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Deuteronomy
16:16, 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
16:17, Every man shall give
as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath
given thee.
Ellen White says some interesting things about the Feast
Days. Please read this article I have compiled from the Spirit of Prophecy
and then decide for yourself what it means.
“Anciently the
Lord instructed His people to assemble three
times a year for His worship. To these holy convocations the
children of Israel came, bringing to the house of God their tithes, their sin
offerings, and their offerings of gratitude. They met to recount God's
mercies, to make known His wonderful works, and to offer praise and
thanksgiving to His name. And they were to unite in the sacrificial service
which pointed to Christ as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the
world. Thus they were to be preserved from the corrupting power of
worldliness and idolatry. Faith and love and gratitude were to be kept alive
in their hearts, and through their association together in this sacred
service they were to be bound closer to God and to one another.
“In the days of Christ these feasts were attended by
vast multitudes of people from all lands; and had they been kept as God
intended, in the spirit of true worship, the light of truth might through
them have been given to all the nations of the world.
“With those who lived at a distance from the
tabernacle, more than a month of every year must have been occupied in
attendance upon these holy convocations. The Lord saw that these gatherings
were necessary for the spiritual life of His people. They needed to turn away
from their worldly cares, to commune with God, and to contemplate unseen
realities.
“If the children of Israel needed the benefit of
these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these
last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world then
needed the light which God had committed to His church, how much more do they
need it now!” {6T, 39-40}
Ellen White said we need these holy convocations even more
than ancient Israel did! I was
amazed when I read this quote. I didn't know that she said that! It sounds to
me like these Holy Convocations God gave are very important! What do you
think?
“A great work is to be accomplished by our camp
meetings. The Lord has specially honored these gatherings, which He has
called "holy convocations." {6T 70.3}
When did God call these special meetings “Holy
Convocations”?
“Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye
shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.” (Lev. 23:2)
“These are the feasts of the
LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.”
(Lev. 23:4)
What will these Holy Convocations do for us?
I want to go through that first quote from Testimonies
for the Church, Volume 6, phrase by phrase and we will see why we need
these Holy Convocations even more in our time than Israel did; and we
will see what they will do for us. You may refer back to the quote at the
beginning to see where each of these phrases are stated.
What did they do at these special times:
1.
They
met to recount God's mercies.
2.
To
make known His wonderful works.
3.
And to
offer praise and thanksgiving to His name.
4.
And
they were to unite in the sacrificial service which pointed to Christ as the
Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
Someone may object to the last item on the list since we
no longer perform sacrifices. But let's think about this. Do we still have a
High Priest? Yes, Jesus is our High Priest. Do we still have a sacrifice that
cleanses us from sin? Yes, Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
of the world” (John 1:29) He was offered once for the sins of the world. So
we must not discard the meaning of this just because we don't perform animal
sacrifices anymore.
What these special days will do for us if we keep them.
1.
We
will be preserved from the corrupting power of worldliness and idolatry.
2.
Faith
and love and gratitude will be kept alive in our hearts.
3.
And
through our association together in this sacred service we will be bound
closer to God and to one another.
4.
If we
keep these festival times as God intends, the light of truth might through us
be given to all the nations of the world!
Why do we need these special holy days:
1.
They
are necessary for the spiritual life of God's people.
2.
God's
people need to turn away from their worldly cares.
3.
To
commune with God.
4.
And to
contemplate unseen realities.
“If the children of
Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how
much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict!”
What will happen to you if you don't keep them?
“With those who
lived at a distance from the tabernacle, more than a month of every year
must have been occupied in attendance upon these holy convocations. The Lord
saw that these gatherings were necessary for the spiritual life of His
people. They needed to turn away from their worldly cares, to commune with
God, and to contemplate unseen realities.”
Two of God's Feasts (Feast
of Unleavened Bread and Feast of Tabernacles) were a week long. Remember,
Ellen White said, “If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy
convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last
days of peril and conflict!” So instead of shortening our camp meetings
to only a few days, we should, in these last days of peril and conflict,
lengthen our Holy Convocations to more than a week. Indeed, Ellen White
recommends two or three weeks!
