GENERAL INFORMATION ON GOD'S HOLY DAYS Section Two of Biblical Holy Days Compiled by Richard C. Nickels Distributed by: Giving & Sharing P.O. Box 100 Neck City, MO 64849 Revised Edition, copyright 1995 by Sharing & Giving, Inc. Introduction Section Two of Biblical Holy Days is a general introduction to the Holy Days. First, we show the meaning of the Biblical Holy Days and how they picture the Plan of Salvation. Then, we address the issue of the validity of the Holy Days, as well as the differences between the Holy Days and the Feast Days. Few Holy Day keepers know that there are three pilgrimage feasts. How are we to observe the Festivals of the Almighty? Proper usage of the Second Tithe is essential to proper festival observance. " . . . I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem . . . " Acts 18:21. "For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost," Acts 20:16. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth," I Corinthians 5:7-8. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ," Colossians 2:16-17. "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," Deuteronomy 16:16 (see also Exodus 23:14-17, 34:23). "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the Eternal thy God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Eternal thy God always," Deuteronomy 14:22-23. Table of Contents Biblical Feasts 1 Miscellaneous material on Holy Days: God's Feast Days Picture God's Plan of Salvation. God's Three Harvest Seasons. Festival Themes. Seven Feast Days, Seven Doctrines. Beatitudes in the Feast Days. Seven Festivals, Seven Churches. Seven Annual Holy Days Picture Major Past and Future Events in God's Plan of Salvation. Some Holy Day Symbols and Types. Holy Days Among Early Believers. Josephus and Festival Fellowship. Philo on Sabbath and Holy Days. The Feasts of the Lord and Jewish Festivals. Three, Nineteen, and Seven. Responding to the Attack on God's Holy Days 21 We counter several common anti-Holy Day arguments contained in 1979 Bible Advocate article. Animal sacrifices are not necessary to observe the Holy Days, Jesus kept the Festivals and they are not only for Israel. Ten New Testament passages show we should keep the Holy Days. John's Gospel does not do away with the Feasts. Holy Days or Feast Days? 28 Explains the difference between a Holy Day and a Feast Day. Tabernacles is not the only pilgrimage feast. There are three pilgrimage feasts each year: Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost and Tabernacles. The days of Trumpets and Atonement are not feasts, but they are Holy Days. What Should We DO During the Eternal's Feasts? 35 Eight things we should be doing three times a year at the Eternal's pilgrimage feasts. God's Second Tithe 37 How Feasts have been perverted. Nehemiah shows proper Feast observance. Tithing is in force today, and there are three tithes. The second tithe is for observing the Festivals. Our responsibility to use 2T properly to satisfy seven basic festival needs. Holy Day Words A study of the Hebrew and Greek words used in relation to the Holy Days: moed, chag, paam, rehgel, atsereth, zikarown, aciph, qatsiyr, mikra kodesh, melakah abodah, hodesh, teruwah, shofar, succoth, and chuqqah. Table of Contents The Forgotten Biblical Feasts Some of the "minor" days such as the Tenth of Ab, Purim, and Hanukkah, have important meaning for us. Tisha B'Av and Other Fast Days Some very sad events have happened on Av 9 according to the Hebrew calendar. Is this coincidence, or part of the plan of the Almighty? Biblical Feasts Why were you born? The Creator God has a plan for all mankind which leads to eternal life and eternal happiness. That is the reason why we were born. Death can be defeated, and we can live forever. Salvation is eternal life in the Kingdom of God, the Family of God; it is being saved from the wages of sin, which is death, Romans 3:23. Salvation is not earned through our own efforts, it is God's free and loving gift, Romans 3:24. The Plan of Salvation involves seven steps, pictured by the Seven Annual Festivals. Unless we act out this plan each year, and grow in grace and knowledge, we lose sight of what the Almighty has in store for us. Step One: Jesus is Our Passover The first step of any plan is very important. If you skip the first step, or substitute another step for it, the results might be undesirable. In God's plan the first step is of immense magnitude. It has to do with the death penalty that we have hanging over our heads. Jesus Christ died for our sins, and this means that due to each of us breaking God's Ten Commandments, we have sinned, and the penalty of sin is death unless there is someone else to die in our place. Jesus Christ, the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and mankind, John 1:1-3, is of more value than all of His creation. Therefore, He could die for all mankind who have sinned, becoming our Passover sacrifice, I Corinthians 5:7. This sacrifice is applied only after an individual repents of sin, is baptized and accepts Jesus Christ as personal savior, Acts 2:37-38. There is no other way to eternal life except through Jesus Christ; thus, the importance of this first step portrayed by the Passover memorial service of Messiah's death for our sins. Step Two: Become Spiritually Unleavened Next is the putting out of leaven during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Leviticus 23:6-8. Putting out physical leaven for seven days pictures putting sin out of our lives every day through heartfelt desire and effort to quit sinning. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as your are unleavened, for even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven . . . but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth," I Corinthians 5:7-8. In addition to not eating leavened items during this period, we should actively eat unleavened bread, Leviticus 23:6, which pictures putting on Christ; that is, following His example in all that we do, and allowing Him to live His life in us. Step Three: Receive Gift of Holy Spirit Since it is impossible to obey God on our own, due to the weaknesses of the flesh and the downward pull of our human nature, we need to invoke the next step in God's plan: God's help. This is His Holy Spirit, which He gives to us after our baptism, Acts 2:38. We then become begotten sons of God. The gift of God's Holy Spirit was first made available to mankind in general on the Feast of Pentecost, a little more than seven weeks after Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, Acts 2:1-4. This was the beginning of the New Testament Church of God. If we utilize this fantastic gift, we can begin to obey God as we should. And it is this minute portion of God Himself in us that begins our journey toward eternal life. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God," Romans 8:14. Pentecost is often called the Feast of Firstfruits. You may be part of this select group if God is now calling you, John 6:44. Step Four: Return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings The Bible often uses trumpets to signify war and destruction. The Day of Trumpets pictures the endtime, climactic war between Christ and the forces of Satan, culminating in the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings, Revelation 19:11-16. There will never be such a time of war as this in all history. All life would be eradicated from the earth if not for the intervention and second coming of Jesus Christ, Matthew 24:21-22. The resurrection of the firstfruits will occur at this stage in God's plan, I Corinthians 15:52, I Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 20:1-6. Step Five: All Earth at Peace and At One With God Finally, the earth will be at one with its Creator, as pictured by the Day of Atonement, because the Adversary, Satan the Devil, will be imprisoned and not allowed to continue his self-serving rule over this earth, Revelation 20:1-2. All the world will then learn to follow God's way of love and peace instead of Satan's way of hate and war. Step Six: Thousand-Year Reign of Messiah After Satan is put away we will enter the truly "golden era" of earth's history, the Millennium, which literally means one thousand years. Jesus and all those resurrected in the first resurrection, shall reign over the earth, bringing fabulous joy and prosperity to all humanity that survive the endtime holocaust, Revelation 20:4-6. During these thousand years, many will have their opportunity for salvation (eternal life). Step Seven: The Dead Live Again At the end of the Millennium, all the dead throughout history who never had an opportunity for salvation through Jesus Christ, will be resurrected to a second human life, Revelation 20:11-12; Ezekiel 37:1-14. They will enter an earth which is a utopia, after one thousand years of Christ's reign, and learn the right way to live. This is their first and only opportunity to accept Jesus as their personal savior, to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is their time to accept the magnificent gift of eternal life being held out to them. Sometimes this last feast day is called the "8th Day." This is the Biblical term in Leviticus 23. If seven is the number of completion, eight is the number of new beginnings. God has wonderful plans for all of us far into the future, and those plans begin with the 8th Day, the final step in God's Feast Days. God's Three Harvest Seasons God's Word says that His Seven Annual Festivals occur during three major time periods, each of which represents a harvest: "Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year . . ." (Exodus 23:14-17; see also Deuteronomy 16:16-17). I. FIRST: Early Spring (March/April) Harvest of the First of the Firstfruits of God's Children -- Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:20; I Thessalonians 4:14) 1. Passover (14th day of First month) Acceptance of Jesus Christ our Saviour who died for our sins. 2.Feast of Unleavened Bread (7 days: 15th - 21st of First month) Putting sin (leaven) from our lives after accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour. II. SECOND: Late Spring (May/June) Harvest of the Firstfruits of God's Children (I Corinthians 15:23; I Thessalonians 4:15-17) 3.Pentecost (Count 50 days from the day after the weekly Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread) Receiving of God's Holy Spirit in order to help us in our effort to obey God's righteous Law. III. THIRD: Fall (September/October) Harvest of the Rest of the Fruits, the Vast Majority of God's Children (Revelation 20:4-6, 11-12; Ezekiel 37:11-13) 4. Day of Trumpets (1st Day of Seventh Month) Return of Jesus Christ to destroy man's evil, ungodly, unrighteous system of government. 5. Day of Atonement (10th Day of Seventh Month) Reconciliation of God to His People after putting away the Deceiver and Adversary -- Satan the Devil. 6.Feast of Tabernacles (7 days: 15th - 21st of Seventh Month) Thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth with man living in peace and happiness God's Way. 7. Last Great Day, or Eighth Day (22nd Day of Seventh Month) New Beginnings. Resurrection to human life of all the dead who never knew the truth in order for them to have their opportunity for salvation. -- adapted from Answers Newsletter, August/September 1987ê Festival Themes Festival/Holy Day Theme Passover Christ's Sacrifice Begins God's Master Plan Feast of Unleavened Your Part in God's Master Plan Bread Feast of Pentecost The Church in God's Master Plan Day of Trumpets Why Christ Must Come Again! Day of Atonement At-one-ment With God Feast of Tabernacles The World Tomorrow Last Great Day The Last Judgment -- Adapted from the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course Seven Feast Days, Seven Doctrines Festival/Holy Day Doctrine Taught (see Hebrews 6:1-2) Passover Faith toward God Unleavened Bread Repentance from dead works, then baptism Pentecost Laying on of hands for receipt of Holy Spirit Trumpets Resurrection of the dead Atonement Eternal judgment Tabernacles Perfection Last Great Day The principles of the doctrine of Christ Beatitudes in the Feast Days Festival/Holy Day Beatitude Taught (see Matthew 5:3-12) Passover Blessed are poor in spirit, they that mourn Unleavened Bread Blessed are the meek Pentecost Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness Trumpets Blessed are the merciful Atonement Blessed are those persecuted for righteous- ness' sake, when men revile you and say all manner of evil against you falsely Tabernacles Blessed are the peacemakers Last Great Day Blessed are pure in heart, they shall see God Seven Festivals, Seven Churches Festival/Holy Day Typified by Church (see Revelation 2 & 3) Passover Ephesus Unleavened Bread Smyrna Pentecost Pergamos Trumpets Thyatira Atonement Sardis Tabernacles Philadelphia Last Great Day Laodicea Seven Annual Holy Days Picture Seven Major Past and Future Events in God's Plan of Salvation Holy Day or Festival Past Event Future Event (1) Passover Israel's deliverance, Our deliverance from death death of the Messiah angel, Great Tribulation and Seven Last Plagues (2) Feast of Israel's exodus from Total deliverance from sin Unleavened Egypt, Parting of Red Bread Sea, Resurrection of the Messiah Wavesheaf Acceptance of Savior's Acceptance by the Father, Offering Sacrifice by the Father the Marriage Supper (3) Feast of Giving of the Law at Our receiving fullness of the Pentecost Mt. Sinai, Giving of the Holy Spirit to keep the the Holy Spirit Law, our becoming Spirit beings (4) Trumpets Creation of world First Resurrection, Return of Christ, Regathering of Israel (5) Atonement Putting away of Putting Satan in restraint Azazel goat (6) Feast of Israel living in tents The Millennium Tabernacles in wilderness 40 years (7) Last Great Unknown Second Resurrection, Great Day White Throne Judgment, Salvation offered to all mankind, Third Resurrection, New Heavens and New Earth Some Holy Day Symbols and Types Source: God's Seasonal Plan by Garner Ted Armstrong (Church of God International, 1991). Symbol or Type Egypt Israelites slaves in Egypt Moses Moses and Aaron Pharaoh Pharaoh's magicians, Jannes and Jambres Sacrificial Lamb Shed blood put on lintels and doorposts Death Angel Firstborn of Egypt Israel Pharaoh thrust out Israelites Army of Pharaoh hemmed in Israel Symbol or Type Israel thru the Red Sea Israel ate manna, drank water from the rock Leaven Unleavened Bread Cutting the Wavesheaf Waving the Wavesheaf Two Waveloaves Spring Holy Days Pentecost Trumpets YHVH's goat, Leviticus 16 Symbol or Type Azazel goat, Leviticus 16 High Priest entered Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement Veil of Temple split when Christ died Living in Tabernacles 40 years wandering in the wilderness Older generation of Israel (except Joshua & Caleb) died in the wilderness New generation entered the Promised Land Joshua Jesus in the flesh Feast of Tabernacles Jesus on Last Great Day: "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink" Explanation of Symbol or Type Type of sin. We are slaves to our lusts and this world. God the Father, calling His people out of sin. Moses also a type of Christ, as shepherd of God's people, leading them from Egypt, and advocate for the people before Satan's opposition, and "redeemer," conveying them out of slavery toward freedom. Types of the future Two Witnesses. Type of Satan. Types of the Beast and False Prophet. Type of Christ Type of Christ's shed blood for our sins, causing the penalty of death, Romans 6:23, to pass over those who call upon Christ for forgiveness. Symbolic of God's Judgments against unrepentant sinners. Those lost in sin, idolatry and paganism. Symbolic of the firstfruits, God's people protected by the blood of Christ. When one repents, is baptized, and receives God's Spirit, the unconverted often attempts to dissuade the new convert and when unsuccessful, cuts off relationship with them. Satan and his cohorts attack a repentant sinner contemplating baptism Explanation of Symbol or Type Baptism (I Corinthians 10:1-4). Receiving Christ, partaking of the Holy Spirit. Type of sin, false doctrine, Matthew 16:5-12. Represents sinlessness, humility, absence of vanity, pride and sin, sincerity and Truth, I Corinthians 5:8. Christ is the Bread of Life, John 6:48-51. Death of Christ. Resurrected Christ ascending to the Father in Heaven, to be accepted as the first of the firstfruits of God's spiritual harvest from the time of Christ until the Millennium and White Throne Judgment, Revelation 20:1-5, 11-15. Israelite and Gentile believers in the OT and NT Church, both of whom have some sin. Spring Holy Days picture repentance, acceptance of Christ's shed blood, allowing Christ to dwell within us through His Spirit (by eating unleavened bread for seven days), and that we are part of the early harvest of firstfruits, James 1:18. God is not trying to save the whole world now; there is to come a later, fall harvest unto God that will be far more numerous than the spring harvest we are a part of. Birthday of the Church, giving of the Holy Spirit. Announcement to God's people of the intervention of God in world affairs, the Second Coming of Christ, Matthew 24:30-31. Also typifies the calling out of God's elect from this earth, the preaching of God's warning message to Israel to repent of her sins, Isaiah 58:1, Matthew 24:14, 10:27. Typifies the resurrection, I Corinthians 15:50-52. The sacrifice of Christ, atonement for sin. Explanation of Symbol or Type Type of Satan, bound by angel (fit man) for 1,000 years, and is no longer able to deceive the nations, Revelation 20:1-2. Satan had a part in our sin. Christ entering Heaven by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption once and for all for us, Hebrews 9:7-12, 21-28. Christ's death made it possible for us to have direct access to God the Father, through Christ. Our physical bodies are temporary, like the temporary dwelling, reminding us that we have an eternal building of God in the Heavens. This tabernacle (physical body with Holy Spirit) looks forward to our eternal body, when we are Spirit-born sons of God. II Corinthians 4:6, 7, 16-18, 5:1-4; II Peter 1:13-14; I Corinthians 15:40-49; Romans 8:14-16; I John 3:2. Symbolic that in this life we are sojourners as Abraham was, Hebrews 11:9, and as Israel was in the wilderness. Trials and tests of our Christian life. Will we live by faith? Our old man must die. Only the new man of faith will enter promised land, I Corinthians 15:50-53. Only the new creature will enter eternal life. Type of Jesus (Joshua = Yahshua = Jesus). God "tabernacling" with man, in the human flesh. A type of the millennium, the Kingdom of God. Invitation to all to enter God's Kingdom, will be extended during Great White Throne Judgment period., Revelation 20:5, 11-15. Pagan Holidays and Their Meaning Holiday Christmas Easter Halloween Valentine's Day Holiday New Year's Day Meaning "Mass of Christ," a Catholic adaptation of the December 25 solar feast of natalis invicti, birth of the unconquered sun. The Christmas tree represents Nimrod, the sun god. Bulbs and orbs on the tree are fertility symbols. Mistletoe is a Druidic aphrodisiac. Christ was not born anywhere near December 25. The wise men gave gifts to Christ when He was living in a house, and did not exchange gifts among themselves. Catholic adaptation of the Babylonian festival of Ishtar (pronounced "Easter"), in thanksgiving for the advent of spring. Rabbits are symbolic of rapid procreation, eggs as the source of life, buns with cross represented Ishtar (Ashtoreth), the "Queen of Heaven." Sunrise services were part of sun worship, which the Bible condemns, Ezekiel 8:16. "Eve of All Hallows," or "All Saints Day," observed by Catholics for their favorite saint, adapted from an ancient pagan festival. The Druids worshipped "Saman," or "Samhain" (Shaman), the Lord of the Dead. Greeks and Romans observed a fall harvest festival in honor of their goddess "Pomona." The custom of "trick or treat" is a continuation of attempts to placate Saman with offerings, and an attempt to frighten away evil spirits with "jack-o'-lanterns." The chief Satanist holiday is Halloween, which has no place in the life of the Christian. Comes from the pagan Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia, originally held on February 15. The heart is symbolic of Baal, for the Babylonian word for heart is bal. Cupid represents Nimrod, the mighty hunter. Roman lupercali priests, clad only in goatskins, would strike women with goatskin thongs, supposedly to insure fertility. Roman men and women drew names from a box and made love to the person whose name they drew. Sexual license continues intoday's Valentine's Day customs. Meaning "Father time" is the grim reaper, Satan, and is traced back to infant sacrifice. Making noise at the beginning of January 1 stems from Babylonian beliefs that noise frightens away evil spirits. God's new year begins in the spring. Holy Days Among Early Believers "The Nazarenes [were] an obscure Jewish-Christian sect, existing at the time of Epiphanius (fl. A.D. 371) . . . . They recognized the new covenant as well as the old, and believed in the resurrection, and in the one God and His Son Jesus . . . . They dated their settlement in Pella from the time of the flight of the Jewish- Christians from Jerusalem, immediately before the siege in A.D. 70 . . . . While adhering as far as possible to the Mosaic economy, as regarding Sabbaths, foods and the like, they did not refuse to recognize the apostolicy of Paul." -- Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. 