From David Hocking (davidhocking.org)

MESSIAH AND THE FALL FESTIVALS

LEVITICUS 23 : 23-44

Yeshua said in Luke 24:44:

"These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning ME!"

There are four major celebrations in the spring and three in the fall that speak of our Messiah and His work in bringing salvation and hope to both Jew and Gentile.

These celebrations according to Leviticus 23:2 are called "feasts of the LORD (Yahweh)." And He refers to them as "My feasts." Without the Lord, these celebrations are stripped of their meaning and impact and become mere tradition without the power. Paul wrote in Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Hellenist)."

These celebrations are said to be "holy convocations" and are to be honored as the Shabat (Sabbath Day) in that no manual labor is to be done - they are to be set aside for the worship of the Lord, and the celebration of His Messiah!

These fall festivals occur in the 7th month of the Jewish calendar; the Shabat occurs on the 7th day of the week; The sabbatical year is the 7th year, and the Year of Jubilee is celebrated after seven sabbatical years; Shavuot (Pentecost) comes seven weeks after Firstfruits and Sukkot (Tabernacles) continues for seven days as does the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the Spring. Obviously, the number "seven" is highly significant, a religious number, emphasizing the celebration of God's character and the worship of Him alone!

THREE THINGS ABOUT OUR COMING MESSIAH:

1. HIS RETURN FROM HEAVEN

Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) - the blowing of the Shofar, a carved ram's horn, not a cow's horn (avoids any connection with the worship of the golden calf); it must be carved, not painted (inappropriate when calling us to repentance, a major theme of this celebration). It must be bent or curved, a reminder of our need of brokenness, humility, and contrition of heart - Psalm 51:17

The ten days following Rosh Hashanah leading up to Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) are called "high holy days," and it is customary for the Jewish people to dress in white as a sign of humility and the need for cleansing - Isaiah 1:18 is read.

2. HIS REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) - celebrated on Tishri 10 - details in Lev. 16 - Luke calls it "the fast."

(1) It PORTRAYS the need of repentance - Lev. 23:27 - "afflict your souls" - Isa. 58

(2) It PICTURES the removal of our sin - Azazel (scapegoat) - Psalm 103:12; John 1:29

(3) It PROPITIATES the wrath of God against sin - mercy-seat - I John 2:2

(4) It POINTS to the need of a High Priest -Heb. 2:7; 3:1; 4:14; 7:23-28; 8:1; 9:7, 11-12; 10:11-14, 21

3. HIS REIGN OVER ALL THE WHOLE EARTH

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) - Tishri 15-22 Also called "the feast of ingathering" or "the Season of our Rejoicing" - more sacrifices than any other feast, expressing our thanksgiving to God (70 bulls, 14 rams, 98 lambs = 182 animals) "great day of the feast" - Hoshana Rabbah - the great Hosanna they circled the altar seven times, poured water out of the vessels of the temple, reminding them of the water that came out of the rock in the wilderness - I Cor. 10:4 - "that Rock was Messiah" - the "living water" represents the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.