TEN REASONS WHY MODERN CHRISTIANS MUST STILL KEEP GOD’S HOLY FEASTS


My beloved, as I have taken you through this lengthy passage describing the basic biblical feasts of God Most High, we now have to consider whether all these contents above came to an end at the cross or some of the things outlined in this chapter of Leviticus were removed after the cross. One thing also worthy of note here is that these feasts outlined above are the very SABBATHS of the Lord our God as could be seen in other passages to be considered later in this study. 

Many salvation seekers don’t even know that God Himself instituted these feasts for His dear children and made them an everlasting covenant for all humankind. In the book of Exodus God made it plain to Moses and the children of Israel that He instituted both the WEEKLY and the YEARLY (ANNUAL) SABBATHS for His dear children as an EVERLASTING SIGN and PERPETUAL COVENANT between Him(God) and His children. He goes on further to say that a violator must suffer the DEATH PENALTY OR PUNISHMENT or be cut off among his people.
(12) " And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,(13) Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.(14) Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.(15) Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.(16) Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.(17) It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.(18) And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” EX.31:12-18

Note here that the basis for continuity or discontinuity of these SABBATHS OF THE LORD can be found in this above quotation. Watch the following words or phrases very carefully from the just read passage from Exodus 31. Let us analyse them step by step and ascertain the truth as to whether the observance of these Sabbaths has any limitation or must be continued in this our modern day Christian Life.

First of all we find in the very first sentence that it was ‘THE LORD HIMSELF’ who gave the command for these Sabbaths. Here is the statement, "AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES”, indicating that Moses did not give us this command. So if we want any discontinuance or want to stop observing these Sabbaths at all, the command for stoppage should also come from the one who instituted the Sabbaths for us: Otherwise our actions would be reckoned as REBELLION AGAINST GOD the maker of these Sabbaths.

The second consideration from that same quotation in Exodus 31 is the phrase ‘VERILY MY SABBATHS’. Here also there is a kind of stress in verse 13 which indicates that the Sabbaths instituted by God are nothing to be played with: Hence the word ‘VERILY’ matching ‘MY’ as an adjective qualifying the noun Sabbaths given us. Again apart from it being so dangerous for one to pollute the Sabbaths to face death penalty as stated in verses 14 and 15, God also wanted us to know how these Sabbaths are pleasing unto Himself. This is why He makes it so special, the observance of the Sabbaths in the book of the Prophet Isaiah thus:

(2) "Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil……………..(4) For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; ISAI. 56:2,4

This means the observance of the Sabbaths is very important, special and pleasing unto God in such a way that no one should joke with it, thus making every human being that keeps them holy and BLESSED. Just look at the quotation above again and reconsider the phrase, ‘and choose the things that please me’ and understand that it pleases the Lord for one to observe the Sabbaths.

The next point worthy of note is the phrase ‘SIGN BETWEEN ME AND YOU’, also in verse 13 of EX. 31. This also shows that the children of God are identified by the keeping of His commandments including the solemnity of these Sabbaths. As one can see from that text, the Lord wants us to know that one of the main reasons why He entreats us to keep His Sabbaths is the fact that it serves as a SIGN between God and His children: hence the statement alluded to above that; ‘FOR it is a sign between me and you’. The word ‘FOR’ found here is the same as BECAUSE. So it is just the same as saying that ‘keep my Sabbaths: because it is a sign between me and you’. Now let us reason together. Do we want to be called God’s child or identified among the special people of God? If yes, why don’t we humbly obey God’s voice by keeping these solemn Sabbaths that identifies us with God through the ‘SIGN’ that is between Him and us. Remember that Jesus said in JOHN 14:15 that, if we love Him we should do His commandments. Read this also to know that we cannot just brag that we are God’s children whilst we don’t obey Him. (1JN. 5:3; JN.14 :15)

