God's Annual Holydays

The Active Bible Church of God does not observe the same liturgical calendar as most Christ-professing churches! It may come as a surprise to many Christians, but God has not commanded, and Jesus never observed, Christmas, Easter, Lent, Epiphany, St. Valentine's Day and Trinity Sunday. These were all added to Christianity after the time of the New Testament church!

What days did Jesus and the Apostles observe?

The weekly Sabbath:

This is observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. It is a memorial of creation, an acknowledgement that God is our creator. It is also prophetic of the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings to establish eternal spiritual rest.

The Lord's Supper:

This annual observance "on the night he (Jesus) was betrayed" celebrates the inauguration of the New Covenant (in his blood) as Jesus takes on himself the penalty for our sins.

The Days of Unleavened Bread:

During this seven day time-period, beginning and ending with a day of holy assembly, we put leaven out of our homes and diets (picturing putting sin out of our lives). We also take in unleavened bread (picturing taking in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth - Jesus Christ).

The Day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks):

This observance, on the first day of the week (Sunday), 50 days after the Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread, pictures the giving of God's Holy Spirit, and the first spiritual harvest of children into God's family.

The Feast of Trumpets:

This day pictures God's dynamic activity. At the sound of the last trumpet, Jesus will return. Before that, we are to raise up our voices like trumpets to warn all humanity of the inevitable effects of sin.

The Day of Atonement:

This is a day of national repentance, as we acknowledge our sins before God, and receive forgiveness through the once-for-all-time perfect sacrifice of Jesus. This day also pictures the putting away of all sin - to be accomplished eschatologically by the binding of Satan.

Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day:

This 8-day time-period begins and ends with commanded assemblies. It pictures the Children of Israel wandering in tents (tabernacles) in the wilderness, and then, on the last day, living in their permanent homeland. It pictures Christians as strangers and pilgrims on earth. It pictures Jesus as tabernacling among men. It also pictures the Tabernacle of God being with men when Jesus reigns on this earth in the Millennium.

There is far more symbolism to God's Holydays. But, to really understand them, one has to observe them. Christianity is not a spectator religion. "It is not the hearers, but the doers who shall be justified!"

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