Download PDF

Dear Brethren and Friends;

This past Thursday, March 30, was the first day of the first month of a new year according to Godís reckoning of time. This first month of the year is called Abib or Nisan. In just nine days we will be observing Passover, that being the 14th day of the month of Abib! Of course, the Passover service will begin Tuesday evening, shortly after sunset. Following the day of Passover, at sunset, begin the Days of Unleavened Bread. These are most important days for you and for me; but for most of the world, these days have little or no cognitive meaning! Most have no idea of the significance of these days; and many who seemed to have once understood have lost sight of the true importance God places in these days!

While many in the world have inculcated the Christian name in their religion, and have adopted many of the stories of the Bible in their teachings, they have rejected many of the most significant teachings of the Scriptures which keep one in tune with God’s overall purpose for mankind. In so doing, they fail to understand the wonderful promises God has made to those who truly incorporate His Way into their lives!

At the same time, many who have adopted the name “Christian,” observe days which God has not established to His honor. Note Paul’s admonishment to the Galatians, found in Galatians, chapter 4: “But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe (pagan) days and months and seasons and years” (Galatians 4:8-10).

Yes, many who seemed to have understood over the past 50 years have now turned back to those things from which God has called us. Again, note Paulís warning to the Galatians, in Galatians chapter 1: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).

Just as many in the Church of the Galatians reverted back, many in God’s Church today have turned back to the ways of this world, rejecting God’s Truth and following men who have portrayed themselves as ministers of Jesus Christ, but failed to walk in the Way of God. Paul continually warned the brethren in each of the Church areas where he traveled of the extreme danger of falling back into the ways of this world because of deceitful men who would lead God’s people astray! And, of course, Satan never lets up on his attack of the people of God!

While the holidays of Christmas and Easter do not in any way honor the True God, the first two festivals of God’s sacred year–Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread–are filled with significance for the people of God!

The Passover, itself, is most significant for you and for me in the overall Plan of God!

Historically, it was observed in reference to the passing over of the death angel of all the homes which were protected by the blood of the slain Passover lamb applied to the doorposts of the homes; and, without this protection, all firstborn in the house were slain. This was true throughout the land of Egypt! (Compare the entire 12th chapter of the book of Exodus). This event was symbolic of Christ, our “Passover lamb,” slain for you and for me (Compare John 1:29- 34; 1 Corinthians 5:7). The shedding of Christ’s blood was for the forgiveness of all of our sins. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). Such forgiveness allows for the opportunity for one who is living by Christ’s faith in him (Galatians 2:20, Authorized Version) to receive eternal life with God the Father and Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God!

We have come to understand that once one accepts Jesus Christ as his/her Savior, with Christ’s blood covering such a person’s sins, and upon repentance, baptism, and the receiving of God’s Spirit with the laying on of hands by God’s minister, that person must now live his/her life in a manner pleasing to God, striving to walk as Christ walked. We must let Christ live His life in us, through the Holy Spirit of God, as we are told in Romans 5:10: “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved BY HIS LIFE.” In so doing, we overcome sin in our lives and put it behind us. This is pictured by the Days of Unleavened Bread!

Upon reviewing these first two of God’s Annual Festivals, one can readily see the tremendous meaning which is included in each of these festivals. Each and every one of God’s Festivals is filled with such meaningful information. And as we observe and study each of these festivals, we learn even more about God and all He has planned for His people who remain faithful to Him and to His Way!

To have a complete synopsis of each of God’s seven festivals, be sure to obtain a copy of, and to study carefully, our free booklet: “God’s Commanded Holy Days”! It is imperative that we have a thorough understanding of all of God’s days and of His festivals, since we find in them the overall Plan of God, of which we must never lose sight!

In Christ’s Service,

J. Edwin Pope

PS: An article giving a summary of the Church Conference has been completed and will be submitted for publication in the Journal. We are publishing the article below for your information:

CEG Conference

The 2006 conference for Church of the Eternal God was held in San Diego, California, on March 10th through March 15th. Representatives from Great Britain, Canada and the United States participated.

A primary focus of this meeting centered on reports and future plans for the web sites sponsored by the Church: www.eternalgod.org; www.standingwatch.org; www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk; and www.churchofgodacf.ca. New programs that would advertise these pages are currently being implemented through Google Video and Google spot ads. The StandingWatch video program featuring Evangelist Norbert Link along with booklets, Q&A’s in print format, and the Church’s Updates will be highlighted in future ad presentations.

President and Chairman J. Edwin Pope presented other important matters involving specific administrative decisions to be considered surrounding doctrinal applications. Plans for future booklets were made, and Dave Harris and Norbert Link will be writing, among others, publications on biblical authority and prayer.

Additionally, public Bible lectures were planned with the first one taking place in Fort Collins, Colorado, during the evening of May 21, 2006. This presentation, by Norbert Link, is to be held at the Hilton Fort Collins facility, and will be based on our newest booklet, “Mysteries of the Bible.”

