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Dear Brethren and Friends:

We are indeed living in dangerous times of uncertainty and ever-increasing suffering and disaster. The most recent tragedy in Asia has shown how quickly everything can change in this world. Many thousands of people, including vacationing tourists, seemingly enjoying peace and tranquillity, were wiped out within minutes. Truly, as the Bible predicts, when man says, “we have peace and safety,” sudden destruction comes upon him (compare 1 Thessalonians 5:3). When I listened to explanations from theologians and other “experts” of this world, as to why the terrible disaster struck in Asia, little, if any, understanding was expressed. Man, being cut off from the true God, just does not comprehend that this is not God’s world. Man, under Satan’s influence, has abused this planet for about 6,000 years, and the combined efforts of the devil and man have produced misery and pain in magnifying proportions.

We, in God’s Church, must not become emotionally affected to such a degree by the trauma that is all around us, that we lose our clear focus as to why we are here. Of course, since we are living in this world, we cannot be indifferent to its trials and troubles. We grieve with those who have lost their loved ones in catastrophes and natural disasters; we share their pain, and we long for a better world to come soon. But we must not lose hope. It is human to despair and become discouraged. The Bible records that God’s servants were not immune from those feelings. At times, the Biblical giants of faith rather wished to die than have to continue to endure the misery of this life. Moses felt that way (compare Numbers 11:14-15), and so did Elijah (1 Kings 19:4, 10). Job, Jonah and Jeremiah occasionally questioned God’s actions, thinking He behaved unrighteously. Jeremiah even said to God: “Yet you have failed me in my time of need… Your help is as uncertain as a seasonal mountain brook, sometimes a flood, sometimes as dry as a bone” (Jeremiah 15:17-18, Living Bible).

In times of discouragement because of trials, when we might question why bad things happen to innocent or even to righteous people, God is there to offer us hope. He does not forsake us, as long as we don’t forsake Him. When Jeremiah argued with God, complaining about His apparent lack of help and His seeming failure of intervention or of preventing evil, He simply told him: “Stop the foolishness and talk some sense …Only if you return to trusting me will I let you continue as my spokesman. You are to influence them, not let them influence you!” (Jeremiah 15:19, Living Bible). Yes, the “wisdom” of this world CAN influence us, if we are not careful. God wants us to think as He does. Even in the midst of traumatic problems, God’s thoughts are those of hope and peace. He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

All those people in Asia who died in terrible tsunamis, caused by a huge earthquake, DO HAVE a future! God WILL bring them back to life, under better circumstances, and in a much more peaceful environment. Insofar as we are concerned, those whom God has already called in this life to qualify for His Kingdom, what an AWESOME hope and future He has prepared for us! Christ, the hope of our glory, lives in us (Colossians 1:27). Our hope is not limited to THIS life. We are looking beyond our limitations and embrace the hope of an ETERNAL, glorious life (Titus 1:2). And we can be ASSURED of that future. We can KNOW that God Who has called us will see to it THAT we qualify! Our success is guaranteed, as long as WE don’t give up.

Let us remind ourselves, in these times of terrible uncertainties, pain and suffering, of some of the unbreakable, POSITIVE promises of God. These promises leave no room for doubt. God takes it for granted that we will succeed, as long as we let Christ live His life in us. Peter confirmed this fact. In his second letter he wrote that God’s “divine power has given us all things that pertain to [eternal] life” (2 Peter 1:3). If we do our part, we will not stumble (verse 10), but God will supply to us ABUNDANTLY an entrance into His Kingdom (verse 11). Having God’s mind, and knowing His thoughts toward us, Paul could confidently say: “He who has begun a good work in you WILL COMPLETE it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). He went even further by stating: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who ‘walk’ according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). In Ephesians 1:11-14, Paul pointed out that we have already obtained an inheritance (verse 11), and that we are already sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is a guarantee or a PROOF of our inheritance (verses 13-14).

How did God begin His work in us? How much preparation was necessary? The awe-inspiring truth is perhaps too difficult for our human minds to comprehend, and that may be the reason why one may be tempted to “interpret” the following passages in a more “humanly acceptable” way, but let us just read the inspired words of the Bible and ACCEPT, in faith, what they say. Paul told us in the eighth chapter of the letter to the Romans: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30). Just note these tremendous statements of fact: God foreknew US. God predestined US. God called US. God justified US. God HAS GLORIFIED US. Yes, this is correct. We are ALREADY glorified. That is, in God’s eyes, it is as good as done. We read in Romans 4:17 (Living Bible) that God speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past.  When Christ lives in us, and when we follow His lead, nothing can hinder or defeat us. Rather, “we come through all these things triumphantly victoriously by the power of him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, New Jerusalem Bible).

How long ago did God decide to call you and me? Paul tells us in the first chapter of the letter to the Ephesians that God chose us “before the foundation of the world”; that we have been “predestined… as sons” (Ephesians 1:4-5). We are called the “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Peter 1:2). Paul told the Thessalonian church that “God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit, and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Paul stated in 2 Timothy 1:9 that God “called US with a holy calling… according to His own purpose and grace which was given to US in Christ Jesus before time began.”

God carefully prepared both your calling and my calling to eternal life. The fact that God called YOU is not an accident. If YOU have been called today, you have been preordained to inherit eternal life and only YOU can prevent that from happening. When God calls today, He wants the person to succeed. We read in Acts 2:47 that God added to the Church those who “should be saved” (Authorized Version). The New Jerusalem Bible refers to those called ones as people “destined to be saved” In Acts 13:48, we are being told that “as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Notice, the appointment to eternal life comes first, then the individual reaction of faith toward the gospel. The New Revised Standard Version states: “As many as had been destined for eternal life became believers.” The Revised English Bible translates: “Those who were marked out for eternal life became believers.” Moffat writes about all ‘who had been ordained for eternal life.’ Finally, the Menge Bible states: “And all, as long as they were ordained for eternal life, became believers.”

God has called us, in this present time, to be successful. We read Christ’s words in Matthew 25:34: “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.í They had responded to God’s call and qualified for the Kingdom. But we read in Colossians 1:12-13 that the Father ‘HAS [already] qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He HAS [already] delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.’ As far as God is concerned, you and I will qualify. We will be there. Christ makes this point very clear, when He states in John 5:24: “MOST ASSUREDLY, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me HAS everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but HAS PASSED from death into life.” He adds in John 3:36 (Revised Standard Version): “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life.”

Our names have been written in God’s Book of Life (compare Revelation 3:5; Philippians 4:3; Luke 10:17- 20; Hebrews 12:22-23). God has the confidence that our names stay in that Book. Only the names of those who commit the unpardonable sin will be erased from God’s Book (compare Exodus 32:33; Psalm 69:28). Paul was convinced that he would be in the Kingdom. So were Peter and John. But they were not just talking about themselves. Rather, we read in 1 John 3:1-2: “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on US, that WE should be called children of God, we know that when He is revealed, WE shall be like Him, for WE shall see Him as He is.”

In times of great personal, national or even international tragedies, we can be influenced to question the wisdom of God. We can become discouraged, frustrated, unwilling to go on. But when we consider our great purpose and our awe-inspiring future, which has been GUARANTEED to us, we can get renewed strength to continue (Isaiah 40:31). After all, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which SHALL BE revealed in US (Romans 8:18). Paul states in Hebrews 6:18-20 (Living Bible): “Now all those who flee to him to save them can take new courage when they hear such assurance from God; now they can know without doubt that he will give them the salvation he has promised them. This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven, where Christ has gone ahead to plead for us from his position as our High Priest, with the honor and rank of Melchizedek. With God on our side, we need never lose hope or confidence. We can know that we WILL succeed. A glorious future awaits us. God has told us so. Do we believe Him?

In Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

We have come once again to that time of year when we hear those most familiar words, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” Leaders of the free world continually speak of this ideal of peace between nations. And yet, it seems whatever course these well meaning leaders take in this regard, peace continues to elude them.

As we examine the conditions in the world, between men and between nations, we find conflict, we find turmoil, and we find a world devoid of the peace which is so keenly desired. But why is that? Why does peace continually elude the nations of the world; with so much effort being put forth in the form of negotiations between nations, and with the religious leaders in much of the world speaking continually of peace? Why is the reality so far removed from the ideal?

This particular time of year (the time of Christmas, which is a time when many who do not understand its origins use this occasion to exchange gifts among themselves), the idea of peace seems to be even more prevalent in the minds of men. And yet, this season always seems to be one of the most chaotic, especially in the homes of many who participate in this annual event.

Of course, this quote from the Authorized Version of the Holy Bible states that there was …a multitude of the ‘heavenly’ host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13-14). This Scripture has long been the concept upon which this festival is purportedly kept, but historically, this event did not take place anywhere near December 25. And yet, so many of the practices of this festival are in direct conflict with the concept of peace, as is taught in the Holy Scriptures!

For a more complete understanding of what is wrong with the keeping of this festival, and why God reveals in His Holy Word we are not to participate in such activities, be sure to read our free booklet, “Don’t Keep Christmas.” The Biblical revelation of why God tells us to avoid such observances is thoroughly explained in the booklet. But what, then, is this heavenly host proclaiming to these shepherds, as they were tending their flocks on that very eventful, autumn night some two thousand years ago?

The Amplified Bible more correctly translates this Scripture (Luke 2:14), as follows: “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well- pleased, men of good will, of His favor.”

The Living Bible quotes the Scripture in a similar fashion: “Glory to God in the highest heaven …and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”

The Ryrie Study Bible notes that this phrase, “good will toward men,” would more accurately be translated, “among men with whom He is pleased.” Ryrie goes further to say that “The peace promised is not given universally to men who possess good will toward God but individually to men who are the recipients of His favor and grace.”

Adam Clark’s “Commentary on the holy bible” states, in reference to this passage which reads “Peace, good will toward men,” that “Men are in a state of hostility with Heaven and with each other. The carnal mind is enmity against God. He who sins wars against his Maker. When men become reconciled to God, through the death of His Son, they love one another. They have peace with God, peace in their own consciences, and peace with their neighbors; good will dwells among them, speaks in them, and works by them.”

In fact, while the world proclaims Christmas, a pagan holiday observed in defiance of Almighty God, as a time of peace, we have come to understand that the observance of this holiday brings with that observance hostility, and promotes concepts which are many times totally contrary to the way of peace. Jesus Christ, the One Whom this holiday purports to honor in the name of peace, states in the book of Matthew, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-inlaw against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:34- 36). At the time of Christ’s First Coming, He did not bring universal peace to this world. One of the purposes for His coming was to establish His Church, calling some out of this world to acquire and develop a different mindset. Christ predicted that this would cause conflict with those not called by God. But how does one receive favor and grace from Almighty God? One must learn the way to peace! Notice, from the book of Isaiah: “Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace” (Isaiah 59:7-8).

And from the book of Jeremiah: “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, “Peace, peace!” When there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:13-14). Ezekiel prophesies for the end-time: “Destruction comes; They will seek peace, but there shall be none” (Ezekiel 7:25). But why is this? God tells us that man does not know the way to peace. The reason is, of course, they reject the Way of God. This festival of Christmas is an example. While men keep these pagan festivals in direct rebellion to the command of God, they also refuse to keep His Festivals, which He requires. (For more information as to what Festivals to keep, please read our free booklet, “God’s Commanded Holy Days.”) They observe Sunday worship, but refuse to keep God’s Sabbath. They are selective as to which of God’s commands they will keep and how they will attempt to obey Him in their own selective ways.

David asks the question in Psalm 34: ìWho is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue itî (Psalm 34:12-14).

David continues in Psalm 37: “For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:9-11). And, again, David states in Psalm 119:165: “Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.” As God’s law continues to come into David’s mind, he states: “LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You” (Psalm 119:166-168).

Of course we see in these words why God referred to David as a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22). The Scripture tells us in Proverbs 14: “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). This way which the world has accepted and followed is Satan’s way and this is presently Satan’s world; but the ways of Satan must be rejected!

Such action, of course, requires God’s intervention, with the individual life as well as with this world. For the world to come in line with God’s Way He will have to intervene powerfully to end Satan’s hold on the earth. But the good news is that God intends to do just that! In fact, if He did not intervene at just the right time, all life would cease on the earth.

Note Christ’s words in Matthew 24: “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” (Matthew 24:21-22).

Christ did not come to this earth two thousand years ago to bring peace on the earth. He came in the flesh to live a perfect life for our example; He came to defeat the ruler of this world, Satan the devil; and He came to qualify as our Savior! But when He returns, He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16), and He will establish perfect rulership on the earth, which will embrace God’s Way of life, with perfect peace forevermore! (Compare Micah 4:3-5).

In Christian love,

J. Edwin Pope

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

Events, long ago foretold by God, are now taking shape in OUR lifetime! Sometimes it is hard to recognize the obvious, but little by little (and sometimes in breath-taking ways), we are witnessing the unrelenting emergence of a new world power in Europe that is destined to change life as we know it, and for the modern nations comprising the British Empire, the United States and Israel, these are indeed ominous times!

The Bible warns that the immediate time ahead will usher in a period of national punishment. Jeremiah 30 reveals that there will be dreadful events that will include enslavement, the captivity of the remnants of these now powerful nations! Consider this very specific warning: “Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Verse 7).

Why? Why will God bring down the vast power and sweeping influence of America and Great Britain along with the destruction of the Jewish nation of Israel? Jeremiah 30 also answers this question:”For thus says the LORD: Your affliction is incurable, Your wound is severe. There is no one to plead your cause, That you may be bound up; You have no healing medicines. All your lovers have forgotten you; They do not seek you; For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, With the chastisement of a cruel one. For the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased. Why do you cry about your affliction? Your sorrow is incurable. Because of the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you” (Verses 12-15).

Our sins have increased mightily, and our generation does not really take notice nor repent and turn whole-heartedly to God for forgiveness and restoration! The murder of helpless children through abortion is an abominable stench before God! Marriages end in divorce, something God says He HATES! (Malachi 2:16). We are now fighting fruitless wars and further eroding our international prestige and earning a bully’s reputation, the very pride of our power is being broken as we watch (Leviticus 26:19). Murder and violence fill our cities, and our churches talk about God but don’t obey Him! On the contrary, the very name of God is flippantly spoken of or invoked in profane and obscene terms!

In short, God, His laws and His way of living have been rejected. People simply don’t take God seriously! Hosea sums up our current state with these words from God: ìHear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, Killing and stealing and committing adultery, They break all restraint, With bloodshed upon bloodshed” (Hosea 4:1-2).

This should not come as a surprise to US! In the remarkable prophecies of Ezekiel we find that during the Babylonian captivity of Judah, Ezekiel was “sent” to the House of Israel. However, the ten tribes comprising the nation of Israel had already gone into captivity well over one hundred years earlier (722-721 B.C.)!

We find this commission from God to Ezekiel: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.î As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are a rebellious house, yet they will know that a prophet has been among them'” (Ezekiel 2:3-5).

Ezekiel’s message has become a part of God’s Word. This warning from God is for our day, and it MUST BE PROCLAIMED, along with many other prophecies preserved in the Bible for us! That responsibility has passed along to the Church of God!

