Feast Days
Leviticus the 23rd chapter list all the Holy Days of God, which he commanded us to observe FOREVER. Along with the 7th day (Saturday) weekly Sabbath there are seven high (annual) Sabbaths. Holy gatherings are held and no work is to be done on these days.
Dates of Biblical Holidays 2023-2024
|
Holy and Civil Days
|
Begins at sunset on: | Ends at sunset on: |
|---|---|---|
| The Lord’s Supper | ||
| 1st Night of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) | ||
| 7th Night of Unleavened Bread | ||
| Pentecost (Shavuot) | ||
| Day of Shouting/Trumpets (Yom Teruah) | Friday, October 4th, 2024 | Saturday, October 5th, 2024 |
| Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) | October 13th, 2024 | October 14th, 2024 |
| Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) | October 18th, 2024 | October 19th, 2024 |
| The 8th Day of Assembly (Shemini Atzeret) | October 25th, 2024 | October 26th, 2024 |
| Hannukah (Dedication) | December 25th, 2023 | January 2nd, 2024 |
Abib (Barley) Biblical Leap Years
The Biblical year begins with the first New Moon after the barley in Israel reaches the stage in its ripeness called Abib. The period between one year and the next is either 12 or 13 lunar months. Because of this, it is important to check the state of the Barley crops at the end of the 12th month. If the barley is Abib at this time, then the following New Moon is the “New Moon of the Abib”. If the barley is still immature, we must wait another month and then check the barley again at the end of the 13th month. We have been most fortunate to learn the understanding in which the Bible has to give on this subject. Our count for the feast days is reflective of this understanding. If by chance you have noticed that our feast days differ from other Jewish, Israelite or Law keeping communities it is because of the method used in observing new moons. Some may go by the new moon located in America. We understand that we are to follow the new moon located in Jerusalem.
Isaiah2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Yet other communities follow the Metonic cycle, which is a systematic, mathematical calculation of the new moons far in advance. Such communities or groups are able to predict (based on the Metonic cycle) God’s feast days for the next 20 years. We have not so learned, but have learned to follow Abib (green ears) which allows us to determine the annual feast year by year. Also, something to notice about the name of the month itself, Abib was later given an actual name which is the month Nisan. By convention, a 12-month year is referred to as a Regular Year while a 13th month year is referred to as a Leap Year. This should not be confused with Leap Years in the Gregorian (Christian) Calendar, which involve the “intercalation” (addition) of a single day (Feb. 29). In contrast, the Biblical Leap Year involves the intercalation of an entire lunar month (“Thirteenth Month”, also called “Adar Bet”). In general, it can only be determined whether a year is a Leap Year a few days before the end of the 12th Month. Is Abib mentioned in the Bible? The historical account provided in Exodus relays a specific time to memorialize the ‘season’ in which Israel, departed from Egypt.
(Ex 13:3-4) 3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. 4 This day came ye out in the month Abib (the month of green ears by definition).
Also, notice the same message repeated in;
Deuteronomy 16:1-3: 1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
And last but not least, it is also stated in;
Exodus 23:14-16: 14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year 15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
What is Abib?
Abib indicates a stage in the development of the barley crops. This is clear from Ex 9:31-32 which describes the devastation caused by the plague of hail: “And the flax and the barley were smitten, because the barley was Abib. The seven annual Holy Days are annual Sabbaths. They are holy convocations, or commanded assemblies, of God’s people. These days are holy because they are sanctified (set apart) by God. He commands His people to assemble for worship and to learn about Him and His plan. His command goes further than worship only; it includes fellowshipping and rejoicing together (Leviticus 23:1-4; Deuteronomy 14:23-26; Nehemiah 8:1-12).
The New Testament also shows a record which is without interruption of God’s people of observance of these days by Jesus Christ and all of his followers. Jesus Christ observed these festivals, and we as His followers are told to walk as He walked (John 7:8-14; 1 John 2:6). After his death and resurrection, his followers also continued to keep the same commandments which were given in Leviticus. The apostles and disciples of the early Church continued to observe these festivals long after Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 18:21; 20:16; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 5:8). The apostle Paul upholds their observance and presents them as continuing “shadows” or outlines of the great events in God’s plan of salvation that are yet to be fulfilled (Colossians 2:16-17). He also instructed the congregation in Corinth, “Let us keep the feast” (1 Corinthians 5:8). As well he was found several times hasting to keep the annual feast.
