"But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men, and accept the decisions they make, and thus many will reject the very messages Elohim sends to his people, if these leading brethren do not accept them." {GW92 126.4}
In 1992 I read the Bible for the very first time. Even though I was raised a Seventh-day Adventist I had not attended services for approximately 15 years. The Spirit of Yahuwah had wooed me back into the Seventh-day Adventist movement and and after attending a prophecy seminar on the book of Daniel and Revelation I began to see the importance of studying, trusting, submitting to and obeying the Scripture as the omnipotent Word of Elohim.
Since I had never read the Scripture before I had but few preconceived ideas and prejudices to overcome. The scripture was to me an untapped gold mine of truth and when I read it I was eager to receive instruction from the Throne room of Yahuwah Almighty. I began my reading at Genesis and many of the stories were familiar to me. I was on my knees for several hours a day and was listening to the Bible on cassette while reading it as well, eagerly seeking for instruction to help me avoid the snares that Satan has laid for my unsuspecting feet. Eventually I came to the story of the Passover and the Exodus from Egypt and at the reading of Exodus 12 I was awestruck with the command to observe the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread.
The Passover story was familiar to me but having never associated with any Jews I had not the foggiest idea that anyone in the whole world observed such a Holy Day. I remember thinking to mysef "This is as clear a commandment as I have ever seen in the bible thus far."
If God wanted it to be any clearer he would have to stop the spinning of the Earth and come down and talk to me face to face. I had faith in the word and conviction took hold of my soul.
A few days had passed and I decided to confer with an elder on the subject of the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread. He hesitatingly said to me "that was nailed to the cross and we don't need to keep it any more since Messiah came and died". His answer seemed very uncertain and contrasted to the Scripture that I had read so I decided to continue to search the Scripture to see if those things were true.
At this point im my lifes experience I did not even know when the feast of unleavened bread occurred or what unleavend bread was. I was overwhelmed and was convicted that Father Yah was asking me to study and understand something that I had never even heard of before. What a task!... to become a scholar and teacher on the Biblical calendar and the observance of something that had been forgotten by the vast majority of Bible students for centuries, yea millennia. Nevertheless, I was determined to allow Messiah to be the Captain of my life and I knew that it was of paramount importance for me to yield my will to His will regardless of the opposition of men: weather they are poppers or monarchs, if they did not "speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them." no light = darkness
The Great Danger With Our People
"But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men, and accept the decisions they make, and thus many will reject the very messages Elohim sends to his people, if these leading brethren do not accept them. {GW92 126.4}
A Shocking Discovery
I thought I was coming to church to unite with those that believed in following the commands in the Scripture. Was I ever disappointed. Eventually I felt so uncomfortable in the churches I attended that I rarely attended any more because I did not believe and teach as the pastor did and there was distrust and suspicion between us. All of my conversations during fellowship dinners were monitored by the head elder or the pastor or both and at times there would end up being heated discussions until I decided that I was not welcome there anymore. Now I visit varying SDA congregations as well as Messianic congregations but rarely do I attend the same congregation for more than 2 weeks in a row.
It saddens me to discover that most pastors are teaching people not to follow the Bible. I was shocked when I discovered that pastors and elders were so determined to go against the plain commands in the Scripture and in stead they accept, promote and celebrate the Babylonian/Roman Catholic holidays.
"There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mockery toward those who differ with them. Others present an array of objections to any new view; and when these objections are plainly answered by the words of Scripture, they do not acknowledge the evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their questioning is not for the purpose of arriving at truth, but was intended merely to confuse the minds of others." {GW92 128.1}
A Mission to Mexico
Several months had passed since my first conviction to observe the feasts and I was on a mission to Mexico to distribute 250,000 excerpts of the Great Controversy. While on this mission in Mexico a fellow missionary who was a lawyer and had written a book on the subject of the festivals informed me that the feast of unleavened bread was currently in effect. I was overjoyed to learn that there were others within Adventism that believed in the festivals. This book served to equip me with some Biblical facts that led me to believe that my first conviction was true and that the elder I had conferred with was intentionally or unintentionally misguiding me.
The facts were the facts and the Biblical festivals were observed by the Apostles after the cross and were never to be ignored as they are today by the majority of Messiah's professed diciples.
In Spite of the Opposition
In spite of the opposition I have become quite involved in the observance of the festivals. In between international literature distribution missions I would travel to Alabama to observe the festivals as Alabama was the only place I knew of where there were devout Seventh-day Adventist believers observing them.
After several years of observing the festivals in Alabama I prayed and asked Father Yahuwah to lead me to a feast keeping group here in California and He answered my prayer! Since 1998 I have been observing the festivals primarily here in California. I have also attended festivals in various places such as Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon and Arkansas but 90% of the time I observe here in California.
Through the years I have had the privilege of sharing the truth with others. Many have gained an appreciation for the subject of the festivals and the movement is beginning to thrive. Adventists and non-Adventist alike are presently discovering the Hebrew roots of Christianity and the continuity of the Torah/law of Moses from old to new testament.
We are being set free from the delusional lie that Yahushua Messiah came to nail the law to the cross and abolish the Torah. His character is beginning to be more fully understood and reflected in His followers just before His destructive judgments fall upon this old planet.
