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| God's Sacred Calendar |
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The Biblical Calendar has two clusters of yearly Sabbath observance. The first cluster occurs in spring and is centered on the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) and Pentecost. The second cluster is six months later in the fall and is centered on the Feast of Tabernacles. The Calendar begins in the spring as opposed to the apostate Catholic Calendar, which begins in winter. Two of the spring holy days are in the first month of the Calendar with a third in the third month. The holy days of the Calendar have many symbolic applications some of which are based on agricultural concepts. These symbolisms are linked to three specific harvest periods. The first period is the early spring harvest of the barley. This crop, which is planted in fall, matures quickly in early spring. The second is the late spring harvest of the winter wheat. This crop, which is also planted in fall, matures about 50 days later than the barley. The third period is the early fall harvest of the fruit and the corn, which is planted in the spring. The spring holyday season is a time of remembering the great events of the Exodus, the Savior's sacrifice, and looking forward to the great events, which will soon transpire at the end of this age. It is important to note God was so specific to have prophetic fulfillments on Passover, the first Unleavened Bread Sabbath, and Pentecost Sabbath at the Exodus and the first advent. There were probably other events, which occurred on the yearly Sabbaths, but were not explicitly noted. There will certainly be fulfillments at the Second Advent. I always get a bit excited when the holyday season comes. I am certain in the last year or so before His Second Advent there will be major prophetic fulfillments on His holydays. You just never know when things will start happening. When I look at world events and changes occurring in the churches I cannot help but think it will not be long now. I suspect there will be great signs or fulfillments in the last days, which will occur on the yearly Sabbaths. These will confirm the correct dates. This chapter reviews the specific memorials, fulfillments, observances, and meanings of the spring feasts. |
National ConvocationIn Exodus 23, we find a parallel passage to Leviticus 23, which mentions a summary of the Sabbath Year, the weekly Sabbath, and the yearly Sabbaths.10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: We also find an interesting specification, which requires special notice. The entire nation of Israel was required to assemble at the temple in Jerusalem for the three main feast periods. This is also mentioned in Deuteronomy. 16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Israel received a unique and special promise. Their land would be safe when they were all assembled in Jerusalem. Imagine the danger of conquest by enemy nations who would know the land was unguarded. 23 Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. |
Regional ConvocationsHow do we apply these words today? The secular nation of Israel is not the primary focus of God's spiritual people at this time. After the animal sacrifices were completed, the primary focus has been removed from earthly Jerusalem and the temporary earthly copy of the temple. The primary focus has been returned to the true temple in heaven and the New Jerusalem. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. We no longer look to an earthly High Priest and earthly temple ceremonies. The Messiah is now our High Priest. The Messiah continues the function of the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. We also see the focus of God is not exclusively on the Jewish people at this time. The focus is on the true children of Israel, the true children of Abraham, who practice the true faith. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.We must not forget the natural children of Israel, though they lost their special status by unbelief, can still return from unbelief. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. I believe we can also find guidance in these words, which are specific to the observance of living in booths during Tabernacles. Only those born or living in Israel were instructed to perform this observance. 42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: Nevertheless, it is appropriate and necessary to have regional convocations (camp meetings) where the true children of Israel gather to strengthen the bonds of unity, to worship, learn, and grow together. |