Through the observance of these feasts, the Creator has revealed his plan to redeem mankind. The Passover or Memorial of Christ Death teaches us that Jesus Christ was sinless and, as the true Lamb of God, gave His life so that the sins of humanity could be forgiven and the death penalty removed (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Romans 3:25). The memorial is commemorated by the drinking of wine and eating of bread, as well as the washing of feet. This is not observed as a Sabbath but is the first festival of the year.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
This festival teaches us that we have been called to reject lawlessness and repent of sin. During this festival, leaven symbolizes sin and, as such, is removed from our homes for the seven days of the festival (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Exodus 12:19). We are to eat drink or even have in our homes no product which contains leaven.
Leavening Agents are substances that form bubbles of gas (carbon dioxide) which expands when a batter or dough is heated. Their action makes baked products light and affects grain and texture. Leavening agents include: Yeast, Baking Powder, Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate). Only when mixed with a food acid ( i.e. cream of tartar, buttermilk, sour milk, molasses, vinegar or lemon juice). Note: baking soda alone is not a leavening agent. BREAD PRODUCTS CONTAIN LEAVENING Bread, Cookies, Muffins, Cupcakes, Crackers, Flour Tortillas, Croutons, Self Rising Flour, Cakes Mixes, Onion Rings, Pancakes, Honey Buns, Breaded Batters, Pizza Crust, Biscuits. Also Beer For this particular feast we rid out of our homes of all of these items and will not consume them for one week in accordance with the biblical commandment.
Feast of Pentecost
The Memorial of the 1st Fruits reveals to us that Jesus Christ is the (1 Corinthians 15:20) 1st fruits of them that slept. He is the wave sheaf offering that must be accepted before the rest of the 1st fruits is accepted (Leviticus 23: 10-11).
The Feast of Harvest (also called) Feast of Pentecost, or firstfruits, teaches us that after Jesus Christ is accepted as being the 1st fruits, (the harvest) of the remainder of his elect may be accepted. The firstfruits are those who will be given salvation at the return of Christ. (James 1:18).
The Feast of Trumpets
The Feast of Trumpets shows how the assembly is both called together by a trumpet (shofar) and warns the people of danger or war. Jesus Christ will visibly return to the earth at the end with the sound of a trumpet. At that time He will resurrect the saints who are no longer living and instantly change those saints who are still alive to immortal spirit beings (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). According to Revelation 11:15 a 7th trumpet will mark the kingdom of this world becoming Christ kingdoms forever.
The Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement teaches us that Jesus Christ gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. It also points to the time when Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Leviticus 16:29-30, 20-22; Revelation 20:1-3). This Holy Day pictures our High Priest, Jesus Christ, making atonement for our sins, which allows us to be reconciled to God and enter into the “holiest of all” (Hebrews 9:8-14; 10:19-20). By fasting on this day, we draw closer to God and picture the reconciliation of mankind to God. Christ is essential in this process as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; 5:4-5, 10) and as our eternal sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26-28).
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Ingathering is marked by the dwelling of believers in booths or temporary dwellings for seven days. This feast teaches us several things. One of which is our temporary tabernacle (body) here on earth. It also represents remembering our forefathers captivity in Egypt, as well as showing the believers that the dwelling on earth as it is a temporary thing. (see our Feast of Tabernacles 2007 photos)
The Last Great Day
The Last Great Day, or eighth day, is a manifestation of how Jesus Christ will complete His harvesting of mankind by raising from the dead and extending salvation to all mankind who have died in the past. It also commemorates the Judgment day which is to occur, to determine who is written in the book of life. At this time God will be all in all and the revealing of God’s plan as we know it will be complete (Revelation 20:11-13).
As we strive to observe these feasts annually the Creator has continually manifested his plan to his servants. We also observe the feast of Purim, and the Feast of Dedication, as civil festivals observed in the Bible. These are not Sabbaths but help us to appreciate the Godly traditions keep by our forefathers.