Impressions on Misc Bible Passages

 

About Leviticus 19: 26

“Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood; neither shall ye use enchantment, or observe times.” Leviticus 19: 26 (“Times”= Strong’s Concordance word #6471 from the word #6470: To beat regularly; to impel, agitate to move or trouble; to stroke an anvil, corner, or footstep.) This use of the word times has nothing to do with the Feast Day “times”, but rather seems to warn against certain musical rhythms and/or motions associated with rhythms… Whether this relates to just worship time or in general life, I do not know.

About Psalms 81

“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, (and) in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day(s). For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. This He ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.” (Continued Below)

“Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.”

This psalm starts out with God’s idea of the attitude with which He wants me to celebrate the Annual Sabbaths (represented by the Feast of Trumpets). The Annual Sabbaths are a Law of God the same as is the 10 Commandments (represented by the 1st Commandment listed here). When I read this last part of the psalms, I feel God’s pain as a parent to Israel (and to me a part of Spiritual Israel) mourning how He saved Israel and wanted such good things for Israel. But because of Israel’s rebellion, God had to let them reap their own sad consequences. This was very heartbreaking to God and not at all what He wanted for His people. (Continued Below)

To me, this psalm swings from one end of the pendulum as how God wanted everlasting joy and satisfaction for His people but they chose their own way and laws and look how they turned out. The crux of the matter was submitting themselves (and myself) to God and setting themselves/myself towards Gods will in keeping His laws (including the Annual Sabbaths). I don’t have to go the way Israel did. I can still sing to God for being my strength, my joy, and my deliverer. He says if I open myself to God and keep his laws (including the Annual Sabbaths), He will fill me with safety, peace, everlasting life, and satisfaction. Wow! What a God! What a relationship He is willing to have with me! What passion He has towards me! I want to please Him and obey Him. Of note: for further reading on Psalm 81: 3 check out the website www.paleotimes.org/articles/newMoonCrescentorFull.htm

About Isaiah 1

“"Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood."

There are those that indicate Isaiah 1:13-15 is the definitive reason not to keep Annual Sabbaths. If that was all there was to this chapter, I MIGHT take their word for it and not give another thought to the issue of Annual Sabbaths. And if I used those verses to give up my Annual Sabbaths, I would have to give up attending church, giving offerings, and praying also in order to be consistent… (which I'm not going to do!) However, there IS A LOT more to Isaiah 1 and here is my take on this situation:

This is a vision of Isaiah regarding Judah and Jerusalem who have rebelled against God. He's not talking to obedient children walking in His paths serving Him with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind… No. He's talking to a "sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. " That's who the Lord is talking to… With their spiritual condition in mind, God asks, "Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and [it is] desolate, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. " That paints a very sad and nasty picture of the people God was working with. Isaiah himself gives the opinion that, "Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah."

As such, given the people's hearts are so awful towards God, He is in turn totally sickened by their outward shows of false religiosity. Yes! It is true! If a person has a heart rebellious to God, what good IS their offerings, pew warming, Sabbath keeping, gatherings, and even prayers? Someday, those people will say, "Lord, lord, we did all these good things in Your Name"! But God will say, "I never knew you". It is not that God changed His mind about those things being good, just that when His people do these things as an outward show He knows their hearts are full of corruption, rebellion, sin, and backsliding. God is not interested in hypocrisy. What God wants is the heart open to His cleansing from evil, learning to "do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."

This chapter's point is NOT to FOREVER IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES do away with all Annual Sabbaths, church going, offerings, or even prayers… but rather it is a call to "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Then His mercy goes over the tops of the Heavens when he promises that if they are obedient to Him and willing for His leading, they would "eat the good of the land"! Nothing doing. Sadly, they persist in their rebellion so with a heavy heart, God pronounces judgment on them then laments their loss. "How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them." Can you hear the tears in His voice? After He cries over them, He turns to what needs to be done, sad though it be. "I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin... And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed. " But there is still hope! "And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness."

I choose to NOT be one of those rebellious people. Therefore considering that there are soooooooooooo many other indications in scripture and Ellen G. White's writings that it was and STILL IS God's will for me to keep His commandments and walk in His statutes loving and serving Him with my whole heart, life, and being… Spending the Annual Sabbaths as Sabbaths of rest and communing with my God is only one way out of many I choose (because I love Him) to SHOW God my allegiance to Him since his Sabbaths (plural both weekly and yearly) are a given sign of that allegiance. I'm not going to stop now.

