Feast Days in Modern Times
Are you an observer of the Holy Feast Days? Are we still under the Feast Day Laws today? Can we be under the Feast Day Laws as well as accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the true Sacrificial Lamb at the same time? According to the Holy Scriptures you cannot be partakers of the Feast Days ordinances, the ordinance of the law, and still accept the atonement of the blood of Jesus Christ. You will see the sacrificing of animals, going through a high priest, and having to go to Jerusalem three times a year for the feast days has come to an end.
Observing the Feasts Days has become quite a controversy among Christians in today’s society. There is no record of the Church of God 7th Day ever keeping the Feast Days. All those that profess to keep the Feasts today of any church or denomination you wish to name have started to observe them in this century, and most of them in the last 50 years. The World-Wide Church of God was the first Church that started the act of observing the annual feasts, and other churches and organizations followed them, but it has no part in the plan of Salvation.
The feast days are a question that seems to make some people wonder and become confused concerning God’s plan for eternal life. It is my intention to prove without a doubt, that we as Christians are not required to observe the Holy Days, that was part of the Old Covenant, and they would become obsolete if and when that covenant was abolished.
There were three feasts during the year that had to be kept at Jerusalem by all males, Exodus 34:23. “Three times a year then, every male among you shall appear before the Lord, your God, in a place which He chooses,” (Deuteronomy 16:16). Where? At Jerusalem, men that live in other countries had to travel to Jerusalem to keep those feast days.
There were three feasts that were required to be kept at Jerusalem by all males and they were: the Passover and Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Hence, these feasts came into existence with the Levitical Priesthood and ended with the Priesthood, He, (Christ), canceled the bond that stood against us with all its claims, snatching it up and nailing it to the cross, (Colossians 2:14). They mark three extended periods in Israel's past history.
First, at Passover in the spring, in the month of Abib, (April), the first green ears of barley were cut, and was a favorite food, prepared as parched corn, but first of all a handful of green ears of corn were presented to the Lord, The First Fruits of Harvest plus an animal sacrifice for a sin offering. According to Exodus 12:12-14 the Passover came into existence as well as the Feast of the Unleavened Bread
The Passover commemorated the deliverance out of Egypt when the death angel passed over Israel, protecting them from the destroying angel and so achieving for them the first step of independent national life as God’s covenant people. The Passover was the first in pointing or time of the entire annual feast, and historically and religiously it was the most important of all. It was called both the Feast of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the two really forming a double festival. It was celebrated on the first month of the religious New Year, on the 14th day of Nisan, (April), and commemorated the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt and the establishment of Israel as a nation by God’s redemptive act.
The Passover was the time when the Israelites were to put the blood of the lamb on the post of their home so the death angel would not destroy the first born of each family. The blood of the Lamb, simulate the blood of Jesus Christ that shed his blood for us who believes. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a memorial of Israel being forced to leave quickly and was told to make the Unleavened Bread due to the haste. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread was kept along with the Passover celebration in the month of Abib, (Nisan), the first month of the New Year, on the fourteenth day at even, (Exodus 12:18). The feasts were carnal ordinances, which pointed to spiritual fulfillment in Christ. It was the first point or time of the entire annual feast, and historically and religiously it was the most important of all.
All Feasts were carnal ordinances, which pointed to Spiritual fulfillments in Christ. The Passover and the Unleavened Bread feast were carnal ordinances, which pointed to Christ, for the Passover Lamb, a type of Christ. Lord Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb sacrificed for us, whose sacrifice brings to us a perpetual feast, (1 Corinthians 5:7). These ordinances were known as the pilgrimage festival; and on all of them special sacrifices were offered, varying according to the character of the festival, (Numbers 29:28),” (The Zondervan Bible Dictionary).
The Passover ended at the death of Christ--carnal not spiritual. The institution by the Lord in connection with the Passover is recorded in Matthew 26:10-30; Mark 14:16-26; and Luke 22:13-20. Christ was sacrificed once for all for our redemption, never to be offered again. We now keep the Lord Supper, not the Passover, Christ is now our Passover, and we take the Lord Supper after the sun sets on the 14th day of Nisan. The Lord’s Supper came into existence the day Christ died. It is now a memorial of His death that we celebrate only once a year.
