Dear Brethren,
The Feast of Tabernacles 2026 is over, and what a great Feast it was. From all the reports we have received, you thoroughly enjoyed it and expressed numerous times that this was indeed the best Feast ever.
As Michael Link pointed out in a recent sermonette, when he talked about the Feast in Germany, “we had about 80-85 in attendance, fewer people than we usually have since more than a handful of our German brethren decided to attend the Feast in America this year. Each day included inspiring messages and a variety of special music performances [as well as social activities and a “Fun Show”]. It was also encouraging to see Brian Gale every day. God gave him the strength not only to deliver three messages but also to pre-record additional messages for future use in the USA.”
“We also had a Youth Day, which was the first one we have done in the Church of the Eternal God. This is something we had done back in the Worldwide Church of God days, and it was nice to finally have the chance for this opportunity this Feast. The focus of that day was on the youth since they are the future! I was told the very same thing when I was their age. The whole service was done by the youth, aside from the sermon where I spoke about what it meant to be God’s children.
“I took a personal approach, drawing on my experiences and the challenges I faced as a teenager and young adult—experiences that ultimately led me to where I am today. My goal was to relate to and encourage the youth to pursue their interests without compromising God’s laws, learn from failure, and recognize their responsibility to choose God’s Way.
“When I announced that the Feast in 2027 would be held in Austria, the announcement was met with loud applause.”
When it comes to the Feast in the USA, which we observed in St. George, Utah, similar observations can be made, where inspiring messages and a variety of special music performances were given, in addition to social activities, including a Game Night and a Talent Show. During the Youth Day, the service was likewise conducted by the youth, except for the sermon which I gave, encouraging our young people to seek God wholeheartedly even in their young age, giving examples of biblical heroes who did just that, even when they were still VERY young.
We hope that our American and Canadian brethren will also attend our Feast site in Austria [near Salzburg] in 2027. For those who cannot do so, because of health reasons, we are planning to have a small alternate Feast site, as we had in 2025.
We enjoyed the Feast and the much-needed temporary rest from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Of course, Satan never sleeps, and even though he was not allowed to attack us during the Feast, he struck right after the Feast, sometimes already on our way home. And he has been busy ever since, knowing that his time is short (Revelation 12:12; Romans 16:20).
It behooves us to be aware of his constant evil and devious devices and his fiery darts which are designed to weaken our faith. I have recently spoken much about biblical faith—the faith of Christ in us—which is absolutely necessary to have and to use if we want to make it into the Kingdom of God. In times of challenges, it is important to focus on and remind ourselves of several most important admonitions which were given us who are hastening (not delaying) the return of Jesus Christ: “Watch therefore, and pray always (or: “Watch always and pray”) that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, AND to STAND before the Son of Man” at His return (Luke 21:36). And: “Put on the whole amor of God, that you may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil… and having done all, to STAND” (Ephesians 6:11, 13). And finally: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33).
Especially this last admonition can be easily overlooked and neglected when we are being confronted with the challenges of life. In times of trials and temptations, we might concentrate on how to deal with them, without looking to God FIRST for His help and deliverance. It is all a matter of trust, really. We need to do our part, of course, but God must always come first.
It is good advice to ask ourselves some questions, when we are hit again with Satan’s onslaughts; questions like: Why is God letting it happen? What does He want me to learn from this? Is it to strengthen and increase my faith (Luke 17:5)? Is it to reveal to me some deeply hidden sins in my life (Psalm 19:12) which I might not even be aware of, but which need to be conquered and eliminated, while REALLY seeking God’s righteousness (in whom is no sin)?
I want to become very personal here. As you know, I have been diagnosed with cancer, and since I am not undergoing chemotherapy, I stare certain death in the face, humanly speaking. But I am not looking at the human prognosis. I am looking to God, with His faith and conviction that He will heal me, in His due time, and that I will be able to continuously work for Him, in His service. In the meantime, there has been some soul-searching in my life; you can be sure of it. And even though my outward appearance might deteriorate, my inward man is being renewed day by day (compare 2 Corinthians 4:16). And as Paul also said: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:11), because Christ’s power and strength keep me going (verse 9).
This lesson I had to learn (and I am still learning it) on a daily basis. It is a lesson we all have to learn. If you “feel” that you do not have enough faith in a particular situation, go to God and ask Him to increase or strengthen your faith (compare Mark 9:23-24). If you are not sure whether you are totally in line with God’s demands, ask Him to reveal to you where you might come short. And ask Him daily for His Holy Spirit of love, power, strength, conviction, wisdom and discretion to be able to stand before Christ when He returns.
God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He will show us the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) so that we are able to bear and endure the temptations and trials which are confronting us. And when He is with us, who (or what) can be against us (Romans 8:31)?
Keep the faith, brethren. It won’t be long now.
With Christian love,
Norbert Link