The Church MUST Pursue Truth
The following are two lists that include the subjects that are fundamental to the teachings of the majority of those who associate themselves with the Church of God. The Churches of God (COG) that I am speaking of are those groups whose origins were rooted in the teachings of the church led by Herbert Armstrong. This endeavor has been motivated in the spirit of love, with the definition of love being, "participating in the satisfying of God given need". The first list represents a significant portion of the Biblical subjects that Mr. Armstrong taught that were valid understandings. Most of the subjects do go against the grain of the majority of those who are called "Christians". The second list includes areas that were taught that differed from the teaching of the Bible. The leaders were, to a degree, miss-led by some of the many mistranslations that occur in the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). The King James Version was first published over 400 years ago in 1611. It was the Bible used by the Puritan movement. The revised version was at the heart of the Great Awakenings of the 18th century and the modern missionary movement. The KJV and other translations have been responsible for significant misdirection.
Michael Haykin, professor of church history and biblical spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, told Baptist Press, "Until the 1950s, the King James Bible was 'the Bible'. It’s the version that English-speaking Christians used,"
Even with all the problems of the KJV and other translations, it is possible to come to well-grounded conclusions for areas that present problems of one kind or another. There are many reliable sources of Biblical help that are available. Truth is fundamental to every aspect of God's involvement with all those who will eventually be brought to eternity. It can be rightly said that truth, honoring truth, seeking truth and then having a conscious endeavor to live in truth guides us toward the awesome result of the precious involvement of being worked with by God.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
It does take the type of work that the Bereans were willing to give themselves to (Acts 17:10-11) to discern truths through the lexicons, concordances, commentaries and various Bible translations that are available. But with all that help there is one factor that is a must in order to grow in understanding. The New Testament makes it very clear that it does take God's Spirit as a guide to be able to grow in truth.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Pursuing truth isn't something that is only "nice" or "good" to do. It is a fundamental need in a life that is striving to grow in Godliness.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
The First List
The Sabbath:
One of the most egregious departures from God's instructions for our well being is the effort to change one of His ten commandments. It has been a custom for Christians for centuries to observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath Day. Yet we are clearly shown the truth of the matter as the "seventh day" Sabbath was one of the first foundational elements of instruction to live in harmony with the creator God. This has always been and will continue to be a twenty four hour period of time, for a day of rest, on the seventh day of the week.
Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
It is vital to understand that the Bible does not give any evidence that the Sabbath has been changed. A famous quote from the Catholic Church is as follows.
James Cardinal Gibbons, The Faith of our Fathers, 88th ed., pp. 89.
"But you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify."
This knowledge has been confirmed by Anglican/Episcopal, Baptist, Lutheran and Presbyterian churches. (see in Other Subjects " The Law of the Sabbath" paper)
One commentator states as a reason for Sunday worship; "First and foremost, I would point to the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus rose again on the first day of the week—on Sunday, the Lord’s day—and as a commemoration of that, Christians have gathered together on that day since the days of the apostles". He used Acts 20 as an example.
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
First of all, the term" breaking bread" simply refers to having a meal. Secondly Jesus was not resurrected on Sunday. The section on Easter thoroughly explains that matter.
There have been and presently is a list of reasons that is used for changing this commandment. I'll just comment on the aspect of the law being changed and faith in Jesus as it relates to the law.
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Was this change in the law related to Sunday keeping instead of keeping the Sabbath? No, not at all. Verse 27 gives the reason for the statement in verse 12. The daily sacrifices simply "covered" (atone for) sins, where as the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ "takes away" sins.
Heb 7:27 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.
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
What is "faith in Jesus"?
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
The law only gave the people of Israel the direction in which to live their lives, not the capacity to fulfill the instructions contained in the law. Galatians 5:5 shows us that it requires the Spirit of God, living in us, that gives us the earnest expectation of eternal life (our hope). We may realize that hope only IF we believe and follow after all that Jesus taught. That teaching includes what was given to the prophets and the apostles. This belief is our faith.
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish
the law.
Jesus made it very clear that he fulfilled the law and he was the way that the law could now be fulfilled in mankind through God's work in us.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect (complete), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The Holy Days:
Each of the seven Holy Days represents a physical type, given in the Old Testament, picturing a spiritual fulfillment as recorded in the New Testament (and the Old Testament). As a whole they provide us with the plan that God is using for developing literal "children" of God. The following is an example of instruction for keeping "the feast of unleavened bread", which includes the first two Holy Days. Following that is the instruction for keeping a Holy Day during the millennium.
