Ellen White says some interesting things about the Feast Days. Please read this article I have compiled from the Spirit of Prophecy and then decide for yourself what it means.
“Anciently the Lord instructed His people to assemble three times a year for His worship. To these holy convocations the children of Israel came, bringing to the house of God their tithes, their sin offerings, and their offerings of gratitude. They met to recount God’s mercies, to make known His wonderful works, and to offer praise and thanksgiving to His name. And they were to unite in the sacrificial service which pointed to Christ as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Thus they were to be preserved from the corrupting power of worldliness and idolatry. Faith and love and gratitude were to be kept alive in their hearts, and through their association together in this sacred service they were to be bound closer to God and to one another.
“In the days of Christ these feasts were attended by vast multitudes of people from all lands; and had they been kept as God intended, in the spirit of true worship, the light of truth might through them have been given to all the nations of the world.
“With those who lived at a distance from the tabernacle, more than a month of every year must have been occupied in attendance upon these holy convocations. The Lord saw that these gatherings were necessary for the spiritual life of His people. They needed to turn away from their worldly cares, to commune with God, and to contemplate unseen realities.
“If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world then needed the light which God had committed to His church, how much more do they need it now!” {6T, 39-40}
Ellen White said we need these holy convocations even more than ancient Israel did! I was amazed when I read this quote for the first time. I didn’t know that she said that! It sounds to me like these holy convocations God gave are very important! What do you think?
I also learned something very interesting as I was studying this quote and many similar quotes. Many times in her writings Ellen White compares our modern camp meetings to the feast days. She uses the same language to refer to both of them. She says our camp meetings are supposed to be at least a week long, just like Deuteronomy says; and she talks about having them three times per year, just like God commanded in the beginning. Isn’t that exciting! Let’s read more about what she says. We want to know more about these days that are so important to us at the end of time.
“A great work is to be accomplished by our camp meetings. The Lord has specially honored these gatherings, which He has called “holy convocations.””{6T 70}
When did God call these special meetings “Holy Convocations”?
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.” (Lev. 23:2)
“These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.” (Lev. 23:4)
Is the term, “camp meeting” just a modern word for the “feast days”?
I want to go through that first quote from Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, phrase by phrase and we will see why we need these holy convocations even more in our time than Israel did; and we will see what they will do for us. You may refer back to the quote at the beginning to see where each of these phrases are stated.
What did they do at these special times:
- They met to recount God’s mercies.
- To make known His wonderful works.
- And to offer praise and thanksgiving to His name.
- And they were to unite in the sacrificial service which pointed to Christ as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
Someone may object to the last item on the list since we no longer perform sacrifices. But let’s think about this. Do we still have a High Priest? Yes, Jesus is our High Priest. Do we still have a sacrifice that cleanses us from sin? Yes, Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) He was offered once for the sins of the world.
So we must not discard the meaning of this just because we don’t perform animal sacrifices anymore. The animal sacrifices were only a symbol pointing to the real thing. We have the real thing – we have a Saviour in the Heavenly Courts who gave Himself as a sacrifice to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:17).
So, during these holy convocations let’s open our hearts to the Lamb of God so He can cleanse us from all sin. That’s what the sacrifice pointed forward to. These holy convocations are especially times for us to wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14). We are in the last days of peril and conflict and this is what we must do if we want to be among the 144,000.
Let’s see what else these special days will do for us if we keep them.
- We will be preserved from the corrupting power of worldliness and idolatry.
- Faith and love and gratitude will be kept alive in our hearts.
- And through our association together in this sacred service we will be bound closer to God and to one another.
- If we keep these festival times as God intends, the light of truth might through us be given to all the nations of the world!
Why do we need these special holy days:
- They are necessary for the spiritual life of God’s people.
- God’s people need to turn away from their worldly cares.
- To commune with God.
- And to contemplate unseen realities.
Okay, if these holy convocations are necessary to your spiritual life and my spiritual life, what will happen if we no longer keep these days? What will happen to our spiritual life? We are living at the end of time! That is why Ellen White says, “If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict!”
So now we see that the feast days were not given arbitrarily. God had a good reason for giving them. They were for the purpose of keeping spiritual life alive.
Let’s look at another paragraph of that above quote.