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” LK.6:46

Now that we understand that God identifies His children through the keeping of His solemn yearly Sabbaths (feasts), the weekly Sabbath and The New Moons (ISAI.66:23; COL. 2:16), it is important we ascertain the time frame for this observance; that is either it was for a short while or forever as far as this topic for discussion is concerned. As such our next point for analyses is the phrase ‘THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS.’ What do you think of it? What does that phrase mean to you? If you will be sincere to yourself, does it not mean that it has a perpetual existence? Yes, I hope you will bear with me that the observance of the Sabbaths throughout our generations as stated above implies that it has no limit as far as human beings continue to stay on this planet. Since the GENERATION CHOSEN by God (1PET.2:9), has not become extinct or died out entirely, we must continue keeping the holy Sabbaths of the Lord till the end of this world comes.

The fifth reason that can be deduced from EX. 31 is that we should know that God’s Sabbaths do great things for us all: Especially we become a peculiar treasure to the Most High God through the keeping of these Sabbaths. The Lord says, keep my Sabbaths, so that "YE MAY KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD THAT DOTH SANCTIFY YOU.” If you and I understand what SANCTIFICATION actually means, we would never mess with God’s Sabbath keeping. Sanctification means to set something apart or to choose something for good use. This implies that God has special respect for all those who keep His Sabbaths. Thus He chose us to become His peculiar people and holy nation. Now since God is still the FATHER who chooses or sanctifies us even in this modern Christianity, why should we as Christians stop keeping His Sabbaths? All true Christians should still keep the holy Sabbaths to commemorate God’s respect for us by choosing us as His children or peculiar people.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1PET.2:9
As a chosen generation we must try to put in more effort to embrace the BLESSED Sabbaths of the Lord to inherit eternal life. In fact if we do so all the blessings pronounced on the Sabbath shall be bestowed on us and we shall never be found wanting in the next world to come.

Considering the sixth point, what comes to mind is nothing but ‘HOLINESS’. According to that text being analysed, the Sabbaths are Holy unto God and us. Let us go back to read EX. 31:14,15 again.
(14) "Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you:…………(15) Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord.” EX. 31:14,15
Remember that before we came to this point we dealt with how the Lord proved to us that He is the one who sanctifies us, if only we keep His Sabbaths. And here also we are being told that the Sabbaths are holy unto us just as they are holy unto the Lord Himself: Why should we sit on the fence playing without showing any respect for such an antidote for our worrisome in this suffering world? Don’t we mean to go to our Holy Father (JN. 17:11) in heaven? I know you would like to go to the Holy Father. Since Holiness is very important in our quest for salvation, such issues must never be joked with. This is because without Holiness no one shall please the Lord according to HEB. 12:14. Therefore we ought to know that heaven going without Sabbath keeping is not possible: For if we keep the holy Sabbaths then we may become holy and be worthy of the kingdom of God.

The seventh point seems to be a caution to all Sabbath breakers. According to the second sentences of both verses 14 and 15 outlined above, we are warned of facing the death penalty or being cut off from among our people, if we disobey God’s voice by violating His Sabbaths. So if you don’t want to be cut off, just be sober and obey the Lord in this regard, otherwise the death penalty awaits all disobedient ones. Don’t forget that as I have already indicated in this study in the very first analysed point that, our act of breaking the Sabbaths without God’s command for that, would be reckoned as rebellion and face God’s fury judgment. If you go through the scriptures you will realized that there are a lot that report of punishment for Sabbath breakers, both individually and nationwide. Please see these for yourself and understand what I am talking about, so that you will be aware that we shall not also go scot free if we continue to break God’s Holy Sabbaths.