“If our camp meetings are conducted as they should be,
they will indeed be a light in the world. They should be held in the large
cities and towns where the message of truth has not been proclaimed. And they
should continue for two or three weeks.” (6T, 33)
“Every individual should be upon the ground the first
day of the meeting, prepared to remain until the closing service...One
full week is none too long a time to devote exclusively to the service of
God, having the mind withdrawn from worldly interests and concentrated upon
spiritual things; but to abridge the one week to two or three days is
robbing God of time which should be spent in his service.” [RH 07-10-79
para. 3] p. 137, Para. 4, [1879MS].
“At these yearly
assemblies the hearts of old and young would be encouraged in the service of
God, while the association of the people from the different quarters of the
land would strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another.
Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of
Tabernacles--a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them. As
the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God had wrought for
their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their
journeyings from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways
He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of
error, into the precious light of His grace and truth.” {PP 540.6}
Why would it be good for us to have a Feast of
Tabernacles?
1.
The
hearts of old and young would be encouraged in the service of God.
2.
The
association of the people from the different quarters of the land would
strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another
Are you ready to have a Feast of Tabernacles! Are you
becoming inspired to want to share in God's Festivals? Now let's look at
another similar quote.
“Would it not be well for us to observe holidays
unto God, when we could revive in our minds the memory of his dealing with
us? Would it not be well to consider his past blessings, to remember the
impressive warnings that have come home to our souls, so that we shall not
forget God? The world has many holidays, and men become engrossed with games,
with horse-races, with gambling, smoking, and drunkenness. They show plainly
under what banner they are standing. They make it evident that they do not
stand under the banner of the Prince of Life, but that the prince of darkness
rules and controls them. Shall not the people of God more frequently have
holy convocations in which to thank God for his rich blessings?...” {SpTEd
80.1=short for: special testimonies on education}
What should we do during these Holy Convocations?
1.
Consider God's past blessings.
2.
Remember the impressive warnings
that have come home to our souls.
Why should we do this?
1.
So that we shall not forget God!
What will happen if we do not have these Holy
Convocations?
1.
Will we forget God?
2.
Will we forget the impressive
warnings that have come home to our souls?
3.
Will we eventually drift away to
stand under a different banner?
Shall we not keep holy festivals unto God?
Over and over Ellen White uses the language of the Feasts
to describe how we are supposed to have similar days of rejoicing and
recounting God's blessings.
“… If men can become so excited over a match game of
cricket, or a horse-race, or over foolish things that bring no good to any
one, shall we be unmoved when the plan of salvation is unfolded before us?
Let the school and the church henceforth have festivals of rejoicing unto the
Lord.” {SpTEd 82.1}
“Well would it be for us to have a feast of
tabernacles, a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to us as a
people. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God
wrought for their fathers, and his miraculous preservation of them during
their journeyings from Egypt to the promised land, so should the people of
God at the present time gratefully call to mind the various ways he has
devised to bring them out from the world, out from the darkness of error,
into the precious light of truth. We should often bring to remembrance the
dependence upon God of those who first led out in this work. We should
gratefully regard the old way-marks, and refresh our souls with memories of
the loving-kindness of our gracious Benefactor.” {RH, November 17, 1885 par. 14}
“Brethren and sisters, it would be better, far
better, for you to let your business suffer than to neglect the opportunity
to hear the message that God has for you at this time. You need every
ray of light; for you are acquainted with the truth only in a measure,
and need to become better qualified to give a reason for the hope that is in
you with meekness and fear. Come with your Bibles in your hands. You
cannot afford to lose one such privilege as you are now favoured with,
and we entreat you not to disappoint us by staying away from the [camp]
meeting…?” (Bible Echo 12-08-93, p. 458,)
Question:
What shall we do with these holy days? Shall we nail
them to the cross? Shall we say we don't need them anymore because we are
now living under the New Testament?
