How Do We Celebrate Salvation?

Short Answer: 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 Spring Festivals represent the Messiah's first coming that occurred two thousand years ago. The Autumn Festivals represent the Messiah's second coming that has yet to occur.

"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

The Calendar System When Elohim created the sun, the moon, and the stars He made them to act as a calendar. One of the main purposes of this calendar was to point to the special times of assembly when the Nation of Israel is to gather together in worship. The assemblies and festivals mark important events in the relationship between the Almighty and His people.

Spring Festivals

Last Supper The evening before the Passover sacrifice, the Messiah gathered His disciples together at the last supper. He then performed the equivalent of a Jewish wedding betrothal with them, and with all believers, in offering the cup of wine and giving the promise of His return. The communion meal, which is to be eaten often, serves as a constant reminder that He went away to prepare things and that He will return for His bride.

Passover Sacrifice The purpose of the Messiah's first coming was to bring atonement to Elohim's people through His sacrificial death. As part of this purpose, the writings of Scripture and the timing of the events reveal that the original Egyptian Passover was a prophecy of a much greater event. This prophecy was fulfilled in exacting detail as the Messiah was sacrificed, unbroken, on the fourteenth day of the first month. The blood of the true sacrificial lamb, the Messiah, would remove believers from the slavery and bondage of eternal death.

Feast of Unleavened Bread The Feast of Unleavened Bread is the first of the three pilgrimage festivals. It historically looks at the leaving from Egypt while prophetically looking at the believer's being removed from sin. It is a time of purification when the Almighty's people are set-apart.

Wave Sheaf offering The wave sheaf offering occurs a few days after the Passover sacrifice during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In the physical, an omer of Barley was lifted up to Elohim in the Tabernacle. Symbolically, this is a picture of the resurrection of the Messiah who shows that He is able to offer new life to people

Feast of Week The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, is the second pilgrimage festival. It comes fifty days after the wave sheaf offering. After departing from Egypt, the Ten Commandments were given at Mt. Sinai at this time. This was later fulfilled in greater measure by the giving of the Spirit to the Almighty's people on the Day of Pentecost as an earnest, or down payment, of the new life that is to come to believers.

Autumn Festivals

Day of Shouting The Day of Shouting marks the end of the tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom also known as the thousand year reign of the Messiah. This includes the binding of Satan for one thousand years and the first resurrection that includes those martyred during the tribulation.

Day of Redemption The Day of Redemptions (sometimes called the Day of Atonement) comes after the Millennial Kingdom. It is the time of the second (and last) resurrection and also the Great White Throne judgment. The Messiah finishes the act of redeeming the lives of believers as we are given the judgment of life and not the judgment of the second death.

Feast of Booths The Feast of Booths is the third pilgrimage festival. It represents the marriage of the Lamb. This is when the Messiah takes His betrothed, the believers, to be with Him forever and ever. It is a time of celebration.

Eighth Day Assembly In Hebrew, the number eight represents new beginnings. The Eighth Day Assembly is no different because it represents the completion of the creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth and of the coming city of New Jerusalem.

Summary The Assemblies and Festivals of Scripture are pictures of the work of the Messiah on our behalf. They are pictures of His first and His second coming. They also picture His work in our atonement and redemption. They should give believers hope as they see the wonderful future that is yet to come.