God designed specific feasts as opportunities to celebrate His deliverance and provisions. In biblical times, Jewish men traveled to Jerusalem to participate in three primary feasts. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD. (Ex. 23:17)
1- Feast of Unleavened Bread observed with the Passover (spring feast) PASSOVER (Sacrifice)
Jesus was sacrificed as the unblemished Passover Lamb of God in Jerusalem at this Feast.
2- Feast of Weeks (summer feast) PENTECOST (Spirit)
Fifty days after the feast of first fruits, the Spirit birthed and baptized the Church (Jew & Gentile). Acts 2
3- Feast of the Ingathering (fall feast) PAROUSIA (Second coming)
Jesus will gather His elect (Mt. 24:31) and the nations for separation at His coming (parousia). (Mt. 25:32)
God built prophetic truth into the Jewish Feasts
to reveal His future plan!
These 3 primary feasts point to the PASSOVER, PENTECOST and then His PAROUSIA (2nd coming). They are the focal points of heavenly and earthly history. The first two feasts were fulfilled in the first coming of Jesus Christ. We now wait for the third feast to be realized in the second coming when both the Church and the Christ are revealed together in glory. There are many exciting aspects to the parousia of Christ that we explore in the study, Just Like the Days of Noah. Join the adventure!
Feast of Unleavened Bread Passover
FULFILLED in the first coming of Christ who was the sinless Passover Lamb of God and the first fruits of the resurrection. The rapture occurs after the resurrection of the dead (1 Thess. 16-17). So when does that happen? But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming (parousia) 1 Cor. 15:23.
Feast of Weeks
FULFILLED 7 weeks after the resurrection of Christ when the Holy Spirit came to indwell and unite Jew and Gentile. There is no longer a separation of Jew and Gentile (Col. 3:11). No distinction to be made. Two loaves are waved (Jew and Gentile) before the Lord at this feast, whereas one (Christ) is waved at the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Feast of Ingathering
Celebrated after the Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement. (Lev. 16:29) The Feast of Trumpets is a feast of reflection and repentance (opportunity extended during the 7 trumpets in Revelation) that prepares one for Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement. On that most holy day (Yom Kippur), the repentant are forgiven and the unrepentant judged. Then, the 1,000 year reign of Christ will begin with His gathered saints.
The Greek word used in the Scriptures to refer to the glorious return of Christ is parousia. If you follow the Scriptures using this word, it becomes clear that His parousia is what we are waiting for, which is why the disciples ask Jesus, what will be the sign of Your coming (parousia) and of the end of the age? (Mt. 24:3)
