The 6th Seal

jonnybones777 · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 60

9/25/07

Sukkot : The Joyous Time of Ingathering

It is truly a blessing to see the wonderful types and foreshadows of the holy feasts of Yahweh which prophetically point to the true substance and fulfillment in our Master, Savior and Messiah. After having experienced Pesach(Passover), Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot(Weeks), Trumpets, and Yom Kippur(Day of Atonement), we now finally arrive at the last of the seven feasts, which is Sukkot. This festival biblically lasts for seven days, and for those of us who are aware, the number "seven" means : "completion, perfection, and wholeness." It is no coincidence, but divine Providence that this special time begins in the seventh month on the Biblical lunar Hebrew calendar of 15 Tishri and ends on 21(which is the number of seven tripled). In the mainstream Western Gregorian solar calendar, it begins at sundown on the 26th of this month, ending at sunset on the 3rd of October.

Sukkot(pronounced Sue-coat) means : "booths or tabernacles", and is also known as Chag Ha-asif (the Feast of Ingathering). It is the final and most important holiday of the year and is a time of great joy and celebration. This feast historically has been twofold, commemorating Abba Yahweh's past goodness and provision in supplying the Israelites with shelters in the wilderness for 40 years (Lev.23:43) where they rested under His canope(Cloud) of protection, and also pointed to His provision of the completion of the harvest which was gathered (Ex.23:16 & 34:22). It represents the time of restored fellowship with Yahweh with joy, and also, the ingathering of the harvest of crops is a physical parallel of the Spiritual one, being His people. Most are unaware of the fact that the American pilgrim holiday of "Thanksgiving" was inspired by this holy feast, for Jews hung dried out fruits and vegetables on their temporary booths and gave thanks to Him for the harvest.

Just in case some wonder if this feast has any futuristic prophetic significance, keep in remembrance of Zechariah 14:16-19, in which He specifically foretells of a time when He will command ALL nations to come and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with our Messiah the King, and those refuse will become subject to severe drought for He will withhold the rain from their land. If you are asking yourself, "Why would He do this?", then consider the powerful meaning of this time of the year...

It is the dry season which directly precedes the time of the heavy latter rains, and water (being the physical symbol of the Holy Spirit of Life) was used within the Temple celebrations where the priest would draw water from the Pool of Siloam and pour it out from the golden pitcher into a silver reciptical on the altar. During this special time was an impressive light ceremony which was known as the Simchat Bet Hasho'ayva(the Rejoicing of the House of [Water] drawing). (Isaiah 12:3) "Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." It was on the last great day of this feast that our Master Yahushua the Messiah came forward into the Temple area and cried out, saying : "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow Rivers of Living Water." (John 7: 2,37,38 and 4:13,14)

Also, it was during this time of the full harvest moon that menorahs and torches were lit all over Jerusalem and it was such a beautiful sight to behold. Since Abba Yahweh always repeats His glorious Truths in unique patterns so that we will gain revelation by His Spirit, this was non-coincidentally when Messiah (who is also called : "the Star out of Jacob", "the light of the nations", "Sun of Righteousness", etc.) came into the Temple and said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life."(John 8:12) He was aware that these types and symbols all pointed to Him and earnestly desired for us to see this Real-ity so that we can become liberated and freed by the Truth. HalleluYah!!!

The reason that Yahweh will prevent the latter rain from coming upon all the nations who resist this Feast of Tabernacles in the future is because they will rebell against Him, and the rain is the direct type and parallel of the divine, pure, and everlasting "Water of Life", the outpouring of the Spirit. If we resist His salvation through Messiah, who is our glorious Light of Truth, then we will lack the Presence of the Holy Spirit of Abba Yahweh within our lives and thus, experience spiritual drought. He sooo earnestly desires to bless us, for as He has spoken, "I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendents."(Isaiah 44:3)

May we all enter His Rest and receive the fullness of His grace and truth, and become filled with the Spirit to the point where His Presence overflows out of our hearts into the lives of others around us. Likewise, just as He was the Light of the world, we are called to be the same, as a shining "City on a hill", so that others may see our good works and glorify our Abba in Heaven. (Heb. 4:1-11; John 7:38 ; Matt. 5:14-16)

Shalom aleichem(peace be with you).

In the One,

Yahonatan

Christian for Israel · Knight of Jerusalem Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 1756

very cool bro! of course, my question is, how should we as christians observe this Holy week?
_________________
Deovendickia

Alea Jacta Est

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

jonnybones777 · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 60

Shalom, achi :). Just follow as the Holy Spirit of Abba Yahweh leads and inspires you. As for me,...I am going to stay off and on in a tent in my backyard, with a mosquito net on the front and also on the top, covering the open hatch. Likewise, I plan to eat within it, and offer sacrifices of joyous praise and worship, while also occasionally meditating upon His holy Word. The main thing is to acknowledge that He is the Light of this world, and that with Joy, we draw the Spiritual Water from Him who is our Well of Salvation. HalleluYah!!!

I hope that this helps. Chag Sukkot Sameach :).

jonnybones777 · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 60