About Hosea 2: 11

In order to understand Hosea 2: 11, I think it is important to really read the whole of Hosea to get the big picture. So here goes a basic summary… God had raised up the literal nation of Israel to have an intimate relationship with people who were to be a light to the world… but instead, Israel left God for satanic cults. God was heartbroken (you can actually hear it in His voice when reading this… heartbreaking! “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?… My Heart churns within Me” Hosea 11: 8 If you want to hear God cry, read Hosea.) God had given so much to Israel and they spurned His love so He said He would take back His gifts (including the Annual Sabbaths, New Moons, Sabbaths, all the appointed feasts, and priesthood) and return Israel to her roots… dying in bondage in Egypt... But not until He had exhausted everything He knew to do to woo her back to Him! He had such hope for their relationship! Such good plans for them…

Now, skip ahead to Matthew 21: 33-46. God is the same. “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it…” (verse 43). Again, skip over to Matthew 23: 37-39… God cries again over the heartbreak of losing his beloved nation of Israel. But all was not lost… even though the literal nation of Israel lost out on being God’s holy nation, in the New Covenant era (post-cross) God transferred that status with all its blessings, Feast Day Sabbaths, and priesthood to the Christian church comprised of all nationalities. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2: 9-10

Think of a mathematical equation: Literal Israel is to Spiritual Israel as Circumcision of the Flesh is to Circumcision of the Heart as Annual and Weekly Sabbaths with Ceremonial Law is to Annual and Weekly Sabbaths without Ceremonial Law.

Israel did not go away, but it did change. Circumcision did not go away, but it did change. Annual and Weekly Sabbaths did not go away, but they did change. See http://www.biblefeastdays.com/Judgments.htm for references that show HOW they changed.

About Malachi 3 and 4 (A Summary)

Chapter 3: 1-5 Jesus is coming as a refiner’s fire to purify us so our offerings in righteousness will be pleasant to God. However, God will come as Judge against the sorcerers, adulterers, false swearers, those that oppress the hireling in his wages, those that oppress the widow and fatherless, those that turn aside the stranger from his right, and those that do not fear the Lord.

Chapter 3: 6-7 God says He does not change. Therefore He has kept His promise to Jacob and had not destroyed the literal nation of Israel at that time (or spiritual Israel today) even though they had not kept God’s ordinances/statutes (The Hebrew word for ordinance is the same as the one used for statutes later in chapter 4… Strong’s Concordance #2706)

Chapter 3: 8-12 God gives one example of how His ordinances/statutes have not been kept… The issue of tithing. Then He talks about the curses if Israel does not tithe and blessings if they do tithe. (Of note: Tithing is not the only ordinance/statute that God cares about! This is only one example! There are plenty of others to be found that He very much cares about also! Interestingly, I have noted is that the Feast Day ordinances/statutes carry the Hebrew word (Strong’s Concordance) #2708, which is a feminine version of #2706 used here in Malachi as the ordinances/statutes God cares about. So the Annual Sabbaths are also ordinances/statutes that God intends to keep even to end times.)

Chapter 3: 13-18 Not only have people not been tithing, but they have scoffed at the profitability of keeping God’s ordinances/statutes in general! So God has made a “book of remembrance” to record those who fear and serve the Lord as He directed (in ordinances/statutes). That way, when He comes to “make up My jewels”, he will spare those that serve Him and determine who is righteous verses those who are wicked and have not kept His ordinances/statutes.

Chapter 4: 1 God describes what he will then do to the wicked (who scoffed at keeping God’s ordinances/statutes).

Chapter 4: 2-3 God describes what blessings the righteous (who kept God’s ordinances/statutes as He commanded without scoffing) will enjoy presumably in Heaven and the New Earth.

Chapter 4: 4 God recaps on the point of these 2 chapters by giving a strong recommendation to “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments...” So as to be in the righteous group at the 2nd coming and not in the wicked group. (According to God, He will still be caring about His ordinances/statutes even to the end of time… as such, only man-made ordinances/statutes and the Ceremonial Law were nailed to the cross…)

Chapter 4: 5-6 A promise to send us the spirit of prophecy to help the righteous prepare for end time events prior to Jesus’ coming. Also a promise to grow us closer to God and to each other… “Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

“The closing words of Malachi are a prophecy regarding the work that should be done preparatory to the first and the second advent of Christ.” Faith I Live By, by EGW, p. 290

About Luke 16: 16-17

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.”

