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This is the time of the Fall Camp Meeting for the CSDA Church. It falls on the appointed time that the Bible calls the “Feast of Tabernacles.” While we do not perform the ceremonies, and certainly not the sacrifices, associated with the Old Testament rituals that Yahweh commanded of Israel, we follow the tradition of the Apostles as described in the New Testament, and we acknowledge that a special blessing has been placed on these days, a blessing that has never been removed.
It is generally true that once Yahweh declares something to be “holy” it remains holy. The only exception to that would be a creature that has free will, and can therefore choose to reject the Father and His blessings. And so we read of this Feast of Tabernacles, which time this is: “And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto Yahweh seven days… On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly. Ye shall do no servile work therein.” (Num 29:12, 35)
The word “convocation” means a gathering-together, a meeting, and also has the connotation of a “reading.” This is what the Scriptures tell us is “holy.” The Book of Numbers tells us that the gathering together of the faithful was holy, and their reading and hearing of the Law. And this is exactly the element of the Feast days that has been preserved in the New Covenant, the element that was “holy” and also separate from the ceremonial activities. When the followers of Christ “keep the feasts,” they do not sacrifice animals for their sins. They do not bring offerings to designated priests. They do not make a journey to Jerusalem. They gather together where they are, or where they can, and they read and contemplate the Scriptures. This is what the Church does to this day, and it is “holy,” it is set apart for righteousness.
Of the Spring Feast, Paul wrote, “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.” (1Cor 5:8) Some have said that the apostle is speaking metaphorically, as in “Let us live our lives as if we were keeping a feast, with sincerity and truth.” While that’s not an invalid spiritual application of what was written, we read in the surrounding verses that he is, in fact, speaking about actually gathering together. He instructs them to avoid so-called brethren who are known sinners in their gatherings, and Jude follows up by calling former brethren who have fallen into apostasy, “spots in your feasts of charity.” (Jude 1:12)
Christians verifiably did gather together on the Biblically appointed times, with Paul indicating that this was a matter of conscience, or at least very strong preference, on his part: “When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not, 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.” (Acts 18:20, 21)
This tells us a couple things. First, that well beyond the crucifixion and the Day of Pentecost, Christians were gathering together to celebrate the Feast Days. Second, not every congregation was doing so according to the “rules” in the Books of Moses. Apparently, Paul wanted to see certain brethren that would be in Jerusalem during the Feast; in fact, Old Testament feast-keeping commanded all the faithful to gather in Jerusalem, in one place to present themselves before Yahweh. The Ephesians were clearly not traveling with Paul during this time, because he left the brethren there, saying that he would return to them afterwards if possible.
The first century Christians held true to the idea that it was the “gathering together” that was the part that was blessed and holy, even if it was within their local congregations. We can absolutely reject the notion that they legalistically maintained the Jewish customs, but they had a balanced approach that allowed them to receive Yahweh’s blessing while eliminating those aspects of the physical rituals that were fulfilled by the ministry and sacrifice of the Savior.
Unfortunately, in most of modern Christianity, it seems like the concept of “balance” is a rare treasure. In stumbling through the darkness of Satan’s deceptions, they wander from one ditch to another, never seeming to remain in the center of the road. Either they will reject the Feast Days as being archaic practices that only pointed forward to Yahshua’s earthly ministry, or they try as much as possible to replicate the pre-Christian experience in ways contrary to the practices described in the New Testament. With regard to that first ditch, I have heard some Christian groups declaring that observing Yahweh’s appointed times actually insults the Savior, because it rejects His sacrifice and New Covenant in favor of what was given to the Jews. They are ignorant, either willingly or otherwise, of the history of the Church, not knowing that hundreds of years after Christ’s death, there were still questions in the Church about the right way for a New Testament saint to reckon the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is actually easier, based on Church records, to prove that Christians kept the Passover, than to prove that they kept the Seventh-day Sabbath.
But those who live by the Spirit live in a balanced Way. They know to reject the evil and accept the good. They know that Yahweh’s blessings never pass away, for He never changes, and they eagerly accept His invitation to spend time together in a loving, growing relationship. They gather together, and the share the Word of Yahweh, reading and hearing. They experience a “holy convocation.” They do so, not because it is a “work” but because they must “by all means” receive the blessing that Yahweh intends for them. It’s a bit like Church membership; we spoke about that briefly during our last camp meeting session yesterday.
