The Shadow Sabbaths And Their Antitype

[Martinman]

THE SHADOW SABBATHS AND THEIR ANTITYPE​

We know that the "holydays" mentioned in Colossians 2:16, 17 are the various feast days from the old sanctuary system, composing the annual festivals of the spring and of the fall. The new moon designates the precise timing of these various holydays. There were special days scattered among the spring and fall feasts that were specifically designated to be Sabbaths (Leviticus 23 KJV). Paul referred to these "Sabbaths" as, "shadows".


Some of the feast days, such as, the Wave Sheaf and the Day of Pentecost, were clearly specified to occur "on the morrow" after one of these Sabbaths (Leviticus 23:11, 15, 16 KJV).


Others, of these feast days, such as, the Passover, and the 7th day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, were designated to occur the day before one of these "shadow Sabbaths".


Still, other feast days were scheduled to occur directly on one of these "shadow Sabbaths", as the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the first and the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:24,27,32,34-39 KJV).


"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come;" COLOSSIANS 2:16,17


What is the significance of these "shadow Sabbaths"? and what are they "shadows" of ?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

THE SHADOW SABBATHS AND THEIR ANTITYPE​

We know that the "holydays" mentioned in Colossians 2:16, 17 are the various feast days from the old sanctuary system, composing the annual festivals of the spring and of the fall. The new moon designates the precise timing of these various holydays. There were special days scattered among the spring and fall feasts that were specifically designated to be Sabbaths (Leviticus 23 KJV). Paul referred to these "Sabbaths" as, "shadows".


Some of the feast days, such as, the Wave Sheaf and the Day of Pentecost, were clearly specified to occur "on the morrow" after one of these Sabbaths (Leviticus 23:11, 15, 16 KJV).


Others, of these feast days, such as, the Passover, and the 7th day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, were designated to occur the day before one of these "shadow Sabbaths".


Still, other feast days were scheduled to occur directly on one of these "shadow Sabbaths", as the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the first and the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:24,27,32,34-39 KJV).


"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come;" COLOSSIANS 2:16,17


What is the significance of these "shadow Sabbaths"? and what are they "shadows" of ?

Are you hoping to discuss all sabbaths described in Leviticus 23 or only the ones beginning in verse 5?

BFA

 

[Martinman]

In the broad sense everything of the old sanctuary system pointed to Jesus, the Messiah. As I began to study the old covenant (the earthly sanctuary system), I found that each symbol or type had a corresponding antitype that related to events that would transpire under the new covenant (the heavenly sanctuary system)


Particularly, in studying the details of the first advent of the Messiah in His death, burial, and resurrection, also, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, one finds that the point made about the "shadow" Sabbaths being known as a High Holy Day when occurring on the weekly 7th-day Sabbath, was the type being fulfilled on the antitype. I think this may be key to understanding the significance of the Sabbath, as stated in the following Spirit of Prophecy statement.


"I saw that we sensed and realized but little of the importance of the Sabbath, to what we yet should realize and know of its importance and glory. I saw we knew not what it was yet to ride upon the high places of the earth and to be fed with the heritage of Jacob. But when the refreshing and latter rain shall come from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power we shall know what it is to be fed with the heritage of Jacob and ride upon the high places of the earth. Then shall we see the Sabbath more in its importance and glory." Marantha 245


There is more to understand about the Sabbath before we enter the Latter Rain experience, and take part in proclaiming “the Sabbath more fully”. This will not be a popular message.



“ I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the light upon it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the churches and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time God's chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us.” Early Writings, 33


"I saw that the holy Sabbath is, and will be, the separating wall between the true Israel of God and unbelievers; and that the Sabbath is the great question to unite the hearts of God's dear, waiting saints. I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the light upon it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully." {EW 85.2}

 

[Martinman]

Are you hoping to discuss all sabbaths described in Leviticus 23 or only the ones beginning in verse 5?

BFA

Yes, I was hoping to discuss the "shadow" Sabbaths and their antitype.