“The Lord saw that these gatherings were necessary for
the spiritual life of His people.”
More Quotes:
“God gave direction to the Israelites to assemble
before Him at set periods, in the place which He should choose, and
observe special days wherein no unnecessary work was to be done, but the
time was to be devoted to a consideration of the blessings which He had
bestowed upon them. At these special seasons they were to bring gifts,
freewill offerings, and thank offerings unto the Lord, according as He had
blessed them. The manservant and maidservant, the stranger, the fatherless
and widow, were directed to rejoice that God had by His own wonderful power
brought them from servile bondage to the enjoyment of freedom. And they were commanded not to appear before the
Lord empty. They were to bring tokens of their gratitude to God for His
continual mercies and blessings bestowed upon them. These offerings were
varied according to the estimate which the donors placed upon the blessings
they were privileged to enjoy... Thus their hearts were revealed. Besides
these special religious feast days of gladness and rejoicing, the yearly
Passover was to be commemorated by the Jewish nation. The Lord covenanted
that if they were faithful in the observance of His requirements, He would
bless them in all their increase and in all the work of their hands. {2T 573.1}
“God requires no less of His people in these last
days, in sacrifices and offerings, than He did of the Jewish nation.
Especially should those whom God has prospered render to Him the things that
are His...
“Let all who possibly can, attend these yearly
gatherings. All should feel that God requires this of them. If they do
not avail themselves of the privileges which He has provided that they may
become strong in Him and in the power of His grace, they will grow weaker and
weaker, and have less and less desire to consecrate all to God. Come,
brethren and sisters, to these sacred convocation meetings, to find Jesus. He
will come up to the feast. He will be present, and He will do for you
that which you most need to have done.” {2T 575.2}
“Do you want to find Jesus? He is at the
feast. You may find him here. He has come up to the feast. There
are men and women that have brought him with them; and now we want you to
press through, and touch the hem of his garment, that you may receive of the
virtue that is found in him, and triumph in the God of your salvation.” {RH,
August 17, 1869 par. 5}
“In our camp-meetings Jesus is present with his
gracious invitations; and if, on the last day of the feast, he is
specially near, and his mercies and blessings are more forcibly brought home
to us, how great the loss of those who fail to be present! On the very day of
all others when they should be present, they are hasting to their homes; and
thus failing to drink of the living waters, their souls are unrefreshed. ...
“Anciently God commanded his people to assemble three
times a year, and from every city from Dan to Beersheba the people came
to these annual feasts. The one at the commencement of the season was
to entreat God's blessing upon their families, their lands, their
flocks, and their herds. The one at the close of harvest was the crowning
festal gathering, to bring their offerings to God. The land had yielded
its increase, the harvest had been gathered into their granaries, the
first-fruits had been stored, and the people came with their tributes of
thanksgiving to God, who had thus richly blessed them. Joy and rejoicing
were there combined with the solemnities of a holy and sacred convocation.
"Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto
the Lord thy God, in the place which the Lord shall choose; because the
Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of
thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice."...
“We have our
convocation meetings yearly, and all who possibly can attend them should feel
under obligation to do so. If they neglect to improve the opportunities to
obtain a better knowledge of the truth, and to become more thoroughly in
earnest in their efforts to perfect Christian character, they will be held
responsible for the light, and privileges, and blessings which they might
have had. Their case is nearly as bad in the sight of God as that of those
who attend the meetings but fail to improve by the light and blessings there
received. {RH, July 10, 1879 par.
14}
“Every camp meeting should be an object lesson of
neatness, order, and good taste...Everything should be so arranged as to
impress both our own people and the world with the sacredness and importance
of the work of God. The regulations observed in the encampment of the
Israelites are an example to us. It was Christ who gave those special
instructions to Israel, and He intended them for us also, upon whom
the ends of the world are come. We should study carefully the
specifications of God's word and practice these directions as the will of God...”
