Insights In Prophecy  

Unlock The Ancient Mysteries Of Daniel & Revelation

BIBLE DISCOVERY SERIES

Lesson 3

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In this lesson we will discover God's great plan of redemption foreshadowed long ago in the appointed times and seasons.  Gentile Christians have little understanding of the holy days, established by God at Mount Sinai.  That is understandable, but sad.  For Scriptures boldly declare that these priceless feast days foreshadow events to come at the end of time.  When this lesson guide is completed, you will have a fresh perspective on God's Festivals.  

We are not to judge one another in respect to their commemoration.  Some may wish to observe them with delight; others may appreciate only their predictive relevance to the end of all things. One is not saved by their keeping, nor lost by their abandonment or disregard.  That being said, we must be clear that Paul did not bring God's times under derision (as is often taught) when he attempted to dispelled the "manmade regulations" of observance that were being forced upon the newer converts of Christ by the conservatives (Colossians 2:16-17). The Festivals themselves were not under scrutiny, but their imposed mode of observance was.  Paul later said, "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence," Colossians 2:21-23. 

God's Festivals can be a wonderful source of encouragement, offering insight into our frailties and fostering spiritual renewal through their annual return each spring and fall season.  They remind us to rid ourselves of sin that so easily overcomes us for our Redeemer lives (Passover), to humbly ask for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), to consider the approaching Day of the Lord and His coming judgment (Feast of Trumpets), including God's final sealing of who will live and who will die (Day of Atonement) and that we are but strangers in the wilderness in need of God's protective covering (Feast of Tabernacles).  May we never discourage anyone from celebrating God's times.  This is especially true for Gentiles who, without much thought at all, celebrate pagan days with zeal and fanfare, and who have given very little consideration (if any) to the spiritual times God established long ago.

With this, we are allowed the opportunity to learn how God marvelously designed the "end of time" to follow His pattern instituted over 3,000 years ago at Mount Sinai.

1. When the disciples asked Jesus about the kingdom to be set up in Acts 1:6-7, what did He relate to the closing periods?

The generation of Christ's day was not to know the "times or dates." The KJV reads, "times or the seasons."

2. How does Paul reaffirm that the Day of the Lord is connected to "times and dates," or "times [and] the seasons," (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)? 

3. The Day of the Lord should not surprise God's people. What are the saints to be doing (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)? 

4. Daniel 8:19 also indicates that at a set time in the future the end will occur. What does he call this scheduled time?

The Bible defines "appointed time" or "times and seasons." The first reference is found in Leviticus 23. At Mount Sinai God instituted a series of seasonal observances--called feasts--that would united His people throughout the generations until the great Messianic age.

5. When are the feasts to be observed, or "proclaimed," according to Leviticus 23:4?  

Leviticus 23 describes the feasts, the "appointed times," based on a solar (sun) and lunar (moon) calendar. These feasts are seasonal, celebrated in the spring or fall of each year as follows.

In addition to the feast days of Leviticus 23, two other days of interest are found in the Bible—--Purim, the annual celebration of the Jews victory over their Gentile oppressors (from the Book of Esther) and Tisha Be-Av (Zechariah 8:19), the annual day of fasting commemorating the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 586 B.C. and again in 70 A.D.

Special Note: You will want to keep these vitally important holy days in mind as you review the Appointed Times & Seasons Calendar.  Holy days play a vital role in the unfolding of end-time events.  It is written, "Now all these things happened unto them for examples and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come," 1 Corinthians 10:11.  To this is added, the annual observances "are a shadow of things to come [at the end]," Colossian 2:16-17.

6. Since the Bible indicates that in some way the feast days are connected to the final days, what would these annual observances--or "appointed times"--have to do with the end of the age (Daniel 11:27, 35)?

The end will occur at a very specific time, centered on these Biblical holy days--the appointed times and dates.