Dedication | This festival looked back to the dedication of the temple and forward to the birth of Jesus. | Israel’s New Temple is established to replace the old temple (John 2:18-22) | December 25, 5BC |
Passover | Jesus dies on Passover day. Sin is paid for. His death makes judgment “pass over” His people | Jesus makes a new Israel out of a remnant of the Old Israel. (cf. 12 apostles & 12 tribes in Luke 22:29-30) | 30AD |
Unleavened Bread | Christ was in the grave because of our sins, and buried our sins. | The New Israel’s sins are buried and remembered no more (Jer. 31:31-34) |
Firstfruits | Victory over death earned and a “firstfruits” from the dead harvested. | Resurrection of Old Testament saints as a “firstfruits” to join the kingdom (Matt. 27:53; Hosea 6:2) |
Pentecost | Spirit’s power dependant on Jesus being both crucified (Gal. 3:13-14) and glorified (John 7:39). Unites Jew & Gentile | Holy Spirit poured out upon new Israel (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2). No longer will there be a dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. |
Trumpets | Christ warns of judgment on that generation if they do not repent. Christ gives further warnings in the trumpet section of Revelation. Trumpets call to G. | Casting away of national Israel & beginning of “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) on Tishri 1, A.D. 66. (Heb. 12:18-29; Rev. 8-10) | 70AD |
Yom Kippur | Christ anointed the Holy of Holies with His own blood, and called Israel to repentance and to the one true sanctuary. A call to “afflict your souls” (N. 29:7) and to go outside the camp with Christ and seek a heavenly city (cf. Heb. 13:10-14). | The old Holy of Holies is destroyed in 70 A.D. to make visible that there is only one place of atonement. Yom Kippur was for sins of ignorance (Heb. 9:7) but brought judgment on willful rebellion (Heb. 10:26-31), therefore Christ’s death was judged upon that generation. Levitical system removed. |
Tabernacles | While Israel becomes homeless (booths rep. Wandering), Jesus welcomes Gentiles into His house. Zech 14:16-20 ties the present period of world evangelization together with the Feast of Tabernacles. The Great Gentile Harvest begins in 70 AD. | “hardening in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Rom. 11:25) “their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:12). This is the time of the conversion of the “70 nations,” but also a time when only a “remnant” of the Jews is saved. | 70AD to present |
Purim | Though He “cast away” national Israel - 70 AD (Rom 11), He will again save them (Rom. 11:26), and apply the New Covenant to them (Jer31:31-40). The Great Commission will be fulfilled. | Salvation of Israel brings even greater blessings to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:12). The day of fasting (Adar 13) points to Jewish repentance, and the two days of feasting (14-15) to their salvation & blessing. All enemies subdued to Jesus | Future |