“With those who lived at a distance from the tabernacle, more than a month of every year must have been occupied in attendance upon these holy convocations. The Lord saw that these gatherings were necessary for the spiritual life of His people. They needed to turn away from their worldly cares, to commune with God, and to contemplate unseen realities.”
“If our camp meetings are conducted as they should be, they will indeed be a light in the world. They should be held in the large cities and towns where the message of truth has not been proclaimed. And they should continue for two or three weeks.” (6T 33)
“Every individual should be upon the ground the first day of the meeting, prepared to remain until the closing service…One full week is none too long a time to devote exclusively to the service of God, having the mind withdrawn from worldly interests and concentrated upon spiritual things; but to abridge the one week to two or three days is robbing God of time which should be spent in his service.” [RH 07-10-79] p. 137 [1879MS]
Why would it be robbing God of “time which should be spent in His service” if we abridge the week to two or three days? Please consider the following verses:
“Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine.” (Deut. 16:13)
“Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.” (Deut. 16:15)
Let’s look at some more quotes to see what the Spirit of Prophecy inspired Ellen White to write about these special times.
“At these yearly assemblies the hearts of old and young would be encouraged in the service of God, while the association of the people from the different quarters of the land would strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another. Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles–a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God had wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth.” {PP 540.6}
Why would it be good for us to have a Feast of Tabernacles?
- The hearts of old and young would be encouraged in the service of God.
- The association of the people from the different quarters of the land would strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another
“Would it not be well for us to observe holidays unto God, when we could revive in our minds the memory of his dealing with us? Would it not be well to consider his past blessings, to remember the impressive warnings that have come home to our souls, so that we shall not forget God? The world has many holidays, and men become engrossed with games, with horse-races, with gambling, smoking, and drunkenness. They show plainly under what banner they are standing. They make it evident that they do not stand under the banner of the Prince of Life, but that the prince of darkness rules and controls them.Shall not the people of God more frequently have holy convocations in which to thank God for his rich blessings?…” {SpTEd 80}
What should we do during these holy convocations?
- Consider God’s past blessings.
- Remember the impressive warnings that have come home to our souls.
Why should we do this? So that we shall not forget God!
What will happen if we do not have these Holy Convocations?
- Will we forget God?
- Will we forget the impressive warnings that have come home to our souls?
- Will we eventually drift away to stand under a different banner?
Over and over Ellen White uses the language of the feasts to describe how we are supposed to have similar days of rejoicing and recounting God’s blessings.
“Again and again the heavenly messenger has been sent to the school. When his presence has been acknowledged, the darkness has fled away, and the light has shone forth, and hearts have been drawn to God. The last words spoken by Christ to John were, “And the spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.” When we respond to God, and say, “Lord, we come,” then with joy will we draw water out of the wells of salvation. Shall we not keep holy festivals unto God? Shall we not show that we have some enthusiasm in his service? With the grand, ennobling theme of salvation before us, shall we be as cold as statues of marble? If men can become so excited over a match game of cricket, or a horse-race, or over foolish things that bring no good to any one, shall we be unmoved when the plan of salvation is unfolded before us? Let the school and the church henceforth have festivals of rejoicing unto the Lord.” {SpTEd 82}
“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}
“Brethren and sisters, it would be better, far better, for you to let your business suffer than to neglect the opportunity to hear the message that God has for you at this time. You need every ray of light; for you are acquainted with the truth only in a measure, and need to become better qualified to give a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Come with your Bibles in your hands. You cannot afford to lose one such privilege as you are now favoured with, and we entreat you not to disappoint us by staying away from the [camp] meeting. We look upon this time as a time when it is important for every one to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. 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?” (Bible Echo 12-08-93, p. 458, brackets added)
These Holy Convocations are sounding more and more important the more we read, aren’t they? Before we go on to other things, let’s review again that sentence from the very first quote we read.
“If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict!” {6T, 39-40}
What shall we do with these holy days? Shall we nail them to the cross? Shall we say we don’t need them anymore because we are now living under the New Testament?
“The Lord saw that these gatherings were necessary for the spiritual life of His people.”
