2007-10-12 Feasts and Sabbaths

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in IAUA (ee-ah-oo-ah) our Father,

Greetings on this day of preparation for the weekly Sabbath. I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and happy in the service of the Lord. This is the 30th day of the 7th month of God's Sacred Calendar.

It is about five months or 23 weeks and one day until the Spring Holy Days begin with Passover and the evening of the 15th day of the 1st month which is the first Unleavened Bread Sabbath (Saturday, March 22 on the 2008 Gregorian calendar).

In my last newsletter I mentioned that there is a poorly understood difference between the "seven feasts" and the seven yearly Sabbaths. I decided to expand on that subject this week.

The confusion between the two is compounded by the fact that these overlap both in meaning, observance, and time. There is a difference between them which I will explain. If you are a serious student of the Bible, what I have to say may seem obvious to you.

The seven feasts are usually listed as:

  1. Passover
  2. Unleavened Bread
  3. Wave Sheaf
  4. Pentecost
  5. Trumpets
  6. Atonement
  7. Tabernacles

The seven yearly Sabbaths are:

  1. First Unleavened Bread Sabbath
  2. Second Unleavened Bread Sabbath
  3. Pentecost Sabbath
  4. Trumpets Sabbath
  5. Atonement Sabbath
  6. Tabernacles Sabbath
  7. Last Day Sabbath

The unique characteristic of the yearly Sabbaths is that God commands that these are days of holy convocation and no work. Leviticus 23 is the chapter that lays these things out in detail. The yearly Sabbaths are primarily observed in the same fashion as the weekly Sabbath. On the weekly Sabbath we also remember the creation of which it is a memorial. On the yearly Sabbaths we remember the past events for which they are memorials and the future events to which they point.

There are additional observances of the feasts beyond remembering the past events for which they are memorials and the future events to which they point. Unleavened Bread is observed by abstaining specifically from bread made with yeast and in general anything which is a product of fermentation. Atonement is a time of fasting and soul searching.

As I have mentioned previously, words have specific associations and need to be chosen carefully for maximum understanding. This is complicated by the fact that different people have different associations and understanding. In general, I focus on what I believe will be the basic associations and understandings of those who have studied the Three Angels' Messages.

The term "feast-keeper" is likely to be associated with observances based on Jewish tradition. The correct motivation is to follow God's law. While much of Jewish tradition is based on God's law, there is much that is not. Since Adventists have a clear understanding of the seventh-day weekly Sabbath, it is more readily understood to refer to observing the "yearly Sabbaths". This is a completely accurate description and is not misleading in any way.

As I mentioned, there are a few observances associated more with feast-keeping than with the yearly Sabbaths. These are easier to add to an explanation of beliefs than to try to remove assumptions that are likely to be incorrect. The most dangerous and damaging of the erroneous assumptions is that "feast-keepers" are interested in the restoration of the sacrifices or the importance of rebuilding the Jerusalem temple in Israel.

The Feast of Wave Sheaf is especially important since it completely clarifies and refutes the speculations of those who try to teach that the Messiah was sacrificed other than on the sixth day at the ninth hour (Friday at 3 PM). The Wave Sheaf represents the Resurrection. The Passover represents the sacrifice. God's calendar preserves with accuracy and simplicity the exact relationship of these days.

Why are these things important?

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Are you deep into studying your Bible for greater knowledge? Are you satisfied with your current understandings? Are you "rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing" more?

I pray that we may all continue to seek love, peace, and unity in truth preparing for the soon coming of IAUShUO (ee-uh-oo-shoo-oh) Messiah, the Son of God.

Shabbat Shalom,

Frank T. Clark
Webmaster@IAUA.name
www.IAUA.name

Next: 2007-10-26 The Calendar for the year 6012 Anno Mundi

Revised 2007-10-26