19 "Abhorred and publicly execrated by the Jews for their attachment to Christianity, and despised by the Christians for their prejudice in favor of the Mosaic law [with its weekly and annual sabbaths, kosher diet, etc.] they were peculiarly oppressed and unfortunate. Traces of this sect [the Nazarenes] appear as late as the fourth century." -- Hugh Smith, History of the Christian Church, page 72 "The Jewish Christians [Nazarenes] of Palestine retained the entire Mosaic law [with the exception of the ceremonial] and consequently the Jewish festivals . . . . In the Feast of the Passover . . . the Nazarenes eat [unleavened] bread, probably like the Jews . . . ." -- Ecclesiastical History, vol 1, chapter 2, section 30, by Gieseler "There is another sect, Hypisistarians,' that is, worshippers of the most high, whom they worshipped as the Jews only in one person. And they observed their weekly and annual sabbaths, used distinction of their meats, clean and unclean . . . ." -- Antiquities of the Christian Church, Book 16, chapter 16, section 2 Josephus and Festival Fellowship "Let those that live as remote as the bounds of the land which the Hebrews shall possess, come to that city where the temple shall be, and this three times in a year, that they may give thanks to God for His former benefits, and may entreat Him for those they shall want hereafter; and let them, by this means, maintain a friendly correspondence with one another by such meetings and feastings together, for it is a good thing for those that are of the same stock, and under the same institution of laws, not to be unacquainted with each other; which acquaintance will be maintained by thus conversing together, and by seeing and talking with one another, and so renewing the memorials of this union; for if they do not thus converse together continually, they will appear like mere strangers to one another."-- Antiquities, IV, viii, 7 Philo on the Sabbath and Holy Days Philo of Alexandria, often called Philo Judaeus (c. 30 B.C. to c. A.D.40), was a famous classical Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, called "the first theologian." Philo was well-versed in pagan Greek philosophy, including Plato. However, Philo wrote extensively to gain the acceptance, if not the conversion, of Greeks to Judaism. He recognized the Pentateuch as having divine authority and containing all truth. The Sabbath According to Philo "The fourth commandment," Philo says, "deals with the sacred seventh day, that it should be observed in a reverent and religious manner . . . . [and men should] rest on the seventh and turn to the study of wisdom . . . ." (Decalogue, 96-98). Philo concludes: "Again, the experience of those who keep the seventh day is that both body and soul are benefitted in two most essential ways. The body is benefitted by the recurrence of respite from continuous and wearisome toil, the soul by the excellent conceptions which it receives of God as the world-maker and guardian of what He has begotten. For He brought all things to their completion on the seventh day. These things shew clearly that he who gives due value to the seventh day gains value for himself," (Special Laws, II, 260). "On this day we are commanded to abstain from all work, not because the law inculcates slackness; on the contrary it always inures men to endure hardship and incites them to labour . . . . Its object is rather to give men relaxation from continuous and unending toil and by refreshing their bodies with a regularly calculated system of remissions, to send them out renewed to their old activities . . . . Further, when He forbids bodily labour on the seventh day, He permits the exercise of the higher activities, namely, those employed in the study of the principles of virtue's lore . . . knowledge and perfection of the mind., (Special Laws, II 60-64). Festival Fellowship Philo groups the feasts and holy days, as well as the land sabbath and jubilee year under the Fourth Commandment. He says that traveling to the Festivals is an important spiritual life exercise. Festivalgoers leave behind them the cares of daily life, and "enjoy a brief breathing-space in scenes of general cheerfulness. Thus filled with comfortable hopes they devote the leisure, as is their bounden duty, to holiness and honouring of God. Friendships are formed between those who hitherto knew not each other . . . [and the mutual festivities] are the occasion of reciprocity of feeling and constitute the surest pledge that all are of one mind." (Special Laws, I, 69-70). "Proselytes," or newly-joined members of the spiritual community, have equal rank with the longtime native-born members, who are to give them "special friendship" and "more than ordinary goodwill . . . . For the most effectual love-charm, the chain which binds indissolubly the goodwill which makes us one, is to honour the one God," (Special Laws, I, 51-53). Ten Important Feasts Philo enumerates ten different feasts in the Law: 1. Feast of Every Day 2. Sabbath 3. New Moon 4. Pascha, "the Crossing-feast" (Passover) 5. Feast of Unleavened Bread 6. Festival of the Sheaf 7. Feast of First-products (Weeks, Pentecost) 8. Trumpet Feast 9. The Fast (Day of Atonement) 10. Feast of Tabernacles The first, which may come as a surprise to some, Philo calls "the feast of every day." Every day, according to Numbers 28:3-4, daily sacrifices were offered in the tabernacle and later the Temple. The entire life of the wise follower of the Almighty is "one continuous feast." The wicked cannot keep a Feast. Like Josephus, Philo places the Wavesheaf Day on Nisan 16, whereas we feel the Scriptural evidence points to the Sunday following the weekly Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Philo draws a number of conclusions as to the spiritual meaning of the festivals, which you can discover for yourself when you read his excellent books. Obviously, the Sabbaths had great meaning to this Jewish philosopher from Alexandria, Egypt. Philo Supports Calculated Calendar Rules Living in Alexandria, Egypt, Philo was too far from Jerusalem to receive notification of "official" new moon sightings from the Sanhedrin. Since he obviously believed in and observed the Holy Days, how did Philo know when the Eternal's Feast Days occurred? By calculation! Philo says that the length from one New Moon to another, for the beginning of the lunar month, "has been accurately calculated in the astronomical schools," (Special Laws, II, 140). Furthermore, Philo says that the Sabbath and the day preceding it (sixth day of the week) are both taken into account by the Almighty in reckoning feast times, including the crucial "holy-month day," or Day of Trumpets. (Decalogue, 159). Here in simple terms by a contemporary of the New Testament Church, is an exact description of the so-called "Jewish" calendar rules which some "observable calendar" proponents say were invented by Simon III, the Jewish Patriarch in the second century, A.D., or even by Hillel II in the fourth century, A.D.! The molad of Tishri resulting in the calculation of the proper Day of Trumpets is the key to determining the Holy Days. And the Day of Trumpets can never fall on a Sunday, Wednesday or Friday. The key to this rule is that the Holy Days (with one scriptural exception explained in section 9 of Biblical Holy Days) require a day of preparation so as to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath. Wise Philo understood the basis for the calendar rules, while many today ignore these spiritual principles. The Important Feasts One of our major purposes is to promote the observance of Biblical Holy Days. We constantly look for resources that add meaning to and refresh our observance of the Eternal's divine appointments. Two fine books on the Holy Days are: The Feasts of the Lord, by Robert Thompson, and The Jewish Festivals, History & Observance by Hayyim Schauss. We encourage everyone who observes the Almighty's festivals to order and read these books. The Feasts of the Lord, by Robert Thompson. Medford, Oregon: Omega Publications, 1989. 330 pages. Available from Omega Ministries, PO Box 1788, Medford, Oregon 97501-0140. Here is a unique book on the Festivals, a treasure of spiritual understanding. Rather than examining each Holy Day individually, as most writers have done, Thompson describes common spiritual lessons, how each day corroborates that lesson. Thompson says that the Bible gives major types, or object lesson examples, of divine redemption: (1) the seven days of creation, (2) the journey of Israel from Egypt to Canaan, (3) the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and (4) the seven Holy Days. These all illustrate the Eternal's plan in the Messiah for mankind to be saved from sin and death and brought into the family of the Almighty. In the major section of his book, Thompson applies the seven annual holy convocations to four areas of interpretation: (1) the person and work of the Messiah, (2) the redemption of the believer, (3) the perfecting of the Church, and (4) the setting up of the Kingdom of God. One of the best books on the Holy Days, The Feasts of the Lord could easily launch a thousand sermons and fruitful Bible Studies for those who wish more inspiration from the awesome meaning and purpose of the Eternal's sacred appointments. This book belongs in the home of every person who observes Biblical Holy Days. Yet there are some flaws. Thompson apparently is a "charismatic" Protestant who does not understand that "speaking in tongues" is speaking in multiple languages, not gibberish. He believes Wavesheaf Day is always Abib 16, rather than the Sunday after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Thompson, along with others, incorrectly refers to Wavesheaf Day as the Feast of Firstfruits. Actually, Pentecost is the Feast of Firstfruits. Nevertheless, this book is one of the best we have seen on the Holy Days. We heartily recommend The Feasts of the Lord. The Jewish Festivals, History & Observance, by Hayyim Schauss. New York: Schocken Books, 1988 edition of 1938 copyrighted book, originally entitled Guide to Jewish Holy Days. 316 pages. Available from Giving & Sharing. Jewish customs and traditions relating to the Sabbath and Holy Days are fascinating. In our book, Biblical Holy Days, we frequently cite Jewish understanding of the meaning of these sacred occasions. Why do we cite the Jews? We should gather all pertinent information relating to a Bible topic. To ignore the history and practices of a group of people who have observed the Sabbath and Holy Days for thousands of years would be folly. The Holy Days are not "Jewish." Jews have corrupted these sacred times in their rejection of the Messiah who has come and is coming again. They are wrong in the date for the Passover supper and the date of Pentecost. Schauss, in following liberal Jewish scholarship, expresses the origins of the Holy Days in humanistic rather than divine terms. Yet Jews have gems of truth and understanding about the Festivals. For example, Schauss explains that the blowing of the shofar on the Day of Trumpets reminds us of the giving of God's law, and is a call of thanks to God who halts the war between nations and ushers in peace and harmony to the world, ending Satan's dominion of this world. This exactly conforms to our understanding. Jewish terminology and Hebrew wording for the Holy Days may not be understood by some. Here is a quick cross reference: JewishPesach, Shovuos, Rosh Hashonoh, Yom Kippur, Sukkos EnglishPassover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles Schauss gives interesting insights gathered through centuries of observance. God's plan for the salvation of mankind is clearly shown, even in the Jewish understanding of the Holy Days.ê Three, Nineteen, and Seven Note: "FUB" means "Feast of Unleavened Bread," and "FOT" means "Feast of Tabernacles." Three Feast Times, Chag 1. Feast of Unleavened Bread 2. Pentecost 3. Feast of Tabernacles Nineteen Special Days, Moed 1. Passover 2. 1st Day FUB 3. 2nd Day FUB 4. 3rd Day FUB 5. 4th Day FUB 6. 5th Day FUB 7. 6th Day FUB 8. 7th Day FUB 9. Pentecost 10. Trumpets 11. Atonement 12. 1st Day FOT 13. 2nd Day FOT 14. 3rd Day FOT 15. 4th Day FOT 16. 5th Day FOT 17. 6th Day FOT 18. 7th Day FOT 19. Last Great Day Seven Annual Holy Days, Sabbaths 1. 1st Day FUB 2. 7th Day FUB 3. Pentecost 4. Trumpets 5. Atonement 6. 1st Day FOT 7. Last Great Day Responding to the Attack on God's Holy Days Are God's Holy Days An Important Sign of True Christians? Are the Holy Days of the Bible merely spiritual accessories? Or, are the Holy Days vital to spiritual growth and development? Exodus 31:12-17, Ezekiel 20:10-13, and Malachi 4:4 are key scriptures relating to this question. Note that the word "sabbaths" is not limited to the weekly sabbath, but also refers to the annual sabbaths. Where is the Attack on God's Holy Days Coming From? Dr. Ernest L. Martin, former Worldwide Church of God minister, has vigorously attacked the Holy Days and the Sabbath since 1974. The Church of God, 7th Day (Denver), since the 1930s has been the most consistent opponent of the Holy Days. Herbert W. Armstrong was put out of the Salem organization in 1937 ostensibly for two reasons: Holy Day and British Israel teaching. The Church of God, 7th Day, has a 43-page tract entitled, "A Study of the Feast Days Given to Israel: What Should and what should Not Be Observed by Christians Today?" D.L. Prunkard, former Worldwide Church of God minister who worked briefly with the Denver Group, wrote an article in the August 1979 Bible Advocate, entitled, "Should We Keep Israel's Holy Days?" It appears that Prunkard got many of his ideas from Ernest Martin. Former Worldwide Church members and others in scattered Seventh Day groups, lauded the Prunkard article as instrumental in showing them that the Holy Days are no longer valid. A Vancouver, Washington, lady (Worldwide Church member for 16 years) wrote: "After reading that [article by Prunkard] -- and the applicable scriptures, plus studying what Ernest Martin has on the subject -- I can no longer accept Holy Days -- at least not in the manner and attitude & belief in which they are kept in both Worldwide [Church of God] & International [Church of God]. I'm not totally opposed to Holy Days -- they surely could serve a very good purpose under proper circumstances." Another individual, an independent Sabbath-keeper from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, said "I can not associate the weekly Sabbath with the sabbaths of the Mosaic Law. The weekly Sabbath was given to all people at creation." He said the annual sabbaths were not, and, totally agreed with Prunkard's article. Should We Be Able to Answer Anti-Holy Day Arguments? I Peter 3:15 shows that we should be ready to give an answer -- if asked. Romans 12:2 proves what the will of God is. Ephesians 5:17, don't be unwise, know God's will, and I Thessalonians 5:21 prove all things. Christ Freed us From What Bondage? Galatians 5:1 is a battleground scripture concerning the Holy Days. In his article, Prunkard says that Christ made us free from ceremonial holy day bondage: "Disciples should not place themselves under rigorism or legalistic religion. Paul reacted in Galatians to infiltrating Judaism, which included observance of the annual days of national Israel . . . he heatedly corrected their Judaistic error . . . ." Galatians 2:4, 4:17-31, 5:1-13, and 6:12-15, show the main issue: circumcision was being forced upon Gentiles, along with the ritualistic additions to the law, 3:19, 24. Which law defines sin? The Ten Commandments and the statutes. Which law was added because of sin? Sacrifices, Jeremiah 7:22-23. Which law was bondage? Peter defined forced circumcision of Gentile converts and compulsory keeping of the sacrificial laws a "yoke of bondage," Acts 15:5,10. Also, the tradition of the Jews was a burden heavy to bear, Matthew 15:1-9, 23:1-4. God's spiritual eternal law, however, is not a grievous burden, I John 5:3, Deuteronomy 30:11 (RSV). This bondage law was being forced upon Gentiles by the Judaizers. Yet those circumcised did not keep the law either, Galatians 6:13. The issue was circumcision, outward show, not holy day keeping. The spiritual law is not bondage, but being forced to be circumcised is bondage. There was another issue at Galatia. Some Galatians were returning to the pagan worldly customs and days -- which Paul called "elements of the world," Galatians 4:3, 8-11. A common anti-Holy Day argument is to use Galatians 4:9-11 to "prove" that Paul wanted the Galatians to quit observing Biblical Holy Days. Yet verse 8 clearly shows that "days, and months, and times, and years" of verse 10 were the customs observed "when ye [Galatians] knew not God" and worshipped idols. At Galatia there were two extremes: Judaizers who insisted on circumcision as a prerequisite for Gentile converts contrasted with the "liberal" element who were going to the opposite ways, returning to pagan days. Paul was concerned with both aberrations. Is The Book of Leviticus Totally Void Today? Prunkard says that Leviticus is a manual of law for the priests, having to do with the cleansing, worship, and service of national Israel. It was annulled at Golgotha. He insists that Leviticus was never intended for worldwide obligation, and is not binding on 20th century disciples. "One chapter (23)," he says, "delineating festivals and holy days, cannot be made holy today, ignoring the other 26 chapters as profane and abrogated!" If Leviticus is void, then unclean meats may be eaten, (chapter 11), blood and fat (chapters7, 17), also we can live with lepers (chapters 13-14), perverted sexual relations and pagan customs are fine (chapter 18). Idolatry, stealing, lying, blasphemy, talebearing, fornication, dishonoring parents and elderly, wizardry, and cheating with balances is all right, (chapter 19). Blasphemy and murder are not sin (chapter 24). One can farm the ground every year (chapter 25). Sabbaths can be broken (chapter 26). Tithing is not valid (chapter 27). What foolish reasoning! The Church of God, Seventh Day believes in most of the Leviticus laws, in spite of their anti-Holy Day bias. Leviticus is a book for us today. Are Animal Sacrifices and a Tabernacle (Temple) Necessary to Observe the Holy Days? Another common argument doesn't hold up under Scriptural investigation. Some, with Prunkard, maintain that because Leviticus 23 mentions sacrifices with the Feast Days, sacrifices and Feast Days are inseparable. Numbers 28:1-3, 6, 9-11 destroys this concept. Sacrifices were given every day. There were special sacrifices on the Sabbath, along with special Holy Day sacrifices. The abolishment of the sacrifices did not end the keeping of the Sabbath, Holy Days, nor New Moons. John 4:19-24 shows that worship of the Father is not limited to a place. Leviticus says nothing of a place. Deuteronomy 12:21 says observance of the Holy Days is to be local, if the chosen place is too far. God does not now have a chosen place, since he has rejected Jerusalem for a time and will yet chose it again. Zechariah 1:17, 2:12. Why Jesus Kept Festivals and Holy Days? Are They for Israel Only? Prunkard says that Jesus kept them only for setting an example of obedience to God and because He was a Jew. He holds that it was illegal for Gentiles to keep the Feasts, especially in places other than Jerusalem. Since the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70 and the collapse of the Levitical system, keeping Holy Days is Biblically illegal. I John 2:1-6 shows that we are to walk as He walked. Exodus 12:47-49 tells us that there is one law for all. God is not divided. He has no double standards. We must all become the spiritual seed of Abraham, Galatians 3:29. All nations, including Egypt, will be forced to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, when Christ returns to rule the world, Zechariah 14:16-19. Neither Prunkard's article nor the tract, "Study of the Feast Days" mentions this scripture. Hebrews 8:6-13 describes the new covenant, which like the old, will be made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. The same laws will now be written in heart and mind. People want to be part of the new covenant promises, yet without having to become spiritual Israelites and be subject to the laws of Israel. It cannot be done! Notice: the fault with the Old Covenant wasn't the laws, but "them" (verse 8), the people. Seventh Day Church of God followers avoid this profound truth. Instead, they call the Old Covenant "bondage." God, however, calls it "glorious," II Corinthians 3:7-11. Are Holy Days to Be Kept Forever? Leviticus 23:14, 21, 31, and 41 say the Holy Days are a "statute forever." Yet Prunkard states that "forever" in the Bible is often limited to human lifetime. The Hebrew olam often means "as long as the pertinent circumstances prevail," e.g., in Leviticus 24:2-3, the lamp was to burn continually. Well, the Temple was destroyed, and the lamp is no longer burning. Another example, an Ammonite or Moabite was not to enter the congregation of the LORD forever, Deuteronomy 23:3. "Israel's days were no more permanent than were the other things demarked by the word olam." Leviticus 23:4, however, says that the Holy Days are tied to the seasons of the year. These seasons have not yet ceased. The sun and the moon are still giving us the seasons of the year. So the Holy Days are still binding. Verses 14, 21, 31, and 41 say the Holy Days are to last "throughout your generations in all your dwellings." Thus they are not limited to one generation, or one dwelling (Palestine), but around the world, many generations. The generations of Israel have not yet ceased, so neither have the Holy Days. Jerusalem is not the only dwelling place of Israelites, so the Holy Days can be observed elsewhere. God's covenant was commanded to a thousand generations, Psalm 105:5-8, 10. This is longer than the nearly 6,000 years of human history. Somehow, according to Prunkard, God cut it short in A.D. 70, forgetting what He said in Psalm 105. Are the Holy Days "Holy"? According to Prunkard the Torah (Law portion of the Old Testament) never refers to the seven annual days as holy. Their holiness had to do with the people, not the time that the nation was commanded to rest. Jesus nowhere referred to them as holy or sacred. Many holy things in the Old Covenant are no longer holy: Temple, altar, sacrifices, priesthood, nation of Israel, vessels, oil, priestly garments, Mount Zion, festivals, and Holy Days. It is not consistent that some things become carnal and profane and not all of them. It is a good observation that the time itself is not what God emphasizes, but the "holy convocation," (Leviticus 23) on that day, including