“God gave direction to the Israelites to assemble before Him at set periods, in the place which He should choose, and observe special days wherein no unnecessary work was to be done, but the time was to be devoted to a consideration of the blessings which He had bestowed upon them. At these special seasons they were to bring gifts, freewill offerings, and thank offerings unto the Lord, according as He had blessed them. The manservant and maidservant, the stranger, the fatherless and widow, were directed to rejoice that God had by His own wonderful power brought them from servile bondage to the enjoyment of freedom. And they were commanded not to appear before the Lord empty. They were to bring tokens of their gratitude to God for His continual mercies and blessings bestowed upon them. These offerings were varied according to the estimate which the donors placed upon the blessings they were privileged to enjoy… Thus their hearts were revealed. Besides these special religious feast days of gladness and rejoicing, the yearly Passover was to be commemorated by the Jewish nation. The Lord covenanted that if they were faithful in the observance of His requirements, He would bless them in all their increase and in all the work of their hands. {2T 573}
“God requires no less of His people in these last days, in sacrifices and offerings, than He did of the Jewish nation. Especially should those whom God has prospered render to Him the things that are His…
“Let all who possibly can, attend these yearly gatherings. All should feel that God requires this of them. If they do not avail themselves of the privileges which He has provided that they may become strong in Him and in the power of His grace, they will grow weaker and weaker, and have less and less desire to consecrate all to God. Come, brethren and sisters, to these sacred convocation meetings, to find Jesus. He will come up to the feast. He will be present, and He will do for you that which you most need to have done.” {2T 575}
“The meeting at Marion was good, souls there were convicted and converted to the truth. We felt assured that Jesus indeed came up to the feast, and made glad the hearts of his people.” {RH, July 19, 1870}
“We left the ground very weary, but cheerful in God, knowing that Jesus had indeed come up to the feast, and had graced our meeting with his presence.” {RH, July 22, 1875}
“The meetings at Battle Creek were fraught with deeper interest than similar meetings ever held among our people. Many prayers had ascended to heaven in behalf of this session of the General Conference; and we can testify that Jesus came up to the feast, and was an honored guest at this important gathering.” [RH, Jan. 15 1884.] {LS 279}
“Do you want to find Jesus? He is at the feast. You may find him here. He has come up to the feast. There are men and women that have brought him with them; and now we want you to press through, and touch the hem of his garment, that you may receive of the virtue that is found in him, and triumph in the God of your salvation.” {RH, August 17, 1869}
“In our camp-meetings Jesus is present with his gracious invitations; and if, on the last day of the feast, he is specially near, and his mercies and blessings are more forcibly brought home to us, how great the loss of those who fail to be present! On the very day of all others when they should be present, they are hasting to their homes; and thus failing to drink of the living waters, their souls are unrefreshed. …
“Anciently God commanded his people to assemble three times a year, and from every city from Dan to Beersheba the people came to these annual feasts. The one at the commencement of the season was to entreat God’s blessing upon their families, their lands, their flocks, and their herds. The one at the close of harvest was the crowning festal gathering, to bring their offerings to God. The land had yielded its increase, the harvest had been gathered into their granaries, the first-fruits had been stored, and the people came with their tributes of thanksgiving to God, who had thus richly blessed them. Joy and rejoicing were there combined with the solemnities of a holy and sacred convocation.
“God directed Moses to say to the children of Israel, “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine.” “Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God, in the place which the Lord shall choose; because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.”…
“We have our convocation meetings yearly, and all who possibly can attend them should feel under obligation to do so. If they neglect to improve the opportunities to obtain a better knowledge of the truth, and to become more thoroughly in earnest in their efforts to perfect Christian character, they will be held responsible for the light, and privileges, and blessings which they might have had. Their case is nearly as bad in the sight of God as that of those who attend the meetings but fail to improve by the light and blessings there received. {RH, July 10, 1879}
“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}
“Every camp meeting should be an object lesson of neatness, order, and good taste…Everything should be so arranged as to impress both our own people and the world with the sacredness and importance of the work of God. The regulations observed in the encampment of the Israelites are an example to us. It was Christ who gave those special instructions to Israel, and He intended them for us also, upon whom the ends of the world are come. We should study carefully the specifications of God’s word and practice these directions as the will of God…” {6T 34}
So it sounds like our modern holy convocations, or camp meetings, are the equivalent of the holy convocations given to ancient Israel – the feast days. And we must not neglect to attend them! We will suffer a great spiritual loss by staying away! Do you want to find Jesus? Then go up to the Feast. He will be there!
