AUTUMN FEASTS – THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES

And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”

(Isaiah 25:9 NASB)

In the previous blog, Spring Feasts – Salvation from Sin, we saw that Messiah’s First Appearance fulfilled the typology of the Jewish Spring Feasts, and established a blueprint for the elementary teachings pertaining to redemption from sin. NOW, the author of Hebrews states, ‘And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him,’ (Heb 9:27-28).

This Scripture states that all men await Judgment Day. Yet, when Messiah appears a second time to judge the world, He will also establish a redemption without reference to sin, namely, the redemption of our bodies. It is important to notice that the latter part of Hebrews 6:2 states that eternal judgment and the resurrection should be considered elemental teachings of Messiah.

If the Jewish Spring Feasts provide a blueprint for salvation with reference to sin, then the Autumn Feasts provide a blueprint for Messiah’s Second Appearance to complete salvation through a redemption without reference to sin. The Autumn Feasts foreshadow the completion and this final stage of salvation, namely, to realize the redemption of our bodies in order to inherit the restored Kingdom of God on earth, (1 Cor 15:50-52; Rom 8:19-24).

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, foreshadows Judgment Day, the DAY on which God will draw a line for the redemption of souls. On this awesome and fearful day, the Book of Life will be opened to determine the names of those who will be revealed as the ‘sons of God’ (Rom 8:17-23), those who will be considered worthy to inherit His eternal Kingdom which will be established on earth as the supreme Kingdom for 1,000 years, (Rev 20:4-6; Rev 11:15-18).

In order to prepare humanity for this awesome DAY, a final opportunity will be granted for man to choose salvation. The Feast of Trumpets commences 10 days prior to Yom Kippur. Trumpets are blown every day, for the next 10 days, in order to call man to consider the condition of his soul before God announces His final judgments on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). In this final stage of history, the Great Tribulation will be a trumpet calling humanity to repentance before Judgment Day. Those who fear God and believe unto salvation will be purified and cleansed, (Dan 11:33-35; Rev 12:11). Yet, Scriptures indicate that a great multitude will fall away from the faith at this time, because their love will grow cold, (Mat 24:11-14; 2 Thes 2:3). A clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked will render a final harvest at the threshing floor before God renders His final Judgment on earth, (Mat 13:24-30; Mat 13:37-43; Rev 7; Rev 14). [See also Malachi 3:16-18 and Malachi 4:1-3.]

Judgment Day will also render God’s foretold wrath – the destruction of ungodly men, (2 Peter 3:3-7). [See also Is 13; Is 24; Rev 6:12-17; Rev 8 & 9; Rev 16.] When God has satisfied His wrath on the inhabited earth (Rev 19:1-2), Messiah will appear for a second time in all His glory, (Rev 16:15; Rev 19:11-19). When He appears, Messiah will bring the holy ones from heaven with Him (Zech 14:5-9; Rev 19:14), and will establish His eternal Kingdom on earth for 1,000 years, (Rev 11:15-18; Rev 20). For millennia the earth has been in birth pangs awaiting this climactic event, for now, ‘the sons of God’ will be revealed through the resurrection and glorification of their bodies, (Rom 8:18-25; 1 Cor 15:23, 42-58; Rev 20:4-6). NOW, the Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth) will come into fulfillment as the saints of the Most High take possession of their eternal Kingdom to rule and reign with Messiah for 1,000 years.

In studying the typology of the Jewish Autumn Feasts we are able to gain insight into this final season of God’s plan for salvation, namely the redemption of our bodies. The fulfillment of Judgment Day and the promise of our resurrection should be considered elemental teachings, and will not contradict the blueprint laid down in the Autumn Feasts of the Lord.

The Autumn Feasts provide a blue print for Messiah’s elemental teachings on Judgment Day and the resurrection, the latter part of Hebrews 6:1-2.