Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles

The Last Great Day

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Leviticus 23:33-36 (NKJV)

³³ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ³⁴  "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. ³⁵  On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. ³⁶  For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.”

Today, Christians who celebrate the Lord’s Appointed Times often refer to the celebration of the eighth day as “The Last Great Day”  in reference to  John 7:37-38 (NKJV) “³⁷  On the last day, that great day of the feast. . . .”  While seven in scripture is a reference to fullness, to completeness, eight is the number of new beginnings.  

In the days of Jesus, God’s people celebrated the eighth day by lighting the temple courtyards with lampstands and torches until it truly shown forth as a city on a hill that could not be hidden.  With much pageantry, the people praised the Lord in song and dance.  Even today, the eighth day is a celebration of light.  The process of creation in Genesis began when the Lord said, “Light be.” New beginnings are birthed in light.

During the time of Moses, the Israelites followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  The wise men followed the light of the star to Bethlehem to worship the Christ child. 

 On the great day of the feast, after the Temple Mount in Jerusalem had been lighted for all to see, Jesus proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.", “John 8:12 (NKJV).  (John 7 takes place at after sunset, the beginning of the last day of the feast.  The events of John 8 take place starting early the next morning.  Some would argue that John 8 takes place after the last great day.  However, the biblical day begins at sunset.  In biblical timing, the next morning is still the same day. )

At another time, Jesus spoke to us saying, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

Just as Jesus is the light of the world, as His ambassadors, we, too, are to be shining lights for the Kingdom of God. 

Another event of the celebration included an offering of water.  The high priest, with the other priests and thousands of worshipers, marched from the Temple to the Pool of Siloam.  The pool of Siloam was a renowned place of healing.  At the pool, the priests filled a pitcher with water and went back to the Temple.  The high priest then poured the water onto the altar. By offering the water, the people were praying for healing for themselves and their land.   The healing of the blind man who washed in the waters of Siloam occurred on the last great day. (John 9: 7-11).  

New beginnings in Scripture often begin with water.  In Genesis 1:1, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters as the process of creation began.  In the days of Noah, the Lord sent the floodwaters upon the earth, and the earth was recreated.  (Genesis 6) When the Israelites left Egypt under the leadership of Moses, they passed through the Red Sea.  Later, when Joshua led them into the Promised Land, they crossed over the Jordan. Jesus was baptized before He began His earthly ministry.  We are “buried with Him in baptism, in which we also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12.)

Knowing the need for new beginnings in all our lives, ^“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  John 7:37-38 (NKJV). 

New beginnings start with drinking from the well of the water of life. The result of that experience should be evident in our lives. 

The last great day was also a time for celebrating the Word of God.  Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) is all about praising God for His Word, for His statutes and commandments that bring us life, peace and joy. The greatest part of our praise should be for the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.  Let’s behold and proclaim His glory. (John 1:14).  

Take a few moments and celebrate Jesus who is the light of the world, the living water and the incarnate, life-giving Word of God. Then step forward into a new beginning in Him.

Sukkoth: Feast of Tabernacles
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Start Date: Sundown on Friday, September 25, 2026. [1, 2]
End Date: Nightfall on Friday, October 2, 2026. [1, 2]

Lev. 23:33-43

Sukkoth, the Feast of Tabernacles celebrates the harvest of the fruit of the land. During this Appointed Time, many people, both Jew and Christian, build tabernacles or huts. Generally, they spend at least part of each day during the seven days celebration in their tabernacle.

Sukkoth reminds us of the forty years Israel spent wandering in the desert and God’s provision. According to Nehemiah, during the forty years in the desert, the people’s clothes did not wear out. Along with manna and water, God provided for all the rest of the people’s needs.

After the return from the Babylonian Exile, Ezra read the law and led the Israelites in acts of repentance during the Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:8-17). “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.'' For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.''

"So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.'' And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

The dedication of Solomon's' Temple also took place during this feast (I Kings 8:2). Later, Josephus referred to the Feast of Tabernacles as the holiest and greatest of the Hebrew feasts.