When shall we have our Holy Convocations?
When God commanded us to observe the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week, did He really mean what He said, or can we celebrate it on a different day if we want to?
No, we cannot choose a different day. God is specific in what He says and we must obey His requirements exactly. So what about these holy convocations; when shall we celebrate them?
Well, when did God tell us to celebrate them when He gave the law? Shall we obey everything else God has said, but decide we want to choose our own dates on which to celebrate His holy convocations?
It is true that the early Adventists didn’t always have their camp meetings at the times of the feasts. Sometimes they did – such as the 1888 General Conference, which was at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles; but we don’t know if that was planned or not. It seems like they probably didn’t yet have clear light on this matter. And as far as I know Ellen White didn’t repeat God’s command to have our camp meetings on the days specified in the law. But shall we discard something because God has not repeated it? Remember that the Sabbath command is never repeated in the New Testament. But God expected us to go back to the Old Testament and read it there. Sometimes God only says things once.
Also, truth is progressive. Just because Ellen White and the early Adventists didn’t have their camp meetings at the times of the feasts doesn’t mean that we don’t have more to learn. Ellen White said more light would be coming after her death. And she gave strong warnings for us not to reject it when it came.
Truth is progressive and we must continue learning more as time goes on. For example, at one time Adventists didn’t know what time they were supposed to begin the Sabbath. For many years they were starting it, and ending it, at 6:00 pm instead of at sunset, as God had commanded; and it’s interesting to note that during all those years God did not give Ellen White a vision to correct this error. But various people began to question and study the topic to see if their long-standing belief was correct. Elder J. N. Andrews was one of those people. As he studied, He came to the conclusion that the Sabbath was supposed to begin at sunset instead. He wrote a paper which he presented at the Conference in Battle Creek, Michigan, on November 17, 1855. The result was that nearly all were convinced that the Sabbath was to be kept from sunset to sunset. But a few still doubted, and two days later God gave Ellen White a vision confirming the truth of what elder Andrews had presented. Following is how she related the vision which she was given two days after elder Andrews had presented his discourse at the Battle Creek Conference:
“I saw that it is even so: “From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.” Said the angel: “Take the word of God, read it, understand, and ye cannot err. Read carefully, and ye shall there find what even is, and when it is. I asked the angel if the frown of God had been upon His people for commencing the Sabbath as they had. I was directed back to the first rise of the Sabbath, and followed the people of God up to this time, but did not see that the Lord was displeased, or frowned upon them. I inquired why it had been thus, that at this late day we must change the time of commencing the Sabbath. Said the angel: “Ye shall understand, but not yet, not yet.” Said the angel: “If light come, and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes condemnation and the frown of God; but before the light comes, there is no sin, for there is no light for them to reject.” I saw that it was in the minds of some that the Lord had shown that the Sabbath commenced at six o’clock, when I had only seen that it commenced at “even,” and it was inferred that even was at six. I saw that the servants of God must draw together, press together.” {1T 116}
Isn’t it interesting that God waited for ten years for His people to begin studying this topic, and learn the truth from the Bible, before He gave Ellen White a vision to confirm the truth of what they had discovered? Might He be waiting for us to study more as well, before He gives us more light?
There’s something else interesting about the above quote. Where does that phrase, “from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath,” come from? It’s not in the Fourth Commandment. Then where is it? Let’s look at the context of that phrase in the Bible:
“Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you…It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.” (Lev. 23:27, 32)
This verse is talking about the Sabbath of the Day of Atonement, one of God’s other holy convocations. But the instructions of how to celebrate the Day of Atonement Sabbath also tell us when to celebrate the seventh-day Sabbath.
Might it be possible dear reader, that at this late date, we might, by careful study, find out that God has other Holy Convocations which we should be keeping in addition to the seventh-day Sabbath? God gave Israel seven other Sabbaths; why are we not keeping these holy convocations at the time God appointed? Let’s review the following very carefully:
- “A great work is to be accomplished by our camp meetings. The Lord has specially honored these gatherings, which He has called “holy convocations.” {6T 70} (Note: this phrase appears only three times in the Bible. Every single time it refers to the feasts.)