"Before the final visitation of Elohim's judgments upon the earth, there will be, among the people of Yahuwah such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of Elohim will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for Elohim and His Word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time, to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it, by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power, he will make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest." . . . {FLB 326.2}
The Torah = The Seal of Elohim
The Torah of Messiah which He enables us to obey is the sign/seal He places upon His true disciples. "Bind up the testimony, seal the Torah among my disciples." Isiah 8:16
A Lonely But Invaluable Experience -
Forsake Not the Assembling of Ourselves Together
At times it has been a lonely walk but very enriching at the same time as the truth continues to unfold and bless my spiritual journey. The festivals have served as a major catalyst for the Elijah message when several times a year devout believers gather together from all over the country and the world to celebrate these monuments to the plan of salvation. We choose not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
Other times I find myself identifying with the experience of Moses of old and "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of Elohim, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Messiah greater riches than the treasures in (SPIRITUAL) Egypt: for (WE HAVE) respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith (WE) forsook (SPIRITUAL) Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king (CONFERENCE PRESIDENTS, POPES, PRESIDENTS, ELDERS, PASTORS, HUSBANDS AND WIVES, SUPERVISORS) : for (WE) endure, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith (WE KEEP) the passover, and the sprinkling of (HIS PERFECT SACRIFICE IS SUFFICIENT) blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch (US). By faith (WE) passed through the (SPIRITUAL Red sea OF BABYLONIAN/PAPAL FALSEHOOD WHICH MANY ARE DROWNING IN) as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned." Hebrews 11:25-29
Many people ask if the feast days are a salvation issue and the answer is a resounding YES!!
Observing Passover is a sign that we have come out of Egypt and have survived the plagues.
PS 119:155"Salvation [is] far from the wicked (Egyptians): for they seek not thy statutes (Passover). Feast days are statutes. Read Leviticus 23:14, 21, 31, 41.
The wicked Egyptians refused to observe Passover and their first born were slain as a result. Only those that observed Passover were saved from this punishment. They were then free to go to the promised land.
The plan of salvation is embedded in the feast days. To ignore and reject the observance and celebration of the annual festivals is the same as ignoring and rejecting the Creator of the festivals and the plan of salvation.
Isaiah 59:11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but [there is] none; for salvation, [but] it is far off from us.
59:12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions [are] with us; and [as for] our iniquities, we know them;
59:13 In transgressing and lying against the YHWH, and departing away from our EL, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
The above is in reference to those that teach against the Torah of Yahuwah. Oppression is definitely not in harmony with the Torah. Sin is the transgression of the Torah.
1 John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Torah: for sin is the transgression of the Torah.
Ps 119:126 [It is] time for [thee], YHWH, to work: [for] they have made void thy torah.
Ps 91:2 I will say of the YHWH, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my Elohim; in him will I trust.
91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.
The bottom line is this
The annual Biblical festivals were never done away with or "nailed to the cross". The simple fact that the Apostles continued to observe the Biblical festivals after the cross until the day they died is enough evidence for any New Testament believer to continue in the example that the Apostles left us. Acts 2:1, Acts 20:6, 1Corinthians 5:8. Acts of the Apostles 390,391.
Any Priest, Pastor or President that teaches that the Torah was abrogated at the cross is either deceived, ignorant or is intentionally deceiving souls and those that choose to listen to their speeches and books in stead of following the commandments in the scripture are being led astray from the Truth. They will not be able to stand for the truth because the truth does not abide in them. The belief that New Testament believers have been freed from the privilege and obligation to observe the Torah and the feast days is an unsustainable myth no matter who believes and teaches such a lie.
Please do not allow this invitation to observe the festivals pass you by. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17
I want to see all of you in Heaven so we can fellowship in unity during the weekly, monthly and annual festivals with our precious Saviour who shed his blood on our behalf on Passover. 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Leviticus 19:17 "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."
"There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mockery toward those who differ with them. Others present an array of objections to any new view; and when these objections are plainly answered by the words of Scripture, they do not acknowledge the evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their questioning is not for the purpose of arriving at truth, but was intended merely to confuse the minds of others." {GW92 128.1}
Let it not be said of you dear reader ."Ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." Luke 11:52
Shalom,
John Vega
www.TotalRestitution.com
"Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind against the reception of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view of Scripture is presented, many do not ask, Is it True,—in harmony with God's word? but, By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that pleases them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly satisfied are they with their own ideas, that they
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will not examine the Scripture evidence, with a desire to learn, but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices. {GW92 125.3}
The Lord often works where we least expect him; he surprises us by revealing his power through instruments of his own choice, while he passes by the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. God desires us to receive the truth upon its own merits,—because it is truth. {GW92 126.1}
The Bible must not be interpreted to suit the ideas of men, however long they may have held these ideas to be true. We are not to accept the opinion of commentators as the voice of God; they were erring mortals like ourselves. God has given reasoning powers to us as well as to them. We should make the Bible its own expositor. {GW92 126.2}
All should be careful about presenting new views of Scripture before they have given these points thorough study, and are fully prepared to sustain them from the Bible. Introduce nothing that will cause dissension, without clear evidence that in it God is giving a special message for this time. {GW92 126.3}
But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men, and accept the decisions they make, and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to his people, if these leading brethren do not accept them. {GW92 126.4}
No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God's people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, "I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." [Revelation 3:8.] Even if all our leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people the message for this time. {GW92 126.5}