So let us now consider the summons to have a holy convocation. The summons has been issued by the Lord Himself who says; “These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations.” The summons is to appear before the Eternal God at a time He has appointed, which are His festivals, and the main objective for the convocation is, “ to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day ---besides the Sabbaths of the LORD, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:37-38).
Again the Lord says; “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.’ And, 'these are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23: 3-4).
Now the rationale for the holy convocation is to ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; as it is written “Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.” Thus fulfilling His command which says; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD. (Psalms 96: 7-9; Leviticus 19:30).
Remember, Jesus Christ is the Lord God of the Old Testament who created the heavens and the earth, for it is written; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made: In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it’, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14).
It is further stated in scripture that; “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).
Now it is a common belief and a biblical statement that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” And when He came into the world He said; "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" (Hebrews 13:8; Mark 2:27-28).
Since Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, the summons to attend the holy convocation at their appointed times is a directive from Him, and when obeyed we are demonstrating our reverence to Him as “LORD.” For thus says the LORD, “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).
Similarly, when one disregards or hold in contempt the days which the Lord have summoned them to appear before Him, and choose to appear before Him at a time He has not summoned them to appear before Him, is profanity. For thus says the Lord; "When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts?
Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:12-15).
With all this trove of evidences concerning the Lord’s Holy convocations, what is our personal verdict on the charges laid on the church for profaning the Lord’s holy convocations, and by extension profaning the Lord Himself! Are we guilty! Or not guilty! Let the word of God be our judge. For thus says the Lord; “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him --- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12: 47-48).
The crux of the matter is , let each individual be fully convinced in his/her mind. Nevertheless, if we are convinced that Jesus Christ is the LORD, this is what He says, "You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD."
God has overlooked these times of ignorance and has commanded all men everywhere to repent.
God has overlooked these times of ignorance and has commanded all men everywhere to repent.
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