As the sun set on the evening of Monday October 6, 2025 across the globe, the biblical Feast of Tabernacles began.
This year our Bishop Primus Vijay Raju, General Secretary Robert Gosselin, Archdiocese of North America Archbishop Vince McLaughlin were welcomed to the Erev Sukkot service at the Olive Tree Messianic Fellowship as together they gathered for the final of the great feasts of the Lord.
The shofar blew, Rabbi Robert Ritchey called the congregation to worship by announcing in Hebrew “Chag Sameach!” and wishing everyone a joyous feast of Tabernacles.
Then the worship team broke out in Psalm 133 – singing first in Hebrew and then English – How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
WHY CELEBRATE TABERNACLES ?
After you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the LORD for seven days … On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. Leviticus 23:39-40
Tabernacles is a celebration of provision and presence provision. During this last of the annual feats, the nation of Israel would gather the final crop of the year and celebrate God’s harvest, rejoicing in His feeding and watering that provided for the last “ingathering” crops. Prophetically it points to the final gathering of Christ’s people at the end of the age.
But it is also a feast celebrating God’s great presence. In the Old Testament God had chosen to tabernacle among His people, dwelling in their midst in a tent of made from animal skins. The light of His glory shone brightly. Now He still chooses to dwell in tabernacles of skin – but WE are those tabernacles! We are filled with His Spirit and reflect His glory.
WHY CELEBRATE AT A MESSIANIC SYNAGOGUE ?
We were invited to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles at the Olive Tree Messianic Fellowship because Rabbi Robert and some of his congregation joined us at our 2025 Synod in February. They felt welcomed, and began a relationship determined to express the oneness we share in Christ. That relationship was reaffirmed from the opening song through the entire service. Friendship and fellowship flourished.
Why celebrate with them? Because we are one family in Christ. And during important holidays, families come together to celebrate !
The Bishop Primus preached on each of us being a tabernacle of the Lord’s Presence. He closed his message with this powerful prayer:
“Bring the healing to the nations and hope to every heart. Make us true tabernacle of your presence. Carrier of Your light in dark places, messengers of a kingdom in a broken world. Lord, bless your people. Bless the nations that call upon your name. Let Jews and Gentiles together proclaim, “Bless he who comes in the name of the Lord. May this Sukkot be not only a feast of remembrance but a prophecy of Your coming kingdom when You will dwell among all people and every knee will bow before you, o King of Glory. Help us to walk in Your presence daily.”
