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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends,

The year of 2007 has now passed, complete with the usual end-of-year spending and excess, which was just a continuation of what has become the norm in many nations around the world. However, financial clouds on the horizon, emanating primarily from the subprime mortgage crisis in the USA, cast a cloud over the normal festivities. Subprime lending is, put simply, the act of approving mortgages to those with a poor credit history at higher than normal interest rates, and many have found it impossible to meet their commitments, with the result of foreclosures and associated problems. In addition, the housing market has cooled significantly, which also brings along another set of problems. Add into that mix the ever-spiraling personal debt situation, and the prospects are less than encouraging. Because of their position on the world stage, whenever there are problems in the USA, these are reflected in the world economy, and the UK and continental Europe, and even countries in Asia, are feeling the same set of pressures. Recent figures in the UK have shown that personal debt has doubled since the year 2000.

In spite of all this gloomy economic news, the end-of-year’s festivities continued unabated. Little, if anything, stops the world from going about its pursuit of the material. The world’s holidays that it has just “enjoyed” have only served to fuel the economic problems as personal spending, much of it on credit cards at high interest rates, has become par for the course and is expected at this time of year. Traders have become reliant on significant turnover and if this trend was reversed, then another set of problems would arise, with many firms going out of business. What a mess! Wherever way you look, you cannot escape the inevitable conclusion that the world economy is in a dreadful state.

Nevertheless, so many seemed to put these considerations to the back of their minds in their relentless pursuit of the “now,” which is indicative of man’s way. Prophecy clearly shows that before Christ’s return, the problems that we now see in every corner of society will increase to such an extent that if those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved alive (compare Matthew 24:22). Worse, much worse, is to come, and we have been warned over a number of years.

How blessed are members of the Church of God to have been given the knowledge of the Creator’s true Holy Days—not those that the world keeps and which have no meaning for our eternal destiny. Even the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, said in late December that in the Christmas story there was certainly nothing to prove there were three wise men or that they were kings. He said that the only reference to the wise men from the East was in Matthew’s gospel and the details were very vague. He argued that Christmas cards which showed the “Virgin Mary” cradling the “baby Jesus,” flanked by shepherds and wise men, were misleading. As for the scenes that depicted snow falling in Bethlehem, the Archbishop said the chance of this was “very unlikely.” In a final blow to the traditional nativity story, Dr. Williams concluded that Jesus was probably not born in December at all. He said: “Christmas was when it was because it fitted well with the winter festival.” But having acknowledged all of that, did he state, as the leading minister in the Anglican world, that Christmas should not be kept? No, he still gave his annual Christmas message and does not understand, let alone preach, the plan that God has for all of mankind.

A high-ranking official of the Roman Catholic Church, “Monsignor” Marini, even stated that the cross is a symbol of “Christ’s death,” and is given high prominence during the midnight Christmas Mass, as Christ is “the east, the sun that rises.” Pope Benedict wrote that the cross can serve as an interior “east” of the faith, when a direct turning toward the east is not possible. However, the Bible condemns the worship of the sun—or of Christ as the sun—rising from the east (compare Ezekiel 8:15-17).

Bad news and religious confusion are a theme in this world wherever you look, but God’s Word, when properly understood, clearly reveals a time when all of the bad news that floods the airwaves on radio and television and which is a staple diet of newspapers, will be a thing of the past. After Christ’s return, pictured by the Feast of Trumpets, the Millennium of His rule will not have continuous bad news. The pagan festivals of so-called modern Christianity will be no more. And all of these present woes will be replaced by a time when there will be no subprime mortgages, no reliance on continual house price rises, no spiraling personal debt and no false religion.

The only way out of this is reliance on God and the establishment of His Kingdom here on earth. That is why we ought to pray, “Your kingdom come” (compare Matthew 6:10). Man does not have the answers, irrespective of the brilliance and intellectual ability of so many in high office. And behind the scenes, our arch enemy, Satan the devil, is whipping up problems at what seems to be an ever-increasing rate. But again, one of God’s Holy Days, the Day of Atonement, reveals the time when his malevolent influence will be no more! These wonderful Holy Days are central to our understanding of the plan God has for mankind. In just over four months, we will be keeping the Passover, and we need to diligently prepare for that profoundly meaningful occasion. Then, over the following six months, God’s wonderful plan, revealed in His Holy Days, will unfold with the removing of sin from our personal lives right up to the time of the Great White Throne Judgment, which answers questions that the world’s religions, including mainstream Christianity, simply cannot answer.

At this time, the world goes about its business without any of this wonderful knowledge. By keeping a series of uncoordinated days that do not reveal any meaning for the future of mankind, they are blinded to the reality of the potential total extinction of mankind that is, surely now, not that far away—if it weren’t for Christ’s intervention and the “shortening” of these terrible days soon to come! But we have been blessed with true understanding, and we must make sure that, unlike so many who once understood, we don’t let this knowledge slip or fade away. It is a matter of our death or our life—of death and final destruction for the unrepentant wicked, or of the glorious fulfillment of life for eternity in God’s Kingdom for those who obey God.

We have the best of both worlds. We do not get entangled in the ways of this world—which have recently been exemplified by the Christmas and New Year activities that only generally lead to unhappiness—and we have had revealed to us a future that will be greater than anything our minds can conceive. The book of Revelation reveals in chapter 21 that God will dwell with His people (verse 3); that He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying and no more pain (verse 4); and that those who overcome shall inherit all things (verse 7). A future of joy and untold happiness awaits us—not the transient pleasures that the world enjoys but which often have hidden and tragic consequences. What a future we have in store if we remain steadfast and loyal to God and His Way to the very end!

With Christian love,

Brian Gale

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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends,

It’s Christmas time again. No matter where you may live in our “civilized” Western world, you can’t help but noticing it. Christmas carols are being played non-stop in supermarkets; friendly-smiling merchants wish you a “happy Christmas,” and televised religious broadcasts and services proclaim and repeat endlessly the Christmas dream of peace and good will for all men.

Yet, before and after Christ’s life and death as a human being, we have had insurmountable problems, violence, hatred, wars, destruction, holocausts and crimes against humanity. Surely, if it had been God’s intention to have His Son replace war with peace about 2,000 years ago—to make this world a better place then—He would have really done a miserable job.

