simply because they are an annual cyclical sequence of reminders to aid the observers to keep moving forward on the straight and narrow WAY.
These times are much more than an opportunity to focus on the Hebraic roots of our faith and beliefs. They are more than simply days to think on the prophetic meanings without physical participation, even though they are essentially fulfilled through Jesus/Yeshua’s Life, death and resurrection.
These Moadiym/Moedim, offer great spiritual insight and give us a unique opportunity for being discipled by His Holy Spirit/Ruach haKodesh; as we walk in the WAY of His Son, ever moving towards realizing our full potential and servant-hood for our Heavenly Father.
As we spend time learning their meaning in light of Jesus/ Yeshua and then living out the fullness of each of the Moedim as it relates to a disciples lifestyle; believers in Messiah will draw closer to Him and in that personal and intimate relationship, will become that much more effective and victorious. (Living a life of victory for and in Yeshua/Jesus.)
Sukkot (Hebrew: סוכות or סֻכּוֹת Hebrew pronunciation: , sukkōt; traditional Ashkenazi spelling: Sukkos/Succos),
commonly called the Feast of Tabernacles or in some translations the Festival of Shelters, and known also as the
Feast of Ingathering
(חג האסיף, Chag HaAsif),
Sukkot at the Western (Wailing) Wall, Israel.
It is a biblical Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month, Tishrei (varies from late September to late October). (October 2-9, 2020) one of the three biblically based pilgrimage holidays (chaggim or regalim) of the year.
It is the time to give thanks and appreciate the shelters of our homes and bodies as Sukkot is a hut-like structure in which the children of Israels lived when they were traveling during 40 wilderness years.
While walking through the seasons and the corresponding Moedim each year, we must allow His spirit/ruach to sow into us the deep truths that each Moed is designed to help us remember, integrating the revelations into our understanding and spiritual perception.
The end goal being, that our Heavenly Father may gather in a great harvest through us, for His glory and to lift up His Name and the Name of His Son Jesus/Yeshua, our Savior and soon returning King.
Why observe and why bother with these old testament feasts?
One good reason is the root of the words disciple, which is discipline. Paul is the great example,
1Corinthians 9:24.
But what made him so effective? Discipline! And the fact that he was successful because he understood the importance of submission to the Lord.
We are well aware that discipline is the key to perseverance, yet many times we allow our flesh to determine our tolerance level. If we submit to fathers discipline as Yeshua/Jesus did…
..rather than what we think we are able to endure, it teaches us our true potential and everything becomes less of an overwhelming mountain. Then we can run the race, however if we refused to submit to the discipline of our heavenly father – the race makes us – So we need His discipline to become His disciples and run to win on the straight and narrow way; leaving the flesh in the dust that it was formed from and will one day return to.
Yom Kippur just past as an appointed time of meeting with God.
The day of atonement –
at one ment
– is not so much a feast day as others but rather a day of
repentance/teshuvah.
It is significant to all, not just for Israel.
Paul refers to it
Saying the fast had already gone by.
in Acts. 27:9
It is a time for thinking,
assessing,
keeping the flesh and its desires under.
We are not perfect and all of us are working out our salvation. Walking daily in repentance and forgiveness in newness of life dealing with daily sin as it becomes an issue, thoughts attitudes etc..
We need to vow each year to be better than the year just passed.
It is the one day a year the High Priest enters into the Holy of Holies where the ark is, to take the blood of the sacrifice and place it on the Mercy seat Kapporet/ lid of the ark, between the cherubim, where rested the presence of God/the throne of His presence.. Leviticus 23:26 – 32
This action was to atone for his and the people sins. The High Priest wore all the symbolic clothing and the light of God’s Shekinah filled the Holy of Holies where there was no other source of light. Hebrews 9:24 Jesus/Yeshua became our High Priest; Hebrews 6:20, when He presented Himself to the Father. He told Mary I have not yet ascended to My Father don’t touch Me. (This may have been because it would’ve caused uncleanness before He ascended?) The real ark/ mercy seat/ throne/ His presence – is in the heavenlies/ha shamayim. And Yeshua/Jesus’ blood paid the price for all time. Hebrews 3:1; 2:14; 4:14; 5:9; 9:7; 9:11.
To be a propitiation means to be the agent through whom forgiveness and atonement can be achieved.
Yom Ha Kipuriym – Day of the Atonements.
יום הכיפורים
It is the holiest day on Israel’s calendar perhaps even surpassing the 7th day Shabbat.. Like the 7th day, Yom Ha Kipuriym is designated a Shabbat Shabbaton. This means it is a day to stop from all kinds of work and to rest completely once a year and begins the evening before at sundown.
Not primarily a feast because it is a day to deny self or afflict ones soul. As the High Priest performs the atonement for himself, the altar, the Tabernacle and the whole community of Israel; the people participate through their non participation! Not only are they not to come near the Holy place on this day but are to deny their own existence. They are in essence – to: stop being. By not even giving in to themselves for basic needs such as food and water.
Like Passover/Pesach, many scholars agree that Yom Ha Kipuriym find it’s clear fulfillment in Jesus/Yeshua as He is both High Priest and our sacrifice. He atoned for us once and for all and is continually making intercession for us before the Father
Intercession is more than prayer:
It is entering in and making a difference in someone’s life.