the weekly Sabbath, Leviticus 23:2-4. However, all the Bible is holy, and Nehemiah 8:9, 10, 11, and 10:31 say that the annual sabbaths are holy. John 19:31 shows that Nisan 15 (Thursday of A.D. 31) was a sabbath day, an high day. God has never made His sabbaths unholy. Was Spiritual Salvation Offered Under Old Covenant? For Prunkard, "Both Old and New Covenants are individual complete packages, totally separate and governable apart from one another. Each was inaugurated at a different time, under different circumstances, for a different purpose. The Old was physical, transitory, and offered no spiritual salvation . . . . There was no justification or spiritual salvation in Moses' Law for national Israel." If this is true, the Bible should be thrown away. Israel had the same Gospel preached to them as to us, Hebrews 4:2. Israel drank the same spiritual drink as we do, I Corinthians 10:1-4. They ate spiritual meat. Some few were faithful that they might obtain a better resurrection (spiritual salvation), Hebrews 11:35. God's law is perfect, converting the soul, Psalm 19:7. God set before Israel life and death, Deuteronomy 30:19, eternal life or eternal death. As any Bible reader knows, vast portions of the New Testament are quotations from the Old Testament. Prunkard cites Hebrews 8:13 to show that Moses' Law was totally superseded in Christ. Yet Hebrews 8:10-12 says the same laws would be written in hearts and minds under the New Covenant. Does the New Testament Support Festivals and Holy Days? (1) Acts 12:3, During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Herod arrested Peter. Prunkard says that this says nothing about Christians keeping the Feast. It certainly does tell us something about Luke, who wrote Acts. He remembered this special occasion. (2) Acts 12:4, After the Passover Feast (Easter is an incorrect translation of the Greek pascha), Herod would bring Peter out before the people. (3) Acts 18:21 KJV: "I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem." Prunkard says that this clause is missing from major transcripts, and wasn't in the received text. The truth is that 95% of all Greek manuscripts contain this verse. Note Revelation 22:18-19. If one can't get around a plain verse, the tendency is to reject its inspiration. (4) Acts 20:6, "And we [Paul's group] sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread . . . ." Prunkard: this is merely a time demarcation, it says nothing about their observing the Holy Days. However, how did Paul and Luke know when the Feast was? They were in Gentile Country, not in Palestine, where almost everyone kept the Holy Days. The Roman World used the same calendar that we have today. Luke wrote Acts to Theophilus, a Gentile of high rank. All those that don't keep the Holy Days do not keep track of when they occur, and those that no longer keep the Holy Days quickly forget when they occur. This also destroys the theory that Jerusalem was the only possible place to observe the Feast Days, as well as the idea that the Feast Days were calculated by observation of the High Priest. There was no time to get the message to Asia that it was the Feast. Paul and Luke must have used the Sacred Calendar. This scripture is one of the strongest proofs that Holy Days are binding. (5) Acts 20:16 states that Paul hasted to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. Prunkard says this was merely an opportunity to witness for Christ to the throngs of Old Covenant Jews and to have a reunion with fellow ministers and the Church. Jerusalem, he says, was still the only place to keep the days. There is no mention of a sacred observance of the day of Pentecost. Then Prunkard quoted Acts 21:20-21 where brethren report to Paul that he was accused of teaching all the Jews to forsake the law of Moses, and not to circumcise their children. Thus, Prunkard concludes, Paul did teach against the rites of Moses' law, including festivals and holy days. Prunkard's Bible must not have Acts 21:24-26 where Paul proves the accusation against him was not true. Isn't it strange that Prunkard takes the side of Paul's false accusers? I personally do not celebrate Christmas. There are two valid alternatives for me to act around those who observe Christmas: (1) have nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas, staying away from all its celebrations, OR (2) mix with Christmas worshipers and speak against Christmas. If Paul were against the Holy Days, he would follow one of these two methods. He obviously did not follow (1). There is absolutely no Biblical record that he ever spoke against the Holy Days. If Paul did, his antagonists, the Jewish leaders, would have had much more than the flimsy charge against him that they had. If Paul did teach against the Holy Days, then he lied in Acts 24:14 when he said he believed "all things which are written in the law and in the prophets." (6) Acts 27:9 reports that the fast (Day of Atonement) was already past. For Prunkard this is merely a calendar demarcation. Again, how did Luke know it was after Atonement if he were not keeping it? Why did he call it the fast when writing to a Gentile? Luke assumed Theophilus knew what day he was referring to. Luke kept that day or he would not have known when it was. So did Theophilus. (7) I Corinthians 5:7-8. Prunkard: "Christians don't clean out their pantries to become unleavened. Paul told the Corinthians they were unleavened" by the death of Christ and their acceptance of it. "Let us celebrate the feast" in the Greek is in the continual present tense. Christians are in a continual unleavened bread feast, a perpetual feast. The truth is, if we keep only a spiritual Feast of Unleavened Bread, why not only a spiritual Passover, a spiritual Sabbath, because we are entered into His rest, Hebrews 4:1-11. Prunkard has no validity for spiritualizing away only the Feast Days. Incidentally, the Church of God, 7th Day, observes the "Lord's Supper" once a year, on Nisan 14. They follow the date from the Old Testament and the Sacred Calendar, which they claim was done away. Why not be consistent? (8) I Corinthians 16:8, "But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost." Prunkard says that this is merely another time demarcation. The truth is that Paul was keeping Pentecost along with the Gentiles. How would Gentile Corinthians know when Paul was referring to, if they weren't aware when Pentecost was? This is another proof that Gentiles outside of Jerusalem kept Pentecost. (9) Galatians 4:9-10, why return to the weak and worthless things and be enslaved all over again, observing days and months and seasons and years? Paul feared for them, thinking that his labor might be in vain. Prunkard says the "days" were Jewish feast or fast days, "months" were new moons, "times" were seasons, as Passover, Pentecost, etc., and "years" were the sabbatical years. Some say these days were pagan observances. However, Prunkard says, this is out of context, because the passage is against Judaizers, those who said you must be circumcised and keep the whole law, Galatians 5:1-3. The context proves Prunkard wrong! Galatians 4:3, 8 shows that it is referring to the time when the Gentiles were without the knowledge of God, and worshipped idols. How could Paul say not to return to something they had never observed prior to conversion? The Judaizers' teaching was causing some to leave the faith entirely and revert to paganism. God's Word tells us NOT to observe times, Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10, 14. Paul had to repeat this warning to the Gentile Galatians. (10) Colossians 2:16-17 is the well-known "shadow" passage. These shadows, Prunkard states, are now done away. What about the weekly Sabbath, which is included? The three-part phrase, "sabbaths, new moons, solemn feasts," as in II Chronicles 8:13, is a common Old Testament phrase, signifying three types of days: weekly Sabbaths, New Moons, and Feasts. Colossians 2:16-17 has to include the weekly Sabbaths. Do away with one, you do away with all. However, Colossians does not say these three types of days are done away. It says to keep them and don't let any man judge you for keeping them. "Shadow" in Colossians 2:17 is from the Greek word skia, Strong's #4639, meaning "an image cast by an object and representing the form of that object, opposite to soma [#4983 translated body', in the same verse], the thing itself," Thayer's Greek Lexicon, page 578. In Hebrews 8:5, and 10:1, Thayer shows that skia means a "sketch, outline, adumbration [faint sketch or imperfect portrayal or representation]." The Holy Days, New Moons and Sabbaths give a sketchy outline of the Creator's master plan. The reality of that plan is the body of Christ, the Messiah living in His people, the Church. Don't let mortal man say you are wrong for observing Biblical Holy Days. Let the body of the Messiah do the judging. The sacred times are not an end to themselves. They foreshadow things to come in the Master Plan of the Universe. The earthly Levitical priesthood and tabernacle were a shadow [skia] of heavenly things, Hebrews 8:1-5. The ceremonial sacrificial law was a shadow of good things to come, Hebrews 10:1. The animal sacrifices have indeed ceased because the reality, the sacrifice of the Messiah, has come. However, the shadowy representation of the Feast Days, New Moons, and Sabbaths has not been fulfilled. They are still valid. Indeed, the very shadow of sacrifice for sin is still continued in the annual commemoration of the Master's sacrifice for our sins, the Christian Passover ordinances. Prunkard says these ten references to Holy Days are the only ones from Acts through Revelation. Yet he does not quote (neither does the Church of God, 7th Day, tract) the passage in Acts 2:1-2. After the death of Christ, the disciples were together keeping the day of Pentecost. Why doesn't the Church of God, Seventh Day, keep Pentecost? If the disciples had failed to keep Pentecost at the properly appointed time, they would not have received the Holy Spirit. Some today may fail to receive God's Spirit of power, might, and wisdom because they refuse to keep His appointed times. Does John's Gospel Do Away With the Festivals? John's gospel was written from A.D. 90-95, after the destruction of the Temple. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke were written before A.D. 70. Four times John refers to Feasts of the Jews: 2:13, 5:1, 6:4, and 7:2. Prunkard says this usage shows the feasts were Jewish, and not for Gentiles. However, the "Jewish" feasts at the Temple with sacrifices was what John was referring to. This type of feast was no longer kept in A.D. 90, so John had to recount history as to what was being done before the Temple's destruction and the end of animal sacrifices. Most of John's readers were non-Jews who had never seen Feasts kept at Jerusalem in Temple times. John continued to keep the Passover on Nisan 14 (as shown in the Ante-Nicean Fathers). Passover and the Holy Days are not "Jewish." Is The Dispensation Theory Correct? Prunkard's article, "Should We Keep Israel's Holy Days?" reveals an anti-law bias (see Jude 3-4). Mr. Prunkard denies the fact that Leviticus 23:1-2 states that the Holy Days and the Sabbath stand or fall together. According to him, there are the contrasting Mosaic and Christian dispensations (periods of time with different promises and laws). The argument says that the Sabbath did not come with Moses, but was instituted at creation for all men for all time. Israel's days were given under Moses to Israel only, for a temporary dispensation. The truth is that the law is spiritual, Romans 7:14, perfect, Psalm 19:7-8. It lasts forever, Psalm 111:7-8. The added sacrificial laws did not define sin; instead they were ADDED BECAUSE OF sin, Galatians 3:19. This "dispensation theory" says that God dispenses with His law from time to time, and now He has totally dispensed with the statutes, judgments and laws except the Ten Commandments. The warning of God to such who dispense (do away) with His laws is found in Revelation 22:18-19. We need to dispense with the false "dispensation theory." Will You Walk As the Messiah Walked? If Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, is living in you, He will be keeping the same laws, statutes, judgments that He perfectly observed while He walked this earth as a man. Will you walk as He walked, I John 2:6? If so, you will be keeping all of God's Holy Days.ê The most important proof of the validity of the Biblical Holy Days is found by those who keep them. Just as in the observance of the weekly Sabbath, knowing the Truth, and doing it, brings you into contact with your Maker. If you have been convinced that you should observe Biblical Holy Days, then you need to act on your beliefs. You need to keep them in fellowship with others. In addition, you need to grow in your understanding of the Holy Days. As the African conservationist Baba Dioum said, "For in the end, we conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We understand only what we are taught." Holy Days or Feast Days? Is there a difference between a Holy Day and a Feast Day? Should the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Pentecost be observed in a manner similar to the Feast of Tabernacles? Are there three pilgrimage feasts? What is a Holy Day? What is a Feast Day? Is there a difference? What does the Bible say relative to the observance of these days? Is the Christian to be diligent in observing ALL the days God has ordained? Is one Feast Day above another in importance? Colossians 2:16-17 states, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Jesus Christ will do the judging. We shall all one day appear before the judgment seat, to be examined against the Book -- the Bible, all of it. Don't worry about what men say. Follow what God says. A Sabbath and New Moon are different from a Holy Day. As we shall see, they all are divine appointments, special times to God, appointed by Him for us to observe. MOED, Appointed Times, Feasts Leviticus 23 summarizes all the major feasts of the Lord. To distinguish between the different characteristics of the various types of days, the Hebrew words help us to understand how God looks at His special times. The word for "feasts of the LORD," and "My feasts," in verse 2, and verses 4, 37, 44 is the Hebrew moed, Strong's #4150, which means "appointed season or set time, solemn feast, congregation, set feast." So we see from Leviticus 23 that the weekly Sabbath, Passover, the Seven-Day Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Firstfruits (Pentecost), Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, the Seven Days of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day are all moed, divine appointments. Numbers 10:10 also indicates that the beginnings of months, or New Moons, are moed, "solemn days." These appointed times are not chosen or set by man, but by the Eternal God. He says that they are His feasts (moed), Leviticus 23:2. Some individuals have a habit of missing their appointments. Let us not be so careless with the Almighty! He expects us to keep our appointments with Him. Mikra Kodesh, Holy Days, Sabbaths Certain of these moed are special in that they are ALSO holy convocations (mikra kodesh, meaning "a called out, public meeting, that is hallowed, pure, sacred, dedicated"). On such "holy days" no work may be done. The literal Hebrew is graphic in telling us exactly what is forbidden: "all occupational servitude, NO!" The weekly Sabbath, 15th and 21st days of the first month, (Unleavened Bread Holy Days) Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and the 15th and 22nd days of the seventh month (first day of Tabernacles and Last Great Day) are such holy day convocations -- mikra kodesh, sacred meetings. They are all sabbaths in the sense of being days of rest. The apostle John noted that Nisan 15 (first day of Unleavened Bread) was a special sabbath: "The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away," John 19:31. So we have moed, a general term for the feasts of the Eternal, and mikra kodesh, holy day convocations, or sabbaths. Yet there is a third term we need to understand. For without this, we would only partially observe God's days, and God wants us to keep the whole law, not just a few points! See James 2:8-10. Hag, Festivals, Feast Days Leviticus 23:6, "And on the fifteenth day of the same [first] month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread." The Hebrew word for "feast" is not moed, but hag meaning "festival, solemn feast day, sacrifice." It comes from the word hagag, meaning "to move in a circle, march in sacred procession, observe or celebrate, dance, keep a feast." The hag of unleavened bread lasts seven days. Likewise in Leviticus 23:34, "The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast [hag] of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD." Elsewhere we find that Pentecost is also a hag day, the "feast of weeks," Deuteronomy 16:10, and Exodus 34:22. In Ezekiel 45:21, we are told that "Passover" or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is "a feast of seven days." Likewise Passover day is a hag: "neither shall the sacrifice of the feast [hag] of the passover be left unto the morning," Exodus 34:25. It is significant that in all the Scriptural uses of hag, there is not one specific use of the term hag referring to an individual holy day such as the Sabbath, Day of Trumpets, or Day of Atonement. In fact, hag days, or Feast Days, have a different meaning than Holy Days (moed). There are precious few of God's people who have carefully considered the distinction. Passover Day (Nisan 14), Nisan 16-20 (the days between the first and last holy days of unleavened bread), as well as the last six days of the Feast of Tabernacles (Tishri 16-21) are hag days, Feast Days. They are not Holy Days or mikra kodesh. Nisan 15 and 21, Pentecost, and Tishri 1, 10, 15 and 22 are Holy Days as well as Feast Days. Of course ALL these days are moed, God's appointed festival times. Why, one might ask, is there a distinction? What is the difference? Is it important? These intervening days of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles are not without an important meaning for us. NO, they are not Sabbaths, nor Holy Days upon which no work is permitted. Neither are they days that we should do our own pleasure like an ordinary day. They are not routine days, but hag days, "feast days of God." Unleavened Bread is to be eaten on each of the intervening Days of the Feast (hag) of Unleavened Bread, Leviticus 23:6. One must dwell in booths seven days during the Feast (hag) of Tabernacles, verse 42. Three Pilgrimage Feasts -- Hag Times -- A Year There are three times [same word as "feet," meaning pilgrimages] a year we are to keep a feast -- hagag -- unto God in a year, Exodus 23:14. Since they are times of leaving home and making a pilgrimage to the place God dwells, these three hag (feast) times cannot mean that we go about our normal activities. Jews refer to the intervening days of Passover and Tabernacles as hol ha-moed, or half holy days, both weekdays and holy days. By implication, the day between Pentecost and the preceding Sabbath would also be a moed katan, or lesser holyday. McClintock and Strong's Bible Cyclopaedia, article "Passover," says that in Temple times, the people "indulged in public amusements, as dances, songs, games, etc., to fill up the time in harmony with the joyful and solemn character of the festival. The work allowed to be done during the middle days of the festival was restricted to irrigating dry land, digging watercourses, repairing conduits, reservoirs, roads, marketplaces, baths, whitewashing tombs, etc. Dealers in fruit, garments, or in utensils were allowed to sell privately what was required for immediate use. Whatever the emergencies of the public service required, or was necessary for the festival, or any occupation the ommission of which might cause loss or injury, was permitted. Hence no new graves were allowed to be dug, nor wives espoused, nor houses, slaves, or cattle purchased, except for the use of the festival . . . as in all the festivals, cheerfulness was to prevail during the whole week, and all care was to be laid aside." Thus, the feasts -- hag days -- are not to be times of mourning, but of gladness, Ecclesiastes 3:4, Nehemiah 8:2, 9-10. Many understand that the Feast of Tabernacles is to be an annual occasion of leaving one's home and going to God's place for a full eight days. Yet most do not realize that Passover and Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost are likewise pilgrimage feasts in the same way as Tabernacles. Perhaps more would understand, if they knew the difference in meaning between Holy Days and Feast Days. One is not keeping the Feast (hag) of Unleavened Bread by only resting the first and last Holy Days, in the meantime returning to one's normal work. Read Deuteronomy 16:1-8. The Place Where God Chooses to Place His Name There are three feast (hag) times of the year, which one must appear before the Eternal at the appointed place. Passover and Unleavened Bread are to be observed "in the place which the Eternal thy God shall choose," Deuteronomy 16:6-8. The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) is a time of rejoicing "in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place His name," verses 10-11. The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven day feast "in the place which the Lord shall choose," verses 13-15. Deuteronomy 16:16 summarizes: "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." The word for these three "feast" times is hag. This word is never used specifically in reference to the Day of Trumpets or the Day of Atonement. These three feast times are times to appear before God, not to go about our daily work. This is a command of the Almighty God. Where is the place to observe these three feast times in this age? In the wilderness, it was at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, Exodus 29:42-43. In the promised land, the place was originally Shiloh, I Samuel 1:3, and Judges 21:19. Later the proper place was at the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70. Jesus knew the hour would come when worship of God at His feast times would be at places other than Jerusalem, John 4:21-24. The place is not as important as worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth. The New Testament Church kept the feasts in localized areas, Acts 20:5-6. So today there is NOT one place where God has chosen to place His name. He places His name on His people, the children of God, John 17:11, 21-23. Where they are gathered together, God is in their midst, Matthew 18:20. Brethren of like faith should make every effort to meet together in the worship of God, Hebrews 10:24-25. It should be a place where the cares of this life, this world's influences, do not interfere with the spiritual aspect of the Feast. Such a place will indeed be blessed by the Almighty. Following the Example of David and Hezekiah Righteous Saints of old obeyed God in keeping these three pilgrimage feasts each year. God blessed them abundantly for their obedience. Will we do likewise? David, a man after God's own heart, obeyed God in keeping His feasts. Those who follow David will be doing the same things David did! Notice II Chronicles 30:13, 21-22, "And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast [hag] of Unleavened Bread . . . . And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers." This is the way zealous people observe God's seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Hezekiah kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread a full seven days! Just as his father David did! II Chronicles 29:1-2, "Hezekiah . . . did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done." Such a proper feast had not been done for a long time before Hezekiah, 30:1, 5. Not since the time of Solomon, verse 26. So Hezekiah led the nation of Judah in a return to God, to the righteous acts of David and Solomon. God was in back of their return to Him: "Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD," II Chronicles 30:12. Following God's ways results in blessings, II Chronicles 31:10-12. "And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered," verses 20-21. Ahaz, the wicked king before Hezekiah, "did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father . . . . Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria, and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives . . . ," II Chronicles 28:1, 5. The choice is before us today: follow David in obedience to God, and be blessed, or don't follow David and be cursed. Josiah Revival Needed Today The history of God's people has had continual ups and downs throughout the ages. Obedience for a time, then departure, then a revival, and so on. After Hezekiah, there was a departure under Kings Manasseh and Amnon. Under King Josiah, the book of the law was found and the covenant was renewed. Immediately idols were put away and the greatest Passover was kept, a true and great feast unto God, II Chronicles 34 and 35. The mark of a zealous people in their return unto God is proper observance of a full seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Such a feast requires a great deal of preparation, of making ready, II Chronicles 35:1, 4, 6, 14, 15. Then a seven day period of rejoicing, "And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time and the feast of unleavened bread seven days," verse 17. Once again, a righteous king led Judah in a return unto God, a return to the acts of David. "Josiah . . . did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left," II Chronicles 34:1-2. Those today who are seeking the God of David, verse 3, and have "found" understanding of the book of the law, verse 15, will do likewise. Jesus Christ is our Passover, I Corinthians 5:7, our example, I Peter 2:21. He kept the Passover a full seven days, Luke 2:40-43. He gave us an example in studying God's word in the intervening days between the first and the last holy days of the feast. The apostles, after Christ's death and resurrection, kept a full seven day feast, Acts 20:6. Many of God's church of our time observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread a full seven days, as a pilgrimage feast. Since the late 1960's most, like ancient Israel, have watered down and compromised God's truth, Matthew 5:19. A few in Hezekiah's and Josiah's time stirred themselves up again to zealously obey God. Sadly, these were the exceptions, not the rule. "So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem," II Chronicles 30:26. The result of this obedience? Verse 27, "Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." "And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept . . . ," II Chronicles 35:18. Josiah and the true followers of God kept the greatest Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread since the days of Samuel. So Samuel did keep it in the right way. Samuel, David, Solomon, Hezekiah and Josiah: all these righteous men of old kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven full days. Are Passover and Pentecost Minor Feasts? Is one of the three pilgrimage feasts more important than all the others? This is what some would have us believe. They say, "The Feast of Tabernacles is the only time when God's people should all be together." Is this true? Jesus' example, Luke 2:41-43, and that of the New Testament church, Acts 2:1 show that Passover and Unleavened Bread and Pentecost were equally as important as the Feast of Tabernacles, John 7:2, 10, 37. Why do some people celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles as a pilgrimage feast, and not Passover and Pentecost? The primary reason they give is economic. Many do not properly utilize their second tithe. They waste it one time for Tabernacles and then have nothing left to properly celebrate the other two feasts. They may feel that to take off additional time from their jobs in the spring would result in loss of their jobs or severe financial hardship. Thus, the primary reason why most do not follow God in observing ALL His feasts has to do with money, a root of all evil. Wasting (stealing) God's tithes and showing lack of faith that God will protect and provide. How are God's second tithes wasted? Members are forced to travel long distances to a minister-designated Feast of Tabernacles site, that does not take the whole group into consideration. One man had to spend more than $1,000 airfare for his family just to attend one Feast. The New Testament Church kept the feasts in localized areas, such as Philippi (in modern Greece) and Troas (in modern Turkey), as shown in Acts 20:5-6. It was as Jesus said, that the time would come when Jerusalem would not be the only place for worshipping God at His feasts, John 4:21-24. Once the members arrive at the Feast site, they often squander their money by staying at excessively expensive motels and eating in expensive restaurants. This is often the result of ministerial example. They waste their time by traveling long distances to daily services and to restaurants, as well as superfluous amusements. One young bachelor told us that he had so much second tithe, that he had a hard time spending it! God's money is often thrown away in a physically-oriented Feast. No wonder most brethren do not have the money to observe three such annual orgies! Instead, they are told that because of economic considerations, some may be able to attend a Feast of Tabernacles only every other year. This is an open admission that the curses for disobedience of God's law are being experienced. It is true that some face the prospect of financial hardship if they were to step out in faith and observe three annual pilgrimage feasts as the Bible commands. This situation has been ordained by the Almighty so that those who do have extra second tithe can -- and should -- assist those who do not have enough. When those who have excess waste it, and those who barely have enough are not wise planners, or are too proud to ask for help, it doesn't work out right. The Right Kind of Feast Instead, why not have a Belknap Springs type of Feast, like the Radio Church of God observed in the late 1940s? Such an inexpensive resort area with camping facilities and cabins, isolated from the world, may be difficult to find. However, God's people need a place where all the brethren are together in one place, in one accord. Wouldn't it be great to have a common kitchen and dinning hall for healthful meals prepared at a reasonable cost, and guaranteed "kosher"! This makes possible a Feast that is a time to park your car for a whole feast time and live close to God's creation, praying to God at a special secret place on a rock or a hill, off a hiking trail. At this type of place, brethren and families can really enjoy spiritual and physical fellowship. They can sing hymns by a campfire at night. Many more possibilities for truly rejoicing are available, when you do it God's way. In the early years of the Radio (later the name was changed to Worldwide) Church of God, Herbert Armstong was inspired to do it right. Why have we departed? The Churchin its earlier years kept the Feasts three times a year. Now, as one minister said, we are more sophisticated. We stay in luxury motels, eat in high-class restaurants, hire maids and servants to make our beds, serve our meals, even on God's Sabbaths. We rush through traffic to be on time for services at a city convention center. Rush here, rush there. An honor to God? Who are we trying to kid? Some plan for this annual vacation many months in advance. Feast of Unleavened Bread? Pentecost? By their actions, many are saying these are merely minor holy days. By following the Bible, there would be plenty of money for three pilgrimage feasts for all. Where is our faith? God's Word promises protection for our property "when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year," Exodus 34:24. Don't you think that God could also protect your job, provide enough income for your family if you took off from work without pay, in order to obey God? The Eternal is waiting to bless us, if we obey Him and step out in faith. Why There Are Three Pilgrimage Feasts The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the Millennium, the time of abundance, the great harvest time. Everyone wants that. Everyone wants to be in God's Kingdom. So it is not surprising that the Feast of Tabernacles is the chief -- and only -- pilgrimage feast for many people. How do we obtain the World Tomorrow? Through the sacrifice of Jesus and His blood, putting sin out of our lives, obeying God, receiving His Spirit and overcoming, pictured by Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost. This requires work. No great fall harvest is reaped without work. Typically, the carnal-minded person wants the benefits of God's Kingdom (Feast of Tabernacles) without going through the work to obtain it (spring Holy Days). It takes work to be a living sacrifice, Romans 12:1-2, properly keeping Passover. It takes work to put sin out of our lives that so easily besets us, truly being Unleavened True Believers. It takes work to be spiritually minded. Note that the Holy Spirit is given only as we obey Him, Acts 5:32, those who keep the true Pentecost. Several have said, why put a burden upon God's people? Man's burdens are heavy, but the Messiah's burdens are light. Jesus said that whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it. Those who give up their lives in service and obedience to God, seeking Him, shall save their lives. Is it any wonder that God is going to turn someone's feasts into mourning? The day of God's wrath is soon coming. Will we be spared as the Israelites were in Egypt, when the death angel passed at midnight? Is the blood of the Lamb sprinkled on our doorposts? Read Isaiah 26:20-21 and 31:5. Then decide for yourself what it will be: Will you keep only God's Holy Days and not all of His Feast Days? Or, will you instead keep all of God's Holy Days and Feast Days? Summary Moed Mikra Kodesh Hag Strong's #4150 Strong's #4744, 6944 Strong's #2282 "Feasts," or "Holy Days," or "Festival," or "Appointed Times" "Sabbaths," or "Pilgrimmage "Holy Convocations" Feast" Sabbath Sabbath Not Applicable Passover Not Applicable * Seven Day Feast of 15th day First Month Seven Day Feast of Unleavened Bread 21st day of First Month Unleavened Bread Feast of Firstfruits Feast of Pentecost Feast of Pentecost (Pentecost) Day of Trumpets Day of Trumpets Not Applicable Day of Atonement Day of Atonement Not Applicable Seven Day Feast 15th day of Seventh Month Seven Day Feast of Tabernacles of Tabernacles Last Great Day Last Great Day * New Moons Only the Day of Trumpets Not Applicable * By extension, because of close proximity, Passover and the Last Great Day are hag days.ê What Should We Do During the Eternal's Feasts? Each year, millions observe non-Biblical holidays with vigor and excitement, even if they profess no religion. What about the Almighty's Feasts? How should we observe His sacred appointments? What kind of times are the Biblical Feasts? What should we do during the Eternal's Feasts? Three Times To Move Our Feet There are three annual pilgrimage feasts: "Three times [Hebrew regel, Strong's #7272 meaning `feet'] thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest [Pentecost], the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering [Tabernacles] which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three times [Hebrew paam, Strong's #6471 also meaning `footsteps'] in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God," Exodus 23:14-17. Regel is an interesting Hebrew word. In 233 places it is translated "foot" or "feet," and only 4 places regel is rendered "times." Three times a year we are to use our feet to observe God's cyclical pattern. We are to walk, or go, to a certain place. "Three times [paam] 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: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee," Deuteronomy 16:16-17. It is to be an habitual practice, something we do automatically. (1) Preparation and Humility The fall feasts have a pattern: Feast of Trumpets (New Moon), Day of Atonement (Tishri 10) and an eight-day Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day. Likewise, the Spring Feasts follow the same pattern: New Year (Nisan 1, a New Moon), Nisan 10, and the eight-Day Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. What is so special about Nisan 10? The instruction in Exodus 12:1-10 was probably given on Nisan 1 (New Moon), and the preparation for the Passover (taking of the lamb for each household) was to be done on Nisan 10, kept without blemish until Nisan 14 when it was killed. We have been admonished in the Church of God to prepare for the Passover, with prayer and fasting, so as to be in the right spirit for the most solemn, awesome day of the year. Thus there is a parallel between the Day of Atonement (Tishri 10) and the meaning of Nisan 10. Both are demonstrative of the need for physical and spiritual preparation for the upcoming Feast. Before the joyful Feast, there must be a period of humility, Proverbs 15:33, I Peter 5:5-6. This theme is carried over from Nisan 10 to the night of the Passover itself, with the footwashing ceremony preceding the actual supper, John 13. (2) A Time For Being About Our Father's Business Discipleship requires total supreme devotion, Luke 9:62. We must put our Father's business first, above all else. Jesus set us an example during the Feast of Unleavened Bread at age twelve, Luke 2:40-52. We are not to return to our life's chores during the Feast. The Eternal even promises protection of our possessions when we leave them to go to observe the Feasts, Exodus 34:21-24, Proverbs 16:7. (3) A Time of Hearing the Word The Eternal's Feasts have a physical purpose. Primarily they are spiritually oriented. It is a time to "feast" on the Eternal's Word, Nehemiah 8:1-8, 18, Deuteronomy 31:10-13. It is not a time only to "stick one's nose in the Bible," but also to speak the words of the Bible one to another, Malachi 3:16, Hebrews 10:24-25. This doesn't happen by accident, but is the result of living the Bible all year long. Bible studies take preparation, both on the part of the Speaker and the listeners. (4) A Time of Joy and Feasting Nehemiah 8:9-12 shows that we can only rejoice when we understand the Law, and are zealously keeping it, together. We are commanded to rejoice, Deuteronomy 16:11, 13-15; II Chronicles 30:21-27. A feast is made for rejoicing, Ecclesiastes 10:19. (5) A Family Time of Togetherness, Unity and Fellowship See Deuteronomy 12:11-12, 14:26, 16:14. Our Savior set an example as He stayed at the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary prior to the Passover. Feast time is a time of reunions and renewed fellowship. We need to develop a close relationship with our spiritual brethren. "How excellent are the LORD's faithful people! My greatest pleasure is to be with them," Psalm 16:3 (Today's English version). (6) Appreciating the Creation Israel kept the Feasts in Shiloh before the Jerusalem Temple was built. It was a beautiful place with vineyards, Judges 21:19-21. Jerusalem had gardens and trees. Our Savior appreciated the creation, as witness His walking through the corn fields on the Sabbath, Matthew 12:1. After the Passover supper, He prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane. A Jewish friend says the term "place which the Eternal has chosen to place His name" means "place which you can see the Eternal." The resurrected saints will have the Father's name written in their foreheads, Revelation 14:1, and see Him face to face, as He is, I John 3:2. In the Creation we can be removed from the cares of this life, see the Eternal, and be close to Him. (7) A Time of Special Prayer Feast time is prayer time at a special place in the wonderful creation. The Savior prayed at Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-46. He was often a visitor of such places of solitude, John 18:1-2. During Hezekiah's Great Feast of Unleavened Bread, prayer was an important part of the worship, II Chronicles 30:21-27. I have experienced ardent vocal prayer during the Feast, next to a majestic California Redwood tree, a Juniper tree in Central Oregon, etc. These experiences made me feel especially close to my Heavenly Father. (8) A Time to Give and Share We are to give physically to those that are less blessed than ourselves, Nehemiah 8:10, 12; Deuteronomy 14:26-29. This was again an example set by the Messiah. It was such a habit that the disciples thought that Judas was going out to give something to the poor, John 13:27-30. Spiritually we are to give to others, and not just have a physical Feast. Some just sit and take in sermons, giving nothing except Holy Day offerings. We are to come to the Feast prepared to give and receive. Our Savior did, even at age twelve! The Almighty does not want us to be spiritual sponges, merely absorbing in everything from others. He wants us to give and share with the brethren. Feast Fever The Eternal's Feasts are far better than worldly holidays such as Christmas and Easter! We plan our entire year around them. We get "Feast Fever" in anticipation of these joyful times. Our souls long for these days as we do for the Eternal's Kingdom, Psalm 84:1-12.