FESTIVAL

TIME OF YEAR

(SEASON)

ORIGINAL SIGNIFICANCE

PRESENT SIGNIFICANCE

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

MESSIANIC

FULFILLMENT

PASSOVER

(Pesach)

Spring

Mar/Apr

Nisan 14

Deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt.

Believers deliverance from the bondage of sin through repentance and acceptance of Messiah Yeshua’s (Jesus) sacrifice.

Passover Seder - the time to observe the “Lord’s Supper” as Messiah did.

“You should be aware that the ransom paid to free you... was the costly bloody sacrificial death of Messiah, as of a lamb without defect or spot.”  [1 Peter 1:18, 19]

Yeshua’s (Jesus) Death

On the torture stake (tree).

UNLEAVENED BREAD

(ChagHamatzah)

Spring

Mar/Apr

Nisan 15 - 21

Bead made without leaven (yeast) when leaving Egypt.

Considered part of Passover. A time for getting leaven out of the homes and lives of the people.

A time for Believers in Messiah to understand the seriousness of sin and our need of sanctification (getting leaven/sin out of our own lives).

“Get rid of the old chametz (leaven), so that you can be a new batch of dough...for our Pesach lamb, the Messiah, has been sacrificed.”  [1 Cor. 5:7]

Yeshua’s Burial

“...unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies it stays just a grain; but if it dies, it produces a big harvest.” John 12:24

FIRST FRUITS

(Yom Habikkurim)

Spring

Mar/Apr

Nisan 16

Bringing of a sheaf of the first barley harvest to the priest to be waved as an offering to the Lord.

Messiah was the “first fruits” from the dead. He resurrected on this day and offers Believers the same eternal life.

“... Messiah has been risen from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died....with the Messiah all will be made alive.” 

[1 Cor. 15:20-22]

Messiah’s Resurrection

FEAST OF WEEKS

(Shavuot/Pentecost)

Spring

May/Jun

50 days counted from

First Fruits

Celebration of the first fruits of the wheat harvest.

Traditionally, the giving of the Torah (Law) on Mt. Sinai.

Beginning the Harvest of Jewish and Gentile Believers.

Believers are empowered by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and God’s law is written on our hearts.

“The Festival of Shavuot arrived....and they were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh...” [Acts 2:1-4]

“I will put my Torah on their hearts, and write it on their minds.”   [Hebrews 10:16]

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Yeshua states“... the Counselor, who my Father will send in my name, will teach you everything...”

[Yochannan (John) 14:26]

SUMMER - A SEASON WHERE THE FALL CROPS ARE GROWING IN PREPARATION FOR THE LARGE INGATHERING OF THE FALL HARVEST

        “...the one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world. As for the good seed these are the people that belong to the Kingdom...”   Matt. 13:37,38

FEAST OF TRUMPETS

(Rosh HaShanah)

Early Autumn

Sept/Oct

Tishri 1

The time to assemble together to hear the blowing of the shofar.

Preceded by a time, thirty days,  for Teshuvah (to return or repent).

The time when the last shofar (trumpet) will sound to gather all Believers, both dead and alive,  to meet Messiah in the heavens.

“The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels and with God’s shofar...”  [1 Thess. 4:16]

Yet to be fulfilled

Calling of Believers in the air to meet Messiah.

DAY OF ATONEMENT

(Yom Kippur)

Autumn

Sept/Oct

Tishri 10

A time of solemn assembly to express repentance and forgiveness for the past years sins and omissions of the Torah.

When the High Priest offered up a sacrifice for the nation of Israel.

Yeshua (Jesus) became the High Priest and offered up Himself as a sacrifice.

A time for Believers to look back and remember this sacrifice and that we have a High Priest at the right hand of the Father interceding.

“...we have a Cohen Gadol (High Priest)... Yeshua the Son of God... because He offered one sacrifice, once and for all, by offering up Himself...”  [Hebrews 4:14, 7:27] 

Yet to be fulfilled

Messiah’s second coming and judgment of the nations.

FEAST OF BOOTHS

(Sukkot/Tabernacles)

Autumn

(Final Harvest)

Sept/Oct

Tishri 14 - 22

A week of celebration for the final harvest; living in Booths (temporary dwelling structures) to remember Israel’s  time in the wilderness.

God tabernacled with man by sending Yeshua during this feast.

A time to remember God’s provision for us and that our bodies are temporary dwelling structures.

A time when the Messianic Kingdom will be established on earth.

“The Word was made flesh and tabernacled among us, we beheld His glory...”

[John 1:14 (Literal Greek Translation)]

“We know that when the tent (booth) which houses us here on earth....” [2 Cor. 5:1]

“...everyone remaining from all nations...will go up every year to worship the King...and to keep the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles)” [Zech. 14:16]

Yet to be fulfilled

The Messianic Kingdom is established on the earth.

All the nations will worship Yeshua as King  and Believers will reign with Him.