Pictures of the Messiah in Atonement and Redemption - The Assemblies and Festivals of Scripture

Pictures of the Messiah
Within Scripture, there is a set of appointed times for assembly and festivals for the Nation of Israel. These special days were set apart as memorials and represent the work of the Messiah. The Spring Festivals represent the Messiah's first coming which occurred two thousand years ago. The Autumn Festivals represent the Messiah's second coming which has yet to occur.

Last Supper
The evening before the Passover sacrifice, the Messiah gathered His disciples. He performed the equivalent of a Jewish wedding betrothal with them, and with all believers, in offering the cup of wine. The communion meal, which is held often, serves as a constant reminder that He will return for His bride.

Passover Sacrifice
The Messiah, being crucified on the 14th day of the 1st month, fulfilled the picture of the true Passover Sacrifice. He takes us, not out of Egypt, but out of the bondage of sin and death. The shedding of His perfect blood in our place makes atonement for our souls.

Feast of Unleavened Bread
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is the first of the three pilgrimage festivals. It historically looks at the leaving from Egypt while prophetically looking at the believer's being removed from sin. It is a time of purification when the Almighty's people are set-apart.

Wave Sheaf offering
The wave sheaf offering follows a few days after the Passover sacrifice. At this time an omer of Barley is lifted up to the Almighty in the Tabernacle. This is a picture of the resurrection of the Messiah who shows that He is able to offer new life to people.

Feast of Weeks
The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, is the second pilgrimage festival. It comes fifty days after the wave sheaf offering. This was fulfilled in the giving of the Spirit to the Almighty's people as an earnest, or down payment, of the new life that is to come to believers.

Day of Shouting
The Day of Shouting marks the end of the tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom also known as the thousand year reign of the Messiah. This includes the binding of Satan for one thousand years and the first resurrection that includes those martyred during the tribulation.

Day of Redemption
The Day of Redemption comes after the Millennial Kingdom. It is the time of the second resurrection and also the Great White Throne judgment. The Messiah finishes the act of redeeming our lives as we are given the judgment of life and not the judgment of the second death.

Feast of Booths
The Feast of Booths is the third pilgrimage festival. It represents the marriage of the Lamb. This is when the Messiah takes His betrothed, the believers, to be with Him. It is a time of celebration which includes the creation of the new Heavens and the new Earth.

Eighth Day Assembly
In Hebrew, the number eight represents new beginnings. The Eighth Day Assembly is no different because it represents the coming city of New Jerusalem where the Almighty and His people will dwell together forever and ever.

The Assemblies and Festivals of Scripture are pictures of the work of the Messiah on our behalf. They are pictures of His first and His second coming. They also picture His work in our atonement and redemption. They should give believers hope as they see the wonderful future that is yet to come.

Todd Elder is a believer in the Messiah who wants to help people understand Scripture and know the message of Salvation. For more information from the Assemblies and Festivals series, please visit Exploring Salvation at http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Messiah'.

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