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I keep the Feast of Tabernacles every year. I believe it is a God ordained Festival of God that is Christ-centered. This article is a simple explanation of this Festival and why New Testament Christians (Jews and Gentiles), kept this important Festival. Many Christians believe the holy days in the Bible are merely “Jewish” holidays. I think you will be surprised to find how meaningful these days are to Christians.

Reason #1

The Festivals of God were created by God Himself for mankind to observe. He ordained these days, not the Jews. It is true the Jews keep these days, but remember, God created these Festivals and commanded His people to observe these days. Notice Leviticus 23:

• Leviticus 23:2 “These are MY feasts.”
• Leviticus 23:4 “These are the feasts of the Lord.”
• Leviticus 23:37 “These are the feasts of the Lord.”
• Leviticus 23:41 “You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord.”
• Leviticus 23:44 “Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.”

I keep this Festival because God created this Feast teaching us to obey and worship Christ as King and Savior.

Reason #2

At the Feast of Tabernacles, we are commanded to worship the King – Jesus Christ! “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16-10.)

You can see from this passage alone that this Festival is “Christ-centered.” The nations that do not keep this Festival will be punished with plague. The focus of our sermons and fellowship during these seven days is to worship Christ the King. This is a COMMANDED assembly. I follow God’s command to assemble with other believers during this appointed time.

Reason #3

Paul and New Testament Christians, both Gentiles and Jews, kept the Feast of Tabernacles. Paul came to Ephesus on his way back to Jerusalem: “And he came to Ephesus and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing. And he sailed from Ephesus” (Acts 18:19–21.)

Most commentators note that the feast in question was certainly the Feast of Tabernacles. Paul said he wanted to keep the feast in Jerusalem. The Feast of Tabernacles is not merely a Jewish holiday. The earliest Christians kept the feast at the same time as the Jews, though undoubtedly with a Christ-centered sense of meaning. On an annual basis the New Testament churches celebrated the future return of Jesus Christ to this earth, when He will establish the Kingdom of God on Earth, Christ being the King over all the nations. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures this wonderful future time of Christ’s rule!

Reason #4

Observing the Feast of Tabernacles is a confession that we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, and that we look for something far better – the reign of Christ on this earth. This Festival lasts for seven days and then there is an eighth day (look for a future article on the eighth day.) The implication of this, is there are 6,000 years of man’s rule, man doing his best and failing miserably at self-rule. There is more to this Festival…it represents the rule of Jesus Christ during the millennium, a time when He rules, and not only He, but we who have trusted Him, been faithful to Him, and laid down our lives for Christ. We refuse to worship the beast or his image or to receive the beast’s mark. All the saints live and reign with Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4.) Where? Well, right here on this planet we call earth. The resurrected saints do not rule in heaven; they rule on the earth!

Reason #5

In observing this Festival I learn and am reminded of amazing facts concerning the Kingdom of God. Here are some details concerning this wonderful time:

• “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, (His global realm) for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9.)
• “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid” (Micah 4:3-4.)
• “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it'” (Amos 9:13.)
• “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16.)
• Revelation 5:10 tells us, “He has made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on earth.” Christ will return and annihilate the kingdoms of man. Mankind will no longer be in charge. There will no longer be chaos and poverty in this world. Jesus Christ will establish righteous godly government. And for a thousand years, He will reign on this earth.
• The fierce nature of certain animals will change (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25.)
• Wonderful miracles of healing will occur – the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk, and the mute will speak (Isaiah 35:5-6.)
• The 7th day Sabbath will be observed: Ezekiel 45 & 46 discuss Sabbath observance during the millennial reign of Christ – see also Isaiah 66:23, Ezekiel 44:24.

Reason #6

This Festival of Tabernacles reveals that in the Kingdom children will play in the streets. “The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in them” (Zechariah 8:5.) Every day during the Feast we hear sermons about the Kingdom of God and how wonderful life will be in that Kingdom. There is much fellowship and rejoicing during this weeklong celebration. It is a family-oriented Festival. We are commanded to rejoice at the Feast (Deuteronomy 16:14.) It is a time when we meet new friends and renew our love for the brethren of the Church.

Reason #7

The Bible shows that Jesus Christ attended this important festival even when His life was threatened (John 7:2-14, 25). It says that not only did He keep the feast, but He also taught at the Feast of Tabernacles. Verse 14 says that during the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught on that great day of the feast. In verses 37 and 38 it says, “He stood up and He cried out.” He taught about the doctrines of God, which included the fact that He was the Savior, and He also explained the plan of God which included the holy days.

Conclusion:

“These are my appointed feasts” (Leviticus 23:2,4.)

