God’s

HOLY DAYS
or Pagan
HOLIDAYS?
by David C. Pack
 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 3
Does the Bible teach that there are specific days
God made holy? If so, what are they—and are
they still in effect? And did God only intend
them for ancient Israel? Did Jesus do away with
these days and exchange them for Christmas,
Easter, New Year’s and other days of pagan ori-
gin? Which days should you keep? Does it mat-
ter? Prepare to be shocked by what the Bible
really teaches!

Herbert W. Armstrong led the Worldwide Church of God (formerly The

Radio Church of God until 1968) until his death in 1986. Hundreds of mil- M ost people never reflect on WHY they believe what they believe or do
what they do. In a world filled with popular customs and traditions, few
seek to understand the origin of things. Most generally accept common reli-
lions heard his voice and read his literature. God called him in the fall of
1926 and he was converted in the spring of 1927. Over the course of Mr. gious practices without question, choosing to do what everyone else does
Armstrong’s ministry, God revealed through him a great many true biblical because it is easy, natural and comfortable—they can be “in step.”
doctrines, which had been lost to the Church through the centuries. After his Most follow along as they have been taught, assuming that what they
death, his successors ceased to believe and teach these doctrines. Although believe and do is right. They take their beliefs for granted and never take time
copyright law prohibits The Restored Church of God from reproducing and to PROVE them.
distributing literature produced while he led the Worldwide Church of God, Nowhere is this more true than in the observance of Christmas, Easter,
we are committed to the preservation and teaching of all of these truths! New Year’s, Halloween, Valentine’s Day and other supposed Christian holi-
days. Many millions keep these days without knowing why—or where they
originated. Most suppose that they are “found in the Bible” because they see
THIS BOOKLET IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AND IN THE millions of professing Christians observing them. Surely hundreds of millions
PUBLIC INTEREST BY THE RESTORED CHURCH OF GOD. of people cannot be wrong.
It is made possible by the voluntary, freely given tithes and offerings of the mem- Or can they?
bers of the Church and others who have elected to support the work of the Here is what Christ said about the popular customs and traditions of this
Church. Contributions are welcomed and gratefully accepted. Those who wish to
world: “IN VAIN do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments
voluntarily aid and support this WORK OF GOD around the world are gladly wel-
comed as co-workers in this major effort to preach the gospel to all nations. of men…full well you REJECT THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, that you may keep
your own tradition” (Mark 7:7, 9).
The Bible does, in fact, mention Christmas and Easter—and certain other
Copyright © 2008 The Restored Church of God familiar holidays—but it bluntly condemns them as heathen customs. The
proof is overwhelming that these days are “traditions” and “commandments of
All Rights Reserved.
men.” But vast multitudes keep them anyway, seemingly content to worship
Printed in the United States of America
Christ in vain!
4 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 5
Since the Bible condemns these almost universally observed
“Christianized” holidays of men, how did they come into popular practice? A Prophesied “Little Horn” Changed Time

Open Your Mind Daniel 7 contains an extraordinary prophecy. When correctly understood, it
reveals exactly how the professing Christian world came to celebrate
You must be willing to open your Bible and honestly accept what it says about “Christianized” pagan holidays in place of the annual days that God made holy
the holidays of men—and about God’s Holy Days. It has been almost univer- and gave to ancient Israel. The meaning of this chapter is covered in great detail
sally taught that these annual Sabbaths of the Bible have been “done away”— in our free booklet identifying the Beast of Revelation.
that they were only for ancient Israel, or “the Jews.” Many have supposed that When carefully examined and compared to other scriptures, it becomes
Christ “nailed them to the cross” along with most everything else in the Old clear that this chapter pictures four world-ruling Gentile empires, described as
Testament. four beasts. Beginning with Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian (Chaldean) Empire,
The majority of people stoutly defend what they have merely assumed is they would span the last 2,500 years preceding Christ’s Return.
right or biblical. They will read with prejudice anything that contradicts their Virtually all serious students of Bible prophecy recognize that the ten-
assumptions. horned fourth beast is the Roman Empire (vs. 23)—and the ten horns are its ten
If you are going to take the time to read this booklet, should you not at historic resurrections (or revivals). Verse 8 introduces a “little horn” that aris-
least read it with an open mind—and without bias? Ask God to guide you—to es among the ten horns of the Roman Empire.
help you PROVE what He says in His Word. The Bible is “profitable for correc- Here is what Daniel records: “I considered the [ten] horns, and, behold,
tion” (II Tim. 3:16) for all who are willing to accept it—for all who truly want there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three
to serve and please God. of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes
The Bible is God’s inspired Word—His written Instruction Book to like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” Verse 20 describes
mankind. It answers every important question in life and explains how to live— this little horn as one “whose look was more stout than his fellows.”
it reveals the road to salvation! Once again, those who understand even the most basic elements of Bible
II Timothy 2:15 commands, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, prophecy know that a “horn,” in prophecy, refers to a kingdom or government.
a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Therefore, they recognize that this little horn is a small kingdom or government
God expects us to know His Word so that we can act on it. that took a prominent position in history within the ten successive resurrections
Proper Bible study leads to approval from God. Both the Old and New of the Roman Empire. It is also obvious from the description of this “little
Testaments state, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that horn” that it is a small but powerful religious hierarchy and government asso-
proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3). ciated with and controlling Rome.
Paul explained that people are the servants of whatever and whoever they Now read Daniel’s additional description of what this religious kingdom
obey: “Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his would do: “And he shall speak great words against the most High [God], and
servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedi- shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change TIMES and
ence unto righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16). People either serve and obey God, LAWS” (Dan. 7:25).
and are given eternal life (vs. 23)—or they serve and obey sin, and earn eter- For those with eyes to see, God gives tremendous insight into the work of
nal death! this little religious kingdom. Daniel 7 is a remarkable statement about how this
If God once commanded that certain Holy Days be kept, then should you “little horn” church sought to alter God’s LAWS as they have to do with TIME!
not be certain why you choose not to observe them? No matter how comfort- It can be proven that the Daniel 7 “little horn,” who “wears out the saints,”
able a lifelong practice may be, should you not base your decision to continue is the same as the Revelation 17 “woman,” who is “drunken with the blood of
doing it on proof—hard EVIDENCE—instead of assumptions? the saints.” This woman is described as fornicating with and ruling over the
God says, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a con- kings (and kingdoms) of earth. (Our above-referenced booklet explains this.)
trite spirit, and trembles at My word” (Isa. 66:2) and “Prove what is that good, Over the last 2,000 years, only one church fits Daniel’s description. Only
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). one church has continually spoken “against the most High [God]” by trying to
Will you sincerely, with an open mind, seek and tremble before the truth change the laws and the times that He has made holy! Only one church has
of God’s Word about His Holy Days—or will you go along with the masses continually persecuted the true Church and saints of God, who have not been
and their traditions of men’s heathen holidays? willing to compromise His Law and time.
6 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 7
First Coming. The apostate false church simply adopted them into practice, and
God’s Times and Laws enforced them on all citizens in the empire through the vehicle of the civil gov-
ernment.
The churches of this world will often admit to making a half-hearted effort at The most obvious ways that the little horn has “thought” to change—and
keeping nine of the Ten Commandments. Typically, they will acknowledge that counterfeit—God’s holy times and laws has been by replacing His Sabbath
it is wrong to steal, kill, covet, bear false witness, and commit adultery. They with the pagan SUN’S DAY, thus altering His fourth great law (many speak of
will also acknowledge that honoring one’s father and mother, avoiding idola- Sunday as their “sabbath”)—and by replacing His annual Holy Days with
try and taking God’s name in vain—while claiming to follow the God numerous pagan holidays practiced for centuries by the Romans and Greeks.
described in the first Commandment—are basically good things to do. But there are other ways that the “little horn” has changed God’s way of
However, most do a poor job of actually keeping these nine commandments, marking time. It starts the year in the dead of winter, while God starts His year
and teach that Christ officially did away with them and “kept them for us.” But in the spring, when nature is springing to life. The “woman” begins her days in
most will agree, at least tacitly, that these nine commandments are “nice prin- the middle of the night, while God marks days from sunset to sunset. The
ciples.” Roman church begins the workweek on the second day, Monday, while God
Consider. Exodus 20:8-11 reveals that Sabbath-keeping is the Fourth begins the weekly work cycle on the first day of the week, Sunday. Pagan
Commandment—and a fundamental law of God! The Sabbath was hallowed— Rome has devised an unnatural calendar based solely on the sun, thus having
made into holy time—by God at creation. God never authorized or hallowed varying lengths for its months, while God bases His calendar on the moon and
Sunday, the first day of the week. Christ kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16; Mark starts months with each new moon.
2:27-28). So did Paul (Acts 13:42, 44; 17:2; 18:4)—as did the New Testament God’s sacred calendar—generally referred to as the Hebrew calendar—has
Church. In Exodus 31, it was ordained “forever” and to be kept “perpetually” never been recognized by religionists, scientists, historians and educators as
by all “generations” of God’s people. the way God intended to mark and measure time. The Jews did not invent this
Theologians and religionists have long taught that the true Sabbath of the calendar or contrive it from imagination. Its principles go back to the first
Bible is the seventh day. Saturday, not Sunday, is the seventh day of the week. chapter of the Bible, where the sun and the moon were appointed “…for signs,
A good dictionary reveals this. And the weekly cycle has never been changed. and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Gen. 1:14). No other calendar har-
However, the ministers of this world have had to carefully devise “explana- monizes the solar and lunar cycles. Only the Hebrew calendar sanctioned by
tions” that dismiss many clear scriptures about God’s plain command to keep God does this!
His Sabbath. Instead of letting God’s Word change their beliefs to conform The whole world has been deceived into accepting these and other
with His truths, they change the words or their meanings to make them fit their “changes” and been led away from the plain, clear commands of God’s Word.
beliefs! They justify Sunday-keeping—even though God’s Word has never jus- Billions have carelessly remained ignorant of God’s instructions, content to
tified Sunday-keeping! The same is true of the annual Holy Days. believe heathen customs, practices, days and times that have been spoon-fed to
God has always said, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. them.
20:8). He has never said, “Remember the first day (the pagan sun’s day) to keep We will learn that obedience to God’s weekly and annual Sabbaths is inter-
it holy,” or authorized His Church or mankind to do this. Nor did He ever com- twined—they cannot be separated. Though they stand or fall together, it is not
mand or allow His people to keep numerous other pagan festivals and days of the purpose of this booklet to prove which day is the Christian Sabbath. This
worship. He has always commanded against their observance, and the early large subject is covered very thoroughly in our book Saturday or Sunday –
New Testament Church kept God’s Holy Days for over four centuries—with its Which is the Sabbath? However, it is impossible to study the subject of God’s
remnant still doing so today! Sabbaths without studying both this booklet and that book. (You may also read
Christmas and Easter have nothing to do with God and are both con- The Sabbath – Has Time Been Lost? for proof of the unchanged weekly cycle
demned in scripture in the strongest possible terms. (You may wish to read our since the time of creation.) You are urged to do this, because the arguments and
booklets The True Origin of Christmas and The True Origin of Easter to suppositions of those who claim God’s plain commands are no longer in effect
learn more about these holidays that men have used to replace God’s true Holy are equally applied to the issue of weekly Sabbath-keeping and annual Sabbath
Days.) observance.
Many pagan festivals, including Christmas (Saturnalia), Easter (the festi- Some claim that Colossians 2:16-17 does away with the Sabbath and Holy
val of Ishtar), Halloween, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day and worship on the day Days. (We will see later that it does not.) Others claim that the annual Sabbaths
of the Sun, were observed throughout the Roman Empire long before Christ’s were part of Moses’ law. They were not, because they were observed before
8 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 9
Moses’ law of ritualistic orders had been given. Others claim that sacrifices Verse 21 explains that the Feast of Firstfruits is a commanded assembly
were performed on these days—but Numbers 28:3 shows that sacrifices took and repeats for emphasis that it was ordained by God forever: “And you shall
place on every day of the year. proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: you
So then, this all-important question now arises: What were the days that shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a STATUTE FOREVER in all your
God made holy and commanded ancient Israel to observe? Some important dwellings throughout your generations.”
background is essential to properly approach the subject of God’s seven annu- This passage includes a second emphasis by God about the permanent
al Feast Days as they were taught in the Old Testament. establishment of these days so that none can misunderstand what “forever”
They are introduced in Leviticus 23. means. Notice that Israel was to keep these days “throughout your generations”
(also repeated twice). There are still generations of Israel alive on earth today.
