Ellen
White on The Day of Pentecost and The Feast of
Harvests (Tabernacles)
Click to go to our Home Page
|
Neophyte,
novices in the Word, who claim new light, are teaching that it is indeed new
light that Ellen White and the pioneers erred in celebrating Christmas (the
birth of Christ) and Thanksgiving in the manner specified by Ellen White. They
say that if Ellen White had their new light, she would agree with them and
refute what she said in the past concerning these holidays. Ask the teachers of
such folly how long they have been professing Seventh-day Adventists. They are usually
relatively new converts and that is why I refer to them as neophyte novices in
the Word.
Ellen White clearly specified that we should never
celebrate these days after the manner the
world observes these events. She said we
should bring gifts to God and help the poor on these occasions as well as give
thanks and praise to God, and that these occasions are a good time to do this
in our witnessing efforts to the world because the world’s attention might be
more amenable to such themes at Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Ellen White Says There Will be a Similar
Future Fulfillment of the Day of Pentecost
“It is with an earnest longing that I look forward to the
time when
the events of the Day of Pentecost shall be repeated with even greater power
than on that occasion. John says, "I
saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was
lightened with his glory" [Rev. 18:1]. Then, as at the Pentecostal season,
the people will hear the truth spoken to them, every man in his own
tongue.”--6BC 1055 (1886). {LDE 202.3}
Ellen White on Thanksgiving
https://omega77.tripod.com/thanksgiving.htm
Those
who say that Ellen White and the SDA pioneers were paying homage to pagan
tradition by observing Thanksgiving after the order Ellen White specified, are
actually accusing God of teaching pagan traditions for it was God who specified
giving thanks for the harvests. What sane Christian would oppose giving God
thanks for causing the seed to sprout and providing a bountiful harvest for His
children? Satan has a counterfeit for everything God did, but does that preclude
the genuine? Never! Evil minds focus on the evils associated with just about everything.
That is Satan’s design for them.
In
no way am I suggesting the keeping of Feasts of Weeks and/or the ceremonial laws
which was nailed to the cross, as I am misrepresented as teaching. In fact I
have long opposed the keeping of the feasts except those that have not been
fulfilled yet eg. The Feast of Harvest (Tabernacles), the Day of Atonement and
another fulfillment of Pentecost. I give much evidence against the keeping of
the feasts that were already fulfilled and nailed to the cross in this document
at this link: https://omega77.tripod.com/neofanaticism.htm
Fact
is I have NEVER supported the keeping of the feasts which pointed forward to
Christ and were fulfilled by Him.
What
I do attempt to show in citing the following link of the Feast of Weeks is that
anciently God’s people gave thanks to Him for their harvests and I see nothing
wrong with that and Ellen White supports that homage to God as well. I don’t support keeping feasts that were fulfilled by
Christ. I can’t say it any plainer or more sincere than that, and I provide
evidence for my position in this document. The person(s) who are misrepresenting
my position on this issue is/are satanically possessed and does/do not mind
misrepresenting the truth of my position.
The
following article is from this link:
http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/feasts/weeks.htm
I
present this article not to teach the keeping of the Feast of Weeks, but to
show that God does not consider thanks for the harvest as a pagan tradition or
He would not have specified that His people do such. Scripture says we are to
give Him thanks for everything.
Here
is the article I refer to, and after this I give Ellen White’s article on the
Feast of Harvests (Tabernacles) and her statement on the Day of Pentecost to be
repeated.
“The Feast of Weeks, also known as Harvest
(Exodus 23:16), Shavuot (Hebrew), the Day of Firstfruits (Numbers 28:26), or
Pentecost, was a festival of joy and thanksgiving celebrating the completion of
the harvest season. It was the second major feast in which all able-bodied Jewish
males were required to attend (the other two being Passover and the Feast of
Tabernacles). It was celebrated as a sabbath with rest from ordinary labors and
the calling of a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:21; Numbers 28:26).
