DATES FOR HOLYDAYS (2002)

Passover -- Wednesday, March 27, 2002 (Note observed the night before)
1st Day of Unleavened Bread - Thursday, March 28, 2001
7th Day of Unleavened Bread - Wednesday, April 3, 2001
Day of Pentecost - Sunday, May 19, 2001
Day of Trumpets - Saturday, September 7, 2001
Day of Atonement - Monday, September 16, 2001
Feast of Tabernacles - Saturday, September 21 to Septemer 27, 2001
Last Great Day - Saturday, September 28, 2001

1st Day of Unleavened Bread - This is the first commanded Holyday of the sacred year. It immediately follows the Passover Service which is performed 1 day earlier. Christ gave his life for us and showed the way to eternal life by being willing to sacrifice himself for us. The 1st Day of Unleavened Bread picture coming out of sin and going on to perfection as the scriptures show. In I Cor 5:8 Paul admonished us to: (New King James Version) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. By eating unleavened bread for 7 days we learn how easily sin gets involved in our lives and that we need to be in a constant vigil to keep it out.

7th day of Unleavened Bread - Sin has a powerful pull on human nature. The New Testament often admonishes us to put aside sin and to follow the teachings of Christ. The 7th Day of Unleavened Bread pictures the freedom that comes when sin is put aside. Traditionally, the Jews believed that the parting of the Red Sea in the Exodus occurred on this day. If only the whole world could come to see the goodness of God's Law and God's Way!! So many evils today come because we are not willing to be obedient to what God commanded

Pentecost

Day of Pentecost - Pentecost pictures the coming of God's Holy Spirit and the early harvest. It occurs 7 weeks after Unleavened Bread and is the day when God's Holy Spirit was first given to the New Testament Church. The plan of God is shown by Pentecost. Christ did not come to save all humanity in that day. (Mat 13:13) He came to call a group of followers to show a way of life, to give testimony that a new World is coming, a world without pain and death. True Christians are called to be a firstfruit, to be examples to others. Only a few are called at this time, the time of the early harvest is pictured by Pentecost. (Luke 12:32)

Feast of Trumpets -

DAY OF TRUMPETS - The plan of God is shown by the Holydays. Trumpets pictures the time of Jesus Christ's return to the earth. Trumpets were blown at a time of war (Num. 10:9). The Bible says that when Christ returns, trumpets will be blown by angels. (Rev. 8:2) Paul says that true Christians will be raised at the sound of the last trumpet. (I Cor 15:52) The early Holydays, Pentecost and the Days of Unleavened Bread are concerned with the small harvest and small Church that is called to obey the living God. The latter Holydays symbolize God's dealings with the whole of mankind. The Bible says that mankind has been deceived and needs to be enlightened. Christ comes to take the veil away from all nations, to show the true way of God, to defeat the rebellious nations of the earth who have deserted the true God. He also comes to finally establish God's Kingdom here on earth.

Day of Atonement -

DAY OF ATONEMENT - This is only Holyday on which we are commanded to fast. In Lev. 23:27, God says that we should afflict our souls (fast). This day symbolized the time when the devil is finally going to be dealt with. The Bible says that he has deceived the world. (Rev 12:9) This Holyday also shows how just God is. Christ came that sin might be forgiven, but the Devil has constantly tried to lead man away from God and into sin. It is only just that he should be thrown out of God's Kingdom and ultimately away from God. In the Old Testament an azazel goat was led away from the congregation during this time. Other sources show that the scapegoat (Azazel goat) was a symbol of the devil. The devil who is ultimately responsible for sin is put away. Mankind is finally able to have the source of sin put away, now mankind (the majority) finally is able to have a correct relationship with God.

Feast of Tabernacles -

FEAST OF TABERNACLES -After the Devil has been put away a glorious new era will begin. The idea of an ideal society has been the desire of men since ancient times. The earth will again be restored like it was in the Garden of Eden. This is the time of the great harvest in Palestine. The majority of mankind will repent and be shown a new way of life. This is a Feast that is kept for 7 Days (Lev 23:36). United Church of God keeps this feast in various locations around the earth for 7 days. The Bible says that the nature of animals will be changed at that time (Isa 11:6). Even the nature of lions will be changed. Mankind will finally be living at peace with his God and the earth that God created. There will be no more blindness, or suffering as in the past. It will indeed be a new world.

Last Great Day -

LAST GREAT DAY - What happened to those who haven't heard about Jesus Christ? Are they lost forever? This Holyday pictures the time when the great majority will be saved. On the Day of Atonement we saw that the devil has deceived the world. Many die, not even hearing about Christ or his message. The Bible shows that God is just and that all will have a chance for salvation. (II Peter 3:9) The Bible shows that after the 1000 year period of peace in the millennium the rest of the dead are raised and judged. (Rev 20:12) They have their eyes opened to the truth for the first time and are given an open mind.

If you have more questions about these Holydays be sure to acquire the Booklet, "God's Holyday Plan". This booklet shows more details of God's Holyday plan and the exact days these Holydays are kept. Be sure to write: United Church of God, an international association, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254 or contact us at our Web Site: http://www.ucg.org.

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