Frequently Asked Bible Questions

Why should Christians celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles?

Jesus Christ celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, even at great risk to His life. What does this festival mean for Christians today?

After the Day of Atonement, the next festival is the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasts for seven days. Immediately following this festival is the final, one-day festival we call the Last Great Day. These two festivals combined last for eight consecutive days (Leviticus 23:33-39) and picture the final steps in God's master plan to bring all of humanity into His eternal family.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also known as the Feast of Ingathering (Leviticus 23:34; Exodus 23:16) and is called Sukkoth by the Jews today. This festival pictures the 1,000-year rule of Jesus Christ on this earth, known as the Millennium (Revelation 20:4-6). This follows after the binding of Satan pictured by the Holy Day of Atonement (Revelation 20:1-3).

Christ will set up the Kingdom of God following His return to the earth. Isaiah describes this future period as a time of peace when God's law will go forth to all nations from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4). The fierce nature of some animals will change (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25), the earth will become highly productive (Isaiah 35:1), and, most important, "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). With Satan's evil influence removed, all of humanity will at last learn God's ways.

This perfect environment will be designed to offer all people the opportunity to repent of their sins and come to God the Father through Jesus Christ. The Bible shows that Jesus attended this important festival even when His life was threatened (John 7:2-14, 25).

This seven-day festival is followed by another, final festival on the eighth day, which we call the Last Great Day.

Related Online Resources

The Feast of Tabernacles: Jesus Christ Reigns Over All the Earth from the booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind
God's plan for mankind involves restoration. The Feast of Tabernacles symbolizes the restoration process.

The Feast of Peace
God instructed the ancient Israelites to leave their homes every year to observe the Feast of Tabernacles in a location He chose. What is the significance of this feast, and what does it mean for you?

The Annual Festivals of God from the booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind
When is the Feast of Tabernacles this year?

How should a Christian today celebrate the annual festivals observed by Jesus Christ and the apostles?
Most Christians today don't observe the seven festivals God calls "My feasts" (Leviticus 23:2). Here is how the United Church of God celebrates these meaningful festivals today.

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