The truth is, this is NOT yet God’s world, and Christ was not born into the world to bring peace to it. In fact, He said that He came at that time to bring the sword. Not a literal sword, of course, to be used by His disciples—but He came to preach the Word of God, which is a divider between truth and error. He came to call just a few during this day and age to show them the right way of life—and to empower them to live that way. But those who did receive Him would find themselves to be “outcasts” in this world—rejected and despised by men, and persecuted even to the point of death.

Christ came to announce peace to the world—but not to enforce it. He proclaimed peace by preaching the gospel, and He has commissioned His Church to continue in this endeavor until He comes back. However, it is not just any gospel of man’s choice. There is only one gospel, but there are many counterfeit “gospels.”

The Christian world especially has been saturated with gospel messages. There seems to exist a “gospel” for just about everybody’s taste and preference. We have heard of the gospel of grace, the gospel of salvation, the gospel of peace, the gospel of repentance, the gospel of faith, the gospel about Christ—and even though all of these aspects, if correctly understood, are part and parcel of the true gospel, they themselves are NOT the gospel that Jesus Christ came to preach.

The Bible tells us what that gospel is—it is the gospel (the word “gospel” means good news or glad tidings) of the KINGDOM OF GOD. Christ preached it; the early apostles preached it; and the Church of God is to preach it until the very end of this age.

Most have no idea what the Kingdom of God is. They don’t know when it will be established. They may think it is already here. And even some—or many—of those who once knew the truth, have allowed that precious knowledge to slip away from them. They have begun instead, to embrace the worldly concepts of peace and good will for all men at this time. They have fallen into the trap of observing Christmas. But even apart from its pagan origins and its lust for monetary gain, merchandise and the uncontrollable desire to spend money and to receive gifts, Christmas contains another wrong Biblical message—the false concept that Christ came 2,000 years ago to set up the Kingdom of God, and that He brought at that time peace and happiness for all men. We know that He did neither, because the world today is surely not a happy and peaceful place.

Man will only begin to experience true and lasting peace when the Kingdom of God has come to this earth. Many parishioners of different churches may pray daily, “Your Kingdom Come,” but they don’t seem to realize what they are actually saying. Instead, they may believe that it already has come. But it is still FUTURE. It has not happened yet.

Do you know what the Kingdom of God really is—and who is and will be in it? Our free booklet, “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God,” explains this topic in much detail. Please request a copy if you don’t have one. And if you have read the booklet in the past, you might want to re-read it.

In short, the Kingdom of God is the Government of God, to be established on this earth. The Government of God will enforce Godly laws—including the spiritual Law of the Ten Commandments. Man will be taught to keep God’s Law, and when he does, he will experience peace and happiness.

All the wars of this world result from man breaking one of the Ten Commandments, which says, “You shall not kill.” When Christ returns, He will teach man the way to peace—and men will exchange their destructive weapons of violence and war for instruments of agriculture and other useful tools, which won’t be used to harm anyone.

 

But the gospel or good news of the KINGDOM OF GOD is more than just the message about the Government of God. It also contains the good news that the Kingdom of God IS the FAMILY OF GOD. But it is not a “closed” Family. The gospel message includes the understanding as to WHO will be in the KINGDOM or FAMILY of God—WHO will RULE the world, by implementing and executing the Government of God.

 

Right now, the KINGDOM or FAMILY of God consists of two Spirit beings—God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son. The Holy Spirit is not a Person or a Spirit BEING—rather, it is the power and the mind of God, emanating from both the Father and the Son. But, the Kingdom or Family of God is GROWING. It already has, at this point, begotten, but yet unborn children. We are already the children of God and the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, IF the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us.

But we are not yet BORN into the God Family, because as long as we are flesh and blood, we cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. However, when Christ returns, we will be resurrected (if we died prior to that event) or changed (if still alive at that time) from mortal to immortal. We will then be Spirit beings—like God the Father and Jesus Christ are Spirit beings. We will then be God beings, as the Father and the Son are God beings. We will have become a PART of the Kingdom of God.

It is THAT message which the Church of God must preach today! It is the gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD—that it is man’s potential to become God; that God’s Spirit-begotten children will become born-again members of the Kingdom or Family of God; that they will become KINGS and priests, ruling over human beings by executing the Government of God. The Kingdom or Family of God will rule over this world, but man, as long as he is in the flesh, will not be IN the Kingdom; only those who will BE God will be in the Kingdom of GOD—who will have been BORN AGAIN into the Family of God. And when the God Family rules over this earth, THEN—and ONLY then—will this world begin to experience true and lasting peace.

Christmas will not be taught or observed anymore. Christ will be recognized and worshipped as the living and most powerful KING over all the earth—not as a helpless little baby in the manger or a dead Savior on the cross. He will RULE over man—and you have been called today to prepare for that time, so that you can rule with and under Him.

We pray that, especially during this time of year, God will give all of us the strength and wisdom to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, knowing that so many of men’s customs and traditions will pass away, while the TRUE light of Godly understanding has already begun to shine into our hearts.

In Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends,

In the big picture of world events that are surging forward and fulfilling prophecies that other generations have only wondered about, how does all of this relate to each one of us?

What does God expect of us?

It is so easy to get caught up in the events of the moment—all of the myriad of things that occupy our time. And without question, we all have responsibilities to our families, to our work, to personal necessities—to our place in life!

We each must ask ourselves a most vital question in light of how we are living our own life, day by day. That question is, “Am I READY, NOW, for what is ahead?”

This is our area of responsibility! When Jesus presented the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the contrast was between a profitable servant and one who was unprofitable. At the crux of this presentation was an absolutely key principle that we must be faithful with what we have been given.

Consider what we have been given. We have been called into the truth of God (John 16:13;
2 Thessalonians 2:13). In that calling, we have access to the Father through the living Jesus Christ—our Savior and High Priest before God. We have the promise of eternal life (John 10:28). Other people in this world just don’t have this same opportunity—at least, not yet (John 14:16-17). We must not take this incredible relationship lightly!

How can we be profitable servants in fulfilling our part in this relationship? One way is to make sure to communicate—talk to God in prayer. If we do that and if we make prayer an ongoing priority in all that we do, then we can truly walk with God (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:8; Ephesians 6:18).

Another measure for us is overcoming. Christians must live a life of overcoming sin. In each message to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus very specifically says that the one who overcomes will receive what has been promised. We need to approach overcoming sin relentlessly! Without a close awareness of God and His will for us, we will stumble in this task.

