Ariel HaNaviy Messianic Jew and Torah Teacher with Messianic Congregation 'The Harvest'

Most of the details surrounding the Feast of Tabernacles were already covered in the first answer. I only want to provide some details I feel were missed (or maybe I did not notice them in the first answer).

Historic Background:
•	The Feast of Tabernacles is one of God’s “appointed” times outlined in Lev. 23:33-43.
•	This feast—along with all the feasts of God—are not “Jewish” in the sense of ownership. The Jews did not invent, nor do they own these. They belong to God. Isra'el was simply the caretakers and “proclaimers” of the Feasts. 
•	Tabernacles is one of the “three pilgrimage festivals,” where God commanded all males to appear before him at God’s Sanctuary, if at all possible (Ex. 23:14-17). 
•	No one is allowed to make blood sacrifices anywhere in the world today since God’s Sanctuary is the only allowable location (Deut. 12:4-7).
•	Today, for those of Isra'el who do not live in the Land of Isra'el, and cannot make a trip to Isra'el, traditionally some build temporary booths but many do not. They only celebrate the memorial, minus sacrifices, etc., since sacrifices are allowable ONLY at the Temple.
•	When the Apostolic Writings refer to these Feasts as “of the Jews,” like Leviticus, this phrase simply indicates their association with, their cultural attachment to, and their historic demonstration of them. It does not imply ownership.

Grammatical and Spiritual Background:
•	The Hebrew word for tabernacle is “sukkah,” which literally speaks of a tent or booth. This Feast is even sometimes called “Feast of Booths.” 
•	It receives its name “tabernacles/booths” because God asked those of Isra'el who live in the Land of Isra'el to dwell in temporary booths for seven days, in commemoration of wandering in the desert (Lev. 23:42, 43).
•	The Messianic application of Tabernacles is that it points towards God the Eternal Word coming to earth in the person of his Son Yeshua (Jesus), and taking up residence in a human vessel (read John 1:14 where the English word “dwelt” is actually the Greek word “eskenosen,” which literally implies “pitched a tent.”

Future Prophecies:
•	Since the LORD Yeshua literally fulfilled the first four of the seven Feasts at this 1st coming, it is my belief that he will likewise fulfill the final three in like fashion.
•	We also know that God will mandate worldwide keeping of this feast during the Millennium (Zech. 14:16-18).

Practical Application/Relevance for Christians:
Follow this biblical logic…
•	They belong to God (Lev. 23:1-3; Lev. 23:44).
•	When the Temple still stood, Tabernacles was kept with sacrifices and such. Now that there is no Temple, the keeping of this feast has become primarily a memorial (like communion is a memorial), but many still build booths to stay in throughout the seven days.
•	Broadly speaking, God commissioned only Isra'el (not the world) to proclaim them as the LORD’s Feasts (”speak to the people of Isra'el…etc.”).
•	In Christ, Gentile Christians are no longer alienated from the commonwealth of Isra'el (Eph. 2:12).
•	In Christ Gentile Christians have now become fellow heirs with the saints and members of the household of God (Eph. 2:19).

Conclusion:
For Gentile Christians, these Feasts are yours to keep if you desire too just as much as any Messianic Jew (Col. 2:16, 17), not to become saved or out of legalism, or to earn brownie points with God (as if these were possible), but if you wish to out of love for God and his Messiah.

September 10 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

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