The Feasts of the Lord, Study Guide

THE FEASTS OF THE LORD, STUDY GUIDE

QUESTIONS

General
Passover
Unleavened Bread
Firstfruits
Pentecost
Trumpets
Day of Atonement
Tabernacles

ANSWERS

General
Passover
Unleavened Bread
Firstfruits
Pentecost
Trumpets
Day of Atonement
Tabernacles

QUESTIONS

General

1. Explain two guidelines for interpreting Scripture types.

2. Name the seven feasts of the Lord, and give one Scripture reference for each of the seven.

3. Name four areas of application of the feasts of the Lord.

4. Into what three groups were the seven feasts arranged?

5. State the approximate months of our calendar during which the feasts were celebrated.

6. Give at least one new-covenant fulfillment of each of the seven feasts.

7. Why are the seven feasts considered as being seven aspects of the one redemption rather than seven rungs on a ladder, or even seven degrees of spiritual advancement?

8. What is unusual about the fact that the feasts were given to the Israelites while they were in the wilderness? How does this unusual circumstance apply to us today?

9. Describe briefly the rain cycle of Canaan.

10. What is the significance to us Christians that the feasts were proclaimed “in their seasons”?

Passover

1. On what date of the Hebrew calendar did God execute judgment on the firstborn of Egypt?

2. What is the new covenant significance of, “Your lamb will be without blemish”? (Exodus 12:5).

3. What are some of the similarities and differences between the Hebrew Passover and the Christian Communion service?

4. What happens when we eat the flesh of Christ and drink His blood?

5. What is the new covenant application of “roast with fire”? (Exodus 12:8).

6. What is the new covenant fulfillment of “unleavened bread”? (Exodus 12:8).

7. What is the new covenant fulfillment of “bitter herbs”? (Exodus 12:8).

8. Who passed through Egypt to smite the firstborn of humans and animals?

9. Why were the firstborn executed? (Exodus 4:22,23).

10. Against whom was the Lord executing judgment?

11. Against whom does the Lord execute judgment today?

12. What did the Passover blood accomplish?

13. In what five different ways is the blood of Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God, applied to our lives?

14. Apply the expression “a lamb for a house” to the new covenant.

15. What is the new covenant application of “no uncircumcised person shall eat of it”? (Exodus 12:48).

16. How does the feast of Passover portray the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

17. How does the feast of Passover portray the redemption of the believer?

18. How does the feast of Passover portray the redemption of the Christian Church?

19. How does the feast of Passover portray the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

20. On what date is the Passover celebrated?

Unleavened Bread

1. What takes place during the Jewish feast of Unleavened Bread?

2. What happens to our “old man” in water baptism? (from the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans).

3. What does water baptism portray concerning our new relationship to the resurrected Lord Jesus?

4. If our dual position of death and resurrection has been accomplished in water baptism, how do we go about working out this dual position in our daily life? (from the sixth chapter of Romans).

5. What role does faith play, with respect to the dual position represented by our baptism in water?

6. How does the feast of Unleavened Bread portray the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

7. What part does the feast of Unleavened Bread play in the redemption of the believer?

8. What does the feast of Unleavened Bread say to us concerning the redemption of the Christian Church?

9. What part does the feast of Unleavened Bread play in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

10. On what date is the feast of Unleavened Bread observed?

11. What were the dates of the week of Unleavened Bread?

Firstfruits

1. What took place during the Hebrew feast of Firstfruits?

2. Explain the new covenant concept of a firstfruits. Give three Scripture references.

3. In what ways is Christ the “firstfruits” of the members of His Body?

4. In what way do we possess the “firstfruits” of the Spirit?

5. How should we respond when God “gives” to us spiritual or material blessings we do not possess as yet?

6. What is the difference between faith and mental assent?

7. What is the difference between faith and presumption?

8. What is your understanding of James 1:18? (compare Exodus 4:22).

9. How is the born-again experience related to the concept of the feast of Firstfruits?

10. Tell how the first three feasts portray the crucifixion, descent into the depths of the earth, and resurrection of Christ.

11. Tell how the first three feasts portray the salvation experience.

12. In what way does the concept of a firstfruits apply to the Christian Church?

13. How does the concept of a firstfruits apply to the order of the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

14. On what date is the feast of Firstfruits celebrated?

Pentecost

1. What took place during the Jewish feast of Pentecost?

2. How is the feast of Pentecost related to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai?

3. Which of the seven holy furnishings of the Tabernacle of the Congregation is especially related to the feast of Pentecost?

4. What are the similarities and differences between the Law of Moses and the law of the Spirit of life? (Romans 8:2).

5. Describe how the fall and spring rains of Palestine can be applied symbolically to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

6. What is the message of the Book of Joel?

7. List some Scripture references that indicate the major outpourings of the Holy Spirit are yet ahead of us.

8. What are some things we can do to ensure that the Holy Spirit is present in our church activities?

9. What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?

10. What are the two major results of the working of the Holy Spirit in our life?

11. How can you explain the fact (in spiritual application) that there was leaven in the wave loaves?

12. How do the gifts of the Spirit differ from the fruit of the Spirit?

13. Explain the expression “the oil on the blood” (Leviticus 14:17). How does this concept apply to our Christian experience?

14. Explain why it can be said the person who has received the baptism with the Holy Spirit has been “partially harvested.”

15. What are some means we can use to keep our body under subjection?

16. What is the significance of the “anointing oil” on the Body of Christ?

17. Exactly who are the Seed of Abraham?

18. What are some things that the Holy Spirit accomplishes in the Church?

19. What is the meaning of the term Pentecost? How is the meaning of the term related to the date on which the feast of Pentecost (feast of Weeks) is observed?

20. Why were there so many nations represented in Jerusalem at the time of the first Pentecostal outpouring?

21. How does the feast of Pentecost portray the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

22. What role does Pentecost play in the redemption of the Christian?

23. What role do the Pentecostal outpourings play in the development of the Christian Church?

24. What role do the Pentecostal outpourings play in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

Trumpets

1. Describe the Hebrew Blowing of Trumpets.

2. On what day of the Hebrew calendar is the Blowing of Trumpets celebrated?

3. To what does the blowing of the trumpet call attention?

4. What is the Hebrew term for New Year’s Day?

5. On what day of the Hebrew calendar is the Day of Atonement observed?

6. On what days of the Hebrew calendar is the feast of Tabernacles celebrated?

7. Explain the two overlapping Hebrew years.

8. List three uses of the trumpet in the culture of Israel.

9. Against what enemy is the Christian fighting? (support your answer with a Scripture reference).

10. Where and how did sin originate?

11. How will God destroy sin from the earth?

12. Why was the Son of God manifested? (give Scripture reference).

13. How does the Body of Christ fit into God’s plan for executing judgment against sin?

14. How can a Christian prepare himself for his part in God’s army?

15. What church activities do you believe to be most effective in the warfare against the powers of darkness?

16. Describe any difference, from God’s standpoint, between the Christian who is committing sin and an unsaved person who is committing the same sin.

17. In terms of the new covenant, what is the “house of God”?

18. What are some steps a Christian can take in order to overcome the sins he is committing?

19. What is the “land of promise” of the Christian disciple?

20. Why does spiritual warfare play such an important part in the Christian discipleship?

21. What is the difference between the legal possession and the actual possession of an object?

22. Are there any differences between what the Old and the New Testament state concerning the committing of sins by God’s people?