In Greek it is ENTUGCHANO, meaning to petition or to intercede.
The act of intervening or mediating between differing parties; particularly the act of praying to God on behalf of another person.
In Hebrew: PAGA – פָגַע. – paw-gah’.
A primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity — come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, to meet, encounter, reach.
Intercession is prayer that pleads with God for your needs and the needs of others. But it is also much more than that. Intercession involves taking hold of God’s will and refusing to let go until His will comes to pass. Intercession is warfare fighting the good fight of FAITH– the key to God’s battle plan for our lives.
He does not need to make sacrifices for Himself and for us year after year in order to atone for our sins.
It is already been accomplished forever.
Our self denial on this day therefore does not cause, aid or enhance our atonement but allows us to become acutely aware of our own mortality, our sin, our need for atonement and our desire for life. At the same time it causes us to appreciate on some very tiny level the sacrifice Messiah made on our half as He denied His own life. The sanctity and holiness of this day cannot be overstated.
Though we may find great joy in our eternal atonement in Messiah Yeshua, this is a day for remembering that atonement (at one ment) in such a way that will be very hard to forget. We ought to be completive, repentant, humble and dead/ die to self. We are to remember that we live and breathe only because the Father chooses. And that by His choice, He has the power to take it away as well.
These are the themes to think on, that without Messiah, we are truly hopeless, without hope, truly dead,
but
through His atoning blood and intercession
we are truly alive forevermore.
Five days after Yom Ha Kipuriym on the 15th day Office seventh month for seven days is the feast of the tabernacles Chag ha Sukot .(Leviticus 23:33-36, 39; 40-43)
Also called Chag ha Asif – feast of the ingathering….
Why?
Because it occurs at the outgoing of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labor from the field. Lev.23:16
Like the feast of Matzah (unleavened bread), Sukot (Sukkot) lasts for seven days and is a time of great celebration. It is different to Matzah in the way that only the first day of Sukot is a holy convocation. On this day Israel is commanded to do no regular work and to rest.
The main focus is the SUKAH – booth or tabernacle, constructed from various trees and flora from around Jerusalem. This is to remind the Israelites that brought them out of Egypt.
The spiritual significance is of
divine protection,
deliverance and
provision.
The temporary and flimsy construction of the SUKAH reminds us of our own weakness, fragile and temporary condition of our physical bodies that we dwell in on earth.
It is also symbolic of how Adonai
cares for us,
shades us, and
hides us from the elements that focus on our destruction.
(Those that would seek to steal, kill & destroy, prince of the power of the air)
At the time of the final ingathering we are to celebrate with overwhelming joyfulness that:
1. He has delivered us.
2. Watched over us.
3. Will soon be taking us to dwell permanently with Him in the SUKAH that will have no end.
The seventh day became known as
Hashanna Rabba
and was celebrated with a huge water libation ceremony to ask for abundant rain over the coming season.
In the scriptures: Leviticus 23: 36, 40. Nehemiah 8:14.
it is written that this is to be observed
On the 22nd day of the seventh month.
The 7 day Sukot is the last moed of the year.
Yom HaShmiyniy Atzaret – The 8th day assembly.
The commands for this day are simply:
do no regular work, rest and assemble together.
It is a time to say goodbye to Sukot and the past years moedim/moadiym.
It is time to rest and reflect
but also a time to look forward to the future
because in six months time,
the cycle of life and annual rehearsal for the ultimate wedding of all time begins again.
Though this moed is often deemed insignificant or instead celebrated as Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah) which is an extra biblical Jewish holiday; it can also be very meaningful as we look back at the journey along the WAY that we have just completed.
The cycle of life that has come full circle and also to look forward to the new one that lies ahead.
Messiah fulfilled an intermediate fulfillment of all three Fall Feasts at His first coming:
1.) Announcement: Yom Teruw’ah, ushering in the King.
2.) Circumcision: Yom Kippur, removal of the veil (foreskin) called “face-to-face.”
3.) Dwelling with us: Sukkot; dwelt with us in a corruptible body.
John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among & we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.
If Jesus/Yeshua was born on the 1st day of Sukkot, the 15th day of the 7th month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord? Lev.23:34,
Then He would have been circumcised on the eighth great day – a festival following sukkot,
Shemini Atsaret – Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly
is a festival observed immediately after Sukkot Tabernacles,
i.e. on 22nd Tishrei (the seventh month) Luke 9:23
Messiah will fulfill all three Fall Feasts at His second coming:
1.) Husband Ushering in the Bride: Yom Teruw’ah.
2.) Husband removes veil from the bride’s face: Yom Kippur.
3.) Husband consummates the marriage with the 4th cup: Sukkot; Dwells with bride for 1,000 years of Sabbath rest.
Coming very soon – so let’s keep looking up!
Shalom shalom
‘Mishpachah’
‘Family/Tribe’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa,
friends, visitors and every reader…
And spread over us the sukkah (shelter) of Your peace. Blessed are You, HaShem, Who spreads the SukkatShalom upon us, upon all of His people and upon Jerusalem.