Second, Fifty days, (as Pentecost means), the new ripe wheat, before being cut, was sanctified by its first fruits, namely two loves of fine flour, being offered to Jehovah. This festival was also called “Feast of Weeks, (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10), the Feast of Harvest,” (Exodus 23:16), and the Feast of First Fruits, (Numbers 28:26) and it was celebrated on the 50th Day after Passover. The Feast lasted only one day, (Deuteronomy 16:9-12), and marked the completion of the wheat harvest. It was the anniversary of the giving of the Law of Moses on Mt. Sinai, (Exodus 20:1-17) fifty days after they left Egypt. In addition to these offerings, the people were enjoined to give the Lord an offering of their first fruits of their produce besides the animal’s sacrifices for their sin offering. “And none shall appear before Me empty, (Exodus 23:15).” Offerings are required on the first and last Holy Days, (Deuteronomy 16:16).
This was the day that Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. “Then after I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions. Even upon the servants and the handmaids, in those days, I will pour out my Spirit” (Joel 2:28-29).
That day came about on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus told His Disciples to gather into one place, in Jerusalem, and wait for the Spirit to come upon them. Suddenly from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong driving wind, which was heard all through the house where they gathered. All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They all began to express themselves in foreign language. And that was the day the Disciples were baptized by the Holy Spirit that was spoken by Joel. That is when the Carnal Feast met its Spiritual Fulfillment when the Holy Spirit was poured on His followers that day described in Acts 2.
The third Holy Days consisted of two, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. First, “And the Eternal spoke unto Moses, say on the tenth day of the seventh month there shall be a Day of Atonement: it shall be holy convocation onto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, (fast) (Leviticus 23:7), and make an offering.” Atonement is a “Sabbath of Sabbaths” because on it no work of any kind may be done, (Leviticus16:29; Numbers 29:7). On the other Holy Days, “no servile work” other than each individual preparing “that which every man must eat,” (Exodus 12:4) may be done. It is a spiritual feast however.
“This day was observed on the 10th day of Tishri the seventh month, (October). It was really less a feast than a fast, as the distinctive character and purpose of the day was to bring the collective sin of the whole year to remembrance, so that it might earnestly be dealt with and atoned for. On this day the high priest made confession of all the sins of the community, and enter on their behalf into the most Holy Place with blood of reconciliation. It was a solemn occasion, when God’s people through godly sorrow and atonement for sin entered into the rest of God’s mercy and favor, so that as partakers of His forgiveness they might rejoice before Him and carry out His Commandments,” (The Zondervan Bible Dictionary). But now we no longer go through a Levitical High Priest but to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, (Hebrews 4:14-15).
Now the important one, the Feast of Tabernacles, in the end of the common year and in the seventh month of Tishri, (October), on the fifteenth day of the religious year, was observed five days after the day of Atonement, (Leviticus 23:34; Deeronomy16:13). There was a feast of ingathering when all the fruits of the field had been gathered. Each of the three marks a step in the historical progress of Israel.
“The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. On the first day shall be a Holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein…Beside the Sabbath of the Lord, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offering, which ye give unto the Lord. Also, in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: and on the first day shall be a Sabbath, on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath. And you shall take on the first day the boughs (fruit) of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are “Israelites” born shall dwell in booths. Why? That your generation may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God,” (Leviticus 23:34-43). Remember these feasts came into existence with the Levitical Priesthood and perished with it.
Therefore, the added laws of Moses consisted of laws governing the priesthood. These laws were the rituals, which were made up of various types of sacrifices, newly instituted holydays, and feasts. “If, then, perfection had been achieved through the Levitical Priesthood, (on the basis of which the people received the law), what need would there have been to appoint a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, instead of choosing a priest according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the laws,” (Hebrew 7:11-12).
