Messiah's Fulfillment of the Feasts of Israel
 Messiah's Fulfillment of Passover
Summary
Messiah was crucified the same day the Passover lamb was slaughtered. He became the permanent sacrificial substitute to redeem mankind from the curse of the law, heal us from the effects of our tendency to sin, and reconcile us back to a right-standing relationship with God.
In this, He fulfilled the prophecy recorded in Isaiah 53:5. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
In receiving the work of His crucifixion, we appropriate the punishment He suffered for our sins, which separated us spiritually from God. As we personally identify with the crucified Messiah, we also identify with the new life He lives in us by the Holy Spirit, which is the source of our grace in Him.
In that grace, we are no longer under the power of the curse of the law.
When the Messiah was executed on the stake as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives. But the Messiah lives in me, and the life I now live in my body I live by the same trusting faithfulness that the Son of God had, who loved me and gave himself up for me. 21 I do not reject God’s gracious gift; for if the way in which one attains righteousness is through legalism, then the Messiah’s death was pointless. (Galatians 2:20-21 JNT)
Life Application Questions
Have you fully identified with Messiah’s crucifixion, receiving His total grace for the forgiveness of your sins? Are there any areas in which you still condemn yourself, and have not fully received His grace?
Scripture References
Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 5:24
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 16-17; 24-25
Sons and Servants: p. 24-26; 78-79; 110-114
 Messiah's Fulfillment of The Feast of Unleavened Bread
Summary
Messiah was buried after being crucified, but something miraculous was going on during the three days His body lay in the tomb. Ephesians 4:7-11 discusses how He descended (into hell), then ascended to lead “captivity captive.”
His spirit, therefore, descended into hell where he battled with the devil, and led the forces of darkness which had held mankind into captivity into their own captivity. In addition, as Revelation 1:18 records, He took the keys of hell and death—Satan’s authority, away from him; therefore absolving him from his authority over mankind. As Scripture says, “He wiped away the bill of charges against us. Because of the regulations, it stood as a testimony against us; but he removed it by nailing it to the execution-stake. 15 Stripping the rulers and authorities of their power, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by means of the stake.”
(Colossians 2:14-15 JNT)
Satan had won a position of spiritual authority over mankind when Adam and Eve believed the lie of the serpent (the devil personified) and disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Messiah won back that authority. Believers in Messiah, therefore, benefit from His authority over the power of sin and death.
Those who have not put their faith in Messiah have not appropriated His authority over the devil, leaving them under the jurisdiction of the powers of darkness.
Life Application Questions
Do you understand how Messiah defeated the devil, and made a way of escape from the bondage of hell for you? Have you fully received Messiah’s redemption in faith and His power over sin and death?
Scripture References
Colossians 2:8-23; Romans 8:2
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 18-21
Sons and Servants: p. 9-10; 27-29; 46-47; 65-66
 Messiah's Fulfillment of The Feast of First Fruits
Summary
The feast of First-fruits marks a time of giving back to God in gratefulness—and in faith—for His bountiful provision. It also marks a time to examine the first fruits of our labors to test the quality of the harvest. If the first crops are good—and therefore blessed—the following fruits are likewise blessed.
Interestingly enough, Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ was also “inspected” by the religious leaders to test His claim to be the Messiah. Many false Messiah’s have attempted to claim Messiahship. His point was made and His claim proved, however, after His resurrection from the dead!
The feast of First-fruits is, therefore, a shadow pointing forward to Messiah’s resurrection as the first soul arisen in the newness of eternal life.
But the fact is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a man, also the resurrection of the dead has come through a man. 22 For just as in connection with Adam all die, so in connection with the Messiah all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: the Messiah is the firstfruits; then those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of his coming; 24 then the culmination, when he hands over the Kingdom to God the Father, after having put an end to every rulership, yes, to every authority and power.
(1 Corinthians 15:20-24 JNT)
Through immersion into his death we were buried with him; so that just as, through the glory of the Father, the Messiah was raised from the dead, likewise we too might live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
(Romans 6:4-5 JNT)
In identifying with Messiah’s death and resurrection, we resist the temptations of sin, and walk in His grace by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Life Application Questions
How would you appear to someone inspecting your life? In what ways can you see yourself changing to be more Messiah-like? None of us will ever be perfect in our mortal frames. We are just asked to seek first His kingdom, and earnestly allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, and conform us—into His image until He is revealed in us.
Scripture References
Romans 6; Philippians 3:7-16; 1 Peter 1:3-9
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 21-22; 44-46
Sons and Servants: p. 29-32; 77-78; 110-115; 119-136
 Messiah's Fulfillment of The Feast of Pentecost
Summary
Shavuot—the Feast of Weeks or Harvest (Pentecost) was originally celebrated to mark the fullness of the harvest. It also has become the celebration of the giving of God’s Word, for Moses was given the law during this time.
On the day the disciples were celebrating this feast, they experienced the glorification of Messiah in a new way—through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In His final great prayer, Messiah declared to the Father, “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me alongside yourself. Give me the same glory I had with you before the world existed.” (John 17:4-5 JNT)
He knew His resurrection would glorify the Father. Even more, He knew the release of the power of the Holy Spirit would glorify the Father. For, He declared to the disciples, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father. 13 In fact, whatever you ask for in my name, I will do; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me for something in my name, I will do it.”
