Feast of Tabernacles (Hag Sukkot)
This article will attempt to clarify Yahweh’s will and pleasure for His believers as they observe the Feast of Tabernacles (FOT). It will also attempt to clarify the spiritual significance of FOT for believers today.
How are we to observe the FOT? Some groups leave their homes and stay together 24/7 at a specified location for the seven days of Tabernacles and the eighth day, the Last Great Day. A lot of those groups during those eight days require daily holy convocations. Is this Yahweh’s will and pleasure?
Ultimately, we wish to obey and fully please our Father regarding these Holy Days. Specifically, we need to answer the following questions: (1) Must we leave our regular dwellings for 8 days and stay at another location? (2) Must all believers stay together 24/7 as they observe the FOT and the Last Great Day? and (3) Does Yahweh require a daily holy convocation during the eight-day feast?
Before we answer these questions, let us look at (1) Yahweh’s commandments for keeping the FOT, (2) Scriptures that show the FOT continuing with Messiah while a man on this earth, (3) Scriptures that show the feast days continuing after Messiah’s resurrection, and (4) Scripture’s showing the FOT continuing through Messiah’s 1,000-year reign. Remember, not one jot or tittle of the law shall pass until all is fulfilled at the New Heavens and Earth (Matthew 5:18).
Leviticus 23:33 And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying, 34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto Yahweh. 35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahweh: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahweh: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. 40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Yahweh your Elohim seven days. 41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto Yahweh seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Deuteronomy 16:13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: 14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. 15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto Yahweh thy Elohim in the place which Yahweh shall choose: because Yahweh thy Elohim shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
Numbers 29:12 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto Yahweh seven days:
We see that Messiah kept the FOT while He was a man on earth.
John 7:1 After these things Yah’shua walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.
8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
14 Now about the midst of the feast Yah’shua went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Yah’shua answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Yah’shua stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
And it is clear that Paul kept Yahweh’s feasts (see Acts 20:6 & 16 and 1 Corinthians 5:8 & 16:8) after the resurrection of Messiah. Although we don’t know exactly which feast he kept in Acts 18:21, we do know that three times a year feasts were kept in Jerusalem, including the FOT.
Contrary to the ridiculous excuse that many Christians’ offer that this period in the early assembly was transitional and that Paul and other believers had not caught on to the new economy, we assert in this article that Paul knew full well what he was doing and that he was obeying Yahweh by keeping the feasts. Plus, we know that Paul received revelations from Messiah (Galatians 1:11-12).
Acts 18:21 But (Paul) bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if Yahweh will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
Lastly, we see prophetically that the FOT and all of Yahweh’s feasts, sabbaths, and new moons are kept during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign.
Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith Yahweh will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Isaiah 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh.
Ezekiel 46:1 Thus saith the Sovereign Yahweh; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.
3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before Yahweh in the sabbaths and in the new moons.
9 But when the people of the land shall come before Yahweh in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate…..
In conclusion, we must note that if the Israelites kept the FOT, Messiah kept the FOT before He was resurrected, Paul and the early assembly kept the FOT, and all people on earth are commanded to keep the FOT during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign, then it stands to reason that during this age, believers must keep the FOT! Anything else would be entirely inconsistent.
This brings us back to our first series of questions: (1) Must we leave our regular dwellings for 8 days and stay at another location? (2) Must all believers stay together 24/7 as they observe the FOT and the Last Great Day? and (3) Does Yahweh require a daily holy convocation during the eight-day feast?
Let us turn to the Word of Yahweh to answer these questions. Scripturally, we see that Yahweh commands the Israelites to stay in temporary dwellings during the FOT.
Leviticus 23:42 Ye shall dwell in booths (5521) seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: 43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your Elohim.
Nehemiah 8:14 And they found written in the law which Yahweh had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths (5521) in the feast of the seventh month: 15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. 16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths (5521), every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of Elohim, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths (5521), and sat under the booths (5521): for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
5521 cukkah {sook-kaw’} • from 05520; TWOT – 1492d; n f • AV – tabernacle 12, booth 11, pavilion 5, cottage 1, covert 1, tents 1; 31 • 1) thicket, covert, booth 1a) thicket 1b) booth (rude or temporary shelter).