23. How is II Peter 1:19 related to the Blowing of Trumpets?

24. How is the raising of Lazarus a “Trumpets” experience?

25. Explain the three deaths and resurrections portrayed by the three hangings of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

26. How is the Blowing of Trumpets associated with the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

27. What part does the spiritual fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets play in the redemption of the believer?

28. How is the Blowing of Trumpets associated with the bringing of the Christian Church into its inheritance in Christ?

29. How does the fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets establish the Kingdom of God in the earth?

Day of Atonement

1. List some of the important happenings of the Hebrew Day of Atonement.

2. Why would we expect the Day of Atonement to be the first of the feasts of the Lord?

3. How do we know that our tendencies toward sinful behavior were not purged from us at the time of our initial acceptance of Christ?

4. How is it possible for God to work with His people when they are they are not as yet living in righteousness, holiness, and obedience?

5. Did God choose the people of Israel as His own possession because of their righteous and holy conduct? (give a Scripture reference for your answer).

6. List ten behaviors that are sin under the new covenant.

7. What does the New Testament say concerning the confessing of their sins by Christian people?

8. What provisions are included in the grace of God for the Christian who is practicing sin?

9. How can we distinguish between the accusations of Satan, and the sins we are practicing and that need to be dealt with through the power of the Holy Spirit?

10. Describe how I John 1:7-9 is the new-covenant fulfillment of the Hebrew Day of Atonement.

11. How does the use of two goats during the Day of Atonement apply to us under the new covenant?

12. Describe the peril of overconfidence.

13. Describe the peril of passivity.

14. How can a Christian judge spirits and “voices”?

15. What part does human will power play in the Christian discipleship?

16. What should we do as soon as we begin to suspect that we have fallen into deception?

17. Do we dare judge something that may be of the Holy Spirit? (give a Scripture reference).

18. Describe the personal and historical fulfillments of the Year of Jubilee.

19. How are the actions of a Christian in dealing with his sins related to conditions in the spirit realm?

20. How does the Christian “purify himself”? (I John 3:3).

21. Why does judgment begin in the house of God rather than among the unsaved? (I Peter 4:17).

22. What is the baptism with fire? (Matthew 3:11).

23. How is the new-covenant fulfillment of the Day of Atonement related to the new-covenant fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles?

24. What can we learn from the Day of Atonement concerning the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

25. What role does the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement play in the redemption of the believer?

26. How is the Day of Atonement fulfilled in the growth to maturity of the Christian Church?

27. How will the Day of Atonement be fulfilled in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

Tabernacles

1. Describe the Jewish celebration of the feast of Tabernacles.

2. Why is it so important to our discipleship that we realize the Divine plan of redemption has a definite mark of completion?

3. Toward what goal was Paul pressing? (Philippians 3:13).

4. Explain the twelfth chapter of the Book of Isaiah in terms of the new-covenant fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles.

5. What is the goal of the Christian discipleship?

6. The feast of Tabernacles celebrated the completion of the harvest season. How does this apply to our redemption under the new covenant?

7. What relationship exists between the feast of Tabernacles and the Law of Moses, in both the old and new covenants?

8. What relationship exists between the feast of Tabernacles and the “water” of the Holy Spirit, in both the old and new covenants?

9. What relationship exists between the feast of Tabernacles and the “light” of the world, in both the old and new covenants?

10. What is the significance, under the new covenant, of the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles?

11. How would you apply the symbolism of dwelling in booths?

12. What caused the extraordinary joy that accompanied the Hebrew celebration of the feast of Tabernacles?

13. When is the feast of Tabernacles fulfilled in the Christian life?

14. How does the manner in which we pursue the Christian discipleship today, affect the redemption of our physical body when Jesus returns? (give Scripture reference).

15. How is the feast of Tabernacles fulfilled in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

16. How is the feast of Tabernacles fulfilled in the redemption of the believer?

17. How is the maturity of the Christian Church associated with the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles?

18. How will the feast of Tabernacles be fulfilled in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

ANSWERS

General

1. Explain two guidelines for interpreting Scripture types.

The first rule of interpretation is to study the symbol, and then ask the Holy Spirit to cause the main truth to rise to the surface. Do not attempt to carry every aspect of the symbol through to its logical conclusion.

The second guideline for interpreting Scripture symbols is to look for the interpretation of the symbol in the New Testament.

2. Name the seven feasts of the Lord, and give one Scripture reference for each of the seven.

Passover—“In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover” (Leviticus 23:5).

Unleavened Bread—“And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the Lord: seven days you must eat unleavened bread” (Leviticus 23:6).

Firstfruits—“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When you be come into the land that I give to you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest” (Leviticus 23:10).

Pentecost—“And you shall count to you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even to the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:15,16).

Trumpets—“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, you will have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation” (Leviticus 23:24).

Day of Atonement—“Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it will be a holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:27).

Tabernacles—“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:34).

3. Name four areas of application of the feasts of the Lord.

The Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The redemption of the believer.
The perfecting of the Church.
The setting up of the Kingdom of God.

4. Into what three groups were the seven feasts arranged?

The feast of Unleavened Bread.

The feast of Weeks (Pentecost).

The feast of Tabernacles.

5. State the approximate months of our calendar during which the feasts were celebrated.

The feast of Unleavened Bread—April.

The feast of Weeks (Pentecost)—May.

The feast of Tabernacles—September-October.

6. Give at least one new-covenant fulfillment of each of the seven feasts.

Passover—Christ on the cross, eating the Lord’s Supper, protection from judgment through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, the slain Lamb of God.

Unleavened Bread—Christ in the heart of the earth, water baptism, death to the world, crucifixion with Christ, sincere repentance.

Firstfruits—Christ raised from the dead, our resurrection with Christ, the born-again experience.

Pentecost—Christ sends to us the Holy Spirit, the former and latter rain, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the law of the Spirit of life, powerful signs and wonders accompanying the preaching of the Word of God, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.

Trumpets—Christ, the King, returns, the Day of the Lord, rulership of Christ over the earth, the emerging spiritual life of the saint, Christ goes to war against the wickedness in the Christian, the New Year of the Kingdom of God, the forming of the army of the Lord.

Day of Atonement—the reconciling of the believer to God’s Person, Christ forgives and cleanses all who come to Him, the Holy Spirit deals with sin in the disciple, the saints confess and forsake their sins under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, putting to death the deeds of the body, eternal judgment of evil spirits, the saint is transformed into the moral image of Christ, Year of Jubilee, the cleansing of God’s Temple—the Body of Christ.

Tabernacles—Christ and the Father dwell in the Christian, the “rest” of God, the redemption of the mortal body, the completion of the work of redemption, the new Jerusalem, the fullness of the Presence and Glory of God in Christ in the saints, the Kingdom of God.

7. Why are the seven feasts considered as being seven aspects of the one redemption rather than seven rungs on a ladder, or even seven degrees of spiritual advancement?

The seven feasts do not proceed in order in our lives like the grades of an elementary school. The spiritual fulfillments of the seven feasts are experienced by us at the moment of receiving Christ into our life and they should be working in us each day of our discipleship.

The several facets of the Divine Atonement, which include the Passover protection, the canceling of guilt, the washing away of unrighteous tendencies, the restoration of what was destroyed by sin, the partaking of the body and blood of Christ, are ours at the moment of receiving Christ as our Savior and Lord.

