To Keep or Not to Keep

Around this time of year, there are so many who come teaching people that they are living in rebellion if they remember the Father’s Appointed Times while we are scattered in pagan lands and that they will be punished for it. I wanted to share these verses as a reminder for myself and others.

Exodus 12:13,14 [Passover] The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.  This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to Yahweh; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

It does not say, you shall remember it as long as there is a temple and all the circumstances are right.

Exodus 12:17 [Feast of Unleavened Bread] And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever.

It does not say, you shall observe this day only as long as you are not in a pagan land.

Exo 12:24,25 [Passover] You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. And when you come to the land that Yahweh will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service.

It was commanded to be observed while in a pagan land (Egypt) with no temple. Reference to the promised land isn’t a command to only keep it once there. We are in Egypt right now, family. The Exodus back to the holy land is coming soon!

Leviticus 16:29-31 [Day of Atonement] “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you. For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before Yahweh from all your sins. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever.

Lev 23:14 [Feast of Firstfruits] And you shall eat neither bread nor grain parched or fresh until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your Elohim: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Does it say, it is a statute only in the promised land? Or rather, in all your dwellings…

Leviticus 23:21 [Feast of Weeks] And you shall make a proclamation on the same day. You shall hold a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a statute forever in all your dwelling places throughout your generations.

Lev 23:31,32 [Day of Atonement] You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.  It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict yourselves. On the ninth day of the month beginning at evening, from evening to evening shall you keep your Sabbath.”

Leviticus 23:40-43 [Feast of Booths] And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your Elohim seven days. You shall celebrate it as a feast to Yahweh for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your Elohim.”

If anyone feels convicted not to do the things commanded on these days, only keeping the Sabbaths, that is a personal conviction, and I wouldn't argue over it even though I believe we should be trying because I understand that none of us are perfectly able to keep these laws. Thankfully the Father has grace for those who are pursuing obedience and fleeing lawlessness. Whether or not we agree, we shouldn't be calling people sinners for desiring to obey Yahweh by keeping His eternal feasts. He is the judge, not us!

Shalom!