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Topic: Happy Succoth
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yahsway
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another name for the feast of sukkot(Tabernacles) is the Feast of the Nations. Sukkot will be celebrated by ALL nations on earth during the Messianic age, the Millennium (Zach 14:16-18)
The future observance of Sukkot by the Nations of the world rests upon Israels election and mission. The universal concern of Gods plan for the Jewish people reaches back to the covenant with Abraham.
(Gen 12:3)
Of course that promise was fulfilled thru Yeshua the Messiah as stated in Gal 3:8, 14, 16, 29.
In fact the greatest evangelism in the history of the world is yet to come.
One fascinating thing about the sacrifices made during sukkot in the ot is that when the offerings are frouped or counted, their number always remains divisable by seven.
It is no coincidence that this 7 day festival, which takes place at the height of the 7th month had the perfect number, 7, imprinted on its sacrifices.
Sukkot is a picture of the Messianic Kingdom (thousand yeat reign of the Messiah) as the joy, and the number 7 was connected to the sabbath, which also is seen as a picture of the Messianic Kingdom. The Sabbath falls on the 7th day of the week.
Although God is concerned for the universal redemption of the nations, those nations who do not turn to God will be judged. Either they will not recieve rain (Zach 14:1-9, 16-18), or rain will destroy them or be a curse upon them (Ez. 38:22-33)
This is why the traditional bible reading for the 2nd day of Sukkot is Zach 14 and Ez. 38.
Sukkot was given by God to teach us of the Messianic era, the Millennium, when the earth will experience the greatest outpouring of Gods Spirit.
one of the most outstanding truths of the Feast of Sukkot involves the seasonal rains in Israel. The prophet Joel tells us that the former and latter rains would come in the first month (Joel 2:23). This is because Passover is the 1st month in the religious/sacred calander, and Sukkot is the first month in the civil calander. So Israel has 2 first months in the same year because of the special calander Gos set up in Ex. 12:2.
Hosea 6:3 tells us that the coming of Messiah will be as the former and latter rain on the earth. Yeshua came to earth (was born) during the Feats of Sukkot, the 1st month of the civil calander. and died at His first coming during the first month on the sacred calander.
His second coming will also be in the 1st month of the civil calander. Yeshua will return to earth during the fall of the year.
Yeshua is the rain that came down from heaven as well as the living water and the fountain of living water spoken of in John.
The fullness of this feast in the 7th month will be experienced at the coming of the Messiah when He will rule and reign on the earth during the Messianic age, the Millenium, called the Athid Lavo in Hebrew eschatology.
This time will be a time of Joy for all believers in the Messiah Yeshua and will be the age of Israels glory.
Again, these are the Feasts of the Lord as stated in Lev. 23, Not a Jewish Feast. These are His Feasts for All nations who will follow Him. These are His Moedims (set-appointed times).
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Carol Swenson
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THE SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
In the New Testament epistles there are only 2 references to the Sabbath (Col.2:16; Heb.4:4), and in both these passages the apostle Paul clearly explains that the day is not a required day to be observed by Christians. To the Hebrews in the Old Covenant they were under obligation. In the New Covenant neither Jews nor Gentiles are. There is no command after the death and resurrection for the Church to keep the Sabbath as an obligation to Christ.
If one is to keep the Sabbath day as law then they are under the obligation to also observe the Sabbath year Lev.25:17. The land is to be tilled for six years and the seventh year is the Sabbath year. Vs. 8-24 Israel is instructed to number seven times seven Sabbath years (49) and the following year is the Jubilee (50th year) which would be observed by no sowing or reaping. All slaves were to be released, and the land they purchased is to be returned to the original owner. All the debts were to be forgiven. For those who want to make the Sabbath day mandatory let them abide by the law and return the land they bought and forget all their debtors. Does anyone do this? Why not? Hosea 2:11: “I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her New Moons, her Sabbaths-- all her appointed feasts.” Here we have God himself saying these will come to an end, he is the cause of it. This is not a permanent end, and can be applied to Israel in her captivity, or it can certainly fit in with the New Testament dispensation.
Didn’t Jesus keep the Sabbath? Yes, but for what reason? He was born under the law and kept all the law. If He violated even the smallest point he would have been disqualified to be the Messiah. He would have become a transgressor and a sinner like us. Gal.4:4 says, “God sent forth his son, made of a woman, born under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.” Jesus was the only one who kept it perfectly. There are many who make an issue of Jesus being our example so we should imitate him in everything. Well, Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day, he observed all the feast days, He also kept the entire law of Moses (613 commands). He never married, never had a permanent home. He also was very bold standing up to those who challenged the Word and His teaching. In His miracles He walked on water, healed people of organic diseases instantly and resurrected many. Can we really use only the Sabbath as a means of following him and discard the rest? The point is that he kept all the law, even the smallest parts, including what is called the law of Moses that was applicable to him (ceremonial, civil, dietary, etc. Certain portions of the law Jesus was not under, such as sacrifices for sin). Do law keepers keep the 613 commands? The Jews did.
