- HOME
- INTRODUCTION
- FEASTS OF GOD
- 1. PASSOVER- Leviticus 23:5
- 2. FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD - Leviticus 23:6-8
- 3. FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS - Leviticus 23:9-11,14,15
- 4. FEAST OF WEEKS OR PENTECOST - Leviticus 23: 15-16
- 5. FEAST OF TRUMPETS - Leviticus 23:23,25
- 6. ATONEMENT DAY - Leviticus 23: 32,31
- 7. FEAST OF TABERNACLES OR BOOTHS - 23:34-36
- THE WORSHIP ACCEPTABLE TO GOD
- Conclusion
- Italiano
- Francais
FEASTS OF GOD
The project solving all human problems
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
CHRIST DID NOT ABOLISH GOD’S LAW
Scripture reports that Jesus Christ did not abolish GOD’s Law, but kept even the least of His commandments, without sinning. Nevertheless, there is a discussion going on about the observance of GOD’s annual feasts.
Those who do not respect them, justify their position by stating that their celebration is binding only for the Jews. While others affirm that Christ made them obsolete because He fulfilled all their message at His death. Yet, Scripture contains no proof that it is as they declare or believe. On the contrary, it gives evidence that Jesus put into practice all the statutes concerning the annual feasts.
Christ, who had and has all authority in heaven and on earth, did not abrogate the commandments of Leviticus 23. In fact, He stated: «Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away one jot or one tittle by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled» (Mt. 5:17,18).[i]
GOD’s Law exposes what is sin
A modern Bible commentator explains that «The Bible classifies all men as sinners. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)… In short, the presence of sin and sinners in the world is positive proof that the Law of the Almighty still exists. The Bible tells us that at the end of this present age, and in the ages to come, true believers will be keeping the commandments of God (See Rev. 12:17; 14:12). How could this be possible if the commandments were abolished at Calvary?»[ii]
GOD’s Law is «holy and just and good» (Rm. 7:12), in reality, «no one annuls or adds to it» (Gal. 3:23). For this reason, Jesus warns, «Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven» (Mt. 5:19).
Christ and His apostles did not abolish GOD’s Feasts
Indeed, Christ did not abolish GOD’s Law. The statutes given at Sinai, which comprise also the laws on the annual feasts and “High Sabbaths”, are still binding for all believers.
Furthermore, Leviticus 23, Numbers 26-28 and Deuteronomy 16, are also Jesus’ commandments (Jn. 10:30; 17:11, 21, 22). By obeying all the instructions the Father promulgated at Sinai, Christ «confirmed» the Law of the eternal Covenant.
The Spring Feasts
1. Passover
Christ respected and fulfilled the smallest tittle of the feasts established by the LORD at Sinai (Lev. 23). He, as the Father, does not change. Concerning Passover supper He declared: «I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the wine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom» (Mt. 26:29). So, it will be.
Christ’s sacrificial death had to «bring an end to sacrifice and offering» only (Dan. 9: 26,27). This divine prediction given to the prophet Daniel, clearly attests that no annual feast had to cease when Jesus died. Indeed, only the sacrifices and offerings, that represented His sacrifice and offering to the Father reached the end of their function.
Concluding, Jesus did not abolish the celebration of Passover. He did not change its date and time, neither its name, as Christianity has done by renaming it Easter. At His last Passover Supper, He only replaced the sacrifice and offerings with the symbols of Melchizedek, bread and wine. Since Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins, He is the Sacrifice and the Offering to GOD. Therefore, let us remember His sublime act of love, and celebrate «Passover» fully assured of our salvation (1 Cor. 5:7).
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread
Concerning the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Scripture again does not give evidence that Christ abolished it at the cross. And even the Apostle Paul did not make it obsolete. Indeed, Paul instructed and encouraged the church to celebrate it together with the Feast of FirstFruits (see 1 Cor. 5:7,8).
Paul exhorted the Messianic congregations to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a memorial of the purification from sin. Jesus is still accomplishing this ministry in favor of the repentant and confessing believer, in the heavenly sanctuary of GOD. And He is still making faithful people benefit and rejoice in these seven-day feast representing His all-sufficient, everlasting grace.
3. Feast of Firstfruits
When Paul wrote his letter to the churches inviting them to observe this feast, quite sometime had gone by since Jesus’ death. Bible scholars agree that Paul wrote the first letter to the believers of Corinth, in the spring of 57 AD. Again, this fact confirms that the first three annual feasts were not abolished in his time. Indeed, almost twenty years after Christ’s death the apostolic churches were still observing them.
4. Feast of Weeks or Pentecost
Jesus’ disciples, after His death and resurrection, kept the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. Luke reports that on this feast’s day, they were reunited, praying and asking the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises. And the the Holy Spirit visited them. Then, He assisted them to testify of Christ as the Savior first in Jerusalem, and then in all nations of the ancient world (See Ac. 2:1-4). No need, therefore, to add more on its still binding celebration.
We need to understand the truth and how to abide in it, in the light of the GOD’s Law and Testimony. Because that’s the only manner for experiencing GOD’s grace, peace and blessing in our lives, even today.
The Autumn Feasts
5. Feast of Trumpets
The New Testament is silent on the Feast of Trumpets. Nevertheless, this does not give license to modern scholars to think it has been abrogated. The apostles did not have the occasion of mentioning it in their writings. That’s all. Indeed, they themselves were making the Gospel of grace sound in all Judea and the surrounding lands as living trumpets.
The themes of repentance, and preparation for judgement, are the central themes of the Feast of Trumpets. These same themes are present in the book of Revelation that was written decades after Christ’s resurrection. In it, Jesus pronounced calls to repentance for the believers of seven Messianic congregations of that time (Rev. 2). In addition, He provided alarming predictions using seven trumpets (Rev. 8, 9 and 11). Christ did so to encourage His followers to be faithful even when they were experiencing persecution.
6. Atonement Day
Christ did not abolish the observance of the Atonement Day. Scripture provides evidence that Christ’s first followers after His death and resurrection, kept this High Sabbath Day. In fact, Paul reports: «the Fast was already over» (Acts 27:9). Bible students acknowledge that this «Fast» refers to the Atonement Day, that is the only fast of the annual feasts. In addition, they inform that Luke wrote the book of Acts after the destruction of the temple (70 AD.
The respect of this Fast day was neither rendered obsolete by the Spirit who was guiding the believers in Christ. Indeed, the Spirit was convincing them of sins, so that they may confess them, in this High Sabbath day. By do doing, the Savior could grant them forgiveness (John 16:8). Even today, GOD sanctifies believers in the holy appointment days He set apart for this purpose. How can modern scholars, therefore, attest that the observance of the Atonement Day was nailed at the cross?
7. Feast of Tabernacles or Booths
Christ did not make obsolete the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. Concerning this glorious celebration, John gives evidence that our Savior went to Jerusalem, and celebrated it (John 7:8,10,11). In fact, «about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught» His message of hope (v.14-21). In so doing, He left an example to follow for all future generations, Jewish and Gentiles alike.
Also Paul observed the Feast of Tabernacles after Jesus’ death. Indeed, He left Ephesus saying to his brethren: «I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem» (Ac. 18:21). It was a feast that required a pilgrimage to the holy city. And Bible scholars believe it to be the Feast of Tabernacles.
Moreover, Bible scholars believe that this feast was kept by the Messianic congregations when John wrote the book of Revelation. They also explain that Jesus would have not used the themes of the Feast of Tabernacles to depict the consummation of redemption if it had been unknown.
Christ confirmed GOD’s Law and the Testimony His prophets
Isaiah explained the reason why we should observe the commandments of GOD, which include His seven annual Feasts. He declared, «“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in 
them. They will pass through it hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward. Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness» (Is. 8:19-22). His inspired prediction clearly indicates in which direction the unbelieving and disobedient persons are going.
Furthermore, the LORD pointed out that also spiritual leaders have been found in a similar defiant and troublesome situation. He said, “… priests have violated My law and profaned my holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them” (Ez. 22:26).
Man has changed GOD’s Law
Presenting last-days events to the prophet Daniel, the angel of the LORD declared that, in the unfolding of the great conflict between Satan and GOD, an evil king shall rise. «He shall be different from the first ones. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law» (Dn. 7:24-25). This statement explains that an evil person changed GOD’s holy appointments and annual feasts and Sabbaths, together with other divine commands.[iii]
Satan has always persecuted GOD’s faithful people. So, also in the last days, he will manipulate another corrupt leader, as he manipulated King Jeroboam in ancient times. And through his human agent, he will cause a lot of trouble to each person «who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ» (Rev. 12:17; Dn. 25).
Keep all GOD’s appointed meetings
Through the agency of Nahum, the LORD also indicated how His people should deal with spiritual dilemmas such as the celebration of the annual holy convocations today. He explained, “In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgements. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow my Sabbaths” (Ez. 44:24). The prophet Nahum also declared to God’s first chosen people: “Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows” (Nah. 1:15)!
Therefore, let us sincerely search on our own the inspired Scriptures to know by ourselves the truth. Let us also verify by ourselves all the things presented by religious and political leaders. Then, humbly ask GOD to help us keep all His laws, including His annual feasts (see 1 Jn. 2:3,4; Rev. 14:12).
The Apostle Paul did not abolish GOD’s Law
Paul advocates for a celebration of the annual feasts
Bible commentators that teach the abrogation of the annual feasts, support their argument quoting Colossians 2:16,17. «Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ». Indeed, this passage has been taken out of its context to state something that is just the opposite of what Paul meant to say. Here, Paul advocates for a celebration of the feasts in the «spirit and truth» that is in «Christ», because at Colossi their observance was mixed with pagan sun worship traditions of human origins.[iv]
In this statement, Paul does not deal with the validity or abolition of the weekly Sabbath, the annual Sabbaths and the seven feasts of the LORD, the Sabbatical year, and of the New Moon Day kept at the beginning of each lunar month. Instead, he reproaches the illegitimacy of the rules that the teachers of Colossi imposed on their observance. As a flawless pastor, preacher of Scripture and GOD’s Law, Paul reproached those false teachers. And informed the members of this congregation that their leaders did not have any right to judge, and to decide by themselves how to make believers observe the feasts of the LORD to worship, instead of GOD and Christ, evil «angels» (Col. 2:18), to please the «the basic principles of the world» (v. 20), and cheaters puffed up by their «fleshly mind» (v.18).
Although their names derive from GOD’s Law, the celebrations that Paul mentioned in this passage have nothing to do with the true worship offered to GOD, and with the true observance of His annual feasts. «In the context of Colossians, the command to keep festival, new moon and Sabbath is not based on the Torah… Rather the sacred days must be kept for the sake of the “elements of the universe”, who direct the course of the stars, and thus also prescribe minutely the order of the calendar»[v].
GOD’s Law is unchangeable
The apostle Paul informed that during his own time Satan was already executing his plan to destroy GOD’s Law and change and delay God’s holy appointments for the salvation of His people (times – feasts). Paul clearly stated: «the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until it is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved» (2 Thes. 2:7-10; Rev. 13:13-15).
GOD’s feasts glorify Christ
Summarizing, Paul did not abrogated the observance of the. He only criticized the distorted motives for which the Colossians were keeping the festivals. Indeed, pointing to their errors, he gave even more relevance to the observance of the feasts, when it is done with the right attitudes and for the right reasons. Paul is concerned that the celebration of the LORD’s feasts honors and glorifies only Jesus Christ, who is GOD’s appointed Accomplisher of their messages and promises. In fact, if the observance of annual feasts doesn’t focus on Jesus, and His redemptive wonders, makes them loose their purpose. Consequently, they become useless, and even spiritual stumbling blocks, preventing people from walking in the way that leads to GOD.
The celebration of GOD’s feasts today
Ellen G. White, who was a passionate commentator of Scripture, exhorts to celebrate the feasts of the LORD. Therefore she did not believe that they are obsolete. Indeed, she says to keep them for the benefit of youth and the growth of faith in GOD and Christ.
First of all, in her writings, she acknowledged that the apostle Paul, various years after Jesus’ death, «… was on his way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost».[vi] This means that she believed that Jesus or the apostles did not abolish GOD’s feasts.
Giving counsel to parents and teachers on the celebration of the annual feasts, she remarked: «Would it not be well for us to observe holidays unto God, when we could revive in our minds the memory of His dealings with us? Would it not be well to consider His past blessings, to remember the impressive warnings that have come home to our soul so that we shall not forget God?
The world has many holidays, and man becomes engrossed with games, with horse races, with gambling, smoking and drunkenness. Shall not the people of God more frequently have holy convocations in which to thank God for His rich blessings?»[vii]
The feasts bound us to God and to one another
On another occasion, Ellen G. White further debated the reason believers should observe GOD’s feasts. She wrote, «Shall we not keep holy festivals unto God? Shall we not show that we have some enthusiasm in His service? With the grand ennobling theme of salvation before us, shall we be as cold as statues of marble? If men can become so excited over a match game of cricket, or a horse race, or over foolish things that bring no good to anyone, shall we be unmoved when the plan of salvation is unfolded to us? Let the school and the church henceforth have festivals of rejoicing unto the Lord».[viii]
It seems clear from these quotations that Ellen G.White strongly encouraged the celebration of the LORD’s annual feasts.
Reasons for observing the feasts’ pilgrimage to Jerusalem
Elsewhere, Ellen G. White also gave the reason for keeping the three annual feasts requiring the pilgrimage Jerusalem. In fact, concerning the feasts requiring the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she declared, «At these yearly assembles the hearts of old and young would be encouraged in the service of God, while the association of the people from different quarters of the land would strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another.
Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a feast of Tabernacles – a joyous commemoration of the blessing of God to them.
