Why We Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles
By: David Parsons, Vice President & Senior Spokesman
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.” Zechariah 14:16
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem is preparing to host thousands of Christians in Israel once more for our joyous and colorful celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, from 29 September to 6 October 2023. Some may ask why these Christians are coming up to Jerusalem to keep this Feast? After all, isn’t this a “Jewish holiday”?
The answer lies in the universal significance of this ancient biblical festival, which has past, present and future relevance for all nations.
Every biblical holiday given to the Jewish people has these three aspects. Israel was commanded to observe the holiday in the present in order to remember something God has done in the past, and because of some future prophetic purpose hidden within each festival.
Thus, Jews begin Shabbat each week by lighting of two candles, which stand for “Keep” and “Remember”. In so doing, they remember today how God rested on the seventh day of Creation while also looking forward to the Millennial rest promised for the whole earth.
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