The year of Jubilee: (Read Leviticus 25:8-13)

Introduction:

Jubilee was the year of redemption and restoration when those who were poor or in bondage were set free, and restored to their rightful inheritance.

Isaiah had Jubilee in view when he pinned the following prophecy of Christ:

Is. 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Jubilee Definition= A joyful shout or great sounding of trumpets

1. The meaning of the Jubilee celebration to Israel:

1. Jubilee was a year long event that took place every 50 years; 7 x 7 years- completion of years (v.8)

2. It began upon the day of atonement- Christ's Atonement is the basis for the occasion (v.9)

3. Its commencement was proclaimed by a great blast of trumpets throughout the land (v.9)

4. Jubilee was a time of great celebration for Israel

5. It was a time of cessation of all field labor (v.11)

6. It was a time of rest and rejuvenation for the land (Sabbath year of Sabbath years)

7. It was an especially holy time (v.12)

8. During the year of Jubilee the fruits of the land were common property (v.12)

9. Jubilee was a time of liberty when all Hebrew servants were released (v.10,40-41)

10. During Jubilee all inheritances were to be restored (v.10,13,28)

11. At Jubilee all debts were to be forgiven (v.28) I could use a Jubilee right now!

12. Jubilee was a time to be marked by good will towards men, and the fear of God (v.17-18)

2. The year of Jubilee is a type of Christ's first advent:

Like Jubilee:

1. The year of Jubilee came every seven times seven years, signifying the completeness or the fullness of time; Jesus came in the fulness of time:

Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

2. Jubilee began on the day of atonement; Christ came to fulfill the day of atonement.

3. Jubilee commenced with the blast of trumpets; Jesus' first advent commenced with the heavenly chorus Luke 2:13-14

4. Jubilee was a time of great celebration for Israel, the first advent of Christ marked the great spiritual celebration of a world of believers; from those who awaited His birth, to every soul saved by His marvelous grace.

5. Jubilee was a time to cease from labors; through Christ's first advent men spiritually rest from their labors.

6. Jubilee was a time for the rejuvenation of the land; the first advent of Christ was the time when the mountains were to be brought low and the valleys were to be raised up- when John preached repentance and faith in Christ; and when Jesus preached the "acceptable year of the Lord", of which Jubilee was a type. It was the time of spiritual rejuvenation of the land; a time when Israel was a spiritual wasteland.

7. Jubilee was to be an especially holy time; the first advent of Christ was the most holy and solemn time this world has ever known.

8. During the year of Jubilee the fruits of the land were common property; through the first advent of Christ; the Gospel of grace and the graces of the Gospel, and the fruit of the Spirit in regeneration are common to all believers. We all have access to the best spiritual bounty that God has to give.

9. Jubilee was the time when all Jewish servants were set free; Christ's first advent was the time when all the promised seed of Abraham were set free indeed.

10. During Jubilee all inheritances were restored; by Christ's first advent the heavenly inheritance of all of God's people was declared and assured!!! "Incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Pet. 1:4

11. At Jubilee all debts were forgiven; through Christ's first advent all the sin debts of all of God's people are forgiven forever!!!

12. Jubilee was to be a time of good will towards men and the fear of God; Christ's first advent was the time when mercy and truth kissed each other.

Conclusion:

1. Jubilee was symbolic of the end of times- Christ's second advent will be the fulfillment.

2. Jubilee began on the day of atonement- Christ's Atonement is the basis for this great Jubilee.

3. Jubilee commenced with the great blast of trumpets throughout the land, Christ's coming will be announced by the last trump of God.

4. Jubilee was a time of great celebration for Israel; Christ's second coming will be the time of great rejoicing for all the saved of every generation.

5. Jubilee was a time of rest from labor; Christ's return will bring rest like this earth has never known since the fall.

6. Jubilee was a time of rest and rejuvenation for the land; Christ's second coming will with it bring complete restoration of the land, like the garden of Eden.

7. Jubilee was an especially holy time for Israel; Christ's second coming will be perfect holiness forevermore.

8. The fruits of the land were common during Jubilee; Christ's second advent will bring the super-abundance of fruit for all the redeemed, from the trees growing along the river of life, flowing from out of God's throne.

9. Jubilee was a time of liberty when all Hebrew servants were set free; at Christ's second advent all the saints of God will be set free both physically and spiritually.

10. During Jubilee all inheritances were to be restored; at Christ's second advent all the saints of God will receive their inheritance from the Lord.

11. At Jubilee all debts were to be forgiven; at Christ's second advent all debts will be forgiven to God's people; whether to creditors of this world, or to God Himself.

12. Jubilee was a time to be marked by good will towards men, and the fear of God; Christ's second advent will be the time when God's perfect will towards man is fulfilled and man in turn will fear God with a perfect fear.

(Sermon preached by Pastor Burke at the Faith Baptist Church of Lawtey, Florida)