We began our review of the Mo’adim where one might expect … or at least hopefully where the reader is now cognizant of where we should have begun … with the sacred Shabbat and we saw that Shabbat in a traditional Hebraic perspective is viewed in the following core perspectives:
Memorial of Creation;
Memorial of Redemption;
Memorial of The Eternal Covenant and promises made to Israel
Memorial of Holiness (Torah, Sacrificial System, Mishkan)
We also saw where we could readily overlay the revelations of the B’rit Chadasha to enrich Shabbat in its fullness within the auspices of Yeshua HaMashiach and perfectly align the B’rit Chadasha with the Tanakh by way of Messianic prophecies and key Scriptural passage support.
What we are left with ultimately is a testimony to the continued importance of Shabbat in any scenario. Additionally what we have seen is that Shabbat and Mashiach Yeshua are deeply interconnected thereby not only establishing the relevance of Shabbat in a Messianic perspective but glorifying Shabbat even more so … now that we see Shabbat revealed in such greater fullness and context!
Hopefully it is agreed that standing on its own merits Shabbat serves as a critical component of G_D’s plan … a picture of the CREATOR’s will and purpose for humanity perfected within the divine and human personage of Yeshua HaMashiach. Hopefully it is agreed that Shabbat is relevant and critical to the life of all believers in Mashiach … Hopefully it is agreed that Yeshua HaMashiach is essentially THE Shabbat that all believers are seeking for completion, rest, life and glorification.
All of this glory however was still not sufficient to adequately encompass the fullness of the sacred Shabbat. As indicated and clearly shown, the Shabbat is deeply integral to the plan of G_D and is essentially inseparable from the Torah, the Everlasting Covenant, the Holy Service and ultimately the Holy Mishkan … the dwelling place of G_D.
When we approached Shabbat with Hebraic eyes we readily could see depicted the pattern of ascent (aliyah) within the record of creation itself. Additionally when following the inseparable threads we amazingly could also recognize this same repeating pattern of aliyah manifest with: the Torah … the Everlasting Covenant … and the Holy Service/Mishkan.
Still further we could see where Shabbat is deeply connected to all Mo’adim by virtue of Shabbat’s position as the most regal Appointed Time while serving as the parent commandment sitting above all the Mo’adim created by G_D. Within this unique relationship we then know that we should look to the individual Mo’adim as providing us with progressive details regarding this great plan of re-creation. Within Shabbat the master plan has been revealed … within the Mo’adim we should then look for this plan to be enriched and also revealed within the auspices of Yeshua HaMashiach himself … the fundamental component of life a-new!
We should be able to proceed with confidence that the Mo’adim should be approached in a context that accounts for:
Revelation and details concerning the re-creation;
Revelation and details concerning the grand plan of G_D for humanity;
Revelation and details depicting the fullness of the Mo’adim in and through Mashiach
But this is not the end of the insights that we have been able to gain within the Hebraic perspective. We have also seen where there is a consistent relationship and congruent pattern of ascent (aliyah) associated with: Torah, the Everlasting Covenant, the Holy Service/Sacrificial System and the Mishkan. As such it would seem apparent as well that to some degree these contextual perspectives will have relevance within the Mo’adim framework that cry out to be accounted for.
Finally … as we tie all of these diverse perspectives together it would seem that we will have to look at the overall meaningfulness of Shabbat … since it is the objective of the children festivals to reflect the greater principle and truths of the Shabbat.
Within the traditional Hebraic perspective of Shabbat and what it represents for Israel we should be able to ultimately see Shabbat representing:
The Redemption of the chosen people
The Chosen peoples’ escape/separation from Egypt;
The renewal of the Chosen people as a nation;
The special relationship between the Chosen people and G_D;
The perseverance of the Chosen people;
The judgment of G_D upon the Chosen peoples’ enemies … and
The Rest/Peace /Holiness … Shalom in G_D
So as we prepare to dig into the Mo’adim of G_D let us remember that we have used a Hebraic perspective to develop a contextual framework wherein we expect the Mo’adim to depict a progressive pattern of re-creation and to do so while expecting revelation of a representative pattern of events as outlined above … and most assuredly to do so within the auspices of Yeshua HaMashiach … while upholding the integrity and perfect harmony of: the Torah; the Everlasting Covenant; the Sacrificial System and the Mishkan!
Additionally the reader should understand that the original Hebrew Festivals ultimately serve as an awesome shadow of events to come wherein Yeshua HaMashiach, following the original pattern, will personally reveal the Festivals in their true Messianic context. The mysteries of the festivals of G_D contain for believers the promise and hope of the perfection of G_D’s plan in and through Yeshua HaMashiach!
So the pattern is one where we shall see awesome events transpire between G_D and the Israelites. These events serve as a shadow of things to be revealed to Israel by Yeshua HaMashiach who will perfect these Mo’adim in a personal and tangible manner. The Mo’adim of course also serve to reveal the promises and hopes for the true and faithful Body of Mashiach.
All of the Biblical Mo’adim are not only mandatory Festivals of G_D but are prophetic and reveal great truths about the plans and counsel of G_D. Still further the Biblical Festivals serve as an integral component of a believer’s daily, weekly, monthly, annual and full life cycle.
Oh … and one last note before we dive in … not coincidentally there are three specific Mo’adim: Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot respectively which are required pilgrimage feasts to the Mishkan! This means that Israel is required to observe these Pilgrimage Festivals in their times and at the place where G_D places his NAME … traditionally Mount Zion in Jerusalem… site of the Temple!
The Israelites as such are to await and ready themselves for the Mo’adim in order to “come up” to the Mishkan and present themselves and their offerings … in the early Spring … late Spring and … the Fall seasons … at the appointed time. Clearly we do not need to look very far to confirm this pattern of ascent (aliyah) within the Mo’adim framework.
And if per chance the reader is thinking that all of this business about the Temple and the Mo’adim are purely studies of an ethereal or theological nature … please consider the fact that Holy Scriptures clearly point towards the days of the King … the millennial reign when Yeshua will rule the Earth and all nations. During this reign it is pretty clear that the Temple and associated Holy Services (Avodah) are restored … it seems pretty clear in Holy Scriptures as well that the law of the land (The Torah … The covenant) is restored … and it is also pretty clear in Holy Scriptures that the Mo’adim are restored.
Let us therefore continue with great anticipation regarding the Mo’adim of G_D … the ascent (aliyah) of our King … of our Kingdom … of re-creation!