ê God's Second Tithe Physical Lesson to Teach Spiritual Principles What if God Almighty were to appear before you, and command you to do something -- would you do it? Think about that for a moment! Would you, really? God does appear before you in the pages of the Bible, with direct and specific commands, ordering your every way of life. Ministers of God, or teachers, may assist you to see God's requirements. Do you take what you see in the Bible as mere "suggestions"? If you do, may God help you to wake up before it's too late. You may not like the Biblical commands, Romans 8:7, but we are instructed to NOT do "every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes," Deuteronomy 12:8. A great host of people have become "turned off" because of the real or alleged misuse of church funds. As a result, some have questioned the entire doctrine of tithing, and others have even let their love for God and His laws wax cold. Compare Psalm 119:97 with Matthew 24:10-13. These misguided people have thrown away their former respect for God and His laws, or have substituted the false Protestant-Catholic concept of "love" without the need for obedience to the law, Jude 4. As in every case when someone points the finger at someone else, he is often guilty of the same or worse sins. Have you been angry over the misuse of funds by others? Consider rather how you have been handling your responsibility in the usage of God's second tithe. Have you "fueled the airplane" of your own desires, forgetting the command to remember the poor and needy, Deuteronomy 14:22-27, 16:11-15? Have you figuratively or literally "gambled away" your second tithe on a purely physical rather than a spiritual feast? The purpose of this article is not to exhaustively prove the doctrine of tithing, but to point out the serious responsibility that every individual has in properly keeping the feasts and Holy Days of God. The second tithe is irrevocably tied to the observance of the Holy Days. Do away with one, and you do away with the other. For the end of properly spending the second tithe and keeping the Holy Days is the same: that we may learn to fear (respect reverently and lovingly obey) the Eternal our God always, Deuteronomy 14:23. We learn of spiritual things, such as the existence of God, by and through the observance of physical things, Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1. Likewise, we learn to spiritually keep God's law by and through His Spirit coupled with physical obedience. Only then can we truly worship God in spirit and in truth, John 4:24. To worship God spiritually, "in spirit," you must also worship Him literally, physically, "in truth." There's a clever argument by some that you don't have to fast on the Day of Atonement. This is because Christ was our atonement and now we worship Him spiritually by having a humble mind instead of an afflicted body. James must have contemplated such devious reasoning when he wrote, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works . . . . But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:18, 20. You can't keep "the seventh part of your time" in your mind and be keeping God's Sabbath, the seventh day. You can't keep the Day of Atonement "in the mind" -- supposedly spiritually -- without also fasting physically on that day. When you do keep these laws physically, you can also come to a spiritual understanding of them through God's Spirit and physical obedience. Likewise, it is the same with second tithe. If the physical law is kept, spiritual lessons can be learned. God doesn't need the tithe, because He owns everything, Psalm 24:1. We are not yet born members into the God family. We need physical laws to teach us spiritual lessons. God's physical laws are spiritual, Romans 7:14, because they accomplish a spiritual objective. Throw away those physical laws binding today and you destroy the way to the spiritual purpose and destiny of man. What if the first, second, and third tithes, were misused and abused by some? What if nearly every major doctrine of God's Word has been changed, corrupted or watered down? "For what if some [of those very ones who taught us God's truth, and baptized us] did not believe? [later came to be corrupters of God's Word] shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar," Romans 3:3-4. Today, some are "chucking the whole thing" in effect saying, "Let us do evil, that good may come," verse 8; "There is no fear of God before their eyes," verse 18. Proper usage of the second tithe in keeping the Feasts of God should help us "learn to fear the Lord thy God always," Deuteronomy 14:23. Faith in the blood of Christ for the remission of sins that are past, Romans 3:25, does not void the laws of God, including that of the second tithe. It establishes the law, Romans 3:31, makes it much more binding, to its full spiritual intent. Perversion of God's Feasts Bible prophecies clearly show that in the last days there will be a perversion of the feasts of God. In the Last Days there will be "scoffers, walking after their own lusts," II Peter 3:3. "Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery . . . with covetous practices . . . , Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray . . . ," II Peter 2:13-15. This is to occur within the Church of God, and many will follow this perverse way of revelling instead of worshipping God, verses 1-2. Thousands laughed at a cartoon (Worldwide News, October 14, 1974, page 8) depicting a middle-aged man looking with eyes full of adultery at a young lady while stating to his portly wife, "Mildred, I think we should ask . . . [name of a minister] to determine whether our preconversion marriage is still binding." Some have acted out such adulterous practices by openly admitting that they were literally "going after a mate at the Feast" now that they were supposedly "free" to remarry. See II Peter 2:18-19 in this light. Jude likewise foretold that "in the last time," verse 18 there would be those who would turn -- change -- God's truth that they once had, into lawlessness, verses 3-4. There would be "spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear . . . carried about of winds [doctrinal changes, see Ephesians 4:14]; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead [once dead in baptism, now dead spiritually], plucked up by the roots [because they had no firm foundation]," verse 12. These prophesies are being fulfilled before our eyes. Watch and beware that you don't fall into the category of those that pervert the feasts of God. For the manner of observance as well as the date of the feasts is prophesied to be corrupted and wrongfully changed, Daniel 7:25. The second tithe has everything to do with how we observe God's feasts. Have you begun to compromise, just a little, in "feeding yourself without fear"? Take heed, "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints," Jude 3. God Hates Corrupted Feasts Isaiah contains many prophecies for "the last days" Isaiah 2:2. All but "a very small remnant," 1:9, of God's people are prophesied to rebel against Him, 1:2. God says to the ones who have corrupted the ways He originally gave to them, "Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hateth: they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them," 1:14. Why is this? Because God's people have become as Sodom and Gomorrah, verse 10, once faithful, but now like an harlot, verse 21. The "princes" or leaders "are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them," verse 23. This prophecy is a warning for us today. Are we providing for the stranger (newcomer), the widow, and the fatherless? Or, are our feasts a stench in God's nostrils because we have not followed the admonition, "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow," verse 17? God will never forsake us, His Church. Could it be that most of the Church has forsaken God? God says in Isaiah 1:28 that "they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed," and in 2:6, that God will forsake His people that have corrupted His ways, to become like the world around them. Don't worry about what others do, what about you? Is your manner of observance of God's feasts a trouble to God? In all the slick motels, condominiums, restaurants and night clubs, God's people have forgotten God and His word. Instead, we need to "feast upon" God's word during the Holy Days, Hosea 2:8. Because of our lack of feasting upon spiritual knowledge, God is soon going to act, "I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts," verse 11. Again God warns, "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it," Malachi 2:2-3. Unless we take heed, we, too, will be cursed. God specifies why He is against such corrupted feasts: He hates the dealing treacherously against the wife of one's youth, the putting away in divorce, Malachi 2:14-16. He is against "the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, says the LORD of hosts," Malachi 3:5. All of these things become part and parcel with corrupt observance of God's feasts, for which cause He will punish His people, unless they repent. Proper observance of God's feasts should teach us to fear Him. Do we? For some, captivity and punishment is the only way they can come to repent of watering down God's Holy Days. In Egypt or Assyria or elsewhere, some will be forced to eat unclean things, Hosea 9:3. There will be much mourning and soul-searching in that day, as God asks in warning, "What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?" verse 5. To a people that say, "God will never forsake us," God replies, "I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early," Hosea 5:15. Why not seek God now, be scrupulous in rightly observing His feasts, and escape all these things to come to pass, Luke 21:36? Again and again this theme runs through the Bible: the corrupted observance of God's feasts results in certain punishment. If God warned you twice not to do something, you would feel it was mightily important to Him. What if He warns against something time and time again? In Amos 5:20 God repeats the warning for the time just prior to "the day of the Lord." Verses 21-23: "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols." Why is God so upset? What is lacking? What does God want, regarding His feast days? Verse 24, "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." He continues, telling exactly what He hates about the way His people have come to treat His feasts: "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria . . . That lie upon beds of ivory . . . , and eat the lambs out of the flock . . . , That chant to the sound of the viol . . . , That drink wine in bowls [margin, bowls of wine], and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph," Amos 6:1-6. Instead of being grieved at the nation's sins (and one of the leading sins is that of adultery and divorce), they participate in them, having purely a physical feast, being filled with food and drink and the music of this world, but empty of the waters of judgment and righteousness. This has happened to some extent already, and tragically is still going on. The fate of those who "keep" a feast in this manner is captivity, Amos 5:27, and the events described in the rest of Amos 6. Read it in the paraphrased Living Bible. Feasts Turned Into Mourning Amos 8:4-9 describes those that "swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?" God is going to intervene mightily because of this. "And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day," verse 10. A famine of God's word is to come, verse 11, because God's people did not seek God's word at the Feast. Instead, they wanted it to be over. They took from the needy and spent everything on their own wanton pleasure. Will you store up God's Word, or squander it and later have to face famine? Isaiah further explains the connection between corrupted observance of God's Festivals and the resultant captivity of His people. God says, through Isaiah, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness . . . Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!" Isaiah 5:20, 23. "Therefore My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge . . . because they have cast away the law of the LORD of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore is the anger of the Lord against His people . . . ," verses 13, 24-25. What was one of the major signs of their corruption? Verses 11-12, "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of His hands." Yes they have plenty of wine and song at their "feasts." There is also wickedness, the breaking of God's laws. If God acted in the past because of perversion of His Feasts, will He not again punish His own people? Who are His people today? The ones who have known God's laws. The Book of Lamentations states that God sent Judah into captivity, "for the multitude of her transgressions," Lamentations 1:5. God further stated that "Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things . . . and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment," 2:14. God is no respecter of persons, Deuteronomy 10:17. As He punished them, shall He not punish us also if we do such things? Read these somber warnings for us: "How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become as a widow! . . . among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies . . . . The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness . . . . her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her Sabbaths. Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness . . . ," Lamentations 1:1-8. Yes, because of sins, feasts are turned into mourning. Foreign "lovers" turn into enemies. God will be an enemy to "the daughter of Zion" and "the daughter of Judah," Lamentations 2:4-5. He will even destroy His places of the assembly, verse 6. "The Lord has caused the solemn feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of His anger the king and the priest." This happened in the past. Could it happen again? Have we forgotten the true spiritual significance of God's Holy Days, turning them into physical feasts? If we have, God says He will cause our feasts to be forgotten, to be turned into mourning. The enemy gained control of the sanctuary, the place where God commanded heathen not to enter, 1:10, and 2:7. They, and not God's people who are taken captive, make a noise in the house of the Eternal "as in the day of a solemn feast," 2:7. The Living Bible more precisely gives the meaning of verse 7, "The Lord has rejected His own altar, for He despised the false worship' of His people; He has given their palaces to their enemies, who carouse in the Temple as Israel used to do on the days of the holy feasts!" Carouse on God's Holy Feasts, and this is the fate awaiting you! "You have called, as in the day of a solemn assembly, my terrors on every side, and there was none in the day of the Lord's anger that escaped or remained . . . ," Lamentations 2:22, Jewish translation. Instead of rejoicing, God will cause mourning on the "feasts" of those who corrupt the observance of His Holy Days. Will we take these somber warnings to heart and get back to the true, unadulterated observance of God's Feasts? Nehemiah Shows Proper Feast Observance Let's all admit that we have let down in our observance of God's Feasts. How can we get back to "the faith once delivered"? There is an example in the Bible of a people that corrupted God's Holy Sabbaths and as a result were taken into captivity, Ezekiel 20:23-24. Through God's intervention, they were brought back into their land, and zealously sought to return to the proper observance of God's annual and weekly Sabbaths. Their renewed zeal was short lived, however. After their leaders died, God's ways were corrupted again. Bible history continually records the ups and downs of those who received the truth of God. They kept it for a time, then departed from it again. They were again taken into captivity, where they repented and began following God once more. This entire process was repeated again and again. We must never wane in our zeal to obey God, abounding more and more, being "steadfast, unmovable," I Corinthians 15:58, not watering down God's ways. If we do not let down, we are promised protection against tribulation, Revelation 3:10-11. If we depart, we are certain to be led into captivity, Leviticus 26:33, Deuteronomy 28:64. The Book of Nehemiah shows how to get back to proper observance of God's Holy Days. Nehemiah, the Jewish cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, knew why he and his people had been taken into captivity. He fasted and prayed and wept about this grievous situation, many days, 1:4. He prayed to God "day and night . . . for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandst thy servant Moses," verses 6-7. Do we feel this way about our brethren and ourselves for having corrupted God's ways? Are we willing to make the necessary changes? Many who have turned from God's commandments are in spiritual captivity, II Peter 2:19-21. They are slaves to corrupt doctrines and the ways of death. Unless they repent, they soon will go into physical captivity in the latter days, Deuteronomy 4:25-30. Do we feel the same as Nehemiah did about this situation, or as Jeremiah did in the Book of Lamentations? Nehemiah knew that he too had sinned, he too had compromised and watered down God's laws. He now desired to fear God's name, Nehemiah 1:11, asking God to be with him in his efforts to rebuild the physical city of Jerusalem. Are we as zealous as Nehemiah was to work towards rebuilding God's spiritual work, that has now been torn down by those corrupting God's truth? Jesus Christ defined the "work of God" as believing "on Him [Christ] whom He [God the Father] hath sent," John 6:29, that is, believing and obeying God's Word. Jesus' meat -- His whole purpose in life -- was "to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work," John 4:34. Is this our "meat?" Nehemiah had confidence that God would prosper the work he was out to do, despite the persecution and mockery of Sanballat, Nehemiah 2:18-20, 4:1-3. Not the "nobles," the high and mighty, but the simple, weak and lowly people, supported Nehemiah in the work, 3:5. Those who sincerely wanted to obey God, "the people had a mind to work," 4:6, rose to the occasion, not those who wanted to allure the lusts of their flesh, II Peter 2:18. Is there a work similar to Nehemiah's work going on today, and is there a modern Sanballat? Nehemiah let nothing dissuade him from completing his physical work, 6:1-3, and when the rebuilding was done, even his enemies "Perceived that this work was wrought of our God," 6:16. In the eighth chapter, Nehemiah and the returned captives got back to "the book of the law of Moses," and began anew keeping the Holy Days of God. On the first day of the seventh month, the Day of Trumpets, Ezra the priest "brought the law before the congregation both of men and women and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein . . . from the morning until midday . . . and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law," Nehemiah 8:2-3. From a pulpit of wood, Ezra and many Levites "caused the people to understand the law . . . . So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused the people to understand the reading," 8:7-8. Is this done in the Church of God upon God's Holy Days? Has the "book of the law of Moses," Nehemiah 8:1, been read and expounded on God's Holy Days as they were in Nehemiah's day? The returned captives hadn't been properly observing God's Holy Days, so when they heard the law -- the first five books of the Bible -- read unto them, "all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law," 8:9. This is not what God wanted and Ezra and the Levites instructed them, "This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep . . . . Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared . . . . And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them," Nehemiah 8:9-12. They came back the next day, learning about the proper observance of the Feast of Tabernacles, "for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness," verses 13-17. They were restoring something that hadn't been properly done since the days of Joshua! Certainly, it pertained to the "dwelling in booths." Also notice what Ezra did in verse 18: "Also, day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner." Remember, Nehemiah himself admitted that even he had not been keeping "the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments" which God gave to Israel through Moses, Nehemiah 1:7. Can we likewise admit that we have sinned in not keeping all of God's laws, not even knowing what some of them are? Tragically, we as God's people have been "Bible illiterates" as far as the understanding of God's laws, which are part of the New Covenant to be written in our hearts and minds, Hebrews 8:10-12. It is indeed true that the foundation of God's way of life is Jesus Christ -- the Word, Ephesians 2:20. The foundation of that Word is the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, upon which every law, statute, judgment, and exposition of the Bible is based. If you were living during the Middle Ages when all Bibles were hand copied and fantastically expensive, which part would you want most of all to show you how to live? Obviously, the Law, the first five books of the Bible, upon which everything that follows is based. Jesus gave no new law, but magnified and expanded the meaning of the laws of God, to their full spiritual intent, Isaiah 42:21. We are to remember this law, Malachi 4:4. We talk about those that have changed God's laws, rejecting the revelation of God, but what about us? Do we even know all of God's laws? People tend to want a minister to tell them what to do and what not to do. We have a "book of Law" that is all-inclusive, covering in principle everything that can be sin. Because many have not known much about the laws of God, they have been easy prey for some so-called "scholars" who say that Jesus broke the "Old Testament" laws and that we only keep the Laws in our hearts. Or, they have come to hate a law that is good, but which man has corrupted by his tradition. How well do we know that Law? To keep us knowing this law, God has given a statute requiring the reading of God's laws at least once every seven years. Have you ever heard about this statute? Ezra was not instituting some new idea of his own, but following a statute God gave in the Book of Deuteronomy. At the close of Moses' life, when he turned over the reigns of leadership to Joshua, he had completed writing his portion of scripture, the Law, and had given it to the Levites and elders, Deuteronomy 31:9. Then, "Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which He shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law," verses 10-12. Yet Israel failed to read God's law and live by it. As a result they turned to other gods and were punished and led into captivity, verses 16-18. "In the latter days," God says that His people, "will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you," verse 29. Could it be that we could be guilty of doing this because we have forgotten God's Laws, Hosea 4:6? Notice that Joshua followed God's command through Moses to read and expound God's law. "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them," Joshua 8:34-35. Yet, from the time of Joshua until Nehemiah restored this practice, the reading and expounding of God's law was not done! We need to do what Nehemiah did, restoring "the faith once delivered." Read Nehemiah chapter 9 for a synopsis of the history of Israel. How they followed God for a time, rebelled and were led captive, returned by God's mercy, and did the same thing again. Will we repeat this tragedy, as so many have in the past? This year, at the Feast of Tabernacles, we need to renew our covenant to follow and obey God, "to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and His judgments and His statutes," Nehemiah 10:28-29. To implement this, we need to do two things: First, separate ourselves from the unconverted, 10:30. The "mixed multitude" with whom we formerly mingled, 13:1-3. Secondly, zealously observe God's Sabbath and Holy Days, 10:31, 13:15-22. This means to cleanse our ways of the "mixed multitude" of our watered down concepts, getting back to the unadulterated ways of God. It means to truly "sanctify," keep holy and reverently, the annual and weekly Sabbaths. Have we needlessly bought food or merchandise on the Sabbath or Holy Days, Nehemiah 10:31, profaning the Sabbath day, which was the cause of Israel's captivity, 13:16-18? Or do we think our own thoughts -- talk about daily business -- instead of God's ways on the Sabbath, Isaiah 56:1-2, 58:13-14? That is the message, the warning, of the Book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah shows proper Sabbath and Feast observance. He shows how to get back to the "faith once delivered" regarding