In the previous article, "God's Clock: The Biblical Mystery of Time," we explored the creation narrative in Genesis and how it establishes the concept of time itself. Through his spoken word, we saw how God created the celestial clock with the sun, moon, and stars marking days, seasons, and years. We also looked at the significance of the "moedim," the appointed times God set for Israel, particularly the weekly Sabbath and the annual feasts outlined in Leviticus 23.
This second article delves deeper into this fascinating topic. We'll continue our exploration of time in the Bible, examining the concept of "signs" and "seasons" mentioned in Genesis 1:14 as harbingers of the appointed time of the end — time's apocalyptic nature.
Prepare to uncover the deeper meaning behind timekeeping in the Bible and how it reflects God's purpose and interaction with creation toward a promised conclusion written in the heavens.
What Does Apocalyptic Mean?
The word apocalypse comes from the Greek word, apokalipsis (ἀποκάλυψις) and carries with it the ideas of uncovering, as of the head; disclosing, and revelation, especially of divine mysteries. This is most prominent in the title of the last book in our Bibles. It is written in English as the 'The Revelation to John". ' in Greek, its title is the "Apocalypse of John." This book speaks of the final things of the earth, the culmination of all things at the end of time — THE time as kept by God's cosmic clock from Genesis 1:14,
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; (emphasis mine).
Apocalyptic might be a strange word to you. It is not one we use often nor is it preached much. But I assure you, God, as the Apostle Paul said to his audience in Athens, has "...set a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31) It turns out that the Gospel we cherish and hold dear, that Jesus died for our sins, this being secured by His resurrection from the dead, has a ticking clock embedded within it. The apocalyptic nature of time is that all mankind, indeed, all creation, has a final appointment with our creator.
This will be catastrophic for all of us. For those who have not prioritized God and His authority, this will be a time of judgment and eternal banishment. For those under the protection of the blood of Jesus and who have honored God in obedience, this will be a time of reconciliation and final transformation. This apocalyptic moment was written in the heavens when God created the sun, moon, and stars and started withdrawing the moments from His cosmic clock.
A Brief Review of the Apocalyptic Promise in Scripture.
In the prequel to this article, I made the case that the meaning of moed, the Hebrew word for seasons in Genesis 1:14, was better understood as appointments. God wrote His appointments with man on His cosmic calendar and clock, including the apocalyptic moment of the end of time. Below are a few places in Scripture that indicate its unity, purpose, and time nature.
Regarding the Gospel story, we read that it was not an afterthought nor created in response to mankind's failure. This end-of-time solution was prepared before creation and placed on God's calendar on day 4 of the creation week.
These were God's redemptive appointments with mankind. They first told of God's present redemption of Israel. Embedded in these appointments to Israel were promises to all mankind and revelation of the Messiah, Jesus, who would bring these appointments to their promised conclusion. The moedim, the festivals written in Scripture, are God's appointments with mankind. The Apostle Paul shares that the natural things are first shared to reveal the spiritual yet to come (2 Co 15:46). Israel’s historical reality and the Lord's appointments prepare us for Jesus, the Spiritual reality. Jesus later walks through and fulfills these appointments prophetically, leading us toward the apocalyptic end.
Previously I listed the 7 feasts plus the weekly Sabbath, recorded in Leviticus 23. There are also other counting of years to be considered, but we will save that for later. Let's examine each appointment (moed, feast) and investigate its historical and prophetic nature. We will start with the Spring appointments. These appointments tell the story of redemption through final judgment, first for Israel and then for all mankind.
The Spring Appointments: Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits
The first appointment is Passover. We have all read about how all the households of Israel were to choose a lamb and the lamb's blood on the doorposts of their homes became the sign that a house so marked was to be passed over; they were to be exempted from the apocalyptic judgment to be executed on the firstborn.
In preparation for this, God established a new calendar point for them in Exodus 12:2. The English somewhat obscures this and it's easy to miss. I will first show the NASB for this and then a more literal Hebrew-based translation (The Scriptures) to help make it clear.
Here is the NASB:
“This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you.” (Exodus 12:2, NASB95)
Here is the same verse from The Scriptures translation:
“This new moon is the beginning of new moons for you, it is the first new moon of the year for you. (Ex 12:2, The Scriptures. 3rd edition)
The ensuing instructions for the preparation and execution of this first appointment is based on a particular new moon. This new moon is established to begin God's prophetic calendar as revealed to Israel while still in Egypt.
This first Passover demonstrated God's redemptive power and authority over this soon-to-be people of God while yet under the control and influence of Egypt and its gods. God intentionally established a rhythm by which His people moved through time with Him. He promised to meet with them at those specified times. They will later learn that He will also move history forward through them toward its climactic apocalypse.
The Passover marks Israel's redemption from Egypt and deliverance from God's judgment. Israel, by observing God's instructions was spared the apocalyptic death and destruction visited on Egypt and its gods. God's promises to Abraham (Ge 12:1-3, 15:13-16) were that his descendants would be blessed with the inheritance of the land showed to him and that all nations on earth would be blessed through him. God showed Abram that Israel would be enslaved (in Egypt) but would be freed to possess this promised land. God had already promised it. At Passover, Israel was invited to accept the promise by faith and to receive God's way of making that happen.
Three appointments come about in rapid succession and almost at the same time. The first is the Passover. The lamb was slaughtered. Its blood was put upon the top and sides of their doorposts. The lamb became a meal celebrating and anticipating the promise of redemption soon to follow. (Ex 12:3-13) This all happened on the afternoon of the 14th day after the new moon and just after sunset which began the 15th day (days begin at the start of dark, Ge 1:5 f); all according to the promise to Abraham 400 years prior (Ge 15:13).
