Should we celebrate the Feasts?
Should we celebrate and/or observe the Festivals (Feasts/Appointed Times/Moedim) outside the Land of Israel? Can we "truly" observe the Festivals inside Israel without having an altar, Tabernacle/Third Temple, and/or functioning priesthood in Jerusalem?
Observing the Festivals in the sense of “fulfilling the commandment” is impossible "currently" because the fullness of the commandment requires us to perform them in the place יהוה has put His Name (that is: in the city of His altar, Jerusalem). Hence, there must be an altar in Jerusalem and there must be a functioning Aaronic priesthood to perform the prescribed offerings on THAT altar. We can feverishly debate this emotionally charged issue, but the realities on the ground are not going to change until יהוה brings about the change.
This perspective is largely obtained from the verses which follow. Bold and red bold used for emphasis. Text in [brackets] is mine.
Hosea 2:11: I will also cause all her mirth to cease, Her feast days, Her New Moons, Her Sabbaths—All her Appointed Feasts.
יהוה caused the Festivals to be stopped, but how did He cause them to be stopped? By removing Israel and Judah from the Land of Israel and allowing the Babylonians and later, the Romans, to destroy the First and Second Temples. Thus, how and when will יהוה cause the Festivals to be restored? We can reasonably answer this question by reversing the cause of the previous cessations. When He restores Israel and Judah back to the Land of Israel and allows the Tabernacle or Temple system to be restored, then the Festivals will be restored also. We know this restoration will happen because the Anti-Messiah stops the altar sacrifices in the middle of Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:27).
Psalm 137:1-6:
(1) By the rivers of Babel, there we sat down and we wept As we remembered Tsiyon [Zion].
(2) We hung our lyres upon the willows in the midst of it.
(3) For there our captors asked us for the words of a song, And our plunderers for rejoicing, saying, “Sing to us a song of Tsiyon!”
(4) How could we sing the song of יהוה in a foreign land?
(5) If I forget you, O Yerushalayim [Jerusalem], Let my right hand forget.
(6) Let my tongue cleave to my palate, If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Yerushalayim Above my chief joy.
Deuteronomy 12:5-9:Text in bold emphasizes explicit or implicit conditions for observing the Festivals "IN THE LAND".
(5) but seek the place which יהוה your Elohim chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His Name there, for His Dwelling Place, and there you shall enter."
(6) "And there you shall take your burnt offerings, and your offerings, and your tithes, and the contributions of your hand, and your vowed offerings, and your voluntary offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock."
(7) "And there you shall eat before יהוה your Elohim, and shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, in which יהוה your Elohim has blessed you."
(8) "Do not do as we are doing here today – each one doing whatever is right in his own eyes."
(9) "Because you have not yet entered the rest and the inheritance which יהוה your Elohim is giving you"
Leviticus 23:1-44:
(1) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh [Moses], saying,
(2) “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘The appointed times of יהוה, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these:
(3) ‘Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to יהוה in all your dwellings.
(4) ‘These are the appointed times of יהוה, set-apart gatherings which you are to proclaim at their appointed times.
(5) ‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to YHVH.
(6) ‘And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread to יהוה – seven days you eat unleavened bread.
(7) ‘On the first day you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.
(8) ‘And you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה for seven days. On the seventh day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.’ ”
(9) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
(10) “Speak to the children of Israel, and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest.
(11) ‘And he shall wave the sheaf before יהוה, for your acceptance. On the morrow after the Sabbath the priest waves it.
(12) ‘And on that day when you wave the sheaf, you shall prepare a male lamb a year old, a perfect one, as a burnt offering to YHVH,
(13) and its grain offering: two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to יהוה, a sweet fragrance, and its drink offering: one-fourth of a hin of wine.
(14) ‘And you do not eat bread or roasted grain or fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Elohim – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings [context: all your dwellings IN THE LAND].
(15) ‘And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths.
(16) ‘Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to YHVH.
(17) ‘Bring from your dwellings for a wave offering two loaves of bread, of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour they are, baked with leaven, first-fruits to YHVH.
(18) ‘And besides the bread, you shall bring seven lambs a year old, perfect ones, and one young bull and two rams. They are a burnt offering to יהוה, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet fragrance to YHVH.
