Category: Last Days

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How Does the Feast of Tabernacles Point to Jesus?

The Feast

The Feast of Tabernacles, known in Hebrew as Sukkot, stands as one of the most joyful and prophetically rich celebrations in Scripture. This seven-day festival, commanded in Leviticus 23, commemorates God’s faithful provision during Israel’s wilderness wanderings. Yet its significance extends far beyond historical remembrance. In the Gospel of John, we discover that Jesus used this very feast to reveal profound truths about His identity and mission, truths that echo into eternity itself.

Remembering God’s Provision

At the heart of Sukkot lies a simple command: “You shall dwell in booths for seven days… that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:42-43). These temporary shelters served as tangible reminders of God’s protection and provision during forty years in the wilderness. He gave manna for bread, water from the rock, and His presence in cloud and fire.

During the feast in John 7, Jesus stood and proclaimed, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37-38). This declaration came during the water-pouring ceremony, when priests would draw water from the Pool of Siloam and pour it at the temple altar, symbolizing God’s provision of rain and spiritual blessing. Jesus identified Himself as the true source of living water, the fulfillment of what the ceremony could only symbolize. He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water that satisfies eternally.

Light in the Darkness

The Feast of Tabernacles included another powerful ritual: the lighting of enormous lampstands in the temple courts, commemorating the pillar of fire that guided Israel through the dark wilderness. Against this backdrop, Jesus made another stunning claim: “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

This was no mere metaphor. Jesus declared Himself to be the divine guide, the one who reveals truth and drives out spiritual darkness. What the pillar of fire accomplished physically for ancient Israel, Christ accomplishes spiritually for all who follow Him. He illuminates the path to the Father and exposes the lies that bind humanity in darkness.

The Harvest of Nations

Sukkot marked the final harvest of the agricultural year, a time of thanksgiving for God’s provision and abundance. The feast celebrated gathering in the fruit of the land, but it pointed toward a greater harvest. Jesus spoke of fields “white for harvest” (John 4:35), referring to the ingathering of souls into God’s kingdom. The Gospel message would spread beyond Israel to encompass people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

Revelation 7:9-10 shows this prophetic harvest realized: “A great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” The joy of Sukkot, commanded in Leviticus 23:40, finds its ultimate expression in the eternal worship of the redeemed.

God’s Dwelling Place

The most profound theme of Sukkot concerns God’s dwelling with His people. The tabernacle in the wilderness and later the temple in Jerusalem were filled with God’s glory (Exodus 40:34). But John reveals something astonishing: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The Greek word translated “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled.” Jesus Himself became the dwelling place of God among humanity.

At the feast, Jesus taught openly in the temple with divine authority (John 7:14, 28-29), standing in the very place where God’s presence once resided. He embodied what the temple represented. God’s presence was no longer confined to a building made with hands but walked among the people in human form.

From Temporary to Eternal

The temporary booths of Sukkot reminded Israel that earthly life is fleeting. Yet Jesus promised something permanent: “If anyone keeps My word, he shall never see death” (John 8:51). Paul later explained that our mortal bodies are like temporary tents, but believers await an eternal dwelling not made with hands (2 Corinthians 5:1-4).

This progression from temporary to eternal finds its culmination in Revelation 21:3: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.” The New Jerusalem needs no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (Revelation 21:22). Living waters flow from God’s throne (Revelation 22:1), and His servants need no lamp or sunlight, for the Lord gives them light (Revelation 22:5).

The Story Completed

The Feast of Tabernacles tells a singular, magnificent story: God’s determination to dwell with His people. In the past, He dwelt among them in tents and temples. In the present, He dwells within believers through Christ and the Holy Spirit. In the future, He will dwell among His people forever in the New Creation, where mortality is swallowed up in immortality and joy knows no end.

From wilderness tents to the glory of God filling the universe, Sukkot reveals the heart of the gospel: Immanuel, God with us.

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If you enjoyed this article you will also like “The Perfect Passover Lamb”

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Last Days Prophetic Sign or Mere Coincidence: Is UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer a modern-day “Neville Chamberlain?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing recognition of a Palestinian State. A faded image of Neville Chamberlain is beside him and the text says, "Is this a Prophetic Sign of the End-times?"

The Prophetic Past is Prophetic Present

In the autumn of 1938, during the Hebrew High Holy Days, Neville Chamberlain stepped off a plane in England after returning from Munich. There he had agreed to hand over the Sudetenland to Hitler in exchange for “peace.” He was met with thunderous applause from the crowds and relief from much of the watching world.