As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God had brought during their journeying from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways he has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth».[ix]
The feasts’ «function continues in the Christian church»
In more recent time, Samuele Bacchiocchi, a Seventh-day Adventist theologian graduated from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and an author of various volumes on the Sabbath [x], has published two very comprehensive books on GOD’s festivals in Scripture and history. With these, he provided evidence that Scripture does not declare the Feasts of the LORD obsolete.
In the first volume, commenting on the relevance of the annual feasts, Samuele states: «If the feasts had typified only the redemptive accomplishments of Christ’s first Advent, then obviously their function would have terminated at the Cross. But if the feasts foreshadow also the consummation of redemption to be accomplished by Christ at His Second Advent, then their function continues in the Christian church, though with a new meaning and manner of observance».[xi]
«We need to rethink our practices and learn from the liturgical calendar of the Old Testament»
Jiri Moskala, another Adventist theologian, more recently advised, «Activities of the Church religious calendar should be centered on God’s salving events and not primarily focused on anthropocentric programs scheduled on special days during the year. We need to rethink our practices and learn from the liturgical calendar of the Old Testament people in order that our yearly cycle be theocentric, oriented vertically on the main events in the plan of salvation, and celebrate God’s work for humanity, which help to create a right attitude and joyful service».[xiii]
By these testimonies we can clearly see that Christ did not abolish GOD’s Law and the statutes concerning His annual holy convocations. In fact, His twelve apostles, and also the apostle Paul, observed them, after His ascension to Heaven. Men and women of faith until today have believed in the feasts of the LORD and their celebration.
Indeed, instead of keeping holidays established by human authorities, it would be best if we celebrated GOD’s annual feasts. Their message is comprehensive, refreshing, simple, full of wonderful truths and divine promises, reinvigorating mind and body. They provide the exact day, purpose and spiritual atmosphere to enact joyfully the project solving all human problems, a time not to forget who is our GOD and our Redeemer.
GOD’s Lunar Calendar
By observing the phases of the moon we can establish even today the exact dates of the annual Sabbaths. Men through the centuries invented various calendars and systems to calculate time. Yet, the system that never changes, and that is always correct, is the one put in place by GOD. This system still declares the glory of its wonderful, genial and all powerful Creator. It is the only one that speaks all languages. The one that indicates, on the entire earth, the precise month, day, and hour, in which to celebrate GOD’s feasts. The seven established to glorify His name, rejoice with Him and His beloved Son. Those in which He makes His worshippers holy by His extraordinary sanctifying presence.
There is nothing wrong in using astronomy to determine the dates of the LORD’s feasts. GOD Himself Himself organized our solar system to assist us to recognize the dates of His annual appointments, and redemptive miracles. (Ps. 19:1-6). In fact, on the fourth day of creation He said, «Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years» (Gen 1:14).
Do you mind to be in the truth, a Law abiding believer? Jesus declared, «Behold I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work… Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life… But outside are the dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practice a lie. I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches» (Rev. 22:12-16).
GOD’s Feasts are binding statutes
Today, some Seventh-day Adventist believers are keeping the annual feasts and Sabbaths.[xii] On the other hand, these individual initiatives have created some apprehension in the mind of certain Adventist leaders. This is due to the fact that the church officially considers the annual feasts obsolete and binding only for the Jews. Even though Scripture declares the feasts a «statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings»Lev. 23:14,21,31,41).
Another reason for this apprehension is due to the fear of mixing the celebration of GOD’s feasts with worldly practices. Although leaders need to consider this danger as they guide their congregations to sanctify the annual feasts in honor and glory of GOD and Christ, this should not prevent people from celebrating them. In the past, true believers did not cease to witness about Jesus in the best way they could, in spite of risks and persecutions. The same should be for true believers today.
Let us contemplate once again the example left by Jesus. He observed the weekly Sabbath «in spirit and truth» even if the Israelite leaders had made its observance a burden (Jn. 4:24). He celebrated His Passover with the apostles, even knowing, in His foreknowledge, that in a few years, in some churches, such as Colossi, His followers would have dishonored His name by using His feasts to follow pagan traditions. With much greater reason, therefore, believers today, leaving aside all fears, should celebrate the feasts of GOD.
___________________________________________________________________________________
[i] Jesus by the term Law here meant all the Covenant Law given at Sinai through Moses.
[ii] Stewarton Bible School, The Festivals of the God of Israel, p. 29.
[iii] To know more on the change of GOD’s Law see, for example, Samuele Bacchiocchi’s book, Popular Beliefs – Are they Biblical? chapter 6. Sunday Sacredness, p. 193-225. To read this chapter in pdf, see: http://users.oakesdale.net/thedahls/Bacchiocchi.pdf
[iv] Ralph P. Martin, New Century Bible, Colossians and Philemon, (London, UK: Oliphants Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 1974, p. 90.
[v] Eduard Lohse, Colossians and Philemon, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971), p. 115
[vi] Ellen G. White, Redemption: or the Teaching of Paul, and His Mission to the Gentiles (Battle Creek, MI: Review and Herald Pub. Assoc., 1878), p. 65. A similar statement is made in The Seventh-day Adventist Commentary (Washington, D.C., 1975), vol. 6, p.134.
[vii] Ellen G. White, Counsel to Parents and Teachers, (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Assoc., 1943), p. 343.
[viii] Ellen G. White, Special Testimonies on Education, (Battle Creek, MI: Review andHerald Publishing Assoc., 1870), pp. 77-82.
[ix] Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 540-541.
[x] Samuele Bacchiocchi’s studies on the Sabbath include: Divine Rest for Human Restlessness – From Sabbath to Sunday – The Sabbath under Crossfire – The Sabbath in the New Testament.
[xi] Samuele Bacchiocchi, Part I: The Spring Festivals, op. cit., p.13. To read this chapter in pdf, see: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/Further_Research/Bacchiocchis%20Research/God’s%20Festivals%20vol1.pdf
[xii] At present, at Andrews University, there are professors celebrating the feasts of LORD, although the Seventh-day Adventist Church does not retain their observance mandatory.
[xiii] Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, Jiri Moskala, professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary on the campus of Andrews University, article: The Message of God’s people in the Old Testament, (Berrien Springs, MI, 2008}, Vol. 19, N.1&2, p. 27, footnote 26, referring to paragraph 3. Through Celebrating Festivals).
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
1. PASSOVER
On the fourteen day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover» (Leviticus 23:5).
The Feast of Passover (in biblical Hebrew, חג הפסח - Ḥag Pesaḥ) is the first of GOD's seven annual holy convocations. The word Pesaḥ is associated with two words: the sacrificial "lamb", (פסח) , and "pass-over", (פסיחה) by the angel of death. This is the only feast introduced before the deliverance from Egypt of Israel, GOD's first chosen people. In addition, it is the first of the three pilgrimage feasts, requiring to meet with GOD at Jerusalem.
«The LORD said: I have surely seen the oppression of My people… and I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrow. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land» (Ex 3:7,8).[i] Then, «the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months, it shall be the first month of the year to you». It is the month of Abib, later also called Nisan (Ex. 12:1,2). On the 14th day of this month, at sundown, starts the celebration of Passover (Lev. 23:4-5).
In our actual calendar, instituted by pope Gregorio XIII, this feast occurs between March and April. Scripture records the institution of the LORD's Passover in Exodus 12:1-13; 21-27; 23:18; 34:25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8 and Lev. 23:5.
Passover's main features
The word «Passover», “Pesach” in Hebrew, refers both to the feast and the sacrifice of the feast. The LORD, in fact, ordained, «keep the feast of Passover», (Ex. 12:21), and «sacrifice the Passover» (Deut. 16:1,2). «You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leaven, nor shall the sacrifice of the Feast of Passover be left until morning» (Ex. 34:25). «It is the LORD’s Passover» (Ex. 12:11).
This primordial feast has five important features: «(a) The time of its celebration… It suggests a connection with the changing seasons... (b) this feast seems always to have meant a sacrifice. (c) It can hardly be denied that the sacrifices of this feast were for the most part, if not entirely, “the firstborn”. (d) the eaten sacrifice has another side. It ranks with the "shelamin" or "peace offerings" where the common meal is central, as the means for establishing or renewing the covenant with GOD, and with one another. (e) Undoubtedly, it is part of the old tradition that the Exodus was closely connected with the observance of this ancient feast».[ii]
Passover's celebration
Exodus 12 describes the first celebration of Passover. Four days before the feast, the Jewish people chose a lamb for each household (v.3,4). The victim for the sacrifice was without blemish and a male of the first year (v.5). They killed it on the evening of Nisan 14th (v.6) and applied its blood to the doorposts and lintels of the houses (v.7,22). Then, they roasted the flesh of the lamb with fire and ate it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread (v.8). They did not break a single bone of it (v.46). If some remained, it was burned out (v.10). This signifies the immediate and eternal effect of the power of its blood.
Always according to the LORD’s order, only the males circumcised and their family could partake of the Passover meal. This means not only the persons identified by the sign of obedience to the eternal Covenant, but also all people that, as Abraham, believe in GOD’s provision of a substitutional sacrifice for the believers’ salvation (Ex. 12:43-49). No other.
A substitutive-redemptive sacrifice
The Passover sacrifice «In Exodus 12:1-13:16, occurred in connection with the tenth plague. Its function was to preserve the firstborn of the Hebrews. The preservation is possible because the Lord was willing to accept the Passover victim as a substitute for the firstborn… The Passover is here a substitutive-redemptive sacrifice. But the redemption was really the redemption of Israel from slavery in order for it to become God’s property (Ex. 19:5)».[iii]
Keep the Passover of the LORD
Moses reports the second Passover celebrated in the Wilderness of Sinai (Num. 9:1-5). While Joshua writes about the first Passover celebrated in the Promised Land by the remnant of GOD’s people (Josh. 5:9-12). Some time after this happy event, regrettably, their faith diminished. The remnant people became comfortable in the land of milk and honey. Consequently, abandoned the practice of the LORD’s laws and feasts, and followed the practices of the idolaters that surrounded them. So, centuries of deep apostasy went by bringing spiritual desolation among all the tribes. The historic books of Scripture, so much debated for their content of immorality, give a brief report of their apostasy.[iv]
Nevertheless, the LORD in His mercy raised up to the throne good king Josiah, who after studying the Law performed a great spiritual reform (2 Chron. 34:3-7; 2 Kin. 23:3). And «commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”» (2 Kin. 23:21-23). Other ones followed this great spiritual celebration. Scripture records the Passover celebrated under Salomon’s government (2 Chron. 8:13), then Hezekiah’s (2 Chron. 30:15), and in Ezekiel’s time (Ezek. 45:21).
During the period that preceded the first coming of the Messiah, Passover evolved from a sacrifice celebrated in the households to a solemn sacrifice consumed at the temple of Jerusalem. Nevertheless, its glorious theme remained the same: the commemoration of the supernatural deliverance of God’s people from slavery.
[i] The Lord came the first time to His people to deliver them from the tyranny of pharaoh. With His miraculous intervention He also presented them and to humanity how He will finally free all the faithful believers from Satan’s oppressive dominion at the end of times. This coming down was not face to face with all His people. Therefore, it can be considered it a prefiguration, “shadow”, or real type of the the second coming of the LORD, when finally His Person and glory will contemplated without veils by the entire humanity.
[ii] Dictionary of the Bible, (New York, NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911), vol. 3, p. 689.
[iii] Angel M. Rodriguez, Substitution in the Hebrew Cults, (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 1979, pp. 275, 276.
[iv] There are believers that have hard time accepting GOD and Israel of old as described in the books written before Jesus’ first coming on earth. They do not understand how He could have allowed so much violence and immorality, and why the Spirit retained those awful records in His inspired Scriptures.
It is important to keep in mind that our omniscient, omnipotent and all merciful God has always acted in the best interests of old, present and future human generations (Ex. 23:20-22). And He did so even when He guided His followers to report with their limited knowledge, vocabulary, and linguistic style, the abominations of humans transgressing
His laws, and the consequences of their own sins, as a warning to us.
What should be said instead of man? He has always allowed millions to die indiscriminately every year in the cold war of selfishness, lust and indifference toward the most vulnerable of this earth, while saying, in facts, «I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing» (Rev. 3:17).
Before evaluating God’s decisions and actions in our behalf and for our learning, let us be reminded, as was Job, also for our instruction, that the all-mighty GOD is not a man whose decisions and actions that can be discussed (Job 42:1-6; Num. 23:19).
The author of this study recommends the reading of Who’s Afraid of the Old Testament GOD? By Alden Thompson, (Gonzales, FL: Pacesetters Bible School, 2003).
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
THE SACRIFICE BECOMES REALITY WITH CHRIST
GOD informed beforehand concerning the time when the real Passover sacrifice would become reality with Christ, once and for all. Gabriel said to the prophet Daniel: «Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy» (Dan. 9:24).
These seventy weeks, according to the prophetic principle one-day=one-year, set by Scripture in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6, are 490 years (70x7days=490 years). The command to restore and build Jerusalem allows to find an approximative date. This is the decree of Artaxerxes, King of Persia, issued in the year 457 B.C.. Indeed, with this alone the people of GOD obtained the permission to restore and build Jerusalem together with its temple. No other. The Scripture that by principle interprets itself, records this decree in Ezra 7:8-26.[i]
The date of Christ’s sacrifice
Gabriel continued, «Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem, until the Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks» (Dan. 9:25-26). The «seven weeks and sixty-two weeks», are sixty-nine weeks of years, prophetically 483 years (69 x 7). If we add to 457 B.C. the 483 years we reach the time Jesus was thirty years old (30).
Gabriel finished his explanation of the seventy-weeks/490-years informing that after the killing of the Messiah, Satan, the prince of demons, by the agency of his human agents, «shall destroy the city and the sanctuary», and profane GOD’s holy things (Dan. 9:26). This is what Satan continues to do, «until the end, which is already determined», will come upon him (Dan. 9:27).
