Culmination

The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of the fall feasts of the Lord. The depth and breadth of this Feast exists on several different levels: the past, the present, the future, and to the intimately personal, to the nations, and finally, to all creation. Only a few of the many meanings of Tabernacles will be discussed here. To me, Tabernacles represents the completion of the will of God, the culmination of all His work. We are currently in the middle of Tabernacles, which lasts seven days. From the beginning of man, it has been our Creator's intention to dwell among us, His beloved creation. In Genesis, God walked in the Garden of Eden with the man He created, until that man fell in rebellion against His Maker. To tabernacle, or dwell with man was so important to God, that, even before time and creation began, He made a provision to restore His dwelling relationship with man, that provision being salvation, redemption, and atonement through His Son, the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. Tabernacles begins with the intimate gathering of each family under a shelter built for this occasion called a sukkah. Meals are shared within the shelter or sukkah to remember God's miraculous provision for Israel when He led them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. It is also an occasion to thank God for His continuing provision in all things, physical and spiritual today. Jesus spoke in Revelation about coming in and supping with us if we will hear His voice (Rev. 3:20). Tabernacles is not only the culmination of God's relationshi[p with man, but it is also the culmination of His Word, in both the Old and New Testaments. In Zechariah, one of the last books of the Old Testament, the LORD prophecies His tabernacle among men, and calls all the nations to come to Him in Jerusalem: "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." (Zech. 14:16). Even the nations that were enemies of His people will be required to tabernacle with the LORD in Jerusalem. It is not for the LORD's benefit that He commands the nations to tabernacle with Him in Jerusalem, but for their own benefit. In the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, there is an even greater vision of a heavenly tabernacle being brought down to earth, to men, as the LORD brings to pass the culmination of Tabernacles: "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." (Rev. 21:2-3). In joining in His Feast of Tabernacles, we are not only joining in a prophetic promise of things to come, but we are bringing the blessing of Tabernacles into the NOW, into our lives, into the earth. Those blessings of Tabernacles are: no more tears, no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, all wiped away by God Himself (Rev. 21:4). There is another promise associated with Tabernacles that is not only part of a future time, but, because of Christ, it is part of the NOW, and part of us: "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:5). Those who are in Christ are a new creation. Old things have passed away, and all things have been made new. This is the essence of Tabernacles, according to Revelation. These verses in 2 Corinthians go on to say, "NOW all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Cor. 5:17-18). The ministry of reconciliation, which by its description in 2 Corinthians, is the essence of Tabernacles, has been given to us! Shouldn't we be taking part in this victorious Feast of the LORD? We are its present fulfillment in the earth! As we read in Revelation, with the culmination of Tabernacles, the Lord creates all things new, in a new beginning: "NOW I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea." (Rev. 21:1). At the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasts for seven days, there is a mysterious eighth day (eight is the number of new beginnings). It is a day called "Shemini Atzeret". It is mentioned in scripture as a day immediately following Tabernacles, but with no specific description. "Shemini" means "8th", but the meaning of "Atzeret" is unclear. It is translated as meaning a solemn gathering because of the possible root word "atzar", which means "stop". It is also called "the last day". Outside of Israel, Shemini Atzeret is joined with a day called "Simchat Torah". In Israel, these two days are kept separate, one following the other. This year, Shemini Ateret will begin on the evening of October 9, until sundown of October 10. Shemini Atzeret is associated with the beginning of the fall rains, or the latter rains. Prayers for rain continue from this day until Passover in the spring. In the natural, the latter rains soften and prepare the earth for the early planting of the barley crop, from which a type of bread can be made when harvested in early spring. For this reason, these rains of Shemini Atzeret are very important to Israel. They are also important in the Spirit. The Word of God talks about the latter and former rains in connection with His faithful provision, a move of His Spirit, and the going forth of the LORD (Hos. 6:3, Joel 2:23-24). The latter rain also reminds us of the return of Christ: "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:7-8). The second day after the end of Tabernacles, Simchat Torah, speaks of wonderful things also. In present practice, the day is observed in the synagogue with everyone handling and dancing joyfully holding the Torah (the first five books of scripture). Usually the Torah is treated with quiet reverence, and careful handling, but on this day of Simchat Torah, it is time to dance, drink, and celebrate with the Torah! They literally dance around the synagogue holding the priceless Torah scroll, and everyone gets a turn. The rabbi is encouraged to say the closing blessing early in the day, because he might be too "happy" to articulate it later in the day. This is like our celebrtion with Christ, the Living Torah or Word, at our wedding celebrtion with Him (Rev. 19:7-9). The wedding. like Simchat Torah is a time to "be glad and rejoice". With Simchat Torah, the last reading in the annual cycle of Torah readings is completed with the last verses of Deuteronomy. However, combined with these ending verses, the beginning verses of Genesis are also read. There is an ending, but there is an immediate new beginning, as well. We can see how this coincides with the new beginning of Tabernacles. In this traditional practice, the cycle of Torah reading remains unbroken. In Revelation, Jesus describes Himself as the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega (Aleph/Tav). Here, during the day of Simchat Torah, we see practiced the eternal connection between the beginning and the ending in Christ's identity as the Word of God. Finally, I would like to reveal an interesting meaning to this Hebrew year of 5781, or 2020-21 in our secular calendar. The year 5781, which began with the first fall Feast of Trumpets approximately 15 days ago, is composed of the Hebrew letters, written from right to left, aleph, peh, shin + tav, (he). These letters in their pictographic meaning could translate into something like "Behold, Adonai (Lord) what is first, the beginning, El Shaddai (Almighty God), the last". May the Lord fill you, the nations and all creation with the new beginnings of the Feast of Tabernacles. and also with the new beginnings in Christ. Our Father has called us to meet with Him during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Lulav