Actually, Ellen G. White explains it best… “In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work, but gave them their message. Teach the people, He said, "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included. Human teaching is shut out. There is no place for tradition, for man's theories and conclusions, or for church legislation. No laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority are included in the commission. None of these are Christ's servants to teach. "The law and the prophets," with the record of His own words and deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world. Christ's name is their watchword, their badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing that does not bear His superscription is to be recognized in His kingdom.” (Continued Below)

“The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power. Those whose course has been most offensive to Him He freely accepts; when they repent, He imparts to them His divine Spirit, places them in the highest positions of trust, and sends them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim His boundless mercy. He would have His servants bear testimony to the fact that through His grace men may possess Christlikeness of character, and may rejoice in the assurance of His great love. He would have us bear testimony to the fact that He cannot be satisfied until the human race are reclaimed and reinstated in their holy privileges as His sons and daughters.” (Desire of Ages, By EGW, p. 826)

Again, here are Ellen G. White’s comments… “In the precepts of His holy law, God has given a perfect rule of life; and He has declared that until the close of time this law, unchanged in a single jot or tittle, is to maintain its claim upon human beings. Christ came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He showed that it is based upon the broad foundation of love to God and love to man, and that obedience to its precepts comprises the whole duty of man. In His own life He gave an example of obedience to the law of God. In the Sermon on the Mount He showed how its requirements extend beyond the outward acts and take cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Continued Below)

“The law, obeyed, leads men to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts," and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Titus 2:12. But the enemy of all righteousness has taken the world captive and has led men and women to disobey the law. As Paul foresaw, multitudes have turned from the plain, searching truths of God's word and have chosen teachers who present to them the fables they desire. Many among both ministers and people are trampling under their feet the commandments of God. Thus the Creator of the world is insulted, and Satan laughs in triumph at the success of his devices.” (Continued Below)

“With the growing contempt for God's law there is an increasing distaste for religion, an increase of pride, love of pleasure, disobedience to parents, and self-indulgence; and thoughtful minds everywhere are anxiously inquiring, What can be done to correct these alarming evils? The answer is found in Paul's exhortation to Timothy, "Preach the word." In the Bible are found the only safe principles of action. It is a transcript of the will of God, an expression of divine wisdom. It opens to man's understanding the great problems of life, and to all who heed its precepts it will prove an unerring guide, keeping them from wasting their lives in misdirected effort.” (Acts of the Apostles, By EGW, p. 505-506)

About Acts 15: 1-29

“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. (The whole crux of this conflict was over the issue of SALVATION by works or by faith). When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.” (Continued Below)

“And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses (in order to be SAVED…) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith (indicating that SALVATION was by FAITH… A circumcision of the heart and NOT by circumcision of the flesh.) Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (No one can do enough good deeds or be self-righteous enough to be worthy of salvation…) But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Pointing out again that we are SAVED by the grace of Jesus and not by any good deed… righteousness by FAITH.) (Continued Below)

“Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. (The Jewish Christians were in rehabilitation from the faulty notion of righteousness by works so it would have been counter-productive to even go to that discussion with the Gentile Christians! They could come in on the “ground floor” of the New Covenant idea of Righteousness by Faith!) For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.” (Nothing wrong with that… and there was still the idea that the Holy Spirit was/is busy about the work of Sanctification over a person’s lifetime… Growing in Grace!) (Continued Below)

“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law (for the supposed purpose of obtaining SALVATION): to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” (Acts 15: 1-29)

Here is what EGW’s commentary on the situation was: “At Jerusalem the delegates from Antioch met the brethren of the various churches, who had gathered for a general meeting, and to them they related the success that had attended their ministry among the Gentiles. They then gave a clear outline of the confusion that had resulted because certain converted Pharisees had gone to Antioch declaring that, in order to be saved, the Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses.” (Continued Below)

“This question was warmly discussed in the assembly. Intimately connected with the question of circumcision were several others demanding careful study. One was the problem as to what attitude should be taken toward the use of meats offered to idols. Many of the Gentile converts were living among ignorant and superstitious people who made frequent sacrifices and offerings to idols. The priests of this heathen worship carried on an extensive merchandise with the offerings brought to them, and the Jews feared that the Gentile converts would bring Christianity into disrepute by purchasing that which had been offered to idols, thereby sanctioning, in some measure, idolatrous customs.” (Continued Below)