Please don’t leave this page before making certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
Its all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.
NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.
and brings us tothe end of the 7 Appointed Times of the Lord for this annual cycle.
However it is also the beginning of a new calendar cycle and comprises the time in between the last feast and the next, first feast, which is not until the Spring.
As we come to close of the 7 Annual Appointed Times of the Lord, a few last thoughts remain including an ‘8th day’ mystery, a ‘roof revelation’ and a couple of intriguing points to ponder.
As believers it is important to see the relevance to us. The instructions and ultimate plan of God as laid out in the old covenant/testament.
Then with the understanding and insights we gain, what we read in the renewed covenant/testament scriptures, begins to make more sense, as we see that everything in God’s Word is connected.
(Prov. 4:7 encourages us, ‘get wisdom, get understanding’.)
Every Hebrew year has two cycles or groups of holy days\ appointed times set in by our Heavenly Father. (As discussed in previous posts.) He has not changed them nor has He told us not to follow the pattern. This is because they all point prophetically to Jesus. Who Himself attended the Feasts, as well as His being their literal fulfillment. They are connected not only in their purpose and themes but also in their timing.
“You shall dwell in sukkot (huts) for seven days . . . so that you will know, for all generations, that I had the Children of Israel dwell in sukkot, when I took them out of the Land of Egypt; I am God, your God” (Lev. 23:42 -43)
For 40 years, as the Israelites traversed the Sinai Desert prior to their entry into the Holy Land, miraculous clouds of glory surrounded and hovered over them, shielding them from the dangers and discomforts of the desert.
Ever since, God’s kindness is remembered at Sukkot/feast of Tabernacles and trust in His providence is reaffirmed by dwelling in a sukkah, a hut of temporary construction. Also called the feast of Booths which is the meaning of Hebrew word Sukkot,it celebrates the fall harvest with the third first fruits of the growing season. During Sukkot, and each family built a Sukkah, (which is the singular of Sukkot;) or booth, outside the home. This is an activity still practiced today. Lev. 23:39
It is a flimsy structure of palm branches that provide little else but shade. Heavy rain would penetrate the walls and roof. The family eats all meals inside, it’s a room where visitors and strangers can come.
Sukkot Guests –Ushpizin –אושפיזין
The final, 8th day, of this feast is known as Yom haSh’miyniy’Atzaret, the 8th day assembly. Sukkot is a holiday of immense joy, where complete trust in God isexpressed, and confidence from Yom Kippur is celebrated in having received a ‘good judgment’, for the coming year. God is our ultimate protection – just as He protected the Israelites in the desert with the Clouds of Glory He will protect those who obey His Word. (Exodus 13:21).During this week Ex. 33:12–34:26; Ezek.38:18–39:16; Rev. 21:1–22:21 are read because according to teachings, this war will be waged during the month of Tishri, same month in which the holiday of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) falls.
Interestingly enough, the war that is described in Ezekiel is similar to the war described in (Zech. 14:16–17). In Zechariah we learn that the Gentiles who survive the war against Israel, will be required to keep Sukkot annually, by coming up to the Holy City of Jerusalem to worship the Lord.Sukkot in Jerusalem at the Western (Wailing) Wall.
Gog and Magog – Challenge to the Restoration of Israel
“This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, My hot anger will be aroused.” (Ezekiel 38:18)
Gog is a chief prince living in the land of Magog (Ezekiel 38:2). Many scholars believe Magog refers to Russia. The invading land of Gomer is often believed to be Germany. Several lands in the coalition army are easily identifiable: Iran (Persia), Northern Sudan (ancient Ethiopia or Cush), Libya (Put), and Turkey (Togarmah).
The nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38 will unite and come upon Israel “like a cloud that covers the land” for the purpose of looting the wealth that she has amassed in what was a desolate land only seventy years ago.
The war that is described in Ezekiel is similar to the war described in the 14th chapter of Zechariah, where we learn that the Gentiles who survive the war against Israel will be required to keep Sukkot annually by coming up to the Holy City of Jerusalem to worship the Lord.
“Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles [Sukkot]. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain.” (Zechariah 14:16–17)
Psalm 27 presents a clear connection between Sukkot and God’s protection of Israel and those who trust in Him:
“For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle [sukkah]; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)
The word translated here as tabernacle is the Hebrew word sukkah (סכה). When evil threatens God’s people, He will hide them in His sukkah, inaccessible from the enemy on the rock of His presence.
Now that is a promise we can trust in during these last days! Gog and Magog are also mentioned in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) Rev. 16, in connection with Armageddon and the final battle between the forces of good and evil.
This war with Gog and Magog is not the same war described in Ezekiel 38 but a final end-time battle after the thousand-year reign of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).The Son of David, Jesus/Yeshua, will come again — this time as our conquering Messiah to defeat the invading forces forever. All who have believed in their Savior, Yeshua, will inherit eternity in the New Jerusalem — a revived Garden of Eden complete with trees of life and pure living water that will be good to eat and drink forever.
A Roof Revelation.
An inner connection between Sukkot are the names Gog and Magog.
The Hebrew word Gog means roof and there is a huge difference between a real roof and the roof of the Sukkah which would not withstand wind and rain.