As we move along in the plan of God for our lives the feasts are fulfilled in our personalities to an ever-greater degree. The full weight of authority and power contained in the body and blood of Jesus becomes increasingly manifest in our life.

8. What is unusual about the fact that the feasts were given to the Israelites while they were in the wilderness? How does this unusual circumstance apply to us today?

At the time that the seven feasts of the Lord were enjoined on the Israelites they were wandering in the Sinai Desert. They were following a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night through as barren and desolate a furnace of a countryside as can be imagined. Yet the Lord insisted on furnishing them with a list of detailed instruction for the observance of ceremonies celebrating the ingathering of barley, wheat, olives, nuts, and so forth.

This way of doing things is characteristic of God who “calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Romans 4:17). The Holy Spirit works with us in this manner. He speaks to us about spiritual realities (and sometimes physical realities) before they become a fact in our physical and spiritual environment?

We live by hope and faith in the promise of God. It is the grasping of the promises of God by resolute, unswerving faith that brings victory in the Christian discipleship.

9. Describe briefly the rain cycle of Canaan.

The rain cycle of the land of Palestine consists of a fall planting (former) rain, sporadic winter rains, and a heavy (latter) rain which falls in the spring and brings grain to maturity.

10. What is the significance to us Christians that the feasts were proclaimed “in their seasons”?

God has a present, burning truth for particular people at particular times. The current truth varies from generation to generation, from period to period, from circumstance to circumstance.

In one place at one time the present truth may be the good news of salvation by faith and of being born again. In another place at another time the good news may be that of Divine healing, or repentance, or holiness, or the ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit, or evangelism and missionary work, or the fullness of God.

Passover

1. On what date of the Hebrew calendar did God execute judgment on the firstborn of Egypt?

At midnight, the fifteenth of Abib.

2. What is the new covenant significance of, “Your lamb shall be without blemish”? (Exodus 12:5).

The Lord Jesus was the Passover Lamb. As such, there could be no blemish in him. Pilate testified to this fact.

3. What are some of the similarities and differences between the Hebrew Passover and the Christian Communion service?

The Hebrew Passover and the Christian Communion service are alike in that both ceremonies involve a lamb. The central aspect of the Passover is the slain lamb and the central aspect of the Christian Communion is the slain Lamb. Also, the Hebrew Passover must be celebrated without leaven and the Christian Communion must be celebrated without the leaven of malice and wickedness.

Paul warns us about having leaven in ourselves when partaking of the communion [sharing]:

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (I Corinthians 11:28)

The differences are that the Passover utilized an actual lamb while the Christian Communion involves the Son of God, Christ. The Hebrews were coming out from bondage to Pharaoh while the Christians are coming out from bondage to Satan. The Hebrews celebrate the deliverance that took place in the past. The Christians celebrate the past crucifixion but in addition are looking forward toward the return of the Lamb, the time when He drinks the new wine of the Kingdom with His faithful followers.

4. What happens when we eat the flesh of Christ and drink His blood?

We nourish our new born-again inner nature. The Communion service portrays what is taking place in the spirit realm. When we obey the Lord Jesus, spending time in prayer each day, studying the Scriptures, assembly with fervent disciples, serving, giving, and performing all the other tasks and roles of the diligent disciple, the Lord Jesus comes to us and feeds us with the Substance and Virtue of His Personality.

Eventually we are living by Him as He lives by the Father.

“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. (John 6:57)

5. What is the new covenant application of “roast with fire”? (Exodus 12:8).

The Passover lamb was not to be undercooked or cooked by boiling in water. The lamb was to be roasted with fire. What was not eaten was to be burned in the fire.

This is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, who endured the judgment of God (the fire) until His Personality was consumed. There was no part of Jesus that did not endure the trial by God’s fire. He had to suffer the full penalty of the Law in order to be a perfect redeemer for every person. Christ was made perfect through suffering so He would be able to lead many sons to glory.

6. What is the new covenant fulfillment of “unleavened bread”? (Exodus 12:8).

The lamb was eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, revealing that we must put away the evil (leaven) of the world when we come to Christ. All malice and insincerity must be removed from us if we are to partake properly of God’s Lamb.

7. What is the new covenant fulfillment of “bitter herbs”? (Exodus 12:8).

The bitter herbs remind us of the suffering of the Son of God, of the suffering of Israel, and also of the fact that a saint may be called on at any time to suffer tribulation and persecution for Christ’s name. There have been many instances in history when the people of the Lord—Jews and Christians alike—have had to suffer for their faith in the one true God.

8. Who passed through Egypt to smite the firstborn of humans and animals?

The Lord.

‘Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)

9. Why were the firstborn executed? Because Pharaoh would not release the Lord’s firstborn.

“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.
“So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’” (Exodus 4:22,23)

10. Against whom was the Lord executing judgment?

The gods of Egypt.

11. Against whom does the Lord execute judgment today?

The gods of the world.

12. What did the Passover blood accomplish?

The Passover blood guarded the houses of the Israelites so the destroyer would not enter.

13. In what five different ways is the blood of Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God, applied to our lives?

As the Passover blood that protects us from the judgment of God as it falls on the gods of the world.

As the blood of propitiation [appeasement] that cancels the debt of guilt incurred because of our sins.

As the blood of deliverance and restoration through which the Holy Spirit of God is enabled to remove the tendencies and repair the consequences of the sin in us, to give us the strength to resist sin, and to fill us with the indestructible resurrection Life of Christ so we are lifted above the realm where sin abounds.

As the blood of the covenant that we drink when we receive the body and blood of Christ in the Communion service, the Lord’s Table.

As the blood of union with Christ so we live by as He lives by the Father.

14. Apply the expression “a lamb for a house” to the new covenant.

If there is one believer in a household, the other family members are holy to the Lord.

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. (I Corinthians 7:14)

15. What is the new covenant application of “no uncircumcised person shall eat of it”? (Exodus 12:48).

True faith, including conversion to Christ, is a circumcision of the heart, cutting away the malice and lust of the present age. In order to partake of the Christian “Passover,” of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus a person must repent, being circumcised in his heart.

16. How does the feast of Passover portray the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Salvation commences with our Passover experience, when we accept the blood of the Lamb of God. By faith we sprinkle that blood on our own life and on our household as the protection against the judgments of the Lord God. The blood of the Passover is our covering when the Lord “passes over” and strikes the gods of the present evil world.

17. How does the feast of Passover portray the redemption of the believer?

Passover symbolizes the protection from God’s judgment and wrath that is given us through the blood of Christ. Because the sentence of death overshadows the gods of the world, we apply by faith the blood of Jesus to ourselves and our households.

When the destroyer approaches us he sees the blood of the righteous Jesus which, in obedience to God, we have sprinkled by faith over our lives. The Divine executioner, recognizing that we have appropriated the blood of Jesus, “passes over” us without harming us and continues on his way carrying out the judgments of God.

18. How does the feast of Passover portray the redemption of the Christian Church?

First, the Church came out of Egypt physically, as a figure of the spiritual exodus that was to come. Now the Church is coming out of the spiritual bondage of darkness, out from the authority and power of the Pharaoh of the world (Satan). Under the old covenant the Church was protected by the blood of carefully chosen lambs. Under the new covenant the Church is protected by the Lamb whom God has chosen—Christ.

