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Why Is Atonement a Fall Festival?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the southern hemisphere, the observance of God's feasts presents a unique perspective due to the reversal of seasons compared to the northern hemisphere. Those in places like Australia or New Zealand keep Passover and Unleavened Bread in their autumn, Pentecost on the brink of winter, and the fall festivals—Trumpets, Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles—in their spring. This seasonal offset requires a mental adjustment to align with the agricultural calendar set by God for the northern hemisphere, as outlined in Exodus 23:14-16, where these festivals are tied to harvest times and pilgrimage seasons. The fall festivals, including Trumpets, Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles, hold a distinct place in God's plan. Trumpets marks a pivotal moment, signifying a division between the current age and the age to come with Christ's return. Atonement, observed in the fall, focuses on the cleansing and removal of all sin, memorializing the universal sacrifice that covers humanity's iniquities, as detailed in Leviticus 16 and 23. Its placement in the fall reflects its broader application to all people, not just the elect, emphasizing a grand scale of salvation after Christ's intervention in world affairs. The Feast of Tabernacles, following Atonement, pictures a time in the Millennium when Israel will serve as a model nation, and other nations will come under Christ's rule. This progression continues into the Great White Throne Judgment, represented by the Eighth Day, where all of historical humanity will be offered salvation. Atonement's position among the fall festivals underscores its role as a vital, universal element in the salvation of all humanity, distinguishing it from the more personal focus of the spring festivals.

Fall Feast Lessons

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The fall holy days are deeply connected to the judgment of God, with each of the four days presenting distinct aspects of His judgment to enhance our understanding. These days emphasize various applications of judgment, including the sense of weighing alternatives, the announcement of legal decisions or decrees, and the actual process of judging. The Feast of Trumpets marks a significant time of judgment, where the evaluation of the church concludes at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and decisions are reached regarding each individual. This event also signals the beginning of further judgments with the reign of the King and the destruction of those who destroy the earth. As the focus shifts from Trumpets to Atonement, judgment moves into another mode, highlighting the overturn of earthly authority. The combined significance of Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day shows an ever-widening circle of reconciliation, bringing the people of the world into at-one-ment with God. The fall feasts collectively teach the theme of God's judgment, encompassing punishment, resurrection, reward, forgiveness of sin, reconciliation, and atonement, spanning periods of evaluation and growth designed to unite all creation with Him.

The Fall Holy Days

Article by John Reiss

The fall holy days primarily picture the great harvests of human beings at the return of Jesus Christ and beyond. The Feast of Trumpets sounds an alarm of war and a peal of deliverance, salvation, and victory, picturing the triumphant return of our Savior to defeat His enemies, resurrect His elect firstfruits, and establish God's Kingdom on the earth. The Day of Atonement carries significant instructions for observance, emphasizing a time of solemn reflection. The Feast of Tabernacles symbolizes the prosperity and abundance of the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth, during which unity, cooperation, and prosperity will expand to all mankind over a thousand years. God's command to dwell in temporary dwellings during this Feast pictures the transience of this world and the journey of God's people through it to the Kingdom of God. The Eighth Day, the final fall holy day, represents the concluding step in God's plan, pointing to a time after the Millennium when all who have ever lived will be resurrected to physical life, given God's Spirit, and the understanding of His Plan, culminating in a period of judgment and the ultimate realization of a New Heaven and New Earth where God will dwell with humanity.

Why Trumpets?

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

The Feast of Trumpets depicts a time when angelic beings sound an alarm, warning God's saints to prepare to put themselves under His sovereign rule.

Feast: Command of God?

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

Keeping God's annual Sabbaths are just as much a mandate on God's people as keeping the Ten Commandments.

Examining God's Judgments

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Fall Festivals hold a significant place in understanding the judgments of God, as they highlight various aspects of His divine decisions. These four holy days are set apart to deepen our comprehension of His judgments, which are portrayed in multiple ways within the biblical narrative. The Feast of Trumpets, in particular, is associated with the execution of God's judgments, involving both rewards for some and punishments for others. It pictures the sounding of the shofar when God's judgments are being carried out, emphasizing His sovereign rule over all matters on earth as He works toward establishing His Kingdom. As the focus shifts from the Feast of Trumpets to the Day of Atonement, the theme of judgment continues with decrees being made and enacted, initiating a new process of judgment. The Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day build upon this theme of reconciliation through God's judgments, aiming to bring the greater part of mankind into at-one-ment with Him. These festivals picture both the pilgrimage through life to the Kingdom of God and the future world under His rule. They underscore the ultimate purpose of life, which is to fear God and keep His commandments, aligning with His image and ensuring that His decisions, always right and wise, will stand forever. Through these Fall Festivals, God's judgments are revealed as a process leading to the ultimate reconciliation of all mankind with Him.

Psalms: Book Four: He Is Coming!

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Under God's system, the fall season stands out as a uniquely glorious time compared to other seasons of the year. The fall festival season, encompassing four holy days within a span of about three weeks, holds a special significance. These holy days—Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Day of the Feast—mark a period of profound importance. With the harvest gathered, this season reflects a time of great celebration and fulfillment in God's plan. The fall season corresponds to Book Four of the Psalms, which includes eighteen psalms from Psalm 90 to Psalm 106, along with Psalm 149 as the Psalm. These psalms focus on the fall festivals and the prophecies tied to their fulfillment. Book Four parallels the fall season, the book of Numbers, and the book of Ecclesiastes, emphasizing themes of wandering, life's journey, and wise living. The Day of Trumpets, as described in Leviticus 23:23-25, introduces the fall feasts with a memorial of blowing trumpets, which in Hebrew signifies a remembrance of shouting or the shout of the shofar, a ram's horn. This day recalls a significant event of awe-inspiring magnitude, possibly pointing to God descending on Mount Sinai with trumpets heralding His presence, bringing His law and judgment. Themes of Trumpets include the trumpet blast itself, God visiting His people, and the associated judgment, reflecting the awe and threat of death from the Sinai event. Additional themes from Numbers 10:1-10 include the use of trumpets for assembly, movement, war, and coronation, highlighting kingship, rulership, and authority. The fall festivals, beginning with Trumpets, unfold a broader narrative of God's plan, culminating in significant events of judgment and deliverance. The Day of Trumpets not only commemorates past events but also anticipates a future period of great destruction and the ultimate return of Christ, emphasizing His role as Judge, King, and Deliverer. Despite the turmoil and devastation, God remains with His people, protecting and delivering them through these times, as reflected in the themes of Book Four of the Psalms.

Are God's Holy Days To Be Kept Today?

Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

If we do not keep God's holy days, we will deprive ourselves of the knowledge of God's purpose. Jesus and the first century church observed and upheld these days.

The Sacred Assemblies

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Last Day of Unleavened Bread and the Eighth Day are the only designated "sacred assemblies," which require a greater degree of solemnity for reflection.

Psalms: Book Three (Part Five)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If we would keep God's Feasts properly, we would be in sync with God's noble purpose for us, defending us from falling into apostasy and idolatry.

Numbers (Part One): Journey in the Desert

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God never says the Christian life would be easy or that life would always be fair. Difficulties and tests are given to test our hearts and promote humility.