- “These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.” (Lev. 23:4)
- “If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict!” {6T 39-40}
- Come, brethren and sisters, to these sacred convocation meetings, to find Jesus. He will come up to the feast.” {2T 575}
God wants us to keep His holy convocations! Shall we keep them at the time God appointed? Or shall we choose our own dates?
Have we been doing something wrong all these years and now God is correcting our error? Ellen White clearly told us that more light would be coming, even after her death. She said God will continue to teach us more things if we are willing to learn. Please consider the following quotes carefully:
“…There was to be special light for God’s people as they neared the closing scenes of this earth’s history. Another angel was to come from heaven with a message and the whole earth was to be lightened with his glory. It would be impossible for us to state just how this additional light would come. It might come in a very unexpected manner, in a way that would not agree with the ideas that many have conceived. It is not at all unlikely, or contrary to the ways and works of God to send light to His people in unexpected ways…” {1888 239}
“The question has been asked me, “Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?” I answer that he has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the word of truth. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us. We are not making the most of the light which the Lord has already given us, and thus we fail to receive the increased light; we do not walk in light already shed upon us.” [RH 06-03-90 p. 300 [1890 MS].
“When God’s people are at ease and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favor them. It is His will that they should beever moving forward to receive the increased and ever-increasing light which is shining for them. The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light. We are living at a time when Satan is at work on the right hand and on the left, before and behind us; and yet as a people we are asleep. God wills that a voice shall be heard arousing His people to action.” {5T 708}
“New light will ever be revealed on the Word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the Word of God.Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God.” [Sabbath School Worker 03-01-92] p. 520 [1892 MS]
“We must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us. We are in danger of becoming careless, by our indifference losing the sanctifying power of truth, and composing ourselves with the thought, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Rev. 3:17. While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send.” p. 310 [GW 15]
When did Ellen White write the above quote, found in the book Gospel Workers?
She wrote it in 1915, the year of her death. So she is telling us that even in the year of her death we had not yet received all the light that God wanted to give us – there was still much more to learn! At one time she said we only had the glimmerings of the rays of the light which was yet to come to us. That means that there is a lot more which God wants to teach us. Let us not say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” (Rev. 3:17)Remember, the angel told Ellen White, “If light come, and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes condemnation and the frown of God.” {1T 116} Let us not reject the light and receive condemnation!
So what evidence do we have that we should keep God’s Holy Convocations at the times He specified?
Many times in our evangelistic meetings we quote verses from the New Testament telling us that Paul kept the Sabbath. This is very important that Paul kept the Sabbath. He didn’t keep it on Sunday, he kept it on the seventh day, just as God had commanded. And he didn’t just go to the synagogue on the Sabbath to witness to the Jews, he went to worship God, just as God had commanded.
There are about five verses in the Bible telling us that Paul went to the synagogues on the seventh-day Sabbath to worship. What most people don’t realize is that there are also about five verses in the Bible telling us that Paul kept the feast days as well. And he kept them at the times God had commanded in the law as well. And two out of the five times, we find him keeping the feast days with his gentile converts in gentile cities. Now why would he be doing that? Well, simply because God appointed these days as holy convocations, as we read earlier.
Paul celebrated the Feasts at the times God had appointed. And from historical records we know that the churches he started in Asia Minor followed his example and kept the feasts for the next 250 years after his death, despite the threat of persecution and excommunication by the church at Rome – they kept them until Emperor Constantine and the Roman church abolished them in the 4th century and replaced them with Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Lent, etc.
(For more of the history of the Feasts see “Great Empires of Prophecy,” by A.T. Jones; the Appendix of the 1888 Great Controversy; the SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 9, page, 362; and “Sabbath to Sunday” by Samuel Bacchiocchi.)
