Annual Holy Days
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them:
The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.
Leviticus 23:2
The Passover teaches that Jesus Christ was without sin and, as the true Lamb of God, gave His life so that the sins of mankind could be forgiven and the death penalty removed (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Romans 3:25). Passover, although not celebrated as a holy day (in the sense of a 24-hour period), is the first Feast of the year.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread teaches us that we are called to reject lawlessness and repent of sin. We are to live according to every word of God and according to the teachings of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:8; Matthew 4:4). During this Feast, leaven (yeast) symbolises sin and is therefore removed from our homes during the seven days of the Feast (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Exodus 12:19). Eating unleavened bread symbolises the (desire to) live in sincerity and truth, free from sin.
The Feast of Pentecost, or Feast of Firstfruits, teaches us that Jesus Christ came to establish His Church. This Feast pictures the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church. The firstfruits are those to whom salvation will be given at the return of Christ. They are empowered with the Holy Spirit, who creates in each one a new heart and nature to live according to the commandments of God (Exodus 23:16; Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:37-39; Acts 5:32; James 1:18).
The Feast of Trumpets teaches us that Jesus Christ will visibly return to earth at the end of this age. At that time, He will revive the saints who have already died at that time and transform the saints who are still alive at that time into immortal beings (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). This Feast commemorates the blowing of the trumpets that will precede His Second Coming. Revelation 8-10 describes seven angels with seven trumpets. Christ will return with the blowing of the seventh and final trumpet (Revelation 11:15).
The Great Day of Atonement teaches us that Jesus Christ gave His life to pay for the sins of all mankind. It also points forward to the time when Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Leviticus 16:29-30; Leviticus 16:20-22; Revelation 20:1-3). This Holy Day pictures our High Priest Jesus Christ, Who makes atonement for our sins, enabling us to be reconciled to God and enter the “Holy of Holies” (Hebrews 9:8-14; Hebrews 10:19-20). By fasting on this day, we draw closer to God and imagine humanity’s reconciliation with God. Christ is essential in this process as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 5:4-5; Hebrews 5:10) and as our eternal sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26-28).
The Feast of Tabernacles teaches that at the return of Jesus Christ, a new society will be established with Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. Christ, assisted by the risen saints, will establish His government on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:4; Leviticus 23:39-43; Matthew 17:1-4; Hebrews 11:8-9). His rule based on God’s law will spread from Jerusalem throughout the world and usher in an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity (Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:35; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13-14).
The Eighth Day teaches us that Jesus Christ will complete His harvest of people by raising them from the dead and extending redemption to all those who died in the past and never had a full opportunity for salvation (Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 11:25-27; Luke 11:31-32; Revelation 20:11-13).
God's great plan of redemption, as revealed in the Bible, is portrayed in the meaning of these seven annual Feasts.
Is it possible to know what the future holds for us? God’s purpose for humanity is revealed through His annual cycle of Feasts described in the Bible. His amazing plan offers an incredible future to every man, woman and child who has ever lived. Our study guide will help you understand the incredible future for all mankind!
