And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.’” (Lev. 23:1–2)

We need to pay attention to the Lord’s feasts and even celebrate them in the light of the New Testament, for they signify events that are directly related to us. These seven feasts are represented as the seven lamp lampstand: “. . . there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left” (Zech. 4:2b–3).

Jesus is the base on whom the lampstand is standing. Through Him and by God’s Spirit, these feasts will come to pass: “For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.” (Zech. 3:8c) and “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6b). The two olive trees represent the two witnesses from Revelation 11: “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth” (Rev. 11:4). I believe these witnesses are coming sometime after the “great sign in heaven of a woman” in Revelation 12. It is also possible that the 42 months (Rev. 11:2) of their witness will overlap with the 1,260 days of the woman’s time in the wilderness (Rev. 12:6) and 42 months of the Beast (Rev. 13:5).

Let’s go through all the Lord’s feasts quickly to better understand how the Lord communicates through them and why it is important to pay attention to them. Jesus completed the first of three feasts in one Jewish month in the spring and within one week. They enable those who believe in Him to stay clear of sin through His blood and wait for His glorious return to be resurrected into wonderful new life with Him in eternity. These are the three spring feasts:

1. Passover (Lev. 23:5): “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29) Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God, whose blood is holy and powerful enough to redeem us from the power of sin and satan.

Application: Jesus’ blood was spilled for the forgiveness of our sins, removing our curses, healing our bodies, and rebirthing our dead spirits (born-again experience). We are to drink wine, which symbolizes His blood, to remember His suffering and what He has done for us. We no longer need to bring animal sacrifices to wash away our sins. Instead, when we repent, His blood washes away our sins.

2. Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:6–8): “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst’” (Jn. 6:35). Jesus was free of sin and a living sacrifice, suitable before the Lord to be pierced for our transgressions.

Application: Jesus is the unleavened bread. As His disciples, we are to be free of sin and flee from it. When we fall into sin because of our fallen nature, we have the blood of Jesus to cleanse us, if we repent and confess our sins to Him (1 Jn. 1:8–10). We are to eat unleavened bread as His body at communion: “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 old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:6b–8).

3. Feast of Firstfruits (Lev. 23:10): “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 15:20). In the Father’s eyes, Jesus is the first among His brothers and sisters (which is His Church, saved and adopted by His blood) to be resurrected into life. Those who believe in Him will be resurrected with Him (1 Cor. 15:51–52).

Application: We need to put Jesus and serving God first in our lives. All other preoccupations should come next; otherwise, they will take the place of God and become our idols.

The summer feast is completed through Jesus, who promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

4. Feast of Pentecost (Lev. 23:15): “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1–4). This feast was possible only because of Jesus’ sacrifice. The Holy Spirit can dwell in us through His blood, which purifies us.

Application: Jesus Christ is with us through the Holy Spirit: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (Jn. 14:18). The Holy Spirit has enabled people to write the New Testament Scriptures, spread the gospel for two thousand years, and lead multitudes to salvation. The evidence of an indwelling Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, as demonstrated in the Day of the Pentecost. This is the summer and the perfect time to get saved, serve the Lord, and bring Him much fruit.

She Divides the Spoil by Natalya Vazemiller.

Copyright © 2018 Natalya Vazemiller

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