The former commandment has been annulled because of its weakness and uselessness. For the law brought nothing to perfection. But better hope has supervened and through it we draw near to God. The priest of the old covenant had been confirmed by an oath. The priests of the old covenant became priest without an oath unlike Jesus to whom God said: “The Lord has sworn, and He will not repent: you are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Thus, has Jesus become the guarantee of a better covenant? Under the old covenant there were many priests because they were prevented by death from remaining in office; but Jesus, because He remaining forever has a priesthood which does not pass away” (Hebrews 7:18-24).
Neither the Ten Commandments nor the animal sacrifices came into existence then, but the feast days did. Then the feast days were a definite part of the law. “Wherefore then why serveth the law? It was added because of transgression, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator,” (Galatians 3:19). In verse 24 and 26: Paul says, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster, for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, this added law was to last until Christ came, therefore the feast days were a definite part of the added schoolmaster law.
“There is evidence that animal sacrifices existed before the Exodus. So, the added law existed before Israel left Egypt. Therefore, the added laws of Moses consisted of laws governing the priesthood. These laws were the rituals, which were made up of various types of sacrifices, newly added holy days, and feasts. Aaron the brother of Moses was the first high priest of the Levitical priesthood. If then, perfection had been achieved through the Levitical priesthood (on the basis of which the people received the law), what need would there have been to appoint a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, instead of choosing a priest according to the order of Aaron. When there is a change of priesthood, there is necessarily a change of law. Now, He of whom these things are said was of a different tribe, none of those members ever officiated at the altar. It is clear that our Lord rose from the tribe of Judah, regarding which Moses said nothing about priest. The matter is clear if another priest is appointed according to the likeness of Melchizedek: one who has become a priest, not in virtue of the law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent, but in virtue of the power of life which cannot be destroyed. Scripture testified: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,” (Hebrews 7:11-17). This explains that the seed spoken of is Christ. Therefore, this added law was to last until He came. The feast days were a definite part of the added schoolmaster law. Now you should be able to see that the reason for all the feasts came into existence at the time of the Exodus.
“These three great feasts had a threefold bearing. (1) They marked the three points of time as the fruits of the earth. (2) They marked three periods in Israel’s past history. (3) They point prophetically to three grand events of the gospel kingdom. The Passover commemorated the deliverance out of Egypt, Pentecost marked the given of the law on Mt. Sinai and the Feast of Tabernacles commemorates the establishment of God’s people in the land of the promise, their pleasant and peaceful home, after the 40 years of wondering in the wilderness, living in shifting tents” (Fausset’s Bible Dictionary).
Many people believe that the Feast of Tabernacles will be kept during the reign of Christ, so why shouldn’t all Christians be required today? This is the verse most people quote. They quote, Zechariah 14:16-19 which says “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of hosts and keep the feast of Tabernacles.”
This will happen during the one thousand year reign with Christ; then Christ will be ruling the nations with a “rod of iron" (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27; 19:15) because of their defiance. Not the Saints, but the ones that are living after the Battle of Armageddon, Christ Kingdom will be established, Christ will force them, the defiant nations to come to Jerusalem, because of their disobedience, as a punishment, to teach them His ways, (Exodus 18:20). The Saints will help Jesus Christ rule the world, (Matthew 25:21).
Did our Lord Jesus Christ keep the Feast Days? Yes, because He was born a Jew and He was required to go to Jerusalem with His father to keep the Feast of the Passover, (Luke 2:40-42), and He observed all the Feast Days according to the Levitical Priesthood Laws, until His Crucifixion. That is when the Bible says that Christ became our Passover that was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7-8), so, the Passover Feast pointed to Christ; therefore, it ended with Him, Carnal met Spiritual. That is when the Lord Supper came into existence and the Feast of Passover ended, that is when the old covenant or law and all carnal ordinances were abolished. The apostle Paul stated, “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent His Son, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the law,” (Galatians 4:4-5). Paul goes on to say “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage,” (Galatians 4:9)? “God sent His Son “to pay down a price” for them and thus “buy them off” from the necessity of observing circumcision, offering brute sacrifices, performing differing oblations. That we might receive the adoption of the Son, which adoption we could not obtain by the law, for it is the gospel only that puts us among the children and gives us a place in the heavenly family” (Clark Commentary).
