THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
What to Know
What It Is – The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is a seven-day feast beginning on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:33–43). It is the most joyous of God’s appointed times, celebrating His provision, presence, and the ultimate hope of His Kingdom.
A Time of Rejoicing and Thanksgiving – God commands His people to rejoice during the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40; Deuteronomy 16:13–15). It marked the final harvest of the year and reminded Israel of God’s faithful provision during their wilderness journey, when they lived in temporary shelters and depended completely on Him.
God’s Presence Among His People – The Feast of Tabernacles commemorates God’s desire to dwell with His people. The Tabernacle in the wilderness symbolized His presence, later fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who “became flesh and dwelt [tabernacled] among us” (John 1:14). Through Him, God’s presence is no longer distant but personal and transformative.
Prophetic Meaning – The Feast of Tabernacles points to the coming Kingdom of God, when Christ will reign on Earth and all nations will worship Him. Zechariah 14:16–19 and Ezekiel 45:25 reveal that this Feast will be observed during the Millennial Reign of Christ, symbolizing the unity and peace of all humanity under His rule.
Foreshadowing God’s Eternal Kingdom – The Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3). It represents the time when sin, sorrow, and death will be no more, and God will dwell eternally with His redeemed creation.
A Lesson in Temporary Dwelling – By living in booths, believers are reminded of life’s temporary nature and their dependence on God. As Hebrews 11:13–16 teaches, God’s people are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth,” looking toward a better, heavenly country and the permanence of God’s eternal Kingdom.
Spiritual Meaning for Believers Today – The Feast of Tabernacles invites followers of Christ to rejoice in God’s blessings, trust in His provision, and look forward to His ultimate return. It celebrates the coming restoration of all things and the time when God’s Kingdom will fill the earth with righteousness and peace.
The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is described in the Bible as the most joyful of God’s appointed holy days, rich with prophetic and spiritual meaning for Christians today. The Feast of Tabernacles symbolizes God’s provision, His abiding presence, and His ultimate plan to dwell with His people. While many Christians today regard the Feast of Tabernacles as merely a Jewish custom or outdated under the New Covenant, it is in fact central to God’s receptive plan for all humanity - foreshadowing the establishment of Jesus Christ’s Kingdom as prophesied throughout Scripture. Observing the Feast of Tabernacles provides a powerful opportunity to express gratitude, celebrate God’s blessings, and look forward to the glorious future of His Kingdom when His presence will dwell with us forever.
The Feast of Tabernacles, introduced in Leviticus 23:33-43, is a seven-day Feast and celebration beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month. In the Old Testament, this Feast marked the end of the agricultural year, celebrating the final harvest and God’s abundant provision for the Israelites. It was also a time for the nation to remember and reflect on their wilderness journey, during which they lived in temporary shelters and relied entirely on God for their sustenance. As part of this observance, God instructed His people to dwell in booths (temporary structures) during the Feast of Tabernacles as a reminder of their dependence on Him and His faithfulness in delivering them from Egypt and sustaining them in the wilderness. Furthermore, God commanded that this Feast be a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving, as seen in Leviticus 23:40 and Deuteronomy 16:13-15, emphasizing the joy and gratitude for His blessings.
The Feast of Tabernacles carries a deeper meaning in the Old Testament, centering on God’s presence with His people. The wilderness journey not only tested the Israelites’ faith, but also demonstrated God’s desire to dwell among them. The Tabernacle, or tent of meeting, was a temporary structure that symbolized His presence during this time (Exodus 25:8-9). Later, this temporary dwelling was replaced by the permanent Temple built by Solomon, as Solomon declared in 1 Kings 8:13, “I have surely built You an exalted house, and a place for You to dwell in forever.” The Feast of Tabernacles, therefore, celebrates the reality that God is not distant, but intimately involved in the lives of His people. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of earthly life and the importance of trusting in God’s eternal promises.
In the New Testament, the Feast of Tabernacles takes on even greater significance through its connection to Jesus Christ and the future Kingdom of God. John 1:14 uses imagery tied to the Tabernacle to describe Christ’s incarnation: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” The Greek word for “dwelling” (skēnoō) means “to pitch a tent” or “tabernacle.” This language illustrates that Jesus Christ, the Word, “tabernacled” among humanity, directly linking Him to the Old Testament Tabernacle. This verse reveals that Jesus, as the fulfillment of God’s presence with His people, embodies the ultimate meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles. Through Christ, God came to dwell with humanity in a more personal and profound way than ever before.
The prophetic significance of the Feast of Tabernacles extends beyond Christ’s first coming to His return and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth. Zechariah 14:16-19 prophesies that all nations will observe the Feast of Tabernacles during Christ’s millennial reign. This passage underscores that the Feast of Tabernacles is not merely a historical observance, but a timeless celebration of God’s sovereignty and His soon-coming reign. The gathering of nations to worship the King, Jesus Christ, symbolizes the unity of humanity under God’s rule and fulfills the promise of Habakkuk 2:14: “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Similarly, Ezekiel 45:25 confirms that the Feast of Tabernacles will be observed during God’s Kingdom: “In the seventh month, on the fifteenth day of the month (the Feast of Tabernacles), He [the prince of Jesus Christ] shall do likewise for seven days, according to the sin offering, the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the oil.” These prophetic passages affirm the ongoing relevance of the Feast of Tabernacles in God’s redemptive plan.