“Again, the Gentiles were accustomed to eat the flesh of animals that has been strangled, while the Jews had been divinely instructed that when beasts were killed for food, particular care was to be taken that the blood should flow from the body; otherwise the meat would not be regarded as wholesome. God had given these injunctions to the Jews for the purpose of preserving their health. The Jews regarded it as sinful to use blood as an article of diet. They held that the blood was the life, and that the shedding of blood was in consequence of sin.” (Continued Below)

“The Gentiles, on the contrary, practiced catching the blood that flowed from the sacrificial victim and using it in the preparation of food. The Jews could not believe that they ought to change the customs they had adopted under the special direction of God. Therefore, as things then stood, if Jew and Gentile should attempt to eat at the same table, the former would be shocked and outraged by the latter.” (Continued Below)

“The Gentiles, and especially the Greeks, were extremely licentious, and there was danger that some, unconverted in heart, would make a profession of faith without renouncing their evil practices. The Jewish Christians could not tolerate the immorality that was not even regarded as criminal by the heathen. The Jews therefore held it as highly proper that circumcision and the observance of the ceremonial law should be enjoined on the Gentile converts as a test of their sincerity and devotion. This, they believed, would prevent the addition to the church of those who, adopting the faith without true conversion of heart, might afterward bring reproach upon the cause by immorality and excess.” (Continued Below)

“The various points involved in the settlement of the main question at issue seemed to present before the council insurmountable difficulties. But the Holy Spirit had, in reality, already settled this question, upon the decision of which seemed to depend the prosperity, if not the very existence, of the Christian church.” (Continued Below)

“The Holy Spirit saw good not to impose the ceremonial law on the Gentile converts, and the mind of the apostles regarding this matter was as the mind of the Spirit of God. James presided at the council, and his final decision was, "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God." This ended the discussion.” (Acts of the Apostles, by EGW, p. 191-192 & 194)

The conclusion of this matter was to convey to the Gentile Christians the concept that they were SAVED only by FAITH in JESUS… just as we are today. Just because the disciples did not list other statutes did not mean that they were not applicable… i.e. Tithing (See Malachi 3 & 4 & Counsels on Stewardship, by EGW, p. 83-84), Ten Commandments (See Revelation 14), Annual (Feast Day) Sabbaths (See Isaiah 66: 22-23 & 1 Corinthians 5: 8), Clean vs. Unclean Foods (See Counsels on Diets and Foods, by EGW, p. 392-293)… Here’s the catch… Ceremonies, rituals, and oblations/offerings associated with statutes were no longer applicable post-cross in the New Covenant era.

About Romans 10: 1-13

“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness (imparted to us by faith), and going about to establish their own righteousness (by attempted good works), have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end (a.k.a. the ultimate fulfillment… see Matthew 5: 17) of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law (the old covenant where the Israelites promised that THEY would do all that God had commanded… and subsequently failed). That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” (Continued Below)

“But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (The New Covenant where GOD writes His law on our hearts and imparts His righteousness to us by our faith in Him.) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Note: This passage reflects on the situation of righteousness by works versus righteousness by faith in Jesus our ultimate Savior. The issue of this passage does not imply that the “law” ended when Jesus arrived… see Matthew 5: 17… but that Christ saves us by His grace and then writes His law on our hearts… Same law but different location. Old versus New Covenant.)

About Romans 14: 5-6, 19, and 22

"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it." Romans 14: 5-6 Who is to say what "day" Paul was referring to? To be quite frank, Paul doesn't REALLY specify so there is alot of speculation according to what an individual's pet paradigm dictates. Non-Adventists say Paul was talking about the Seventh-day Sabbath... that cannot be so because in Revelation 14: 12 I find that God still cares about me keeping his commandments and having faith in Jesus. (I.e. Saved by Jesus but because of my love and gratitude to him I obey him... this is called love not legalism.)