The Hebrew word for “tent” is #168 “o’hel”. “O’hel” means a tent, covering, dwelling, dwelling place, home, tabernacle or habitation. Strong’s Concordance tells us that the Hebrew words for booth and tent are synonyms.
Throughout the book of Genesis, there are references to people who dwelled in tents. In fact, Jacob was said to be a tent dweller in Genesis 25:27. And we see the Israelites dwelling in tents (Numbers 1:52, 9:15-17, 16:26-27, and 24:2). In fact, the tabernacle of the Israelites was a tent where Yahweh’s Spirit dwelled.
Exodus 33:7 And Moses took the tabernacle (168), and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle (168) of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought Yahweh went out unto the tabernacle (168) of the congregation, which was without the camp. 8 And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle (168) , that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent (168) door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle (168). 9 And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle (168), the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle (168), and Yahweh talked with Moses. 10 And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle (168) door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent (168) door.
It is also symbolic in the New Testament that Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla all practiced the same profession—-tent making (Acts 18:1-3). Paul was literally, by occupation, a tentmaker and figuratively also a tent maker as he instructed the body of Messiah in its earthly conduct to emulate Messiah and ultimately to please Yahweh. Paul’s mission was to mold the body of Messiah into a righteous dwelling place fit for the Holy Spirit.
And not only are Israelites to stay in temporary booths or tents during the FOT, they need to go where Yahweh chooses to place His name.
Deuteronomy 16:15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto Yahweh thy Elohim in the place which Yahweh shall choose: because Yahweh thy Elohim shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. 16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Yahweh thy Elohim in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before Yahweh empty:
Is this commandment to the Israelites meant for us today? Although we are not physically Israel/Jew, we are spiritually Israel/Jew.
Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of Yahweh hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Yahweh: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Yahweh.
Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree. 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Who were the Israelites of the Old Testament? It appears it was not only those born of the seed of Israelites but also those that kept Yahweh’s commandments.
Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to Yahweh, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to Yahweh, speak, saying, Yahweh hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith Yahweh unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to Yahweh, to serve him, and to love the name of Yahweh, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Yahweh’s people have always been those who obey Him. Prior to Jacob, there was no Jew or Israelite. Selah (i.e. think about it). Although we might not be physically “Jews” or “Israelites”, we are “spiritually” “Jews” or “Israelites”.
Galatians 6:15 For in Messiah YahwehShua neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of Yahweh.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that Yahweh is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
So, if we are spiritually Israel (“Jews”), then the commandment to dwell in temporary dwellings and to go where Yahweh chooses to places His name pertains to us today.
Our flesh-and-blood bodies represent temporary dwellings (i.e. booths) until we are glorified at the coming of Messiah. Prophetically, our temporary dwellings point toward the future when we are glorified with Messiah during His 1,000-year reign. These temporary dwellings, our bodies, remind us that we are currently but strangers and pilgrims on earth.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
1 Corinthian 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Sovereign from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of Yahweh, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Did you know that Yahweh places His Holy Spirit, including His name, in believers?
Colossians 1:27 To whom Yahweh would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory:
Song of Solomon 1:3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of Yahweh, and that the Spirit of Yahweh dwelleth in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of Yahweh, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify Yahweh in your body, and in your spirit, which are Yahweh’s.
So, if you really think about it, our flesh-and-blood bodies are the temporary dwellings where Yahweh has chosen to place His name! Therefore spiritually, there is no direct commandment for us today to leave our homes and dwell in temporary facilities with the brethren 24/7.
And to answer the last question: “Does Yahweh require a daily holy convocation during the eight-day feast?” , there is not one Scripture commanding holy convocations on the non-High Days. Scriptures clearly indicate that there should be holy convocations on the first and eighth day of the feast (see Leviticus 23:33, 39-40 and Numbers 29:12).
And it is also clear from the Scriptures that if the Israelites (or even believers today) could not go to where Yahweh has chosen to place His name, then they are commanded to rejoice in their own home!!!
Deuteronomy 12:21 If the place which Yahweh thy Elohim hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which Yahweh hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. (Also see Deuteronomy 14:24)
Even though we are the temporary dwelling where Yahweh has chosen to place His name, Scriptures are clear that we do need to daily commune and rejoice with the Almighty during the FOT (Leviticus 23:40 and Deuteronomy 16:15) and to have a holy convocation with our brothers and sisters on the two High Days.
