FEASTS OF YAHWEH
AS IT IS WRITTEN
As the end of the age draws nearer, the confused state of man becomes more and more evident in the eyes of those who are striving to follow the way set forth in the scriptures for all mankind.
Sometimes we discover that a thing is so simple we often skip right over it without even seeing it. The same is true with the plan of Yahweh. Instead of simply accepting His Word just AS IT IS WRITTEN and as little children; believing it in all sincerity, we begin by using our own reasoning and thereby injecting our own thoughts into Yahweh’s word.
First of all, it says in Hebrews 11:6 that we who come to Yahweh must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. We must also believe that His Word is Truth and we must trust Him to accomplish in us what He needs to in order to bring us into His plan.
Simply believe. Yahweh does nothing but what is for our good and we must fit into His plan and not try to make His Word fit our plan.
From the beginning Satan has been working to destroy Yahweh’s Word and has deceived many into thinking His Word is not important and that He doesn’t really mean it for us or our day.
The whole plan of Yahweh from Genesis to Revelation concerns the salvation of mankind. Right from creation Yahweh’s plan was put into effect and if man will simply believe and follow it he will find salvation.
In our day we find ourselves amidst the extreme of unbelief as the world is in gross darkness as to Yahweh’s plan. Satan has been successful in his efforts to bring Yahweh’s Word to nought, in the minds of most people. Nevertheless, His Word is true and when Yahshua returns He will find some who are endeavoring to follow it, AS IT IS WRITTEN.
All scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of Yahweh may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Does this mean we have the authority to take some of His Word and leave the rest as unimportant?
Beware lest you be found guilty of adding to and taking from making the Word of Yahweh of none effect, thereby bringing upon yourself damnation.
Some say that Yahweh’s set times or feast days were written for those people prior to Yahshua and that we are not told in the New Testament how to keep them, therefore, they reason in their minds that they are not important and not for our day.
Dear brethren, don’t be deceived, Yahweh’s Word is for His people of all ages. The reason the New Testament doesn’t explain just how the Feasts are to be kept is because, IT IS WRITTEN and explained in the Old Testament, the very source of Yahweh’s instruction to man. There is no mention in the New Testament of Yahweh’s holy days being abolished. Paul was preaching to the gentiles at Colosse when he said, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days . . .” Colossians 2:16.
The Colossians were being criticized for keeping Yahweh’s feasts which proves they knew how to keep them and were following Paul’s teachings to keep them. He warned them not to return to their pagan ways but to follow Yahweh not letting man judge them for it.
Some will say these are the laws of Moses but be faithful and check it out for yourself. In Exodus 12 prior to the time that Yahweh made a covenant with Moses, Yahweh’s annual holy days were observed.
Yahweh gave man the weekly Sabbath as a reminder to him that He, Yahweh, is our creator and to keep us in true worship of Him.
The seven annual Sabbaths or Holy Convocations were given to keep His people in constant memory of Him and His plan for our redemption.
These feasts tell the whole story of His plan in a symbolic manner constantly keeping our minds on Him so we will not be snared in Satan’s plan to destroy us.
Just as the world has lost sight of the true Sabbath, they also have lost sight of their creator, Yahweh.
The beautiful symbology of Yahweh’s Feasts and what they represent takes us step by step as we observe each one, to a clearer understanding of His wonderful plan for His people.
When we fail to observe these set times, we miss out on the depth and beauty of His great wisdom and how he is trying to lead us along the way as we walk through the darkness of this world which is controlled by Satan.
Leviticus 23 outlines Yahweh’s festivals or set times. First it lists the weekly Sabbath then the seven Annual Sabbaths or Holy Convocations which come in their seasons.
PASSOVER marks the beginning of Yahweh’s plan of salvation. The perfect sacrifice for sin was made through Yahshua His Son. This sacrifice was made on Yahweh’s set time, not a day before or a day after.
FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (1st and 2nd Annual Sabbaths or Holy Convocations) – In 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8 Paul said, For even Yahshua our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the Feast. Yahshua had died so Paul was saying let us keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread which represents putting away sin out of our lives by eating the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, Yahshua being our example. The first day being an Annual Sabbath or Holy Convocation
and the last day an Annual Sabbath or Holy Convocation. Acts 20:6 and Acts 12:3, 4 verify that this Feast of Unleavened Bread was observed in the New Testament.