A further example of prophetic messages recorded for the time of the end is found in Habakkuk 2:2-3: ìThen the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie, Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”

Note this message found in Jeremiah: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, “Listen to the sound of the trumpet!” But they said, “We will not listen.” Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people, The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it'” (Jeremiah 6:16-19).

We find a similar message in Zechariah 7, verses 9-10: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.” The record shows that those who heard then, rejected God’s warning: “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 7:11-12).

Once again, the descendants of Jacob in this generation face the great wrath of God because of rebellion and stubborn disobedience. Only those who turn to God in utter repentance will receive His protection.

God has called some few to faithfully warn, to powerfully cry out the message of hope for those who will indeed listen! In fact, God promises that a warning proclamation WILL go out! We find this commitment of God’s full warning to His people: “Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure” (Hosea 5:9). Later, in this same book of Hosea, God speaks of a coming period of chastisement for Ephraim (the nations of the British Empire) with a reminder that they had been warned: “According to what their congregation has heard” (Hosea 7:12). More specifically, this promise is given to those faithful to God: “Surely the LORD God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Jesus Christ spoke in Matthew 24 of the time of the end and of that period just prior to His return. Along with instructing His servants to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to ALL NATIONS in ALL THE WORLD (Compare verse 14), He said we who would follow Him should WATCH and be READY (Compare verses 42 and 44).

Brethren, this is the TASK of the Church today, it is the work of God entrusted to His Church, including you and me, for OUR time!

Over the years, we have been reminded of a statement found in Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the LORD of hosts.” When we weigh our responsibilities against our resources, we must always remember that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

This lesson was poignantly taught to the disciples of Jesus. Unable to cast out a powerful demon, they asked, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you'” (Matthew 17:19-20).

However, Jesus also revealed a vital key in verse 21, when He further stated: “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” To accomplish the work of God that falls to the Church, all of us must be close to God.

Although our individual responsibilities differ, we have ALL been called to participate in the work of the Church of God. That work involves a message of warning, but it also includes a message of hope.

Consider these encouraging words from God: “Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob, says the LORD, Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid. For I am with you, says the LORD, to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished” (Jeremiah 30:10-11).

Jesus also preached the gospel of the kingdom, the same message of hope we are to proclaim. We find this record of Him in Matthew 9:36-38: ìBut when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Time is closing in on us to accomplish the work, which God has given us to do. Jesus was aware of the urgency of His work, and He told His disciples: “must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).

Brethren, we will all give account for our labors on behalf of God and Jesus Christ (Compare Matthew 25). Let us pray the more fervently for God’s help as we enter even greater times of peril leading to the return of Jesus Christ!

Thank all of you for your faithful part in this work. May God strengthen you for the awesome job we must complete!

In Christ’s Service,

David J. Harris

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Dear Brethren and Co-workers with Christ:

My wife Johanna and I have just returned from Europe, where we kept the Feast in England. Afterwards, we visited with our relatives in Germany. In my last member letter to you, dated July 13, 2004, I wrote this:

“I reflected on the awesome job, which God gave His Church ñ the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God in all the world as a witness or testimony ñ so that Jesus Christ can return to this earth. Do we realize how much this world needs to hear the good news or gospel message ñ the same message that Jesus Christ preached, when He was here on the earth?”

It may sound like a broken record, but I want to continue with this theme in this letter. There is a reason for doing so. Some have apparently forgotten what the commission of the Church of God is. Over the years, some have even left our fellowship, because they no longer believe that we are to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God into all the world. They allege that the Work is over and done with – all that is left for us to do is to prepare, individually and collectively, for the return of Christ.

There can be no doubt that the Church – the bride of Christ – is to make herself ready (Revelation 19:7). The ministry has an awesome responsibility to assist in this regard. It’s another way of saying that the Church has – and always has had – a two-fold commission: to preach the gospel and to feed the flock. Both aspects of that one commission go hand in hand. But do we realize, dear brethren, that we prepare the best – overcome our weaknesses the best – if our heart is in the Work; if we are involved in the preaching of the gospel? If all we are concentrating on is how to get into the kingdom ñ how to get salvation for ourselves – then we are acting selfishly, lacking the outpouring godly love for the welfare and benefit of others. The gospel of the Kingdom of God is the BEST NEWS that this world can ever hear. Why would a person led by God’s Holy Spirit NOT want to participate in announcing this precious and priceless truth to a spiritually starving and destitute mankind???

The idea that the Work of preaching the gospel is over and done with is biblically insupportable. Those who believe and teach this teach biblical heresy!

Notice the clear instructions and teachings of God’s Word, regarding the end of this present civilization and the beginning of the Kingdom of God:

Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness [or testimony] to all the nations, and then the end [of this present civilization] will come [not before then].”

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in[to] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age [this present civilization].”

Mark 13:10-13: “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nationsÖ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end [of this present civilization] shall be saved.”

Time and again we are being told that the preaching of the gospel and the teaching of those who are being called must endure until the very end. There is not even a hint that this task would have to stop prior to Christ’s return. Quite the contrary is true.

Notice Matthew 10:22-23: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel [let alone the rest of the world] before the Son of Man comes.”

Christ expects His disciples to be involved in the task of preaching the gospel in all the world, when He returns. They will not even have reached, by that time, all the cities of Israel! Are you willing to believe these clear statements, as they have been preserved for centuries in your Bible? IF it were true that the Work of preaching the gospel has ended, what about the role of the two witnesses, who will still appear on this earth, prior to Christ’s return? Revelation 11:3, 7 tells us that they will prophesy [including preach under godly inspiration] for 3 ½ years, and when they have finished “their testimony” or “witness” of preaching the gospel [compare again Matthew 24:14], they will be killed. But even then, the gospel will still have to be preached. Revelation 14:6 reports that at the time of the fall of modern Babylon (verse 8), the “everlasting gospel must still be preached – to those who dwell on the earth – to every nation, tribe, tongue and people.” Note, too, that this Scripture does not necessarily say that the third angel will preach it. It is the angel who has the everlasting gospel that must be preached. The preaching itself will probably be done through the Church – as this has ALWAYS been its commission.

Now see the proof that God intends the CHURCH to preach the gospel, which INCLUDES warning the nations of impending disaster. We read in Isaiah 62:6-7: “I have set watchmen [notice the plural here!] on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD [His Church!], DO NOT KEEP SILENT, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”

Isaiah 52:7-8 describes the ongoing DUTY of God’s Church to proclaim the gospel as God’s watchmen: “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news [the gospel], Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings [the gospel] of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, With their voices they shall sing together; for they shall see eye to eye When the LORD brings back Zion.” They will be there when this happens. They will see and experience the return of Christ. And they will still be His watchmen at that very time, LIFTING UP THEIR VOICES! In Romans 10:14-18, this passage is quoted in the context of preaching the gospel to Israel!

We also read about the responsibility of the modern-day watchman – a reference to the endtime Church of God – in the 33rd chapter of the book of Ezekiel. Again, it is emphasized that the Church – the watchman – is to WARN the nations of disaster and WAR because of their sins! Isaiah 58:1 adds: “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the HOUSE OF JACOB [modern Israel, including the United States of America, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand] their SINS.”

God EXPECTS of His Church to blow the trumpet – to warn the nations! Joel 2:1 tells us: “Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the DAY OF THE LORD [of Christ’s RETURN] is coming, For it is at hand.” This “trumpet message” must also be addressed to the Church membership, as verses 15-17 clearly show.

Hosea 8:1 enjoins the Church, too, to blow the trumpet to warn modern Israel of impending disaster, because they have violated God’s covenant and law. Those who claim that the Work is over and REFUSE to fulfill the responsibility assigned to them by God, will have to give account to God for their disobedience!