1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Zec 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zec 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
Zec 14:18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zec 14:19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Jesus - The Lord of the O.T.:
I believe the following is self explanatory.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The Trinity ???:
Did this doctrine originate in the Bible or in the early Church? The New Bible Dictionary answers: "The term 'Trinity' is not itself found in the Bible. It was first used by Tertullian at the close of the 2nd century, but received wide currency and formal elucidation only in the 4th and 5th centuries" (Inter-varsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill., 1996, p. 1209, emphasis added). The word Trinity didn't come into common use until several centuries after the last books of the Bible were completed.
In John 1:1-3 we were shown two distinct beings referred to as God.
1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Paul repeats the following phrase 13 times in various verses.
“Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Second John again reveals the separateness of two beings.
2Jn 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
God the Father and the God the Son work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luk 1:35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Rom 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
The House of Israel and the House of Judah Today:
The subject of the "lost" ten tribes of Israel is extensive. I will offer just two Biblical references that show the existence of all the tribes of Israel today. The first one is where Israel prophesied the future of each of the tribes circumstances in the last days.
Gen 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
Gen 49:2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. (the following are the verses where the tribes are listed)
:3 Ruben, :5 Simeon and Levi, :8 Judah, :13 Zebulun, :14 Issachar, :16 Dan, :19 Gad, :20 Asher.
:21 Naphtali :22 Joseph :27 Benjamin
This second reference is the many times Ezekiel prophesied of the "house of Israel" (northern ten tribes) after they had ceased to exist, in Israel, for over 100 years. The term "house of Israel" is found in 110 verses in the book of Ezekiel. It is Interesting that the book of Ezekiel transitions from the time of "Armageddon" in chapter 39 to the millennium in its last nine chapters.
Eze 3:4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.
Eze 3:7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.
Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Eze 9:9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
Eze 36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.
Eze 39:22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
Eze 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
Eze 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Eze 48:35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.
Easter:
There is a universal truth that the COG and many other constituents understands that relate to this subject. It is the observance of "Easter" as an attempt to Christianize an ages old Pagan practice. There are many web sites that discuss, in detail, the various aspects of this ancient practice and the effort that has been made to "Christianize" it. The following is an example of one of those efforts.
KJV: Act 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
This is E. W. Bullinger's response to the KJV translation for Acts 12:4. --- "Easter. Greek. to pascha, the Passover. Easter is a heathen term, derived from the Saxon goddess Eastre, the same as Astarte, the Syrian Venus, called Ashtoreth in the O.T."
One of very many areas that reflect the general deception relating to the observance of Easter is the "sun rise service". We have been given an accurate timing of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
There are those who contend that Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:40 are a Hebrew idiom and can mean “any part of a day.” A late Friday burial and an early Sunday resurrection would represent such an idiom. But we are shown in Mathew 12:40 that it is not an idiom.
Again from E. W. Bullinger “The fact that “three days” is used by Hebrew idiom for any part of three days and three nights is not disputed; because that was the common way of reckoning… But, when the number of “nights” is stated as well as the number of “days,” then the expression ceases to be an idiom, and becomes a literal statement of fact.”
Jesus was in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. It is impossible to call a Friday-afternoon death to a Sunday-morning resurrection three days and three nights. A principle error regarding this subject is the lack of understanding, for so many, that Thursday of that week was a annual Sabbath day, being the first day of the days of unleavened bread.
Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
This error is just one of the very many aspects of Easter that has been adopted from pagan ways. They include the interest in Easter eggs, hot cross buns, Easter bunny, Easter lilies and lent.
The visage and body of Jesus on the Cross:
The almost pristine depiction of Jesus on the cross in pictures and statues, that are so prevalent, are so totally deceiving.
Psa 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Isa 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
Isa 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
Christmas:
In recent years more and more people are learning that Christmas is a manifestation of paganism. Yet it has such hold on so many lives that even though many know its Godless nature, they perpetuate its pagan ways by keeping it. The Bible provides evidence regarding its deception. Here are two examples. --- The family of Jesus were required to go to Bethlehem to be taxed and there were shepherds tending their flocks in the fields during the time of the birth Families would not be obligated to travel to be taxed "in the winter" and the shepherds would not be in the fields on December 25th.
Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Food for Consumption:
The gentiles, who believed in Jesus, were shown to be included in the salvation that comes through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. This was a great departure from traditional Jewish thinking. ------- And Noah knew which animals were meant for food.
Act 11:6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Act 11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
Act 11:8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
Act 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Gen 7:2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
Death = Sleep:
The general belief concerning the circumstance of those who have died is that they are aware of earthly events from their heavenly abode or they possibly found themselves in hell. Once again the Bible is very clear on the subject. The term "sleep", whether in the Old Testament or New Testament refers to "death".
Job 7:21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.
2Sa 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
Psa 13:3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Act 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Psa 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
"Everyone" Given Time to Repent:
For many who have consciously studied the Bible, Revelation 20:11-12 has great significance. They conclude that this is "the day of judgment" when all will find out if they are given eternal life or if they are cast into the lake of fire. When the subject of the destiny of children is brought up they have an answer relating to their nature of innocence.
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
There is no doubt that these verses are of enormous importance, but they must be understood in the completeness of its message. Of primary importance are the following facts.
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if
any manwho ever (G1536) have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
There is the consideration that there have been many millions that have NEVER heard of Jesus and then there are those who died who simply didn't know if Jesus was the Savior (agnostics). The agnostics are justified in their reasoning because they were kept from understanding. Prior to the millennium there are others who wouldn't be able to understand.
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Revelation 20:11-12 is telling us that everyone who has died will be brought back to life to finally have the Bible open to their understanding and have an opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior. The young will have time to grow to be able to make mature decisions concerning their eternity. After a period of time their lives will be judged based on what is written in the Bible. God willing, most will have had their names written in the book of life.
The Second List
The Calendar:
This subject is one of the principle areas of misdirection in the "Churches of God". Most of the churches base their calendar on the "conjunction" and use the darkness of the moon as the basis on which to calculate their calendar. God's calendar is based on the LIGHT, principally from the sun and moon as outlined in the invaluable verse of Genesis 1:14. The stars, if one knows how to understand them, are also helpful. A fairly concise explanation of God's calendar is provided in the paper titled "Answers to a COG Calendar Doctrinal Statement". There are papers written for all of the following subjects.
The New Heaven and New Earth:
The natural tendency is to think that a new heaven and new earth will have to happen after all the things that are prophesied for this earth and its inhabitants has been fulfilled. Rev 20:15, being the last verse of chapter 20, speaks of the "lake of fire". Then, the first verse of the 21st chapter talks about "a new heaven and a new earth. It has then been quickly assumed that the new heaven and new earth will occur after the lake of fire. This reasoning has resulted in miss-understanding significant events at the "end of the age". All that was necessary was to have a good understanding of the third verse of the 21st chapter to understand the first verse. Verse three makes it very clear that Jesus will be present in the terrestrial city of Jerusalem from the very beginning of the millennium. Therefore the general period of time for verses one through eight is established.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Eze 48:35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.
Then there are the verses that refer to changes in the heaven (as a result of the change in its axis of rotation) and changes in the earth. There are about 17 of them. Here are a few.
Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
Rev 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Mar 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Rev 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Ezekiel 38:20 ------- and the mountains shall be thrown down -------
Amo 8:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
Lastly, Isaiah 66:22-23 provides the general time that the new heaven will be formed. It will be before all flesh comes to worship the Lord.
Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
The Lord's Supper:
Paul of Acts 23:6 states "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee". Being a Pharisee he kept the "passover" all of his life. But in 1Corinthians11:20 and 26 he referred to the taking of the bread and wine as the "Lord's supper". They were making a mockery of this solemn time and had to be corrected. The Lords Supper was a departure from the usual proceedings of the night. The traditional Jewish "passover" had become history.
1Co 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Night To Be Much Observed
The KJV and Strong's Concordance have been at fault in miss guiding the churches of God regarding this subject.
KJV Exo 12:42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
Strong’s Definition: H8107 From H8104; an observance: - X be (much) observed.
Young's Literal Translation gives the correct rendering. The Brown Driver Briggs Lexicon provides for the accurate understanding of this verse. This is the night that the death angel passed over those who had the blood on their doorposts as the Lord watched or "observed" the state of affairs of the night.
YLT Exo 12:42 A night of watchings it is to Jehovah, to bring them out from the land of Egypt; it is this night to Jehovah of watchings to all the sons of Israel to their generations.