Essentially a harvest celebration, the term
weeks was used to describe the time period from the grain harvest to the barley
harvest and finally to the wheat harvest. It is called the Feast of Weeks because God
specifically told the sons of Jacob that they were to count seven sevens of
weeks (seven complete weeks) from Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy
16:9), and then on the "morrow" this fourth feast was to be observed
(Luke 23:16). Seven sevens of weeks are forty-nine days. Add one additional day
("on the morrow"), and it brings the total number of days to fifty.
This fourth feast was to occur precisely fifty days after Firstfruits (Christ's
resurrection). Therefore, the feast was given the name "Pentecost"
(Acts 2:1) which means "fifty."
On this occasion, the children of Israel were
not to simply bring the firstfruits of the wheat to the Temple (as they brought
the firstfruit of the barley at the Feast of Firstfruits), but rather two
loaves of bread. These two loaves were specifically commanded to be made with
fine flour and baked with leaven (Leviticus 23:17), and they were to be used as
a "wave offering" for the people.
These two loaves, however, could not be eaten
until after the ceremony was completed (Leviticus 23:14; Joshua 5:10-11) and
could not be placed on the altar due to its leaven content. In addition to the
wave offering, two lambs, one young bull, and two rams were to be offered as
burnt offerings before the Lord (Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28:26-31). The
feast was concluded by the eating of communal meals to which the poor, the
stranger, and the Levites were invited.
What
Does It All Mean?
The Feast of Weeks is a symbolic festival
which pointed to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church. The Son of God
arose from the grave on Firstfruits. He then spent forty days with His
disciples in post-resurrection ministry (Acts 1:3).
Immediately after forty days, Jesus informed
them that it was necessary that He leave them and ascend to His Father in
Heaven (in order to apply the benefits of His once and for all sacrifice).
However, He told His disciples that they would not be left abandoned and
comfortless. He would then send them His Holy Spirit who would come alongside
to help in His absence (John 14:16-17).
Note by
Ron: And the benefits are grace for pardon and grace (Holy Spirit power)
for obedience, Rom. 1:5. End note.
The disciples were commanded to tarry at
Jerusalem until He came (Acts 1:4), and they knew exactly how long they would
have to wait. The coming of the Holy Spirit would occur on the next Jewish
holiday - a festive time when Jews from different countries were to be in
Jerusalem to celebrate the completion of the harvest season. This annual feast
was none other than Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. The disciples waited as they
were commanded; however, their wait was not long - only ten days. And then it
happened. The Spirit of God descended on those first-century believers.
The two loaves which were brought to the
Temple represented both Jew and Gentile; however they became one in Christ with
the advent of the Spirit's coming. Writing to the Ephesian believers, Paul
said" "For he is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and Gentile) one,
and have broken down the middle wall of partition between us ... to make in
himself of two (Jew and Gentile) one new man, so making peace" (Ephesians
2:14-15).
There was to be leaven in those two loaves,
for the Church had not yet been glorified. During this age, there is still sin
within the Church. Messiah Yeshua (the head) is unleavened. On the other hand,
the Church (the body) still has leaven within her. Therefore, leaven was to be
included in those two loaves.”
Ellen
White on the Feast of Harvests (Tabernacles)
“At these yearly assemblies the hearts of old
and young would be encouraged in the service of God, while the association of
the people from the different quarters of the land would strengthen the ties
that bound them to God and to one another. Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles--a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them. As the children of Israel
celebrated the deliverance that God had wrought for their fathers, and His
miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt, so should
we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out
from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His
grace and truth. {PP 540.6}
This feast was to be pre-eminently an
occasion of rejoicing. It occurred just
after the great Day of Atonement, when the assurance had been given that
their iniquity should be remembered no more. At peace with God, they now came
before Him to acknowledge His goodness and to praise Him for His mercy. The
labors of the harvest being ended, and the toils of the new year not yet begun,
the people were free from care, and could give themselves up to the sacred,
joyous influences of the hour.
Though only
the fathers and sons were commanded to appear at the feasts, yet, so far as
possible, all the household were to attend them, and to their hospitality the
servants, the Levites, the stranger, and the poor were made welcome. {PP 540.3}
With those who lived at a distance from the
tabernacle, more than a month of every year must have been occupied in
attendance upon the annual feasts. This example of devotion to God should
emphasize the importance of religious worship and the necessity of
subordinating our selfish, worldly interests to those that are spiritual and
eternal. We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating
together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. The
truths of His word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. Our hearts
cease to be enlightened and aroused by the sanctifying influence, and we
decline in spirituality. In our intercourse as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with
one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position
that God designed he should. We are all children of one Father, dependent upon
one another for happiness. The claims of God and of humanity are upon us. It is
the proper cultivation of the social elements of our nature that brings us into
sympathy with our brethren and affords us happiness in our efforts to bless
others. {PP 541.1}
We are told that "it would be well"
to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, but we are not "commanded" to keep
it.
“Men and women may study the will of God with
profit. Let young men and young women, while the dew of youth is upon them,
begin to study the word of God, which expresses his will. The steps of Christ
are certainly marked out in the word. Go where they can be found today. Do not seek to go back to
the land where Christ's feet trod ages ago. [As the Shepherd’s Rod teach contrary to Ellen White]. Christ says: ‘He
that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ We can know far more of Christ by following
him step by step in the work of redemption, seeking the lost and the perishing,
than by journeying to old Jerusalem. Christ has taken his people into his church. He has swept away every ceremony of the ancient type. He has given no liberty to
restore these rites, or to substitute anything that will recall the old literal
sacrifices. The Lord
requires of his people spiritual sacrifices alone. Everything pertaining to his worship is
placed under the superintendence of his Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the Father
would send the Holy Spirit in his name to teach his disciples all things, and
to bring all things unto their remembrance that he had said unto them. The curse rests upon Jerusalem. The Lord has obliterated those things which men would worship in and
about Jerusalem, yet many hold in reverence literal objects in Palestine, while
they neglect to behold Jesus as their advocate in the heaven of heavens.” {RH, February 25, 1896
par. 8}
Note by Ron: These words apply to the feasts
that have already been fulfilled and more especially to feasts involving animal
sacrifices: “He has swept away every ceremony of the
ancient type. He has given no liberty to restore these rites, or to substitute anything that will recall the old
literal sacrifices.”
Chapter 49—At
the Feast of Tabernacles
This chapter
is based on John 7:1-15, 37-39.
Three times a year the Jews were required to
assemble at Jerusalem for religious purposes. Enshrouded in the pillar of
cloud, Israel’s invisible Leader had given the directions in regard to these
gatherings. During the captivity of the Jews, they could not be observed; but
when the people were restored to their own land, the observance of these
memorials was once more begun. It was God’s design that these anniversaries should
call Him to the minds of the people. But with few exceptions, the priests and
leaders of the nation had lost sight of this purpose. He who had ordained these
national assemblies and understood their significance witnessed their
perversion. {DA 447.1}
The Feast of Tabernacles was the closing
gathering of the year. It was God’s design that at this time the people should
reflect on His goodness and mercy. The whole land had been under His guidance,
receiving His blessing. Day and night His watchcare had continued. The sun and
rain had caused the earth to produce her fruits. From the valleys and plains of
Palestine the harvest had been gathered. The olive berries had been picked, and
the precious oil stored in bottles. The palm had yielded her store. The purple
clusters of the vine had been trodden in the wine press. {DA 447.2}
The feast continued for seven days, and for
its celebration the inhabitants of Palestine, with many from other lands, left
their homes, and came to Jerusalem. From far and near the people came, bringing
in their hands a token of rejoicing. Old and young, rich and poor, all brought
some gift as a tribute of thanksgiving to Him who had crowned the year with His
goodness, and made His paths drop fatness. Everything that could please the
eye, and give expression to the universal joy, was brought from the woods; the
city bore the appearance of a beautiful forest. {DA 448.1}
This feast was not only the harvest
thanksgiving, but the memorial of God’s protecting care over Israel in the
wilderness. In commemoration of their tent life, the Israelites during the
feast dwelt in booths or tabernacles of green boughs. These were erected in the
streets, in the courts of the temple, or on the housetops. The hills and
valleys surrounding Jerusalem were also dotted with these leafy dwellings, and
seemed to be alive with people. {DA 448.2}
With sacred song and thanksgiving the
worshipers celebrated this occasion. A little before the feast was the Day of
Atonement, when, after
confession of their sins, the people were declared to be at peace with Heaven. Thus the way was prepared
for the rejoicing of the feast. “O give
thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever”
(Psalm 106:1) rose triumphantly, while all kinds of music, mingled with shouts
of hosanna, accompanied the united singing. The temple was the center of the universal
joy. Here was the pomp of the sacrificial ceremonies. Here, ranged on either
side of the white marble steps of the sacred building, the choir of Levites led
the service of song. The multitude of worshipers, waving their branches of palm
and myrtle, took up the strain, and echoed the chorus; and again the melody was
caught up by voices near and afar off, till the encircling hills were vocal
with praise. {DA 448.3}
Note: We are now in the Day of Atonement
since 1844, says Ellen White.