19. How does the feast of Passover portray the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

The protection offered through the blood of God’s Lamb is for everyone. Whoever will accept the blood of Christ as a “token on his house” will be saved from the wrath of God when God “passes over” to destroy the gods of this age.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house” (Acts 16:31). The blood-shield is placed over us when we call on the name of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that no person be destroyed but that all come to repentance and accept the protection of the blood of the cross.

20. On what date is the Passover celebrated?

The fourteenth of Abib.

Unleavened Bread

1. What takes place during the Jewish feast of Unleavened Bread?

‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. (Exodus 12:15)

2. What happens to our “old man” in water baptism? (from the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans).

He is crucified with Christ.

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:6)

3. What does water baptism portray concerning our new relationship to the resurrected Lord Jesus?

That we have been raised together with Him.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

4. If our dual position of death and resurrection has been accomplished in water baptism, how do we go about working out this dual position in our daily life?

We are to regard ourselves as dead with Christ on the cross and now living together with Him at the right hand of the Father.

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:11)

5. What role does faith play, with respect to the dual position represented by our baptism in water?

Because it is not obvious our adamic nature is dead or that we are now in heavenly places, we must maintain faith that the dual position indeed is so and continue acting as though it is a fact until it becomes evident in observable experience.

6. How does the feast of Unleavened Bread portray the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

If Christ had sinned even once He then would have had to die for His own sin and we would have to die for our many sins. If He had sinned He would need a redeemer. But Christ remained free from the leaven of sin. Therefore He is able to redeem every person who comes to God through Him.

7. What part does the feast of Unleavened Bread play in the redemption of the believer?

God issued a clear command concerning the use of leaven during Passover Week: “There shall no leavened bread be seen with you” (Exodus 13:7). This command is repeated in the Old Testament until the spiritual message is clear: “Purge from yourself the spirit and ways of the present evil age.”

Sincere repentance, which is a forsaking of the spirit of the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life), must accompany the acceptance of Christ, our Passover Lamb. If there is no vigorous repentance on our part, no turning away from our former manner of living, we have not come to Jesus with the right attitude. Genuine repentance and the Divine forgiveness go together and cannot be separated.

“Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)

Repentance and forgiveness of sins went together in the apostolic preaching as recorded in the Book of Acts.

The act of being baptized in water represents the fact that the believer has turned his back on the present world and has died to the world and the lust thereof.

8. What does the feast of Unleavened Bread say to us concerning the redemption of the Christian Church?

The Church must follow Christ through the waters of baptism. Water baptism is a portrayal of the destruction of the authority and power of the spirit of the world, as far as the one being baptized is concerned.

The Church takes its place with the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, and also is raised spiritually to sit with Christ in the heavenlies at the right hand of the Father. Satan attempts to pursue the Church, but Satan never can follow the Church through the cross of Christ. The cross is Satan’s end.

9. What part does the feast of Unleavened Bread play in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

The third stage in the setting up of the Kingdom of God on the earth is portrayed in the first major convocation—Unleavened Bread. When the Kingdom of God has had its full impact on the earth, every trace of leaven will have been removed. No wickedness or rebellion will be found anywhere.

It always will be possible for people (and angels) to rebel against God. Christ and His saints will rule with a rod of iron throughout the thousand-year period, putting down all rebellion, and cleansing the earth from sin.

The reason there will be no rebellion or sin during the new heaven and earth reign of Christ is not because people no longer will be able to rebel or sin but because the saints of God will be ruling. It is the rule of the Kingdom of God that will preserve righteousness, peace, and joy on the earth.

10. On what date is the feast of Unleavened Bread observed?

The fifteenth of Abib.

11. What were the dates of the week of Unleavened Bread?

The fifteenth through the twenty-first of Abib.

Firstfruits

1. What took place during the Hebrew feast of Firstfruits?

The feast of Firstfruits was celebrated by the bringing of a sheaf of barley to the priest to mark the beginning of the harvest of grain—barley being the first grain to ripen.

2. Explain the new covenant concept of a firstfruits. Give three Scripture references.

The idea of the firstfruits is that of the first part of a larger amount that is yet to come. The sanctifying (setting apart to God as holy) of the firstfruits sanctifies the remaining greater part of the harvest from which the firstfruits was taken.

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (I Corinthians 15:20)
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:18)

3. In what ways is Christ the “firstfruits” of the members of His Body?

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)

4. In what way do we possess the “firstfruits” of the Spirit?

We have been sealed with a firstfruits of the Spirit in view of the day when the Holy Spirit will fill our entire personality, including our body.

5. How should we respond when God “gives” to us

spiritual or material blessings we do not possess as yet?

We are to hold fast to the promises and then work them out each day in patience and unswerving faith.

6. What is the difference between faith and mental assent?

Mental assent is our agreement with the facts of redemption. Faith is our grip on God’s Character and Word by which we live each day, trusting in the Lord rather than in our own wisdom and ability to solve problems. Mental assent cannot redeem us. We are saved by true faith in God through Christ.

7. What is the difference between faith and presumption?

Faith is obedience to God’s Word, both in the Scriptures and given to us personally. Presumption is an attempt to force God to respond to our desires.

8. What is your understanding of James 1:18? (compare Exodus 4:22).

The Church is a firstborn to God of mankind. This is a most important concept. Traditional theology maintains that only the members of the Church will be preserved in God’s Presence while the remainder of mankind is to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. It is true that the members of mankind who are wicked, who refuse God’s Christ, will be cast into the Lake of Fire, never again to see the face of God. But we believe the majority of people will be saved to the new heaven and earth reign of Christ and will be governed by the Church.

9. How is the born-again experience related to the concept of the feast of Firstfruits?

The new creation that is born in us is a firstfruits of our whole personality. Because the firstfruits has been received by the Lord the remainder of our personality is holy and will be reaped in due season.

10. Tell how the first three feasts portray the crucifixion, descent into the depths of the earth, and resurrection of Christ.

The Passover portrays the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus in that Jesus was slain on the cross, “roasted” in the fires of Divine judgment, and then His body and blood were made available to us so our new nature could be nourished with the Divine Nature.

The feast of Unleavened Bread, by its prohibition of leaven, speaks of the Lord Jesus removing the leaven of sin from the Church and from the world as He, the guiltless One, descended into Hell, bearing upon Himself the sin of the world.

The feast of Firstfruits announces the resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus as a firstfruits of those who afterward would be raised in His name.

11. Tell how the first three feasts portray the salvation experience.

We enter the program of salvation by partaking of the Lamb of God.

We repent and are baptized in water, dramatizing our identification with the death and resurrection of the Lord. We are to leave the leaven of the world in the baptismal water.

Our new, born-again nature, the firstfruits to the Lord of our entire personality, is raised to the right hand of God, there to abide in Christ until we appear with Him in the Day of the Lord.

12. In what way does the concept of a firstfruits apply to the Christian Church?

The Christian Church is the firstfruits of the saved of mankind, not the saved of mankind but the firstfruits of the saved of mankind.

13. How does the concept of a firstfruits apply to the order of the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. (I Corinthians 15:23-25)

14. On what date is the feast of Firstfruits celebrated?

The sixteenth of Abib.

Pentecost

1. What took place during the Jewish feast of Pentecost?

Two large loaves baked with leaven were waved before the Lord by the High Priest of Israel.

2. How is the feast of Pentecost related to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai?

It is believed that the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai fifty days after the first feast of Firstfruits, that is, on the first Pentecost.