How about God’s Word? What part does it play in our life, or is it merely reserved for the occasional reference? We all know that deeply studying the Bible brings us closer to God (2 Timothy 2:15, Authorized Version). Let’s not wait to make the Bible an active part of our lives; rather, we need to overcome even in this matter. Remember, as well, to ask God to open up His Word so that we can understand (Luke 24:32, 45; Acts 16:14).

Haven’t we heard all of this before? Yes, we have, and we all need to be reminded of our responsibility before God in these matters. When we grow weary of these very basic parts of our calling, we are placing ourselves in mortal danger!

Brethren, our conviction of you is that you are being profitable servants of God. We see the fruits in your continuing loyalty to the Work of God and in your mutual love and concern for one another in the Church. Thank you for that! We say with Paul that we are “confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). But at the same time, we are admonished to be even more diligent to make our calling sure (2 Peter 1:10). As Paul continued with such admonishment in his letter to the Philippians, so do we: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

Keep doing what you know you are called to accomplish! Let’s all commit ourselves to be even more zealous as true servants of God! We need to become ready NOW (Revelation 19:7; Luke 12:40; compare Luke 1:17)! We need to focus, and be praying NOW for the Work of God; for our brethren; and for God’s protection and our endurance unto eternal life—especially during the terrible times just ahead of us (Matthew 9:38; Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Luke 21:36; Jude 20-21).

It is, after all, what God expects of us.

In Christ’s Service,

David J. Harris

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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends:

What a truly great Feast of Tabernacles 2007 it has been! We can confidently say that God did bless His people tremendously—physically and spiritually—who assembled this year in Florence, Oregon, and in Derbyshire, in Great Britain.

We are quoting below excerpts from Feast reports which we published in their entirety in our recent Update (#313):

Excerpts from Brian Gale’s Feast Report 2007 from Great Britain
“… the Global Church of God Feast site at Chatsworth House in rural Derbyshire in the Peak District National Park, had a very pleasant spell of good weather that greatly enhanced the enjoyment of a wonderful Feast with just a very small amount of rain… This year we had eleven different speakers who gave a wonderful and varied helping of spiritual food… These messages were designed to instruct and motivate members about the wonderful future that God has promised for His faithful people in the Kingdom of God. How blessed we are to have such precious knowledge and to spend eight days in being instructed in what lies ahead.

“Members who had not toured Chatsworth House in previous years were encouraged to do so… Other activities included a sumptuous Feast dinner, a social evening with a beetle drive and a pictorial quiz showing church members and world famous figures when they were young, with much fun guessing who was who… A coach tour of this beautiful area was also arranged, and this historical and beautiful part of the UK was appreciated by all who took advantage of this trip…

“It is hoped that next year, the Feast of Tabernacles will again be held at Chatsworth House and all who wish to worship in peace and harmony are welcome to attend…”

Excerpts from Norbert Link’s Feast Report 2007 from the United States
“The Church of the Eternal God celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles this year in Florence, Oregon. We had scheduled an interactive outdoor Bible study with a bonfire on the beach on Friday evening, September 28, but learned that a fire ban was in effect. So, we prayed for a little bit of rain on Friday morning, and it did rain enough to lift the fire ban and permit us to have our bonfire and a very deep discussion about personal conviction… In addition, we prayed hard for sunshine on Monday afternoon, October 1, for our scheduled out-door Family Barbeque. God granted us the desires of our hearts on that occasion as well, and we enjoyed clear blue sky throughout our activity, even though the weather forecast for Monday was 100% rain.

“We could witness God’s mighty and loving hand throughout the Feast. Besides the above-mentioned activities, we enjoyed a Talent and Game Night and a Masquerade Dinner Dance in Driftwood Shores’ beautiful banquet room, where we also conducted services throughout the Feast. In addition, several brethren visited the famous aquarium in Newport, enjoyed horse-back riding and four-wheeler rides, or had just a very good time eating, fellowshipping and renewing friendships.

“Highlights of the Feast included the ordinations of Eric Rank as Deacon and Phyllis Bourque as Deaconess; as well as the blessing of two little children (Talus Harris and Nicolas Bruno). Everyone enjoyed the live performances for special music, including vocal solos and duets, as well as performances by the children’s choir, the men’s quartet and the entire choir. A variety of speakers addressed numerous aspects of the Feast of Tabernacles and related lessons… This was truly a great Feast, and many commented sadly how quickly it was over. Without doubt, God DID bless His people abundantly in Florence, Oregon.”

And so it WAS truly a remarkable and richly blessed Feast of Tabernacles 2007!

But now the Feast is over, and we must all fight against the discouragement of having to leave behind
a foretaste of the Millennium and returning to this Satanic world. With the realization that we are back in this evil rotten present world may come disillusionment. This is even more a distinct possibility
when we consider that we are facing a period of six long and dark winter months (in the Western hemisphere)—until the beginning of a new year (on April 6, 2008, according to God’s Holy calendar), and the commencement of God’s Spring Holy Days (with the keeping of Passover in the evening of
April 18, 2008).

During the intermediate months, the “Christian” world will be celebrating the dreadful pagan and demonic holidays of Halloween (October 31); the “Christmas” festival (December 25) and man’s New Year (December 31/January 1); as well as the “Easter” festival (March 23, 2008), when a deceived “Christianity” will honor Satan and his evil spirits, as well as man-made idols such as the sun god Baal, erroneously thinking they are worshipping Jesus Christ in the manger or dying on the cross, or a Trinitarian “God” of “One Person in Three Persons.” That entire time ahead of us is surely a period which every true Christian would rather escape from, by fleeing to “a deserted island”—just to get away from the evil influences which seem to gain in strength and magnification during the time before, during and shortly after those Satanically inspired holidays.

But we must not give in to the “after-Feast-let-down-syndrome,” nor must we allow ourselves to become so much involved in the affairs of this world that we slowly forget the messages heard and the lessons learned at GOD’s Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus did not take us out of this world (compare John 17:15)—rather, He sends us into the world (compare Matthew 10:16) to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all nations (Matthew 24:14)—the wonderful truth that He will return and set up the KINGDOM of God on this earth—something we have thought about and celebrated for eight days during the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.

