Lessons from the Calendar of Redemption [7 Feasts - 7 Churches - 4 Chariots]

Lessons from the Calendar of Redemption

[7 Feasts - 7 Churches - 4 Chariots]

(We don't "keep" the feasts Post-Cross, but we study them to Learn the Lessons Taught therein and what they point to--they were given and recorded for a reason) 

Spring Feasts

--Feast of PASSOVER--

(His Death)

14 Nisan (March/April)

In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S Passover.

Leviticus 23:5

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year:

Exodus 12:5

SANCTUARY:

This of course would be representative of the altar of burnt sacrifice. Also connected to the Table of Shewbread which also contained the cups for drink offerings.

NOTES:

This would represent the day of His crucifixion. Many Christians celebrate this today on "Good Friday."  

COMMUNION SERVICE of Christians is a continuation of the Passover Meal: The Passover Meal included the Seder Cup which represents His Cup of the blood of His Redemption &  the Afikomen is the bread eaten at the end which represents His body that was to be broken, hidden then found.

 

--Feast of Unleavened Bread--

(His Burial)

15 Nisan (March/April)

And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD:

Leviticus 23:6

SANCTUARY:

The Table of showbread.

NOTES:

Leaven also represents sin. Christ is the Passover Lamb without

blemish (sin). So unleavened means without sin.

Also, it was the next consecutive day after the Passover, representing Christ's burial in death the day following His crucifixion.

 

 

--Feast of First Fruits--

(His Resurrection)

16 Nisan (March/April)

 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them,

When ye be come into the land which I give unto you,

and shall reap the harvest thereof,

then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish

of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Leviticus 23:10,12

SANCTUARY:

Altar of Incense...as the offering was offered up to the Lord, so too are your prayers to be offered up. The altar of incense represents the prayers of the people ascending to God.....in this case Christ

ascending from the grave.

NOTES:

This was the day to begin the 50 day countdown to Pentecost. This also represents the resurrection of Christ. Many Christians commemorate this day with "Easter".

 

 --Feast of Pentecost--

(Outpouring of the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts for the Harvest)

6 Sivan (May/June)

Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.....

Leviticus 23:16,22/Acts 2:1-4

SANCTUARY:

As on the day of Pentecost fulfilled in Acts, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples to evangelize & fill the world. This would be both representative of tthe brazen laver which represents baptism as they were baptized by the Spirit that day.

NOTES:

Pentecost means "50" in Greek since it occurred 50 days from the last 3 feasts.

 

--Pause Here-- 

Insert 7 Churches

 (History of Christendom's 

Long Hot Summer) 

Church History- 7 Churches of Revelation 2&3

....From Pentecost to the 2nd Advent

Church History- 7 Churches of Revelation

From Pentecost to the 2nd Advent

Ephesus - Age of the Apostles 

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit

saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:1-7

Smyrna - Post-Apostolic Church in it's youth

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:8-11

 

Pergamos - HERESY / Corruption of Church by paganism with conversion of Constantine

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give

him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:12-17

Thyatira - APOSTASY / Rise of Papal Rome, persecutions & inquisitions 

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 2:19-28

 

Sardis - REFORMATION / attempt to reform Christendom from Papal errors 

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He

that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:1-6

Philadelphia - REVIVAL / 1st & 2nd Great Awakening

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:7-13 

 

Laodicea - Last Group, in a Laodicean state 

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then

because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:14-22

 Autumn Feasts

 --Feast of Trumpets--

(3 Angel's Messages for the world sounded)

1 Tishri (September/October)

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

-1st-And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:

-2nd-And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

-3rd-And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark....The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; 

-*- Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Leviticus 23:24/Revelation 14:6-10,12

SANCTUARY: This feast would be considered akin to the 3 Angels Messages being sounded to warn the world for the homestretch of this Great Controversy between God & His opponent. in 1844. The 7 Branch Candlestick spiritually re-lit for the world.

NOTES:

Also was considered by the Jews as the beginning of the judgment process. The Day of Atonement began 10 days later.

 

--Feast of DAY OF ATONEMENT--

(The Judgment and Cleansing of Sanctuary)

10 Tishri (September/October)

Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement:

it shall be an holy convocation unto you;

and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

And ye shall do no work in that same day:

for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.

For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 2:27-29

SANCTUARY: This would be in the Most Holy Place....where the ark of the covenant & judgment seat are.

NOTES: We are not to do any work--for we are to rely on the works of "Christ" our righteousness & should be afflicting our souls so as not to be obsessed with the things of the world. This is also the final phase of the investigative judgment of God. Many Jews today read the book of Jonah at synagogue on this day. the final blotting out of sins or your name from the books.

 

 --Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)--

(The 2nd Advent)

15-2 Tishri (September/October)

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 3:33,34,40

A commemoration of Israel on their journey in the wilderness on the way to the promised land. 

*It's literal fulfillment will be when Christ brings His people home. The final harvest.

 

Side Note-- 4 Chariots of Zechariah (the 7 Churches)

And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.

In the first chariot were red horses; 

and in the second chariot black horses;

And in the third chariot white horses; 

and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, 

What are these, my lord?

And the angel answered and said unto me, 

These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; 

and the white go forth after them; 

and the grisled go forth toward the south country.

And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

Zechariah 6:1-7 

--The Red horses are the churches of  Ephesus and Smyrna. Notice they are not listed as going in any direction as the others. The reason is because they were .cut down and martyred out of the starting gate of Christendom--hence the red color for the blood of their persecution.

 

--The Black horses are Pergamos and Thyratira. Black because this is the era of Heresy and Apostasy rampant during the Papal Rule of Christendom--compared to "Jezebel". They head north because that is the direction of Babylon--as it would become spiritual Babylon of Scripture.

 

--The White horses are Sardis and Philadelphia. They are white for the attempt to purify Christendom from the Paganistic Papal Errors during the age of Reformation then the age of Revivalism. They head head north also, merging with spiritual Babylon in the end.

--The  Grisled (spotted) and Bay (strong) are the last. This would be  the Laodicean Church which, because it has truth, thinks it needs nothing else. But are told by God they do.

Notice that the horses of this ONE chariot go in 2 different directions at the same time.

The Grisled (spotted) head south (Egypt is to the south which represents in Scripture the secular world). This would indicate their spotted appearance as they become worldly and lose sight of their calling.

The Bay (strong) ones, instead of heading south with the Grisled end up go to and fro the earth (And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,... Rev. 14) pulling the same chariot. This would be them taking the 3 Angel's Messages to the world. So God's last day Church movement is torn into two groups. Those who carry the Everlasting Gospel with the Loud Cry of the 3 Angel's Messages globally while the others in this group head into the ways of the world.

--Another Point to Note is that when Christ, from between the 7 Branch candlestick in Revelation gives the history of the 7 Churches (Church History) He does so with feet as Brass.

(And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; Rev.1: 15).

In Zechariah the horses come from between 2 Mountains of Brass,which would be the feet of Christ. 

(...came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. Zech. 6:1).

-- One last point, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION: I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white....And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

Zechariah 1:8,10

Q: Which horses were NOT sent to take their message to the world? 

A: The Black ones--the age of Papal supremacy.