God’s true ministers are especially charged by God to do, what Paul told Timothy, a “fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ” (1 Thessalonians 3:2): “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).

We, in the Church of the Eternal God, the Global Church of God, and the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship, take this charge very seriously. We say with Paul: “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (compare 1 Corinthians 9:16). We cannot but do what God commissioned us to do ñ even if some don’t approve of it and a few may even leave our fellowship. With Peter we say, We must obey God rather than man (compare Acts 5:29).

That the end-time Church must still be engaged in preaching the gospel cannot be in doubt. Jesus Christ told the Philadelphians in Revelation 3:8-10: ìI know your works. See, I have set before you an open door [which includes the door of preaching the gospel, compare 2 Corinthians 2:12], and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word [including His word to preach the gospel], and have not denied My name [telling the nations that Christ’s name is the ONLY name by which we can be saved, Acts 4:12] ” Because you have kept My command to persevere [to do what we ought to do, even in the face of resistance], I also will keep you from the hour of trial [or Great Tribulation] which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

Since Christ will protect Philadelphians from the Great Tribulation, there must still be Philadelphians around when the Great Tribulation begins. And as long as we are Philadelphians, Christ has given us an open door to preach the gospel, and He expects us to go through that open door! From 1933 forward, God provided radio and television as well as the printing press as an open door for the message to go out. Today, He has also made available the technology of the Internet. As long as we remain faithful, He will see to it that a door is opened to us.

Christ said that the harvest is plentiful and that we are to pray that God will send laborers – true ministers – into the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38). The harvest is indeed plentiful. It will include 144,000 from the modern houses of Israel and Judah (Revelation 7:4-8), in addition to the great multitude of ALL tribes and nations (Revelation 7:9). They, too, will come to repentance PRIOR to the Day of the Lord (compare Revelation 7:14). They will have HEARD the gospel preached to them – otherwise, they could not respond and repent (compare Romans 10:14-15).

Dear brethren, don’t become shaky in your persuasion of what the Church of God ought to do today. Don’t listen to those who are of a different persuasion. They will have to give account for their false teaching, but we don’t want you to fall prey to their error and perhaps stumble and fall.

Let us abound in the Work of the Lord! And if we do it wholeheartedly, as to God and not to man, we will receive our reward in due time. Let us never forget the promise of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

In Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

The world of today is becoming more and more filled with hopeless violence. Implacable enemies are arising, committing unspeakable atrocities! On the near horizon of this generation’s future, insurmountable difficulties loom! The societies of this age are selfishly focused on power, on money and on vainly serving the desires of the flesh, all built on the false promises of human governments who are always proclaiming, but never quite able to deliver, a time of peace (compare 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).

We who have been called by God and who have continued to walk in His way of life, look forward to a much different future. We KNOW that God will soon establish His Kingdom on this earth. We KNOW that God will send Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), to intervene in great power to actually bring peace to the entire planet, forcing a rebellious mankind to accept God’s peace on His terms. Under His rule, man will not “learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).

As we enter the observance of these Fall Holy Days as commanded by God, we need to carefully consider the awesome GIFT that has been bestowed upon us. We understand God’s will, and we have the unparalleled and certain hope of a future of real peace, a peace that will transform this world!

In this context, let us also think about OUR PART in the Work of God: “For [consider] your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

In the wonder of this revelation, we are, on the one hand, humbled; while, on the other hand, we are called upon to take seriously the great responsibility that accompanies our calling at this time!

We have a message to deliver to this world, the GOOD NEWS that the way of living that brings only misery and death will soon come to an end. But, as we understand, there is MORE to that GOOD NEWS! It includes the establishment of God’s rule here on earth, the beginning of a BETTER way of life. This is news from God! It is the very same announcement given by Jesus Christ and continually proclaimed by the Church of God throughout the generations.

Here is the direct statement by Jesus Christ concerning the gospel or good news that comes from God: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end [of this present evil age] will come” (Matthew 24:14). We are doing our part in this awesome commission through the work of the Church of the Eternal God and our corporate affiliates in Canada and Great Britain. We are carrying on with this commission given to us in the Word of God. We all have our part as God has established us. Consider this statement in 1 Corinthians 12:18: “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body JUST AS HE PLEASED.”

God has very specifically chosen each one of us to be called at this time! He has done so with purpose: First, it is a part of His plan to call all in His Church to continued repentance and to offer all of us the chance for eternal life (Compare 2 Peter 3:9); Second, He is giving us the opportunity to be in the first resurrection and to be part of the government Jesus Christ will bring to the earth (Note the messages to the Churches in Revelation 2 and 3); Third, He has called us to be ambassadors of this future Kingdom, NOW! (Compare 2 Corinthians 5:20).

As the Word of God does so often, we, too, want to encourage all to walk in ways that truly reflect the character of God. Jesus said that we are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). In verse 16 of this same chapter, He says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Brethren, we accomplish this by living a life patterned after that of Jesus Christ. Especially during these approaching Holy Days, we should be extra mindful of our role in the body of Christ, the Church of God. All of God,s Feast Days picture His great master plan, and they continue to give us increased insight, understanding and occasions for personal growth. You may want to look again at our publication, “God’s Commanded Holy Days,” which sets forth in detail the meaning of these annual Festivals. For instance, Paul pointed out: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). He understood that the Feast Days (in this case, Passover) played a significant role in revealing the unfolding plan of God. Passover, reflecting on Christ’s death, is just the beginning, already pointing to Christ’s return and His rule over man. Passover is followed by the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, all these Days picture critical events in Gods plan for mankind, and for those whom He has called in this time and age. In faithfully obeying God’s command to observe His special Holy Days, we, as Christ’s ambassadors and special “newscasters,” are representing the promise of God to offer salvation to all of mankind.

What we do will certainly serve as a chance to let our light shine. When we gather together to be strengthened and to encourage one another, we will also be assembling as representatives of God’s Way of living.

In this joyous and special time of the Fall Festivals, we are to REJOICE: “And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates” (Deuteronomy 16:14).

Let us also direct our gratitude to God and to Jesus Christ in preparation for, and during God’s Fall Festivals! At one time, Jesus healed ten lepers; however, only one returned to give thanks and glory to God for his healing: “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16).

Brethren, as we keep the Fall Festivals, let us walk thankfully in the confidence of our calling. Let us rejoice in the hope that God has given us, and let us be very mindful of the fact that we are representatives of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Let us all become rejuvenated and refreshed during the Fall Festival season, praying to God for, and expecting to receive from Him, His strength (compare Isaiah 40:31). We need God’s strength to continue, in ever-increasing boldness and power, to do our job of proclaiming the good news of God’s soon-coming Kingdom to this world, an hallucinating, self-deceived and dying world, which hopes for peace, while living a way of life, which only brings about war (Romans 3:10-18). God’s Kingdom, pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles, is the ONLY hope for mankind. Let us never forget to pray: “Thy Kingdom Come!” And let us, as ambassadors of Christ, continue, without fear of persecution or reprisal, to PROCLAIM to this war-stricken world the gospel of PEACE (Ephesians 6:15), as this is indeed “beautiful” in God’s sight (Isaiah 52:7). We wish all of you a spiritually rewarding and peaceful Fall Festival season.

In Christ’s Service,

J. Edwin Pope

Norbert Link

David J. Harris

Rene Messier

Brian Gale

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Dear Brethren and Friends;

As we approach the end of the summer months (I say this with the temperature outside at 96 degrees and just fifty miles to the East of here is Palm Springs with a torrid 106 degrees), we are beginning to move into the period of time of the fall festivals: the Feast of Trumpets, Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.