Consider this statement: “You must join the true Church to be saved.” It could be perceived, and probably rightfully so, that this statement is legalistic, promoting a works-based religion. It places the action before, and therefore responsible for, the state of being saved. In other words, “If you do this thing, salvation will be the result.” If we say instead, “Those who are saved seek out and unite with the true Church,” that is different.
This second statement makes salvation the cause of the action, and that is exactly correct. We receive a gift, everlasting life, from Yahshua by asking for it, by believing that He has offered it to us, and that we have received it when we asked. And then, the transformation. Then the former life passes away, the sinner dies, and the saint lives on for years and ages without end.
It is the salvation, it is the transformation, that results in works of eternal worth. Works proceed from faith, or they are of no value. Unity with Christ’s people proceeds from unity with Christ. That is why the first commandment is interpreted the way it is by the Savior: “And thou shalt love Yahweh thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30, 31)
First, we learn love through our relationship with Yahweh, that perfect, pure, divine love that we call agape. Once we have it, once we have received the knowledge of true love, we then naturally apply it to others.
All these things, Church Membership, Sabbath keeping, Feast observance according to the New Testament examples, are designed to “perfect” faith. James says this, and in fact, this might be a very good passage to share with our strongly anti-Trinitarian friends in our conversations with them:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:19-22)
There were a bunch of Christians, you see, who were really proud of the fact that they weren’t “pagans” because they worshipped the One True God. That should sound very familiar. James writes to them, saying, “Congratulations on not being pagans, but the devils also believe in the One True God doctrine.” If doctrinal correctness could save you, not a single demon would have been expelled from Heaven. They know the truth about the Father and Son by virtue of having stood in Their very presence with veiled faces. So if your whole ministry, if the entire impetus of your conversation with people is to focus on disproving this one particular heresy, “Wilt thou know, O vain man, O vain woman, that faith without works is dead?”
You believe in One True God, and reject the Trinity? That’s great… but where is your victory over the works of the flesh? Where is your testimony that you “do always those things that please” the Father? Where is your effort to unite the scattered sheep of Spiritual Israel? Where, O vain man, is your charity, your loving-kindness, your mercy, your sympathy for the deceived? Those of you brethren who will be meeting with some modern “non-pagans” in a few weeks might benefit from remembering the writings of James here. This kind of fanaticism, which the intensely anti-Trinitarian movement is rapidly becoming, is not new to Christianity. Their doctrines are correct, generally, but their words and their works reveal the state of their faith, and it is a picture that is getting steadily uglier over time as their self-confidence grows.
But today we are talking about the blessing that Yahweh has placed upon His appointed times. The point I am making here is that the purpose of the “works” of Christianity is to multiply our blessings, to perfect our faith by seeing it in practice, and to give a testimony to the world of who our Father is. Observing the appointed times has precisely that effect. These holy convocations multiply our blessings as we read the Word of Yahweh and have fellowship with true-hearted brethren. They perfect our faith, by drawing us out of the world for a time, and leaving us refreshed to deal with the challenges we must face. They give a testimony to the world, to our families, to our employers in some cases, that our beliefs affect the choices we make and the actions we perform. This is the true purpose of the “works” of Christianity.
I have called this study “The Sabbath of Thy Love,” but I’ve spent most of it talking about the Church’s Camp Meetings during the Feast Days, and that the “act” of observing them is not a work to gain faith or salvation, but the result of a faith-based desire to fellowship with the brethren and share the Scriptures and its teachings. The truth is, that process, that operation of allowing our lives to flow forth naturally from our faith, that is the very principle of the Sabbath rest.
The Sabbath in its spiritual manifestation does not say we do nothing, that we do no work. It is written, “There remaineth therefore a rest [literally, a “keeping of the Sabbath”] to the people of Yahweh. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as Yahweh did from His.” (Heb 4:9, 10) We cease from our own works, the works that would come naturally to the body, to the flesh, and we do instead the “works of omnipotence.” We accomplish, we fulfill, the ministry of Christ Yahshua, and we do so while resting, while in perfect peace, and perfect joy.
The benefits of observing the appointed times are similar to those of the literal, weekly Sabbath. In fact, for ancient Israel they were classified in the same way, with regard to the relationship between Yahweh and mankind. We read, of the Feast of Tabernacles in particular, “Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto Yahweh seven days; on the first day shall be a Sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath.” (Lev 23:39)
This word, this particular word that carries with it much spiritual meaning, is applied to days other than the seventh of the week. It is a cessation of labor. It is a reminder of Creation. It is a special call to assembly and worship, and each of these days has a common cause.
