What is confusing? Paul is speaking metaphorically, and is using language similar to what we see in places like Heb. 8:5 and 10:1. Just as the earthly temple was a “copy or shadow” ( skiav) of the heavenly, so too the ceremonials were a mere shadow of Christ. Once the true temple of God appeared, then the earthly temple was destroyed by God. The “shadow” of the temple no longer exists (it was obliterated by God in AD70) because the substance (Christ Himself, John 2:16, and the Church; 1 Cor. 3:16,17; 2 Cor. 6:16) has appeared. The same is true of the “shadow” of the ceremonials. The substance, Christ, has appeared so the shadow no longer exists, having been overcome by the glory of His appearing. The copy cannot exist in the presence of the reality.
The substance, Christ, has appeared so the shadow no longer exists, having been overcome by the glory of His appearing. The copy cannot exist in the presence of the reality.
You're contradicting yourself. So back to "ARE". Christ appeared, was crucified and resurrected at least a decade before Paul wrote Colossians. According to you, the copy (the holy days) NO longer existed. Yet:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ
Paul doesn't buy your explanation.