Camp MeetingsConsider these eerily prophetic admonitions from someone who did not fully understand the details of the Third Elijah message. Well would it be for us to have a feast of tabernacles, a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to us as a people. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God wrought for their fathers, and his miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt to the promised land, so should the people of God at the present time gratefully call to mind the various ways he has devised to bring them out from the world, out from the darkness of error, into the precious light of truth. We should often bring to remembrance the dependence upon God of those who first led out in this work. We should gratefully regard the old way-marks, and refresh our souls with memories of the loving-kindness of our gracious Benefactor. {RH, November 17, 1885 par. 14} The forces of the enemies are strengthening, and as a people we are misrepresented; but shall we not gather our forces together, and come up to the feast of tabernacles? Let us not treat this matter as one of little importance, but let the army of the Lord be on the ground to represent the work and cause of God in Australia. Let no one plead an excuse at such a time. One of the reasons why we have appointed the camp-meeting to be held at Melbourne, is that we desire the people of that vicinity to become acquainted with our doctrines and works. We want them to know what we are, and what we believe. Let every one pray, and make God his trust. Those who are barricaded with prejudice must hear the warning message for this time. We must find our way to the hearts of the people. Therefore come to the camp-meeting, even though you have to make a sacrifice to do so, and the Lord will bless your efforts to honour his cause and advance his work. {BEcho, December 8, 1893 par. 5} We see that the forces of the enemy are strengthening, and that the ministers in every place are making earnest efforts to oppose the truth, and more so in Wellington than any place I ever visited. Everything is said to present Seventh-day Adventists as only a few in number, and inferior in every respect, possessing little influence. And shall we not on this occasion represent the believing rank and file the very best that we possibly can? Will our brethren not come up to the feast of tabernacles? How zealously should everyone guard the way that leads to the city of God! If we treat the work as an indifferent matter, and the army of the Lord is not on the ground to represent the cause and work in New Zealand, God will not be pleased with your neglect. Will you plead excuses, and at such a time? {11MR 9.1} The church has a long tradition of camp meetings. These are usually in the summer, sometimes near Pentecost, but not in the spring and fall at the "appointed time" according to the Biblical Calendar. Current social customs with its demands of work and school make it very difficult to follow completely this observance. God will bless our desire and effort to observe what He specifies. |
Passover EveThe Passover Eve is very powerful time of memorial celebration because of the major fulfillments of this appointed time. While the Day of Passover Eve is not a yearly Sabbath, it is a day of memorial remembrance and observance.It is important to observe there is possibly a mistaken understanding of the word Passover. Many modern Jewish sources use the name Erev Pesach, which literally means Passover Eve. Therefore, it appears Passover refers more to the yearly Sabbath, which follows than the traditional understanding of the word Passover as a separate day. It is often used to refer to the whole week of Unleavened Bread. I suspect the week of Unleavened Bread is more accurately referred to as Passover. I will sometimes use the term Unleavened Bread rather than Passover to avoid confusion about the term. There were some events and observances, which occurred in the evening hours preceding the sunset, which starts the first Passover Sabbath. Exodus FulfillmentThe first record of a specific fulfillment and memorial of the Spring Holy Days occurred at the Passover when the children of Israel left Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. The word Passover has a specific meaning referring to the destroying angel, which passed over the land of Egypt. The firstborn of man and animal of those households, which did not declare their faith in God, was killed. Those who were spared declared their faith by displaying the blood of a sacrificial lamb spread on the doorposts. I believe it is possible to see a dual meaning in the word Passover being applied to the sun, which was passing over the equator at approximately the same time. The passing of the sun over the equator is called the spring equinox. Equinox is the astronomical signal of spring and the first yearly Sabbath. The first fourteenth day of a month occurring on or after the equinox is Passover Eve. The event, which is signaled by the equinox, is the first Yearly Sabbath. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover. The preparation and sacrifice of the Passover lamb was to occur in the evening just before the first yearly Sabbath of Unleavened Bread, which follows shortly after the astronomical signal of the equinox. Crucifixion FulfillmentThe second specific fulfillment and memorial of Passover Eve occurred at the crucifixion, which was also in the evening just before the yearly Sabbath was to begin. 44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Passover Eve is the ideal time for a memorial rehearsal of the Last Supper. The original event occurred on the day before because the Savior would already be on the cross at the appointed time for the Passover Eve meal. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: Future FulfillmentWe do not yet know what future fulfillment may occur at the Second Coming or what fulfillments may occur in heaven. We do know for sure, there is a fulfillment in heaven. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: When we think of Passover meaning the entire week I suspect we can anticipate events, which parallel the fulfillment leading to Pentecost. This will be a time of final preparation and cleansing sin from our lives before the sealing of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. |