But did Paul keep and teach the observance of all of these festivals? No, Paul teaching of the feast days came into being as result of the old covenant, then naturally they would become obsolete if and when that covenant was abolished and a new covenant entered.
Paul defends His gospel of faith and the Galatians believers are reminded that Paul's gospel of grace through faith has worked. They had seen it with their own eyes, (Galatians 3:1-5). They had received the Holy Spirit even though they had not been practicing the ceremonies and rituals of the Jewish law. “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under the schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:23-26).
But did Paul keep these festivals? Remember, they were to go to Jerusalem three times a year. “Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which Apostles before me, but I went to Arabia, and return again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days,” (Galatians 1:17-18).
In Paul’s view, the ceremonial law was a preliminary, elementary stage of religious development. It is now outdated and must be surpassed by a new way of relating to God. This new, more adequate, more mature way of relating to God is totally different. The old and new way must not be mixed. Salvation, by God’s graciousness, is now free. It comes exclusively through faith in Jesus with the old outdated form of gaining favor with God through the kinds of activities, which the law required.
“Then after fourteen years, I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, this time taking Titus with me. I was prompted by a revelation, (not to keep the feast) and I laid out for their scrutiny the Gospel as I present it to the Gentiles"—all this in private conference with the leaders, Galatians 2:1-2. In verse 2 Paul says he went up to Jerusalem “by revelation” he indicated that God had revealed to him that his view of the Gentile converts would be vindicated. Acceptance of Titus “a Gentile as an equal among the believers was proof." Titus was a Greek, a son of a gentile parent.
Paul clinches his arguments. If a man could get right with God simply by observing the Jewish law, then Jesus died in vain. This is a pivotal statement in the letter. Life through faith in Jesus is liberation. Faith stands for forgiveness and freedom. The Galatian Christians, then, are free from the oppressiveness and irrelevance of the Levitical Law. Paul’s authority in declaring this freedom for the Gentile believers has been authenticated” (The Teacher’s Bible Commentary).
Did the festivals merely typify and foreshadow Christ? Yes, (Galatians 3:24).
Does God really "hate" the feast days He originated? Yes, (Isaiah 1:13-14; Amos 5:21).
Can the Feast Days be a stumbling block to the Gentiles? Yes, (Romans 14:13).
Should we return to observing the Feast Days? No, (Galatians 4:9-11)
The Laws, (Levitical laws of Moses), was a schoolmaster to teach the way of God and how He wanted them to live, a schoolmaster, (Galatians 3:23-26). Carnal commandments, (Hebrews 7:16), was a yoke of bondage, (Galatians 5:1), abolished the law containing ordinance, (Ephesians 2:14-15), was against us, (Colossians 2:15), shadow of good things to come, (Hebrews 10:1), disannulled the Levitical laws, (Hebrews 7:18-19). The law spoken to by Moses, (Deuteronomy 1:3), written by Moses (Deuteronomy 31:24-26), was not good, (Ezekiel 20:25), made nothing perfect, (Hebrews 7:17-19), nailed to the cross, (Colossians 2:14), was added, (Galatians 3:19), gave no such commandment, (Acts 15:24), Cursed are the ones that continueth in the Law, (Galatians 3:9-12), why tempt ye God to put a yoke on the neck, (Acts 15:8-11), except ye be circumcised, (Acts 15:1), debtor to the whole law, (Galatians 5:2-3), justified by the law, ye have fallen from grace, (Galatians 5:4), was added because of transgressions, (Galatians 3:19).
The Feast Day festivals were part of the added law given by Moses but the Ten Commandments were instituted in the beginning, not at Mt. Sinai, but there were no feast day celebrations until many years after the creation. The laws of Moses were added because of the Israelites disobedience to God’s laws, but the Ten Commandments was part of the creation week when God created the heavens and earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh day called the Sabbath. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all His work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:2-3). Yes, “there still remaineth a weekly rest (Sabbath) to the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). The Sabbath (Saturday) was not part of the laws of Moses but it was a day set aside by God for His people to come together to give Him praise and glory. Jesus said, “If you love me keep my Commandments (John 14:15). “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city,” (Revelation 22:14).
