Tabernacles - Messianic Hebraic Perspective
And Yeshua answered and spoke unto them again by parables, and said, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then says he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. …And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he says unto him, Friend, how came thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1-14)
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Yeshua was there: And both Yeshua was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Yeshua says unto him, they have no wine. Yeshua says unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother says unto the servants, what so ever he says unto you, do it. And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Yeshua says unto them; Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he says unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And says unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Yeshua in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:1-11)
If so be ye have tasted that the LORD is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of G_D, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to G_D by Yeshua Mashiach. (1 Peter 2:3-5)
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of G_D, and that the Spirit of G_D dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of G_D, him shall G_D destroy; for the temple of G_D is holy, which temple ye are. … What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of G_D, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify G_D in your body, and in your spirit, which are G_D’s (1 Corinthians)
And what agreement hath the temple of G_D with idols? For ye are the temple of the living G_D; as G_D hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their G_D, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of G_D; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua Mashiach himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the LORD: In whom ye also are built together for an habitation of G_D through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my G_D, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my G_D, and the name of the city of my G_D, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my G_D: and I will write upon him my new name. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the communities. (Revelation 3:11-13)
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:20-30)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from G_D out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of G_D is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and G_D himself shall be with them, and be their G_D. And G_D shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his G_D, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. …
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from G_D, Having the glory of G_D: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. … And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. … And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the LORD G_D Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of G_D did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. …
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of G_D and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of G_D and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the LORD G_D gives them light: and they shall reign forever and ever. …
And he said unto me, these sayings are faithful and true: and the LORD G_D of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. … And he says unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves to make a lie. …
I Yeshua have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, G_D shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, G_D shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifies these things says, surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, LORD Yeshua. The grace of our LORD Yeshua Mashiach be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 21:1-22:21)
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From just these selected passages of which those from the Book of Revelation are most awesome indeed, we should see a B’rit Chadasha record that is very consistent with the traditional Hebraic perspective surrounding Sukkot.
The B’rit Chadasha writings confirm that New Jerusalem is the final Temple … the grand and spectacular Mishkan built up by “The Son” for the glory of The Father. This Mishkan, not built by hands but by the very Spirit of the saints in and through Mashiach, is an eternal dwelling place for G_D. This Mishkan replaces the Millennial Reign Temple of Mashiach … which being the pattern of the first temporary Mishkan was dedicated in Nissan and to be replaced and consumed by the permanent Mishkan which is dedicated at Sukkot. This Mishkan will not be or ever be threatened by Israel’s enemies … G_D’s enemies.
This New Jerusalem Mishkan embodies and delivers all the promises to Israel made within the auspices of the Everlasting Covenant: a permanent inheritance, glory for Israel, establishment of the Holy City (Mount Zion) as the center of all things; permanent peace and communion with G_D; Israel as G_D’s loving and faithful servants … everything!
This New Jerusalem Mishkan in essence is a tangible manifestation of G_D’s Holy and Righteous character. This Mishkan is not just a place where G_D places his Name but a place where G_D permanently resides in communion with Israel through his Mashiach. G_D’s very essence … his “light” … his “glory” will reside with Israel.
Ultimately the descent of New Jerusalem, the center piece of the recreation, presents an overwhelming picture of the Sukkah roof wherein Israel is “covered by the very glory of the heavens” … “covered by the very glory of G_D”
The community of saints (the Bride of Mashiach), within the revelation of the B’rit Chadasha depicts the perfect unity between Yeshua and the elect. Just as husband and wife cleave to become one joined being … so is it with Mashiach and his bride!
We should see a picture of Mashiach and his bride in the form of Adam and Eve. A picture wherein Mashiach … the second man has a mate that is divinely cleaved out of him … a bride that is made of the same essence as the bridegroom. A bride who cleaved from perfection is incorruptible!
This bride of Mashiach is one and the same with the bride of G_D. In the end all Israel shall be saved. As such the bride of Mashiach is assuredly “all Israel” … a perfectly pure and virginal maiden well prepared and adorned for the great day.
From a marriage perspective the descent of New Jerusalem serves as a wonderful picture of the wedding chuppah. A wedding vowel covering and testimony that the union between husband and wife is being made in perfect conformance and approval of G_D! A union wherein the marriage partnership is G_D centric and devoted to the will and good pleasures of the CREATOR!
As the B’rit Chadasha record depicts New Jerusalem is replete with the sustaining blessings of G_D in accordance with the pattern of the Sukkot Mo’ed.
New Jerusalem contains the river of the water of life and the tree of life. Herein we see the truth of Mashiach’s revelations that it is indeed he who is the well spring of life … it is he who is the bread of life … it is he who is the true vine … the source/root of all that is needed for life.
Consequently New Jerusalem presents us with the festive presentation before G_D as encapsulated within the Sukkot Mo’ed. New Jerusalem remains a testimonial to the boundless blessings of G_D upon his people Israel. New Jerusalem represents the permanent Festival of The LORD!
As the B’rit Chadasha reveals, in accordance with the Tanakh and the Everlasting Covenant, the purposeful goal of Israel … the Elect of G_D … is to propagate the gifts of G_D’s truth, wisdom, benevolence and love to the nations. The purposeful goal of Israel is to be the light to the nations … to intercede on their behalf … to draw them back towards the CREATOR.
As Holy Scriptures reveal this servitude of the community of saints is responsive to the gifts provided to them by G_D’s indwelt SPIRIT through Mashiach Yeshua. This servitude is not only expected to yield results but it would seem apparent that this yield is required by the Master who reaps without sowing.
The servitude of the community of saints represents the free will heart-felt offerings provided by the people towards the construction of the Holy Mishkan. Within a B’rit Chadasha context the labors of the saints represent the good works of Spiritual Torah which bring glory to G_D … good works designed not only to glorify G_D but shine as a light for those in the darkness.
As Adam and Eve were brought forth to steward and tend the garden of G_D … so too are the saints brought forth to tend the fields and provide stewardship over the harvest … the harvest being the body of Mashiach … the harvest being Israel.
New Jerusalem therefore represents not only the harvest but just as much the labors of the body of Mashiach. Unlike Adam and Eve who failed to properly tend the garden … the community of saints is met by Mashiach with the following declaration: “well done good and faithful servants”!
In the context of Sukkot we see where the festival is designed to be a celebration of the blessings of G_D as manifest in the fruits of our labors. But these fruits are not just for those that reap … these fruits are for all Israel … the Priests and Levites … the poor … and yes even the strangers that have cleaved to G_D. Within the context of Sukkot the New Jerusalem represents the unity of all Israel wherein the blessings of G_D are for everyone regardless of who labored!
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