Exploring Creation
Salvation in the Messiah

Due to mankind's disobedience and breaking of the covenants there is a separation from the Almighty that includes the judgment of death. An atonement is needed to bring mankind back into close relationship. This is the work of the Messiah, the eternal king and priest, who came in physical form to die in mankind's place and redeem him from death.

Many of the Messiah's ancestors and prominent figures of the Nation of Israel act as prophetic examples of who the Messiah would be and what He would do. The annual festivals also picture the atoning and redemptive work of the Messiah by showing His first coming almost 2000 years ago and His second coming which is yet to be.

When Elohim created the sun, the moon, and the stars He made them to act as a calendar. One of the main purposes of this calendar was to point to the special times of assembly when the Nation of Israel is to gather together in worship. The assemblies and festivals mark important events in the relationship between the Almighty and His people.

The assemblies and festivals represent the work of the Messiah. They act as memorials for what He does on behalf of believers in the process of atonement and redemption. The Spring Festivals represent the Messiah's first coming that occurred two thousand years ago. The Autumn Festivals represent the Messiah's second coming that has yet to occur.

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.

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.

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.

The wave sheaf offering follows a few days after the Passover sacrifice. At this time an omer of Barley is lifted up to Elohim 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 forever and ever. It is a time of celebration.

In Hebrew, the number eight represents new beginnings. The Eighth Day Assembly it is no different because it represents the creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth and of the coming city of New Jerusalem.