What is going to happen during the end times? Part 2
As a continuation from Part 1 of this series we can see in end times chronology, there are specific events yet to happen. Where many people get confused is that some of these events are specific to Israel and some are specific to the Christians. Looking at past events in Scripture we see several things that are noteworthy that we can observe in the past Jewish holy days and events, using their common names as follows:
Passover
Passover was established by God while the Israelites were in Egypt. God commanded that Passover lambs be sacrificed, and the blood of the lambs were painted over the tops and on the sides of the doors of the homes of the Israelites. This blood protected the Israelites from God’s curse of the death of the firstborn in Egypt by passing over their homes. This Jewish feast was was soon after established by God and involved the sacrifice of perfect lambs without blemish. It was also the first of three feasts during the year when all males were commanded to go to the tabernacle or temple later.
This feast was literally fulfilled on Passover by Jesus when He died upon the cross as our Passover Lamb and His shed blood was applied to us for the forgiveness of our sins. Many Christinas observe this day at the that Jesus was crucified (Exodus 12; 1 Peter 1:18-23; Revelation 1:5).
The Feast of Unleavened bread
The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts several days and was established immediately following Passover by God in Egypt. Pharoah commanded the Israelites to immediately leave Egypt that night right after the death of all the first born that were not protected by the blood of the lamb. In the Israelites’ haste to leave, their bread dough was not able to be leavened to rise for baking as they traveled three days and three nights out of Egypt. This Jewish feast was soon after established by God and involved purging one’s home of leavening, which represented sin.
This feast was literally fulfilled on the Feast of Unleavened Bread by Jesus when He purged us of our sins after dying on the cross and being buried. Soon after He sat down on the right hand of Majesty. Many Christians today observe this day as the time between Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. (Exodus 12:8-20; Exodus 34:18-21; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Hebrews 1).
The Feast of First Fruits
The Feast of First Fruits was established when the Israelites arrived on the opposite shore of the Red Sea as the “firstfruits out of Egypt”. They had traveled three nights and three days from the time they left Egypt until they arrived on the opposite shore after the parting of the Red Sea.
The Egyptian army chasing behind them was drowned by God as the parting of the sea ended so that the Israelites were officially delivered from bondage. This feast was soon after established by God on the first day of the week after Passover. It involved offering a first fruits sacrifice of the winter grains that first ripen in the spring.
This feast was literally fulfilled by Jesus on the Feast of Firstfruits, also known by Christians as Resurrection Sunday or Easter. When Jesus rose from the dead he was known as the firstfruits from the dead that delivered us from the bondage of sin. (Exodus 14:30-31; Exodus 34:26; Leviticus 23:9-15; Numbers 28:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:12-24).
The Feast of Weeks
The Feast of Weeks was established by God when Moses received the law on Mount Sinai. This feast occurred 50 days or seven weeks after the Israelites arrived on the opposite shore of the Red Sea. It was also the second of three feasts during the year when all males were commanded to go to the tabernacle or the temple later.
This feast was literally fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples seven weeks or 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. It involved the literal receiving of the Promise of the Father by believers in Christ when the received the law from God when He wrote it on their hearts. (Exodus 19:10-13; Leviticus 23:15-22; Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Acts 1:4; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:33; Acts 24:49).
Final Thoughts
As we have seen, there is a direct relationship between what happened to the Israelites in the Old Testament and the first coming of Jesus. These springtime feasts were directly related to the Israelites when they left Egypt until Moses received the law on Mount Sinai around seven weeks later. We also know that Jesus literally fulfilled these feast days while He was on this earth.
The question, now becomes, what other feasts were common to the Israelites? Were the other feasts literally fulfilled, and what link do they have to Israel in the past? What link do they have to the future?
Continue to Part 3 of this series to read more about the Jewish fall feasts that Jesus will fulfill at His second coming. May God bless us in our study.
Series parts
What is Going to Happen During the End Times? Article Series
Part 1 – Introduction to what is going to happen during the end times
Part 2 – Jewish spring feasts Jesus fulfilled at His first coming
Part 3 – Jewish fall feasts Jesus will fulfill at His second coming: Feast of Trumpets
Part 4 – Jewish fall feasts Jesus will fulfill continued: Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles
Part 5 – Final review of what is going to happen during the end times
Resources – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Williams, Michael, (2013). Bible Doctrines. Albuquerque, NM: Selah Mountain Bible Institute. Chapters 15-16.
Dr. Michael L. Williams, Head of Ministry Operations and Technology at Christianity Every Day, is a Christ-centered Author, Educator, Biblical Counselor and Advisor. He is ordained in Pastoral Ministry and formerly the founding Pastor of Selah Mountain Ministries, a church started along with his wife, Pamela Rose, after several years of pastoral experience and training in Biblical Counseling. Selah Mountain provided Biblical counseling and education to the public on how to overcome life issues Biblically on topics such as anger management, marriage, addictions, and other subjects – often referred to as mental illnesses. To learn more about Dr. Mike visit the About page.
