WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS STUDY THE FESTIVALS OF THE LORD?

Today, millions of people who profess to be followers of Christ acknowledge that the babe found lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes was born king of the Jews. Yet, far too few realize that the roots of their religious beliefs are, and will always be, Jewish. Most Christians view their faith as a new Gentile religion founded by the apostles Paul and Peter. In actuality, Christianity is the acceptance of the Jewish Messiah as both Savior and Lord. In fact, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. Romans 11:11

THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL

Some may contend that we are living in an age of grace, and therefore the Jewish Festivals no longer hold significance for the believer. For many it does not matter whether we choose to celebrate Easter and ignore Passover, or hang Christmas ornaments and neglect the observation of the Feast of Tabernacles. Of course what one chooses to celebrate is not an essential salvation issue, but has the church forgotten that our Savior is the Holy One of Israel?

For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:3a

HE WILL RULE THE NATIONS

A millennium before the birth of Christ, the mode of Israel’s worship was ordained by the LORD. The tabernacle in the wilderness and the House of the LORD in Jerusalem were patterned after the heavenly temple. When the Lord returns, He will rule the nations from Zion seated on His throne in His temple and the nations will go up each year to Jerusalem to worship the King.

Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. Zechariah 14:16

THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH

Not only did our Creator choose to incarnate as a Jewish baby and live his life as an observant Jew and rabbi, the King of the Jews was crucified and then gloriously resurrected as the eternal Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. When He returns, the LORD will be King over all the earth.

In Luke 24:44, Jesus himself declared to two of his disciples while talking with them on the road to Emmaus, “… Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17

The prophets and writers of the Gospels and New Testament epistles gave forth the Scriptures under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit within the culture and context of a life lived as prescribed in the Torah and according to the lunar Hebrew calendar. To better understand the teachings of Jesus and the prophetic passages of the Bible, it is essential to study how Messiah Jesus fulfilled the spring cycle of biblical festivals in His First Advent and how He will fulfill the fall cycle of biblical festivals in His Second Coming.

THE FESTIVALS ARE PICTURES OF CHRIST

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17

The seven annual Festivals of Yehovah are not only celebrations of God’s provision and deliverance but foreshadow the Messiah. They are symbolic pictures of Christ

If you missed my series, "Revealing the Mysteries of the Bible" just click on the links below:

Part I - Introduction:
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/revealing-the-mysteries-of-the-bible

Part II - "Hebrew Pictogaphs"
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/hebrew-pictographs

Part III - Numerical Values of the Hebrew Letters
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/numerical-values-of-hebrew-letters

Part IV - Puzzling Questions in the New Testament Answered
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/puzzling-questions-in-the-new-testament-answered

Part V - The Trinity Revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/the-trinity-revealed-in-the-hebrew-scriptures

Part VI - The Mystery of God Accomplished at the Rapture
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/the-mystery-of-god-accomplished-at-the-rapture

Part VII - What Do “Hallelujah,” “Shalom,” and “Amen” Really Mean?
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/what-do-hallelujah-shalom-and-amen-really-mean

Blessings in Yeshua, Steven Sherman
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