Introduction
Many people have argued that we do not need to keep the feasts. They claim that the feasts were done away with after the death of Yahshua on the Calvary. However, is it true?
Many people have argued that we do not need to keep the feasts. They claim that the feasts were done away with after the death of Yahshua on the Calvary. However, is it true?
Many people have argued that we do not need to keep the feasts. They claim that the feasts were done away with after the death of Yahshua on the Calvary. However, is it true? Prophet Isaiah tells us to seek and read from the book of the law (Isaiah 34:16) because the word of God is true (Proverbs 30:5), and perfect (Psalms 19:7).
Sukkot also known as the feast of Tabernacles is kept as a memorial of the time the children of Israel lived in booths while in the wilderness, en route to the Promised Land. We are therefore commanded to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles for seven days, by living in tents/booths typically known as sukkah. Sukkot is also called the feast of ingathering because it is during this time that main harvest is done. It is a time to rejoice before Elohim by sharing your farm produce with the Levite, the needy, the sojourner and the orphans within your territory.
“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord for seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month.” Leviticus 23:39-41
The children of Israel kept the feast even during the reign of King David and King Solomon.
“At that time Solomon held the feast for seven days, and all Israel with him” 2 Chronicles 7:8
They continued to keep the feast after their return from exile in Babylon under the guidance of Ezra.
“ And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths….Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he (Ezra) read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.” Nehemiah 8:17-18.
Messiah Yahshua kept the feast of tabernacles, thereby setting a good example for us all.
“But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but privately.” John 7:10
Did you know that prophet Zechariah had prophesied about the keeping of sukkot in the millennial reign of Yahshua? That is how serious Elohim regards the observance of His feasts.
“Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem, shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles. And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them…This shall be the punishment to Egypt and the punishment to all nations that do not go up to keep the feast of Tabernacles” The feast of Tabernacles acts as a reflection pointing to the millennial reign of Yahshua Booths are used because they are temporary shelters which help to remind us that we are sojourners in this world, and we are awaiting a better life when the kingdom of God is established on earth, for He will Tabernacle with us, according to what is recorded in Revelation 21:3 I personally welcome you to join us in celebrating this year’s feast of Tabernacles at our Nairobi headquarters as well as other feast centers in the major towns in Kenya. The event runs from 23rd September to 1stof October 2018. May Elohim bless you as you purpose to join us in this celebration. Pastor Hezekiah Kuria Karanja General Overseer –Church of God 7thDay