Should we Keep the Feast Days?
Our adversary has always endeavoured to convince Christians that the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross. But it was not the moral law that ended at the cross but the law of sacrifices and all the associated feast days. Jesus Christ ended this law when He became our one and final perfect sacrifice ending this law forever!
Satan has many ways to deceive Christians in regards to the moral law and confusion is one method. For example. Some people confuse the ceremonial sabbaths which have ended with the Lord's Sabbath which is weekly and eternal. So if we have Christians correctly teaching that these ceremonial sabbaths and feast days were part of the sacrificial law that ended at the cross, and then other Christians erroneously teaching that we must still keep these Jewish festivals and sabbaths, then Satan has even more confusion and the truth becomes much harder to discover and understand on the fourth commandment.
So in recent decades Satan has raised Churches that say we need to keep the feast days as well as the Ten Commandments! They claim the sacrifices ended but the feast days did not. This originates from a known cult movement that was led by Herbert Armstrong. When he died and the things he claimed would happen did not, his Church collapsed and several splinter groups were formed that continue to push Armstrong's heresies. There is of course no Scripture that can be produced that specifically says the sacrifices are gone but the feasts remain. There are verses quoted to attempt to convince otherwise but they carry no weight and use eisegesis. For example: Some quote Daniel 9:27 which says, "He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease," but this of course does not mean other things did not end that are not mentioned here. There is a reason the sacrifices are specifically mentioned here and it is not to imply that the feast days did not end as other scripture verifies as you will soon see.
James 1:25 and James 2:10-12 inform us that the Ten Commandments are the perfect law of liberty that we will be judged by. Liberty of course means freedom. Paul on the other hand speaks of another law that he says was bondage (Galatians 4:9-10), and in Colossians 2:14-16 he says this same law was contrary to us and against us and was nailed to the cross. Paul informs us that this law had days, months and years, that is, feast days, (holydays) monthly new moon festivals and yearly sabbaths such as Passover sabbath and Day of Atonement sabbath to name just two. This second law that has these particular yearly sabbaths and feast days are for the purpose of sacrifices as their names imply.
So here we have two laws. One being the Ten Commandments that bring freedom, and the sacrificial law that was bondage and against us and contrary to us and of course what was nailed to the cross. This second law is also called the ordinances in Colossians 2:14 and in other verses and is sometimes referred to as the ceremonial law. The video left explains the different laws and what was nailed to the cross.
Note that the NIV and Bibles whose names start with the word "New" are misleading on key verses relating to the feasts and so are often quoted to support the arguments for feast keeping. These translations come from the Greek text produced by Wescott and Hort who used the Codex Sinaiticus which has more edits than any other manuscript in Biblical history (14800 edits), and the Codex Vaticanus which comes from the Vatican and is claimed to be older than what was used by the reformers. However, it is said that most of it has been overwritten by a fifteenth century scribe, and we know what that means when it comes from the Papacy! These modern Bibles contain a more accurate translation in some places, but are corrupted in many other areas from thousands of edits. The KJV Bible is not without changes either but is far superior. There is a tremendous amount of history to be told here and most has been buried by the Vatican that along with the Jesuits have set out to corrupt the Bible. Those who know the real history will tell you that the Textus Receptus (received text) is the best source that was used for the KJV Bible.
And when it comes to the Old Testament, most Bibles have used what is known as the Hebrew Masoretic text, which was not completed until 1000 years after the cross and is not the same as the original Hebrew texts which no longer exist. The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Old Testament and the fundamental rule of textual criticism is usually the older the text the better. The Septuagint outdates the Masoretic text by about 700 years and was universally accepted by the early Christians for the first 400 years and was quoted from by Christ and His Apostles. There is continual debate as to which is more accurate. I have quoted from the Septuagint a couple of times.
Below are eight ways we are told that these Jewish festivals and ceremonies ended with Christ. Note that square parentheses are added. You can also see the following page If you are a Seventh day Adventist and would like to know what Ellen White said about keeping feast days.
1) The Ordinances were Old Covenant Only and Ended at the Cross
Starting with Luke 1:6 we find that before the cross there were both the Ten Commandments and the ordinances. Thus the Old Covenant also had the ordinances with the various feast days that were part of the sanctuary service.
Luke 1:6 "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
Hebrews 9:1 says the first Covenant "had also" meaning in addition to something else that the New Covenant no longer has and Luke 1:6 reveals what. That is, the Old Covenant had also the ordinances as well as the Ten Commandments but the ordinances in the New Covenant are abolished. So here is one way we are told the ordinances containing the feast days, or holydays if you prefer, are gone with the New Covenant.
Hebrews 9:1-2 "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary."
2) Colossians 2:16 states the Feast days Ended at the Cross
Those teaching we need to keep the feasts claim only the sacrifices ended and the feasts days remain. But what does the Bible say was in these ordinances that ended?
The KJV Bible is needed here as modern translations are misleading and even incorrect on some points such as food and drink. See Colossians 2:16 for more. Modern translations also do not correctly translate the Greek word "dogma" to "ordinances" which is the correct translation. So beware of these problems and misleading paraphrased translations being used to convince others of wrong doctrine.
So did the sacrifices end but not the feasts? Paul states ever so clearly in Colossians 2:16 that the feasts were in the ordinances that ended but he does not even mention the sacrifices. This is because Scripture states the feasts were for the purpose of sacrifices. If there are no sacrifices, then there is no need for the feasts.
Leviticus 23:37 KJV "These are the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat [grain] offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:"
And for clarity, here is the NIV. What were the feasts for? Notice the meat [grain] and drink offerings as mentioned in Colossians 2:16 but Paul has not mentioned the burnt offerings which are the sacrifices. He does not have to. Paul says the feast days ended at the cross and hence so to have the sacrifices.
Leviticus 23:37 NIV "These are the LORD's appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the LORD by fire-- the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day."
This would have been obvious to the Colossians and why Paul did not need to mention them as there is no separating the feasts from the sacrifices. We find the perfect parallel in Ezekiel 45:17 for confirmation and you will note that the sacrificial burnt offering was to be made in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the yearly sabbaths. Note that feast is synonymous with holyday or a festival. Strong's definition for the Greek word heorte that is translated holyday in the KJV for Colossians 2:16 is, "Of uncertain affinity; a festival: - feast, holyday." So it does not get any clearer than this. Paul specifically says the feast days were nailed to the cross and are against us and contrary to us, and hence we are under no obligation whatsoever to keep them.
Colossians 2:14-16 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; ... 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday [feast - festival], or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"
Compare with Ezekiel 45:17. Notice that these ordinances were practiced to make reconciliation for sin and why they ended at the cross. They are separate to, and are not, and never can be the Ten Commandments. It is this law of ordinances that was practiced to make reconciliation for sin such as when the Ten Commandments were broken.
Ezekiel 45:17 "And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts [holyday - festival], and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel."
Because these words from Paul are so unmistakable, there are many methods used to try and explain this passage away by either those avoiding the Lord's Sabbath, or those who keep these Jewish holydays. There are basically two main ways this is done. One is by claiming that no law was nailed to the cross, and the other by claiming that what is in verse 16 is not against us or is something else altogether. For example: It is claimed that Colossians 2:14 cannot refer to the Book of the Law as being against us and contrary to us because in Deuteronomy 31:26 it says it was just a witness against them. This can and has also been translated as a testimony against them, and in law and religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter. And Paul states again in verse 14 that this law is still against us as it is the same law. But now Paul states this law ended with Christ at the cross.
The New American Standard Bible used the phrase "certificate of debt" in Colossians 2:14, which is their paraphrased interpretation. So some claim that verse 14 just refers to a certificate of debt that was nailed to the cross and not a law as they also state the word "law" is not in this passage and so cannot be referring to the ceremonial law (Mosaic Law). The idea of a certificate of debt is taken from the Greek word "cheirographon" that is accurately translated handwriting in verse 14 by the KJV Bible and at least 30 other Bibles. Strong's dictionary says: "something hand written ("chirograph"), that is, a manuscript (specifically a legal document or bond (figuratively)): - handwriting." Hence the use of the phrase certificate of debt is man's own thoughts and is not true to the Greek text and cannot legitimately be translated as such. Some respond by quoting the New Testament Greek Lexicon for the NAS Bible saying it uses this phrase, but it is only stating that the New American Standard used this phrase once, and interestingly enough, the NAS definition still accurately states "a handwriting, what one has written by his own hand." And as for no reference to a law. Also incorrect. The very next Greek word that is accurately translated "ordinances" by the KJV Bible and at least 27 others is "dogma." Strong's dictionary says: "a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical): - decree, ordinance." Thayer dictionary says: "1) doctrine, decree, ordinance. 2) the rules and requirements of the law of Moses." Ephesians 2:15 uses the exact same Greek word which is also translated as ordinances in the KJV and the NKJV and at least 40 other Bibles which all pretty much say, "having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances." There is no escaping that this Greek word says the ordinances of the Mosaic Law were nailed to the cross. And no matter what you try and call it in verse 14, there is no avoiding that it states that what is in verse 16 is what did end at the cross, and Paul says this unmistakably includes the feast days. This is one example of trying to hide the truth using modern translations that are corrupt and paraphrased.
Another argument is based on Isaiah 66:22-23 which in the KJV says, "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, ... from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me," So it is argued that since the new moon was also used for the timing of the feasts, then this verse must mean we will be keeping the feasts in the New Earth, and therefore we must be keeping them now. Firstly, this argument is eisegesis which means one's own interpretation and agenda is imposed upon the text. Secondly, this contradicts Paul teaching these feasts ended at the cross. And thirdly, Revelation 21 reveals there is in no need for a moon in the new Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:1-2, 23, 25 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband 23 The city had no need of the sun nor of the moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 25 And its gates shall by no means be closed by day, for night shall not exist there."
So how can Isaiah 66:23 mean from one new moon to another? Because it was wrongly translated and is not new moon but month which is in harmony with Revelation 22 that refers to the same time period being in the new heaven and earth as per Isaiah 66:22. The primary meaning for the word "new moon" (chôdesh) in the Hebrew text is actually "month" and hence is translated as such in the Old Testament 256 times, while it is translated as "new moon" only 40 times. And comparing the Old and New Testaments in Greek proves that the primary meaning for the Hebrew word "chôdesh" being "month" is what should have been used in Isaiah 66:23.