Many in the Church echoed this relief. While some spoke against antisemitism in principle, far too many distanced themselves from the Jewish people, fed conspiracies, and remained silent in the face of Nazi propaganda, pogroms, and growing hatred. After all, it was tragically common to slander Jews not only in Germany but across Europe and beyond.

What Has Been Will Be Again

Fast forward to today: has Prime Minister Keir Starmer just become a prophetic modern-day “Neville Chamberlain,” convinced that appeasing evil will somehow prevent aggression?

The last time Britain and Europe bowed to evil, they opened the floodgates to a world war that claimed the lives of roughly 21 to 25 million soldiers and 50 to 55 million civilians. Read that again, more than twice as many civilians as military. In all, up to 85 million men, women, and children perished. That is nearly the same as Germany’s entire population today.

Hope for the Discerning

And yet, even in those dark years, God raised up voices like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the faithful remnant of the Confessing Church, who refused to bow to a compromised Christianity. Many risked their lives to aid the Jewish people and embrace costly discipleship, the very path Bonhoeffer set forth in his 1937 book The Cost of Discipleship.

So here we stand on the eve of Rosh Hashanah and the High Holy Days once more. Is it merely coincidence that appeasement of evil and rising antisemitism are again on the world stage, even within the church? Or is this a prophetic sign for those with eyes to see? (Matthew 24)

Learn more about the Palestinian announcment at CBN News.

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Go Deeper with these thought-provoking questions:

  1. When you hear Neville Chamberlain’s story in 1938, do you see parallels with today’s political climate?
  2. Can appeasement of evil ever bring true peace, or does it always lead to greater conflict?
  3. Why do you think so many churches in the 1930s stayed silent about antisemitism instead of taking a bold stand?
  4. What lessons should the Church today learn from the failures and compromises of that era?
  5. Do you believe antisemitism is on the rise again in our generation? If so, where do you see it most clearly?
  6. How can Christians discern when political compromise crosses the line into moral failure?
  7. In what ways might the “Confessing Church” model of costly discipleship challenge us today?
  8. Do you think Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s warnings apply more to our time than we might want to admit?
  9. Jesus warned in Matthew 24 about deception and hostility toward God’s people. Do you believe we are seeing signs of that now?
  10. If history is repeating itself, what responsibility do believers have to speak truth and stand with the Jewish people?
  11. Could the patterns of appeasement and rising hostility toward Israel be a prophetic sign for the last days?
  12. What does it mean for you personally to resist compromise and stand firm in faith, even when it is unpopular?

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The Three Rs of Revival: A Call to Transform Hearts and Communities

Seeking Revival

In a world marked by violence, division, and uncertainty, many believers find themselves asking: “Where is God in all of this?” The answer may surprise you—He’s waiting for His people to prepare their hearts for revival. 2 Chronicles 7:14 provides a powerful blueprint for personal and community transformation through “The Three Rs of Revival.”

Recognition: Facing Our Spiritual Compromise

The first step toward revival requires brutal honesty about our spiritual condition. Just as the Israelites in Judges didn’t abandon God entirely but simply added other gods to their worship, many modern believers fall into the trap of “blended worship”—serving God for an hour or two on Sunday while chasing the world the rest of the week.

Today’s idols don’t have names like Baal or Asherah. They’re called Comfort, Culture, Comparison, Control, and Cash. We choose ease over obedience, conformity over transformation, and trust our plans more than God’s purposes. The sobering reality is that Jesus isn’t addressing the world in Revelation 2:4-5—He’s speaking to the church, saying, “You don’t love me, or each other, as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen!”

Before we can experience revival, we must invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal where compromise has crept in. As David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24, we must ask God to point out anything that offends Him and lead us back to the path of everlasting life.

Regret: Moving Beyond Worldly Sorrow

The second R involves godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance. There’s a crucial difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow says, “I’m sorry I got caught,” while godly sorrow says, “I’m sorry I grieved God’s heart.” One focuses on consequences, the other on character.

When the Israelites gathered at Mizpah in 1 Samuel 7, their regret wasn’t merely emotional—it led to visible change. They didn’t just feel bad about their idolatry; they actually got rid of their false gods. Their sorrow produced transformation, not just tingles.

God desires sincerity over ceremony, genuine repentance over religious performance. As Joel 2:12-13 reminds us, He wants us to “tear our hearts” instead of our clothing, returning to a God who is “merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”

Restoration: Tearing Down and Rebuilding

The final R requires radical action. King Josiah provides a powerful example—he didn’t hide the idols or store them as backup plans. He completely destroyed them and demolished the false altars.

