7 Feasts of the Lord.

The way in which Jesus fulfilled the Jewish feasts is a fascinating study on its own. The Hebrew word for “feasts” (moedim) literally means “appointed times.” God has carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us a special story or rather, Christ-filled biblical event. The seven annual feasts of Israel were spread over seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by God Himself.

Also, the Bible was specific in the book of Leviticus 23 to describe seven feasts, often referred to as the “Feasts of the Lord”. These include Sabbath, Passover (Unleavened Bread), First Fruits, Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime of A.D. 32 or 33 (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks), and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. However, the final three holidays (Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short fifteen-day period which are yet to be fulfilled. Many Bible scholars and commentators too, in the study of eschatology believe also that these Fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus. Point to note here is that Sabbath, despite its mention in the chapter 23 of the book of Leviticus, the observance of its significance is distinct from the other six Hebrew festivities. Sabbath is classified as the first of the seven appointed feasts, or “holy convocations”, but not as one of the seven as it occurs weekly, every seventh day, and is a sacred day of complete rest. A weekly day of rest and worship mandated by God to be kept holy, was to be observed from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. The other six feasts are annual celebrations, each with its own unique time and purpose within the agricultural cycle and Israel’s rich heritage history.

So, if Sabbath is not an annual feast but a weekly observation by the Jew, why then are there still seven feasts that are mentioned as Feasts of the Lord. The answer lies in the feast of Passover. It is sometimes known as the feast of the unleavened Bread. But both feasts are distinct and because of their close proximity or in their observance that run consecutively, they are often simply interchangeably referred to as one feast, either as Feast of Passover or Feast of unleavened Bread. Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, fulfilled both feasts as a separate entity when He came the first time as the sacrificial Lamb of God.

Another observation from this study has shown us that these festivities or their fulfillment by our Lord and Saviour are not confined by the time or period of time in which they are to be fulfilled. For instance, the Spring’s Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and Pentecost, which have been already fulfilled, and the Fall’s Feasts which are yet to be fulfilled, do not have to occur within the same 12-month period. There was a break of time, of nearly two thousand years, which is known as the Grace Period since the fulfillment of the Spring’s Feasts. And we are still waiting for the Fall’s Feasts to be fulfilled soon in this current year, 2 millennium after the Feasts of Pentecost back in A.D. 32 or 33.

Here’s a more detailed look at each feast:

Spring Feasts (First Coming of Christ)

1. Passover (Pesach)

• Original meaning: Commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt; a lamb was slain and its blood put on doorposts.
• Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus is called the Lamb of God (John 1:29). He was crucified on Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), fulfilling the type as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb whose blood brings deliverance from sin and death.

2. Unleavened Bread

• Original meaning: Commemorates the haste of Israel’s departure from Egypt; leaven (symbol of sin) was removed.
• Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus’ sinless body (unleavened) was buried during this feast. His body lay in the tomb, just as the Israelites observed a time of purification and removal of sin.

3. First fruits

• Original meaning: Celebrated the first of the barley harvest; offered to God as a sign of faith in the full harvest to come.
• Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus rose from the dead on the Feast of First Fruits (1 Corinthians 15:20–23), becoming the first Fruits of those who will rise—the guarantee of the future resurrection.

4. Pentecost (Shavuot)

• Original meaning: Celebrated 50 days after First Fruits; marked the wheat harvest and later, the giving of the Law at Sinai.
• Fulfillment in Jesus: The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2), giving birth to the Church and writing God’s law on believers’ hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).

Fall Feasts (Rapture & Second Coming of Christ — forthcoming Fulfillment)

5. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) a.k.a. Yom Teruah, literally meaning “Day of Shouting” or “Day of the Awakening Blast” in Hebrews.

• Original meaning: A day of remembrance and the Jewish New Year, marked by the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn). A sacred assembly of mass of people with trumpet blasts calling for repentance and alertness. The feast is rooted in the biblical tradition of blowing trumpets to call for meetings and to announce events, including the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
• Fulfillment in Jesus: Points forward to the forthcoming Rapture, ushering the second coming of Christ, announced with the sound of a trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 24:31). The blowing of trumpets is a signal of celebration and a call for the people to assemble. In 2025, seven years less of the 2 millennium of the period of Grace, the Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah, will occur on 23rd & 24th of September.

6. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

• Original meaning: High priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of Israel. A day of fasting and repentance, focused on individual and communal reconciliation with God.
• Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus is the ultimate High Priest and atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–14). His blood brings once-for-all atonement. The full national fulfillment for Israel is still future, when they recognize Him as Messiah (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:26–27).

7. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

• Original meaning: A week-long festival to celebrate God’s provision during the wilderness wanderings; living in temporary shelters.
• Fulfillment in Jesus: Symbolizes God dwelling with His people. Jesus “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). Its ultimate fulfillment is in the Messianic Kingdom and the new heavens and earth, where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21:3).

In addition to these foundational biblical feasts, other Jewish feasts and festivals like Purim and Hanukkah are also observed, but they are not specifically included in the seven “Feasts of the Lord” described in Leviticus 23.

These findings are based solely on my personal study, research, and convictions. Over a period of time, I have carefully examined historical, biblical, and contemporary events, seeking to draw conclusions that align with the Word of God and the observable signs of the times. The following are the key conclusions I have reached regarding the timeframe of humanity’s existence, the rapture, and the events leading to the Great Tribulation.

1. The 7,000-Year Timeframe of Humanity:

Through my study of biblical chronology, I firmly believe that humanity’s timeline is structured within a 7,000-year framework. This period begins with Adam and culminates with the millennial reign of Christ, which I believe will occur around AD 2032 or 2033. This 7,000-year timeframe is reflected in the pattern of creation, with six days of work followed by one day of rest, which many scholars and theologians interpret as a type for the entire span of human history.

2. The Similarities between the Rapture and Jewish Wedding customs and traditions:

There are uncanny similarities between the mystery of Rapture and the wedding customs and traditions of the Jews since ancient times. Jesus Christ, our bridegroom, promised the church that He’s going away to prepare a home for us.  He then paid the bridal price for us with His precious blood and life. He mentioned that the time for Him to bring His bride that is the church, to His many mansions in glory will depend on His father. His return at the Rapture to ’snatch” the bride of Christ home in an hour or time not known to anyone except the Father, was another similarity with His Jewish customs and heritage. Do look up my earlier blog on the Jewish Wedding customs and traditions that will explain in details the similarities of both events. 

3. The Rapture in 2025:
   I am convinced that the rapture, the event when believers will be caught up to meet Christ in the air, will occur in the year 2025. While I am not claiming that this is a definitive date, I believe that the convergence of current world events, the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and appointed times instituted by God, and the overall current progression of human history points to this as the likely time for the rapture to take place.
4. Signs of the Times:
   I do not set dates in the same way that some may speculate about exact moments for the end of the world, as our Lord Jesus cautioned us against doing. However, I do believe that it is important to observe the general patterns and signs in the world. The Bible speaks of signs in the heavens, wars and rumors of wars, lawlessness, and other indicators that would mark the approach of the end times.

Some of these signs include:

• Global Conflicts: The rise of wars and tensions between nations, as well as the general atmosphere of unrest, is clear indications of the “wars and rumors of wars” mentioned in Matthew 24.
• Climate and Environmental Changes: Increasing natural disasters and unusual weather patterns serve as a modern fulfillment of biblical warnings about the earth groaning in the last days (Romans 8:22).
• Astronomical Phenomena: Unusual developments in the sky, like blood moons, eclipses, and other celestial events, echo prophecies about signs in the heavens in the last days.
• Geo-political Shifts: Rapid changes in global leadership and alliances reflect the political and military upheavals that Scripture anticipates will precede Christ’s return.
• Moral and Societal Decay: The breakdown of law, morality, and social order in many parts of the world is a clear sign of the lawlessness predicted for the end times (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

5. The Threshold of the Great Tribulation:
   I believe we are standing at the threshold of the realization of the first Fall’s moedim (appointed times), which will usher in the Great Tribulation. This period, often referred to as a time of unparalleled suffering and turmoil, will be the final testing of the earth before Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom. Though it is difficult to predict every specific detail, the general trajectory of world events strongly suggests that we are nearing the start of these final prophetic milestones. It is not just a matter of isolated events, but the overall convergence of many factors that signal the imminent fulfillment of God’s plan for the ages.

Conclusion:
In summary, I am not setting a specific date for the rapture or the end of the world, as only God knows the day and hour. However, I firmly believe that, based on my personal research, the observations of current events, and the teachings of Scripture, we are standing at the precipice of a monumental shift in history. The year 2025 stands out to me as a key moment, but ultimately, I trust that God will unfold His plans in His perfect timing.
May we all continue to watch, pray, and prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, keeping our hearts aligned with His will, and living in the light of His coming.