If only in my imagination (and through the power of the internet), I have joined in the joyful Feast of Tabernacles celebration in Jerusalem!  Until this year, my understanding of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) has been an academic, factual experience.  I’ve studied about the feasts of Israel and I’ve heard great teachings about them.  However, it is a bit like dreaming about flying a jet rather than actually doing so!

This year, I took a ride in the simulator!  Thanks to live streaming of the Feast of Tabernacles celebration by the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem, I caught some of the activities.  Some day (soon, I hope!) I will be in Jerusalem for not only the Feast of Tabernacles, but for every Jewish festival!  (If not in this lifetime, then certainly in the New Jerusalem!)

Now, I’m not so naive to believe that what I see and experience on the internet is anything like the actual experience.  Nor am I so naive to believe that this corporate celebration is the “true” experience.  And I am certainly aware that the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles celebration is from a Christian perspective.  Thus, I recognize that the celebration I experience may not be the same as would be experienced by non-Messianic Jews.  However, the feasts all point to our Lord Jesus Christ, who fulfills every single Jewish feast.  For me, as a Christian, this was the focus of my celebration!

If you were not able to catch any of the festivities from Israel, but are interested, it appears that various sessions are being posted on the ICEJ Videos page.  There was praise and worship, there was passionate teaching, there was recognition of IDF troops who fought in Operation Protective Edge, and many other segments.  I especially recommend the passionate exhortation given by Robert Stearns in the final session.

The official end of Sukkot is Wednesday at sundown.  Thus, only a few hours remain in the traditional celebration.  But friends, if you are a believer in Jesus the Messiah, then you know that He dwells permanently in a greater tabernacle, not made by hands!  (Hebrews 9:11-14)  Indeed, He dwells in the hearts of those who have entrusted themselves to Him!

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  But if the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
~Romans 8:9-11