Fall Holy Days

Dear Brethren,

The Feasts of the Lord were given by God in order to instruct us in His plan for all mankind.  The Feast of Trumpets pictures the soon coming return of Jesus Christ in great power.  The Feast of Atonement pictures the binding of Satan and the beginning of the world's reconciliation with God. Then last of all, the Feast of Tabernacles, followed by the Last Great Day.  These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons."   (Leviticus 23:4)

Before God's Kingdom can be established on the earth, Satan must be restrained so that he will not hurt and deceive mankind during the millennium.  The Feast of Atonement is an entirely spiritual feast - with no physical food, it is the time to humble ourselves through fasting.  We know that we would soon perish without food and water.  We fast in order to draw near to, and be reconciled with God the Father.  While on earth, Jesus Christ made reconciliation to our Father possible when He covered our sins - we no longer carry the guilt.  The day of Atonement pictures Satan, the god and ruler of this present evil world, being deposed and having the ultimate responsibility for our sins placed on his head.

"And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, [ Azazel ] and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:" (Leviticus 16:21)

"On the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God."  (Leviticus 23:27-28)

The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the coming Kingdom of God.  For seven days, we will be rejoicing before the Lord.  We have looked forward to, and saved our second tithe for the Feast all year!  We will live like royalty - not only eating whatsoever our heart desires, but enjoying a spiritual feast which pictures the wonderful world tomorrow!

"... Go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:  And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul desires after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desires: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice..." (Deuteronomy 14:25-26)

"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. On the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein."  Leviticus 23:34

The Last Great Day falls immediately on the heels of the Feast of Tabernacles, and pictures the time when all people who have ever lived will have the opportunity to know God, and receive His Holy Spirit.  It is the time of the Great White Throne Judgment.

"In the Last day, that Great Day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."  (John 7:37-38)

"And I saw a Great White Throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God."  (Revelation 20:11-12)

Why does God command us to live in "temporary booths" for the seven days of the Fest of Tabernacles?  It is because we are living only a temporary existence in our bodies - these fleshly tabernacles.  This is a Truth. 

"...On the eighth day shall be a Sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days."  (Leviticus 23:39-40)

The Last Great Day pictures the time of the great resurrection when all men will be changed and no longer in fleshly bodies.  After the 7000 year plan of God - all those who have attained to the Salvation of Jesus Christ will be spiritual - in the Family of God.  "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  (2Corinthians 5:1)

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Sermon:

"Azazel"