The high priest received the anointing for the priestly ministry in the Sanctuary of GOD at thirty years (See Num. 4:3). So did Jesus Christ, who is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4, Heb. 7:17). The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus at His baptism, when He was thirty years old (See Mat. 2:1,16,19; Lk. 1:32). Today, it’s impossible to calculate the exact year when His baptism took place because the calendar has been changed in 1582.[ii]
End of sacrifice and offering
After His anointment, Jesus accomplished His public ministry by teaching about the new way of salvation (see Mat. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34). Then, «in the middle of the week», the seventieth prophetic week (7 years), exactly three and a half years after his baptism (7:2 = 3 ½), He brought «an end to sacrifice and offering» by sacrificing Himself for the redemption of humanity (Dan. 9:27). In fact, He died on wood, as occurred for any animal sacrifice.
The destroyer who «cut off» the Messiah, the Prince of GOD, is Satan (Dan. 9:27). He accomplished this atrocity by manipulating the roman oppressors and the religious leaders of Israel of that time. In fact, they represent the two great categories in which humanity distributed itself since the days of Cain and Abel: the unbeliever and the believer. Satan murdered Christ, not knowing that, manifesting his hate against GOD’s Son, he would have been disclosed. While the Savior would have confirmed, once for all, GOD’s eternal covenant with believing humanity.
GOD’s eternal covenant confirmed once for all
Jesus replaced the animal “sacrifice” and the burned “offering” taking place in the court of God’s earthly sanctuary with His substitutive-redemptive sacrifice. Therefore, these two alone, ceased to have value for our merciful Father, because these alone were the tangible types prefiguring the sacrifice of His only Son.[iii] Indeed, by suffering and dying, Jesus obtained, on earth and in heaven, once and for all, an eternal righteousness for all faithful believers (See Isa. 53).
The types prefiguring the suffering Messiah and His atoning death were fulfilled in their least details. Jesus Christ gave His life in sacrifice on Passover day. His death occurred on this day for a purpose, to confirm GOD’s eternal covenant, once for all. Jesus knew that His death was to occur on the fourteenth day of Nisan (Aviv) because He knew He would fulfill the Passover sacrifice.
Jesus Christ fulfilled the Passover
Christ also knew the hour He would suffer and die to redeem His followers. Indeed, He is the true Passover Lamb, the first sacrifice accomplished in the annual cycle of GOD’s feasts. And the true Lamb of GOD, prefigured by the first and the last lamb offering of each single day.
In fact, commanded, «Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight … This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord» (Ex. 29:38-42).
In time, this continual burnt offering became known as the “Tamid Sacrifice“. The Hebrew word “tamid” (תָּמִיד) means “always”, “everlasting”, or “daily offering.” It was the sacrifice of a lamb with the offering of bread and wine. No other sacrifices were to take precedence over it, and no other sacrifices were to follow it.
Jesus Christ is the true Tamid Lamb, the «First and the Last» sacrifice and offering to GOD (Rev. 1:8). As a matter of fact, He, the Lamb of GOD, was crucified in the morning, at the «third hour» of the day, 9 am (Mk 15:25). This is the same exact hour the morning lamb was sacrificed in the temple. And Christ died, at twilight, at the «ninth hour» of the day, 3 pm (Mt. 27:46). This is the exact same hour the evening lamb was offered to end any daily «sacrifice and offering».[iv]
The Lamb of GOD
Scripture testifies that the first phase of the project solving all human problems started at the miraculous incarnation of the Son of GOD (Luke 1; see Isa. 9:6). And it finished at His sacrificial death. In fact, in the exact day determined before the foundation of the world as His Passover appointment, the Father sacrificed His Son. And wonderfully, He constituted Him Savior of repentant and believing sinners (Dan. 9:24).
The prophet Isaiah (Isa. 53) understood that the suffering Servant of the LORD is Jesus Christ, «the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world» (John 1:29).
The apostle John himself saw in heaven Jesus, in the form of «a Lamb as though it had been slain»(Rev. 5:6). And He testified that the Savior has all power, all knowledge and all authority. His «seven horns», «seven eyes», and «seven Spirits of GOD» reveal in fact Jesus’ divinity (Rev. 5:6).
Also Paul, a Jewish doctor of the Law of GOD, describes Christ as «our Passover» (1 Cor. 5:7. For this reason, he encourages believers to keep the feast in remembrance of His redeeming sacrifice (v.8). Our Savior is the «Prince of peace» (Isa. 9:6; 55:4; Mic. 5:1), and the «Prince of life» (Ac. 3:15). Let us therefore proclaim His Name until we will celebrate with Him in GOD’s Kingdom.
[i] This is the interpretation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
[ii] “There is consensus among modern scholars that the historical year of the birth of Jesus was around 6-4 Before Christ”. Romans Catholic popes have changed the calendar. Because of this, now believers cannot know the year exact. Nevertheless, thanks to our gracious GOD, we know the “season”. For more information on the changes of the actual calendar and the date of Jesus’ birth see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Domini .
[iii] See also the studies of the Stewarton Bible School entitled Behold the Lamb of God – Animal Sacrifices … are they Necessary? See also link: www.sbs777.org.uk.
[iv] For more prophecies fulfilled by the death of Jesus, see link: allaboutjesuschrist.org/prophecies-fulfilled-by-the-crucifixion-of-jesus-christ-fag.htm.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
The Fulfillment of Passover
The redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Passover. In fact, at His last Passover meal, He took the cups of wine and used them to symbolize the Covenant in his blood. Then, He said to His disciples, «Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom» (Mat. 26:27-29).
The following chart gives evidence that Jesus Christ truly is «the Lamb of God» (John 1:29). Indeed, the Passover sacrifice in Egypt freed Israel from slavery, while Jesus’ sacrifice freed God’s universal people from sin.
THE FULFILLMENT OF PASSOVER
| THE LAMB |
THE SON OF GOD |
| Exodus 12:3-5 Each family set apart a lamb, an unblemished male firstborn, four days before they sacrificed it. | John 11:47-53 The Sanhedrim condemned Christ a few days before they killed Him. |
| Exodus 12:6 Then, they kept the chosen lamb separated from the sheep. | John 11:53-54 The leaders of Jerusalem kept Jesus under arrest. Therefore, He could no longer go openly among the people. |
| Exodus 12:6 They killed the lamb at the twilight of Nisan (Abib) 14th. It occurred in the first month of the sacred calendar established by GOD. | John 18:28; 19:14; 19:31; Luke 23: 54-56 Unbelievers killed Christ at the time of the day people sacrificed the Passover lamb.
Isaiah 53:5 «He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed». |
| Leviticus 23:5; Ex 12:6 Then, they started preparing its flesh for an evening meal. | Mark 15:34-37; John 19:30 The Son of GOD died around 3 p.m., a few hours before the sunset, and the Passover meal. |
| Exodus 12:46 They did not break any lamb’s bone. | John 19:33-36 Jesus did not have any bone fractured at His death. |
| Exodus 12:8 They put the lamb’s blood on the doorposts to prevent the death of their firstborn and their entire household. | 1 Pet. 1:18-20 «You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, … but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world». |
| Exodus 12:7 They roasted the flesh of the Lamb with fire. | John 6:51 A repentant person receive forgiveness only when he believes that Christ died to expiate the transgressions of sinners. |
| Exodus 12:8 They ate the lamb’s meat with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. | 1 Cor. 5:7-8 Each individual needs to manifest sincere repentance, plead to receive forgiveness, and make efforts to sin no more to obtain GOD’s grace. |
| Exodus 12:10,46 No leftover of the lamb was to remain until morning. | Mal. 4:1-3; Ezek. 28:12-19 Christ gave His life once for all to redeem His people. Therefore, at the end of this age, only ashes will remain of sin and of incredulous, unrepentant sinners. |
| Exodus 12:19 After Passover the families had no trace of leaven for seven days. | 1 Pet. 3:10; 1 Thes. 5:23 Every believer forgiven and purified, avoids sinning in thoughts, words, and actions. |
| Exodus 12:22,23 They received freedom and protection from the destroyer because of the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes. | 1 John 1:7 «The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin».
Acts 4:12 In Jesus Christ alone repentant believers receive forgiveness of sins and liberty from death. «Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved». |
| Exodus 12:43-48 No foreigner or uncircumcised person could partake of the lamb, and be freed from slavery and death. | Rev. 21:27; Eph. 2:13; Gal. 3:29; Col. 2:11 In conclusion, no man who has rejected Jesus Christ and GOD’s Covenant Laws can partake of the reward of believers. Surely, only «those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus» will inherit eternal life (Rev. 14:12). |
In conclusion, Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death is the fulfillment of Passover. Indeed, GOD «made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him» (2 Cor. 5:21). For all humanity there is no other Savior.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
Commemoration of Christ’s Sacrifice
The commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice has to be performed on annual basis on the Passover day. Jesus Himself during His last celebration of the Passover’s meal taught His apostles what to do to commemorate His sacrifice. Matthew reported the manner in which He did it (Mt. 26:26-29; see also Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; and Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Jesus replaced with His own person all the animal sacrifices and offerings performed at the temple for the forgiveness of sin with His own Person. And from there on, at Passover, the grape juice is symbol of His blood. And the unleavened bread is symbol of his flagellated, bleeding body, offered in sacrifice for bearing our penalty.
Aside from substituting the symbols, the rituals, and the place where to celebrate Passover, Jesus didn’t reform anything else. He didn’t substitute its name, which refers to the “sacrifice” made for the forgiveness of the repentant’s sins. Neither He called it Holy Supper, or Holy Communion, even less, Easter. He didn’t changed the date of this holy day. On the contrary, He died Abib (Nisan) 14th afternoon, perfectly fulfilling even the time of His sacrificial-redemptive death.
Do not change the law of the Most High GOD
GOD has never given authority to man to change His laws. Yet, Daniel reported that there will be humans attempting to change GOD’s instructions concerning His appointed times, or holy convocations. In fact, GOD foretold him, that someone «shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law» (Da. 7:25). Regrettably, this prediction has become reality.
With the passing of time, rulers have made the change of name, date, symbols and manner of celebrating Passover. And this way, they lost view of the importance of its perfect, and supernatural fulfillment by Jesus Christ. In so doing, they also obscured the entire plan of GOD for the redemption of believers.
Jesus didn’t need to fulfill Passover as He did. He celebrated it beforehand with His apostles to show that all sacrifices really pointed to His all sufficient sacrifice. Then, He fulfilled it, once for all, replacing all the sanctuary’s types. Jesus even interpreted the types portraying Him given in ancient times. So, the apostles understood the first wonder accomplished by GOD’s Son for their spiritual redemption. And they celebrated Passover, from then on, in the manner in which Jesus instructed them to do it.
The blood of the Covenant shed for forgiveness of sin
Jesus explained to His apostles that He would fulfill Passover’s message. In fact, at His last Passover meal, He took a cup of grape juice, thanked the Father, and invited, «Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the covenant, which is to be shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins» (Mt 26:28, from NASB). His blood has ever been the only means to be forgiven, even when it was prefigured by animal blood. Here, it’s also important to notice that Jesus said that He would forgive «many», not “all” people. He will grant forgiveness only to believers who sincerely repent, and turn to faithfully obey God’s commandments.
Some people today find cruel the fact that the LORD ordained the shedding of blood of so many innocent animals. They think animals need to be protected, not killed. These individuals should be reminded that all creatures of earth, humans and animals alike, have been condemned to suffering and death by man’s sin. In reality, no one loves animals more than their Creator to which He still gives life. Who knows the LORD well understands that He is the One that suffers, and has suffered more than anyone else, in seeing His earth devastated, His animals suffering, and even His Son dying innocently because of man’s rebellion.[i]
The earthly sanctuary itself was instituted to point to Jesus’ sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. An it lost the purpose of its existence at His death. In fact, since the moment Jesus «yielded up His spirit», and the «veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom» the mediation of human priests was no longer necessary for the reconciliation with the Father (Mat. 27:50-51; see also Mk. 15:38-41; Lk. 23:45,47-49). Jesus Himself took up the function of the High Priest, the innocent ani sacrificed, and the offerings. Because of this, in the moment that He died, the Father torn the veil that separated the repentant sinner from His most holy presence.
Since then, GOD gave free access to His «most holy place» in heaven (Dan. 9:24), the place where He lives. And it’s from there, that He and our Savior direct the project for our salvation (Ps. 47:8; Mat. 5:34; Rev. 20:11). This is also why GOD allowed that Jerusalem, and the «sanctuary» be destroyed in the year 70 A.D. And, it has not been possible to rebuilt it (Dan. 9:26).
It has to be noted that the cruel death of the LORD’s Messiah did not signal the rejection of Israel’s people and GOD’s Law. It simply abrogated the «sacrifice» of animals, and the «offering» in kind, consummated by fire in the temple (Dan. 9:27). These types being replaced by Jesus Christ, gave also an end to the function of the earthly sanctuary. Since then, the LORD wished that the attention of all humanity be directed exclusively to His only Son. He is His chosen Passover sacrifice, our Redeemer. He is sitting at the right side of GOD’s throne, in the most holy place (Rev. 22:1-3). Let us therefore believe in GOD and in Jesus Christ, repent, obey, consecrate ourselves to Them, and be saved.
[i] The LORD has ordered the sacrifice of His animal creatures to engrave in the mind of man the enormous cost He and His Son would have paid to ransom repentant man from Satan, the adversary. Again, what to say instead of man? Billions of animals are killed by humanity and even by believers in GOD only for the sake of using them as food, or for satisfying their degenerated longing for meat, when they could have fed themselves otherwise. What to say also of people that today seem to show more respect and love for their animal pets than for their Maker?