The Feast foreshadowed for us how this world will look like in a very few years from now. But we also know that Christ will NOT return UNLESS the GOSPEL is preached first (Mark 13:10). There are many “gospels” which are preached these days—but there is only ONE TRUE Gospel which NEEDS to be preached (Galatians 1:6-9). God has revealed the MYSTERY of the true GOSPEL message of the Kingdom of God to His Church (Ephesians 6:19-20)—while He has HIDDEN it from the rest of the world (Mark 4:10-12)—including from all those hundreds and thousands of churches, sects and denominations which may call themselves Christian, but which are NOT part of the true Body of Christ.

Dear brethren, co-workers and friends, God has given us the awesome privilege AND responsibility to participate in the most important Work on earth—to HELP and ASSIST in the proclamation of the TRUTH of God—the soon-coming restoration of the government of God here on earth. The Feast of Tabernacles reminded us of that awesome future and our present duties. Let us not forget and drift away from what we have learned—but let us, with renewed strength and energy, band together to DO the Work!

Let us ALL continue with being about our “Father’s business” (compare Luke 2:49).

With the love of Jesus Christ,

Norbert Link

Dave Harris

Rene Messier

Brian Gale

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Dear Brethren and Friends:

It is hard to pick up a newspaper or listen to or read the news, and not hear about more killings in Iraq; more unrest in Afghanistan and India; more fighting and violent murders in various nations of Africa; and, of course, terrible crimes in the USA, the UK, Canada, and all over the world.

Even nature—the weather—has been acting very strangely—with floods in parts of India, China, Europe, the UK and the USA. We hear comments like, “This is the worst rain since 50 years.” In the town of Summerland where I live, 63 millimeters of rain fell in two hours, setting an all-time record since rainfall has been recorded here. These unusual worldwide rainfalls have produced floods which have adversely affected literally hundreds of millions of victims—not just a few thousand. People wonder and shake their heads, but the truth is, we, the whole earth, are under a curse for turning our backs on God and for rejecting His clear commands of how and when to worship Him on a daily, weekly and annual basis.

Yet the Bible, God’s inspired Word, is very clear on how and when to worship the Creator God—so, in a sense, man is without excuse for disobeying Him. But we do understand that Satan, the god of this world, has blinded the eyes of most of mankind so that they simply cannot understand the truth, including how and when to worship God. For instance, God’s weekly and annual Holy Days are outlined in numerous passages, including the 23rd chapter of the book of Leviticus.

This month designates the beginning of God’s Fall Holy Day season (compare Leviticus 23:23-44). We are instructed to keep four annual Holy Days in the Fall. All of these have great meaning for us and are a vital part of God’s plan for mankind. Let us briefly review them (For an in-depth study, please make sure to review our newest booklet, “The Meaning of God’s Fall Holy Days.”).

This year, the Feast of Trumpets—the first of God’s annual Fall Holy Days—will be celebrated on September 13 (beginning with sunset or evening on September 12). This Day pictures the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in power and glory, to rule this earth for a thousand years. Christ will return at the last trumpet, as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. The Feast of Trumpets also pictures the resurrection to immortal life of the faithful saints of God—including righteous individuals of the Old Testament, some of whom are mentioned in Hebrews 11, as well as true, converted Christians who lived since the time when God poured out His Holy Spirit on the New Testament Church on the Day of Pentecost. It is a time when God’s saints shall put on immortality, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. This body must put on incorruption. As part of the true saints of God, we shall be changed to immortal God beings, ruling with and under Christ for a thousand years on this earth, and then on to eternity. What a glorious occasion that will be. When Christ returns, we shall see Him as He is today, in His glorified state.

On September 22 is the Day of Atonement. It is a time to afflict our souls with fasting, giving us an opportunity to draw closer to God and reflect on the meaning of this day. It pictures the putting away of Satan the devil—freeing man from the negative influences he has on this earth—and chaining him, that is, restricting his access to God’s creation for a thousand years. (However, at the end of the Millennium, he will be let loose for a season, as outlined in Revelation 20:2-3, 7-8). Without his negative influence on mankind during the Millennium, man will be freed from his spiritual blindness, caused to a large extent by Satan’s deceptions, and truly be able to live in peace and harmony with one another. The Day of Atonement symbolizes the event when mankind can receive atonement with God—when the sins of mankind for which Satan bears responsibility, will be placed back on his head.

On September 27 is the third of the four Fall Festivals—with the first day being a holy convocation or an annual Sabbath. This period is called the Feast of Tabernacles, and it lasts for seven days. These seven days picture the thousand-year rule of Christ on the earth, with the help and assistance of the saints, as kings and priests (Revelation 5:10). At that time, we will have an opportunity—on a grand and unrestricted scale—to restore the government of God on the earth, and to teach all mankind God’s laws, including the weekly and annual Sabbaths. The earth will have to be renewed and prepared for the resurrection of the vast majority of mankind. It will be a resurrection to physical life, which the last Festival pictures.

On October 4 is the last of the Fall Festivals, called the Last Great Day. It is so called because it pictures the opportunity for all mankind who lived and died prior to the Millennium, and who will be resurrected after the Millennium, to accept God’s laws and ways. Isaiah 65:20 indicates that man, who was not called to really understand the truth in this day and age, will be given a period of one hundred years, to become converted and qualify for God’s gift of eternal life. Mankind will be taught by God, during that Great White Throne Judgment period, and man will have to make the decision to either follow God’s ways or the ways of Satan’s rebellion and disobedience. Those who become converted and qualify, will be changed to immortality; and those who reject God and His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, will be burnt up in the lake of fire. It will be their second death from which there will be no resurrection (Revelation 20:12-14). They will simply cease to exist, with no more consciousness, life or individuality. Thankfully, we are persuaded that most will choose life and salvation, and an opportunity to enter the God Family as immortal God beings, as opposed to choosing eternal death.

These Fall Holy Days encompass the final stages of God’s master plan for mankind. We should be grateful for the knowledge of these days and also for the opportunity to keep them at their appointed times.

God has a perfect plan for mankind, and we are privileged at this time to both understand and to be a part of that plan. So, let us look forward to these days with zeal, enthusiasm and anticipation—yearning for the time when we will have a part in fulfilling their ultimate meaning in the Kingdom of God.