3. Which of the seven holy furnishings of the Tabernacle of the Congregation is especially related to the feast of Pentecost?

The golden Lampstand.

4. What are the similarities and differences between the Law of Moses and the law of the Spirit of life? (Romans 8:2).

Both laws are similar in that each requires righteous, holy, and obedient behavior. However, the Law of Moses can be written on stone, parchment, paper, or any other material with any kind of writing instrument. It is obeyed by the efforts of the worshiper. The law of the Spirit of life can be written only on the human mind and heart. It is written as Christ is formed in us, command upon command, rule upon rule. Our part is to obey God to the best of our ability, observing the injunctions of the New Testament, and the Old Testament where applicable. God’s part is to form the righteous Nature of Christ in us.

5. Describe how the fall and spring rains of Palestine can be applied symbolically to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

We can think of the fall rain as the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the Church of the Old Testament and the spring rain as the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the Church of the New Testament. Or we can regard the outpouring of the Spirit in the first century as the fall rain and the reformation beginning with the Protestant Reformers as the spring rain.

6. What is the message of the Book of Joel?

That the blessing of God would be eaten away until nothing was left and then would be restored in abundance.

7. List some Scripture references that indicate the major outpourings of the Holy Spirit are yet ahead of us.

“but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD— (Numbers 14:21)
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)
The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:5)
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60:2)
Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning [of the Day of the Lord]; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter [harvest] and former [seed] rain to the earth. (Hosea 6:3)
Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. (Joel 2:23)
‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:9)
Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. (Zechariah 10:1)

8. What are some things we must do to ensure that the Holy Spirit is present in our church activities?

We must pray fervently, we must offer our bodies a living sacrifice, we must worship God intensely, we must be living in righteousness, holiness, and stern obedience to God, we must make room in our assemblies for the Holy Spirit to express Himself, we must lift up Jesus rather than ourselves, we must preach the Word of God rather than our traditions.

9. What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?

Speaking in tongues signals a new way of obeying God—the way of the law of the Spirit of life. “Tongues” is the key that opens the door to a new life for the Christian.

“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
To whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest,” and, “this is the refreshing”; yet they would not hear.
But the word of the LORD was to them, “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,” that they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught. (Isaiah 28:9-13)

10. What are the two major results of the working of the Holy Spirit in our life?

Power to bear witness; power to lead a holy life.

11. How can you explain the fact (in spiritual application) that there was leaven in the wave loaves?

The leaven may indicate that there still is sin in us when we have the Holy Spirit, or the leaven of the wave loaves of Pentecost may be speaking of the new leaven of the Kingdom of God that is in the individual who has been born again.

12. How do the gifts of the Spirit differ from the fruit of the Spirit?

The gifts of the Spirit are given to us; the fruit of the Spirit grows in us. The gifts of the Spirit are divided among the members of the Body of Christ, but each member of the Body is to reveal all of the fruit of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit are temporary, being means to an end. The fruit of the Spirit is eternal.

13. Explain the expression “the oil on the blood” (Leviticus 14:17). How does this concept apply to our Christian experience?

The oil was placed on the blood that was applied to the priests. We are reminded that the Holy Spirit comes upon the blood of Christ, not upon any holiness of our own.

14. Explain why it can be said the person who has received the baptism with the Holy Spirit has been “partially harvested.”

There remains much of his personality, including his mortal body, that has not as yet been harvested by the Lord.

15. What are some means we can use to keep our body under subjection?

We are to make certain that we are abiding in Christ, walking in the Spirit of God; we are to confess our sins, repenting of them diligently; we are to resist Satan, calling on the name of the Lord when we are tempted; we are to avoid entering situations where we know we will be tempted to sin.

16. What is the significance of the “anointing oil” on the Body of Christ?

The anointing oil reveals that Christ is God’s Prophet, Priest, and King.

17. Exactly who are the Seed of Abraham?

Those who belong to Christ.

18. What are some things that the Holy Spirit accomplishes in the Church?

The Holy Spirit has been given absolute authority and power over the Church to bring it to Christ as a helpmate. The Holy Spirit is active in all that the Church is and does.

The Holy Spirit enables the Church to pardon or retain sins (John 20:22,23). It is the Holy Spirit who gives the Lord’s apostles the power to bear witness of the atoning death and triumphant resurrection of Christ (Acts 1:8).

The Holy Spirit directs the work of the ministry (Acts 13:2). The Holy Spirit informs the churches of things to come (Acts 20:23). The Holy Spirit appoints the overseers of the churches (Acts 20:28). We Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit assists us in prayer (Romans 8:26; Jude 1:20). We are born of the Spirit (John 3:6). The Holy Spirit is a well of living water in the Christian (John 7:38,39).

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 14:17). The Holy Spirit exercises judgment through the churches (Acts 5:9). The Holy Spirit is the law of the Body of Christ, the law of the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2). The Holy Spirit who dwells in us is the One who will make alive our mortal body at the appearing of Christ from Heaven (Romans 8:11).

The Holy Spirit enables us to put to death the deeds of our flesh (Romans 8:13). The Holy Spirit leads the sons of God (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit is a deposit on the greater glory that is to come to the saints (Romans 8:23). The Holy Spirit helps us overcome our weaknesses (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit gives to every believer the gifts of revelation and power appointed to him (I Corinthians 12:11).

The Holy Spirit is the Substance of the new covenant (II Corinthians 3:6). The Holy Spirit is the One who transforms the believer into the image of the Glory of the Lord (II Corinthians 3:18). It is the Spirit of God by whom we Christians minister to people (Galatians 3:5).

The fruit of the abiding of the Holy Spirit in us is righteous, holy, and obedient conduct (Galatians 5:22,23). Godly Christian behavior is possible only through the abiding of the Spirit. It is through the power of the Spirit that we are able to gain victory over the lusts of our flesh (Galatians 5:16). Christ-likeness is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of the well-intentioned efforts of the believer.

If we sow to the Holy Spirit, obeying Him in all things, we will reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:8). God dwells in us through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). The Holy Spirit strengthens the inner man of the believer (Ephesians 3:16). The Holy Spirit seals the Christian to the Day of Redemption (Ephesians 4:30). The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. It is the Spirit who wields the Word of God in judgment (Ephesians 6:17).

It is through the Holy Spirit that each believer is baptized into the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).

19. What is the meaning of the term Pentecost? How is the meaning of the term related to the date on which the feast of Pentecost (feast of Weeks) is observed?

The term Pentecost is related to the number “fifty,” in the Greek language. It was observed fifty days after the feast of firstfruits.

20. Why were there so many nations represented in Jerusalem at the time of the first Pentecostal outpouring?

The Jews were gathered together from different parts of the Roman Empire to observe the Jewish feast of Pentecost (feast of Weeks).

21. How does the feast of Pentecost portray the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The Lord Jesus is the Christ, that is, the One anointed with the Spirit of God to build the Church and bring justice to the nations of the earth.

22. What role does Pentecost play in the redemption of the Christian?

The Holy Spirit breaks the yoke of sin in our life, and also gives us the ability to bear witness of the risen Lord Jesus.

23. What role do the Pentecostal outpourings play in the development of the Christian Church?

The Church of Christ was born in Pentecostal fire and power. The feast of Pentecost represents the Holy Spirit coming upon the Church, the Body of the Anointed Deliverer.