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
CHRIST FORGIVES REPENTANT BELIEVERS
The Feast of Unleavened Bread proclaims that Christ forgives repentant believers. On the cross, He shed His blood and water to expiate the sins of His universal fallen people. Therefore, we need to celebrate the Passover, the Feast of Firstfruits, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread trusting in Him for our redemption. He is merciful and wishes to bless us beyond what we might ask.
The cleansing through Feet Washing
Jesus proclaimed the wonderful truth that He is willing to forgive our sins by establishing the Feet Washing ritual. During His last Passover, He f instructed His apostles to commemorate His sacrificial death with unleavened bread and unfermented wine. Then, «supper being ended, … knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded» (John 13:2, 4-5).
Christ fulfills the Feast of Unleavened Bread
By performing the ritual of the Feet Washing, after His Passover Supper, 
Jesus initiated the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In fact, the first day and first Sabbath of this feast begins at the sundown of the Passover day. And with its unleavened bread, it symbolizes the cleansing of the soul from sin (leaven). In the project of redemption, this spiritual washing is produced in the believer’s life after he accepts Christ’s sacrifice and is baptized. Consequently, this ritual gives evidence that Jesus fulfilled the message of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the least detail. In fact, by doing it, He cleansed not only the feet but also the soul of His faithful apostles.
Feet that crossed trouble waters
The crossing of the Red Sea is a symbol of baptism, which is a type that foreshadows the Feet Washing as performed by Jesus. In fact, it all goes back to the Biblical account of the deliverance of Israel from the bondage in Egypt. GOD, through the mediation of Moses, saved the Israelites from slavery. Then, He miraculously enabled them to cross the Red Sea’s waters by foot.[i] So, His people safely moved forward to the Promised Land (Ex. 14:13-30).
Also the crossing of the Jordan River is a symbol of baptism, which is a type foreshadowing the Feet Washing. Scripture reports that GOD accompanied and blessed the Israelites during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Then, under Joshua’s leadership, helped them to cross the waters of the Jordan River by foot. So, he led them in the the land GOD had promised to Abraham, making it a powerful symbol of achieving salvation by grace.
How sins are washed away
The Feet Washing ritual symbolizes, first, Christ who forgives and cleanses repentant believers. Secondly, our forgiveness of those who have offended and hurt us. This is clearly demonstrated by what happened to Him on the cross. John testifies that the soldiers responsible of executing the death’s penalty went to verify the conditions of the condemned. And when «they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead… But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out» (John 19:33,34). His is the blood and the water that cleanses repentant believers from sin.
Isaiah saw this miracle of GOD’s grace centuries before. And he attested that the Messiah, «… was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed» (Is. 53:5). This is how Christ forgives and cleanses all repentant believers from spiritual impurities. And how He gives peace to their souls.
Christ’s cleansing ministry in the Heaven
Furthermore, Jesus’ feet washing fulfills the sanctuary’s type signified by the washing done by the high priest with the water of the bronze laver. This was standing in the sanctuary’s court after the altar of burnt offerings where the lambs were sacrificed. With the water in the bronze laver the high priest washed hands and feet that made him ritually cleansed. Then, he went in the tabernacle, in the presence of the LORD. And there, he presented the blood of the lamb. Asked for mercy, and in answer to his supplication, GOD forgave the sins of His people (Ex. 38:8).
Christ truly is the eternal High Priest of GOD most High. A few days before His sacrifice, Mary’s tears washed His feet, anointing Him to accomplish His priestly mission (Luke 7:36-50). Then, on Calvary, He willingly shed His blood and water to cleanse all repentant believers. He alone has the authority to cancel the sins and purify the conscience and soul of the repentant. Only Christ is able to make a believer pure, holy, and ready to enter the Kingdom of GOD. No other.
The Cleansing Water in the Sanctuary of GOD
Christ’s body is the antitype of the bronze laver, its stand and its content. The laver was of bronze as was the altar of the burnt offerings. Even this particular feature is rich in spiritual meaning. It reminds of the bronze serpent that was lifted up to cleanse GOD’s people from the poison of the serpents. The people who believed, repented and looked up to that type of the Redeemer, survived from the snakes’ poison (Num. 21:9; 5-8). In similar manner, Christ cleanses repentant believers from the poison of their sins.
What redeems man is not belonging to a church or a nation, is not trusting in human beings, as great as they may be. It is not a high reputation or the accumulation of means and success in this life. What makes men acceptable to our heavenly Father, and prospective citizens of His future kingdom, is Jesus, our Savior. He explained clearly, «I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me» (John 14:6). Surely, He is «the lamb of GOD who takes away the sins of the world» (John 1:19). He is the eternal Mediator between GOD and men, and the only One who can purify body, mind and soul.
Forgive One Another
It is important to notice that Jesus gave a precise example to follow, when He washed the feet of His disciples. In fact,«when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you» (John 13:12-15). Therefore, we need to forgive others if wish to be forgiven.
Our Savior gave proof to be merciful and willing to forgive even the worst sin of repentant believers. He gave proof of this when He prayed for the forgiveness of His tormentors: «Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing» (Luke 23:34). He will plead also for your forgiveness. Forgive those that have offended and hurt you, as did Christ. Avoid doing what is evil, following Christ’s example, and He will save you.
Remission of sins to be preached in Jesus’ Name
Since Jesus’ Passover Supper and His institution of the Feet Washing ritual, He wishes that «repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem» (Luke 24:47). All people, should know that, even before the foundation of the world, He decided to sacrifice His Son, in the eventuality man would fall prey of His enemy. The unbeliever that is perishing for lack of knowledge, need to know that since the first sacrifice accomplished in Eden (Gen. 3:21), «the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord» (Rom. 6:23).
Christ, the Giver of Living Water
To the Samaritan woman who ashamed of her sins was going to the well searching for water in the full heat of the day, Jesus said, «Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst… the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life» (John 4:13-14). This promise of abundant and perennial life is for all repentant believes. Adam and Eve benefitted of it, when they acknowledged their sin and became ashamed of it. Let us therefore not hide behind futile excuses and ask Chr on a daily basis, «Sir, give of this water that I may not thirst» anymore (John 4:15; Mt. 6:12-13).
Christ, invites all sinners to trust in Him, repent of whatever sin they have committed, and ask forgiveness. «’Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool» (Is. 1:18). Let us believe in this promise and go to Him sincerely repented, assured that He will grant forgiveness.
The pure water of Life
Finally, the water of the Feet Washing reminds of the river «that went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four rivers» (Gen. 2:10). The first parents of humanity could not drink of its water because of their sin. The believers in Christ, those that He has purified, will see its waters in the New Kingdom. They will drink from the «pure water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb» (Rev. 22:1), and thirst no more from anything they are now longing for.
Therefore, until Christ returns invite others, «Come!». «And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life”» that the LORD freely gives to all who believe in His wonderful Son (Rev. 22:17).
[i] Is it not amazing that even the Red sea, the people of GOD had to cross to obtain final freedom from pharaoh’s persecution, has the color of blood?
[ii] For more information on the extraordinary events that occurred in the Bible times and in particular at the death of Jesus-Christ, see: Findings Confirming the Bible – The Greatest Biblical Archeology Discoveries of all Time, by Ron Wyatt, The Truth always Adds Up, by Ron Wyatt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euCeXXAcAnU and Forbidden Pictures Revealed – Did Ron Wyatt tell the truth? By David Gates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ubKUip6pz0
David Gates interviews Dr. David Kim, who made 12 trips behind military fences in Saudi Arabia and climbed Mt. Sinai to collect evidence of a Red Sea crossing. Amazing photos and artifacts. Published on July 6, 2013.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
The step that introduces a new life
Christ in His preaching pointed at the baptism by immersion as the step that introduces believers to a new life. Jesus taught that knowledge of Scripture and faith alone, are not enough to live pleasing GOD. Actions demonstrate a living faith. And the first step of faith is to sign an eternal agreement with Him through a conscious baptism by immersion. Furthermore, Jesus’ baptism at the age of twenty-seven or thirty, shows that it is a conscious, personal decision. And this signifies that He requires a baptism by immersion at a mature age.
The Scripture assists in understanding the spiritual event that takes place at baptism. In fact, it compares the new life of the believer starting at baptism to the birth of a baby. It declares, «whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God… This is He who came by water and by blood – Jesus Christ, not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three who bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one» (1 John 5:1,6-8).
A new spiritual life
Today, there are mature people professing to believe in Christ, yet not willing to follow His teachings and commands. And taking Scripture lightly, they do not commit themselves to follow His example of baptism. Nevertheless, rejecting to accomplish this official and public demonstrations of faith, they neglect to fulfill the prerequisites necessary to please GOD. And they do not allow Christ to forgive, purify and prepare them for His new kingdom.
Notice that Christ did not need a baptism of repentance. Yet, when John the Baptist, hesitated to baptize Him, He «said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness”» (Mat. 3:15). It is therefore fitting also for every believer to start a righteous life with a baptism by immersion.
Baptism and Redemption
«He who believes and is baptized will be saved» stated Jesus (Mark 16:16). Therefore, skipping the first step that introduces to a new spiritual life, thinking that things will be all right anyway, is a pure illusion. Who believes in Christ, acts according to His examples, His commands, and puts Him first of all. And who does not put also Christ first, in reality does not want Him as Savior, either. Consequently, the refusal to obey, prevents the Savior from cleansing them as He wishes to do.
Jesus was baptized by immersion in adult age before GOD, men and all the intelligent beings of the universe. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit, having convinced about Jesus and our sinfulness, prompts to sign an eternal agreement with GOD for our redemption, let us take His example seriously, and be baptized (Col. 3:1-3).[i]
[i] For deeper presentation on baptism see: Samuele Bacchiocchi, Popular Beliefs – Are they Biblical? chapter 10. Infant Baptism (Berrien Springs, MI: Biblical Perspectives, 2008), 379.348-379.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
Forgive to be forgiven
Forgive all your Neighbors
Jesus taught by words and example that to love our neighbors means to do them good and forgive them. He explained this universal principle in the prayer He gave as a model. With it, He taught that we have to ask to our Father who is in heaven , «forgive our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us» (Luke 11:4). This also means that we need to forgive to be forgiven by GOD.
Then, Jesus gave a reminder of it when He instituted the Feet Washing ceremony. It is, in fact, a representation of how our Savior forgives us washing away our transgressions. Consequently, how we have to forgive others who have hurt us by not imputing and accusing them for their offenses. Jesus ordained, «for I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you» (John 13:15).
How many Christians celebrate the Feet Washing, and put into practice the command to forgive others as Jesus did and forgave us? It is of vital importance to forgive and forget if we want to be spiritually cleansed. Jesus didn’t give a short way to obtain the covering of our transgressions. Our Redeemer encouraged his followers to pardon seventy-times seven, meaning to forgive and forget always and completely (Mat. 18:34).
The new life with Jesus is a spiritual growth that produces perfection of character when we follow His example. This rebirth takes place only when the believer makes all efforts to show, evidently and continually, an active faith. In fact, words and actions, truly demonstrate that a person loves GOD with all his heart, mind and strength. As, words and actions, also show that he loves his fellowmen to the point of forgiving them all the times (Mat. 22:37-40).
Jesus gave His supreme example of forgiveness at His crucifixion . As He was suffering unjustly, because of the wickedness and sinfulness of others, He pleaded, «Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do» (Luke 23:34). Therefore, how much more are we, sinful and wicked as we are, to forgive those who sin against us.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
THE SUPPER IN HONOR OF THE LORD
The Passover’s message will be fully fulfilled in the New Kingdom of GOD at the wedding meal of Christ. It will be the glorious Supper in honor of the Lord. He Himself pronounced this promise at His last Passover meal in Jerusalem. He said to His apostles, «With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you, I will not longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God» (Luke 22:15,16).
As the first Passover in Egypt took place close to sunset of Nisan 14th, and as the sacrifice of Jesus took place on the 14th of Nisan (Abib), around the same time, so He gives to His universal people an appointment for the future «night of solemn observance to the LORD» (Ex. 12:42). Jesus will come surprising many who are not taking His words and promises seriously (1 Thes. 5:2). But it will not be so for those who truly love Him, put into practice all His instructions, and patiently prepare themselves to feast with Him in the glorious «night of the LORD» (Ex.12:42).
“Take and Eat”
At the beginning of our human tragedy, Satan, the adversary of GOD and man, mixing lie with truth persuaded Adam and Eve to “take and eat” of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil prohibited by GOD (Gen. 3:6). Before disobedience, the glory of the LORD covered the first two humans and they were not ashamed of their nudity. (Gen. 2:24). Only after their transgression, for the first time, Adam and Eve realized they were naked (Gen. 3:10). «Nakedness in the Bible means more than being unclothed. The biblical symbol suggests weakness, neediness, and helplessness (Deut. 28:48; Job 1:21; Isa. 58:1; Rev. 3: 17,18)…
«The human couple makes pathetic attempts at self-concealment (Gen. 3:7). Out of His compassion God replaces the futile efforts with His own provision for them (vs. 21). And also so it is today. God covers our nakedness with His glory and righteousness… The human race would have to live with the fatal consequences of that knowledge until someone else would say, “Take and eat” (Mat. 26:26). Jesus turns those two verbs from precursors of death into a foretaste of eternal life, because He who is God, chose to humble Himself unto death to save us (Phil 2:6-8)».[i]
«The marriage of the Lamb» will soon take place (Rv. 19:7-9). Until that glorious Supper in honor of the Lord will come, Jesus Himself, on yearly basis, at Passover, still invites us, “take and eat” . «Taste and see that the LORD is good» (Ps. 34:8).
