Spreading the Saving Grace of Christ Jesus. Giving God the glory in all circumstances and allowing Him to transform lives and hearts through the atoning work on the Cross. "For we are saved by grace through faith...Ephesians 2:8-9. Love and praise Him with all your heart, mind, strength and soul. Love thy neighbor as thyself and these are the 2 greatest commandments. For even Christ Jesus came not to be served but to serve and sacrifice.
The people behind Life, Hope & Truth will soon be observing the fall festivals found in the Bible. Do you know about these feasts—and what they mean?
Orange Beach, Alabama, is just one of many locations around the world where God’s people celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
Life, Hope & Truth is not just a website. It represents people—from all over the world. Collectively, we are called the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. As you have probably figured out by reading our content, we are quite a bit different from other churches and religious organizations.
One of the key differences is our observance of the biblical festivals found in Leviticus 23. These feasts take place in the spring, early summer and fall of the year in the northern hemisphere.
In just a few days, our staff here in Allen, Texas, and our members around the world will be leaving their homes for over a week and observing the last two of those annual festivals: the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. Over the next few weeks, you will not see much new content added to Life, Hope & Truth, but no worries—we will be back!
Here’s a brief overview of the biblical fall festivals we have been and will be observing over the next couple of weeks.
In just a few days, our staff and members around the world will be leaving their homes for over a week and observing the last two of those annual festivals: the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.The Feast of Trumpets
We collectively observed the Feast of Trumpets on Monday, Oct. 3. You can find this feast commanded in Leviticus 23:23-25: “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.”
When we observe this festival, we celebrate the future time when a trumpet blast will announce the return of Jesus Christ to earth (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 11:15). This is an extremely uplifting and encouraging day because it celebrates the future time when our present era of suffering and war will end—and a new era of Jesus Christ’s rule on earth will begin!
On Oct. 12, we will observe the Day of Atonement. You can find this holy day commanded in Leviticus 23:26-32. This is a unique observance, because it includes a 24-hour fast (going without food and water). This day is all about reconciliation with God and shows us that the only way mankind will be fully reconciled (at one) with God is through the removal of Satan (Revelation 12:9; 20:1-2).
Visit this page to learn more about how the Feast of Tabernacles is kept: “What Is the Feast?”
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles is a weeklong festival that will be observed from Oct. 17 to 23. You can read about this festival inLeviticus 23:33-36, 39. God’s people are told to “rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days” (verse 40). This festival is an incredibly positive seven days, and we travel to locations around the world to celebrate it.
This festival pictures the coming millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth. As we rejoice for seven days, we focus on the rejoicing that will come when mankind lives in peace and safety under the rule of Jesus Christ’s government (Revelation 20:4-6).
This festival is the last of God’s annual feasts and falls on Oct. 24 this year. Though it is associated with the Feast of Tabernacles, it is a separate observance. You can read about it, under the name “the eighth day,” in Leviticus 23:36.
This day pictures the future time of judgment that will occur after the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:11-12). This is also an incredibly positive day because it celebrates the time when salvation through Jesus Christ will be offered to billions upon billions of people who never had the opportunity during their physical lifetimes!
If you don’t know much about these festivals, we invite you to study more about them. Our “Feasts of the Lord” video series and our free booklet From Holidays to Holy Days: God’s Plan for You explain how each of these festivals reveals inspiring knowledge about God’s purpose and plan.
Just as the biblical festivals are an important part of our lives and annually remind us of what God is doing, they can also become a part of your life too! The plan of God, as outlined by these festivals, encompasses the three main things we seek to share with everyone. The festivals teach how eternal life will be offered to all; they provide hope for the future; and they show the truth about what God is doing.
Yes, they are all about life, hope and truth. And that, my friends, is what we are all about.
Erik Jones is a writer and editor for Life, Hope & Truth and Discern magazine. He holds degrees in education and history from the University of Akron (Ohio) and enjoys writing on current events, history, social issues and the Bible. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Foundation Institute in Allen, Texas.
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