What is the prophetic significance of the fall feasts in the Old Testament?
The spring feasts point to the cross, but the fall ones seem to be about something as yet unfulfilled. Also, which ones vary by day of the week (as this may have bearing on the matter)?
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Asked November 22 2015
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Scott Paine
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Ariel HaNaviy
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I will be very brief in my answer, since you can read about my additional views of the Feasts of ADONAI in these eBible posts: How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of the Jewish Feasts? http://ebible.com/answers/21869?ori=492502 What is the Feast of Tabernacles? http://ebible.com/answers/22227?ori=492502 As was already noted by the question, the Spring Feasts are shadows of the redemptive work of Yeshua (Jesus) during his First Coming here to Earth. National Isra'el was supposed to learn about their Messiah by participating in these annual agricultural and religious gatherings. • Passover pointed to him being the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29) • Unleavened Bread pointed to his sinless perfection (1 Pet 1:19) • First Sheaf (a.k.a. Firstfruits) pointed to him being the firstfruits of those who rise from the dead, never to die again (1 Cor 15:20) • Pentecost pointed to his Holy Spirit that he promised would be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32; Jn 14:26; Acts 1:8; 2:16-21). Given the paradigm set by the prophetic significance of the Spring Feasts, it is natural to anticipate and expect that the Fall Feasts hold prophetic significance for National Isra'el (and the grafted in branches known as the Church) as well. To be sure, most Christians have been taught that the themes surrounding the Fall Feasts are related to Messiah’s second coming. And this would fit God’s time-table precisely because of his ongoing dealings with National Isra'el as a covenant people. Observe: • Rosh HaShanah (a.k.a. Feast of Trumpets) points to trumpets heralding the approach of the Coming King and the need for repentance (“awake o’ sleeper!”) in preparation of his arrival. It also points towards the future resurrection of the dead (Dan 12:2; Eph 5:14; 1 Thess 4:13-17) • Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) points to the once and for all final atonement for National Isra'el as she considers Yeshua, who is both High Priest and Sacrifice all in one (Zech 12:10; Rom 11:26) • Feast of Tabernacles points to God making his final abode with mankind as he establishes his Messianic Kingdom here on Earth (Zech 14:16; Jn 14:3; Rev 21:3) Conclusions: As Gentile believers who have joined the Commonwealth of Isra'el (Eph 2:11-22), it is additionally beneficial to take an interest in the Fall Feasts of the Bible, since they point prophetically forward to the final ministry of our LORD Yeshua and his dealings with humanity’s redemptive history and with Isra'el's final repentance in particular (Luke 24:27; Rom 3:1, 2; 9:1-5). Yeshua perfectly fulfilled the first four of the seven biblical festivals during his first tenure here on Earth; it is my belief that he will, with equal precision, fulfill the last three during his second visitation here on Earth. No one knows if the exact dates that each feast is scheduled to occur will in fact coincide precisely with Messiah’s plans (Matt 24:36). However, since the Bible does say we believers are not in darkness (1 Thess 5:4) and that we should be aware of the signs of our LORD’s return (Matt 24:32, 33), it is a safe assumption that the timings surrounding Yeshua’s second coming activities, as relative to the themes and dates of the Fall Feasts, will be fairly close to—if not on—the exact same dates scheduled by the Father way back in Leviticus 23.