Editorial

Editorial — The Secret Place

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“It is not the opposition of the world that most endangers the church of Christ.” The Acts of the Apostles, 549. Our greatest dangers come from within, not from without. (See also Testimonies, vol. 5, 477; Selected Messages, vol. 1, 122.)

John the beloved said near the end of his life, “I am a weak and sinful man.” The Acts of the Apostles, 570. If this man who was the beloved disciple, through whom Jesus communicated His deepest spiritual teaching to His people (The Desire of Ages, 292), was a weak and sinful man, what about the rest of us? Moses was wise concerning his condition, He asked the Lord not to let him see his own wretchedness (Numbers 11:15). “The vileness of the human heart is not understood.” Medical Ministry, 143. We dare not focus our attention within or upon others, this will only bring trouble, darkness and gloom of anguish (Isaiah 8:22). Our only safety is in the secret place of the Most High, where we will be under the omnipotent shadow. May you be learning to have this constant experience each day.

Here are some encouraging promises about it:

“Seek the Lord often in prayer. In the secret place, alone, the eye sees Jesus and the ear is opened to Jesus. You come forth from the secret place of prayer to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Temptations come, but you press closer and still closer to the side of Jesus and place your hand in His hand. Then you gain a rich experience, resting in His love and rejoicing in His mercy. The worries and perplexities and cares are gone, and you rejoice in Jesus Christ. The soul is quick to hear the Father’s voice, and you will commune with God. All criticism is banished, all judging of others has been expelled from the soul . . .

 

“The way to the throne of God is always open. You cannot always be on your knees in prayer, but your silent petitions may constantly ascend to God for strength and guidance. When tempted, as you will be, you may flee to the secret place of the Most High. His everlasting arms will be underneath you. We come to God by special invitation, and He waits to welcome us to His audience chamber . . . We may be admitted into closest intimacy and communion with God.” In Heavenly Places, 86.

“The great mass of the world will reject God’s mercy, and will be overwhelmed in swift and irretrievable ruin. But those who heed the warning shall dwell ‘in the secret place of the most High,’ and ‘abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ His truth shall be their shield and buckler.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 167.

“While the voice of God is making itself heard through His servants in warning and entreaties, he [Satan] is mustering his forces. He engages his host with gigantic energies to make, through his sophistry, cruelties, and oppression, the words of warning of none effect. The people are tested, and the great mass will be found on the side of the great deceiver, and will be overwhelmed in swift and irretrievable destruction. But those that heed the warnings of God, and in their lives bring forth fruits meet for repentance, shall ‘dwell in the secret place of the Most High;’ they ‘shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ For them is the promise: ‘With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ ” Signs of the Times, April 1, 1886.

“Prayer is the breath of the soul. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the life-work marred. But Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering.” Signs of the Times, February 3, 1904. (See also Education, 80.)

“Each worker, as he goes forth to this labor, should realize that he is as surely sent of God as were the first disciples. God’s eye follows them; His Spirit goes with them. To those who accept His great commission He gives the assurance, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ ‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ The psalmist declares, ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.’ Servants of God, you have great advantages, which you should appreciate.” Manuscript Release, vol. 20, 266. Unless we live Christ’s life of obedience, our profession is worthless. RH August 2, 1906.

Editorial – Obstacles

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Many people hesitate to follow the Lord all the way because of one or more obstacles. For some it is their job—afraid that by keeping the Sabbath they will jeopardize their job and experience financial ruin. Jesus promised those who put God first, that all things needed in this life will be provided (see Matthew 6:25–33).

Others are afraid someone in their family will oppose them or, in the case of a marriage, are afraid of a divorce. See the special promises to those who experience this kind of loss as a result of following Him (Mark 10:29, 30).

To choose against a total commitment because of fear of opposition will cost us our souls.

“When Christ was upon this earth, the great mass of the common people would have accepted Him had it not been that they were afraid of what the Scribes and Pharisees might do.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, 264.