The Holy Day Chapter The fall season includes the last four annual Holy Days, beginning with
the Feast of Trumpets: “In the seventh month, in the first day of the month,
Leviticus 23 is best described as, and is often called, the “Holy Day Chapter.” shall you have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of TRUMPETS, a holy convo-
It contains a brief description of each of God’s seven annual Holy Days—also cation. You shall do no servile work therein” (vs. 24-25).
called Feasts or Sabbaths, which we will see are interchangeable terms Next comes the Day of Atonement, which is an annual Sabbath, but not a
throughout the chapter. We will later examine the meaning of these days. Feast Day. This was because no food or drink was permitted: “Also on the tenth
Notice: “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children day of this seventh month there shall be a DAY OF ATONEMENT: it shall be an holy
of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the FEASTS OF THE LORD, which you convocation unto you; and you shall afflict your souls [go without food or
shall proclaim to be holy convocations [commanded assemblies], even these drink]…you shall do no work…for it is a DAY OF ATONEMENT, to make an atone-
are MY FEASTS” (vs. 1-2). Verse 3 introduces the weekly Sabbath as one of ment for you before the LORD your God…it shall be a statute forever through-
God’s Feasts: “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the SABBATH out your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a Sabbath of
of rest, an holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from
the LORD in all your dwellings.” Verse 4 introduces the rest of God’s Feasts: even unto even, shall you celebrate your Sabbath” (vs. 27-28, 31-32). Once
“These are the FEASTS OF THE LORD, even holy convocations, which you shall again, the Day of Atonement was commanded to be observed “forever” and
proclaim in their seasons.” “throughout your generations.”
With one exception, Feasts and Sabbaths are the same thing. Five days after the Day of Atonement is the Feast of Tabernacles, which
Verse 5 reveals the first of God’s Feasts: “In the fourteenth day of the first lasts seven days and is followed by the Last Great Day, referred to here as “the
month at even is the LORD’s PASSOVER.” eighth day.”
Next, we see that the seven Days of Unleavened Bread are introduced. On Verses 34-36 describe these Feasts: “Speak unto the children of Israel, say-
these days, beginning the day after the Passover, the Israelites were required to ing, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the FEAST OF TABERNACLES
eat unleavened bread: “And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the FEAST for seven days unto the LORD. On the FIRST DAY shall be an holy convocation:
OF UNLEAVENED BREAD unto the LORD: seven days you must eat unleavened you shall do no servile work therein…on the EIGHTH DAY shall be a holy con-
bread…in the SEVENTH DAY is an holy convocation: you shall do no servile vocation unto you…it is a solemn assembly; and you shall do no servile work
work therein” (vs. 6, 8). The first and seventh days are both Holy Days. therein.”
Verses 9-22 give a more detailed description of the next Feast Day, called This chapter describes seven Feasts and seven annual Holy Days. Passover
Firstfruits—or Pentecost, because one must count fifty days from the weekly is a Feast but not a Holy Day. Atonement is a Holy Day but obviously not a
Sabbath during Unleavened Bread to determine when it should be kept. This Feast Day, because no food or drink is permitted.
day was observed in the late spring. Now read: “…it shall be a STATUTE FOR- Verses 40-43 further describe the Feast of Tabernacles and what God
EVER throughout your generations in all your dwellings. And you shall count intended Israel to learn from observing it: “And you shall take you on the first
unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick
sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your
morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days…You shall bring God seven days. And you shall keep it a Feast unto the LORD seven days in the
out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine year. It shall be a STATUTE FOREVER in your generations: you shall celebrate it
flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the FIRSTFRUITS unto the LORD” in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths [temporary dwellings] seven
(vs. 14-17). days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations
10 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 11
may know that I [God] 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.” What is the Church?
Let’s take a moment to summarize. Including verse 41, God states four
times that His Feasts were ordained forever! Twice He declares they were to be In Matthew 16:18, Christ promised to build His Church. Matthew is in the New
observed throughout Israel’s generations. God is most serious about obedience Testament. But what record, if any, does the Old Testament contain of God
to them, because verses 29-30 state that anyone who did not obey them would beginning His Church?
be “cut off”—“destroyed”—put to death! Speaking of Moses, Luke wrote, “This is he, that was in the church in the
Verses 37-38, 44 reiterate, “These are the FEASTS OF THE LORD” and are “the wilderness…and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto
SABBATHS OF THE LORD.” (Verse 39 explains that the first day of Tabernacles and us” (Acts 7:38). The Jesus Christ (vs. 37) of the New Testament was also among
the Last Great Day are also “Sabbaths.”) These are not the “Jew’s feasts” or Old Testament Israel, here called “the church in the wilderness.” I Corinthians
“Israel’s feasts,” as some who are dishonest with the Scriptures assert. 10:4 confirms this and reveals that Christ is the God of the Old Testament.
Get this firmly in your mind. These Holy Days are GOD’S Sabbaths—they Throughout the Old Testament, the word “congregation” is used to refer to
are Feasts of the Lord! the Old Testament church. It is virtually identical in meaning to the word
“church” when it is used in the New Testament, which comes from the Greek
Israel Continually Disobeyed word ekklesia. And it is this same word ekklesia that is rendered “church” in
Acts 7:38, when referencing the Old Testament congregation of Israel.
Israel refused to remain faithful to God’s Sabbaths—annual or weekly—for Ancient Israel was a sovereign nation—but it was both church and state in
any extended time. They had periods when they did observe them, before dis- one. Its first leader was Moses, followed by Joshua and others. While it had
obeying God and falling back into the practices of the nations around them. different kinds of rulers (prophets, judges, kings, priests), the laws of God were
In Ezekiel, God describes how He gave all of His Sabbaths to Israel—and also civil laws—they had to be kept as national law. Many ritual and ceremo-
what they did with them. Notice: “Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to nial laws—part of the law of Moses—were, because of Israel’s transgressions,
be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that added to teach the habit of obeying God’s laws. The ritual laws—intended to
sanctify them. But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness: be kept until the time of Christ—primarily involved physical ordinances,
they walked not in My statutes, and they despised My judgments, which if a man washings of various kinds, a designation of “uncleanness” for various reasons
do, he shall even live in them; and My sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, and several types of meat and drink offerings.
I would pour out My fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them” The Sabbath and Holy Days were never part of Moses’ law of rituals,
(20:12-13). washings and offerings. The Sabbath began at creation and the Holy Days were
A sign signifies. The Sabbaths signify who God’s people are and that He given well before God commanded burnt offerings and sacrifices (Jer. 7:22-
is the true Creator God. Israel was unwilling to carry God’s “signature” upon 23). The laws of Moses were added because people would not keep the already-
them, and rebelled so they could follow the customs and practices of other established laws of God. This is the critical point to understand. They were not
gods. All who observe the weekly Sabbath are compelled to remember the same. The Holy Days were to be kept forever, but sacrifices were only to
(through a memorial) the Creation week of Genesis 1:1 to 2:7. Creation iden- be offered until Christ—God’s greatest sacrifice—died on the stake and nulli-
tifies God and proves His existence—and Sabbath observance forces people fied the need for them.
every seven days to remember who the true God is. Those who keep it could The New Testament Church is also referred to as “an holy nation” (I Pet.
not stray into the worship of other gods. 2:9). But it is a spiritual and not a civil nation. The laws of God that were given
Notice also that God said, “I gave them My Sabbaths.” He called them to ancient Israel—the church in the wilderness—must still be obeyed by spiri-
“My Sabbaths” because He never intended that they be thought of as “Israel’s tual Israel—the New Testament Church. This is the primary difference between
Sabbaths.” The word Sabbaths is plural because the weekly Sabbath is not the Old and New Testament Israel.
only Sabbath that God said was a sign forever between Him and His people. Everything God does is for a purpose—it has been carefully planned
Though mankind has been rebelling against God’s Sabbaths ever since, toward and for a specific reason or reasons. This is the case with the Holy
they still remain the sign—the PROOF of identity—between God and His true Days. God gave them for a reason—a SUPREME PURPOSE!
people today (vs. 20). The purpose of God’s Holy Days is that they reflect and explain the entire-
If the New Testament Church is still commanded to keep these days, we ty of God’s Plan for mankind! As they are kept each year in sequence, the
must understand what the Church is—and when God first used the term. seven annual Sabbaths or Feast Days are a kind of rehearsal of events God does
12 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 13
not want His people to ever forget. They are a memorial in advance of things
that God intends to do throughout the various ages and dispensations of His Israel Had Forgotten the True God
6,000-year purpose for humanity.
By keeping these days continually—every year—those who do this are Almost everyone understands that “God led Israel out of Egypt.” But almost
automatically kept in remembrance of what God is doing. They understand that no one understands that Egypt was a type of sin—and that Israel was in
these days symbolize and depict very specific events, timing of events and bondage to it. God had to deliver Israel from this bondage—and this took a
periods of time within God’s Plan. series of miracles. All those called out of this world are in a modern “Egypt”—
None of the nations of the world keep God’s Sabbath or Holy Days. As a a Babylon—of sin, confusion and rejection of the true God. Remember. God
result, none of the nations of the world understand God’s purpose—or that He poured His plagues on Egypt before delivering His people. The book of
even has a purpose. This has been true throughout history. None of the nations Revelation reveals that God will do this again just prior to Christ’s Return.
of the world know who the true God is—and the result has been that they all Hollywood has depicted the Exodus in an embellished and sometimes very
serve false gods and idols. inaccurate way. But most are at least vaguely familiar with how God estab-
Except that they once did have knowledge of God’s Sabbaths, the mod- lished His power—and identity—through MIRACLES. God used them to reintro-
ern nations populated by the descendants of ancient Israel are no different. duce Himself to Israel.
They have fallen into idolatry and pagan practices along with the rest of the Consider. God gave the Sabbath to ancient Israel through Moses. Why did
nations—because they have forgotten God’s Sabbath and Holy Days. They God do this? He had to! Israel had just spent about 200 years of slavery in
have also lost the understanding of their true identity. Losing God’s sign Egypt. They had not been permitted to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and
ensured that this would happen. (Our book America and Britain in Prophecy Jacob—their forefathers—for all those years. At the time God liberated them,
will tell you the fascinating story of who they are and what their future they had forgotten the identity of the true God and His Sabbath. They did not
holds.) have access to the Scriptures and were required to worship the false gods of
The churches of this world are ignorant of the most fundamental aspects Egypt. Therefore, God had to reveal Himself to them a second time.
of God’s Plan and teachings. They do not understand the receiving of God’s This is one reason that the Sabbath command begins with the words
Holy Spirit, the conversion process, what it means to be born again, the true “Remember the Sabbath day”—Israel had forgotten it. Abraham, Isaac and
gospel of the kingdom of God, what happens at death, the Bible definition of Jacob had kept God’s Law (Gen. 26:5; Deut. 30:20), but the knowledge of the
sin, that heaven is not the reward of the saved, that salvation has to do with Sabbath had become lost through the centuries in Egypt.
rulership (which one qualifies for after a lifetime of overcoming sin and the God decided to make the Sabbath command clear to Israel while they were
flesh), the purpose of the Church, the commission of the Church, how world in the Wilderness of Sin (Zin). Israel had left the “flesh pots” of Egypt behind
peace will come, the origin of human nature, the origin of the devil, the Bible and grumbled to Moses because they lacked food. God had to test whether they
definition of faith, that the immortal soul doctrine is fiction, etc. Most do not would obey His Law. He created a specific test, through manna, that was
even understand or truly believe that Christ is going to return—or what this designed to teach Israel the uniqueness of the Sabbath’s holy time. The account
means for the entirety of civilization! These same millions believe Christ’s cru- is found in Exodus 16. (It illustrates that people will almost eagerly believe that
cifixion finished—ended—the plan of redemption. (Actually, we will learn that time or God’s laws can change.)
Christ’s sacrifice merely began this plan.)