Unleavened BreadAccording to my understanding of the scriptures, it appears nothing fermented or made with leaven was to be eaten in this week. Leaven (yeast) and anything fermented or spoiled was to be removed from the house. 15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven [7603] out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread [2557] from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. I believe it is important to note these words from the Strong's Concise Hebrew Dictionary. H2556 to be leavened, be sour All are identical in Hebrew except for vowel points, which did not exist, in the original scripture. This means the words are very closely related, if not identical. This is one of the reasons this statute can be applied to anything fermented. We certainly recognize the cup of the Passover (Communion) must contain pure unfermented grape juice. It is a tragic apostasy of the Jewish people and the Catholic Church to use fermented wine for this observance. It is especially sad for the Catholic Church to represent the pure sinless blood of our pure sinless Savior with fermented wine. The scripture also states, "ye shall put away leaven out of your houses". Take note of these words from the Strong's Concise Hebrew Dictionary. H7603 leaven These words are also identical except for vowel points. This statute can be associated with any culture for "leavening" or fermentation of any type. Modern Orthodox Jews use the technical definition of Chametz [H2557] to include anything made from the five major grains wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt (some groups include rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes or beans) which has not been completely cooked within 18 minutes after coming into contact with water. Longer than this and technically they have begun to ferment. Don't forget, Jews have long had an unhealthy obsession with adding excessive details to the observance of God's Law. I provide this information only as background. I am not in any way suggesting a guideline to follow. Unleavened Bread FulfillmentThe first Sabbath of Unleavened Bread had a fulfillment with the resting of our perfect Savior in the grave. My understanding at this point does not find any clear record of any other memorials or future fulfillments for these two yearly Sabbaths. The patterns we observe God uses in most other cases indicate there must be something more associated with these two yearly Sabbaths. The entire week of Unleavened Bread can be considered the "Passover" week. Therefore, the fulfillments of Passover Eve can be considered as associated at least with the first Sabbath of Unleavened Bread. The destroying angel of the Exodus fulfillment came at night, which was the yearly Sabbath. I cannot help but wonder what the associations are for the second yearly Sabbath of Unleavened Bread. I suspect deeper study of the Bible, revelation of the Holy Spirit, or events of the future will reveal more. The leaven symbolically represents sin. Getting rid of the leaven is not easy and represents the difficulty of getting rid of the sin in our lives while we still live in a world filled with sin. I cannot help but wonder if this is symbolic of a special work, which must be done at the end of time to clear sin from our lives in preparation for the sealing of the 144,000 and those who are the remnant at the end of time. |
Wave SheafWave Sheaf is not a yearly Sabbath but it is a special symbolic memorial day of the resurrection of the Savior. This day is also called the Feast of Firstfruits. You will see this term many times in the Bible with some different applications. This concept was particularly noted by Paul in the New Testament. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. The Feast of Wave Sheaf has a special value since it completely clarifies and refutes the speculations and teachings of those who try to say the Messiah was sacrificed on a day other than on the sixth day of the week at the ninth hour (Friday at 3 PM). The Wave Sheaf represents the Resurrection. The Passover Eve represents the sacrifice. God's calendar preserves with accuracy and simplicity the exact relationship of these days. Passover Eve on the 14th day of the month is followed by the yearly Sabbath on the 15th day of the month. Wave Sheaf is the day after the yearly Sabbath. The fulfillment of Wave Sheaf with the resurrection of the Messiah is clearly recognized as being on the first day of the week. This is uniformly recognized in all four gospels. 28 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. There is an error being taught by some, which says Wave Sheaf is the day after the weekly Sabbath and not the yearly Sabbath. Therefore, this apostasy says Wave Sheaf is always on the first day of the week, as it was in the year the Messiah was resurrected. This is easy to recognize as part of the Catholic apostasy to confer special recognition on Sunday. This is a part of the Easter Apostasy discussed in detail later. The Bible is its own witness. The context of the Sabbath being spoken about is the yearly Sabbath. This witness is also confirmed by Jewish understanding of the Bible and traditional practice. The Karaites are a confused branch of Judaism, which support Wave Sheaf/Resurrection Sunday and other questionable beliefs. This apostate teaching also comes from those who are not firm in their understanding and belief in the Bible and are leaning to accepting the Catholic tradition. This problem is often noticed among apostate Sunday-keeping Messianic believers and those following their influence. |
