The Festival of Tabernacles are 7 days that picture/symbolize several things:
- Jesus was God who tabernacled among us in the flesh.
- We are temporarily tabernacling in the flesh. This present world and flesh is only temporary.
- The true birthday of Jesus!
- The end time prophetic timeline represented in the 7th month and its connection with the 7th seal, etc.

Claim: All law is done away (deleted) and therefore we don't need to obey God's commandment to keep the Holy Days listed in the bible.

How does the bible reply to that claim?

Deut.12:29-32
:29 When the Lord thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;
30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
31 Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

The same people who claim that we do not need to obey the command to keep the 7th day of the week and/or annual biblical holy days, also claim that we must observe Christmas and Easter which was never commanded by God. Yet Deut.12 tells us that we must do what He told us to do, and not do what He did not tell us to do! The fact is that Christmas and Easter were ancient Islamic holidays in Assyria. Israel adopted these ancient pagan holidays in total rebellion of Deut.12 and the first commandment to not have other gods. The observance of Holy Days (holy days) indicate what kingdom we belong to. Every kingdom has holidays. The kingdom of Satan has holidays. And The Kingdom of God has holidays. As the bible says "Choose you this day who you will serve!"

Jesus always observed all of the biblically commanded Holy Days, and so did all of his followers, disciples and apostles, even decades after He returned to Heaven. And there is even bible prophecy of us continuing to keep the commanded bible holidays even after Jesus returns.

Zech. 14:16-19
:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even 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 whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Did you read the above scriptures in your personal paperback/hardback bible today or just only on this website?
If only online, I encourage you to please open your bible and read these verses both on our website and in your bible. There is power in reading the real bible. Also, did you pray before beginning to read about this specific subject today? If not, I encourage you to take the time now to pray for understanding of truth.

The context of Zech. 14:16-19 is after the Return of Jesus! It's extremely clear in scripture that the Holy Days of Jesus are still commanded and will still be commanded after He returns! Even for Gentiles!

Jesus Indicated That The Feast of Tabernacles Points To Him, Not to Moses. And It Has New Covenant Meaning

Rev. 21:1-7
:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Rev. 22:1-17
:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Matthew 5:17-18
:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

The animal sacrifices were very clearly removed and replaced by the one time eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But his death did not remove the need to obey God's 10 Commandments, tithing, or the observance of the commanded days of worship of the 7th day of week and the annual holy days. These days point us to Christ and to future events that are not yet fulfilled.

Holy Days Are a Seal in Our Foreheads, Identifying Who we Belong To

Exo. 13:6-9, 16
:6 "Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. 8 And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt."
16 "And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt."

Deut. 11:16-22
:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
17 And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

The Commandment of the Feast of Tabernacles

Deuteronomy 14:22-27
:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
(The economy in ancient times was very heavily based upon animals and grains, vegetables, fruits, food. But now our economy is heavily based on money. Most people do not raise their own animals and food. The increase of our seed is now our income of money. We must give our first 10% net income to God. But we must also save another 10% for expenses related to the annual Feast Days. The context of this 10% in this verse is related to the feast days. So this is not talking about your first 10% given to God.)
23 And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.
(This does not have to be Jerusalem until Jesus returns. Jesus has placed His name spiritually upon our local city of wherever He leads us to camp for these 8 days. Ideally, it should not be our normal town/city of residence. But it could be if needed.)
24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:
25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:
(This confirms that our tithes for the feast can be in the form of money, and not just food. We can use our 10% income to buy food, drink, rental for camp site, fuel, etc.)
26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink (Alcohol), or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
(We are to enjoy the feast. We can drink and dance and celebrate. Many people buy each other gifts at this time. But this should not be used as an excuse to buy illegal drugs or to smoke marijuana, as those things are not acceptable to God at any time!)
27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
(Some of the 10% should be given to the pastor who is hosting the feast location. Because he might have expenses for the camp ground or place to have worship services, or food for the guess, or to help someone with their camp site expenses. Also many pastors do not work a job other than ministry. Or they might only work part-time. So people should try to help their pastors with his feast expenses.)

