Some may believe that hermeneutical handcuffs are developed, when typology is applied to the feasts, such as Jesus being our “Passover Lamb”, or when the feasts related to Jesus’ first and second coming, are seen as prophecy fulfilled or prophecy yet to be fulfilled.

One reader even stated: “you can get in some hermeneutical handcuffs when you start down the road of typology and mystically arriving at a date of the return of Christ”.  Question:  When the Maji interpreted scripture foretelling the coming of the Messiah and followed a star, were they being "Date Setters and Mystical"?  Yet  No effort to develop a specific date of Jesus return has been presented on this web site, only a season as appointed by Scripture.  See Col. 2:16-17  &  Mth. 16:3

In Colossians 2:16-17 we are reminded that the feasts and sabbaths, are a shadow of things to come.  And Jesus in Matthew 16:3 rebukes the Pharisees as hypocrites for not discerning “signs of the times”, as prophesied in Scripture regarding his coming.

Question:  Is it not true, that Jesus in His 1^st coming typologically fulfilled the prophecies related to the 1^st  4 feasts – which were ordained by God Himself?  Are the following typologies noted in scripture hermeneutical handcuffs or fulfilled prophecy as stated by scripture?

Unleavened Bread  -  Sinless; Jesus Sinless Nature  Heb. 4:15, 9:15

Passover  - Crucifixion; Passover Lamb of God  I Cor. 5:7,  Jn. 1:29, 36

Feast of First Fruits  - Resurrection; Christ our 1^st Fruits  I Cor. 15, 20, 23

Feast of Weeks  -  Pentecost; 

Note: The law was given to Moses on the 3^rd month; Sivan. 

This was also the month that Pentecost occurred.

By the law is death –

3,000 died when law given to Moses;  Ex. 19, 20 & 32

By the spirit is life –

3,000 given life by Holy Spirit; Acts 2:1-4, 41  and  II Cor. 3: 3,6,17

Were these “Feasts of the Lord” only meant to be sacrificial offerings of bulls & goats, or were they a foreshadow / typology of God’s redemptive plan?
 

“… regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come …”    Col. 2:16-17 

“… Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”  Mth. 16:3

                      See Biblical Feasts Outline of events file and

                      Jesus In The Feasts file.

Is it hermeneutical handcuffs, or excessive typology, to believe that Jesus in His 2^nd coming will not also consequently fulfill the typologies of the next 3 feasts - ordained by God Himself, for all generations, as holy appointed times with Him? 

Feasts aka Solemn Appointed Times with the Lord   Lev. 23:1-4.

The Hebrew word translated "Feasts" means Appointed Times.  According to De.16:16, God commands us to keep His Feasts, in light of the New Testament, and appear before the Lord with thanksgiving “forever” Ex. 12:14.

“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the Feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My Feasts.  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.  These are the Feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.”  Lev. 23:1-4

As noted, Feasts and Sabbaths are called "Holy Convocations" in Scripture.  That is to say, they are intended to be times of meeting between God and man for "Holy Purposes".  

These “Feasts / Holy Convocations", are also a combination of celebratory commemorations of God’s providence fulfilled in the past, and the continued fulfillment of His remaining covenant promises for the future.

To fully understand the Feasts, one must first understand the full meaning and implications of the Sabbath as a time of oneness with God;  a foreshadowing of that which is to come. 

In celebrating the Sabbath (1day in 7; 24 hours – sundown to sundown).  The Sabbath is a foreshadowing of the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan exemplified in His 7 Feasts.  It is a time completely devoted to being with God.  

                      See Sabbaths link.

"IF you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight  and  the Lord's holy day honorable,  and  if you honor it  by  not going your own way  and  not doing as you please  or  speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the Lord has spoken.  Isaiah 58:13-14 

God commands that we keep every sabbath & feast day holy (in light of the New Testament).  These are "Holy Convocations"; that is, they are intended to be times of meeting between God and man for "Holy Purposes" in preparation for an eternity dwelling with Him!  Rev. 21:1-3

Feast days, Sabbaths, Sabbatical years and the Year of Jubilee are compounding foreshadows of a potential closer communion with God.  In other words, each event provides for us direction, guidance and an opportunity toward a progressively closer, more intimate, relationship with God. 

