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Celebrating Salvation in the Covenant Festivals

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If Scripture is true, then the annual assemblies and festivals represent the work of the Messiah as Savior. They act as memorials for what He does on behalf of believers in the process of atonement, sanctification, and redemption. The festivals and appointed times given in Scripture are not a set of abstract commandments and instructions to just dutifully keep. Instead, they are a rich part of our covenant relationship with the Eternal. They are a special way to honor our Savior and the work He does for our salvation, sanctification, and redemption. The Spring festivals represent the Messiah's first coming that occurred two thousand years ago and the Autumn festivals represent the Messiah's second coming that has yet to occur. They are filled with deep reminders that Yahshuah is both the sacrifice and High Priest who defeats death, the Good Shepherd caring for His sheep, and the Groom awaiting His bride. They are truly a time for celebration!

"Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee." Deut. 16:16-17 KJV

Festival Illustrations

Festivals Sample Gallery
  • Book Cover
    Book Cover
  • Celebrating
    Celebrating
  • Calendar
    Calendar
  • Assemble
    Assemble
  • Pilgrimage
    Pilgrimage
  • Savior
    Savior
  • Lion & Lamb
    Lion & Lamb
  • Tabernacle
    Tabernacle
  • Herod's Temple
    Herod's Temple
  • High Priest
    High Priest
  • Atonement
    Atonement
  • Chanukah
    Chanukah

Book Download

Publishing Data
  • Format = Paper Back 7.5 x 9.25
  • Author = Todd Elder
  • Client = Celebrating Salvation
  • Publish Date = Mar. 9, 2026
  • ISBN-10 =
  • ISBN-13 = 978-1-949754-12-4
  • Download: CSitCF PDF - 2 Mb

The first edition of the following articles is available in book form. It can be downloaded as a PDF file on the link to the right. Print copies can be purchased online. The articles below are the continued work and continuation of this project and will be used if and when a second edition is produced.

Front Matter

Why Observe the Festivals of Scripture?

One of the first questions to answer with our children is why to follow Scripture. It is beyond the scope of this book to prove the historical, scientific, and spiritual accuaracy and releveance of Scripture. Instead, the believer has more than ample evidence from the effectiveness and impact of Scripture, prayer, and a relatioship with our Heavenly Father in our lives. Therefore, the following chapters will summarize the main issues regarding why to follow Scripture and the covenant commandments rather than the traditions of man when it comes to the assemblies and festivals.

What Is the Scriptural Calendar?

When YHVH created the sun, the moon, and the stars He made them to be for signs and seasons and days and years. He also established the harvests and their related festivals as days we are to observe and remind us of the work that He has done. These signs not only have meaning in the physical world by telling us what part of the day or of the year we are in, but they tell us what is happening in our relationship with the One Most High as well. Yet we are far removed from the cycles of nature by our artificial and virtual environments. As someone who has grew up in the country with farmers nearby, and as someone who spent many years camping, these cycles became more familiar to me. And when these are known, the ability to connect with scriptural passages and commandments grows as calendar issues all seem to melt away. No elaborate methods and rituals are needed to separate one thing from another ... it simply happens. The protestant church ignores the natural cues and follows the liturgical calendar year.

What Are the Spring Festivals?

The Spring Festivals and Assemblies represent the first coming of the Messiah that occurred about two thousand years ago. It is at this time He comes as the Suffering Servant and as the Lamb. His life, death, and resurrection which occur around the Feast of Unleavened Bread represent the ultimate atoning sacrifice that wipes away our sin. His giving of the Special Spirit at the Feast of Weeks furthers the process of our sanctification and ultimate return to the Kingdom of Heaven as sons and daughters.

What Are the Autumn Festivals?

Just as the spring festivals show the historical first coming of the Messiah as the the Suffering Servant and as the Lamb, the autumn festivals show His prophetic second coming as the Conquering King and as the Lion. These events include the Millenial Kingdom, final judgment, a wedding banquet, and eternity in the New Heavens and Earth.

What About Other Memorials?

I am hesitant to mention other celebrations ... largely because the Eternal does not command nor instruct us to observe them. Perhaps I add these to help distinguish just how different man kind's celebrations are from the Scriptural celebrations. However, certain historical events do tie in with our salvation and help paint a picture of our relationship with the Eternal. In adding these chapters, I will try to avoid spending time on the many man made traditions surrounding these celebrations, and focus on the factual and historical events and how they remind us of our Savior.

References

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