“Natural affection for relatives and friends should not lead any soul who sees the light to reject the light, to dishonor God the Father and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. Every possible excuse for disobedience will be framed by men who choose, as many did in Christ’s day, the favor of men rather than the favor of God. If one chooses wife or children, father or mother, before Christ, that choice will stand through eternal ages, with all its weight of responsibility. …

“The soul that has had light in regard to the Lord’s Sabbath, His memorial of creation, and to save himself from inconvenience and reproach has chosen to remain disloyal, has sold his Lord. He has dishonored the name of Christ, He has taken his stand with the armies of Antichrist; with them at the last great day, he will be found outside the city of God, not with the loyal, the true and righteous, in the heavenly kingdom.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 401.

“Our Saviour assures us that there are some who would like to climb up some other way than the toilsome, self-denying way of the cross. They would avoid reproach and shun sacrifices. Christ calls such thieves and robbers. If we are not willing to breast the storm of opposition, if we choose to float with the current, we shall lose eternal life.” The Signs of the Times, July 31, 1884.

Editorial – The Babylonian Captivity

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Have you ever had something happen that you previously thought could not happen? When it did happen, did your trust in God waver?

The church has passed through dark days in her long conflict with evil in the past and as we are preparing for the final conflict in the Great Controversy, we need to develop a faith that will not fail when things happen that seem totally unexplainable.

“The darkest hour of the church’s struggle with the powers of evil is that which immediately precedes the day of her final deliverance. But none who trust in God need fear; for when ‘the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall,’ God will be to His church ‘a refuge from the storm’ (Isaiah 25:4).” Prophets and Kings, 725.  (See Daniel 12:1, 2 and Jeremiah 30:1–9.)

The prophet wrote, “To Babylon you shall go. There you shall be delivered” (Micah 4:10).

Ellen White summarized it like this: “Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities; but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold the blessed hereafter as pictured by the hand of God. He who died for the sins of the world is opening wide the gates of Paradise to all who believe on Him. Soon the battle will have been fought, the victory won. Soon we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence the trials and sufferings of this life will seem as nothingness. The former things ‘shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.’ ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’ ‘Israel shall be saved … with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end’ (Isaiah 65:17; Hebrews 10:35–37; Isaiah 45:17).

“Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. ‘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. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh’ (James 5:7, 8).” Prophets and Kings, 731, 732.

Editorial — Press Together

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“Press together, press together; that you may not be destroyed as were the inhabitants of Jerusalem . . . Persecution is coming, and God calls upon all to stand firm in Christian love,their hearts knit together, of one mind and one judgment. His people are to cleave to Him, and they are to love one another as He has loved them. Christ’s life is to be their example. In love, in meekness, in humility, they are to follow Him.” Signs of the Times, October 31, 1900.

This inspired statement shows that we must press together or be destroyed as the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem is a symbol of what will happen to the whole world at the end. In spite of this inspired counsel, we see more division and unsanctified independence in Adventism today than ever before. The devil is determined that this unity will never be accomplished.

“Satan well knows that the combined strength of Satanic agencies with that of evil men is but weakness when opposed to a band of faithful, united servants of the great King, though in number they may be few. In order to overcome the people of God, Satan will work upon the elements in the character which have not been transformed by the grace of Christ, and through these unsanctified characteristics, he will seek to bring about disunion among the people of God. Unless these persons who become agents of Satan are converted, their own souls will be lost, and the souls of those who have looked up to them as men led of God will be destroyed with them, because they are partakers with them of their sins. Satan endeavors to create suspicion, envy, and jealousy, and thus lead men to question those things that it would be for their soul’s interest to believe. The suspicious ones will misconstrue everything . . . and if this spirit is allowed to prevail, it will demoralize our churches and institutions.” Review and Herald, May 14, 1895.