(19) ‘And you shall offer one male goat as a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old, as a peace offering.
(20) ‘And the priest shall wave them, besides the bread of the first-fruits, as a wave offering before יהוה, besides the two lambs. They are set-apart to יהוה for the priest.
(21) ‘And on this same day you shall proclaim a set-apart gathering for yourselves, you do no servile work on it – a law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations [context: all your dwellings IN THE LAND].
(22) ‘And when you reap the harvest of your land do not completely reap the corners of your field when you reap, and do not gather any gleaning from your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the stranger. I am יהוה your Elohim.’ ”
(23) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
(24) “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you have a rest, a remembrance of blowing of trumpets, a set-apart gathering.
(25) ‘You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to YHVH.’ ”
(26) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
(27) “On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a set-apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to YHVH.
(28) “And you do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before יהוה your Elohim.
(29) “For any being who is not afflicted on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people.
(30) “And any being who does any work on that same day, that being I shall destroy from the midst of his people.
(31) “You do no work – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
(32) ‘It is a Sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your beings. On the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you observe your Sabbath.”
(33) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
(34) “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Booths for seven days to YHVH.
(35) ‘On the first day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.
(36) ‘For seven days you bring an offering made by fire to YHVH. On the eighth day there shall be a set-apart gathering for you, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to YHVH. It is a closing festival, you do no servile work.
(37) ‘These are the appointed times of יהוה which you proclaim as set-apart gatherings, to bring an offering made by fire to יהוה, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a slaughtering and drink offerings, as commanded for every day –
(38) besides the Sabbaths of יהוה, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your voluntary offerings which you give to YHVH.
(39) ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the fruit of the land, observe the festival of יהוה for seven days. On the first day is a rest, and on the eighth day a rest.
(40) ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of good trees, branches of palm trees, twigs of leafy trees, and willows of the stream, and shall rejoice before יהוה your Elohim for seven days.
(41) ‘And you shall observe it as a festival to יהוה for seven days in the year – a law forever in your generations. Observe it in the seventh month.
(42) ‘Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native Israelites dwell in booths,
(43) so that your generations know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.’ ”
(44) Thus did Mosheh speak of the appointed times of יהוה to the children of Israel.
Most who disagree with this perspective quote and emphasize verses 21 and 31 above where it is written: "a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings" where both verses are referring to the observance of the Festivals. This would seem like a compelling rebuttal (somehow in spite of references like verse 10) until one realizes the exact same thing is said in verse 14 where offerings brought to the Priests are also said to be "a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings". So, were we suppose to make those offerings regardless if we lived in the Land of Israel or Moscow or Berlin or New York City? Of course we weren't and aren't suppose to erect altars and bring offerings to places in far off countries, but we could and should and will bring our offerings to Jerusalem from far off lands in order to observe the Festivals, we simply do not have an altar to bring them to yet and we simply are not suppose to observe the Festivals in other Lands (e.g. verse 10). It does not matter how emotionally attached one becomes to tradition which go against the design of יהוה, the tradition may actually break the design. The context of Leviticus 23 explicitly and implicitly show the Festivals were intended to be observed IN the Land of Promise. Offerings at the Temple have certainly not continued perpetually in spite of verse 14's indication that they should continue forever, thus why should we extract a different perspective from verses 21 and 31? The Festivals have not continued perpetually and why have they not? Because יהוה said He was going to stop them and He did so (Hosea 2:11), as punishment for our ancestors breaking their part in the covenant which they promised to keep. יהוה didn't break His part, but was incredibly long-suffering.
Exodus 12:24-25See Table of Festival Requirements.
(24)"And you shall guard this word as a law for you and your sons, forever."
(25)"And it shall be, when you come to the land which יהוה gives you, as He promised, that you shall guard this service." [Context: Pesach/Passover]
Deuteronomy 16:2 "And you shall slaughter the Passover to יהוה your Elohim, from the flock and the herd, in the place where יהוה chooses to put His Name."
Deuteronomy 16:6 "but at the place where יהוה your Elohim chooses to make His Name dwell, there you slaughter the Passover in the evening, at the going down of the sun, at the appointed time you came out of Egypt."
