The Seven Feasts (Moed) of Israel

7 is the number of completion in the bible

The Seven Feasts of Israel are found in the 23rd

chapter of Leviticus. Ordained by God for Israel to celebrate, they were intended as a teaching tool to prepare Israel for the coming of their Messiah and Israel’s salvation.

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, (Mikra) even these are My Feasts . (God’s Feasts) (Leviticus 23:2)

Convocation--- (Leviticus 23:2,) means an assembly of people; for the purpose of rehearsing for something.

The Hebrew word for “feasts” Leviticus 23:2 is “Moed”, which means an appointment, a fixed time, a set time or exact time. Literally, the Feasts of Israel are the rehearsals or patterns of future. (Very important)

7 Feasts or Rehearsals

They point to the coming of Our LORD Jesus the Messiah. The Feasts are the foreshadowing of things that were yet to come. The seven feast of Israel prophetically forecast and outline the main events of Israel’s relation to Yahweh

“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: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17)

Pesach or Passover:

Exodus 12:1-14 & Leviticus 23:4,5 On the 10th day of the first month, Nisan,(Religious Calendar) (April on our calendar), Nisan is the first month of the ecclesiastical year and the seventh month (eighth, in leap year) of the civil calendar

On the 10th day of the 1st month Every family of Israel was to take a lamb, without blemish, and separate it from the flock. It was to be a male without blemish of the first of the year. The lamb was to be examined for four days. On the evening of the 14 th the Passover Lamb (Between the two evenings) was killed, So the Passover lamb was killed at about 3:00 p.m. on 14th Then roasted and eaten during the night. The blood was applied on the doorposts and lintel. This feast celebrates the Exodus from Egypt. But, like all of the feasts, it also has a prophetic meaning. It looked forward to the sacrifice of the “lamb of

God, the Lord Jesus Christ that would take away the sins of the world

God told Moses while he was in Egypt

Exodus 12: 3,6Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth (day) of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of (their) fathers, a lamb for an house: (without Blemish)

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. (Between the two evenings) Thursday from 6:00 pm to Friday at 6:00 pm.

Passover in Jerusalem at time of Jesus Crucifixion:

3,000,000 Jews besides gentiles were in Jerusalem at Passover

The High Priest killed Passover lamb at the same time Jesus died. Both were killed on Mount Moriah, as the so called Mount Calvary is actually part of Mount Moriah. Mount Calvary was made as a result of Solomon’s mining stones for the Temple.

Jesus ate the Passover on Thursday night (which was Friday) at 6:00 pm on Thursday night. The Passover started at 6:00, as Jewish Holidays start at 6:00 and end at 6:00 the next

evening. The Passover lamb was to be killed between the two evenings.

Not only did Jesus fulfill this feast symbolically, but also quite literally. On the 10th of Nisan, Palm Sunday, Jesus rode down the Mount of Olives on a colt. He was crucified four days later on Passover. (MT. 21:4-8, Zech. 9:9)

This was clearly demonstrated by Paul when he wrote

"For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." (1 st Cor. 5:7)

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

4 Feasts in the Spring:Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits,

Pentecost

1. Passover (Chag Ha Pesach)

Families took their Passover lamb to the temple to be slain by the priest and the blood was passed down to a priest that poured the blood beside of the brazen altar. The Lamb was taken to ovens in that were set up in Jerusalem and then was eaten at Passover supper on Thursday night, which was Friday the night of Passover.

2. Unleavened Bread (Chag Ha Motzi)

The day following Passover, the 15th of Nisan, (Saturday)(Sabbath)began the feast of Unleavened bread. This feast covered seven days, from the 15th to the 21st Nisan which was seven days. The first and last days, (15th & 21 st ), were "High Sabbath" days, although they do not necessarily fall on the weekly Sabbath. "High Sabbath" days are mandatory rest days which occur during some feast days.

