The Spiritual Reality Behind the Feasts of Israel
 The Spiritual Reality Behind Passover
Summary
The Passover feast is more than a mere celebration of freedom from bondage. It marks a total discharge—a genuine release and relief from the heavy burdens of sin. Passover also reveals the beginning of God’s creative process. He separates light from darkness, truth from error and lies, and people from the weight and burden of bondage.
Messiah bore our sins, thoroughly releasing us from the burden of the effects of sinful tendencies. The Holy Spirit, He said, would come to be our comforter; providing real relief from stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and every evil thing. The gospel, therefore, provides a real assurance and hope of spiritual freedom.
Messiah truly is our hope of glory. The Holy Spirit fills us with a real peace and joy the world cannot comprehend!
So, since we have come to be considered righteous by God because of our trust, let us continue to have shalom 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
Have you appropriated Messiah’s total discharge from the heavy burdens of sin? Are you experiencing real relief from anxiety, stress, fear, and depression? If not, place your burdens at the foot of the cross. Submit them to Messiah. Allow His blood to wash them away, and let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your heart and mind through Messiah. (Philippians 4:6)
Scripture References
Romans 8:1-8
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 18-21; 58-59
Sons and Servants: p. 38; 80-81
 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Unleavened Bread
Summary
During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the home was cleared from all traces of leaven. What is the issue with leaven? It is a fermenting substance; a turbulent form of bacterium that is permeating and pervasive in nature. It spreads like a cancer or virus, contaminating, polluting and corrupting what it touches. It therefore, is used as a metaphor for sin. As it spreads, it compromises and destroys what is good and otherwise pure.
As we walk in this life, we are continuously bombarded with messages of this world that may seem good. The majority of them, however, are rooted in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They look good on the outside—but are not rooted in God’s truth or life of His Spirit—and therefore, cannot bear the life, wisdom or fruit of His Spirit, and produce God’s real peace and joy.
God wants us to eat of the tree of life! He wants us to discern between what is of Him and what is of the world. He wants to bring us from confusion to clarity. That is accomplished by seeking God’s wisdom and peace through His Word and Spirit; and comes from receiving the true light of the world—Messiah .
Messiah’s sacrifice, therefore, not only released you from the burdens of the effects of sin, but accomplished what the Law of Moses could never permanently do: legally clear you of all possible charges of sin, removing all possible effects of guilt, condemnation and confusion found under the law of sin and death!
His last words proclaimed on the cross were, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) Paul, therefore, endeavored to clear the disciples’ conscience from all traces of guilt proclaiming, “Therefore, there is no longer any condemnation awaiting those who are in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 2 Why? Because the Torah of the Spirit, which produces this life in union with Messiah Yeshua, has set me free from the “Torah” of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-3 JNT)
Free from guilt and condemnation, the believer can receive Messiah’s mercy and truth. By receiving His mercy and truth, you walk with a new mindset and perspective on life—God’s perspective! Such a mindset sets things clear to you so you see with God’s kind of open vision. Truly, His open vision enables you to walk in the light of His wisdom and truth.
Life Application Questions
Have you allowed Messiah to clear all the charges of guilt and condemnation from your conscience? Are there areas where you still come under guilt and condemnation? Have you received the full mercy of Messiah? Do you extend mercy to others—even those with whom you have difficulty? How about those who scorn, use, or mock you?
Do you judge anybody? Do you hold anybody in low esteem? Are you quick to condemn those who do you wrong?" This is a more critical issue than most of us like to believe. As Scripture says, “For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will not forgive yours.” (Matthew 6:14-15 JNT)
Scripture References
Romans 8:1-3; Colossians 2:13-15; Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3-4; 23:34; 1 John 1:9
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 18-21; 55-59; 82; 139-141; 164-165; 178-180
Sons and Servants: p. 9-11; 74-46; 80-81
 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of First Fruits
Summary
The Feast of First-fruits served as a shadow, pointing to the resurrection of the Messiah as the first soul arisen in the newness of eternal life. In identifying with Messiah’s resurrection, the child of God is elevated to a new spiritual state; “from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
(Romans 8:21 NKJV)
This new position acknowledges an intimate and genuine relationship with our Creator and Father God. It is by this real “Spirit of adoption” whereby the child of God receives the love of the Father, responding by crying out from the heart, “Abba, Father.” Furthermore, as His children, we become “joint heirs with Messiah.”
(Romans 8:17 JNT)
This new standing opens up a new realm of vested legal rights to the child of God, as stated in John 1:12-13. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
To truly gain insight into what right the children of God who actively believe receive, the word used for right needs to be examined. The Greek word is exousia. Like many Greek (and Hebrew) words, it is an expansive word. It means: right, privilege, capacity, competency, strength, freedom, authority, power, and jurisdiction. It means a lot! So, those who believe and actively embrace Messiah from the heart, attain the full right, privilege, capacity, competency, strength, freedom, authority, power, and jurisdiction of covenant children of God!