Didn't Paul keep the Sabbath? He went into the Jewish synagogues to preach to the Jews on their Sabbath day in Acts.13:14-43, 17:2, 18:4. He kept it as a custom to the Jews but it was not an obligation. We need to make a distinction of the reason why it was kept, not just that it was observed. In Acts 13:42-43, they did not go to worship by obligation under the law but simply for the reason that this was the best means of reaching their brethren. Paul and Barnabas had the freedom to assemble any day they had wished. As they congregated together in the temple they invited Paul and Barnabas to come back the following Sabbath to speak to them more about the Gospel. Many of the Jews and Gentile proselytes to Judaism followed them. Paul and Barnabas admonished them to hold fast to the grace of God. Now where is grace found? In Christ. In verses 44-52 Paul and Barnabas returned the following Sabbath to preach the Gospel to nearly all the inhabitants of Antioch, who were anticipating to hear their message. But they were met with stiff opposition from other Jews and Gentile converts to Judaism from the city. They became very jealous of their success with the people, so they expelled Paul and Barnabas from the area. It wasn’t the law in Acts 13 that was being preached, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ which they began training them in. This is not any proof that they kept the Sabbath under the New Covenant. Paul gives us the reason why he kept the law in 1 Cor.9:19-20: “For though I am free from all men, yet I have made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And to the Jews I became a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law (the Jews), as under the law, that I might win those under the law . To those who are without a law (but under the law toward Christ) I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Simple answer, he made it clear he was not under the law but purposely put himself under it to reach those who were. Paul placed himself in many different situations, including as one under the law (including the Sabbath) so he could reach the Jews with the Gospel. He became all things to all men so that he could present the Gospel of Grace, the only means of salvation. Paul’s model of evangelism was to the Jew first until they rejected his message; he then turned to the Gentiles.
There are no more references to keeping the Sabbath after Acts 18:4-7. This makes one wonder was the church becoming more Gentile than Jewish. This fact would certainly be addressed in Acts 15 or the epistles if wrong, but it is not. Certainly it would have been presented as an opportunity for correction as the Gentiles were entering the Church since they would not be familiar with worshipping on the Sabbath day as the custom of Judaism. In Acts 15, this letter is written to address the essential things required for the fellowship of Jewish and Gentile Christians together. The keeping of the weekly Sabbath, or the observance of any feast day, are not mentioned. There is no command of eating clean and unclean foods, only a command to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, food containing blood, and food resulting from animal strangulation. This letter to the Gentile Christians was written by the guidance of the Holy Spirit through Jewish Christian elders.
Their conclusion was “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? Acts 15:9: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Vs.21 “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath. (Acts 15:24-25) Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law'-- to whom we gave no such commandment! ”No such commandment, why? Because they were under a new covenant.
The epistles were mostly corrective letters reinforcing what was taught in person by the apostles, and to add further revelation to what had already been taught. There was absolutely no warning against Sunday worship that would be construed as pagan worship. In fact we find it is the very opposite - they were given freedom where they did not have it before. Col.2:16 mentions not to judge on days, and Romans 14:6 says that we can choose.
They along with the apostle Paul believed Rom. 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” By trusting in Christ's work, the law is fulfilled perfectly. Christ is the end; Greek - telos - meaning he is the goal of its intent. He completed it and we enter into what he did by faith. Some questions to ask yourself: Who or what did the apostles preach, a day or the death and resurrection of the Savior? What saves someone? This is the message of the NT. There are three options: you can keep the Sabbath day and never be saved by Christ; you can be saved by Christ and never keep the Sabbath day; or you can be saved and keep the Sabbath day by personal choice, but you cannot say for one to be saved they MUST keep the Sabbath.
http://www.letusreason.org/7thAd9.htm
Who are the Sabbath-keepers?
The main Sabbatarian faith groups (religious groups that currently worship on Saturday) are:
Branch Davidians (Students of the Seven Seals)
Church of God (7th Day)
House of God, a national Hebrew Pentecostal group.
House of Yahweh
Judaism
The Process - Church of the Final Judgment
Seventh Day Adventists, including dozens of breakaway sects
Seventh Day Baptists
Seventh-day Pentecostals
The Worldwide Church of God once observed the Sabbath on Saturday. However, after the death of founder Herbert W. Armstrong the practice was abandoned. A schism occurred, and most of the membership left, forming new faith groups.
United church of God
Triumph Prophetic Ministries (split from WCG in 1987, led by William Dankenbring)
Church of God, Seventh Day (this is the church that Herbert Armstrong split from.)
United Church of God (split from WCG in 1995, led by Les McCullough)
Church of God (recent split from United COG, led by David Hulme)
Global Church of God (split from WCG in 1992, led by Rod Meredith)
Philadelphia Church of God (split from WCG in 1989, led by Gerald Flurry)
Church of God, International (split from WCG in 1978, currently led by Charles Groce)
Christian Educational Ministries (split from COG,International in 1995, led by Ron Dart)
Intercontinental Church of God Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association (recently split from International, led by Garner Ted Armstrong)
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Carol Swenson
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![[type]](graemlins/type.gif) Good morning becauseHElives
Romans
From the beginning of chapter 14 to the end of verse 7 in chapter 15 another point is taken up, to which the different positions of the Jew and Gentile gave rise. It was difficult for a Jew to rid himself of the sense of difference between days and between meats. A Gentile, having abandoned his whole religious system as idolatrous, held to nothing. Human nature is liable in this respect to sin on both sides-a want of conscience, an unbridled will, and a ceremonial conscience. Christianity recognises neither of these things. It delivers from the question of days and meats by making us heavenly with Christ. But it teaches us to bear with conscientious weakness, and to be conscientious ourselves. Conscience cannot-has not a right to-prescribe a new thing to us as a duty, but it may, through ignorance, hold to a traditional thing as obligatory. In reality we have entire liberty, but we ought to bear with weakness of faith in another, and not put a stumbling-block in his way. The apostle gives three directions in this respect: First, to receive the weak, but not for the discussion of questions that have to be settled; second, not to judge our brother, since he is Christ's servant, not ours; and every one must give account of himself to God; third, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves; to walk in the spirit of love, and, if we are in a higher state, to shew it by receiving one another, as Christ has received us, to the glory of God, which eclipses man and his petty superiorities, and which kindles charity and makes it ardent, earnest in seeking the good of others-taking us so out of self, and beyond little things, that we are able to adapt ourselves to others, where the will of God and His glory are not in question.
Many important principles are brought forward in these exhortations. Every one shall give account of himself to God. Everyone, in these cases, should be fully persuaded in his own mind, and should not judge another. If any one has faith that delivers him from traditional observances, and he sees them to be absolutely nothing-as indeed they are-let him have his faith for God, and not cause his brother to stumble.