We are anxiously looking forward, with anticipation, to our gathering together with the brethren, in one of two beautifully millennial settings where God’s name has been placed for us to observe the Feast this year: 1) The Sea Pines Golf resort in Los Osos, California, located on the banks of Morro Bay on the central coast of California or 2) Chatsworth House, this being the wonderful peak district home of the late Duke who died recently and still the home of the Duchess of Devonshire, located in Derbyshire, England.

We will assemble ourselves together as admonished in God’s Word in observance of the eight day festival which we all know as The Feast of Tabernacles; which, in fact, is inclusive of the two separate festivals; of the seven day “Feast of Tabernacles” and the separate festival of God which is called the “Last Great Day.”

The four fall festivals noted above portray great events prophesied in God’s Word to be coming soon to the earth and will culminate into the wonderful Kingdom of God, with Jesus Christ ruling on the earth for 1,000 years. But before all these events, which are prophesied to affect all the people of the earth, God reveals to us through the prophet, Daniel, that at the time of the end, knowledge will increase and people will be going to and fro over the earth.

But, we must ask the question, is this knowledge which will be increasing in the earth, something that is desirable? Is this increased knowledge something which will move the peoples of the earth closer to their Creator and to the Way of life He has chosen for us to be living? In fact, the Scriptures reveal to us that there is a knowledge which has been given to mankind which is to be desired! But is this desired knowledge, the knowledge that is being referred to as being increased at the time of the end?

The Scriptures also reveal to us that there is a knowledge in the world which leads to grief and sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18). God, in fact, in the beginning of man’s existence on the earth, introduced to the man and to the woman the fact that there were two approaches to life, represented by the two trees in the midst of the garden; and they must make a choice as to which way they would go (Genesis 2:9, 16-17). And so, we find in the book of Hosea, there would come a time during which knowledge is being increased in the land; at the same time, the prophet Hosea quotes the LORD as saying, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

But what knowledge is Hosea referring to? Surely not the knowledge that is increasing in the land! In the first verse of Hosea 4 the LORD explains what knowledge He is referring to. He states, ìThere is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land.î No truth of God’s Way! No understanding of God’s mercy and the fact that we should be showing mercy as He shows mercy! No knowledge of God, of His Law, of His Truth, or of His Way of life! What is the result of this lack? When there is no knowledge of God, He tells us (in Hosea 4:6) that the people are destroyed!

So, there is a body of knowledge which God refers to as true! This knowledge is revealed knowledge, which comes from God and which builds up the people who have received this revelation. But then, God also shows, there is a body of knowledge which is of this world and is destructive to mankind. It is true that included within this body of destructive knowledge are things which are good. But this body of knowledge also includes things which are evil. And these things are not easily discernable without the true knowledge of God. All of this becomes very clear to those whom God has called and who have had these truths revealed to them and who have God’s Spirit leading them in their lives.

Paul understood the value of this body of true knowledge and revealed that fact when he made the statement in Romans 7:7 (KJV) which said, ìÖI had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, “Thou shalt not covet.” Of course, we understand that this law Paul is referring to is one of the Ten Commandments, which existed from the beginning, but which was again revealed to the nation of Israel as God was leading them out of the land of Egypt, where they had been in captivity following the death of Joseph.

But much of the understanding of the Way of God has been lost down through the ages, and, today, we find ourselves in a world pretty much devoid of God and His Truth. We find ourselves living in that time prophesied by Daniel and others when knowledge would be increased. Yet this increased knowledge is not of God and His Way but is the knowledge of this world and its ways, which are a reflection of Satan’s ways, he being, at present, the god of this world. God proclaims this knowledge is that which is derived from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and tells us we must come out of that way!

Paul tells us that mankind rejected the knowledge of God which had been given to them. The result was that God allowed their minds to go off into error, which is where the majority of mankind find themselves today (Romans 1:16-28). Even Israel, God’s chosen people, had a zeal for God, but that zeal was not according to the knowledge of God (Romans 10:1-2). Thus, Paul admonishes us, in the book of Colossians, that his desire for those God calls is that they be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding”; and, that we “increase in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10).

Paul continues in chapter 3 of the book of Colossians, admonishing us to ìSet your minds on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).î He continues to develop this concept in this chapter showing that we must be renewed in the knowledge of God, giving detailed instructions as to how we are to do this.

Interestingly, Paul, on numerous occasions used a key phrase in his letters to the Thessalonians, to Timothy and to the Hebrews whereby he admonished them at that time, and you and me today, to “hold fast” to that which is good, to the confidence, to the confession, to the pattern of sound words he had delivered to them. He realized the importance of the knowledge God had given to them in opening their minds to receive this knowledge. And he understood how it is so easy, if one is not diligent, to allow one’s’ self to be swayed from these truths.

And John, as he was diligent in recording the words of our Lord in the book of Revelation, noted to three of the last four of the seven churches recorded in Revelation 2 and 3, where Christ specifically admonishes them to continue to “hold fast” to the true knowledge God had revealed to them until His return to this earth to establish the Kingdom. To the church of the Laodiceans, He said only, “be zealous and repent.” Apparently, Christ saw they were letting these wonderful truths slip away!

Brethren, we have been called to live this Way of God. This festival season we are about to enter is given to us by our Heavenly Father to provide special time for us to be renewed in the knowledge of His Way, and to grow and increase in God’s knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Let us all take full advantage of this blessing God has given us. Let us prepare our hearts and our minds to receive the Spiritual food God has for us and let’s prepare to go to this Feast of Tabernacles and rejoice in the sure knowledge of God and of His Way of life!

Continue to “hold fast,” dear brethren!

In Christian love,

J. Edwin Pope

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Dear Brethren, Co-workers and Friends!

At the very beginning of this letter, my wife Johanna and I would like to thank all of you, from the very bottom of our hearts, for the generous outpouring of love extended by you to my family and me, in regard to the death of my father. My dad died on June 13, 2004, and I was able to attend the funeral in Germany on June 18. Although my dad lived a long life of 95 years, it is still very difficult to accept his death, especially for my mother who is suffering tremendously because of this loss. She is presently visiting with us at our place in Ramona, until the end of the month, and I know how much she would appreciate your prayers for strength in these difficult times.

While in Germany, I reflected on the awesome job, which God gave His Church, the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God in all the world as a witness or testimony, so that Jesus Christ can return to this earth. Do we realize how much this world needs to hear the good news or gospel message, the same message that Jesus Christ preached, when He was here on the earth?

The true gospel message gives us hope. It includes the understanding as to what happens to us when we die. The religions of this world do not provide an answer. They are ignorant about this all-important question, and their teachings are inconsistent and confusing. Although some Christian churches teach the resurrection from the dead, they believe that at the time of one’s death, the soul of the dead person continues to live. They are unable to answer why there should be, then, a resurrection. (Martin Luther posed this very same question and concluded that the “soul” does not go to heaven or hell, when man dies, but awaits a resurrection from the dead.) Loved ones mourn for their “departed ones” and some still talk to them, thinking, but not really knowing, that the dead might still hear them. Others are uncertain whether they will ever see them again. What tragedy and unnecessary grief, pain and sorrow.

At the same time, we see how the different “branches” of the Christian churches of this world, in spite of their inconsistent and contradictory teachings, are recognized as belonging together. Although there are many “Protestant” churches, they all feel somewhat united as Protestants, based on several “core” teachings. And although there are many orders and archdioceses within the Catholic Church, holding different teachings to an extent, they clearly understand themselves as belonging to the Catholic faith.

