If I weren't already a believer, one thing that would be hard for me to deny is the legitimacy of the Bible and Jesus through the history of the Jews. God's hand upon the Jewish people is undeniable. The promises God gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob continue today. It is also undeniable that with everything God loves, Satan wants to destroy. God's chosen people were the Jews, therefore, Satan hates them and has wanted to destroy them; from Haman to Hitler. Satan has tried throughout history to annihilate God's chosen race, but his attempts continue to fail. There are countless tribes in history that are no longer in existence today, but yet the Jewish nation continues to survive.
As I learn more and more about scripture, I am amazed at the depth God has provided us. For instance, the Jewish feasts (which actually means "appointed times") which God instituted in the Old Testament, are an amazing testimony to Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus already fulfilled the first four of the seven Levitical feasts. I believe He will fulfill the rest, as well.
1. Passover CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS happened during Passover. During the Jews' escape from Egypt God instructed them to take the blood of an unblemished lamb and put the blood on their doorposts. He would then passover their house and the eldest son would not die. Today we are covered by the blood of the perfect, sacrificial lamb--Jesus, and because of His blood will not die.
2. Unleavened Bread BURIAL OF JESUS happened during Unleavened Bread. Leaven represented sin; pointed to the Messiah's sinless life.
3. First Fruits RESURRECTION OF JESUS happened during First Fruits. They were to offer the first ripe sheaf of barley. Symbolized Jesus' resurrection as the first fruit of the righteous. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
4. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) HOLY SPIRIT came upon apostles and believers in the early church during Feast of Weeks. 50 days after Passover, the time to present an offering of new grain of the summer wheat harvest to the Lord. It pointed to the soul harvest at the day of Pentecost in the Book of Acts.
5. Feast of Trumpets Also known as, "No one knows the day or hour." Begins the Jewish New Year and call to repentance with the blowing of the Shofar. Some believe the Rapture of the church will occur during this time. The Rapture is always associated in Scripture with the blowing of a loud trumpet (I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and I Corinthians 15:52).
6. Day of Atonement Many believe this points to the day Jesus will return to reign on earth.
7. Feast of Booths or Tabernacles A week long celebration of the fall harvest and a time to build booths to remember how the Hebrew people lived under God's care during their forty years in the wilderness. Many believe this points to God's reign over the world.
