(Lev 23:4) 'These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.
There were seven feasts of Jehovah in the Old Testament that God prescribed for worship. They are all found in summary form in Leviticus 23. But the feasts were not only historic but also prophetic in regard to Christ. It’s a rich devotional study and I pray you are blessed!:
PASSOVER (Lev 23:4-5): Historic: A perpetual memorial of the circumstances surrounding the redemption of the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. (see also Exo 12) Prophetic: The death of Christ on the cross as the Passover Lamb. (1 Cor 5:7) . . . For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
UNLEAVENED BREAD (Lev. 23:6-8): Historic: Celebrated the exodus from Egypt. Reminded the people they were leaving the old life behind and entering a new way of living. (see also Exo 12:14-28) Prophetic: Points to the sinlessness of Christ and the sanctification of the believer in the world. (1 Cor 5:7‑8) 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. 8 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.
FIRSTFRUITS (Lev 23:9-14): Historic: Firstfruits was an expression of gratitude to the Lord for his blessings upon their harvest. (see also Deu 26:1-11) Prophetic: Christ is the first of the dead to be resurrected. (1 Cor 15:20) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. “Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19)
PENTECOST (Lev 23:15-22): Historic: Celebrated fifty days after Passover. Showed joy and thanksgiving over the bountiful harvest. Also called Feast of Harvest and Feast of Weeks. (see also Deu 16:9-12) Prophetic: The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and thus began the ingathering of souls in the New Testament era. (Acts 2:1, 4) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place . . . and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
TRUMPETS (Lev 23:23-25): Historic: The Feast of Trumpets (later called Rosh Hashanah or New Year’s Day) ushered in the civil year. Israel remembered God’s goodness. (see also Num 29:1-6) Prophetic: The rapture. (1 Th 4:16) 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. (Also, the regathering of Israel at end of Tribulation – Mat 24:31).
DAY OF ATONEMENT (Lev 23:26-32): Historic: A day of mourning over sins and to purify the priest, the people, and the tabernacle. (see also Lev 16) Prophetic: Israel’s national conversion at the Second Coming. (Zechariah 12:10) "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
TABERNACLES (Lev 23:33-44): Historic: Thanksgiving for fall harvest and God’s protection in the wilderness. Also called Feast of Ingathering or Feast of Booths. (see also Deu 16:13-15) Prophetic: Israel’s blessing by God on the millennial earth. (Zechariah 14:16) And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
*Note: There are three feasts in the first month and three in the seventh, with Pentecost between. This long gap speaks of the present age of the church. The next event is TRUMPETS when Jesus comes. Are you listening and are you ready?
Louie