If ancient Israel had remained faithful to God’s Sabbaths, they would The Passover
understand the truth of all these doctrines. And if the world would suddenly
begin to keep these days, they would come into this knowledge. But God is not God told the Israelites to take a young lamb, without spot or blemish, to repre-
calling the world now. He is calling individuals. Any individual who is willing sent a type of Christ—the Lamb of God (John 1:29). This was always to be
to investigate and prove God’s truth can see unlocked the greatest mysteries done on the tenth day of the first month of the Hebrew sacred year. Unlike all
now unknown to a deceived, confused, blinded world. humanly-devised calendars that begin the year in mid-winter, this sacred year
Since we have established what God’s Holy Days are, we need to examine began in the spring, around the equinox, with the new moon.
more of the Old Testament, and the New Testament, to see whether and where Israel had also lost knowledge of the sacred calendar. Notice what God
they are referred to, and to understand their meaning—to understand WHY God instructed: “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be
commanded their observance forever. We must examine each of the annual the first month of the year to you” (Ex. 12:2). As Christ’s sacrifice was the
Sabbaths, starting with the Passover, and learn their meaning. beginning of God’s Plan, the Passover was to be in the “beginning” month.
God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 15
So many understand some aspects of Christ’s sacrifice, but do not see beyond
it to the great purpose God reveals in each of the other Feast Days that follow.
On the 10th day of Abib (the first Hebrew month), Israel was to select an
unblemished lamb. Four days later, on the 14th day of Abib, the lamb was to
be killed. Exodus 12:6 says that it was to be killed “in the evening,” but the
original Hebrew means “between the two evenings.” Some Bible margins
plainly state this. The Jewish Encyclopedia explains that this is the period com-
monly referred to as twilight or dusk. This period is described as the time after
sundown, but before full darkness has occurred. In other words, it was at the
very beginning of the 14th that the lamb was killed—and soon thereafter, the
blood of the lamb was sprinkled above the doorposts of the Israelite’s houses.
At midnight, the death angel struck dead all the firstborn of Egypt. But God
had told the Israelites, “when I see the blood, I will pass over you”—hence, the
well-known term Passover.
The word Passover is found in the New Testament in a most powerful
scripture. Paul wrote the Corinthians about how “Christ our Passover is sacri-
ficed for us.” This verse removes any doubt about who is the centerpiece of the
Old Testament Passover observance. It was Christ—and this is one of our first
great clues that the Old Testament Feast Days are directly linked to God’s Plan.
The shed blood of the Old Testament lamb was a type of the shed blood of
Christ, the Lamb of God. Every professing Christian recognizes that Christ’s
sacrifice is all-important to salvation. Why can they not see—or be willing to
investigate—that the rest of His Feasts might also have great spiritual meaning
to their observance?
Exodus 12:6 explains that the Passover lamb was to be killed “in the
evening”—at dusk (official Jewish translation). We should briefly explain that
some believe that the lamb was killed after noon (around 3 p.m.) on the day-
light part of the 14th. It is then thought that it was eaten in the evening of the
15th, with Israel leaving Egypt the same night. This theory is impossible. Let’s
understand why.
Deuteronomy 16:6 shows that the lamb was always slain as the sun was
going down. Yet it was always eaten during the 14th, not after (Lev. 23:5-6).
God does things exactly on time! The time is once a year, at night, in the begin-
ning of the 14th of Abib—after the sun has set!
Returning to Exodus 12, verses 8-11 describe how it was to be roasted and
eaten on the night of the 14th. Verse 12 explains how God would “pass through
the land of Egypt this night, and…smite all the firstborn.” Verse 22 describes
what the Israelites were to do with the blood from the slain lamb: “…strike the
lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you
shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.”
Make careful note that none were permitted to leave their houses during
the night. Verse 29 states that “at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn.”
Verses 30-31 explain that Pharaoh “rose up in the night” and called for Moses
and Aaron to tell the Israelites to leave. The Egyptians tried to get rid of them
16 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 17
(vs. 33) and the Bible records that the Israelites “borrowed of” (vs. 35)—or bread—bread made without yeast or other leavening agents—should be eaten
“spoiled” (vs. 36)—the Egyptian people. every day for this one-week period immediately following the Passover. By the
This means that they took gold, silver, jewels and clothing upon demand. time of the New Testament, the Days of Unleavened Bread were generally spo-
This took several, or even many, hours but it could not have been during the ken or thought of as eight days because leavening was usually put out of homes
night since the Israelites were not permitted out of their homes during this time. during the daylight portion of the 14th. Yet the seven-day unleavened bread
Obviously, Israel’s seizing of these physical goods occurred during the daylight period begins after the Passover—on the 15th.
portion of the 14th. Since there were millions of Israelites and notifying them The first and last of these days, the 15th and the 21st, were to be annual
would have been an extensive task, more hours were required just to complete Sabbaths. While Leviticus 23:4 plainly includes Passover as one of God’s fes-
this. tivals, recall that Numbers 28:17 said, “And in the fifteenth day of this month
Exodus 12:10 adds proof that the people could not have left Egypt during is the feast.”
the night that Pharaoh arose because they were to burn whatever “remained of Exodus 12:14-16 makes a critical distinction about the importance to God
it [the lamb]” in “the morning.” of the Feast kept on the 15th: “And this day shall be unto you for a MEMORIAL;
Deuteronomy 16:1 adds another important corroboration of when Israel and you shall keep it a FEAST to the LORD throughout your generations; you
departed Egypt: “…keep the passover unto the LORD your God: for in the shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever. Seven days shall you eat unleav-
month of Abib the LORD your God brought you forth out of Egypt by night.” ened bread; even the first day you shall put away leaven out of your hous-
Clearly, this had to be the night of the 15th because Israel remained indoors es…the first day [15th] there shall be a holy convocation, and in the seventh
through the night of the 14th. day [21st] there shall be a holy convocation…”
Numbers 33:3 confirms that this was the 15th: “And they departed from This passage makes plain that the Feast on the 15th was a memorial to
Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the mor- God. He intended that this day (not the 14th as some claim) be a memorial—
row after the passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the an annual reminder—that God had delivered Israel from Egypt. It was to be an
sight of all the Egyptians.” “ordinance forever”—“throughout your generations.” The Days of Unleavened
Exodus 12:41-42 introduces the “night of the Lord to be observed…” Bread are important to God, and this repeats what He said in Leviticus 23 about
Notice: “…even the selfsame day [the 15th] it came to pass, that all the hosts the permanence of this and His other Feasts. Remember that “holy convoca-
of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed tion” means commanded assembly. God commanded that His people assemble
unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night on this day perpetually, throughout all generations—FOREVER!
of the LORD to be observed.” (Verse 43 through the end of the chapter is a new In verse 17, God drives home His purpose that this day be kept “forever.”
section clarifying who was permitted to eat the Passover.) But this verse also begins to explain why: “For in this selfsame day have I
The Passover was kept on the night of the 14th, but the night that was to brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall you observe this
be “much observed,” when Israel departed from Egypt by night, was the 15th. day in your generations by an ordinance forever.” Some translations reflect
God intended that Israel remember their deliverance from Egypt through a spe- that God intended this entire “period” as “an everlasting institution.” (Verse 24
cial and separate celebration one night later. also repeats the word “forever” in regard to the Passover.)
The Old Testament Passover always preceded the annual Sabbath called This ordinance was established before the law of Moses had been given.
the first Day of Unleavened Bread. This day was a High Day or a Feast Day to But why was it established?
be celebrated each year, again, on the day immediately following the Passover.
Notice Numbers 28:16-17: “And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Why the Days of Unleavened Bread?
passover of the LORD. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast.” This
Feast was the first Day of Unleavened Bread. Recall that Leviticus 23:5-6 said Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread stand or fall together. Here is why.
the exact same thing. The Passover is the 14th and the following seven days are Passover depicts Christ’s sacrifice so that sin can be forgiven and removed.
the Days of Unleavened Bread. The Feast of Unleavened Bread does not foreshadow Christ’s sacrifice.
We ask: What point would there be in observing Passover if those who are
The Days of Unleavened Bread cleansed turn right around and go back into sin? Egypt is a type of sin. The
Days of Unleavened Bread picture God’s people being taken out of sin—and
From the 15th through the 21st of Abib—a period of seven days—is a festival putting it away from their lives through obedience to God’s Law. This is a vital-
called the Days of Unleavened Bread. This means that only unleavened ly important point. Consider. Passover is a one-day Feast. In one sense, it pic-
18 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 19
tures a single event: The forgiveness of sin by the blood of Christ. The Days of with the leaven of malice and wickedness [spiritual leaven]; but with the
Unleavened Bread are a seven-day period. They reflect duration of time, rather unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
than a moment in time. The Christian practices putting sin out of his life as a What could be plainer? Leaven and sin puff up the mind. Verse 6 con-
way of life. God, through Moses, presented all of this institution to Israel before demns leaven. Paul even warned the Corinthians of this very thing when he
He ever gave a single word of the ceremonial and ritual washings and sacrifi- said, in reference to sins committed there, “you are puffed up” (vs. 2). This
cial laws referenced earlier! phrase actually leads into verses 7 and 8.
No honest person can believe that God did not intend all those who serve Paul, in the New Testament, instructed the Gentile Corinthians to “keep
Him to keep the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread as a perpetual, per- the Feast,” immediately after reminding them that Christ was the Passover.
manent institution. But WHY would God do this? Some believe that this only means spiritual leaven. But Paul did not “spiritu-
Eating unleavened bread pictures putting leaven—SIN—from people’s alize away” the literal putting away of leavened bread from our physical
lives. How do we know this? Does the Bible state this plainly? First notice: “dwellings”—our homes. He emphasized removal of both “old (physical)
“And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day [15th], in which you leaven” and all forms of spiritual leaven—typified by malice and wickedness.
came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage…” (Ex. 13:3). This verse Again, He commanded, “KEEP THE FEAST.” Christians keep the Feast of
sets the stage. Unleavened Bread both physically and spiritually. Why does the professing
Now we are ready to understand God’s great purpose for this Feast. Let’s Christian world ignore even this plain New Testament scripture?
see it clearly: “Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh The world—and human nature—do not want to obey God (Rom. 8:7).
day shall be a feast to the LORD…And you shall show your son in that day, say- Many want to take the name of Christ—to call themselves Christians—but
ing, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me [any Israelite want no obligation placed upon them to actually do anything (Luke 6:46)!
parent talking to his child] when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for
a sign unto you upon your hand, and for a MEMORIAL between your eyes, that Putting Leaven Out
the LORD’s LAW may be in your mouth…You shall therefore keep this ordi-
nance in His season from year to year [memorials are annual]” (vs. 6, 8-10). The world’s churches always leave Christ hanging dead on the stake. Millions
This is an extraordinary and powerful verse! Keeping the Days of of idols in churches and homes have branded this image indelibly into the
Unleavened Bread has to do with God’s Law being actively at work in our minds of all who think of Christ as a “dead Jesus.” Yet Christ is ALIVE in the
minds and hearts. Again, what is the purpose of Christ’s forgiveness for past sins third heaven, at His Father’s right hand, serving as our High Priest.
if one continues practicing sin as a way of life? Of course God had to establish Notice: “Seeing then that we have a great HIGH PRIEST, that is passed into
the ordinance—the statute—of the Days of Unleavened Bread as a follow-up to the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have
the keeping and meaning of His Passover! It is absolutely vital that you see and not an HIGH PRIEST which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmi-
understand God’s mind—His purpose—regarding this Feast Day! ties; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us there-
The reference to this Feast being a sign “upon your hand” means that it fore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy [forgive-
involves actions—our works. The phrase “between your eyes” connotes the ness for sins already committed], and find grace to help [to overcome tempta-
mind—the will. tion for any future sin] in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16).
All human beings sin (Rom. 3:23). Christ’s blood forgives “sins that are I John 3:4 states that “sin is the transgression of the law.” Exodus 13:9
past” (vs. 25). But people do not have the inherent strength to overcome sin by explained that God wants His Law in our mouths. He wants us practicing obe-
themselves. They must be delivered from it in the same way Israel was deliv- dience to His commandments—practicing RIGHTEOUSNESS (Psa. 119:172). To
ered from Egypt. Do you see this? Can you grasp more fully the meaning of observe the Passover without continuing to the Days of Unleavened Bread
this Feast? ignores our need to obey God—to stop practicing sin!
We earlier referenced I Corinthians 5:6-8 when speaking of “Christ our Almost all professing Christians believe that “Christ did it all for you,” and
Passover.” This New Testament passage expands upon Exodus 13. Let’s now that you have no obligation to obey God. This makes Christ’s sacrifice a
read these verses in their entirety: “Your glorying is not good. Know you not license to sin. Yet, sin is what put Christ to death. Do we mock Christ’s sacri-
that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven fice by continuing to do the very thing that brought His death? As Paul said,
[physical leaven], that you [the Christian] may be a new lump, as you [the “God forbid”!