 

[Martinman]

I'll jump in here and share some of what I have found on this. And then we could all discuss it.


1. All the feast days in the old sanctuary system were scheduled from the new moon of the first month of the sacred year, (the beginning of which was “corresponding to the last of March and the beginning of April.” PP . 537.)


Whenever the new moon, used to designate the timing of the feast days, (which would be the first and the seventh new moon, beginning the first and the seventh month of the sacred year), falls on a seventh-day Sabbath, then all the “shadowy” Sabbaths (ceremonial Sabbaths) which are calculated from that new moon, also, fall on seventh-day-Sabbaths KJV. This is God's mysterious code. It was this prophetic code that Jesus revealed to His disciples 2000 years ago, which was later lost during the dark ages, and is only now being rediscovered by God's people today.


2.This is apparently the reason God links these two significant days together, the seventh-day Sabbath and the new moon, in the new heaven and the new earth which He will create. In combination, they are the “key”, that unlocks the prophecies of Moses, as revealed in the old covenant system of Hebrew worship. (Isaiah 66:22-24.)


"For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh." Isaiah 66:22-24.


"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:" Rev. 12:1 KJV.


3.The spring feast days from Passover to Pentecost number 52 days, according to the Bible evidence (Leviticus 23:5-16, 1 Corinthians 15:4 KJV), and the main Hebrew calendars in use today. (There is no variation in the count of the days, or the manner of observance from year to year) The ceremonies within the spring feast days were observed unvaried every year, this indicates that there was no specially designated year, when these spring feast days would meet their fulfillment from the books of Moses. (The prophet Daniel, however, in Daniel 9:27 says it was to occur in the midst of the 70th week of years.) This, however, was not the case for the fall feast days.



4.Unlike the spring feasts, the fall feast days, 22 literal days, had extra special ceremonies that where performed only in the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, clearly, indicating that their main fulfillment would be in these two special years.Some of the fall feast days had extra special ceremonies in the Sabbatical year only(the year of release). The law of God was read to all, men, women, children, and the stranger during the days of the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10-16). This practice was reserved just for the Sabbatical year(the year of release).


Deuteronomy 31:10-13 KJV "And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of [every] seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that [is] within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And [that] their children, which have not known [any thing], may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.)


5.The Day of Atonement also, had extra special significance in the Sabbatical year(year of release), when certain classes of Hebrew slaves were set free (Deuteronomy 15:1, 12). This evidence shows that a fulfillment of the Day of Atonement can be expected to take place in a Sabbath year. No doubt, this is the Sabbatical year that precedes the year of Jubilee.


The reason for this is that there are 4 “shadowy” Sabbaths that must all come on seventh-day Sabbaths in their fulfillment, and this always happens in two consecutive years, Remember the year before the Jubilee year is always a Sabbatical year.


6. There is only one feast day that had extra special significance, in both, the Sabbatical year and in the year of Jubilee, and that fall feast day is the Day of Atonement. In the Sabbatical year a certain class of Hebrew slaves were set free (Deuteronomy 15:1, 12. PP 532).



The Day of Atonement has special significancein its fulfillment in the Sabbatical year, but its prime fulfillment was reserved for the commencement of the Jubilee (Leviticus. 25:8-10).


7.All other slaves waited for the Jubilee trumpet to sound on the Day of Atonement of the Jubilee year (Leviticus. 25:9,10, PP 534). The Jubilee trumpet was blown only on that special Holy day, when all slaves where set free from slavery. ( So it can now be clearly seen that Jesus designed the Day of Atonement to come on the tenth day of the month, because only then, are all four of the “shadowy Sabbaths within the fall feast days, positioned to come on seventh-day Sabbaths in these two consecutive years, the very years when they have their extra special significance. Isn't that amazing!

