God instituted seven distinct feasts for His people, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. The first three occur in the first religious month (Nisan – March/April), the fourth in the third religious month (Sivan – May/June), and the final three in the seventh religious month (Tishrei/Ethanim – September/October).

The seven feasts are:

1. Passover (Pesach): Celebrated on the 14th day of the first month, from Friday evening until the Sabbath evening (Leviticus 23:5). The Second Passover (Pesach Sheni) was observed on the 14th day of the second month (Numbers 9:10-11).
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matstsah): Starting on the 15th day of the first month, lasting for seven days (Leviticus 23:4-10). It sometimes began a week earlier and extended into the second week, from the 7th to the 15th day (Exodus 12:15; Matthew 26:17).
3. Feast of Firstfruits (Yom ha-Bikkurim): Celebrated on the 15th day of the first month, just after the Passover Sabbath, the first day of the week (Sunday). The first fruits of the harvest were presented to the priest (Leviticus 23:9-15).
4. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot): Celebrated seven weeks after Passover, also known as Pentecost (50 days after Passover), in the third month. It involves the spring harvest (Leviticus 23:15-22).
5. Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah/Zikhron Teruah): A solemn gathering on the first day of the seventh month (Tishrei), September/October, calling the people to prepare for the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:23-25).
6. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): The great Day of Atonement, on the 10th day of the seventh month, from the evening of the 9th day to the evening of the 10th day. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year (Leviticus 23:27-32).
7. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): The people celebrated God for seven days, dwelling in tents around the temple and thanking God for the abundant harvest (Leviticus 23:33-36).

Let’s delve deeper into the representation and meanings of these feasts:

1. Passover (Pesach): On the 14th day of the first month (Nisan, March-April). It commemorates God’s deliverance from Egypt after the sacrifice of the Lamb. Christ is our Passover, sacrificed to free us from the bondage of the devil and sin (1 Corinthians 5:7; Matthew 26:17-21; Matthew 28:1).This feast finds its significance in Jesus Christ alone and His completed work on the cross for our redemption. The world has mixed this feast with practices unrelated to Jesus Christ. However, what we must remember is what the apostle Paul said: Christ is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matstsah): This is the first major feast where everyone had to be present in Jerusalem. It began the day after Passover, lasting for seven days (from the 15th to the 21st of Nisan). The people refrained from eating leavened bread, symbolizing humility, brokenness, and holiness, aligned with Passover. For us, it demonstrates the sinless nature and humility of Christ, even to His death on the cross (1 Corinthians 5:8).
3. Feast of Firstfruits (Yom ha-Bikkurim): Observed on the day following the Sabbath of Passover and Unleavened Bread, the 16th of Nisan. It signifies the first day of the week after the Sabbath, which is Sunday. Israel presented a sheaf (omer) of the first fruits of the harvest to the priest, symbolizing resurrection.This is an illustration of the resurrection of Jesus, the firstborn from the dead, who rose from the tomb as the firstfruits of those who will be raised when He returns (Mark 16:9; 1 Corinthians 15:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Christ rose on Sunday, the first day of the week, which is why Christians observe Sunday as the day of worship, calling it the ‘Lord’s Day’ (Matthew 28:1; John 20:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10). The first three feasts occur in the first month, Nisan (March/April).
4. Feast of Harvest “of Wheat” (Shavuot): Also known as the Feast of Weeks, observed seven Sabbaths, or 49 days, after Passover and Unleavened Bread. It is also called Pentecost (50th day). The second major feast where all the people had to be present in Jerusalem. It took place in the month of Sivan, around May/June.During this feast, the Israelites waved two loaves of leavened bread, symbolizing what happened in the New Testament. Christ died as the Passover Lamb and as the Unleavened Bread, without sin. Then He rose as the Firstfruits, the first to be raised, signaling that the time of the harvest is near.At the harvest festival, we now see leavened bread accepted in the presence of God. This represents sinful people who have received redemption through faith in Christ Jesus. At Pentecost, three thousand people were spiritually resurrected by faith in Jesus. This day also marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, despite our Adamic nature (leaven), and through His transformative work, we are accepted in the presence of God (Acts 2:1-4). It is the only feast in the third religious month of the Jewish calendar (Sivan). The last three feasts all occur in the seventh month.
5. Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah/Zikhron Teruah): The Feast of Trumpets is a solemn gathering of the entire people on the first day of the seventh month, Tishrei, September/October. It is a call to assemble Israel, so they all go up to Jerusalem for the great Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.This event prophetically announces the return of Jesus, with the sound of the trumpet and the gathering of His people by Christ, on the clouds (Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
6. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): The people were to afflict their souls and repent, observing fasting from the evening of the 9th to the evening of the 10th of Tishri. This corresponds to the day when the high priest is allowed to enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat, making atonement for the entire congregation. This date falls around the end of September and beginning of October.After coming out, the high priest blessed the people and gave directives to guide them until the following year, at the same time. After receiving this blessing, the people celebrated God in tents for all He had done and said He would do, offering sacrifices for a week. This is known as the Feast of Tabernacles (Hebrews 9:25-28; Romans 11:25-27). Prophetically, this period speaks of the marriage of the Lamb before the millennium, when the people of Israel will recognize the Messiah they pierced and mourn for Him (Apocalypse 1:7).
7. Feast of Tabernacles/Tents (Sukkot): This is the third major feast where everyone had to be present in Jerusalem. It spans from the 15th to the 21st day of Tishrei (September-October). The feast is celebrated after the high priest offers the sacrifice once a year, blesses the people, and gives directives to guide them until the next year, at the same time.As people left their homes to go to Jerusalem, they had to dwell for a week (eight days) in tents or huts, celebrating and offering sacrifices to God. This prophesies the millennial reign of Christ, ushering us into eternity, where we will enter His rest and dwell with Him forever (Zechariah 14:16-19; Revelation 20; 21; 22; Leviticus 23:23-37).”

This text is an extract from the book “TIME & CIRCUMSTANCES: Learning to count our days correctly” written by Dr Rhema Divin NGOY.