(John 14:12-14 JNT)
Over the course of time, believers have collectively done more. The LORD still desires for His servants to do greater works in His name by the power of His Spirit.
Life Application Questions
How do you glorify God and reflect Messiah’s character? How do you reflect the gift of God’s word and Holy Spirit in your life?
Scripture References
John 15-17; Acts 2-4; Romans 8; 1 Peter 4
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 22-24
Sons and Servants: p. 24-26; 45-47; 99-173
 Messiah's Fulfillment of The Feast of Trumpets
Summary
In celebrating the Feast of Trumpets (celebrated as Rosh Hashana; Head of the Year), the ram’s horn was blown to call the people to alarm, and raise the level of one’s consciousness to self-examination, in preparation for the coming Day of Atonement. Trumpets were also sounded to call the people to battle.
On one notable occasion, the Angel of the LORD instructed Joshua to have the priests sound the trumpets seven times—which would call the army of the Lord to fight the spiritual battle which would result in the walls of Jericho falling.
Messiah was crucified, taking our sin upon Himself. He was buried and resurrected from the dead—arising with the keys of hell and death—to serve as our High Priest and triumphant King of Glory—who always goes before us and leads us into His victory! “But thanks be to God, who in the Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of what it means to know him!” (2 Corinthians 2:14 JNT)
We celebrate His glorious triumph with genuine heartfelt praise and worship expressed from a truly grateful heart. We also celebrate His victory when we walk in the grace of His liberty, having been delivered from the power of sin and death. We affirm over and over His triumph as we believe in our heart and are fully convinced of His eternal victory.
“No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, 39 neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 JNT)
Furthermore, we celebrate His triumph as we walk as free children of God exhibiting the fruits and gifts of the Spirit in serving one another in love and in His name.
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:13-18 NKJV)
Life Application Questions
In what ways do you actively celebrate the LORD’s triumph? Are there additional ways you believe you can celebrate His triumph?
Scripture References
Romans 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 1 John 5:1-5; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 15:2
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 27-29; 57-58; 85-110; 174-187
Sons and Servants: p. 30-31; 55-57; 84-85
 Messiah's Fulfillment of The Feast of Atonement
Summary
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was established as a sacred day to afflict the soul and confess sins before God. It was the one day of the year when the high priest would go into the tabernacle, behind the veil into the Holy of Holies, and sprinkle the blood of the covenant sacrifice over the Mercy Seat. From within the cloud of God’s glory over the ark, God would see the sacrificial blood as evidence of man’s atonement of sin; reversing His judgment, and transforming it to one of mercy.
It has become apparent, however, that the daily, weekly, and monthly animal sacrifices made to atone for sin were insufficient to satisfy God’s wrath and judgment of sin and establish one’s right standing before Him.
Therefore, this feast points forward to the human sacrifice of Messiah, who became the permanent substitute sacrifice for the sins of mankind.
The writer of Hebrews in 10:5-7, therefore, quoted Psalm 40:6-8, which speaks prophetically about the Messiah’s sacrifice:
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come --In the volume of the book it is written of Me --To do Your will, O God.’
This feast, therefore, served as a shadow pointing forward to Messiah’s eternal atonement for sin.
Life Application Questions
Have you settled the issue in your heart that Messiah’s single sacrifice has permanently established your position of right-standing, or justification before God?
Scripture References
Leviticus 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11; Hebrews 10:1-10; Colossians 2:13-17
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 29-30; 98-100; 142-147
Sons and Servants: p. 18-23
 Messiah's Fulfillment of The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
The week long Feast of Sukkot, Tabernacles, marks a special time for resting in God’s peace. It was established to, “rejoice before the Lord for seven days.”
(Leviticus 29:40 NKJV)
It was a Sabbath’s Sabbath! On the one hand, it marked the time to rest from enduring the work of gathering in the harvest. On the other hand, it served to remind the people of God’s favor and care extended through the long wilderness journey before crossing into the Promised Land.
The feast also pointed forward to the permanent peace Messiah offered to those who would believe in Him, and accept the yoke of His righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. As He declared, “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30 JNT)
Paul further encouraged believers to be strengthened in faith, for it is by faith that we have access to the grace of Messiah’s rest. “So, since we have come to be considered righteous by God because of our trust, let us continue to have shalom (peace) with God through our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. 2 Also through him and on the ground of our trust, we have gained access to this grace in which we stand; so let us boast about the hope of experiencing God’s glory.”
(Romans 5:1-2 JNT)
Life Application Questions
How do you celebrate the peace Messiah has settled for you and offered to you? Do you strive to find peace? Have you received His peace?
Scripture References
Leviticus 23:33-44; Hebrews 3-4; Luke 1:68-80; John 14:25-31; Romans 5:1-5
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 30-34; 51-53; 85-91; 133-135; 146-147
Sons and Servants: p. 52-57; 84-85; 129-130
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