What Are The Sabbaths In Colossians 2:16, 17 Shadows Of?

[Martinman]

The sacred year calendar given by God to Moses for the Hebrews was made up of 7 months, each month beginning with the new moon. The first month of the year coincided with the time of the barley harvest.

"...the first month of the Jewish year, corresponding to the last of March and the beginning of April." PP 537

All of the annual feast days and "shadow" Sabbaths from Leviticus 23 were scheduled to occur within these 7 months. After the seventh month, there were several more months to complete the year and to maintain the 7 months of the sacred year in syn with the seasons.

Without visual calendars, the Hebrews were able to count the days from the new moon to the day designated for each of the feast days including the days designated as "shadow" Sabbaths.

"Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings,... on the first day [shall be] a sabbath, and on the eighth day [shall be] a sabbath." Leviticus 23: 38, 39

The 7th-day Sabbath, however, was scheduled entirely by the sun, from sunset to sunset the days were numbered.

There is a very interesting phenomona that applies to all the feast days and that is--whenever the new moon that regulates the annual feast days coincides with the 7th-day Sabbaths then all the "shadow" Sabbaths that are governed by that new moon, also fall on 7th-day Sabbaths. There are 8 "shadow" Sabbath dispersed among the spring festivals and 4 dispersed among the fall festivals, making a total of 12 (using the King James Version of the Bible). It first appears that only 11 of them could coincide with 7th-day Sabbaths, but a closer and a deeper examination clearly shows that all 12 of them precisely align with 7th-day Sabbaths within a particular setting. (This will be explained in depth later

When our Messiah fulfilled the festivals relating to His first advent, the new moon of the first month and ALL 8 of the "shadow" Sabbaths within the spring feast days, coincided with 7th-day Sabbaths. He is the True Interpreter. His interpretation is the only valid one that we can consider.

 

[Martinman]

The first point I would make to show that the ceremonial "Sabbath" (shadow Sabbaths) are not the 7th-day Sabbath is the fact that Lev. 23:38, 39 (KJV) mentions that there were "Sabbaths" beside the Sabbaths of the Lord:

1.

"Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, ... 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 the LORD seven days: on the first day [shall be] a sabbath, and on the eighth day [shall be] a sabbath." Lev. 23:38, 39 KJV.

2.

The entire old covenant feast day schedule was based upon the moon cycle.

3.

The 7th-day Sabbath was calculated entirely by the sun, each day being measured from sunset to sunset.

4.

To enlarge upon the moon cycle, each month began with the new moon. The new moon falls on a different day of the week every month since the moon cycle is not an even 28-day cycle.

5

The special days designated as Sabbaths in Leviticus 23 (KJV) which were dispersed within the spring and fall feast days, were to be calculated from the new moon. Whichever day of the week that the new moon occurred on, then all of the "shadow" Sabbaths, scheduled from that new moon, fell on the same day of a week. For example, if the new moon occurred on a Wednesday, then the 15th day, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread would also occur on a Wednesday as would the other 7 "shadow" Sabbaths in the count to the day just preceding the Day of Pentecost (Lev. 23:15, 16 KJV) If the new moon occurred on the 7th-day Sabbath, then the "shadow" Sabbaths would all coincide with 7th-day Sabbaths until the day just before the Day of Pentecost.

6

This principle holds true for the "shadow" Sabbaths dispersed among the spring feasts scheduled from the first new moon of the year, as well, as those "shadow" Sabbaths of the fall feasts scheduled within the 7th month

7.

Incidentally, there are exactly 12 of these annual "shadow" Sabbaths, 8 of them dispersed within the spring feasts and the remaining 4 among the fall feasts.

8

One major proof that the "shadow" (ceremonial) Sabbaths of the old covenant system were not 7th-day Sabbaths is in the fall feast days that occurred in the 7th month. The new moon which was the 1st day of this month, is specified to be a Sabbath. Also, the 10th day of this same month has the same specification of being a Sabbath. These two Sabbaths being 9 days apart present an impossibility of both being 7th-day Sabbaths in that particular month. (A deeper study of this phenomenon will show the glorious design behind it, where on the surface it appears to be confusing.)

9

Now, taking another look at Colossians 2:16,17 (KJV) it states that the holydays, new moons, and Sabbath are shadows of things to come.