The New Testament further associates the Feast of Tabernacles with the ultimate restoration of all things and God’s eternal dwelling with humanity. Revelation 21:3 describes the culmination of this plan: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.” This vision of the New Jerusalem, where God permanently “tabernacles” with His people, reflects the core themes of the Feast of Tabernacles — God’s presence, provision, and eternal relationship with His people. Observing the Feast of Tabernacles allows believers to look forward to this future reality, aligning their lives with the hope and joy of God’s soon coming Kingdom. It serves as a reminder of His faithfulness and His desire to dwell with humanity forever.
The Feast of Tabernacles also presents a fascinating paradox to consider: while God’s Kingdom is described as everlasting — “an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14 ) — God commands this Feast to be kept in “booths” or “temporary dwellings” (Leviticus 23:42-43). This apparent paradox carries a profound lesson about the transient nature of earthly life. By dwelling in temporary shelters, believers are reminded of their dependence on God and the fleeting nature of human existence.
Hebrews 11:13-16 highlights this perspective, describing the faithful as “strangers and exiles on the earth,” who long for “a better, heavenly country.” The Feast of Tabernacles encourages believers to embrace this mindset, living as sojourners who trust in God’s provision and remain focused on His eternal promise of dwelling with His people forever. It serves as a call to prioritize spiritual over worldly pursuits, fostering a sense of reliance on God and a forward-looking faith in His Kingdom.
Additionally, the Feast of Tabernacles is a time for gratitude and rejoicing. Deuteronomy 16:15 commands, “Seven days you shall keep a sacred Feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.” This command to rejoice while keeping the Feast of Tabernacles can also be seen in other Scriptures such as Leviticus 23:40 and Nehemiah 8:17-18. Through this celebration, followers of Christ are encouraged to reflect on God’s blessings and provision, cultivating a heart of joy and thanksgiving while looking ahead to the ultimate fulfillment of His promises and Kingdom.
The Feast of Tabernacles offers believers today a unique opportunity to rejoice in their hope in Jesus Christ, trust in God’s provisions, and anticipate the glorious day when God will dwell with His people forever. This Feast symbolizes a pivotal step in God’s redemptive plan: the time when God’s firstfruits will reign with Him in His Kingdom, preparing for the soon coming time that all humanity will be given the chance to know and accept the true God. It points to the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore creation and to bring peace and unity under His eternal Kingdom.
As we see in Zechariah 14:16-19, the Feast of Tabernacles will be kept during Christ’s millennial reign, with all nations gathering to worship the King. But if this Feast is so central to God’s future Kingdom, why wouldn’t true Christians rejoice in it now? Why wait to honor a day that vividly foreshadows God’s promise to dwell with humanity forever? If the nations will one day be commanded to keep it, shouldn’t followers of Christ choose to do so today willingly - out of love, faith, and anticipation of His return?
By celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles now, we declare our allegiance to the coming Kingdom of God and align our lives with God’s eternal plan. Isn’t that the very essence of living faith?
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Discover the Meaning Behind God’s Appointed Times
Each of God’s holy days reveals a powerful step in His plan of salvation — from redemption to resurrection, from freedom from sin to the hope of His Kingdom. If the Feast of Tabernacles opened your eyes, why not explore the rest?
God’s Biblical Feasts - God’s Biblical Feasts reveal His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. These Feasts of the Lord — outlined in Leviticus 23 — are sacred times of worship that reflect God’s purpose, from redemption and the gift of His Holy Spirit to Christ’s return and the coming Kingdom. Observing them aligns believers with God’s eternal plan and celebrates His promise to dwell with humanity forever.
The Sabbath – God’s commanded weekly day of rest, a sign between Him and His people that points to creation, restoration, and the coming Millennial rest in Christ’s Kingdom (Exodus 20:8–11; Hebrews 4:9–10).
The Passover – Symbolizing redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb, whose blood delivers believers from sin and eternal death (1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29).
The Feast of Unleavened Bread – A call to walk in newness of life, removing sin, false teachings, and hypocrisy while living in sincerity and truth through the power of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:8; Romans 6:4).
The Wave Sheaf Offering – Represents Christ, the First of the firstfruits, whose resurrection assures the hope of eternal life for all who follow Him (Leviticus 23:10–11; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23).
Pentecost (The Feast of Weeks) – Celebrates the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit and the birth of the New Testament Church, empowering believers to live godly lives and carry out the Gospel mission (Acts 2:1–4; Acts 1:8).
The Feast of Trumpets – Foreshadows the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the firstfruits at the last trumpet, when the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 11:15).
The Day of Atonement – A solemn day of cleansing and reconciliation, pointing to the removal of sin and the binding of Satan, when all humanity will be reconciled to God through Christ our High Priest (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9:11–12).
The Feast of Tabernacles - A joyous celebration of God’s Kingdom on Earth, symbolizing His presence, provision, and the time when Jesus Christ will reign and all nations will worship the King (Zechariah 14:16–19; Revelation 21:3).