Is not this prophecy fulfilled all around us? To fulfill the longing of Christ as expressed in John 17 that God’s people might not be totally destroyed, we must press together and come into perfect unity. We must unify in the way God has specified or we will never have true Christian unity: “We have a testing message to give, and I am instructed to say to our people, ‘Unify, unify.’ But we are not to unify with those who are departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. With our hearts sweet and kind and true, we are to go forth to proclaim the message, giving no heed to those who lead away from the truth.” Selected Messages,book 3, 412. “Christ calls for unity. But He does not call for us to unify on wrong practices.” Selected Messages, book 1, 175.

“The God of heaven draws a sharp contrast between pure, elevating, ennobling truth and false, misleading doctrines. He calls sin and impenitence by the right name. He does not gloss over wrongdoing with a coat of untempered mortar. I urge our brethren to unify upon a true, scriptural basis.” Selected Messages, book 1, 175. “We are to unify, but not on a platform of error.” Battle Creek Letters, 111. “Unify, unify is the word from heaven. The work of bringing about perfect harmony cannot be done in a moment. It will take close examination and careful study on the part of those who bear responsibilities. Not a selfish thread is to be drawn into the web.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 149.

If we are united to Christ, we will be united to one another. When this happens, the church on earth will be a symbol of the church in heaven. “It is those who are not worked by the Holy Spirit that mar God’s plan. Another spirit takes possession of them, and they help to strengthen the forces of darkness. Those who are sanctified by the precious blood of Christ will not become the means of counter working the great plan which God has devised. They will not do anything to perpetuate division.” The Kress Collection, 17.

We want to invite every Historic Seventh-day Adventist person and institution to pray for unity
and to press together. This is no time for independence; it is time for the prayer of Jesus in John 17 to be fulfilled. It will never be fulfilled among those professed Adventists who have essentially rejected the Spirit of Prophecy and who do not believe in the investigative judgment and the other truths of the Three Angels’ Messages. It will never happen to those who are willing to compromise with error or who are unwilling to protest the apostasy. It will never happen to those who reject the New Testament concept of the nature of the church. It can only happen among Historic Seventh-day Adventists. Will you be part of it?

Editorial – Who Are Loyal?

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Years ago I was working with several ministries who were sponsoring revival and reformation camp meetings in all regions of the country. Shortly before one of these camp meetings the pastor of a nearby church preached a sermon against the camp meeting and its sponsors. His subject was concerning loyalty to the message and the church etc… Since, in this magazine, we have explained many times from inspired writings who and what the church is, we will not enter into that subject here. We will merely ask, “what is the bottom line about who is loyal and who is not loyal to the work of God today?

Jesus had this problem when He was on this earth. See Desire of Ages, 111. Following are a few guidelines from the writings of Ellen G. White about who are loyal.

The loyal obey all the commandments of God: “The keeping of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to the true God.” Great Controversy, 438.

“How can fathers consent to their children attending school on the Sabbath, or any part of the Sabbath, the same as on any common weekday? Here is a cross to life. Here the line of separation is drawn between the loyal and disloyal. This is the sign that there is a people who will not make void the law of God although it is at a sacrifice to themselves.” Manuscript Release, vol. 5, 79.

The one who is loyal will refuse to obey earthly powers if they require him to violate a command of God. “The laws of earthly kingdoms are to be obeyed only when they do not conflict with the laws of God…when they try to control the minds and consciences of those whom Christ died to make free, God’s children are to show their loyalty to him by refusing to disobey his commandments.” Signs of the Times, May 13, 1897.

The one who is loyal will be at war against sin and evil: “In every age the true church of God has engaged in decided warfare against satanic agencies. Until the controversy is ended, the struggle will go on, between wicked angels and wicked men on the one side, and holy angels and true believers on the other.” Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, 5.

The One who is loyal will rebuke evil. (He generally will be accused of being critical, backbiting, and divisive when he does this duty.) “God would have His servants prove their loyalty by faithfully rebuking transgression, however painful the act may be.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 323, 324.