Non-Christian observers analyzing the two big Christian churches, the Catholic and the Protestant Church, immediately note common denominators even between the two, identifying those as similar religions. Some have pointed out that the main distinguishing factor between the Catholic and the Protestant Churches is their belief as to what occurs during the administration of the bread and the wine at the time of the communion or Last Supper. This, seemingly theoretical, question has been declared as more important than even the issue of the role and function of the Pope and church government, the Virgin Mary, purgatory, or other doctrinal issues. It is safe to say that in regard to most questions, both church groupings are united, whether it is in their belief of the Trinity; the immortal soul; heaven and hell; Sunday; Christmas or Easter.

When contemplating this fact, I had to wonder about the Sabbath-keeping churches of God. There was a time when many of us were united within one big organization, the Worldwide Church of God. However, there have always been those, even under Herbert W. Armstrong, the late leader of the Worldwide Church of God, who had separated themselves, many times in rebellion against Church government, and had formed their own little groups, but these were few, small and insignificant, by comparison.

After Mr. Armstrong died in January of 1986, the prophesied apostasy set in (compare 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-3), and we witnessed a scattering of God’s people in many countries around the world. This scattering and regrouping has resulted in a weakening of the ability to preach the gospel by one somewhat powerful and recognizable organization, but, at the same time, it might have added, in some way, to the preaching of the gospel.

We read in Matthew 26:31 that when Christ, the Shepherd, was stricken, the sheep of the flock were scattered. This was primarily fulfilled when Christ was arrested and the apostles fled, but there is also a secondary meaning implied in this passage. Every time when Satan strikes powerfully against the Church of God, the body of the Shepherd, Jesus Christ, scatterings of the flock oftentimes occur as a consequence. But God allows such scatterings to happen for a reason. When Saul persecuted the church in Jerusalem, “they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1). But notice what happened next. We read in verse 4: “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” We also notice a similar occurrence in Acts 11:19-20. We find that today, too, some, who are scattered, preach the word of truth all over the world.

Many of God’s people are scattered today, belonging to different organizations, but as long as God’s Spirit dwells within them, they are a part of the body of Christ, which is a spiritual organism, consisting of all those in whom God’s Spirit dwells. Christ is not limited or restricted to just one corporate organization. At the same time, every member of the body of Christ does have the responsibility to decide what human organization to be affiliated with, based on right and proper Scriptural reasons. Everyone should be “fair-minded,” searching the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things, as taught by the ministry of a particular organization, are true (compare Acts 17:11). Members are to judge, discern, evaluate, based on Scripture, what is being preached (1 Corinthians 14:29). In order to do so correctly, members need to have God’s wisdom to discern properly (1 Corinthians 10:15). This requires that brethren dig deep (compare Luke 6:48) into the truth, it does make a difference to them whether and where the truth is preached fully, and when trials and obstacles occur, we all must be wise, not giving up these precious truths of God which have been received through the inspiration of God’s Spirit. We must hold fast to the pattern of sound words (compare 2 Timothy 1:13), rejecting and avoiding strange or useless teachings (Hebrews 13:9).

There is a reason why we are not all united at this time in one human organization. Some smaller organizations might be able to preach the gospel message in a more powerful way than they would be able to, if they were part of another organization (which might have procedures in ó 3 ó place that require a common denominator of teachings acceptable by all or the majority, or that bestow on just one person the right for a, more or less, autocratic determination as to what to preach).

At the same time, in spite of certain differences between corporate organizations and entities within the Church of God, we need to realize that members of those different organizations are part of the body of Christ, as long as God’s Spirit dwells within them. All of us are to faithfully hold to the truths revealed in Scripture through God’s Holy Spirit, so that Christ does not vomit us out of His mouth (Revelation 3:17). In addition, an outsider should be able to look at the fundamental teachings and clearly see a common uniting body of beliefs, just as he should be able to designate someone as a Catholic or a Protestant, or a Hindu, a Buddhist or a Muslim. He should be able to find within such organizations comprising the Sabbath-keeping Churches of God that they believe in the Sabbath and the Holy Days; the Family of God; the human potential; the return of Jesus Christ to restore the government of God here on this earth; the Millennium; the spirit in man; the non-existence of an immortal soul; life after death through the resurrections; the rejection of unclean meats and pagan festivals; etc.

Although there are reasons for the existence of different organizations within the body of Christ, all should be united in one goal of preaching the gospel message to this dying world, so that Christ can return to this earth soon to restore the Kingdom of God on this earth. The Church must be ready for this awesome event. The unifying beliefs of true Christians should be reflected in what they say and do in their lives. We must all be doers of the Word. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:9: “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another”, which, of course, is a reflection of God’s Commandments.

Christ said that all would know that we are His disciples if we have love for one another (John 13:35). And He was not just talking about love for brethren in our particular fellowship or organization. Christ warned that the love of many within the Church would grow cold (compare Matthew 24:12). Paul warned us not to devour each other (Galatians 5:15). He said that if we do, we are carnal (compare 1 Corinthians 3:1-3), more carnal, perhaps, than some of those who have not yet understood the truth, but who do show natural affection for others. There is never a reason for a Christian in one human fellowship or organization within the body of Christ to look down on, condemn or shun other Christians in different fellowships within Christ’s body. Christ told us that if someone is not against us, he is for us, on our side (Mark 9:40; Luke 9:50). On the other hand, we must use discretion to avoid being deceived by false teachings. But even then, we must not allow ourselves to assume a self-righteous approach when dealing with the people of God outside our own fellowship. We must let our light shine before all, and that includes even speaking to those who may now be cast in adversarial roles. However, that would not include, of course, listening to false teachings, including via literature or tape, or spiritually fellowshipping with those who have chosen to follow and promote wrong doctrines. Paul warned the church at Corinth: “that a little leaven leavens the whole lump”(1 Corinthians 5:6).

Although we might (have to) operate in different human organizations at this time, all true believers are still to be united by the bond of peace and love and respect for each other and by the Truth which God has revealed to us. How can we reject those and refuse to have any social contact with them, when God has accepted them (compare Romans 14:4)? If problems between Christians exist, they need to be resolved. Sometimes, it may appear easier to just ignore a problem, to avoid the other person, and to go our separate ways. But that would not be in accordance with the wisdom of God. And without the wisdom of God we will, in time, fall for and accept wrong teachings, concepts and practices.

As I said at the beginning of this letter, my family and I were greatly moved by the numerous e-mail messages, cards and phone calls from our relatives, friends and brethren, expressing to us their condolences for the death of my dad. When he was still alive, many had prayed for him, my mother and our family. This showed out-flowing love for the welfare and benefit of others, and this manifestation of love came from many members belonging to a number of different organizations within the body of Christ. This is how it should be. Love, true, genuine love, transcends man-made borders and limitations.

May God bless you all.

With Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends:

I am writing this letter from Canada. Delia and I are looking forward to meeting with our brethren at the Feast of Tabernacles 2004 in California. We are busy, with the help of competent volunteers, with the translation of some of our English booklets into French. At this time, two French booklets plus other French articles have been posted on our Websites (www.eternalgod.org; www.churchofgodacf.ca; and www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk). We are also investigating the possibility of printing hard copies of some of our French booklets for our French readers around the world who don’t have access to the Internet.

In Canada we will very shortly have a general election to select the next government for the next three to four years. I find it most interesting that the two major issues that have surfaced are not the economy or health care, but same sex marriages and abortion rights for women. It is really a travesty when governments rise or fall on issues like these. What are our countries coming to? I know similar issues are being faced in the United States and Great Britain, where the legal right to kill unborn children or to marry someone of the same sex are also major issues in the elections of their future governments.

Almighty God, through Paul, one of Christ’s apostles, addressed the issue of same sex relationships. We read in the book of Romans 1:24ñ27: “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature [or, creation] rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust [not, love] for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.”

