Some people may wonder what value there is in studying the symbolism contained within the rituals of the old covenant when the reality which they foreshadowed has been revealed through Jesus Christ, but we can still discover precious insights into the mystery of Christ that will greatly encourage us in our faith by exploring the […]
Part 5: The Altar of Burnt Offering
October 4, 2012 by
The centrality of sacrifice Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, the ritual of sacrifice has been a mysterious but central part of biblical religion. The covering of animal skins which the LORD provided for Adam and Eve after they had sinned conveyed the message that sin could only be atoned for […]
Christ, Our Passover Lamb, Has Been Sacrificed
October 4, 2012 by
The celebration of the Passover, instituted by Moses under the Old Covenant, was in the first month of the Hebrew Calendar. The annual cycle of Feasts and holy days commenced with the celebration of the deliverance from bondage in Egypt and culminated in the feasts of the seventh month – the feast of trumpets, the […]
I Will Passover You
October 4, 2012 by
The story of Passover and the exodus is a timeless story that has become a powerful symbol of liberation, but Passover represents far more than just national liberation. YHWH set his people free from slavery in Egypt so that they could worship him. Passover represents liberation from bondage in order to worship God, which entails […]
The Feast of Weeks – Pentecost / Shavuot
October 4, 2012 by
“From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:15-16). Background to the Feast of Pentecost Pentecost, or the […]
Shavuot and the giving of the Torah
October 4, 2012 by
Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, is a celebration of the firstfruits of the spring harvest. It is a time of rejoicing before the Lord: From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf (the Omer) of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days […]
Rosh Hashana
October 4, 2012 by
Rosh Hashana literally means head of the year. The Biblical designation of this feast that is celebrated as the start of the new year is Yom Teru’ah (Day of trumpets): “On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets” […]
Yom Kippur – Pointing to the final atonement
October 4, 2012 by
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32) Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar, the day in which atonement was […]
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)
October 4, 2012 by
The feast of tabernacles is rich with symbolism for believers in Jesus the Messiah. It speaks to us of the past, the present and the future – of the past because it recalls our deliverance from slavery; of the present – because it reminds us that we are sojourners; and of the future – because […]
The Lesson of Chanukah
October 4, 2012 by
Dies auch in Deutsch erhaeltlich Chanukah is a celebration of the miracle that was reported to have occurred following the Maccabean revolt against Syria when the temple was rededicated after it had been defiled by Antiochus. The priests had only one cruse of oil, sufficient to keep the lamps burning for one day, but, it […]
