Time for Feast!!

This week is Sukkot! Many of us may recognize this as a Jewish festival called Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths or Festival of Harvest or Feast of Ingathering. Yes, it is called by different names. Sukkot is the Hebrew name. It is the last festival of the appointed festivals by God. It started at sundown on Friday, September 29, and lasts till sundown Friday, October 6. This festival is mentioned in the following verses:

Exodus 23:16, Exodus 34:22, Leviticus 23:34-43, Numbers 29:12-40, Deuteronomy 16:13-16, Nehemiah 8:13-18, Zechariah 14:16-19, John 7:2, 37-38. 

Notice the mention of the festival in the New Testament, in the book of John! Jesus is in Jerusalem at this time celebrating the festival. He was keeping the festival in Jerusalem as commanded by God back in Exodus, as every Jewish man was commanded. He did not do away with the festivals. He did not do away with the Old Testament. Remember His words: 

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one title will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 4:17-19

Please understand this does not mean your salvation is based on keeping the commandments. Israel couldn't do it and neither can we. Salvation comes from faith alone in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26 explains this. Does this mean we throw away the commandments of the LORD? NO! We who believe in Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, will want to keep God's Words. Jesus Himself said the commandments remain until heaven and earth are gone. Jesus also said three times in John 14:15, 21, 23 that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. It also explains it is the Holy Spirit, who is given to us, who will help us keep the commandments (John 14:16-17). 

Notice the verses out of Zechariah speak of all nations, not just the Jewish people, coming to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival. This is a prophecy of the future involving all believers at Sukkot.

I'm attaching a website and video below that explain the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. I hope you are encouraged to learn more about this joyful festival and its prophetic meaning for the return of Jesus.

https://youtu.be/7okN0nGxAM4. This is the video about Sukkot.

https://firmisrael.org/learn/sukkot-in-israel/. This is an article about Sukkot.

The LORD bless you and keep you.