[i] Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Beginnings and Belongings, Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, October-December 2006, (Silver Spring, MD), p. 45.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
2. FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (חג המצות) follows immediately Passover. Its institution is recorded in Exodus 12:1-3, Leviticus 23:5-8; Numbers 28:17-25; Deuteronomy 16:3-4,8.
Its celebration starts on the 15th of Nisan (Abib), at the sunset of the 14th, and last seven days. The first and seventh day are Sabbaths, days of worship, and absolute rest from any lucrative activity.
As the name indicates, GOD’s people abstained from eating leaven (yeast) during this feast. In addition, they also removed any kind of fermented food from their homes (Ex. 12:19).
For this feast, the LORD required that the males of His people go to Jerusalem to meet in His presence. At the temple of GOD they joyfully brought thanksgiving gifts for His overabundant provisions (Deut. 16:16; Lev. 23:8). While, to the Levites the LORD ordered an offering by fire for each of its seven days (Lev. 23:8).
In a particular way, the unleavened bread of this feast commemorates the manna that GOD provided directly from heaven to feed His people. In fact, Scripture reports that during the entire forty-years journey in the desert, Israel received daily this wholesome food (Ex. 16:31, 16:35; Deut. 8:3; Josh. 5:12; Num. 9:20).
After the remanent of Israel entered in the land promised, «the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”…Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. And they ate the produce of the land; and the children no longer had manna, but they had the food of the land of Canaan that year» (Josh 5:9-12).
Centuries later, another remanent of the people of God returned to their promised land after the exile in Babylon. And again, they started their religious celebrations with the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Filled with gratitude, Ezra reports, «the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month… ate together… And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD made them joyful» (Ezra 6:19-22). Even today, because of GOD’s redemption and blessings, we are called to celebrate this feast with thanksgiving, gratitude, and joy.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
CHRIST IS THE GIVER OF LIFE
The Feast of Unleavened Bread proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Giver of Life. Scripture testifies this because Jesus declared, «I am the living bread, which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever, and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world» (John 6:48,49).
Then, He pointed to His blood as the fulfillment of all the animal sacrifices. He said «Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day» (John 6:53-56).
Jesus’ statements do not mean that He is bodily in the unleavened bread that we eat to commemorate His sacrifice. In fact, no one has ever eaten living bread, with life in it. That’s why our Redeemer continued explaining, «he who feeds on Me will live because of Me» (John 57). Since the creation of this world and of Adam and Eve, Christ is the Giver of life. In addition, because of His redemptive sacrifice, «whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life» (John 3:16).
Our Savior spoke in a very symbolic way of spiritual realities. He taught that we have to believe in Him. It is necessary to interiorize that He was sacrificed, and His blood was shed, for the expiation of our sins. Eating of Him signifies to depend completely on Him and His Word. He exhorts all believers to follow His footsteps and examples on a daily basis. As humans eat food on a daily basis, so we have to trust in Jesus daily for forgiveness of sins, and physical and mental strength, to be spiritually healthy. He is coming back soon to gather His elects. As He promised, in that day, He will raise up those who are resting in the sleep of death. And, together with the faithful living, He will make them incorruptible and immortal.
«the Bread of Life»
The Feast of Unleavened bread brings also to memory the table of showbread. It was positioned on the north side of the Holy Place in the sanctuary of GOD with twelve breads on it. These were symbols of His trusting and obedient people distributed in the twelve tribes of Israel. Today, they also represent believers in GOD and Jesus Christ from all the nations the earth.
In addition, the table of showbread was set with all the necessary utensils for partaking a meal. Week after week, the priests ate the twelve breads and put on it twelve new ones to remain always in the presence of the LORD (Ex. 25:23-30; 37:16). As humans need daily food, so the believers need Jesus, «the Bread of Life» to survive spiritually in this world (John 6:35-63) . Only Him will enable them to sanctify their soul and live eternally in the presence of our most Holy GOD.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
BELIEVERS AVOID SIN
The seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread reminds believers to avoid sin, and be winners with Christ over every temptation. The Savior who has not sinned, desires that His followers be nourished by His love, justice and truth. Therefore, let us pray and ask constantly for His blessings. He is the One that can enable us to be holy, and winners with Him over every temptation.
«Purge out the old leaven»
The transgression of GOD’s Law has a destructive power upon man. For this reason Jesus exhorts repeatedly His followers to get rid of its curse (Mat. 16:16-12; Mark 8:15)[i]. Believers need to avoid sin, and make efforts to purge out their life from the «leaven» of the Pharisees of ancient time. It represents wickedness, false doctrines, avidity, false religious zeal, distortion of the true spiritual values, omission of justice and love (Mat. 23:14-36). They have also to remove the «leaven» of the Sadducees who lived at Jesus’ time. It symbolizes skepticism, intolerance, cruelty, lack of appreciation of the inspired Scripture and of the power of GOD (Mat. 22:23-29).
Paul wrote about the urgency of abandoning «leaven» such as incredulity, pride and selfishness. He explained to the Corinthians, «Your glorifying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth» (1 Cor. 5:6-8).
How to avoid sin
As it has been evidenced the Feast of Unleavened Bread reminds that GOD sent down from heaven the manna. For forty years, during the entire journey of Israel to the promised land, He provided this nutritious unleavened bread (Ex. 16:35). In the same way, today, every believer needs to feed from GOD’s Law and the testimony of Jesus on daily basis. To ro please the LORD it is necessary to interiorize Scripture, its instructions and promises. This is the provision and the way to be spiritually strong and overcome all the challenges of our journey.
In fact, «… while Passover is the type of Christ’s death Godward, the seven day feast of the unleavened bread, points to the whole course and character of the believer’s life on earth, from the day of conversion onward».[ii] Let us «Repent, therefore» and consecrate our heart, mind and soul to follow Jesus’ example and avoid sin. He can purify us and the Spirit can guide and sustain us with His empowering gifts, to be victorious. Indeed, «He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat», promises our Redeemer (Rev. 2:16-17).
[i] Yeast is presented as the agent that makes the kingdom of God grow only in the sanctuary and in Mat. 13:33.
[ii] Ritchie, p. 29.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
JESUS CHRIST SUSTAINS THE FAITHFUL
The Feast of Unleavened Bread testifies that Jesus Christ sustains all the faithful believers, physically mentally and spiritually. As He delivered Israel from slavery and sustained it in the desert, so He will do for each true believer. Furthermore, the seven days assigned by the LORD to this feast give the assurance that He is in control of time. And He has already fixed a precise duration for the preparation of all His followers. «The church in which there will be no ungodly sinners, none of the devil’s children, but only those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, made pure and beautiful in Christ» will at GOD’s perfect time become an eternal reality.[i]
The Marriage Supper of Jesus Christ
John saw a preview of the joyful Feast of Unleavened Bread that the people of GOD will celebrate in heaven. There, he heard them proclaim, «“Alleluia! For the LORD Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in white linen, clean and bright, for the linen is the righteous acts of the saints… “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”» (Rev. 19:6-9).
Bread-manna of the Tree of life
The Feast of Unleavened Bread foretells also that Jesus Christ will sustain the faithful forever, as He did in Eden. At the beginning of humanity, Adam and Eve fed themselves with the fruits of the Tree of Life. Then, they fell into Satan’s trap, transgressed GOD’s command, and the destructive power of sin. Consequently the LORD declared, «“The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. Therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden» (Gen. 3:22,23 NIV).[ii]
Instead, Jesus Christ, at each Feast of Unleavened Bread, invites all His followers to prepare themselves for His Marriage. First, though, He requires that they purify themselves from any sinful practice. This is necessary to enter His new Paradise and taste a new bread-manna, the fruit of the «tree of life». Its fruit will be new every month, and it will have the properties to sustain life eternally. While, its leaves will be «for the healing of the nations» (Rev. 22:2).
Body and Mind eternally healthy
The Feast of Unleavened Bread reminds that, at the beginning, GOD established a perfect diet to sustain the physical health. The LORD does not change. In Eden, HE said to our first parents, «every herb that yields seed which is on the face of the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food» (Gen. 1:29). The same will be in the New Earth. In the New Eden, there will not be carnivores, persons that profess to love animals, and then eat some of them to please their appetite.
All believers should remember this in order to prepare themselves for the New Kingdom of GOD. It is necessary to take good care of our own body and mind, by eating and drinking according to the ideal diet given by our Creator. As it is important to start respecting all living creatures that have the breath of life in them. Paul, also exhorts, «whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God» (I Cor. 10:31).
Be confident, Jesus Christ sustains the faithful to walk in purity of mind, heart and soul. And look forward to tasting each month a new delicious fruit that will keep us eternally healthy.
[i] Walter L. Wilson, Wilson’s Dictionary of Bible Types, (New York, NY: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., New York, NY, 1957, p. 487.
[ii] GOD in the last revelations given to John, makes implicitly clear that diet in the New Earth will be vegan.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
3. FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS
The Feast of Firstfruits is GOD’s third annual feast. It occurs on the second day of the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:11; Deut 16:9). It celebrated the first grain harvest of the sacred year, the barley. And it started the counting of the seven weeks bringing to the celebration of the second grain harvest, the wheat.
GOD commanded,
«When you come into the land which I give you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD; to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it». «It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings» (Lev. 23:9-11,14,15)
For the Feast of Firstfruits, GOD commanded the believer to take a sheaf of barley and give it to the priest. And to the priest He explained, «Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God. So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house» (Deut. 26:10,11). The sheaf of firstfruits was accompanied by the sacrifice of a lamb without blemish. And an offering of fine flour mixed with oil was added (Lev. 23:10-14).
Recounting GOD’s blessings
The Feast of Firstfruits is another yearly commemoration of the liberation of Israel from slavery and oppression. Gratitude and praise to GOD filled the hearts of the Israelites because of His mercy, blessing and provision. And they joyfully recounted, «My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt a. But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us.
Then we cried out to the LORD God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and looked to our affliction and our labor and our oppression.
So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders…
And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you O LORD have given me…» (Deut. 26:5-10).
Even today, the Feast of Firstfruits calls believers to give thanks to GOD for the gift of freedom from sin. This is indeed a joyous feast of worship and rejoicing before the LORD for all His wonderful works, and blessings.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
CHRIST IS RESURRECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE
The Feast of Firstfruits proclaims that Christ is resurrection and eternal life for all who belie. In fact, it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and of those believers resurrected with Him… when «the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves, after His resurrection, they went into the city and appeared to many» (Mat. 27: 51-53). The number of the firstfruits of this resurrection is unknown, but surely they were «many» (Eph. 4:8).
Christ fulfilled perfectly this feast. Indeed, He died on Nisan (Aviv) 14th , rested on the first Sabbath of the week of Unleavened Bread, and resurrected on the following day. On Nisan 16th, «Christ is risen from the dead, and became the firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep» (1 Cor. 15:20; Luke 23:56; 24:1-7).
Christ is the Firstfruit of the dead and the living
On the very day of the Feast of the Firstfruits Jesus resurrected from the dead. «Now…The first thing Christ must do was to appear at the presence of the Father and hear from Him the blessed words that His death was not in vain, but that the sacrifice was accepted as amply sufficient. So He must ascend to the heavens above and hear from the Father Himself the words of assurance; than He must come back to earth again to those who were yet sorrowing for His death, not knowing that He had been raised, and show Himself openly. This He did».[i]
The offering of the sheaf of firstfruits waived before GOD sanctified the entire harvest of the earth. Similarly, Christ who is resurrection and eternal life, presented Himself to the Father to ask blessings for His followers. And since His resurrection, purifies and sanctifies believers that trust Him as their personal Savior (Rom. 11:16).[ii] Finally, at His return, He will resurrect the dead, and to all the faithful ones, resurrected or alive, He will grant full liberty, peace and joy.
[i] M.L. Andreasen, The Sanctuary Service, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Asso., 1969), p. 218, 219.
[ii] Robert Jamieson, D.D. and others, A Commentary Critical and Practical on the Old and New Testaments, (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1945), vol.1, p. 497.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
The only immortal Son of man
The Feast of Firstfruits proclaims that our Creator and Savior is the only immortal Son of man. Of all humanity «our Lord Jesus Christ… the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords… alone has immortality» (1 Tim. 6:14-16). All other humans are mortal. Because of sin, all men have become victims of suffering and death. If an individual does not obtain redemption from Jesus, will be subject also to the «second death». This is the final destruction from which there is no resurrection (Rev. 20:6).
Although Scripture declares this truth, many still believe in the lie of Satan: «You will not surely die» (Gen. 3:4). Among these believers, some teach that the body alone dies at the first death. While the soul remains conscious because it is immortal. And, if it’s good, goes up in Paradise. If it’s bad, goes into purgatory to purify itself. And if the soul is irremediable evil goes into the inferno to be tortured for eternity. Others instead believe that the soul, or the spirit of the dead person, reincarnates in new bodies to progress by itself to a state of spiritual perfection, goodness and wellbeing. But Scripture doesn’t state such things.
The dead know nothing
The inspired Word of GOD declares that when a body has in it the «breath of life» given by God it becomes a «living being», a living person (Gen. 2:7). Then, when the Creator withdraws the «breath of life» the person dies and the body decomposes and returns to dust. In fact, it declares, «The living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing… Nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun» (Eccl. 9:5,6).
Without doubt, Scripture doesn’t attribute an intelligent, conscious soul, or spirit, to a dead person whose body naturally decompose in just a decade (cf. Ps. 115:17; Isa. 26:14). Therefore, we should not believe in the immortality of the soul. Even less, we should try to contact our dear ones who are dead, thinking they are alive in another dimension.
The human soul is not immortal
Referring to the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil that was in Eden, the LORD that never lies, warned our first human parents, «You shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die» (Gen 2:17). But, not knowing what death really was, Adam and Eve didn’t take seriously enough the words of their loving Creator. Even today many humans do not want to accept the fact that if they transgress God’s Law and sin, will die not only of the first death but also of the «second death», that is annihilation (Rev. 20:6).