Christian] are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: We read, in Exodus 13, that the memorial of the Feast of Unleavened
Therefore LET US KEEP THE FEAST, not with old leaven [physical leaven], neither Bread was a sign. Exodus 31:12-17 reveals that the Sabbath is also a SIGN—
20 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 21
between God and His people. Both the weekly and annual Sabbaths are rest God has repeatedly promised that He will never leave or forsake His ser-
days. Work is not permitted on these days. The Christian is called to rest from, vants. With His Holy Spirit within converted minds (Acts 2:38), such have His
not freely commit, sin. How plain, how clear, how obvious is the great mean- constant reassurance that He will guide, protect, strengthen and deliver them
ing behind the Days of Unleavened Bread, which are signs pointing us to God! from their constant adversary—sin. Like the blood of Christ when it covers our
Having pastored many thousands of people, I have witnessed numerous sins, the waters of the Red Sea covered the armies of Egypt. When Christ
stories of people discovering pieces of bread, cookies and other leavened prod- removes our sins, like those armies, we literally “see them no more.”
ucts in their homes after the Days of Unleavened Bread had begun. This is so
true of sin, and how it creeps up on us and is found in places where we least Sacrifices Came Later
expect it, after we thought it was all gone. Overcoming sin and putting it out
of our lives is an on-going process. Earlier, we referenced how Jeremiah 7:22-23 revealed that God introduced sac-
rifices after He commanded Israel to obey His laws. Opponents of the Holy
The Clear Meaning Days argue the opposite—that God created them for the purpose of having a
time to offer sacrifices. Even superficial examination exposes this as silly rea-
We have seen that Egypt is a type of sin. Certainly Pharaoh and his army are a soning!
perfect type of Satan and his spiritual army of demons. Supernatural interven- Jeremiah shows that the Holy Days were originally kept without sacrificial
tion and help was the only possible way that Israel could escape their slave- meat and drink offerings. We have seen that the Holy Days are memorials (Ex.
masters, who kept them in bondage exactly as Christians are kept in bondage 13:9; Lev. 23:24) of important historic events. Of course, they are also seen to
to sin by the “god of this world”—Satan (II Cor. 4:4). be shadows of future events. God did not create the Holy Days saying, in
Israel had to physically walk out of Egypt. This represents human effort to effect, “I have these offerings that must take place—I better create the Holy
start the process of delivery from sin. But Israel had made their escape. Bondage Days so that people will have a set time to do them.” The sacrifices were cre-
was over. Freedom lay ahead. God was with them. No wonder Numbers 33:3 ated for the express purpose of pointing to the final great sacrifice of Christ,
says that Israel left Egypt with “a high hand.” They did not need to fear as long which did away with the need for them.
as they depended on His continued miraculous help to sustain them. Let’s examine two more reasons why this thinking is totally wrong!
But the parallel between Israel leaving Egypt and the Christian leaving sin First, consider the Sabbath, which was created over 2,500 years before
holds additional lessons. Though still excited with the first flush of freedom, God gave the law of sacrifices to Israel. It was kept by His faithful servants
God’s assistance almost immediately became necessary when Pharaoh and his without sacrifices all through this time! Yet, God later added sacrifices to the
army (the devil and sin) fought back to stop them. Some Israelites became so weekly Sabbath (Num. 28:9-10). It is impossible that the Sabbath stands or
frightened that they thought they were going to die, and cried out to God. Read falls with sacrifices that came over two-and-a-half millennia later!
Exodus 14:10: “And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up Do you see this point? For the same principle applies to the Holy Days,
their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore which appeared before sacrifices were commanded.
afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.” Second, the meat and drink sacrifices were added to every day of the week
God heard the prayers of the frightened Israelites. Notice verses 13 and 14: (Num. 28:3-8). They were to be done “day by day, for a continual burnt offer-
“Fear you not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD…for the ing” (vs. 3). Surely no one will argue that “days” came into existence 2,500
Egyptians…you shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for years after the creation week of Genesis 1. (God also commanded sacrifices on
you.” This is true of Christians, if they turn their problems over to God. Verse new moons–verses 11-15.)
19 describes how God led Israel: “And the angel of God, which went before The Sabbath and Holy Days are memorials. This explains why they are
the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud commanded to be kept forever, while physical sacrifices—and ritual wash-
went from before their face, and stood behind them.” ings (replaced by the “washing of water in the [God’s] Word”–Eph. 5:26)—
But verse 22 reveals how the completely unexpected and miraculous were not.
delivery took place when surrounded by impossible circumstances: “And the
children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the Kept by the New Testament Church
waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” Christ
taught His disciples that water is a type of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). We have already examined I Corinthians 5:7-8 and Paul’s command to “keep
Isaiah 55:1 adds, “everyone that thirsts, come you to the waters.” the Feast.” But are there other places in the New Testament, which reinforce
22 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays?
and make this command absolutely unmistakable? Is there evidence that Paul
himself kept them?
Let’s review. The Passover lamb was killed and eaten on the 14th and the
Galatians 4:9-10
Feast was kept on the 15th (Num. 28:16-17). Matthew 27:62, Mark 15:42,
Some opponents of the Holy Days cite this scripture to prove that the Holy
Luke 23:54 and John 19:14 show that the daylight portion of the 14th was used
Days were condemned by Paul. Here is what he wrote to the Galatians: “But
to prepare for the Feast. Note that the tradition of the elders instructed the Jews
now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn
to observe their Passover one day later than God instructed.
you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to
By comparing Matthew 26:5, Mark 14:2 and John 13:29, which all discuss
be in bondage? You observe days, and months, and times, and years.”
the timing of Christ’s crucifixion on the Passover before the Feast Day follow-
Does this passage really condemn keeping the Holy Days and the
ing it, it becomes apparent that at the time of the New Testament period it was
Sabbath? Many deceived ministers teach that the Galatians were returning to
still understood that the Passover and the Feast Day were separate days. (You
Holy Day and Sabbath observance.
may read our booklet Christ’s Resurrection Was Not on Sunday to understand
This is impossible!
this critical point and time period in detail.)
The Galatians were Gentiles and had never kept any of God’s days, or
The book of Acts reveals that the early New Testament Church kept the
even heard of the true God before their calling. They could not return to what
Days of Unleavened Bread. This included Paul. Notice: “And we sailed away
they had never known or practiced in the first place!
from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas
Also, read Leviticus 19:26 and Deuteronomy 18:9-10 to see that God
in five days; where we abode seven days” (Acts 20:6).
strongly condemned keeping days, times, etc! These were humanly devised
Why would God inspire Luke to record this if Paul and those with him had
“sabbaths” and “holy days.” In Leviticus 23 and Ezekiel 20, God speaks of “My
not just kept these days?
Sabbaths” and “My Feasts.” At the same time, throughout the Old Testament,
And why would Luke further record, “Then were the days of unleavened
He consistently condemns Israel for rebellion and for observing “your days,”
bread” (Acts 12:3), if God did not want the New Testament record to show that
“your sabbaths” and “your feasts” instead (Isa. 1:13-14; Hos. 2:11; Amos 8:10,
these days were being kept by His Church? If God no longer wanted these days
etc.).
kept, why would the Holy Spirit inspire these words? What would be the point
Nowhere does God command the observance of months. Colossians 2:8
except that God wanted to inject confusion into the Bible?
and 20-22 show that the “weak and beggarly elements” (also referenced
All who sincerely want to seek and please God recognize that these refer-
there) are philosophical forms of will-worship and self-denial commonly found
ences exist because the Old Testament established their observance forever.
in certain parts of the world. The word “rudiments” (Col. 2:8) is the same word
The world’s churches profess to observe “the death and Resurrection of
translated “elements” here in Galatians, and has nothing to do with God’s
Christ” in their Good Friday-Easter Sunday tradition. Their tradition is actual-
Sabbath or Holy Days.
ly deeply rooted in paganism. These were instituted by mainstream Christianity
Throughout the world, almost all Gentile cultures observe numerous hea-
to counterfeit and replace the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.
then days and times, etc. For example, in Paul’s time, one-third of all Greek
Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread were observed by Christ, the orig-
and Roman days were designated as “unlawful for judicial and…business
inal apostles and the New Testament Church—including Gentiles. God com-
[matters]…on which the state expected the citizenry to abstain, as far as pos-
mands His people to observe them today (I Cor. 5:6-8).
sible, from their private business and labor.”
God ordained the Passover as a permanent ordinance—forever (Ex. 12:17,
They also set aside specific days and months for the purpose of honor-
24)! Just as Romans 2:29 explains a change in circumcision—in the New
ing their many gods: April and October were dedicated to Apollo; February
Testament it was to be of the heart and not the flesh—Christ altered the way
and June were dedicated to Zeus; Artemis was also worshipped in April;
Passover was to be kept. Christ, the Lamb of God, was slain for us, thus doing
Bacchus in January. Upon conversion, the Galatians forsook these many fes-
away with the need for a literal young lamb to any longer be sacrificed. As
tivals, in order to worship the true God “in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
Christ explained, taking the bread and wine, symbolizing His broken body and
In conclusion, the Galatians were forsaking Sabbath and Holy Day keep-
shed blood, was to be an annual “look back” to His death—on our behalf!
ing and turning back—returning—to pagan festivals, commonly observed in
Jesus kept the Passover once a year at an established—a set—time (Luke
ancient Greece and Rome, where many Gentile converts lived, not the other
2:42), and true Christians follow His example (I Peter 2:21). In fact, Christ
way around.
Himself was following the example of Exodus 13:10, which explained that the
Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread were to be kept annually. It instructs
24 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 25
there, “You shall therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to harvest prophesied to come later when God calls and judges all mankind. Peter
year.” wrote, “judgment must begin at the house of God” (I Pet. 4:17). So God is only
Do you see these two phrases? This scripture does not say “week to week” doing this now with the Church.
or “month to month”—or “pick any season you wish.” All humanly-devised There were two annual harvests in Israel. The early spring grain harvest
traditions of time violate this basic instruction! was followed by the larger fall harvest. People called by God now, before the
For the Israelites to have kept this at any other time would have literally Return of Jesus Christ, are few in number. God will later call all mankind dur-
jeopardized their firstborn from protection from the death angel. There was no ing the Millennium and the judgment period that follows. The small spring har-
room for miscalculation on their part or they could not have expected to be vest symbolized the early, small harvest of people. We will later examine what
“passed over”—protected! (Read our booklet How Often Should the Lord’s this second, great harvest pictures in God’s spiritual Plan of salvation.
Supper Be Taken? to learn more.) Most professing Christians have been taught that God is trying to save the
world now—that this is the only time for salvation. Revelation 12:9 states that
The Feast of Firstfruits—or Pentecost Satan has deceived the whole world—and the picture of how God will eventu-
ally save all mankind is his greatest deception. Thousands of preachers are try-
Recall that Leviticus 23:9-22 describes the third annual Sabbath or Feast of ing to “get people saved.” They have come to believe that now is the “only day
Firstfruits. This day is sometimes called Pentecost or the “Feast of Weeks.” of salvation.” Christ is prophesied to return soon only to find that most of His
Again, this Holy Day was twice commanded to be observed forever (vs. 14, creation was “lost” in the titanic struggle supposedly now being waged
21). It is not surprising then that we would find the Feast of Pentecost men- between God and Satan.
tioned in the New Testament, in this case, prominently and multiple times. The The devil has convinced most to believe that God is in a wrestling match
New Testament Church kept this Holy Day every year. with him—a match God is obviously losing. The Bible does not teach this! All
Christ promised to build His Church (Matt. 16:18). The fulfillment of this those who properly keep Pentecost recognize that it pictures God’s early spring
promise is recorded in Acts 2—and it occurred on the Feast of Pentecost. It harvest of human beings into His kingdom, to be established on earth at
states, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one Christ’s Return. Faithfully observing this day requires Christians to re-exam-
accord in one place” (vs. 1). This verse records a truly historic moment—the ine this part of God’s great purpose on an annual basis. In a sense, forgetting
birth of God’s New Testament Church! God’s purpose becomes almost impossible when one keeps the Holy Days!