PentecostPentecost is the last of the Spring Sacred Holydays. In a sense, it is a bridge between the Spring Sacred Holydays and the Fall Sacred Holydays. It is possibly the most exciting because it is filled with anticipation of the future hope for the great outpouring of the Holy Sprit in light and power. The term Pentecost is a Greek word, which appears only in the New Testament and simply means fifty count or fiftieth day. The word day is only implied. It is also called the Feast of Weeks because of the count of seven weeks. Let us start with a review of some of the statutes specifying its observance. It is mentioned as one of the three feast periods when all males were to appear before God in Jerusalem. Here it is called the feast of harvest. 14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Here it is called the feast of weeks and again mentions the "firstfruits". 1 And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end. It is interesting to note the seven weeks and fifty day count is a symbolic parallel to the seventh of seven years and the fifty-year count for the jubilee. 1 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Sinai FulfillmentThese fascinating events of the Old Testament are not well recognized as being a fulfillment of Pentecost. It is possibly because of the changing length of the month the holyday fell on the third day instead of the fifth or sixth day of the third month. There may also have been an intervening day or two before God spoke the Law in the next chapter. 1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. First Coming FulfillmentThe events of the New Testament are the most well known of the fulfillments of this holyday. 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Second Coming FulfillmentThe Latter Rain is expected to fall as it did for the disciples and have a peak at Pentecost. I believe the Fourth Angel's Message is directly tied to the Latter Rain. 1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. It is fascinating to compare these fulfillments with one of Ellen's earliest visions of a possible Pentecost fulfillment we hope and expect to see very soon. "... we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000, in number, know and understand the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder & an earthquake. When God spake the time, he poured on us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God as Moses did when he came down from Mount Sinai. By this time the 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united..." {DS, January 24, 1846 par. 1} From this it appears the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the time of the sealing of the 144,000 (see Revelation 7:2-4) which are therefore also the firstfruits (see Leviticus 23:17) of the final harvest as the Messiah was the firstfruits (see Leviticus 23:10) of the spring harvest. Surely, this will be a Pentecost fulfillment. It will occur on the holyday God has proclaimed to be observed. I also firmly believe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit means being filled by Him to preach the gospel more fully just before the end. The 144,000 are only the "first fruits" and Revelation is quite clear there is more than this. The first sealing occurs before the tribulation. 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation first describes the sealing of the 144,000 firstfruits but after this, a large multitude is described. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; The multitude is clearly identified as coming out of the great tribulation. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? The tribulation is described to occur after the 144,000 are sealed. Then there is a great multitude, which went through great tribulation. Therefore, there are more than the 144,000 which are sealed and saved. Ezekiel 9:4-6, I Peter 4:17, and other verses also make clear there is a separate judgment (sealing) which occurs for the church and for the rest of the world. Those who are in the church and had the opportunity to know and understand the truth will be sealed (some to righteousness, some to destruction) first and then the rest of the world receives its final chance. Ellen makes a very interesting observation about the nation of Israel, which appears to relate to Pentecost. She uses the term Jews, which is applied to many people of many different beliefs. I believe it would be more accurate to refer to the nation born in a day as Israelites. There will be many converted from among the Jews, and these converts will aid in preparing the way of the Lord and making straight in the desert a highway for our God. Converted Jews are to have an important part to act in the great preparations to be made in the future to receive Christ, our Prince. A nation shall be born in a day. How? By men whom God has appointed being converted to the truth. There will be seen, "First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear" (Mark 4:28). The predictions of prophecy will be fulfilled. The day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly, and men are asleep. Read Matt. 