Should you observe God’s Holy Days or demonic holidays?

This seems like an easy question, but most who profess Christ do not seem to know the right answer. Are you aware that even the Book of Genesis alludes to God’s Holy Days?

March 25, 2016 is called “Good Friday,” March 26, 2016 is called “Holy Saturday,” and March 27, 2016 is called “Easter Sunday.” But none of these were observed by Jesus nor His early followers.

Do you know where various holidays came from? Do you know which days Jesus, His apostles, and early Christians kept? Do you know what days God expects His people to keep now and which will be kept in the future?

Contents

1. Holy Days vs. Popular Holidays

2. Passover: Is It Only about Christ’s Death?

3. Night to Be Observed and the Days of
Unleavened Bread

4. Pentecost: The Truth about Your Calling and
the Incredible Gift of God

5. Feast of Trumpets: Christ’s Return and the
Events Leading to it

6. Day of Atonement: Satan Gets Banished

7. Feast of Tabernacles: A Glimpse of What the
World Looks Like Under Christ’s Reign

8. Last Great Day: God’s Amazing Plan of
Salvation for Humankind

9. Mistranslations and the Sabbath

10. Repackaged Demonic Holidays

11. God’s Holy Days or Lies?

Holy Day Calendar

Here is a link to our free online booklet: Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?

The Bible refers to God’s feasts as ‘holy convocations’ (e.g. Numbers 28:26; 29:12) or ‘holy festivals’ (cf. Isaiah 30:29).

The Bible repeatedly condemns pagan observances as wrong and demonic (1 Corinthians 10:20-21; 1 Timothy 4:1). The Bible says to NOT combine non-biblical celebrations into the worship of God (Deuteronomy 32; Jeremiah 10; 1 Corinthians 10:20-21).

Yet many have decided to observe a worship calendar that the Bible does not endorse. Using practices that the Apostle John associates with antichrists (1 John 2:18-19).

The non-biblical holidays are promoted by demons and have helped obscure God’s plan for billions over the ages.

Jesus said God wanted to be worshiped in truth:

²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24, NJB)

Repackaged demonic holidays do not honor the true God. God wants you to trust Him and do things His way, not yours (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The biblical Holy Days help picture God’s plan of salvation. Starting with the sacrifice of Jesus at Passover, to striving to live ‘unleavened’ lives, to the calling of the firstfruits in this age (Pentecost), to the trumpets of Revelation and the resurrection, to the reminder of Satan’s role in our sins and Christ’s atonement sacrifice, to picturing the millennial kingdom of God on earth (Feast of Tabernacles), to the realization that God will offer salvation to all (Last Great Day), parts of God’s plan are revealed and made more tangible to Christians.

The Bible tells Christians to imitate the Apostle Paul as he imitated Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Jesus kept the biblical Holy Days (Luke 2:41-42; 22:7-19; John 7:10-38).

The Apostle Paul kept the biblical Holy Days (Acts 18:21; 20:6,16; 21:18-24; 27:9; 28:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 16:8). Paul warned of those who would compromise them with demonic practices (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).

The Apostle John kept the biblical Holy Days, but warned of people claiming to be Christian were not following his practices:

¹⁸ Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. (1 John 2:18-19)

Should Christians keep the same biblical Holy Days as His apostles, like John kept? John was writing that those who falsely claim to be Christian who do not follow his practices are functioning as antichrists.

When it comes to Holy Days and holiday, who are we to listen to? The word of God or traditions of men? While there can be proper places for tradition, none should accept tradition that is in conflict with the word of God.

Since the word of God is profitable for doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16), perhaps we should learn from Peter and the other apostles’ response to the religious leaders of their day:

²⁹ We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

Will you follow the examples of Jesus and the Apostles, and keep God’s Holy Days His way, and not allow tradition of councils of men to stop you?

Will you listen to those who “proclaim to be holy convocations” (Leviticus 23:8,21,24,27,35,36), which are God’s biblical festivals (Leviticus 23:37)?