(32) "And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. (33) And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. (34) And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. (35) And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. (36) And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.” NUMB. 15:32-36

Quite apart from this punishment for this man who broke the Sabbath, there is clear evidence in the book of Chronicles which shows how the whole nation of Israel suffered God’s punishment for breaking His Sabbaths. And here you are, read how they suffered at the hands of their enemies in captivity:

(15) "And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: (16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. (17) Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. (18) And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. (19) And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. (20) And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: (21) To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.” 2CHRON. 36:15-21
You see how the children of Israel reaped what they sowed for breaking the Lord’s Sabbaths? You know what? If there was no transgression associated with the Sabbaths, the last verse from what you just read in the above quotation would not be necessarily written by God. Since it states that ‘the land enjoyed her Sabbaths, as long as she lay desolate for seventy (70) good years,’ it implied that the children of Israel among other transgressions were violating the Lord’s Sabbaths, thus He wiped them off the land in order to allow the land to enjoy its Sabbaths. The punishment meted out to them was deserved, just because if they did not want to keep the Sabbaths to allow the land to enjoy its freedom of Sabbaths, they had to be wiped off to allow the land to enjoy its Sabbaths. This is because if man keeps God’s Sabbaths it presupposes that the land also enjoys her Sabbaths: Hence the essence of that punishment for the Israelites.

So far we seem to have seven (7) main reasons for the continuity of the observance of God’s Sabbaths, which means we have perfection. But we still have to explore more for us to know why it is very important in this modern time to be obliged to keep God’s Holy Sabbaths. Thus point number eight (8) here also reflects on the PERPETUITY OF THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATHS. According to verse 16 of Exodus 31 the Lord said that, the children of Israel should keep the Sabbath THROUGHOUT THEIR GENERATIONS FOR A PERPETUAL COVENANT. So what do you think of this? Don’t you realize that it is something that should be kept for ever till heaven comes? Note here that the word PERPETUAL simply means Everlasting or Permanent. This means it has no limitation whatsoever. This is why the phrase "Throughout their generations” was used to match the observance of the Lord’s Sabbaths in that 16th verse.
Now the next verse even appends God’s signature as to the main reason why His Sabbaths must be observed throughout every generation. Please read it over here again for better understanding.

" It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” EX. 31:17

I thank God that you humbly read it again to notice that even in this verse He (God) says the Sabbath is a sign between Him and His children ‘FOR EVER’. Also it could be deduced that He rightly attached His reason for the observance of the Sabbath by showing us how HE RESTED ON THE SEVENTHDAY after having used Six literal days to create everything in the world including us (human beings).

I know someone may argue that such a covenant was for the redeemed children of Israel ALONE since the wording contained in those passages seemed to be directed to the Israelites alone. Please don’t be confused. Know for sure that at that time, the only right words to be used was exactly what we find now. This is because at that time the children of Israel were the very first chosen people God had sanctified for the purpose of fulfilling His promise to father Abraham to make a NATION OUT OF HIM (GEN.15:1-21; EX.3:6-8), and that the communication between God and Moses had to follow that very pattern. There is no mistake in saying that ‘TELL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL’ that they should do this or that. This is because He knew them by their name since He had chosen them for a Nation and was rightly moving with them. Bear in mind that God openly asked Moses to declare unto Pharaoh that, Israel is His FIRSTBORN (EX.4:22). I think you now understand this point also. So as Firstborn whatever was handed over to them in terms of messages must strictly follow that same pattern.
There is an adage that ‘the latter must follow the foot steps of the first person.’ Herein lies the true message from St. Paul to the Romans concerning Israel as God’s firstborn and the gentile nations as their immediate junior sisters, and how both of them stand in the sight of God Almighty.

" For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” ROM.11:16

So over here in the above text, Israel is the first fruit, whereas all the gentile nations outside the commonwealth of Israel (EPH. 2:11,12), are also the lump or the branches.
However, this very, covenanted promise to Abraham was not limited to Israelites alone, but also relented to ALL NATIONS of the world. Now let’s go back to the very first time God called Abraham out of his own father’s house and see what God said.

(1)"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” GEN.12:1-3

That is putting God’s later promises to Abram (father Abraham) aside, the first call to Abraham and the promise that followed, was meant for all nations of the world and not Israelites only: Though it was to begin with his direct descendants before being extended to the whole world. Just consider verse three (3) and you will see it in the ending statement. Thus the phrase "In Thee Shall All Families Of The Earth Be Blessed”, is found in that context to indicate that God really wanted to bless all nations through His covenant with father Abraham. That is why after choosing the children of Israel for the start, He God, told them that one law must be observed by all the inhabitants of the earth.