FEASTS OF FIRSTFRUITS (3rd Annual Sabbath or Holy Convocation) – Also called Pentecost and Feast of Weeks. This is a feast of harvest of the firstfruits of the year and represents the spiritual harvest of souls. The two wave loaves symbolize the called out ones who have been and those who will be gathered out of the world as the firstfruits of His salvation to reign with Him as kings and priests in His kingdom. Rev. 20:6, 1 Peter 2:5. Yahshua’s followers observed this feast as recorded in Acts 2:1. See also 1 Corinthians 15:20 where Yahshua is called the firstfruits of the dead. James 1:18 and James 5:7 calls the redeemed a kind of firstfruits.
FEAST OF TRUMPETS (4th Annual Sabbath or Holy Convocation) – “. . . at the last trump of Yahweh the dead shall be raised incorruptible . . .” 1 Corinthians 15:52 also 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. This 4th Annual Sabbath or Holy Convocation points to Yahshua’s return and the resurrection of the righteous dead.
DAY OF ATONEMENT (5th Annual Sabbath or Holy Convocation) – This is to be kept as a statute forever just as the weekly Sabbath is to be kept forever. The Day of Atonement is kept to symbolize Yahshua as our atonement for sin. He became our High Priest when he entered into heaven within Yahweh’s throne making reconciliation to Yahweh for us. Acts 27:9 refers to the Day of Atonement which Paul observed.
FEAST OF TABERNACLES (6th and 7th Annual Sabbaths or Holy Convocations) – The first and eighth day of this feast are annual Sabbaths. Lev. 23:39. This is a Feast of Ingathering of the Fall Harvest. This symbolizes the great harvest of the souls to be gathered by Yahweh in the end of the age to inherit the kingdom. Matthew 25:34 and 1 Corinthians 15:50. The dwelling in booths represents our early bodies or tabernacles which we dwell in temporarily while on this earth.
Truly Yahweh’s wisdom is far above our reasoning for He knew that without a vision His people would perish. I believe that is why He considered it so important to give us the Feasts in which we could be revived spiritually and have our faith renewed so we could carry on with a much greater hope lest we would all faint and perish.
Because the people of the world have forgotten Yahweh’s Sabbath, they are no longer called His people and therefore, will have no part of the kingdom, nor receive His blessings.
Likewise, is it not possible that we too, who know the Sabbath but fail to take ALL the scripture and observe ALL of Yahweh’s set times will miss out in Yahweh’s great plan of salvation when Yahshua returns for His own?
SIMPLY BELIEVE IT, AS IT IS WRITTEN.
By Helen Trowbridge
YAHWEH’S FEASTS WE ARE TO KEEP —
THEY ARE LASTING.
LEVITICUS 23:2, 41
MAN’S FEASTS YAHWEH HATES — THEY WILL CEASE.
ISAIAH 1:14; HOSEA 2:11
Some people question, “in what manner do we observe Yahweh’s feasts, appointed times, festivals?”; and, “how do we calculate when they are?” If one wants to learn something, let him ask Yahweh in prayer; and then walk in the light the Heavenly Father gives. He is willing to show us the truth if we earnestly, sincerely seek of Him. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
If we will but obey Yahweh and come to the separated convocations (Leviticus 23:2) where He has placed His name (Exodus 20:24; Matt. 18:20; Deut. 14:23; 16:2-11), we can learn of His ways, and also be a blessing to others (1 Cor. 14:26). He will even help us to obey Him, but we must start making the steps. Then He will help, and we can get there. Remember, “CAN’T never did anything.” All things are possible with Him.
So come to the Sabbath meetings and other set times and festivals where Yahweh has put His name; and be blessed, and learn the best way — by being there. Generally, the meetings are conducted much like regular Sabbath meetings with probably some special emphasis made concerning the set time being observed. One might describe Tabernacles, as “More of everything” — more people, more meetings, more baptizing, more singing, more testimonies, more special musical instrumental offerings, more eating, more special picture talks etc., more sermons with seven days and the Last Great Day to live and fellowship with all who come — some usually from long distances; and even for the weekly Sabbath day, some travel many miles to get there.
We might point out that neither word “feast” in Exodus 12:14 is “moed.” The first is “chag” and the second is “chagag” – “festival,” and “to observe a festival.” Note this Passover day is a memorial. It is the day of the year on which Yahshua later died on the stake. At the beginning of this day we are now to observe the memorial of Yahshua’s death — partaking of the emblems of His body and blood, and washing each others feet (Luke 22:15-20; John 13:14-17).