The Bible outlines three seasons when God commands His people to assemble and celebrate, detailed in Deuteronomy 16:1-15. Verse 16 summarizes:

“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.” 

In the New Testament, the first two seasons are clearly connected to Christ. The Apostle Paul calls Jesus “our Passover who is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, marks the formation of the New Testament Church in Acts 2. The Feast of Tabernacles, the third season, is often overlooked. This festival begins with a holy day, lasts seven days, and concludes with the Eighth Day, also a holy day. While in Jerusalem during this feast, Jesus declared:

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38).

Occurring after the fall harvest, this season symbolizes a time when all humanity can come to Jesus. Isaiah 11, which describes the Messiah’s return and rule, states in verse 9:

“For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” 

Similarly, Zechariah prophesies:

“In that day living waters shall flow from Jerusalem… and the LORD shall be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:8-9).

To learn more about the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day and their connection to Jesus Christ, request the free study guide “God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind” from the United Church of God website.

By Lynn Leiby