{6T 34.4}
- “A great work is to be accomplished
by our camp meetings. The Lord has specially honored these gatherings,
which He has called "holy convocations." {6T 70.3} (Note:
this phrase appears only three times in the Bible. Every single time it
refers to the Feasts.)
- “These are the feasts
of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in
their seasons.” (Lev. 23:4)
- “If the children of Israel
needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how
much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict!”
{6T, 39-40}
- Come, brethren and sisters,
to these sacred convocation meetings, to find Jesus. He will come
up to the feast.” {2T 575.2}
“We must not
for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us.
We are in danger of becoming careless, by our indifference losing the
sanctifying power of truth, and composing ourselves with the thought, "I
am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Rev. 3:17.
While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we
must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send.” p.
310, Para. 4, [GW15].
When did Ellen White write the above quote, found in the
book Gospel Workers?
She wrote it in 1915, the year of her death. Remember, the
angel told Ellen White, "If light come,
and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes condemnation and the
frown of God.” {1T 116.1} Let us not reject the light and receive
condemnation!
Following is a chart of the times
and durations of each of God's Feast Days:
Feast Day:
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Date:
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Duration:
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Purpose:
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Passover night:
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Abib 14
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One evening
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Passover supper:
To remind the people of Israel how God had delivered them from slavery.
(This was replaced by the Lord's Supper)
Lord's Supper:
To remind us of how Jesus has delivered us from the slavery of sin.
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Unleavened Bread:
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Abib 15
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7 days (1st day and 7th day are
Sabbaths)
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A reminder that we must put away all sin out of our
lives (leaven being a symbol of sin).
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Pentecost:
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50 days later
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1 day, which was to be kept as a Sabbath
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A celebration of the Former Rain and a time of praying
for the Latter Rain.
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Trumpets:
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1st day of the 7th month
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1 day, which was to be kept as a Sabbath
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A day of rejoicing and heart preparation for the Day of
Atonement.
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Day of Atonement:
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10th day of the 7th month
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1 day, which was to be kept as a Sabbath
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A day of heart searching and confession of sins.
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Tabernacles:
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15th day of the 7th month
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8 days, the first day and last day were to be kept as
Sabbaths
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A joyous celebration of God's bountiful blessings during
the year – a time for us to bring gifts and thank offerings to God.
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A lamentation on worldly festivals:
In this country, Satan has in a most striking manner enthroned himself to
control the leading men in the government of the nation. The education which
they have received from childhood is erroneous. Many things are regarded as
essential which have a most injurious effect upon the people. The many holidays
have had a baleful influence upon the minds of the youth; their effect is
demoralizing to the government, and they are entirely contrary to the will of
God. They have a tendency to encourage an artificial excitement, a
desire for amusement. {SpTEd 86.1} {FE 311.3}
God's holy days do not encourage an artificial excitement,
a desire for amusement.
“…The customs and practises in the cities unfit
the minds of the youth for the entrance of truth. The liquor-drinking, the
smoking and gambling, the horse-racing, the theater-going, the great
importance placed upon holidays,-- all are a species of idolatry,
a sacrifice upon idol altars. If people conscientiously attend to their
lawful business upon the holidays, they are regarded as mean-spirited
and unpatriotic. The Lord cannot be served in this way... {SpTEd 87.1} {FE 312.1}
Holidays are evil!
Through the observance of holidays the
people both of the world and of the churches have been educated to
believe that these lazy days are essential to health and happiness; but the
results reveal that they are full of evil, which is ruining the country. The
youth generally are not educated to diligent habits. Cities and even country
towns are becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah, and like the world in the days of
Noah. The training of the youth in those days was after the same order as
children are being educated and trained in this age, to love excitement,
to glorify themselves, to follow the imagination of their own evil
hearts. Now as then, depravity, cruelty, violence, and crime are the result. {SpTEd 92.2} {FE 317.1}
May God bless
you and help you make a right choice to serve the Lord Jesus! AMEN.
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