Written and graphics by Felicia trecek

Colossians 2:16-17, (v:16) "Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink [dietary laws], or in respect of a Festival, or of the new moon [YHWH's calendar system], or of the Sabbath days: (v:17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Messiah."

During the first covenant era, the children of Israel were not able to comprehend (envision) the future plan of YHWH, because they did not completely understand their role nor the symbols of the law. Therefore, their lack of proper perspective and distance from the embodiment of Messiah, made the shadow unclear and obscure.

As time progressed and YHWH's plan for mankind continued to unfold, the first new testament spirit lead individuals were given a fuller and deeper understanding into YHWH's plan of salvation through the Spirit. Their eyes were opened to the understanding of what the law symbols foreshadowed. Their vantage point changed, and their vision became clearer of Yahushua Messiah's embodiment.

As we today study and grow spiritually, our vantage point also changes. We then are continually able to behold a clearer image of the embodiment of Yahushua Messiah.

The dietary laws, festivals, new moons. and Sabbath days (encompasses the 7th day and festival high days), foreshadow the plan of YHWH for all mankind. They are the Messiah's embodiment.

Dietary Laws (Leviticus 11): Unclean foods are an abomination to YHWH and defile a man. To abstain from unclean foods symbolizes abstaining from physical and spiritual defilement. 1 Corinthians 3:16 reads, we are now the temple of YHWH when His Spirit dwells in us. We need to be clean and Holy before YHWH like Messiah. In Acts 10:10-28, Peter was given a vision by YHWH. He was shown a sheet of unclean animals and told to eat. Peter was puzzled. YHWH told Peter, "What Elohim has cleansed you do not consider common [and unclean]." Peter realized later, the vision of unclean animals represented the Gentiles. However, YHWH did not clean all of the Gentiles nor all of the Israelites, just His Spiritual called-out ones. (Additional refs: Lev 11, Lev 18:24, Lev 22:1-7, Matt 23:25-27, Ps 119:9)

Festivals - (seven): The agricultural harvests symbolize the harvesting of mankind through Messiah. The physical Israelite nation symbolized the soil (Isaiah 28:18-25) for planting. Messiah was the first of the first-fruits (barley) planted in the soil. Messiah grew, overcame, and was harvested (resurrected). Afterward, the first-fruits (wheat) - the Spirit lead ones within the new covenant era before Messiah's second coming - was and is being planted. The first-fruit harvest is the first resurrection. The fall harvest (fruits, nuts, grains, - assortment of produce) is the second resurrection for the many various nations throughout time. The people that will not be resurrected in the first resurrection, will be resurrected for the first time in the second resurrection as fleshly beings again and will be given a second chance to live a righteous life through the Spirit in order to inherit eternal life. The second resurrection is also referred to as the resurrection of judgment. [Note: The KJ Bible translation improperly translates the word judgment for damnation in some passages]. (1 Cor 3:6, John 5:28-29, John 11:24-26, Acts 2:34, Acts 24:15, Romans 6:5, I Cor 15:12-28, 41-56, 2 Tim 2:18-19, Heb 6:1-9, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Rev 14:1-7, Rev 20:4-6, 12-13)

Acts 24:15 reads, there will be a resurrection for the dead - for both the just and unjust. (You're either righteous or a sinner.) The just will be resurrected in the first resurrection. The unjust will be resurrected in the second resurrection. There is no third resurrection as some contrive. Mankind can only die a second death, not a third (Rev 2:11).

New Moons - YHWH's calendar system: The festivals revolve around the calendar system. It's YHWH's timing of the yearly festivals and mankind's salvation. (Ref - Gen 1:14, and read the delineation of the word seasons under the article title: Abraham Kept the Holy Days and The Law!).

Sabbaths - both 7th day of week and High days: These set-apart rest days are signs of what is to come - salvation of mankind and the physical and Spiritual rest in Messiah. (Ex 31:13, 17, Hebrews 4:1-11)