With Christian love,

Rene Messier

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

So many have forecast the end of the age (or world) over the course of the last 2,000 years and, to date, everyone has proven to be wrong. I have a book on this very subject and the author takes over 350 pages to discuss a mountain of information from around the world about failed prophecies from a myriad of different sources. This book, published in 1996, asked “What is it about the advent of the year 2000 which propels millions of people in the direction of apocalyptic belief? Why should Christians who know perfectly well that Christ was not born in AD 1 attach such importance to the calendar change? Even more strangely, why should the prospect of a new millennium quicken the pulse of millions of non-Christians? Belief in the approaching End of Time, we shall discover, is not the exclusive preserve of placard-waving prophets of doom. It is one of the great driving forces of history.”

Of course, the Church of God has long understood the need for Christ’s return, because such an event is clearly prophesied in the pages of God’s Word. The founder of Christianity spoke about His return to this earth in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, and the fact that there have been so many dates given by so many people (all of which, to date, have inevitably been wrong) doesn’t nullify the inevitability of Christ’s return.

Until relatively recently in man’s history, the factors that must be in place at the time of the Second Coming were simply not there. But in the year 2007, can we be sure that this much awaited event is not that far away? In Matthew 24, Jesus talks about the “coming of the Son of Man,” and He states in verses 32-33: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors.” In verse 36, Jesus says: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” We may not know the exact “day and hour,” but we can discern the times in which we live and understand that Christ’s return surely cannot be that far away.

We have long understood the “day for a thousand years” principle, and this gives us a perspective that, until in more recent days, was just not applicable. Very few people in the world today understand God’s master plan of salvation where He has allocated approximately 7,000 years to fulfill His purpose for mankind. The first 6,000 years are allotted to man, allowing him to attempt to rule himself, followed by 1,000 years of Godly rule over this earth. In 2 Peter 3:8 the apostle Peter states that “… with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” We are right at the end of the “six days” (six thousand years) where man has shown himself to be utterly incapable of ruling in a Godly way. The seventh-day Sabbath pictures the soon coming 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ after His return.

In addition, it was not until the 1950’s that weapons of mass destruction were of such magnitude that they were capable of destroying all human life from off the face of the earth, which is a condition that would have to be in place at the end of the age. Matthew 24:21-22 states: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” That general time frame has now arrived.

In Revelation 11:7-9 we are given an insight into the killing of the two witnesses which occurs just before our Lord’s return to this earth: “When they (the two witnesses) finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified (Jerusalem). Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.” Until more recent times, this would simply have not been possible, but through the marvels of television, video cell phones and live computer feeds, this will enable the dead bodies of the two witnesses to be seen in every corner of the globe.

Also, the passage quoted above speaks of the “beast”—a charismatic political leader to arrive on the world scene just prior to Christ’s return. That personage is the representative of the last or tenth resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire. History tells us that nine resurrections have already occurred, and that the tenth and final revival is happening right now in Europe. Scripture reveals that this last resurrection will only exist for a short time (“one hour” in Biblical terminology, compare Revelation 17:10, 12). For more information, please read our free booklet, “Europe in Prophecy.” This fact alone—that the last revival of the ancient Roman Empire is occurring right now in front of our very eyes—shows us that Christ’s return is imminent.

Money markets around the world are now so financially interconnected and reliant that a significant problem in one country can have serious repercussions in other nations. The fall of Babylon is related in Revelation 18 where the world mourns its fall and the merchants state that “in one hour she is made desolate” (verse 19). In previous times, business moved at a much slower rate, but today, the world is instantly connected and things can move at a pace that make the head spin and can involve the whole world in a way that has never been possible before.

In the UK this summer we have had severe floods and terrorists attacks. The nation is in unprecedented levels of debt. Family life is under severe threat with promiscuity, perversion, all manner of sexual sins, abortion and a massive decline in decency and morality. And this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding ungodly behavior, and it is not confined just to the UK. Wherever you look, there are huge problems as man’s continual descent into a moral abyss is happening at a frightening pace. How much longer can the very patient Creator God let all of this go on?

How blessed are the members of God’s Church who have been given the priceless calling out of this sick world and the blessing of such knowledge of the future that God has in store for us!

In just over a month’s time we will have the wonderful opportunity to keep the Feast of Trumpets about which the world knows nothing and, therefore, will ignore, but which we understand foreshadows the return of Christ to set up the Kingdom of God on earth (Our new booklet “The Meaning of God’s Fall Holy Days,” which is enclosed for readers in the USA and Canada, explains this in detail). This is not a Jewish feast but it is one of the “feasts of the LORD” (Leviticus 23:2). We were never promised an easy ride and mockers were predicted at the end time (Jude 18). But the joy of knowing that this marvelous event cannot be that far away should be a thrilling experience and one that we should look forward to with all our heart. The words of Jesus in Luke 12:32 say it all: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

All the signs of our generation indicate that this event is not too far away! Keep watching! Be ready! Jesus Christ will indeed return to this earth—just as He promised!

With Christian love,

Brian Gale

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Dear Brethren and Friends:

This is the time when the American people celebrate their “Independence Day.” I couldn’t help but comparing this event with the brief history of our Church organization in the USA—the “Church of the Eternal God.”

When something new starts, it is often accompanied by problems. But where there is vision and zeal for the right cause, there will be success. After a period of spiritual drought and lethargy, of little accomplishment and much fruitless debate, some ministers in the USA decided to resign from their former association and start anew, by incorporating the “Church of the Eternal God.”

Documents were filed with the Secretary of State on July 2, 2001, and the certificate of incorporation was issued on July 5, 2001. This means that the Church of the Eternal God has now entered the seventh year of its corporate existence. In due course, state and federal tax exemptions were received, on November 26, 2001, and July 30, 2002, respectively.

The Church of the Eternal God became legally affiliated with the Global Church of God in England and the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship, in Canada. Some serve as Directors on the Boards of two or, in one case, of all three corporations.

In spite of these harmonious relationships, there were setbacks. Certain events forced us to separate from one of our Board members in the USA, who has since conducted his own independent ministry. Talks with another Church organization (which subsequently split into several groups) led nowhere. And a Church group in continental Europe, with whom we had originally collaborated, decided to become independent from us.

The biggest setback so far was the death of our beloved Senior Pastor, Edwin Pope, who died in December of last year. Gainsayers were quick to point out that this meant the death of our organization, as some had prophesied in 2001 that we would not survive for six months.

But if God is with us, no one can stop us! This is true individually AND collectively.