Jesus said:

²¹ My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. (Luke 8:21)

Are you truly one of Jesus’ brothers? Christians are supposed to be (Romans 8:29). We are to be set apart by the truth (John 17:19).

Will you and/or your house hear the word of God and do it? Will you keep God’s Holy Days or traditions that are demonically-inspired?

“¹⁴ Serve the Lord! ¹⁵ And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” like the pagan gods “in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15). Choose God’s Holy Days.

The biblical Holy Days are still observed by faithful groups in the 21st century like the Continuing Church of God.

Many discount the Bible on Holy Days? What about you?

Some items to assist in your studies may include:

Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history teach about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
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.
What Happened in the ‘Crucifixion Week’? How long are three days and three nights? Was Palm Sunday on a Saturday? Did Jesus die on “Good Friday”? Was the resurrection on Sunday? Do you really know? Who determined the date of Easter? (Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Murió Jesús un día miércoles o un viernes?) A sermon of related interest is titled What did and did not happen in the ‘Crucifixion week’?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter? If not, when did this happen? Where did Easter come from? What do scholars and the Bible reveal? Here is a link to a video titled Why Easter?
Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? For a step-by-step video for Christians to keep it, check out CCOG Passover Service. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: Guardando la Pascua y los Días de los Panes sin Levadura.
Preparing for Passover The Apostle Paul taught that Christians should examine themselves prior to taking Passover. This YouTube video sermon gives suggestions on how to prepare.
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins? There is also a detailed YouTube video available titled History of the Christian Passover.
The Passover Plot What was the first Passover plot? Which plots have Islam and the Greco-Roman faiths perpetuated about Passover? A sermon video of related interest is The Passover Plots, Including Easter.
Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well. Here is a related sermon, also titled Melito’s Homily on the Passover.
TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th? While the real COG observes Passover on the 14th, some observe it on the 15th. Why is the 14th correct? A related sermon is titled Is Passover on the 14th or 15th for Christians?
The Night to Be Observed What is the night to be much observed? When is it? Why do Jews keep Passover twice and emphasize the wrong date? Here is a link to a YouTube video titled The Night to Be Observed.
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? What is leaven? This article supplies some biblical answers. Here is a YouTube video intended to be viewed for the first day of unleavened bread: Christians and the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Pentecost: Is it more than Acts 2? Many “Christians” somewhat observe Pentecost. Do they know what it means? It is also called the Feast of Harvest, the Feast of Weeks, and the day of firstfruits. What about “speaking in tongues” and led by the Holy Spirit? (Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Pentecostés: ¿Es más que Hechos 2? plus one by Herbert Armstrong HWA sobre Pentecostés). Here is a YouTube sermon titled Pentecost: Feast of Firstfruits.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? The ‘Fall’ Holy Days come every year in September and/or October on the Roman calendar. Some call them Jewish holidays, but they were kept by Jesus, the apostles, and their early faithful followers. Should you keep them? What does the Bible teach? What do records of church history teach? What does the Bible teach about the Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day? Here is a link to a related sermon: Should you keep the Fall Holy Days?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not? What does the Feast of Trumpets, which the Jews call Rosh Hashanah, help teach? A related sermon video would be Feast of Trumpets and the Book of Life as well as The Trumpet Release. The article has links to hear shofar blasts.
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement.” Does it have any relevance for Christians today? What is the Jubilee? Is fasting healthy? Here is a link to a sermon: Day of Atonement: How Jesus fulfilled His part for the Atonement. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: El Día de Expiación –Su significado cristiano.
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
The Last Great Day: Shemini ‘Azeret What is the ‘eighth day’ of the Feast? What does it help picture? A sermon on this topic is also available: Shemini Azaret: The Last Great Day.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations? A related sermon video is available and is titled: Birthdays, Christians, and December 25th.
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2024, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur In the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos. In Mandarin Chinese: 何日是神的圣日？这里是一份神的圣日日历从2013年至2024年。.