Paul echoes this in Colossians 3:5, calling us to “put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.” What needs to die in your life today? Pride, pornography, prejudice, prayerlessness, passivity?

Like Elijah on Mount Carmel, we must rebuild the altars that have been torn down. Only then does the fire fall. Only when we prepare our hearts through recognition, regret, and restoration can we experience the revival we and our communities desperately need.

A Call to Action

The signs around us aren’t signals of defeat—they’re indicators of harvest time. Wars, violence, and confusion create the perfect backdrop for God’s people to shine like stars in the darkness. Revival doesn’t begin with better worship services or bigger buildings; it begins with humble hearts that pray, seek God’s face, and turn from wicked ways.

The question isn’t whether God is still in the revival business—He is. The question is whether we’re ready to die to ourselves so revival can live through us. As Jonathan Edwards resolved: “I will live for God. If no one else does, I still will.”

Revival starts with recognition, deepens through regret, and manifests in restoration. The fire falls on the altar that has been prepared. Are you ready to prepare yours?

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Are You a Killer?

architecture-2179243_1920What would it take for you to push someone off a building to their death? Can small, seemingly insignificant compromises lead to horrible actions which you would have considered unthinkable a few choices before? Are there social pressures and psychological techniques that can lead you to abandon your most sacred moral values? These are some of the questions raised in Derren Brown’s Netflix special, The Push. Continue reading “Are You a Killer?”

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Christmas Wars

christmas-2871064_1920This time of year it is not uncommon to hear about battles over nativity scenes, Christmas greetings and other secular vs. sacred topics. This year is no different as we see new polls showing an ever increasing move toward removing Christ from the marketplace and from individual homes. There is certainly a place for that discussion, but it is NOT what this blog is about. Instead it is about something far more important.

Is it possible that we can get so caught up in the perceived attempt to rob us of our Christian faith, that we totally miss the attempts to rob us of our Christ? Continue reading “Christmas Wars”

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Trans-WHAT?

surprised-1327192_1280As a Life Coach and Pastor, I thought I had heard it all. Quite honestly, it takes an awful lot to surprise me. I have had multiple people walk into my office, drop a bombshell and then search my face for some hint of judgment or criticism. As the old Ray Steven’s song goes, they “began to cry and then to confess to sins that would make a sailor blush with shame.” Despite all of that, however, I was recently thrown a curve ball and was indeed caught off-guard.

Continue reading “Trans-WHAT?”

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The Muslim Jesus – Part 3

cross-295848_1920Will Jesus return to earth one day as King of kings and Lord of lords, or will He come back to let all the Christians know that they have been getting it wrong for the past two-thousand years? This question illustrates the large chasm that exists between what Christians and Muslims believe about Jesus’ Second Coming.

In part one, I wrote about what Muslims and Christians believe about the nature of Christ. If you haven’t read it yet, you may want to start there. You can read part 1 here.

In part 2 we looked at the beliefs pertaining to the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. You can find part 2 here.

Today, we will survey the beliefs Muslims and Christians have concerning the return and future destiny of Jesus.

It is impossible to encapsulate the beliefs of billions of people into a few short paragraphs. Likewise, neither Muslims nor Christians are homogeneous in their beliefs even within their own religion. We can however extrapolate the most commonly held views by the vast majority of each group. I hope that I will adequately achieve that goal here.

Continue reading “The Muslim Jesus – Part 3”

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Some Confusion about the Apocalypse

explosion-123690__340The Apocalypse has been the subject of fascination by Bible students, Hollywood and many in between. Unfortunately there are many misconceptions about the “End of Days” that are way off base when compared to what the Bible actually has to say. Here are a few common misconceptions to help stir your intellectual juices:

 

Continue reading “Some Confusion about the Apocalypse”

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Big Mouth Christians

Big Mouth HippoIn the quintessential definition of rebellion, much of modern American culture appears to be tolerant of everything EXCEPT the traditional morals and values of our ancestors.

What was once considered obvious common sense is now labeled “out of touch”, “antiquated”, “bigoted” and “hateful”. 

From protests to Nightly News and Social Media, some members of our communities are increasingly being told to keep their big mouths shut. The rhetoric is mind-numbing. Continue reading “Big Mouth Christians”

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Feeding the Lions

Lion_200

Imagine being a Christian during the Roman persecutions. It must have been horrifying to wait your turn to be ripped apart by wild beasts. I wonder if some of the Christian prisoners were forced to feed and care for the very lions that would eventually kill them. I also wonder if we are doing something similar today.

Continue reading “Feeding the Lions”