By building sturdy walls people have power to make themselves safe and secure against earthly elements and people and so are deluded and self deceived into thinking they can make themselves secure against the things from God and his power to direct matters.
They take their fate in their own hands and protect with their own strength with no need to depend on God.The war of Gog and Magog is also a battle of Gogthe roof, against Sukkah, it’s a fight of the illusion of the roof which is manifest as human greatness, a pride which never allows rest. Its fight against the Sukkah truth of the joyful confidence and carefree Shalom which comes only from placing complete trust in God’s protection and faith focused on his provision alone. The word Gog when prefixed with an M is then Mgog or Magog; it expresses the concept of projecting something and represents earthly wisdom and the human philosophical notion, that man can both isolate and insulate himself against God’s heavenly power.
It has origins back in the land of Shinar when Nimrod stirred the people to build a tower that would survive another flood and so avoid God’s judgment while they lived as they pleased.
Another very interesting connection to this season is..
the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is called “the season of our joy” and “the feast of the nations.” With this in mind, in Luke 2:10 it is written, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings [basar in Hebrew; otherwise known as the gospel] of great joy which shall be to all people. So, we can see from this that the terminology the angel used to announce the birth of Jesus/Yeshua, were themes and messages associated with the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles).
In Luke 2:12, the baby (Yeshua) was wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. The swaddling cloths were also used as wicks to light the vats of oil within the court of the women during the festival of Sukkot, another association with the festival of Sukkot. In Luke 2:12 The word manger is Greek word phatn’e. It is the same word translated as stall in Luke 13:15. By seeing how the word is used in Luke 13:15, we can see that the Greek word phatn’e means a place for hitching cattle.
The Hebrew word for stall is marbek, which can be found in Amos 6:4 and Malachi 4:2. In Genesis 33:17 it is written that Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth and made booths (the word booth in this passage is the Hebrew word sukkah; the plural is sukkot) for his cattle. Due to cultural traditions we have little idea in the west, what a manger is. In Israel a manger is a hollow space cut out of a large rock and not the wooden structure in the previous picture.
The area is filled with food usually for sheep and goats.
(This reminds us also of another place of protection ‘I will put thee in the cleft of the rock’. Ex. 32:22)So we can see from these passages how the word booth (sukkah or sukkot) was used by Jacob for his cattle in Genesis 33:17, and how the Greek word for manger or stall,phatn’e, was also used to refer to hitching cattle in Luke 13:15. Phatn’e is the same word translated as manger in Luke 2:12, where Yeshua was laid at the time of His birth.During the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles), God required that all male Jews come to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) (Deut. 16:16). For this reason, as well as the census being conducted, the city would have been overcrowded with people and could explain why Mary (Miryam) and Joseph (Yosef) were unable to find lodging in and around Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) (Lk. 2:7). Bethlehem, the place where Jesus/Yeshua was born, is only about four miles from Jerusalem.Some Bible scholars believe that this holiday is a more accurate birth date of Jesus. God is said to have dwelled (tabernacled) with the Jews as they wandered for 40 years in the desert. How appropriate it would be if our Messiah was born during this feast. This would bring insightful meaning to the Messianic name Emanuel, which means God is with us, prophesied by Isaiah (Isa.7:14)
We know our Messiah was made manifest into a temporarybody when He came to earth. Is it possible He also was put into a temporary dwelling? The fields would have been dotted with Sukkot during this harvest time to provide temporary shelter animals. The Hebrew word ‘stable’ is also called a Sukkoth (Gen. 33:17). Later when the scriptures record Mary and Joseph were in a house, the time for the sukkah would have been past.Further interesting facts concerning the birth of Jesus/Yeshua occurring during Sukkot, is in Matt. 2:1. Scripture says that wise men come from the East to visit Him. The land of the East is Babylon, where the largest Jewish population was at the time of the birth of Jesus/Yeshua.
These Jews were descendants from the captivity when King Nebuchadnezzar defeated Israel and took the Jews to Babylon to serve him. Babylon is referred to as the land of the East in Gen. 29:1 and Jud. 6:3.The wise men in Matt. 2:1 were possibly teachers/rabbis. The rabbis, also called sages, are known in Hebrew as chakamim, which means wise men. The word in Matthew 2:1 in Greek is magos, which is translated into English as Magi. Magos in Greek is the Hebrew word ravmag. Ravmag comes from the Hebrew word rav, which means rabbi. It should also be noted that the Greek word magos can also mean scientist, counselor, scholar, or teacher. The rabbis were scholars or teachers of the Jewish law. Jesus/Yeshua was referred to as Rabbi, or Teacher in John 1:38,47,49; 3:2. So, it’s a possibility that the wise men were Jewish rabbis coming from Babylon to witness the birth of Jesus/Yeshua.
“What made the rabbis make the journey from Babylon to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Yeshua?” The answer is given in Matt. 2:2, as it is written, “…we have seen His star in the east….”As we have read, one of the requirements during the time of Sukkot was to build an outside temporary shelter and live in it during this festival season. It had to be built with an opening in the roof so the people could see the stars in heaven. This is another reason why the rabbis would be looking for, and thus seeing, the star in the sky when it appeared.