For example, if I have a pencil, it will make a shadow of a pencil. It will not make a shadow of a cookie, or a dog, or a cat. The shadow of a pencil is not the pencil. Let there be no confusion. One point to remember is that a shadow cannot make another shadow of anything. It is completely impossible.

10.

It is an absolute impossibility that this Sabbath could be referring to the 7th day of the week because of the interpretation that the Messiah gave to the "shadow" Sabbaths within the literal 52-days of the spring feasts, from Passover to the Day of Pentecost. The type occurred on the antitype. The "shadow" Sabbaths fell on 7th-day Sabbaths. This is what the "shadow" Sabbaths were shadows of.

 

[Martinman]

The Sadducee method of calculating the "shadow" Sabbaths within the annual feasts was to delay the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread until the next 7th-day Sabbath after the Passover that occurred on the 14th of the month. But this creates big problems for an understanding the "shadow" Sabbaths within the fall feasts. And, furthermore, the Messiah did not endorse the Sadducee method of interpretation.

The position that the Wave Sheaf offering was to be observed on the 16th of the first month, just as the Pharisees believed and taught, and just as the Messiah interpreted it when He fulfilled these feasts, is the correct position.

He fulfilled the springs feasts exactly as the Pharisees taught this doctrine. Every "shadow" Sabbath came on the 7th-day Sabbath. That is the reason why these Sabbaths were termed "high days", because the shadow fell on its reality. See John 19:31--KJV"for that Sabbath was an 'high day'". This is speaking the Sabbath that the Messiah lay in the tomb, which was the first day of Unleavened Bread.

The Sadducees position was to celebrate the Passover on the 14th day of the first month and then wait until the next 7th-day Sabbath to continue the schedule of the spring feasts, observing the Wave Sheaf offering "on the morrow after the Sabbath, the priest shall wave it." Lev. 23:11. They viewed this "shadow" Sabbath as a literal 7th-day Sabbath every year--BUT IF THEY DREW THIS POSITION ACROSS TO THE FALL FEASTS THEY HAD A HUGE PROBLEM WITH ALL 4 SABBATHS WITHIN THE FALL FEAST DAYS--because the 1st day of the seventh month which is stated to be a "Sabbath", as was the 10th day, do not consistently fall on the 7th-day Sabbath each year. Nor is it possible that it could ever be, since the Day of Atonement is scheduled on the 10th day of the 7th month

The Sadducees perception was only in the physical realm--only that which they could see with their physical eyes, they had no spiritual eyesight. The texts below show some of what they believed.

"The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection,.." Matthew 22:23 KJV

"Then came to [him] certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection;" Luke 20:27 KJV

"For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both..." Act 23:8 KJV

This would be the reason that the Messiah gave such positive warnings against the doctrine of the Sadducees, and demonstrated the validity of the position of the Pharisees, and admonished believers to follow the teachings of the Pharisees, yet not to do as they do, as they were hypocrites--saying one thing and doing another

Luke 24:44-46-"KJV And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:"

In these verses, the Messiah repeats to the disciples the subjects that He had discussed with them before His death. Now He opens their understanding so that they perceive the meaning of the old covenant system-the law of Moses-besides other Scriptures. In verse 46 He actually states, "THUS IT IS WRITTEN, AND THUS IT BEHOVED CHRIST TO SUFFER, AND TO RISE FROM THE DEAD THE THIRD DAY:

Give this evidence serious consideration, as the schedule of the old covenant system is so prophetic in events and timing of the plan of salvation. This is very important.

We cannot understand these prophecies if we reject the Pharisaical interpretation, and, of course, most importantly, the Messiah's teaching through His fulfillment of them

 

[StormyOne]

This is important to you because? How do you know with certainty that the things you say Christ said he actually said?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

You seem to be very passionate about this subject. Is it your perspective that all people should set aside the seventh day as a day of rest?

All of the annual feast days and "shadow" Sabbaths from Leviticus 23 were scheduled to occur within these 7 months.

You begin your discussion with an assumption that contradicts the passage you cited. Leviticus 23 does not create a distinction between the 7th day sabbath and shadow sabbaths. Rather, Leviticus 23 demonstrates that the 7th day sabbath is as much a holy convocation as any other sabbath.

"Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings,... on the first day [shall be] a sabbath, and on the eighth day [shall be] a sabbath." Leviticus 23: 38, 39

What sabbaths are described immediately prior to Verses 38 and 39? What sabbaths are described immediately after Verses 38 and 39?

