8-12 KJV). "...Through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement" (Rom 5:10-11 KJV 83), now "...waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption [ransom in full] of our body" (Rom 8:22-23 KJV 73).

Feast of Weeks (Deu 16:9-12)

(Acts 2:1 KJV) "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
(Rom 8:23 KJV) "...firstfruits of the Spirit...."

The second Israelite festival, when all the males appeared before the LORD God, was "...the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours..." (Exo 23:16-17 KJV), which was also called "...the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest..." (Exo 34:22-23 KJV) and "...the day of the firstfruits..." (Num 28:26 KJV). It was celebrated (Sunday) on the day following seven Sabbaths after bringing a sheaf of first fruits of the wave offering. On the fiftieth day, two wave loaves, bread of the first fruits was brought before the LORD along with an offering of seven lambs without blemish (Lev 23:9-20).

Note: By comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Cor 2:9-14), you could take that farther by reading about the seven in Acts 6:3-6. 75

This festival today is called Pentecost (fifty, fiftieth) and is celebrated within the month of May or June. The two wave loaves, bread of the first fruits (1 Cor 15:20-23) of wheat (Exo 34:22) or possibly barley (2 Ki 4:42) was made of fine flour, in essence is Christ holiness (Rom 11:16), and baked with leaven (Lev 23:17).

Note: Jesus had something interesting to say about leaven in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21 that may perhaps lace together the reasoning behind its use in this feast.
(Luke 13:20-21 KJV) "And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? {21} It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) began to be fulfilled (Joel 2:28-29) when Jew first (Rom 1:16) then Gentile (Acts 10:44-48; Gal 3:14) 19 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5 15). We being many members are one bread and one body (Eph 3:6) in Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17 6), a kind of first fruits (Rom 11:16; James 1:18) unto the LORD (Lev 23:17).

Through the Fire

Before the resurrection of the just (Acts 24:15) will occur, the two wave loaves have to go through the fire (1 Pet 4:12-13 77).

Note: In the process of denying ourselves, taking up our cross, following Him (Mat 16:24-28) and becoming mature, we each in our daily walk need to be feeding the lost world (Mat 28:20) with the good news. 78

Feast of Ingathering (Exo 34:22)

(Mat 24:30-31 KJV) "...gather together his elect...."
(Rev 14:14-16 KJV) "...the harvest of the earth is ripe...."

The third Israelite festival, when all the males appeared before the LORD God, was the Feast of Ingathering (Exo 23:16-17).. This feast will be fulfilled when the Son of Man sends His angels and they gather together His elect (Mat 24:30-31) and His first fruits (1 Cor 15:20-23 73) -- who are chosen (Mark 13:20 79) and sealed Eph 4:30 80) -- and when the grapes are gathered.

Note: What a joyful celebration this end time harvest (Rev 14:14-16) will be -- the greatest family reunion of believers of all times.

Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:33-36)

(Rev 21:1-3 KJV) "...tabernacle of God is with men...."

This festival was also called the Feast of Tabernacles (Deu 16:16-17). Feast of Ingathering and Tabernacles were basically the same festival with two main points. After the corn -- wheat, barley, or some other grain (1 Cor 15:37) -- and wine (Deu 11:14) were gathered (Deu 16:13), the Israelites dwelt in booths (Lev 23:34, 42) seven days, which possibly could represent seven thousand years of God's endeavor on this earth (2 Pet 3:8).

Therefore, on the Day of the Lord when the feast is fulfilled, the tabernacle of God (Ezek 37:27; Isa 4:6) will be with men (Rev 21:1-3), the earth will be reaped (Rev 14:14-16), and the grapes will be gathered and cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God, and the winepress will be trodden (Rev 14:17-20).

Note: After the Saints reign (Rev 5:9-10; 20:4-6) with Christ (Psa 2:6-9 81) for a thousand years, Satan is loosed to gather together Gog and Magog to (for the final) battle; the Devil is thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone; and after the dead are judged (Rev 20:7-15), the believers will continue to be with the Lord reigning (Rev 22:5) and enjoying all the benefits of knowing Him in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-3), in the new heavens and earth (Isa 65:17; 2 Pet 3:13).