Are you an observer of the Holy Feast Days? Are we still under the Feast Day Laws today? Can we be under the Feast Day Laws as well as accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the true Sacrificial Lamb at the same time? According to the Holy Scriptures you cannot be partakers of the Feast Days ordinances, the ordinance of the law, and still accept the atonement of the blood of Jesus Christ. You will see the sacrificing of animals, going through a high priest, and having to go to Jerusalem three times a year for the feast days has come to an end.
Observing the Feasts Days has become quite a controversy among Christians in today’s society. There is no record of the Church of God 7th Day ever keeping the Feast Days. All those that profess to keep the Feasts today of any church or denomination you wish to name have started to observe them in this century, and most of them in the last 50 years. The World-Wide Church of God was the first Church that started the act of observing the annual feasts, and other churches and organizations followed them, but it has no part in the plan of Salvation.
The feast days are a question that seems to make some people wonder and become confused concerning God’s plan for eternal life. It is my intention to prove without a doubt, that we as Christians are not required to observe the Holy Days, that was part of the Old Covenant, and they would become obsolete if and when that covenant was abolished.
There were three feasts during the year that had to be kept at Jerusalem by all males, Exodus 34:23. “Three times a year then, every male among you shall appear before the Lord, your God, in a place which He chooses,” (Deuteronomy 16:16). Where? At Jerusalem, men that live in other countries had to travel to Jerusalem to keep those feast days.
There were three feasts that were required to be kept at Jerusalem by all males and they were: the Passover and Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Hence, these feasts came into existence with the Levitical Priesthood and ended with the Priesthood, He, (Christ), canceled the bond that stood against us with all its claims, snatching it up and nailing it to the cross, (Colossians 2:14). They mark three extended periods in Israel's past history.
First, at Passover in the spring, in the month of Abib, (April), the first green ears of barley were cut, and was a favorite food, prepared as parched corn, but first of all a handful of green ears of corn were presented to the Lord, The First Fruits of Harvest plus an animal sacrifice for a sin offering. According to Exodus 12:12-14 the Passover came into existence as well as the Feast of the Unleavened Bread
The Passover commemorated the deliverance out of Egypt when the death angel passed over Israel, protecting them from the destroying angel and so achieving for them the first step of independent national life as God’s covenant people. The Passover was the first in pointing or time of the entire annual feast, and historically and religiously it was the most important of all. It was called both the Feast of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the two really forming a double festival. It was celebrated on the first month of the religious New Year, on the 14th day of Nisan, (April), and commemorated the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt and the establishment of Israel as a nation by God’s redemptive act.
The Passover was the time when the Israelites were to put the blood of the lamb on the post of their home so the death angel would not destroy the first born of each family. The blood of the Lamb, simulate the blood of Jesus Christ that shed his blood for us who believes. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a memorial of Israel being forced to leave quickly and was told to make the Unleavened Bread due to the haste. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread was kept along with the Passover celebration in the month of Abib, (Nisan), the first month of the New Year, on the fourteenth day at even, (Exodus 12:18). The feasts were carnal ordinances, which pointed to spiritual fulfillment in Christ. It was the first point or time of the entire annual feast, and historically and religiously it was the most important of all.
All Feasts were carnal ordinances, which pointed to Spiritual fulfillments in Christ. The Passover and the Unleavened Bread feast were carnal ordinances, which pointed to Christ, for the Passover Lamb, a type of Christ. Lord Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb sacrificed for us, whose sacrifice brings to us a perpetual feast, (1 Corinthians 5:7). These ordinances were known as the pilgrimage festival; and on all of them special sacrifices were offered, varying according to the character of the festival, (Numbers 29:28),” (The Zondervan Bible Dictionary).
The Passover ended at the death of Christ--carnal not spiritual. The institution by the Lord in connection with the Passover is recorded in Matthew 26:10-30; Mark 14:16-26; and Luke 22:13-20. Christ was sacrificed once for all for our redemption, never to be offered again. We now keep the Lord Supper, not the Passover, Christ is now our Passover, and we take the Lord Supper after the sun sets on the 14th day of Nisan. The Lord’s Supper came into existence the day Christ died. It is now a memorial of His death that we celebrate only once a year.