The feast of Unleavened Bread celebrates the journey of the children of Israel through the wilderness, when God fed them with manna from heaven and supplied water out of the rock. This feast was fulfilled by Jesus during the Feast of Unleavened Bread when He said,

Jesus is the Bread of Life"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh , which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51).

Jesus was crucified on Passover. His body was laid in the tomb just before sunset, when the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. His body laid in the tomb for the first three days of this feast, from the 14th through the 16 th of Nisan

Matzah of the Passover meal had stripes on it and Jesus had stripes on his back for us.

And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in rememberance of me. Luke 22:19

3. Firstfruits (Yom Ha Bikkurim)Lev.23:9-14

In the year of the crucifixion, Sunday fell on the 16th of Nisan, the third day after Jesus was put in the tomb. (Sunday) On this Sunday called the Feast of First fruits, each family brought a single bundle (Omer) of barley to the Temple. The

Priest would cross the Red Heifer Causeway and wave the 1st bundle on the Mt. Of Olives. It was gathered at the beginning of the harvest and given to the Lord. The Red Heifer was also slain on the Mount Moriah. The Eastern Gate was made a little lower than the other four gates so the High Priest could view the front of the entrance to the Holy Place.

Jesus fulfilled this feast of firstfruits. The Apostle Paul said:

"But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept."..."For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order, Christ the firstfruits, afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." [1 Cor. 15:20,23] .

The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of the resurrection of all the saints.

Jesus was crucified on Passover and buried before the Feast of Unleavened Bread and raised on Yom Bikkurim and walked upon the earth during the 40 days of the counting of the omer.

Counting of the OmerAccording to the Torah (Lev. 23:15), the Jewish people were obligated to count the days from

Passover to Shavu'ot or Pentecost. This period is known as the Counting of the Omer. An omer is a unit of measure. On the second day of Passover, in the days of the Temple, an omer of barley was cut down and brought to the Temple as an offering. This grain offering was referred to as the Omer.

Every night, from the second night of Passover to the night before Shavu'ot, the Jews recite a blessing and state the count of the omer in both weeks and days. So on the 16th day, you would say "Today is sixteen days, which is two weeks and two days of the Omer. The counting is intended to remind us of the link between Passover, which commemorates the Exodus, and Shavu'ot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah. It reminds them that the redemption from slavery was not complete until we received the Torah.

Jesus was Resurrected on Sunday

Pentecost was on SundayJESUS WALKED ON THE EARTH FOR 40 DAYS DURING THE COUNTING OF THE OMER.

The disciples were told to not leave Jerusalem until they were baptized with Holy Ghost.

4.Shavuot the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost:

Leviticus 23:15-21 From the feast of Firstfruits,(Bikkurim) the Jews were to count seven Sabbaths, (49 days). The Sunday following the seventh Sabbath, was the Feast of Pentecost, (which means "fiftieth"). This feast commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. On that day God himself came down in a cloud on Mt. Sinai in fire and smoke and a blast of God's trumpet, to establish His covenant with His people. (Israel was birthed on that day.) This feast was also a prophecy of the coming of the New Covenant which was consummated on the same day,( Sunday ) the Day of Pentecost, with a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire and miraculous demonstrations of the Holy Ghost. (The church was birthed or began on the Day of Pentecost.)

Two Loaves of Bread brought by the people, typified both Jew and Gentile in the church.

The two loaves were waved before the Lord by the High Priest.

The Division of time between the 4 Feasts of spring and the beginning of the last 3 feasts in

the fall is the period of the 2000 years of Gentile Church.

We are in that period of time now.

The first four feasts were fulfilled by Jesus both symbolically and literally at His first coming. The last three will be fulfilled by Jesus at His second coming. Since the first four feasts were fulfilled on the very days God commanded His people to celebrate them, it is reasonable to conclude that the remaining three feasts will also be fulfilled on the actual feast days as well.

Jesus died on Passover and buried just before the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Resurrected on First Fruits, Church began on Day of Pentecost.

