WILD BRANCH FELLOWSHIP
CHAPPELL HILL, TEXAS
GOD'S ANNUAL FESTIVALS
Each one of the Lord's holy feasts point us to Messiah. It is a delight to observe them.
" And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them:
‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.
‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation.
You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. ‘These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.” (Leviticus 23:1-4)
The plan of salvation as revealed in the Holy Scriptures is pictured in the meaning of these seven annual festivals.
PASSOVER
The Passover teaches us that Jesus Christ was sinless and, as the true Lamb of God, gave His life so that the sins of humanity could be forgiven and the death penalty removed (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Romans 3:25). Passover, although not observed as a Holy Day, is the first festival of the year.
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FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
The Feast of Unleavened Bread teaches us that we have been called to reject lawlessness and repent of sin. We are to live by every word of God and according to the teachings of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:8; Matthew 4:4). During this festival, leaven symbolizes sin and, as such, is removed from our homes for the seven days of the festival (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Exodus 12:19). By eating unleavened bread we picture living a life of sincerity and truth, free from sin.
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PENTECOST
The Feast of Pentecost, or firstfruits, teaches us that Jesus Christ came to build His Church. This festival pictures the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church. The firstfruits are those who will be given salvation at the return of Christ. They have been empowered with the Holy Spirit, which creates in each one a new heart and nature to live by the commandments of God (Exodus 23:16; Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:37-39; Acts 5:32; James 1:18).
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FEAST OF TRUMPETS
The Feast of Trumpets teaches us that Jesus Christ will visibly return to the earth at the end of this age. At that time He will resurrect the saints who are no longer living and instantly change those saints who are still alive to immortal spirit beings (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). This festival commemorates the blowing of the trumpets that will precede His return.
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DAY OF ATONEMENT
The Day of Atonement teaches us that Jesus Christ gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. It also points to the time when Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Leviticus 16:29-30; Leviticus 16:20-22; Revelation 20:1-3). This Holy Day pictures our High Priest, Jesus Christ, making atonement for our sins, which allows us to be reconciled to God and enter into the "holiest of all" (Hebrews 9:8-14; Hebrews 10:19-20). By fasting on this day, we draw closer to God and picture the reconciliation of mankind to God. Christ is essential in this process as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 5:4-5; Hebrews 5:10) and as our eternal sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26-28).
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FEAST OF TABERNACLES
The Feast of Tabernacles teaches us that when Jesus Christ returns, a new society will be established with Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Christ, assisted by the resurrected saints, will set up His government on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:4; Leviticus 23:39-43; Matthew 17:1-4; Hebrews 11:8-9). Rule under His laws will spread from Jerusalem throughout the world to usher in an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity (Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:35; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13-14).
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THE EIGHT DAY
The Eighth Day teaches us that at the end of the age, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, and we will dwell and reign with Jesus forever. (Rev. 21:1-7)
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The annual cycle of the celebration of the festivals and Holy Days reminds Christ's disciples that He is working out His plan of extending salvation from sin and death and offering the gift of eternal life in the family of God to all humanity—past, present and future.