Second, Fifty days, (as Pentecost means), the new ripe wheat, before being cut, was sanctified by its first fruits, namely two loves of fine flour, being offered to Jehovah. This festival was also called “Feast of Weeks, (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10), the Feast of Harvest,” (Exodus 23:16), and the Feast of First Fruits, (Numbers 28:26) and it was celebrated on the 50th Day after Passover. The Feast lasted only one day, (Deuteronomy 16:9-12), and marked the completion of the wheat harvest. It was the anniversary of the giving of the Law of Moses on Mt. Sinai, (Exodus 20:1-17) fifty days after they left Egypt. In addition to these offerings, the people were enjoined to give the Lord an offering of their first fruits of their produce besides the animal’s sacrifices for their sin offering. “And none shall appear before Me empty, (Exodus 23:15).” Offerings are required on the first and last Holy Days, (Deuteronomy 16:16).
This was the day that Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. “Then after I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions. Even upon the servants and the handmaids, in those days, I will pour out my Spirit” (Joel 2:28-29).
That day came about on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus told His Disciples to gather into one place, in Jerusalem, and wait for the Spirit to come upon them. Suddenly from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong driving wind, which was heard all through the house where they gathered. All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They all began to express themselves in foreign language. And that was the day the Disciples were baptized by the Holy Spirit that was spoken by Joel. That is when the Carnal Feast met its Spiritual Fulfillment when the Holy Spirit was poured on His followers that day described in Acts 2.
The third Holy Days consisted of two, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. First, “And the Eternal spoke unto Moses, say on the tenth day of the seventh month there shall be a Day of Atonement: it shall be holy convocation onto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, (fast) (Leviticus 23:7), and make an offering.” Atonement is a “Sabbath of Sabbaths” because on it no work of any kind may be done, (Leviticus16:29; Numbers 29:7). On the other Holy Days, “no servile work” other than each individual preparing “that which every man must eat,” (Exodus 12:4) may be done. It is a spiritual feast however.
“This day was observed on the 10th day of Tishri the seventh month, (October). It was really less a feast than a fast, as the distinctive character and purpose of the day was to bring the collective sin of the whole year to remembrance, so that it might earnestly be dealt with and atoned for. On this day the high priest made confession of all the sins of the community, and enter on their behalf into the most Holy Place with blood of reconciliation. It was a solemn occasion, when God’s people through godly sorrow and atonement for sin entered into the rest of God’s mercy and favor, so that as partakers of His forgiveness they might rejoice before Him and carry out His Commandments,” (The Zondervan Bible Dictionary). But now we no longer go through a Levitical High Priest but to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, (Hebrews 4:14-15).
Now the important one, the Feast of Tabernacles, in the end of the common year and in the seventh month of Tishri, (October), on the fifteenth day of the religious year, was observed five days after the day of Atonement, (Leviticus 23:34; Deeronomy16:13). There was a feast of ingathering when all the fruits of the field had been gathered. Each of the three marks a step in the historical progress of Israel.
“The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. On the first day shall be a Holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein…Beside the Sabbath of the Lord, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offering, which ye give unto the Lord. Also, in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: and on the first day shall be a Sabbath, on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath. And you shall take on the first day the boughs (fruit) of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are “Israelites” born shall dwell in booths. Why? That your generation may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God,” (Leviticus 23:34-43). Remember these feasts came into existence with the Levitical Priesthood and perished with it.
Therefore, the added laws of Moses consisted of laws governing the priesthood. These laws were the rituals, which were made up of various types of sacrifices, newly instituted holydays, and feasts. “If, then, perfection had been achieved through the Levitical Priesthood, (on the basis of which the people received the law), what need would there have been to appoint a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, instead of choosing a priest according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the laws,” (Hebrew 7:11-12).
