Did God command His people to keep His feasts only to later decide to "do away" with them? Did Christ's atoning death "do away" with the annual Sabbaths? Did Christ come to ABOLISH these so-called "Jewish" feasts and festivals?

At the time of the great fall harvest season, God set His "Feast of Tabernacles." The word "tabernacle" merely means "booth," or "kiosk," a temporary domicile.

"And the Lord spoke unto Moses saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of the seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord."

"On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein... Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a Sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath.

"And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

"And you shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

"You shall dwell in booths seven days; all Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

"That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

"And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD" (Leviticus 23:33-35, 39-44).

Notice that the Feast of Tabernacles, "booths," was coincident with the time of the gathering in of the fruit of the land - a festival which emphasized the harvest.

Notice also that God said the purpose for their dwelling in these little tabernacles or temporary domiciles for seven days was so that they would remember that God "made the children of Israel to dwell in booths..."

It is only when one looks at all the other relevant scriptures concerning the meaning of dwelling in temporary domiciles; only when one considers the Feast of Tabernacles in light of its logical seasonal progression, viewing it from the perspective of all the other annual Sabbaths, that the rich, detailed, inspiring picture of the meaning of the festival of temporary booths, or tabernacles, becomes clear.

Let’s notice what the apostle John wrote in his gospel in chapter 7 beginning in verse 2, "Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. {3} His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. {4} "For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." {5} For even His brothers did not believe in Him. {6} Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. {7} "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. {8} "You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." {9} When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. {10} But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. {11} Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" {12} And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"; others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." {13} However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews."

Continuing in verse 14, "Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. {15} And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" {16} Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. {17} "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. {18} "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him........ {26} "But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? {27} "However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from." {28} Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. {29} "But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me." {30} Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. {31} And many of the people believed in Him, and said, "When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?" ...... {37} "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. {38} "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." {39} But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

Zechariah 14 verse 16, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. {17} And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. {18} If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. {19} This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles."

When Jesus Christ is King over all this earth, the time of gentle, merciful invitation is past! Then, He will command and all will obey! May God grant you the spirit of repentance, the spirit of surrender to God, and lead you into His truth and a humble acceptance of His will in your life.

Now, you KNOW! Now, you should make plans immediately to attend with the nearest group to your home on God's annual Holy Days, to hear these and other inspiring, encouraging truths expounded!

If Jesus Christ kept the Feast of Tabernacles, WHY DON'T YOU?