For myself and other church members, this is not just a Jewish holiday, but one of the “Appointed Times of God,” given to remind us of God’s plan on an annual basis. The Feast of Tabernacles deepens our understanding of the work and ministry of Jesus Christ our great King and Savior and points toward His millennial reign in the future Kingdom of God on this earth!

Written by: Pastor Steven LeBlanc

As world events heat up and wars and rumors of wars increase, the concept of the Rapture is a very popular subject. Many believe in the Rapture without really studying into it or proving it from the scriptures of the Bible. But did you know that most biblical scholars discount the Rapture and claim it is basically an American evangelical doctrine? From the Apostolic Church down to the 1800’s, teaching of the Rapture is non-existent. Even today, most Christians do not even believe in the Rapture theology. So, where and when did this doctrine start, and what is it?

Although there are many differing theories on the Rapture, such as pre, mid, and post-Rapture, this article is going to concentrate on the pre-Rapture theory because it is the most commonly believed. The origin of the Rapture is sketchy and many claim it originated from the dream of Margret McDonald around 1830. However, John Darby, an English Theologian, claimed to have received this revelation in 1827, three years before McDonald. Regardless if McDonald was the true origin, it was John Darby who perpetuated this theory and is considered the father of the pre-tribulation Rapture.

This leads to the question, “Is the Rapture doctrinally sound?” Can you prove the Rapture based on the scriptures in the Holy Bible? Before we test this theory, let’s look at the fundamental ideas of the Rapture. They have been modified somewhat over the years since Darby, but today’s concept of the Rapture includes the following concepts:

• The Lord will secretly return for His saints who will be caught up (raptured) to meet Him in the air.
• The saints will live in heaven with Jesus for seven years.
• All who aren’t saved will be left behind.
• The Antichrist will make a covenant with the Jews for seven years so they can set up the temple.
• At the end of the first 3½ years, the Antichrist will break the covenant and bring about great persecution, also known as the Great Tribulation, lasting another 3½ years.
• Following the seven-year tribulation, Jesus will return with His saints to destroy the Antichrist and set up His millennial kingdom.

At first glance, it seems very plausible that the Bible discusses each of these concepts in one form or another. However, prior to the 1800’s, the church taught the second coming of Christ and not the Rapture of the saints. Let’s explore some of the problems concerning the Rapture theory.

Does the Lord return in secret to gather His saints?

The “Left Behind” book series made the Rapture very popular in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. It provided a visceral picture of a secret Rapture where Christians would suddenly disappear, leaving others, who are left behind, wondering what happened to those who are missing. Theologians who teach a secret Rapture, quote 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 as proof. Although 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 does talk about those who are alive and will be changed, it is not speaking about a pre-tribulation Rapture.

First and foremost, the Bible says this change will take place at the last trumpet, “For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52.) Also, Revelation 1:7 states, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and EVERY EYE will see Him…” The scriptures are very clear – there is no secret Rapture. In contrast, when Jesus returns to gather His elect, every eye will see this wonderful event.

Revelation chapter 11 talks about the two witnesses who preach and are killed at the end of the tribulation. Their tormentors will rejoice as the two witnesses lay dead in the streets. When they are resurrected and told to “come up here” (to meet Christ in the clouds), those who are rejoicing and witness their resurrection will feel great fear. Mark 13:26-27 states “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory and then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.” The scriptures are crystal clear that when Jesus returns, all eyes will see Him at the time He gathers His saints. This fantastic event takes place following the tribulation and will not be done in secret.

Do the saints live with Jesus in Heaven for seven years?

As we discussed with the first problem, the saints are not resurrected nor changed in the twinkling of the eye until the seventh and last trumpet. This takes place when Jesus returns on the clouds and every eye is watching. What happens next? Revelation 11:15 says, “Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, He shall rein forever and ever!” This declaration is made just before Christ descends to fight the armies of the Beast and the False Prophet (Revelation 19: 11-21.)

Scripture does not state that Christians will live in heaven during the tribulation. So where will the true saints of God be during the tribulation? The Bible does state there is a place of protection for those who are faithful, hold fast, persevere, and don’t deny His name (Revelation 3, 7-10.) Verse 10 says, “Because you kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” These saints are protected at a place on this earth that God will choose. Scripture indicates the place of protection is near Jerusalem in a place called “the wilderness” (Mark 13:14; Rev 12:6,14.) This place of protection is for 1,260 days or a time and times and a half a time. Both indicate 3½ years. The biblical lunar year is 12 months, with 30 days per month, equaling 1,260 days.