Importance of Testaments and Festivals

For your own spiritual welfare, I hope you do see the importance of reading both Testaments and see the interwoven relationship amid them. We need to study both so we can mature and show others the truth. Having knowledge of both Testaments and the various festivals will help us to grasp more of Jesus, and He and His disciples messages. As you have noticed, the Festivals of Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Ingathering, and others have very important spiritual significance for today's N.T. Church. If you have read the verses and inline references, you should have found that some of the language used in the N.T. in ways connects with the O.T.

Seven Festivals

If you study in brief all seven festivals (each having ultimate spiritual fulfillment) outlined in the "Feast Table," following this study, you should come to a realization that there's only one Feast of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Sheaf of the First Fruits, Weeks, Blowing of the Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Ingathering, in which we can refer to as harvest, resurrection, rapture, gathering together, etc.

Troubles before the Day of Our Delivery

Israel got their promised land, but not without some purging, battles and troubles. Those things hold true for today's N.T. Church, even before the Great Tribulation and the falling away have begun (2 Th 2:3-4 58). We will need a lot of help and encouragement from the Lord to win our battles, make it through our troubles (Mat 24:29-31), pain (Isa 26:16-27:1), sorrow (John 16:20-22) and suffering (Rom 8:16-23) before the day of our delivery, and we have our promised land. For our consolation, there will be more hidden (Mat 11:25) truths to unveil (Rom 16:25-27; Col 1:21-29) for the hungry Christians as time draws nearer to the Second Advent (...the Day of the Lord 82), giving sustenance and meat to share with the weak in faith, so they too can be prepared.

Mystery of God Will Be Finished

(Rev 10:7 KJV) "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."

In the days of the voice (phone: G5456) of the seventh angel when he will begin to sound (salpizo: G4537) the seventh trumpet (salpigx: G4536), the mystery of God will be finished (Rev 10:7) and Christ reigns (Rev 11:15). At the last trump (salpigx), it will sound (salpizo), the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this mortal must put on immortality (1 Cor 15:51-55). Even though the information about the seventh trumpet and last trump were written at different times and by two inspired writers, the details of each describe the same episode.

Have an open mind but do not be gullible to everything you here. Check it out. Take God's Word and prayerfully examine it. Be patient and endure your temptations (James 1:12) and tribulations (2 Th 1:3-5), and I believe God will unveil to you new things. The pieces of the bigger picture God has painted for us fit real well in our walk from one piece to the next if we remember to, "...lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Prov 3:5-6 KJV).

References:

Christ:

Luke 2:10-11; John 1:40-41; 4:25-26, 42; Luke 4:41; Mat 11:2-6; 16:13-16; Mark 8:29-30; John 6:68-69; Mat 22:41-46; John 7:40-42; 11:23-27; 20:31; Acts 4:25-27; Psa 2:2

Perfect:

Deu 32:2-4; Mat 5:48; 19:21; Luke 1:3; 6:40; John 17:23; Acts 3:16; 22:3; 24:22; Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 2:6; 13:10; 2 Cor 12:9; 13:11; Gal 3:3; Eph 4:13; Phil 3:12, 15; Col 1:28; 4:12; 1 Th 3:10; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 2:10; 5:9; 7:19; 9:9-11; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23; 13:21; James 1:4, 17, 25; 2:22; 3:2; 1 Pet 5:10; 1 John 4:17-18; Rev 3:2

Last/Latter Day, etc.:

Gen 49:1; Num 24:14; Deu 4:30; 31:29; Job 19:25; Isa 2:2; Micah 4:1; Jer 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:39; Ezek 38:8, 16; Dan 2:28; 8:23-24; 10:14; Hosea 3:4-5; John 6:39-40; 11:24; 12:48; Acts 2:17-21; Joel 2:28-32; 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-5; Heb 1:1-4; James 5:7-8; Deu 11:14; Jer 5:24; Joel 2:23; 1 Pet 1:19-21; 2 Pet 3:3-4; 1 John 2:18-19