The Greek Old Testament the SEPTUAGINT that Christ quoted from was translated by 70-72 Jewish scholars around 300-200 BC and hence came from the most ancient and reliable manuscripts available. So from the Septuagint we also find that the correct translation for Isaiah 66:23 is "month" and not "new moon" since it uses the Greek word "mēn," which Strong's dictionary states only means "month." Hence the same Greek word is also used in Revelation 22:2 for "month," which is obviously correct. So according to the Septuagint, the correct translation is from month to month.
Isaiah 66:23 Septuagint "And it shall come to pass from month to month, [mēn] and from Sabbath to Sabbath, that all flesh shall come to worship before Me in Jerusalem, says the Lord."
Revelation 22:2 KJV "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: [mēn] and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
Note the same monthly cycle as per Isaiah and hence the same Greek word also which means month. The correct Greek word for "new moon" is "noumēnia." And in Isaiah 1:13-14 below we see new moons referenced with the feasts, and hence "noumēnia" is the word used there in the Septuagint. The only place the Greek word "noumēnia" is found in our Greek New Testament is in Colossians 2:16 where it is also referenced with the feasts.
Isaiah 1:13-14 Septuagint "Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons [noumēnia] and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons [noumēnia] and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them."
Colossians 2:16 KJV "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday [feast], or of the new moon [noumēnia], or of the sabbath days:"
Thus there can be no doubt that Isaiah 66:23 should have been translated as MONTH TO MONTH in perfect harmony with Revelation 22 that refers to the same time period being in the new heaven and earth as per Isaiah 66:22.
Some also claim that the words meat and drink in Colossians 2:16 cannot refer to meat and drink offerings in the sacrificial law, because they claim the Greek words brosis and posis are unlikely to refer to sacrifices. And yet the following passage is unmistakably about sacrifices, and verse 10 uses words with the same meaning as those in Colossians 2:16 being broma and poma. Same meaning, just one is a doing word and one is not.
Hebrews 9:7-12 "But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
The Septuagint for Daniel 9:27 that speaks of the death of Christ says, "And in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink offering shall be taken away." Below are two Bible Commentaries for further confirmation that acknowledge that meats and drinks in Hebrews 9:10 and Colossians 2:16 are meat and drink offerings. Note that these meat and drink offerings have met their fulfillment in Christ as they were part of the sacrificial offerings. This is more evidence that has to be explained away that Paul is saying let no one judge you for "not keeping" what is described in verse 16 that was nailed to the cross such as the feasts.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
"Hebrews 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks,.... That is, along with the gifts and sacrifices offered, there only were meat offerings and drink offerings; things which only respect the body, and cannot therefore make perfect, as to the conscience;"F. D. Nichol Commentary
"Hebrews 9:10 - Meats and drinks. Rather, "foods and drinks." "Meats" is an Old English word meaning foods in general. Here is a reference to the various meat or cereal and drink offerings of the Jewish ceremonial law (Ex. 29:40, 41; Lev. 2:1-15; 23:13, 18, 37; Num. 6:15; etc.)"
"Colossians 2:16 - In meat, or in drink. Or, "in eating or in drinking." These words doubtless refer to the meat and drink offerings presented by the Israelites in compliance with the sacrificial system, which was codified in the ceremonial law. Some have erroneously concluded that Paul's statement implies the abolition of the prohibition against the eating of foods declared as unclean (see Lev. 11). That this cannot be the apostle's meaning is clear from the following observations:
(1) The meat and drink are declared to be a shadow of Christ (Col. 2:17); that is, they point forward to Christ's sacrifice and ministry. The ceremonial meat and drink offerings clearly belong in this category, but the prohibition against unclean foods does not.
(2) The prohibition not to eat certain meats antedates the ceremonial law. Hence, certain animals are to be viewed as unclean for reasons other than ceremonial. ... The apostle is not giving permission to the Colossian Christians to eat and drink what they want, disregarding all criticism. What he is saying is that Christians are no longer obliged to carry out the requirements of the ceremonial law. These meat and drink offerings have met their fulfillment in Christ."
Another approach is to say that "sabbath days" in verse 16 are not the ceremonial sabbaths but the Lord's Sabbath, which they know is important and why they also have to convince others that what is in verse 16 is not against us or nailed to the cross. Otherwise they are shooting themselves in the foot. So it is claimed that all feast days are ceremonial sabbaths and that Paul would not be saying "sabbath days, new moons and sabbath days," so the last one must refer to the weekly Sabbath of the Lord. Firstly, this overlooks that there are in fact six feast days that are not ceremonial sabbaths so the argument is invalid. Also, the same pattern of feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, is found in Ezekiel 45:17 that speaks of what was done to make reconciliation for sin. The Lord's Sabbath was established before sin and was never practiced because of sin and hence is not and can never be an ordinance, which also has to be explained away going down this path. So feasts, new moons and sabbaths is valid as written by Paul and he also confirms this pattern of day, month, year in Galatians 4:10. That is, feast days, monthly new moons and yearly ceremonial sabbaths in various seasons.
Another argument is to say that "sabbath days" in Colossians 2:16 should just say "sabbath" because the word "day" is added. It is also claimed that the Greek word Sabbaton for sabbath here is the weekly Sabbath because every other reference to this Greek word in the New Testament refers to the Lord's Sabbath. Thus it is claimed with either of these two reasons that the word sabbath here must refer to the Lord's Sabbath. So feast keepers say that since the Lord's Sabbath is still to be kept, then the other things in this verse such as holydays must also be kept. Firstly, context defines the meaning of the word sabbaths in Colossians 2:16, not how many times a word is translated as something. And the Greek word Sabbaton (G4521) translated sabbath just means a rest day, which the ceremonial sabbaths and the Lord's Sabbath both are and so they use the same Greek word. The Septuagint which is the Greek Old Testament also proves this as the same Greek word Sabbaton (G4521) is used for every reference to the various ceremonial sabbaths in Leviticus 23 for example. The same applies to the Hebrew Old Testament where the word for the Lord's Sabbath in Exodus 20 is shabbâth (H7676) which is the same word used for all the ceremonial sabbaths in Leviticus 23. What a shocking argument that is so easily proven a lie. Secondly, the word sabbath in Colossians 2:16 is plural in the Greek (N-GPN), meaning the word is a noun and is Genitive, Plural and Neuter. So it should be translated as either "Sabbaths" or "Sabbath days," which has the same meaning. Except for three modern Bible translations, all translate Sabbaton to "Sabbaths" or "Sabbath days" which is correct. And of course Colossians 2:14 states that what is in verse 16 are the ordinances, which the Lord's Sabbath is not. You can see how these foolish arguments help our adversary keep others from the truth on the fourth Commandment and absolutely no consideration is given for the consequences.
(ACV) "new moon or Sabbaths," (ALT) "new moon [festival] or of Sabbaths," (BBE) "new moons or Sabbaths:" (Bishops) "moone, or of the Sabboth [dayes]:" (CAB) "new moon or of sabbaths," (Darby) "new moon, or sabbaths," (DRB) "new moon or of the sabbaths," (EMTV) "new moon or of sabbaths," (GB) "moone, or of the Sabbath dayes," (Geneva) "moone, or of the Sabbath dayes," (IAV NC) "New Moon, or of the Sabbath Days:" |
(KJ2000) "moon, or of the sabbath days:" (KJV) "new moon, or of the sabbath days:" (KJV21) "new moon or the Sabbath days," (LITV) "new moon, or of sabbaths," (LONT) "new moon, or of sabbaths;" (MKJV) "new moon, or of the sabbaths." (Murdock) "new moons, and sabbaths;" (NET) "new moon, or Sabbath days -" (NIRV) "New Moons and Sabbath days." (NKJV) "new moon or sabbaths," (NLT) "new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths." |
(NRSV) "new moons, or sabbaths." (RYLT-NT) "new moon, or of sabbaths," (TMB) "new moon or the Sabbath days," (TS98) "new moon or Sabbaths -" (Tyndale) "mone or of the sabboth dayes." (VW-Edition) "new moon or sabbaths," (Webster) "new-moon, or of the sabbaths:" (WCNT) "new moon, or of sabbaths," (WmsNT) "monthly feasts or sabbaths." (WORNT) "new-moon, or sabbaths;" (YLT) "new moon, or of sabbaths," |
This leaves only three modern translations where plural is still implied by stating "a" Sabbath, rather than "the" Sabbath, meaning one of many in this case but still poorly translated as many modern ones often are.
(NASB) "new moon or a Sabbath day" | (NIV) "New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." | (RSVA) "new moon or a sabbath." |
To fully comprehend the purpose of the ordinances of the sacrificial law, one must understand the principle of type and antitype. The sequence of days observed for the feasts shown in scripture is the "type," which is referred to as shadows in Colossians 2:17. This sequence of days is symbolic of what was to come in the future for its fulfilment, which is the "antitype." The type and literal antitype will therefore match precisely. For example: Passover is a shadow or type of the sacrifice of Christ who was the antitype, the Lamb of God, our Passover Lamb who died on the cross for our sins. "...For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:" 1 Corinthians 5:7.
The phrase "which are a shadow" in verse 17 is the key to understanding Colossians 2:16. All the items the apostle lists in verse 16 are "shadows," or types, symbolizing the reality that is Christ. A shadow has no substance and is cast by something substantial. These Jewish ceremonies were shadows cast by heavenly realities, and the life of Christ, His ministry and kingdom are the reality.
While there is a literal antitype and fulfilment for all types, Christ is also the antitype and fulfilment for all of them and why Paul said they all ended at the cross. This is what Paul further confirms in verse 17 when he says "the body is of Christ," which is in contrast with the shadow. That is, the body or sum and substance of these shadows is Christ. He gave rise to them, and existed before them as the body is before the shadow. So Christ as such cast these shadows and He is the end of them, the fulfilling of them and they all have their accomplishment in Him. Feast days were only given to be a representation of events in the ministry of Christ. Now we have moved from the age of symbols and types, we deal with the reality, not the symbol. In Colossians 2, Paul completely removes the ground from beneath the feet of these Judaizing false teachers. They advocated a return to Judaic ceremonial requirements and the apostle Paul meets their arguments by asserting that the shadows have served their function now that Christ the reality has come.
Colossians 2:17 "Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
So in verse 14 Paul says that the ordinances that include everything described in verse 16 are against us and were nailed to the cross, and in verse 17 Paul further clarifies by stating that these feast days in verse 16 were shadows that passed away at the cross. That is, the body or sum and substance of these shadows is Christ. How is this explained away? The proponents have to first explain away verse 14 and 16 in ways previously described, and then they claim that since verse 17 in the KJV says, "which are a shadow of things to come," then this must refer to after the cross.