The Feasts and Sabbaths are profound foreshadowings of the fulfillment of God’s total redemptive plan exemplified in His 7 Feasts listed in Leviticus 23, especially the Feast of Tabernacles. 

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Rather than excessive typology, the Feasts of the Lord are a continuation of God’s redemptive plan, through His “appointed times” yet to be completed.  These last 3 Feasts of the Lord complete the outline of God’s redemptive plan:  

The 1st “appointed time” with God; the Feast of Passover:

God’s redemptive plan was first hinted at by God Himself in Gen.1:1  “In the beginning God created …”.   The Hebrew word used for “God” is “Elohim”; meaning “a singular God with a plurality of majesty”.  In other words, Elohim expresses the “Trinity manifestation of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit”; a direct foreshadowing of the first 4 Feasts completed by Jesus’ 1^st coming.           See “Elohim” link.

Passover was also hinted at by Abraham in Gen. 22:8: “God Himself will provide a Lamb” i.e. the Feast of Passover; later implemented by Moses and ultimately fulfilled by Jesus’ sacrifice as the “Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world”.   

                      See "Passover" file

The Gospel of John also expressed Jesus as part of the Trinity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (Elohim), and the Word was God (Elohim)”. 

The 2^nd  “appointed time” with God; the Feast of Unleavened Bread:

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, held for a total of 8 days, included the times appointed for the Feast of Passover / Crucifixion and Feast of First Fruits / Easter.  This feast represents the sinless nature of Jesus (Heb. 4:15, 9:15) and provides an example of what God desires from us in order to fulfill His redemptive plan. 

                      See “Unleavened Bread” link.

The 3^rd “appointed time” with God; the Feast of First Fruits aka Easter:

Then on the Feast of First Fruits aka Easter, Jesus appeared to His disciples and “breathed upon them” and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”, John 20:22.  This was in fulfillment of His promise in John 14:15-18 to send the apostles “a Comforter” – the Spirit of truth – Who would abide with them forever, “Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” John 14:17.  Note that Jesus said the Holy Spirit was dwelling ‘with’ His men, or ‘alongside’ of them.  The Greek preposition here is para.  Yet soon the Spirit would be more than ‘with’ the disciples; soon He would dwell ‘in’ them.  Here the preposition is en.  The disciples went from para to en in John 20:22, when Jesus appeared on Easter evening, breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”.  Here the apostles were ‘born again’ of the Spirit to a knowledge of Jesus’ deity. 

                      See “Gifts of the Spirit” link.

The 4th “appointed time” with God; the Feast of Weeks aka Pentecost:

Yet 40 days later, at the “Day of Ascension” Jesus promised His disciples the Baptism of the Holy Spirit  Acts 1:3-5,8:  “wait for the promise of the Father … and you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence … and you shall receive power  AFTER  the Holy Spirit has come UPON (epi) you …”. 

This promise was fulfilled on the 50^th day, on Pentecost, aka Feast of Weeks as noted in Acts 2:1-4 “… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in tongues”. 

Question:  Why would Jesus “breathe upon them the Holy Spirit” at the first day of His Resurrection only to reappear to them on the 40^th day to say to them: “Wait for the promise of the Father … you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence … and you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon  (epi) you … and be witnesses …”?  Didn’t Jesus already “breathe upon them the Holy Spirit”  Why would He be instructing them to wait again to receive the Holy Spirit?  The answer lies in understanding the difference between “en” and “epi” Greek prepositions in the text.

In other words, the disciples’ received a “born again” experience upon having received the indwelling presence “en” of the Holy Spirit on Easter Sunday evening (Feast of First Fruits), and received the baptism in the Holy Spirit; “epi” on Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) as promised by Jesus in John 14:15-17. 

