What are the old testament feasts fulfilled in the new testament? This is a commonly asked question, that is clearly answered with in the scriptures.
We find a number of feasts in the so called old testament. In fact there are 11 in total. You may be shocked at that, but it’s true!
I will be giving you a full list of all these feasts and where they are found in the scriptures at the end of the article.
This article will also show you all the old testament feasts fulfilled in the new testament, if any…
The Old testament Feasts will be listed in the order that they were instituted. I will also give you an overview of each one with scriptures and verses where necessary…
So let’s begin…
The question of fulfillment is one that should definitely be answered, especially as the Messiah himself said in the book of Matthew.
Matthew 5:17
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Because the Messiah said he came to fulfill, it’s our responsibility as believers to search the scriptures to find out what he meant.
To start it’s important to scrutinise what the Messiah said…
Important, because a popular assumption is that once the Messiah was crucified, there was no longer any requirement to remember any of the feast days at all.
Is this true? You will have your answer once you’ve finished reading this article.
What Are Feast Days?
I
n the Hebrew language the word for “Feasts” is Moadim this literally means “appointed times.”
So feast is just an interpretation of the the Hebrew word for Appointed times.
The most common “appointed” times amount to 7, but when you read the scriptures that were taken out (You can still find these in the King James 1611 version bibles) we find more…
We find a total of 11 as explained previous.
The Law And The Prophets
The first thing we must do is look at the language the Messiah used. He said that he didn’t come to destroy the “Law or the “Prophets“…
because he said this the questions we need to ask ourselves are: What is the Law?
Who are the Prophets?
Note: When the Messiah says he didn’t come to destroy the law, that can be interpreted as him saying he did not come to put an end to the Laws.
Let’s answer the first question:
What Is The Law?
When we look at the scriptures we see the Law being given to Moses to take to Israel.
Exodus 19:7-8
7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.
8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
In this case these are the ever popular “10 commandments”. That being said, Moses also brought other Laws to Israel, besides the 10 commandments.
We see Aaron being told to teach the people the Laws (Statutes):
Leviticus 10:11
11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
The Laws can be seen as the commands that the Most High gave to Moses. These are generally found in the 5 Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers.
So that answers the first question.
The next question:
Who Are The Prophets?
The Laws, sometimes called the 5 books of Moses, The History and the Prophets, can all be considered to be the books of the Prophets.
But to be more specific the books of the prophets consist of:
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. 16 Prophets in total.
When we read the book of Daniel the “Fulfillment” that the Messiah is talking about in Matthew 5:17 is elaborated on here
In Daniel 9:27
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Here we are told that the fulfillment that the Messiah was talking about, was that of the Sacrificial laws and Offerings (Oblations).
The Messiah’s sacrifice was the replacement for the animal sacrifices and offerings. These were commanded for Israel to do in the Laws previously. These sacrifices were used to atone for sins, but now the Messiah’s sacrifice replaces those physical sacrifices.
An Explanation of this can be found in Hebrews 10 also.
Hebrews 10:1-10
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
As you can read above the Messiah was prophesied to come and be that eternal sacrificed. This fulfilled that sacrifice and offering portion of the Laws of the Most High. Just as explained by prophecy in the Book of Daniel 9:27.
We are also told that animal sacrifices could never really cover our sins for ever. Because of this reason, there was always a plan to bring in a more perfect sacrifice which was the Messiah.
Why Christ (Messiah) Said “It Is Finished”?
When we read about the Messiah saying “it is finished” in the New testament, this is Old Testament Law being fulfilled in the New Testament.
John 19:28-30
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
The Messiah confirms the Prophecy of Daniel 9:27. This fulfillment of Sacrifice and Offerings have an immediate effect on the Feasts in the Old testament.
This fulfillment also helps us as believers, because it keeps us from the immense sins we would all be guilty of without the Messiahs sacrifice.
Without this fulfillment, we would all be liable to offering animals as sacrifices to the Most High as atonement for our sins (sins being the breaking of the Most High’s laws).
Daniel 9:27
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Because the Messiah laid down his life wilfully (John 10:18) for us we are covered by his offering.
What we need to do now is believe in his sacrifice and resurrection, as well as keep the commandments and Feast days in remembrance to show our Faith…
There is no need for us to kill animals anymore to cover our sins.
Feasts Fulfilled In The New Testament
So, What are the old testament feasts fulfilled in the new testament? This feels like a fully loaded question if you haven’t read scriptures, but it’s not when you have.
As mentioned previous there are 11 Feasts that Israel and believers are commanded to remember and acknowledge. You can find these feasts listed below.
We can find fulfillment of all the feasts when we read scriptures, which you will see below, starting with the Passover:
Fulfillment Of The Passover
The Passover is the first Feast for Israel and believers. It takes place in the 1st hebrew Month on the 14h day.
When we read the New testament, we can find fulfillment of the Passover.
That is to say that, the keeping of the Passover, was fulfilled so that it now has a direct connection to the Messiah’s sacrifice in the New Testament, which took place thousands of years after the Passover.
We see in the Book of Matthew the Messiah keeping the Passover Feast with his disciples . During the Passover meal, he makes some clear fulfillments, which now link his sacrifice directly with the Passover.
When the Messiah is breaking bread to eat the Passover, he tells the disciples that the “Bread” is now to signify his body and the “Wine” his blood (Luke 22:19-20).
