The Strand Study Bible

LEVITICUS

LEVITICUS

277

with the resurrection of the dead, and so does Paul. Paul’s point here is that the Rapture will be the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets.” 3

6. Day of Atonement (c. October 10th) This feast was set up to remind the people of God that God is a God of His Word concerning His promises to the nation of Israel (Gen 12:1-3). Thus this feast was set up to remind God’s people concerning what CHRIST will do for Israel concerning their future restoration as a nation at His Second Coming (Mt 24:30-31,42-46). 7. Feast of Tabernacles (c. October 15-22) This feast was set up to remind the people of God that God is a God of His Word concerning His promises to the nation of Israel (Gen 12:1-3). Thus this feast was set up to remind the people of God concerning what CHRIST will do for Israel concerning their future as a nation during the Millennium. According to the Apostle Paul (Colo 2:14-17), once CHRIST had come and fulfilled all that was meant to depict Him (the Sabbath - Gen 2:2 and Heb 4:10 , the sacrifices - Gen 3:21 & 4:4 , the Tabernacle and its furnishings - Exo 25:8-9 and Rev 21:3, and the seven feasts - Lev 23:2 , etc.), three of the five parts of the OT Law (the ceremonial, personal, and separation laws) were no longer needed and/or needed to be observed. However, if observing these feasts kept an OT saint right with God (and they did), and they are now done away with (and they are), what are NT saints supposed to do to stay right with God? The answer is simple. What the OT saints followed in practice, the NT saints are to follow in principle. For example: 1. Seeing the Feast of Passover depicts CHRIST and our salvation , there is no better way to observe this feast in principle than to share our salvation with others (witness for Jesus – Acts 26:2 ). 2. Seeing the Feast of Unleavened Bread depicts CHRIST and our sanctification , there is no better way to observe this feast in principle than to stay underneath the sanctifying influence of God’s Word (Jn 17:17). 3. Seeing the Feast of First Fruits depicts CHRIST and our resurrection , there is no better way to observe this feast in principle than to focus on the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST ( II Cor 5:10-11 and I Jn 3: 1- 3 ). 4. Seeing the Feast of Pentecost depicts CHRIST and our unity as a body of believers, there is no better way to observe this feast in principle than to get along with other believers ( Jn 13:34 -35) by yielding to the HOLY SPIRIT ( Psa 133:2 and Eph 4:30 ). 5. Seeing the Feast of Trumpets depicts CHRIST and the Rapture ( I Cor 15:52 , I Thess 4:13-17 and Rev 4:1), there is no better way to observe this feast in principle than to study the End Times, which are all about Israel ( Mt 24: 1- 4,9 ). 6. Seeing the Day of Atonement depicts CHRIST and the Second Coming , there is no better way to observe this feast in principle than to study the End Times, which are all about Israel ( Mt 24: 1- 4,9 ). 7. Seeing the Feast of Tabernacles depicts CHRIST and the 1000-year Millennium , there is no better way to observe this feast in principle than to study the End Times, which are all about Israel ( Mt 24: 1- 4,9 ). NOTE – Arthur S. DeMoss taught God’s people to stay right with God by teaching them to give God three things: * The first moments of the morning (personal devotions) Reading the Word of God ( Psa 119:147 and II Tim 2:15) and prayer ( Lk 11:1,2 , Psa 5:3 & 55:17 & 88:13, Mt 6:5-7, I Thess 5:17 and Eph 6:18) ought to be done in the morning. Christians shouldn’t give God what’s left of the day, but what’s right before the day begins. In order to give God what’s right , before the day begins, we must approach God’s Word properly. We do this via three avenues: (1) by way of meditation ( Psa 1:2 and Josh 1:8a,b ); (2) by way of comprehension ( I Cor 2:13 ); and (3) by way of recognizing God’s Voice ( II Sam 24:1 ). Christians who participate in personal devotions by giving God the first moments of the morning not only grow in grace (a picture of the Feast of Unleavened Bread - sanctification - Jn 17:17, II Cor 6:16-18 and I Cor 3:16-17 ), but they learn to embrace the right motive for why they do what they do for God ( I Cor 3:13 , Rev 2:4 and II Cor 5:14 ). * The first day of the week ( Heb 10:25 , Jn 20:1 and Rev 1:9-10) Christians who make going to church on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) a priority not only get to see folks saved (a picture of the Feast of Passover - salvation - Jere 2:1-7 ), get to see folks baptized (a picture of the Feast of First Fruits - resurrection - I Jn 3:3 ), and get to partake of the Lord’s Supper (a picture of the Feast of Pentecost - unity - Jn 17:19-22 ), but they learn to use their gift(s) ( Lk 19:11,17 , Mt 25:30 and I Cor 12:1-11). * The first 10% of their income ( I Cor 9:6 and Mt 6:19-24) Christians who make investing in Heaven a priority not only invest in the future (a picture of the last three feasts: the Feast of Trumpets - Rapture - Lk 17:26-30, the Feast of Day of Atonement - Second Coming of Christ - Ezk 37:1-10 , and the Feast of Tabernacles - 1000-year Millennial Reign of Christ - II Chro 33 ) and gain the eternal perspective ( II Cor 4:18 ), but they learn to finish their race for God ( Rev 2:7,26 and Ezk 3:20 ). For more information read Jamie Buckingham’s book called Power For Living , Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation, 1983. 4

1 Stedman, Ray C. The Way to Wholeness: Lessons from Leviticus , Grand Rapids, MI, Discovery House. 2005. Print. 2 Hitchcock, Mark. Blood Moons Rising , Carol Stream, IL, Tyndale. 2014. Print. 3 Fruchtenbaum, Arnold. A Review of Marvin Rosenthal’s Book “The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church , Tustin, CA, Ariel Ministries. 1991. 4 Buckingham, Jamie. “ Power forLiving. ” Wikipedia . 14 Jan 2008 .