(John Darby’s Synopsis)
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becauseHElives
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The Sabbath and Romans 14:5
One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind (Romans 14:5).
This text is sometimes used to support the view that the Sabbath is a matter of indifference for Christians. Some take that a step further and say that for Christians all days are holy; thus there is no need to "keep" one day as better than the others. These interpretations have special appeal for those who oppose the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. What does this verse really mean?
Paul introduces this portion of his letter to the Romans with these words: "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions" (Romans 14:1). The apostle is writing here about what the King James Version calls "doubtful disputations." The New International Version has "disputable matters." These various terms give us a key to understanding verse 5. Paul is talking about "the anxious internal debates of conscience"1 that lead to differences in areas of personal preference. He is advising the Roman Christians not to let their views on such things divide them.
He starts with the example of diet. Some of his readers are vegetarians, others are not. The two groups should not be critical of each other. They all serve the same Master. "Who are you," Paul asks, "to judge the servant of another?" This is the immediate context of the verse we are considering.
* regards
* Some versions of the Bible read "esteems" or "judge." The same Greek word is used on both sides of the comparison that is contained in this verse. Paul uses this word in verse 3, where the NASB translates it with judge:
* Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.
* one day above another
* A literal translation is a day above a day. With help from verse 6 we understand that this differentiation between days relates to observing one specific day "for the Lord" instead of another day.
* There are several different views on what the one day is. Some scholars think this may be a reference to the "unlucky" days of the pagans or to a syncretistic2 religious calendar that promoted "the peculiar powers of different days of the year."3 However, the first part of verse 6 shows that Paul is referring to days that fall within the Judeo-Christian context:
* He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord.
* Some see the annual festivals of the Jews here. Others think that Paul is talking about days designated for fasting. "The special days of the week referred to in our passage were probably fast days. This suggestion is based on the context itself, in which abstinence is the predominant feature."4 And of course there are those who agree that the reference is to the weekly Sabbath.5
* every day alike
* "Alike" has been added by translators. It does not appear in the original Greek. Thus the comparison Paul sets up reads, more literally, like this: "One man judges (esteems) a day above a day, another judges (esteems) every day." With insight provided by verse six, we could put it this way: "One man observes one day (for the Lord), while another man observes every day (for the Lord)."
* Anglican theologian Handley C. G. Moule seems to agree with that. He comments, "It describes the thought of the man who, less anxious than his neighbor about stated ‘holy days,’ still aims not to ‘level down’ but to ‘level up’ his use of time; to count every day ‘holy,’ equally dedicated to the will and work of God."6
* Some people assume that verse 5 is talking about the Sabbath and come up with something like this: "One man observes the Sabbath once a week (on the seventh day, of course) while another man observes every day as the Sabbath." But as the verse continues it becomes clear that Paul is not talking about the Sabbath.
* Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind
* These words remind us that Paul is giving practical advice at the level of personal opinion—"disputable matters." These are not issues that have been settled by divine revelation through angels, prophets, or apostles. These are things that people can decide for themselves—matters of personal preference or conviction.
* This automatically eliminates from consideration all points of doctrine that are indisputable because they are based on divine injunction or on other authoritative teachings from the Word of God. So observance of the Sabbath cannot be at issue in Romans 14. After all, the Sabbath "was enshrined among the eternal sanctities of the Decalogue, uttered…amidst the terrors of Sinai."7
* The Wesleyan Bible Commentary puts it this way: "Of course this whole discussion concerns matters on which God has not spoken clearly in His word. No such questions can be conscientiously raised concerning the fundamental moral issues that are clarified in the Decalogue, the Sermon on the Mount, or in any other plain statement of Scripture. When God has spoken there is no other legitimate side to the issue."8
* On the other hand, traditional Jewish festivals are not eliminated from consideration since they are part of a figurative ceremonial system that met its fulfillment in the ministry and death of Christ. It’s only natural that a Jewish convert to Christianity—having a tender conscience—would continue to honor those holy days. According to Paul, there is nothing wrong with that as long as it is characterized by sincere worship of the Lord.
This brief look at Romans 14:5 reveals that Paul’s counsel has nothing to do with the observance or non-observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. This conclusion is supported by the fact that neither biblical nor historical records give any indication that Sabbath observance was an issue in Paul’s time.
The days under consideration may be Jewish festival days or other days for feasting or fasting, but—whatever they are—Paul leaves the question of their observance up to the individual. He does the same with dietary preferences. In such matters he teaches that Christians should mind their own business and not make mountains out of molehills. Good advice.
1Handley C. G. Moule, The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, The Expositor’s Bible, ed. W. Robertson Nicoll (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1899), 374.
2A blending of diverse beliefs, i.e., Christian and pagan.
3Herold Weiss, A Day of Gladness (Columbia: University of South Carolina, 2003), 122.
4Raoul Dederen, “On Esteeming One Day as Better Than Another – Romans 14:5, 6” in The Sabbath in Scripture and History, Kenneth A. Strand, editor (Washington: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1982), 336.
5C. E. B. Cranfield, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Epistle to the Romans, vol. ii, The International Critical Commentary, ed. J. A. Emerton and C. E. B. Cranfield (Edinburg: T. & T. Clark Limited), 705.
6Moule, Romans, 375.
7Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown, Commentary Practical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973), 1177.
8Wilber T. Dayton, Romans and Galatians, Wesleyan Bible Commentary Vol. 5 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1965), 86.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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Carol Swenson
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Romans 14:5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
Many Christians of Jewish background had faithfully observed the sabbaths, festivals, and celebrations of the Jewish institutions from childhood, and therefore counted such occasions more holy than others, continuing to mark and observe them even after their acceptance of Christianity, in such a manner "esteeming one day above another." Gentile Christians, on the other hand, more easily accepted the Christian teaching that all time is holy, every day of the week being sacred to the child of God; and thus, in that way, he esteemed "every day alike." The teaching of this verse does not relax the commandments to observe the Christian assembly, observe the Lord's Supper, and lay by in store "on the first day of the week." Nor does "esteeming every day alike" authorize the Lord's Supper to be observed on just any day. Paul was dealing here with an utterly different question, that of the Jewish holy days, such as various sabbaths. The Galatian churches had taken up such observances and were vigorously condemned for it (Galatians 4:10,11).
(Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament)
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Another "esteemeth - That is, the "Gentile" Christian. Not having been brought up amidst the Jewish customs, and not having imbibed their opinions and prejudices, they would not regard these days as having any special sacredness. The appointment of those days had a special reference "to the Jews." They were designed to keep them as a separate people, and to prepare the nation for the "reality," of which their rites were but the shadow. When the Messiah came, the passover, the feast of tabernacles, and the other special festivals of the Jews, of course vanished, and it is perfectly clear that the apostles never intended to inculcate their observance on the Gentile converts. See this subject discussed in the second chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians.
(Barnes' Notes)
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The case as to the observance of days was much the same. Those who knew that all these things were done away by Christ's coming, took no notice of the festivals of the Jews.
(Matthew Henry)
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Carol Swenson
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quote:
Christians who keep Sunday as the Sabbath say that the Sabbath Commandment was changed AFTER Jesus death and resurrection. They claim that keeping Sunday as Sabbath is part of the new covenant.
The seventh day is the Sabbath. The first day is The Lord's Day -- not the same thing.
Jesus Christ fulfilled the law. We obey Him now, not the written 'Law'. We obey Him as we are gifted, empowered, and led by the Holy Spirit. There are 1050 commandments in the New Testament, but not one commandment to keep the Sabbath or the feasts.
Mark2
27 Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
28 "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
In Romans 14, the believers in Rome were divided over special diets and special days. Some of the members thought it was a sin to eat meat, so they ate only vegetables. Other members thought it a sin not to observe the Jewish holy days. If each Christian had kept his convictions to himself, there would have been no problem, but they began to criticize and judge one another. The one group was sure the other group was not at all spiritual.
Paul was addressing those who were “strong in the faith,” that is, those who understood their spiritual liberty in Christ and were not enslaved to diets or holy days. The “weak in faith” were immature believers who felt obligated to obey legalistic rules concerning what they ate and when they worshiped. Many people have the idea that the Christians who follow strict rules are the most mature, but this is not necessarily the case. In the Roman assemblies, the weak Christians were those who clung to the Law and did not enjoy their freedom in the Lord.
(Wiersbe)
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becauseHElives
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"The covenant CANNOT be changed after Jesus' death."
Think about this AMAZING truth from God. Christians who keep Sunday as the Sabbath say that the Sabbath Commandment was changed AFTER Jesus death and resurrection. They claim that keeping Sunday as Sabbath is part of the new covenant. This is impossible and here's why: ..... Hebrews 9:16-17, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." …… According to Scripture, the testament / covenant actually goes in force after the death of the Testator, which is Jesus. So in order to change ANYTHING in the Covenant, the Testator (Jesus) MUST DO SO BEFORE DEATH! Ask a lawyer and they will tell you that you can change your last will and testament before you die, but after you die it is impossible! That which the Testator placed in writing before death, becomes rock solid after his death and CANNOT be changed, and Scripture verifies that fact. Jesus SEALED it with His blood. Jesus' will and testament (The new covenant) COULD NOT be changed after His death. The Sabbath Commandment was not changed by Jesus before His death, therefore it still remains the same today. If the Sabbath Day was changed after Jesus' death, then it was done by man and does NOT have God's approval.
Friend, this is the truth of God's Word in the Bible. Lay aside the tradition of man, and start searching for the truth of God's Word for yourself. There will come a time soon during the end time, when we will have to make a choice to obey and worship God, or obey and worship man. Please seek to obey God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Keep the Sabbath day that He set aside at creation for you to spend with Him, and your relationship with Him will take on a whole new meaning.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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becauseHelives wrote quote:
we know that they are important to Him and therefore should be kept. But by whom? You may say to yourself, "They are Old Testament feasts" or, "They are Jewish feasts" "...and therefore I am exempt?"
If you read Leviticus 23:1-5 you will find written there, that they are not 'Jewish' or 'only Old Testament.' On the contrary, they are "The Feasts of YHWH." Also, you will read here and in many other scriptures that they are to be kept perpetually. No, not only by Jewish believers, but by all the people of Yahweh.
Yes, they are the feasts of Yahweh, and they are currently being kept by the Israelites and Jews in Judaism. But Messiah Jesus fulfilled the law for us, and God counted it to us for rightetousness:
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil {the law}.
Romans 10
3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man who does those things shall live by them.
But in Christ, we:
Romans 13:8
Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 4:13
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Jesus Christ was the last one to fulfill the law; but with Jesus the law ended, just as all that belonged to Adam and Eve ended.
In Christ, we are a new creature, a new kind of man, neither Jew nor Gentile, but a new creature with the Holy Spirit inside of us.
In Christ, the descendants of Adam and Eve ended, and a new race, the descendants of Jesus, begins. And for us there are now two commandments:
Romans 10
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
The feasts of Yahweh are currently being observed FOREVER by the Isrealites and Jews where they are driven among the nations because they are NOT YET JOINED to the church of God.
But when the Israelites and Jews ARE joined to the church of God when Jesus comes again and splits the Mount of Olives in two, then the Israelites and Jews and the church will be joined together in the righteousness of faith.
Luke 10
27 And He said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and {you shall love} your neighbour as yourself.
Luke 22
40 On these two commandments hang ALL the law and the prophets.
love, Eden
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Carol Swenson wrote quote:
I think that as the Rapture relates to the Feast of Trumpets, the establishment of the 1000 year Kingdom relates to The Feast of Tabernacles.[quote]Okay, just as a question, why should the "one day is as a thousand years rule no longer apply here?