Satan since the origins of humanity tried to inculcate spiritual confusion in the mind of man. And he did it by introducing to Adam and Eve the theory of the immortality of the soul. He used this deception because he knew that humans, being limited in the knowledge of the spiritual world, could never prove the falsity of his statement.
Seek no medium
Still today, Satan deceives humans reproducing or telling facts of the dead and the living that he and his evil angels know well because they were invisibly present when they occurred. These malefic angels, through possession of mediums, perform strange phenomena, that seem real. They do them to keep people in confusion and to manipulate weak persons for their own evil purposes. Their plan is to diminish the importance of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to save us and give us back eternal life. Truly, this doctrine of the immortality of the soul has to do with the kingdom of demons. We do not see it and do not know it at all. While Satan and His angels see us, know our limits, and use them against us, for our perdition.
Our heavenly Father, caring for our present and future wellbeing, prohibited the practice of these things (See Lev. 19:26; 20:6; Deut. 18:10, Jer. 27:9; Zac. 10:2). He recommended, «Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God» (Lev. 19:31). And considering so abominable these practices, for the safeguard of His people commanded: «A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death, they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them» (Lev. 20:27).
GOD delivers from the Evil One
The immortality of the soul, which in essence means the immortality of man, is of pagan, Egyptian, Babylonian, and Greek origins. It doesn’t come from the mouth of GOD, neither from his true followers.
If Adam and Eve were by nature immortals, the LORD would have said it. Instead, He stated to our first sinful parents, «dust you are, and to dust you shall return» (Gen. 3:19; cf. 2:17; 3:3). Dust is inorganic, doesn’t see, doesn’t hear, doesn’t speak, doesn’t suffer, and doesn’t rejoice. Dust cannot understand us, cannot talk to us, cannot comfort us, cannot help us, cannot predict our future, cannot repent and cannot meet intelligently with (Eccl. 9:5,6).
On the other side, Jesus Christ casted out demons from afflicted individuals many times (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37). And in accomplishing those miracles, offered a consistent portrayal that demonic possession exists to steal souls to GOD, kill and destroy. Because of this, in the prayer that He gave us as an example, He taught to ask GOD to «deliver us from the evil one» (Mt. 6:13). Indeed, only our Father who is in Heaven, and Jesus Christ, have the divine power and authority to free us from Satan and his demoniac partners.
Now is therefore the time to choose. Believers still confused on this immortality issue need to be assisted in deciding once for all whom to believe, if Satan, the father of lies, deception, sin and death, or GOD, the Father of truth, love, and life.[i]
When the first death will come, this rest without consciousness, only dust will remain of every human being. Our loving Creator has originally formed everyone of His living creatures on earth from dust (See Gen. 2:7; cf. 1:30). And when a person returns to dust, will not have a second chance to know, love and obey GOD and His beloved Son. Truly, this actual existence is the only sure possibility granted to man to decide and act in view of preparing for the new kingdom of GOD and for an immortal life.
[i] For deeper study on the state of the dead see: Samuele Bacchiocchi, Popular Beliefs – Are they Biblical? Chapter 2. The Immortality of the Soul, and 3. Life after death, pp. 45-103. To purchase these books see web: www.biblicalperspectives.com.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
THE FAITHFUL ARE THE FIRSTFRUITS OF GOD
The Feast of Firstfruits foretells that faithful believers who follow the example of Christ are the firstfruits of GOD. After the exodus from Egypt, «Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest» (Jer. 2:3). Also all other faithful people, who, since then, have established a covenant with GOD through Jesus-Christ, have been sealed «as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth» (2 Tess. 2:13). In fact, Jesus says, «My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My Father’s hand» (John 10:27-30).
The faithful shall never perish
This third annual feast foreshows a wonderful promise that our Savior validated with His resurrection on this same holy day. This promise is that «the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord» (John 8:34). Indeed, Jesus’ resurrection gives assurance to the faithful dead that they will be raised up from the dead. Whoever believes in GOD’s only Son and put into practice His commands, will see this promise fulfilled. «For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life» (John 3:16,17).
This feast presents also a warning for all people. It is, «whoever commits sin is a slave to sin», and «the wages of sin is death» (Rom. 6:23). Faithful believers and non believers can experience the dreamless sleep of the “first death”. But impenitent sinners will experience also the «second death», «in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur» (Rev. 21:8). That is their final destruction, extermination, annihilation and extinction from GOD’s universe.
Jesus will resurrect the faithful
Before the tomb of his friend Lazarus, whose body was decomposing for four days, meaning beyond any possibility to be reanimated, Jesus declared, «I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this»? This is still the question Christ addresses to each human being who has heard speaking about Him.
Let your answer be, «Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world» (John 11:25-27). And, even if you will experience the first death, at His return, He will wake up to life eternal.
Surely the marvelous testimony of the Feast of Firstfruits for each individual believer is this, «God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God» (1 John 5:11-13).
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST
The Feast of Firstfruits points out that the dead in Christ will rise first at His Second coming. Our Savior resurrected on this holy day confirming once and for all that He has power over life and death. His own glorious resurrection gave undeniable proof of it.
Because of this, Paul explains, «I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, about the state of those who are fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus…
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first … Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words» (1 Thes. 4:13-14).
The Scripture reports the resurrection of numerous believers after the death and resurrection of our Savior. Matthew even testifies that «They… went into the holy city and appeared to many people» (Mat. 27:52-53). This event confirms that Jesus Christ is able to resurrect a multitude of faithful ones at the same time.
Therefore, «Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection». «On such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ» (Rev. 20:6).
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
Living forever
The Feast of Firstfruits points to the fact that, through Christ, the firstfruits of humanity will be living forever. This has always been the will of GOD for His human family. This holy day, in fact, brings to memory that the LORD had provided for our first human parents a tree whose fruits perpetuated life.
It is not the LORD who wills and causes suffering and death on this planet of His. Instead, it is Satan and the spiritual and moral cancer of sin he introduced in the Garden of Eden. It is the evil contamination that would have been better Adam and Eve, our first human parents, had never experienced.
Created to be perfect and immortal
Indeed, when Adam and Eve tasted sin for the first time, too late they realized its deadly effects on themselves. Too late they understood that because of sin they were no longer like the LORD, pure, perfect and immortal. But, day after day, they became more similar to Satan, the father of hate, lawlessness, lies, corruption, idolatry and violence. And following in the footsteps of their enemy, themselves started to perpetuate suffering and death. (cf. Rev. 12: 7-9; Gen. 3:1-5; 1 John 3:8; John 8:44).
Forever alive
Yet, GOD remained faithful to the purpose He created man for. And provided , through His beloved Son, the best solution to terminate the oppressive dominion of Satan. In fact, «by man came death… as in Adam all die». Yet, through Christ, all believers will be living forever. «But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, after those who are Christ’s at His coming» (1 Cor 15:21-23; cf. 15:13-24). This is our assurance and only hope. No other.
Paul explains, that at Jesus’ Second Coming, believers who trust in Him and obey GOD’s commandments, will experience a new birth. In fact, the faithful who are «…dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible has to put on incorruption, and this mortal has to put on immortality». Since now, let us therefore proclaim, «thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ» (1 Cor. 15:21-23; 15:54-57, 26).
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
4. FEAST OF WEEKS OR PENTECOST
GOD commanded,
«You shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD» (Lev. 23:15,16)
GOD refers to this fourth annual convocation as «the Feast of Weeks, of the Firstfruits of Wheat Harvest» (Ex. 34:22). In addition, He calls it «the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors» (Ex. 23:16). Instead, its name “Pentecost”, meaning “fiftieth”, derives from the Greek language. With it, Greek-speaking Jews indicated this annual Sabbath day because it falls fifty days after the Feast of the Firstfruits.[i] However, this study will refer to this holy appointment as GOD Himself named it, in Hebrew, the «Feast of Weeks».
The LORD, for His annual convocations, requires three pilgrimages to Jerusalem And for this holy Sabbath day, He established the second pilgrimage.
The two breads offering
The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, is the LORD’s fourth annual meeting with His people. It is also the intermediate in the feasts’ annual cycle. In fact, it stands between GOD’s first three feasts in the spring and last three feasts in the autumn. In the sacred calendar, it falls on the sixth day of the third month, named Sivan, in Hebrew. Instead, in the Gregorian calendar it occurs between the end of May and the beginning of June.
On this holy day heads of families have to present themselves before the LORD with a new offering of thanksgiving for the blessing of the second harvest (Deut. 16:16; Ex. 34:23).
Scripture records the main features of this holy day of thanksgiving for the wheat harvest in Leviticus 23:9-22, Numbers 28:26-31, and Deuteronomy 16:9-12. The religious leaders, following GOD’s commandment, prepared two loaves made of fine wheat flour. «They were the first fruit of that season, being offered unto the Lord by the priest in the name of the whole nation (see on Ex. 34:22).
The bread used at Passover was unleavened – a difference which is counted for, – that the one was a memorial of the bread hastily prepared at their departure (from Egypt), while this was a tribute of gratitude to God for daily food, which was leavened».[ii] The presentation of the two loaves for the Feast of Weeks was an offering that allowed the LORD to sanctify the entire harvest of His people. It was God’s power, manifested in nature that motivated them to bring as a gift to the LORD the «firstfruits».
The blessing of GOD’s Law
Furthermore, on the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, the high priest read GOD’s Law before all the pilgrims (Lev. 23:21). For this reason, later, it became a commemoration of the giving of GOD’s Law during Israel pilgrimage at Sinai. And this transformed it into a joyful celebration of the harvest and of the day the LORD’s Covenant was established.[iii]
[i] Herbert G. May Bruce M. Metzger Eds., The new Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1973), p. 151.
[ii] R. Jamieson, p. 498.
[iii] Isaac Klein, A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice, (New York: The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1979), p. 147.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
CHRIST IS THE HIGH PRIEST OF GOD
The Feast of Weeks proclaims that Christ is blessing believers as the High Priest of GOD. In fact, the high priests who served in the sanctuary of GOD were types of Christ, our High Priest. And, they enacted the ministry He is accomplishing in the Tabernacle of Heaven on behalf of any sincere repentant who believes in Him.
Lovingly, since Adam and Eve sinned, the Father Himself designated Christ «to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins» to all repentant believers (Acts 5:31, 32; Rev. 5:9-12).
Christ our High Priest
At the first Feast of Weeks of the Messianic era, on the fiftieth day after His resurrection, Christ entered the tabernacle of Heaven (Heb. 9:12). And, there He started His ministry as High «Priest of God Most High» (Gen. 14:18).
Scripture testifies that our Redeemer and Intercessor is not a successor of a human priest, but of Melchizedech, the «King of righteousness» and «King of peace» of the entire universe (Heb. 7:1-3). Therefore, Christ, as Melchizedech, «remains a priest continually», forever (v. 3, 15-17).
Furthermore, Melchizedech did not present to GOD animal sacrifices, but «bread and wine» (Gen 14:18). And, similarly did Jesus at His last Passover Supper in Jerusalem. In fact, on that holy evening, He established that the unleavened bread and unfermented wine would be symbols and reminders of His body and blood offered in sacrifice to GOD for the expiation of sins.
The earthly and heavenly high priest
This chart below shows that in Christ, the High Priest of GOD, the old earthly priesthood met its antitype. And, when Christ was «cut off» on Calvary, the spiritual values of each animal «sacrifice and offering» were made to cease (Dan. 9:27).
| The earthly high priest – the type | Christ, our heavenly High Priest – the antitype |
| Heb. 7:28; 5:1 Earthly priest called among the people. | Heb. 4:14, 15; 2:16-18 Jesus, our High Priest taken from humanity. |
| Heb. 5:4 The priests did not appoint themselves. Ex. 28:1 Aaron was appointed high priest by GOD, and, his sons, as regular priests. Num. 1:47-52; 3 The remaining men of the tribe of Levi were helpers to the priests. | Heb 5:5,6 Christ appointed by the Father.
Rev. 1:5,6 Jesus through the agency of the Spirit appointed His faithful disciples as His witnesses. |
| Lev. 4:27-31; 16:30 The main function of the priest’s service was taking away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before GOD. | Heb. 9:22; Mat. 26:28 The main purpose of Jesus’ life and death is to expiate sins, save and bless believers. |
| Lev. 1o:16-18; 6:30 The blood or eaten flesh of every animal sin offering was taken into the tabernacle by the high priest. | 1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53; Heb 9:24, 28 Christ bore our sins in His own body. |
| Lev. 4:5,6 The blood was presented before the LORD in the sanctuary. | Heb. 9:12 Christ entered the heavenly Tabernacle of GOD Most High with His own blood. |
| Num. 28 and 29, Heb. 9:6 The priest entered daily in the holy place of the tabernacle to perform the services for forgiveness of sins. | Heb. 9:9,11,14 Jesus’ ministry in the first part of the heavenly Tabernacle continues daily throughout the sacred year. |
Christ offered Himself to GOD
On the Feast of Weeks, the high priest presented two breads to GOD. He commanded, «You shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two-tenths part. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord» (Lev. 23,17).
Even this ritual points to Christ. First it foreshadows Him offering Himself to GOD and interceding for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus Himself spiritually speaking testified to be «the true bread from heaven». In fact, He declared, «Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven» (John 6:32). «For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world» (John 6:33).
Secondly, the presentation of the two breads on the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, points to the first Jew and Gentile believers that believed in Christ and that He purified, and offered to the Father.
Christ alone is our Mediator
Christ alone is our Mediator. He alone does not need, day after day, «to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered Himself» (Heb. 7:26,27). Therefore, people who still depend on human mediators,[i] reject the ministry that Jesus is performing on their behalf in the Tabernacle built by GOD.
