At the end of Sukkot (Tabernacles), we mark one last holiday called Shemini Atzeret, a somewhat less well-know and obscure holiday. Understanding this holiday will also give us a better understanding of the symbolic meaning of the tabernacle we are commanded to dwell in during the holiday of Sukkot:
“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days…on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the Lord. It is the closing special assembly; do no regular work.” (Leviticus 23:34, 36)
According to rabbinical tradition, Shemini Atzeret marks the conclusion of weekly Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle, starting with Genesis. It seems to be tacked onto the end of Sukkot without much explanation, but rabbis say it is a separate holy day in its own right and call it “the closing festival”.
Biblical Holidays: A Shadow of Things to Come
Considering that Paul says that the holidays are a shadow of things to come (Colossians 2:17), what is the meaning of this mysterious holiday which only gets a brief mention in Leviticus ?All of God’s holidays point to His ultimate plan for redemption. The spring holidays of Passover and Weeks (Pentecost) foreshadowed the first coming of Messiah. In the same way, the fall holidays of Rosh HaShanah (Day of Trumpeting), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Tabernacles) foreshadow the culmination of the great tribulation, the rapture, the defeat of the Antichrist and his armies, Yeshuah’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His coronation as king (which we believe will coincide with the holiday of Sukkot). Additionally, Sukkot foreshadows the Millennial reign (thousand-year reign) of Messiah described in Revelation 20 and Isaiah 11 when He will literally dwell, or tabernacle, with us here on earth.
A Thousand Years Like a Day
If we consider that 2 Peter 3 reminds us that a thousand years with the Lord is like a day, and currently on the Hebrew calendar we are towards the end of the 6th day (5,780), we anticipate Messiah’s Millennial reign on the 7th day—or the 7th century on the Hebrew calendar. So, perhaps the Eighth Day Convocation can tell us what will happen on the eighth day (8th century) of the Hebrew calendar which will coincide with the culmination of Yeshua’s Millennial reign. (Note: the Hebrew calendar is not an exact science and may be off by even by several hundred years, meaning that we may have hundreds of years before we reach the culmination of the end of the age or it could be right around the corner)
What Happens After the 7th Day? Hint: Genesis 1
Revelation 20 describes the Millennial reign of Messiah on earth which culminates in a rebellion led by Satan, which God will destroy, followed by the great white throne judgement when God will judge the living and the dead. Seems like the end of the story, right? Actually, it’s just the beginning: Revelation 21 describes something extraordinary that’s difficult to grasp: the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. So, it seems that Shemini Atzeret, the special Eighth day Convocation after Sukkot—which symbolizes the Millennial reign—foreshadows God’s creation of the New Heaven and the New Earth (interestingly, the symbol for eternity looks a lot like the number 8). So, just as Jews around the world begin reading Genesis 1:1 on Shemini Atzeret, the holiday itself foreshadows the new Genesis of creation after the Millennium when God the Father Himself will dwell with people:
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)
This revelation also gives us a deeper understanding of the commandment to dwell in temporary structures during this holiday: God is telling us that this current creation, this dwelling, is temporary, and a greater, unimaginably perfect creation is coming when God the Father will literally dwell with men on earth!
Stephen Donald Bertsch says:
i believe G-D goes by the Hebrew Calendar which is based on the moon. In the bible the moon represents Israel and the sun the gentile nations. today is 27 Adar 5780. if that is so, the rapture takes place 5993. the tribulation then begins. in the year 5996.5 the Antichrist breaks the peace treaty with Israel, puts and end to the Jews sacrificing animals in the rebuilt temple, and he goes into the temple and commits blasphemy by saying a lie. he says I am G-D. the abomination of desolation happens. Israel flees into the wilderness and is supernaturally protected for the beast false prophet and Satan or the dragon this is the unholy trinity we have the beast or Antichrist who is human who takes the place of Yeshua but is an imposter we have the false prophet who is a human who takes the place of the Holy Spirit and is also an imposter and we have the dragon or Satan who is fallen Lucifer or an angel of evil or a fallen angel or unholy angel and the father of lies who has no truth in him who takes the place of God the Father but is an imposter. then after 3.5 years in the year 6000 we have the Day of the Lord of the Second Coming of Yeshua where His feet stand on the Mount of Olives to the same spot where He ascended into Heaven when His body was glorified and He was seated at the right hand of the Father. See Zechariah and the book of and Luke 50 Acts 1:9-11 then Yeshua will go through the East Gate of the Temple and sit on His throne and will rein for 1000 years and in the year 7000 Yeshua will recreate the Heavens and the earth and the New Jerusalem will come down to the New Earth, and the blood washed saints that followed the Lamb of God will be there for all eternity, and Satan and the demons and all mankind who rejected the Messiah will be in the Lake of Fire forever and Hell and Death will be in the Lake of Fire forever! And in the new creation we will work and serve the Messiah. And the Messiah will be in submission to the Father.
P.Rhoades says:
I enjoy what you said about the 8th Day Convocation! And: Tamar Afriat! The Shemini Atzeret. You are correct on Genesis 1:1 as Tamar, Revelation 21, Rev.22, To Feast Of Tabernacles! But : There also another ,(Mystery about Seal Of God In The Foreheads, Rev.7:3-8, 9-14, Rev.14:1, Father’s & Yeshua Names!). There People Now With The Seal Of God Visible In There Foreheads, and It’s (Supernaturally engraved by God, For: I have seen it on these people and soon The world will get to see them or even to meet them !
ray walter says:
Hi steve
I’m no fan of Elon Musk – But he made this comment recently – ” Every day I wake up, and hope that I am less wrong today as I was yestersay. ”
Advice for us – NEVER THINK YOU HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT
Roby says:
Ezekiel 12:26-28 Furthermore, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 27“Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord GOD