Q: Does the topic of Verses 38 and 39 relate to sabbaths or to the offerings offered on sabbaths?

The words omitted by your elipses are important words, indeed.

The 7th-day Sabbath, however, was scheduled entirely by the sun, from sunset to sunset the days were numbered.

How exactly would a day of passover be observed if not by the sun?

When our Messiah fulfilled the festivals relating to His first advent, the new moon of the first month and ALL 8 of the "shadow" Sabbaths within the spring feast days, coincided with 7th-day Sabbaths. He is the True Interpreter. His interpretation is the only valid one that we can consider.

One problem. You've attributed your own interpretation to Jesus Christ as though it was His interpretation.

BFA

 

[Avonia]

Give this evidence serious consideration, as the schedule of the old covenant system is so prophetic in events and timing of the plan of salvation.

Given that God is Alpha & Omega (assuming you believe that), and that the aforementioned "plan of salvation" is God's, what's the meaning of "timing" in that context?

It's an interesting concept to ponder when it comes to Sabbath.

 

[AzA]

How exactly would a day of passover be observed if not by the sun?

By the moon. Martinman is trying to distinguish between lunar calendar festivals and solar calendar festivals.

 

[Martinman]

This is important to you because? How do you know with certainty that the things you say Christ said he actually said?

Thank you for your questions.

These studies are some of the details of the plan of salvation.

The old covenant (earthly sanctuary system) was God's plan of salvation in symbols and the new covenant (heavenly sanctuary system) is the reality of what the symbols in the old covenant represented. We know the plan of salvation is important to all of us.

The correct understanding of God's plan of salvation will keep us from the deception of Satan.

We can know with certainty that Christ actually said these things, because we believe the Holy Bible. If it is written in the Bible, it is truth.

 

[Martinman]

You seem to be very passionate about this subject. Is it your perspective that all people should set aside the seventh day as a day of rest?

You begin your discussion with an assumption that contradicts the passage you cited. Leviticus 23 does not create a distinction between the 7th day sabbath and shadow sabbaths. Rather, Leviticus 23 demonstrates that the 7th day sabbath is as much a holy convocation as any other sabbath.

What sabbaths are described immediately prior to Verses 38 and 39? What sabbaths are described immediately after Verses 38 and 39?

Q: Does the topic of Verses 38 and 39 relate to sabbaths or to the offerings offered on sabbaths?

The words omitted by your elipses are important words, indeed.

How exactly would a day of passover be observed if not by the sun?

One problem. You've attributed your own interpretation to Jesus Christ as though it was His interpretation.

BFA

Passionate isn't the word about how I feel about these subjects--I'm obsessed with it! I eat, sleep, and dream about this! How could you tell?

And, in answering your question, yes, I know that God commanded us to "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." The commandment goes on to inform us of which day this is. However, in my presentation I was not intending to give the impression of whether one should observe or not observe the 7th-day of the week. My focus was entirely on the prophetic application of the old covenant, the earthly sanctuary system.

You are exactly right--the 7th-day Sabbath is shown to be observed as a holy convocation, as are the "shadow" Sabbaths, and the Day of Pentecost, etc. in Leviticus 23. Let me give some points that you may want to consider. A requirement for the 7th-day Sabbath is that no work whatsoever was to be performed on that day, whereas, when one examines requirements for the "shadow" Sabbaths, one finds that the requirement is that no "servile" work be performed. The 38th and 39th verses of Leviticus 23, point out that these Sabbaths were Sabbaths besides the Sabbath of the Lord.

There are no Sabbaths specifically named in verse 37, immediately prior to verse 38. Those that are named as Sabbaths at the end of verse 39 are the Sabbaths being described as, "Besides the Sabbath of the Lord..." Verse 38.

A definition of terms may be in order.
A Sabbath is a "holy convocation", but a "holy convocation" is not necessarily a Sabbath. This is illustrated by the requirements for the Day of Pentecost, which was to be a "holy convocation" of "no servile work", and yet it was not a day named as a Sabbath. In fact the Day of Pentecost was to be observed specifically, "on the morrow after the seventh Sabbath, shall ye number 50 days;" Leviticus 23:16.

The topics of Leviticus 23 :38, 39 definitely are relating to both the offerings to be offered and the fact that certain days were to be observed as Sabbaths.

I would agree that the words of Scripture that are omitted by marks of elipses are VERY important words, as it states that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. However, I only wanted to draw attention to some specific point.