Firstly, translating Greek to English is not an exact science and you cannot hinge an argument on one word such as "are" so you must always use context. Secondly, the Greek word for "are" (esti) means "third person singular" and hence is not necessarily the word "are." This is why some translations such as two examples below use the word "were" instead of "are." Thirdly, this argument contradicts Paul saying the feast days are nailed to the cross. Fourthly, Paul is speaking past tense as in these feasts that were kept in the past pointed forward to when Christ died on the cross. And last, most translations accurately say something like "what was to come," and since most feasts have met their literal fulfilment, then "what was to come" that gave the shadow would be gone now anyway making this argument irrelevant. How could Passover be a shadow of things to come when the type that caused the shadow has already passed away at the cross? You cannot have it both ways. You either ignore both parts (a) and (b) of verse 17 or accept that Christ was the substance that caused all these shadows.
And so it is also sometimes stated that two feasts are yet to meet their literal fulfilment, but as previously explained, Christ is the body or sum and substance of all these shadows and why Paul said that every one of them passed away at the cross. This particular statement also fails to explain keeping the feasts that have met their literal fulfilment. Below are some Bibles that verify the translation issues.
(NASB) things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
(NCV) These things were like a shadow of what was to come. But what is true and real has come and is found in Christ.
(NIRV) They are only a shadow of the things that were going to come. But what is real is found in Christ.
(NIV) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
(NLT) For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself.
(RSV) These are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
(WNT) These were a shadow of things that were soon to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Below are some commentaries from expert theologians on Colossians 2:17.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"Colossians 2:17 - Which are a shadow - All these things were types, and must continue in force till the Christ, whom they represented, came; the apostle therefore says that the body - the substance or design of them was of Christ - pointed him out, and the excellent blessings which he has procured. The word σκια, shadow, is often used to express anything imperfect or unsubstantial; while the term σωμα, body, was used in the opposite sense, and expressed any thing substantial, solid, and firm. The law was but the shadow or representation of good things to come; none should rest in it; all that it pointed out is to be sought and obtained in Christ."
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1798-1870)
"Colossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come - See the notes at Heb_8:5; Heb_10:1, note. They were only a dim outline of future things, not the reality.
But the body is of Christ - The reality, the substance. All that they signified is of or in Christ. Between those things themselves which are in Christ, and those which only represented or prefigured them, there is as much difference as there is between a body and a shadow; a solid substance and a mere outline. Having now, therefore, the thing itself the shadow can be to us of no value; and that having come which was prefigured, that which was designed merely to represent it, is no longer binding."
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
"Colossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come,.... The "holy days", or "feasts" of the Jews, the feasts of tabernacles, of the passover and Pentecost, were types of Christ; the feast of tabernacles, though it was in remembrance of the Israelites dwelling in tents and booths when they came out of Egypt, yet was also a representation of the people of God dwelling in the earthly houses of their tabernacles here on earth; and particularly of Christ's dwelling, or tabernacling in human nature, and who likewise was born at the time of this feast; See Gill on John 1:14. The passover, as it was a commemoration of the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt, and of God's passing over their houses when he smote the firstborn of the Egyptians, so it was a type of Christ our passover sacrificed for us, and was kept by Moses in the faith of him, Heb_11:28; there is a very great resemblance, in many particulars, between Christ and the paschal lamb; See Gill on 1Co_5:7. The feast of Pentecost, or the feast of harvest and firstfruits, was a shadow of the firstfruits of the Spirit, which Christ having received, gave to his disciples on that day; and of the harvest of souls to be gathered under the Gospel dispensation, of which the conversion of the three thousand on the day of Pentecost was an earnest and pledge.
but the body is of Christ: or, as the Syriac version reads it, "the body is Christ"; that is, the body, or sum and substance of these shadows, is Christ; he gave rise unto them, he existed before them, as the body is before the shadow; not only as God, as the Son of God, but as Mediator, whom these shadows regarded as such, and as such he cast them; and he is the end of them, the fulfilling end of them; they have all their accomplishment in him: and he is the body of spiritual and heavenly things; the substantial things and doctrines of the Gospel are all of Christ, they all come by him; all the truths, blessings, and promises of grace; are from him and by him, and he himself the sum of them all."
The People's New Testament (1891) by B. W. Johnson
"Which are a shadow of things to come. The body, or substance, which casts the shadow is Christ. We are to pay no attention to the shadows since Christ has come, but to observe what we find in him and the gospel."
While those who say we need to keep the feasts claim there is a blessing in doing so, as stated above, there really is nothing there of any value to our Lord and Saviour or us. Some say, how can it be bondage or against us to keep these festivals without the sacrifices? And that is the whole point. The bondage is the sacrificial part of these festivals, and while it is claimed that only the sacrifices have ended, Galatians 3:10 and the mere fact that Paul says they are still bondage and against us proves that the sacrifices were never separated from the feast days. But some will say, we have seen wonderful blessings and things happen on these days. And yet those in the Pentecostal Church claim the same thing with false tongues and been slayed in the spirit, which is not Biblical or from God and there is no convincing them otherwise. People will so often see what they want to see and especially while pursuing the desires and lusts of their hearts in chasing after blessings. I have known many sincere Christians that have been led into error on the account of feelings and emotions. It is one of Satan's favourite tactics as he knows the human heart and how to use it to his advantage.
Those who become feast keepers are usually those with a desire for blessings or those who are extremely overzealous for obedience to our Lord. The result is their mind slowly explaining away every scripture that shows they are in error. At first they say that it is not a salvation issue but over time that also changes. When they have gone that far they are in extreme danger as they will have become death to the Holy Spirit warning them of their error! And once that happens, for most there is no turning back. The Christians who escape are typically the ones who were led there in ignorance but eventually study their way back out.
For those in religious circles who are looking for ecstasy of feeling, emotions release, uninhibited expression, or feelings of being in the spirit, Satan will have something to please so everyone possible will be swept into his net. The common desire shared in the drug world and the natural human heart is for feelings of power rather than purity, emotion rather than duty, ecstasy rather than obedience, feelings rather than faith, spiritual enlightenment rather than the discipline of earnest study of God's Word. Satan is the great deceiver and Christ said if possible, the very elect shall be deceived.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
Every conceivable way imaginable is used to try and explain away the Colossians 2:16 passage. And as crazy as it sounds, even to the point of saying that when Paul says "Let no man" judge you, that he only means people outside of the Church. However, "let no man" means just what it says. In the Church, outside the Church makes no difference to what Paul is saying anyway. He says these ordinances are abolished and so that applies to everyone.
Some feast keepers have been so desperate to convince others of their belief that they claim that Paul is saying in verse 16 to not let anyone judge you for still keeping the feast days. But note the Greek word "dogma" Paul used in verse 14 means ordinances, and what is listed in verse 16 are these ordinances that verse 14 says were nailed to the cross. Hence verse 14 is definitely saying that what is in verse 16 are these ordinances that are against us and contrary to us and are nailed to the cross, and in verse 17 Paul says they were shadows and that Christ is the body or sum and substance of them all. To put it another way. When Paul says "therefore" in verse 16, he is saying, "based on what has just been said, we must come to this conclusion." In other words, Paul was saying, "Based upon the fact that the handwriting of these ordinances written in the Book of the Law are wiped out, and were against us and are nailed to the cross, "therefore" let no man judge for not keeping them." So verse 16 is the conclusion of the matter in verse 14. I cannot figure out why Christians would think Paul was saying to not let anyone judge you for still keeping these festivals. When Paul says they are against you and contrary to you and nailed to the cross and were shadows, he quite obviously means do not keep them!
The error Paul was correcting could never have been someone telling the Colossians that they no longer had to keep the ordinances. That would have only ever been said if it was actually true which it was and what Paul had already previously told them. The error Paul was correcting could only have been that Judaizing teachers were turning them back to an obsolete system that the Jews had been keeping for centuries and still were because most did not recognize their Messiah. And so Paul was telling them to not let anyone judge them for no longer keeping them as this is what happened. Note what Adam Clarke commented on Colossians chapter 2.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"Colossians 2 - The apostle shows his great concern for the Church at Colosse and at Laodicea; and exhorts them to steadfastness in the faith, and to beware of being seduced by specious and enticing words, Col_2:1-5. And to walk in Christ, as they had been taught, and to abound in faith and holiness, Col_2:6, Col_2:7. To beware of false teachers, who strove to pervert the Gospel, and to lead their minds from him in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells; with whom they were filled; by whom they had received spiritual circumcision; and into whom they were baptized and were quickened, and raised from a death of sin to a life of righteousness, Col_2:8-12. He points out their former state, and the great things which Christ had done for them, Col_2:13-15. Warns them against particular tenets of the Judaizing teachers relative to meats, drinks, holydays, festivals, and the specious pretences of deceivers, Col_2:16-19. And shows that all the things taught by these, though they had a show of wisdom, yet perished in the using, and were the commandments and doctrines of men, Col_2:20-23."
And if we move on to verse 20, we find Paul has more to say about these ordinances using the same Greek word used in Colossians 2:14. So here is further clarification from Paul that we are not subject to these ordinances that he said includes the feast holydays and everything else he informed us of in verse 16.
Colossians 2:20 "Wherefore if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments [stoicheion] of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,"
3) The Feast days, New moons and Yearly Sabbaths were Bondage
And of course these ordinances that Paul said in Colossians 2:14 are "against us" and are "contrary to us" are also called "bondage" as you would expect. Paul is referring to these same ordinances in Galatians 4:9-10 as he is in Colossians 2:14-20. Note that Paul also uses the same Greek word for rudiments in verse 20 above as what has been translated elements in verse 9 below. One has been translated rudiments and the other to elements but it is the same Greek word (G4747 stoicheion) and has the same meaning. Paul is still referring to the same problem. Many continued to keep these feasts after the cross and Paul had to deal with this problem more than once as one would expect. If no one tells them, how are they going to know? But then in Colossians and Galatians, Paul is dealing with this a second time as Judaizing false teachers had turned them back to this obsolete system just as feast keepers are doing today. Compare Colossians 2:20 above with Galatians 4:9 below noting that the word in brown is the same Greek word.
Galatians 4:9-10 "But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements [stoicheion], to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years."
And what were these days, months and years that occurred in various seasons? Compare Galatians 4:10 with Colossians 2:16 for the answer.