Truly, God’s children in Messiah have opportunity to apprehend a fresh, wide-range perspective of life! 1 Samuel 3:1 calls this type of vision, open vision (chazone parats). With such type of open vision and the faith to see it materialize, you can truly come into the fullness of God’s unique purposes for your life.
Life Application Questions
To what degree have you received the love of the Father? How has God revealed His Son the Messiah in you? To what extent have you received your “vesting” as a joint heir with Messiah? How have you been exercising your rights as heirs of grace, children of the King of Glory?
Scripture References
John 1; Romans 8; Galatians 1:16; Galatians 4; Hebrews 12
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 15-16; 168-173
Sons and Servants: the whole book!
 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Pentecost
Summary
Shavuot—the Feast of Harvest or Weeks was originally established to be a celebration of the fullness of the harvest. On this day, Moses received the Law—God’s covenant. So it has become a celebration of Torah—or giving of God’s covenant word. It would be God’s word that would guide God’s people through a life of faith—dependent on God; and distinguished from the pagan nations of the world. Moses therefore reminded the people that God provided manna in the wilderness to prove an important point: “He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”
(Deuteronomy 8:3-4) Messiah quoted this very scripture when tempted by Satan in the wilderness right before embarking on His ministry. (Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4)
As the disciples were celebrating Shavuot, the Holy Spirit fell upon them as recorded in Acts 2. God’s covenant Word connected with His Spirit and brought completion—or fullness—to the revelation of God’s covenant. It therefore, brought fulfillment to Isaiah’s prophecy expressing the fullness of God’s covenant: "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth..” (Isaiah 59:21 NKJV)
So, full independence in God would be expressed by depending on God’s Word breathed by His Spirit—the Holy Spirit. This is what Messiah communicated towards the end of His ministry in the upper room.
12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own initiative but will say only what he hears. He will also announce to you the events of the future. 14 He will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and announce it to you. (John 16:12-14 JNT)
It is also what Paul had in mind in expressing what liberty in Messiah is about. “What the Messiah has freed us for is freedom! Therefore, stand firm, and don’t let yourselves be tied up again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 JNT)
As Messiah has discharged us from the debt to the law of sin and fully acquitted us from the guilt of the effects of sin, we are truly fully empowered to walk in the Spirit of liberty! However, it’s one thing to know that you are free from the power of sin. It’s another thing to be able to walk free from the dominion of sin.
This happens as your heart and mind become regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It happens as your desire to rule over sin overpowers your desire to walk under the sway of sin: the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life. Such desires abate, though we will continue to battle our fleshly nature.
This is what Messiah meant in declaring, “He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life!” (John 12:25 JNT) He was referring to the life absorbed in serving the desires of the flesh. He was referring to a life where the nature and orientation of your heart undergoes a vital change. It changes from being more absorbed with satisfying its self-interests to satisfying and serving God’s interests.
This transformation occurs by the power of the Holy Spirit. For, the Spirit enlightens your mind to truth, sanctifies your heart and nature, and regenerates and transforms your life. It is truly liberating! It liberates you in Messiah. You become free and independent in Messiah; yet dependent on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to resist the carnal nature of the flesh and be freed from its pulls.
Will you encounter temptations to satisfy selfish and fleshly interests and desires? Most certainly! Will you stumble? At times—probably yes. The key is setting your heart against the types of things you know you must resist; setting your mind against the weaknesses you know cause you to stumble; and praying daily for God’s grace to “lead you not into temptation.” And always, be humble and grateful for His mercy.
Life Application Questions
How conscious are you of the pulls of your carnal nature? How do you receive the conviction of sin from the Holy Spirit? Do you feel guilty and condemned when convicted; or set free by the power of repentance and gift of Messiah’s forgiveness and peace of the Spirit? Have you resolved to loathe the self-absorbed nature? Are you aware of God’s interests and desires as they relate to your life? Do you find joy in serving God’s interests?
Scripture References
John 12-17; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 2; Galatians 5-6
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 23-27; 121-132; 140-141; 164-173
Sons and Servants: p. 9-11; 82-86
 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Trumpets
Summary
The Feast of Trumpets serves as a shadow pointing forward to Messiah’s triumph over the power of the law of sin and death. Messiah humbled Himself, and was obedient unto death. He sent the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin, open us to God’s righteousness, and administer God’s judgment—releasing His mercy!
In surrendering to death on the cross, Messiah overcame the sinful tendency to uphold self-righteousness. He then recovered the spiritual authority that Adam had lost to Satan in giving in to the lie of the serpent and disobeying God. He, therefore, declared in Revelation 1:18-19, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
Peter was also humbled. Extremely self-confident and often quick to talk, He thought he could never deny his friend and Savior. How quickly he did, though, just as Messiah had predicted. However, he allowed the Holy Spirit to convict his heart. He was then given the grace of redemption, and the opportunity to three times declare his true love for the Lord.