See "Filled vs Baptized of the Holy Spirit" in:

                       “Gifts of the Spirit”   

                      “Feast of Tabernacles”

                      “Pentecost”  files

The 5^th “appointed time” with God, the Feast of Trumpets, initiates the 10-day period of time for repentance  between the Feast of Trumpets (a call to a solemn assembly) and the Feast of Atonement / Judgment. This period includes the “Tribulation” / “End of the Age” period. 

           See “Feast of Trumpets to Atonement to Jubilee”  link.

The 6^th “appointed time” with God, the Feast of Atonement / Judgment, then culminates immediately on the next day with the Year of Jubilee, aka  “Millennial Kingdom”; at which time everything is required to be returned to it’s original owner, i.e. God.              

See “End Of The Age and Signs Of Jesus Coming” link.

The 7^th “appointed time” with God, the Feast of Tabernacles finally culminates God’s complete redemptive plan since the garden of Eden, to a time of total restoration with Him, where we will finally dwell / tabernacle with God forever; see Rev. 21:1-3. 

                     See  Biblical Feasts Outline and  “Feast of Tabernacles”.

                      ==========================

The First 4 Feasts are also in themselves a Foreshadowing of the Last 3 Feasts:

At Passover / Crucifixion God provides deliverance from our sins.  Likewise at the Feast of Trumpets having known the availability of redemption through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are called to repent of our sins, before judgment at the Feast of Atonement.  Both instances prepare us for a progressively closer relationship with God. 

At Easter / Feast of First Fruits we were “Born Again of the Spirit”.  At Pentecost / Feast of Weeks, we were “Baptized by the Holy Spirit”.  At Jubilee (the day after Feast of Atonement / Judgment) all things are set free to be returned to it’s “original owner”, i.e. God.  We then reign with Jesus for a 1,000 years.  The climax of these “appointed times” culminates after the “Great White Throne Judgment” in Rev.21:1-3, where we “Tabernacle / dwell” with God forever,  i.e. the Feast of Tabernacles. 

                      See Biblical Feasts outline of events file.

As these first 4 “Feasts of the Lord”:  Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and Feast of Weeks foreshadowed the actual events of Jesus’ first coming  (parousia), so also do the next 3 feasts of Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles foreshadow the prophecies regarding the end of the age at His 2^nd coming  (parousia).  

                      See “End Of The Age and Signs Of Jesus Coming” link.

When Jesus came the first time, were those who read Scripture and saw the “signs” of His coming season - mystical?  To be “mystical” infers that no sound scriptural hermeneutics were applied.  Yet substantial clear and literal proof has been provided here.  This lends all the more reason to be a good “Berean” until all proof of Scripture has been revealed. 

Are God’s “set appointed times” of NO meaning, and otherwise to be considered only mystical, or worse yet obsolete?  If so, then all typological Scriptural references of the first 4 feasts, as noted above, must also be removed from the New Testament.

Are mystical or hermeneutical handcuffs applied today by recognizing and identifiying the “signs” in Scripture that clearly point toward a season, not a date, of Christ’s return?  Did not Jesus rebuke the Pharisees for not recognizing the scriptural fulfillment of His 1^st coming?  Are we to be no less vigilant and prepared  today?   See  Col. 2:16-17   &   Mth. 16:3

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                                WEB SITE HERMENEUTICS  file link

Yet others may consider prophecy on the “End Of The Age” as just “Dooms-Day” talk, or irrelevant; since all Christians will be “raptured” before any of the “Tribulation Period” begins.  Yet Christians are clearly martyred starting at the “Abomination of Desolation” as noted by both Jesus in Mth. 24:9-21, and by John in Rev. 6:9-11 upon opening the 5^th seal.  This will continue to occur until the end of the “Great Tribulation” over 3.5 years into the 7-year tribulational period. 

Christians are therefore ALSO subject to false beliefs, wars, famine and pestilence as noted by Jesus in Mth. 24:5-8 and reiterated by John in the first 4 seals referenced in Rev. 6. 

