“And the L-rd spoke to Moses saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them:  “The feasts of the L-rd, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.”’” (Leviticus 23:1,2)

The Feasts of the L-rd are not Jewish feasts, but rather they are G-d’s feasts, holy convocations. A holy convocation is defined as a gathering of people for the purpose of a rehearsal. Therefore, G-d’s feasts are actually prophetic rituals that are rehearsed year after year. The annual cycle of the Feasts of the L-rd, beginning with the Sabbath, as outlined in Leviticus 23, enables us to plug into a vast network of heavenly knowledge concerning prophetic events that were pre-ordained by G-d. Each Feast was a Special Sabbath or Feast Day, which pointed to the future fulfillment of a major event in G-d’s plan for the redemption and restoration of all mankind. G-d commanded the Feasts to be celebrated forever. The Hebrew sages taught that every command of G-d has both a natural and a spiritual understanding.

G-d required every Jew to be present at the Temple in Jerusalem for the three major Feasts of Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). These holy convocations (rehearsals) were designed to make the Israelites (Jews) alert to the fulfillment in the Messiah so that at a future time, when G-d would lift the veil of blindness from their eyes, they would see Yeshua in the Feasts of the L-rd. G-d has closed their eyes, blinded them (2 Corinthians 3:14, Romans 11:7), until the fullness of the Gentiles is grafted into the Cultivated Olive Tree (Romans 11:24), which is the religious and spiritual privileges of Israel granted to Israel by G-d at Mt. Sinai.

"The Lord called your name, Green Olive Tree, lovely and of Good Fruit." (Jeremiah 11:16)

"But I am like a green olive tree in the house of G-d; I trust in the mercy of G-d forever and ever." (Words of King David - Psalm 52:8)

Since Gentiles are grafted into the Cultivated Olive Tree, they should now identify with everything the L-rd commanded the Israelites. Celebrating the Feasts of the L-rd is, therefore, a privilege that G-d has granted to all the Gentiles who are called by His name. The Festivals are:

• The Sabbath – the weekly day of rest that foreshadows the Sabbath Day of Rest, i.e. the Millennium (Leviticus 23:3, Matt. 12:8, Rev. 20:4-6)

• Passover - the Season of Individual Redemption (Death of Sin on the Cross of Yeshua - 1 Peter 1:18-19)

• Feast of Unleavened Bread  Celebration of the Burial of the Believer’s Sins in the Sight of G-d (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)

• Feast of Firstfruits – the Resurrection of Yeshua (the firstfruits of the resurrection of the dead) and the resurrection of the Believer to new life in Yeshua (Galatians 2:20)

• Shavuot/Pentecost – the Season of Empowerment - first by the Law given at Mt. Sinai, which pointed to the future empowerment by the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-4)

• Rosh HaShanah –The Feast of Trumpets (the warning call of impending judgment)

• Yom Kippur – the Day of (National) Atonement in preparation for the L-rd’s physical return to rule and reign on the Earth  

• Feast of Tabernacles ­- the Manifest Presence of G-d on Earth - the day the Shekinah Glory of G-d was born as king (Matthew 2:2) and the time of His return to rule and reign (Revelation 19:6-15).

In addition to the major Festivals there are other festivals that point to the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).

• Hanukkah – Festival of Lights pointing to the Incarnation (Mary’s encounter with Angel Gabriel recorded in Luke 1:26-37). The impregnation by the Holy Spirit marks the day Light came into the world in Mary’s womb. (Prophesied by Haggai 2:18-19 – Foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid (the seed) on 25th of Kislev–Hanukkah)
  

• Purim – Foreshadowing of the unveiling of the (Esther) Church of the One New Man, the intended purpose of G-d for mankind. (Ephesians 2:15) (Book of Esther)