Seventh-day Adventist who are not convicted on the Annual Sabbaths apply this verse to the observance of the Annual Sabbaths... Perhaps that is partly applicable and partly not... Search as I might, I cannot find anything in the non-Sabbath Feast Days that is not ceremonial (which we know the ceremonial law was deleted at the cross) so if it is not a Sabbath, I deem it to be irrelevant to my life today in the New Covenant Era. However, this verse cannot apply to the Feast Day Sabbaths because when you dissect off the ceremonial stuff from the seven Annual Sabbaths you are left with this: "a holy convocation for you", "you shall afflict your souls", "you shall do no work on that same day", "it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings", "It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest", "from evening to evening you shall CELEBRATE your Sabbath." (Leviticus 23: 27-32). Considering the parallel to the Weekly Sabbath that the Annual Sabbaths have (see http://www.biblefeastdays.com/Comparison.htm) along with the fact that the moral law portion of God's statutes remain relevant in the New Covenant Era (see http://www.biblefeastdays.com/Judgments.htm) and outcome of spending 7 additional Holydays with Jesus per year hopefully being a closer relationship with Him and a renewed mission of outreach to others... I do not see that this verse could possibly apply to the observance of the Annual Feast Day Sabbaths.

On the other hand, this verse could be applied in a number of other situations... Christmas for instance! My family and I celebrate Christmas although there is plenty of evidence that leads to Jesus' birth NOT being December 25! My husband feels uncomfortable having a Christmas Tree in the house because there is nothing in the Bible that I can find that connects a decorated evergreen tree to the birth of Jesus. We absolutely do not lie to our children about Santa Claus nor do we even play that game as we teach our children that it is the God of Heaven that gives us good things in life NOT a fairy tale Santa Claus! So I can see why some people have an aversion to celebrating Christmas in whatever form it comes. Nonetheless, in my home, we find plenty of opportunities to use the holiday for celebrating Jesus, marvelling over the concept of "God With Us", giving our hearts/lives to Him, and giving to others. So, my paradigm puts this message of Paul's best like this: Whether you celebrate Easter (the pagan alternative to the day of First Fruits), Thanksgiving (the pagan alternative to the 8th day of the Feast of Tabernacles), or Christmas (even the christian version is still not the actual day of Jesus' birth!)... do it for the glory of God without the media hype or the secularization of the holiday (note I did NOT say Holyday).

Some good advice: "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." Romans 14: 19

Regarding the verse that says, "Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God" Romans 14: 22... I am pretty sure this means not to flaunt one's own personal faith before others like the pharasee was trying to do in front of the tax collector in Luke 18: 9-14. Taking into consideration 1 Peter 3: 15, I think being prepared and willing to share one's faith at an opportunistic moment with those who are interested is perfectly in line with God's will. So while one should not boast about their faith, neither should they be embarrased to share it either. There are differences between letting one's light shine versus being a spotlight blinding someone else's eyes, versus hiding one's light under a bush! Either extreme is not good and I think Paul was cautioning against extremes here.

About Galatians 3, 4 and 5

"Through the influence of false teachers who had arisen among the believers in Jerusalem, division, heresy, and sensualism were rapidly gaining ground among the believers in Galatia. These false teachers were mingling Jewish traditions with the truths of the gospel. Ignoring the decision of the general council at jerusalem, they urged upon the Gentile converts the observance of the cememonial law" The Acts of the Apostles, by EGW, p. 383.

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" The focus of this chapter is on the difference of salvation by works or salvation by faith. "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" Just because they had been baptized did not mean that they would no longer ever sin or need the Savior! "Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” The power of God is not revealed in the Law, but in Jesus who the Law is supposed to direct us to. (Continued Below)

“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." Even the gentiles could be spiritual children of Abraham, but they had to subscribe to the idea of righteousness by faith just like Abraham did. "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” We cannot of ourselves keep the Law good enough to go to Heaven… That’s why we need our Savior! (Continued Below)

“And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." It does not mean that Christ did away with the law because He said in Matthew 5: 17 that that was not His mission. However, because Jesus did what He did, even though my righteousness is as “filthy rags”, if I ask Jesus to cover me with His righteousness I get to be made clean. "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. One spiritual lineage… Abraham’s seed by faith in Jesus. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after (existing prior to, but written down at Sinai), cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.” (Continued Below)

“For if the inheritance be of the law (or by works), it is no more of promise (or by faith): but God gave it to Abraham by promise (or faith). Wherefore then serveth the law?" Stop trying to get to Heaven by works! "It was added (spelled out and written down) because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (Jesus). Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” In other words the Law of God is still necessary, but since no human other than Christ has kept it perfectly, everyone who wishes to be saved must look to Jesus Christ to save them. (Continued Below)

