SHADOW AND SUBSTANCE

All of the biblical feasts have a historical aspect as well as a prophetic aspect. Not only are they about celebrating what happened to the Israelites thousands of years ago, but also about what the Messiah will come to fulfill in both his first and second coming.

The apostle Paul explains:
(Colossians 2:16-17) Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. (17) These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 

The “shadow” is the historical aspect of each feast. It is what happened to the Israelites on their way out of Egypt and on their way to the Promised Land. The feasts celebrate that freedom and independence.

The “substance” is the fulfillment of each feast in the Messiah. Not only did Jesus celebrate the feasts, he also became the reason for the feasts.

During his first coming He fulfilled the first feasts in his flesh:
-          He was the Passover Lamb whose blood saves us (John 1:29);
-          He is the Unleavened Bread, without sin;
-          He is the Firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20-23).


On his second coming, he will also fulfill the last feasts (Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Feast of Booths). Since the Messiah fulfilled the first feasts on the exact dates and times that the feasts were celebrated, it is safe to assume that he will do the same with the latter feasts.

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