Colossians 2:14-16 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; ... 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday [days], or of the new moon [months], or of the sabbath days: [years]." eg; Passover, Unleavened Bread, Day of Atonement, Pentecost and three others, which are all yearly sabbaths]."
So these feast days, monthly new moon festivals and yearly sabbaths are against us and contrary to us which Paul of course also called bondage!
In the video on the left, Pastor Imad Awde does an excellent presentation that proves that these DAYS, MONTHS and YEARS that occurred in various seasons were the FEAST days and YEARLY sabbaths of the Mosaic Law.
Some claim that Galatians 4:9-10 refers to pagan days and various other non-Biblical reasons. But this is obviously not the case if you read on with the allegory Paul gives in regards to this.
Firstly, note he is pointing out that this bondage is to do with being under a law. Paul then refers to the two Covenants which he represents with the bondwoman (bondage and Old Covenant) with the freewoman representing the freedom we have with the Gospel. So the bondage is related to a law under the Old Covenant that we are free from under the New Covenant.
The Mosaic Law and especially all the sacrifices that went with it was very much bondage but the Gospel (Good News) gives freedom from all the sacrificial laws and circumcision etc. We see this over and over again in every example Paul gives right through Galatians chapters 3, 4 and 5.
The Galatians had been turned away from the Gospel that Paul had first given them and had been turned back to all the Mosaic institutions by Jews from the Jerusalem council. There is only one thing that Paul can be referring to that has days, months and years in the Mosaic Law. There is nothing else that is possible.
Galatians 4:21-26 "Tell me, you that desire to be under the [Mosaic] law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."
What law was Paul referring to according to the following theologian?
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"Gal 4:21 Ye that desire to be under the law - Ye who desire to incorporate the Mosaic institutions with Christianity, and thus bring yourselves into bondage to circumcision, and a great variety of oppressive rites.
Do ye not hear the law? - Do ye not understand what is written in the Pentateuch relative to Abraham and his children. It is evident that the word law is used in two senses in this verse. It first means the Mosaic institutions; secondly, the Pentateuch, where the history is recorded to which the apostle refers."
Below is what the experts had to say in regards to Colossians 2:14-16 and Galatians 4:9-10.
Starting with Colossians 2:14-16.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"Colossians 2:14 - Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances - By the hand-writing of ordinances the apostle most evidently means the ceremonial law: this was against them, for they were bound to fulfill it; and it was contrary to them, as condemning them for their neglect and transgression of it. This law God himself has blotted out.
Nailing it to his cross - When Christ was nailed to the cross, our obligation to fulfill these ordinances was done away."
Colossians 2:16 - Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink - The apostle speaks here in reference to some particulars of the hand-writing of ordinances, which had been taken away, and the necessity of observing certain holydays or festivals, such as the new moons and particular sabbaths, or those which should be observed with more than ordinary solemnity; all these had been taken out of the way and nailed to the cross, and were no longer of moral obligation. There is no intimation here that the Sabbath was done away, or that its moral use was superseded, by the introduction of Christianity. I have shown elsewhere that, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, is a command of perpetual obligation, and can never be superseded but by the final termination of time. As it is a type of that rest which remains for the people of God, of an eternity of bliss, it must continue in full force till that eternity arrives; for no type ever ceases till the antitype be come. Besides, it is not clear that the apostle refers at all to the Sabbath in this place, whether Jewish or Christian; his σαββατων, of sabbaths or weeks, most probably refers to their feasts of weeks, of which much has been said in the notes on the Pentateuch."
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1798-1870)
"Colossians 2:14 - Blotting out the handwriting - The word rendered handwriting means something written by the hand, a manuscript; and here, probably, the writings of the Mosaic law, or the law appointing many ordinances or observances in religion. The allusion is probably to a written contract, in which we bind ourselves to do any work, or to make a payment, and which remains in force against us until the bond is cancelled. That might be done, either by blotting out the names, or by drawing lines through it, or, as appears to have been practiced in the East, by driving a nail through it. The Jewish ceremonial law is here represented as such a contract, binding those under it to its observance, until it was nailed to the cross. The meaning here is, that the burdensome requirements of the Mosaic law are abolished, and that its necessity is superseded by the death of Christ.
Of ordinances - Prescribing the numerous rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion.
Which was contrary to us - Operated as a hindrance, or obstruction, in the matter of religion. The ordinances of the Mosaic law were necessary, in order to introduce the gospel; but they were always burdensome.
Nailing it to his cross - As if he had nailed it to his cross, so that it would be entirely removed out of our way. The death of Jesus had the same effect, in regard to the rites and institutions of the Mosaic religion, as if they had been affixed to his cross.
Colossians 2:16 - Or in respect of a holy day - Margin, part. The meaning is, "in the part, or the particular of a holy day; that is, in respect to it" The word rendered "holy-day" - εορτὴ heorte - means properly a "feast" or "festival;" and the allusion here is to the festivals of the Jews. The sense is, that no one had a right to impose their observance on Christians, or to condemn them if they did not keep them. They had been delivered from that obligation by the death of Christ; Colossians 2:14.
Or of the new moon - On the appearance of the new moon, among the Hebrews, in addition to the daily sacrifices, two bullocks, a ram, and seven sheep, with a meat offering, were required to be presented to God; Num 10:10; Num 28:11-14. The new moon in the beginning of the month Tisri (October) was the beginning of their civil year, and was commanded to be observed as a festival; Lev 23:24, Lev 23:25.
Or of the Sabbath days - Greek, "of the Sabbaths." The word Sabbath in the Old Testament is applied not only to the seventh day, but to all the days of holy rest that were observed by the Hebrews, and particularly to the beginning and close of their great festivals. There is, doubtless, reference to those days in this place, since the word is used in the plural number, and the apostle does not refer particularly to the Sabbath properly so called. There is no evidence from this passage that he would teach that there was no obligation to observe any holy time, for there is not the slightest reason to believe that he meant to teach that one of the Ten Commandments had ceased to be binding on mankind. If he had used the word in the singular number - "the Sabbath," it would then, of course, have been clear that he meant to teach that that Commandment had ceased to be binding, and that a Sabbath was no longer to be observed. But the use of the term in the plural number, and the connection, show that he had his eye on the great number of days which were observed by the Hebrews as festivals, as a part of their ceremonial and typical law, and not to the moral law, or the Ten Commandments. No part of the moral law - not one of the Ten Commandments could be spoken of as "a shadow of good things to come." These Commandments are, from the nature of moral law, of perpetual and universal obligation."
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
"Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you,.... Since they were complete in Christ, had everything in him, were circumcised in him; and particularly since the handwriting of the law was blotted out, and torn to pieces through the nails of the cross of Christ, the apostle's conclusion is, that they should be judged by no man; they should not regard or submit to any man's judgment, as to the observance of the ceremonial law:
or in respect of an holyday; or feast, such as the feast of the passover, the feast of tabernacles, and the feast of Pentecost; which were three grand festivals, at which all the Jewish males were obliged to appear before the Lord; but were never binding upon the Gentiles, and were what the Christians under the Gospel dispensation had nothing to do with, and even believing Jews were freed from them, as having had their accomplishment in Christ; and therefore were not to be imposed upon them, or they condemned for the neglect of them."
The People's New Testament (1891) by B. W. Johnson
"Colossians 2:14 - Blotting out the handwriting. The Revision says, "The bond." That is, the written law of ordinances; the law of Jewish rites. This was "blotted out," erased, removed.
Against us. Especially in the sense that they made Gentiles aliens and strangers to the covenant, and without God and hope.
Nailing it to his cross. When the Jews nailed Jesus to the cross they drove the nails into their own law. The old dispensation was ended; the blood of the new covenant was shed from the wounds of the nails.
Colossians 2:16 - Let no man therefore judge you. As the law was nailed to the cross (Col_2:14), let no man compel you to keep its ordinances.
Or in respect of a holy day. Such as the Passover, Pentecost, etc."
Nichol, F. D. (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
Colossians 2:14. BLOTTING OUT. Gr. exaleipho, "to wipe off," "to wipe out." The word is used in classical Greek for wiping out a writing. The form of the word appearing in the present verse should be translated "having blotted out."HANDWRITING. Gr. cheirographon, "a document written by hand." The word occurs only here in the NT. Elsewhere the word is frequently used of handwritten documents often of a legal character, such as a bond signed by a debtor. Compare Philemon 19. ... The similarity with the language of Eph. 2:15 and the parallel nature of these two epistles suggest strongly that the "handwriting of ordinances" is the same as the "law of commandments contained in ordinances" (see on Eph. 2:15).
ORDINANCES. Gr. dogmata, "decrees," "statutes." This refers to the various laws and decrees of the Jewish legal system such as terminated at the cross (see on Eph. 2:15).
AGAINST US. As shown grammatically by the Greek, what is "against us" and "contrary to us" is the "handwriting." Some have understood this as referring to the note of indebtedness that is against all, both Jew and Gentile; others, as referring to the Jewish legal system. For the manner in which the latter was contrary to both Jew and Gentile see on Acts 15:10; Eph. 2:15.
TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY. That is, the "handwriting." "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness" (see on Rom. 10:4). Now that Christ has come, men are no longer under a schoolmaster (see on Gal. 3:25; Eph. 2:15).
NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS. The cross marks the transition from one economy (the Jewish) to the other (the Christian). This same idea is expressed in Eph. 2:16, where reconciliation is represented as taking place on the cross.
Colossians 2:16. THEREFORE. That is, in view of the fact that the Jewish legal system was at an end, and with it the ceremonial system (see on Eph. 2:15).
JUDGE. This doubtless points to false teachers who among other things insisted on the binding claims of the Jewish ceremonial system.
IN MEAT, OR IN DRINK. Or, "in eating or in drinking." These words doubtless refer to the meat and drink offerings presented by the Israelites in compliance with the sacrificial system, which was codified in the ceremonial law. Some have erroneously concluded that Paul's statement implies the abolition of the prohibition against the eating of foods declared as unclean (see Lev. 11). That this cannot be the apostle's meaning is clear from the following observations:
(1) The meat and drink are declared to be a shadow of Christ (Col. 2:17); that is, they point forward to Christ's sacrifice and ministry. The ceremonial meat and drink offerings clearly belong in this category, but the prohibition against unclean foods does not.