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Doesn’t mean that the Law has been done away with… just the nonsense notion that salvation can be obtained by works. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3

(Paul continues to speak to gentile Galatian Christian converts…) “Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (The gentile Christian converts were adopted as sons) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God (before the gentile Galatians became converted into Christianity), ye did service unto them, which by nature are no gods.” (they followed idols). (Continued Below)

“But now, after that ye have known God (got converted to Christianity), or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements (gentile idol worship stuff), whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years (gentile idol worship stuff… “times” being Strong’s Concordance word #2540 Kairos: an occasion, set or proper time). I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain (Paul thinking he’s wasted his time on the gentile converts who don’t seem to really be converted to Christ after all if they are still doing idol stuff and/or ceremonial law stuff). Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first (Paul was sick of some sort when he first came to them). And my temptation, which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus (the gentile converts did not discriminate against Paul just because he was sick). Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.” (Continued Below)

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (They were really nice to Paul in the beginning. Later though due to Paul speaking frankly with them they turned on him like an enemy) They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law (Christ-less and faithless), do ye not hear the law (that it cannot save… that it only points out sin and the need of the Savior!)? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai (“all that the Lord has spoken we will DO”… i.e. salvation by works of man), which gendereth to bondage (man cannot save himself), which is Agar (Hagar).” (Continued Below)

“For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem, which now is, and is in bondage with her children (and was subsequently destroyed in AD70). But Jerusalem which is above is free (in Heaven), which is the mother of us all (and represents salvation by faith in the blood of Jesus. The New Covenant being GOD taking it upon Himself to write His law on our hearts because we cannot do it for ourselves but God can do anything). For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she, which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise (based on God’s promise to help us with His law, not our pathetic promise).” (Continued Below)

“But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” Galatians 4 (Get rid of the nonsense being promoted by those who are still “salvation by works” and focus on “salvation by faith” in the blood of Christ to save me that works in my live to bring out the fruits of the Spirit) Please note: The only reason a person should ever keep the Sabbath and Feast Day Sabbaths is because they love God… not because they think going through the motions would save them. Nothing a person can ever do will ever be good enough to save them. However, keeping the Sabbath and Feast Day Sabbaths is a signal between me and God that I choose Him to be my Leader.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty (salvation by faith) wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (salvation by works). Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing (if a person gets literally circumcised for the sole reason that they think they are doing something to get them saved, then they have missed out on the concept that salvation only comes through Christ!). For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace (my righteousness by works is as filthy rags…). For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love (having faith in Christ… yet I obey Christ’s law because I love Him).” (Continued Below)

“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (a little error in a person’s reasoning ruins the whole doctrine). I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty (righteousness by faith); only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh (this righteousness by faith does not give a license to go and sin), but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Continued Below)

“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the (condemnation of the…) law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5

Of note: Some have indicated that the phrase “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years” (Galatians 4: 10) means not to keep Annual Sabbaths. A couple of things to consider though, this letter is not to JEWS but GENTILE converts who used to serve PAGAN gods, “which by nature are no gods” (Galatians 4: 8) and observe PAGAN holidays associated with those gods. If these chapters have anything to do with the Feast Days it would be including the ceremonial portions (i.e. perhaps the keeping of the days other than the Annual Sabbaths during the Feasts and/or the idea that one keeps the Annual Sabbaths TO OBTAIN salvation.) The gentile converts never kept God’s Feast Days prior to conversion, yet according to EGW's statement above, the Jewish false teachers were imposing the ceremonial law. Paul's message deals with the Gentile converts keeping the ceremonial law and also about slipping back to pagan worship stuff... The truth is we are saved by faith in Jesus and NOT in anything we can do of ourselves... Also important is the concept of not observing pagan holidays (at least in a pagan fashion) because those gods "are no gods". Bottom line: Faith in Christ brings forth the fruits of the Spirit in my life and the promise of salvation because it is God doing the work in my life.

