Category: Holy Days
Lent: Scripture, Tradition, and the Question of Origins
Discussions surrounding Lent often fall into two extremes. On one side, many Christians assume it is a time-honored tradition tracing back to the time of Christ – widespread, holy, and symbolically Christian – and therefore biblical in origin. A forty-day fast leading up to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection seems appropriate, spiritually meaningful, and rooted in devotion. Because it feels so deeply Christian, to question it…
Was the Early Church Meeting on Sunday? A Fresh Look at Acts 20:7
Many Christians point to Acts 20:7 as evidence that the early church had already shifted to Sunday worship: “On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” It seems simple enough. First day of the week equals Sunday, and “breaking bread” equals a Sunday service. But a closer look at the text, Luke’s details, and Jewish customs of the…
A Reunion Beyond Time: The Promise of the Last Great Day
TS Writer
3 months ago in
Last Great Day
As we all watch the stories on social media, a collective gasp of relief and celebration filled the world as captives were finally returned to the arms of those who had waited for them for years. Families who had lived for two long years in the shadow of uncertainty embraced their loved ones after their release from captivity. Tears, laughter, and the quiet amazement of…
Celebrating God’s Kingdom: The Feast of Tabernacles and the End of Self-Centeredness
TS Writer
3 months ago in
Feast of Tabernacles
From the moment we are born, we live in a world dominated by self-interest. We see it in our choices, our relationships, and even in the structures of society. This mindset – being “right in our own eyes” – drives division, conflict, and pain. It is the root of broken families, feuding communities, and nations at odds. And it goes far deeper than human behavior:…
The Day of Atonement: Covering Sin and Removing Satan
The Day of Atonement is one of God’s most solemn festivals. Unlike the other annual Sabbaths, it is not a feast of abundance but a day of fasting, prayer, and deep reflection. Yet behind its soberness lies one of the most profound truths in God’s plan of salvation: humanity cannot be reconciled to God without both the covering of sin through Christ’s sacrifice and the…
Finding Encouragement in the Day of Atonement Fasting
When I asked my kids recently what their favorite Holy Day was, the answers came quickly. One mentioned the Days of Unleavened Bread. Another said the Feast of Tabernacles. Then one child chimed in with a laugh: “Dad, Day of Atonement is my least favorite Holy Day.” I had to smile, because I could relate. For many of us, fasting on the Day of Atonement…
The Feast of Trumpets: A Day of Sobering Warning and Lasting Hope
Growing up, I remember listening to messages on the Feast of Trumpets that stirred a mixture of emotions. Some sermons emphasized the world-shaking events that must happen before Jesus Christ’s return – the wars, upheavals, and judgments pictured in prophecy. Those messages often left me with a sober sense of trepidation, knowing what humanity would have to face – including some of God’s people who…
The Day God Made for Us: Rediscovering the Sabbath
Before sin, before Sinai, before Israel itself – there was a day set apart by the Creator. A day not born of human tradition, but woven into time at the dawn of creation. A gift – blessed, sanctified, and still speaking to those willing to hear. The Sabbath at Creation “In the beginning” does not only describe the heavens and earth – it also frames…
The Sabbath Beyond the Shadows: Did Jesus Fulfill or Abolish It?
For centuries, Christians have debated the role of the Sabbath in the life of the believer. Is it merely a relic of the old covenant – something nailed to the cross along with the sacrificial system? Or was it a ceremonial shadow, pointing to Christ and now rendered obsolete by His coming? Or, could it still carry profound meaning for those who follow the Savior…
Counting to Pentecost: The Firstfruits of God’s Plan
Pentecost holds a unique place among God’s appointed festivals. Unlike other holy days with fixed calendar dates, Pentecost must be counted – beginning from the day of the Wave Sheaf offering during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And while most biblical feasts are known by Hebrew names, this day is widely remembered by its Greek name: Pentecost, meaning “the fiftieth day” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions). This…
Why We Observe the Passover at the Beginning of the 14th Day
The timing of Passover observance has been debated for millennia. Today, many Jews and Christians who keep the Passover do so at the end of the 14th day of the first month, as the 15th begins. This timing is often based on a particular interpretation of the term “twilight” in Exodus 12:6, which some understand to mean the period between late afternoon and sunset –…
Why Passover Still Matters: Rehearsing God’s Plan for Humanity
For most Christians today, the term “Passover” feels like it belongs to another religion altogether – something Jewish, ancient, and unnecessary for those under grace. Easter is widely accepted as the Christian commemoration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, while the Passover is seen as a shadow long gone, fulfilled and discarded. Yet Jesus Himself said something striking just hours before His crucifixion: “With fervent desire…