God has a pattern that unlocks His promises and brings us into His presence. In the Old Testament, we see that God the Father designed seven feasts, as expounded upon in Leviticus 23. They all point to Jesus and the things that will happen in the New Covenant. These seven feasts are God’s own holy days with specific instructions given for their observance. They’re also known as “holidays”, and each individual holiday has a special way it is celebrated. Let’s look at one special holiday in particular: the Feast of Tabernacles.
The overall theme of the Feast of Tabernacles is a beautiful picture of the unity of the saints and the true Church coming forth. On this special holy day, every Israelite had to leave their dwelling place and assemble together in small, humble booths for fellowship and worship. They had one common purpose in mind: to keep the feast of the Lord in its season, and to celebrate the ingathering of the wines and oils. God had provided, and the purpose was to celebrate his provision – all together, like a family.
We have been bought back from Satan and death to God by the blood of Jesus. The Messiah has come and now sits on the right hand of the Father, and He lives to intercede for us day and night. He is our high priest! We are no longer separated by the veil as in the Old Covenant. We have the right to boldly come before the throne of grace anytime, 24/ 7, 365 days a year. God wants a relationship with you through His son Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man! First, salvation is provided entirely by the death of Jesus on the cross. He came that we might be rescued, made whole, made well and completely healed, and live lives for Him on earth that brings Him glory. In the Old Testament, we see seven feasts designed by God the Father. They’re expounded upon in detail in Leviticus 23. They all point to Jesus and the things that He will usher in during the New Covenant. These seven feasts are God’s own holy days with specific instructions given for their observance. They’re also known as “holidays”, and each individual holiday has a special way it is celebrated. Let’s look at one special holiday in particular: the feast of Tabernacles.
Each of the seven feasts has a process of observance with a theme that leads into the next feast – much like the seasons changing. For example, the Day of Atonement reveals the necessity of prayer to position yourself to have right standing with God through repentance. The day of Atonement has its own sets of instructions in the Bible for how the holiday is celebrated. The Day of Atonement leads to the Feast of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot.
The Feasts of Israel were built on the Foundation of the law and God’s Blood Covenant with mankind. They were physical “rituals” to help the children of Israel understand and align with spiritual truths. They were also prophetic pictures of the glory to come in Christ Jesus and all that He would bring forth in the New Covenant and in the End Times.
During Atonement, we are honoring Him in the commemorations He designed and desires. Our obedience brings us into intimate encounters with the living God. These feasts are more than a ritual, or a tradition – they are an encounter with the founder of the feasts in our hearts and being.
“Then will the Lord be jealous for His land, and pity His people” Joel 2:18
What a HUGE word… “THEN”. When is then? After the repentance and cleansing of the Day of Atonement. After the time of fasting and prayer, we receive the unlimited blessing of the “Feast of Tabernacles”, which is the restoration of ALL that God has promised!
Tabernacles is called “Sukkot.” It begins this year on October 14, and is a seven-day holiday, lasting until October 20. There is an additional day called “Schmini Atzeret” as part of the holiday as outlined in Lev 23:36; Num 29:35.
The Feast of Tabernacles is our season of joy. It corresponds to the fruit harvest. It is a time of celebration of the blessings of the Lord. Sustenance and provision for the coming year comes at this time from the Lord. Everything that you ever worked hard for in those times was released during this time – all the planting, all the tending, all the weeding, and watering…The Feast of Tabernacles was when the fruit of all the labors was harvested. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as “the Feast of Ingathering”
In Biblical times, Sukkot was considered the most important of all the holidays, referred to simply as “the Feast” (1 Kings 12:32). It was a time of many sacrifices (Numbers 29:12-40). THIS IS the season we are COMMANDED to REJOICE for the BLESSING of God’s provision and care for our lives. It is literally “party time” – a great time of Thanksgiving to God!
It may be most important for you to remember that each feast of the seven feasts has powerful prophetic implications. They each contain imagery and symbols foretelling Jesus’ return. “Sukkot” (or the Feast of the Tabernacles) anticipates the Second coming of Jesus wherein He will institute His kingdom and all the nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord during the festival (as outlined in Zechariah 14:16).
Today, Sukkot is a time for remembering God’s sheltering presence and provision for us for the year to come. God has a pattern that unlocks His promises and brings us into His presence. The feast of Tabernacles is a special holiday, with prophetic implications to our lives, the church and even the Second Coming of Christ. When we study His feasts, we come into contact with Him. Let’s celebrate our season of joy!