At night the temple and its court blazed with
artificial light. The music, the waving of palm branches, the glad hosannas,
the great concourse of people, over whom the light streamed from the hanging
lamps, the array of the priests, and the majesty of the ceremonies, combined to
make a scene that deeply impressed the beholders. But the most impressive
ceremony of the feast, one that called forth greatest rejoicing, was one
commemorating an event in the wilderness sojourn. {DA 448.4}
At the first dawn of day, the priests sounded
a long, shrill blast upon their silver trumpets, and the answering trumpets,
and the glad shouts of the people from their booths, echoing over hill and
valley, welcomed the festal day. Then the priest dipped from the flowing waters
of the Kedron a flagon of water, and, lifting it on high, while the trumpets
were sounding, he ascended the broad steps of the temple, keeping time with the
music with slow and measured tread, chanting meanwhile, “Our feet shall stand
within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” Psalm 122:2. {DA 448.5}
He bore the flagon to the altar, which
occupied a central position in the court of the priests. Here were two silver
basins, with a priest standing at each one. The flagon of water was poured into
one, and a flagon of wine into the other; and the contents of both flowed into
a pipe which communicated with the Kedron, and was conducted to the Dead Sea.
This display of the consecrated water represented the fountain that at the
command of God had gushed from the rock to quench the thirst of the children of
Israel. Then the jubilant strains rang forth, “The Lord Jehovah is my strength
and my song;” “therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of
salvation.” Isaiah 12:2, 3. {DA 449.1}
As the sons of Joseph made preparation to
attend the Feast of Tabernacles, they saw that Christ made no movement
signifying His intention of attending. They watched Him with anxiety. Since the healing at
Bethesda He had not attended the national gatherings. To avoid useless conflict with the leaders at
Jerusalem, He had restricted His labors to Galilee. His apparent neglect of the great religious
assemblies, and the enmity manifested toward Him by the priests and rabbis, were a cause of perplexity to the people about Him,
and even to His own disciples and His kindred. In His teachings He had dwelt upon the
blessings of obedience to the law of God, and yet He Himself seemed to be
indifferent to the service which had been divinely established. His mingling with
publicans and others of ill repute, His disregard of the rabbinical
observances, and the freedom with which He set aside the traditional
requirements concerning the Sabbath, all seeming to place Him in antagonism to
the religious authorities, excited much questioning. His brothers thought it a
mistake for Him to alienate the great and learned men of the nation. They felt
that these men must be in the right, and that Jesus was at fault in placing
Himself in antagonism to them. But they had witnessed His blameless life, and
though they did not rank themselves with His disciples, they had been deeply
impressed by His works. His popularity in Galilee was gratifying to their ambition;
they still hoped that He would give an evidence of His power which would lead
the Pharisees to see that He was what He claimed to be. What if He were the
Messiah, the Prince of Israel! They cherished this thought with proud
satisfaction. {DA 450.1}
So anxious were they about this that they
urged Christ to go to Jerusalem. “Depart hence,” they said, “and go into Judea,
that Thy disciples also may see the works that Thou doest. For there is no man
that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh
to be known openly. If Thou do these things, show Thyself
to the world.” The “if” expressed doubt and unbelief. They attributed cowardice
and weakness to Him. If He knew that He was the Messiah, why
this strange reserve and inaction? If He really possessed such power,
why not go boldly to Jerusalem, and assert His claims? Why not perform in
Jerusalem the wonderful works reported of Him in Galilee? Do not hide in
secluded provinces, they said, and perform your mighty works for the benefit of
ignorant peasants and fishermen. Present yourself at the capital, win the
support of the priests and rulers, and unite the nation in establishing the new
kingdom. {DA 450.2}
These brothers of Jesus reasoned from the
selfish motive so often found in the hearts of those ambitious for display.