The former commandment has been annulled because of its weakness and uselessness. For the law brought nothing to perfection. But better hope has supervened and through it we draw near to God. The priest of the old covenant had been confirmed by an oath. The priests of the old covenant became priest without an oath unlike Jesus to whom God said: “The Lord has sworn, and He will not repent: you are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Thus, has Jesus become the guarantee of a better covenant? Under the old covenant there were many priests because they were prevented by death from remaining in office; but Jesus, because He remaining forever has a priesthood which does not pass away” (Hebrews 7:18-24).
Neither the Ten Commandments nor the animal sacrifices came into existence then, but the feast days did. Then the feast days were a definite part of the law. “Wherefore then why serveth the law? It was added because of transgression, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator,” (Galatians 3:19). In verse 24 and 26: Paul says, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster, for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, this added law was to last until Christ came, therefore the feast days were a definite part of the added schoolmaster law.
“There is evidence that animal sacrifices existed before the Exodus. So, the added law existed before Israel left Egypt. Therefore, the added laws of Moses consisted of laws governing the priesthood. These laws were the rituals, which were made up of various types of sacrifices, newly added holy days, and feasts. Aaron the brother of Moses was the first high priest of the Levitical priesthood. If then, perfection had been achieved through the Levitical priesthood (on the basis of which the people received the law), what need would there have been to appoint a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, instead of choosing a priest according to the order of Aaron. When there is a change of priesthood, there is necessarily a change of law. Now, He of whom these things are said was of a different tribe, none of those members ever officiated at the altar. It is clear that our Lord rose from the tribe of Judah, regarding which Moses said nothing about priest. The matter is clear if another priest is appointed according to the likeness of Melchizedek: one who has become a priest, not in virtue of the law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent, but in virtue of the power of life which cannot be destroyed. Scripture testified: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,” (Hebrews 7:11-17). This explains that the seed spoken of is Christ. Therefore, this added law was to last until He came. The feast days were a definite part of the added schoolmaster law. Now you should be able to see that the reason for all the feasts came into existence at the time of the Exodus.
“These three great feasts had a threefold bearing. (1) They marked the three points of time as the fruits of the earth. (2) They marked three periods in Israel’s past history. (3) They point prophetically to three grand events of the gospel kingdom. The Passover commemorated the deliverance out of Egypt, Pentecost marked the given of the law on Mt. Sinai and the Feast of Tabernacles commemorates the establishment of God’s people in the land of the promise, their pleasant and peaceful home, after the 40 years of wondering in the wilderness, living in shifting tents” (Fausset’s Bible Dictionary).
Many people believe that the Feast of Tabernacles will be kept during the reign of Christ, so why shouldn’t all Christians be required today? This is the verse most people quote. They quote, Zechariah 14:16-19 which says “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of hosts and keep the feast of Tabernacles.”
This will happen during the one thousand year reign with Christ; then Christ will be ruling the nations with a “rod of iron" (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27; 19:15) because of their defiance. Not the Saints, but the ones that are living after the Battle of Armageddon, Christ Kingdom will be established, Christ will force them, the defiant nations to come to Jerusalem, because of their disobedience, as a punishment, to teach them His ways, (Exodus 18:20). The Saints will help Jesus Christ rule the world, (Matthew 25:21).
Did our Lord Jesus Christ keep the Feast Days? Yes, because He was born a Jew and He was required to go to Jerusalem with His father to keep the Feast of the Passover, (Luke 2:40-42), and He observed all the Feast Days according to the Levitical Priesthood Laws, until His Crucifixion. That is when the Bible says that Christ became our Passover that was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7-8), so, the Passover Feast pointed to Christ; therefore, it ended with Him, Carnal met Spiritual. That is when the Lord Supper came into existence and the Feast of Passover ended, that is when the old covenant or law and all carnal ordinances were abolished. The apostle Paul stated, “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent His Son, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the law,” (Galatians 4:4-5). Paul goes on to say “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage,” (Galatians 4:9)? “God sent His Son “to pay down a price” for them and thus “buy them off” from the necessity of observing circumcision, offering brute sacrifices, performing differing oblations. That we might receive the adoption of the Son, which adoption we could not obtain by the law, for it is the gospel only that puts us among the children and gives us a place in the heavenly family” (Clark Commentary).