Ou explained, «No one comes to the Father except through me» (John 14:6). This means that we only need Jesus Christ for our redemption. No other human being, male or female, dead or alive, on earth or in Heaven, can replace Him. «For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus» (1 Tim. 2:5,6).
In conclusion, only Christ can act as our representative before GOD, because only Him has the authority and power to save us, and reconcile us to GOD.
[i] The mediation of Mary is not biblical. This subject is well explained by Samuele Bacchiocchi, Popular Beliefs – Are they Biblical? (Berrien Springs, MI: Biblical Perspectives, 2008), p. 235-237. See book online at http://www.biblicalperspectives.com.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
Jesus’ Activity in Heaven
The Feast of Weeks foretells Jesus’ activity in Heaven as our High Priest and Mediator . In fact, after His sacrifice on Golgotha, the Most Holy Place mentioned by the prophet Daniel was anointed (Dan. 9,24). This is no longer the Israelite temple because it ceased to be God’s dwelling place at the moment Christ died. It’s instead the true Tabernacle of GOD in the Heavenly Jerusalem, where Jesus entered after His ascension. There, Christ, the High Priest of the eternal Covenant, inaugurated His work, by an act which corresponded to the anointing of the earthy tabernacle (see Ex. 40, Num. 9:15, 1 Kin. 8:10).
In fact, after His resurrection, our Savior has being continually active on behalf of all His followers. He blesses by «sustaining the church (Rev. 1:13,20), mediating repentance and forgiveness to believers (Acts 5:31; 1 John 2:1,2; 1:9), making our prayers acceptable to God (John 16: 23-24; Rev. 8:3), providing us with the invisible yet real assistance of His angels (Heb. 1:14; Rev. 5:6; 1:16,20), and bestowing upon believers the essential gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33)».[i]
Christ makes intercession on behalf of repentant believers
The Feast of Weeks by celebrating the ingathering of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, portrays Christ daily blessing His followers, the wheat-people.
Indeed, Scripture explains, «Now,…We have a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man» (Heb. 8:1-2).
«He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them» (Heb. 7:24-25).
Christ makes propitiation for the sins of His people
Christ alone has all the power and authority to pardon sins, save, and sustain believers. «For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham». He is the only Savior and Mediator we truly have. For this purpose Jesus became a man, «like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted» (Heb. 2:16-18).
The activity that Jesus accomplishes in the GOD’s Tabernacle was also prefigured by the function of the daily sacrifice. As a matter of fact, the high priest sacrificed two male lambs of the first year, every day. The first lamb, offered in the morning, initiated the animal sacrifices. The second lamb, offered in the evening, ended all other sacrifice (Num. 28:1-10).
Christ consecrates faithful believers to GOD
After the sacrifice, the high priest took some of the coals where the lamb was consumed by the fire. And he brought them in the Holy Place, on the altar of perfume to burn before GOD continuously. That perfume always pleased GOD. Therefore He always pardoned all repentant believers living near and far from Jerusalem (Num. 28-29).
The daily sacrifice, the high priest, the ritual of the perfume represented the all sufficient sacrifice of Jesus. It also prefigured Christ as High Priest interceding for His people (Rev. 8:2-4; Dan.12:10; see At 1:5; 2:33; 9:31; Rom. 5:5; 15:13; 16; 1 Pet. 1:2;12). And finally symbolized «the daily consecration of the nation to Jehovah, and their constant dependence upon the atoning blood of Christ».[ii]
Christ gives access to the throne of GOD
«Within the physical layout of the ancient Israelite camp, the ordinary Israelite worshipper stood several barriers removed from the sanctuary’s innermost sanctum. To gain physical access, it would have been necessary to get by the buffer of priests and Levites and areas surrounding the sacred enclosure. But now, says the author of Hebrews, Christ, our heavenly Priest-Mediator, has opened a door of unlimited access to the heavenly sanctuary itself, the throne room of the living God… »
«Though we do not know the exact form of Jesus’ intercession for us, Scripture offers examples of the idea, albeit from a human standpoint. Two of these occurred in the life of Moses, in connection with the rebellion of Kadesh (Num. 14:10-20), and in connection with the golden calf affair (Ex. 32:9-14, 30-32). These are powerful passages. “But now,” Moses pleads with God in that last reference, “please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written” (vs.32, NIV). We also witness such forms of priestly intercession in Daniel (Daniel 9) and in Jesus’ great prayer before His passion (John 17)».[iii]
Plead with Christ to obtain grace
Jesus’ substitutive, cleansing and sanctifying sacrifice on the cross of Calvary has definitively replaced and abrogated all the sacrifices that the Israelite high priest offered day after day, week after week, and year after year in the court of the earthly sanctuary. Nowadays, as believers repent, Jesus cancels their sins from the records in the heavenly books. In addition, the Spirit assists them with His gifts to be loyal partners of Christ, and royal priests of GOD.
Our Savior cares for us and, on daily basis, assists us in all we need. «For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need» (Heb. 4:15,16).
[i] Samuele Bacchiocchi, Part II: The Fall Festivals, p.165, 166.
[ii] Ellen G.White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p.352.
[iii] Seventh-day Adventist Church, Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, April-June 2008. The Wonder of Jesus, Principal contributor Roy Adams, (Denmark: Stamborough Press, Ltd.) p. 142. Web site at: http://www.absg.adventist.org
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
God sent on earth the Holy Spirit
On the Feast of Weeks after His resurrection, Christ with the approval of GOD, sent the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. About 120 messianic Israelites, as represented by the twelve breads in the Holy Place, were gathered to celebrate this feast. They were praying and rejoicing together for the wonders Jesus had accomplished on behalf of Israel and humanity. As Christ had promised, the Spirit visited them and comforted them with His solemn, loving and powerful presence (Acts 2). At the same time, He granted His gifts and enabled them to be Jesus’ testimonies among mankind. He also sealed them with the citizenship of GOD’s Kingdom.
Christ’s spiritual Gifts
It is our Savior that through the Holy Spirit provides for all our spiritual needs. John explains, «God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth» (John 4:23,24). Indeed, only Christ can purify us, sanctify us and equip us believers to be worshippers pleasing and honoring GOD.
Paul declares, «to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift» (Eph. 4:7) ). According to the promise, after Christ resurrected and «ascended on high, … gave gifts to men» (Psalm 68:18). Even today, our Savior is able to bless believers in GOD and in Him beyond their hopes and expectations.
Indeed, Christ «Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry» (Eph. 4:11-12). It is Christ who gave to the apostles the ability to recruit souls for GOD’s Kingdom and enterprise on earth. Through the Spirit, Christ gives capacities to spread GOD’s Law and the Good News of salvation through Him. He enabled the apostle John, Peter and Paul to know GOD’s plans for the future and become prophets. He gives wisdom and compassion to become pastors capable to nurture and protect believers young and old, rich and poor. Again, Christ gives knowledge and understanding to become teachers able to explain the Word of GOD and His testimony of Christ.
Restored in the image and resemblance of Christ
We should rejoice and be thankful for this extraordinary event that happened on the first Feast of Weeks after Christ’s resurrection. Since then, our Savior is managing the forgiveness and cleansing of His repentant people from the throne of the Universe. While on earth, the Holy Spirit blesses, guides, and transforms believing souls. «… So that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ» (Eph. 4:12-13). Let us therefore acknowledge the ministry that Christ and the Holy Spirit are accomplishing to prepare us for GOD’s Kingdom, in a special way, on the Feast of Weeks.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
What we know of the Spirit of GOD
Today, we still do not know much about the Holy Spirit. But this we know. The Spirit loves us as a divine Mother and gives us truth, love and joy to share with others. We need Him to be holy as the Father is holy, meaning to be transformed in the mind at the perfection of the Father (See Mat. 5:48; John 17:23; Col. 4:12; Heb. 10:14; 12:23; James 1:4; 3:2; 1 John 4:12,18). Without His assistance no one will obtain the citizenship for the kingdom of God. In fact, no human being can become, by his own efforts, holy and perfect as our Father is. Even if a person tries with all his good will and strength, cannot succeed in sanctifying the soul.
There are people who confuse the Holy Spirit with His powerful gifts. Therefore, do not acknowledge Him as an intelligent Person. Jesus Christ affirmed that those who don’t believe in the Spirit of truth as a Person, cannot receive Him. They «neither see Him nor know Him» for who He really is, therefore He cannot help them much (John 14:17). In fact, how can the Spirit teach the truth to people who do not consider Him an intelligent Guide? An Agent of GOD, not acknowledged as such, cannot accomplish His role. Neither can He richly bless an individual or a community of believers.
The Spirit of the Lord makes us free
«Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty» (2 Cor. 3:17). Only the Spirit can free from spiritual and mental handicaps and make us progress to reach the condition that will give us access to the God’s new Paradise.
We need therefore to pray to GOD, morning and evening, as the ancient priests did, for the forgiveness of our sins and for the bestowing of all the Spirit’s powerful gifts to overcome the trials of this actual life. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to live trusting and pleasing GOD and Jesu Christ in thoughts, words, and actions. Indeed, it is also Him who sustain us to obey God’s commandments, and accomplish Gospel commission. He did it for Christ’s disciples, at the Feast of Weeks following the resurrection of our Redeemer. He is willing to do it for us, too.
Morning and evening, we have also to thank our Father who is in heaven. «For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind» (2 Tim. 1:7). He does not make us timid, but instead gives us courage in fearful situations.
In addition, we need to praise our Savior, «who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood» (Rev. 1:5). And proclaim His Name for it is He who has made us believers «free from the law of sin and death» (Rom. 8:2). And because, by the agency of the Holy Spirit, although we are limited and fragile, He has already given us the privilege to be His human partners, «kings and priests to His God and Father» (Rev.1:6).
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
The Spirit’s empowering activity
Since the first Feast of Weeks after Christ’s resurrection, the Holy Spirit has empowered believers in an extraordinary manner. Jesus explained how He will accomplish His role. «The Helper, the Holy Spirit, that the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you». He also added, «when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment» (John 14:26; 16:8; Mat. 28:19). Furthermore, Jesus declared, «God is Spirit» (John 4:24). Therefore, «worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him» (John 4:24,23). Indeed, Christ and the Holy Spirit are assisting believers to worship our Heavenly Father in spirit and truth.
Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit
John the Baptist stated about Christ, «I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire» (Mat. 3:11). Our Savior and Lord fulfilled this prediction in the least detail. In fact, on the Feast of Weeks following His resurrection, He blessed His followers with a powerful spiritual companion. And this is what Christ is still doing for the spiritual wellbeing and preparation of His universal people.
The Spirit sanctifies the character
Peter, is one of the examples of how the Spirit acts transforming the character of Jesus’ followers and empowering them. He was sometimes impulsive and rash, such as when he jumped out of boats while fully clothed to reach Jesus. Sometimes, he was doubtful. In fact, while walking on the water, he lost faith in Jesus, and started sinking (Mt. 14:29-31). He was also fearful and even denied Jesus three times (Mat. 26:69-75).
Yet, at the first Feast of Weeks after Christ’s resurrection, He blessed him with the gifts the Holy Spirit. And, miraculously the impulsive Peter became a boldly and successful informative agent of Jesus. He spoke boldly of His Savior persuading many to trust in Him. Called people to repent and turn to Jesus and to GOD to obtain salvation (Acts 2:33; 5:30-32). And was transformed in a compassionate and loyal spiritual leader who glorified GOD and Christ. Be assured, what our Father did for Peter, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, He can do it also for you and me.
GOD is willing to give the Holy Spirit
Jesus exhorts us to ask the Father to grant us the companionship of Holy Spirit, and His gifts. He says, «If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him» (Luke 11:13). Indeed, the Father is willing to send the Holy Spirit, if we ask Him in Jesus’ name (John 14:16). This is the promise of Jesus, and His word is true.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
BELIEVERS ARE GATHERED TO GOD
About three thousand (3000) Israelites converted to Christ at the Feast of Weeks that followed His resurrection (Acts 2). They, together with His faithful apostles, represent the firstfruits of souls gathered to GOD by the Holy Spirit. That assembly consisted of Jews and Gentiles believing in GOD and in Jesus Christ.
The firstfruits of God’s people
The Feast of Weeks, or Feast of «Pentecost marks the initial fulfillment of the prophetic vision of the ingathering of God’s people from all nations to the uplifted temple of Zion and the going forth of the Law to teach all the nations (Is. 2:2-3; Mic. 4:1-2; cf. John 2:19; 12:32)». [i]
In antiquity national Israel represented the firstfruits offered to the Father, purified by His Lamb, and sanctified by His Spirit. Of Israel of old, in fact, «Thus says the LORD: “I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown, Israel was holiness to the LORD, the firstfruits of His increase» (Jer. 2:3; see also Hos. 9:10).
Today, the firstfruits belonging to GOD are Universal Israel. In other words, they are Jews and Gentiles converted to Christ. All those Messianic believers who live in Jerusalem, and also «all that are far off, every one the Lord our God calls to him» (Acts 2:39)».
GOD’s firstfruits are all the wheat-people who respond to His call in faith and love for Him and His Messiah. Those who are putting into practice the laws, statutes and instructions of His constitution for humanity. They are the ones who are teaching God’s Word to others. And those that are looking forward to the Second Coming of Jesus to be reunited to Him fore.
Christ’s offering of souls
The Holy Spirit guided, sustained, and sanctified 3000 Jews and Gentiles having genuine love for GOD and His beloved Son. Amazingly, He accomplished this miracle in the perfect timing of seven weeks (7×7=49 days). Then Christ, on the 50th day, exactly at the Feast of Week following His resurrection, presented them to Father. GOD knew exactly the time this would happen because He had it predicted by the Feast of Weeks itself. Indeed, He knew even the name and number of those first Israelites who accepted His Son as their personal Savior.