(15)” One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. (16) One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.” NUMB. 15:15,16

Again all believers in Christ Jesus are now Abraham’s seeds and heirs according to the promise to Abraham and his seeds: And for that matter we must all follow our Father’s example of obedience to all God’s commandments, laws and precepts (GEN. 26:5).

"And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” GAL. 3:29

So in a nutshell the Sabbath is a SIGN BETWEEN GOD AND HIS CHILDREN ISRAEL FOREVER, and also reflects on all nations that worship God in truth and have become Abraham’s seed through accepting Jesus Christ. Even in the book of the Prophet Isaiah it was predicted that since this world is approaching its end, all the world over must keep God’s Sabbaths in order to inherit eternal blessings and life. See the following:

(1)" Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. (2) Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. (3) Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. (4) For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; (5) Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. (6) Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; (7) Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” ISA. 56:1-7

Do you notice in the above text that there is no mention of the name ISRAEL to signify that the message was not meant for them alone? But rather the plainness of speech here indicates that God was speaking to all and sundry people; Although one can argue that since Isaiah was a prophet in the land of Israel, God was directly sending the message to the already chosen nation Israel, there is room for better understanding of this text to mean that it was meant for all of us. Please look at verse number six (6) and know that the message also extends to even ‘STRANGERS THAT JOIN THEMSELVES TO THE LORD TO SERVE HIM’ and for that matter, there is no cause for alarm in this regard.
This is the more reason why the book of Hebrews says the Sabbath rest is therefore REMAINED for the PEOPLE OF GOD. It does not say again, it is meant for the children of Israel but rather, it says the People of God, to mean all humanity, who serve God in truth. So we all must continue to keep His Sabbaths since the covenanted sign between God and His people should be there forever and remain unchanged.

(1) "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.(2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.(3) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (4) For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. (5) And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.(6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (7) Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (8) For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. (9) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.(11) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. HEB. 4:1-11

Number nine on the list of phrases for these analyses is ‘HE GAVE UNTO MOSES.’ My beloved I hope you will bear with me that the one who gave the laws unto Moses is nobody but God Most High Himself. If that be the case, we should be very careful with how to deal with this matter in hand. This is because God is not an ordinary person that we should play with, that His laws may be tampered with. This is why initially in the first point, I alluded to the fact that anything concerning the change of God’s laws must come from He Himself to avoid the danger of being contempt of God’s prerogative. The God of Israel is the same God for us GENTILES also. Romans 3:29 puts it better in this way:

"Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:”

Since our God’s sovereignty should never be joked about, we all ought to know that we shall all be held accountable for any transgression against the unchangeable laws of God, Who changes not. MAL. 3:6

The last but not the least is the tenth phrase which shows that God Himself used His own hand to write the immutable laws for the children of Israel. In EX. 31:18 it is clear that the two tables of stone contained the hand writing of the Almighty God. The phrase in that context reading, "WRITTEN WITH THE FINGER OF GOD”, means almost the same as that of the first and the ninth phrases. But on the other way round one can also say that the value on this very one is the heaviest. Impliedly God wanted everyone to know that His laws containing the Sabbath ordinance is very precious and important to Him; Thus He rather took His time to scribble such lively oracles on the stone for His children. Remember, when the first stone was broken, God again wrote on the second one carved by Moses.

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.” EX. 34:1

Have you seen how precious the laws of God are? He knew that if Moses or any other man was allowed to write them, the whole thing would be valueless, hence taking the pain to write them again Himself.
I can easily assert here that these points considered above could be ten (10) major reasons this text in Exodus 31 alone provides for the argument for continuity of God’s Sabbaths forever and ever for all humankind. If you humbly and carefully studied the analyses very well, I am sure they make sense.

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