This spirit was the ruling spirit of the world. They were offended because,
instead of seeking a temporal throne, Christ had declared Himself to be the
bread of life. They were greatly disappointed when so many of His disciples
forsook Him. They themselves turned from Him to escape the cross of
acknowledging what His works revealed—that He was the Sent
of God. {DA 451.1}
“Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because I testify of
it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto
this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for My time is not yet full come.
When He had said these words unto them, He abode still in Galilee.” His
brothers had spoken to Him in a tone of authority, prescribing the course He
should pursue. He cast their rebuke back to them, classing them not with His
self-denying disciples, but with the world. “The world cannot hate you,” He
said, “but Me it hateth,
because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” The world does not
hate those who are like it in spirit; it loves them as its own. {DA 451.2}
The world for Christ was not a place of ease
and self-aggrandizement. He was not watching for an opportunity to seize its
power and its glory. It held out no such prize for Him. It was the place into
which His Father had sent Him. He had been given for the life of the world, to
work out the great plan of redemption. He was accomplishing His work for the
fallen race. But He was not to be presumptuous, not to rush into danger, not to
hasten a crisis. Each event in His work had its appointed hour. He must wait
patiently. He knew that He was to receive the world’s hatred; He knew that His
work would result in His death; but to prematurely expose Himself would not be
the will of His Father. {DA 451.3}
From Jerusalem the report of Christ’s
miracles had spread wherever the Jews were dispersed; and although for many
months He had been absent from the feasts, the interest in Him had not abated.
Many from all parts of the world had come up to the Feast of Tabernacles in the
hope of seeing Him. At the beginning of the feast many inquiries were made for
Him. The Pharisees and rulers looked for Him to come, hoping for an opportunity
to condemn Him. They anxiously inquired, “Where is He?” but no one knew. The
thought of Him was uppermost in all minds. Through fear of the priests and
rulers, none dared acknowledge Him as the Messiah, but everywhere there was
quiet yet earnest discussion concerning Him. Many defended Him as one sent from
God, while others denounced Him as a deceiver of the people. {DA 451.4}
Meanwhile Jesus had quietly arrived at
Jerusalem. He had chosen an unfrequented route by which to go, in order to
avoid the travelers who were making their way to the city from all quarters.
Had He joined any of the caravans that went up to the feast, public attention
would have been attracted to Him on His entrance into the city, and a popular
demonstration in His favor would have aroused the authorities against Him. It
was to avoid this that He chose to make the journey alone. {DA 452.1}
In the midst of the feast, when the
excitement concerning Him was at its height, He entered the court of the temple
in the presence of the multitude. Because of His absence from the feast, it had
been urged that He dared not place Himself in the power of the priests and
rulers. All were surprised at His presence. Every voice was hushed. All
wondered at the dignity and courage of His bearing in the midst of powerful enemies
who were thirsting for His life. {DA 452.2}
Standing thus, the center of attraction to
that vast throng, Jesus addressed them as no man had ever done. His words
showed a knowledge of the laws and institutions of
Israel, of the sacrificial service and the teachings of the prophets, far
exceeding that of the priests and rabbis. He broke through the barriers of
formalism and tradition. The scenes of the future life seemed outspread before
Him. As one who beheld the Unseen, He spoke of the earthly and the heavenly,
the human and the divine, with positive authority. His words
were most clear and convincing; and again, as at Capernaum, the people were
astonished at His teaching; “for His word was with power.” Luke 4:32.
