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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 ^mp3 (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). ^mp3 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).