Along the timeline of the biblical “holy days,” or “moedim” a.k.a “appointed times” Yeshua punctuated those occurring in the Spring/Summer in a dramatic way. Based on this it is reasonable to assume all seven of them point to our redemption. So what do we do about events that occurred after Torah was written and canonized? Like Purim and Hanukkah? Is there a fit?
Do these historic events speak to us today! ABSOLUTELY YES!!
From the Bible, our redemption story began with the Exodus. Chapter 12 states “for you the beginning of months.” It was in the wilderness that the “appointed times” were given and instituted along with the Tabernacle. The Israelites were being forged into a nation and this nation would receive instruction and the Messiah.
So, we continue to expect the events related to our redemption to be in prophetic alignment with the Feasts- Appointed Times. According to this proposed Messianic chronology, I and many others have shown the Spring feasts to be fulfilled. Let’s briefly outline the chronology of Yeshua coming into the world the first time. It all begins in a surprising place.
- Hanukkah– Considering what we now understand from biblical calendar calculations, Mary conceived Yeshua during Feast of Dedication “Feast of Lights” which takes place on the 24th day of the 9th month which is Kislev. This is most always in the December timeframe. What a beautiful foreshadowing of Messiah- Overcoming the persecution; Rededication; restored hope. Without the historic events of Hanukkah, with the Maccabean revolt of 167-164 BC, Israel would have ceased to exist. Prophetically, Kislev, the 9th month, 24th day- 9 implies full gestation- fullness of time (Galatians 4:4). Also, the prophet Haggai got a word from the Lord on the 24th day of the 9th month which extended their hope with the Lord’s blessing, though they were an unclean people. (Haggai 2:10-23). The existence of the Zerubabel temple provided the landing place for the Messiah’s first coming.
+/- Nine and 1/2 months later…
- Sukkot/Tabernacles– Yeshua is born on the 1st day and circumcised on the 8th day.
Feast of Ingathering, Emmanuel- “God dwelling with us.” Through various calendar calculations we can calculate that Yeshua was born in the Fall. What Feasts come in the Fall? Yom Teruah- Day of Trumpets, Yom Kippur- Day of Atonement and Sukkot- Feast of Tabernacles. Which one fits perfectly with His birth? Sukkot, of course! It marks the ingathering harvest of souls of the earth. Yeshua has come to save us and then come establish His kingdom. - The Great Day. Seldom noticed, there is an additional holy convocation at the end of Sukkot. It is a mystery day. John called it the “Great Day.” (John 3:37). It is the cherry on the cake because it aligns perfectly with Yeshua’s circumcision to prophetically recognize baby Yeshua’s circumcision- coming under the Law to save us apart from the Law. (Galatians 4:5)
+/- 33 years later…
- Pesach/Passover– Yeshua was crucified. Yeshua is our “Passover Lamb.” (1 Cor. 5:7). The gentile church cannot escape the fact that Yeshua died on Passover and was prophetically declared by John the Baptist, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Yeshua punctuated Passover with His own blood.
- Unleavened Bread– Leviticus 23:6-8. While in the grave, during the Feast of Unleavened bread, Yeshua went in the lower regions preaching to Old Testament saints (Ephesians 4:9; 1 Peter 3:19) Yeshua is the Bread of Life and the Living Bread (John 6:51).
- Firstfruits– Yeshua was raised from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits. He was raised on the day after the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:9-14). He alone in all the world demonstrated His authority and power over death, hell and the grave. (Luke 12:15; Isaiah 53:9) He is the first of many other followers. (1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Thes. 4:16).
- Shavuot/Pentecost– Moses received the 10 Commandments forming the foundation of Torah. It is to be remembered forever (Leviticus 23:15-22). Yeshua releases Holy Spirit fills the Apostles and births the church (Acts 2:1-41). Yeshua is the Word “Torah” made flesh and dwelt among them. (John 1:14).
+/-2000 years later…
We are still living in the post-Pentecost outpouring harvest of the earth. This timeframe will be completed when the “fullness of the Gentiles” have come in (Romans 11:25). We also eagerly anticipate what the Lord will do with the Fall feasts of the Lord. How will He fulfill the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur and His birth on Sukkot. Until then, we, the church are still under the mandate to:
Matthew 5:19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
Luke 19:13 …‘Engage in business until I come.’
1 Peter 4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
These are the major themes, but the list, of course goes on and on in great detail throughout the New Testament.
In closing,
Yeshua said these words during Hanukkah in His day:
John 10
22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Are you His sheep? Can you hear His voice?
Please don’t let Hanukkah slip by unnoticed while the world gets you to focus on the false date of December 25th. Celebrate that the Light has come into the world and it began with a virgin with child. Hanukkah, also known as the “Festival of Lights” now carries a new layer of meaning as this is the very origin of the Light of the World, Yeshua, entered the realm of the fallen, natural world, to save it and save us, His children.
HalleluYah!
All quotes are from the ESV Bible
copyright Ty Lamb, Prescott, Arizona 2025