This “penalty” might very well include the curse of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. God makes it very clear in His Word that our sins eventually will catch up with us. Paul continues to state in Romans 1:32: “…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

God hates the sin, but He loves the sinner. He does not want anyone to perish, but His desire is that all will gain eternal life in His kingdom. However, those who refuse to repent of their sins and continue to practice them will not enter the Kingdom of God.

It is also notable to read what Christ had to say regarding the last generation, prior to His return. We find His sobering prophecy in Luke 17:26ñ27: “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, UNTIL the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” This passage does not seem to address homosexual practices per se, the people were apparently living in other types of sin. However, the next two verses are most revealing in regard to ancient Sodom: “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:28ñ29).

The quoted passages in Romans and Luke paint a picture of the times we live in today. We might note that all men, young and old, appeared in front of Lot’s house to molest the two strangers who were lodging with Lot (Genesis 19:4ñ5). They did not know, of course, that these young men were angels. Not ten righteous people could be found in Sodom to spare the city from destruction. The prevailing attitude was live and let live, that it did not matter as long as it did not harm them, individually. They approved of what was going on. They were living what appeared to be “normal lives”, they were buying, selling, planting and building. But the longer they stayed and lived in the environment, the more they approved of, and got themselves involved with, perverted activities which were being carried out around them. Sodom’s lifestyle had become “normal” for everyone living in the city, with the exception of Lot. But even Lot lingered when he was told to leave the city (Genesis 19:16).

That the Old and the New Testaments strongly condemn homosexual conduct as sinful cannot be denied. Leviticus 18:22 tells us, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” The Bible is clear, then, that homosexuality must be overcome. The good news is that with God’s help, it CAN be overcome, as can be ANY sin. Notice Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators [those who engage in pre-marital sex], nor idolaters, nor adulterers [those who engage in extra-marital sex], nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists will inherit the kingdom of God. And such WERE SOME OF YOU. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS AND BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.”

We are told that if we don’t repent and give up wrong habits, replacing them with God’s righteousness, we will not enter the kingdom of God. Homosexuality is most certainly a SIN that must be overcome, but it is NOT the ONLY sin that must be overcome. These who lived before the flood were apparently involved in other types of sin (compare Genesis 6:1-6, 11-12) but they, too, were destroyed, as they were unwilling to repent of their sins and change their lives. Notice Revelation 21:7-8: “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly [those who know better, but are afraid to change and stand up for what is right], unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and ALL LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Those who know better, but WILLFULLY and with HATE AND ANGER permanently and irrevocably REFUSE to repent of their evil conduct will end up in the lake of fire. They will NOT enter the New Jerusalem. Revelation 22:14-15 states: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs [compare Phil. 3:2] and sorcerers and sexually immoral [including homosexuals, AS WELL AS those who engage in other sinful sexual conduct, such as fornication and adultery] and murderers and idolaters, and WHOEVER LOVES AND PRACTICES A LIE.”

For some, it is easy to see that homosexuality is sinful. At the same time, it is very difficult for them to see that lying or killing (including killing in war or abortion) is sinful and must be repented of as well. God calls homosexuality an “abomination.” Note, however, what else is an “abomination” in God’s eyes: “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an ABOMINATION to Him: A proud look, A LYING tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A FALSE witness who speaks LIES, And one who sows discord among brethren”(Proverbs 6:16-19).

The Biblical teaching is clear and consistent: ANY SIN that we REFUSE to repent of will keep us out of the kingdom of God.

We, as part of the Body of Christ, have a duty to cry aloud and show the people their sins. We fulfill our duty through our literature, booklets, sermons and StandingWatch programs. This may seem insignificant to some, but we are commissioned by Christ to do this as His Church and to continue to do this as long as God allows us.

That is the reason why we are so busy writing, producing and publishing new booklets, in addition to our weekly Updates, sermons, and our StandingWatch programs, warning the nations as to what is to come, and offering them hope for a better world. Our most current booklet, “Sickness and Healing, What the Bible Tells Us,” is being printed. We will send it to you, once we receive it from the printer. We are planning to produce soon a StandingWatch program (www.standingwatch.org) in the German language, in our continued efforts to reach the international non-English speaking communities. In addition to the French webpage, mentioned earlier, we have also already in place a German Webpage on which we constantly post new German booklets and articles.

When you look at conditions around the world, you should be able to determine the signs of the times: Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, and moral decay. These are troublesome times. We hear on an almost daily basis of continued violence in the Middle East. America and other nations are bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan. In spite of all this, the average person thinks things are not that bad; that they will get better; and that there is not really any cause for alarm. This is exactly the symptoms and the attitude Christ was warning about: The people before the Flood and at the time of Sodom and Gomorrah did not think, either, that there was cause for alarm, until their destruction was imminent.

There is no question that our nations are going down economically, socially, and morally. God even warns that they will eventually be conquered in war and taken into slavery, unless, they repent. It is our job to continue warning the English-speaking nations and other nations of the world of impending disaster and to reveal a better Way of Life. In order to receive the strength to do God’s work, we ourselves must stay close to God and pray ever fervently for God’s kingdom to come soon, and for His Will to be done on earth, as it is being done in Heaven.

In Christ’s service

Rene E. Messier

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 Dear Brethren and Friends,

In the very short history of the Church of the Eternal God and its affiliated associates in both Canada and Great Britain (Church of God a Christian Fellowship and The Global Church of God), we have witnessed sweeping changes in the world! Now, East and West Europe are uniting! America has been effectively more and more REMOVED from world dominance in terms of its international prestige! We are beginning to see a more dominant role emerging for the Pope and Catholicism!

All of these things – and more – are the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. The unfolding timeframe of Matthew 24 that Jesus Christ gave for His disciples – especially for those faithful to Him at the end of the age – is playing out before our eyes! In Matthew 24 and 25, we are told by Jesus to WATCH and to BE READY!

The work that God is leading us to accomplish focuses on these very things. Just as we began with what God had given us faithful men and women and their families who believed in standing firmly in the truth – so we now continue to seek to carry on with the work given to us.

True to what the Church of God must ALWAYS DO, we have grown in our understanding, in our zeal and in our love for one another. Notice how Paul states this principle: “but speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Peter also admonishes us: “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”(2 Peter 3:18). (You might want to read the Editorial in our Update for May 14, 2004, by Norbert Link on this subject entitled, “How Do You Grow?”)

Our blessings – including our continued existence – are a direct outgrowth of our mutual commitment to do what we can and what God grants for us in fulfilling the instructions of Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom WILL BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD AS A WITNESS TO ALL THE NATIONS, and then the end will come.”

We understand that the gospel was not preached to the world at large after the first century and until God called Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in the last century. We also know that some will arise to finish this awesome task at the very end of this age – notably, the two witnesses spoken of in Revelation 11 and Zechariah 4. Right now, the job remains unfulfilled in this, our generation! Although there was a work that reached the lives of millions in the recent past, a whole new generation has arisen. We must build on the foundation of truth we have received and carry on with the work of God.

The knowledge of the TRUTH that we have been given is what we must impart to all who will listen. Some will embrace the way of God while others, perhaps most at this time, will reject it. Regardless, God’s message must go out powerfully in the days, weeks, months and precious FEW YEARS AHEAD! Each month, we send out letters to all of you who stand together with all of us in this calling, and, indeed, it is an unparalleled CALLING from God! Always, we say, “thank you,” for all that you do and for your continuing faithfulness!

But we must remind one another that the job is still ahead of us! It HAS NOT BEEN FINISHED! God is indeed allowing us to be productive in so many ways, but He expects us to do more than what is required. An interesting exchange occurred between the apostles and Jesus when they asked him to “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). The sum of what Jesus said to them is found in verse 10: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ìWe are UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS. We have done what was our DUTY to do.”

