Spring Feasts - Jesus' first coming

Passover & Unleavened bread

When Yeshua first came, he came to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  In Exodus, the Israelites were told to slaughter a lamb and use the blood to cover the door frame of their dwellings.  The death angel passed over all the homes that had this blood.  Jesus offered himself as the lamb to save us from eternal death.  Immediately at Passover, we don't eat leavening or anything made with leaven in it for seven more days.  This is a time of reflection for sin in our lives.  We are called to be set apart and holy.  As Paul says, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1 Cor. 5:6).  This is a reminder that Yeshua sacrificed Himself as our passover offering, and we are to now live without sin in our lives.

First Fruits

Again, Paul gives us an insight into how Yeshua fulfills this feast as well.  In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul says, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep".  1 Thessalonians 4:16 tells us that the dead in Christ will rise first.  Yeshua was the firstfruits of this resurrection that we anticipate.

feast of weeks & Pentecost

After Yeshua raised from the dead, He made many appearances to His disciples.  Acts 1:3 tells us that He revealed Himself over a period of forty days.  John 20:26 is specific when he tells us "eight days later".  The disciples were able to keep track of the days so specifically because they were already counting them.  In Leviticus 23, we are commanded to count 50 days from Bikkurim (First Fruits), and that fiftieth day is Shavuot, or what is commonly referred to as Pentecost.  The disciples were gathered together when the baptism of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them because they were commanded in Leviticus 23 to have a Holy Convocation on the fiftieth day, known as Shavuot.  It is tradition that this is the day Moses received all the laws for God's children.  Shavuot is basically the anniversary celebration of when The Lord gave us His law/first five books of the Bible.  In John 4, we are told twice about worshipping in spirit and in truth.  How fitting is it to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the anniversary of receiving God's truth, His Torah.  Not to mention, Jesus is the incarnate of truth and spirit.

Fall feasts - Jesus' second coming

Yom teruah

Yom Teruah is a holy convocation with no work, and is celebrated with the sounds of trumpets.  This is prophetic of Yeshua coming back for his bride!

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first". (1 Thess. 4:16)

This is a day to remind us that Yeshua will one day come back.  I can't wait to hear that trumpet call!

day of atonement

This is prophetic of judgment day.  After Yeshua returns, we will stand before the throne and give an account for what we have done.  "And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done" (Rev. 20:13).  

This is a day to remind us that we will give an account for our deeds.

Feast of tabernacles

Sometimes referred to as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot, this Holy Day is prophetic for the new Jerusalem.  
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God" (Rev. 21:3).

This is a day to remind us that the Israelites didn't have a permanent structure when they were in the desert, but God dwelt with them, and we anticipate dwelling with the Lord forever after His final return.