Why Tabernacles is Important!

 

  Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.5 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:34-36

Happy 7th day of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot! Today is the last day of the 7 days of the feast,  right before the 8th day mentioned in the above Scripture.  This is the only Jewish Holiday or Appointment Feast from the Lord that has a separate holiday celebrated on the 8th day.

The 8th day is called Shemini Atzeret  (more on this later)

When the Israelites waved palm branches and threw them down as a path for Jesus when he was riding his donkey into Jerusalem on what we know as “Palm Sunday”, they welcomed him as Messiah but they were also thinking that He was fulfilling the messianic feast of the Feast of Tabernacles. 

During this feast, Jews make booths to pray in, eat and enjoy their time together celebrating the provisions of God during the year. This happens all over Israel even to this very day. They decorate their booths with palm branches, hence this is why on Palm Sunday they were waving palm branches on that day and shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” The shouting of hosanna is  actually a Jewish liturgical prayer from Psalm 118 which is read during the Feast of Tabernacles. This is done so they can ask God to save them, and to continue being their source of provision and protection.

This feast was always pointing to a future fulfillment in Messiah dwelling with his people for eternity and reigning over all of the kingdoms of the earth. They thought Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom for them and defeat the Romans and their enemies…when he did not do that, many did not believe he was the true Messiah and ultimately rejected Him. 

 

The Feast of Tabernacles is also called the Feast of Ingathering. Hmm 

Jesus did not become the earthly king like they had hoped for…and now someone else is being touted as the “peace maker” and giving them victory over their enemies on this very feast day. 

Trump will be receiving a hero’s welcome in Israel today. .This is known as ‘the last day, the greatest day’ of the Feast of Tabernacles.

This is the same day Jesus was in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles and declared himself as the living waters (John 7:37) of life, the spiritual sustenance for everyone who would believe in Him and receive the Holy Spirit. He said this as water was being poured out in the temple grounds as part of the ‘water libation ritual’ during this feast. 

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38

Trump will be addressing the Knesset today (on Monday, October 13). This is very significant in the eyes of the religious Jew that understand the messianic significance of this festival.

But let's get back to the 8th day, Shemini Atzeret, which will be celebrated tomorrow on October 14th

 The eighth day in the Bible is significant because it symbolizes a new beginning and new creation, most importantly through the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week (the 8th day!)  This concept is also seen in the Old Testament, as with the first eight-day cycle of creation and the ordination of the priesthood which began after a seven-day period. It represents the culmination of God's plan, the destruction of death, and the promise of eternal life. 

That’s the pattern we see whenever the Bible mentions the eighth day.  It’s always a day of completion of a process having to do with consecration, dedication, purification or cleansing, and Yehovah’s presence is often tangibly manifest on the eighth day.

That’s what this time of Sukkot is about – seven days of preparation to meet the Lord supernaturally.  It all leads up to what takes place on the eighth day.

You’ve probably heard that Sukkot represents the Wedding Feast of the Lamb  from Revelation 19.  What comes after a wedding?  The Honeymoon – just the bride and groom.  This is a time of consummating the marriage.  Consummation speaks of becoming one, and it also brings forth new life.  The 8th Day can be likened to the consummation of our marriage to Yeshua and the new life that has been supernaturally implanted in us

Most Biblical scholars also agree that Jesus was born on Tabernacles. Also did you know that when a male child is born in Israel, he must be circumcised on the 8th day? What is circumcision? It's the removing of the flesh.

Most of you already know that the Spring Feasts or Appointments have all been fulfilled by Jesus, so for time's sake I won't go into that here. But what about the Fall Feasts?

The Fall Feasts are a rehearsal for the events that are ushered in by Yeshua’s second coming:

• The Feast of Trumpets represents Yeshua’s return at the last trump. (Second coming)
• The Day of Atonement represents the judgment of the nations.
•  Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles represents the Millennium when we’ll tabernacle with Yeshua for 1,000 years.
• The 8th Day represents the new heaven and new earth – Eternity!

Everything done during these appointments lead up to the Great 8th Day, which will happen after the millenial reign. 

There is much more to this Feast day, but I encourage you to study it in your own. An interesting thing to note, however is that 2 years ago, on October 7th, was the day of that brutal attack on the Jews. Interesting that today, the remaining hostages from that attack (who are alive) may be going home.

Am I saying that the rapture will happen today or tomorrow? NO I AM NOT! So please, no hate mail.  I'm just pointing out the importance of this God-appointed feast day to both the Jews and to those of us who love Jesus.

Keep watch!  No matter how hard it gets. Never give up looking for Jesus!