(2) The prohibition not to eat certain meats antedates the ceremonial law (see on Gen. 7:2). Hence, certain animals are to be viewed as unclean for reasons other than ceremonial. The indulgence of the appetite by eating impure foods frustrates the perfect designs of the Creator. The apostle is not giving permission to the Colossian Christians to eat and drink what they want, disregarding all criticism. What he is saying is that Christians are no longer obliged to carry out the requirements of the ceremonial law. These meat and drink offerings have met their fulfillment in Christ.
HOLYDAY. The ceremonial ordinances contain commandments for the observance of various holy days-the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (see Lev. 23).
NEW MOON. The first day of each month, or new moon day (see Num. 10:10; 28:11; cf. 1 Sam. 20:5; Isa. 66:23).
SABBATH DAYS. Gr. sabbata. This may represent either a genuine plural of the Gr. sabbaton or a transliteration of the Aramaic shabbata', a singular form. Hence sabbata, though grammatically plural in form, may and often does represent a singular (Matt. 28:1; etc.). Either form may be adopted here, for the interpretation of the passage does not depend upon whether the reading is "sabbath days," or "a sabbath." The type of sabbath under consideration is shown by the phrase "which are a shadow of things to come" (Col. 2:17). The weekly Sabbath is a memorial of an event at the beginning of earth's history (Gen. 2:2, 3; Ex. 20:8-11; PP 48). Hence, the "sabbath days" Paul declares to be shadows pointing to Christ cannot refer to the weekly Sabbath designated by the fourth commandment, but must indicate the ceremonial rest days that reach their realization in Christ and His kingdom (see Lev. 23:6-8, 15, 16, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 37, 38).
Colossians 2:17. WHICH ARE A SHADOW. This phrase is the key to the understanding of v. 16. All the items the apostle lists in v. 16 are "shadows," or types, symbolizing the reality that is Christ. A shadow has no substance; it is cast by something substantial. Compare the use of the word "shadow" in Heb. 8:5 and 10:1. The Jewish ceremonies were shadows cast by heavenly realities. Christ's life, ministry, and kingdom are the reality. The portrayal of this in the ceremonial law was only the shadow.
On this passage Albert Barnes, Presbyterian commentator, well observes:
"There is no evidence from this passage that he [Paul] would teach that there was no obligation to observe any holy time, for there is not the slightest reason to believe that he meant to teach that one of the ten commandments had ceased to be binding on mankind. ... He had his eye on the great number of days which were observed by the Hebrews as festivals, as a part of their ceremonial and typical law, and not to the moral law, or the ten commandments. No part of the moral law-no one of the ten commandments could be spoken of as 'a shadow of good things to come.' These commandments are, from the nature of moral law, of perpetual and universal application."BODY IS OF CHRIST. In contrast with the shadow, Jesus is the fullness of reality. It is to Him that every type points, and in Him that every symbol reaches its fullness. In finding Him, Christians turn their backs upon the typical, shadowy outlines, walking now in the fullness of the divine Presence.
In these verses Paul has completely removed the ground from beneath the feet of the Judaizing false teachers. They advocated a return to Judaic ceremonial requirements. The apostle meets their arguments by asserting that the shadows have served their function now that Christ, the reality, has come. In all this argument Paul is in no way minimizing the claims of the Decalogue or of the seventh-day Sabbath. The moral law is eternal and perfect (see on Rom. 14:1; Eph. 2:15).
These are the main Bible commentaries used by Pastors all over the world. So these are not just my thoughts but is what the best known theologians also taught and all agree on without contradiction. And believe it or not, but feast keepers will tell you that every one of these famous theologians are wrong and that they are right! For some reason they just cannot and will not see the truth. See Colossians 2:16 for more detail.
And what do the experts say in regards to Galatians 4:9-10?
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1798-1870)
"Galatians 4:10 Ye observe - The object of this verse is to specify some of the things to which they had become enslaved.
Days - The days here referred to are doubtless the days of the Jewish festivals. They had numerous days of such observances, and in addition to those specified in the Old Testament, the Jews had added many others as days commemorative of the destruction and rebuilding of the temple, and of other important events in their history. It is not a fair interpretation of this to suppose that the apostle refers to the Sabbath, properly so called, for this was a part of the Decalogue; and was observed by the Saviour himself, and by the apostles also. It is a fair interpretation to apply it to all those days which are not commanded to be kept holy in the Scriptures; and hence, the passage is as applicable to the observance of saints' days, and days in honor of particular events in sacred history, as to the days observed by the Galatians. There is as real servitude in the observance of the numerous festivals, and fasts in the papal communion and in some Protestant churches, as there was in the observance of the days in the Jewish ecclesiastical calendar, and for anything that I can see, such observances are as inconsistent now with the freedom of the gospel as they were in the time of Paul. We should observe as seasons of holy time what it can be proved God has commanded us, and no more.
And months - The festivals of the new moon, kept by the Jews. Num_10:10; Num_28:11-14. On this festival, in addition to the daily sacrifice, two bullocks, a ram, and seven sheep of a year old were offered in sacrifice. The appearance of the new-moon was announced by the sound of trumpets. See Jahn, Archae. 352.
And times - Stated times; festivals returning periodically, as the Passover, the Feast of Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. See Jahn, Archae. chap. 3. 346-360.
And years - The sabbatical year, or the year of jubilee. See Jahn as above."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"Galatians 4:9 Now, after that ye have known God - After having been brought to the knowledge of God as your Savior.
Or rather are known of God - Are approved of him, having received the adoption of sons.
To the weak and beggarly elements - After receiving all this, will ye turn again to the ineffectual rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law - rites too weak to counteract your sinful habits, and too poor to purchase pardon and eternal life for you? If the Galatians were turning again to them, it is evident that they had been once addicted to them. And this they might have been, allowing that they had become converts from heathenism to Judaism, and from Judaism to Christianity. This makes the sense consistent between the 8th and 9th verses."
"Galatians 4:10 Ye observe days - Ye superstitiously regard the [ceremonial] sabbaths and particular days of your own appointment;
And months - New moons; times - festivals, such as those of tabernacles, dedication, passover, etc.
Years - Annual atonements, sabbatical years, and jubilees."
The People's New Testament (1891) by B. W. Johnson
"Galatians 4:10 Ye observe days. These are specifications of how they were "turning back" to the Jewish law. Compare Col_2:16. The days are the Jewish Sabbaths. The months are the new moons; the times are the Jewish festivals; the years are the Sabbatical years. In observing these there was legal bondage to an obsolete system."
So once again, not just my thoughts but that of all the best known theologians used by most Pastors worldwide. See Galatians 4:9-10 for more detail.
Notice how this Bible commentary associates all these Scriptures used so far with Romans 14:5 also as they all refer to the same ordinances.
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge by Canne, Browne, Blayney, Scott
"Rom 14:5 esteemeth: Gal_4:9-10; Col_2:16-17"
4) The Ceremonial System with all its Feast days was Only for the Jews
The feasts days were never for the Gentiles. You often hear that there was a law that was only for the Jews, well this is it. Gentiles never had to keep this law! This was the issue in Romans 14:5. See People's New Testament and Adam Clarke Commentaries on Romans 14:5.
John 2:13 "And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,"
John 5:1 "After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem."
John 6:4 "And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh."
John 7:2 "Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand."
John 11:55 "And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves."
1 Corinthians 9:20-21 "When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ."
It was the Jewish ceremonial law that caused the enmity between the Jew and the Gentile.
Ephesians 2:15 "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man..."
The following Bible commentary explains this verse well. Note also the reference to Colossians 2:14 in regards to these ordinances.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1798-1870)
"The enmity - Between the Jew and the Gentile. Tyndale renders this, "the cause of hatred, that is to say, the law of commandments contained in the law written." This is expressive of the true sense. The idea is, that the ceremonial law of the Jews, on which they so much prided themselves, was the cause of the hostility existing between them. That made them different people, and laid the foundation for the alienation which existed between them. They had different laws; different institutions; a different religion. The Jews looked upon themselves as the favorites of heaven, and as in possession of the knowledge of the only way of salvation; the Gentiles regarded their laws with contempt, and looked upon the unique institutions with scorn. When Christ came and abolished by his death their special ceremonial laws, of course the cause of this alienation ceased.
Even the law of commandments - The law of positive commandments. This does not refer to the "moral" law, which was not the cause of the alienation, and which was not abolished by the death of Christ, but to the laws commanding sacrifices, festivals, fasts, etc., which constituted the uniqueness of the Jewish system. These were the occasion of the enmity between the Jews and the Gentiles, and these were abolished by the great sacrifice which the Redeemer made; and of course when that was made, the purpose for which these laws were instituted was accomplished, and they ceased to be of value and to be binding.
Contained in ordinances - In the Mosaic commandments. The word "ordinance" means, decree, edict, law; Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; Acts 17:7; Colossians 2:14."
5) The Ordinances that were Written in the Book of the Law have Ended
Galatians 3:13 says that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law that was written in a book by Moses, and these are not the Ten Commandments which were written in stone.
So Paul has told us that to continue with these ordinances that were written in the Book of the Law is contrary to us, against us, is bondage, are nailed to the cross and is putting yourself under the curse of this law if you continue in this law that Christ redeemed us from, setting us free under the Gospel. Paul states that everything written in the Book of the Law ended with Christ. The context is the same right throughout Galatians and you will find that Paul states that everything in chapter 3 is what ended with Christ on the cross without exception because this was the problem Paul was addressing. Judaizing false teachers had returned the Galatians back to the Mosaic Law just as feast keepers have today and why Paul at the beginning of chapter 3 said, "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you." If Paul was with us today he would no doubt say, "O foolish feast keepers, who has bewitched you."
So how do feast keepers explain away Galatians 3:10? They insist we are cursed if we do not continue to obey everything written in the Book of the Law that Christ redeemed us from! Since Paul says "all things," then that means they would also have to keep the sacrifices that they claim is all that ended. They cannot have it both ways. Either accept the truth or keep everything in the Book of the Law including the sacrifices, which of course denies Christ.
Galatians 3:10 "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."
The Contemporary English Version translates Galatians 3:10 this way. Now that faith [Christ] has come, "Anyone who tries to please God by obeying the [Mosaic] Law is under a curse. The Scriptures say, "Everyone who doesn't obey everything in the [Book of the] Law is under a curse."
Note from the Scriptures below that the "Book of the Law," also called the "Book of the Covenant," "Mosaic Law," which contain the "ordinances" was stored on the side of the ark. And note also that the Ten Commandments were not written in a book, but on stone tablets that were stored on the inside of the ark. Some also claim that the Book of the Law is the Ten Commandments and not the Law of Moses. The scriptures below end that heresy.
