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Chapter Seven

FEAST OF TABERNACLES

“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.” PP 540, 541

Actually, she goes on to list the benefits we would receive should we keep this feast:

1. We would become more grateful to God.
    
2. We would become strengthened and encouraged.
    
3. Our hearts would be enlightened with a sanctifying influence.

Elsewhere, the Spirit of Prophecy mentions the Feast of Tabernacles in connection with a camp meeting (Bible Echo 12/8/1893). However, in that quote she compares the camp meeting to the Feast of Tabernacles rather than calling the camp meeting a Feast of Tabernacles. Then, too, of the sixty-four references made by Ellen White to this feast, sixty-two of them have no mention of camp meetings at all; in fact, most of them make direct reference to the feast as observed in the Jewish economy. In other words, when Ellen White referred to the Feast of Tabernacles regarding a December camp meeting in Australia she did not also mean a December camp meeting when she wrote the above quote in Patriarchs and Prophets. In fact, the Patriarchs and Prophets’ quote refers only to the feast as observed in the Jewish economy.

A question that comes to mind is this: Why did God impress her to use the term “Feast of Tabernacles” at all? Remember, many of the things given to the prophets were to be revealed at a later age. Oft repeated mentions of this feast by Ellen White may finally be coming of age.

Was the Feast of Tabernacles only typical of things in the past and therefore nailed to the cross? No so. Its shadow points the strongest towards the future. In order to do that its shadow must still remain. We shall soon see that its future application is even more awesomely typical than its past application.

“The Feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative but typical. It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner. At that time the wicked will all be destroyed. They will become ‘as though they had not been.’ Obadiah 16” PP 541

At what time? At the appointed time of the Feast of Tabernacles, according to Patriarchs and Prophets p. 541. Then when, according to Ellen White, will the final destruction of the wicked take place? During the Feast of Tabernacles!

Don’t let anyone convince you that the Feast of Tabernacles was fulfilled. It most certainly was not. Its shadow reaches forward just as surely as it reached backward. Knowing its shadow is still with us makes following in the footsteps of Jesus good counsel.

Christ attended the Feast of Tabernacles as recorded in the following: DA 447-475, 485; MH 86 89, PP 412; and John 7:1-53.

Every Seventh Year:

According to Ellen White, once every seven years, during the Feast of Tabernacles, the book of the law was to be read:

“The writings of Moses were taught by Joshua to all Israel... This was in harmony with the express command of Jehovah providing for a public rehearsal of the words of the book of the law every seven years, during the Feast of Tabernacles... Had this counsel been heeded through the centuries that followed, how different would have been Israel’s history. PK 465

Perhaps it is some of these truths that the Spirit of God had in mind when Ellen White was influenced to write:

“There are glorious truths to come before the people of God. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before the followers of Christ. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing God’s will, they will know more and more of the oracles of God, and be established in right doctrines.” That I May Know Him 114, 1888 Materials 333, HP 136; 8T 322 (underlining mine)

THREE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

1. What are the Bible truths not yet suspected in her day?
    
2. Where is the additional information regarding the oracles of God?
    
3. What new truths should we have regarding
   1. privilege
   2. duty, and
   3. obedience?

These three items are very serious to the child of God who holds loyalty in high regard! What new light should we be so fortunate to receive? What could it be that Ellen White promises will better establish us in right doctrines? Is not this what we want?

Whatever these things are, Ellen White assures us they should be coming to the knowledge of God’s people. She is also abundantly clear they have nothing to do with the sacrificing of animals.

“The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease. It is this law that Christ ‘took...out of the way, nailing it to His cross.’” PP 365

In context, it was the ordinances of the priesthood regarding how, when, and what to sacrifice, as well as the sacrificing itself that were to cease. These are the things that made up the “ceremonial system” according to the reference.

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