You have probably seen the cellular phone commercial that shows a man casually watering his lawn, suspended upside down in mid-air. This humorous scene is meant to depict the confusion over the claims of so many different cell phone companies.

A similar scenario confronted Paul and Silas as result of their preaching in Thessalonica, when some of the disbelieving citizens referred to them as those "who have turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). Of course we know that it was the accusers who, like the man in the commercial, were upside down in their thinking.

An upside-down world

We still live in an upside-down world, where many of the customs we take for granted are different from, even contrary to, the teachings of the Bible. Sadly, most people, like the man in the commercial, seem to have become comfortable with this posture. Many even offer violent resistance when exposed to the truth, like those described in Acts 17.

In contrast to those in Thessalonica, some in Berea were praised for their response to the new information Paul was preaching. The Bible commends them for two things: 1. They were open-minded and receptive, rather than closed-minded and resistant. 2. They "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).

How about you? What is your response to new information? Are you like the man in the commercial, comfortable and content with your life, even though some of your beliefs may not be supported in the Scriptures? Are you like the religious zealots in Thessalonica who angrily resisted the truth as a threat? Or are you like the Bereans, who "were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so"?

For the past few years, I have been writing articles in a column for pastors in my local newspaper about the Holy Days mentioned throughout the Bible. These days, although originally given to the ancient nation of Israel, were observed by Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul and the early New Testament Church. I have also written many articles pointing out that the traditional holidays of mainstream Christianity are not mentioned in the Bible. We have also run similar articles in Virtual Christian Magazine. Our purpose is not to put down the beliefs of anyone, but to share with readers exciting new information that can lead to greater understanding of the plan of God. Though new to many today, the information has been in the Bible for centuries.

A reason to rejoice

Discovery of new truth should be exciting. During the reforms at the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, they and other leaders of the nation of Israel rediscovered the Feast of Tabernacles as result of an intensive search of the Scriptures (Nehemiah 8:13-15). They restored the practice and celebrated the Feast with "very great gladness" (Nehemiah 8:16-18).

The command to "rejoice" is fundamental to observing this festival, which celebrated the blessings of the fall harvest in the new land (Deuteronomy 16:13-15). The Israelites also stayed in temporary dwelling places during this festival as a reminder of their living conditions en route to the Promised Land (Leviticus 23:40-43).

Foreshadowing future events

So what does that have to do with us today? The apostle Paul explained that this and other festivals foreshadow important future events in the plan of God (Colossians 2:16-17). This is why he and the original Church continued observing these festivals and Holy Days (Acts 18:21; 20:16; 1 Corinthians 5:8). It is also why I have been keeping these days for the past 40 years. I am presently the Festival coordinator for the Feast of Tabernacles in Bend-Redmond, Oregon, sponsored by the United Church of God, and we have recently enjoyed another exciting festival. This celebration rejuvenated those attending with a wonderful vision of God's promised Kingdom (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 11:15; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:6-9).