Recently we have been studying the three fall feasts of Israel, and it has been a blessing and revelation for us. The last feast of the series is the Feast of Tabernacles, also know as the Feast of Ingathering. It occurs during the ingathering of the fall harvest. Much can be written about the Feasts, and their importance to Christians, even as they have been practiced by generations of Jewish people. The Feasts are as much apart of our faith as the Word of God. Jesus observed the feasts faithfully. I cannot go into full detail of the feasts, and Tabernacles specifically, as it could fill a book, and I am no expert on the subject, but I would like to look at a particular aspect of it that I thought was extremely precious and important. Tabernacles, being the final feast, seems especially important to the End Times in which we live. 
Part of the observance of Tabernacles is the building of a structure called a "sukkah". It is a four-sided structure that can have an opening on one side. Another part of the feast is gathering together, or bundling, of four types of vegetation called the "lulav". It is taught that the lulav represents the four-lettered Name of the LORD, yod, he, vaw, he. To me, even the sukkah, because it has four sides, can also represent this holy Name. Any time there is a grouping of four in scripture, we should pay special attention to its revelation of God's Name, known as the Tetragrammaton. I believe that when we hold that lulav in our hands, we are holding onto the Name of the LORD. I believe that when we enter into the sukkah, we are entering into the Name of the LORD. This is very important in these times.
It is said that the four components of vegetation that make up the lulav should represent our attitude and practice toward God. I think these same four items can also represent God's character and promises towards us.

In our study we learned that the lulav bundle is made up of the following:
Etrog, a citrus branch and fruit, represents the heart-our love for Him, and His love for us. It is a love that bore, and continues to bear, the fruit of salvation.
Lulav, is a straight date palm frond, and represents the spine, uprightness or righteousness, steadfastness in our relationship with God, and His faithfulness, righteousness and the steadfastness of God's promises to us.
Hadas, three myrtle branches, whose leaf shape represents the eyes, the vision and discernment. Our eyes are always to be lifted up and open to Him, as His eyes are always seeking us out, and seeing ahead to provide for us.
Aravah, two willow branches kept moist (willows grow by the water). They represent victory over the enemy, and, by shape, the lips, particularly when used by us in prayer. Likewise, God's lips are continually speaking into our lives, and Jesus' lips are continually making intercession for us.

It is so important as we enter these perilous End Times, that we understand the power of holding onto, and entering into, the Name of the LORD, as symbolized in these practices of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Scripture tells us the provision that has been given to us within the Name of the LORD:

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe."  Pro. 18:10
"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you."          
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God."           Psalm 20:1, 7
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth."     Psalm 124:8
"And it shall come to pass: That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
                                                 Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Rom. 10:13
"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him."       Isa. 59:19
There are so many more scriptures about the power and defense found in the name of the LORD, and in the name of Jesus.

In the End Times, many will be desperate to enter into a name, any name, and to be covered by something, anything:
"And in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man saying, "We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name to take away our reproach."
                                                        Isa. 4:1
"And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave, and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!"       Rev. 6:15-16

But for those who have understanding, they will run to another name, to the greatest name, the name that saves and defends, the name that is above every name. They will run into the covering (sukkah) of the name of the LORD:
One will say, "I am the LORD's; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand "The LORD's", and name himself by the name of Israel."   Isa. 44:5

Like the lulav, let us hold His name in our hands. Let us run into His name, and be enveloped and covered by His name, like being covered within the sukkah, in this Feast of Ingathering, in this Feast of Tabernacles.

Our Father's name is in the lulav and sukkah of Tabernacles.


"Sukkot Song-Call Upon His Name"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vrrlktOvU4

"We Will Run"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqgHd7mXYVQ

"The Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9jf0RNfUFc

"Names of God"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-6gwssX0Y

"Sinnerman"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn5tiuZU4JI