Carol Swenson continued[quote]Sukkot, the week-long holiday which began at sundown Friday, October 2, 2009, goes all the way back to the Hebrew Bible. Exodus 23:16 and Deuteronomy 16:13 describe it as an Israelite Thanksgiving, while Leviticus 23:42-43 describes it as an exercise in collective memory - telling all future generations to spend a week living in Sukkot, huts, to remember how their ancestors lived in huts as they made the 40 year journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.
Thank you, interesting stuff.
Carol Swenson continued quote:
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles ) is not a "Jewish festival", but rather a "Hebrew" festival, for it was given to all the Israelite tribes, not just Judah. Some believe it would be observed by all of God's people since ". . . if ye be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:29).
It is also promised in Ezekiel 37 that the house of Israel (the 10 northern tribes) and the house of Judah (the 3 southern tribes) will come up out of their graves where the LORD has driven them among the Gentiel nations, so that all Israelites tribes would be involved, even BEFORE they are IN CHRIST which the Church.
Ezekiel 37
12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
That is, when the house of Israel and the house of Judah come up out of their graves, they will ber joined TO THE CHURCH and together they will be the new ISRAEL OF GOD.
Galatians 6:16
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
So then the current Church of God will be joined with the risen house of Israel and house of Judah and together we will constitute the ISRAEL OF GOD.
I said all that, Carol Swenson, because you wrote quote:
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles ) is not a "Jewish festival", but rather a "Hebrew" festival, for it was given to all the Israelite tribes, not just Judah. Some believe it would be observed by all of God's people since ". . . if ye be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:29).
love, Eden
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Gentiles who obey The Noahide Laws. In secular usage, the term is used by the State of Israel to describe non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis. The secular award given by the State of Israel has often been translated into English as Righteous Gentile.
Sorry this topic went sideways Eden. I enjoyed the study on the Feast of Tabernacles. Thanks.
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Eden
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Thanks everyone for responding.
Oh yeah, he also said that the "righteous Gentiles" would be saved. According to Judaism, what constitutes, or how does a Gentile become, a "righteous Gentile", and on what part of the Bible do they base that?
thanks, Eden
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becauseHElives
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Let's look at the Bible verses that some Christians quote to say that the Sabbath Commandment is no longer binding.
Colossians 2:16-17 ….'Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.'…… When we look at the context of this verse, we will see that it is talking about feast days and yearly Sabbaths, not the weekly seventh day Sabbath. If you notice, this verse starts with 'let no man THEREFORE'. That word 'therefore' connects this verse to the previous verses, which say…… verses 14-15 …..' Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.' …….'The handwriting of ordinances' are NOT the Ten Commandments. These were the ordinances written by Moses himself in the 'book of the law' and placed in a pocket beside the ark. Look what it says in ……Deuteronomy 31:26 ….' Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.' ……What law was against us? Was it the Ten Commandments? No, it was the law of Moses, which contained sacrifices, 'ordinances' of feast days; offering days; new moon days; yearly Sabbath days. The seventh day weekly Sabbath was written by God Himself on the stone tablets and placed inside the ark. The Ten Commandments are not against us or contrary to us. How could the Ten Commandments be against us? Read them, it's impossible! How could Commandments saying to 'Love the LORD with all your heart and mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself' be against us? It wasn't the Ten Commandments that were against us, but the ceremonial laws written in the book of the law by Moses. So Paul in the above verse in Colossians is talking about the yearly Sabbath days, NOT the weekly seventh day Sabbath. Please meditate on this next point as it is very important to understand, and is connected with Colossians 2:16-17. Note how it says that the Sabbath days were a 'shadow of things to come.' Think about it, how can the seventh day Sabbath, that God instituted at creation BEFORE sin and set it apart and made it holy, be a shadow of anything? Friend, it's impossible! A shadow would be something that was instituted AFTER sin and pointed to Christ, ie. the ceremonial laws written by Moses. The weekly seventh day Sabbath was instituted BEFORE sin and was included in God's great moral law, the Ten Commandments. Please let that point sink in, it's a vital point to understand.
See the Ten Commandments for more study on God's great moral law of love.
Have a good look at this comparison of Colossians 2:16 and a verse in the Old Testament describing the ceremonial law:
Colossians 2:16 .....'Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.'
Ezekiel 45:17 ....'And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.'
The text in Colossians 2:16 is in no way walking about the Ten Commandments, which includes the weekly seventh day Sabbath that was started BEFORE sin entered this world. And here's another reason: Do you see the connection with the two verses above? The context of Colossians is discussing the ceremonial laws that were written by Moses, which brought reconciliation for the sins of the people. These ceremonial laws pointed to Christ and at the cross, the great veil was torn in two, and the ceremonial requirements of the law ended. You see, it was those 'ordinances' in the ceremonial laws of Moses that were contrary to us and nailed to the cross and taken out of the way, and that is why Paul was saying in Colossians not to judge anyone who no longer kept these 'ordinances', because they were no longer needed.
Methodist founder John Wesley declared the truth when he wrote: "This 'handwriting of ordinances' our Lord did blot out, take away, and nail to His cross (Colossians 2:14). But the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away... The moral law stands on an entirely different foundation from the ceremonial or ritual law… Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages." John Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions, 2-Vol. Edition, Vol. I, pages 221-222. ………. Is John Wesley talking about just 9 Commandments? No, He is including all Ten of them, including the Sabbath Commandment.