Jesus is a Priest after the order of Melchizedek

Jesus came and fulfilled the first four feasts as Messiah Ben (Son) of Joseph, or as the suffering servant.

Jesus will return in the Fall Feasts as Messiah Ben (Son) of David as the conquering King.

Fall Feasts Typify the Second coming of Jesus.

5. Rosh Hashanah (Head of Year) Or Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teru’ah) God commanded Israel to start this Feast on the first day of the seventh month, by blowing a series of trumpets. The first day of the month of Tishrei, on The Jewish civil calendar. It was the beginning the Jewish new year.

Feast of Trumpets was the only Feast to begin on the New Moon.

Feast of Passover was during the Full Moon

The period of the New Moon was a Dark and moonless night as the Moon is between the earth and the Sun.

48 hour period when the Jews did not know when the New Moon was.

Two Witnesses were to testify about the time

The first day of any given Hebrew month is the new moon. This is the time when the first thin crescent of the new moon can just be made out with the naked eye.

Picture of first sighting of the New Moon

Trumpets sounded all day on the 1 st day of Trumpets

Shofar and Two Silver Trumpets were blown

Feast of Gathering

Reminded Jews of Ram that replaced Isaac as sacrifice. They believe that Abraham was going to offer Isaac on the same day as the day of the beginning of Feast of Trumpets.

Although the Scripture does not specify what this feast represents, it possibly looked forward to the fall of Jericho. In the days of Joshua, they were instructed to march around the city of Jericho seven days. Each day the trumpets were blown by the priests, but the people kept silent. On the last day, they marched around the city seven times with the seven priests blowing

seven trumpets. When the last trumpet sounded, the people raised a great shout, and the walls of the city fell flat. Is it a coincidence that Paul said we will be raised at the "last trumpet?"

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”(1Corinthians 15:51-52)

 Is it also a coincidence that at the rapture there will be a great "shout?"

 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

(1 Thessalonians 4:16) (Symbolized Rapture and beginning of Tribulation!!)

Tishvua (Repentance)

The first day of every month was begun with the blowing of trumpets, but there was deeper significance attached to the blowing of trumpets on the first day of the seventh month. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) occurred ten days later on the tenth of the month. The ten days from Trumpets to the Day of Atonement are known as "The days of Awe"(Yamim Noraim)The Book of Life, Book of Remberance, Book of Death were

opened in Heaven which include penitence, prayer, and fasting in preparation for the Feast of Atonement. The Feast of Atonement is the Feast of Judgment.

The Feast of Trumpets is the only Hebrew Feast to occur on a new moon.

The 10 Days of Awe are actually 86 moons which is 7 years.

70 th week of Daniel’s prophecy

The last week of Daniels 70 week prophecy is the last of the 70 weeks and it starts with the Anti-Christ making a covenant with Israel for one week or seven years. This is the same as the 10 days of Awe.

Time of Jacob’s Trouble

Jacob had to work and extra 7 Years to receive Rachael as his bride.

On the first day of Feast of Trumpets as the trumpets sounded it was a sign for the workers in the field to come to the Temple to rest from their labors and celebrate with Yahweh.

When interpreting the meaning of these Feasts it seems to indicate that the Rapture could happen on the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets on Tishrei the 1st.

At the end of Jewish wedding the door was opened and the bride and groom went into the Hup’a or marriage chamber for 7 days. Time of concealment. Then they appeared back in public.

The Lord will gather his gentle bride and Israel will be converted to Jesus as their Messiah in the 7 year tribulation period.

Jesus at the end of the 7 year tribulation period he will appear with his bride to reign for 1000 years on this earth.

The New Moon was recognized by actual or personal observation and not by astronomical means. As we know many of the Rabbis must have been familiar with astronomical pictures, by which they were would test the veracity of witnesses. So important was it deemed to have faithful witnesses, that they were even allowed, in order to reach Jerusalem in time, to travel on the Sabbath, and, if necessary, to make use of horse or mule

Gentiles calculate time by the Sun because many were sun worshipers, but God had Jews calculate by the moon.