We often quote 2 Chronicles 7:14, but few of us realize that the context of this passage was the dedication of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem that took place during the Feast of Tabernacles. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

For Christians, Sukkoth can be a time when we rededicate ourselves as the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are His people, called by His name. If we want healing to come to our land, the Church must, individually and corporately, humble ourselves, pray and seek a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father. We must turn from our wicked ways, such as fear, anger, self-righteousness and division. Then God will hear from heaven and pour out His forgiveness and healing.

Sukkoth, Feast of Tabernacles, celebrates the completed harvest. The final crop, the fruit of the land, that has been gathered.

The Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the final spiritual harvest, the great revival to come. The autumn harvest is a forerunner to that time in the Millennial Kingdom when all believers are gathered together and God tabernacles with us. Sukkoth looks forward to the time when believers will rule and reign with Jesus.

Zechariah 14:16-19 is a prophetic word describing the celebration of Sukkoth during the Millennium.
"And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles."


The following Psalm is one that God’s people sang as they passed through the Kidron valley and climbed the Temple Mount to worship during the Lord’s Appointed Times.

Psalms 122:1-9: “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord.'' Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together,
Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord.For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.'' For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you.'' Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.

During this holy time, O Lord, we rededicate our lives to You and rejoice for what You have done, are doing and will do. Amen.

Yom Kippur:  The Day of Atonement

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            For Christians, Yom Kippur celebrates the atonement of Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection.  Through His atonement, the price for our sin has been paid, and we are reconciled to God.  

            The first step in receiving that atonement is repentance.  Repentance involves a heart change in direction and in life, from sin and self-centeredness to holiness and God-centeredness.  Repentance is the first step toward God, and  involves a permanent change of mind and direction. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)”  When we have truly repented, we think God’s thoughts about the nature sin rather than our own thoughts.

            In the atonement, we enter into a new covenant with God the Father.  In scripture, Jesus is called “the last Adam.”  1 Corinthians 15:45 (NKJV) “ And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”  Because Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins, we can walk in fellowship with God just as Adam did before Fall.  The atonement has made that possible because of the Holy Spirit who resides within us.  

            1 Corinthians 15:48-49 (NKJV)  “As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”  Because of the atonement, we can be like Jesus, full of the fruit of the spirit:
^“22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)”

            In our renewed minds, we then perceive the commandments of God, not as impossible restrictions in our lives, but as the pathway to the abundant life.  We perceive the commandments as beatitudes:  

1.  Happy are those who worship God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 

2.  Happy are  those who do not allow anything to become more important to them than God is.

3.  Happy are those who understand who God is and do not misuse His name.

4.  Happy are those who keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Happy are those who honor their Christian heritage.

6.  Happy are those who do not allow hatred and unforgiveness to control their lives.

7.  Happy are those who are faithful to their commitments to God and to one another.

8.  Happy are those who respect the property of others.

9.  Happy are those who do not make false or unfounded accusations against others.

10.   Happy are those who are thankful for the blessing of God in their lives and who do not desire what others have.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the atonement of Jesus Christ that allows me to live in victory over sin and the sorrow it can bring into my life.    I worship You on this Yom Kippur.

Nothing But The Blood by Robert Lowry

What can wash away my sin

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole againNothing but the blood of Jesus

 10 Days of Awe:  Meditating on the Atonement of Jesus Christ

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The ten days between Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are called The Days of Awe.  During those ten days, religious Jews spend time in repentance believing that if they confess all their sins, their names will be written in the Book of Life for another year. 

Because Jesus suffered and died, was buried and rose again, the price of the believer’s atonement has been paid in full.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life for all eternity. Revelation 20:15 (NKJV) 

Our God is an awesome God.  Let’s spend time each day during The Days of Awe, mediating on the atoning work of the Cross.