Luke 22:19-20
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
These are very significant declarations, because they give us a direct link to the Old Testament (i.e. The Law, as the Passover is found in the Book Exodus). This is one of the fulfilments that the Messiah tells us of in the Book of Matthew 5:17.
We should keep in mind that the Messiah also said “think not that I have come to destroy the law“. This is important, because we must understand as believers that we still have a duty to keep the Passover, it’s just the significance of it that has received a higher importance.
This is the fulfillment spoken of, not the destroying of the Passover, that so many people seem to lean towards.
The destroying I’m talking about is the fact that many believers forget the Passover celebration, some even substitute it for Easter, which is a completely Pagan celebration.
Fulfillment Of The Unleavened Bread
The Unleavened bread is a continuation of the Passover. Here we see Moses being told, that part of the Unleavened Bread feast is to bring sacrificial offerings for 7 days (Leviticus 23:8) to the Most High.
Leviticus 23:8
8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
This offering of fire, was fulfilled when the Messiah said “It is finished” and was resurrected. Fulfilling Daniel 9:27.
Now we only need to remember the Unleavened Bread and eat Unleavened bread for 7 days (Leviticus 23:6), as this is an “appointed time” (feast) from the Most High which hasn’t been destroyed.
Leviticus 23:6
6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
Fulfillment Of The First Fruits
The First Fruits was an offering of the First harvest that Israel reaped. This happened in the first hebrew month.
Together with this offering Israel were commanded to offer a Lamb and also to bring drink offering. These are both actions that the Messiah has fulfilled, explained previously.
The first fruits can be found in:
Leviticus 23:10-13
10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
12 And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
13 And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
We can also relate the Messiah to the first fruits. He is called the first fruits in 1 Corinthians 15.
You can read about this here:
1 Corinthians 15:12-25
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
Here we are told that the Messiah’s resurrection after his sacrifice made him the first fruits, as he resurrected from death first, which is our reward.
The Messiah is example of the firstfruits of salvation and fulfills the sacrifice and offering within this feast of first fruits
Fulfilment Of The Feast Of Weeks (Pentecost)
The Feast of Weeks also know as the Pentecost in the New testament, is a 50 day feast. The count starts a day after the First fruits feast.
On the 50th day Israel were commanded to bring a lot of sacrifices and offerings.
Leviticus 23:15-20
15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.
17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord.
18 And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord.
19 Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.
This sacrifices and offerings are fulfilled by the Messiah’s sacrifice.
Fulfilment Of The Feast Of Trumpets
The Feast of Trumpets takes place on the 1st day of the 7th Hebrew month. Israel were commanded to blow trumpets on this day. It also required an offering made by fire. This is fulfilled by the Messiah’s sacrifice.
Leviticus 23:25
25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
Fulfilment Of The Day Of Atonement
On the 10th day of the 7th Hebrew month is the day of Atonement. On this day we are required to fast for the whole day. The Law also commanded an offering by fire which has been fulfilled.
Fasting starts in the evening of the 9th day and finishes at evening on the 10th day
Leviticus 23:27
27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
Fulfillment Of The Feast Of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacle begins on the 15th day of the 7th Hebrew month. It is called Tabernacle because Israel were told to celebrate this feast for 8 days in Tents (Leviticus 23:42), which the scriptures call “booths”.
There was a command to bring an offering of fire on the 8th day, which has been fulfilled in the New Testament.
Leviticus 23:36
36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
A List Of All 11 Feasts
Passover, Leviticus 23:5
Feast Of Unleavened Bread, Leviticus 23:6-8
First Fruits, Leviticus 23:10-16
Day Of Simon, 1 Maccabees 13:51-52
Feast Of Weeks (Pentecost), Leviticus 23:15-16
Feast Of Trumpets, Leviticus 23:24
Day Of Atonement, Leviticus 23:26-32
Feast Of Tabernacles, Leviticus 23:33-36
Hanukkah, John 10:22-23, 1 Maccabees 4:59, 2 Maccabees 1:18
Nicanor, 2 Maccabees 15:36
Purim, Esther 10:4 (Apocrypha, King James 1611)
Conclusion
So? What are the old testament feasts fulfilled in the new testament?
As you can see the 7 feasts above have all been fulfilled in the New Testament.
When the Messiah was sacrificed, and resurrected he fulfilled the prophets, in particular what Daniel said in Daniel 9:27. This prophecy told us that the Messiah would put an end to the sacrifice and oblations.
When you read through all the feasts you can see that each one of them required some type of sacrifice, and some even required offerings to, which is what oblations means.
It is these offerings (oblations) and sacrifices, that are no longer necessary. This doesn’t mean that we no longer observed or keep the “Appointed times”, it just means that we no longer need to kill animals for sacrifices or bring offerings.
The reason for this is because these sacrifices and offerings were once used to atone us from our sins. With the sacrifice of the Messiah (sins i.e. the breaking of the law) our sins have now been atoned for once and for all. This is how old testament feasts were fulfilled in christ.
Leviticus 23:37
37 These are the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
The scripture above summarises what used to be a requirement during the Feast days i.e. the sacrifices and offerings it’s also interesting to note that there were also freewill offerings.
This is a reminder that it’s always a good thing to do things from the heart, not just because we are obligated to.