GOD'S HOLY DAYS PART II.

The Passover

*lives of all the firstborn Egyptian males
*placed the blood of a sacrificed lamb on their doorposts
*The blood of the lamb foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Christians came to understand that Christ is the true Passover Lamb
*In observing His last Passover with His disciples, Jesus explained that the symbols of bread and wine represent His body and blood, offered by Him for the forgiveness of our sins

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

*immediately follows Passover
During His earthly ministry, Jesus identified leaven as a symbol of sin
*members of the early Church continued to observe this festival by putting leaven out of their homes for the week as a symbol of the clean minds and attitudes God desires of His people
*After accepting Christ's sacrifice for our sins, we must follow His example in practicing righteousness.
*It was during this festival that Jesus was raised from the dead—a vital factor for us to be led out of sin and on to God's Kingdom.

The Feast of Pentecost

*also called the Feast of Harvest or Firstfruits
*was the day God miraculously granted His Spirit to the New Testament Church
*Pentecost continues to remind us that God is the Lord of His harvest, choosing and preparing the firstfruits of His coming Kingdom by granting them His Spirit

The Feast of Trumpets

*trumpets were used as a way of announcing special messages
*The New Testament reveals a great event to be announced with the sounding of a trumpet—the return of Jesus Christ to the earth
*This day also pictures the time when the 144,000 who have died will be resurrected to life to reign with Christ for 1,000 years
*it was around this time of year that Jesus was born—not in the dead of winter

The Day of Atonement

*Observed by fasting,refraining from eating or drinking "the fast"
*this day represents humanity's need to be reconciled to God through the forgiveness of sin
*At the return of Christ, Satan the devil, who now leads mankind astray, will be bound
*so the nations can be reconciled to the Father through Christ

The Feast of Tabernacles

*The next festival period lasts for eight days
*pictures the final steps in God's master plan to bring all of humanity into His eternal family
*marks the celebration of the completion of a full year of harvests
*great spiritual harvest of human beings under the reign of Jesus Christ.
*The first seven days, also known as the Feast of Ingathering to mark this great harvest period
*pictures the 1,000-year rule of Jesus Christ immediately following His return to the earth known as the Millennium
*a time of peace when God's law will go forth to all nations from Jerusalem
*With Satan's evil influence removed, all of humanity will at last learn God's ways
*This perfect environment will be designed to offer all people the opportunity to repent of their sins and come to God the Father through Jesus Christ. The Bible shows that Jesus attended this important festival (John 7:2, 10, 14).

The Last Great Day

*The final step in God's plan of salvation for all mankind is represented in a feast day at the conclusion of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:39). Also called the eighth day or the Last Great Day
*this festival pictures the great judgment of humankind (100yr Great White Throne Judgement)
*During this time all people who have died not knowing God's plan for them will be resurrected to life to be given an opportunity to respond to God's call. Thus it represents the completion of the spiritual harvest of mankind.

PASSOVER: BEGINS THE ANNUAL SABBATHS BUT IS NOT ONE OF THE SEVEN ANNUAL SABBATHS. IT IS A PREPARATION DAY FOR THE 1ST HIGH DAY [ANNUAL HOLY DAY] OF THE YEAR. CHRIST SAID THAT WE ARE TO KEEP IT AS A MEMORIAL TO HIM. AND SINCE HE IS THE TRUE PASSOVER LAMB OF GOD WE TAKE OF HIS UNLEAVENED [W/O SIN] BODY AND HIS BLOOD!!!

THE WEEKLY SABBATH IS A MEMORIAL TO THE CREATOR.


THE ANNUAL SABBATHS SHOW GOD'S PLAN TO GIVE SALVATION TO MAN.