The Annual Feasts

The following is a chapter entitled The Annual Feasts from the book Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen White.

There were three annual assemblies of all Israel for worship at the sanctuary. Exodus 23:14-16. Shiloh was for a time the place of these gatherings; but Jerusalem afterward became the center of the nation’s worship, and here the tribes convened for the solemn feasts. Continue reading “The Annual Feasts”

A Consistent Explanation of Colossians 2

Col 2:14-17 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (the death penalty, as illustrated by the ceremonial law) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat offerings, or in drink offerings, or in part of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which, meat and drink offerings, are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Continue reading “A Consistent Explanation of Colossians 2”

What Was Included in the Covenant Made at Sinai?

At Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with Israel as follows:

Ex 19:3-6 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Continue reading “What Was Included in the Covenant Made at Sinai?”

Which Laws Were Nailed to the Cross?

Many in the Christian world also have a veil before their eyes and heart. They do not see to the end of that which was done away. They do not see that it was only the ceremonial law which was abrogated at the death of Christ… {1SM 239}

There are many who try to blend these two systems, using the texts that speak of the ceremonial law to prove that the moral law has been abolished; but this is a perversion of the Scriptures. The distinction between the two systems is broad and clear. The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease. It is this law that Christ “took . . . out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” Colossians 2:14…{PP 365} Continue reading “Which Laws Were Nailed to the Cross?”

What is Included in God’s Law?

Revelation 14:9-12 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Continue reading “What is Included in God’s Law?”

God’s Law

By studying the Spirit of Prophecy, I have come to the conclusion that there is more to the moral law of God than the Ten Commandments–and that the “book of Moses” was never nailed to the cross!  In fact it is a book of laws given by God which are of a moral character, and are still valid today.  Here I will share some of these quotes.

The instructions given to Moses for ancient Israel, with their sharp, rigid outlines, are to be studied and obeyed by the people of God today (Letter 259, 1903). {1BC 1103}

The light given me is that we are to study more than we do the instruction given to Moses by God after He had proclaimed the law from Sinai. The ten commandments were spoken by God Himself, and were then written on tables of stone, to be preserved till the judgment should take place. After the giving of the law, God gave Moses specifications regarding the law. These specifications are plain and explicit. No one need make a mistake. Continue reading “God’s Law”

Our Covenant With God

You may have already read the story, but I encourage you to carefully and prayerfully read again Exodus 19-24, and Patriarchs and Prophets ch. 27 “The Law Given to Israel.” This is the story of the covenant made with Israel at Sinai.

The following interaction occurred after the Israelites had heard the ten commandments. They were afraid and didn’t want God to speak to them, so the Lord told Moses the rest of the laws for them. These laws Moses wrote in a book.

And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words. (Exodus 24:4-8).  Continue reading “Our Covenant With God”