Notice that “they were all with one accord in one place” on this annual Notice what James wrote in his general epistle about who and what true
Holy Day. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that they should be keeping Christians represent within God’s Plan: “Of His own will begat He us with the
this day. Had any believed that the New Testament did away with the Holy word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (1:18).
Days, they would have missed out on all that happened. Christ knew exactly Here is what Paul wrote about how all creation is awaiting God’s first “crop”
what He was going to do on the day of Pentecost. He made sure that the disci- of sons: “…but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit…waiting
ples understood what He meant by “…but you shall be baptized with the Holy for the adoption [sonship]” (Rom. 8:23). Also, the “redeemed” of Revelation
Spirit not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). No wonder the previous verse says 14, who are standing before God, are described as “the firstfruits unto God and
Jesus “commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait to the Lamb” (vs. 4). More of this later, but these are very specific New
for the promise of the Father” (vs. 4). Testament passages that amplify crucial understanding, which is lost if
Peter gave a powerful sermon, followed by miracles and the receiving of Pentecost observance is relegated to merely Old Testament application.
God’s Holy Spirit by 3,000 who repented and were baptized. This was the Let’s first examine some other vital aspects of the Feast of Firstfruits.
prophesied time spoken of in the book of Joel (2:28-29). Make careful note:
Christ chose one of the Holy Days to begin the building of the true Church What the Wave Sheaf Pictures
of God. God began to work within larger numbers of people in an organized
way, by the in-dwelling of His Holy Spirit, on this annual Sabbath and Feast The portion of Pentecost called the Wave Sheaf offering begins in Leviticus
Day! 23:10. The day after the weekly Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread
In ancient Israel (generally the modern land of Palestine), there was an was the first day that Israelites were permitted to harvest any of their grain
early spring harvest of grain. It was when the first efforts of agricultural labor crop. In a special ceremony, the Levitical priesthood “waved” (vs. 11) “before
had come to fruition. The Feast of Firstfruits describes this first, small, pre- the Lord” the very first sheaf of grain that was cut. Verse 11 adds that it was
liminary “spring” harvest of true Christians, which precedes the great “fall” waved “to be accepted for you”—the Israelites. (This is no longer done today
 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 27
because this ritual was a shadow of a far greater offering, which came later and
fulfilled it.)
What About What did the Wave Sheaf offering actually mean? What did it symbolize
Colossians 2:16-17? or picture?
After Christ’s Resurrection, He met Mary Magdalene in the garden. This
account reveals how Christ had to be accepted by God on behalf of mankind.
Notice: “Jesus said unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My
Opponents of the Holy Days invariably justify their position by Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and
citing Colossians 2:16-17, which states, “Let no man therefore your Father; and to My God, and your God” (John 20:17; also Matt. 28:9).
judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of Christ was a holy sacrifice, the first human being to be resurrected to eter-
the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of nal life. His death (as the sacrifice for our sins) was the fulfillment of the Wave
things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Sheaf offering. This duty was to be carried out only by the high priest. If it were
Does this state that no one can tell Christians whether they handled by anyone other than the high priest, the offering would have been
are right or wrong regarding clean and unclean meats, Holy defiled (impure), rendered unacceptable to God.
Day observance, Sabbath-keeping, etc.? This scripture is quot- At the time Mary Magdalene saw Christ, He had not yet ascended to
ed by nearly all “churchianity” in an attempt to prove this. Heaven to be accepted by the Father as the first person to be born again from
But the real meaning of these verses is that Christians the dead (Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18; I Cor. 15:20, 23). Since Christ was the
should not let people arbitrarily judge their conduct. Only the Wave Sheaf offering and is our New Testament High Priest (Heb. 9:11-12), no
Church (Col. 1:18)—“the body of Christ” (2:17)—can do this. one could touch Him before He ascended and God had accepted His sacrifice.
Notice that the word “is” is italicized. This means that it was It is not the purpose of this booklet to prove when Christ’s Resurrection
not in the original Greek text. By adding it, translators blurred took place, but suffice to say that it occurred on the weekly Sabbath (Saturday)
the true meaning of this passage. after a Wednesday Passover crucifixion. Therefore, after Christ had offered
The phrase “in meat, or in drink” (vs. 16), translated from the Himself, He presented Himself before the Father on Sunday exactly as
Greek phrase en broosei ay en posei, meaning “in eating or in Leviticus 23 instructs.
drinking.” Some ascetics in Colosse were teaching that self-
denial and will-worship (vs. 20-22) were God’s Way. (See Why the Name “Pentecost”?
Galatians 4:9-10 inset.)
Notice that the first phrase in verse 17 uses the present The Old Testament speaks of the “Feast of Firstfruits” or the “Feast of Weeks,”
tense in reference to the Sabbath, Holy Days, etc. It says, in while the New Testament describes this same Holy Day as Pentecost. This is
effect, “these days are [not were] a [fore]shadow of things to actually a Greek word not found in the Old Testament, and it connotes the
come.” Christians know that the Sabbath and Holy Days picture “fiftieth (day).” The rest of God’s Sabbaths and Feasts come on specific days
the Plan of God, which certainly involves many “things to come.” of specific months. They do not involve counting—but Pentecost does, and it
Verse 18 is a final warning to Christians not to let anyone trick is very important that it be counted correctly.
them about these important issues—because it is only the Acts 2:1 makes reference to “when the day of Pentecost was fully come…”
Church that was to judge them (vs. 17, end). This means that the New Testament Church knew how to count properly when
Like the Galatians, the Colossians were Gentiles. They had to keep Pentecost. This left them with no doubt of when it was “fully come.”
never known God’s Way, and had not previously kept His Holy Had they miscalculated, they would not have received the Holy Spirit or wit-
Days or Sabbath. nessed the moment of beginning of the Church of God.
In no way do these scriptures do away with God’s laws, Leviticus 23:15-16 explains how to count this day: “And you shall count
Sabbaths or Holy Days! In fact, the Colossians were being crit- unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the
icized by unconverted Gentiles because they were keeping His sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the
laws—because they were observing God’s Sabbath and Holy morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days…”
Days! In calculating the Day of Pentecost, some have asked, “Why count just
fifty days? Why not forty, sixty or seventy?”
28 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 29
The spring harvest followed the winter rains in Israel and ended around the This day was determined by counting from—and including—the day of the
time of Pentecost (the Feast of Weeks or Feast of Harvest; Ex. 34:22, 23:16 and Wave Sheaf offering. Verse 16 leaves no doubt. Again, “the morrow after the
Num. 28:26; also known as the Feast of Firstfruits). Pentecost means “count Sabbath” is the first day of the week. According to God’s Word, Pentecost is
fifty.” Fifty days represents the span of this early harvest. This generally consti- always observed on a Sunday.
tuted the firstfruits of barley and wheat, which matured slightly later. This early Deuteronomy 16:9-10 gives a more basic instruction regarding how to count
harvest was relatively small, while the fall harvest was always much larger. Pentecost—and explains why it was called the Feast of Weeks: “Seven weeks
Many err in reckoning the Day of Pentecost because they fail to follow shall you number unto you: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as
God’s instructions in Leviticus 23:14-15. Much of this confusion stems from you begin to put the sickle to the corn. And you shall keep the feast of weeks…”
translation problems—semantics and specific definitions of words. God’s The word translated as “weeks” originated from the term shavuah or shabuwa.
instructions, given in Hebrew, were specific and clear. Numbers 28:26 adds, “after your weeks be out, you shall have an holy convoca-
Not long after the middle of the first century A.D., the Pharisees gained tion; you shall do no servile work.” It was the counting of these seven weeks that
control of all Jewish observances from the Sadducees led by the high priests of caused the day of Pentecost to also be known as the “Feast of Weeks.”
the family of Boethus. While the Sadducees had been correctly counting the
day, the Pharisees incorrectly began their count one day late, arriving on a What Does Pentecost Mean?
Monday. The Mishna, written in about A.D. 200, states, “The Boethusians say:
‘The cutting of the sheaf does not take place at the end of the day of the feast We have seen that Christ fulfilled the Wave Sheaf that was waved before God.
[first day of Unleavened Bread], but only at the end of the next regular But Leviticus 23:17 also speaks of two “wave loaves” brought from the congre-
Sabbath’” (Menahoth, 10, 3). gation, which represented “firstfruits unto the LORD.” As with the Wave Sheaf
This is not difficult to understand. But when trying to decipher relatively being lifted up and waved before God, the same was done with the wave loaves
simple instructions from God’s Word, people jump the track. (vs. 20). The Wave Sheaf being lifted up represented the resurrected Christ.
Consider explicit commands such as “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep Since we have also seen that God’s Church began on Pentecost, it becomes
it holy…the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall obvious that the wave loaves represent the New Testament Church being lifted
not do any work…” (Ex. 20:8, 10). The vast majority of professing Christians up from the earth in the first resurrection to include all those that God calls
cannot even figure out the difference between the first and seventh day of the prior to Christ’s Return. The wave loaves are then brought back to earth as a
week. It should not be surprising that various sects of Judaism disagree with type of the saints returning to rule with Christ (I Thes. 4:16-17; Acts 1:11;
God’s instruction on counting Pentecost—while many other sects correctly Zech. 14:3-4). Remember that the saints are the firstfruits (Jms. 1:18; Rom.
determined it by following Scripture. The Karaites and Samaritans have been 8:23; Rev. 14:4).
correctly counting Pentecost for almost fourteen centuries.
By counting fifty days from the day after the weekly Sabbath (when the Israel, Now Blinded, Shall be Saved
Wave Sheaf was presented) that falls during the Days of Unleavened Bread,
you can pinpoint Pentecost. At this ceremony of cutting and waving the first In John 14:3, Christ said, “I will come again.” Revelation 5:10 explains that the
barley sheaf of the initial harvest, the fifty-day count would always begin and saints will rule with Christ. Acts 15:16-17 expands on Christ’s promise to
end on the first day of the week. return and what will happen after He does: “After this I will return, and will
Theoretically, the day of the Wave Sheaf offering—the day after the week- build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build
ly Sabbath—could be any one of the days of Unleavened Bread. That is why a again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue [remainder] of men
count is necessary. (To understand more about specific questions surrounding might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called,
the counting of Pentecost, you may wish to read our free article “How to Count says the Lord, who does all these things.”
Pentecost.”) This is a powerful scripture, revealing much about God’s Plan to later call
the whole world. But before Christ can call all humanity and reveal His truth
Counting Seven Weeks, Always On Sunday to it, He must train a small inner team of “firstfruits.” The modern nations that
have descended from ancient Israel and Judah are not being called now. They
The correct day is clearly “the morrow after the seventh Sabbath [Shabbat, remain blinded.
meaning Sabbath day].” The day after the Sabbath (not a High Day, but the The entirety of Romans 11 offers much insight into how those blinded now
weekly Sabbath) was, and always has been, the first day of the week—Sunday. will be saved later. This inspiring chapter should be carefully studied.
30 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 31
It speaks of all the tribes of Israel. Almost none understand who the tribes made their “choice.” This belief includes the assumption that God has com-
of Israel are. They suppose that the Jews, just one tribe of twelve, comprise all pletely and permanently discarded His first “chosen people,” Israel.
of Israel today. Because many Jews have continued, to some degree, to loose- Remember this point. God is not trying to convert the world now! Christ
ly keep God’s Sabbath and annual festivals, they have retained their identity in said, “No man can come to Me, except the Father…draw him” (John 6:44, 65).
a way that the other tribes have lost. So God is now only calling—drawing—relatively few into His “little flock”
Romans 11 describes how God will one day call and save the entire twelve (Luke 12:32), which is His Church. The true Church of God is not counted
tribes of Israel. Verse 26 states, “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is writ- among the great churches of this world. It is a small flock that exists for the
ten, There shall come out of Sion [Zion] the Deliverer [the soon-coming Jesus purpose of preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God to the world—
Christ], and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” announcing Christ’s Return to establish His kingdom and rule with His saints
The modern-day nations (just tribes grown larger) of Israel have not yet (Rev. 2:26; 3:21). The book of Acts refers to this as the “restitution of all
had ungodliness removed from their spiritual condition. Soon they will. They things” (3:19-21). Take a moment to read these verses carefully.
are now blinded. Soon they will see. The festival of Pentecost pictures those few who have actually been “cho-
Many hundreds of millions of Israelites—past, present and future—will sen” (Matt. 22:14), and who have “endured to the end” (10:22; 24:13). For
then come to understand the glorious purpose of God’s Plan. Though it is com- 2,000 years, God has been selecting His “firstfruits” from among this world in
ing soon, that time is not yet here. (Ezekiel 37 describes the physical resurrec- preparation for receiving the great fall harvest of people, represented in the last
tion of all the vast numbers of deceased Israelites.) four Holy Days observed in the fall of the year. After a period of trial and test,
God is not now working with the nations of Israel. They are not receiving those who remain faithful will be kings and priests in His kingdom (Rev. 5:10).
their chance for salvation. Part of the reason is explained in verse 25, where
Paul warns the Gentile Romans to be careful: “For I would not, brethren, that God’s Government and Law Established
you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own
conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the When Christ returns, He will first gather His people Israel from where they are
Gentiles be come in.” Most are “ignorant” of God’s Plan, but He does not want scattered around the world. Notice: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that
you to be ignorant of this “mystery.” the Lord shall set His hand again the SECOND TIME [the first time was the
God is first dealing with many Gentiles in this age, along with many phys- Exodus from Egypt] to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left,
ical Israelites scattered throughout the nations. But in the future He will deal from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from
with “all Israel” to the end that they will be saved! And we will see that later Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea” (Isa.