the usage of the second tithe and proper festival observance. Is Tithing in Force Today? Nehemiah also exhorted the returned captives to not forsake the Levite and the house of God, to bring in the tithes that were due, Nehemiah 13:10-12. Today, we do not have the Levitical priesthood. We have Jesus Christ, our one High Priest, who works through a called and chosen ministry, Ephesians 4:11-13. Christ, the Melchizedek of the Old Testament, had the power to take tithes, Hebrews 7:1-10, for He made heaven and earth, all the earth is His, Psalm 24:1. For a time, He gave the power to take tithes over to the Levitical priesthood. In Numbers 18:21, God states, "I have given the children of Levi ALL the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." Even during the time of the Levitical priesthood, the tithes were not automatically theirs. They had to faithfully execute their office of service; otherwise they would not receive the tithe. Throughout this time, the tithe was still God's. Leviticus 27:30, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD." The tithe is not the Levite's, nor is it the Church's. The tithe has always been God's, to be given only to those faithfully continuing the service God has today, the work of the ministry, Ephesians 4:12. Christ was given all power in Heaven and earth, Matthew 28:18, and He has given power and authority to His faithful servants today. It is up to the individual member to make sure that the powers of the ministry are used properly, according to God's word, or he could find himself supporting a system of corruption and oppression. You cannot give something over to someone else that you don't have control over. Christ -- Melchizedek -- had the power to take tithes; He gave them over to the Levites for a time. Hebrews 7 shows that with the end of the Levitical priesthood, this power -- this part of the law -- was transferred back to Christ. His true ministers have this power today, the power to abstain from their occupation and to be supported by the brethren in their work of the ministry, I Corinthians 9:4-14. Paul, because of the times he lived in, the antagonism of the people to a system that coerced money from its followers, did not use this power so as not to offend, verses 18-22. Other apostles did use this power though, verses 4-6. Hebrews 7 is today a forgotten chapter on the subject of tithing. Some say that this chapter says nothing definitive about the subject of tithing, but only discusses the superiority of the priesthood of Christ (Melchizedek). Read the first ten verses of Hebrews 7, and you will find that the law of tithing was in force before Moses, even at the time of Abraham. Melchizedek (Christ) has been a priest forever, verses 3, 17. He has always had the power to take tithes. For a time, He gave the tithe to the Levites. Perfection could not come by the physical system of sacrifices, the "carnal commandments," verse 16, of "meats and drinks, and diverse washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation," 9:10. This "law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did," 7:19. So to bring in perfection, Christ (Melchizedek) who has always been in charge under God the Father, came in the form of a human being. He led a perfect, sinless life as our example, and died in our stead, once and for all, 10:10. The Levitical system and physical sacrifices were a schoolmaster to bring people to Christ, Galatians 3:24. For just as David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the House of Israel, neither shall the Levites want a man to do physical sacrifices, Jeremiah 33:17-22. In the millennium, it appears that there will be sacrifices, Ezekiel 44-46. However, for those of us who have accepted Christ, the priesthood (and the law of tithing relating to that priesthood) has been transferred from Levi to Melchizedek. We are now under the law to Christ, I Corinthians 9:21. Therefore, there is a change -- a transfer -- of who is our priest and to whom we pay our tithes, to whom we ask to sacrifice for us. There is a change in the priesthood AND the laws that accompanied it. Hebrews 7:12, in the King James states: "For the priesthood being changed [Greek: metatitheemi], there is made of necessity a change [Greek: metathesis] ALSO of the law." Have God's laws been changed or done away with? By no means! We need to know just what kind of change is meant by this verse. Metatitheemi and metathesis are similar words. Both are used in Hebrews 11:5 to refer to the translation of Enoch. Enoch did not go to heaven, and he was not destroyed or done away with. God "took him," Genesis 5:24 to a different place, transferred him from one place to another. Metatitheemi is also used in Acts 7:16, referring to the bones of Jacob which were carried over into Sychem to lay in his final resting place. So, for a time, Christ gave the receipt of the tithes to the Levites. Then, He changed -- transferred -- them back to their final resting place, Himself, the Alpha and Omega. Because He is our one High Priest, there is for us a change in the priesthood. Of necessity, there is also a change in the law. What law? Hebrews 7:1-10, concentrates on the law of tithing, "a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law," verse 5. Certainly, the transfer of the law includes the law of tithing, or the entire analogy of the first ten verses is meaningless. As further verses explain, also the law of carnal commandments, physical oblations, washings, and animal sacrifices was transferred to Christ. These have been changed -- translated -- transferred from one form to another. Our sacrifices are spiritual, Romans 12:1-2, I Peter 2:5. They have been brought to the final resting place, as Jacob's bones were. Our high priest has "an unchangeable priesthood," Hebrews 7:24, which will never be removed, never transferred again. Paul stated, during New Testament times, that the Levites have (present tense) a commandment to take tithes, Hebrews 7:5. They still do today from them that are under the law. We are not under the law, but under grace, Galatians 5:18, and Romans 6:14. Yet we under grace must not sin, Romans 6:15, but obey God's laws in the letter and the spirit. The priesthood has not been done away, it has been transferred. Likewise, the law of tithing has not been done away, but a change has been made as to whom we pay our tithes. The tithe has always been God's, Leviticus 27:30. Christ has always been a priest, Psalm 110:4. God's laws are spiritual, Romans 7:14. Woe be to them who are removed (metatitheemi) from Him, Galatians 1:6. Hebrews 7 stands as a monument to the unalterable, eternal, priesthood of Christ and the laws of God. Specifically it substantiates the continuance of tithing, a law which did not begin with the Levitical priesthood, nor ended with them. Tithing is a law still in force today, just as sure as the fact that Jesus is our High Priest today, Hebrews 4:14. More Than One Tithe? What about the idea that one must only tithe on agricultural produce? If the tithing law only relates to an agricultural society, then why did Abraham pay tithes on all the spoils of war, Hebrews 7:4, and Genesis 14:20? In fact, all increase comes from the land, from wool to timber, oil, coal, iron, glass, concrete, everything. It is the tithe of the land that is holy unto God, Leviticus 27:30. As we shall see, there is a festival, or second tithe. If tithing were only on agricultural produce, then fishermen and those in commerce such as those of the tribe of Dan that dwelt in ships, Judges 5:17, would not have been able to take part in the festivals of God. Neither would they be required to support the Levite, widow, and fatherless in the third year, Deuteronomy 14:28-29. All Israel was commanded to tithe, Numbers 18:21. Even those who did not farm! The Bible definitely shows more than one tithe. The proof of this is simple. Notice again Numbers 18:21. God gave the children of Levi "all [Hebrew: kohl, the entire part of'] the tenth in Israel for an inheritance . . . ." In Deuteronomy 14:22-23, the individual Israelite was to "truly tithe all [same word kohl] the increase of thy seed, that the field brings forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the tithe of thy corn, . . . that thou mayest learn to fear the Eternal thy God always." Every year all of this tithe was to be used during the festivals of God, not given to the Levite. This has to be an "additional tithe" besides the tithe given to those doing the service of God. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 says, "At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all [kohl] the tithe of thine increase the same year, . . . [and this tithe is given to] the Levite, . . . and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow which are within thy gates [which] shall come and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest." Here again, all of a "second additional tithe" is given for a different purpose. One could not give all of the same tithe to the Levite, eat all of it during the festivals, and every third year give all of the same tithe to the poor. There must then be three distinct tithes. The Septuagint translation of Deuteronomy 26:12, in speaking of the tithe given to the poor, states, "When you have completed tithing all [kohl] the tithes of your increase the third year, you shall bring the second additional tithe to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat in your gates, and be merry." The famous Jewish historian Josephus confirms the fact that the Bible speaks of three tithes. In his Antiquities of the Jews, Book IV, Chapter VIII, Section 22, he states, "Besides the two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those that want, to women also that are widows, and to children that are orphans." The Bible and secular writers confirm the fact that there is more than one tithe. The second tithe is the means of enabling us to keep the Holy Days. If there is no second tithe, the festivals are not to be kept. Far from being tied to only an agricultural system or a Levitical priesthood, tithing, and especially the second tithe, transcends a narrow section of the history of mankind. From the creation, God made the sun and the moon for signs and seasons (Hebrew moed, word used for God's Holy Days), Genesis 1:14. In the new Heavens and new Earth, these same seasons, based on twelve months (or moons) a year will be extant, Revelation 22:2, with the same constant reminders of the plan of God, the annual Holy Days. How Second Tithe Is To Be Used Suppose that in your third year you decided to give all three tithes for the same purpose; that of frolicking in a gluttonous Feast of Tabernacles. Would you be keeping the laws of tithing? Decidedly not! You would be stealing from the widow and stealing from those doing the service of God. Deuteronomy 12:5-8 shows that at the place that God chooses -- during the Festival times -- the tithes and offerings were to be brought and "there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee." May we do anything we please with this second tithe, give it for any purpose other than rejoicing at the Feast? NO! Verse 8, "Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes." Far from using the second tithe for another purpose (or any other of God's tithes for a purpose other than for which they are ordained), we are instructed to not pervert their proper use, after what seems right in our eyes. Deuteronomy 14:22-27 again defines the purpose and use of the second tithe. Verse 26 is the often-misunderstood key, "And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after [Hebrew: desires'], for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household," (verse 27, and the Levite). Whatever is rightly desired must be consumed, and used primarily for the Festivals of God, used "there," at the place He chooses, not within your gates, Deuteronomy 12:18, not for the service of the Levites, but so that you, your household, and the Levite may rejoice in the Feast. There is no other proper use of the second tithe. Any other than the Bible instruction is stealing! The true God is exact, precise. He allows no human reasoning around His laws. He states, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you," Deuteronomy 4:2. Your Responsibility in Using God's Money Many have erroneously come to believe that the second tithe is theirs, to do with as they please. Nothing could be farther from the truth! God owns everything that exists, for all the earth is His, Exodus 19:5. The Christian cannot do what he wants, even with his own body, having been bought with the awesome price of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I Corinthians 6:19-20. You are either a slave (servant) of the Devil and sin, OR, a slave of God and righteousness, Romans 6:16-22. It's just that simple. To fail to save -- and use properly -- the second tithe is to rob God (notice Malachi 3:8 uses the word tithes, more than one). The results of stealing God's tithes are curses, misery and unhappiness, Malachi 3:9. NEVER use the phrase, "my second tithe." For that matter, never think of any physical possessions as yours by right of your own efforts. We would receive nothing if it weren't for God. The Hebrew language, a Jewish friend tells us, has no phraseology for "my land" or "my money," etc. Instead, the literal words used are "it is given to me." Yes, a second tithe has been given to you, as has everything you own. Just as the first tithe is God's, so is the second, the third, your offerings, your possessions, and YOU! Are you properly using God's second tithe? Are you properly using all the physical things you have been given, including your body? God holds you accountable for how you use the second tithe. The amount may be small, but remember, that, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [riches], who will commit to your trust the true riches?" Luke 16:10-11. Part of the purpose for saving the second tithe is to test you. Will you "borrow" (steal) from it? Will you waste it or use it improperly? God wants to know. In determining how to properly spend God's second tithe, continually ask yourself the question, "How would God spend it?" Second Tithe To Be Used For Seven Basic Needs As noted earlier, Deuteronomy 14:26 shows us to use the second tithe for what we "rightly desire," rather than what our soul "lusts after." God designed the second tithe to give His people seven commanded assemblies -- Holy Days -- in which they act out His plan, rejoice and worship before Him, and learn to fear Him always, for all eternity! The second tithe is used in keeping God's annual Sabbaths, and Feast Days, especially the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day, the culmination of God's Holy Day Season. You need seven things to properly keep the Feast. Proper stewardship of the second tithe should amply provide these seven needs, for all! Remember, it's God's money, but you are responsible for using it! (1) The Place God Chooses Can you truly keep the Feasts without worship, holy convocation, instruction, study, prayer, singing, fellowship, living the World Tomorrow? Impossible! Travel, food, lodging, recreation, are accessories to the Feast. Learning to fear God always, is a result of the spiritual aspects of the Feast. This is keeping the Feast. So, first of all, to keep the Feast, there is the need of a place to keep it, a place for God's people to assemble in holy convocation. It is "in the place which He shall choose to place His name there," Deuteronomy 14:23, 12:5, that we are to partake of the second tithe. As we know, God chose Shiloh, and later, Jerusalem, as this place. Jesus told the woman of Samaria of the time then soon coming, when God would reject Jerusalem, and His people would continue to worship Him elsewhere, John 4:21. Paul kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread during one year at Philippi. New Testament Christians continued to keep the Holy Days at places God chose to raise up His people. We know that God will again choose Jerusalem as the headquarters of His true religion, Zechariah 2:12, at the Messiah's return. Does God continue to choose places to place His name today? He does if He continues to call and choose people to give His Spirit and live His ways. Where His people are, and His ministers are gathered, God is in their midst, Matthew 18:20. Certainly, the providing of the place of assembly for the Feasts is a proper function and usage of the second tithe. In the past, a "tithe of the second tithe," or "tithe of the tithe" has been asked for this purpose. This is not a wrong practice, being based on scriptural principles. In Nehemiah's day, the returned captives "made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God," Nehemiah 10:32. We likewise, have an obligation to provide for "the place God chooses." Those that are receiving second tithe assistance would not be able to perform this, but those with excess should take it upon themselves to remember these basic needs. Look to the needs of others, not just that of yourselves. This is the key. (2) The Levite, Widow, Stranger, and Fatherless A second need -- necessary to keep the Feasts, especially Tabernacles -- is someone to teach us -- God's ministers, representatives sent out by our High Priest, Melchizedek. We need God's ministers to instruct us! The ministry, supported by the first tithe, does not normally save a second tithe, Deuteronomy 14:27. A vital part of your second tithe responsibility is to provide for them. God commands us to rejoice at the Feasts, but not to rejoice alone. "Thou shalt observe the feast of Tabernacles seven days . . . and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow that are within thy gates," Deuteronomy 16:13-14. Not only the ministry, but other needy ones are to rejoice with us. They are to be provided for by our excess second tithe. This is a major responsibility for you and your second tithe. Especially don't forget "the stranger." These are newcomers who often have to travel many hundreds of miles farther to the feast than you do. God's Word continually warns us not to forget the widows and poor. A severe punishment is pronounced upon those who do, Matthew 23:14. Deuteronomy 10:17-19 states, "For the LORD your God is God of gods . . . which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. He doeth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Try to plan for an excess second tithe, for those in need of festival assistance. You can personally help those that you know are in need, or ask your minister to do it anonymously for you. The second tithe is to be saved "year by year," Deuteronomy 14:22. Unless you are unable to attend the Feast every year, you should not normally save one year's second tithe for the next. This means that if you have an excess, you should not waste it, but make sure provisions are made for those who need assistance. Pure religion is to provide for those in real need, not to lavish all "your" riches on yourself. (3) Traveling to the Place God Chooses Leaving your home and traveling to and from the Festival site is a very important and enjoyable part of "God's vacation plan" for you! In Old Testament times, the Feast of Tabernacles, with the Feasts of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost, were called "pilgrimage feasts" because of the travel to the place that God had chosen. King David wrote Psalm 120 through 134 as "songs of degrees" or "songs of ascent," to be sung by pilgrims on the way up to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. One of the lessons we are to learn in keeping the Feast is the fact of our transitory, temporal, life on this earth. We look toward a permanent, stable, eterna,l life void of confusion and turmoil. We must learn the lesson Abraham had to learn, "dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob," looking "for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God," living by faith and having confessed that we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," Hebrews 11:9-10, 13. Israel was an agrarian nation, generally saving its second tithe in the form of produce. If the way was too far to the festival site to carry the tithe of their produce, they were told to turn it into money, and "go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose," Deuteronomy 14:24-25. This certainly does show the interchangeability of tithes from produce, or whatever the form of increase, into money. It shows that tithing is not limited to an agrarian people. Further, unless you simply don't have enough, you can't use the excuse that "the way is too far" for not attending the Feast. Naturally, since travel is necessary to keep the Feast, necessary travel expenses should be provided for by the second tithe. If possible, travel through scenic attractions where you can appreciate God and the beauty of His creation with your family. This is certainly a part of the Feast. Here, as in every other area of second tithe expenditures, balance is the key to proper usage. The second tithe is to provide you with expenses necessary to attend the Feast, NOT to visit Aunt Jenny, or take a lengthy side trip far out of your way! Certainly, any trip that costs too much money so that you cannot fully enjoy and rejoice during the entire Festival is robbing yourself. If you travel by car, the gasoline and operating expenses may be provided for by the second tithe. An essential preparation before the Feast is to have the car serviced and in good running order. What about auto repairs? Does second tithe provide for them? Necessary costs in order to attend God's commanded feasts may be partially provided for by the second tithe. All the yearly repair needs of your car are not in the realm of second tithe, of course. If repairs are necessary, here is a way is to prorate the expenses: Festival Miles = Amount Financed Total Annual Mileage by Second Tithe Remember, the most important thing is that you need to attend God's commanded Festivals, Exodus 12:17, Deuteronomy 16:16. Travel expense should not ordinarily require a great amount of your total