Yes, every day is measured from sunset to sunset, Passover is no exception. Nonetheless, these feast days were scheduled entirely on the moon cycle. By that I mean, that the count from the beginning of the month until the day of the month specified was begun from the day of the new moon. The 7th-day Sabbath, of course, was not scheduled by any moon cycle, but was scheduled entirely by the sun.

Actually, I discovered the prophetic implications of these feast days, by studying the manner in which the Messiah interpreted them by His fulfillment of them when He was crucified and resurrected and poured out the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

 

[Martinman]

Given that God is Alpha & Omega (assuming you believe that), and that the aforementioned "plan of salvation" is God's, what's the meaning of "timing" in that context?

It's an interesting concept to ponder when it comes to Sabbath.

Yes, I believe that God is Alpha & Omega, and I believe that God has scheduled the timing of the events that relate to the Messiah's first coming and the timing of the events relating to the second coming by revealing these events and the timing of them through the old covenant sanctuary system, all the way from Passover in the first month to the Day of Atonement of the Jubile in the fiftieth year.


"And the LORD appointed a set time,..." Exodus 9:5

"Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt:" Exodus 23:15

"Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season." Number 9:2

"...and hath determined the times before appointed...Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained;" Acts 17:26, 31.

 

[StormyOne]

Thank you for your questions.

These studies are some of the details of the plan of salvation.

The old covenant (earthly sanctuary system) was God's plan of salvation in symbols and the new covenant (heavenly sanctuary system) is the reality of what the symbols in the old covenant represented. We know the plan of salvation is important to all of us.

The correct understanding of God's plan of salvation will keep us from the deception of Satan.

We can know with certainty that Christ actually said these things, because we believe the Holy Bible. If it is written in the Bible, it is truth.

I see... thank you for sharing....

 

[Avonia]

We can know with certainty that Christ actually said these things, because we believe the Holy Bible. If it is written in the Bible, it is truth.

It's my sense that is not an especially wise position. Unless we are clear that truth is not always factual/historical.

The difference between 1 Chronicles 21:1 and 2 Samuel 24:1 is a great example of this. It seems the latter story reflects a changed perception of God - one that includes a satan figure. This changed perception is likely the result of the Hebrews exposure to Zoroastrianism. I find the explanation literalists often use concerning these two texts, lacking. To say the least.

In reading thousands of posts about Sabbath on CF, I often observe Sabbatarians working from a smaller frame of reference. I observe this, and I'm a member of the SDA church.

There is great beauty in the principle of Sabbath. I wish we would let go of the law/structure stuff a bit and dive more deeply into the principle.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Q: You've indicated that "these studies are some of the details of the plan of salvation." Can you help me understand how this study relates to the plan of salvation?

And, in answering your question, yes, I know that God commanded us to "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." The commandment goes on to inform us of which day this is.

Commanded us? Exodus 31 paints a very different picture.

However, in my presentation I was not intending to give the impression of whether one should observe or not observe the 7th-day of the week.

Your reference to "commanded us" suggests otherwise.

You are exactly right--the 7th-day Sabbath is shown to be observed as a holy convocation, as are the "shadow" Sabbaths, and the Day of Pentecost, etc. in Leviticus 23.

Then it would seem that the distinction between sabbaths that you would like to make is not rooted in Leviticus 23.

The 38th and 39th verses of Leviticus 23, point out that these Sabbaths were Sabbaths besides the Sabbath of the Lord.

No. Verses 38 and 39 come in the middle of a group of sabbaths that you view as "ceremonial" and therefore the distinction that you see does not follow. In fact, Verses 38 and 39 relate to a distinction between offerings and not a distinction between sabbaths.

A Sabbath is a "holy convocation", but a "holy convocation" is not necessarily a Sabbath.

If all sabbaths are holy convocations (and there are several sabbaths listed in Leviticus 23), then how can we conclude that there is a distinction between sabbaths?

The topics of Leviticus 23 :38, 39 definitely are relating to both the offerings to be offered and the fact that certain days were to be observed as Sabbaths.

If so, then Verses 38 and 39 would tell us which days. Please show us the evidence of that.

Actually, I discovered the prophetic implications of these feast days, by studying the manner in which the Messiah interpreted them by His fulfillment of them when He was crucified and resurrected and poured out the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

It seems that you may be forcing a prophetic interpretation on a passage even though the interpretation is negated by the passage itself.