Another verse that Christians use is the one in Romans where it says that one man regards one day above another ..... Romans 14:5 ….' One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.' …… Many Christians like to apply this to keeping either the Sabbath or Sunday, but there is a major flaw in that thinking, neither Sabbath or Sunday is found in the entire chapter. The chapter begins, "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." Romans 14:1. The NKJV Bible reads, "disputes over doubtful things." So the initial context of Romans 14 is "doubtful things". Please understand that the Ten Commandments of God are not "doubtful", but exceedingly clear, written with the finger of God. Therefore this passage cannot be talking about the Ten Commandments. Paul does NOT say….'one man esteemeth the Sabbath day above another day.' He says 'one man esteemeth ONE DAY above another.' The Sabbath day is still Sabbath in the new testament as it is called that many times. So if Paul was talking about the Sabbath day, then he would have said that. The days Paul is talking about must again be the ceremonial feast days, not the Seventh day weekly Sabbath.
Don't forget, the Sabbath Day was instituted at creation, BEFORE sin. It was included in God's eternal plan for man BEFORE sin entered the world. The Sabbath Day isn't a 'doubtful thing.'
"God does NOT regard the seventh day Sabbath as a doubtful thing."
Galatians 4:10-11 …..' Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you……' …… Why is it that Christians apply Paul's words here to the Sabbath day, but never to Sunday? As with Romans 14, if you take a closer look, it reveals that Paul wasn't talking about the Sabbath or Sunday. The context refers to those who believed that they had to continue in the ceremonial laws that pointed to Christ and also ended with Christ: 'Then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now ... how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, w
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Christ Is Greater in the Rest He Gives (Heb. 3:7-4:13)
This long section is the second of the five exhortations in this epistle. In the first exhortation (Heb. 2:1-4), the writer pointed out the danger of drifting from the Word because of neglect. In this exhortation, he explains the danger of doubting and disbelieving the Word because of hardness of heart. It is important that we understand the background of this section, which is the Exodus of Israel from Egypt and their experiences of unbelief in the wilderness.
To begin with, we must understand that there are spiritual lessons in the geography of Israel’s experiences. The nation’s bondage in Egypt is an illustration of a sinner’s bondage in this world. Much as Israel was delivered from Egypt by the blood of lambs and the power of God, so a sinner who believes on Christ is delivered from the bondage of sin (Col. 1:13-14). Jesus Christ is “the Lamb of God” whose death and resurrection have made our deliverance from sin a reality.
It was not God’s will that Israel remain either in Egypt or in the wilderness. His desire was that the people enter their glorious inheritance in the land of Canaan. But when Israel got to the border of their inheritance, they delayed because they doubted the promise of God (Num. 13-14). “We are not able” wept the ten spies and the people. “We are able with God’s help!” said Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. Because the people went backward in unbelief instead of forward by faith, they missed their inheritance and died in the wilderness. It was the new generation that possessed the land and entered into their rest.
What does Canaan represent to us as Christians today? It represents our spiritual inheritance in Christ (Eph. 1:3, 11, 15-23). It is unfortunate that some of our hymns and Gospel songs use Canaan as a picture of heaven, and “crossing the Jordan” as a picture of death. Since Canaan was a place of battles, and even of defeats, it is not a good illustration of heaven! Israel had to cross the river by faith (a picture of the believer as he dies to self and the world, Rom. 6) and claim the inheritance by faith. They had to “step out by faith” (Josh. 1:3) and claim the land for themselves, just as believers today must do.
Now we can understand what the wilderness wanderings represent: the experiences of believers who will not claim their spiritual inheritance in Christ, who doubt God’s Word and live in restless unbelief. To be sure, God is with them, as He was with Israel; but they do not enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing. They are “out of Egypt” but they are not yet “in Canaan.”
With this background, we can now better understand one of the key words in this section—rest (Heb. 3:11, 18; 4:1, 3-5, 8-11). The writer mentioned two different “rests” found in Old Testament history: (1) God’s Sabbath rest, when He ceased from His Creation activities (Gen. 2:2; Heb. 4:4); (2) Israel’s rest in Canaan (Deut. 12:9; Josh. 21:43-45; Heb. 3:11). But he saw in these “rests” illustrations of the spiritual experiences of believers today. The Sabbath rest is a picture of our rest in Christ through salvation (Heb. 4:3; see Matt. 11:28). The Canaan rest is a picture of our present rest as we claim our inheritance in Christ (Heb. 4:11-13; note the emphasis on the Word of God). The first is the rest of salvation; the second is the rest of submission.
But there is a third rest that enters into the discussion, that future rest that all believers will enjoy with God . “There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). This word for rest is the Greek word sabbatismos—“a keeping of a Sabbath”— and this is the only place in the New Testament where this word is used. When the saints enter heaven, it will be like sharing God’s great Sabbath rest, with all labors and battles ended (Rev. 14:13).
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becauseHElives
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there is no bondage or legalism in obedience to scripture ![[Bible]](graemlins/bible.gif) ![[Cross]](graemlins/cross.gif) ![[Prayer]](graemlins/prayer.gif)
The Sabbath is perpetual. It has no end, because Yahweh said it had no end.
Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
The True Worshipers Of YAHWEH Are The House of Israel
The hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship YAHWEH in spirit and in truth: for the ABBA seeks such to worship HIM. YAHWEH is a Spirit: and they that worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth.
It is YAHWEH that seeks those to worship HIM and HE sent MESSIAH to identify the true House of Israel. No man could even come unto YAHSHUA MESSIAH unless ABBA YAHWEH draws that man unto MESSIAH. YAHWEH draws only the true remnant, for not all Israel are the true remnant of YAHWEH. HE is going to save a remnant of Israel, that is why Scripture says "all Israel shall be saved". Israel is not the natural birth of a man. It is the House of YAHWEH that consists of a man walking in the power of the Ruwach and the acceptance of YAHSHUA MESSIAH. A man that denies MESSIAH is not of the House of Israel.
