How do the appointed feasts in Leviticus 23:4 connect to New Testament teachings? Setting the Stage “ ‘These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times.’ ” (Leviticus 23:4) Leviticus lists seven fixed appointments. The New Testament shows how each shines light on the finished work of Jesus and the future He promises. The Spring Feasts Fulfilled in the First Coming • Passover (23:5) – John 1:29—“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – 1 Corinthians 5:7—“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” • Jesus dies at the very hour the lambs are slain, ending the need for further animal sacrifice. • Feast of Unleavened Bread (23:6-8) – 1 Corinthians 5:8—“Let us keep the feast… with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.” – John 6:35—“I am the bread of life.” • His sinless body lay in the tomb; believers now walk in a “leaven-free” life of purity. • Firstfruits (23:9-14) – 1 Corinthians 15:20—“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” • On the very day the sheaf was waved, Jesus rose, guaranteeing the resurrection harvest of everyone who trusts Him. • Feast of Weeks / Pentecost (23:15-22) – Acts 2:1—“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” – Acts 2:32-33—The risen Christ pours out the Spirit. • Exactly fifty days after Firstfruits, the Spirit descends, writing the law on hearts and gathering the first harvest of the Church. The Fall Feasts and the Blessed Hope • Feast of Trumpets (23:23-25) – 1 Thessalonians 4:16—“the trumpet of God” signals the Lord’s descent. – 1 Corinthians 15:52—“at the last trumpet… we will be changed.” • A prophetic picture of the future gathering of believers and the awakening of Israel. • Day of Atonement (23:26-32) – Hebrews 9:11-12—Christ entered “once for all… having obtained eternal redemption.” – Romans 3:25—God presented Jesus “as an atoning sacrifice, through faith in His blood.” • Points to the completed, once-for-all sacrifice of the cross and anticipates national Israel’s future recognition of Messiah’s atonement. • Feast of Tabernacles (23:33-44) – John 1:14—“The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” – Revelation 21:3—“The dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them.” • Celebrates God living with His people, foreshadowing the millennial reign and the eternal state when He “makes His dwelling” with us. Living the Message Today • Assurance—Every past feast found exact fulfillment; future ones will too. • Purity—Unleavened Bread urges daily removal of sin’s yeast. • Mission—Pentecost’s harvest propels us to gather souls before the final trumpet. • Hope—Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles keep eyes fixed on Christ’s return and His everlasting kingdom. The appointed times form one seamless Gospel calendar: what God scheduled in Leviticus He accomplished at Calvary, confirmed at the empty tomb, empowered at Pentecost, and will complete when the trumpet sounds and He dwells with us forever. |
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