The loyal will not be found imbibing of worldly pleasure and will be practicing self-denial and humility: “Beware of those who preach to others the word of life, but do not themselves cherish the spirit of humility and self-denial which it inculcates. Such men cannot be depended on in a crisis…many today assert their loyalty to God, but their concerts and other pleasure gatherings, their worldly associations, their glorifying of self, and eager desire for popularity, all testify that they have not obeyed his voice.” Testimony to the Battle Creek Church, 71.

“How shall we know that they are disloyal and untrue?—‘By their fruits ye shall know them’…The Lord will not write as wise those who cannot distinguish between a tree that bears thorn-berries and a tree that bears olives.” Review and Herald, September 7, 1897.

The loyal are involved in evangelism: “He has opened a fountain for Judah and Jerusalem, and every member of his church is to show his loyalty by inviting the thirsty to drink of the water of life.” Review and Herald, November 12, 1914.

They will engage in acts in of love and reverence for Jesus: “Acts of love and reverence for Jesus are an evidence of faith in Him as the Son of God.” Desire of Ages, 564.

They will participate in the ordinance of the Lord’s House: “This ordinance of feet washing was made a religious service…It was given as something to test and prove the loyalty of the children of God.” Evangelism, 275.

“The loyal have given the affections of their entire heart to Jesus: It is the whole heart that Jesus prizes. The loyalty of the soul is alone of value in the sight of God.” Testimonies vol. 5, 73.

“They will not fail to declare all the Word of God: “in order to retain their position in the church, some consented to be silent in regard to their hope; but others felt that loyalty to God forbade them thus to hide the truths which He had committed to their trust.” Great Controversy, 372.

The loyal will be separate from the world: “It is impossible for a man to become loyal to God, rendering obedience to all his commandments, without finding himself immediately marked as odd from the rest of the world, and cut off from the society of those who transgress that law…a separation becomes necessary.” Review and Herald, January 13, 1885.

Editorial – The Law of Moses, Part II

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The writings of Paul explain the ceremonial law as contrasted with the moral law, which is the law that defines right from wrong. Paul says, “I would not have known sin [what sin is] except through the law.” (Romans 7:7.) Later in the verse he quotes from the tenth commandment, indicating that except for the law that says you shall not covet, he would not have known that coveting was wrong.

In Galatians 3:19, he asks, “Why was the law given then?” which could be translated, “What purpose then is there for the law [the ceremonial law]?” He immediately answers this question: “It [the ceremonial law] was added because of transgression.” Paul says in Romans 4:15 that where there is no law, there is no transgression. In order for transgression to have occurred, a law had to exist first. What law was transgressed? It was the Ten Commandment law, the moral law which is eternal and unchangeable. What was determined right and wrong in the Garden of Eden is still the same today in harmony with the Ten Commandments, the principles of which have existed from eternity in the past, and will exist through all future eternity. Ellen White corroborates this in the first three sentences of the book, Patriarchs and Prophets, 21, “ ‘God is love.’ I John 4:16. His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been; it ever will be.”

When the moral law was transgressed, another law was added because of the transgression. This law can properly be called the ceremonial law, and included all laws that were added because of transgression. Sin is the transgression of law that is in force. Once the ceremonial law was added, it became sinful to transgress this law. For example, under the ceremonial law it was a sin for Moses not to have his male children circumcised, and he could not take the children of Israel out of Egypt before this was accomplished. (See Exodus 4:24–26.)

In Galatians 3:19 Paul shows the reason for the ceremonial law and when it came into being after transgression. He also shows the time limit of this law, clearly demonstrating its temporary nature, which only lasted until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made. (Genesis 3:15.) He had already explained that the seed was Christ (Galatians 3:16).

From Galatians 3:19 we understand (1) the purpose of the ceremonial law, (2) when it came into existence, (3) the intelligences that ordained it which are different than the moral law, and (4) the fact that it was a law that would only exist for a temporary time—until Christ should come.