About Ephesians 2

(Paul speaking to Asian gentile Christian converts) “And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, ("by grace ye are saved") and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Continued Below)

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (the circumcised Jew versus the uncircumcised gentile) having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Ordinances: Greek #1378 “dogma”- civil, ceremonial, or ecclesiastical), for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” (Continued Below)

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2: 1-22 Jesus broke down the separating wall of traditional customs that delineated between a Jew versus a Gentile and made salvation possible by “one new man” meaning Himself. Physical circumcision was to be replaced with circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29). Ceremonial and associated offerings/oblations associated with the Annual Sabbaths were also done away with… However, the concept of keeping the weekly and annual Sabbaths as Sabbaths remained, but with a renewed focus on Jesus, His ministry, and His expectations for our ambassadorship. Of note: there are many other God-made ordinances/statutes that also still remain, are still relevant, and make common sense.  (See www.biblefeastdays.com/judgments.htm). The God-made ordinances/statutes that were done away with at the cross had to do with the Levitical and/or Aaronic priesthoods, ceremonial stuff, literal offerings/oblations, and things pertaining to the Children of Israel’s hygiene issues especially while they were out in the desert (if they had had anti-bacterial soap, sterilizers, vaccines, antibiotics, etc. their hygiene statutes might have been spelled out differently). So, this chapter does not mean that anything that bears the general term “ordinance” automatically is obsolete… That would be like saying that just because one law is fulfilled that all the others are deleted also.

“The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances (of the CEREMONIAL system), was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease. It is this law that Christ "took . . . out of the way, nailing it to His cross”. Patriarchs and Prophets, by EGW, p. 365

About Colossians 2

“For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, (take note: this is going to be pertinent to us since we are living in the church age of Laodicea) and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love (we can still be unified in Christ with love to God and our fellow mankind even if we agree to disagree on certain issues), and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit (i.e. “my thoughts and prayers are with you”), joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (That previous paragraph is so important!) (Continued Below)

(Okay, new topic here…) “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (That is why my research on the Annual Sabbaths issue has basically only used quotes from the Bible and from the Spirit of Prophecy as revealed to Ellen G. White) For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (i.e. that circumcision of the heart), in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:” (Did circumcision get nailed to the cross? No. But it changed from being a literal cutting off of the foreskin to that of the heart. Changed… but not deleted.) (Continued Below)

(And here comes several topics combined together: Baptism, righteousness by faith in Christ’s sacrifice for us, circumcision in the New Covenant, and what exactly happened at the cross…) “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Stop for a second: did God delete the law that pointed out sin? Or did he cover us with His blood and forgive us from the charges against us? That previous verse there says He forgave us all trespasses and does not give any indication that the law itself was deleted); Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” (My suspicions confirmed! Blotted out with His own blood the account of all the ways and times we have fallen short of the glory of God in not obeying His ordinances/statutes!) (Continued Below)

“Which was contrary to us” (The ordinances/statutes are not contrary to us! Take a look at a sample of them: Do not eat animal fat or blood (Leviticus 3: 17), No devil sacrifices (Leviticus 17: 7), No incest (Leviticus 18: 7-18), Good sexual hygiene (Leviticus 18: 19), No cheating someone (Leviticus 18: 20), No human sacrifices (Leviticus 18: 21), No homosexuality (Leviticus 18: 22), No bestiality (Leviticus 18: 23), No amalgamation (Leviticus 19: 19), No tattoos (Leviticus 19: 28), Keep God’s Sabbaths and reverence His Sanctuary (Leviticus 19: 30), The Annual Sabbaths (Leviticus 23), Will your stuff to your family if possible (Numbers 27: 8-11), Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5), Clean versus unclean meats (Deuteronomy 14: 3-21), Tithing (Deuteronomy 14: 22-29, Malachi 3), and many more “no-brainer” stuff found in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. No, God’s ordinances/statutes are right and rejoice the heart! Psalm 19: 8) (Continued Below)

“And took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Jesus did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfill them; and that until heaven and earth passed away the law still stood until all was fulfilled! Matthew 5: 17-18 So again, what was nailed to the cross? The law?… or the charges brought against us from falling short of obedience to that law? Seeing as how Malachi 3 and 4 indicate that God’s law contained in the “Law of Moses” will still be in effect until end times… and seeing as how “In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. "The earth mourneth and fadeth away," "the haughty people . . . do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." Isaiah 24:4, 5, Great Controversy, by EGW, p. 589-590, see Hebrew word #8451 and 2706 in the Strong’s Concordance… I believe it was the record of my sins that was nailed to the cross and not the law which pointed out those sins!) (Continued Below)