The two loaves of fine wheat flour waved by the anointed priest during the feast of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:20) portray the double portion of the Holy Spirit on the Lord’s witness in the earth, which is His Church. The two lampstands of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation are a similar figure. “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me…” (Acts 1:8).

24. What role do the Pentecostal outpourings play in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

The testimony of God will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we believe, until every man, woman, boy, and girl on the earth has both seen and heard the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the power of that Kingdom.

By speaking of seeing the Gospel of the Kingdom we mean signs and marvelous wonders will follow the testimony of the good news of the Kingdom as they did in the first century, except that now they will appear in greatly increased power and glory and will be more widespread (Joel 2:23-32).

The good news, concerning which the miracles of power will bear witness, is that the Kingdom of Christ is about to be established on the earth and that whoever chooses to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved from the wrath of God that now is at the door.

Trumpets

1. Describe the Hebrew Blowing of Trumpets.

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
‘You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.’” (Leviticus 23:24,25)

2. On what day of the Hebrew calendar is the Blowing of Trumpets celebrated?

The first day of Tishri.

3. To what does the blowing of the trumpet call attention?

The nearness of the Day of Atonement.

4. What is the Hebrew term for New Year’s Day?

Rosh Hashanah.

5. On what day of the Hebrew calendar is the Day of Atonement observed?

The tenth day of Tishri.

6. On what days of the Hebrew calendar is the feast of Tabernacles celebrated?

The fifteenth through the twenty-first of Tishri.

7. Explain the two overlapping Hebrew years.

The religious year begins with Passover and continues for twelve months. This is the ceremonial year. The civil year begins with the seventh month of the religious, ceremonial year and continues for twelve months.

8. List three uses of the trumpet in the culture of Israel.

Trumpets (shofar, yobel, and hasosera are the Hebrew terms employed in the Scripture) were sounded to announce significant events (Leviticus 25:9); to assemble Israel (Numbers 10:2); to obtain God’s help against the enemy (Numbers 10:9); to call God’s attention to an offering (Numbers 10:10); to announce the Presence of God (II Samuel 6:15); to warn of war and danger (Jeremiah 4:19); and to play music (II Chronicles 5:13,14).

9. Against what enemy is the Christian fighting? (support your answer with a Scripture reference).

Satan and his followers.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

10. Where and how did sin originate?

In Heaven around the throne of God.

11. How will God destroy sin from the earth?

By the moving of His Spirit through Christ—Head and Body.

12. Why was the Son of God manifested? (give Scripture reference).

To destroy the works of Satan.

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8)

13. How does the Body of Christ fit into God’s plan for executing judgment against sin?

The Body of Christ, being directed by the Head, constitutes the Judge who will determine who is to be saved and who is to be destroyed.

14. How can a Christian prepare himself for his part in God’s army?

By putting on the whole armor of God, seeking the Lord at all times, and obeying the Father in every detail.

15. What church activities do you believe to be most effective in the warfare against the powers of darkness?

Prayer, the preaching of God’s Word, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, militant praise issuing from disciples who have laid down their lives as an offering to God.

16. Describe any difference, from God’s standpoint, between the Christian who is committing sin and an unsaved person who is committing the same sin.

The Christian who is committing sin is of greater concern to God because he is a member of God’s family. If the believer does not judge himself, repenting of his sin, God will judge and chasten him so he is not condemned with the world.

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (I Corinthians 11:32)

17. In terms of the new covenant, what is the “house of God”?

Christ—Head and Body.

18. What are some steps a Christian can take in order to overcome the sins he is committing?

Keep himself spiritually healthy by praying consistently, meditating in the written Word, gathering together with fervent disciples, being ministered to, ministering and serving, giving, obeying the Lord in all matters.

Avoiding situations where he will be tempted, praying to the Lord to keep him from temptation.

Confessing his sins clearly and specifically, making restitution as the Lord leads.

Turning away from sin, fighting against it with all the grace he possesses, requesting God’s help.

Resisting the devil and drawing near to God.

Asking for prayer from the elders of the assembly when he feels that sin is overcoming him.

19. What is the “land of promise” of the Christian disciple?

All things—especially the earth and its nations.

20. Why does spiritual warfare play such an important part in the Christian discipleship?

The enemy is occupying the inheritance of Christ and His saints. God’s purposes can be accomplished only through warfare. The Scriptures from Genesis through Revelation are an account of warfare. The most frequently used name of God is “The Lord of Hosts.”

21. What is the difference between the legal possession and the actual possession of an object?

We may own something legally but not be in possession of it because it has been lost or stolen.

22. Are there any differences between what the Old Testament and the New Testament state concerning the committing of sins by God’s people?

No. A much superior offering has been provided under the new covenant, but both Testaments warn God’s elect to cease sinning, under penalty of severe punishment.

23. How is II Peter 1:19 related to the Blowing of Trumpets?

The Day Star announces the morning of the Day of the Lord. The Blowing of Trumpets announces the morning of the Day of the Lord.

24. How is the raising of Lazarus a “Trumpets” experience?

Lazarus was raised from the dead on the fifth day, ready to experience the spiritual fulfillment of the Day of Atonement.

25. Explain the three deaths and resurrections portrayed by the three hangings of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

The gate of the Courtyard typifies our death to the world and resurrection into God’s Kingdom.

The door of the Tabernacle typifies our death to sin and our resurrection into life lived in the Spirit of God.

The veil leading into the Holy of Holies typifies our death to self-will and our resurrection into the fullness of the will and Person of God through Christ.

26. How is the Blowing of Trumpets associated with the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The Lord Jesus Christ is the King whose coming is announced by the blowing of trumpets.

27. What part does the spiritual fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets play in the redemption of the believer?

The fulfillment of Trumpets is the coming of the King to wage war against the sin and rebellion in the personality of the believer.

28. How is the Blowing of Trumpets associated with the bringing of the Christian Church into its inheritance in Christ?

When we come to the fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets, in the perfecting of the Church, there are two aspects that must be considered carefully. One aspect concerns the part of the spiritual fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets that is occurring now. The other aspect concerns the part of Trumpets that will take place when the Lord Jesus returns from Heaven.

The aspect that is yet to come is the heralding of the appearing of the Lord Jesus with the holy angels. This event will take place at the end of the Church Age and the beginning of the Kingdom-Age reign over the earth of Christ and His saints.

It is the previous aspect of the Blowing of Trumpets that we want to be certain we do not miss. It is the part of the fulfillment of Trumpets that is occurring now.

The trumpet of God is sounding in the Church, announcing to us that God is ready to go to war against the sin in the Body of Christ. The trumpet prepares the Church for spiritual warfare, for gaining total, complete victory over Satan, in the name of the Lord Jesus.

29. How does the fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets establish the Kingdom of God in the earth?

The kingdomwide fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets will occur during the sounding of the seven trumpets of Chapters Eight through Eleven of the Book of Revelation. The last, or seventh trumpet will herald the coming of Christ in His Kingdom.

The Divine trumpet will summon the saints to rise from the dead, and then to ascend to meet the Lord Jesus in the air. The seventh trumpet announces the ascension of Christ to the spiritual thrones that govern the kingdoms of the world. The trumpet of God will declare to the wicked and rebellious nations the presence of the wrath of God and will herald the onslaught of the armies of the Lord against the evil forces in the earth.