A True Israelite And Worshiper Of YAHWEH Will Receive The Witness Of MESSIAH
MESSIAH spoke something so profound that the only way it can be revealed to the heart of man is through the mindset of MESSIAH, because HE knew WHO ABBA is. The mind of MESSIAH did all things to please HIS ABBA. MESSIAH came from the ONE that sent HIM, which was the bosom of ABBA YAHWEH, to identity the truth of WHO HE was. YAHWEH draws a man unto MESSIAH and MESSIAH witnesses of the truth of ABBA YAHWEH. You cannot be true worshiper or a true Israelite unless you receive the witness of MESSIAH. That witness of MESSIAH will give us revelation of the prophets and the TORAH.
The Pure Ruwach Of YAHWEH
We have brought pagan rituals into the House of YAHWEH and when they are identified you had better eradicate, abandon and cleanse yourself from them. In your flesh and your Ruwach you need to perfect that set apart mentality of YAHWEH. In the pure Ruwach of YAHWEH, just do what HE commands you to do.
YAHWEH Has Raised Up And Elected HIS House, True Israel
YAHWEH has raised up and elected HIS house, true Israel, with power and anointing. It is the anointing of YAHWEH's Ruwach (Spirit) that gives the true House of Israel revelation of HIS TORAH. YAHWEH chose a people and yet they could not even sustain the natural things of the Law, so they had to write works of Laws and add to it. MESSIAH finished those works, for HE completed it all. Nothing has to be added. The only thing we need to do is by faith obey it.
Yahshua said:
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:16-20
When a magician at the circus performs a "magic act", there is no magic, only "mis-direction." If you will watch the magician's hands at all times, and not what he points to, or what he says, but watch what he does, you can see through any "magic" he does. "Magic" is deception.
Likewise, if you will watch a person, or a group of people, and ignore what they say or what they point to, and concentrate only on what they do, you can see who they really are. For "by their fruits", that is what they do, not what they say, "ye shall know them." [B]
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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“Let No One Enslave You!” (Col. 2:20-23)
Paul condemned legalism and mysticism; next he attacked and condemned asceticism. An ascetic practices rigorous self-denial and even self-mortification in order to become more spiritual. Ascetic practices were popular during the Middle Ages: wearing hair shirts next to the skin, sleeping on hard beds, whipping oneself, not speaking for days (maybe years), going without food or sleep, etc.
There is a definite relationship between legalism and asceticism, for the ascetic often subjects himself to rules and regulations: “Touch not, taste not, handle not” (Col. 2:21). Certain foods or practices are unholy and must be avoided. Other practices are holy and must never be neglected. The ascetic’s entire life is wrapped up in a system of rules.
As Christians, we admit that physical discipline is needed in our lives. Some of us eat too much and are overweight. Some of us drink too much coffee or cola drinks and are nervous and upset. We believe that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20), yet sometimes we do not care for our bodies as we should. “Physical training is of some value,” Paul wrote (1 Tim. 4:8, niv). Paul disciplined his own body and kept it under control (1 Cor. 9:27). So there is a place in our Christian lives for proper care of our bodies.
But the ascetic hopes to sanctify the soul by his discipline of the body, and it is this heresy that Paul attacked. Just as days and diets have no sanctifying value, neither does fleshly discipline. In this section Paul gave several arguments to warn the Christian against carnal religious asceticism.
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becauseHElives
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quote:
Colossians 2
16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.
if you keep reading Paul clarifies....
Col 2:22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.
He is not talking about "The Feast of Yahweh....
Paul is talking about human teachings
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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Colossians 2
16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.
Tabernacles has long been associated by the rabbi's with the coming of Messiah, for many reasons. One of them is the fact that Scripture tells us that people from the nations of the world will come up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with the Jewish people in Jerusalem during the Millennial Kingdom: "Then...all nations of the earth...will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16). Regardless of whether Tabernacles was the time of His birth - it will definitely find it's full prophetic fulfillment when Jesus comes to establish His long awaited kingdom and all people who have been redeemed by His glorious sacrifice will gladly celebrate Sukkot in all its fullness - for God will indeed dwell among us - not in a temporary way - but forever!
The Gospels record that Jesus not only celebrated the festival, but He took some of traditional elements of the celebration and applied them to His own life and mission. We find this particularly in John 7 and 8 where Jesus uses two traditional symbols from the Feast of Tabernacles celebration, water and light, to help the people understand who He is and what He offers.
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becauseHElives
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quote:
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles ) is not a "Jewish festival", but rather a "Hebrew" festival, for it was given to all the Israelite tribes, not just Judah.
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Leviticus 23 1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles along with the other 6 Feast are Yahweh's Feast not Hebrew or Jew....
We now know from the page on The Biblical Calender, how the times of the Feasts of YHWH (Passover="ordinance, memorial, appointed statute") are to be calculated, and we know that they are important to Him and therefore should be kept. But by whom? You may say to yourself, "They are Old Testament feasts" or, "They are Jewish feasts" "...and therefore I am exempt?" If you read Leviticus 23:1-5 you will find written there, that they are not 'Jewish' or 'only Old Testament.' On the contrary, they are "The Feasts of YHWH." Also, you will read here and in many other scriptures that they are to be kept perpetually. No, not only by Jewish believers, but by all the people of Yahweh. Incidentally, and this will be dealt with as a separate subject. Who gave mankind the permission to change the Sabbath day (one of the ten commandments) from Saturday to Sunday?
THE FAITHFUL TRIBE
The faithful Tribe of Judah have kept The Feasts throughout their generations, and are an example to us all.
IN THE WILDERNESS Israel kept the Feasts in the wilderness, see Numbers Ch.9:3-5, they were also kept in the Promised Land when they arrived, and throughout their generations up to the times of the exiles. See Joshua Ch.5:10 &11.
DURING THE EXILE The tribe of Judah kept the Feasts during the captivity, see Ezra Ch. 6:19.
During the times of the Kings Israel kept the Feasts periodically, and today Jewish people all over the world still observe them.
It is interesting that not only Israelites kept the Feast days.
KEPT BY STRANGERS No, circumcised strangers and servants were also expected to do so. See Exodus Ch.12:44, & 48. (c.p. Colossians Ch. 2:10-11.
