Feast of Tabernacles Begins Tonight

The biblical Feast of Tabernacles begins tonight at sunset.

This year, my family and I are planning on attending in Tobago. Tobago is a small island north of South America and is part of the nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

As they speak English, we expect that it will more like a Caribbean nation than a Latin one.

How do Christians observe these Holy Days today?

Well, part of it is based upon the teachings of the Old Testament and part of it on the New Testament.

Recall that Deuteronomy 14:22-26 teaches:

You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household ( NKJV).

Because of this, Christians in the tend to go somewhere for the Fall festivals. The primary (if not only) location for the old Radio Church of God (which became the old Worldwide Church of God) was in Belknap Springs, Oregon. Herbert W. Armstrong attended the feast of Tabernacles there from at least 1946-1951 (he may have also attended there in later years).

In the 21st century, the Living Church of God normally has had at least 40 festival locations each year around the world (Living Church of God’s 2007 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information).

Our family has been to Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Fiji, Greece/Turkey, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and various states in the USA for the Feast of Tabernacles (all in different years, except Greece and Turkey which was combined via a cruise). In later posts in the next few days, I expect to mention even more locations that we have visited to attend the Feast of Tabernacles.

Jesus Himself attended the Feast (John 7:10-26).

Normally, (at least at Feast sites held within the Living Church of God) attendees at the Feast go to church services for two hour most days, and normally have two or three services on the Holy Days (first day of the Feast, the Sabbath, and the Last Great Day). Sermons often focus on the Kingdom of God, the law of God, and the Millennial reign of Christ, though pretty much any topic of Christian interest can be covered.

The Church normally has some type of family day activity for one day, often also a dance or social event at least one evening, and sometimes organizes group activities.

The time not at services or church activities is essentially free time, and people tend to go to restaurants, go sight-seeing, participate in local activities, or otherwise attempt to enjoy being away from most of the cares of their normal lives.

Three articles of related interest may include:

The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?

Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days .

Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?