But did Paul keep and teach the observance of all of these festivals? No, Paul teaching of the feast days came into being as result of the old covenant, then naturally they would become obsolete if and when that covenant was abolished and a new covenant entered.
Paul defends His gospel of faith and the Galatians believers are reminded that Paul's gospel of grace through faith has worked. They had seen it with their own eyes, (Galatians 3:1-5). They had received the Holy Spirit even though they had not been practicing the ceremonies and rituals of the Jewish law. “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under the schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:23-26).
But did Paul keep these festivals? Remember, they were to go to Jerusalem three times a year. “Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which Apostles before me, but I went to Arabia, and return again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days,” (Galatians 1:17-18).
In Paul’s view, the ceremonial law was a preliminary, elementary stage of religious development. It is now outdated and must be surpassed by a new way of relating to God. This new, more adequate, more mature way of relating to God is totally different. The old and new way must not be mixed. Salvation, by God’s graciousness, is now free. It comes exclusively through faith in Jesus with the old outdated form of gaining favor with God through the kinds of activities, which the law required.
“Then after fourteen years, I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, this time taking Titus with me. I was prompted by a revelation, (not to keep the feast) and I laid out for their scrutiny the Gospel as I present it to the Gentiles"—all this in private conference with the leaders, Galatians 2:1-2. In verse 2 Paul says he went up to Jerusalem “by revelation” he indicated that God had revealed to him that his view of the Gentile converts would be vindicated. Acceptance of Titus “a Gentile as an equal among the believers was proof." Titus was a Greek, a son of a gentile parent.
Paul clinches his arguments. If a man could get right with God simply by observing the Jewish law, then Jesus died in vain. This is a pivotal statement in the letter. Life through faith in Jesus is liberation. Faith stands for forgiveness and freedom. The Galatian Christians, then, are free from the oppressiveness and irrelevance of the Levitical Law. Paul’s authority in declaring this freedom for the Gentile believers has been authenticated” (The Teacher’s Bible Commentary).
Did the festivals merely typify and foreshadow Christ? Yes, (Galatians 3:24).
Does God really "hate" the feast days He originated? Yes, (Isaiah 1:13-14; Amos 5:21).
Can the Feast Days be a stumbling block to the Gentiles? Yes, (Romans 14:13).
Should we return to observing the Feast Days? No, (Galatians 4:9-11)
The Laws, (Levitical laws of Moses), was a schoolmaster to teach the way of God and how He wanted them to live, a schoolmaster, (Galatians 3:23-26). Carnal commandments, (Hebrews 7:16), was a yoke of bondage, (Galatians 5:1), abolished the law containing ordinance, (Ephesians 2:14-15), was against us, (Colossians 2:15), shadow of good things to come, (Hebrews 10:1), disannulled the Levitical laws, (Hebrews 7:18-19). The law spoken to by Moses, (Deuteronomy 1:3), written by Moses (Deuteronomy 31:24-26), was not good, (Ezekiel 20:25), made nothing perfect, (Hebrews 7:17-19), nailed to the cross, (Colossians 2:14), was added, (Galatians 3:19), gave no such commandment, (Acts 15:24), Cursed are the ones that continueth in the Law, (Galatians 3:9-12), why tempt ye God to put a yoke on the neck, (Acts 15:8-11), except ye be circumcised, (Acts 15:1), debtor to the whole law, (Galatians 5:2-3), justified by the law, ye have fallen from grace, (Galatians 5:4), was added because of transgressions, (Galatians 3:19).
The Feast Day festivals were part of the added law given by Moses but the Ten Commandments were instituted in the beginning, not at Mt. Sinai, but there were no feast day celebrations until many years after the creation. The laws of Moses were added because of the Israelites disobedience to God’s laws, but the Ten Commandments was part of the creation week when God created the heavens and earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh day called the Sabbath. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all His work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:2-3). Yes, “there still remaineth a weekly rest (Sabbath) to the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). The Sabbath (Saturday) was not part of the laws of Moses but it was a day set aside by God for His people to come together to give Him praise and glory. Jesus said, “If you love me keep my Commandments (John 14:15). “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city,” (Revelation 22:14).