Exodus 23:12-19
:12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.
14 Three times (seasons) thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread (which includes Passover): thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:
16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, (Pentecost) which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering (Feast of Tabernacles, including the Last Great Day), which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
(Everyone should present some money to the pastor who is hosting the feast site location just like the feast of tabernacles.)
(The fruit of our labors is money.)
17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God.
(There are other Holy Days, not just 3. But these 3 specific feasts are commanded pilgrimages when we must travel to a temporary camp site to gather with other believers from out of town to a centralized location. Many people travel out of state or out of nation to gather with other true believers who they do not usually get to see in person. The males are the head of the household who represent the entire household who in ancient times might not have been able to travel which would have been very difficult for women and children in ancient times, but now is easy by car, bus, train or airplane. So now the entire family can and should attend all of the feast days.)
18 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.
19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land (10% of your income) thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe (boil/cook) a kid (young goat) in his mother's milk.

Reason we call the Feast "The Fiesta"

When you look at the Hebrew, Aramaic & Greek words for "feast" in relation to the Holy Days, these words actually do not mean a feasting of food, but rather a party, a celebration, which of course includes a feasting of food but is much more. The word "feast" is actually an English word and does not appear in the Hebrew & Greek scriptures. Neither does "fiesta", but the Latin word "fiesta" more accurately & vividly describes what the Feast of Tabernacles is actually supposed to be. Most people that I have talked with agree that "Fiesta of Tabernacles" more accurately relays the meaning of the Hebrew & Greek words and sounds much more celebratory. It's supposed to be a Fiesta, a celebration. The Spanish language is spoken by more people on Earth than any other language other than Chinese. So to use a word that is known to so many people, is a great way to reach the Latin American population with the truth. The Latin American & Mexican population is falling for quickly for Islam. Islam is now the fastest growing religion among Hispanics. Islam is trying to evangelize everyone on Earth. The ministers of truth must also try to reach all people of all races & languages on Earth. The word "fiesta" is also one of the very few English/Latin words well known in the middle east. So by using the phrase "Fiesta of Tabernacles", we relay the true meaning of the word, while evangelizing more people on Earth, both Hebrew/Israelite and Gentile. For God is not willing for any man/person to perish, but for all to come to everlasting life.

How To Observe The Festival of Tabernacles

The holy scriptures declare that we are commanded to gather with other brothers and sisters who are following Jesus, who are not part of Babylon (false religious denominations). We are instructed in the scriptures to save up a second tithe all year to provide financial funds for the annual commanded pilgrimages. The first tithe goes to God via the ministry or homeless, needy, hungry, naked, prisoners, widow, orphans, or your personal ministry of giving tracts/bibles, etc. You keep and save back the second tithe to fund your travel expenses, hotel cost, food, etc to observe all the annual Holy Days.

The bible says that three times per year, that all the male head of households are to appear before the LORD & that they are not to appear empty handed. The three times per year is Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We are to keep all 7 annual Festivals. But with these three, we are commanded to travel if necessary to attend services and to bring a freewill offering of any amount. In our modern times, it should not be just the male head of household, but rather, any and all members of the household that are submissive/obedient to Jesus.

Of the three annual pilgrimages, the one that is the most clear that we must travel for is The Festival of Tabernacles. For seven days we must temporarily dwell in a place that is not our normal residence. We should stay in a tent in a temporary location. This symbolizes that we are living in temporary booths of our human bodies and that this present world is only temporary.

If you cannot travel, such as if you have no income, then you may listen to our live broadcast of Holy Day Services via the internet or by telephone. In this way, you will be assembling with us and fulfilling the requirement to attend with others. However, it is advisable and strongly recommended that you make every effort to attend in person, especially for the Festival of Tabernacles. However, Jesus understands, and we understand, that there are certain situations in which it is just impossible. Therefore, we do offer the internet and telephone broadcasts for your edification. Click Here for more information about our services that you may attend or listen via internet or telephone.

The first day of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, the 8th day, are commanded days of rest and commanded days of assembly.