He will also deal with all Gentile nations. 11:11).
After God gathers Israel, what happens next? Remember that two-thirds of
Is God’s Plan Failing? those alive today are not even professing Christians, with half of this number
completely unfamiliar with even the name of Jesus Christ. If “all Israel” is
The churches of the world all teach that God is desperately struggling, against foretold to be saved, what of the many hundreds of millions and billions who
all odds, to save the world now. If this is true—if this is what God is doing— have ever lived, from the time of Adam? Will they also receive an opportuni-
then He is a complete failure, and His Plan was doomed from the beginning! ty? If so, when is it? A number of important scriptures must be considered.
Many teach that the world in this age is under a kind of “probation.” This The prophet Daniel reveals the scope of Christ’s rule at His Return. Daniel
idea develops in the following way: The billions now alive must decide 7:14 speaks of Christ coming to rule: “…all people, nations, and languages,
whether they will follow Christ or not. Nevermind that one-third to one-half of should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion.” Verse 18
the people on earth today have never even heard of Jesus Christ! Nevermind explains the role of the saints who “take” and “possess the kingdom” with
that most who have heard of Christ have no idea who He was, what He taught Christ. While verse 22 further confirms this, verse 27 states, “and all domin-
or what He did. ions [rulers] shall serve and obey Him [Christ].” When placed together, it is
Yet it is supposed that God is going to hold all of these people responsible clear that the kingdom of God encompasses the entire earth. Every nation will
for what they did not understand they were to choose. In other words, God will be under its authority. Today’s saints are in training for enormous POWER!
doom forever many billions of human beings who have been born and died A number of other verses speak of the time when all the Gentiles who have
over the last 6,000 years without having chosen to be “Christian.” The teach- never heard of the name of Christ will receive an opportunity for salvation.
ing continues that when Christ returns, the probation ends and all will have Let’s examine several.
32 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 33
Now notice Isaiah 11:9-10: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came
mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the
cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16).
for an ensign of the people; to it [Christ is the root of Jesse] shall the Gentiles What a glorious time this will be for the whole world! The vast majority
seek: and His rest shall be glorious.” that have ever lived are now lying dead in the grave, having lived their lives in
Here is how Christ will come—and what He will do: “For, behold, the complete ignorance of God’s purpose for mankind. Even the many millions of
LORD will come with fire…For by fire and by His sword will the LORD plead professing Christians will come up in the resurrection and learn that it was
with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many…And I will set a sign never God’s purpose to save the world during their lifetimes. They will learn
among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations…that God’s true Plan of salvation and be taught all of the great doctrines of God for
have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare the first time. They will learn the real truth of the Bible and why Christ said
My glory among the Gentiles” (Isa. 66:15-16, 19). that knowing it will “make you free” (John 8:32).
There is no misunderstanding the clarity of this prophecy. The nations of All of this could have been known if the churches of the world faithfully
the earth will seek the true God for the first time in history. The scope of real kept God’s Holy Days year-by-year.
conversions will be unprecedented. But this is not happening now! The New Testament Church did faithfully teach and observe the Feast of
It is God’s purpose to eventually “plead with all flesh” to obey His Law— Pentecost. Take time to read Acts 20:16. It speaks of Paul’s urgency “to be at
and to observe His Sabbath and Holy Days. What a wonderful time this will be Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.” In I Corinthians 16:8, Paul told the brethren
for all nations—for all those “among the Gentiles.” All will hear of Christ’s there, “But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.” Why would Paul, the apos-
“fame” and see His “glory.” tle to the Gentiles, tell several Gentile congregations about the importance of
Immediately, the Law of God will be established as international law, keeping Pentecost with them, if they were not also keeping it? The answer is
applying to all nations instead of just the tribes of ancient Israel. Notice: “And simply that God ordained that all of His people, including Gentiles, keep the
many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of “holy convocation” (commanded assembly) of Pentecost!
the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His How many will be willing to observe Pentecost today?
ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the
word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among many people, The Feast of Trumpets
and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow-
shares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword In the fall season of the year, there are four more annual Holy Days that com-
against nation, neither shall they learn war any more…In that day, says the plete, in type, the rest of God’s Plan. The first of these is described in Leviticus
LORD, will I assemble her that halts, and I will gather her that is driven out, and 23:23-25, and is called the Feast of Trumpets. Moses referred to it as “a memo-
her that I have afflicted; And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that rial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.” As with the other of God’s
was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Sabbaths, the command explains that no “servile work” was permitted on this
Zion from henceforth, even forever” (Mic. 4:2-3, 6-7). day.
This verse further confirms that the nations of the earth will seek God. The We have discussed the Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread and the
true knowledge of the right way to live will completely blanket the earth. This spring harvest of all God’s spiritual “firstfruits” who will return with Christ.
passage is plain. It is also plain that the earth is not now blanketed by the truth What about the Feast of Trumpets? How does it fit into God’s Plan?
of God. Only when this happens will all nations have an opportunity to under- Here is what Paul wrote about the meaning of Trumpets. He is describing
stand that to which they are blinded now. These prophecies contain a wonder- the very moment of Christ’s Return: “ Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall
ful picture of universal understanding and the removal of the ignorance, con- not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an
fusion and terrible religious disagreement so prevalent on earth today. eye, at the LAST TRUMP: for the TRUMPET shall sound, and the dead shall be
These last verses show that all nations will seek Christ as their Deliverer. raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (I Cor. 15:51-52). I
Take time to read this entire chapter. It describes a time of universal peace, Thessalonians 4:14-17 also speaks of this same event and uses the term “the
when even the temperament of animals will be dramatically changed from their trump of God.”
current aggressive and dangerous nature. In the book of Revelation, John records in detail about seven angels blow-
As the Law is being established, so will be the keeping of God’s annual ing seven different trumpets (Chapters 8-9), which have a catastrophic impact
Feast Days. The whole world will come to understand the Plan of God: “And on the planet.
34 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 35
Chapter 11 describes the blowing of the seventh trumpet, and what it ing it to the Jews in this way. Christ will gather all twelve tribes of modern
means for all nations. Notice John’s description of this glorious moment and Israel, then to be in captivity, to their land.
what it signifies—and how the single greatest moment in world history is ful- Though we cannot be sure, Christ’s Return may even occur on the very
filled: “And the seventh angel sounded [his trumpet]; and there were great day of the Feast of Trumpets. He was crucified on Passover and the Holy Spirit
voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms was given, in fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29, on the day of Pentecost. It is certain-
of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. And the ly possible that Christ could return on the day of Trumpets—and all those who
four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their are not keeping it, who have ignored His instruction to “watch” (Luke 21:36),
faces, and worshiped God, saying, We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, will miss out on this greatest of world events. All are admonished to bear this
which are, and was, and are to come; because You have taken to You Your great very real possibility in mind as they prepare for the end of this age.
power, and have reigned. And the nations were angry, and Your wrath is come,
and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should give The Day of Atonement—the Fast Day
reward unto Your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear
Your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth. The fifth of God’s seven annual Sabbaths is not a feast, but rather is a fast day.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His tem- Known to the world as Yom Kippur, this day is most properly referred to as the
ple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thun- Day of Atonement. It is described in Leviticus 23:26-32.
derings, and an earthquake, and great hail” (11:15-19). The Day of Atonement (“at-one-ment”) pictures the whole world finally
This is an astonishing prophecy. The implications for the inhabitants of “at one” with God, because Satan will have been bound and cast into “the bot-
earth are beyond words. This is the moment in which Christ expands His Plan tomless pit” (Rev. 20:2-3), where he can no longer deceive the nations.
of redemption beyond the few firstfruits that He has been working with and This Sabbath holds much important symbolism. The entirety of Leviticus
training for the last 6,000 years. It is not surprising that Nehemiah 8:2, 9-12 16 (34 verses) is devoted to this day. Verses 29 and 31 state, “And this shall be
describes this day historically as celebrated with great joy and rejoicing. a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the
But as the prophecy explains, the nations of earth will be angry because month, you shall afflict your souls [fast], and do no work at all, whether it be
they will not be ready for, nor will they understand, what is happening. But it one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourns among you…It shall be a
is at this time that Christ will begin the work of gathering and returning the sabbath of rest unto you, and you shall afflict your souls, by a statute forever.”
remnant of His people Israel to their land, and to “build again the tabernacle of Leviticus 23:32 adds, “from even unto even, shall you celebrate your sab-
David” (Acts 15:16). bath.” This is the Old Testament passage that Sabbath-keepers always cite to
The ministers of this world have utterly failed in their responsibility to prove that the weekly Sabbath should be kept beginning and ending at sun-
teach the nations of the world God’s precious truth. They have deceived and down. Yet most all “Sabbatarians” are unwilling to keep the very Day of
deluded the masses with false doctrines and gross misunderstanding of God’s Atonement that this verse references.
supreme purpose! As with all the other understanding that flows from keeping God’s Holy
The entirety of Ezekiel 34 describes the actions of this world’s collective Days, the world is ignorant of the fact that it will one day be “at one” with the
“ministry” that serves itself while claiming to represent God. This chapter con- true God of creation. By keeping this day, they would understand that God’s
cludes with a description of how David will be resurrected and placed over the plan of redemption involves far more than those who think that “now is the
tribes of Israel. However, a deceived and ignorant world will be completely only day of salvation.” They would recognize that God is “not willing that any
confused at Christ’s Return, not recognizing that He is about to impose—liter- should perish” (II Pet. 3:9)—that He would “have all men to be saved” (I Tim.
ally force—world peace upon all nations. 2:4).
Here is how Isaiah describes the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets—and The sins of the world have cut it off from God (Isa. 59:1-2). It is now
that it signals the gathering by Christ of the remnant of His people: “And it impossible for humanity to be at one with the God of the Bible. But God has a
shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they very specific plan, symbolized in the Day of Atonement, for redeeming
shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts mankind to Himself.
in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Examining the key verses of Leviticus 16 is important in understanding
Jerusalem” (Isa. 27:13). the purpose of this Holy Day. Verse 5 states, “And he [the high priest] shall
This prophecy involves far more than a return of Jews to Palestine. take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin
Modern “Zionists” terribly diminish the vast scope of this prophecy by restrict- offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.”
 Paul is writing to both Jewish and Gentile converts at Rome. He
What Days Are Referenced advised them to accept those who were “weak in the faith” (Rom. 14:1),
in Romans 14:5-6? and to not “dispute” insignificant matters with them, nor sit in judgment of
them. Some of these newly converted Gentiles, being weak, were still
vegetarians and refused to eat meats.