Consequently, tempted (“Peirasmos”) to deny Christ as Lord & God of their life, rather than persevere to follow the Lord, during trials unleashed upon them during the first 4 seals.     See

                               “End Of The Age and Signs Of Jesus Coming”

                               “Last Days Data & Calendar”

                               "Parousia" links.

Consequently, the need arises to prepare the church for a time of tribulation / temptation / testing.  Reference Rev.3:10  " Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of temptation”.  I.e. temptation / tribulation  / testing (“Peirasmos”) to deny Christ as Lord & God of your life.  See Mth. 24: 5-22 and Rev. 6 & 7 seals 1 thru 6 and full discussion on “Peirosmos” in “End of the Age” Eschatology link.

"Tribulation to Rapture to Wrath"   file link 

                                ==========================

To prepare the church for this time of temptation to deny Christ, a Nehemiah-type wall of spiritual protection needs to be built:

Note correlations between Nehemiah chapters 2 & 8 in relation to both the 1st and 2nd 'coming' of the Lord:

Nehemiah Chapter 2:

As Ezra had built a physical temple for the Spirit of God to dwell, likewise the church today having been built on the foundation of the apostles and the cornerstone of Christ have received the indwelling Spirit of God.

And just as Nehemiah said to the people in Neh. 2:17-18,4:6: “You see the distress that we are in … come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we may be no more a reproach…and they said, ‘Let us rise up and build’.  So they strengthened their hands for this good work … So built we the wall … for the people had a mind to work”;  Let us also build that spiritual wall of protection in preparation of a spiritual attack in the latter days. 

Note prophecy fulfilled at Jesus 1^st coming is also a foreshadowing event to His 2nd coming: 

In Neh. 2:1,8 when King Artexerxes decreed in the month of Nissan 443 BC, the order to Nehemiah to restore and rebuild Jerusalem; was the fulfillment of Dan. 9:25 prophecy:  “…from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be 69 periods of seven: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

This “sign” of Jesus’ 1^st “coming”, was ultimately fulfilled during the foreshadowing events of the first 4 feasts. 

See “Daniel 9:24-27” and "Parousia".

Nehemiah Chapter 8:

So too, Nehemiah in chapter 8 also foreshadows latter day events to occur during the latter days; symbolized by the building of a physical wall around Jerusalem to protect the temple of God: 

“And when the wall around Jerusalem, including the temple was completed, Ezra stood up on the first day of the seventh month (Feast of Trumpets) … and read from the book of the law  … So, they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave them the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. … Also, day by day from the first day until the last day, they read the book of the law of God.  And they kept the feast seven days (Feast of Tabernacles; 15^th – 21^nd day) and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly”; a total of 22 days.  Nehemiah 8:2,3,8,18.

This foreshadowing of the latter days, between the Feasts of Trumpets and Atonement, continues in Nehemiah Chapter 9 exhorting repentance:

“Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads.  Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.  And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God. … and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God … "Stand up and bless the LORD your God Forever and ever!” 

Neh. 9:1-5.

This foreshadowing of the latter days directs us; both how and when to build up a spiritual wall of protection.  Likewise, in preparation for Jesus 2^nd coming, this wall of spiritual protection around the church today needs to be built in like manner as follows:

This spiritual wall of protection is to be built by: 

First:  Through preparation for the “hour of temptation”, recognizing God’s prophetic word being revealed thru His feasts and related prophecy.
 See:

   “Eschatology Introduction”,  "Parousia",

            “End Of The Age and Signs Of Jesus Coming” and related link.

Secondly:  Repentance

            See “Feast of Trumpets to Atonement to Jubilee”  link.

Thirdly:  Instruction of the law and the need for holiness. 

 See “Pursuit of Holiness” and related links.

                                ==========================

Cause the people to know the "signs" of His "coming" (parousia):

                               WEB SITE HERMENEUTICS  file link

Dan. 9:24  “Seventy  weeks  (70 periods of 7 periods) are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem) to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince  shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (69-7’s): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublsome times” Dan. 9:25.  This prophecy was fulfilled at Jesus 1^st coming (parousia) as noted in Neh. 2:1,8      

                      See “Daniel 9:24-27 Prophecies” link

                      See “parousia” link.