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Note this quote by Ellen G. White, “God is calling upon all to behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Christ lifts the guilt of sin from the sinner, standing Himself under the condemnation of the Lawgiver. He came to this world to live the law in humanity, that Satan’s charge that human beings cannot keep the law of God might be demonstrated as false.” Signs of the Times, April 7, 1898 par. 8 Mrs. White noted that He took away the sin and proved Satan’s charge wrong. Now, that said… no one here is disputing the fact that anything ceremonial about the law did indeed fall away at the cross! Numerous references from the Bible and from Ellen G. White substantiate that! See Daniel 9: 27, Hebrews 9 & 10; Patriarchs and Prophets, by EGW, p. 365; Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 233, and Signs of the Times, by EGW, July 29, 1886. OF NOTE: There was a lot of ceremonial stuff superimposed over several ordinances/statutes… While the core of the ordinances/statutes remain, the ceremonial stuff is gone or changed! For example: The Weekly And Annual Sabbaths, circumcision, the sacrifices expected of us now post cross, our “temple”, etc. See http://www.biblefeastdays.com/Judgments.htm for all the New Covenant changes that I currently know of that took place at the cross.) (Continued Below)

(Based on the above discussion, here comes Paul’s conclusion about applicable stuff in the New Covenant era…) “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: (Reference Romans 14: 14-23 to get an idea of what “meat and drink” is being referenced here; and John 6: 55 for another insight to what “drink” is still applicable in the present and futuristic tense; Greek word #1859 Heorte: "a festival:- feast, holyday"; and the Greek word #4521 Sabbaton: "of Hebrew word #7676 The Sabbath or day of weekly repose from secular avocations also the observance or institution itself; by extension a sennight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications:- sabbath day, week") Which are a shadow of things to come (applicable present tense and futuristically also); but the body is of Christ” (Whether you subscribe to the argument that the term Sabbaton applies to the Annual Sabbaths or to the Weekly Sabbaths is irrelevant in my opinion since there is numerous other evidence in the Bible and in Ellen G. White’s writings and here in this verse too that BOTH will still be around and applicable and BOTH are crucial signs between God and His people in end times! See http://www.biblefeastdays.com/Judgments.htm and http://www.biblefeastdays.com/Comparison.htm for references please.) (Continued Below)

(Paul moves on to discuss another topic…) “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances (of men and here comes the example…), (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (Of note: the previous things discussed above i.e. “meat”, “drink”, “holydays”, and “Sabbaths” were not in this category since they were not of men but of God) Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.” (The commandments of men are a whole other subject which Jesus chaffed about for good reason in Matthew 15: 1-20. But here I will leave off with Colossians 2.)

About Hebrews 7: 11-28

“If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (The Melchizedec priesthood was to foreshadow the priesthood of Jesus.) For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (I.e. the ordinances/statutes pertaining to the specifics of the Levitical priesthood were not relevant to Jesus’ priesthood.) For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. (Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi) For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal (Strong’s Concordance word #4559 Sarkikos: flesh, bodily, temporal, or animal) commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” A contrast here: A temporary priesthood (Levitical) that passed away when Jesus died versus Jesus’ priesthood of His “endless life”. Of careful note: this is pertaining to the contrast of priesthoods… not any implication that the commandments of God themselves were temporary or bad. (Continued Below)

“For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling (cancellation) of the commandment (regarding the Levitical priesthood) going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law (of the Levitical priesthood) made nothing perfect (the Levites were not the Savior… only the mediator between the people and God), but the bringing in of a better hope (Jesus did make us perfect by covering us with His robe of righteousness); by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Jesus is now our Savior and mediator.) And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament (pretty obvious!).” (Continued Below)

“And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this Man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost (anyone) that come unto God by him (beautiful grafting in to God’s family by reason of faith, not birth) seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself. For the law (of the Levitical priesthood) maketh men high priests which have infirmity (i.e. the wicked sons of Aaron and Eli who got to be priest just because of their birth); but the word of the oath, which was since the law (of Levitical priesthood), maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.” Hebrews 7: 11-28 I believe that the annulled law discussed in the above passage clearly refers just to the law of the Levitical priesthood and does not annul the relevance of the Feast Day Sabbaths!

Bible Annual Sabbaths