While preparing my upcoming sermons this week I ran across a phrase that describes all of God’s festivals. They are called “palaces in time”. It is an intriguing concept that adds another dimension to the holy days. The description comes from the fact that when Israel went to Jerusalem and the Temple for the holy days they literally ascended to the city of Jerusalem in the mountains. The Temple was on the highest point of the city. You read in the Bible where people “went up to Jerusalem”. This literally was what they did.

The Temple was where God dwelt among His people. There a pilgrim stood in the courts of the Lord and gained a different perspective on his life. Through worship, sacrifice and observance they were to learn about the big questions and issues in life. The festivals focused on many aspects of God, His plan and His purpose. The worshipper would look back on the Exodus and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai and understand not only their nation’s history but why and how they, Israel, came to be. They would be directed to God’s special relationship with the descendants of Abraham.

They did not have a full understanding of the Messiah in those days. Today, we have the added understanding from the writings of the apostles which adds the dimension of Christ’s life, death and resurrection to the story. Ancient Israel did not understand this. They knew from the prophets that a Messiah would come but they did not comprehend all the details.

Today, when we “go up” to keep the holy days we have the understanding of Christ in these days. We have the foreknowledge of Christ as the returning king on Trumpets. We understand Satan will be bound on the Day of Atonement. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the 1000 year reign of Christ on this earth. The Last Great Day foretells the time when all the dead will rise and learn to know God for the first time.

When we keep the holy days, “palaces in time”, we stand in God’s presence and learn of His plan of salvation. We “ascend” into His courts and stand to learn of His plan. From the heights of the high days we look back to the events portrayed by Passover, Unleavened Bread and Pentecost. We look forward to the fulfillment of Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.

Each holy day we observe allows us a chance to sharpen our perspective on the life God has called us to live. It is a time for a compass check–making sure we are on the right course toward our destination of the kingdom of God.

Let’s prepare our hearts and minds for the coming festivals. They unfold the marvelous plan God has for all mankind.