BFA

 

[Byfaithalone1]

By the moon. Martinman is trying to distinguish between lunar calendar festivals and solar calendar festivals.

My point is that you cannot observe any festival without the sun, for they are "evening and morning" festivals. A number of implied distinctions have been made in this thread, but they tend to break down upon further inspection.

BFA

 

[AzA]

My point is that you cannot observe any festival without the sun, for they are "evening and morning" festivals.

That I understand. All days are sun-based. But not all dates are sun-based. Lunar calendars tend to be a bit more fluid than the calendars we are used to because we've chosen a solar base.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

That I understand. All days are sun-based. But not all dates are sun-based. Lunar calendars tend to be a bit more fluid than the calendars we are used to because we've chosen a solar base.

We agree on this point.

BFA

 

[GailMc]

Dear Martinman I can also tell by some of the things that you've written that you suffer from not being able to keep the Sabbath by going to Church on Sunday. You probably do the best you can wherever you are, but the Church is ONE. Your suffering from the sickness in your soul from your sins. It is obvious to me. I hope you see it too. You could try coming to Church on Sunday and see if it helps. But that may ruin your participation in the denomination you've chosen for yourself. I kinda hope it does! God loves you man! Give it a try His Way!

Peace and all good,

Gail

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Dear Martinman I can also tell by some of the things that you've written that you suffer from not being able to keep the Sabbath by going to Church on Sunday. You probably do the best you can wherever you are, but the Church is ONE. Your suffering from the sickness in your soul from your sins. It is obvious to me. I hope you see it too. You could try coming to Church on Sunday and see if it helps. But that may ruin your participation in the denomination you've chosen for yourself. I kinda hope it does! God loves you man! Give it a try His Way!

Peace and all good,

Gail

Welcome, Gail. It's always nice to see a new face in this forum. I look forward to getting to know you better.

I just wanted to clarify to make sure I understand where you're coming from. Does God have a preference regarding the day we go to church?

BFA

 

[Martinman]

Q: You've indicated that "these studies are some of the details of the plan of salvation." Can you help me understand how this study relates to the plan of salvation?
BFA

To give an overview of the larger picture, I'll state that the whole old covenant system was "a schoolmaster" ("But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Gal. 3:23-25) to teach us the details of the events and the timing of these events that God had "appointed" in His plan to save man from sin. In fact the absolute only purpose of the observances of the old covenant were to teach God's great plan of salvation and keep faith alive in the coming Messiah Saviour.

Moses was given this whole system in the mount, as he beheld the "pattern" in the heaven, which was the great original.

"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." Hebrews 8:5, 6.

In this old covenant system, each day that was specified on which to observe a ceremony, represented a day in the future in reference to the years within the 50-year Jubile cycle, when the event represented by the ceremony would happen.

The old covenant was a "shadow" of the new covenant. Everything in the old covenant pointed to some reality that would occur in the future in God's plan of salvation.

For example, the Passover--on which Christ, the LAMB OF GOD was crucified, was typified in the old covenant system by the killing of the Passover Lamb. It was specified to Moses that it would be on the 14th day of the first month at the ninth hour which was at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, on a day just before a "shadow" Sabbath, when the Lamb was to be killed by all Israel. It was not to be killed by a heathen nation, but by God's own people.

"And [one] shall say unto him, What [are] these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, [Those] with which I was wounded [in] the house of my friends." Zechariah 13:6.

According to Daniel's prophecy, the Messiah was to be crucified in the "midst of the week" of years. Daniel 9:27.

The next day after the observance of the Passover, the Israelites observed the "shadow" Sabbath. Then on the 16th day of this first month they performed the "Wave Sheaf" offering, when the barley sheaf (or first fruits) were waved before the Lord.

"And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it." Lev. 23:11.

The Messiah's resurrection was forshadowed in this ceremony, He, being the first fruits, together with those who were raised.

"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Matthew 27: 52, 53.

"Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." 1 Cor. 15:23.

From the "shadow" Sabbath the Feast of Unleavened Bread was observed for 7 days, in which no leaven was to be eaten or retained in the home, as leaven represented sin and its quiet growth imperceptably permeating the whole lump. It was to be expelled, not to be partaken of by the individual--(being the transgression of God's law) As mentioned, this feast was observed for 7 days--the number 7 meaning completeness and extending until the end of time. This was a fitting symbol of the life in Christ in which the Christian continues the work of expelling sin from his heart and home by the indwelling Christ.