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Subscribing with intense interest

 

[Martinman]

Subscribing with intense interest

Thank you for your interest.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

But when the refreshing and latter rain shall come from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power we shall know what it is to be fed with the heritage of Jacob and ride upon the high places of the earth. Then shall we see the Sabbath more in its importance and glory." Marantha 245


There is more to understand about the Sabbath before we enter the Latter Rain experience, and take part in proclaiming “the Sabbath more fully”. This will not be a popular message.

Yes, the Sabbath message is already not very popular. Instead of people seeing it in the simplicity and harmony that it signifies, they see it as an affront to their tradition, wisdon and knowledge.

Just a small clarification, you stated that we will need to learn more of the significance of Sabbath before the Latter Rain, but sister White states that that knowledge will be given at that time. That's not to say that we cannot continue our own search of scripture, of course. But the Holy Spirit coming upon us and this deeper knowledge of Sabbath will not be of our own understanding.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Yes, I was hoping to discuss the "shadow" Sabbaths and their antitype.

From my perspective, that includes Verses 1-4 of Leviticus 23. Does your perspective differ?

BFA

 

[Martinman]

Yes, the Sabbath message is already not very popular. Instead of people seeing it in the simplicity and harmony that it signifies, they see it as an affront to their tradition, wisdon and knowledge.

Just a small clarification, you stated that we will need to learn more of the significance of Sabbath before the Latter Rain, but sister White states that that knowledge will be given at that time. That's not to say that we cannot continue our own search of scripture, of course. But the Holy Spirit coming upon us and this deeper knowledge of Sabbath will not be of our own understanding.

What I mean to say, is that there is more knowledge regarding the Sabbath in type and antitype that is revealed in Scripture, that we are able to understand at the present time. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit illuminates our knowledge and gives us a realization of the glory of God's
plan of salvation revealed through the type and antitype of the Sabbath as it relates to the sanctuary (the old covenant -- the new covenant).


Please notice the remaining portion of the statement that I quoted from Marantha, p. 245.

"Then shall we see the Sabbath more in its importance and glory. But we shall not see it in all its glory and importance until the covenant of peace is made with us at the voice of God, ..." Maranatha, p. 245

 

[Martinman]

From my perspective, that includes Verses 1-4 of Leviticus 23. Does your perspective differ?

BFA

Leviticus 23: 1-4 is included, because it is the "key" (the antitype) to understanding the "shadow" Sabbaths throughout the festival schedule.

 

[Martinman]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]THE 4 SABBATHS THAT ALWAYS APPEAR TOGETHER[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A casual look at the perpetual Hebrew calendar [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“HEBCAL” will show that all 4 Sabbaths of the fall feasts [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]very often occur on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]seventh day Sabbaths together in two consecutive years[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]. For example, look at these years listed in the list below. Of course, in most years they have no special significance, it is only when [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]this phenomena occurs in the 49th and 50th years [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]that it would have potential significance. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The two calendars, HILLEL I (HI) [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]used from Moses' time to C.E. 354.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] , & HILLEL II (HII) USED FROM C.E. 354 TO TODAY[/FONT]​

For example in the year 2003 the “Feast of Trumpets”, the first day of the “Feast of Tabernacles” and the eighth day of the “Feast of Tabernacles” all fell on Holy seventh day Sabbaths , and the very next year in 2004 the “Day of Atonement” occurred on the Holy seventh day Sabbath also, and the exact same thing can be seen in the two consecutive years listed in the list bellow taken from “HEBCAL” (the perpetual Hebrew calendar HII). HI is the calendar used up until the middle of the 4th century, and the HII is the calendar used from the middle of the 4th century, ​

2003-----2004---- HII, .....ONLY​

2009-----2010---- HII, .....ONLY​

2023-----2024---- HI + HII​

2027-----2028---- HI + HII​

2030-----2031---- HI + HII​

2033-----2034---- HI + HII​

2040-----2041---- HII,..... ONLY​

2050-----2051---- HII, .....ONLY​

2054-----2055---- HI + HII ​

2057-----2058---- HI + HII​

2061-----2062---- HI + HII ​

2067-----2068---- HII, ....ONLY​

2070-----2071---- HII, ....ONLY​

2077-----2078---- HII, ....ONLY ​

2081-----2082---- HI + HII​

2084-----2085---- HI + HII * etc. etc. etc.​

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Leviticus 23: 1-4 is included, because it is the "key" (the antitype) to understanding the "shadow" Sabbaths throughout the festival schedule.