In addition, there was a prophecy in Numbers as it is written, “…a star shall come forth from Jacob…” (Num. 24:17 NAS). King Herod inquired about where the Messiah would be born in Matt.2:4. (He was told in Bethlehem vs 6, based upon the prophecy in Micah 5:2.) In Matt. 2:10 it is written, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Once again, remember that Sukkot is called “the season of our joy.” In Matt. 2:2, the rabbis saw the star from the East. Salvation was seen by the Jewish people as coming from the East. Jesus/Yeshua descended from the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5). The tribe of Judah was positioned on the east side of the tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness.
Finally, in Luke 2:32, Jesus/Yeshua is called a light to the Gentiles. Once again, Sukkot is called “the festival of lights” and “the festival of all nations.”
Therefore, by studying and understanding the festival of Sukkot and the themes and messages that God desired to be conveyed during this festival, it enables us to read the Bible in a new light; and to ponder the possibility that Jesus/Yeshua may have been born during the season of Sukkot and that He is the Star we are all called to see with our (spiritual) eyes!
Sukkot (Tabernacles) is called the Feast of Ingathering. Jesus/Yeshua told us that the harvest represents the end of the age (Olam Hazeh). This is found in (Matt. 13:39; Rev. 14:15; Joel 3:13). The harvest refers more specifically to people who choose to accept the Messiah Jesus/Yeshua into their hearts and lives. (Matt. 9:35-38; Lk 10:1-2; Jn 4:35-38; Rev 14:14-18). God is gathering both Jews and non-Jews together to accept the Messiah Jesus/Yeshua into their lives. Most of the people on earth have not accepted Jesus into their lives and are in the valley of decision (Joel 3:13-14). Jeremiah sorrowed for a people who were not a part of the harvest in Jer. 8:18-22. vs. 20 “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” To those who do accept the Messiah, they will experience the real Sukkot (Tabernacles) during the Messianic age, the Millennium. Both Jew and non-Jew will live in the Messianic Kingdom. No doubt there will also be immortal people such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David. There will be mortal people as well who will live with them, who are the people who lived through the seven-year tribulation period, the birthpangs of the Messiah, or the Chevlai shel Mashiach, and who accepted Jesus/Yeshua into their hearts and lives. What a joy it will be living with the Messiah during the Messianic era!
Olam habah = the world to come. …tabernacle of God is with men…” (Rev 21:1-3)
Sukkot (Tabernacles) is known as the festival of ingathering and the fruit harvest. In Rev.7:9-17, we can see those who have come through the great tribulation period and who became believers in the Messiah during that time (Rev. 7:14). In Rev. 7:15, they “dwell” with them.
Tishrei is the 7th month, the number of completion. (Lev. 23:23–44)
The book of Revelation is filled with number 7 and has similarities to the events in this month. Tishrei begins with Yom Teruah, the Day of Trumpets. (Rev. 8:2; 14:7; 19:16; 20:4; 21:3; 22:5)There are 7 angels with 7 trumpets.
Tishrei also has Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgment. In Revelation, judgment comes as man stands before God face to face, on Yom Kippur so too. God is proclaimed King in Tishrei and also in Revelation. If we believe we are grafted into the Olive tree of spiritual Israel, then we are also included in the 7 Appointed Times and their fulfillment.There is reason to believe that during the time when the Temple stood, a total of 70 sacrifices were offered during the seven days of Sukkot which are celebrated in the Land of Israel.
Maybe the 70 bullocks sacrificed represented the 70 nations of the world as they were divided into by God after the confusion of languages at the destruction of the tower at Babel with Nimrod on the plains of Shinar. Would this mean that Israel was interceding for nations of the world, not just herself?
These offerings were then considered an offering for world peace.
Tishrei closes with another day of mystery.
The final, 8th day, of this feast is known as Shemini Atzaret,Yom haSh’miyniy’Atzaret, The 8th day assembly. In Israel, the 8th day is a day that speaks of eternity and the Bible ends in Revelation with that same day, the day of eternity where we will reign forever with Him. The plans and purposes of God have only perfect ends.
The gathering of the 8th day;
The last day of the spiritual year;
The day after the end – is the day that represents the beginning of all eternity.
All Scripture is written on kosher scrolls not in books. So to understand the reference in Revelation, consider that the Torah scroll (the first five books of the Bible) has been continually unrolled throughout the year for each weeks reading. At the end of the year there is a rolling back of all that has been unrolled over the course of the year!
In Revelation it states that the heaven shall be rolled up like a scroll, this is an image written in the prophecies of revelation concerning the end of the ages. (Rev. 6:14; 20:11, 22)The sky is rolled up at the end of the present age and earth and heaven have fled away before eternity is ushered in. The old has gone, the scroll finished, for the story is completed and the day after the end, Shemini Atzeret is the 8th day and is the day forever starts, it’s the beginning of eternity.
Olam habah the world to come.Before the scroll is rolled up, the last words written are from the final reading in Deuteronomy. They are concerning the end of a particular journey.When Moses climbed the mountain to view the land of promise just before his life on Earth is complete and he goes to be with God.he was looking towards the place where the Temple would one day stand. The exact same location that Abraham had to be willing to sacrifice his only son and where Jesus would also be our sacrificial lamb.