~ In the Place where יהוה has put His Name Forever ~
King Solomon built the first Temple for the Name of יהוה.
1 Kings 9:3 And יהוה said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me. I have set this house apart which you have built to put My Name there forever, and My eyes and My heart shall always be there. See also: II Samuel 7:13, I Kings 11:36.Being in the Land, and more specifically, at the place where יהוה puts His Name, was of the utmost importance to ancient Israel whenever the offerings and sacrifices were concerned. It was of such importance, Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh were nearly destroyed for erecting an altar the other tribes thought "might" be used to compete with the Tabernacle at Shiloh (Joshua 22). Note: Prior to Jerusalem, Shiloh was the capital and the place chosen for the Great Name. It was where the Appointed Times were observed and celebrated.
Deuteronomy 16:11-12: 11 And you shall rejoice before יהוה your Elohim, you and your son and your daughter, and your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are in your midst, at the place where יהוה your Elohim chooses to make His Name dwell. 12 And you shall remember that you were a slave in Mitsrayim, and you shall guard and do these laws.
Now, right now, we, the House of Joseph, are largely not in the Land of Israel and we are in essence still slaves in proverbial Egypt (Mitsrayim/Distress). We do NOT have to “remember” or “reflect” on anything right now in regards to slavery (i.e. World Banking system). We're living in it and if the Prophets are correct, our slavery is only going to be felt more keenly as we move closer to the End. These labor pains will get worst (see Jacob's Trouble and You). Even in Israel, the rulers of Mitrayim/Babylon control the leaders and the people predominantly.
~ The Bride of יהוה, the Assembly of Israel ~
It was not until after the entire assembly of Israel was gathered together did they together agree to the marriage contract-covenant given by Moses (Exodus 19:4-9) and it wasn’t until after did יהוה and His prophet’s refer to Israel as the wife of יהוה. But while Israel was still young, she became an adulteress (Hosea 2:1-13). Otherwise known as: harlot, whore, prostitute. She wasn’t faithful to her ketubah, the Torah, the marriage contract, and she was thus cut off from יהוה, her Husband, and His Land. She was given a bill of divorce (Jeremiah 3) and she was taken captive by the Assyrian Empire.
Isaiah 54:1-8: 1 Sing, O barren one, you who did not bear! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not been in labour! For the children of the deserted one are more than the children of the married woman,” said יהוה. 2 Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not. Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you shall break forth to the right and to the left, and your seed inherit the nations, and make the deserted cities inhabited. 4 Do not fear, for you shall not be put to shame, nor hurt, you shall not be humiliated. For the shame of your youth you shall forget, and not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. 5 For your Maker is your husband, יהוה of hosts is His Name, and the Set-apart One of Israel is your Redeemer. He is called the Elohim of all the earth. 6 For יהוה has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when you were refused,” declares your Elohim. 7 For a little while I have forsaken you, but with great compassion I shall gather you. 8 In an overflow of wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I shall have compassion on you,” said יהוה, your Redeemer.
So far, the House of Joseph (10-Israel) has not been re-gathered as prophesied and we have certainly not had an Exodus 19:4-9 type experience where we have corporately agreed to follow the marriage contract. Prior to the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) coming to die for Israel, we were forbidden to remarry יהוה because of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (the specific commandment hostile toward 10-Israel). According to the Apostle Paul, that commandment has been removed (Romans 7:1-4). Now we can, as an assembly, be remarried to יהוה (Jeremiah 3; Matthew 15:24), but it hasn’t happened yet (see Revelation 19:7-10). As a bride being made ready for marriage, we are learning about the Torah and trying to observe what we can, but we are unable to perform it fully because it was DESIGNED to be kept IN the Land of Promise IN Covenant as a Constitution of the Nation. The current situation can be likened to a betrothed couple who cannot and do not enjoy the closer intimacies of a married couple. In a beautiful and wonderful sense, the Festivals were and will be the most intimate times shared by יהוה with His people (once they all become "a people" again).