OK. I'd like to better understand this. Where in Leviticus 23 would I find confirmation of this?

What's your take on Colossians 2 and Hebrews 10? Is Jesus the reality to which the shadows point, or is it the seventh-day sabbath?

BFA

 

[Martinman]

OK. I'd like to better understand this. Where in Leviticus 23 would I find confirmation of this?

What's your take on Colossians 2 and Hebrews 10? Is Jesus the reality to which the shadows point, or is it the seventh-day sabbath?

BFA

The Messiah is the only one who can accurately interpret the old covenant, which is the earthly sanctuary system that He designed and gave to Moses. We can be so thankful that we do have the record in the Gospels of His interpretation of the whole earthly sanctuary system, which He brought to an end when the veil in the temple between the two apartments, was split open from the top to the bottom.


In the broadest sense everything in the old sanctuary system pointed to Christ, and His mediatorial work in the new covenant. Nevertheless, His fulfillment of the festivals that related to the first advent, were fulfilled in such intricate detail, His crucifixion coinciding with the exact hour of the day that the Passover Lamb was to be slain, on the exact day of the week, and the exact day of the month, and the exact month of the year, along with the exact year in the Sabbatical cycle of years, and the exact Sabbatical cycle of years in the Jubilee cycle of years, to show us that every fine detail in the type had an antitype of its own, with tremendous significance.


Think of it this way. Overall, the earthly sanctuary system pointed to the Messiah and His heavenly sanctuary. But there were many shadows within the old covenant, and each type had its antitype.


Colossians 2 is written to warn believers against human philosophy that would lead them to renounce faith in Christ through a return to the ordinances which were nailed to the cross, as well as, commandments and doctrines of men.


Hebrews 10 shows that the shadows or types were not the reality, but were shadows of the true plan of salvation, the new covenant. The shadows could not take away sin, but the blood of the true offering, the Lamb of God would remove the sin from the sanctuary, on the antitype of the Day of Atonement, so that the sins would not be remembered or brought into mind from that time. This covenant is the new covenant which God said He will make after those days. (Jeremiah 31:31).

 

[Byfaithalone1]

In the broadest sense everything in the old sanctuary system pointed to Christ, and His mediatorial work in the new covenant. Nevertheless, His fulfillment of the festivals that related to the first advent, were fulfilled in such intricate detail

According to Leviticus 23, these festivals include the seventh-day sabbath.

Think of it this way. Overall, the earthly sanctuary system pointed to the Messiah and His heavenly sanctuary. But there were many shadows within the old covenant, and each type had its antitype.

Did the festivals point to the sabbath or to Jesus Christ?

BFA

 

[Martinman]

According to Leviticus 23, these festivals include the seventh-day sabbath.



Did the festivals point to the sabbath or to Jesus Christ?

BFA

The festivals of the old covenant were days on which ceremonies or rehearsals were observed that pointed to the great work of Christ in the plan of salvation within the new covenant. The precise time that each ceremony was to be observed pointed to the exact hour of the day, the exact day of the week, the exact day of the month, the exact month of the year, the exact year within the Sabbatical cycle of years, and the exact Sabbatical cycle of years within the Jubilee cycle of years, when the Messiah would fulfill each of these types, accomplishing the great events in the plan of redemption, His death, His resurrection, etc.[BIBLE][/BIBLE]

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Do you then believe that Christ's second coming will also be associated with one of these days? If so, how does that reconcile with, that we are not to know the hour or the day of His coming?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

The festivals of the old covenant were days on which ceremonies or rehearsals were observed that pointed to the great work of Christ in the plan of salvation within the new covenant. The precise time that each ceremony was to be observed pointed to the exact hour of the day, the exact day of the week, the exact day of the month, the exact month of the year, the exact year within the Sabbatical cycle of years, and the exact Sabbatical cycle of years within the Jubilee cycle of years, when the Messiah would fulfill each of these types, accomplishing the great events in the plan of redemption, His death, His resurrection, etc.

