©September 20, 2013 Revive Israel Ministries

Tabernacles and the Triumphal Entry

The Biblical Holy Days are appointed times that have symbolic and prophetic meaning. They are a type of parable that can be understood on several levels. In addition to the agricultural and historical meanings in the Torah, there are also New Covenant fulfillments of the Holy Days.

The major events of the Gospels and Acts took place during the spring Holy Days; the major events of the End Times seem to be connected to the autumn ones. They could be summarized thus:

Spring:
Pesach (Passover) – Crucifixion
Omer (First Sheaf) – Resurrection
Shavuot (Weeks) – Holy Spirit

Autumn:
Teruah (Trumpets) – Tribulation
Kippur (Atonement) – Second Coming
Sukkot (Tabernacles) – Millennium

This week we celebrate Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-43). The 70 bulls of Sukkot represent a priestly, intercessory prayer for the nations of the world (Numbers 29; Deuteronomy 32:8). The agricultural symbol is to bring fruit and branches to wave before the Lord in thanksgiving (Nehemiah 8:9-18). At Sukkot the nations will come to Jerusalem to worship during the millennial kingdom (Zechariah 14:16).

In John 12:12-15, right before the crucifixion, Yeshua rides into Jerusalem on a donkey with the people waving palm branches, welcoming Him with shouts of "Baruch Haba" and "Hoshanna," calling Him the "King of Israel." This is often referred to as the "Triumphal Entry." However, there are a few problems with that title. Perhaps it should be called the "Humble Entry," or the "Rehearsal for the Triumphal Entry." There are also problems with the timing:

• Those familiar with the Torah would immediately recognize that palm branches are to be waved at Sukkot, not Pesach. (Lev 23:40)
• Yeshua came into Jerusalem the first time riding a donkey, in order to suffer and  thus offer salvation (Zechariah 9:9); but He will come the next time on a white horse to rule in triumph (Revelation 19:11).
• While the people correctly cried “Hoshanna” and “Baruch Haba” to welcome Him, that same prophecy requires that He first be rejected by the religious leaders (Psalm 118:22-26).
• While He is truly the King of Israel, in order to set up the kingdom, Yeshua must come not only as King of Israel, but also as "Head of the Church" (Ephesians 1:21).

[For other mysteries concerning the timing, see Matthew 16:3; 24:3 Mark 11:13; Luke 19:42-44; John 6:15; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; Romans 11:25, etc.]

So there must be another time for the greater fulfillment. It will be connected to the autumn Holy Days, not the spring ones; it will be in the last century, not the first century; and it will include the remnant of all nations, not just Israel. Then we will see the real "Triumphal Entry," for King Messiah Yeshua to enter Jerusalem in all His glory to rule over all the earth in righteousness, peace, and joy.

General Yair Golan, head of IDF's northern command, was interviewed this week concerning his views on the Lebanon-Syrian front (Yediot, musaf, 18-9-13). He said that since Assad cannot rule effectively, yet neither can the rebels offer an alternative, there is likely to be long-term instability. He also said that despite the lack of an alternative, it is not morally acceptable for the current regime to continue since it has murdered 10's of thousands of people. The Syrian army has used over 40% percent of its missile stockpile on its own citizens (otherwise aimed potentially at Israel).

While there are an estimated 6,000 Islamic Jihad (Al Qaida related) fighters in Syria they are still relatively small and primitive in comparison to the Syrian army, and therefore pose a lesser threat at this time.   

The recent fighting has strengthened the bonds in the Iran-Hezbollah-Syrian axis of evil. Hezbollah has doubled its missile arsenal to more than 100,000 (!) advanced rockets since 2006.  Hezbollah agreed to send troops to help Assad in an agreement that weapons would continue to be transferred through Syria to Hezbollah. Much of these weapons are located purposely in civilian developed areas, which means that should a war break out against Israel, major damage would befall the Lebanese cities.

The Yom Kippur conference was outstanding -- another significant breakthrough. The power of the Spirit was manifest in the midst of observing the Holy Day. There was repentance, worship, fasting, and intercession; the entire book of Hebrews was read aloud; the unity among the congregations and the leaders was flawless(a miracle for us Jewish believers!); Chaim Warshawsky's traditional worship elements were powerfully anointed; there was revelatory teaching about breaking the roots of the curses that plague both the Church and the Jewish people, about the meaning of the Day of Atonement, about the blood entering the Holy of Holies, and much more. Thank you for joining us in prayer.