Joshua 23:6 "Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside there from to the right hand or to the left;"
Deuteronomy 31:24-26 "And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, 26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against you."
Exodus 24:7 "And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD has said will we do, and be obedient."
Exodus 34:28 "And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables [stone] the words of the covenant, the ten commandments."
Deuteronomy 10:5 "And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me."
6) The Feasts were part of the Law that was added due to Transgression of another Law
Continuing with chapter 3 of Galatians and the sixth way we know these holydays have ended. Paul says in Galatians 3:19 that a law was added because another law was transgressed, and that this law was added only until the seed (Christ) should come. So what law was transgressed that caused another law to be added until Christ? Obviously the Mosaic Law was added because the moral law was transgressed. The Mosaic Law that was written in the Book of the Law (Galatians 3:10) was only in place until the cross (Galatians 3:13, 19, 25).
How do some explain this one away? Easy! Just say it refers to the Ten Commandments. So according to Galatians 3:19 and this opinion, the Mosaic Law existed first and the Ten Commandments were added because the Mosaic Law was transgressed, and the Ten Commandments ended with Christ and the Mosaic Law continued! The foolishness of this saddens me deeply.
Galatians 3:19, "Wherefore then serveth the [Mosaic] law? It was added because of transgressions till the seed [Christ] should come to whom the promise was made..."
7) The Feast days were a Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ and ended with Christ
Galatians 3:23-25 continues on from Galatians 3:19 being the law that was added until the seed (Christ) should come. And so Galatians 3:25 also states that this schoolmaster was until faith (Christ) is come. If you erroneously apply the schoolmaster to being the Ten Commandments as some feast keepers and those trying to avoid the Ten Commandments do, then you are saying that the Ten Commandments ended with Christ. The Commandments that say "Thou shalt not kill" or "Thou shalt not worship idols" did not bring us to Christ. Nor did any of the Ten Commandments. However, the ordinances that were written in the "Book of the Law" such as Passover did bring us to Christ and was a schoolmaster. Passover taught Israel that one day the true Lamb of God would come and take away the sins of the world and then Passover being the shadow and type would be gone, nailed to the cross, and no longer their schoolmaster. The same applies to the other feasts with their different meanings that were all their schoolmaster.
Galatians 3:23-25 "But before faith [Christ] came, we were kept under the [Mosaic] law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the [Mosaic] law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith [Christ] is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
See Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible below for an expert commentary on what the schoolmaster was and of course that it ended with Christ at the cross.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"Gal 3:24 The law was our schoolmaster - Ὁ νομος παιδαγωγος ἡμων γεγονεν εις Χριστον· The law was our pedagogue unto Christ. The παιδαγωγος, pedagogue, is not the schoolmaster, but the servant who had the care of the children to lead them to and bring them back from school, and had the care of them out of school hours. Thus the law did not teach us the living, saving knowledge; but, by its rites and ceremonies, and especially by its sacrifices, it directed us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. This is a beautiful metaphor, and highly illustrative of the apostle's doctrine. See the note on Rom_10:4, where this figure is farther explained.
Gal 3:25 But, after that faith is come - When Christ was manifested in the flesh, and the Gospel was preached, we were no longer under the pedagogue; we came to Christ, learned of him, became wise unto salvation, had our fruit unto holiness, and the end eternal life.
It is worthy of remark that, as ὁ νομος, the Law, is used by St. Paul to signify, not only the law, properly so called, but the whole of the Mosaic economy, so ἡ πιστις, the Faith, is used by him to express, not merely the act of believing in Christ, but the whole of the Gospel.
Gal 3:26 For ye, who have believed the Gospel, are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus - But no man is a child of God by circumcision, nor by any observance of the Mosaic law."Here is Romans 10:4 as referenced above:
"Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law - Where the law ends, Christ begins. The law ends with representative sacrifices; Christ begins with the real offering. The [Mosaic] law is our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ; it cannot save, but it leaves us at his door, where alone salvation is to be found. Christ as an atoning sacrifice for sin, was the grand object of the whole sacrificial code of Moses; his passion and death were the fulfillment of its great object and design. Separate this sacrificial death of Christ from the law, and the law has no meaning, for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins: wherefore the Messiah is represented as saying, Sacrifice and observing thou didst not desire; burnt-offering and sin-offering thou hast not required; then said I, Lo, I come to do thy will; a body hast thou prepared me, Psa_40:6, Psa_40:7; Heb_10:4-10; which proves that God never designed that the sacrifices of the law should be considered the atonement for sin, but a type or representative of that atonement; and that The atonement was the sacrifice offered by Christ. Thus he was the End of the law, in respect to its sacrifices. And, as sacrifices were offered merely to procure pardon of sin, righteousness, or justification, Christ is the end of the law for this justification to everyone that believeth on him, as dying for their offenses, and rising again for their justification, having made peace through the blood of his cross. Therefore every Jew who rejected Christ rejected salvation, and that very salvation which the law witnessed and required, and which could not be had but through Christ alone."
Hebrews 10:4 mentioned above says that "it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." It was the act of faith in these sacrifices that pointed forward to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In the same way the associated feast system that was the schoolmaster pointed forward to the cross and taught the Jews all about the sacrificial sanctuary system. See the table below for an example of how the ordinances were a schoolmaster. See also was Christ an end to the law for more on Romans 10:4.
Passover | Feast of Unleavened Bread | ||
1st Day | 2nd Day | 3rd Day | |
Date | 14th day of 1st month (Nisan) | 15th day of 1st month (Nisan) | 16th day of 1st month (Nisan) |
Historical | The Angel of God did Passover houses covered with the blood of a lamb | God delivers the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage | Hebrews delivered as first fruits from Egyptian slavery from the tomb of the red sea into the promised land |
Shadow (Type) |
Passover lamb slain in the 9th hour to atone for the sins of the people (Leviticus 23:4-5) | Unleaven Bread is broken, buried and redeemed during the feast. Leaven represents sin. (Leviticus 23:6-8) | The Omer (First Fruits) The first fruits of the harvest are presented to the Lord (Exodus 23:19) |
Fulfillment (Antitype) |
Jesus crucified as our Passover Lamb to atone for the sins of the people. Died in the 9th hour (Matthew 27:46) | Jesus our Passover Lamb rests in the tomb on the Passover sabbath (John 1:29) | Resurrection of Jesus who is the first fruits (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) |
So the schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24) was a law that was added until faith (Christ) is come (Galatians 3:25) or the seed (Christ) should come (Galatians 3:19) and was written in the Book of the Law (Galatians 3:10) that was bondage (Galatians 4:9), contrary to us, against us and was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14), that Paul said included the feast days, new moons and yearly sabbath days, (Colossians 2:16) and everything written in this Book of the Law is the law that Christ redeemed us from (Galatians 3:13), and if you continue to keep what is written in the Book of the Law then you have to keep "all of it (Galatians 3:10) and not just some of it, which means sacrifices also," or you would be putting yourself under the curse of the law that Christ redeemed us from (Galatians 3:13). The context does not change throughout Galatians. And did you notice that Paul did not separate the sacrifices from the feasts in Galatians 3:10 and said it included all things! The Mosaic Law that was written in the Book of the Law is what we are constantly told ended with Christ at the cross. All of it! Sacrifices, feasts, yearly sabbaths etc. The Ten Commandments on the other hand were not written in this book but on stone tablets and is the law that was transgressed that resulted in the Book of the Law been added. (Galatians 3:19).
Hebrews 9:1-2 "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary."
Hebrews 10:9 "Then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second."
The feasts were part of the first Covenant (Old Covenant) only and Christ took away the first Covenant with all its feasts so that He could establish the second (New Covenant).
8) Christ was the End of the Mosaic Law
Paul also had to deal with the Romans who like the Galatians were trying to earn their righteousness by obeying the Mosaic Law. According to Paul, if a man tries to earn his righteousness by the works of the Mosaic Law, then he lives under the curse of this law that Christ redeemed us from, and the man that doeth them shall live in them, that is, everything that is written in the "Book of the Law." Note the highlighted phrase that is commonly used only in reference to this specific law. See Christ is the end of the law for more on Romans 10:4.
Romans 10:3-5 "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the [Mosaic] law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
Galatians 3:10-12 "For as many as are of the works of the [Mosaic] 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. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them."
Leviticus 18:4-5 "You shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them:"
So all these verses below essentially say the same thing. When Christ died on the cross, He ended the Mosaic Law that contained these feasts and all the sacrifices that went with them.
Galatians 3:13 "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the [Mosaic] law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"
Galatians 3:19 "Wherefore then serveth the [Mosaic] law? It was added because of transgressions till the seed [Christ] should come to whom the promise was made..."
Galatians 3:25 "But after that faith [Christ] is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster [Mosaic Law]."
Romans 10:4-5 "For Christ is the end of the [Mosaic] law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
Colossians 2:14 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances [Mosaic Law] that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
By comparing Scripture with Scripture it becomes easy to see that we do not need to keep the feast days that were the part of the Old Covenant that ended at the cross. These ordinances were written by the hand of Moses and pointed forward to the work of Christ on the cross. When Jesus cried out, "It is finished" (John 19:30) and the unseen hand taw the temple curtain from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), the old sacrificial system and everything that went with it was forever nailed to the cross.
And as already seen, Paul said in Colossians 2:14 that the feast days are contrary to us so let no man judge you for not keeping them. And that they are against us, so let no one judge you for not keeping them. Without doubt he said that these festivals were nailed to the cross so do not let anyone judge you for not keeping them. And in Colossians 2:17 he said they were shadows and that Christ is the body or sum and substance of them all so let no man judge you for not keeping them. Paul also said that these feast days, monthly new moons, and yearly sabbaths are bondage in Galatians 4:9-10, and to keep the feasts was to be under the curse of the law in Galatians 3:10. Paul also clarified that if you are going to keep these feasts that are written in the Book of the Law then you have to obey "everything" in the Book of the Law or you are "cursed" and that includes the sacrifices. They go hand in hand and Galatians 3:10 verifies that you cannot in fact separate them. If the sacrifices have ended then the feasts have ended and if the feasts have ended than so have the sacrifices. So if you keep the feasts then you deny Christ.
There can be no doubt that it was not only the sacrifices that ended as Paul thankfully told us more than once and that it includes everything listed in Colossians 2:16. Compare all the following Scriptures once again for clarity so there can be no doubt in the mind of any truth seeking Christian.