The End Is Also The Beginning.
The journey through the wilderness is over and the Israelites are about to cross Jordan to enter the promised land with Joshua leading them. (Joshua is a type of Jesus) and so Shemini Atzeretreminds us of the future day when our journey through the wilderness and our existence on earth will be complete and this old world will pass away to reveal the new and Jesus will lead us into our promised land.
Its clear the old must be left behind before we can enter into the new, our life here is only the journey on the way to the destination. As the scroll is rolled up, be ready to catch the first glimpse of the unfathomable glory that awaits us.
The 8th day is about resurrection and leaving the old life, a day of transcending, of breaking out of the limitations of the finite and into the realm of the infinite. Of transcending the old, overcoming the ultimate limitation, death, and thus every limitation.
The day after the end of the old life, the old existence and the power to live beyond it.
So the day of the resurrection and the day of the beginning of eternity are in inexorably joined together.The Hebrew Holy Day of Resurrection was First Fruits and the Resurrection is the First Fruits of the Age to Come. The first manifestation of the 8th day – Heaven.One last fascinating point as food for thought to ponder upon.
Several Bible scholars believe its possible that the first Thanksgiving in America was based in part on Sukkot. The Pilgrims were familiar with the Bible and the Feast of Tabernacles. They were also thankful for God’s protection in the new land. The first Thanksgiving holiday is reported to have been in October, (Sukkot is usually in this month), and lasted for three days. The harvest of the earth is ripe …” (Rev 14:14-16) “
Messiah fulfilled an intermediate fulfillment of all three Fall Feasts at His first coming:
1.) Announcement: Yom Teruw’ah, ushering in the King.
2.) Circumcision: Yom Kippur, removal of the veil (foreskin) called “face-to-face.”
3.) Dwelling with us: Sukkot; dwelt with us in a corruptible body.Messiah will fulfill all three Fall Feasts completely at His second coming:
1.) Husband Ushering in the Bride: Yom Teruw’ah.
2.) Husband removes veil from the bride’s face: Yom Kippur.
3.) Husband consummates the marriage with the 4th cup: Sukkot; Dwells with bride for 1,000 years of Sabbath rest.
Peace – Shalom to all who love His Word at this season of rejoicing.
Special Note: This Feast has already begun and takes place over 8 days. As there areso many important, pertinent and fascinating facts that point our focus to Jesus our Messiah; the post has been divided into 3 parts, which will be posted consecutively during the next few days.
These Appointed Times of The Lord follow the Calendar Cycle of the life giving harvests and Sukkot completes the 7th of the Holy festivals in the 7th month of Tishrei. (Deut. 16:13; Lev. 23:34)Fall is the end of the harvest seasons, its themes include:
The Return of Messiah,The sounding of the trumpets announcing His comingThe Ingathering (agriculture and souls.) (Chag haAsif) and
Re-gathering and return of His people to Israel.
The repentance,
God and man face to face,
The Judgment of the Nations\separation of the sheep and goats,
The redemption,
The Kingdom of God and everything returning back to Him.
It’s the closing. The finish line.
As the Spring Appointed Times speak prophetically of Jesus 1st coming, so the fall speaks of Jesus 2nd coming; in which the end will reveal God’s final chapter. The completion of the harvest of souls and culmination of His plan of the Ages.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Jam. 5:7
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2Pet. 3:9
In the Spring cycle, we are reminded that Messiah is the Lamb of God, who came to seek, serve and save.
The Autumn cycle of Appointed Times (Mo’adiym) reveals that Messiah is also from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King, the Great High Priest and The Lord of all.
We are in fact, living now in the time between the Lamb, His first coming and the Lion, His second coming. Let’s live with joy and excited anticipation for the return of the One we love, serve and worship. The One who has a plan to completely reveal the mystery of the Autumn/Fall Calendar Feasts.
The month of Tishrei is the most intense of the Hebrew calendar as it is during this month the closing end of the sacred spiritual year is celebrated.
As this month holds the secret mystery to the Autumn cycle, could it also hold the mystery to the closing of the age?The observance of Sukkot is the 15th-21st of Tishri (September/October). Most people consider it an 8 day holiday. The first 6 days are known as Sukkot. The 7th day takes upon itself a new name known as Hoshanna Rabba, (the huge water libation ceremony). The 8th day is known as Shemini Atzaret, Yom haSh’miyniy’Atzaret, The eighth day assembly. In Israel, the 8th day is also Simchat Torah (rejoicing in the Torah scriptures). Sukkot frequently called the Feast of Tabernacles. A better English translation would be the Feast of Booths, which is the meaning of Hebrew word Sukkot, celebrating the fall harvest with the third first fruits of the growing season. Leviticus 23:39
The Hebrew word chag comes from the Hebrew root word chagag, which means ‘to move in a circle, to march in a sacred procession, to celebrate or dance.’ The joy of Sukkot was so great that it became known as ‘THE Feast.’ The word tabernacle refers to a temporary dwelling place, which is the purpose of the sukkah.