The local church, which meets in Ramona, California, hosted weekend activities for the conference attendees. Visiting elders Brian Gale (Great Britain) and Rene Messier (Canada) delivered sermons on the Sabbath.

Download PDF

Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends,

In about eight weeks, baptized members of the Church of God will be taking the Passover which is an annual celebration of the death of Christ. It is a somber reminder of the sacrifice that our Lord and Savior endured on our behalf. Although not a Holy Day in itself, this will be the beginning of the Holy Day season when the first day of Unleavened Bread starts at sunset some twenty four hours later. How blessed we are to have been given the precious knowledge of God’s Master Plan of salvation for all of mankind, as revealed through His Holy Days (Please read our free booklet, “God’s Commanded Holy Days.”).

As Passover is almost two months away, why am I raising the matter at this particular time? Here is the reason: We are to prepare diligently for each Holy Day season and we are particularly admonished regarding the Passover, to examine ourselves so that we may take it in a worthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:28). When should this self-examination begin?

Members of the Church of God have long recognized that God’s calling is to a life of obedience to His will, and that we are to keep His Commandments. This responsibility must never be taken lightly. It is a full time, twenty four hours a day commitment in a Christian life that must continue for the rest of our lives. We cannot give up part way through our lives, and we must endure to the end (Matthew 24:13); otherwise, we will not make it into the Kingdom of God. In this context I am reminded of that phrase “Quitting lasts forever,” and it must never apply to our calling.

Therefore, we must always be in a state of self-examination, but this intensifies as we approach the annual celebration of Passover. But how do we examine ourselves at this time? Everyone has to decide for themselves the “how,” but several suggestions, as noted below, may be helpful in focusing our minds on what needs to be done.

(1) First of all, an analysis of our strengths and weaknesses may initially be helpful. We can then see how well we have done, and are doing, in growing and overcoming as we are exhorted to do in 2 Peter 3:18. We could map out a personal program over the period leading up to Passover–and beyond!

(2) It may be helpful to review our booklet, “God’s Commanded Holy Days.” The holiness of God’s annual Feast days is covered on pages 28-40.

(3) Previous articles that have been written about the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread may also be helpful in concentrating our minds at this time on self-examination. We recommend the review of the following articles: Update 224 on 1 Corinthians 11:29; Update 137 on Exodus 12:14; Update 141 on the Jewish Passover; and Update 88 on the Lord’s Supper.

(4) Live or audio sermons leading up to the Spring Holy Day season should also be an aid, and previous sermons covering this subject are available on our websites (www.eternalgod.org or www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk or www.churchofgodacf.ca). For anyone without Internet access who would like specific sermon tapes to other supplemental material, please contact our nearest office and we will be pleased to respond to your request.

(5) Specific reading of, and meditation on relevant passages of Scripture pertaining to this time of the year would also be helpful. You may want to review passages such as Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; Numbers 9; Exodus 12; Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 16; 1 Corinthians 5; and 1 Corinthians 11.

(6) You may want to allocate specific time for meditation. In our busy schedules, we can become so absorbed in our everyday activities with our family, friends, job, personal interests and health concerns, amongst other things, such that meditating on the tremendous and vitally important sacrifice of Christ can be forgotten and/or neglected until the last minute. However, the righteous person delights in meditation (see Psalm 1:2; 63:6; 77:12; 119:15; 119:99; 119:48; and 143:5).

(7) Fasting is another tool we can use. Humanly speaking, this does not come naturally to us, but is something that Christ said His disciples would do in His absence (Matthew 9:15). Christ fasted for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:2) and was able to overcome the wiles of the devil. Although we should not try today to fast for such a lengthy period of time, it would be good to set aside a day or two to fast, prior to Passover.

These are just some ideas, but the key is to get prepared. Developing our own plan of action for our Passover preparation can help us to approach this solemn time of the year in an appropriate and organized way that will surely be pleasing to God. It can help us to concentrate our minds in a way that might otherwise pass us by. It can also be used as a basis throughout the year as we strive to grow and overcome.

I asked earlier in this letter how we should examine ourselves. This has been addressed by the seven points listed above. While they are not exhaustive, they should, nevertheless, provide us with a good basis for our preparation. I also asked when we should start this process and the answer is: Immediately! By starting now, it gives us all a good lead in time to make better preparation for taking the Passover.

This is a time for introspection, self-examination and relying on God to help us in our puny efforts to overcome our human nature, the society which takes its toll on all of us and Satan, our adversary, who would love to take advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11).

We have the priceless privilege of being called into the true Church of God during this day and age, and we must do everything in our power to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). By planning well in advance to take the Passover in a worthy manner, surely God will be well pleased with our efforts. That should, and must be, our aim.

