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Feast Days
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An ardent student of scriptural study should find out in a short period of time that there are many facts found in the Bible which are totally new and different from secular knowledge. In the pursuits that follow, enjoyment is felt when one learns of the truth that is proclaimed in Yahweh’s Word. These pursuits very likely have led many to the Sacred Names of Yahweh and Yahshua, the correct day that is to be used as the weekly Sabbath, the solemnness of Passover and the prophetic meaning of each of Yahweh’s seven annual feasts. The last four High Days found in the seventh scriptural month of Tishri have yet to be fulfilled. These include the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. All of Yahweh’s seven Annual Holy Days are commanded to be observed (the First and Last Days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, the First Day of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day), Lev. 23:4 - 36. By observing all of Yahweh’s Annual Holy Days, one gains a personal inner satisfaction that can not be found anywhere else. |
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Wrong Days Most of society observes Lent, Easter, Christmas, and other holidays not found in the Bible. What many may not know is that there are specific days the Bible commands man to keep (thus being commanded by Yahweh), days that are very important for anyone who desires True Worship. These same people may not realize the significance of these scriptural holy days. For thousands of years Christianity has been leaving a permanent mark on our world by the days it commemorates. Annually, we witness millions of sincere people observing Lent, Easter sunrise rituals, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other popular celebrations about which the Bible does not speak, much less command to be observed. Most assume that these days are holy or sanctioned in the Bible because they have celebrated for decades in church, even centuries. In reality, they are not. They stem from man’s desire to do their own thing, what they believe is correct. During the time of the judges in the Old Testament this was very true. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes, Judg 17:6. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes, Judg 21:25. Even though these two scriptures appear the same they were for different periods of time. The Israelites of old were commanded not to do things which seemed right in their own eyes. These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which Yahweh Elohim of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their idols, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their idols, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto Yahweh your Elohim. But unto the place which Yahweh your Elohim shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: And there ye shall eat before Yahweh your Elohim, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein Yahweh thy Elohim hath blessed thee. Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes, Deut 12:1-8 They were, as we are, to do those things which are right in the eyes of Yahweh. When thou shalt hearken to the voice of Yahweh thy Elohim, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of Yahweh thy Elohim, Deut 13:18. |
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Heathen Origins Then, there are holidays with more obviously heathen origins. Most grade schools indulge in Valentines Day, May Day, and Halloween, teaching profane rituals to impressionable young minds. Many churches have now added these secular days to their calendars and have special activities in celebration of these days. Millions of churchgoers assume that they are being led down the road to salvation when they observe these days. Occasionally, a few who seek to learn the truth for themselves look beyond the nominal teachings of their church, and study and search their own Bibles. As a result, they find out that they were taught falsehoods and are surprised by the truths they learn. Those in churchianity, who are supposedly teaching the righteousness and holiness of Yahweh today, have ignored Yahweh’s clear, unmistakable commandments. Instead, they teach smooth things to tickle the ears of their audience. By doing so they make virtually no distinction between what is proper and holy, and what is profane. All too often they teach what the people wish to hear so that the applecart is not upset. Most don’t care to hear about obedience, but they wholeheartedly agree that if their neighbor would keep the Ten Commandments that this would be a far better world! They admit that the Ten Commandments are important and should be observed by good Christians today. But, when reminded of the commandments concerning the Sabbath and His Name, they argue that the Sabbath is Jewish and the Name is for the Hebrews. That’s not what Scripture says. All scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of Yahweh may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tim 3:16-17. Man can not, and best not, brush off what Yahweh says in the Scriptures in order to make his life seem easier to live. |
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Keep the Annual Feasts The seven annual feasts were not intended only for ancient Israel and, contrary to what many think, they are not exclusively “Jewish.” These seven annual observances are “Feasts of Yahweh.” Yahweh said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of Yahweh, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies’,” Lev 23:1-2 NIV. In the remainder of Lev 23, Yahweh proclaims that these feasts are to be observed as a statute “forever.” For example: And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your Elohim: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings, Lev 23:14 (Feast of Unleavened Bread). And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations, Lev 23:21 (Pentecost). Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings, Lev 23:31 (Day of Atonement). And ye shall keep it a feast unto Yahweh seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month, Lev 23:41 (Feast of Tabernacles). In this list of holy days, the weekly Sabbath, the Feast of Trumpets and the Last Great Day are also included. We have yet to come to the end of “forever!” |
