10/12/2020 - OBSERVING THE FEASTS OF THE LORD

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What will you do in the appointed day, And in the day of the feast of the Lord? Hoshea 9:5

Although Scriptures state that there are only four things from the Old Testament left to be practiced, there are Christians who are delighted with the celebrations of the Israelites from the past. Now, we are the new dough and we must not refer to the celebrations of the Old Covenant, but learn what kind of solemn gathering we can carry out today, through the examples Jesus gave in the four gospels.

The Israelites who were not interested in knowing God´s power, although they had been freed from Egyptian slavery – a symbol of humanity’s true captivity in the clutches of Satan -, wanted to live like other peoples, guided by a king. But that did not please the Almighty. At that time, there were many feasts, and Jesus went to one of them in Jerusalem, but it was in the pool of Bethesda that He held His private feast (John 5).

The first was that of Easter (Leviticus 23:4,5), which was fulfilled in Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:7). The second, that of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15; Leviticus 23:6-8), performed in Christ (Hebrews 9:28; Matthew 16:6). The third, that of the First fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14), proclaimed the beginning of the harvest. The fourth was that of Pentecost, or of the weeks (Tabernacles), in which they celebrated the end of the harvest, which was fulfilled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit promised by Joel (Joel 2:28,29; Acts 2:1).

Then came the feast of the Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24,25), when the new year began. Its fulfillment took place in the message of 2 Corinthians 5:17, where it is stated that whoever is in Christ is a new creation. The year begins with our salvation. Another was the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32), fulfilled with the death and resurrection of the Son of God (Hebrews 9:23-28). The seventh feast was that of the Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-44).

As for the latter, it was a reminder of the days when the Israelites lived in tents. They left their homes and lived in tents for seven days. Those who accept Jesus as Savior don´t have to celebrate these feasts, but celebrate what Christ commissioned His disciples: to go out into the world and preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15-20).

We live in the days of the Lord´s feast; therefore, we must do this 365 days a year, going everywhere, doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). Now, what will you do? Will you leave your responsibility as a servant of the Lord for tomorrow? Will you live like the religious ones, who do nothing to keep the Savior’s feasts going? Stay alert and pray!

There is no greater solemnity than a Christian speaking about Jesus. When he and others come together in the Name of the Lord, God is present. When this servant believes and prays for the sick, Christ Himself fulfills his determination (John 14:13). The Master set us an example – to follow His footsteps (John 13:15). What will your decision be? Those who rebel and do what they want will not be admitted into Heaven!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares