God’s Days of Worship ucg.org

God has given us seven annual festivals, or feasts, on which to worship and honor Him. By observing them according to His instruction, we can understand His ultimate plan for humanity. It starts with the first commanded day of worship, the Sabbath, a day set aside to commune with Him. The plan of salvation continues to unfold through seven annual festivals endowed with profound purpose. Passover establishes grace and forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice leading to repentance and obedience. Immediately follows Unleavened Bread expressing our need to remove sin (represented by leaven) from our lives. The gift of the Holy Spirit is introduced through Pentecost which gives us the help we need to accomplish the transformation God has purposed for us. Christ’s return is announced through the Feast of Trumpets to overthrow the kingdoms of men. Atonement heralds the putting away of evil and the restoration of God’s intimate relationship with all humanity. Feast of Tabernacles celebrates the establishment of God’s throne on earth. And finally, a judgment day, when all things are made new. These annual markers rehearse God’s master plan of salvation for ALL humankind. Our Creator wants “all men to be saved” (1 Timothy2:4) and is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The first century church followed Jesus’ very own example of observing these days. Through His wonderful plan everyone will have an opportunity to know His truth, repent and receive salvation.