BDB Definition: H8107 --- shimmûr 1) night watch, watching, vigil
I found the “Analytical Key to the Old Testament” by OWENS and eight other commentaries and Bibles that agree with Young's translation.
Pentecost:
The annual Holy Days, given in the Old Testament, provide a shadow of "spiritual" fulfillments.
How and when is Numbers28:26 and the other related verses, being shadows, fulfilled?
Exo 23:14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
Exo 23:15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread -------
Exo 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours (Pentecost), which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering (Tabernacles), which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Num 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
The New Testament speaks of firstfruits exclusively in terms of those possessing the Spirit of God. The first fruit of the wheat harvest is realistically the shadow of those who possess the Spirit of God and have been harvested. The Pentecost when the Spirit of God was made available to dwell in mankind, for the first time, began the work by which God will produce His "firstfruits". The firstfruits become the bride and wife of Jesus at the marriage of the Lamb.
Teruah:
One of the most deceptive KJV translations in the Bible is found in Leviticus 23:24.
Lev 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpetsH8643 , an holy convocation.
The term "blowing of trumpets" is an outright perversion of Strong's number H8643. Silver trumpets are mentioned twice for moving the camp of Israel, but there are 33 times where it is used when the context shows that it is a very loud shout for joy or a battle cry. There is one time a trumpet is used for an "alarm".
H8643 ter-oo-aw'
From H7321; clamor, that is, acclamation of joy or a battle cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum: - alarm, blow (-ing) (of, the) (trumpets), joy, jubile, loud noise, rejoicing, shout (-ing), (high, joyful) sound (-ing).
Since this day is a shadow of spiritual fulfillment, we can understand that the saints or firstfruit of God do not engage in warfare or the need of a battle cry. That leaves an "acclamation of joy" for this Holy Day. There is one place in the New Testament where you will find the greatest acclamation of joy in the entire Bible.
Rev 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Day Of Atonement:
The Day of Atonement has nothing to do with a reiteration of the salvation that comes through Jesus on the "Day of Covering" (atonement). The term "atonement" in the Bible literally means a covering. Biblically it means a covering of sin not a taking away of sin that Jesus provides. Every one of the sacrifices used on this day represents a dramatic fulfillment of events leading to the millennium. See "The Day of Atonement" paper. Everything will be perfectly prepared in Jerusalem (continuing sacrifices) in order for Jesus to be present with the unconverted. That will be those who do not have the Spirit of God dwelling in them.
Timing of the White Throne Judgment:
There is a general belief that the "great white throne" judgment period of time will occur on the "Eighth Day". There are two questions that must be asked. 1. Why is the eighth day defined as a day of restraint? 2. Why is the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles called "that great day of the feast" in John 7:37 by Jesus? The white throne judgement period represents the last day of the feast when the spirit of God is poured out as never before. A day of restraint does not depict the salvation that is made available to those who are in need of salvation through the unprecedented outpouring of God's Spirit.
The Eighth Day:
The day is called "the eighth day", in reference to the solemn assembly, because it immediately follows the seven-day feast of tabernacles. There are only three specific elements of the last annual feast day that are given to us. They are found in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29.
1 It is referred to as “the eighth day”.
2 It is a holy convocation.
3 It is a solemn assembly.
The context of 2 Chronicles 7 can be used, in particular, to gain understanding for the "eighth day". 2 Chronicles 7:9-10 (15th+6 days = 21st; 22nd = 8thday; 23rd day, glad and merry).
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines solemn assembly as follows:
H6116; ats-aw-raw', ats-eh'-reth. From H6113; an assembly, especially on a festival or holiday: - (solemn) assembly (meeting)
We are directed to number H6113 to determine what the word solemn means.
H6113; aw-tsar'. A primitive root; to inclose; by analogy to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble: - X be able, close up, detain, fast, keep (self close, still), prevail, recover, refrain, X reign, restrain, retain, shut (up), slack, stay, stop, withhold (self).
At the end of the "great white throne judgment" period one of two actions will occur. A person is judged to enter eternity or judged to be cast into the lake of fire. Jesus, in Matthew 13, makes this very, very clear.
Mat 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The eighth day will be the time when those who have God's spirit dwelling in them will be passed over from being cast into that lake. It is the time when they will be given eternal life. They would be naturally joyful (glad and merry), but their joy will be restrained by witnessing those who are cast into the lake of fire. Especially if one witnesses an acquaintance or relative being burned up.