Let us have some fun with a few numbers, to illustrate this point:

Since the establishment of the Church of the Eternal God, we have published by now, through the combined efforts of our corporate entities in the USA, the UK and Canada, 24 booklets, with the 25th booklet being printed, as we speak. These booklets discuss vital topics such as the Gospel of the Kingdom of God; the nature of God the Father and Jesus Christ; the fact that God is not a Trinity, but rather a Family; God’s purpose for man; prophetic events; marriage and family; prayer; sickness and healing; human suffering; the weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy Days; the Ten Commandments; angels and demons; tithing; predestination; evolution; Christmas celebrations; whether we have an immortal soul; and that there is life after death—just to name a few. In terms of volume, our published booklets contain approximately 546,000 words.

In addition, we have just published our 300th weekly Update, filled with important current news reports in light of biblical prophecy, an editorial, a Bible study, as well as information regarding the Work, prayer updates and requests, and, every other week, a special contribution for our young(er) readers. These weekly updates have grown in volume and contents since their rather humble inception, and are now, on an average, between 15 and 20 pages long.

We have also just produced our 127th StandingWatch video-Internet program—a 6-to-10 minutes weekly video commentary on prophetic events or Christian living. Due to the construction of a recording studio and the purchase of additional necessary equipment, these programs are being regularly improved through a more appealing background, better lighting and sound. They are being posted on our own StandingWatch Website (www.standingwatch.org), as well as on Google Video—and they will soon be posted on additional Internet providers. We have confirmed that these programs are being watched around the world, including in Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Africa and Australia, and, of course, in Europe, Canada and the USA.
One of the most successful StandingWatch programs so far has been the one on “666, the Beast and Antichrist,” which received almost 3,900 views on Google Video, followed by “America’s Illegal Aliens” (about 3,050 views), “Is Nuclear War Coming?” (almost 3,000 views), “American Hiroshima” (in excess of 2,050 views), “USA—The Fading Superpower!” (in excess of 1,400 views), “Afghanistan’s Radical Islam” (almost 1,300 views), “Ghosts of Departed Ones?” (in excess of 1,100 views), “Iran’s Frightening Intentions” (over 1,000 views) and “What’s in Store for America” (over 850 views). These numbers are only for Google Video and do not include viewers of our StandingWatch Website.

In addition, we are posting certain selected video-recorded sermons on Google Video. Our recent video presentation, “Bible Study—Christian Suffering” has been viewed approximately 1,150 times.

We have also conducted advertisement campaigns and public Bible lectures in England and the USA, and have now begun to run Internet ad campaigns in Britain, the USA and Canada.

Our budget is balanced and sound, as we are careful not to overextend ourselves in any way. From the inception of the Church of the Eternal God, it has been our policy and practice NOT to spend what we don’t have, but to administer wisely and conscientiously the money that God has entrusted to us, to do His Work of preaching the Gospel and feeding His Flock.

All of our literature is free, and hard copies of our booklets and updates, as well as audiotapes of our sermons, are sent to those who request them, including those who do not have access to the Internet or who do not have email. Our websites, www.eternalgod.org; www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk, and www.churchofgodacf.ca, have posted all of our booklets and most updates, as well as approximately 500 sermons, and literature in German and French. In addition, our German website, www.aufpostenstehen.de, has posted seven of our booklets, as well as certain articles, in the German language.

Why mention all of this? To glory in ourselves? To give us a pat on the back and say to ourselves: “Well done!”? FAR FROM IT! Rather, to show what GOD can do! ALL glory belongs to God (Philippians 4:20). We would not be able to do ANYTHING without God’s direction, strength and help. But at the same time, consider what can be done when God’s servants work together in unity and harmony; zealous to do the Work of God; realizing that they ultimately labor for Christ and not for men; being concerned about what GOD thinks about them, rather than what men may think; KNOWING that their reward and their true treasures are in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21); and that Christ will reward them for their diligence when He returns (Revelation 22:12).

We have only just begun—but the potential is great. Truly, the harvest is ripe and plentiful (John 4:35). So let us pray that God will send out laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:2), and that He will guide and use us powerfully to fulfill His commission for us—all the while continuing to grow in the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:13).

Thank you, dear brethren and friends, for your loyalty, patience and dedication. May the richest blessings from our God and Father be with all of you.

In Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

Does God really care about YOU? Is your life being watched over and guided by the One that Jesus revealed as the “Father”? Has God actually assigned His holy angels to monitor, protect and intervene in YOUR life? Does our High Priest, Jesus Christ, directly appeal to the Father on our behalf by countering the barrage of charges that Satan levels against us night and day?

Count on it and believe it! If you have been called by God and if you have received His Holy Spirit and have been converted, God knows YOU! He not only knows who you are, but He is involved in your life—day in and day out!

Sometimes, the stark reality of living in a dying society threatens to overwhelm us. At times, the press of personal and even global influences can distract and disorient us. When that happens, we must focus on our calling!

Brethren, we have been called into the knowledge of the truth of God. His great purpose in all of His creation is to add sons and daughters to His own Kind—to be made like Him and to become members of the Family of God!

In His majestic revelation to us, God has left words of abiding encouragement as reminders for us of how deeply He has offered His unfailing love toward His elect. Paul wrote of this to the Church at Ephesus:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).

Then, note what is stated in verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

In His preparation, God gave His Son to die for us—to pay the supreme price for our sins (Compare John 3:16). But that is not all! Jesus Christ now lives, and He serves as OUR High Priest (Compare Hebrews 8:1; 10:12-14). In Hebrews 9, verse 24, we find this statement about something that Christ fulfills as our High Priest, and that is “…now to appear in the presence of God FOR US.”

God called Paul into the truth—just as others, including ourselves, have been specially selected and offered an opportunity to have a part in the first resurrection—what the Bible speaks of as “…a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35). However, Paul’s calling was fraught with severe difficulties and great personal trials (Compare 2 Corinthians 11:22-28). Through all of this, take note of the confident assurance by which Paul sustained his hope in God’s calling:

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

In the closing days of his life, Paul left this powerful testimony of God’s unfailing care for those He calls out of the world in this age:

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

If we truly love “His appearing,” we will continue to answer our own calling to be fervently and zealously involved in the Church of God and the Work given to the people of God!

We, as well as the billions of people alive today, face a future that God’s Word describes in sobering and frightening ways. World war will erupt in the near future that will be so catastrophic that human life will hang in the balance. Only God, by sending Jesus Christ to establish Godly rule on this earth, will stop this conflagration!