second tithe, unless you must travel great distances. Traveling light or have extra room? Why not travel with another party and share expenses? Why not take along a widow, orphan, or newcomer to help them enjoy the Feast also? God promises protection upon you in traveling to and from the Feast, as well as upon your possessions you leave behind, Exodus 34:23-24. Do your part, and God will do His. Traveling to and from the Feast is another test of how you will spend God's second tithe. Make your travel enhance, and not detract from, the proper keeping of God's holy time. (4) Providing for Your Soul "And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after [rightly, earnestly, desires], for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household," Deuteronomy 14:26. These are the only specific items mentioned as far as second tithe expense. We are commanded to eat and rejoice. God wants us to have a real Feast, Isaiah 25:6. Few realize why they eat and rejoice, or that eating and drinking, in the proper manner, is a religious act. Jesus Christ was falsely accused of being a glutton and a winebibber, but He did joyfully eat and drink, Luke 7:34. One of the first things Christ will do upon His return is to hold a "great marriage feast" for the resurrected saints married to Him, Revelation 19:9. We eat and drink at the Feast to enable us to rejoice and praise God as the source of our blessings now and hereafter. A sizzling steak, baked potato loaded with butter or sour cream, crisp salad, and fine wine with scintillating conversation, laughter and joyful company: this type of rejoicing fulfills what God wants for us. He wants us to experience the happiness and plenty of His kingdom. Feast time is not a time to eat common everyday food, but the best you can afford, in moderation. With nearly a tenth of one's yearly income to spend, most of God's people should be anything but hungry during the Feast. The key to proper usage of God's second tithe with respect to food and drink is quality before quantity. Drunkenness and revelling is not the fruit of God's Spirit, Galatians 5:21. A considerable amount of your time at the Feast is spent sitting. So to load up with three heavy meals a day is to invite becoming overweight or even sickness. One heavier meal and another one or two lighter meals is sufficient for most. Eat and drink the fine things, but remember: "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith," Proverbs 15:16. With regard to alcohol, remember not to go beyond pleasure to drunkenness. Would Jesus Christ consume cases of strong liquor at the Feast, so as to dull His mind and become incapable of profiting by instruction in God's law? One of the most important things to remember is NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE. We have heard so much lately about the horrible accidents that are taking the lives of innocent people. This is a result of people drinking and then driving even though they may not be drunk. Picnics, especially in some of the parks and recreational areas near the Festival sites, are an enjoyable Festival activity for the entire family. Some wives may relish the thought of not having to cook. Others may desire kitchen facilities in your Festival accommodations. Several unique homecooked meals (ever try roast duck, or baked Alaska?) can make your Feast much more enjoyable. (5) Your Tabernacle The Feast of Tabernacles (Hebrew: sukkoth, booths, cottages, coverts, pavillions, tabernacles or tents, temporary dwellings) involves living in temporary quarters, picturing the temporary state of things in this present age preceeding the new heavens and new earth, Hebrews 11:9-10. God's second tithe provides for your Festival accommodations. After you've paid for the cost of your accommodations, your responsibility has not ended. Will you leave your place in as good or better condition than when you arrived? The biggest test of proper use of second tithe in paying for your lodging is one of attitude. Not all the quarters in any one area are always of the highest quality or in the best location. If your unit doesn't live up to your desires, stop and think: "do I want my way, or do I want God's way?" Don't murmur and complain the way Israel did when they lived in tabernacles. Of course, if the place is totally unsuitable, you can do something about it in the right spirit. In the past, people have been in places that have had to be completely cleaned before they could even stay in them. In that case, if there are other lodgings you can find, it is proper to switch to better accommodations. Where is the spirit of adventure? In Nehemiah's day, the making of tabernacles was pursued with zeal and vigor, Nehemiah 8:14-17, Leviticus 23:39-40. Accept any temporary discomfort cheerfully, as a challenge. If you are truly adventurous, why not camp or rent a trailer if the weather is suitable? You gain more of the pioneering spirit by "roughing it" at the Feast. "Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations 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 23:42-43. Some who once knew and observed God's Feasts have now rejected them. God replies, "And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast," Hosea 12:9. Let's obey God now, and reap the magnificent blessings, instead of being forced later to do what we know we should do! (6) Recreation and Rejoicing in the Great Outdoors Recreation (to create anew) is another of your Festival needs met by the second tithe. Recreation should be arranged so as to maximize both the spiritual and physical parts of the Feast. God's people should be given time to truly live the marvellous conditions of the World Tomorrow, Zechariah 8:3-6. Will you invest this valuable time, or squander it? Recreational activity is a definite part of any Feast. Depending on one's age and interests, this may range from horseback riding, sightseeing, picnicking, airplane rides, go-carting, dancing, canoeing, and many other activities. Feast time is family time, depicting our lives in the family of God. Certainly, families should do things together during the Feast. Plan ahead, before you leave for the Feast, some special family recreational activities. The days of the Feast slip by so fast. Don't lose them! Don't forget the "Levite, stranger, fatherless, and widow" in your recreation. You should by all means (unless prevented by illness) not miss any of the services. There should still be plenty of time for recreation and relaxation. You should not "burn the midnight oil" staying up late every night and getting little sleep so you can't grasp the next day's sermon message. One of the more serious problems that has been noticed at some large Feast sites is that of burdening some with too much service. Many of the widows, especially, have been given too many responsibilities so that they have had no time for themselves or others. Many times they weren't even at services because they were on duty somewhere. This has also been true of many family men. They have been so busy serving the multitude that they have had no time for their families. Consequently, the family is unhappy, the father is unhappy and miserable, and they return home with a feeling of discouragement. The ministers should be very aware of this and allocate duties to more, and give less to those who always seem to be the "servants." Every one of us should be willing to spend a certain amount of time serving others so that everyone has a marvelous time. It is very hard to enjoy yourself when you are rushing here and there, making sure everything is done, and still be able to attend services. Are you beginning to see that you cannot "do as you please" with God's second tithe? That there is more responsibility upon you in spending the second tithe than you thought? "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment," Ecclesiastes 11:9. Yes, rejoice in the Feast, but rejoice with purpose, as God would have you. (7) Learning to Fear God Always The above Festival needs provided by God's second tithe are all physical. Yet all are vital in fulfilling the spiritual purpose of the Feast itself. We are commanded to "eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the tithe . . . ," Deuteronomy 14:23. Why? " . . . that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always." Not just during the Feast, but for all eternity. Your biggest need is God's Spirit! Without it, you will die, never becoming a member of the God Family, the purpose for which you were born. God gives His Spirit to those that are willing to obey Him, Acts 5:32. We obey Him by His Spirit living in us, Philippians 4:13, John 15:5. The Feast of Tabernacles is a success, not only because of the place, the providing for the Levite, widow, fatherless and stranger, the travel, food, lodging, and recreation, but mainly because of God's Spirit, Zechariah 4:6. Without God's Spirit, God's inspiration in the prayer, study, fellowship, singing, and sermons at the Feast, there would be no purpose in the second tithe, no purpose in having a Feast. If you used your second tithe wisely on all six items previously mentioned, you may still not be keeping the Feast! Unless you are earnestly striving to "learn to fear God always" you need not bother with the Feasts, or the Bible for that matter. If you desire to do what God wants, follow these guidelines. Learn to give a Feast to others. Earnestly strive to get back to the faith once delivered in all things. In doctrine as well as in Christian living. Don't hear what you want to hear, read what you want to read! Apply the Bible and this article to yourself. Listen and heed the inspired sermons. Read God's Word, especially His Law, and ask for God's help in writing His laws in your mind. Learn to fear the Almighty God always! What kind of Feast will you have? That of Deuteronomy 16:13-15, or that of Lamentations 1:4? Use GOD'S Second Tithe as He would have you. Learn to fear Him always, every day of your life and for all eternity.ê Holy Day Words One of the great topics of the Bible is the Biblical Holy Days. In this study, we concentrate on the Hebrew and Greek words used in relation to the Holy Days. This helps us to understand more of the meaning and purpose of the different Holy Days and of God's Plan for His people. Using the Englishman's Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance, we can see all usages of a particular Hebrew word in Scripture, and thereby let the Bible interpret the Bible. We will study the following words: moed, chag, paam, rehgel, atsereth, zikarown, aciph, qatsiyr, mikra kodesh, melakah abodah, hodesh, teruwah, shofar, succoth, and chuqqah. These Hebrew words may sound strange to our ears, but they contain much meaning and lessons for us all. Moed, Set Time, Festival Moed, "festival time," Strong's #4150, means "set festival time, divine appointment, a fixed, set time or season, festival, an assembly convened for a definite purpose, appointed time or place of solemn assembly, set or solemn feast." Genesis 1:14The sun and moon are for signs and for seasons. Genesis 17:21Sarah would bear Isaac at the set time next year (see also 21:2). Exodus 13:10Feast of Unleavened Bread to be kept in his season from year to year. Exodus 23:15Thou shalt keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the time appointed in the month Abib. Also 34:18. Leviticus 1:1, etc.Many times in Leviticus, Numbers and elsewhere, moed is translated, "tabernacle of the congregation." This shows us that the congregation of Israel is the same as the set time of Israel. Israel, God's congregation (moed), meets at specific set times. Leviticus 23:2, 4, Feasts of the LORD, include Sabbaths and Holy Days. 37, 44 Numbers 9:2, 3, 7, 13Keep the Passover at its appointed season. Numbers 10:10Blow trumpets over offerings in days of gladness, solemn days, and beginning of months. Numbers 15:3Make a sacrificial offering in your solemn feasts. Numbers 28:2Sacrifices in due seasons, including Sabbath, New Moons, Holy Days. Numbers 29:39Make offerings in your set feasts. Deuteronomy 16:6Passover season is when Israel came out of Egypt. Deuteronomy 31:10Year of Release is a solemnity. I Chronicles 23:31Sabbaths, New Moons, set feasts. II Chronicles 2:4Sabbaths, New Moons, solemn feasts. See also 31:3. II Chronicles 8:13On the sabbaths, new moons, solemn feasts. II Chronicles 30:22Hezekiah and people ate throughout the feast [of Unleavened Bread] seven days. Ezra 3:5Offerings of the New Moons and all the set feasts of the Lord. Nehemiah 10:33Sabbaths, New Moons, set feasts. Psalms 102:13The set time is come to favor Zion. Psalms 104:19He appointed the moon for seasons, and the sun . . . . Isaiah 1:14Your New Moons and your appointed feasts I hate. Isaiah 33:20Zion is the city of our solemnities. Jeremiah 8:7Storks know their appointed times (to migrate), but God's people don't know His judgment. Lamentations 1:4None come to the solemn feasts. Lam. 2:6-7, 22 LORD has caused the solemn feasts to be forgotten. Ezekiel 36:38Flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts. Ezekiel 44:24God's laws will be taught at His assemblies. Ezekiel 45:17Feasts, New Moons, Sabbaths are solemnities of Israel. Ezekiel 46:9,11Solemn feasts, solemnities. Daniel 8:19Day of the LORD is an appointed (prophetic) time. Daniel 11:27, 29, 35Same as above. Daniel 12:7A time and times (moed and moedim). Hosea 2:11He will cause the mirth of her solemn feasts to cease. Hosea 9:5What will you do in the solemn day (when you are in captivity)? Hosea 12:9God will make Israel live in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast. Habakkuk 2:3The vision is for an appointed time. Zephaniah 3:18God will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, (those that sorrow for the wrong way the feasts are kept). Zechariah 8:19Fast days shall become feasts. Chag, Feast Chag (pronounced khawg) "feast," Strong's #2282, means "feast, festival, solemn feast day, sacrifice, solemnity," and comes from #2287, chagag "to keep a feast, to move in a circle, march in a sacred procession, observe a festival, celebrate, dance, keep a solemn feast." Exodus 5:1Let My people go, that they may hold a feast in the wilderness. Exodus 10:9Moses told Pharaoh: we must hold a feast unto the Lord. Exodus 12:14This day (Passover) shall be a memorial; you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. Exodus 13:6In the seventh day (Nisan 21) shall be a feast to the Lord. Exodus 23:14-16Three times in the year shall you keep a feast unto God: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest (Pentecost), and the Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles). Exodus 32:5Aaron proclaimed: tomorrow is a feast unto the Lord, (yet this was the false worship of the golden calf). Exodus 34:18The Feast of Unleavened Bread shall you keep, seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. Exodus 34:22Observe the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), of the firstfruits of wheat harvest. Exodus 34:22The Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles) at year's end. Exodus 34:25The sacrifice of the Feast of Passover shall not be left unto the morning. Leviticus 23:6On the fifteenth day of the first month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for seven days you must eat unleavened bread. Leviticus 23:34, 39,Fifteenth day of the seventh month is the Feast of Tabernacles 41 for seven days unto the Lord. Numbers 28:17Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. Numbers 29:12Feast of Tabernacles for seven days. Deuteronomy 16:10Keep the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) with a freewill offering, according as the Lord has blessed you. Deut. 16:13-14Observe the Feast of Tabernacles, after you have gathered in your corn and wine. Rejoice in your feast with your family and servants, the Levite and the poor. Deuteronomy 16:16Appear before the Lord in the place He chooses three times a year: in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and Feast of Tabernacles. Deuteronomy 31:10At the Feast of Tabernacles, read God's Law in seventh year. Judges 21:19There was a yearly feast of the Lord in Shiloh (probably Tabernacles). I Kings 8:2, 65Israel assembled unto Solomon in the feast of the seventh month (Tabernacles). They stayed fourteen days in all. I Kings 12:32-33Jeroboam ordained a (false) feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast (of Tabernacles) in Judah. II Chronicles 5:3Solomon's Feast of Tabernacles. II Chronicles 7:8-9Solomon's Feast of Tabernacles at the Temple dedication. II Chronicles 8:13Feasts of Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Tabernacles. II Chronicles 30:13, Hezekiah's Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second 21, 35:17month; Josiah's Feast of Unleavened Bread. Ezra 3:4They kept the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is written. Ezra 6:22They kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy. Nehemiah 8:14, 18Dwell in booths in the Feast of the seventh month; they kept the Feast (of Tabernacles) seven days. Psalms 42:4I had gone with the multitude to the house of God, with joy and praise with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalms 81:3Blow the trumpet on the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. (Literal translation: Blow in the new moon the trumpet, at the full moon on day our feast.) Isaiah 30:29Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept. Ezekiel 45:17In the Feasts, the New Moons, and the Sabbaths. Ezekiel 45:21, 23The passover, a feast of seven days, unleavened bread shall be eaten. . . . seven days of the feast. Ezekiel 45:25(Feast of Tabernacles) a seven day feast. Ezekiel 46:11And in the feasts the offering shall be . . . . Hosea 2:11I will cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. Hosea 9:5(In captivity), what will you do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the Lord? Amos 5:21I hate, I despise, your feast days. Amos 8:10I will turn your feasts into mourning. Nahum 1:15O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts. Zechariah 14:16-19All nations shall worship in Jerusalem, keeping the Feast of Tabernacles. Those that come not to keep the Feast of Tabernacles shall have no rain. Malachi 2:3The dung of your solemn feasts, one shall take you away (to captivity). Chagag hag, meaning, "to feast a feast," is often translated "you shall keep a feast," and is used in: Exodus 12:14 (Passover), Exodus 23:14 (Three Pilgrimage Feasts), Leviticus 23:39, 41 (Tabernacles), Numbers 29:12 (Tabernacles), Nahum 1:15, Zechariah 14:16-19 (Tabernacles). The purpose of the Exodus was to keep a Feast unto the Eternal, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. There are three Feasts during the year: Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Harvest), and Feast of Tabernacles. There is no recorded usage of hag or hagag referring to the Day of Trumpets or the Day of Atonement. Trumpets and Atonement are Holy Days, but not Feasts. Paam, Footstep, Time; Rehgel, Pilgrimage Time Paam, "time," Strong's #6471, means "a stroke, footstep, time." Exodus 23:17Three times in the year. Exodus 34:23-24Thrice (lit. three times) in the year. Deuteronomy 16:16Three times in the year. Rehgel, "pilgrimage time," Strong's #7272, means "a foot (as used in walking), a step, journey, time," and is derived from #7270 ragal, "to walk along." Scores of times rehgel is translated "foot" or "feet." Exodus 23:14Three times a year keep a Feast: Unleavened Bread, Harvest (Weeks), Ingathering (Tabernacles). Atsereth, Solemn Assembly, Day of Restraint Atsereth, "solemn assembly," Strong's #6116, means "a solemn festival assembly meeting, day of restraint," and comes from #6113 atsar, "to hold back." Leviticus 23:36Last Great Day is a solemn assembly, (margin: day of restraint). Numbers 29:35Last Great Day, a solemn assembly. Deuteronomy 16:8Nisan 21, last Holy Day of Feast of Unleavened Bread, is a solemn assembly. II Kings 10:20Solemn assembly for Baal. II Chronicles 7:9Last Great Day, a solemn assembly. Nehemiah 8:18Last Great Day, a solemn assembly. Isaiah 1:13Solemn meeting of Israel was an iniquity to God. Joel 1:14, 2:15Proclaim a solemn assembly with a fast. Amos 5:21I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Zikarown, Memorial, Remembrance Zikarown, "memorial," Strong's #2146, means "memorial, record, remembrance," and comes from #2142 zakar, "remember." Exodus 12:14Passover is a memorial. Exodus 13:9Passover is a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in your mouth. Exodus 17:14A memorial in a book is written of a great battle victory over the Amalekites. Leviticus 23:24Day of Trumpets is a memorial of blowing of trumpets. Numbers 10:10Trumpets blown over offerings, were a memorial before God. Joshua 4:7Twelve stones carried from the middle of Jordan were a memorial unto the children of Israel forever, that the Eternal parted the waters of the Jordan. Esther 6:1King Ahasuerus read in the book of records about Mordecai's saving his life. Ecclesiastes 1:11Human beings don't remember the past like they should: there is no rememberance of former things. Ecclesiastes 2:16The wise is not remembered any more than the fool. Malachi 3:16They that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon His name. Aciph, Ingathering; Qatsiyr, Harvest Aciph, "ingathering," Strong's #614, means "a gathering in of crops, ingathering," and is derived from #622 acaph, "to gather, bring." Exodus 23:16The Feast of Ingathering, (Tabernacles) at the end of the year, when you have gathered in thy labors out of the field. Exodus 34:22 The Feast of Ingathering at the year's end. Qatsiyr or katzer, Strong's #7105, means "harvest, reaping," and comes from #7114, qatsar, "to harvest." Exodus 23:16Another name for Feast of Weeks is "Feast of Harvest." Exodus 34:22Weeks (Pentecost) is the "firstfruits of wheat harvest." Leviticus 23:10When you reap the harvest, bring the wavesheaf. Leviticus 23:22When you reap the harvest, leave the corners of the field and the gleanings for the poor. Leviticus 25:5During the Sabbatical year, that which grows