As a continuation from Part 1 of this series we can see that in end times chronology, there are specific events yet to happen. Where many people get confused is that some of these events are specific to Israel and some are specific to the Church. Looking at past events in Scripture we see several things that are noteworthy that we can observe in the past holy days, using their common names as follows:
Passover. Established by God while the Israelites were in Egypt. God commanded that Passover lambs be sacrificed and the blood put over the top and on the sides of the doors of the homes of the Israelites so that death would pass over their homes. This was literally fulfilled on Passover by Jesus when He died upon the cross and His shed blood was applied to us for the forgiveness of our sins (Exodus 12; 1 Peter 1:18-23; Revelation 1:5).
Unleavened bread. Established by God while the Israelites were in Egypt and He commanded them to leave quickly. In their haste to leave their bread was not able to be leavened or rise for baking. This feast involved purging our homes of leavening, which represented sin. This was literally fulfilled on the Feast of Unleavened Bread by Jesus when He purged us of our sins and sat down on the right hand of Majesty (Exodus 12:8-20; Exodus 34:18-21; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Hebrews 1).
First Fruits. Originally established when the Israelites arrived on the opposite shore of the Red Sea as the firstfruits out of Egypt. Later, this feast was established by God on the first day of the week after Passover. It involved offering a first fruits sacrifice of the winter grains that first ripen in the spring. This was literally fulfilled on the Feast of Firstfruits, also known as Resurrection Sunday, by Jesus when He rose from the dead as the firstfruits from the dead (Exodus 14:30-31; Exodus 34:26; Leviticus 23:9-15; Numbers 28:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:12-24).
Pentecost. Established by God when Moses received the law on Mount Sinai. This feast, occurring seven weeks or 50 days after Firstfruits, was one of three feasts during the year when all males were commanded to go to the tabernacle. This was literally fulfilled on the Feast of Pentecost when the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, was given to write the law on the hearts of the believers (Exodus 19:10-13; Leviticus 23:15-22; Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Acts 1:4; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:33; Acts 24:49).
Continue to Part 3 of this series to read about the three remaining feasts.
Resources – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Williams, Michael, (2013). Bible Doctrines. Albuquerque, NM: Selah Mountain Bible Institute. Chapters 15-16.
