In a way, I think this will be a true statement, that the fact of the true meaning and purpose of all of God's festivals is only really given to us in the New Testament, and in reality, those festivals named in the Old Testament are New Testament festivals. Every single one of those holy days focuses on Jesus Christ, on His acts and purposes. The Father shows how His purpose is going to be accomplished through Jesus Christ, and how His desire for all men is to come to the knowledge of the truth and to be saved, as
And that "due time," when that testimony is going to be made to most of the people in the world, is the one we are celebrating on this day—the Last Great Day.
This adds, I think, an interesting reason for being subject to this world's government—in that, it is very clear that, under the New Covenant, "the church" is the church and "the state" is the state. Not blended together—like it was under the Old Covenant, in Israel. Those in the church owe our loyalty to an infinitely higher Kingdom (government). And yet, we have to recognize that the church cannot perform its function without the cooperation of the unconverted state governments. The reason for this is that unless they maintain order, the gospel cannot be preached, and men will not be saved.
Brethren, this is God's very clear intention for all mankind, not just for us, but for all men.
But as He calls each in his own order, we must keep in mind our very special part in this as a group, and each of us individually, if we stay the course in humility because He is preparing us to be something that is almost beyond our ability to fully comprehend and appreciate as we come together this week for this very purposeful training and rejoicing.
