The feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is one of the three holy days wherein all males were commanded to assemble. “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty” (Deut.16:16).
There are two apparent features to this celebration:
- A remembrance of the sojourn in the wilderness before coming into the promised land.
- A celebration of the year’s final harvest.
Jesus’ brothers wanted Him to go up to this feast to show Himself openly. ( I take this to mean they wanted Him to show off His power.) He responded; “. . . My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.” (John 7:6-8)
From the days of Jesus to the end of time, His power has been forwarded for the sake mankind’s repentance. It is not a time for using His power to vanquish wicked men. “My time is not yet full come.” However, His time will transpire for the full display of power. He will come “ . . in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel. .” (II Thes.1:8) This will be among other things.
It won’t be a matter of some political overhaul. There will be no movement among mankind facilitate the Lord’s coming. People will have no determination in this other than to repent before it is too late.
The ultimate fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles will be after the final harvest, the end of this material creation and the judgment of all. It will occur after the Lord’s kingdom will be delivered to God. In the new heavens and new earth there will be a feast of commemorating the great sojourn of souls through the wilderness of earth and time. There will be great rejoicing in the fruits of that final harvest.