With brotherly love,

Brian Gale

Download PDF

Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends:

As I write this letter, I am mindful of the fact that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, the late human leader of the Worldwide Church of God, has been dead for over a full time cycle of 19 years. As most of you will remember, Mr. Armstrong died twenty years ago—in the morning hours of January 16, 1986. At that time, I was working in the Worldwide Church of God’s Legal Department. Even though we had hoped and prayed that Mr. Armstrong would not die then, we also knew that, barring a miracle from God, he could die at any time. I remember the deafening silence, when we came to the office and heard the news, and I also remember how Mr. Tkach later that morning addressed all of the Headquarters’ employees, assuring us that he would follow in Mr. Armstrong’s footsteps. Of course, we are all too aware of the fact how miserably Mr. Tkach failed in that endeavor.

Mr. Armstrong was a remarkable man. I remember how he encouraged all of us in one of his last sermons to continue learning and overcoming. He asked the pointed question, “How much have you grown this last year?” (Compare 2 Peter 3:18). He also remarked that he had learned more that year–which turned out to be the last year of his life—than in all his previous years.

It is therefore sad that some teach, in effect, the unbiblical concept that since the time of Mr. Armstrong’s death, the Church of God cannot and must not grow in understanding. They falsely claim that Mr. Armstrong restored all knowledge to the Church, and that nothing can be changed since his death in 1986. They overlook that it is Christ who will restore all things (Acts 3:21). Mr. Armstrong would be the first who would, with his thundering voice, dismiss this totally unsound concept that we don’t have to grow in knowledge and understanding. He encouraged us to change, when we find error. He said that he was willing to continue to change, when he was proven to be wrong from Scripture. Those who think and teach that the fullness of God’s truth was restored to the Church during Mr. Armstrong’s life refuse to follow one of Mr. Armstrong’s most fundamental instructions—that of CHANGE when one is found to be wrong. We must change, when proven wrong by the Bible.

It is also very sad that some claim the Church does not have to preach the gospel anymore, as Mr. Armstrong allegedly completed the preaching, and it is somewhat appalling that they misquote Mr. Armstrong for that wrong concept. They fail to mention that Mr. Armstrong instructed the ministry to continue doing the Work. In his last member letter, dated January 10, 1986, he wrote that the “greatest work lies yet ahead.” He also said: “It may be that the Work God has given me to do is complete, but not the Work of God’s Church, which will be faithfully doing God’s Work till Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns—God-s Work must push ahead.” Once again, Mr. Armstrong would be the first to dismiss, with his thundering voice, the concept that the Church should ever refuse to continue to preach the gospel into all the world.

It is somewhat amusing to me, but also very telling, that these kinds of claims seem to be made mainly by those who did not live at Headquarters during the last years of Mr. Armstrong’s life. They did not have the privilege of listening to Mr. Armstrong personally, and so they misconstrue statements from his writings, without knowing what Mr. Armstrong really felt and taught.

When thinking of Mr. Armstrong, I also think of his concern that we fully understand the deep meaning of the two trees in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-17; 3:1-24). I must have heard him teach the meaning of the two trees in ten or more consecutive sermons, and he mentioned more than once that most who were hearing these sermons were “not getting it” and that they were not even converted. Subsequent facts have shown how right he was.

Mr. Armstrong also spoke and wrote much about prophecy. He understood that it is the Church’s duty to warn and to watch. But it was clearly understood that we are not to preach prophecy as an intellectual exercise. Rather, prophecy is to help us to see the signs of the times, for what they are, and to try to help others, as well as ourselves, to become better people. If we study prophecy—or the entire Bible, for that matter—for any other reason, we have failed to study God’s Word properly.

Many will remember that Mr. Armstrong was called an “ambassador for world peace” and “a builder of bridges between the nations.” He was even nominated at one time for the Nobel Peace Prize. From the very beginning of the work he was given to accomplish, Mr. Armstrong advocated peace—which is much more than just the absence of war. He worked for peace, and the preaching of the gospel or good news of peace (Ephesians 6:15) has everything to do with the coming of a peaceful world, when war will no longer exist (Isaiah 2:4).

There is much more that I could write about the legacy, which Mr. Armstrong has left us. Rather than misquoting him and inventing or clinging to ideas which are absolutely contrary to his very thinking—the very core of his being—let us respect him by following God’s lead. Mr. Armstrong is dead, but Christ is very much alive (compare Isaiah 63:16). The Worldwide Church of God, including its Headquarters facilities and Ambassador College, has been effectively destroyed. Those who were forced to leave the Worldwide Church of God organization, because of its doctrinal heresies, are scattered. However, the truth that was revealed continues to be taught and grows among those who are faithful to the Head of the Body—Jesus Christ! It is the living Christ who cleanses His Church and prepares it for His Coming (Ephesians 5:25-27). Those who follow Christ (Revelation 14:4) will have made themselves ready, when He returns. (Revelation 19:7).

In Christ’s service,

Norbert Link