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Ms--75, 1905. ("Building the Waste Places," May, 1905.) {MR760 14.4} The nation born in a day has some interesting symbolism. I believe the day is Pentecost. The first Pentecost at Sinai saw the first birth of the nation of Israel who committed themselves to following the Law of God. The second Pentecost saw the birth of the nation of Israel, which added Gentiles who followed the true spiritual ancestry of the Israelites. The coming Pentecost will be the birth of the 144,000 who will be the renewed nation of Israel which will go on to draw in others to the church in the final time of sealing just before God returns. Pentecost and Holy Spirit ApostasyThe meaning of Pentecost and the actions of the Holy Spirit have been greatly misrepresented. Satan creates a deadly counterfeit by appealing to emotions and feelings to create a religious experience. Many times, I have observed people who attempt to stimulate physical demonstrations, appeal to feelings, and inflame emotion and passion to create a religious experience. Some times these things create an illusion of religious fervor. This is observed particularly among those groups called Pentecostals. True religious fervor results from embracing truth and following principle. The Holy Spirit fills the heart of those who are following God in truth. It is a different spirit, which fills the heart because of appeals to feelings before principle. It is a false spirit, which talks of love for God separate from obedience to His will. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. The true benefit from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit comes in an experience based on principle and truth, which includes the observance of God's Holy Days. We fervently pray Pentecost will soon be the time for the outpouring of the "Latter Rain". We are encouraged to be patient. 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. We are also encouraged to ask for the rain at the proper time. 1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. We are promised it will come with many wondrous signs. 23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The outpouring may have already begun. The essence of the rain is described as doctrine. New understanding of old doctrine has already begun and continues in greater and increasing force. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: The symbolism of the rain as doctrine continues with the grass as people. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: Ellen described the latter rain as receiving light and following it while others do not even see it. Pray for the Latter Rain |
Easter/Pentecost ApostasyThere is a deception of Satan, promoted by the Catholic Church, concerning the Sabbath mentioned in Leviticus 23:11. The deception says it is the weekly Sabbath and not the yearly Sabbath. This would place the Wave Sheath as always on a Sunday. This ignores the context, which describes yearly Sabbaths and denies the place of the yearly Sabbaths as equal and complimentary to the weekly Sabbath. It is sad when Easter observances are held in many of our churches. Churches often observe Communion intended to coincide with the Catholic observance of Easter. It is highly appropriate these observances often coincide with Passover. The Communion was linked to the Passover by the Messiah. It is quite certain the churches do not intend it this way. It is no surprise the coincidence of observing a Communion associated with Easter falls on a Passover. Easter, in its original apostate conception, was designed to fall on the Sunday after Passover Eve. You may refer to the SDA Bible Commentary and Catholic Doctrine to verify this fact. The intent was to attract pagans to an observance on Sunday with a "Christian" association. This same observance was a way believers could move away from association with Jewish observance of God's Law as He specified. This was met with great resistance as documented in the alphabetical section "Easter Controversy" from the SDA Bible Student's Source Book which is also known as Volume 9 of the The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary. The corruption of exalting Easter Sunday also corrupts the observance of Pentecost to be on a Sunday. I believe the Bible is its own witness, which is accurate and consistent. I believe the apparent inconsistency of Leviticus 23:15 is resolved by understanding there are seven Sabbath periods, or seven weeks then Pentecost. There are a couple of places in the Bible, which use the word Sabbath to refer to sevens and the seven days of a week. This second witness of the Pentecost in Deuteronomy verifies this understanding. 9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. We also have the witness of the Jewish people, which has preserved with accuracy the time of Wave sheaf and Pentecost. I am certain the Holy Spirit will guide us and God will honor our honest observance of our best understanding. The Karaites are a confused branch of Judaism, which also embraces Pentecost Sunday and other apostate teachings. Some of the Karaite teachings have merit but others do not. Careful study and a deep understanding of the Bible is necessary to divide the truth from the error. (Book Contents) Next: The Fall Feasts |
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Revised 2015-08-16 |