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Holy Day Calendar: God's Biblical Festivals

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Holy Day Calendar

God's Biblical Festivals

Holy Day calendar 2013-2016
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View the dates for God's Biblical Festivals -- Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day.

2023
Passover: April 5, 2023
Feast Unleavened Bread: April 6-12. 2023
Pentecost: May 28, 2023
Feast of Trumpets: September 16, 2023
Day of Atonement: September 25, 2023
Feast of Tabernacles: September 30 - October 6, 2023
The Eighth Day: October 7, 2023


2023 Date
Passover *++ April 5
Feast of Unleavened Bread * April 6-12
Pentecost* May 28
Feast of Trumpets* September 16
Day of Atonement* September 25
Feast of Tabernacles* September 30 - October 6
The Eighth Day* October 7
* Begins evening before; ++ Observed evening before  

 

2024 Date
Passover *++ April 22
Feast of Unleavened Bread * April 23-29
Pentecost* June 16
Feast of Trumpets* October 3
Day of Atonement* October 12
Feast of Tabernacles* October 17-23
The Eighth Day* October 24
* Begins evening before; ++ Observed evening before  

 

2025 Date
Passover *++ April 12
Feast of Unleavened Bread * April 13-19
Pentecost* June 1
Feast of Trumpets* September 23
Day of Atonement* October 2
Feast of Tabernacles* October 7-13
The Eighth Day* October 14
* Begins evening before; ++ Observed evening before  

 

2026 Date
Passover *++ April 1
Feast of Unleavened Bread * April 2-8
Pentecost* May 24
Feast of Trumpets* September 12
Day of Atonement* September 21
Feast of Tabernacles* September 26 - October 2
The Eighth Day* October 3
* Begins evening before; ++ Observed evening before  

 

In biblical reckoning, days begin in the evening (Genesis 1:5), when the sun goes down (Joshua 8:29; 2 Chronicles 18:34; Mark 1:32), and are counted “from evening to evening” (Leviticus 23:32). Thus, all God’s festivals begin the sunset just before the dates listed in this table. For example, in 2021 Passover is observed on the evening of March 26, after sundown, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins the following evening, March 27. The festivals end at sunset on the dates given.

 

The plan of salvation as revealed in the Holy Scriptures is pictured in the meaning of these seven annual festivals.

Passover

The Passover teaches us that Jesus Christ was sinless and, as the true Lamb of God, gave His life so that the sins of humanity could be forgiven and the death penalty removed (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Romans 3:25). Passover, although not observed as a Holy Day, is the first festival of the year.

Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Unleavened Bread teaches us that we have been called to reject lawlessness and repent of sin. We are to live by every word of God and according to the teachings of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:8; Matthew 4:4). During this festival, leaven symbolizes sin and, as such, is removed from our homes for the seven days of the festival (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Exodus 12:19). By eating unleavened bread we picture living a life of sincerity and truth, free from sin.

Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost, or firstfruits, teaches us that Jesus Christ came to build His Church. This festival pictures the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church. The firstfruits are those who will be given salvation at the return of Christ. They have been empowered with the Holy Spirit, which creates in each one a new heart and nature to live by the commandments of God (Exodus 23:16; Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:37-39; Acts 5:32; James 1:18).

Feast of Trumpets

The Feast of Trumpets teaches us that Jesus Christ will visibly return to the earth at the end of this age. At that time He will resurrect the saints who are no longer living and instantly change those saints who are still alive to immortal spirit beings (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). This festival commemorates the blowing of the trumpets that will precede His return. Seven angels with seven trumpets are described in Revelation 8-10. Christ will return with the blowing of the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15).

Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement teaches us that Jesus Christ gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. It also points to the time when Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Leviticus 16:29-30; Leviticus 16:20-22; Revelation 20:1-3). This Holy Day pictures our High Priest, Jesus Christ, making atonement for our sins, which allows us to be reconciled to God and enter into the "holiest of all" (Hebrews 9:8-14; Hebrews 10:19-20). By fasting on this day, we draw closer to God and picture the reconciliation of mankind to God. Christ is essential in this process as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 5:4-5; Hebrews 5:10) and as our eternal sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26-28).

Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles teaches us that when Jesus Christ returns, a new society will be established with Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Christ, assisted by the resurrected saints, will set up His government on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:4; Leviticus 23:39-43; Matthew 17:1-4; Hebrews 11:8-9). Rule under His laws will spread from Jerusalem throughout the world to usher in an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity (Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:35; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13-14).

The Eighth Day

The Eighth Day teaches us that Jesus Christ will complete His harvest of humans by raising from the dead and extending salvation to all human beings who have died in the past and have never been given a full opportunity for salvation (Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 11:25-27; Luke 11:31-32; Revelation 20:11-13).

The annual cycle of the celebration of the festivals and Holy Days reminds Christ's disciples that He is working out His plan of extending salvation from sin and death and offering the gift of eternal life in the family of God to all humanity—past, present and future.