As the prophet Isaiah depicts further above (ch.54), the prophet Hosea depicts the House of Joseph (10-Israel) being a “people”, then “NOT a people”, and then “a people” again (Hosea 1:9-10; 2:23). There is an apparent parallel between Israel being “married” to יהוה and also being “the people” of יהוה. We seem to have been forgotten, even forgetting our own identity, and yet in the Latter Days... we then remember and return to יהוה and His Land, becoming a "people" and "remarried".
In a similar parallel, if we look at the story of Jacob as a prophetic shadow picture, regarding his marriage to Leah (Jew-dah's mother) and then his marriage to Rachel (Joseph's mother) and then the eventual return of Jacob with all his family to the Land promised to him, we'll see something very interesting. What is the first thing Jacob does after facing Esau? He made Sukkah "booths" at Sukkoth.
Genesis 33:17: Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth, and built for himself a house and made booths for his livestock; therefore the place is named Sukkoth.
We, both houses of Jacob, will truly celebrate the Festival again, and the time may be closer than we realize (see Time of the Last Days).
~ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ~
1. What are the consequences of not observing the Festivals?
For the Israelites who lived prior to the deportations of the Assyrian Empire, the consequence was to be "cut-off from the people" (i.e. Leviticus 23:29). For modern descendants of 10-Israel, it is difficult to be cut-off again while still in a state of having been "cut-off" as "a people". Currently, there is no "people" to be cut-off from because 10-Israel ceased to "a people" according to Hosea 1:9-10. We are still exiled and not gathered back to the Land of Israel yet, minus the few who have become companions to the House of Jew-ah.
2. What are the consequences of observing the Festivals outside of Jerusalem?
The most notable consequence is the diminishment of Jerusalem and the Name of יהוה. When the Assembly of Israel gathered to Jerusalem for the Festivals in antiquity, the Name of יהוה was greatly exalted and esteemed. And conversely for example, when 10-Israel begins ritually observing Sukkot in places like Chandler, Oklahoma, there becomes a greater risk over time for names like "Monte Judah" to be exalted over the Most High's Name and the Place where He put His Name. He hasn't put His Name in Chandler nor Salt Lake City nor any city but Jerusalem.
3. יהוה knows my heart. Isn’t it okay to celebrate His Festivals without the prescribed sacrifices and offering?
Indeed, our hearts may be full of good intention, but any practice we extract meaning and purpose may be a practice which יהוה abhors, no matter our intention. For example, consider II Samuel 6, where Uzzah, with a good heart no doubt, reached out to catch the Ark of the Covenant from falling to the ground, but יהוה responded in anger and killed Uzzah. He of course weighs our hearts and intentions, but all of His commandments have purpose. He prescribed a certain way for the Ark to be moved and He prescribed a certain place for the Festivals to be observed.
4. If we don't celebrate the Feasts, then why perform any of the Torah at all?
What we can do as individuals, we can do as individuals. What we can't do, we can't do. This is profoundly simple. The Torah was the Constitution of the Nation of Israel, but it also provided guidance for individuals in situations not necesarily dependent on the nation to exist. Much of the Torah, we can't do even if we wanted to because of certain pre-conditions, such as having a Temple and priesthood and elders. Furthermore, all of the Torah isn't required of every individual. Some of it is for the Priest. Some of it is specific to a man or to just a woman. The binding status on the nations of Israel may not be applicable yet, but regardless, the Torah of Moses and its basic outline, the Ten Commandments, were life-giving to ancient Israel and to those who follow its precepts now. King David considered it to be "Light" and Israel was called to be a Light to the Nations. Just look at the legal systems of the world that were founded on the Ten Commandments. Look at the life and stability it brought to the peoples and nations which have leaned on it, even in part. And look at the world now... leaning on "progressivism" and "liberalism" (i.e. Torah-lessness) and compare the moral confusion and decay we now see all around the world (see the article Doing Torah is good for all peoples).
5. Why can't we just build our own altar and start bringing offerings?
Read Joshua 22 and you'll understand why such an action would be inadvisable. Also see the article: What is "Wickedness"? to better understand the indignation aroused in Israel during Joshua 22.
6. Did the disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) observe the Festivals with Yeshua and after He was resurrected?
Yes, and they had a Temple with an altar with a priesthood in Jerusalem until 70 AD. We have no record of Paul or the other disciples teaching their followers to observe Festivals outside the Land.
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