• Light a 7 candle Menorah or 7 candles every 7th Day, Sabbath, Fiesta, Holy Day and all 8 nights of Hanukkah. Lev.24, Rev.2

In addition to the above,
- More prayer than usual.
- Pre-Service fellowship. Arrive early for fellowship.
- Post Services fellowship. Do not leave immediately. Stay for fellowship.
- Invite true brothers/sisters in Christ to your private residence for more fellowship and meal.
- Worship music. Sing.
- Read bible. Study bible.
- Bible games.
- Visit true brethren who are sick or in the nursing home or hospital or jails/prisons; or visit the church elderly and shut ins. (This entire sentence is speaking of spending time with like minded believers who are not able to come to services.)
- Sit outside and enjoy God's creation and relax.
- Short nap is acceptable but do not sleep the day away.
- Greeting cards for get well, praying for you, etc.
- Write missionaries.

The first day and the Last Great Day (8th day) of the Festival of Tabernacles are commanded assemblies of worship and commanded rest days. The bible tells us that we are to save up our 2nd tithes all year in order to fund our travels and observances of the Festival of Tabernacles and other Holy Days. Three times per year, at the Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, we are to travel to wherever The Creator has established His Name for a commanded gathering of the saints. For the Tabernacles, we should request/command time off from work to travel to the ordained festival site. For 8 days, we gather together from different states/nations to worship Jesus. (Yes we do worship Jesus, Zech. 14) This is a great time of fellowship, worship, celebration & feasting.

Things We Should Not Do on The First Day and Last Great (8th) Day of the Festival of Tabernacles

Isa. 58:13-14 (NASB) :13 "If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word, 14 Then you will take delight in the LORD, And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

The purpose of this "do not do" list is to be a generalized guideline for people to consider for their choices of what to refrain from on the sacred days. It is not meant to be a concrete list for everyone. Again this is just a generalized list which will not be true for everyone. But I do believe it will be true for most people. This list is only for the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day (8th Day).

• Do not go to the movie theater.
• Do not work pre-scheduled shifts. Regardless of the kind of employment. (Emergency workers such as police, doctors, fire fighters, etc can respond to a real and true emergency. But they cannot work a pre-scheduled shift).
• Do not go to a paid tanning bed.
• Do not go hunting.
• Do not go fishing on High Sabbath days. (Although fishing is acceptable on the weekly 7th day because it's very relaxing to many people, the annual High Holy Days are to be treated as being even more sacred.)
• Do not participate in sports, and this also includes tossing a ball back and forth.
• On High Holy days, do not watch sports.
• On High Holy days, do not watch television except for weather, news, faith based shows, and documentaries.
• Do not play golf.
• Do not do laundry.
• Do not make up the bed.
• Do not play video games on High Sabbath Days.
• Limit internet usage to only those things directed related to God, such as the keeping of the 7th Day or Holy Day, such as audio/video worship services or worship music, or fellowshipping with brothers/sisters in Christ, and things that would help you to rest and relax, such as perhaps watching a Christian, faith based movie.
• Do not do exercises, lift weights, jog, go to the gym. (Medical exercises after knee surgery are acceptable. A causal walk is acceptable.)
• Do not do homework, school assignments.
• Do not eat at restaurants. (You would be causing a service worker to serve you or work harder than if you had not arrived at the place of business) (Unless this is an emergency. You should have prepared ahead of time in advance if possible. But if you did not prepare ahead of time, for whatever reason, and you do not have food at home, and you are hungry, then yes, you can pull your ox out of the ditch and go eat. But this should not become a habit. You need to start planning ahead of time so you can just eat at home if possible. If you are out of town/state, it is acceptable to eat at restaurants if needed although you should try to make plans to make your own sandwiches, etc.)
• Do not order pizza, door service etc.
• Do not shop at any stores.
• Do not earn any money.
• Do not do any money transactions.
• Do not apply for a job. Do not do a job interview.
• Do not sell anything.
• Do not mow grass, wash car.
• Do not watch much television. (Documentaries are acceptable but should be restricted to 2 hours maximum of documentaries. Faith based movies/shows are acceptable for up to 6 hours maximum. No live broadcasting allowed. No live news. No live weather. No live sports. Because if anyone is on television or radio live, they are getting paid for it. Exception: During severe weather, floods, storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, war and national events, etc. you may watch/listen to live news and live weather broadcasts.)
• Do not attend any parties except Holy day except holy day celebrations. Do not host any parties except holy day celebrations.
• Do not go to any flea markets, yard sales.
• Do not create or make anything that will eventually be sold.
• Do not use public transportation, cabs, taxis, airplanes, buses, etc. (You would be employing a driver. If need to get to worship services, ask for a ride from another church member if possible. If no other way to get to worship services, then public transportation is acceptable.)
• You should avoid travel except for worship & assembly purposes and God's Purposes. (Limit travel to worship services to 3 hours or less by car. Traveling for out of town holy day celebrations should be done before the actual holy day.)