And though there is no requirement to stay in a temporary dwelling with the brethren, it may be a blessing if we and our families did join the brethren in temporary dwellings for the eight-day feast.
If we are unable to be with the brethren during the eight-day feast, we may want to consider building something temporary on our property (Nehemiah 8:16). This temporary structure will remind us that these flesh-and-blood bodies are temporary and to realize that the tabernacle of Yahweh will be with men during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign and in the New Heavens and Earth.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from Yahweh out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of Yahweh is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and Yahweh himself shall be with them, and be their Elohim.
Ezekiel 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people. 28 And the heathen shall know that I Yahweh sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
Lastly, if the brethren decide to have six extra holy convocations during the eight-day feast and we are able to join them, again we may be blessed to attend those “extra” holy convocations. The Scriptures are very clear about daily free will offerings (Leviticus 23:38) and the blessings of communing with the brethren (Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!).
This leads us into our last question about the Spiritual significance of FOT for believers today.
The dwelling in booths during the FOT was for the Israelites to be reminded of their experience of wandering in the wilderness for 40 years (i.e. “wilderness experience”) and how Yahweh provided for them on a daily basis. For forty years, the Israelites’ clothes and shoes did not wear out. Daily they received manna from heaven to eat. The Israelites had to trust Yahweh for their every need.
We, as believers, also experience trials and our own “wilderness experience” after we have been water and spirit baptized. This “wilderness experience” happens before we enter the 1,000-year reign with Messiah (“the promised land”). Therefore, part of the FOT represents our “wilderness experience” before we enter the 1,000-year reign of Messiah.
So how does this tie into Leviticus 23:40, when Yahweh tells us to rejoice before Yahweh for seven days? Our trials (i.e. “wilderness experience”) and rejoicing don’t seem to go together. Or do they? Let us look at what Paul and Silas did during one of their trials.
Acts 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto Yahweh:
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Yahweh Messiah: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NKJ)
Our “wilderness experience” and the suffering we endure works together for good (Romans 8:28). We need to rejoice before Yahweh for being called to His glorious truth. Remember, Yahweh is molding us for the Kingdom. We are the clay and Yahweh is the potter (Isaiah 64:8).
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Yahweh, and teachest him out of thy law;
Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Sovereign, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom Yahweh loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, Yahweh dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of Yahweh; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom Yahweh loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Did you know that we partake in Messiah’s suffering throughout our “wilderness experience”? In other words, we will suffer just as Messiah suffered.
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with Yahweh. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Messiah, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live righteously in Messiah YahwehShua shall suffer persecution.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
And Scriptures are clear that Messiah went through His own “wilderness experience”. Messiah’s first “wilderness experience” occurred after being baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, when He fasted for 40 days and nights and was tempted by Satan.
Matthew 4:1 Then was Yah’shua led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of Yahweh command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahweh. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of Yahweh, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Yah’shua said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt Yahweh thy Elohim. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Yah’shua unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship Yahweh thy Elohim, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Being spiritual Israel, we understand the difficulty of our own “wilderness experience”, trapped in these temporary carnal tabernacles.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of Yahweh after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank Yahweh through YahwehShua Messiah our Sovereign. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of Yahweh; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Also read all of Romans chapter eight)
The “wilderness experience” is part of the FOT, but not the whole story. FOT also represents us looking forward to the coming of Messiah and His 1,000-year reign where we will put off these temporary carnal tabernacles and become priests and kings (i.e. royalty) with Messiah!
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of Yahweh, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of Yahweh.
Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of YahwehShua, and for the word of Yahweh, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years.
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our Elohim kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 1:5 And from YahwehShua Messiah, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto Yahweh and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The fullness of the FOT will not be experienced until the 1,000-year reign when there will be a time of great joy and peace on earth. This is one of the times of rest spoken of in the Scriptures.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of Yahweh; 20 And he shall send YahwehShua Messiah, which before was preached unto you:
It is totally merciful of Yahweh to give His believers a weekly rest as a foretaste and kind of promissory note of the rest we will enjoy during the 1,000-year reign.