Most joyously of all, as far as the meek of the earth are concerned, the seventh trumpet will proclaim the thousand-year Jubilee—the soon release of the creation, at the hands of the sons of God, into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Leviticus, Chapter 25; Romans 8:21). When the seventh trumpet sounds God’s Kingdom will be revealed in the earth.

Day of Atonement

1. List some of the important happenings of the Hebrew Day of Atonement.

The Day of Atonement was the only day of the year when the High Priest of Israel was allowed into the Most Holy Place. The High Priest took one of the golden censers from the Lampstand, filled it with coals of fire from the Altar of Incense that stood before the holy veil, and then picked up some incense from the cups on the border of the Table of Showbread. Passing behind the veil he threw the incense on the glowing coals, causing the holy perfume to fill the Most Holy Place.

The anointed priest went in before the Mercy Seat (Propitiatory; Lid of Atonement; Lid of Reconciliation) and sprinkled blood for his own sins and for the sins of the people of Israel.

The atonement was made for the holy sanctuary, for the Tabernacle of the Congregation, for the Altar, for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.

Also, a scapegoat bearing the sins of the people was led away into a “land not inhabited.”

“And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat.
“Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man.
“The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:20-22)

2. Why would we expect the Day of Atonement to be the first of the feasts of the Lord?

Because we would suppose our sin was taken care of completely at the beginning of the program of redemption.

3. How do we know that our tendencies toward sinful behavior were not purged from us at the time of our initial acceptance of Christ?

By the behavior of Christian people, and especially by the appetites and impulses we notice in our own personality.

4. How is it possible for God to work with His people when they are they are not as yet living in righteousness, holiness, and obedience?

A firstfruits of our personality, our new born-again inner nature, has been accepted as holy by the Lord, thus sanctifying the remainder of our personality. The blood of the righteous Jesus covers the part of our personality that still is dead in sin.

5. Did God choose the people of Israel as His own possession because of their righteous and holy conduct? (give a Scripture reference for your answer).

No.

“It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 9:5)

6. List ten behaviors that are sin under the new covenant.

Adultery, fornication, stealing, lying, occult practices, covetousness, wrath, gossiping, envy, murder, drunkenness.

7. What does the New Testament say concerning theconfessing of their sins by Christian people?

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

8. What provisions are included in the grace of God for the Christian who is practicing sin?

Total forgiveness of sin through the blood of the cross; total removal of the compulsion to sin, through the power of the Holy Spirit based on the authority of the blood of the cross.

9. How can we distinguish between the accusations of Satan, and the sins we are practicing and that need to be dealt with through the power of the Holy Spirit?

The distinction must be maintained between accusations of Satan, and the pinpointing of sin by the Holy Spirit. Satan constantly is planting guilt and suspicion in our mind and accusing us of things Christ already has forgiven, or sins we have not actually committed and have no intention of committing.

The disciple through experience learns to recognize Satan and to resist his accusations. Such accusations are not sin and do not need to be confessed. Sometimes we must pray for faith and strength in order to overcome the depression, gloom, and fear that such accusations produce.

The sins of imagination, motive, word, and deed that are pointed out to us by the Holy Spirit, and that therefore must be confessed and repented of, are those behaviors we accept and practice and that we dwell upon, that we do not firmly disown and thrust aside. These actions and imaginations are sins and must be named as such before the Lord.

10. Describe how I John 1:7-9 is the new-covenant fulfillment of the Hebrew Day of Atonement.

The two principal aspects of the Day of Atonement were the removal of the guilt by the blood of the slain animals, followed by the confession of sin and then the removal of the sin itself, as portrayed by the banishing of the scapegoat from the camp. First John informs us that as we continue to walk in the light of God’s will the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all sin. If we should slip and fall we are to confess our sin, and God then will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

11. How does the use of two goats during the Day of Atonement apply to us under the new covenant?

The one goat forgives our sin. The other goat removes the sin itself.

12. Describe the peril of overconfidence.

The Christian believer is mistaken if he thinks that Satan will not lie persuasively to him. The overcoming disciple is mistaken if he believes that he cannot have dreams, visions, words, premonitions, fleeting glimpses into the supernatural, that are not of God.

The dedicated saint is mistaken if he believes that because he has surrendered to God he will not receive all kinds of pleasurable satanic sensations calculated to appeal to his individual personality. His consecration to God makes him the prey of the forces of darkness.

13. Describe the peril of passivity.

The disciple is making a mistake if he throws his personality open, saying in effect, “I am without a will of my own. I shall move however God moves me.”

The believer who adopts this attitude will be moved by a spirit but it will not be the Spirit of God. He now is open to every spiritual “revelation” that the cunning forces of darkness can manufacture. This deception has arisen in part from the teaching that the Lord is looking for “empty vessels.”

14. How can a Christian judge spirits and “voices”?

The Christian must judge all things through the Scripture, through prayer, through ministry and help from fellow members of the Body of Christ, through the counsel of devout and experienced elders of the church, and through a consistent life of cross-carrying obedience to the Spirit of God.

The Christian always must be cautious concerning any “voices” that speak to him. He must “try the spirits” (I John 4:1). He must use his will and judgment in doing God’s will and avoid any tendencies toward passive, undisciplined yielding.

15. What part does human willpower play in the Christian discipleship?

It is with the will that man chooses continually to obey God’s Word rather than the flatteries or threats of Satan. The will is associated with the power of judgment and choice in man. Our will is guided by the Scriptures and strengthened by constant prayer and by being decisive concerning the doing of God’s will in every matter.

We will serve the Lord. We will follow the Lord Jesus. We will read the Word of God and we will be guided by it. We will resist the devil. We will turn away from temptation.

16. What should we do as soon as we begin to suspect that we have fallen into deception?

Deliverance from the power of demons always is available to people through the blood atonement that Christ has made on the cross. We are to humble ourselves before God and confess with our mouth that we have believed ourselves to be especially chosen, and now we doubt that the voice that told us this was of God.

We are to confess to the Lord Jesus every aspect of the problem, from the moment that we first began to entertain the spirit of preeminence, or of favoritism in the area of sexual behavior. We are to ask the Lord to judge the situation. We are to ask Him to show us the truth and believe He will do it.

17. Do I dare judge something that may be of the Holy Spirit? (give a Scripture reference).

Never fear that you will lose something of God by asking the Lord Jesus to judge your deeds, words, imaginations, and motives. God will not be insulted and draw away from you, even if the word indeed was from Him. Remember, Satan desires that you keep away from the light, away from Christ’s judging and delivering power.

When you confess your sins, doubts, fears, or questions, God will receive you. He understands all about the battle. Anything that God has given to you can stand any reasonable examination to which you wish to subject it.

The wisdom that comes from above is gentle, always willing to be questioned and investigated. Righteousness always runs toward the light that its deeds may be shown to have been performed in God.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)

18. Describe the personal and historical fulfillments of the Year of Jubilee.

The personal fulfillment of the Year of Jubilee takes place when our Kinsman-Redeemer, Christ, delivers us from Satan and restores us to our original position as a son of God. The historical fulfillment of the Year of Jubilee will occur during the thousand-year Kingdom Age. At this time Christ—Head and Body—will go through the earth, loosing the prisoners from the chains of Satan and lifting the curse from nature.