1) 2 Cor 3:13-18
2) Mat 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:24-26; 10:16-17
3) Rom 6:5; 8:28-29; 1 Cor 15:49; 2 Cor 3:18;
4) John 1:14, 18; 3:16; 1 John 4:9
5) Psa 2:7; Acts 13:33; Heb 1:5; 5:5
6) 1 Cor 10:16-17; 12:12-13; Rom 12:5; Eph 5:29-30; 1 Cor 6:15; Rom 7:4; 1 Cor 12:27; Gal 3:28; Eph 2:15-16; 4:4, 12, 15-16; 5:23; Col 1:18; 2:17
7) Gen 15:12-21; Num 22:31; 24:1-4; Deu 29:29; 1 Sam 3:7, 21; 9:15; 2 Sam 7:27; 1 Chr 17:25; Job 33:14-18; 38:17; Psa 98:2; 119:18; Prov 26:26; Isa 22:14; 23:1; 26:21; 40:5; 53:1; 56:1; Dan 2:19, 22-27, 28-30, 31-47; 10:1; Jer 11:20; Ezek 23:18; Hosea 7:1; Amos 3:6-8; Mat 11:25-27; 16:17; Mark 4:11-12; Luke 2:29-33; 10:21-24; Rom 11:16-25; 16:25-27; 1 Cor 2:1-8, 9-16; Isa 64:4; 1 Cor 14:5-6, 23-32; 15:51-54; 2 Cor 12:1-4; Gal 1:11-17; 2:1-2; 3:22-26; Eph 1:1-23; 3:1-12; 5:21-33; 6:19-20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:21-29; 2:1-4; 4:1-6; 2 Th 1:6-10; 2:1-12; 1 Tim 3:8-16; 1 Pet 1:13; Rev 1:1-3, 20; 10:7; 17:1-18
8) Gen 12:1-3; 18:18; 22:18; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5; 2:33, 38-39; 13:23, 32-33; Gal 3:8-9, 13-14, 22, 28-29; Eph 1:13-14; 2:12-13; 3:6
9) Gen 46:5-7; Exo 1:1-5; Acts 7:14; Gen 50:23; 41:51-52; 46:20; 48:5
10) Gen 15:13; Acts 7:6; Exo 12:40-41; Gal 3:17
11) 2 Chr 36:21-23; Jer 29:10; Dan 9:2, 24-27; Zec 1:12; 7:5
12) Isa 44:28-45:3; 2 Chr 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-2; 5:13; 5:17-6:3; 7:21; 6:14-15
13) Deu 30:3-6; Psa 14:7; 107:2-3; Jer 3:18; 16:14-15; 29:14; 30:3-4; 31:7-8; 43:5; Isa 11:10-13; 27:12; 43:5-7; 49:12; Ezek 11:17; Zec 2:6; 8:7-8; Rom 11:25-27
14) Mat 15:3-9; Mark 7:6-13; Col 2:8; 1 Pet 1:18
15) Mat 3:11-12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16-17; John 1:33; Acts 1:4-5; 11:16; 2:1-4, 16-18; Joel 2:28-29; Ezek 36:27; Isa 32:15; Acts 4:7-9, 30-31; 9:17-18; 10:44-48
16) 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 11:39-12:2, 23; 13:21;
17) Eph 4:13; Phil 3:15; Gen 17:1; 1 Ki 15:14; 2 Sam 22:33; Job 1:1;
18) Isa 11:10; Rom 15:12; Isa 42:1-4; Mat 12:17-21; Isa 49:22; 54:3
19) Acts 9:15; 10:45; 11:1, 18; Isa 49:6; Acts 13:47-48; 14:27; 15:3; Isa 42:6-7; Acts 26:17-18; Rom 9:24-26; Gal 3:14, 26; Eph 3:6
20) Deu 31:16-21; Exo 34:14-17; Judg 2:17-18; 8:27, 33-34; 1 Ki 11:33; 2 Ki 17:7-19; 1 Chr 5:25-26; 2 Chr 21:12-14; Psa 106:39-40; Isa 1:21; Jer 3:1-3, 6-12; Ezek 16:26-29, 35-37; 23:3-4
21) Isa 40:3; Luke 1:17, 76; Mal 4:5-6; Mat 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:4-6; 7:24-28; John 1:19-23; Mat 11:7-15; 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-13
22) Luke 4:18-19; Isa 61:1-2; Mat 4:23-24; 9:35; 11:4-6; Luke 7:22-23; Rom 1:16; 10:15; Isa 52:7; Gal 3:6-9