The Holy Spirit knew them, too. In fact, it is He who brought their faith to spiritual maturity in the perfect period of seven weeks (7×7) after Christ’s resurrection. In the same manner and His perfect timing, the Holy Spirit guides, sustains, and sanctifies all Jews and Gentiles having genuine love for GOD and His beloved Son.
The final harvest of holy firstfruits
James acknowledging to be part of the firstfruits offering of that season, states, «Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures» (James 1:18).
Finally, speaking of the consecration of Jesus’ first disciples, Paul declares that they will sanctify all the future human harvest of the LORD. In fact, he explains, «if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy, and if the root is holy, so are the branches» (Rom. 11:16). Of course, this miraculous sanctification would take place by the energizing power of the Spirit in the mind of believers, until Christ will return and make them incorruptible, holy and perfect citizens of GOD’s Kingdom.
[i] Samuele Bacchiocchi, Part I: The Spring Festivals, p.192.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
A new citizenship
The Feast of Weeks reminds the first seven weeks the Israelites took to reach the mountain of GOD, Sinai. In fact, fifty days after the exodus, at the feet of this mountain, rejoicing, Israel accepted GOD as their King. And GOD accepted them to be His people, giving them His Law, and the citizenship of His Kingdom.
A Covenant relationship with GOD
In addition, the Feast of Weeks is the memorial of GOD entering into covenant relationship with His first chosen people. After, in their human spiritual limitations, they broke the agreement several times. Nevertheless, the LORD, in His compassion and forgiving mercy, promised a new covenant. And he made the same promise also to all Gentiles who would have joined them in faith, as Ruth did (Ruth 1:16,17). He «This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people» (Jer. 31:34).
It is at the first Feast of Weeks after Jesus’ resurrection that the fulfillment of this promise started to take place. Indeed, with the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Father validated, once for all, His promises. And, since then, this holy day celebrates the believers’ entrance into partnership with the Father through Jesus Christ.
GOD’s Covenant Law
The message of the Feast of Weeks connects believers with GOD’s Law. The agreement the LORD established at Sinai contained the instructions for every person to obtain the citizenship for His kingdom. Jesus went to prepare a new promised land in heaven for believers. He exhorts His followers to put into practice every commandment to be ready for living with Him eternally (John 14:1-4).
The application of GOD’s constitution for fallen humanity brought many benefits to Israel and its leaders. King David and Solomon are examples of how His people can be blessed if they trust and obey GOD (see Mat. 5:3:11).
Also the experiences of other messianic believers prove that the blessings of a humble and joyful obedience are true. «If a person has God’s laws in his heart and mind, these will guide his every thought and action. People who reject God’s laws think that this New Covenant is fulfilled in some secret hidden way, without their being aware of, or even having knowledge of God’s laws.
The purpose of the New Covenant is to make true followers of Christ constantly aware of, or even having knowledge of GOD’s laws. God does not change. He judged Israel for not keeping His laws, and now that Christians have entered into Israel’s covenant, will He not now judge them for similar transgressions? He will judge them more severely because Christians have a covenant that gives them much greater advantage in obeying God».[i]
Indeed, Scripture attests that the Father grants the citizenship of the New Earth and New Heaven through Jesus. Yet, Christ writes the name of loving, faithful, obedient believers in the «Book of Life» (Rev. 3:5, 13:8, 20:12). Therefore, let us love, trust and obey. And greatly rejoice remembering this wonderful promise on yearly basis, at the time set for the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. AnBecause our Covenant with GOD has not been made through animals, but through Christ Jesus, the divine Lover of our souls.[i] J. L. Porter, p. 110, 111.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
The Law of GOD for humanity
GOD for the Feasts of Weeks, or Pentecost, required the second pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He did so, to let the priests read the legislation of the Covenant before the men that were head of households (Lev. 23:21). The Law of GOD for humanity is one. Only later, scholars classified it in three categories, named the Moral, the Ceremonial and the Civil Law.
1. The Moral Law
The Ten Commandments – The Decalogue (Ex. 20) is the personal testimony the LORD wrote with His own finger on two stones. It is a summary of His constitution, meaning the eternal Covenant He made with fallen humanity at Sinai.
Christ did not abrogate the Decalogue, because the laws of the LORD do not need any amendment or abrogation. In fact, «The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul… The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether» (Ps. 19:7-9).
Firstly, love GOD
During a discussion, Jesus answering a specific question, presented two universal moral principles. First, what is right and good to do in our relation to GOD. Second, what is right and good to do in our relation to our fellowmen. Jesus said, «‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment» (Mat. 22:37-38). This first universal moral rule is a summary of the first four commandments of the Decalogue (Ex. 20:1-11).
Secondly, love your neighbor
Then, our supreme Teacher added, «And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’» (Mat. 22:39). This second universal moral rule summarizes the remaining six commandments of the Decalogue (Ex. 20:12-17).
Again a summary is not an abrogation. Jesus Himself gave evidence that the Ten Commandments are still binding. In fact, He put them fully into practice and in the deepest sense, honoring the Father, and loving all others to the point of giving His life for their eternal wellbeing.
Today, Jesus promises even to us, «If you love me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth» (John 14:15-17).
2. The Ceremonial Law
The true worship – The second category in which GOD’s legislation was classified was named by theologians ceremonial law. This contains in types all the details of the project that the Deity is implementing to solve all human problems, and all the practices for the true worship pleasing GOD (Luke 22:42). Jesus did not abrogate this one, either. According to prophecy, He was crucified and «cut off» from the living for our redemption (Dan. 9:26,27). Accomplishing this, His sublime person replaced the «sacrifice and offering» presented to GOD in the temple, bringing to an «end» their practice, but surely not the truth of their spiritual message.
Jesus, in fact, prayed to the Father, loved Him, and accomplished His will. He went in the synagogues, Sabbath after Sabbath, to preach and teach about the Father, His Kingdom, and His constitution. In addition, He also went at the temple in Jerusalem at every annual pilgrimage-feast. There, He referred to each feast’s types to preach that the redemption of man would be accomplished by Himself, together with the Father and the Spirit.
3.The Civil Law
The principles of good government – The third category was named the civil law. It includes the rules concerning positive human relationships, management of justice, public and individual holistic welfare, and successful economy. This was decreed for the internal safety, wellbeing and prosperity of Israel and all the other nations and persons that would have learned from Israel to govern their people with justice, love and truth.
These three man-made categories form GOD’s unique Law for fallen humanity. If we change one, or take away one, or pick up only some instructions, here and there, as it seems suitable to our limited human minds, it is no longer GOD’s Law, but man’s.
Christ never sinned
Jesus gave a perfect example of what it means to trust and obey GOD. He is our firm foundation when we have doubts on what and how to obey. Indeed, Christ, during the weekly and annual Sabbaths and all the other days of His life, glorified the Father. He pleased Him by putting into practice all the instructions of His eternal Covenant. If He had not done so, He would have been a sinner like all humans. But thanks to His dependence from the Father and the Spirit, He never sinned. This signifies that He respected even the smallest detail of GOD’s Law in love, justice and truth. Even today, the example that Jesus left to us has to be followed closely. In fact, there is no other way of life that honors Him and our Father who is in heaven.
Today many believers have a distorted understanding of the character of our heavenly Father and of His Law, the Torah. Not knowing Him and Scripture well, quite a good number of them have reached wrong conclusions. One of which is that the LORD, during the period that preceded Jesus’ first coming, behaved with man too harshly.
While others affirm that the Law given at Sinai was appropriate for the hard-neck Israelites of antiquity. While modern believers, being more mentally and spiritually evolved than Israel of old, do not need to follow all those strict rules. But this is human nonsense, for the simple reason that the Most High GOD has always been righteous and good with all His human creatures past and present. He has always been perfect in everything.
A perfect Covenant Law
Therefore what was legislated on mount Sinai because it came out of His holy mouth, was and remains perfect and immutable. Jesus, as He stated, came only to fulfill GOD’s perfect Law, to teach it straight, and to give an example of how to put it into practice in love, justice and truth. Only those who do not know their GOD, and do not see their own sinful condition, can state that there was some fault in the Most High and in His Law.
Those who reject the Law given on Mount Sinai stating that is not actual and pertinent to our way of being and living today, in reality accuse our perfect Father of not being just and good enough with all His human creatures past and present. And in doing so, implicitly, imitate His enemy and their own enemy, Satan, who deceived the parents of humanity with, more or less, the same lie. They do not realize that in doing so, they dishonor GOD’s holy name, transgressing the first three commandments (Ex. 20:1-8).
People who are spiritually confused, who want to live according to their own convenience and inclination, follow easily this satanic intellectual trap. They ignore that if some of GOD’s laws were to be made obsolete, Jesus, who, being the Son of God and the Son of Man, could legitimately have changed them, would have done it [i]. Then, He would have clearly informed His apostles about the necessary amendments, and in turn even us. As He informed Daniel about the ceasing of the sacrifices and offerings at the Messiah’s death (Dan. 9:27). And He reformed the symbols of Passover, at His last Supper on earth.
[i] On the perpetuity of GOD’s Law see also: Seventh-day Adventists, General Conference Ministerial Association, Seventh-day Adventists Believe…An Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2007), p. 263-280.
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
Love is GOD’s universal rule
Love is GOD’s universal rule. «The love of God… [is] poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit» (Rom. 5:5). It is the most precious gift that we could receive from the Spirit for developing a perfect character (Mat. 5:48). In fact, «Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part» (1 Cor. 13:8-10).
The Holy Spirit can fill our minds and hearts with pure, holy love for God and our fellowmen. He did it for Christ’s first disciples on the Feast of Weeks that followed the Savior’s resurrection. And many souls accepted Christ as their Savior. And Jesus in turn, presented them as a pleasing offering to GOD.
«The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God» (Rom. 8:16). And He is eager to fill our hearts and minds with agape-love. Surely, His love divine will take away all our fears. And finally, will enable us to serve our Father who is in Heaven with pure love and passion (1 John 4:12).
God’s love in action
The evidence that believers follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s example, is given by a life filled with «love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control» (Gal. 5:22,23). If one of these qualities is not present in our life, it means we have not yet given space to the full measure of GOD’s love in our hearts. And we are in need to urgently ask the Spirit for it. Because «in Jesus Christ… faith working through love» is what avails (Gal. 5:6).
Therefore, let us ask the Holy Spirit to makes us holy, faithful and perfect as our Father who is in Heaven. Furthermore, let us plead Him to transform us in the image and likeness of Jesus. So that even us may «be called children of God» (1 john 3:1).
Chapter:
[ FEASTS OF GOD ]
Love is the Spirit’s greatest gift
Love for GOD, Jesus, and His earthly creatures is the Spirit’s greatest gift to believing humanity. Out of love for perishing souls, the Spirit, on the Feast of weeks that followed Jesus’ resurrection, gave to the first Messianic believers the capacity of speaking in foreign tongues.
Indeed, out of love for Christ, He empowered them to proclaim intelligibly GOD’s plan of salvation through faith in His unique Son. Many Jewish pilgrims, no longer Hebrew speakers, had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks. (Luke 24:53, Acts 1:4,5). And the Spirit took this excellent occasion to bless them with the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.
The gift of tongues
On the Feast of Weeks following Christ’s resurrection, the Spirit accomplished a great miracle of love. He gave to the disciples of Christ the capacity to preach intelligently about Christ in foreign languages to many foreigner auditors. And, «they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?» (Acts 2:7-8).
Indeed, the «Holy Spirit did for them that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime. They could now proclaim the truths of the gospel abroad, speaking with accuracy the languages of those for whom they were laboring. This miraculous gift was a strong evidence to the world that their commission bore the signet of Heaven. From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate, whether they spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign language».[i]
Confusion about the gift of tongues
Regrettably, today, many believers are really confused on the nature of the Holy Spirit, and about His gift of tongues. To the point that they retain that this gift can even be the emission of sounds not understood by others. Yet, the Scriptures do not testify that this is what the disciples of Christ did. On the contrary, they spoke so clearly that their blessed auditors declared, «we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God» (Acts 2:11).
The Spirit with His gift did not exalt the disciples, but our merciful and wonderful Father. Him who «so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life» (John 3:16). In addition, those auditors of the Good News did not fall unconscious to the ground. Neither, they fell in a trance or in an unconscious hypnotic state, as it happens in some religious meetings today. Instead, many of them trusted more in GOD’s promises and in Christ for their salvation.
The gift of prophecy
Already at Paul’s time, some Corinthian believers sought to receive the gift of tongues above all. Yet, Paul exhorted them, «Pursue love, and other spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy» (1 Cor. 14:1). For prophecy, he meant to ask the Spirit for the capacity of giving an intelligent and understandable testimony of God’s Word. One which is in harmony with Jesus’ teachings, and that clearly informs about His messages and predictions.
Probably, some Corinthian believers desired the gift of tongues because it is a more noticeable gift. Even today, in fact, the gift of tongues gives special status in the church. Yet, Paul is contrary to the speaking of tongues that no one can understand. For this reason, he explains, «if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak in tongues and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all,… and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you» (1 Cor. 14:1-3;23-25).
The gift of love
Peter encourages believers to love and bless all people GOD leads on our way. He exhorts, «Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing» (1 Peter 3:8-9).
So, let us seek love and the gift of prophecy above all. In addition, let us pray GOD help us to become more like Jesus, true witnesses of His Written Word. And plead the Spirit to enable us to release love and blessing into our relationship with our spouse, family, neighbors, co-workers, and all others. So that many souls may believe in Christ, trust God’s Word, repent, obey, and obtain eternal life.[ii]