19. How are the actions of a Christian in dealing with his sins related to conditions in the spirit realm?

When the Christian judges his behavior and denounces it as unworthy of the Kingdom of God, the spirit causing the behavior is condemned as evil and removed from the Christian. If the Christian then yields to Christ and abides in Him, the Christian experiences eternal forgiveness and eternal deliverance. It is an eternal judgment. The Christian will not be delivered until he himself denounces the behavior as evil.

20. How does the Christian “purify himself”? (I John 3:3).

By confessing his sins and repenting of them.

By resisting Satan and drawing near to God for continual fellowship, walking in the light of God’s perfect will.

21. Why does judgment begin in the house of God rather than among the unsaved? (I Peter 4:17).

Because the house of God is God’s family, God’s Church through whom He will judge the world.

22. What is the baptism with fire? (Matthew 3:11).

Baptism with the spirit of judgment, burning away all that is sinful and rebellious in the believer’s personality.

23. How is the new-covenant fulfillment of the Day of Atonement related to the new-covenant fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles?

The work of the Day of Atonement cleanses our personality from all that is displeasing to the Lord, thus making it possible for the Father and the Son to take up Their eternal abode in us.

24. What can we learn from the Day of Atonement concerning the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

That both forgiveness and deliverance are included in the atonement made by Christ.

25. What role does the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement play in the redemption of the believer?

The Day of Atonement forgives the believer’s sin and removes the presence of sin from his personality, making him eligible to receive the fullness of God.

26. How is the Day of Atonement fulfilled in the growth to maturity of the Christian Church?

The Day of Atonement has a past, a present, and a future fulfillment in the Church of Christ. The past fulfillment was the redemptive death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The present fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is our dealing with the sins and self-will in our life, as the Holy Spirit enables us to do so.

The future fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is the Kingdom-Age reign of Christ, the thousand-year period.

27. How will the Day of Atonement be fulfilled in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

What is available now to the Church will be true throughout the whole earth during the thousand-year Kingdom Age that is just over the horizon. When the Lord Jesus comes He will possess the authority and power not only to forgive sins but also to remove sin itself from the earth.

Tabernacles

1. Describe the Jewish celebration of the feast of Tabernacles.

The celebration of the feast of Tabernacles was the most joyous occasion of the year. For seven days the Israelites were to sleep out under the stars in booths made of branches. Tabernacles marked the end of the harvesting and processing of all the grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts farmed by the Jews. The Law was read. Water from the Pool of Siloam was poured on the Altar of Burnt Offering. It was a time of the most extreme rejoicing and hilarity.

2. Why is it so important to our discipleship that we realize the Divine plan of redemption has a definite mark of completion?

If we do not realize there is a mark, a point of completion, a finish line, we will not run the race.

3. Toward what goal was Paul pressing? (Philippians 3:14).

The out-resurrection from among the dead.

4. Explain the twelfth chapter of the Book of Isaiah in terms of the new-covenant fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles.

The twelfth chapter of Isaiah emphasizes that God’s warfare against us has been completed and He Himself now has become our Salvation, our Joy, our Song, our Strength—all that we shall ever need or desire.

5. What is the goal of the Christian discipleship?

To be changed into the image of Christ in spirit, soul, and body, and to be one with God and all true saints through Christ.

6. The feast of Tabernacles celebrated the completion of the harvest season. How does this apply to our redemption under the new covenant?

The fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles in us signifies that every aspect of our personality has been reaped to the Lord.

7. What relationship exists between the feast of Tabernacles and the Law of Moses, in both the old and new covenants?

The feast of Tabernacles is associated with the reading of the Law of Moses to the congregation of Israel in solemn assembly.

And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles,
“when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
“Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, (Deuteronomy 31:10-12)

Under the new covenant the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles is the establishing of the throne of almighty God in our heart. When God’s throne has been established in us we will do the will of God and keep all His laws because of the Divine Nature expressing itself in us.

8. What relationship exists between the feast of Tabernacles and the “water” of the Holy Spirit, in both the old and new covenants?

The feast of Tabernacles is associated also with water. By the latter part of our month of September and the beginning of October (the time of the feast of Tabernacles) the dry season (May through August) has about ended. The early (former, planting) rains soon are to fall. The rivers will begin to flow.

When the throne of God has been established in us the living water of the Holy Spirit will flow forth to bless the saved peoples of the earth.

9. What relationship exists between the feast of Tabernacles and the “light” of the world, in both the old and new covenants?

During the time of Jesus on earth it was a custom for the Jews, during the feast of Tabernacles, to come in procession to the Temple carrying torches. The combined light from the processional torches and the lampstands of the Temple lit the area in and around the Temple.

To the Israelites, who were familiar with this custom, Jesus taught:

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

We shall be the light of the world when God and His Christ are occupying the throne of our life.

10. What is the significance, under the new covenant, of the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles?

The eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles represents the first day of the new week of eternity, the week without end.

11. How would you apply the symbolism of dwelling in booths?

Dwelling in booths portrays the dwelling of the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit in the Christian personality.

12. What caused the extraordinary joy that accompanied the Hebrew celebration of the feast of Tabernacles?

Thankfulness for the harvest of the preceding year, and anticipation of the soon coming rain and the harvest of the new year.

13. When will the feast of Tabernacles be fulfilled in the Christian?

When his spirit, soul, and body have been made new in Christ, and when the fullness of the Father and the Son through the fullness of the Spirit are dwelling in him in untroubled rest.

14. How will the manner in which we pursue the Christian discipleship today affect the redemption of our physical body when Jesus returns? (give Scripture reference).

The kind of resurrection we will have depends directly upon our pursuit of the life of victory now. We shall be clothed in our own behavior. That which we sow each day is having its rise in Heaven in the Presence of God. The “robe” with which our resurrected body will be clothed is being woven by our response to daily problems through which the Lord guides us.

It is our “light affliction” that is creating the body of glory.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (II Corinthians 4:17)

Our robe is the “righteousnesses” that Christ is creating in our personality today.

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:8)

15. How is the feast of Tabernacles fulfilled in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The Father dwells in Christ in His fullness. Christ eternally is in God and God eternally is in Christ.

16. How is the feast of Tabernacles fulfilled in the redemption of the believer?

Christ enters and establishes the Throne of God in us. The spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles makes of us the holy city, the new Jerusalem, the eternal Throne of God and of the Lamb. We sit with Christ in His throne as He sits with His Father in His throne—in our heart.

17. How is the maturity of the Christian Church associated with the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles?

When the Church has attained the desired level of maturity, the Father and the Son through the fullness of the Holy Spirit will establish Their eternal residence in the Church.

The union of Christ with His Church will take place in a firstfruits of His Church at the beginning of the thousand-year Kingdom Age, when the Lord descends from Heaven. By the end of the thousand-year Kingdom Age, as we understand the Divine plan, the entire Church, the Wife of the Lamb, will have been reconciled to the Lord. Then the holy city, the new Jerusalem, will descend from the new heaven and be established for eternity on the new earth.

18. How will the feast of Tabernacles be fulfilled in the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth?

The fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles is the new heaven and earth reign of Christ, as described in the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation.

Just as the kingdomwide fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is the establishing of the Kingdom of God throughout the earth, as symbolized by the conquests of the neighboring tribes by King David, so the kingdomwide fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles is the eternal reign of God in Christ in the Bride over the nations of the earth, as typified by the peaceful rule of King Solomon over Israel.

(“A Study Guide for the Feasts of the Lord”, 3231-1)