The FOT is the fall harvest feast. It falls on the seventh month of the year (Tishri) based on Yahweh’ s calendar. Like the other feasts, the FOT has an agricultural element. It marks the time of the fall harvest, the final ingathering of produce before the oncoming winter. Hence, the FOT is also called the Feast of Ingathering.
Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Yah’shua tells us that this harvest represents the spiritual harvest of mankind at the end of the ages. Therefore, the seven-day FOT along with the eighth day, sometimes referred to as the Last Great Day, symbolizes the preparation and the final harvest of mankind. This is why during the FOT and the Last Great Day we look forward to the return of Messiah and His 1,000-year reign and the final harvest of mankind.
Matthew 3:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (165); and the reapers are the angels.
165 aion {ahee-ohn’} • from the same as 104; TDNT – 1:197,31; n m • AV – ever 71, world 38, never + 3364 + 1519 + 3588 6, evermore 4, age 2, eternal 2, misc 5; 128 • 1) for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity 2) the worlds, universe 3) period of time, age
Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
The last clue that today’s believers during the FOT should look forward to Messiah’s 1,000-year reign involves Yahweh’s feast days. Yahweh’s feasts days represent the plan of salvation and His plan for the ages. And since this is true, then it is clear that the FOT represents the 1,000-year reign of Messiah. Below is a recap of Yahweh’s feast days and their tie to the plan of salvation and the plan of the ages.
Passover- Passover involves belief and faith that Yah’shua was our perfect Passover lamb. (1 Corinthians 5:7).
For more information on Passover, please read “Passover and Easter”.
Unleavened Bread – Unleavened Bread symbolizes removal of sin (i.e. repentance) from our lives. This feast culminates with water baptism on the last high day of Unleavened Bread.
For more information on this feast, please read “Chag HaMatzot”, “FirstFruits”, and “The Night to be much observed”.
Pentecost – Pentecost represents the New Covenant where Yahweh puts His law in believer’s hearts and minds. This New Covenant was initiated on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) with the outpouring and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers.
For more information on this feast, please read “Pentecost”.
Shouting – Trumpets or shouting through a joyful noise represents Messiah’s return to this earth as King of kings and the resurrection of believers from the dead. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
For more information on this feast, please read “Yom Teruah…Day of Shouting”
Atonement – Day of Atonement represents the covering of sins for Israel and all flesh-and-blood who are left after Messiah’s return. This day also represents Satan being bound for 1,000-years from his position over this earth.
For more information on this feast, please read “Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement”
Based on the chronology of Yahweh’s feast days, it seems clear that the FOT represents the next progression of the plan of salvation: Messiah’s 1,000-year reign on earth.
The eighth day of the feast, The Last Great Day, represents the last age of the ages after Messiah’s 1,000-year reign. This age is when the rest of the dead are resurrected to flesh-and-blood existence, Yahweh’s Spirit is poured out on all flesh-and-blood that have never received His Spirit, final judgment is rendered on mankind, and Yahweh reconciles His creation in the New Heavens and Earth (1).
(1) For more information on the Last Great Day of the feast, please read “The Last Great Day”. For more information on Yahweh reconciling His creation in the New Heaven and Earth, please read “Yahweh’s Supreme Love”.
To conclude, The FOT is a week-long celebration culminating on the eighth day, or the Last Great Day. It is a feast of daily rejoicing before Yahweh. There are two required Holy convocations, the first day of the feast and the eighth day of the feast known as the Last Great Day.
Although there is no direct requirement for believers today to leave our homes, or to be 24/7 with the brethren or to have eight holy Convocations, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being with the brethren for the eight-day feast and having daily holy convocations. In fact, it might be a blessing for us and our families.
And if we cannot go to the place where our brethren ch0ose to spend the feast, we may want to consider building something temporary on our property in which to dwell, sleep or eat (Nehemiah 8:16). This temporary structure will remind us of the suffering we will endure until the second coming of Messiah and that these flesh-and-blood bodies are temporary, weak, and carnal.
The FOT is a time of celebration. It is a time to look at our current “wilderness experience” and rejoice in our trials knowing that Yahweh is molding us for the Kingdom. It is also a time to look forward to Messiah’s 1,000-year reign, when we will put off these carnal tabernacles and will be priests and kings reigning with Messiah. It will be a time of peace and goodwill toward mankind, and a time of rest and refreshing.
HalleluYah
(8/13d)