Unless I've misunderstood you, it seems we might agree that ALL of the holy convocations listed in Leviticus 23 pointed to Jesus Christ. I suppose the pending question is whether Jesus did what He said He came to do.

BFA

 

[Martinman]

Do you then believe that Christ's second coming will also be associated with one of these days? If so, how does that reconcile with, that we are not to know the hour or the day of His coming?

Thank-you for your response


None of the festival days of Leviticus 23 give us the day and the hour of the second coming of our Lord, also, none of these days give us the year, or the decade, or the century, for that matter. But there are other gems in the Word of God and in the Spirit of Prophecy that help us know when that day is very, very near.


1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.”


In Leviticus 25, the Jubilee year was announced by the blowing of the trumpet on the Day of Atonement. On that day all slaves were set free. The Day of Atonement was specified to be a “Sabbath” each year, no matter which day of the week it fell on (Lev. 23:32, Lev. 16:31), showing that the antitype would be on a 7th-day Sabbath.


The Spirit of Prophecy states the circumstances and events surrounding the commencement of the anti-typical Jubilee, in Early Writings, pp. 34, 35. This is not the second coming of Jesus, but it is the day on which we learn the day and the hour of the second coming when we hear the Father's voice giving us the “day and hour”.


Some day on the Sabbath Day of Atonement in a Biblical Jubilee year, after probation has already been closed, we will hear God the Father reveal us the day and the hour of the second coming of Jesus our Messiah.


“And as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus' coming and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah, and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. And at the end of every sentence the saints shouted, "Glory! Alleluia!" Their countenances were lighted up with the glory of God; and they shone with the glory, as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked could not look on them for the glory. And when the never-ending blessing was pronounced on those who had honored God in keeping His Sabbath holy, there was a mighty shout of victory over the beast and over his image. Then commenced the jubilee, when the land should rest.” Early Writings, p. 34, 35, by Ellen G. White


“If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then Jesus would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the advent band, and they shouted "Alleluia!" Others rashly denied the light behind them, and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below.

“Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai.


“The 144,000 were all sealed, and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, "God, New Jerusalem," and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.” CET 57, 58 E. G.White.


But the diligent students of prophecy, can look for, and with the Holy Spirits help, recognize the hand-writing of God on the wall, and know that we are now very, very close to the end of time.

 

[Martinman]

THE SHADOWY SABBATHS --AND THEIR ANTI-TYPE​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Some of these annual feasts are listed as “Sabbaths”, “holy convocations”, and days of “no servile work”. Others are listed as “holy convocations” and days of “no servile work”. Each has a distinctive meaning. “Sabbath” means “Sabbath”; “holy convocation” means only a “holy convocation”; no “servile work” means only “no servile work”. The “Sabbath” is a “holy convocation”, but a “holy convocation” is not necessarily a “Sabbath”. For example, Wednesday prayer meeting is a “holy convocation”, but it is not a “Sabbath”, and it is not a day of “no servile work”. There are only two feast days with the requirement of absolutely no work whatsoever. These two days are, the seventh-day Sabbath and the Day of Atonement. [/FONT]




[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]To illustrate this point, let us look at God's specifications for the Day of Pentecost in Leviticus 23: 15-21 KJV. One can clearly see that Pentecost is required to come theday after the seventh Sabbath counting from the Wave Sheaf offering, Wave Sheaf being the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread; yet Pentecost is specified to be a “holy convocation” and, also, a “day of no servile work”, but, it is not a Sabbath, because it is specified to come on the morrow after a Sabbath,just like the specifications are for the Wave Sheaf offering.[/FONT]