What is the “source” of our rest? In discussing the Commandments, and the Law in general, Sabbath-keepers rarely seem to ask this question. I have described to the brethren my meetings with people of other faiths, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and so on, who have spoken with Seventh-day Adventists before in their missionary efforts. But often, after I explain to them why I am a Sabbath-keeper, they will say, “That makes sense. I never heard it explained that way before.” One young woman said, to the apparent annoyance of her fellow missionary, “You know, that really makes me think.” They never came back to visit me again, and I am sure I know why.
The testimony of Yahshua makes people think. It changes hearts and minds. It has changed ours, and it will change those who hear us speak. The Holy Spirit will give power to our words, when we speak of the reason for our “rest” for not only our actual keeping of the Sabbath, but our “Sabbath state of mind,” our atmosphere of Heaven, in which every enemy is transformed into a tortured soul asking for help, and every challenge is transformed into an opportunity to glorify our Father by our overcoming.
This love is the source of our Sabbath. This is the source of our Feast-keeping. This is the source of our Church membership. Yahweh loves us, and invites us to spend time with Him, and with His other children. That’s it… that’s the great “mystery revealed.” Some of our opposers online have accused the CSDA Church of having “hidden teachings” and “secret doctrines.” Well, I’ve written a lot of articles, and books, and studies. So have my other brethren. I haven’t held anything back. I wouldn’t have the time to make a “secret” version of the things that I have written.
No, it’s all very plain, and straightforward, and simple. The balance between faith and works, the explanation for the things that a Christian does, and observes, can be perfectly and completely explained by one, simple, short verse: “We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1John 4:19)
That explains everything of significance about the Creation Seventh Day Adventists, and our Church. We cease from working once every seven days, and rest from our physical and mental labor. Why? Because we love Him who invited us to do so, because He first loved us, and showed us what love looks like. We observe our Camp Meetings on the Biblically appointed times. Why? Because we love Him who invited us to do so, because He first shows us His love in these invisible, but very experience-able, blessings.
We have joined the CSDA church. We invite others to unite with us in formal, covenant-membership. Why? Because it is an expression of love, a public declaration of love, like a marriage, with the One who first loved us. The Bible describes baptism, becoming one with Christ, in very wedding-like terms. We are baptized into the Body of Christ, which is His Bride. Who would not want to marry his or her beloved? Only those who have been hurt by false love. Only those who have been injured by an enemy’s deception. Only those who have been betrayed by those whom they have trusted. It is understandable – the false Churches of the world are Satan’s tool to keep people away from the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Tragically, even those who have physically escaped the various Synagogues of Satan rarely find their way to the place that they belong. They take their injuries with them as they flee.
But the People of Yahweh are healers. The People of Yahweh are sent to minister unto those who have been wounded by Satan. We do not separate ourselves from the deceived by building walls of harmful words or proud elitism. We do not say, “We have the truth, and you are worshipping the devil.” What healing does this provide? Yahshua rebuked the Pharisees, the religious leaders who knew that they loved position, power, and money more than they loved the people they were supposed to be serving. But with the sinners, with the deceived, He was always gentle, always courteous. A woman caught in adultery (a commandment-breaker) was comforted, not condemned. A Samaritan woman (who rejected the writings of the prophets after Moses) was blessed with healing and sent away rejoicing. A Roman centurion (an enemy and persecutor of Israel) had his servant healed by a word from the Savior. Isn’t this our message?
That is what a people in Sabbath do. They know a love that is neither troubled nor threatened by the errors and opposition of others. They know a love that insulates them from the attacks of the demons and their unwitting agents. They know a love that has them eagerly responding when they are invited to participate in holy convocations, in gatherings of fellowship and studying the Word of Yahweh. They do not willingly reject any opportunity to grow in grace and knowledge along with the Remnant of Israel that is also following the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.
That is the source of our Rest. That is the source of our Christian experience. We keep the Sabbaths. We acknowledge the appointed times. We gather together in unity, and formalize our unity with baptism and the New Covenant of membership in the Bride of Christ. We do these things because we are healed of all that would keep us from these blessings. We do these things because all of our own labors, our attempts to justify “self,” and to protect ourselves from being hurt again, have ended. We do not need them anymore. We rest, and we do our Father’s work. That is how it is now, and that is how it will be in ceaseless ages.
It is a glorious gift that we have been given, and a glorious experience to which we invite others. Let us be bold, brethren, even while we are gentle, and courteous, and kind, as we hold out our hands to those still in darkness, and open the way for the Father and Son to work, and to bring Their People, our brothers and sisters, home.
David.