Feast Of Tabernacles (Sukkot) begins tonight – so as believers, we can celebrate it as a rehearsal – for the 2nd coming of our King…This season is an open window of blessing and redemption –
Leviticus 23:39-43 – ‘On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and branches of trees with thick branches and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. So you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a permanent statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) represents God’s presence among His people. The temporary dwellings signify the impermanence of human life and the hope of a future, permanent relationship with God. Similarly, the Second Coming of Yeshua is about the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell among His people permanently. Revelation 21:3 expresses this beautifully: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.” Just as the Israelites lived in tents during their journey, believers anticipate a time when they will live in the fullness of God’s presence.
The Feast is also a time of joy and celebration. In Leviticus, God commands the Israelites to rejoice and gather for a great festival. This aligns with the biblical theme of joy in anticipation of Yeshua’s return. The Second Coming is often described as a time of great rejoicing, as it culminates in the ultimate victory over sin and death. The gathering of the faithful, much like the assembly during Sukkot, reflects a time when believers will unite in worship and praise, celebrating the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Furthermore, the themes of harvest in Sukkot parallel the harvest of souls anticipated during the Second Coming. Sukkot is celebrated at the end of the agricultural year, symbolizing both a physical harvest and spiritual awakening. In the New Testament, Jesus often spoke of the harvest, using it as a metaphor for gathering believers into His kingdom. The urgency of the harvest—”the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35)—echoes the call for readiness as believers await His return.
Additionally, the practice of dwelling in temporary shelters speaks to the call for believers to live in a state of readiness and expectation. Just as the Israelites were instructed to remember their reliance on God in the wilderness, Believers are reminded to be vigilant and faithful, living in anticipation of Yeshua’s return. The temporary nature of earthly existence invites believers to focus on spiritual growth and preparation, understanding that true security and permanence lie in God’s eternal kingdom.
Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles concludes with the command to celebrate the festival for seven days, which can be seen as a foreshadowing of the fullness of God’s Eternal Kingdom. The number seven often represents completeness in the Bible, suggesting that the return of Yeshua will bring a complete restoration of creation. In this way, the symbolism of Sukkot enriches the understanding of the Second Coming, providing a framework for hope, joy, and divine fulfillment.
What we end up realizing is this: Leviticus 23:39-43 encapsulates themes of God’s presence, joy, spiritual harvest, readiness, and completeness, all of which resonate deeply with the anticipation of Yeshua’s return. This connection highlights the continuity of God’s plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, inviting believers to celebrate both past and future divine faithfulness.
Let’s look at the example in Moses, who was only able to see, and not personally experience the physical Promised Land of the Israelites, before resting permanently on Mt. Nebo (Deut. 32 – due to his disobedience for not speaking to the rock)…Fast forward 1400 years later, The Father saw for Moses to be chosen to return to participate in the Transfiguration of Jesus…what was Peter’s response? – “Let us build 3 tabernacles…” why did he request that of the Lord? – because this happened during the season of Sukkot (not an assumption – confirmed by scholars)..
So even though Moses did not walk into Canaan…He got a first-hand experience of the glorification of the Son of God; where the Father declared His blessing and approval over His Son – on His last Sukkot here on earth before walking into His season of completing the reconciliation of the world, only 5-6 months later…Moses’ seeming punishment of not going into the Promised land turned into a destiny change for him – as the Father chose to have him present for Jesus’ preparation and revelation to the spirit realm – for the greatest act of all time – preparing the way for our Sukkot with our Heavenly Father in the Eternal Kingdom (the quintessential Promised land)..Let this season today begin a redemption, reconciliation, or what might have been a seemingly permanent ending in life’s journey – turn into a harvest for a new beginning!
2 Corinthians 5:1-9 – In speaking about this tent (sukkah) (our bodies) we live in today; Paul says, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. –
Are we going to be pleasing to Him? – Will we reach and see His purpose and destiny in us this year regarding our “tents” “dwellings”? This pertains to how we think – our attitudes – behavior – priorities – and the way we treat others… The temporary shelters (sukkot) that participants construct during Sukkot can symbolize our physical bodies, which are described above. Just as the sukkot are fragile and impermanent, our bodies are mortal and subject to decay. This understanding invites believers to reflect on their earthly existence and the spiritual journey they are undertaking.
As we await the return of Yeshua, this symbolism becomes even more poignant. Our current lives, like the wandering in the wilderness, are filled with challenges, trials, and a longing for a more perfect existence. The temporary nature of our bodies serves as a reminder that we are not meant to dwell in this physical realm indefinitely. Instead, we look forward to a time when Yeshua will return and transform our bodies, giving us glorified forms fit for eternal life in His presence (Philippians 3:20-21).
The world we inhabit can be seen as a wilderness—a place of testing, growth, and preparation. Just as the Israelites wandered for 40 years, experiencing both hardship and divine provision, believers navigate the challenges of life while trusting in God’s faithfulness. This wilderness experience shapes character and faith, preparing us for the eventual fulfillment of God’s promises. With all that is happening around the world today – we cannot trust in it – at all – we can affect it by being light – but we must realize we do not serve the world’s systems.
Sukkot reminds us to rejoice in God’s provision, even amidst trials. When Yeshua returns, He will establish His kingdom, bringing an end to the hardships of this wilderness experience. This hope is echoed in the prophecies of a future where God will dwell with His people in a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). The joy of Sukkot, therefore, mirrors the joy that believers will experience at the Second Coming when all sorrow and suffering will cease.
During Sukkot, the command to rejoice is paramount. This celebration foreshadows the joy that will accompany Yeshua’s return. Just as the Israelites gathered for a festival of thanksgiving, believers are encouraged to anticipate the ultimate gathering of God’s people when Yeshua returns. This gathering, often referred to as the “harvest,” symbolizes the fulfillment of God’s plan, bringing together all who have trusted in Him.
Hag Sameach! (Happy Feast)