23) Mat 4:23-24; 8:1-17, 23-34; 9:1-8, 18-35; 10:1, 5-10; 11:2-6; 12:9-15, 21-24; 14:14-33; 15:21-39; 19:1-2; 20:29-34; 21:13-14; Mark 1:22-34, 39-45; 3:1-11, 13-15; 4:35-41; 5:1-16, 21-43; 6:1-13, 35-56; 7:24-37; 8:13-26; 9:17-29, 38-40; 10:46-52; 16:9, 17-18; Luke 4:17-21, 31-41; 5:4-9, 12-26; 6:6-11, 17-19; 7:1-23; 8:2, 22-56; 9:1-6, 10-17, 38-43, 49-50; 10:1-9, 17-20; 13:10-13, 31-32; 14:1-6; 17:11-19; 18:35-43; 22:49-51; 23:8; John 2:1-11, 23-25; 3:1-2; 4:45-54; 5:2-16; 6:1-2, 5-21, 26-30; 7:31; 9:1-41; 10:19-21, 39-42; 11:1-6, 11-48; 12:17-19, 37-43
24) Rom 3:19-20; 6:14-15; 1 Cor 9:20-21; Gal 3:23-24; 4:4-5; Gal 5:18
25) Exo 24:12; John 1:17; Deu 31:24-26; Josh 1:8; Psa 19:7-8
26) Jer 31:31-33; Heb 8:6-13; 10:16-17; 12:24; 13:20-21; Mat 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Cor 11:24-26
27) Gen 13:15-16; 15:5; Rom 1:3; Heb 2:16; Gal 3:16, 29
28) 2 Sam 7:12-17; 1 Chr 17:11-15; 22:6-11; 29:10; Psa 68:4-5; 89:26-27; 103:13-14; Prov 3:12; Isa 9:6-7; 63:16; 64:8; Jer 31:9; Exo 4:21-23; 2 Cor 6:17-18; Mat 6:9-15; Luke 11:2-4; John 14:8-11, 20:17; Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:1-3; 2 Cor 1:1-3; Gal 1:1-5; Eph 1:1-3; Phil 1:1-2; Col 1:1-3; 1 Th 1:1-4; 2 Th 1:1-2; 1 Tim 1:1-2; Phile 1:1-3; Phil 4:19-20; 1 Th 3:11-13; 2 Th 2:16-17
29) "Bible Time Table" study
30) "In the Beginning..." study
31) 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:21-22; 1 John 3:5
32) Psa 103:11-12; Isa 1:18; Jer 31:34; Heb 10:17; Rev 1:5-6
33) John 5:36; 17:4; 19:30; Heb 12:2; Rev 10:7
34) Mat 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:4-6; 7:24-28; John 1:19-23; Luke 13:2-5
35) Mat 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49; Mat 16:18; Eph 2:19-22 1 Cor 3:11-14;
36) 2 Tim 2:15; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor 2:9-14; Josh 1:8; Psa 1:2; 119:11; 102:25; 143:5; Jer 15:16; Mat 13:52; Heb 4:12
37) Mat 25:5-6; Luke 17:34-36; 1 Th 5:1-5; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 8:12
38) Lev 10:1-2; Num 15:30-36; 16:46-50; 20:1; 25:6-9; 26:61-65
39) Mat 24:21, 29; Mark 13:19, 24; Rev 2:22; 7:14
40) Deu 6:5-6; 11:1; 19:9; 30:6, 16, 20; Mat 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27-28
41) Deu 4:30; Jer 30:7; Dan 12:1; 9:27
42) Mat 11:29-30; Mark 13:28-31; Prov 1:5; 9:9; 16:21-23; Dan 1:17; Rom 15:4
43) Mark 4:8, 32; Eph 4:15; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18; 2 Th 1:3
44) Mat 26:14-16, 20-25, 44-50; Mark 14:10-11, 17-21, 41-50; Luke 22:1-6, 21-23, 46-54
45) Mat 26:30-35, 69-75; Mark 14:26-31, 67-72; Luke 22:31-34, 55-62
46) Mat 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-33; Mat 17:12; Mark 9:12; Luke 9:22; 17:25; 18:31-34; 22:15; 24:46; John 12:38; Acts 3:18; 17:3; 26:23; 1 Pet 3:18; Heb 2:9-10
47) Mat 16:24-28; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27
48) Deu 18:15-19; Acts 7:37; Mat 16:13-14; 21:11; Luke 7:16; John 6:14; 7:40-43; 9:17; Luke 24:19; Mat 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44; Mat 16:15-19
49) Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 13:2; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Rev 1:3; 11:6; 19:10; 22:7, 10, 18-19; 1 Cor 13:9-13
