The Passover

The Passover (Leviticus 23:5) is a reminder of how God took the lives of all the firstborn Egyptian males (Exodus 12:7, 26-29) but passed over the Israelites’ homes because they had placed the blood of a sacrificed lamb on their doorposts.

The blood of the lamb foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which spares mankind from eternal death. In the New Testament, Christians came to understand that Christ is the true Passover Lamb (compare Exodus 12:21 with 1 Corinthians 5:7). In observing His last Passover with His disciples, Jesus explained that the symbols of bread and wine represent His body and blood, offered by Him for the forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24).

Our observance of this annual occasion marking Jesus’ death (1 Corinthians 11:26) reminds us that eternal life is possible only through Him (John 6:47-54; Acts 4:10-12). His sacrifice is the starting point for salvation and the foundation of the annual feast days that follow.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

In conjunction with the Passover, God instituted the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8). Historically it commemorates the ancient Israelites fleeing Egypt in such haste they did not have time to let their bread rise (Exodus 12:33-34).

God commanded the Israelites to keep this festival by removing leaven (yeast) out of their homes for seven days. The first and last days of this week-long festival were specifically set apart as holy convocationsódays devoted to rest and assembly for worship.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus identified leaven as a symbol of sin (Matthew 16:6-12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1). Thereafter members of the early Church continued to observe this festival by putting leaven out of their homes for the week as a symbol of the clean minds and attitudes God desires of His people (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). After accepting Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, we must follow His example in practicing righteousness.

The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

The third annual feast day is the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16-21; Acts 2:1). This festival, which corresponded with the first harvest of the season, was the day God miraculously granted His Spirit to the New Testament Church (Acts 2).

Pentecost continues to remind us that God is the Lord of His harvest, choosing and preparing the firstfruits of His coming Kingdom by granting them His Spirit (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; Romans 8:23; James 1:18). God’s Spirit empowers us with the love of God, the motivation to obey Him, and a sound mind to discern His truth (2 Timothy 1:7; John 15:26; 16:13). Only those led by God’s Spirit are called the Sons of God (Romans 8:9, 14).

The Feast of Trumpets

The fourth annual feast day is the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24-25). Ancient Israel understood that trumpets were used as a way of announcing special messages (Numbers 10:1-10).

The New Testament reveals a great event to be announced on this day with the sounding of a trumpet: the return of Jesus Christ to earth (Revelation 8:2, 11:15). This day also pictures a time when the dead in Christ will be resurrected to life (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) to reign with Him for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6).

The remaining feast days describe steps in the establishment of the prophesied Kingdom of God on earth and judgment of humanity after Christ’s return.

The Day of Atonement

The fifth annual feast day is the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32). Observed by fasting (verse 27, compare Acts 27:9), refraining from eating or drinking (Esther 4:16), this day represents humanity’s need to be reconciled to God through the forgiveness of sin.

At the return of Christ, Satan will be bound (Revelation 20:1-3) so the nations can be reconciled to the Father through Christ. Luke referred to this observance as “the fast” in Acts 27:9.

The Feast of Tabernacles

The seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34) represents the next step in God’s master plan. This festival pictures the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:4-6) known as the Millennium.

Isaiah describes this period as a time of peace when God’s law will go out to all nations from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4). Fierce animals’ natures will change (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25), the earth will become highly productive (Isaiah 35:1), and, most important, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). With Satan’s evil influence removed, all of humanity will at last learn God’s ways.

This perfect environment will be designed to offer all people the opportunity to repent of their sins and come to God the Father through Jesus Christ. The Bible shows that Jesus attended this important festival (John 7:2, 10, 14).

The Last Great Day

The final step in God’s plan of salvation for all mankind is represented in a feast day at the conclusion of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:39). Called the eighth day or the Last Great Day (John 7:37), this festival pictures the great judgment of humankind described in Revelation 20:11-13. During this time all people who have died not knowing God’s plan for them will be resurrected to life to be given an opportunity to respond to God’s call.

Our Creator wants “all men to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4) and is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Through this wonderful plan everyone will have an opportunity to know God’s truth, repent and receive salvation.

The Church of the first century followed Jesus’ example of observing these days. Peter and John urged the brethren to walk in Jesus’ steps (1 Peter 2:21), to “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). They followed Christ’s command to teach converts to “observe all things that I [Jesus] have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).