Check out online at the link below the Amazing Facts booklet written by Joe Crews, entitled Feast Days and Sabbaths: Are they still binding?

Feast Days and Sabbaths: Are They Still Binding?

Assuming that you have read this online booklet at the above link, are the Feast Days and Sabbaths still binding?

Well, it looks as though the late Pastor Crews was under the impression that we are no longer obligated to observe the ceremonial feasts, sabbaths and ordinances. Which makes sense to me at this point in my studies.

Because how can we observe them without animal sacrifices and the temple in Jerusalem? So much of the rules regulating those annual feast days talk about the kinds of animals to be used as a sacrifice, and where in the temple the blood was to be transferred and applied. Are we supposed to disregard those aspects in order to honor the autumnal ceremonial feasts? Are we supposed to, by faith, offer the blood of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary as a substitute for the blood of animals?

And what about baptism and the eucharist (communion)? If they aren't meant to replace the ceremonial feasts, then what are they supposed to accommodate? Or are we supposed to observe communion during the Fall Feasts in accordance with the ancient Jewish Calendar? Or are we under a new covenant, a new dispensation, a new world order? with new rules, a new temple, a new high priest and priesthood?

I would agree that we are no longer "bound" to keep the annual sabbath/feasts. I believe that they were done away with in the sense of mandated keeping. I believe, however, that the annual feasts had at least a dual application. I believe that they were yearly reminders of God's plan of salvation, and I believe that they were prophetic guideposts in the process of salvation. As SDAs we all accept that the 3 first feasts were fulfilled typologically in the death of Christ on Calvary. The feast of Pentecost was fulfilled in Acts 2. We have nearly completed the feast of Trumpets, we are in the Day of Atonement, and the the feast of Booths is getting ready to start. So the annual Sabbaths are still in effect as prophetic guidelines but not in effect as annual mandated requirements.

Thank you, Greg.

I am inclined to agree with you.

I never thought of it that way before.

One wonders if there are any feast promoters in the southern hemisphere and when they say they should be kept. Do they see "that it is their duty to go to Old Jerusalem"?

The Jewish people celebrate the feasts in the Southern hemisphere. South Africa, Australia, south America -- they celebrate them on the same calendar days as people in the northern hemisphere.

Anciently, as I understand it, the Sanhedrin would evaluate conditions every spring, it wasn't just based on the equinox but on spring conditions. If the barley harvest was too immature, the countryside still too wet, and the trees still not in bloom, they would add a 13th month before Nissan, thus adjusting the calendar to ensure that Nissan, the month of the holiday of Passover, always fell during the actual (not just calculated) spring season.

After Jerusalem was destroyed and the Sanhedrin was no more, Hillel and his rabbinical court in the fourth century AD, established a perpetual Jewish calendar which is still followed by the majority of Jews today. (though we know there were some groups that did not agree with the calendar -- like the Karaite)

Those in the Southern hemisphere do not take the "spring" "fall" principles into account, but simply follow the calendar and stay "aligned" with Palestine reckoning.

Non-Jews who promote the feasts tend to follow the same calendar no matter where they live. It's not so much to "go to Jerusalem" as to "align with Jerusalem".

However -- there really is only a small fraction of resemblance between what the Bible says is to take place on the feasts, and the common practices of those who celebrate them.

Greg- So the annual Sabbaths are still in effect as prophetic guidelines but not in effect as annual mandated requirements.

I would say this belief would be covered under the following--

"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." (Romans 14:5)

If one gets a richer experience from observing them for the sake of drawing closer to Christ-praise the Lord. But as you say, it's definitely not mandatory or required. I believe EGW speaks favorably in observing them for their historical perspectives and enrichment of God's divine purposes. If one see this as a "must do" or promotes it as such--then the line is crossed I believe. If one has this belief then the curtain was split for no purpose.

They are "in effect" only so long as one desires to enjoy it.

The Bible does speak of a mandatory future commandment of keeping the feast of Tabernacles.

"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." (Zech.14:16)

Going to Jerusalem or aligning with Jerusalem. If one so "aligns", are they not going to Jerusalem mentally? I think Ellen White says something about not exerting energies in paying attention to Old Jerusalem.

You mean also of the mandatory future commandment of sacrifices?

"Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts." (Zech.14:21)

Or do you think Zechariah 14 is talking about something else or a different "future" time, not future to now, than what you suggest?
You know, where it's talking about people living in Egypt won't have rain, bells on horses, and pots before the altar.

Kland-- I have no problem addressing your questions , as long as there is a strong desire to know truth and if you or I find we are in error and corrected--WE ADMIT IT--deal?
as long as a mutual respectful attitude is employed, sharing and learning is fine by me.