Likewise at Jesus 2^nd coming Dan. 9:27 states: And He (God) shall confirm the (His) covenant  (of 70 periods of 7  - upon the people & the city - Jerusalem) with many for one week (1 period of 7).  Therefore the last 70^th 7-year period is also subject to the prophecy concerning the ability to “restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince”; for “Seventy weeks  (70 - 7 periods) are determined upon thy people and upon the city”. 

 “Jerusalem shall be trodden down, UNTIL the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:24 

Because Daniel 9:24 states 70 7s are determined until the completion of all prophecy; Jesus 2^nd coming is also prophesied in the last 70^th 7 (“Last Days”) of Dan. 9: 24-27.    Thus this 70^th  7-year period is also subject to the ability to “rebuild and restore Jerusalem”. 

This finally occurred in 1967, and therefore the counting “until the coming of the Messiah the Prince” applies here.  Just as when King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah  2:1 ordered the wall around Jerusalem to be rebuilt, this signaled Jesus’ 1^st coming (parousia)!

Therefore, “Last Days” “season” of His coming is based (partially) upon Israel’s ability to rebuild Jerusalem since it’s recapture in 1967  per Dan. 9:25.

                       See “Last Days Data & Calendar”

                                 ===========================
 

Secondly:  Prophecy regarding Jesus’ return was also fulfilled in 1948 when Israel became a one nation again, no longer divided.

Ezek. 37: 21-22:  “… Thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms …”. 

Luke 21:24 “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

                      See:  “Dan. 9:24-27 Jesus 1^st & 2^nd coming Prophecies”

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                                              S U M M A R Y

This time, the seasonal “sign”, “unto the coming of the Messiah the Prince” starts with both 1948 and 1967:  In 1948 when prophecy was fulfilled with Israel having been both reborn as “one nation in the latter days”, and in 1967 when Israel regained the ability to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem”. 

This also correlates with 70 years from the time Israel became a nation in 1948, and with 50 years to the Year of Jubilee from 1967; 

Plus a corresponding fulfillment of a 40 year generation with a 10-year period of repentance prior to Judgment; aka Feast of Atonement; followed by the immediate initiation of the Year of Jubilee, aka Millennial Kingdom; at which time all things are returned to it’s original owner (God).

                                     ==========================

          All of Scripture proclaims God’s total Redemptive Plan

          As outlined by the “Feasts Of The LORD”. 

         The Feasts Of The LORD

         Are God’s Calendar of  Redeeming Grace.

For more complete information see: 

“Eschatology Introduction”

“Last Days Data & Calendar”

“End Of The Age and Signs Of Jesus Coming” 

PROPHETIC NUMEROLOGICAL SEQUENCES Link

           ============================================= 

Note the numerical sequencing relationship in God’s ordained plan:

7 day week ending on a Sabbath

7 months of 7 feasts ending on the ultimate Sabbath, the Feast of Tabernacles

7 years culminating in a Sabbatical year

7 Sabbatical years of 7 years culminating on the 50^th year at the

Year of Jubilee

7 weeks of 7 days + 1 day (50 days) to the Feast of Weeks / Shavuot / Pentecost

70 periods of 7 (Dan. 9:24-27); 

 First and Second coming of Christ / Messiah prophecies

70^th period of 7 years prophecy of the “End of the Age” (Dan. 9:24-27)

70 years symbol of Completion

Note the correlation / foreshadowing of 7 weeks of 7 days, plus 1 day, between the Feast of Passover aka Crucifixion and the Feast of Weeks aka Pentecost.

This is also true with the Year of Jubilee; 7 sabbatical years of 7-years plus 1 year; Jubilee is consummated immediately upon completing the Feast of Atonement / Judgment. 

The Feast of Tabernacles becomes the ultimate completeness of meeting with God; to ‘tabernacle’ / dwell with God for eternity; foreshadowed by Jubilee / Millennial in the Year of Jubilee.