YAHSHUA KEPT THEM Yahshua Himself and His disciples kept the Feast days, See John Ch.2:13, and Matthew Ch.26:17-19 and so also did the early "Church". (Incidentally, at that time and for quite a time after the Resurrection, the early believers were identified as just being another sect of Jews who followed the Rabbi, Yahshua) There are many other incidences recorded in the Gospels, Acts and also the Letters, to support this truth.
WHO SHOULD OBSERVE THEM? These are Feasts of YHWH, and all His people are expected to observe them.
The three main Feasts are mentioned in Deut. Ch.16:2 and Ch.16:16, and in Zechariah Ch.14:1-3,12,16-19 we are all going to be making our journey to Jerusalem (if we are not already resident there) each year to keep them.
WHAT ABOUT GENTILE BELIEVERS? In Ephesians Ch.2:4-6, the scriptures state clearly that YHWH has opened the door of the Commonwealth of Israel to believing Gentiles. They were strangers, who have been brought "nigh" Read v.13.
In 1.Corinthians Ch.5:7-8 Yahshua is mentioned as our Passover Lamb.
MADE ONE WITH ISRAEL In Ephesians Ch.2:14,16-19 it is stated that Gentiles become one with believing Israel, so much so that 'one body' is mentioned in Ch.3:1-6, and v.29 mentions ourFather, Abraham.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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I think that as the Rapture relates to the Feast of Trumpets, the establishment of the 1000 year Kingdom relates to The Feast of Tabernacles.
Sukkot, the week-long holiday which began at sundown Friday, October 2, 2009, goes all the way back to the Hebrew Bible. Exodus 23:16 and Deuteronomy 16:13 describe it as an Israelite Thanksgiving , while Leviticus 23:42-43 describes it as an exercise in collective memory - telling all future generations to spend a week living in Sukkot, huts, to remember how their ancestors lived in huts as they made the 40 year journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.
So Sukkot, singular Sukkah, is a holiday which celebrates the journey from hard times to better times , and the sukkah itself symbolizes how we make that journey and even how we understand what it means to make our journeys successful. In that way, Sukkot is for all of us, Jewish or not, and however we observe the holiday, it speaks to the journey all of us are on.
The sukkah itself is temporary structure, usually constructed with wooden or soft fiber walls, and is traditionally used for all meals during the week of the holiday. In warm climates, many people even sleep in their sukkot, making it their home as much as possible for the week.
According to the Talmud, there are two understandings. One view is that we are recreating today a version of the actual huts in which the Israelites lived long ago. On this view, the holiday celebrates that we can always find some shelter along the way and that even if the journey is long, we will eventually get there. It's a message that even today, as we make our own journeys to the promised land, we can help construct the structures that we need on our journeys and that we can celebrate the steps we take along that path even though we have not yet arrived at our desired destination.
The second understanding in the Talmud says that the huts of today recall the "Clouds of Glory" in which the Israelites lived -- that God actually housed people in the protective presence of God's self . It is this understanding which is recorded as the normative view and is the one which guides how contemporary sukkot are built. The Sukkah of today is a vision brought to life, of what it means to experience Divine protection.
According to the laws of sukkah-building as recorded in the Jewish legal codes, for a sukkah to be a sukkah, its roof must be able to allow rain in and those inside to see the stars above. In other words, it does not insulate us from every undesirable thing in the world, nor does it blind us to the beauty of those things around us.
The Feast of Tabernacles (the Season of our Joy) also pictures the 1000 year messianic kingdom to be set up at the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah (Christ). It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals God gave the children of Israel in the Bible (Leviticus 23). It was during these festivals that the Israelites would bring their offerings and firstlings to the Temple in Jerusalem and enjoy a feast.
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles ) is not a "Jewish festival", but rather a "Hebrew" festival, for it was given to all the Israelite tribes, not just Judah. Some believe it would be observed by all of God's people since ". . . if ye be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:29).
In very observant homes, the first and last days are holy days on which work is forbidden. The last day of the festival is called Simchat Torah (rejoicing of the Torah) when the final section of the Torah scroll is read in the synagogue, and is then turned back to the beginning to start another year’s schedule of reading.
Succoth is also a harvest festival . In ancient times, the men went to the temple in Jerusalem to offer thanks for the past harvest and to pray for the success of the next year's crop. The agricultural significance of the festival is symbolized by the required ‘four species’ -- the palm branch, the myrtle, the willow and etrog (the citron) -- over which a special blessing is recited each day of the festival. Great care is taken in finding the most perfect examples of each item.
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Eden
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Today I was jogging in my hometown and there were about 5 Jewish fellows in black hats and black coats, carrying a palm leaf, and they said to me, "today we are celebrating a happy day, succoth", and I said, "Yea, I know succoth, from the Bible".
Later I caught up with them again and one of them was outside while the others were in a persian carpet store, and I asked him if he thought that Ezekiel 37 was going to happen, where the house of Israel and the house of Judah are going to come up out of their graves among the nations where the LORD has driven them, and I asked him, "That has not happened yet, right?" and he admitted that had not happened.
Then I asked him if he thought it would happen simultaneously WHEN the Messiah comes or not, and I mentioned at one point that I was a bornagain Christian, and he said that "he preferred to keep the 2 religions separated" and I said, "Oh, but they are but one relgion, multitudes in Judah believed that Jesus was the Messiah", and I also said that "now that the genealogy books were burned in 70 A.D. in the temple of Jerusalem, doesn't that mean that the Messiah had to come PRIOR to the genealogy books being burned so that his ancestry could be verified?"
I also asked if the Messiah would have to come on the Feast of Trumpets, and he said that the Mesiah could come at any time. Then he repeated that "he preferred to keep the two religions separated", and that was where it ended.
But, when they said they were celebrating "happy succoth", what exactly were they celebrating?
love, Eden
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