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Chapter Eight

SABBATHS AND THEIR SHADOWS

Note: It appears that the Levitical Priesthood and the animal sacrifices were nailed to the cross. But, what about the annual Sabbaths?

Certainly they were not nailed to His cross; otherwise, all of the following would have no meaning: the saying of Jesus, who promised to observe the Passover with us in heaven (Luke 22:15-16); and the actions of Paul, who observed the Passover with his converts (AA 390 391); the set time of the Feast of Tabernacles for the destruction of the wicked after the millennium (Zech. 14:16); as well as our own emphasis on the Day of Atonement, October 22nd, 1844.

The Best Example

“Christ passed through all the experiences of His childhood, youth, and manhood without the observance of ceremonial temple worship.” BE, October 31, 1898

This quote is saying that Jesus never observed the ceremonial law. However, Jesus did observe the feasts as seen in the following quotes.

“Among the Jews the twelfth year was the dividing line between childhood and youth. On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son of the law, and also a son of God. He was given special opportunities for religious instruction, and was expected to participate in the sacred feasts and observances. It was in accordance with this custom that Jesus in His boyhood made the Passover visit to Jerusalem.” DA 75

Later in His life:

“Jesus traveled up and down the breadth of the land, giving His invitation to the feast. When the sun illuminated the landscape, Jesus said to the vast throng: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life,’ He took the opportunity of presenting himself to the people during the feast-days, when they gathered at Jerusalem.” Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, July 7, 1896

See John chapter 7 for the Bible’s exposition on Jesus’ observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. Since Jesus never observed the ceremonial law, but He did observe the feasts, this means that Jesus did not consider the feasts to be part of the ceremonial law. Also, since there are only two laws, moral and ceremonial, this means that Jesus considered the feasts to be part of the moral law.

The following quote shows that there are only two laws.

“There are two distinct laws brought to view. One is the law of types and shadows, which reached to the time of Christ, and ceased when type met antitype in His death. The other is the law of Jehovah, and is as abiding and changeless as His eternal throne. After the crucifixion, it was a denial of Christ for the Jews to continue to offer the burnt offerings and sacrifices which were typical of His death. It was saying to the world that they looked for a Redeemer to come, and had no faith in Him who had given His life for the sins of the world. Hence the ceremonial law ceased to be of force at the death of Christ.” Signs of the Times, July 29, 1886

1 Peter 2:21 states that Jesus is our Example in all things. Is it not still true that no one will have a problem in the judgment who can honestly say, “I did what Jesus did?” Should we not also follow the example of the apostles? Who can proclaim that the Feast of Pentecost was nailed to the cross? The Feast of Pentecost did meet one fulfillment on the third month after Christ’s death when the early rain fell. It could well be that the latter rain will also fall again at the appointed time of Pentecost, and fall on those who are gathered to worship on that day as did the apostles two thousand years ago.

The apostle Paul also recognized that the ceremonial laws of sacrifice were superimposed over the feasts of Israel, and therefore recognized that the passing away of the ceremonial law did not eliminate the feast days over which they had been superimposed. As an example, in the book of “Acts of the Apostles,” pages 390 and 391, Ellen White first tells how it angered certain individuals because Paul was teaching that the Jews were now released from observing the Ceremonial law; and ,yet, in the very next paragraph she clearly reports that he was continuing to observe the feast days with his converts.

An Interesting Statement:

“Great truths that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost, are to shine from God’s Word in their native purity.” RH Aug. 17, 1897; FE 473; 1888 Materials 1651

We are close to the great consummation. Surely we should be seeing some of these “great truths” that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost.

If these truths have been unheeded since Pentecost, then these truths must have been heeded at Pentecost. So what did the disciples heed at Pentecost that we are not heeding? Certainly the “mo’ed” of the Pentecost itself is one of them.

It would be most exciting if the Spirit of our Elohim fell on the 144,000 on the same day that it fell on their prototypes two thousand years ago.

Seven Shadows of Things to Come

Before looking at Colossians chapter two, we would do well to notice seven shadows that “are” and that still represent “things to come.”

1. THE SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH points to THE SEVENTH MILLENNIAL SABBATH:

“For we which have believed do (present tense) enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, and God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, if they shall enter into my (eternal) rest.” Hebrews 4:3-5 (parenthesis inserted/italics mine)

“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:10,11

“We think that God chose the period of six days such as are known to man for the work of creation in order to represent to man that in six days of 1000 years each, days such as are known to God, He would accomplish the period assigned to man before the Judgment.” (II Pet. 3:7,8)

“That the great week of 7000 years was indicated by the first week of time has been the judgment of many of the wisest and best of men for the period of more than two thousand years.” (Review & Herald, August 21, 1883, as quoted in Even at the Door, p. 243, by G. Edward Reid)

2. THE NEW MOONS also point to a future fulfillment:

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23

3. TABERNACLES also points to the future fulfillment:

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” Zech. 14:16

4. PASSOVER also points to a future fulfillment:

“And He said unto them, with desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16

5. JUBILEE also points to a future fulfillment:

“And at that time shall Michael stand up... and thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book... And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Dan. 12:1,3

“The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah... at the end of every sentence the saints shouted, ‘Glory! Hallelujah!” Their countenances were lighted up with the glory of God, and they shone with glory as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai... Then commenced the jubilee, when the land should rest.” EW 285 286; LDE 272-273

6. PENTECOST also points to a future fulfillment:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28

7. ATONEMENT also points to a future fulfillment:

Adventists realize that this feast reached forward to A.D. 1844. Our Lord will be consistent if He begins the judgment of the living at the same time, that is, on the Day of Atonement. Regardless, it is clear that we do not believe that this appointed time was nailed to the cross.