Unfortunately, when it’s time for the church to flee into the wilderness, some Christians will be left behind. Revelation 12:17 states “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 3:16-18 explains why these Christians must go through the tribulation. God says they must buy gold refined in the fire and clothe themselves with white garments because they are miserable, poor, blind, and naked. God sees them as lukewarm, and He will vomit them out of His mouth. Revelation 7:14, says, “these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This is speaking of those Christians, who are lukewarm and have one foot in the world and one foot in church. They must go through the tribulation.

Revelation 7:15 says, “They are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.” This scripture is not talking about the saints living in heaven, but rather living on the Earth during the millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 20:6.) Once death is thrown into the lake of fire, God the Father will bring New Jerusalem down from heaven and He will live on the Earth (Revelation 21:2-3.) The scriptures are very clear that we will live with Jesus and the Father on this Earth. No where does the Bible say the saints will live with Jesus in Heaven during the tribulation.

What about the one taken and the one left behind?

Surely the scriptures Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36 are proof of the Rapture. But are they? When looking at these scriptures, we must look at the timing. Again, those who teach the Rapture claim the Rapture takes place at the beginning of the tribulation, not at the end. So, what is the timing of the scriptures concerning those who are taken and those who are left behind? In Matthew 24:3, the disciples ask Jesus about the sign of His coming and the end of the age. The timing is the return of Jesus – not a secret Rapture that takes place seven years before His return.

Jesus compares His return with the time of Noah. During the time of Noah, people were eating, drinking, and getting married. In other words, people were living their normal lives, not following God, and they were caught unaware of the events of the flood. Jesus also compared the time of His return with the story of Lot. Lot and his family were living their lives and were totally caught unprepared when God was going to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorra. When Lot and his family were told by two angels to flee, they were in no hurry. The angels of God had to physically remove them (Genesis 19:16.) Lots’ wife was so entrenched in this world, she was turned to salt because she disobeyed and turned back toward the city. The cares of this world had too much of a pull on her. The return of Jesus is very much like these comparisons. There will be those who are watching and are ready, and there will be those who a living their lives unaware of the events that will soon overtake them.

Now we see that the timing of Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36 takes place after the tribulation and at the time of the return of Jesus. Those who were watching and faithful, take part in the first resurrection. Those left were unaware and not faithful, showing a separation between God’s elect and those eating and drinking, oblivious to His return. Christ’s return is described as coming as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4,) or lightening streaking across the sky (Luke 17:24.) God’s people must always be ready and watching. Jesus reveals in Luke17:31-32, “In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife.” These scriptures demonstrate that Christians can decide to turn back; and they are warned to remember Lot’s wife. Nowhere are Christians told they will be caught up in a secret Rapture. Matthew 24 and Luke 17 demonstrate the separation of God’s elect from those who are of the world. He tells His elect to watch, be ready, and not turn back at His return. Those who are caught unaware, will be carrion for the eagles.

Does God protect Christians during the tribulation?

At first glance, the Rapture seems to provide an easy way to escape what the Bible says will be the worst time in human history. But the scriptures do not support that theory because it cannot be proven biblically. The Rapture provides a false hope. This false hope will lead many to be caught unaware and unprepared. However, God always provides a way of escape for His people. The way of escape the Bible does support is called a “place of protection.” God says it will be in the wilderness and not in heaven (Revelation 12:6;14.)

What does the Bible teach?

The Bible focuses on the second coming of Jesus Christ and the events surrounding it. The Rapture theory uses many of these scriptures but then moves them out of their time sequence. Here are just a few of the events concerning the second coming of Jesus:

• The Great Tribulation takes place before the second coming of Christ and lasts 3½ years (Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 12:14.)
• God’s faithful go to a place of protection in the wilderness at the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 3:10,) while those that are lukewarm must go through the tribulation (Revelation 3:18, 7:14, 12:17.)
• On the seventh and last trumpet, Jesus Christ returns on the clouds, the resurrection of the dead in Christ takes place, those alive will be changed, and with a shout of an archangel, all the saints (resurrected or changed) will meet Jesus in the clouds (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.)
• Jesus and His saints return to Jerusalem to destroy all the armies that come to fight Him (Zechariah 14:3-5; Revelation 19:19-21.)

These events that are listed are not intended to be an extensive list of the second coming of Jesus Christ (look for a future article on this topic.) They do, however, represent the proper order of the Christians who are resurrected and meet Jesus in the clouds following the tribulation when the seventh trumpet sounds. This brief outline of the return of Jesus demonstrates how the Rapture theory distorts the timeline of end time events and proves the Rapture theory is not scripturally based.

By: Jody Smith