A Compendium of Information on the Bible Sabbaths and Holy Days
by Richard C. Nickels

Third Edition Published in 2000 by:
Giving & Sharing

Foreword to Biblical Holy Days

Since beginning to observe the Biblical Holy Days in 1969, I have learned a great deal about them through the Creator's love and mercy. In 1973, I wrote a series of compilations of Biblical information on the Sabbath and Holy Days, which was distributed to a number of ministers. Since that time, I have added more and more material to my collection. In 1987-1988, Giving & Sharing issued  Biblical Holy Days serially in a 3-ring binder. 

There is still much more to understand about these awesome special times. The well is not by any means dry. We are planning additional articles. 

The purpose of  Biblical Holy Days is not to convince others to observe the Sabbaths, Holy Days and New Moons. It is to provide resource material and in-depth instruction for those who  already observe these sacred times.

© Copyright 1986, 1997, 2000 by Sharing & Giving, Inc. Permission granted to copy this material, provided it is given away freely, and not altered in meaning. 

ISBN 1-887670-07-6
Giving & Sharing

INTRODUCTION: SPECIAL TIMES FOR THE ETERNAL'S PEOPLE

  1. THE SABBATH. The Roman Calendar has not disrupted the weekly cycle instituted since creation. TheSabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), is made for man,  Mark 2:27-28 to be a sign that He is our Mighty One and we are His people,  Exodus 31:13-17. It is a type of the millennial rest of the Kingdom of God on this earth,  Hebrews 4:1-11. We are to abstain from gainful employment during the Sabbath. Prior to the Sabbath we are to have our house in order, with heavy baking and meal preparation done as much as possible in advance. In this way, the Sabbath is a delight for the entire family, Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 58:13-14. As a holy time for physical rest, spiritual fellowship and extra Bible study and prayer, the Sabbath should be the crowning point of the week for every true believer.

  2. HOLY DAYS AND FEASTS. Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, etc. are poor pagan-derived substitutes for the Creator's annual Sabbaths (Holy Days) and Feasts. We are to shun false worship, Deuteronomy 12:29-32 and keep the Biblical Holy Days of Leviticus 23, which portray the Almighty's past and future dealings with mankind. Properly keeping these annual occasions produces joy and helps us understand His plan for us.

    1. New Testament Passover is to be observed at the beginning of the 14th day of the first month (Abib or Nisan), using the Creator's Calendar. Passover is in the early spring, March or April of each year. Passover is on the anniversary of the Eternal's deliverance of Israel from Egypt by a great plague on Egypt's firstborn. It was also the eve of our Savior's betrayal, arrest and death. After sundown, on the 14th, we wash one another's feet, partake of unleavened bread and wine (made from naturally fermented grapes), sing a hymn, and depart for our dwellings in solemn remembrance of our Deliverer and Redeemer. By this we remember our repentance, baptism, and acceptance of the Savior's sacrifice and His presence in our lives. 

    2. Feast of Unleavened Bread starts on the beginning of the 15th day of the first month, with The Night to be Remembered, as a joyful gathering of the brethren in a festive meal with unleavened bread. This commemorates the departure of Israel from Egypt (a type of sin). We have previously put all leavening and leavened products out of our dwellings. Now for seven full days we eat only unleavened products and abstain from all leavening. This represents our earnest, heartfelt desire to put sin out of our lives, with the Eternal's help. It reminds us how easily sin enters into our lives. The first and last days of this Feast (Abib 15 and 21) are Holy Days (annual Sabbaths). No servile work is to be done on them. The whole seven-day Feast should be a time of fellowship, prayer and study. 

    3. Feast of Pentecost, also known as Feast of Firstfruits, or Feast of Weeks, is 50 full days from the morrow  after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This is the only Holy Day that does not fall on a specific calendar day. It is always on a Monday in late Spring. Pentecost is the memorial of the giving of the Ten Commandments from Mt. Sinai, and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the disciples,  Acts 2.

    4. Day of Trumpets is an annual Holy Day Sabbath on the first day (New Moon) of the seventh month (Tishri) of the Holy Calendar. It is associated historically with the blowing of the trumpet in Israel which called the congregation together, sounded the alarm of war, and hailed the coronation of a new king. Also it pictures the future resurrection of the Almighty's people, regathering of Israel, crowning of Messiah as King of the whole world, and the great day of the battle of the Almighty (Armageddon). Trumpets is a joyful yet solemn yearly Sabbath. 

    5. Day of Atonement is a fast on the 10th day of the seventh month. It is a day of prayer, reconciliation and confessing of sins. The ceremonies associated with Israel's worship on this day in Leviticus 16 are prophetic symbols of Satan's banishment (Azazel, the "scapegoat") and God's people being made at-one with Him. All baptized members abstain from all food and drink from the afternoon of the 9th day until after sunset at the end of the 10th day. A "Sabbath of Sabbaths," Atonement is a time of no work whatsoever. It is above all a spiritual day.

    6. Feast of Tabernacles is a seven day harvest feast from the 15th through the 21st day of the seventh month. It is the culmination of the Holy Day season. The first day is a Holy Day Sabbath. We are to live in temporary dwellings, picturing the time God led Israel through the wilderness, as well as the coming thousand year Kingdom of God on this earth. Tabernacles is a time to live with God's people, absorb daily sermons and engage in wholesome family and group recreation. 

    7. Last Great Day is a joyful but solemn Holy Day Sabbath on the 22nd day of the seventh month. It pictures the time when, after the thousand years, the dead who never had an opportunity to understand the Eternal's ways will be raised. They will be given up to one hundred years of physical life to qualify for God's Kingdom. After that, all who have rejected the way of life will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The earth will be cleansed and replaced with a New Heavens and New Earth. 

  3. NEW MOONS. Many professed believers ignore the New Moons. These times are not Holy Sabbath days of rest (except the Day of Trumpets, above), but nevertheless are important days of festive celebration, study and prayer. Some true believers are able to attend special meetings, such as Bible Studies. Without a pocket calendar reminder, you may forget the New Moon! 

Let us observe  all of the Almighty's times: Sabbaths, Feasts and Holy Days, and New Moons,  II Chronicles 8:13. We should keep Biblical Holy Days, and not holidays of men.

Materials produced by: Richard C. Nickels
ISBN 1-887670-07-6

© Copyright 1986, 1997, 2000, 2003 by Sharing & Giving, Inc. Permission granted to copy this material, both in printed and electronic format, provided it is given away freely, and not altered in meaning.