6. (Yom Kippur) or The Day of Atonement: And Forgiveness (Leviticus 23:26-32) The Feast of Trumpets is followed by ten days called by modern Jews, "the days of awe ( Yamim Noraim)." This is a time of national repentance for Israel. The 10th day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement. On this day the priest entered the Holy of Holies into the presence of God to sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. The Passover clearly represents personal salvation, each family had their own lamb, and celebrated Passover at home. But the Day of Atonement represents national salvation for Israel. Only one sacrifice was offered for the whole nation. The Bible makes it clear that at the second coming of Christ, the surviving Jews will look upon Christ and be saved in a day. (cf. Zechariah 12:9,10 & 13:1, Romans 11:25-27, Revelation 1:7) If there is any day on the Jewish calendar which is a prophecy of the second coming of Christ to overthrow the world

kingdoms and deliver His people Israel, this is it.

Armageddon

The Day of Atonement is considered the Most Holy of all of the feasts.

It is more of a fast than a feast as there is no feasting on this holy day.

Leviticus 23:27 Also on the tenth (day) of this seventh month (there shall be) a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

The High Priest, who was accompanied by his substitute and the priest that was the leader of priest family that was on duty in the temple on that day, laid his hands on the Bullock, for himself and those of his house, later he confessed the sins of the Associate Priests over a ram. One goat was slaughtered and the blood was taken into the Holiest of Hollies and the scapegoat was taken into the wilderness, or without the camp, which typifies Christ.

Scapegoat typified Jesus

1967 six day war of Israel against the Arab nations started on the Day of Atonement

DAY OF Atonement typifies the judgment of Israel and the Gentile Nations at the end of Armageddon. Dan. 7 and MT. 25 refer to the

setting up of the Kingdom.

Dan. 7:26-27

But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away (Anti-Christ) his dominion, to consume and to destroy (it) unto the end.

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

MT. 25:31-35

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

MT. 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

7. Sukkot or The Feast of Tabernacles: (Leviticus 23:33-43) Five days after the Day of Atonement is the Feast of Tabernacles. From the 15th to the 22nd of the seventh month was a time of the greatest rejoicing!!! It was the festival of all festivals. Israel was commanded to build tents [tabernacles] and live in them during the feast days. This commemorated how God brought them out of Egypt, through the wilderness into the promised land. Secondly, they were to cut off branches of palm trees and wave them, rejoicing before the Lord. Even Jews say the Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the Kingdom of the Messiah.

Zechariah 14: 16-19, states clearly that after Christ sets up his Kingdom the people will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against

Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Also, Revelation 7:9-17 describes the saints who have come through the "great tribulation." This scene takes place at the inauguration of Christ's Kingdom. It depicts a grand celebration with the saints waving "palm branches." Why are they waving palm branches? Obviously they are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. The marriage supper will take place just before the Battle of Armageddon according to the Book of Revelation 19:7-9.

Many bible scholars believe that Jesus was born on the feast of Trumpets

The Apostle John wrote:

"In the last day (eighth day), that great day of the feast,(Tabernacles) Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38).

Another ritual included the lighting of huge Menorahs at the Court of the Women. This is the probable background for Jesus' statement:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Feast of Tabernacles also called the feast of

the out pouring because of water oblation.

A Priest came through the water gate carrying the water and was met by another Priest as he entered the court of the Priests who was carrying the wine.

Water and wine were poured in a funnel on the Brazen Altar then the Hallel PS 113-118 were chanted.

446 Priest and 446 Levites on duty on this feast

Completion of the Harvest

Sevens Related to Biblical Prophecy

Created heaven and earth and rested on the 7th day.

7 Dispensations

70 Weeks

7 churches of Asia

7 times he that has an ear

7 times I know

7 sealed book

7 plaques

7 trumpets

7 vials

7 angels

7 kingdoms

7 over 500 times in the bible