Some conclude that Romans 14:5-6 authorizes people to observe any The reason they did not eat meat is explained in I Corinthians 8.
days they choose. By taking these verses out of context, and applying Most meat available for purchase at the market had been previously
their own meaning, they assert that it makes no difference to God which offered to idols at pagan temples. Therefore, some, with conscience of
days we keep. the idol, ate it “as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience
In order to grasp the true intent of this passage, we must start read- being weak is defiled. But meat commends us not to God: for neither,
ing where the context of the subject begins. Verses 1-4 identify the sub- if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse” (vs.
ject in context as vegetarianism—not which days should be kept. 7-8). Some of the converts at Rome, who had given up idolatry, were
Notice: “One man esteems one day above another: another esteems Gentiles. Still being superstitious, they thought the idol had defiled the
every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He meat.
that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the What were these days Paul was referring to? Why did Paul break
day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for into this thought—about eating meat—and mention “days”? The answer
he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and is found in the Moffatt translation: “Then again, this man rates one day
gives God thanks” (Rom. 14:5-6). above another, while that man rates all days alike. Well, everyone must
Does Paul state here that Jesus, by His death, did away with the very be convinced in his own mind; the man who values a particular day does
days He kept during His entire life? No! Does he say, “GOD esteems one so to the Lord. The eater eats to the Lord, since he thanks God for his
day above another” and “GOD esteems every day alike?” Again, no! The food; the non-eater abstains to the Lord, and he too thanks God” (Rom.
verse says, “One MAN esteems one day above another.” This is telling us 14:5-6).
that it was what men were teaching, not what God instructs. Notice! Not only were there weak converts who avoided eating meat
Christ is not going to judge us by what any man believes. He will offered to idols, but others customarily abstained from particular foods.
judge us by His Word, the Bible: “…the word that I have spoken, the They semi-fasted on certain particular days. Still others refused to prac-
same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). tice a semi-fast or abstain from foods, but regarded every day in the
Notice that the saints at Rome were forbidden to judge one another: same way!
“Who are you that judges another man’s servant? To his own master he A number of Jews of that time held semi-fasts twice in the week
stands or falls. Yes, he shall be helped up: for God is able to make him (Luke 18:12). Some would also fast during the fifth and seventh months
stand” (Rom. 14:4). (Zech. 7:4-7). They were divided as to exactly when to fast. The Gentile
Paul is not condemning or endorsing a particular period of time for converts were also divided as to what days to abstain from certain foods.
Sabbath observance or worship, but he is warning the saints not to judge Because of the differing backgrounds of these people, they could not
one another and cause strife by having differing opinions about when agree on which days to do this. There were divisions in the congregation.
people choose to semi-fast. Those in Rome were weak in the faith. They Jesus taught us that fasting is something that is done without making it
had not yet matured spiritually. Paul says, “For I long to see you, that I obvious to others (Matt. 6:16). It is a personal matter—between an indi-
may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be vidual and God.
established” (Rom. 1:11). The subject of this question surrounded the matter of abstinence on
This scripture in no way gives license to believe whatever you want. particular days—upon which days many voluntarily abstained from cer-
God commands, “…and lean not unto your own understanding” (Prov. tain foods. It did not involve whether or not to keep pagan holidays or
3:5). Until you know what God says in His word, how can you be fully God’s Holy Days.
assured in your own mind what is right? Paul stated, “the holy scrip- Nowhere in this passage is there any reference to “Sabbaths,” “Holy
tures…are able to make you wise unto salvation” (II Tim. 3:15). Days” or “Feasts”!
38 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 39
Next, the high priest “shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is seat of the tabernacle. This completed the steps necessary for the high priest to
for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.” carry out the remainder of his duties on the Day of Atonement.
Verses 7-8 show that lots were to be cast over these two goats. Continue:
“And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door The High Priest Represented Christ
of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall CAST LOTS upon the two
goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.” The high priest was then to offer the goat that represented Christ: “Then shall
The original Hebrew word, here translated “scapegoat,” is Azazel. This he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood
symbolism of Azazel has generally not been understood. It is crucial we rec- within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock,
ognize what—actually who—God is speaking about. and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall
It is plain from the text that one goat represents the Lord, or Jesus Christ. make an ATONEMENT for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the
But why would God have a second goat represented in the symbolism? While children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins…” (vs.
some explain the second goat as also referring to Christ, virtually every 15-16).
respected commentary affirms that the Jews and knowledgeable Bible students After Christ’s Resurrection, He ascended to heaven. Some have misunder-
recognize Azazel as the devil. stood the Azazel goat to be a representation of one who, as a type of Christ,
The One Volume Commentary states that “scapegoat” is not actually a went to heaven. This is plain wrong. Heaven is certainly not an uninhabited
translation, but rather an attempt by the translators to interpret what they think wilderness. It is inhabited by God and hundreds of millions of holy angels, and
the second goat means. Remember, the actual Hebrew word is Azazel and not is far from being a wilderness. It is clear that the high priest represented
scapegoat. And let us understand that a scapegoat is one who is blamed or bears Christ’s role as High Priest in bringing the offering of the slain goat (Christ, the
the burden for something that he did not actually do. We will learn that the sec- Lord) before the mercy seat of God.
ond goat does not in any way symbolize a scapegoat. Suffice to say, the Azazel Let’s establish this: Christ now sits at the right hand of God as our High
goat does represent Satan the devil. Priest. Peter wrote, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of
Of course, both goats are types. But why is it that lots must be used— God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (I Pet.
which are a solemn appeal to God in any doubtful matter—to determine which 3:22).
goat should be Satan and which should be Christ? Should it not be obvious It is important to understand the role of each goat—and the Levitical high
which is which? Consider! The world has not known the difference between priest. This allows us to be able to properly identify who the Azazel goat rep-
Satan, who is called “the god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4) and who has “his min- resented. Paul gives explanation that clarifies how the Levitical high priest was
isters” (II Cor. 11:13-15), and the true God of the Bible and Jesus Christ! On a type of Christ’s role as High Priest on behalf of Christians: “Which hope we
this, and every other doctrinal truth of the Bible, Satan has “deceived the whole have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into
world” (Rev. 12:9). that within the veil; where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a
God has to reveal the truth and proper understanding of every small and High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:19-20).
great doctrine. God has to reveal—and He will to the world one day—the great The goat that was offered cannot be a type of Christ as High Priest. This
difference between Christ and Satan the devil, the god this world now obeys! goat was slain each year for centuries until the real Christ was slain and went
Men were not capable of discerning the difference between the two goats. to heaven to become our High Priest. Until that time—until Christ’s actual sac-
The casting of lots is a very solemn occasion. It is a sincere appeal to God to rifice—the Levitical high priest was a type of Christ as the High Priest.
intervene and reveal the truth of an unclear matter. This much is plain. The high priest went, in type, before the mercy seat as
In verse 9, the goat upon whom the lot fell to represent “the Lord” was to Christ offering His own blood on behalf of all those God redeems. The Azazel
be “offered”—sacrificed. This is an obvious type intended to represent the sac- goat is then eliminated as a representation of the high priest, because he did
rifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world. not take the blood “within the veil”—a type of going before the Father in
In verse 10, we see that the high priest was instructed to send the other goat heaven.
“alive…into the wilderness”—where it was “not inhabited.” In summary, the first goat is the sacrificed Christ. The Levitical high priest
The high priest was then instructed to offer a bullock for himself and his fulfilled the role of Christ, as our resurrected High Priest, offering His sacrifice
family in verse 11. This was done to purify himself, since, as the high priest, to the Father. Finally, we will see more about why the second goat must be the
he represented Christ going before the mercy seat—the throne of God. This devil. But understand that Satan certainly would want to be thought of, not as
was why he was to sprinkle the blood of the bullock on and before the mercy the devil (Azazel), but as the glorified Christ (High Priest) at God’s right hand.
40 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 41
sins of Israel over the head of the Azazel goat and sent him away bearing
The Role of the Azazel Goat those sins.
Do we see the marvelous Plan of God at work here? Can we see the deep
Here is what the high priest did next: “And when he has made an end of rec- meaning of this part of the Day of Atonement? Can we recognize that the devil
onciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, will carry the sins of mankind to the nethermost part of the universe—and keep
he shall bring the live goat: And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head them there with him for all eternity?
of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel,
and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the The Accuser
goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And
the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and The world is filled with accusation. Politicians accuse each other endlessly.
he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. And Aaron shall come into the taber- The press accuses politicians of every possible evil. Countries do the same to
nacle of the congregation…and he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy each other. Husbands and wives often fall into this practice, usually springing
place…and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and from an argument. Neighbors and co-workers constantly accuse each other.
make an ATONEMENT for himself, and for the people…And he that let go the The greatest accuser of all is the devil. And he is the source of the spirit of
goat for the [Azazel] shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and accusation that permeates the world. Once he is bound and removed, all oppor-
afterward come into the camp” (vs. 20-24, 26). tunity to continue doing this will disappear.
We have explained that the Azazel represents Satan. The New Testament Revelation 12:10 calls Satan “the accuser of our brethren.” John records
shows that he will be placed in a “bottomless pit” (Rev. 20:2-3) for 1,000 years, that he “accused them [Christians] before our God day and night.” The devil
before being released for a “little season,” (same verse) and eventually sent hates those who have escaped his captivity (II Tim. 2:26) and reserves his
into “the blackness of darkness” (Jude 13) for all eternity. The Azazel goat is a greatest accusations for those who serve God.
perfect type of being sent (the “fit man” is an obvious type of a mighty angel) Christ was hated! He was persecuted! He was put to death by crucifixion,
into outer darkness. which is one of the most painful, torturous deaths ever devised by human
Make this critically important distinction: Christ willingly bore our sins, beings—because of false accusations! The devil used Judas to do this.
even though He was completely INNOCENT. The devil is not innocent! He is a Wherever the true Church is found, accusation and persecution are seen.
murderer and a liar (John 8:44), a deceiver (Rev. 12:9) and a destroyer (Rev. The devil seeks to thwart, hinder and falsely accuse the Church. When Paul
9:11, see margin), and far from innocent. As the author of confusion, he is wished to come to the Thessalonian Church, he stated that “Satan hindered
guilty of enormous transgressions and has much to be indicted for. us” (I Thes. 2:18). Satan hinders God’s purpose by using counterfeit human
The devil is the one who is truly the ultimate author of the world’s sins. agents and instruments. This very work of God has endured many such hin-
The true God is a God of justice and equity—a God who is fair in all things. drances and persecutions. They will continue until the establishment of the
He would never require an innocent Christ to die for sins that He had not com- government of God replaces this world’s system. Satan will then be ban-
mitted, and, at the same time, require no accountability on the part of the devil. ished.
God always places blame squarely on the shoulders of him to whom it belongs. Satan constantly attacks and accuses God’s true servants. The devil’s end-
Of course, all human beings have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and are responsible less pattern of accusation will only cease at the Return of Christ.
for these sins. None can say that he is innocent because, as some say in partial The devil must be removed for the world to escape the incessant accusa-
jest, “the devil made me do it.” The devil influences and tempts all those who tion of the great accuser. Charged as guilty for all he has done for 6,000 years,
willingly commit sins of their own volition. Satan must be sent out of the way—sent to prison for his spiritual crimes
The world could never be at one with God if Satan remained free to roam against humanity. Only then can the world possibly be at one with God.
the earth, tempting, deceiving, confusing, destroying, lying and murdering. As The “fit man” had to wash his clothes after having had contact with the
the ultimate cause of the world’s sins and problems, he must be removed from devil. Otherwise, he could not re-enter the presence of the people. Also,
earth, from heaven (Job 1:6 and 2:1 show that he does have free access to heav- recall that the high priest placed the forgiven sins of Israel on the Azazel after
en now to “present himself before the Lord,” as happened to both goats) and leaving the Holy of Holies (“within the veil”). The forgiveness of the sins
any part of the inhabited universe. was complete before God required the devil to be held accountable for his
Christ bore our sins. There is no doubt of that! But must He bear them for actions. This is obviously a type of Christ returning to earth and binding
all eternity? The answer is a resounding NO! The high priest confessed the Satan (Rev. 20:3).
42 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 43
It makes absolutely no sense for the live goat to represent the resurrected feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before
Christ having the sins of mankind placed upon Him a second time! The devil the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing
would love for people to believe that he is a “scapegoat” who is being picked on of the LORD your God which He has given you” (16:13-17). (Notice that a spe-
unfairly by God. Satan is both deceiver and deceived. He would be only too cial offering was taken up from all those who kept the Feast of Tabernacles—
happy for people to misunderstand his role, which is so clearly revealed within as well as the other annual Feast Days.)
the symbolism of the Day of Atonement. We must be consistent. Christ cannot This festival pictures the Millennium—Christ’s 1,000-year reign on earth
bear the sins of mankind twice, while the devil bears no responsibility at all. with the saints. Exodus 34:22 states that this Feast was to be kept “at the year’s
We must ask: Does the New Testament record show that God’s Church end,” because it begins the culmination of the last great steps within God’s
kept the Day of Atonement? It does. Notice: “Now when much time was spent, Plan. Let’s read this verse: “And you shall observe the feast of weeks, of the
and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end.”