50) Mat 13:34-35; Psa 78:2-3
51) Dan 12:10; Mat 13:23, 51-52; Luke 24:44-45; Col 1:26-27; 1 John 5:20
52) Mat 5:12; Luke 6:23, 35; Mat 6:1-6, 18; 10:41-42; Mark 9:41; Mat 16:27; Rev 11:18; 22:12-13; 18:4-6
53) Mat 10:37-39; Luke 20:34-36; 21:33-36; Acts 5:40-42; Eph 4:1-3; 2 Th 1:3-5; Heb 11:36-38; Rev 3:4
54) Mat 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-33; 9:31-32; Luke 9:21-22; 13:31-32; John 2:18-22; Mat 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34; Mat 27:61-28:20; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20; Acts 10:39-41; 1 Cor 15:3-8
55) "Feast Table" study
56) "The True Rock" study
57) "Shedding of Innocent Blood" message
58) "Meaning of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 in Context" study
59) "Coming Not for a Harlot" message
60) "Mat 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; 20:13; 2 Pet 1:17-18
61) 2 Cor 8:1-2; Eph 6:16; Heb 11:36-38; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7; 4:12-13
62) Mark 13:8; 2 Cor 1:3-10; Gal 1:6-7; 2 Th 1:4-8; Heb 12:14-16
63) Mat 21:42; Mark 8:31; 12:10-11; Luke 9:22; 17:25; 20:17
64) Mat 5:10-13; 10:16-23; 23:34-36; Luke 11:46-51; 21:12-19; John 15:20-21
65) Heb 8:5; Exo 25:8-9, 40
66) Lev 23:5-8; Num 9:1-5; 28:16-17
67) Exo 23:15; 34:18; Deu 16:1
68) Exo 12:8; Num 9:10-11; Deu 16:1-3
69) Num 9:12; Psa 34:20; John 19:36
70) Exo 12:17-20; 13:1-10; Lev 23:6
71) Exo 23:14-17; 34:18, 22-23; Deu 16:16-17
72) Exo 12:1-24
73) Rom 8:22-23; 1 Cor 15:23-24; James 1:18; Rom 11:16; Rev 14:4
74) Heb 2:16-3:2; 4:14-16; 5:4-10; 6:19-20; 7:1-12, 13-21; Psa 110:4; Gen 14:18-20; Heb 7:22-8:2; 9:11-12, 24-26; 10:21-22
75) Gen 2:1-3; Heb 4:4; Gen 7:1-3; 29:23, 27, 28, 30; Lev 25:8-9; Mat 15:34-38; Mark 8:5-9; Mat 18:21-22; Luke 17:4; 8:2-3; Mark 16:9; Acts 6:3-6; Rev 1:4, 11-16, 20; 3:1; 4:5; 5:1, 6; 8:2; 10:3, 7; 11:15; 12:3; 13:1; 15:1; 17:3, 9-10
76) Num 14:1-4, 26-39; 21:5-9; 26:9-11
77) 1 Pet 4:12-13; James 1:12; Rev 2:10; Mal 3:1-3; Zec 13:7-9; Dan 11:35; 12:10
78) Luke 4:18-19; Isa 61:1-2; Mat 4:23-24; 9:35; 11:4-6; Luke 7:22-23; Rom 10:15; Isa 52:7; Rom 1:16; Gal 3:6-9
79) Mat 12:18; 20:16; 22:14; Mark 13:20; John 6:70; 15:16, 19; Acts 1:2-3, 24-25; 9:15-16; 10:40-41; 15:21-22, 25-26; 22:13-14; Rom 16:13; 1 Cor 1:26-29; Eph 1:3-6; 2 Th 2:13-14; James 2:5; 1 Pet 2:3-5, 9-10; Rev 17:14
80) Rev 7:1-8; John 6:27; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Tim 2:19
81) Psa 2:6-9; Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:11-16
82) 2 Pet 3:8-13; Acts 2:20-21; 2 Cor 1:13-14; 1 Th 5:1-4
83) Rom 5:10-11; 2 Cor 5:18-19; Eph 2:15-16; Col 1:19-20; Heb 2:17
84) Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33; 7:55-56; Rom 8:34; Col 3:1; Heb 8:1-2; 10:12-13; 12:2; 1 Pet 3:22
85) "First Resurrection" study

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