Editorial – The Coming Struggle

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“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24 KJV). “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there: because strait is the gate, and narrow the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13, literal translation).

We see in these words of Jesus that we have a part in the great struggle for everlasting life. We must respond to the work of the Holy Spirit and we must struggle to break all connection with the powers of darkness. Every evil that is connected to us allows Satan an avenue with which to approach and tempt us.

At the close of His life Jesus entered into a great struggle in the garden of Gethsemane.

“Christ’s last great struggle with the power of darkness should ever be kept fresh in the minds of all who believe in Him as the propitiation for the sins of the world. God would have us study the lesson taught by the experience of the children of Israel, when they were bitten by serpents. Those bitten were directed to look at the brazen serpent which had been uplifted in the camp, and those who looked in faith lived. Today we are standing in a position similar to that of the children of Israel. As we look upon the world in its moral defilement, we see the poisonous serpents abroad, ready to sting us to death. To the cross of Calvary, bearing a dying Saviour, we must look. ‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up’ (John 3:14). Only the Lamb of God can take away our sins. We should think more of this than we do. Our eternal interests demand that we show faith in Christ.” The Review and Herald,  November 4, 1902.

Just as Jesus entered into a great struggle with the powers of darkness at the end of His earthly sojourn, in these last days there is a great struggle before us such as the world has never seen. Earthly powers will engage in a last great struggle to destroy those who keep God’s law: “It is on the law of God that the last great struggle of the controversy between Christ and His angels and Satan and his angels will come, and it will be decisive for all the world. This is the hour of temptation to God’s people; but Daniel saw them delivered out of it, every one whose name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.” The Signs of the Times, January 17, 1884.

Editor’s Letter – The Law of Moses, Part III

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Adventists believe that Ellen White was not only a prophet, but more than a prophet. Except for Jesus Christ there have only been three times in the history of the world, that we know of, that God has sent to His people a messenger who was more than a prophet. The first time was Moses. See Numbers 12. The second time was John the Baptist. See Matthew 11:9. The third time was when God sent a special messenger, to help His people prepare for the second coming of Christ. He sent Ellen G. White who said: “My work includes much more than the word ‘prophet’ signifies.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 32. Either she must be much more than a prophet, or a fraud.

Ellen White was given instruction that would enable God’s people to go all the way to the Holy City—all the way to the coming of Christ. Anything that is essential for us to know from the Bible to be ready for Jesus to come will be found, discussed or explained in her writings. “Your testimony is of a different character. It is to come down to the minutiae of life.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 608. So certainly something as important as whether or not we should keep the ceremonial law, or any part of it, would be pointed out. Following are a few of her statements on the ceremonial law:

“The ordinances which God Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart. God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole system must be swept away.” The Desire of Ages, 36.

“The great Teacher’s wisdom in limiting the measure of our researches in earthly directions, called the attention of all to his legislation from the very foundation of our world—to a code of morals, pure, simple, and practical, unencumbered by the long years of types and sacrifices, which passed away when the only true Sacrifice, Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was offered for the sins of the world. . . . These lessons discharge his followers from the bondage of the ceremonial law.” The Review and Herald, June 21, 1898.

“In this ordinance, Christ discharged his disciples from the cares and burdens of the ancient Jewish obligations in rites and ceremonies. These no longer possessed any virtue.” Ibid., June 14, 1898.

“It was Christ’s desire to leave to his disciples an ordinance that would do for them the very thing they needed—that would serve to disentangle them from the rites and ceremonies which they had hitherto engaged in as essential, and which the reception of the gospel made no longer of any force. To continue these rites would be an insult to Jehovah.” Ibid.