Following is a short timeline showing the times and places where Paul kept the Feasts or gave instructions relating to them:
| c. A.D. 49 | Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem “to meet delegates from the different churches and those [Christians] who had come to Jerusalem to attend the approaching festivals.” | Acts 15; AA 190 |
| c. A.D. 52 | Paul bade an early farewell to the Ephesians because “he was on his way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.” | Acts 18:20-21; AA 269; 8 Red 65 |
| c. A.D. 56 | Paul speaks to the Corinthians about Passover (the Lord’s Supper) and Unleavened Bread and urges them, “Therefore let us keep the feast…with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:7-11) He commands them not to eat the Lord’s supper with those who call themselves brethren but who are living in open sin. | 1 Cor. 5:7-11; cf. DA 656 |
| c. A.D. 56 | Paul tells the Corinthians that he will tarry at Ephesus until the feast of Pentecost. | 1 Cor. 16:8; AA 291 |
| c. A.D. 58 | Paul had planned to be at Jerusalem for Passover, but upon hearing of a plot to take his life he decided to go around by way of Macedonia. “His plan to reach Jerusalem in time for the Passover services had to be given up, but he hoped to be there at Pentecost.” | AA 390; Acts 20:3 |
| c. A.D. 58 | Paul keeps Passover at Philippi with his converts; Philippi was a gentile city.
“At Philippi Paul tarried to keep the Passover. …The Philippians were the most loving and truehearted of the apostle’s converts, and during the eight days of the feast he enjoyed peaceful and happy communion with them.” (Note: After Christ’s death, God’s name was no longer at Jerusalem, so Christians were not longer required to go there to worship. – Deut. 12:10-11; Luk. 13:34-35; ST December 19, 1900; John 4:20-21) |
Acts 20:6; Acts 16:13; AA 390
(Note: The feast of Unleavened Bread is seven days long, but it is preceded by Passover [now the Lord’s Supper], which would make it eight days. The name “Passover” is may times applied to the entire eight day feast.) |
| c. A.D. 58 | Paul does not spend time in Asia because he is hurrying to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost. | Acts 20:16; AA 392 |
| c. A.D. 58 | Paul reaches Jerusalem in time for Pentecost, but the leaders at Jerusalem give him unwise counsel which results in his arrest and imprisonment. | Acts 21; AA, ch. 38 |
| c. A.D. 60 | The ship Paul was a prisoner on was in danger because the Day of Atonement (“the fast”) was past and it was apparently the time of year for dangerous storms. | Acts 27:9; AA 440 |
What shall we conclude?
Is God telling us that even at this late date in earth’s history we still have something more to learn? Is He trying to help us see that we should be following Paul’s example and celebrating the Lord’s feasts at the times He specified when He gave the law?
I think the answer is Yes!
Following is a chart of the times and durations of each of God’s Feast Days:
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Feast Day: |
Date: |
Duration: |
Purpose: |
| Passover night: | Hebrew month of Abib, day 14 | One evening | Passover supper: To remind the people of Israel how God had delivered them from slavery. (This was replaced by the Lord’s Supper)
Lord’s Supper: To remind us of how Jesus has delivered us from the slavery of sin. |
| Unleavened Bread: | Abib 15-21 | 7 days (1st day and 7th day are Sabbaths) | A reminder that we must put away all sin out of our lives (leaven being a symbol of sin). |
| Pentecost: | 50 days later | 1 day, which was to be kept as a Sabbath | A celebration of the Former Rain and a time of praying for the Latter Rain. |
| Trumpets: | 1st day of the 7th month | 1 day, which was to be kept as a Sabbath | A day of rejoicing and heart preparation for the Day of Atonement. |
| Day of Atonement: | 10th day of the 7th month | 1 day, which was to be kept as a Sabbath | A day of heart searching and confession of sins. |
| Tabernacles: | 15th day of the 7th month | 8 days, the first day and last day were to be kept as Sabbaths | A joyous celebration of God’s bountiful blessings during the year – a time for us to bring gifts and thank offerings to God. |
What about you? Would you benefit spiritually by leaving your work and joining in festivals of rejoicing seven times every year? Would you be benefited by spending almost an entire month of time in total each year in worshiping and praising God for His rich blessings on you and your family? Would you be strengthened in health and spirit by attending a Feast of Tabernacles where your heart could be encouraged in the service of God and bound in closer fellowship with your family and your brothers and sisters in the Church?
“Do you want to find Jesus? He is at the feast. You may find him here. He has come up to the feast. There are men and women that have brought him with them; and now we want you to press through, and touch the hem of his garment, that you may receive of the virtue that is found in him, and triumph in the God of your salvation.” {RH, August 17, 1869}