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WHY settle for "weak" and "beggarly" celebrations when you can celebrate very rich and meaningful Holy days and festivals according to the Bible? The apostle Paul cautioned believers:
"But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." (Galatians 4:7-11)
God did not leave His people clueless and wondering what festivals to honor Him. Or worst, adopt or 'christianize' heathen festivities and called them "our own"--this is what Paul meant by "weak and beggarly" practices. People turned to what is popular (yet paganistic) in their effort to please God.
On the other hand, our true God has given us seven (7) annual holy days to celebrate—His "set-apart" celebrations found in Leviticus 23. These feasts are not just “Jewish" holidays, the LORD emphatically says, "These are My Feasts"! They clearly belong to God and directly point its meaning to Jesus fulfilling His role as the Messiah (Anointed-One) to come.
These Annual 'Feasts of the LORD' are as follows (Lev. 23):
Spring Festivals:
Fulfilled by Jesus' First Coming:
1) Passover (Heb. 'Pesach'); March- April: The Messiah or Christ crucified as the Lamb of God, the Saviour of mankind.
2) Unleavened Bread ('Chag HaMatzot'); March-April: Freedom and victory from sin; Living a sinless life as foreshadowed by the 'blameless' life of Christ.
3) Pentecost ('Shavuot'); May-June: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit; the quickening of our life, empowering us to live and walk in Christ's ways.
Autumn Feasts:
Foreshadowing His Return:
4) Feast of Trumpets ('Yom Teruah'); Sept: The Messiah’s return announced with the trumpet blast; His saints are resurrected firstly to join Him.
5) Day of Atonement ('Yom Kippur'); Sep-Oct: The world is judged and reconciled through Christ. Christ and the Bride at one.
6) Tabernacles ('Sukkot'); Sep-Oct: A seven-day festivity, the Messiah fulfilling His promise to dwell and 'tabernacle' with His people. Christ reigning for a thousand years (called the 'Millennium').
7) Eighth Day Feast (Heb. 'Shemini-Atzeret'); Oct: New Heaven and New Earth, the Father coming down from Heaven to dwell with His children.
So these are rich and powerful celebrations!
Again, why settle yourself for man-made traditions not fully grounded on God's word? Why adopt/borrow festivities deeply rooted in pagan practices (like, Easter, Christmas, Halloween, etc)? Syncretic form of worship is explicitly prohibited by God (Deut. 12:29-31)!
Jesus also plainly rebuked unbiblical innovations: “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition." (Mark 7:9)
Aside from calling such borrowing as "beggarly", Paul also called it "empty deceit" that "cheats you" out of the true Christ. He wrote, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Col. 2:8)
The Appointed times (Heb. 'moedim') of God reveal His redemptive plan. It is purposeful, and He even invite everyone to be part in this continuing story.
Please take the time to learn "His Feasts"—and discover how these festivals are the truly God-given gifts, grounded on faith, filled with hope and meaningful joy!
If you have questions about God's plan for you, let us know!
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