So what is exciting?

“In like manner the types (feasts) which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service.” GC 399,400 (parentheses inserted)

The question is, “How will the saints that keep His commandments recognize such events if they do not even know when the times (feasts) pointed out in the symbolic service take place?” Another question, “Will the saints that continue to forever ignore the mo’eds really be keeping all of the commandments of God?”

The word mo’ed is translated in various ways: “Appointed times” or “feasts” are often used. Other translations of the word include “congregation” and “assembly.” However, these definitions are all related. In other words, an assembly of people were to gather as a congregation at the appointed time for a spiritual feast. In Leviticus chapter 23, the word mo’ed is translated multiple times simply as “feast.”

Where in the Bible do we find this word, which is translated “feast,” translated into some other word? There are two places that may prove meaningful to those who believe that the spiritual part of the battle of Armageddon will involve God’s Sabbath.

The first is found in Revelation 16:16 where we find the word “Armageddon.” The word “HAR” in Hebrew translates to “MOUNTAIN” (see Strong’s #2022). According to the SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 846, the word “MEGEDDON” is from the word “mo’ed.” Could it be that the spiritual issue in the battle is over the mountain of God’s feasts? Is not His primary feast the Sabbath? (Lev. 23:1-3)

Another place in the Bible that we find this word “feast” translated into some other word is in Isaiah 14:13-14. Speaking of Lucifer the Bible says:

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit also upon the mount of congregation in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (italics mine)

“Har” being “mountain” or “mount” (Strong’s 2022), “mo’ed” in this text being interpreted “congregation” (Strong’s #4150).

What does this imply to the Seventh-day Adventist? That Satan would replace God’s mountain of feasts with his own, Sunday being but one example.

However, earlier, in this book, I quoted a writer’s explanation of Ellen White’s statement regarding “the Sabbath more fully” being presented during the time of trouble. Using Ellen White quote he showed that the “Sabbath more fully” may well include the other seven yearly Sabbaths. In this case, we have a bigger mountain: a mountain with a bright side and, also, a dark side. Remember Daniel 7:25?

“He shall speak against the Most High thinking to change the feast days (plural) and the law!” Daniel 7:25 New American Bible (parentheses inserted)

“He will try to change their religious laws and festivals (plural) and God’s people will be under his power for three and one half years.” Daniel 7:25 Good News Bible (parentheses inserted)

Many of today’s holidays and festivals stem from pagan, and sometime occultic, backgrounds. Truly, the festivals given by God have been replaced. The part of the Elijah message that says, “Remember ye the law of Moses My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments,” (Malachi 4:4) has not been remembered but forgotten. Strange holidays, now commonly accepted, have replaced God’s statute days in the lives and activities of the innocent.

With greater knowledge comes greater responsibility. This greater knowledge can then transform into greater expressions of loyalty.

Supplemental Notes:

Lent:     The 40 days’ celebration was observed by the Yezdis, (pagan devil worshipers of Koordistan) who inherited this holiday from the Babylonians. Too Long In the Sun, p. 121.

Easter:  The egg became one of the symbols of Astarte or Easter. See the occult meaning of this mystic egg of Astarte in The Two Babylons, p. 109.

Halloween:  Celtic festival, ancient fire festival. The practice of divination and its association with the dead. It was the only day in which the help of the devil was invoked. Ency. Brit. 1970 Edition p. 15.

Saint Valentine’s Day:  Commemoration of patron Catholic priest at Rome in the seventh century. Later adopted as patron saint of lovers. Ency. Am. p. 859.

Christmas:  At Rome, a pagan festival of the nativity of “sol invictus” was introduced by the Emperor Aurelian on the 25th of December. “The Church, unable to stamp out this popular festival, spiritualized it.” Chambers Ency. 1970 Edition, p. 538.

Sunday:  The day of the sun was considered by Mithraists as sacred day of rest. Sunday observance is of pagan origin. Too Long in the Sun, p. 70.

Many books and Encyclopedias contain information on these and other of today’s holidays and their roots. Babylon means confusion. Babylon has many more feast days than are listed on the above mountain. God only has a few special days. Satan not only replaced them, but has also confused the issue by adding many more religious days from paganism.

In addition to Encyclopedias, two books easily available are The Two Babylons, by Alexander Hislop, Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune, New Jersey; and Two Long in the Sun by Richard Rivers, Partakers Publishing Charlotte, NC.

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