2 Chronicles 33:8 "Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses."
Ezekiel 45:17 "And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts [holyday - festival], and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel."
Colossians 2:14-16 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; ... 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday [feast - festival], or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"
Galatians 4:9-10 "But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years."
Those who teach we must keep the feasts have many ways of explaining away passages like Colossians 2:14-16 as already seen, and the reasons often contradict each other which means they have to be wrong. If feast keepers want to convince others of their belief, they really need to collaborate and use the same reasons. But those in error are never able to do this as it is an impossible task.
There are many deceptions being perpetuated by feast keepers. One of the worst that is often given to me is that Jesus kept the feasts so we should also! Of course Jesus kept the feasts until He died on the cross. They ended when He died on the cross! Christ never of course kept them after the cross.
Some even claim that the law Jesus said He did not come to destroy (Matthew 5:17-19) also includes the ordinances of the Mosaic Law. But this contradicts several passages of scripture such as Colossians 2:14 which says the ordinances were nailed to the cross and so is not possible. But not only that, there is not even a hint of the Law of Moses in the entire chapter which is "only" about morals, not sacrifices or feasts. This even includes the beatitudes such as the meek and merciful and the peacemakers for example which are also about love. Here are some examples from the remainder of the chapter where Christ magnifies the law as prophesied in Isaiah 42:21. From "do not murder," to "anyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be subject to judgment." Matthew 5:21-22, "You shall not commit adultery," to "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28, "anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce," to "anyone who divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness causes her to become an adulteress." Matthew 5:31-32, "an eye for eye and tooth for tooth," to "if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also." Matthew 5:38-39, "love your neighbour and hate your enemy," to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44. The entire context is about the moral law only. To say Matthew 5 refers to the ordinances reveals the extremes feast keepers go to in order to bring people back under the Mosaic Law. This is a constant pattern with those who push the feast days and it is my heartfelt prayer that God lifts the veil from their eyes and squashes this movement raised by Satan for the purpose of confusion.
Another reason given is Zechariah 14 where it speaks of keeping the feast of tabernacles. Some theologians say this is a description of events in connection with the second coming because of certain phrases in this chapter, while other theologians say they cannot be sure what time it refers to as there are other things that places the time earlier. For instance, verse 21 says this feast is done with sacrifices. Strong's definition for the word sacrifice here is "zaw-bakh' A primitive root; to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice): - kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay." So that would have to be before the cross. In any case, this chapter is a conditional prophecy of how this event would have come to pass if the Israelites who returned from captivity had fulfilled their destiny. They did not so it does not apply anyway.
The following is one of the worst arguments I have heard where the SILENCE of something not being said supposedly means it was said!!?? Because feast keepers claim that Daniel 9:27 states the feasts did not end!
Daniel 9:27 "And he [Christ] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,"
I have literally had feast keepers STATE that this verse STATES the feasts did not end!? Can anyone see those words? Maybe you need special, feast keeping glasses.
Feast keepers claim Daniel 9:27 says the sacrifices ended but it does not say the feasts ended, so therefore they must remain! Silence is not an admission! Based on this lack of theology, we could make Scripture say anything we desire. Have feast keepers heard of the principle lining up all Scripture? Apparently not. This straw man argument is called "eisegesis" which is the process of misinterpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that it introduces one's own presuppositions, agendas, and or biases into and onto the text.
NOTE that Paul states ever so clearly in Colossians 2:16 that the FEASTS were in the ordinances that ended but he does NOT even mention the SACRIFICES. This is because Scripture reveals the FEASTS were for the purpose of SACRIFICES. If there are no SACRIFICES, then there is NO need for the FEASTS! So the feasts ending with the sacrifices is a forgone conclusion.
Was Jesus our final perfect "feast" for our sins? Or was Jesus our final perfect "sacrifice" for sins? The context is who was the "person" that was our Sacrificial Lamb? Who was it that died on the cross for us as our final sacrifice, and hence ended the sacrifices? To state the obvious, "feasts" have no part in the context of what is being said by Daniel.
Only the very blind and deceived will try make an argument on "silence" while ignoring the context, and all the Scriptures that are not "silent" and state very "loudly" that the feast days ended with Christ. And if feast keepers desire to make foolish arguments such as this one. Then please allow me to make one of my own based on the same faulty logic.
Note that Ezekiel 45:17 is the perfect parallel for Colossians 2:16. Ezekiel 45:17 tells us what was needed to be done to make reconciliation for sin. Note it says "burnt offerings" but Colossians 2:16 does not!
"burnt offerings,
meat offerings, and drink offerings,
in the feasts,
and in the new moons,
and in the sabbaths," Ezekiel 45:17
"meat offerings, or in drink offerings,
or in respect of an holyday,
or of the new moon,
or of the sabbath days:" Colossians 2:16
Note "feasts" and "holyday" is synonymous. So Paul states that the "feast days" have ended but he NEVER said the "burnt offerings" have ended. So based on the "silence" argument from feast keepers, and using their own faulty logic, Paul stated the feast days have ended but the sacrifices still have to be kept because he did not say they ended! So feast keepers, are you still keeping the sacrifices? Because Paul said ONLY the feasts ended and so you have to still keep the sacrifices because Paul never said they ended.
It is also claimed that the Lord's Sabbath is a feast and since that it eternal in duration than feast days must also be eternal. So is the Lord's Sabbath a feast?
The answer to this question is a definite no! Feasts were for the purpose of sacrifices and the Lord's Sabbath was instituted before sin. The argument of the Sabbath being a feast comes from a poor translation of Leviticus 23:1-4 in regards to the Hebrew word "moed."
Leviticus 23:1-4 KJV "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts [H4150/moed] of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts [H4150/moed]. 3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. 4 These are the feasts [H4150/moed] of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons."
So the misunderstanding lies in the correct translation of this passage. Note that the word translated "feasts" in this passage is the Hebrew word "moed" which more accurately means "appointed time." Since the feasts were an appointed time, "moed" can be translated as feast as the KJV translators have done, but this is not its primary meaning by any means. Note [H4150/moed] in the above passage.
In the KJV translation, the Hebrew word "moed" is translated "feasts" only 19 times out of 240 occurrences. And the Jewish Publication Society Bible has not even translated "moed" as "feasts" once! It is typically translated "appointed time" or "appointed season" which is correct. It is understandable that the Jews would more accurately translate words such as these, as their true meaning is better understood by the Jews as one should expect.
Note the BDB Definition:
H4105
"Moed"
1) appointed place, appointed time, meeting
1a) appointed time
1a1) appointed time (general)
1a2) sacred season, set feast, appointed season
1b) appointed meeting
1c) appointed place
1d) appointed sign or signal
1e) tent of meeting
Continuing on with this passage.
Leviticus 23:5-6 KJV "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast [H2282/chag] of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread."
In verse 6 we find the word "feast" which is literally referring to a "feast" and is correctly translated. The Hebrew word used here is "chag" and is almost always translated as feast as this is its primary meaning. It literally means feast or feasts. And so the KJV has translated this Hebrew word as "feast," "feasts" and "sacrifice" as this is its correct meaning.
Note the BDB Definition:
H2282
"chag"
1) festival, feast, festival-gathering, pilgrim-feast
1a) feast
1b) festival sacrifice
Here are some other translations that are more accurate then the KJV in this instance, and hence are not misleading.
Leviticus 23:1-6 NASB "The LORD spoke again to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD'S appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations--My appointed times are these: 3 'For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. 4 'These are the appointed times of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them. 5 'In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the LORD'S Passover. 6 'Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread."
Leviticus 23:1-6 JPS "And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons. 3 Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work; it is a sabbath unto the LORD in all your dwellings. 4 These are the appointed seasons of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at dusk, is the LORD'S passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD; seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread."
Leviticus 23:1-6 HCSB "The LORD spoke to Moses: 2 "Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the LORD that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies. 3 "For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD wherever you live. 4 "These are the LORD's appointed times, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. 5 The Passover to the LORD comes in the first month, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the month. 6 The Festival of Unleavened Bread to the LORD is on the fifteenth day of the same month. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread."
Thus we find that the "Sabbath" in verse 3 is actually being called an "appointed time," not a feast!
The Sabbath of the Lord was "made for MAN" and is in fact an "appointed time" that was instituted at creation and is eternal in duration.
The "feasts" of the Lord were "made for the JEWS" and were also "appointed times" but are not eternal in duration and ended at with Christ who cast the shadow. Colossians 2:17.
Some argue that since Pentecost was a feast and was kept after the cross then they did not end at the cross. So did feast keeping continue after the cross? Of course! How would the Jews know their law ended unless they were told? Did God with a thunderous voice shout down at planet earth that the feasts and sacrifices have ended? Of course not, but He did do something really incredible!
God ripped the temple curtain from top to bottom to signify an end to this whole Jewish system. So an unseen hand tore the temple curtain from top to bottom sending a very clear and supernatural message to the Jews!
Matthew 27:51 "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split."
So did the Jews stop sacrificing after this MIRACULOUS and SUPERNATURAL event from God? No, they did not! They still continued sacrificing at all their Jewish festivals!
It should be abundantly obvious to those who insist we must keep the feasts that since the Jews even ignored this miraculous message from God that it was going to take quite an effort to bring this Jewish system to an end. So Paul had a huge and difficult job in trying to reach his Jewish brethren personally, and even then not all would listen any more than feast keepers listen today.
And so of course it is also claimed that Paul kept the holydays. Tens of thousands of Jews were still keeping the feasts because they did not recognize that they had just nailed their Saviour to the cross. So where could Paul find all His Jewish brethren in one place that were still sacrificing in the feasts? Does this really require and explanation? Are feast keepers incapable of seeing the obvious here? Paul would have whenever possible attended the feasts to deal with this difficult job he now had.
So how was Paul to reach all these Jews and significant others that he was commissioned to do? Note what happened at Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-41 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ... And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. ... whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ... Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, ... they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
In Acts chapter 2 we see Jews and devout men from every nation gathered together in the same place at the same time. What a brilliant opportunity to preach the Gospel and reach thousands of people and so they naturally took advantage and did what Christ commissioned them to do. And what was the result? Three thousand souls were saved that very day! So would Paul and the apostles have attended these feasts that the Jews and others were either attending or keeping who had not heard the Gospel? Most definitely! They would have made every effort possible to attend them all. Feast keepers fail to recognize what should be obvious in this respect. There can be no doubt whatsoever that Paul would have always tried his hardest to attend every feast whenever possible to convert the Jews to Christianity.