Other names for this season are:
The Season of Our JoyThe Festival of Ingathering Hag HaAsif,
The Feast of the NationsThe Festival of DedicationThe Festival of Lights
(Ex. 23:16, 34:22; Num. 29:12-39; Neh. 8:14; Zec. 14:16-19; Heb. 2:2; 2:5; Jn 7:2-52) In contrast to the serious tone of Rosh HaShanah and the Day of Atonement, the 3rd feast in Tishrei was a time of joy because Israel had passed through the season of repentance and redemption. ISRAELITES Past FULFILLMENT: Celebrate the Harvest and Entering the Promised Land with Great Rejoicing to be Celebrated Yearly Forever.MESSIANIC Future FULFILLMENT: (Prophetic) The Messianic Era or Millennium. The Kingdom of God on Earth. (Athid Lavo.) The Two become One. SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: (Halacha) A daily rest (Shabbat) in the Messiah and having the rest, (menuchah) of His Kingdom in our hearts.Not coincidentally, the same time period marks the beginning of the construction of God’s sukkah, the mishkan, the sanctuary or tabernacle in the desert (Ex. 25:8-9). Tabernacle, is the word mishkan in Hebrew. According to tradition, Moses again ascended Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights to receive the second set of tablets and descended on Yom Kippur, carrying them as a sign of God’s forgiveness of Israel for the sin of the golden calf, and as a symbol of the lasting covenant between God and Israel (Ex.24:12-18; 34:1-2; 27-28).
The following day Moses relayed God’s instructions for building the mishkan, a dwelling place. Material for this portable structure was collected during the days before Sukkot, and work then began on it. (Ex. 35; 36:1-7). Sukkot is also called the ‘Season of Our Joy.’
It is also known as the Feast of our Rejoicing, the Season of our Rejoicing, and He-Hag (the Holiday).
One reason Sukkot was a time of joy was that after the season of repentance, (Teshuvah) and the redemption of Yom Kippur, came the joy of knowing your sins were forgiven, of walking, knowing, and being obedient to Him.
Historically, Sukkot also commemorates the days in the wilderness of Sinai, after coming out of Egypt (Mitzayim). According to all natural laws, the Israelites should have perished, but were instead divinely protected by God. Prophetically, Sukkot is the festival that teaches on the Messianic Kingdom and the joy of that Kingdom. Spiritual application in Messiah: a daily rest and having the rest, ‘menuchah’, of His Kingdom in our heartsSukkah is the Hebrew term for the temporary building that is constructed for this holiday. Sukkot(h) is the Hebrew name of the holiday, the moed and usually translated as booth or small hut and to tabernacle with someone, is to dwell with them.
God tabernacled with the children of Israel as they wandered in the desert for 40 years, manifesting Himself as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
In order to make following God easier, the Israelites lived in simple booths.
It is also symbolic of the protection that the Israelites received from God in the desert after they were freed from bondage in Egypt (Lev. 23:43). It reminds us that our survival is dependent upon God.
The symbolism is intended to remind us of being homeless, the feeling of living somewhere on a temporary basis. It is to serve as a reminder to us not to become over confident with our wealth or influence and that we need to look to God for our provisions, not man and that this earth is not our permanent home.
The sukkah or booth, symbolizes man’s need to depend upon God for his provision of food, water, and shelter. This is true in the spiritual realm as well.
The booth is the physical body, which is a temporary dwelling place for our souls and spirits. (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
We need the food that the Word of God provides (Matt. 6:11; 4:4; John 6:33-35); the cleansing, rinsing, and washing that the Word of God brings to our lives (Eph. 5:26); and the shelter of God’s protection over our lives from the evil one (Matt. 6:13; Ps. 91). Our physical needs will be provided for by God if we seek Him spiritually (Matt. 6:31-33)The Hebrew word for tabernacle is sukkah. It means ‘a booth, a hut, a covering, a pavilion or tent.’ The Greek word for tabernacle is sk’en’e, which also means ‘a tent, hut, or habitation.’ and the context by which the word tabernacle is used in the New Covenant (Brit Hadashah).
This Greek word, sk’enos, means ‘tabernacle, booth, shelter, or covering’ and also appears in Rev. 21:3. This same word, sk’enos, is used to speak of Yeshua during His first coming, (John 1:14). here we can see the protection provided in Rev. 7:16, corresponding to Isa. 4:5-6, and the fountain of living waters in Rev. 7:17 and 21:4.
In Isa. 4:3, it is written ‘And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy…” (also see Zech. 14:4,6-9,16-17,20-21). Those who are called ‘holiness unto the Lord’ in Zech. 14:20 are the same people in Is. 4:3 who are called Holy.
The clouds in the wilderness are called ‘the clouds of glory’ and the wilderness experience is a picture of the future Messianic age, the Millennium.
The sukkah was built to teach and understand the thousand-year millennial reign of the Messiah, the Messianic age, the Millennium, or the Athid Lavo in Hebrew eschatology.
Jesus/Yeshua tabernacled (sukkot) among us (John 1:14).
Peter spoke about his body being a tabernacle (2 Peter 1:13-14).
The apostle Paul told us that our earthly bodies were earthly houses or tabernacles (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).