7 Sabbaths later, from the day that the Wave Sheaf offering was brought, reached to the day before Pentecost. The offering specified for the Day of Pentecost was loaves baked with leaven. Lev. 23:15, 16.

"Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven;" Lev. 23:17.

These represented man, as he naturally is, polluted by sin, coming to God for cleansing and for the Holy Spirit's power to create the new man alive unto God. On the exact day in the year 31 C.E. the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples as they waited and prayed in the upper room, fulfilling the ancient type of the Day of Pentecost.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4

And so on....

In the articles that I posted about the "shadow" Sabbaths, I was focusing on all the days in the old covenant that were specified as "Sabbaths" and that in the year 31 C.E. all of these that were connected to the Messiah's first coming, occurred on 7th day Sabbaths.

This principle interprets the ceremonies yet to be fulfilled, on certain specified days in the future.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

To give an overview of the larger picture, I'll state that the whole old covenant system was "a schoolmaster" ("But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Gal. 3:23-25) to teach us the details of the events and the timing of these events that God had "appointed" in His plan to save man from sin. In fact the absolute only purpose of the observances of the old covenant were to teach God's great plan of salvation and keep faith alive in the coming Messiah Saviour.

Moses was given this whole system in the mount, as he beheld the "pattern" in the heaven, which was the great original.

"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." Hebrews 8:5, 6.

In this old covenant system, each day that was specified on which to observe a ceremony, represented a day in the future in reference to the years within the 50-year Jubile cycle, when the event represented by the ceremony would happen.

The old covenant was a "shadow" of the new covenant. Everything in the old covenant pointed to some reality that would occur in the future in God's plan of salvation.

For example, the Passover--on which Christ, the LAMB OF GOD was crucified, was typified in the old covenant system by the killing of the Passover Lamb. It was specified to Moses that it would be on the 14th day of the first month at the ninth hour which was at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, on a day just before a "shadow" Sabbath, when the Lamb was to be killed by all Israel. It was not to be killed by a heathen nation, but by God's own people.

"And [one] shall say unto him, What [are] these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, [Those] with which I was wounded [in] the house of my friends." Zechariah 13:6.

According to Daniel's prophecy, the Messiah was to be crucified in the "midst of the week" of years. Daniel 9:27.

The next day after the observance of the Passover, the Israelites observed the "shadow" Sabbath. Then on the 16th day of this first month they performed the "Wave Sheaf" offering, when the barley sheaf (or first fruits) were waved before the Lord.

"And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it." Lev. 23:11.

The Messiah's resurrection was forshadowed in this ceremony, He, being the first fruits, together with those who were raised.

"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Matthew 27: 52, 53.

"Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." 1 Cor. 15:23.

From the "shadow" Sabbath the Feast of Unleavened Bread was observed for 7 days, in which no leaven was to be eaten or retained in the home, as leaven represented sin and its quiet growth imperceptably permeating the whole lump. It was to be expelled, not to be partaken of by the individual--(being the transgression of God's law) As mentioned, this feast was observed for 7 days--the number 7 meaning completeness and extending until the end of time. This was a fitting symbol of the life in Christ in which the Christian continues the work of expelling sin from his heart and home by the indwelling Christ.

7 Sabbaths later, from the day that the Wave Sheaf offering was brought, reached to the day before Pentecost. The offering specified for the Day of Pentecost was loaves baked with leaven. Lev. 23:15, 16.

"Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven;" Lev. 23:17.

These represented man, as he naturally is, polluted by sin, coming to God for cleansing and for the Holy Spirit's power to create the new man alive unto God. On the exact day in the year 31 C.E. the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples as they waited and prayed in the upper room, fulfilling the ancient type of the Day of Pentecost.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4

And so on....

In the articles that I posted about the "shadow" Sabbaths, I was focusing on all the days in the old covenant that were specified as "Sabbaths" and that in the year 31 C.E. all of these that were connected to the Messiah's first coming, occurred on 7th day Sabbaths.

This principle interprets the ceremonies yet to be fulfilled, on certain specified days in the future.

MM, thanks for the reply.

I suppose I still don't see the relationship between your interpretation of the old covenant sabbaths and "the plan of salvation." It was this aspect of your presentation that I wanted to understand better.

BFA