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Sabbath Keeping is Forever Unless our worship is in harmony with His Word, the Holy Scriptures, what we do in accordance with man’s thinking is an exercise in futility. In Mark 7:7 we are given a warning about those who teach for doctrines the commandments of men. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. The phrase “in vain” is the translation of the Greek maten, meaning that it serves no purpose. Paul tells us in Titus 1:14 not to give heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men which can turn one from the truth. Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Yahweh says His Sabbaths (plural, meaning annual as well as weekly) are a sign between Him and His people so that they can know Him as the One Who sanctified Israel (set them apart for a special purpose). This sign of the Sabbath is “forever,” Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Yahweh that doth sanctify you, Ex 31:13. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant, It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed, Ex 31:16-17. Yahweh sanctifies His people today just as He did ancient Israel. In fact, New Testament believers are called “Israel of Yahweh” Galatians 6:16. Israel’s example of obedience and disobedience to His laws is for us to learn from, as we have seen. The same ancient sign of the Sabbaths applies to obedient believers today, who are spiritual Israel. Paul wrote, Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of Elohim, and the promises, Romans 9:4. |
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Yahweh Remains the Same Yahweh says He does not change, For I am Yahweh, I change not, Malachi 3:6. He is calling an obedient people today just as He did anciently. Yahweh’s weekly and annual “refresher courses” have been in existence long before our modern civilization. Yahweh knows man has a tendency to forget his purpose here on earth, and all too often gets deeply absorbed in the things of the world. Man soon loses sight of why he was born, and neglects why he should be preparing. Concerns of the world eventually consume all human attention when pulled by the many enticing temptations of entertainment, prestige, popularity, materialism, and sinful pleasures. These proper days are signs He gives us to help us realize that what He did for His people in the past will be done in a similar way for His people in the future. Then we will know Yahweh Who sanctifies His people - sets them apart for a holy purpose. We will come to a full realization that we are chosen, as was ancient Israel, to take hold of a special promise as they were; to have the chance to become grafted into the covenant by the death of Yahshua the Messiah at Passover. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree, Romans 11:17. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, Ephesians 2:14. It must be emphasized, His Sabbath and Feasts are to help us know Who Yahweh is by understanding what He has already done and will yet do. We draw closer to Him by obediently observing the same weekly and annual Sabbaths His beloved Son, Yahshua, observed, along with the patriarchs down through the ages. Only by knowing Him and doing what He commands will we be chosen for His Kingdom. |
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Feasts are Perpetual Leviticus 23 verses 14, 21, 31, and 41 say Yahweh’s Feasts are a “statute forever throughout your generations.” Out of all the words translated forever only two carry the Hebrew meaning of forever. In these verses the Hebrew “owlam”(No. 5769 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance) means to the vanishing point, to time out of mind. “Alam”(No.5957), which corresponds to owlam, means the future and past indefinitely. What does this mean? Simply that the Feasts are not optional. They are perpetual, and a definite and obligatory way of life! The world in general snubs Yahweh’s Holy Days. It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the [assembly], intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover, Acts 12:1-4 NIV. Notice that it was the time of Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread that Herod killed James and arrested Peter. About a dozen years prior to this Yahshua was put to death during this holy time of year. Even today we have witnessed that the nation of Israel has been attacked on Yahweh’s Holy Days. Satan truly hates these Holy Days. And why shouldn’t he? Yahweh says they are a special sign between Himself and His people FOREVER, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Yahweh that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to Yahweh: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed, Ex 31:13 - 17. Very few in our society keep the weekly Sabbath, and even fewer observe the annual Sabbaths. Why, then, do we teach that both the weekly and annual Sabbaths must be kept by the people of Yahweh? Yahweh’s Feast Days were given to ancient Israel, but Scripture proves that special days were kept even back in Gen. 4:3 – 7: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Yahweh. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Yahweh had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And Yahweh said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Abel brought the Passover offering to Yahweh, but Cain brought the Tabernacles' offering. The Hebrew “process of time it came to pass” means “at the end of days,” and carries the sense of time suddenly coming to a halt as something very important was about to occur. It was a special time of introspection. The Companion Bible notes that the time and place were evidently appointed. Thus, the Feasts were observed after Adam was driven from the Garden as the way in which man could return to Yahweh. The Feasts will be strictly kept again when Yahshua returns and sets up the Kingdom. And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith Yahweh. For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Yahweh, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh, Isa 66:21-23. Why should they be set aside now? Obviously, they shouldn’t and they were not intended to be! The blessings and deeper faith we gain by keeping the Feasts extends beyond today. In the Kingdom we can share, as priests and firstfruits, our experiences with Moses and the Israelites; with Paul and the other Apostles; with Yahshua Himself; and with those we will have the responsibility to teach. Time thus spent now is truly a fellowship for all time. What other activity carries such significant fellowship with Yahweh and His people throughout all ages? The question on a sincere believer’s mind, a person who desires above all else to be in that first resurrection, is not “Shall I go to the Feast?” The question is “Where will the Feast be held?” Yahweh’s command is there: “Three times in a year you SHALL appear before Me.” We are thus commanded to appear before Yahweh three times every year – during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and during the Feast of Tabernacles. When we remain faithful to what Yahweh tells us, He promises blessings. And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Yahweh thy Elohim, Deut 28:2. In verses 3 – 14 of Deut 28, the blessings are listed for those who obey Yahweh’s word. Read them. The remaining verses of Deut 28 (verses 15-68) speak of the curses upon those who choose not to obey Yahweh. Make the right choice – choose to obey Yahweh. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love Yahweh thy Elohim, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which Yahweh sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them, Deut 30:19-31. |
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-Elder Roger G. Meyer |
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