Under a variety of representations He warned His hearers of the calamity that
would follow all who rejected the blessings He came to bring them. He had given
them every possible proof that He came forth from God, and made every possible
effort to bring them to repentance. He would not be rejected and murdered by
His own nation if He could save them from the guilt of such a deed. {DA 452.3}
All wondered at His knowledge of the law and
the prophecies; and the question passed from one to another, “How knoweth this
Man letters, having never learned?” No one was regarded as qualified to be a
religious teacher unless he had studied in the rabbinical schools, and both
Jesus and John the Baptist had been represented as ignorant because they had
not received this training. Those who heard them were astonished at their
knowledge of the Scriptures, “having never learned.” Of men they had not,
truly; but the God of heaven was their teacher, and from Him they had received
the highest kind of wisdom. {DA 453.1}
As Jesus spoke in the temple court, the
people were held spellbound. The very men who were the most violent against Him
felt themselves powerless to do Him harm. For the time, all other interests
were forgotten. {DA 453.2}
Day after day He taught the people, until the
last, “that great day of the feast.” The morning of this day found the people
wearied from the long season of festivity. Suddenly Jesus lifted up His voice,
in tones that rang through the courts of the temple: {DA 453.3}
“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me,
as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water.” The condition of the people made this appeal very forcible. They had
been engaged in a continued scene of pomp and festivity, their eyes had been
dazzled with light and color, and their ears regaled with the richest music;
but there had been nothing in all this round of ceremonies to meet the wants of
the spirit, nothing to satisfy the thirst of the soul for that which perishes
not. Jesus invited them to come and drink of the fountain of life, of that
which would be in them a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life. {DA
453.4}
The priest had that morning performed the
ceremony which commemorated the smiting of the rock in the wilderness. That
rock was a symbol of Him who by His death would cause living streams of
salvation to flow to all who are athirst. Christ’s words were the water of
life. There in the presence of the assembled multitude He set Himself apart to
be smitten, that the water of life might flow to the world. In smiting Christ,
Satan thought to destroy the Prince of life; but from the smitten rock there
flowed living water. As Jesus thus spoke to the people, their hearts thrilled
with a strange awe, and many were ready to exclaim, with the woman of Samaria,
“Give me this water, that I thirst not.” John 4:15. {DA 454.1}
Jesus knew the wants of the soul. Pomp,
riches, and honor cannot satisfy the heart. “If any man thirst, let him come
unto Me.” The rich, the poor, the high, the low, are
alike welcome. He promises to relieve the burdened mind, to comfort the
sorrowing, and to give hope to the despondent. Many of those who heard Jesus
were mourners over disappointed hopes, many were nourishing a secret grief,
many were seeking to satisfy their restless longing with the things of the
world and the praise of men; but when all was gained, they found that they had
toiled only to reach a broken cistern, from which they could not quench their
thirst. Amid the glitter of the joyous scene they stood, dissatisfied and sad.
That sudden cry, “If any man thirst,” startled them from their sorrowful
meditation, and as they listened to the words that followed, their minds
kindled with a new hope. The Holy Spirit presented the symbol before them until
they saw in it the offer of the priceless gift of salvation. {DA 454.2}
The cry of Christ to the thirsty soul is
still going forth, and it appeals to us with even greater power than to those
who heard it in the temple on that last day of the feast. The fountain is open
for all. The weary and exhausted ones are offered the refreshing draught of
eternal life. Jesus is still crying, “If any man thirst,
let him come unto Me, and drink.” “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever
will, let him take the water of life freely.” “Whosoever drinketh
of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I
shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting
life.” Revelation 22:17; John 4:14. {DA 454.3}
—rwb