1, The death of Jesus on the cross allows us to enter into a new covenant relationship with God.  Our covenant in Jesus is greater than the covenant God made with Adam because the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us.   Because of God's new covenant with us, we can come boldly to the throne of grace.  (Hebrews 10: 19-23)

2.  Sin broke the covenant that the Lord had made with Adam and allowed unrighteousness, despair, disease and death to enter in.  When Adam ate the fruit of the tree of worldly wisdom and knowledge, he entered into a covenant with satan. In the Old Testament economy, when two parties entered into a covenant, they exchanged possessions.  Adam ceded his dominion of the earth in that covenant and received all that the enemy had.  Nothing of which was good.  Good things come from God. (James 1:17)

3.  Because God is holy, His holiness prevents Him from coming into covenant with anything unholy.   His holiness within us should prevent us from doing the same thing.  We are not to be unequally yoked. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

This evening is also the weekly sabbath.  In addition, it is also a sabbath Shuva.  This special sabbath occurs on the sabbath during the 10 days of awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  

The Hebrew word Shuva means "returning". It shares a Hebrew root with the word teshuvah, which is typically translated as "repentance". The connection between the two words makes sense, as returning and repentance are closely linked. Teshuvah literally means "return," as if turning back to something that has been strayed from or looked away from. In other words, turning back to where you once were. Have we turned 

away from our first love? If so, is a time for Shuva, for returning.

4.  God is also love.  He created us out of His love.  It is His nature to desire relationship with His creation.  Sin separates us from HIs love.  The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Jesus paid the wage of sin for us.  His atoning death allows us to enter into God's covenant.  When we accept His atonement, nothing in creation can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:38-39)

5.Jesus received our guilt and sin upon Himself. (Isaiah 53:4-6) It was our sin that sent Jesus to the Cross. When I think about this, I am overcome with His love, not only as a part of mankind, but for me as an individual.

6.  Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.  In the covenant God made in Christ, His life is given in the place of our death and eternal separation from God; His righteousness is given in exchange for our sin. (John 3:16) (John 14:6)

7.  Jesus' blood had to be shed because our eternal life is in the sacrifice of His blood.. (Leviticus 17:11)  His blood sacrifice sanctifies our lives.

8.  We must understand fully what we have received in our salvation.  Not only have we been saved from the wages of sin, but we also have received the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), healing both physically and emotionally (Isaiah 53:4-6), and a plan and purpose for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

9.  Jesus' resurrection is the most significant event in history.  Jesus' resurrection signifies Father God's acceptance of His sacrifice.  He is the first fruits of those who are raised from the dead.  (1 Corinthians 15:20)  Because He lives, we, too, shall live. (John 14:19)

10.  Jesus is coming again to receive us unto Himself.  He is the Bridegroom eagerly awaiting the time when He will receive His bride.  

Let’s Celebrate the Lord’s Appointed Times

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

(Yom Teruah / Feast of Trumpets): Sunset, September 11 – Nightfall, September 13, 2026

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): Sunset, September 20 – Nightfall, September 21, 2026

Sukkot (Feast of Booths / Tabernacles): Sunset, September 25 – Nightfall, October 2, 2026

Hoshana Rabba: Sunset, October 1 – Nightfall, October 2, 2026Shemini Atzeret: Sunset, October 2 – Nightfall, October 3, 2026

Simchat Torah: Sunset, October 3 – Nightfall, October 4, 2026 (Celebrated on Oct 2–3 in Israel)

Rosh Hashanah–Feast of Trumpets

Leviticus 23:23-24 "Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation."

Psalm 81:1-3 (NKJV) “Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.”

The Jewish name for this holy convocation is Rosh Hashanah which is usually translated "the beginning or head of the year." Actually the Hebrew word “shana” means to change. Rosh Hashanah implies that something in the spiritual is changing. It is the beginning of a new season in our walk with the Lord. God works in seasons. “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

Ten days after Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Five days later, Sukkoth, the Feast of Tabernacles begins.

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of Adam and Eve and the fall into sin. It is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and mankind. It is a time of new beginnings.

Rosh Hashanah is observed with the sounding of the trumpet. The traditional trumpet is the shofar, the ram’s horn, which also represents the trumpet blast of the coronation of the king. The sounding of the shofar is a call to repentance because Rosh Hashanah is also a reminder of man’s first sin and repentance for that sin. As Christians, we should also be reminded of God’s provision for our sin. Rosh Hashanah begins the "Days of Awe" which end with Yom Kippur.