But before this, the modern houses of Israel and Judah will each suffer times of trouble that will lead to their downfall—even national captivity! Our booklets, titled “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America” and “The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord,” powerfully warn of this coming period of devastation. Just as it was for Israel and Judah in the former periods, our peoples are not hearing nor heeding the messages of warning in our generation.

By July 5, 2007, the Church of the Eternal God will have reached its seventh year of corporate existence. Even though much has been accomplished during these past six years, much more work lies ahead for all of us.

While there is still time, WE must intensify our efforts to fulfill our part in lifting voices of alarm in the nations! And while there is still time, WE must make our own “call and election sure” (Compare 2 Peter 1:10-11)!

Get involved in YOUR calling, and stay engaged!

We have these words of help:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Brethren, here is how Jude concluded his letter to the Church of God in his day, and his proclamation should also stand as our encouragement for the challenges that now lie before us:

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude, verses 24-25, NASB).

In Christ’s Service,

David J. Harris

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Dear Brethren and Friends:

When you receive this letter, the annual Holy Day of Pentecost will be only about two weeks away. It reminds us of the time when ancient Israel, according to tradition, received from God the two tablets of stone with the Law of the Ten Commandments, and when the New Testament Church collectively received God’s Holy Spirit to enable us to keep the Law. In addition, we reflect on our own individual calling and our receipt of the Holy Spirit, after our conversion and baptism.

Those of us who have been in God’s Church for a long time know from experience that Satan seems to be the busiest right before Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the case, as Satan hates the thought that God will soon end his rule over this earth, by sharing His government and Kingdom with us, who are now begotten of the Spirit, and who will then be born again. As the Passover season symbolizes the beginning, and the Tabernacles season the completion of God’s master plan for human beings, Satan is reminded of his fate, too. He is very angry that God’s people keep those days holy, by celebrating and rejoicing in their destiny and the hope and glory of God’s Kingdom and government over this earth, as well as Satan’s banishment (Romans 16:20).

From reports we have received, pertaining to all of the Church of God organizations, which comprise, collectively, the body of Christ, it appears that Satan has been extraordinarily busy this year, and that his evil activities have continued with full strength since the Passover. While the situation in the world is getting more dangerous, troublesome and explosive almost on a weekly basis, problems have also been facing God’s people, it seems, in an unparalleled way. Sometimes, of course, some of our problems are “self-inflicted,” and other problems will always confront us because we don’t live in God’s world, but Satan’s. We know that Satan will always be busy, walking about like a roaring lion to seek whom he can devour (1 Peter 5:8), and we also know the time of our salvation has drawn nearer, by any standard (Romans 13:11). But, as I said, it seems that this year, the enormity and frequency of individual trials and problems lead us to consider an additional possibility: Have we reached the time when Satan “has been cast down… [and] has come down to [us], HAVING GREAT WRATH, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:10, 12)?

We might recall that Satan is a master of bringing upon us disillusionment and discouragement, through trials, temptations and problems. While God allows those difficulties to test us—so that we pass the tests and DON’T sin—Satan tempts us so that we DO sin. In times of serious trials and discouragement, we need to draw close to God, humbling ourselves under God’s mighty hand, and God promises us that Satan will be defeated (James 4:7-8, 10). Christ tells us in Revelation 12:11 that God’s people overcome Satan “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Remember when ancient Israel kept the very first Passover. The people found protection from God’s angel of death through the blood of the lambs at the doorposts of their houses. This symbolized and foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of the precious blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. On the first day of Unleavened Bread, at night, Israel left the captivity of Egypt with a high hand and great joy. They followed God’s lead Who showed them the way in a cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. But Pharaoh pursued after them, trying to bring them back as his captives, or to destroy them. When Israel saw the Egyptian army, they became greatly afraid and discouraged. According to tradition, God parted the Red Sea and led them through the divided waters on the last Day of Unleavened Bread, while the Egyptians drowned when they tried it.

Pharaoh symbolizes Satan in this occurrence, and Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea symbolizes water baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). God led the Israelites out of captivity and on to victory over Satan. By following God’s lead, they overcame their enemy.

But the story does not end here. On their way toward the Promised Land, the Israelites were confronted with more problems. First, they only found bitter water in the desert, which they could not drink; later, they could not find any water or meat. They began to murmur and complain against God, while losing all hope that God could save them from, and help them in their troubles. And even though He made the bitter water sweet; even though He gave them water from a rock; “angel’s food” or manna from heaven; and meat from the sky; they still continued to be frustrated and depressed, as well as filled with doubt that God was really with them, or that He could help them in seemingly hopeless situations.

Why did those doubts enter their minds and stay with them, even though they had seen God’s mighty hand time and again? Because Satan was still there! True, Pharaoh had drowned with his army in the Red Sea, but the real power behind Pharaoh, Satan the devil, was still very much alive. He continued to sow doubt, discontent, discouragement, and even outright rebellion among the children of Israel.

God led them to Mount Zion to give them the Ten Commandments—the Law which we are to follow today as well, so that we can LIVE and enter the Promised Land of God’s everlasting Kingdom (Deuteronomy 8:1). Ancient Israel, devoid of the Holy Spirit, could not and would not obey (Romans 8:7). And so, God founded the New Testament Church—spiritual Israel—on the Day of Pentecost, by giving it the Holy Spirit, thereby empowering it to keep the Law. But as Satan was present in ancient Israel’s times, AFTER they had received the LAW, so Satan was present in New Testament times, after the Church had been founded (Acts 5:3). And Satan is present and very active TODAY.

We have followed God’s lead, repented of our sins and left Satan’s captivity (2 Timothy 2:25-26); we have been forgiven of our past sins through the blood of the Lamb; we began to strive overcoming Satan, society and self; we have been baptized and received the Holy Spirit; and we continue to strive in our battles to conquer our spiritual enemies—but as ancient Israel could not obtain victory, apart from God (Deuteronomy 1:42-45), WE cannot, either, UNLESS we use God’s POWER and MIGHT in us to wage that war!

We are NOT fighting against flesh and blood—we have NOTHING to do with the wars of this world, be it in action or in word or even in thought—but we ARE fighting against the spiritual powers of darkness, Satan and his demons (Ephesians 6:10-20).

We see more and more the time of Christ’s return approaching (Hebrews 10:25; Philippians 4:5; James 5:8; Revelation 22:20). And so, our strength, patience and endurance will be tested more and more. God WILL give us victory—every time—when we truly submit to Him and His might—but we will lose out—every time—when we give in to Satan and his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).

