reply to post by saint4God
Earlier you mentioned the feast of ingathering and the feast of harvest as additional feasts outside of the 7 commanded feasts? Even thanksgiving?
Well, here's a lesson in holy days for you:
Feast of Ingathering = 7 day feast of Tabernacles+the Last Great Day.
Feast of Harvest = Feast of Pentacost.
Thanksgiving was not commanded in the bible as a holy day feast but like chaunaka, is man-made to celebrate the glory of God, just in a different
sense.
The 7 holy day feasts are as follows, and each represents a chapter in God's plan for mankind.... an important thing to have knowledge of.
Feast of Passover: For christians, represents the day Jesus was hung on the Cross and killed as our passover sacrifice for sin. We share in the last
supper tradition of eating bread and drinking wine and washing of each other's feet.
Feast of Unleavened Bread: After accepting Christ as our passover Lamb, we must repent and keep sin from our lives. In this 7 day feast immediately
after passover, we treat leaven/yeast as sin and remove any leaven or yeast product from the household and refrain from eating leavened bread. It is
simply a metaphore for keeping sin out of our lives.
Feast of Pentacost: This day represents many things for christians. First it represents the day the New Testament Church started with the pouring of
the Holy Spirit upon over 120 people as the opening chapters of Acts states. This also represents the spiritual firstfruits of God. Christ himself
became the first of all humans to be resurrected to life. So you accept Christ as the passover lamb, repent and keep sin from your life, and seek the
Holy Spirit to become a firstfruit of Christ. This is why Pentacost is known also by the feast of Harvest or feast of Firstfruits. It is celebrated
50 days after passover.
Feast of Trumpets: From this point on, the holy day feasts are symbolic for future events, to take place soon as the first 3 feasts represented what
one must do before the return of Christ. Trumpets represent announcing imminent danger or arrival of Kings in Israel. Naturally this feast
represents the Great Tribulation period when God actually gets involved in man's affairs on earth. This feast also represents the return of Christ
with the blowing of the 7th trumpet.
Day of Atonement: The only feast day that you refrain from eating. In the new testament, this day is known as "the fast" which is properly used
since you fast for 24 hours on this feast day. It represents the time when the cause of sin (satan) is bound up and absent from human affairs.
Humans are able to gain a closeness to God and humble themselves in order to abolish their sinful nature. This is why the fasting is necessary... to
realize how fragile our lives are and to give God the glory for giving life to such a fragile being.
Feast of Tabernacles: Represents the 1000 years of peace on earth following the return of Christ and the imprisonment of Satan. This period in the
history of mankind shows us the reward for being faithful to God and following the ways of Christ. Those who endure to the end become kings and
priests in the kingdom of God on earth. All who survive the tribulation that are still alive in the flesh will have the knowledge of God readily
available to them. All will celebrate the feast of tabernacles to give glory to God and learn the true ways of God (zechariah 14:16). This feast
lasts 7 days late summer/early fall..... many believe this is the time of the birth of Christ given that it's 6 months after passover, the supposed
day John the baptist was born.
The Last Great Day: Immediately after the ingathering feast, is the Last Great Day, which represents the second resurrection, judgement, and the new
heaven, new earth ordeal. It represents the time of paradise on earth when heaven literally falls on earth and God dwells in the holy city, New
Jerusalem as it comes out of heaven. These final two feasts are celebrated by pilgrimaging to a paradise and giving praise to God. The members of
the former Worldwide Church of God which are divided into the United Church of God, Living Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, etc. all
pilgrimage to places like Jekyll Island, Georgia or the Texas Gulf Coast and spend 8 days in service, fellowship, and worship.
To summarize these feasts in a simple paragraph of God's ultimate plan for mankind:
Accept Christ as your passover lamb, repent and keep sin out of your life, seek the holy spirit in order to have part in the firstfruits of Christ or
first resurrection. As the trumpets blast and tribulation begins, seek protection from God's wrath by accepting Christ if not already accepted.
Christ returns and resurrects His saints. Satan is bound for 1000 years and those who survived tribulation will have oneness with God by humbly
atoning themselves to Him. He is the provider of all life. The 1000 years come and those who become saints are given a kingship or priesthood over
the inhabatants of the land for this peaceful time. Aftert the 1000 years and the final defeat of Satan, comes the 2nd resurrection and judgement...
some to everlasting life, few to a 2nd death. Heaven and earth pass away and a new heaven and new earth are created. New Jerusalem falls from heaven
to earth and God dwells forever with His people with Jesus at the throne. It is a paradise on earth.
The Holy Days mean so much more than celebrating the birth of an innocent baby. Also, Jews and early christians never even celebrated birthdays,
including the birth of the messiah. It was a one time event that needed no further emphasis beyond the actual day of birth. We should now
concentrate on the imminent return of Christ and His kingdom. That's what the Holy Days are all about. Those who want to know about the origins of
these Holy Days, read Leviticus 23. God bless you all.
