The setting: the United Nations gardens in New York City. The plot: a dream symbolized by a statue becomes reality. The cast of characters: being chosen now...
Several sculptures and statues stand in the gardens around the United Nations headquarters buildings in New York. Donated by various countries over the years, these items represent the hopes and dreams of the world.
In the middle of the last century, the Soviet Union donated a statue called "Let Us Beat Swords Into Plowshares." It symbolizes the desire of the United Nations and of the peoples of the world to put an end to war and convert destructive machinery into creative tools that will benefit all nations.
Since the United Nations came into existence in October 1945, some 50 million people have been killed in war. It's all but impossible to find an accurate number since each side in an armed conflict has its own reasons for inflating the casualties of the enemy or underestimating the number of its own dead. However, it is clear that the United Nations has utterly failed in its effort to eradicate war from our planet.
What if you could know for certain that the meaning of the "Let Us Beat Swords Into Plowshares" statue would become reality—that peace would break out all over the world? What if you found the code to a hidden secret that assured you a future of peace and prosperity was waiting for all peoples in all nations?
Would you be interested in unlocking such a code? Would you think such a find should be advertised and shared with others? Would you be willing to join in an annual celebration picturing that future time of joy and peace?
That's exactly what the fall feasts of God—particularly the Feast of Tabernacles—picture. (Be sure to read " The Festival Code: Unlocking the Future ")
Compiling the clues
In chapters 8 through 11 of the book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25)., the apostle John saw seven angels blow trumpets. When the seventh sounded, he heard loud voices in heaven saying Jesus Christ had become the ruler of all the kingdoms of the world.
The prophet Daniel was also given a vision of God setting up a kingdom that takes over the world. Describing a union of rulers opposed to God in the end time, he wrote: "In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Daniel 2:44).
God declared the Feast of Tabernacles as one of His feasts, commanding it as a seven-day celebration starting on the 15th day of the seventh month of the sacred calendar (Leviticus 23:34). This corresponds to the months of September and October on our modern calendar.
God went on to explain that His people were to save a 10th of their income each year so they could afford to travel to the designated place for keeping that Feast (Deuteronomy 14:22-27). It was His command that the whole family travel to the Feast and use those funds to rejoice (verse 26)—to have a great time!
Many know that ancient Israel celebrated this feast in appreciation of the year's harvest. But later in the Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings., God began revealing that this feast pictured much greater things to occur in a future era—the time when Jesus will return to this planet and establish the Kingdom of God .
Some of these later prophecies reveal that during that future period God's truth and law will spread to the whole earth from Jerusalem (Micah 4:2), that it will be so abundant a time that harvesters will still be working when it comes time to plant the next crop (Amos 9:13), that the nature of animals will be changed to be peaceful (Isaiah 11:6-8), that weather patterns will be changed so even deserts are fruitful (Isaiah 35:1-2, 6-7), and that debilitating health problems will be healed (Isaiah 35:5-6).
Interestingly, the very passage that inspired the sculpture the Soviet Union donated to the United Nations is found in a prophecy that describes what the Feast of Tabernacles pictures. Isaiah 2:4 speaks of mankind beating their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and of nations no longer fighting or even learning warfare anymore!
Let the "feasting" begin
No wonder God says to rejoice when we celebrate this feast! And young people from all around the earth will gather in designated locations to do just that as they observe the Feast of Tabernacles, this year Oct. 7-13, with their families.
What's it like? Here are a few quotes from young people about how they view this exciting time, commonly referred to simply as "the Feast":
"I get to spend a lot of time with my family, learning more about them and, in turn, them about me. We're in a really great atmosphere for learning and experiencing God's way of life and acting on it while we're there with our families! The Feast almost always brings everyone together in a good environment."— Codi
"The Feast of Tabernacles is one of the most inspiring of God's festivals. The message of the Kingdom, and the blessings we receive physically and spiritually, give me enthusiasm and hope for the future.
"Some of the great rewards of the Feast include the building of personal relationships, spending time with people of like mind and enjoying the prosperity afforded to us by following God's tithing laws. The blessing of being able to obtain the physical things our heart desires helps me to know the loving nature of God and that He does bless us for following His commandments.
"Sharing time with brethren helps me know that I am not alone. The Feast gives me an opportunity to build relationships that I will maintain through this life into eternity."— Eddie
"The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the Feast is the unity and fellowship of God's people. The entire Feast is something that I look forward to every year as a whole, but I think specifically of the really big gatherings where there are barbecues, games, sports and dances, such as last year.
"There was a positive, godly air around everybody and it spread throughout the group. It is easier for Satan to deceive us as one person, but when all of God's people come together and grow as one, Satan doesn't stand a chance; for not only do we have our brethren encouraging us in the way of the truth, we more importantly have God on our side. The Feast to me means strength, unity and an amazing way to end a long year and start a new one."— Julie
"When I think about the Feast, I look forward to the activities I will be doing and the people I will be spending time with and to growing spiritually. There are always good messages at the Feast. A few years ago at the Feast, I came to understand the concept of giving without expecting anything in return."— Erin
"I look forward to the Feast because it is a time like no other where you get to do new things, such as travel around the country and world, take a break from regular life, make new friends, have fun and have a daily reminder of the reason we are able to do these things. If you stop and think for a minute, if God had not created the Feast for us then we would all just be at home, going about our normal lives."— Bonnie
"Before leaving for the Feast last year, I was worried about some issues that were unfolding in my life. After listening to the sermons, attending the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. studies, holding small BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. discussions with my friends, and doing some praying, I came to a state of serenity. Colossians 3:15-16 became a living reality as I gained peace through interacting with other Church members and God Himself (through prayer and thought). I went on to enjoy the physical aspects of the Feast after its spiritual backbone was firmly supporting me." — Preston
"I look forward to seeing people I've met through the years. The network of friends you can make is astounding. One of the biggest lessons the Feast has taught me is that you can choose to have fun and not do anything wrong. You don't have to do "bad" things to enjoy time with others who are also making right choices. And you can have a ridiculous amount of fun doing things that are right."— Lena
"I look forward to spending time with my family, which I don't normally have time for because life is so busy with work, school and everything else. At the Feast it's a full seven or more days with family. During the Feast I also like the opportunity we have to go places and do things we would not be able to do otherwise. At the Feast we focus on God. Hearing different sermons helps me understand why we are there. It's time we focus on the Kingdom of God and not the world."— Stuart
"It's so full of laughter and fun times. The things I look forward to at the Feast are great activities, seeing close friends, making new ones, special music songs, learning more about God, BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. studies and deeper understanding through encouraging and inspirational sermons. At the Feast I've learned about reflection, kindness, love and knowing this is the right path for life."— Rachel
An awesome educational experience
As these young people expressed, the Feast of Tabernacles is truly a time of great rejoicing—looking forward to the time when Jesus Christ will return to bring about what mankind has been searching for, but has been unable to attain—an age of universal peace and prosperity.
But the Feast is not only about fun. It's also about education. In Deuteronomy 14 where God says to save a tithe to keep the Feast where He designates, He also says that one of the purposes is so we will learn to always fear God (verse 23). The word fear involves the concepts of revering, honoring and putting God first in our lives.
Those who follow the example of the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. Church by keeping the feasts of God learn many wonderful lessons. And when they keep the Feast of Tabernacles, they not only learn about God, they also celebrate the fact that God will bring what human beings can only dream about on our own—a time of great joy, health, prosperity and peace.
If you'd like to learn more about the difference between today's popular holidays and the ones that picture important events in God's plan such as the sentiments of this statue coming to life, request, download or read online our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? VT