We must never be ignorant of what Satan has in mind. When we allow ourselves to become discouraged, we have become victims of Satan—and we must immediately get on our knees to ask God to forgive us and to give us His strength, power, hope, faith and CONVICTION that He will help us and that we CAN and WILL succeed and overcome our enemy. We might not always know what to do, or how victory will be given to us, but we must ALWAYS know that we never NEED to sin or give up—we never NEED to become discouraged and depressed, thinking that everything is hopeless, because the ONE Who is in us—Almighty God—is greater than the one who is in the world—Satan the devil (1 John 4:4).

Let us take the time to review and reflect on the meaning of Pentecost, as revealed in the Bible. And as we know its meaning, so does Satan. We LOVE the fact that the God of power, comfort and hope is our Helper, and that He has given us of His very Spirit, to make us partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). But Satan HATES it. He is angry and full of destructive rage. He WILL try everything in his power to tempt us to give up. He will discourage us from following God, day and night, in the way that our Father wants us to live.

God will never leave us nor forsake us. He WILL show us the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)—whether we are passing through raging waters or walking through burning flames of fire (Isaiah 43:1-2)—so that we CAN endure whatever test and trial He ALLOWS to come our way. And God IS confident, as He was in the case of Job, that we WILL succeed (Philippians 1:3-6)! But we have to follow His lead. We have to want to succeed. We have to make every effort to succeed (1 Corinthians 9:24). And there is one thing we must NEVER do—become so discouraged that we are willing to give up.

If we do, Satan will have reached his goal of defeating us, and we will have lost. But God wants us to WIN. Don’t you?

In Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

We have recently been privileged to take the annual Passover as the Bible instructs, followed by the seven Days of Unleavened Bread. The more we keep these “feasts of the LORD” (Leviticus 23:2, 4, 44), the more we should appreciate what they really mean to us. Each year, over the course of about six months, we keep God’s annual Feasts (Leviticus 23:4) from the Passover in the early spring right through to the Holy Days in the autumn, which reveal what God has in store for His faithful and chosen people (1 Peter 2:9). Each year, our commitment should deepen as we look forward to a future of which the world has no concept or understanding.

God’s plan for the whole of mankind is so logical. Christ’s death on our behalf; putting sin out of our lives; the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit; Christ’s return; Satan being bound for 1,000 years; Christ ruling as Head of State in the Kingdom of God on the earth; and the Great White Throne Judgment when all who have died in ignorance of Christ’s supreme sacrifice will have their opportunity for salvation. God does not deal in a series of uncoordinated, meaningless and unbiblical days that have no relevance to His people either now or in the future. He reveals, through the power of His Holy Spirit, a plan of such breathtaking love and magnificence that we must ensure that we never become complacent with such revealed knowledge. It is truly exciting knowledge and understanding for those who remain steadfast and faithful to this way of life. Since that fateful day, nearly 2,000 years ago, when the New Testament Church of God came into being on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), many have strayed from the knowledge of the truth and their marvelous calling.

Christ asked the question: “when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

He also said: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12-13).

Those of us who have held fast to the truth of the Living God, must continue to do so right up until the very end of our lives or to the return of Christ if that event precedes our death.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, uses the analogy of a race where endurance is required (Hebrews 12:1), and where he was striving to ensure that he didn’t lose out (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). He realized that we can indeed lose out if we are not diligent in, and steadfast to, our calling. But we are involved in something infinitely greater and more important than a physical race. We are involved in a matter of life and death and once we have set our course, there can be no looking back (Luke 9:62). When we understand the enormity of what God has in store for us, looking back to our former life before baptism is something that will not interest us at all.

 

The Days of Unleavened Bread teach us that sin is our enemy and MUST be put out of our lives. Society, however, travels along a different path diametrically opposed to the way of God. That is hardly surprising because, Satan, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9). We are swimming against the tide of society which becomes more hedonistic as each day goes by. God will not allow this to go on forever. There will be an accounting and we must not be found wanting. The next Holy Day in God’s marvelous plan is Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on those who repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38). With the help of God’s Holy Spirit, which was given to us at baptism, we can move forward to put sin out of our lives. Again, the logical pattern of God’s Holy Days can be clearly seen. How grateful we should all be to understand such wonderful information.

As we see conditions in the world worsening by the day, the anticipation of our future in the Kingdom of God is wonderful revealed knowledge—exciting beyond words. Holding on to our marvelous calling with increasing fervency is a sure fire way to ensure a glorious future for eternity!

In Genesis 11, we see that God was so unhappy with man’s conduct thousands of years ago that He said that “now nothing will be restrained from them” (Verse 6, Authorized Version). And that is precisely the same approach that we see today in an ever increasingly secular society in western nations. God is not in the picture and His Name is blasphemed in every strata of society and by all age groups, even the very young. The ungodly and unbiblical theory of evolution is taught as fact (For a thorough discussion of that man-made idea, please read our free booklet, “The Theory of Evolution—A Fairy Tale for Adults? ”) God’s ways are seen as unnecessary and the blessings for obedience for our nations—especially Great Britain and the United States of America (Leviticus 26:1-13 and Deuteronomy 28:1-14)—are now surely a thing of the past (For more information, you might want to read our free booklet, “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America.”)

God is patient, much more than any human being. He will send His Son, Jesus Christ, back to this earth at precisely the right time, but as we await that climactic event, the Holy Days point us in the direction that we should live our lives. Putting sin out of our lives is the lesson that the Days of Unleavened Bread teach us, and using the gift of the Holy Spirit—as the next Holy Day, Pentecost, clearly reveals—enables us to progress steadfastly and faithfully towards the Kingdom of God. We will need to keep ourselves continually “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27) and to ensure that our wonderful calling is faithfully adhered to. Then, all that effort will be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams in the future when we shall be like Jesus Christ (1 John 3:2).

What a future to look forward to, and with such anticipation! Let us never take this precious knowledge for granted. Our reward is guaranteed if we remain steadfast and loyal to God, and the right knowledge of Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost are Feast days and Holy Days in the plan of God that will help us achieve that end. To prepare for the Feast of Pentecost, please be sure to read the pertinent sections in our free booklet, “The Meaning of God’s Spring Holy Days.”

With Christian love,

Brian Gale