The shofar also commemorates the sacrifice of Isaac which occurred on the day that God later established as Rosh Hashanah. The sounding of the shofar reminds us that a ram took Isaac’s place as an offering to God. Abraham named the place, "Jehovah-Jirah", God is our provision. Abraham understood that in ages to come God would provide the means of our salvation, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because Rosh Hashanah is the Feast of Trumpets, we should remember the importance of trumpets in our relationship with God. In Exodus 19, people were to wait for the sounding of trumpet before going near Mt. Sinai where God spoke to Moses. (Exodus 19:3b) "When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain." (Exodus 20:18) "Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off." God was beginning a new season as He molded a band of ex-slaves into a mighty army.

It was with the shouting of the people and the sound of the trumpets that God brought down the walls of Jericho and gave the Israelites their first victory in the Promised Land. The defeat of Jericho was a new beginning for the people of God.

The Lord will again bring a new thing with the sound of the trumpet when Jesus returns. (Matthew 24:29-31) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

(1 Corinthians 15:52) "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Remember the Feasts of Trumpets by sounding the trumpet, blowing a horn, ringing a bell. With joy in our hearts, we remember the trumpet soundings of the past and look forward to the sounding of the trumpet when Jesus returns.

Rosh Hashanah is a time for speaking blessings for the season to come. A simple blessing is "Shana Tovah", which literally means "Happy Change” or “Happy New Season " in Hebrew.

Celebrating the Feast Days is not required, but a powerful blessing can come to us when we more fully understand what has been accomplished in our lives and in the Kingdom of Heaven because of the atoning, redemptive ministry of Jesus, our Messiah. Whether our celebration is elaborate or simple, our remembrance should include thanksgiving, worship and joy. God is giving a party and He has invited us.

Shana Tovah! Shana Tovah! Because of Jesus, our new season is blessed. Because of Jesus, we are changed; we are renewed. Let us walk into this new season changed, renewed and recharged for the Kingdom of God.

Baruch HaShem Hamacsiach Yeshua;

Baruch HaShem Adonai.

Blessing in the name of Messiah Jesus.

Blessing in the name of the Lord.

Shared post

The Esau Syndrome.

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Google defines syndrome as a group of medical signs and symptoms that happen together. They point to a specific condition, problem, or mental state, even if the exact root cause is still unknown. Keeping in mind, let’s examine the life and struggles of Esau.

Most of us know the story of the struggles Esau endured. Genesis 25 warns of the coming conflict in his life. Genesis 25:21 “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. Genesis 25:22-23: “The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord

The Lord said to her,“Two nations are in your womb,and two peoples from within you will be separated;one people will be stronger than the other,and the older will serve the younger.”

Esau was the older who would serve the younger. This is not an issue that God created. It is an issue that God foretold. God knew the nature that Esau would choose. Jacob was a usurper by nature and the nature of Esau gave room for Jacob’s nature to develop. Both parents enabled the personalities of their sons by playing favorites. Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. The essence is that this family of four each chose to do things their own way instead of choosing God’s way.

The storm escalated. First, because he was hungry from hunting, Esau sold his birthright as first born to Jacob for a pot of lentil soup. Genesis 25: 34 “Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.So Esau despised his birthright.”

Esau’s further rebellion was expressed in his marriages. Genesis 26:34-35 “ When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.”

Years later, with the help of his mother, Jacob tricked his father into giving him a blessing meant for Esau. Jacob already had the birthright, but he wanted the blessing as well. Even though he had despised his birthright, Esau wanted the blessing. Perhaps he thought that through the blessing, the birthright would return to him.

When Esau cried out for a blessing, Isaac gave him the truth. Genesis 27:38-40 “His father Isaac answered him, “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.”

Although both brothers were involved in the improprieties, Jacob repented and Esau did not. Both became rich, powerful and influential. Jacob became an ancestor of our Lord. Esau and his descendants, the Edomities, eventually were absorbed as a recognizable group and vanished from the pages of history.

One distinctive descendant of Esau was Herod who was appointed king during the Roman occupation of Israel. He was the appointed king when Jesus was born. He was appointed, but not anointed. He sought to remain king of the Jews by killing the rightful king. Hence, the massacre of the infants. That horrific incident was set in motion 2000 years earlier when Esau despised his birthright.

Our actions and decisions can set in motion blessings or cursings. Repentance and forgiveness allow us to step out of the Esau syndrome and into the glorious truth and blessing of a life following the Lord.