That means that if we are to really please God, our Master, then we must all do more. Most importantly, we are to persevere without quitting and to overcome the obstacles that hinder us in our service to God. These might seem inconsequential at first glance, but we start the process by being faithful in the little things! Jesus taught in the parable of the Minas this basis for true faithfulness. Here is the principle that Jesus related as recorded in Luke 19, verses 11-27, but note, in particular, verse 17: “and he said to him, ìWell done, GOOD SERVANT; BECAUSE YOU WERE FAITHFUL IN A VERY LITTLE, have authority over ten cities.”

Brethren, this translates to our circumstances, today. What we have been given to shepherd is the truth of God. We indeed KNOW what the Church of God must do in terms of its commission. We KNOW what God expects of us in terms of how we now live our lives. We must be careful to not bury the talents given to us to accomplish these things! Also, consider this stern caution from Jesus: “And that servant who KNEW his master’s will, and did not PREPARE himself or DO according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke 12:47). We are about to observe the Feast of Pentecost on May 30. This most remarkable time commemorates God giving His Holy Spirit to mankind so that we could truly become like God, even to the point of having perfect character just like Him (Compare Matthew 5:48). That wonderful truth is the very heart of the message of good news, which we have a part in boldly proclaiming to this dying age.

Luke 9:62 states, “But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and LOOKING BACK, is fit for the kingdom of God.'”We have been called out of this world, and we are among those who have continued to look forward to the job at hand as well as what surely lies before us in future times.

Our own good news is that we have been given God’s Holy Spirit to help us complete what God has begun in us; we have Jesus Christ as our High Priest to help us and to protect us from the forces of darkness ruled over by Satan; we have a future and a hope because God has included us in His great master plan.

Paul, a very faithful servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, completed the work that God gave to him. Here is his approach, one that helped strengthen him in his own calling and one that can encourage us in our calling, today: “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).

Brethren, this must be our persuasion as well. Let’s also keep in mind the kind of ZEAL that the Father and Jesus Christ want to see in us: “You shall love the LORD your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

In Christ’s Service,

David J. Harris

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Dear Brethren, Co-workers and Friends:

The people of God are truly well blessed. We have been given so many answers to the big questions & answers that even the most brilliant minds of this world today can’t understand. The booklets that we produce are a gold mine of information and truth as they faithfully reflect our understanding of the Bible.

However, we can learn positively from some of the ways in which people in the world conduct themselves. Christ encouraged us to learn from the “unjust steward” (Luke 16:1-8), and He told us that the people of this world, in their generation, are even smarter or more shrewd than the children of light. That is why we are to be harmless as doves, but at the same time “wise as serpents” (Matthew 10:16). Recently, the Prime Minister in the United Kingdom as well as the President in the USA have been locked in debate over the validity of the war in Iraq. The term, “Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD),” has become a phrase commonplace in the vocabulary of most people. In the UK, we are to have yet another inquiry, and the Prime Minister and other leading politicians on both sides of the divide, have toured the radio and television studios to promulgate their case. We are confronted with claim and counter claim.

Their zeal for the cause is admirable and is a quality that we can learn from. Zeal is defined as “earnestness or fervor in advancing a cause or rendering a service; hearty and persistent endeavor.” Even in the many different corporate Churches of God, there is a consensus that we are now living in the Laodicean era – even if there is considerable disagreement as to what group or person belongs to it. The main characteristic of a Laodicean is a lukewarm attitude (Revelation 3:16) – an attitude lacking in zeal (verse 19). This lukewarm attitude amongst some or many of Godís people is not the same state of mind exhibited by the proponents in the political arena on both sides of the Iraqi war debate. Rather, zeal, activity and considerable energy are eaten up in this ongoing saga.

In addition, the Democratic Party in the USA has been going through the process of choosing its candidate to take on President George W. Bush in the Presidential election later this year. Television pictures of their energy, vitality and excitement can be in stark contrast to the way that some Church of God people behave. Their zeal for the cause is certainly an area that we can try to emulate.

Of course, politics is full of Commandment breaking as it reflects the moral deterioration in society at large, with the Ninth Commandment suffering as much as any. Lying, or the making of promises, which are subsequently broken or “forgotten,” is endemic in the human condition. We have historically seen and heard politicians who were “economical with the truth” as they vie for votes, public attention and general support. This is an area that we, as true Christians, must ensure that we don’t slip into, however inadvertently.

Even a cursory look at current events clearly reveals a world that is ill at ease with itself in almost every aspect of its activities. Relying on our fellow man is an exercise in futility, irrespective of the promises of political candidates for the Presidency or their equivalent counterparts in the UK who have the same agendaóthat of being elected or re-elected. The only real security we have is belief and faith in the one true God.

In the UK, politicians are never heard to mention God unless the word is used as an expletive. God, His ways and His Commandments are completely overlooked or ignored by mortal man who thinks he knows best. In the USA, God might be mentioned at times, but it is obvious that the real and true teachings of God have been forgotten. I recently heard a comment that said that in spite of 32 million laws having been passed, they had not improved on the original 10 (Commandments). This is a pithy and telling comment, acknowledging the fact that Godís Law is far above any human concepts and ideas regarding the kind of law that should regulate our conduct.

For almost 2,000 years, there has been the expectation of a new world order with Christ reigning on earth as King of kings in the Kingdom of God, supplanting the current order ably led in defiant rebellion against God by the god of this world (compare 2 Corinthians 4: 4). At one time Paul felt that Christ would return in his lifetime (1 Thessalonians 4:15). Others believed this, too, down through the ages. And the church in our generation has had the same level of expectation. The fact that Christ has not yet returned has caused many to lose their zeal, although right now zeal is extremely important! It is now that we need to use all our energies and strength to continue. Paul encouraged all of us in this way: “… now is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Many, however, have decided to do the absolutely worst thing that they possibly could have done: They have failed to continue with the Christian way of life. In addition, scoffers which were predicted to rise up (2 Peter 3:3-4) don’t help those who are still “hanging in there,” struggling with their dedication to God and His way and who may be experiencing severe trials of one sort or another in their lives. But this is when God finds out about us. Are we in it for the long haul and are we sold on His way of life? Have we made such a firm commitment with God that we will NEVER give up – no matter what may happen?

Zeal can help us to stay the course. Mr. Herbert Armstrong said that he had to keep a prod on himself and the church by his sense of urgency. With such a sense of urgency it is difficult to become lukewarm. In recent years, many of the people of God have become lax in many ways. When viewing those zealous, dedicated and committed politicians and public figures, even though their agenda is only temporary and motivated by human desires, it is something that we can try to emulate on a permanent basis, and in a godly way.

Christ asked whether He would find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8) at His return. With events in recent years, shattering the church and scattering Godís people, it becomes clearer why He had this in mind, and it is imperative that we stay dedicated to God and His way. If we have any traces of this lukewarm attitude, we must do everything in our power to eliminate them immediately.

It really cannot be emphasized too much that this condition which is roundly condemned in Godís Word (Revelation 3:14-19) is not something that we must ever be found guilty of. Most politicians and leading figures in society are usually zealous and dedicated to their cause and endeavors. This is something that must also be at the heart of our Christian commitment. Anything less, according to Scripture, is unacceptable and the consequences are dire.

Let us all make sure that we receive a positive evaluation from Jesus Christ when He returns to this earth, irrespective of when that most wonderful event occurs. Will we all hear Him say to us: “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)? These are the words that will be spoken to those who have zealously and faithfully endured to the very end. Will those words be said to each and every one of us?

With brotherly love,

Brian Gale