Paul admonished them” (Acts 27:9). Focus your attention on Paul’s reference Recall that Pentecost was the early spring harvest of barley and wheat,
to “the fast.” The margin of most Bibles reveals that this is a direct reference with the great fall harvest to follow. Notice that the latter is also called “the
to the Day of Atonement. feast of ingathering.” This is when God will begin to literally gather in the vast
When the timing is carefully checked with the understanding that Paul was billions who have not been part of His Plan up to this time.
referring to a time of dangerous sailing—the autumn in the Mediterranean The book of Zechariah holds many clues to how the latter stages of God’s
Sea—it becomes apparent that the New Testament Church was, in fact, mark- Plan will unfold. Chapters 12 and 13 describe the world coming to be at one
ing time by this day. This could only be because they were OBSERVING it. It with God after the completion of the seven trumpet plagues of Revelation 8
would make no sense for God’s Holy Spirit to inspire a reference to a day that and 9, and the time of God’s Wrath and punishment upon a rebellious world,
God wanted people to understand had been done away! which follows.
Accept the plain meaning of God’s Word for what it says! Now notice Zechariah 14:9, 11: “And the LORD shall be king over all the
earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one…And men shall
The Feast of Tabernacles dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be
safely inhabited.”
Two annual Holy Days remain. The sixth festival, the Feast of Tabernacles Jerusalem today is one of the most unsafe places in the world! What a total
(also lasting seven days), pictures the last 1,000 years of God’s 7,000-year change this will be—and it is a type of how the whole world will one day dwell
Plan, when Christ and the resurrected saints will reign on the earth. This Feast in peace and safety. Verse 8 describes literal waters, and what must be the
is described in Leviticus 23:33-35. Like the Days of Unleavened Bread, this waters of God’s Spirit (John 7:38-39) going forth from Jerusalem.
Feast was to last seven days because it pictured a period of time—1,000
years—instead of a single event such as Passover or Pentecost. All Nations Keep Feast of Tabernacles
Leviticus 23:40-41 explains God’s intention regarding how His people
should keep this Feast: “…and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God At this time, all nations will learn to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. There will
seven days” Verse 41 reiterates that this Feast was commanded as “a statute be no exceptions. Notice this plain prophecy: “And it shall come to pass, that
forever.” every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even
The book of Deuteronomy gives additional overview of God’s instruction go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep
for how to keep the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles: “You shall observe the feast of tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16).
the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that you have gathered in your corn Before continuing, we must ask directly, why would God require that the
and your wine: And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your Feast of Tabernacles be kept in the Millennium if it is not incumbent on
daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, the Christians today to observe it? Remember, we have seen that He ordained it—
stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates. Seven and all His annual Feasts—to be observed FOREVER. What honest person can
days shall you keep a solemn feast unto the LORD your God in the place which believe that Christians do not now need to do what every human being on earth
the LORD shall choose: because the LORD your God shall bless you in all your will be required to do for 1,000 years? However, some will continue to believe
increase, and in all the works of your hands, therefore you shall surely rejoice. that Christ “nailed them to the cross.”
Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the LORD your God in Isaiah 66:23 shows that the weekly Sabbath will also be kept during the
the place which He shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the Millennium. Yet, many who know of this verse, and its plain meaning, refuse
44 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 45
to keep God’s Sabbath today. They would rather find excuses to explain why nations of the world will all remain mortal human beings, and therefore mere-
God has no such requirement during the “Christian age” or “dispensation.” ly HEIRS of salvation, not yet INHERITORS. Inheritance will come later.
We next ask: What will happen to those nations that refuse to obey God’s Paul wrote, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit
command to assemble at the Feast of Tabernacles? Now continue in Zechariah the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption” (I Cor.
14: “And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families [nations] 15:50). How do some say that those who live during the Millennium will
of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon remain mortals forever? The whole picture of salvation is summarized in
them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that Christ’s statement to His disciples: “Then shall the King say unto them on His
have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the hea- right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, INHERIT THE KINGDOM prepared
then that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the pun- for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34).
ishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep The goal of all human beings on earth is to one day “inherit the kingdom.”
the feast of tabernacles” (vs. 17-19). It starts by receiving the Spirit of God at baptism and repentance (Acts 2:38),
Some nations will dig in their heels and refuse to obey God. The punish- is followed by a lifetime of growing, overcoming and qualifying, and culmi-
ment will be severe for those who think it not necessary to keep the Feast. nates in hearing Christ say the words “inherit the kingdom.”
Eventually, the whole world will learn the benefits and experience the joy that When properly understood, God’s Holy Days are marvelous, wonderful
comes from celebrating the wonderful meaning that this Feast represents. They blessings given by a loving God to His people. They are full of rich, inspiring
will learn why God instructs His people to rejoice when they observe it. meaning, and observing them year by year keeps this meaning alive and real for
Christ is training His saints to be kings and priests. Now think for a those who do it!
moment. All of John 7 describes Christ’s observance of the Feast of Ponder these words as you consider what you will do!
Tabernacles. Christians are those who “follow His steps” (I Pet. 2:21). All
should give serious pause when tempted to believe that they can qualify to The Last Great Day
teach, with Christ, all nations to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, while ignoring
God’s plain commands to keep it themselves now. Finally, there is one last Holy Day in God’s Plan—the seventh festival—which
is called the Last Great Day. It pictures the Great White Throne Judgment,
The Meaning of the Feast when the BOOK OF LIFE (Rev. 20:12) will be opened to all human beings who
have ever lived—beginning with Adam. At that time, everyone will eventually
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived in tabernacles or booths during their time of receive an opportunity for salvation!
sojourning in the land that ancient Israel later inhabited. Notice: “By faith he Revelation 20, verse 10 describes Satan being “cast into the lake of fire”
[Abraham] sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling and, once again, removed from all possibility of deceiving and injecting his
in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise” spirit into the nations (Eph. 2:2). Continuing in Revelation 20, verses 11-13
(Heb. 11:9). These men understood that this life was temporary. They were describe this wonderful period after the Millennium when all who have lived
heirs only, and not yet inheritors of salvation and eternal life. They understood prior to Christ’s Return will be given an opportunity for salvation. Those born
that their body was a physical, temporary dwelling, like a booth or tabernacle. during the Millennium receive their opportunity at that time.
Leviticus 23:42-43 says this of Israel’s time in the wilderness—and how it Most people will eventually receive salvation—eternal life—because the
relates to the Feast of Tabernacles: “You shall dwell in booths seven days…that influence of Satan will have been removed from the earth. They will not have
your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in to overcome either his influence or the pulls and enticements of his world, by
booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.” Hosea adds more to the then long gone.
understanding of how every person is required to go through trials, tests and
difficulties to become inheritors of God’s promises. This next verse uses One More Festival
Ephraim as a type of all the Israelite tribes: “And I that am the LORD your God
from the land of Egypt will yet make you to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days At the conclusion of his booklet Pagan Holiday – or God’s Holy Days –
of the solemn feast” (12:9). Which?, Herbert W. Armstrong, describing the seventh annual Sabbath—the
During Israel’s time in the wilderness, they had no permanent home. They Last Great Day—wrote this under the subhead “Yet Another Festival”:
wandered for 40 years before entering the Promised Land of what is now “Did you notice that the Feast of Tabernacles is only the sixth festival?
Palestine. This carries important symbolism. During the millennium, the There is yet another—the seventh!
46 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays? 47
“The Feast of Tabernacles is, strictly speaking, seven days long—to pic- to be holy convocations…beside the sabbaths of the Lord.’ We are, then, to
ture the entire Millennium. Seven is God’s number of completeness. Therefore, keep these besides the Sabbath of the Lord.
there must also be seven festivals. Let us notice where it is mentioned: ‘The fif- “SUNDAY is the weekly rest day of this modern churchianity, but the
teenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days Sabbath is the day of the LORD.
unto the Lord…on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you…it is “Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, and a host of others are the holidays that
a [day of] solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein’ (Lev. have come directly from paganism, but these seven annual holy days are the
23:34, 36). holy days of God! Let us forsake the pagan holidays of this world, and observe
“This eighth day, technically a separate feast, is called ‘the last day, that the true holy days of God.”
great day of the feast’ (John 7:37).
“What does this final holy day represent? A Serious Matter
“Notice what Jesus preached about on that day: ‘If any man thirst, let him
come unto me, and drink…out of his belly [innermost being] shall flow rivers In the Old Testament, ignoring the Holy Days was punishable by death (Lev.
of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him 23:29-30). So was Sabbath-breaking (Ex. 31:14-15; 35:2). II Corinthians 3:7-
should receive…)’ (John 7:37-39). 8 describes the Old Testament administration of a civil death penalty, which
“This was Jesus’ sermon giving the meaning of the last great day! is no longer applicable. This is because God is now building the nation of
“Now turn to Revelation 20. After the Millennium, what happens? A res- SPIRITUAL Israel (Rom. 2:28-29; 8:9; 11:24-26; Gal. 3:29; Eph. 2:11-13, 19; I
urrection! The dead stand before God. This couldn’t include true Christians Pet. 2:5, 9).
today, as they will appear before the judgment seat when Christ returns. It The Holy Days were to be kept perpetually, forever and throughout the
couldn’t refer to those converted during the Millennium. They have already generations of Israel. There are still generations of Israel today—and there is
inherited the Kingdom during the Millennium, after living out a normal life- spiritual Israel (the Church) today, which also keeps the rest of the command-
span. Those in this resurrection must be those who died in ignorance in past ments of God (Matt. 19:16-17; Rom. 2:13; Jms. 1:8-12; Rev. 12:17).
ages! They are not brought to life until after the Millennium (Rev. 20:5). It would be terribly inconsistent of God to require the death penalty for
those who ignored the Holy Days in ancient Israel, and to severely punish
Pictures the Day of Judgment entire nations for disobeying them during the Millennium—yet declare that He
does not care whether His people keep them during the Christian era!
“This is that judgment day mentioned in Matthew 10:15. It is a time when Christ observed the Holy Days—and Paul wrote, “Jesus Christ, the same
Gentiles who died in ignorance will be given an opportunity to receive salva- yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). In Malachi 3:6, God [actually
tion. Ezekiel 16:53-55 makes this very plain. Even those in Israel who died in Christ, the God of the Old Testament] says, “I am the LORD, I CHANGE NOT”!
their sins will be given their first opportunity to understand the truth of God Powerful words!
and His way (Ezek. 37). The prophet wrote that God would pour out His Spirit Take heed whether and how you will obey God. For “He that despised
on those resurrected (verse 14). This is precisely the salvation that Jesus men- Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much
tioned in His sermon on that great day of the feast in the autumn of A.D. 30. sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden
“This eighth day, which immediately follows the seven days of the Feast under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, where-
of Tabernacles, pictures the completion of the plan of redemption. It is just with he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of
prior to the new heaven and the new earth. All—parents and children, young grace?” (Heb. 10:28-29).
and old—will be resurrected. The seriousness of this warning cannot be overstated!
“Notice that the ‘book of life’—typifying salvation—is opened (Rev. Now, what will you do?
20:12). Revelation presents the final view of the ‘judgment day’ as the present
material heaven and earth are perishing—and the faithful are receiving their Festival Information
eternal reward at the throne of Christ. The wicked—those who disobey—are
seen perishing in the lake of fire! Many people around the world observe God’s annual Holy Days with others
“What a marvelous plan! All will have an equal opportunity. every year. Others observe them by themselves. You may be wondering where
“And finally, notice in Leviticus 23:37-38. After describing these annual there are others near you who are convicted about God’s Plan and the role of
holy days, it says: ‘These are the feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim His feasts within it.
48 God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays?
The Restored Church of God has representatives in many parts of the
world who are available to answer your questions about where you can meet
with others who are determined to obey God and observe His annual
Sabbaths—as well as His weekly Sabbath. Our Headquarters can help all oth-
ers where no representative is available. But you must contact us—you must
request information and assistance from us because no one will ever call on
you unless you have contacted us of your own volition.

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HD

The Restored Church of God

P.O. Box 23295 P.O. Box 4064
Wadsworth, OH 44282 St. Catharines, ON L2R 7S3
USA CANADA

Phone: (330) 334-2266

Fax: (330) 334-6513
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.thercg.org