Page 25 - The Messiah Beyond a Shadow of Doubt

Part 1: The Appointed Times

the substance belongs to Christ.” Did you know that the Jewish festivals, new moons, and
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Sabbath days were instituted by the Appointed Times? Although he did not use the term
Appointed Times, Paul is referring to these holy days and telling us that they teach about the
Messiah.

…a festival, new moon, or Sabbath day—things

which are a mere shadow of what is to come;
but the substance belongs to Christ.

Colossians 2:16–17 (Emphasis added)

The book of Hebrews also teaches that the Law… has only a shadow of the good things
to come and not the very form of things. When we view these passages together, we learn that
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the Messiah is the substance or the true meaning of the Appointed Times, whereas the festivals,
new moons, and Sabbath days simply cast shadows of His work.
What do we mean when we say that the Appointed Times are shadows of Christ? When
we see a shadow on the ground or on a wall, we are able to discern details about the object that
is casting it by simply observing its outline. Even though the shadow is all we can see, we can
learn some key things about the object without being distracted by its many details.
In a similar way, the Appointed Times convey key truths about the work of the Messiah
without overwhelming us with the splendor of His character and glory. From our human
perspective, the Appointed Times help us understand the significance of events that we might
otherwise miss amidst the complex and glorious details of the Messiah. For this reason God
gave us shadows to help us see the forest despite the multitude of trees—forms and rites from
the unfamiliar realm of heaven. It is up to us to meditate on these shadows so we can gain
deeper and clearer understanding of the work of the Messiah.

Notice also that Paul said the Appointed Times are a shadow of what is to come. Some
of the prophetic aspects have already occurred, but the fulfillment of others are still in the
future, even from the time of Paul—even from our own time in the 21st century. We also find

4 Colossians 2:16 – “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a
Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ” (Emphasis added).
5 Hebrews 10:1 (Emphasis added) 13