Good morning, friend. I am seeing more clearly your definition of what you mean when you speak of "moral law" and "ceremonial law." In order to clarify my thinking about your thinking
, let me ask you a couple questions. I'm asking because I believe we might be thinking too narrowly of what is moral law as well as defining too broadly what is ceremonial.
Would you define "moral law" as anything God asks us to do? -- and as you rightly point out, "the testimony (example and teaching) of Jesus, which is the
spirit of prophecy is also moral law. He also told us to watch and pray. Right? He told us that we can know when the time is near -- even at the door. Yes? He gave us signs in the sun, moon and stars, which if we ignore, we do so at our own peril. I this moral law? How would you best define the law of gravity or the law of perpetual motion? Moral law? Natural law? What about natural consequences? How about this one -- the law of reciprocal influence, where speaking and hearing our own words have an effect on and strengthen what we think. Or this one, the law of mutual influence; those we associate with and listen to, influence and strengthen what we believe. What is the reason we are counseled to "forsake not the gathering together as some do?" Is this counsel moral law? When God created the "appointed times" to get together (spiritually), what do you imagine He we thinking?
“The writings of Moses were taught by Joshua to all Israel... This was in harmony with the express command of Jehovah providing for a public rehearsal of the words of the book of the law every seven years, during the Feast of Tabernacles... Had this counsel been heeded through the centuries that followed, how different would have been Israel’s history. PK 465As to ceremonial law --
“The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease. It is this law that Christ ‘took...out of the way, nailing it to His cross.’” PP 365“The Lord gave Moses definite instructions in regard to the ceremonial offerings which
were to cease at the death of Christ.” ST 6/17/1880I think these quotes exemplify what I want to bring to your attention. Notice that the ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing both to Christ's "sacrifice" and His "priesthood." We agree that type met anti-type in Christ's death regarding his "sacrifice." What about his priesthood -- was that nailed to the cross as well? No. We notice that only "the sacrificial offerings were to cease. It is this law that Christ took our of the way, nailing it to His cross."
Physical Israel kept these appointed times to the letter, just as spiritual Israel is to keep these appointed times in "spirit and in truth." If we keep ignoring these appointed times that God has given to show His timeline, we risk being asleep and without enough oil. In fact, though we have stopped sacrificing animals, we are not to stop offering "spiritual sacrifices."
“Yes also, as lively stones, are built upon a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5To me this discussion about whether we should keep the feasts is a distraction -- what we should be asking ourselves is, what are the lessons God means for us to learn from these "appointed times?"
What do you believe, brother Richard, that the following quote means to us as a people?
“The significance of the Jewish economy is not yet fully comprehended. Truths vast
and profound are shadowed forth in its rites and symbols...” COL 133