The same day the Passover is eaten, the 15th day, begins the appointment of Unleavened Bread (Ge 12.14-20. They were instructed to remove all leaven from their homes. This was a seven-day feast the first of which was to be free from all work except food preparation. Israel had not had a day off in their generational memories. They left in such a hurry that they had no bread that had leaven in it with them. There was no time for the natural process to occur. (Ge 12:39)
Notice that foreigners (those not identified with Israel by the covenant sign of circumcision) were excluded from the privilege of the Passover meal. (Ge 12:43-45) But also notice that a "mixed multitude" left with them. (Ge 12:38) More than Israel was saved.
First Fruits is the third appointment. I would suggest that Israel was the first fruit of the promise to Abraham of the blessing to his descendants and to the nations. All of this is toward the implementation of redemption from the gods of this world to be offered to all mankind.
First Fruits is inaugurated as an appointment later, in Leviticus 23:10 and following. It anticipates the possession of the promised land and the abundance of harvest in that promised land as a gift from God. It acknowledges that the fertility of the land lies in the faithfulness of God and Him alone.
That was the historical reality of the first 3 appointments. Now for their significance to us.
Jesus in the Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits
Although much of Israel continues to deny Jesus as the promised Messiah, the appointments they have long kept with God testify to Him as Messiah. In short, Jesus is the Passover lamb. It is His blood on the cross, symbolized by the blood on the doorposts in Egypt, that protects those who take refuge in Him, being spared from the apocalyptic judgment by the presence of His blood.
Jesus celebrates the Passover in the Gospels. Luke begins the 22nd chapter by placing the events of the betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection in the context of the Passover. He wraps all three festivals up under the name, "Feast of Unleavened Bread" within which all of the first three appointments occur.
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.” (Luke 22:1, NASB95)
During the Last Supper Jesus uses the traditional elements of the celebration and reveals that these things have always symbolized His coming. The unleavened bread of the meal is His body and the cup of wine is His blood.
“And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” (Luke 22:19–20, NASB95)
Note that He further drives home this point when he says,
“...do this in remembrance of Me.”” (Luke 22:19, NASB95)
Passover has always been a time to tell the story of redemption. Israel was instructed to explain the meaning to their children once they entered the land. They were meant to keep the story of redemption, and even the apocalypse toward which redemption points, in the hearts of those who have been redeemed.
““And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. “When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite. “And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’ ” And the people bowed low and worshiped.” (Exodus 12:24–27, NASB95)
Jesus adds to this story. Jesus has established by the fulfillment of the Passover through His death, burial, and resurrection, that even we, formerly the mixed multitude, are now able to partake of this feast. We are new covenant members by the blood of Christ. Passover and all the Old are not taken away. It is revealed and we are invited into it. We, who are in covenant relationship with Him by faith now have a seat at the table of the Lord.
Paul further puts this in perspective for us in his first letter to the church at Corinth:
“Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:7–8, NASB95)
Leaven is often taught to refer to sin. Leaven is less sin and more its influence. Paul exhorts us to put away the leaven, the influence of the ways and gods we served before Christ, and start with a new batch of dough that naturally develops from the influence of the purity of Christ—sincerity and truth.
A quick word about First Fruits. First Fruits is meant to focus us on God as the One who provides all our needs. Jesus is the means by which that happens. Jesus is the First Fruits of the resurrection.
“But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:23–25, NASB95)
Notice the apocalyptic sub-note Paul attaches to this statement: He points to the end when He has abolished all other influences. Everything which opposes God is brought to an end and all things are subject to Him.
Here are the cliff notes of how the events of Christ's life correspond to these spring appointments—how He kept (fulfilled) them in real historical time. Jesus was crucified on Passover. As the One with no sin (without leaven) he was laid in the tomb on the first day at the appointment of Unleavened Bread. He kept the third appointment precisely at His resurrection on the day of First Fruits.
Jesus has two appointments with the earth—a first coming and a second coming. In His first coming He fulfilled the promises of the first of God's appointments. This is how God kept these appointments in history. How does this play out in the summer appointment of Shavuot (Pentecost) and the fall appointments of Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Tabernacles)? These cement the promise of redemption and move us rapidly toward the apocalyptic promise of Jesus' second coming.
Jesus challenges us to celebrate the Passover (the Lord's Supper) in remembrance of Him. In the Hebrew mind, remembering is quite different from doing so in the Western mind. Precisely in that it is not in the mind at all. Remembering is to live beneath the shadow of what is to be recalled. It is a re-presentation of the events meant to encourage us to live tethered to those events.
Celebrating the Passover story, the Night itself recounts the specific events:—ones of judgment and death but also Salvation and life. This event reveals how God saved the Israelites, and His ultimate way to redemption for all mankind.
The Passover promise is that when the final apocalypse comes, the judgment of all sin, there is a means of escape: to come under the protection of the blood of the Lamb. Jesus is revealed to be the true Lamb of God (Jn 1:29), the One who covers our sins and delivers us from final judgment.
There is so much more to unpack here but I hope you see that our faith is founded on the ancient ways of Scripture. There is so much more to it than we know. Next time, in Time and the Calendar Disconnect - Have We Lost Track of Time? we will look at how the fourth of God's appointments plays out in history and what that might mean for us. Then we will consider the impact of our Calendar Disconnect.
Until then, remember to be prepared to keep your appointments with God.