After Messiah asked him three times, “do you love me,” Peter replied, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." (John 21:17 NKJV)
Peter learned that Messiah really knew his heart. He surrendered to the conviction by the Holy Spirit. He allowed the Holy Spirit to fill the gap in His heart. That empowered a real change in temperament and attitude. He could, therefore, be entrusted with a large measure of authority and anointing of the Holy Spirit!
Life Application Questions
Have you noticed situations arising in your life where you have faced having to defend, justify, or prove yourself? In those situations, have you asked God for the strength to make it; or have you kicked in your heels, and fought to win on your own strength? Have you simply blamed the devil, taking no responsibility for your own actions? Have you noticed the Holy Spirit leading you to consider some issues, and settle whether or not you might be right or wrong about something? Have you pondered repenting for anything? Has the Holy Spirit been trying to convict you of any weaknesses or areas of sin?
Scripture References
1 Samuel 13:1-15; Psalm 51; Daniel 4; Matthew 16:24-27; Mark 8:35-38; Philippians 4:12
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 21-25; 73-76
Sons and Servants: p. 73-76; 110-140
 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Atonement
Summary
Messiah is our atonement for sin. His obedient death on the cross reconciled man back to God, restoring the fullness of the covenant relationship lost in the Garden of Eden due to sin, disobedience and assertion of independence from God. His sacrifice satisfied God’s wrath.
As we have been united together in the likeness of His death, we have, likewise, been united with Him in the likeness of His resurrection. We, therefore, have a new capacity to resist the tendencies to sin. We have the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. As a result, sin no longer has dominion over the believer, for we are under the law of grace. Therefore, it is up to us to walk in the newness of this new life in Messiah. If we stumble, we repent, and receive Messiah’s forgiveness without retribution or condemnation.
Freedom from the guilt of sin, however, does not give us license to sin. In fact in Messiah, we have been raised to a higher standard of moral excellence and accountability. Therefore, we must “submit to God” and “resist the devil” by drawing near to God, purifying our heart, and apprehending the “mind of Messiah.”
(James 4:7 and Philippians 2:5) In addition, by reckoning to be dead to sin and alive to God, we can serve our fellow man in the “newness of the Spirit.”
(Romans 6:5-6 and 7:6)
In gratefulness for Messiah’s love and precious promises, Peter, therefore, charges believers to cultivate character traits above and beyond basic faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
For if you have these qualities in abundance, they keep you from being barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 9 Indeed, whoever lacks them is blind, so shortsighted that he forgets that his past sins have been washed away. 10 Therefore, brothers, try even harder to make your being called and chosen a certainty. For if you keep doing this, you will never stumble. 11 Thus you will be generously supplied with everything you need to enter the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. (2 Peter 1:8-11 JNT)
Life Application Questions
Having received Messiah’s atonement, how have you diligently pursued advancing your walk with Messiah to be a partaker of the divine nature? What fruits of the seven character traits do you regularly bear? Which of these character traits will you ask God to manifest in your life to a greater extent? In what ways can you see yourself growing further?
Scripture References
Romans 5-7; 2 Peter; Philippians 2:5-15; 2 Corinthians 4; 1 John
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 100-105
Sons and Servants: p. 65-73; 122-123
 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
Sukkot, Tabernacles, is the most joyous of the feasts. It is celebrated over a week-long period, and is designed to facilitate active times of celebration and relating with God and one another.
It, in essence, served as a shadow pointing forward to the type of life and dynamic fellowship experienced by the early believers as recorded in Acts. They had simple hearts, childlike faith, and walked in childlike obedience to God.
They pursued an active, passionate relationship with God, and strong dynamic, covenant relationships with one another. The high level of engagement they maintained with God and one another further points forward to the great wedding feast of Messiah and His Bride—the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9)
As a result of the active engagement with the Holy Spirit, the prophecy in Isaiah 61 began to be fulfilled: good tidings were preached, many broken-hearted and lame were healed, those in captivity to sin were set free—God was glorified!
God’s covenant community, therefore, grew by leaps and bounds. People were certainly witnessing His wonders. Revival broke loose. God still seeks such vibrant, active communities of believers glorifying His name and accomplishing His purposes in the earth.
Life Application Questions
How are you maintaining an active engagement with God? In what of kind of dynamic fellowship do you participate? How is your personal spiritual life growing? How is your covenant community growing? In what ways are you witnessing the power of God in your midst? Are you seeing souls being set free of bondages? Are you seeing people committing their lives to Messiah?
Scripture References
The book of Acts
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 151-187
Sons and Servants: p. 145-172
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