With these facts in mind, what Scriptures are used to imply Paul remained a feast keeper despite telling us they ended at the cross?
1. Acts 20:16 "for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." Paul does not say he is going to keep this feast but wanted "to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost," if possible. If Paul was observing the festivals as the Jews still were, he would have made sure he was there, and especially if it was a commandment as feasts keepers claim. So why did Paul want to be there "if it were possible?" For the same reason Paul would have tried to be at all the feasts. How many were saved previously at Pentecost? Note the Commentaries below for the obvious answer already explained.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
"for he hasted, if it were possible, for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost: which was near at hand; for it was but fifty days from the second day of the Passover, which feast was over when he sailed from Philippi; and at Troas he stayed seven days, and he had been several days sailing already; see Act_20:6. And his great desire to be at the feast of Pentecost was not in order to keep that feast, according to the usage of the Jews; but that he might have an opportunity of preaching the Gospel to a great number of Jews, out of all countries, whom he knew would come to that feast."Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"To be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost - That he might have the opportunity of preaching the kingdom of God to multitudes of Jews from different places, who would come up to Jerusalem at that feast; and then he no doubt expected to see there a renewal of that day of Pentecost in which the Spirit was poured out on the disciples, and in consequence of which so many were converted to God."
2. Acts 20:6 "we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread." There is not even a reference to this feast being kept. It just refers to the time of year that many Jews were still observing. Note Gills Commentary.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
"after the days of unleavened bread; or the passover; which is mentioned only to observe the time of year when this voyage was taken; and not to suggest to us that Paul and his company stayed at Philippi, and kept this feast there; for the passover was only kept at Jerusalem, and besides was now abolished, and not to be observed by Christians:"
3. 1 Corinthians 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."
How did Paul say to keep this feast? Not with yeast that has malice and wickedness, but with bread that has sincerity and truth and no yeast. I have never seen yeast that is evil or bread that has sincerity. Are we talking about bread and yeast that is alive and has a personality? That is impossible. Paul is obviously not speaking literally of keeping the feast, but is symbolically saying that Christian's should continually keep themselves free from the defilement of sin. That is, "old leaven" should be kept purged from his soul. Paul is using this symbolic example to show that in the same way a little leaven leavens a whole mass of dough, so just one sin or sinner can send a corrupting influence through the whole Church. For some reason feast keepers are oblivious to the symbolism being used by Paul here. Below are two Commentaries that explain in detail.
The People's New Testament (1891) by B. W. Johnson
"Let us keep the feast. Let us keep feast, or festival. There is no article in the Greek. The reference is not to the Lord's Supper, or to Easter, as some have supposed, so much as to a constant duty. We always have a Paschal Lamb; hence it is always our duty to keep festival by casting out all leaven; either the old leaven of heathen vice, or of malice and wickedness, or any sin."Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1798-1870)
"Let us keep the feast - Margin, "Holy day" ἑορτάζωμεν heortazōmen. This is language drawn from the paschal feast, and is used by Paul frequently to carry out and apply his illustration. It does not mean literally the paschal supper here - for that had ceased to be observed by Christians - nor the Lord's Supper particularly; but the sense is "As the Jews when they celebrated the paschal supper, on the slaying and sacrifice of the paschal lamb, put away all leaven - as emblematic of sin - so let us, in the slaying of our sacrifice, and in all the duties, institutions and events consequent thereon, put away all wickedness from our hearts as individuals, and from our societies and churches. Let us engage in the service of God putting away by all evil."
Not with the old leaven - Not under the influence, or in the indulgence of the feelings of corrupt and unrenewed human nature - The word "leaven" is very expressive of that former or "old" condition, and denotes the corrupt and corrupting passions of our nature before it is renewed.
The leaven of malice - Of unkindness and evil - which would diffuse itself, and pervade the mass of Christians. The word "malice" (κακίας kakias) denotes "evil" in general.
And wickedness - Sin; evil. There is a particular reference here to the case of the incestuous person. Paul means that all wickedness should be put away from those who had been saved by the sacrifice of their "Passover," Christ; and, therefore, this sin in a special manner.
But with the unleavened bread ... - That is, with sincerity and truth. Let us be sincere, and true, and faithful; as the Jews partook of bread unleavened, which was emblematic of purity, so let us be sincere and true. It is implied here that this could not be done unless they would put away the incestuous person - No Christians can have, or give evidence of sincerity, who are not willing to put away all sin."
4. 1 Corinthians 16:8 "But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost." Another invalid argument as Paul does not say or imply he is going to keep this feast. So what reason did Paul give for staying around? Let Paul speak for himself in the next verse. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NIV "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." Since the Jews were still keeping the feasts, Paul stayed on to do the work he had been commissioned to do and to thwart those who opposed him. Gills Commentary also states the obvious.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
"But I will tarry at Ephesus till Pentecost. The feast of weeks, or of harvest, which was fifty days from the Passover; See Gill on Act_2:1 which though abrogated at the death of Christ, was observed by the Jews, and is mentioned by the apostle, not as a festival that the Christians were obliged to regard, or did regard, but as pointing out the time he intended to stay at Ephesus: and we elsewhere read, that he was greatly desirous of being at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, Act_20:16 not to keep it, but because there would then be abundance of people from all parts there, to whom he should have an opportunity of preaching the Gospel."
5. Acts 18:21 "But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus."
The majority of Bible translations with good reason omit the phrase "I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem." Here are a few translations that do not include this text. The Amplified, ASV, BBE, CEV, CJB, CENT, DRB, ESV, GNB, GW, HCSB, ISV, MRC, MSG, NASB, NIRV, NIV, NLT, NLV, NRSV, RSV, RSVA, RV, TCNT, UPDV, WNET and WNT. The Darby grays out this text which means it is added text. Note the Bible Commentary below that explains why almost every translation omits this phrase.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832)
"I must - keep this feast - Most likely the Passover, at which he wished to attend for the purpose of seeing many of his friends, and having the most favorable opportunity to preach the Gospel to thousands who would attend at Jerusalem on that occasion. The whole of this clause, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem, is wanting [not there] in ABE, six others; with the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Vulgate. Griesbach leaves it in the text, with the mark of doubtfulness; ... Without this clause the verse will read thus: But he bade them farewell, saying, I will return again unto you, if God will."
So without this added text, the verse would just say, "But bade them farewell, saying, I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus." There are a few texts that have been added to by overzealous people that had their own ideas of what particular verses should say that were not the original inspired words of God, and this is one of them. See was 1 John 5:7 added to the Bible for another example.
Even if this text did legitimately belong, it would be for the same reason Paul was going to try and be at "Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." As Adam Clarke commented. "Having the most favorable opportunity to preach the Gospel to thousands who would attend at Jerusalem on that occasion." We know Paul said the feast days ended several times. So why did Paul attended these Jewish feasts? Let Paul speak for himself. The translation below is from the New Living Translation and is chosen for the clarity of words.
1 Corinthians 9:20-21 NLT "When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the [Mosaic] law, so that I can bring them to Christ. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ."
Note the following commentary for the highlighted phrase in yellow above.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
"that I might gain them that are under the law; meaning the Jews, who were observers of the law of Moses."
Paul had a difficult job of spreading the Gospel and he was stoned more than once and met with a lot of resistance. The Jews continued to keep the feasts after the cross because they did not accept Jesus was their Messiah and neither was it understood that Christ was the fulfillment of this system until someone like Peter or Paul explained otherwise. So they continued to keep the Jewish festivals. But this was a perfect opportunity for Paul to reach all God fearing Jews since they were all gathered together in one place at the same time for each festival. What a wonderful opportunity for Paul to preach the Gospel to the right people all in the one place at the same time. So Paul would have made every effort to attend all these Jewish festivals. But Paul was not a hypocrite and did only what he had to do to reach his Jewish brethren and the Gentiles as he explained in 1 Corinthians 9:20-21. Paul taught that the Gentiles never kept them and never had to, and that for the Jew they were bondage, contrary to them, against them, would put them under the curse of the law and were nailed to the cross.
So there had to be a unavoidable transition period between the feasts officially ending and when they literally ceased. An obvious fact unless you are deceived. So while feast keeping officially ended at the cross, Jews were still keeping the feasts at Pentecost where the Church began to grow. The new Jewish converts at Pentecost would have been the first largest group to cease keeping the feasts.
Beware of Judaizing Teachers!
If Paul were alive today, he would no doubt say BEWARE of anyone teaching we have to keep the feasts, OR anyone who says the feasts are NOT compulsory but it is okay to keep them. They are JUDAIZING TEACHERS.
We have already seen that Paul had to deal with this problem more than once.
In fact the first FIVE CHAPTERS of Galatians was Paul rebuking the Galatians for allowing JUDAIZING TEACHERS to return them to the Mosaic Law and hence feast keeping. Below are a few things Paul said to the Galatians over this issue.
In Galatians 1:8-9 Paul gave them a severe warning which he immediately repeated a SECOND time saying, "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed."
In Galatians 3:1 Paul said, "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you,"
In Galatians 4:9 speaking specifically about the feast days Paul said, "how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?"
And in Galatians 5:4 Paul said, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace."
And of course to the Colossians 2:14 Paul said, "the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
So did Paul advocate that it was okay to continue keeping the feast days? No!
The Mosaic Law was a shadow, an illustration showing the plan of salvation. It was not the way of salvation, it was only an illustration of the way and hence our schoolmaster. Jesus Christ came to bring the true way, therefore He is the literal fulfilment of this law. Why play with the illustration when the reality has arrived? You would in fact be denying Christ. We uphold this law today by entering into the reality that this law pointed forward to. Not by continuing to play with the shadows. It is those who continue to interact with shadows and types who make the true law of God null and void.
Hebrews 7:19 "For the [Mosaic] law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."
Keepers of the feasts are trying to "draw nigh unto God" by the observance of "days, months, times and years," but we are told that such a method made "nothing perfect." But those who choose the way of Christ have already drawn nigh unto God. We don't need these obsolete rituals to draw nigh to Him. Those who need to approach God in this way demonstrate that they have not found the "better hope."
See do we have to keep the feasts and holy days for more detail on the deceptions used by those insisting we must keep the feast days that is what did end at the cross and not the Ten Commandments as some claim.
See the following page If you are a Seventh day Adventist and would like to know what Ellen White said about keeping feast days.