Dear Doves,

I would like to revisit a theory that I have previously posted about on this site.  I believe that the three pilgrimage festivals represent a pattern for the Church, while the entire seven festivals represent a pattern for Israel.  It seems that every year we get so excited about a possible Rosh Hashanah Rapture.  And the remaining Fall Feasts become halfhearted candidates.  Well, the festival season is not officially over until Tabernacles.

But why did God put a spotlight on Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles – the three pilgrimage festivals?  There must be a reason for these choices and order.  Just see how they already relate to the Church:

1.    We gain salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ our Passover Lamb.  “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.  ”  1 Corinthians 5:7.

2.    Jesus directed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”  Acts 1:4-5. As we know, this gift was provided to the early church on Pentecost.  (See Acts 2.)

3.    It should follow then that something of consequence should happen to the Church on a future Tabernacles.  Since it is next in order of the Pilgrimage Festivals, it may also be the festival next in order for the Church.  Do you recall that the great multitude, in Revelation 7:9, are holding palm branches and that people are supposed to wave palm fronds on the Feast of Tabernacles?  “ And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”  Leviticus 23:40. I don’t know if there is a celebration of Tabernacles in heaven but this looks like a possible description of it:  “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10.

It is my hope that we do not get discouraged as we wait for our Lord.  (I don’t think we have figured everything out yet.)  And I know we will not be disappointed when we finally see Him face to face.

                                Maranatha

                                           – Lisa Taylor