Can you explain why the holy days are still in effect and should be kept today?

God pronounces blessings for those who keep His Sabbaths, but curses for those who will not hearken to Him. Read all of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 5, the “blessings and cursings” chapters.

The holy days are feasts of God, not the Jews (Leviticus 23:2, 4). They are commanded to be observed forever (Leviticus 23:31, 41). Note how many times God says, “These are My feasts” or “The feasts of the LORD” (Leviticus 23:2, 4, 37, 44).

They are to be kept forever (Exodus 12:24; 13:10; Leviticus 16:29, 34; 23:31, 41).

These days were ordained during the year before the sacrifices were given to Israel (Exodus 12 and 13).

God’s Sabbaths, including the high or annual Sabbaths, are part of the identifying sign between God and His people (Exodus 13:9; 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12, 20).

Jeremiah 7:21–23 points out that God instructed Israel about the holy days at the time He brought them out of Egypt. He did not institute burnt offerings or sacrifices until later. Therefore, the holy days do not stand or fall with the sacrifices, but are truly commanded forever.

Jesus observed the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread (Luke 2:41, 42), the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day (John 7:1–2, 14, 37).

The New Testament Church and the apostles kept the holy days: Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread (Acts 12:3; 20:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8); Pentecost (Acts 2:1; 20:16; 1 Corinthians 16:8); the Day of Atonement (Acts 27:9); and the Feast of Tabernacles (Acts 18:21). Paul told the Colossians not to let anyone condemn or intimidate them for observing the days God made holy (Colossians 2:16–17).

The Feast of Tabernacles will be observed during the Millennium by everyone—both Jew and Gentile (Zechariah 14:16). So all who would be in God’s Kingdom had better learn to observe them now!