Eternal Purim

All the appointed times (holidays) are destined to be cancelled (in the end of days), except for the days of Purim, as the verse [Esther 9:28] states: "…that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed."    

                                                      Midrash Proverbs 9:2

         Purim is unique among the holidays which the People of Israel celebrate, in that it commemorates a hidden miracle. All of the events of the story of Purim, thwarting Haman's plans and the salvation of the Jews, can be seen as "natural" events. In contrast, all other holidays mark overt miracles. Thus, we can understand the Midrash's declaration to mean that in the end of days, when there will be no need for overt miracles, the holidays which commemorate overt miracles in Israel's history will no longer be relevant. However, Purim, which constitutes recognition of the great truth that "nature" indeed is directed by God, that the natural is miraculous, will not be cancelled, for all Mankind will achieve this realization.

Perhaps this is the message of Isaiah's prophecy [11:9] "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea." The defining characteristic of the end of days is direct and personal knowledge of God, with no need for overt miracles.