Q & A

Question: Millennial prophecies indicate that the Sabbath and annual festivals will be kept when Christ rules (e.g., Isaiah 66:23; Zechariah 14:16-19). Does this prove that the Sabbath and annual festivals must be kept by his people today?

Answer: The prophets described an ideal time in which all peoples worship God. To effectively convey this to old covenant peoples, the prophets described old covenant forms of worship, including new moon observances (Isaiah 66:23), sacrifices in the temple (Zechariah 14:20-21; Ezekiel 45:17) and physical circumcision (Ezekiel 44:9; Isaiah 52:1-2). But neither physical circumcision nor animal sacrifices are religious requirements for Christians.

Will sacrifices be part of millennial worship? Opinions vary, but regardless, it is clear that millennial prophecies cannot be used to prove the validity of these forms of worship for those under the new covenant, who have accepted and believe in Jesus Christ. Millennial prophecies should be read for their purpose, but they should not be read as a source from which we can infer standards and requirements for Christians. Our doctrines must be based on scriptures that are applicable to this age, the age of the new covenant.

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