Editorial – The Law of Moses, Part IV

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There are many Christians today who believe in keeping various of the ceremonial law or Law of Moses. Some of them do not make a distinction in their minds between the ceremonial law or Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments, but the Bible makes a clear distinction between them. For example: (1)The Moral Law or Ten Commandments was spoken to the people by God’s own voice, and after Moses reviewed this law of Ten Commandments with the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:6–21) he stated that God “added no more” (Deuteronomy 5:22). The principles of the Ten Commandments were explained more fully to Moses and he wrote down these explanations for the people; e.g. see Leviticus 18 and 20 for a fuller description of the seventh commandment and Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 for a fuller description of the sixth commandment. All of the other commandments were also explained more completely by Moses. But, in addition to this, the Lord also gave His people ceremonial laws governing religious rituals. These ceremonial laws are very instructive because we find there an accurate picture of the plan of salvation and what is necessary for a man to do to be saved. These ceremonial laws were symbolic for the time of the Old Covenant (Hebrews 9:9) and included, (1) the daily service of the sanctuary with all that it involved—animal sacrifices, a priest who at that time was Aaron or one of his descendants, and (2) a yearly service of the earthly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:6–8) with all that this service involved and (3) ceremonies involving “foods and drinks, various washings and ordinances” pertaining to the body or the flesh (Hebrews 9:10). Then Paul states that these things were “imposed until the time of reformation.” When was the time of reformation? When the seed came (Galatians 3:19), when the Old Covenant would be superceded by the New Covenant (see Matthew 26:26–29), when the earthly sanctuary would be superceded by the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11–15).

In the New Covenant we do not keep the types but rather the New Covenant ceremonies instead—the Old Covenant has passed away. The New Covenant ceremonies are three: (1) the ceremony of baptism which takes the place of circumcision; (2) the ceremony of humility or footwashing service (John 13) which takes the place of all the washings and purification ceremonies of the Old Covenant; and (3) the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper which takes the place of the Passover. Paul is very clear that Christians are not to keep the typical or ceremonial laws anymore; notice especially Hebrews 9:10; Galatians 3:19; Ephesians 2:14–18; Galatians 4:9, 10; Galatians 4:21–31; Galatians 5:1–6; Galatians 6:12–15.

Editorial – Feast Keeping in the New Covenant, Part 1

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In the Old Covenant there were six yearly feasts and these six feasts had seven holy convocations. If you counted the Passover as a holy convocation, you would have eight. The first of these was the Passover feast on the 14th day of the first month which is very close to the time that Easter is celebrated today. Second was the feast of unleavened bread which was a seven-day feast and had a holy convocation on the first day of the feast (the day after the Passover) and on the last day of the feast. (The second day of the feast of unleavened bread or the 16th day of the first month was when the firstfruits or wave sheaf was offered.) The third feast of the year, and the last of the spring feasts, occurred 50 days after the last day of the feast of unleavened bread and was called the feast of weeks, or later, Pentecost.

The fourth feast was the first of the fall feasts, the feast of trumpets, on the first day of the seventh month, and the fifth feast was the Day of Atonement on the 10th day of the seventh month. The last feast of the year was the feast of tabernacles, which lasted seven days and had a holy convocation on the first day, and at the end of the feast there was a holy convocation on the 8th day.

It is our earnest desire to keep all of these feasts, not in the type but in the antitype, or reality, because all of them represent profound events in the development of the New Covenant which was ratified by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. This ratification brought to an end all the types of the Old Covenant and replaced them with the exciting realities of the New Covenant. As Paul said it, “He takes away the first, that He may establish the second.” Hebrews 10:9.

As implied already it is actually impossible to keep the feasts of the Old Covenant today because to do so requires a priest who is a descendant of Aaron; and, since the priests were destroyed in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, not even an orthodox Jew can keep the feasts according to what is written. See Exodus 28:1; Nehemiah 7:64; II Chronicles 13:9, 10.

However, it is our full intent to “keep the feast” (I Corinthians 5:8) not with the old leaven, but with the new leaven—not in the Old Covenant setting but rather in the New Covenant setting, with the veil taken away (II Corinthians 3:16), as we will explain in our next editorial.