The tabernacle of Moses (Moshe) was a tent of habitation (Acts 7:44; Hebrews 9:2-8).
Abraham Isaac and Jacob lived in tabernacles (tents) (Hebrews 11:8-9).
The tabernacle of David was a tent or dwelling place (Acts 15:16; Amos 9:11). This tabernacle was the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 5:2-5; 8:1-21).
Jesus/Yeshua entered the temple on the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) (John 7:2,27-29).The Bible speaks of a heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:1-2; Revelation 13:6; 15:5). This heavenly tabernacle will come to earth (Revelation 21:1-3).
Jesus/Yeshua was the true tabernacle of God (Hebrews 9:11). The sukkah remain standing for the entire 8 days of the holiday.
On a clear night, a person can sit inside the Sukkah and look through the sparsely placed branches
to the stars and be reminded of the promise God told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the heavens (Gen. 26:4).Sukkot is the plural of Sukkah (more than one hut or booth) and sometimes the holiday is referred to as Sukkot
This name reflects the final harvest of the year attributed of the holiday. Sometimes it is also referred to by the Hebrew name Shemhateinu. The Feast of Tabernacles has an agricultural meaning, because it reminds us of how the farm laborers in ancient days lived as they worked to bring in the harvest.
Sukkot is the time when the produce of the field, orchard, and vineyard is gathered in. The granaries, threshing floors, and wine and olive presses are full to capacity. Weeks and months of toil and sweat put into the soil have finally been amply rewarded. The farmer feels happy and elated. No wonder Sukkot is ‘The Season of Rejoicing.’ While all of the three pilgrimages are times of rejoicing, Sukkot (Tabernacles) is specifically designated as Zeman simchatenu, the season of our rejoicing.
Sukkot is also considered a harvest festival. One reason is because at harvest time something resembling a Sukkah would be built near the field that the crop pickers were working. This became a temporary place of refuge for them from the sun and even a place to sleep when necessary. The Sukkah is, therefore, symbolic of protection and peace. It also became the one time of the year when most farmers could relax since the crops were just harvested, and it was still too early to plant the next crop.
Olive harvest.
There is also a Messianic meaning in which we find fulfillment in our Messiah.
Passover And Sukkot Connected:In some ways, the Feast of Tabernacles is considered an Exodus holiday.
This passage in Leviticus shows us that these two holidays are connected. Lev. 23:43; so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Both holidays are related to Israel’s exodus from Egypt and are observed on the 15th of the month.
Passover marks the attainment of the end of bondage and the right of religious freedom.
Sukkot marks the attainment of national and territorial independence (except from God), the essential ingredients of the nations Sovereignty.
The Great Salvation
Hoshana Rabbah (literally, the great hosanna or the numerous hosannas) is the 7th day of Sukkot (Tabernacles). Hoshana Rabbah should have been a full festival day, but is not because of Shemini Atzeret, which follows it. However, it has some special customs that make the day more like a full festival day than any of the intermediate days.
The most important of these (ceremonies) are:
The circling of the altar seven times instead of once while carrying the four species and reciting the Hoshana prayers; and The beating of the willows.Messianic Understanding. In John 7:37-38, Jesus/Yeshua said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
At this season of Sukkot, Isa.12:3 was often quoted, as it is written, ‘Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.’ Jesus/Yeshua in Hebrew means ‘salvation.’ The drama of the water drawing ceremony took on a new dimension of meaning when Jesus/Yeshua attended the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles). On the seventh day of the feast, Hoshana Rabbah, which literally means ‘the great hosanna, the great salvation’, the festival activities were different from those of each of the six previous days when the priests circled the altar in a procession, singing Ps. 118:25.
On the seventh day of the feast, the people circled the altar seven times. That is why the day is called Hoshanah Rabbah, as the cry, “Save now!” was repeated seven times. Jesus/Yeshua’s statement in John 7:37-39 was said on Hoshana Rabbah.Spiritually speaking, in the Bible, there is a link between water and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). Yeshua told the woman at the well to drink of living water (John 4:7-14; 6:35; Matt. 5:6). This relationship between water and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is contained in the symbolism of pouring out water. Is. 44:3 links the pouring out of water with the pouring out of God’s Spirit and parallels the thirsty land again links water with the Holy Spirit.The link can also be seen in Joel 2:23,28; Acts 2:1-4,14-17; and Ezek. 39:22,27-29. Zech. 14:8 speaks of living waters. Is.12:2-3 speaks of drawing water out of the wells of salvation. Water and the Spirit are connected in Psalm 42:1-4; Zech. 13:1; and Rev. 7:17. It can also be seen in Ezek. 36:24-27.Jesus/Yeshua was trying to communicate this to Nicodemus in John 3:1-6.
He also was teaching this during the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) in John 4:14, which concluded with His statements in John 7:37-39.At the ceremony of the water drawing, the people’s attention was focused on the pool of Siloam.(Pool full)
It was here that Jesus/Yeshua healed a man who had been blind from birth (John 9:1-7).
Notice again the statement in John 9:5. This is the last day of the feast (Hoshana Rabbah) (John 9:14; Lev. 23:34-36).
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