Permissible

• Cook a meal (But do any possible prep work the night or day before. In fact, the Festival of Tabernacles should include feasting & celebration.)
• Take care of pets.
• Take care of farm animals. Milk cows, feed animals, etc.
• Wash dishes. (Should try to use paper plates, plastic spoons if possible.)
• Take care of elderly and medical patients at home. (Not for money.)
• Take care of children and family. (Not for money.)
• Talk a short walk to relax or enjoy nature or to help think or pray. (Restricted length of distance & time. Not as long as you usually walk.)
• Purchase a drink, food, ice or item from a machine. (The reason you usually cannot buy or sell is because you would be causing a person to actually serve you (work for you). In the case of a machine, there is no human working.)
• Fix a flat tire or other emergency mechanical work that cannot wait until tomorrow.
• Fix a heater during the winter time if the work cannot wait until tomorrow. (Not for money.)

Commanded Pilgrimages

Exodus 23:14-19 and Deut. 16:1-17 commands us to observe 3 annual pilgrimages at the Holy day seasons of Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Many people try to claim that we no longer need to do this because there is no longer a temple. But the scriptures are clear that the pilgrimages were commanded even when there was no temple. In fact, the context is also clear that the holy days/feasts should be kept at different locations, not just one. It was wherever "The LORD you God chooses", which is very clear that it wasn't just at the temple every year. God doesn't expect people in South America to travel to Jerusalem every year until Jesus returns, and then we will be required to do so, according to Zech. 14, but right now in our modern age, we are not required to travel yet to Jerusalem, but rather Jesus appoints different locations via the church ministers/pastors. Many people reject the commanded travel because of financial burden. But if we obey God and save our 2nd Tithes, we will have the money to keep the Commandments. Deut. 14:22-29 and Deut. 26 commands us to save our 2nd tithes for the purpose of the 3 annual pilgrimages. The 1st tithe should go to the work of the Kingdom such as ministry & church expenses and bibles & gospel tracts. The 3rd tithe is only every 3rd year out of each 7 year cycle. The 3rd tithe goes into funds to help orphans, widows and ministers. The 2nd tithe is not sent to the church, or other people. But rather the 2nd tithe is saved by each person/family an then used to pay for travel expenses, camping, food & other needs for the Holy Days. If your employment offers "Vacation time", you should schedule your vacation time to be at the same time as the annual holy days. If your employment does not offer this benefit, you should still notify your employer in advance that you will be taking these days off of work due to religious holidays. In the USA, it is the law that employers give you time off of work of religious holidays. If you are a hard, dependable worker, your employer is not likely to give you any problems. Most people that fret about this issue, eventually learn that they worried for no reason. The annual commanded pilgrimages are a good reason to live in the same community/town as other true believers. Fellowship is extremely important, and it will be easier to travel only 30 minutes, up to 1/2 hours for the Holy days, rather than having to travel a thousand miles, 3 times per year. Many people try to claim that the holy days & related pilgrimages are no longer valid in the New Covenant time era. But that claim is proven wrong by several facts. The bible never says such. The apostles continued to keep all of the annual holy day & pilgrimages, even decades after the crucifixion. The apostle Paul continued to teach the observance of the holy day feasts. Even after Jesus returns, we will continue to keep the holy days. The bible is clear about all of this. We must push aside the traditional lawless doctrines of Babylonian false religions of mankind and obey Jesus. I Saw The Light Ministries hosts all 3 annual pilgrimages and all other annual holy days.

Extra 2nd Tithes Left Over

I Saw The Light Ministries is hosting the 2023 Feast of Tabernacles in Greeneville, Tennessee, in eastern Tennessee. Please click here to read about our hosting of the fiesta/festival.

Recommended Links:

For the Holy Day calendar for this year & beyond, please click here
To learn about the end time significance of God's Holy Days, please read this article: 5 Holy Days in the End Time Prophetic Timeline
For live broadcast of Holy Day services click here

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