of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap. Deuteronomy 24:19When you cut your harvest and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, do not fetch it; leave it for the poor. Jeremiah 5:24God reserves unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Jeremiah 8:20, 22The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. Is there no balm in Gilead to heal the sins of my people? Jeremiah 51:33Yet a little while, and the time of Babylon's harvest of punishment shall come. Joel 3:13Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe . . . their wickedness is great. Qatsiyr shows us that Feast of Weeks is a harvest festival. We should have concern for the poor. The spiritual harvest in the future will be God's judgment on the wicked. Miqra Qodesh, Holy Convocation Miqra qodesh (or, mikra kodesh), means "holy convocation, sacred called out meeting." It comes from Strong's #4744 miqra, "a called out public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place), a rehearsal, assembly, convocation, reading," derived from mi, "from, out of," and #7121 qara, meaning "called"; and Strong's #6944 qodesh, "a sacred place or thing, consecrated, dedicated, hallowed, holiness, sanctuary." No work is allowed on holy convocations. Exodus 12:16Nisan 15, 21, the first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread are holy convocations. Leviticus 23:2, 4, 37Holy Days are holy convocations. Leviticus 23:3The seventh day is the Sabbath, a holy convocation with no work therein. Leviticus 23:7Nisan 15, first day of Feast of Unleavened Bread, is an holy convocation. Leviticus 23:8Nisan 21, the seventh day of the Feast, is an holy convocation. Leviticus 23:21Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) is an holy convocation. Leviticus 23:24Trumpets is a sabbath, an holy convocation. Leviticus 23:27Day of Atonement is an holy convocation. Leviticus 23:35Tishri 15 (first Holy Day of Feast of Tabernacles) is an holy convocation. Leviticus 23:36Last Great Day, the eighth day of Feast, is an holy convocation. Numbers 28:18Nisan 15 is an holy convocation, no servile work. Numbers 28:25Nisan 21 is an holy convocation, no servile work. Numbers 28:26Day of Firstfruits (Pentecost) is an holy convocation with no servile work. Numbers 29:1Trumpets is an holy convocation, no servile work. Numbers 29:7Atonement is an holy convocation with no work. Numbers 29:12Tishri 15 is an holy convocation with no servile work. Mikra only: Numbers 10:2Silver trumpets were used for the calling of the assembly. Nehemiah 8:8At Trumpets, they read in the book of the Law and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Isaiah 1:13The New Moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Melakah Abodah, Servile Work Melakah abodah means "work of service, servile work." It comes from Strong's #4399 melakah, "employment, (one who represents another in) a business or occupation, work," which is related to #4397 malak, "angel or messenger," meaning the line of work you have been sent to do, your occupation, your life's calling; and #5656 abodah, "bondage, service, labor, work of any kind," akin to #5647 abad, servant. The literal Hebrew in several passages forbidding servile work on Sabbaths is: "all work of service, no!" Leviticus 23:7Nisan 15: no servile work. Leviticus 23:8Nisan 21: no servile work. Leviticus 23:21Feast of Weeks: no servile work. Leviticus 23:25Trumpets: no servile work. Leviticus 23:35Tishri 15: no servile work. Leviticus 23:36Last Great Day: no servile work. Numbers 28:18 Nisan 15: no servile work. Numbers 28:25 Nisan 21: no servile work. Numbers 28:26 Day of Firstfruits (Pentecost): no servile work. Numbers 29:1 Trumpets: no servile work. Numbers 29:12 Tishri 15: no servile work. Numbers 29:35 Last Great Day: no servile work. abodah, "work, bondage": Genesis 29:27Jacob served Laban for Rachel. Genesis 30:26Same as above. Exodus 1:14, 2:23, Israel was put in hard bondage by the Egyptians. 6:6, 9 Exodus 12:25-26, God delivered Israel out of Egypt and had them keep the 13:5 service of the Passover Feast. Exodus 30:16, 35:21, Levites performed God's service in the tabernacle. 39:32, 40, 42 melakah, "occupation, line of work": Genesis 2:2-3God rested on the Sabbath from His work of creating. Exodus 12:16No manner of work permitted on the first and last days of Feast of Unleavened Bread, except that which pertains to necessary eating. Exodus 20:9, 10We are not to do our own work on the Sabbath. Exodus 31:15, 35:2Death penalty for working on the Sabbath. Exodus 31:3, 5 and Melakah refers to workmanship, or skilled labor. I Kings 7:14 Exodus 36:1-8Levites performed work in the tabernacle. Leviticus 16:29, On Atonement, no work at all is allowed. 23:28, 30, 31 Leviticus 23:3Six days shall work be done. Deut. 5:13-14Six days shall ye labor and do all your work. Deuteronomy 16:8 Nisan 21: no work. Proverbs 18:9, 22:29He that is slothful in his work is a waster. A man diligent in his business shall stand before kings. Hodesh, New Moon, Month Hodesh, Strong's #2320, means "month, new moon." Exodus 12:2Abib is the first month of the year. Numbers 10:10Trumpets blown at beginning of months. Numbers 28:11Special sacrifices at beginning of months. I Samuel 20:5, 18, 24The New Moon festival. II Kings 4:23New Moon, Sabbath. I Chronicles 23:31Sabbaths, New Moons, Set Feasts. II Chronicles 2:4Sabbaths, New Moons, Solemn Feasts. II Chronicles 8:13Same as above. II Chronicles 31:3Same as above. Ezra 3:5Offerings for the New Moons and set feasts. Nehemiah 10:33Sabbaths, New Moons, Set Feasts. Psalms 81:3Blow the trumpet in the New Moon. Isaiah 1:13, 14God hates "your new moons and your appointed feasts." Isaiah 66:23In the millennium, all flesh shall worship from one New Moon to another, from one Sabbath to another. Ezekiel 45:17Feasts, New Moons, Sabbaths. Ezekiel 46:1, 3, 6The day of the New Moon is a time of worship. Hosea 2:11I will cause the mirth of her New Moons, Sabbaths, Feast Days to cease. Amos 8:5When will the New Moon be gone, that we may sell corn? Teruwah, Alarm or Sound of Joy Teruwah, Strong's number 8643, means "clamor, acclamation of joy or a battle-cry, especially the alarm of trumpets, blowing, loud noise, rejoicing, shouting." It comes from #7321, ruwah, "to split the ears with sound, shout for alarm or joy." Leviticus 23:24Memorial of blowing of trumpets (zikrown teruwah). Leviticus 25:9Trumpet of the jubilee. Numbers 10:5, 6Israel blew an alarm to assemble and journey. Numbers 29:1Day of blowing trumpets (yom teruwah). Numbers 31:6Trumpets to blow led Israel in war. Joshua 6:5, 20Israel gave a great shout, Jericho's walls fell flat. I Samuel 4:5-6Israel shouted when the ark came into camp. II Samuel 6:15David and Israel regained the ark with a great shout and trumpets (see also I Chronicles 15:28). II Chronicles 15:14With shouting and trumpets, Israel and Asa entered into a covenant with God. Ezra 3:11-13Israel shouted for joy when Temple foundations were laid. Psalm 33:3Sing a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. Psalm 47:5God is gone up with a shout, with the sound of the trumpet. Psalm 89:15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound. Jeremiah 4:19The trumpet, the alarm of war. Jeremiah 49:2I will cause an alarm of war to be heard. Zephaniah 1:16The Day of the LORD is a day of the trumpet and alarm. Shofar, Trumpet Shofar, Strong's #7782, means "a cornet (as giving a clear sound), or curved horn, trumpet," and comes from #8231, shaphar, "to glisten, to cause to make fair, goodly." Exodus 19:16, 19At Sinai, LORD's voice sounded like a trumpet exceedingly loud. Leviticus 25:9The trumpet of jubilee. Joshua 6:4-20The trumpets were blown around Jericho. Judges 6:34Gideon blew a trumpet, and rallied Israel. See also 7:8-22. I Samuel 13:3Saul blew the trumpet to call Israel to battle the Philistines. II Samuel 6:15David and Israel brought up the ark with shouting and the sound of the trumpet. I Kings 1:34, 39, 41When Solomon was anointed king, the trumpet was blown. Nehemiah 4:18, 20The sound of the trumpet rallied defenders of Jerusalem. Psalm 47:5God goes up with a shout, with the sound of a trumpet. Psalm 81:3Blow up the trumpet in the new moon. Psalm 98:6Make a joyful noise before the Lord with trumpets. Psalm 150:3Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet. Isaiah 18:3When God blows a trumpet, listen. Isaiah 27:13Israel regathered at that day, when the great trumpet shall be blown. Isaiah 58:1Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, show My people their sins. Jeremiah 4:5, 19, 21Blow the trumpet, the alarm of war. See also 6:1, 51:27. Ezekiel 33:3-6God's watchman is to warn the people with the sound of the trumpet; if he doesn't blow the trumpet, he is at fault. Joel 2:1, 15Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Amos 3:6Shall the trumpet be blown, and the people not be afraid? Zephaniah 1:16The Day of the Lord is a day of the trumpet and alarm. Zechariah 9:14The Lord God shall blow the trumpet when He returns. Succoth, Booth Succoth, Strong's #5521, means "hut, lair, booth, cottage, covert, den, pavilion, tent, tabernacle." It is the feminine of soke, #5520, which means the same thing. Genesis 33:17Jacob made booths for his cattle. Leviticus 23:34Feast of Tabernacles. Leviticus 23:42Ye shall dwell in booths seven days, all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths. Leviticus 23:43That you generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 16:13Feast of Tabernacles. Also 16:16, 31:10. II Samuel 11:11Uriah said, the ark, Israel, and Judah, abide in tents, encamped in open fields, shall I then go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? II Chronicles 8:13Feast of Tabernacles. Also Ezra 3:4. Nehemiah 8:14-17Israel made booths and sat under the booths. Psalm 31:20Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues (place of safety?). Isaiah 4:6There shall be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime heat. Jonah 4:5Jonah made him a booth and sat under it. Zech. 14:16, 18, 19Feast of Tabernacles. Chuqqah, Ordinance, Statute Chuqqah, Strong's #2708, means "appointed, custom, manner, ordinance, site, statute." It is most often translated "ordinance," or "statute." Sometimes, chuqqah refers to sacrifices, but more often it refers to Holy Days, and sometimes even pagan holidays. The phrase chuqqah olam means "everlasting statute." Genesis 26:5Because that Abraham obeyed My voice, kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws. Exodus 12:14Passover is a feast by an ordinance forever. Exodus 12:17Feast of Unleavened Bread is to be observed by an ordinance forever. Exodus 12:43This is the ordinance of the Passover: no stranger shall eat thereof. Exodus 13:10You shall keep this ordinance (Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread) in its season from year to year. Leviticus 3:17A perpetual statute that you eat neither fat nor blood. Leviticus 16:29Atonement is a statute forever to afflict your souls. Also verses 31, 34. Leviticus 18:3-5You shall not do after the ordinances of Egypt and Canaan, but keep My statutes and ordinances. Also verses 26, 30. Leviticus 20:22, 23Keep My statutes, and do not walk in the manners of the nation I cast out before you. Leviticus 23:14A statute forever that you eat no new grain until you have brought a wavesheaf offering. Leviticus 23:21Weeks (Pentecost) is a holy convocation with no servile work, a statute forever throughout your generations. Leviticus 23:31Do no manner of work on Atonement, a statute forever. Leviticus 23:41Feast of Tabernacles is a feast for seven days, a statute for ever in your generations in the seventh month. Leviticus 25:18Do My statutes and keep My judgments and you shall dwell in the land in safety. Leviticus 26:3,15,43Walk in My statutes, keep My commandments, and you shall be blessed. If you despise My statutes, you shall be cursed. Numbers 9:3,12,14Keep the Passover on the 14th with all the rites of it, according to all the ordinances of it, for there is one ordinance for both stranger and home born. Numbers 10:8Trumpets are to be blown to gather the congregation, for an ordinance forever. Numbers 15:15-16One ordinance for you and the stranger, forever. Numbers 18:21-23Levites shall receive the tithe for an inheritance, and serve the congregation by a statute forever. Deuteronomy 8:11Don't forget the LORD in not keeping His commandments, judgments and His statutes. Deuteronomy 10:13His commands and statutes are for our good. Deuteronomy 11:1Love the LORD thy God, keep His statutes and commandments and judgments. Jeremiah 10:3The customs of the people are vain, to cut a (Christmas) tree. See Micah 6:16, the statutes of Omri. Ezekiel 20:11I gave them My statutes, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Ezekiel 20:13,16,21They walked not in My statutes, and despised statutes (v. 24). Ezekiel 33:15If the wicked makes restitution, and walks in the statutes of life, he shall live and not die. Ezekiel 37:24David shall be restored as king, and they shall walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes. Ezekiel 44:23-24Sons of Zadok shall teach My people the difference between holy and profane, and keep My statutes. Summary Test To test your knowledge of the foregoing, take the following Holy Day words matching test. Answers are at the end. ___ aciph ___ atsereth ___ chag ___ chuqqah ___ hodesh ___ melakah abodah ___ mikra kodesh ___ moed ___ paam ___ qatsiyr ___ rehgel ___ shofar ___ succoth ___ teruwah ___ zikarown 1. Set time, festival 2. Footstep, time 3. Solemn assembly, day of restraint 4. Ingathering 5. Holy Convocation 6. New Moon, month 7. Trumpet 8. Ordinance, statute 9. Feast 10. Pilgrimage time 11. Memorial, remembrance 12. Harvest 13. Servile work 14. Alarm or sound of joy 15. Booth Answers to Holy Day matching test: 4, 3, 9, 8, 6, 13, 5, 1, 2, 12, 10, 7, 15, 14, 11.ê The Forgotten Biblical Feasts Those of us who have rejoiced in God's Holy Days, as recorded in Leviticus 23, have seen various prophetic significance in these days. We have God's handiwork in these days, seven Holy Days in three festival seasons. But is there something that we may have missed, apart from but related to these days we keep? While not Holy Days on which no work can be done, there are other Biblical festivals. The Jews speak of the five festivals, and each has its own special book of the Bible. In the Hebrew order of the scriptures, these five books follow each other in a logical progression. The five festivals are: (A) Passover/ Unleavened Bread, (B) Pentecost, (C) Tenth of Ab, (D) Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, Last Great Day, (E) Purim. Their festival books are: (A) Song of Solomon, (B) Ruth, (C) Lamentations, (D) Ecclesiastes, (E) Esther. Of these five festivals periods, A, B, and D are regularly kept by most Holy Day observers, while C and E usually are not. Yet there must be a significance to these non-Holy Day festivals. What is that significance, and where do these days fit into a prophetic overview? The tenth of Ab is the tenth day of the fifth sacred month. Just as Pentecost follows Wavesheaf Sunday by 50 days, so the tenth of Ab precedes Trumpets by 50 days. The book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah upon the death of Josiah, and this service on the tenth of Ab was commanded from that time on by God's prophet and priest of that day. "Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. And all the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentations to this day. And they made them an ordinance in Israel; behold, they are also written in the Lamentations," (II Chronicles 35:25, NASV). Also, just as there are five festival books, there are five sections to the Psalms: again, one for each of the five festivals. The third section of the Psalms, chapters 73-89, are Psalms of sorrow and distress. Several years after the tenth of Ab/Lamentations festival was started, Solomon's Temple was destroyed on that very day. Likewise, Herod's Temple was also destroyed on the tenth of Ab. Might the tenth of Ab hold yet a future significance in God's plan? And if so, what might that significance be? There are many who look for what they call a latter rain of the Holy Spirit in the days just ahead. Still others look to a future day of Pentecost as the day on which the church age will find its conclusion, and possibly gain protection then for the coming tribulation. If any of these possibilities be so, then might not the tenth of Ab depict the time of God's wrath at the end of this Age? Purim is more well known, being established clearly in its book, Esther. Like its Psalms counterpart (chapters 107-150), it speaks of a final time when all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26). Still another festival that deserves mentioning is Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication. Hanukkah is not found in the Old Testament specifically, dating from about 165 BC, although some see a prophecy relating to it in Daniel 8:14. Hanukkah was apparently kept by Jesus (John 10:22-23) on at least one occasion. Let us not also forget to mention each New Moon. Again, although not a Holy Day on which no work should be done (except the Day of Trumpets), the observance of each New Moon was commanded through Moses (Numbers 10:1-10; 28:11-15), was practiced in Israel (I Samuel 20), and was defended by Paul (Colossians 2:16). Perhaps there is much to be learned from these forgotten festivals, both of themselves, and in their order in the sequence of God's plan. -- written by Larry Dean Spurgeonê Tisha B'Av and Other Fast Days Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of Av (or Ab), the fifth month on the Hebrew calendar, is an annual mournful fasting day celebrated by Jews in commemoration of several tragic historical events. It is a national, rather than a Biblical, fast day. At least nine of the greatest disasters in Israel's history are believed to have occurred on or about Av 9. Some of the dates are given in scripture, while others are understood from Jewish history and tradition. (1) Moses broke the tablets of the Law upon seeing the people worshipping the Golden Calf, Exodus 32. (2) The twelve spies returned from searching out the land of Canaan, with their report which caused almost all the people to lose faith in God and rebel against Him, leading to their being cursed to wander in the wilderness for forty years, Numbers 14. (3) The First Temple, Solomon's Temple, was destroyed in 586-587 B.C. on the ninth of Av. The Babylonians fought their way into the Temple on Av 7, and ate and caroused there until Av 9, and at evening, set the Temple on fire. It burned all night and through the next day, Av 10. See Jeremiah 52:12-13. (4) The Second Temple, built by Herod, was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. on Tisha B'Av. Over 1,250,000 people were trapped inside the besieged city of Jerusalem by Roman legions. The Daily Sacrifice ceased on Tammuz 17, and 21 days later, on Av 9, the Romans reached the edge of the Temple compound. Titus did not want to destroy the Temple, and begged the Jews to surrender, but they refused. In spite of his firm orders, Roman soldiers threw flaming torches into the Temple, setting it on fire. (5) In 71 A.D. on the anniversary of Av 9, the Roman army plowed Jerusalem with salt, in preparation for making Jerusalem a Roman colony. (6) The army of Simon Bar Kochba, who had rebelled against Rome in 132 A.D., was destroyed by Roman legions in 135 A.D. on Tisha B'Av, or Av 9. The last great army of an independent Israel was slaughtered without mercy. Roman historian Dio Cassius says that some 580,000 Jewish soldiers fell by the sword, not counting those killed by fire and famine. Roman horses waded in blood up to their girths in the valley battleground. (7) King Edward I of England expelled all Jews from England on July 18, 1290 A.D., the 9th of Av. It wasn't until almost 400 years later that Oliver Cromwell allowed Jews the right of settlement in 1657. (8) King Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain expelled all Jews from Spain (about 800,000 Jews) on August 2, 1492, on you guessed it, Tisha B'Av. (9) In 1914, on Av 9, World War I was declared, as Russia mobilized for war and launched bitter persecutions against Jews in Russia, which led many Jews to emigrate to the Holy Land to escape. Observed as a fast day, in Israel today, Jews stand mourning and weeping in prayer at the Wailing Wall, the only portion of the Temple still standing. Jews read from the book of Lamentations in a dirge-like chant. The question is, are these fasts of the Jews, or the times when we fast, dedicated to the Eternal, and a call to repentance, or are they instead days without food by a rebellious people who want their own ways? This the question asked in Zechariah 7:4-14. The Eternal promises that national fast days like Tisha B'Av shall be turned into cheerful feasts, in the World Tomorrow, Zechariah 8:19. For all of these disastrous events to have occurred on the same date on the Hebrew calendar is more than coincidence. We should watch world events, and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of Man, Luke 21:36. Similar to Tisha B'Av are three other traditional Jewish fast days. Tammuz 17, the 17th day of the fourth month, is the day on which, according to tradition, Nebuchadnezzar's army broke the walls of Jerusalem. Actually, the date in Jeremiah 39:2 is the 9th day of the fourth month. Asarah B'Tevet, or Tevet 10 (or Tebet, the 10th month), is the day on which, according tradition, Nebuchadnezzar's army laid seige of Jersualem. Finally, Zom Gedaliah, or the Fast of Gedaliah, is on Tishri 3 (the seventh month). It commemorates the day on which Gedaliah, the Babylonian appointed governor of Judah, and his associates were assasssinated. This precipitated the sending of the Babylonian army against Judah. All these Jewish national fast days should not just remind us of the loss of the physical Temple in Jerusalem. They should help us look forward to the One who would be the Temple made without hands, the Messiah, Matthew 12:6, Mark 14:58, John 2:19, 21.ê